Kevin feels conflicted. On the one hand it's been 84 years since he last saw Alsebah. He's missed her, missed talking with her, even if she still treats him like a novice sometimes. He enjoys seeing how the Mirror has changed -- or rather, how it hasn't changed. He's missed the convoluted architecture of the Lower City and the prevailing atmosphere of excitement everywhere.
On the other he never, ever wanted to return to the Wilds.
But he's here. For a good cause, he reminds himself, but for better or for worse, he's here. And he still hasn't figured out how to feel about it.
"A copper for your thoughts?" Alsebah says as she walks up behind him. He's standing by a window, staring up at the steadily darkening afternoon sky. She leans against the windowsill. Sam and Alice are on the other side of the room, digging through a pile of Alsebah's old winterwear. Not as old as what they're wearing right now, though in Kevin's opinion no less discreet either, but she insisted they pick something. Never let it be said that she'd strike an unfair deal.
Kevin chuckles. "I'm not that out of touch you know," he says and she grins. "Although I doubt you'd want to purchase these thoughts anyway. They're messy."
"Oh, messy is fine, I love messy," she says and gestures to the general state of the store. Which is indeed messy. Not dirty, but most definitely messy. He raises an eyebrow.
"In any case, I will not give you my thoughts, but I suppose I can share them with you," he says and lets out a long sigh. "I don't know what I'm doing."
"When did you ever?" she asks and he gives her a look.
"I used to. Or at least I thought I did." He sighs again, rubs his face. "Suddenly there's just so much and I'm having trouble keeping up." He looks over to Sam and Alice. Sam catches his eye and their face falls serious for a moment, but Alice says something and they turn their attention back to her. "They're counting on me," he says. "If I'm in over my head, they are ten times as much. I'm the only thing that can keep them alive here."
"For one who hasn't thought about Hearts, you sure have managed to grow yours," Alsebah says, an uncharacteristically soft smile playing at her lips. "The Cadeyrn I remember was a selfish brat, but here you are, sticking out your neck to save a few humans."
"Well, I'm not Cadeyrn anymore," he says and gives her a smirk. "I'm Kevin."
"Look at you, mister macho man," she coos and pinches his cheek. Then she pushes herself off the sill and waltzes over to the other two. "Well, kids, you find anything that strikes your fancy? I can resize them for you, if you need."
They spend an hour trying on clothes after which Alsebah serves them dinner. She is in full hostess mode, entertaining her guests with all manner of magical and mystical items she has in her shop. It's hard to get rid of the ever looming deadline and the oppressive severity of the situation they're in, but she is very good at distractions. Kevin wants to leave as soon as possible, and he can tell Alice is wound up tight like a jack-in-the-box about to pop, but Alsebah insists they stay for the night. It is too late and too dark to get anywhere anyway. And so they sleep.
When the morning arrives, so does a packet, left on the doorstep of the Telltale Mirror. It is a nondescript parcel, the size of a palm, wrapped in brown paper and addressed to no one. Inside are two things.
Firstly a note that reads "I knew you'd find here", signed with not a name but a V.
And secondly a small, hardened piece of clay with the distinct impression of a key.
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Hey hey! Kind of a short one today, I used all my creative juices on the last part it seems lol but next week I'll have plenty of time to focus on the story when our course work ends! Next topic is "Faint", enjoy!
Pie out.
short and sweet :)
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