A warehouse of stacked crates and strange symbols, glowing-eyed rats and shrieking bats burst into motion without warning... Gurak, a red hordeling, drove into the chaos with his fists, Brigitte carved space with heavy, brutal swings of her sword, Reinald answered the rising panic with thunder and sleep magic, and Aveline held her ground with a rapier, precise even as swarms closed in.

The fight was hard and messy, workers turning on one another, their bodies refusing to stay down, blood staining the floor, but inch by inch the group gained control... knocking the foes senseless, binding the fallen and forcing the madness to slow. In the end, with the battle won but the cost laid bare, the dream settled into a... some kind of victory, uneasy and incomplete, marked by one final act of mercy where magic could no longer help...

Reinald Vulperian | Afternoon 12th of Leaffall 248 A.T.C

At the Eureka's Gem Arcane Academy, Professor Reinald Vulperian (R) awakens from a... daydreaming nap while he was supposed to be supervising an exam. One of the foxfolk students, Beaux, confronts him about a previous exam and an invention she created.

A camera-like construct which had received a C grade by Professor Reinald, Beaux argues the invention's unique capabilities warrant a higher grade and by... mildly threatening to expose the professor's secret activities to the headmaster.

Under pressure, Reinald agrees to raise her grade to an A. He ensures Beaux deletes any compromising recordings from her floating eye device, which she does. As she leaves, Reinald reflects annoyingly on having been manipulated.

Reinald hears a voice that he's all too familiar with, laugh at him. Röka, the whimsical mysterious spirit of his magical tome: The LegendKeeper. Röka speaks in Reinald's mind, wondering what has him so bothered. Reinald asks Röka about the strange dream he had, wondering if Röka might know more. The dream felt unusually real, raising doubts about whether it was merely a dream or something more. But their discussion ends without answers.

Brigitte Yrsdottir | Early Morning | 19th of Leaffall 248 A.T.C

In the underground tunnels of Allura's Haven, remains a family of misfits, outcasts and shady people. They've been dubbed as "Rhazeth's family". Together they run one of Allura's Haven's more... lucrative businesses, an underground fighting pit club... In particular, one recent member, who's only been a year with the family so far...

Brigitte awakens from an unsettling dream involving unfamiliar figures, the dream felt real enough that she checks herself for injuries. Nothing, just a bit sore from last night's cage battles.

She reaffirms her daily routine of keeping The Beast Within controlled and works off her tension with exercise before heading out of her room. She encounters Sonya, the youngest member of "Rhazeth's Family" and considered to be Rhazeth's adoptive daughter. She's an incredible healer, and she and Brigitte share a kinship, both having gaps in their memory about their pasts.

Sonya mentions hearing noise during the night. Brigitte downplays it. Sonya checks a minor injury that Brigitte got previously, she respects Brigitte's boundaries and makes no direct contact with her, eventually confirming it has healed properly.

A "family meeting" is announced for later that morning. Brigitte reflects on her place within the family and her difficulty opening up about her past. She meditates in the family hall until Gurak joins her. Gurak, the right hand man of Rhazeth is also known as "The Older Brother" of the family. He's in the know on everyone and everything. Gurak asks how Brigitte's doing, sensing something is troubling her. But Brigitte doesn't budge.

Gurak invites Brigitte to do some meditation on the beach, perhaps that will do her some good. Brigitte accepts, and the two head toward the surface for some quiet before the family meeting.

Reinald Vulperian | Evening 12th of Leaffall 248 A.T.C

Back at the academy, Reinald finishes his work for the day. As Reinald wanders the halls of the academy, noticing the elder scholar Richard Spellspark, otherwise known as Ol'Dick, he seems to be carrying a stack of documents. Röka appears within Reinald's mind once more, asking to perform a small favor...

"Reinald.... I want you to push over that scholar!" he whispered, eyes glinting.

Reinald looked shocked. "What!? He may break a bone!" He glanced at the elderly foxfolk clutching his armful of parchments, claws full of notes and scrolls.

Roka responded. "Fine then, make all the papers in his hand scatter all over the floor!"

The elderly scholar Ol'Dick shuffles past, his old paws clutching a towering stack of parchments covered in densely-packed notes. Reinald's fingers twitch subtly at his side, muttering an incantation under his breath that's barely louder than a whisper.

Whoooosh!

A sudden gust of wind whips through the hallway. Papers fly into the air like a flock of startled birds, swirling in chaotic spirals before fluttering down across the entire hallway. Some cartwheel through the air, others dive-bomb toward the floor, and one lands perfectly on the scholar's head like a paper hat.

Röka laughs loudly because of the chaos, and rewards Reinald with access to a new one-time-use spell, but it does make Reinald feel a little bad for the elderly scholar. Reinald wanders past the entrance desk, he slides his name-tag to "out-of-office" on the large board. His claw pauses mid-movement when he spots something on the attendance board, his aunt Victoria is visiting the academy! What's she doing here?

Reinald wanders the hallways to find his aunt, finding her stepping out of the headmaster's office. Victoria greets Reinald, mentioning she's at the academy for council-related business involving the temporarily acting headmaster, Elder Greymane. After Victoria says goodbye to the headmaster, Reinald invites Victoria to join him with a visit to his mother's and grandmother's tavern in the city for an early dinner, Victoria accepts and together they head to The Pippin Cidery.

On their way, Reinald asks what she's doing in the city, but Victoria cannot share much. She shares that tomorrow morning she'll be heading towards Allura's Haven for other business, among also making a visit to Mayor Hartthorne.

In the tavern, Victoria and Reinald find a table and they soon meet Angus, Reinald's long-distance partner for the last three years. Angus was already seated with an oversized piece of apple pie, courtesy of Reinald's mother. It is a bit of a surprise that he's here, as Reinald and Angus hadn't planned a visit.

Their reunion is warm and affectionate, Reinald greets him with a big hug and a kiss, clearly relieved to see him safe after hearing he had been attacked on the road. Angus downplays the incident, noting that he lost supplies but was not injured. Angus was invited to stay the night by Reinald's grandmother, as he planned to leave tomorrow back to Howl's Edge. Angus surprises Reinald with two tickets for a performance tonight at the Amphitheater, and Reinald suggests that after dinner they'll freshen up at his family mansion and then head to the performance.

Reinald asks Angus to join him and Victoria for dinner, and the three discuss the strict academy regulations and recent road troubles, Victoria explains that the academy regulations became a lot stricter after a particular incident, involving a young scholar that accidentally killed another and hid the evidence in a bag of holding.

That conversation turns serious when the topic of Henry comes up, Henry was formerly imprisoned here in Spellwhisk and is now under custody of the De Ragnaisse family. Victoria explains it is one of the reasons why Victoria has to travel towards Allura's Haven. Henry's legal status remains complicated as he himself claimed to be a member of the Ragnarveil family line, yet all their documents indicate otherwise. Angus responds that next tenday he'll also be in Allura's Haven for a big delivery.

After dinner, Victoria says goodbye to Reinald and that they'll see each other soon. Reinald speaks with his grandmother, Daisy Mai. He receives some encouragement, as she mentions that they'll have the house to themselves tonight. Daisy Mai hands him a healing potion, before leaving with Angus to attend a performance. Despite Angus's size causing minor disruptions for other attendees at the Amphitheater, their evening is enjoyable and intimate.

Brigitte Yrsdottir | Morning | 19th of Leaffall 248 A.T.C

In Allura's Haven, Brigitte and Gurak emerge from underground and agree to travel to the richer part of the city, the Ambassador's Pier, where there's a lovely stretch of beach where Gurak prefers to meditate. Gurak asks Brigitte if something is bothering her, sensing that she seems distracted. Brigitte shares the vivid dream she had, involving a violent warehouse confrontation alongside a red-haired woman and a foxfolk young man.

The dream leaves Brigitte a bit unsettled, as she heard "The Beast Within" taunt her, but Gurak reassures her that she is stronger. Brigitte describes the dream in detail. In it, they were fighting alongside two others: a red-haired human woman and a foxfolk individual.

Brigitte's description of the red-haired woman brings Gurak to the conclusion that it might have been Aveline De Ragnaisse, a known landowner and businesswoman in the Ambassador Pier and the richer Southern District, he calls her 'one of the good ones.'

They continue walking through the city together, passing the Red Hook, a fisher's shop that Brigitte and Gurak both know well. As they move further, the streets feel tense, and it becomes clear that last night something happened, they pass by a house that was burnt down. Gurak mentions that he was not informed of this happening, suggesting events may have unfolded faster than information could spread.

Gurak and Brigitte eventually reach the trader district, cleaner streets, sturdier buildings, and signs of wealth. They pass familiar landmarks such as the House of Trade and many shops, before passing by Mayor Hartthorne's office. Something immediately feels off.

Makeshift wooden planks have been added to the roof, crudely positioned near an upper window. On closer inspection, the planks appear deliberately placed, forming a path to or from the window rather than part of any normal repair. This raises suspicion that the office may have been accessed from above...

Deciding to investigate further, Brigitte uses some of her magic to cast "Pass Without Trace", with Gurak and Brigitte slipping inside through the upper window. The second-floor bedroom is neat and undisturbed, but an odd, familiar smell drifts upward from below. Following it, they descend down the stairs.

The lower floor is in complete disarray. Papers are strewn across the desk, furniture is displaced, and the front door is barricaded from the inside. The mayor is nowhere to be found. During the search, they find the mayor's coat left behind—strong evidence that he did not leave voluntarily. Among the scattered documents is a paper outlining stricter regulations on an experimental drug known as TGS.

The implications are troubling. The timing of the regulations, the condition of the office, and the mayor's absence suggest he may have been taken or worse. While searching, Brigitte notices pouches of gold stored in the desk drawers, prompting a brief but tense moment where "The Beast Within" taunts her to take it. Ultimately, Brigitte and Gurak leave everything untouched.

With no basement and no clear signs of where the mayor was taken, Gurak and Brigitte piece together what little evidence they have and decide this information must be brought to Rhazeth immediately. They exit the office the same way they entered, slipping back out through the window. Once outside, Gurak points out that Mayor Hartthorne has long been an "ally" of Rhazeth and the family, making his disappearance personal as well as politically dangerous...

There won't be enough time to meditate, so Brigitte suggests to return back to The Family Hideout, but Gurak first asks Brigitte to join him to pick something up on the other side of the city, they still have some time. Once Brigitte realizes they are heading to a fancy clothes shop, she makes it very clear that she'll kill Gurak if he's buying a dress for her...

In the shop, they meet a Kaleidosian dragonfolk named Felix, who greets them with a mix of curiosity and mild amusement. Gurak asks where Katrien is, and the dragonfolk responds that he's standing in for her today. The shop becomes a small stage for an awkward yet meaningful moment for Brigitte.

A large, unmarked box is brought out for Gurak, meant as a one-year anniversary gift from Gurak to Brigitte. Inside is a set of clothes and a jacket identical to one Brigitte already wears. The magic in the garment quickly reveals itself that when it's torn, it stitches itself! Brigitte's reaction is a mix of delight and bashfulness. She's clearly flustered and a bit awkward about receiving this gift. After some more small-talk, Brigitte and Gurak return back to The Family Hideout.

They descend underground, into the family's living quarters, and find some familiar faces: Wilt, Sloane, Beastie, Coldrock, Kaelis, and Sonya, though Rhazeth is absent, probably in his office.

Brigitte and Gurak approach Coldrock for a quick breakfast. Brigitte quietly observes as Coldrock offers bread, stale but nourishing. Brigitte also makes a quick stop at Wilt's table, who seems to be in his typical hangover mood, Brigitte scolds him for... making so much "noise" at night when he has... "guests" over.

Brigitte keeps a mental note that the missing mayor and recent fires are looming questions that the family will need to discuss, but for now, breakfast provides a pause, a moment of normalcy.

As Rhazeth makes his way out of the office, he whistles for everyone to join in the Family Hall, and everyone knows that if Rhazeth speaks, everyone listens. Gurak and the rest provide Rhazeth with the typical updates of recent events in the city, with Rhazeth throwing Brigitte a coin pouch for her recent 'work'.

Gurak informs Rhazeth that Mayor Hartthorne has gone missing, Brigitte and Gurak lay out the facts clearly: the office's state, the mayor's coat left behind, the TGS documents, and the evidence suggesting he did not leave voluntarily. The room responds with a mixture of attention and curiosity. Rhazeth tells Brigitte that she'll be in charge of investigating, and finding what happened to Mayor Hartthorne, Rhazeth being quite clear that it's important that he's to be found soon, and alive.

After all the typical discussions, Rhazeth informs the family, that they'll be joined by a new member in the family, as a small-framed human steps into the room, introducing himself as "Branded". Most of The Family have already seen Branded before, as he's been frequenting the bar the last few weeks, especially last night, where he got into a tough fight with "Pepper", yet refused to give up.

Rhazeth immediately assigns him to work at the docks, however Branded responds that he'll need to leave for the day, but tomorrow that he'll do anything that is required of him.

Coldrock mumbles under her breath to Brigitte. "He's already getting special treatment? On his first day?"

She glances over at Wilt with a raised eyebrow. "He isn't one of your boy toys, now is he Wilt?"

"Fuck no, that is weird!" Wilt shoots back.

"Oh yeah, because that would be weird..." Brigitte responds, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Coldrock and Brigitte don't take too kindly that he receives special treatment, as Brigitte remembers what Rhazeth had her do the first few weeks of staying with the family. Gurak, Sloane and Beastie are assigned to prepare Branded's room. Finally, Brigitte leaves for her first rounds, taking over dock duties initially assigned to Branded.

Reinald Vulperian | Midday | 13th of Leaffall 248 A.T.C

We pick up a day later, Reinald is back in his classroom, but luckily classes ended early today. Victoria enters his classroom, and she asks him if he has signed up to join her to Allura's Haven for a special mission. Reinald says that he signed up to chaperone the second-graders to Salmon's Run, and nothing more. Reinald hears Röka's laughter in his mind...

Victoria tells him he has been assigned to accompany her to Allura's Haven. Reinald protests, confused about why he was chosen, citing his lack of field experience. Victoria calmly explains that his leave has already been approved, and that he must start packing immediately for the journey, and they'll be leaving shortly. Reinald struggles to process this unexpected change of plans. The faint voice of Röka in his mind seems to encourage him, urging him to embrace the challenge despite his doubts.

He is reminded that the trip is not merely travel: it involves sensitive missions, including visiting the De Ragnaisse family and meeting Aveline De Ragnaisse in Allura's Haven as well. Victoria warns him to prioritize his safety and retreat if he feels in danger. Reinald finds a moment of comfort when packing his essentials: clothing, gold, his grandmother's health potion, and he also brings along Angus's hat, which he seems to have left behind when he left this morning...

Before departure, Reinald visits the Spellwhisk Consortium's Workshop to check in with Fixit and Arjhanite, his two subordinates. He finds them scrambling after an experimental gemstone malfunction, which nearly caused a small explosion. Arjhanite seems to be working on his 'Swifty Stones', a magical artifact designed for communication through long distances. Unfortunately it seems to require some more work, as well as higher quality raw materials.

Reinald delegates responsibilities for his absence, assigning Fixit and Arjhanite tasks including repairing failed lights in the Northeastern district and completing some of the tasks on the board. They exchange worried glances, realizing the workload may overwhelm them without Reinald's guidance. Despite this, Reinald reassures them he will be back soon.

He then visits the head offices to formally announce his leave of absence. Mr. McSwift questions Reinald about task completion of his crew and expresses that if his crew isn't able to manage the work, there might be a defunding happening, Reinald tries to smooth the situation over, though McSwift remains concerned about overall progress of Reinald's team.

Reinald and Victoria prepare for a multiple day carriage ride from Spellwhisk to Allura's Haven. Victoria plans to train him in rapier skills each evening while sharing details about the city's current state.

Allura's Haven is in turmoil. Citizens are disappearing, houses are burned, and council oversight is failing. Lucien Olivier De Ragnaisse has requested assistance from The Council of Seven, but the council-leader Hector Hershkowitz-Weinberg has vetoed further investigation in the matter, much to the dismay of others. It is currently unknown why he did so.

The city has an intricate underground network. With some underground figures maintaining order near the surface, but much remains mysterious. Victoria informs Reinald that a lot of his information-gathering will be on his own, Her status as national hero doesn't allow her much leeway. Victoria cannot move freely in Allura's Haven, so she will be providing support where required, relying on trusted contacts when necessary.

Brigitte Yrsdottir | Evening | 19th of Leaffall 248 A.T.C

Brigitte works the docks during her afternoon shift, handling cargo, including smuggled goods. She does the work that has been provided to her, and doesn't ask questions. That's how it goes here around Allura's Haven after all. She has a few free hours afterward and meditates near the docks.

During meditation, she notices a massive Concordian ship with a golden lion emblem arriving into the harbor. One of the nobles that departs the ship stands out to Brigitte, a deerfolk noble-type wearing high-class green clothes. He seems agitated by the dock's lower-class associations. Despite spotting it, she doesn't pay any mind to it further.

As Brigitte returns to her meditating, she's bothered by a gold kobold, distributing pamphlets and a 20% coupon for the grand re-opening of Allura's Bathhouse. Brigitte takes the pamphlet, wondering if it might be fun to go with Sonya and the rest of The Family.

Brigitte eventually makes her way to The Red Hook, the fishing shop and the entrance to The Cage, she speaks the passphrase and heads down the stairs. Here she meets Coldrock once more, tending to the bar.

Coldrock asks if Brigitte saw something noteworthy, she mentions that fancy deerfolk, with Coldrock reprimanding her to pay more attention to what happens around her. Coldrock explains that the Sevenfold Commonwealth is governed by seven representatives from major races here in Sevenfold, among them there's an eighth member who serves the role as leader.

Reinald Vulperian | Midday | 19th of Leaffall 248 A.T.C

After several days of travel, Reinald and Victoria arrive at a massive mansion to meet Lucien Olivier De Ragnaisse, one of the few noble human houses that is actually respected by Theran society. Their estate shows grand architectural details, which seem to have been renovated multiple times. The kind of estate that has survived war, regime changes, and shifting borders.

Victoria urges Reinald to take the initiative while talking to Lucien, and not leave everything to her. Reinald wonders why, and Victoria says that she hopes that Reinald will be able to make a strong impression and a positive relationship with the De Ragnaisse family.

But before they head in, Victoria warns Reinald not to mention "Luminary", it could be a bit of a sensitive subject, Victoria explains her history with the Luminary, an otherworldly magical race formerly at war with humanity. She recounts a 17-year-old incident, from which she now suffers from a scar, leaving her unable to cast spells, but also immune to direct magic, she expresses concern about possible Luminary infiltration and potential political manipulation in Allura's Haven. But it's more of a concern of her own, and anything she can prove right now.

The two approach the mansion, and are escorted to the living room while an attendant informs Lucien of their arrival. The interior is opulent but tasteful. A wide entrance hall opens into a waiting area with water features and carefully curated decor. It feels ceremonial, designed to remind visitors where they stand.

Victoria and Reinald meet a young human named Lucien Jr. De Ragnaisse (Luke) and a deerfolk lady of similar age, Brianna Hershkowitz-Weinberg,

Reinald is reminded of something when he hears her name, it was in the papers. The grand unification through marriage joined two of the wealthiest families in Velvetglade. It mentioned the wedding between Hector Hershkowitz and Anastasia Weinberg. Lavish. Exhausting. Politically important. and he remembers that Victoria was forced to attend it.

Victoria and Lucien Jr. quickly catch up, with Reinald noticing that Victoria is actually rather close to the family in general, as she has her own 'usual tea' and even hugging Luke, as she proclaims he has grown since the last time she's seen him. Reinald manages to make some quick small talk on Metamagic with Brianna and Luke, before the attendant returns that Lucien Olivier is ready to receive them.

Reinald and Victoria are escorted to the gardens. Where Lucien Olivier is seated underneath a large gazebo observing his daughter Aveline and her retainer practice their fencing. Reinald immediately recognizes Aveline from his dream, but it doesn't seem to be likewise.

Lucien watches from a chair surrounded by scrolls and documents. He rises when Victoria approaches. Lucien is elderly but sharp. Greying hair, fine clothing, an eight-pointed star pin, and a white dagger on his clothing. His greeting to Victoria is warm and familiar. He welcomes Reinald formally when introduced. Aveline and her fencing partner step away, continuing practice elsewhere. Lucien introduces Aveline as his daughter and Ervin as her attendant, there's a moment that Victoria's eyes linger longer on Ervin, but she lets it go for now.

Tea is offered, and Lucien and Victoria quickly catch up before the conversation shifts to more serious topics. Lucien informs them that Allura's Haven is unstable. Houses are burning. People are vanishing.

Mayor Hartthorne seems to have gone missing, with Hector's first son, Lewys Hershkowitz assuming the role of acting mayor, without proper council approval. Victoria is rather befuddled by this new information, as all of this must have happened during the time they were traveling.

Lucien expresses concern that Lewys does not understand the people of Allura's Haven, imposing new policies without understanding local dynamics could only worsen the situation.

They discuss "The Good Stuff." A particularly strong and dangerous drug that is making its way back into the public, with its origins lying in Allura's Haven. It is harvested from Myconids, living fungal creatures that live far underground in The Depths. In small doses it can improve your strength or arcane prowess, but in larger or unsafe doses it causes aggression, bloodlust, dependency, and severe mental instability, with Wolffolk particularly affected.

Lucien confirms the drug is flowing into the city unchecked. The council is aware but divided. Hector's veto has stalled investigation. Lucien believes this is deliberate. The discussion turns to Rhazeth, an excommunicated dragonfolk from Draketongue that has made a name for himself in Allura's Haven. Lucien describes him as a necessary intermediary between the surface and the depths. A man who keeps peace by making himself indispensable. He has many enemies, and Mayor Hartthorne trusted him despite Rhazeth's status.

Victoria states plainly that if Hartthorne is missing, Rhazeth is either involved or endangered. Either option is bad. Lucien asks Victoria and Reinald to investigate discreetly.

A first step is to get to speak to Rhazeth, and move forward from there, and to determine what happened to the mayor. Aveline and Ervin are set to return to the city tomorrow, capable of providing assistance if necessary, while Lucien will also prepare a list of trustworthy contacts. Lucien warns that attracting Rhazeth's attention may require proving worth. Proving strength in the fighting pits is one route... but neither Reinald nor Victoria are in favor of that.

But perhaps Reinald can find another way.

As they wrap up the topic for now. Lucien slides a letter towards Lady Victoria, stating: "Lady Victoria Vulperian... There's no one that goes by that name, could you see that that's clear to the recipient?"

Reinald attempts to read the name discreetly but fails at first, and Victoria pockets the letter. As Lucien explains that Victoria and Reinald are free to stay the night, and that Reinald is free to explore the mansion, Victoria interrupts that there's a second reason why she's here. She's here to see Henry.

Lucien calls an attendant, asking for the attendant to get Henry. But the attendant worryingly says that Henry isn't in his room, Lucien a bit flustered asks Victoria and Reinald to wait as he goes to the mansion himself. While Reinald and Victoria are alone, Reinald asks about the letter, Victoria reveals the letter is from the Voidbreakers, she explains that they want to start a new initiative, but it seems that they think that there's someone here, but they aren't.

While Victoria doesn't say the name, she holds up the letter, with Reinald noticing the name Riven Cedarthorne written onto it. Reinald does not recognize it, and Victoria refuses to elaborate further.

Victoria doesn't seem keen on Henry's late arrival to his own release. And when Lucien returns, she's even more... flabbergasted by Henry's appearance. He looks beaten. Bruised. Exhausted.

"Ergh... I... apologize for the way that I present myself to you, Councilmember Victoria."

Victoria decides to continue with the release formalities, stating that it's been 9 years since the incident in Spellwhisk and Fallowbrae, but she asks him why he looks like twenty people beat him up. Henry claims he fell in the forest. Victoria does not believe him. Neither does Reinald.

Lucien tries to smooth things over by stating that he had an incident in the forest. Victoria presses Henry on the injuries. He repeats the story, Victoria stares at Lucien. When signing the release documents, Reinald and Victoria notice something... Henry signs his name as Henry De Ragnaisse, not Ragnarveil as previously stated.

"Thank you, Lady Victoria, I will be returning to my chambers now."

Henry bowed and departed, following the stone path back toward the mansion. Victoria watched him go, waiting until his figure disappeared as the door closed. Then she turned sharply to face Lucien, who remained standing by the gazebo's ornate railing.

"You are not telling me that he tripped and fell in the forest, Lucien. That is a blatant lie, I do not appreciate that."

A breeze rustled through the climbing roses that wound around the gazebo's columns. Lucien gazed out across the gardens, his hands resting on the weathered wood railing, before he finally spoke.

"Victoria, you have signed the document... and sometimes we have to let things play out, the way that they have to play out. You'll see for yourself eventually."

Victoria stepped closer, the gravel crunching softly beneath her heels.

"Only because you ask me that, Lucien. If someone else did, I would not buy it for a second."

He turned to her then, and something unspoken passed between them in the garden's quiet.

"That is all that I ask of you..."