Gibson's boyish face was serious when he gave Lilac the letter from Jervis Tinsnip. He already seemed to know what was in it, though the letter itself was written strangely. "Dear Bardess Lilac of Sylvania," it began. "I hope this letter finds you well in your travels abroad. I appreciated the assistance you lent this scatterbrained old man several seasons ago, my collection of Sylvanian folksongs would not have been completed without your assistance. I have a feeling some of my colleagues in Nagai might also have an interest in your stories of the Sylvanian countryside. I wish I could be there with you. I don't care for Imperial cuisine, but the tea they brew is very nice. There's a blend called 'Skygarden Spice' that comes from a quaint little stall in the market on the west of the city, the only place it's available as far as I know. You should try it if you have the opportunity, though I won't blame you if tea isn't your cup of tea. Ha ha! Give my regards to the others. – Jervis"

Lilac reads over the letter, then reads it again. Folksongs? I know talk a lot, but I'm pretty sure I didn't review all my folksongs. And /tea isn't my cup of tea? That is so droooolll. She scratches her head a bit, her hand inevitably wandering to to of her big fuzzy ears, to scratch at that. But, it sure is nice of Jervis to send me a letter. It's nice to know people remember and care about me. This is so much better than a year ago. But, why does Gibson look so serious all of a sudden? I thought Jervis was going to tell me someone died, or I was under arrest or something. She peeks up at Gibson past the letter, raising an eyebrow. "Your serious face is almost worse than clouds and purple lightning."

The big black Lapi holds his hand out for the letter, settling his chair forward and resting his elbows on the table. The inn room, like everything in Nagai City so far during the festivities, has been courtesy of the Imperial coffers. "It's more than just a nicety, Lilac," he says, his voice low. "It's an invitation."

"Um, an invitation? I'm not going to be captured or something, am I? I don't usually get invitations," the bardess admits.

"Capture you? No, no. Of course not," says Gibson, plucking the letter from Lilac's hand. He holds it over a candle flame, and it promptly catches. He tosses the burning paper into the unlit fireplace, watching it until he's sure it's ash, then turns back toward the woman. "You've done a lot for the Museum, and the trust they've had for you so far has been well placed. Jervis has indicated he thinks you're ready for the next step, if you're willing to take it. You don't have to… you've done a lot as it is. Umeko and Anisa too. I couldn't in good conscience ask them to go on, but I already know my sister will."

"Oh." A pause, and Lilac's ears shoot up. "Oh," she repeats, in a comprehending tone. "That kind of letter. Well, um, oh. Hmm." She leans back, fiddling with her hands. "I have been wondering what I'm going to do with myself these days. I know I have to go to Sylvania, as much as I'd rather not, but besides that … I just don't know. Ummy, well, Ummy doesn't need me anymore. She has all these friends and status and, um, even guys. So, I think I kind of need to be needed, otherwise I get, um … Well, you've saw where that leads. I need a guide for my powers." She takes a deep breath, and nods. "I'll go! I may be an even better relic hunter than I am a bard!"

The buck nods, his ears waving. He leans forward a little further, and puts his hand on Lilac's. "Mind, the Museum will help you whenever it can, but you have to understand, this will mean duties and stuff. In placing this trust with you, they'll also ask you to do things, to put yourself in danger. This isn't just a lark, you have to take it seriously. Are you absolutely sure about this?"

"I guess they'll expect me to do things like not mention them like an idiot," and here Lilac rolls her eyes, remembering how embarrassing that mistake was. "Oh, and sneak around and look into things? It's not all that different than my life now, and you know, I think I'm dead on about needing someone or something to act for. I'm just not very good at going around on my own, except when I'm barding. I think I need guidance on the responsible use of power."

The Lapi nods and smiles encouragingly. "Well then. Let's go buy some tea."

"I do like a good tea," Lilac agrees, then hops up to her feet.

---

The tea itself isn't all that remarkable. The time and address the tea-vendor gave is. It leads Lilac and Gibson to the tumbled-down stone shell of a building on the edge of town, forgotten where it shelters in the shadow of a ziggurat overlooking the city wall. A pale yellow glow illuminates the inner walls, where a number of cowled folk of varied species are assembled, quietly talking amongst themselves.

Gibson leads the way among them, and he gives guides Lilac along with him, giving her shoulder an encouraging pat. One of the cowled people, a lizardy shiga by the shape, hisses, "Ah, hello Gibson."

Lilac fidgets with her hands as she looks around at the gathered, cowled people. "It's funny how the cowl is, um, like the universal outfit for subtle happenings," she mumble-babbles to Gibson "Am I in a secret meeting? Are we worshiping a demon? Is there going to be a sacrifice, who knows! It's a cow-" She abruptly stops when the two are approached, ears perking as she focuses on the shiga.

Even with her sensitive vision, the lanterns illuminating the room are raised so that the shadows cast under the group's hoods are quite deep. A Naga, body wrapped from top to tail tip in rough cloth, hisses, "Welcome, Lilac of Sylvania. You'll have to forgive our secrecy, but while you are here by invitation, your membership isn't decided yet. You have accepted our invitation… why?"

"Well it'd be rude not to accept and … And, you want a deeper, heartfelt reason, don't you?" The woman takes a breath, exhales, and nods. "Okay. Well, here we go: I don't know what all of you know about me, but I'm, well, a little. unusual, as you can see, but it's more than that. My possible encounter with, well, items of consequence has had a huge impact on my life. I can't remember a chunk of my life, and I spent a year wandering around in a haze, until I met someone with a purpose who cared about me. In helping someone else, I finally felt centered, like I was a real person again, and not just a flitting dream. You see, I think I need a purpose, something to try for, people to help, or I lose my grip on things. And beside that, artifacts have been a huge part of my life, I know very well how dangerous they are, and I guess I'm destined to be tangled up with them, so I might as well make it a positive entanglement, however I can. How's that?" Her tail wags a little.

The Naga's hood bobs. "That is fair. You come before us with Tinsnip's recommendation. The motion to induct Lilac of Sylvania as a Curator has been made. Anyone wishing to have a say on the matter, speak now."

Lilac looks around, ears laying back a little. This would be a really bad time for someone to mention I killed Dragonfly, she thinks apprehensively, BUT I did fix it! There's that! Oh, and I hope they don't mind I eat a lot. Or I'm pregnant, without a … a father. Would they think I'm easy? Why am I even thinking about this? Be quiet, brain!" She resists the urge to grab on to her ears, fold her arms, or tuck her tail in worry.

One of the hooded members, another, slightly smaller Naga, female by the sound of her, says, "Her capabilities are considerable, and she's done much for us, which I appreciate. However, her magical affliction is a liability, and based on what we know about the artifacts and her involvement, I am concerned she may be proceeding with self-interest in mind. I would move to deny acceptance."

I hope I look okay in a hood, my ears and wings are kind of hard to hide, then there- She pauses in her thoughts when the woman speaks up, her ears going from flat to upright. "What? Wait, hey now, I have a much better hold on my curse than I used to! Why, without it, I and others probably would be dead! And of course I have self-interest in mind, but that's not my only interest, or the most important one. I do want to know what happened to me, I think that's important to me and to you," she insists.

Another hooded figure steps forward – this one also apparently female, and also much smaller than everyone else assembled. "Maybe so, but she's been making great progress on controlling her abilities, and I've seen her use them, er, effectively. Plus, she's sincere about her actions." This individual's voice is plainly not reptilian, and she has a Rephidim accent.

Lilac points at the woman who spoke up for her, "See, see. I'll … I'll even prove it here, if you want!"

The third to speak has a voice that seems well known to the human; feminine and melodic, but with the hissing undertones all reptiles have. "I will speak on her behalf," she says, "She in young, hot blooded, headstrong, and prone to sometimes making foolish or rash decisions. However, she is also one of the few people I know that will risk any danger if she believes the cause just. She stood by me and weathered a nightmare because she believed the artifacts could not fall into the wrong hands. She knows the meaning of loyalty. If she gives her word that she will see something through, she will." The speaker's hood rolls to look to towards the Naga that first spoke. "The curators must have people who are loyal to the cause and will not waver in the face of fear. Yes, she is cursed; but she has strived to overcome it and control it. Do not reject someone out of fear of the unknown. If anything, it is our duty to understand her, as we would wish of any artifact we recovered as well."

Another of the cowled people present, species indeterminable until he speaks with his Khattan accent. "Based on accounts from Rephidim all the way to here, she seems violent and impulsive. All of us must have the discipline to act with restraint and discretion. We can depend on her enthusiasm, but if she cannot avoid speaking out of turn, can we depend on her to keep our secrets close?"

Lilac nods to the next speaker as well, until her eyes wide. She looks about to say something, but pauses, and just nods more and keeps her lips tight. Still deciding to keep silent, she only frowns at the following speaker's comment. Well, I can't really argue with impulsive – but am I really that violent? She frowns a little more, finding it hard not to think about the blood on her hands, and other places besides.

"You speak of discretion? You have heard report of mistakes, not of successes. She has worked in secret many times, infiltrating the compounds of the Cinders and uncovering their plans. She will learn temperance in time and a calmer heart. Can you truly claim you have never done something impulsive in your entire life?" the third speaker counters to the Khatta. "I know I cannot make that claim."

Gibson pipes up now. "Our organization is arranged specifically to keep our secrets close, because we know that no individual is immune to giving them up, by accident or under duress. The enemies arrayed against us are stronger than ever, and we need people like her, or we won't have any secrets to keep anymore. With the revelations of these strange spheres the Cinders are after, we need her now more than ever."

The Khattan's cowl inclines toward the third speaker, and then to Gibson. "That is fair."

The smaller robed female nods to Gibson. "My bro- erm, associate Gibson is right. No one Curator knows all there is to know anyroad. Besides, many of you had objections to my joining as well." The small woman seems to straighten up considerably, almost as though she were daring anyone to bring the issue up.

"I stol- … Borrowed Hakuu's seal once! When he was home with his guards. And I got past a whole army once, and set two airships on fire!" Lilac blinks at her last statement, and frowns again. Maybe I am violent! I don't feel violent. She glances at Gibson, giving him a worried look.

There's a moment's silence, and then the largest Naga speaks again. "Taking into account our associate in Rephidim's endorsement, and taking into consideration the weight of your comments here, my decision is made. As I have final say on the matter, the motion to accept Lilac is passed. I am not without my concerns, but there is risk inherent in accepting any new member. Our numbers grow slowly, and it is a critical juncture… any opportunity must be considered. We must be willing to accept this." The Naga pulls his hood back, revealing a face of emerald green and black mottling. "I am Archivist Mossmettle. I welcome you among us, Curator Lilac."

The other Naga, the shiga, and the Khatta also draw their hoods back. There's no malice or anger on their faces.

The third speaker also draws back her cowl; Umeko. She says nothing as she bows her head slightly towards Lilac.

Lilac claps her hands together, exclaiming, "Yay!" She steps towards the Archivist, looking about to try and hug him, but pauses and steps back. "I, I guess hugging probably isn't appropriate. I'm just so excited. I've never been accepted by a group of, well, anyone before! I might be the first shape-shifter to ever get approval by anyone! I, um … I think there's something in my eyes." She looks down, and begins rubbing at her eyes, mantling her wings a bit to hide her face.

Likewise, the smallest of the gathered pulls her hood back. It's Anisa, wearing a ridiculously huge grin.

Gibson can't help smiling a little too, his ears angling a little in relief.

The Archivist inclines his head, placing his palms together. "We are grateful for your assistance on behalf, both in the past and to come. We don't require decorum, necessarily, but my colleagues' concerns are valid. You must be able to conduct yourself with discipline and restraint. The stakes in our struggle are too high for us to leave our fervor unbridled, as vital as it may be."

"That means you need to not be such a steam-engine mouth," Anisa whispers exaggeratedly to Lilac.

The Khatta takes up with Mossmettle left off. "And we're willing to help you. I spoke against you, but we're all in this together. We scholars pride ourselves on our ability to be objective."

After a rather large, nasally sniff, Lilac wipes her eyes with the back of her left arm and looks up again. "Oh, um, of course! I … " She glances at Anisa, gapes a moment, insists, "I am not a steam-engine mouth! Am I? I mean, I like to talk, but I think of it as sharing and … " Her attention is derailed by the next speaker, and she turns to him. "I know, I know. I guess you know about my, my other problems too, right? If not, I guess I'd better say them now, before I get too settled in with the idea of being in a group. And, I'll try to be calmer. It's just so hard some times – I wonder if I was always like this? – maybe I'm excitable or it's my curse, or both. And, I suppose bards aren't very reserved, so, um … I'll try."

The female Naga nods. "We help ourselves by helping our own. Through your position with us, we can offer you support and shelter wherever you may go. You have but to ask, and know who to ask."

Glancing at Gibson, Lilac asks, "Is this the time to, um, relate, my other issue, Gibson? You said I should?"

The tall black buck angles his ears forward. "The more they know, the more they can help."

"Speaking of shelter, that does remind me," Umeko says, speaking up, "I was granted some land in the area of Viper's hold. I intend to establish it as a point of refuge for the Curators, should they pass through and need it."

The Khatta purrs his words. "Excellent, Curator Tsuguri. It would be an ideal midway point between Empire territory and the Emirate."

"And it gives us an excuse to come crash at your place now and then," Anisa adds, smoothing out her robe-tussled ears.

"Okay. Wow, this will be awkward." Taking another deep breath, Lilac reaches up and rubs at an ear nervously before exhaling. "Well, speaking of reckless mistakes, I, um, really made one during our, um, war back at Viper's Hold and to, well, fix it, I made a certain um, well, pact with … With a city-sized artifact-creature-god-person, and … " Another inhale, then Lilac spits out all at once, "Endeduppregnant."

Gibson closes his eyes, though he doesn't look surprised. The Naga woman and the Khatta seem rather more surprised, and Mossmettle says, "My word," though he remains composed.

Anisa's grin melts away, and she stares at the human in blank confusion.

"It was a pact to save another's life," Umeko notes, though leaving out who's life and why. "Foolish as it was, the motivation behind the agreement was an honorable one."

"I know," Lilac says, sounding pained, yet unsurprised at the reaction. "I'm a walking center for artifact-related weirdness and, well, I don't know what else. And, and, it was really horrible, but … But I don't, don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I just, well, may need some help, that's all. We're, well, the Imperial doctor wasn't sure what to make of it and, um … " Lilac falters, apparently uncertain what else to say, letting her hands fall to her side as her gaze shifts floor ward. After Umeko speaks, she adds, "There were a few options – I chose the one that seemed the least lonely."

Mossmettle nods slowly, taking one of the lanterns down from where it hangs to illuminate the group better, casting the light over Lilac. "We've learned of the creature that was this… Temple of Being. Accounts we clandestinely gathered from recovered dig site material and the scholars that were rescued. Perhaps it's best that you're among us, the better to watch over you, even while you look to the Museum's interests." He gestures to include Anisa, Gibson, and Umeko. "I understand you intend to go to Sylvania next, is that right?"

"I just hope I can be of help. I won't be a burden, I swear," Lilac insists. She looks up again, following the elder Curator's gaze to Anisa, Gibson, and Umeko.

"It is. We have clues that indicate a sphere that encompasses the concept of 'void' is hidden there. A legacy of the Raveness of the old stories; the one who lost her heart to the void when her husband died," Umeko explains, "And through some unusual … visions, I believe the sphere was also used to protect their town by somehow removing it for a time from reality. Though … it may have taken sacrifices to do so."

"I've been having dreams, visions like Ummy says," Lilac admits. "We've come to think that my curse is also connected to the Orb of Void, as we call it, especially because one of the dreams showed Korv people who can change exactly as I do. There's also a, um, dead Korv that visits me in my dreams now and then, though I haven't seen her recently. She taught me how to make the change happen at will, and we think she was part of the Raveness's court – Ummy even thinks she and I might be the same person, somehow!"

"That was conjecture on my part. Lilac remembers little of her home. What is to say that what little she remembers is merely a fabricated reality to mask that she is one of the people from the void town that escaped," Umeko explains, "It is a theory, based on what little we know at this point. In any event, that sphere is connected to the one we recovered from the Temple of being in some manner. The same group likely constructed it. I am also fairly certain Lilac has encountered it before. She is our best link to it."

"And if it has to do with this," Anisa pats the crystalline form underneath her shirt collar, "then I'm interested as well. And you can bet your tail that the Cinder's will find out about it soon."

"By 'encounter' Ummy means 'probably tripped over and cursed herself with,'" the bardess explains. "All the more reason for me to belong with the Curators. I can find artifacts just fine, or they find me, I'm just not very good at handling them."

Umeko glances towards Anisa. "Nor is another person I know good at handling artifacts," she whispers towards the Lapi, then flashes fangs at her as she grins.

"Hey," Lilac pipes up, pointing at Umeko. "When'd you get all toothy!"

The green and black Naga flicks his tongue thoughtfully. "I see. You would all do to seek Abbot Werner in Justininople then for Museum contacts in Sylvania. He runs a Gear missionary there, and is the contact for the region." He turns to Anisa, nodding gravely. "We have every confidence in you and your brother. We will keep the orb you recovered safe."

The white doe sets her ears back sheepishly at Umeko's expression, blushing furiously in embarrassment.

After giving Umeko an odd look, Lilac turns her head towards the green and black reptile and asks hesitantly, "Um, should I head to Sylvania by myself? I don't know how much you all know about my home country, but, people like me aren't welcome. Not at all. That's part of why I fled, as much as I remember of that. I definitely can't think a Temple of Chronotopia would accept me, and while I can outrun groups with torches and pitchforks, I don't want to endanger anyone else."

"I don't expect you'll be in Justininople long, if I understand correctly," says Mossmettle. "But in any case, Werner is one of us. He and his scribes will gladly hide you."

"Oh, whew. I'm glad for that, nothing makes you feel less human than being chased by a mob with torches," the bardess says, sounding relieved.

Gibson, quiet until now, goes over to his sister, knuckling her in the upper arm. "No way you're going alone, Lilac. Sis and I aren't done with the Cinders yet."

"Lilac, since when have I ever walked away from a challenge? You helped me deal with my demons, we help deal with yours. That's how it is, do you understand?" Umeko comments as she walks over to the human, then flicks the iron collar around her neck with a talon. Her brow ridge goes up as if asking Lilac to challenge her…

Anisa winces a bit, and glares at the larger rabbit, rubbing her shoulder. "Yeah, I almost had that pellethead Vandringar this time, and I'll bet he's really interested in you as well now. We'll be your body guards!"

Lilac holds her hands up, haltingly. "Oh not alone, I just meant I could sleep in the woods or something, maybe hop off the airship outside of town. I once had this idea of trying to recover the Orb alone, but I've since decided that, well, I didn't do so well the first time, and I barely held off Beshret, going alone might be suicide – or worse." She blinks when Umeko flicks her collar, and then her inner ears redden! "I didn't mean it like that! I don't want to be alone! And, um, … " She rubs at her collar a little, turning to smile a little at Anisa now. "Interested in me? That's a scary thought. I wish I could have bit him when I had the chance – that's not violent of me, is it?"

Anisa says, "Dagh no! I would have bitten him if I had the chance," Anisa says, pointing to her rabbitty incisors for emphasis. "But you've interacted with the orb, and so in a way, you're on the Cinders' radar now. They may not know about your, er, condition yet, but they'll find out.""

"It is human of you," Umeko comments as she steps away. "And Anisa is right. They may also wish to capture you to learn how to spread your condition to their followers. Imagine them with an army of shifting beasts."

"Whatever you decide, we will be ready to aid you with passage, supplies, and safehouses," hisses the Archivist. Another of the Curators takes the other lantern down from the walls. "Now that you're one of us, we can take further discussion someplace more comfortable. If we can help, you have but to ask. We have the artifact of Being in a secure location now. I believe Curator Anisa has left the steel tome with one of our contacts. Should you require access to either, send me a missive and I'll see to it at once."

"Have you learned anything further on the orb of Being?" Umeko asks, "And were you informed of what it was able to … do to me?"

"I know Hakuu knew about my shape-shifting, that mask was – and wasn't – very flattering. I mean sure it was all artsy, but I'm a little offended by being seen only as a winged beast. I have other qualities," Lilac insists, indignant. Her eyes widen at Umeko's comment, her attention shifting to her. "Yikes. I mean, this curse of mine, it's really not good for it to be in the hands of people with so little appreciation for life. I have problems controlling my urges, and I like people. And what's more, I fear we'll be facing quite a few beings like myself anyway."

Anisa rubs the back of her head, at the base of her ears. "Er, I wasn't talking about the shape-shifting… the, other thing." The doe points to Lilac's belly. "When they find out about that – if they haven't already – they'll be extremely interested in you."

Mossmettle gestures at Anisa as he answers Umeko. "The connection with the First Stone entrusted to Anisa is remarkable. Where the First Stone is involved, we feel Levitha's Pearl must also be. Curator Anisa and her siblings are the only people we know to have gone to the center of the Pearl and come back out… apart from Vandringar himself."

Lilac begins to follow the black and green, nodding as she goes. "Me, I'm fine with hiding those things well away, even from me. The Orb of Being never seemed to relate to me anyway, only it's, um, son-daughter-deity. And, that reminds me. The Temple of Being and I talked a bit, and it said that it had, um, other children before, and that they had gone beyond its sensing – it could sense people, things, even talk into my mind. Have you ever heard of other children that might have came from the Temple?" She frowns at Ansia, and nods a little as she goes. "Oh. Well, um, yes I guess they would be. Shame on them."

The white doe's expression falls slightly at the mention of Levitha's Pearl, and she clears her throat. "I don't think we even knew about the Temple before all of this, let alone any children it had."

The Archivist shakes his head. "Nothing we could begin to guess at, but that location is very close to the Beast Lands. I would surmise that anything that escaped from the Temple of Being may have gone there."

"There are currently only two known crystals that control the spheres, correct? One that Anisa has, and one that Vandringar has," Umeko asks. "What is the likelyhood the Cinders have more than one?"

"Oh, I meant if the other Curators knew, Anisa," Lilac corrects. "The Temple seemed to have a very long history, so I was hoping that maybe something it did, or children it had, would have popped upon history here and there. But, I guess as the Archivist says, they probably went north." She shakes her head, apparently not liking that idea. She sighs a little, then tells the Naga, "Did you know that the Temple's worshipers ended up giving almost everything? They're still there, sort of, but what was … them … was probably absorbed by the Temple. What was left was these … weird red squiggly meaty things."

Mossmettle's forked tongue waggles. "Astronomical, I should think. From what we know of Vandringar, I doubt he'd tolerate another being out of his direct possession."

Gibson nods agreement. "He's hellbent on getting Anisa's too. Remember that deal he tried to make on the boat, sis?"

"Of course I remember it." Anisa's ears set back to her shoulders, and she looks reservedly to the ground, going silent.

"What deal was this?" Umeko asks Gibson.

"He seems like the devil that pops up in Sylvanian stories now and then. Dack, or the Darkness, they show up as these well dressed men offering deals – but they're bad deals! Usually when people agree to them, they end up getting a bad, bad deal in the end," remarks Lilac.

The black buck grimaces, crossing his arms. "He tried to buy Anisa off. He sent an emissary with one of those mirrors like the Emperor made his appearances in. Polite as could be, showed us stacks of coins, gold chains as thick as my pointer finger, all for the rock hanging around sissy's neck."

"Well, it is obvious that Anisa told him no," Umeko notes, "But Anisa's reaction implies it was worse than that."

"I don't want to talk about it," Anisa says, smoothing her ears back. "It's well enough to say that Vandringar and I have unfinished business, and Star help him when I get my paws on him."

"Yeah, definitely a devil of some kind," decides the bardess. "And that reminds me of something else," the woman says, ears suddenly perking. "We know the Orbs respond to the – First Stone, did you call it? – but we also learned they respond to magic. That means the Raveness – and I think she might still be alive – would have had to either have her own First Stone, or be some sort of mage, or well, have some other power."

"After that he tried to kill us," finishes Gibson. "He wants that thing pretty badly… well, wanted at least. Now it seems whatever these other artifacts are, he wants them more."

"I think they still require the stone to activate. That implies that perhaps the Raveness may have had a stone of her own," Umeko says grimly. "So … not only are we seeking another orb … but there may be another pendant as well."

Lilac nods to Umeko. "According to the dream, the Raveness found the orb somewhere nearby, so there may also be a ruin similar to the Temple of Being complex around the castle somewhere. Not a living one, but like the place where the Orb rested."

"Question. Can the pendants be destroyed?" Umeko asks. "Has it been tried?"

"Destroyed?" At this, Anisa's ears shoot up in alarm, and she almost recoils from Umeko while clutching at her chest.

Mossmettle turns to Umeko. "The oldest of old items not only are beyond our ability to destroy, they are barely within our ability to conceal. They are often lost to antiquity, but they always resurface… somehow."

Lilac jumps a little at Anisa's reaction, too. Frowning, she studies the doe carefully, ears flicking as if her brain were working overtime and shorting them out.

"As much as you do not like the idea, it is something to consider. Better to know how to destroy it and keep it out of their hands, than allow them another stone. I am not saying we destroy it, only if it is known how," Umeko explains to Anisa. She then nods to Mossmettle, frowning slightly, "I see. A pity in that. It would have been a reasonable fall back plan."

Anisa almost seems to breathe a sigh of relief, her ears relaxing. "W-well… maybe in the future… "

Tilting her head, Lilac goes 'hmm' at Anisa's further reaction, then shakes her head. "Anisa, can I ask you about the First Stone, some time?"

"Or, hmm, another possibility and a way to conceal the stone," Umeko says as she taps her chin. "We have a surgeon implant it within Anisa."

The doe cocks an ear curiously at Lilac, but nods. "Of course, Lilac, whenever you like." Turning back to Umeko, her ears splay. "Implant it in me?"

"Under your skin. That what it is with you, but cannot be seen. Safer than being on a string around your neck," Umeko explains. "I am sure I could arrange for a surgeon if you are agreeable… "

"Thank you," Lilac tells Anisa, smiling. The smile is short lived, though, for she looks between Umeko and Anisa with a aghast expression. "Ew, in Anisa? Wouldn't that hurt? Couldn't Anisa just get a collar or metal bracelet with it imbeded or something?"

Gibson quickly answers whether Anisa does or not. "Ugh, no no no. Smacks too much of what the Cinders did with their footmen."

"Uh, I think I'll pass on that," Anisa says, backing away from Umeko slightly. "The girls do a fine enough job keeping it hidden as is."

"As you like," Umeko agrees with a small nod. "I am just offering possibilities to keep it safe."

"What'd the Cinders do with their footmen, Gibson?" Lilac's ears swivel towards the buck.

The black Lapi shifts uncomfortably. "They had a… a device in their necks," he says. "Like a glass tube full of some kind of goop, grown into their flesh and tapped to a vein. When they attacked us at Half Valley, rather than be captured, they did something to the device and it… melted them. Like a lump of salt in rain."

At the answer, Lilac subconsciously reaches to rub at her neck, then jumps a little when her hands hits her collar. "Yikes. I'm glad I missed that," she admits.

Umeko twitches. "That is vile," she notes. "The proper way is to disembowel yourself."

"It's probably because they used artifacts to alter themselves," Anisa says, "and didn't want anybody discovering the changes.""

"I am so not going to do any of that ever," Lilac insists, looking a little more pale than usual. "But I can see why you'd think they'd be interested in me and my curse, I just hope that melty-goop doesn't work on me. Only witches are supposed to melt when touched by liquid, and I don't buy that at all."

"Now, if you will forgive me, I must depart," Umeko apologizes and and actually bows. "My father send summons earlier and I must answer. I would prefer to face a hundred Hakuu's right now than him, but … fate is not so kind to provide me such an escape. If I do not return … then I wish you the best on where the road leads you." The Kiriga turns and draws her cowl back up, then slinks off into the shadows once more.

"Aww, Ummy! I'd go with you, but I know you'd just tell me something like:" Here, Lilac does her best impression of Lady Umeko's voice and tone, ""Lilac, there comes a time when every warrior must face their fears alone. You cannot come with me, but I know you would if you could," or something! And if you don't come back, I am going to come by, and I'll sneak you out again, just like old times!"