The Midnight Sun

Artemis chuckles a little, inwardly, at Naoki's alarm. I'd be more concerned about the person he's fighting. It's not like he's a 15-foot tall demonlord or anything.

She is about to voice her opinion when Jun's wall forms. Well, that's an impressive display of magecraft. I'll have to watch myself if she comes around.

"Well, I don't think he's in danger anymore, if he even was to begin with," she remarks to Naoki.

"Raulio ran up to Megan. "Now that you're here, I'm wonderful! You have no idea how much I've missed you!" He wrapped his arms around her in a huge hug.

"I've been working for Madam Naoki, the owner of this establishment." He bows and gestures to his painting. "One of many that I've produced. What are you doing here?!"

As Jun’s eye dominates the mirror's field of view, Naoki’s mouth forms a tight line, unamused.

“That one is aware of the spell. Either your work was shoddy, Reese, or that girl in purple is exceptionally talented. Figure out who all of those people are. That one seems to be a dragon with transformation capabilities. I doubt the lot of them have gone unnoticed moving around the city. Dig up all you can on them. But for now, cancel the spell, the fight is over. It’ll reactivate if his life is in danger again, and since the purple girl is aware of it, it’d be impolite to continue watching.”

She pauses, leaning back in her chair, allowing Reese time to comply, and considering the scene through the mirror. She briefly laments how none of them had used each other's full names during the course of her observations. That would have made identification and the gathering of information very simple.

“Oh, are they the same? Grandma told me a bit about that whole affair. … I suppose there simply aren’t very many holy dragonesses kicking around.”

Having fully exhausted the fiddling potential of the quartz marble, Naoki carefully replaces it before the pouch, and selects another crystalline shape. A teardrop cut bit of green sphene. The perfect sort of thing to squeeze between one’s thumb and curled index finger.

“Speaking of your reports. I had a good read through of your recent special report on Gauldin, based on the observations of Grandma and The Twins. It covered the topics it did very well, but I’d like to request additional information, as it might pertain to a visit. I suspect I’m going to want to travel there eventually, either recreationally or as a representative for my project, and I’d like to know more about the nation before then. I would, preferably, like to obtain some maps, books, and samples of the local culture before the trip. It’d be ideal if I could learn the language to a conversational degree before leaving. Additionally, I would like your men to acquire and establish a safehouse in one of the cities for our use. While I might have the option of simply staying at the local Black Tower or some inn, if I’m visiting recreationally, it’d be preferable to have somewhere more… personal? Private? I don’t know; it doesn’t matter. Just buy some cute little villa somewhere and send the boys over to sufficiently fortify it.”

Holding the gemstone up to one eye and shutting the other one, Reese’s skull is refracted and duplicated through the many facets of the gem as Naoki peers through it.

Raulio clapsed Megan's hands together. "You must tell me more of your story. You see, ever since we went our separate ways, I've been at a loss. I'm unable to finish my novel. I need inspiration. And so far you are the only one who has come close to inspiring me."

He rummaged through some of his things and pulled out a new sketchbook which Madam Naoki had gotten him. He showed her a portrait he had made with pastels.


Raulio's beetle friend flew off his head and landed on Megan's nose. Megan would sense a very faint magical signature coming from the colorful bug. It was completely harmless otherwise.

"Gauldin, eh?" Reese's jawbone dropped to meet his palm, elbow braced against the desk. The place was something of a marvel, a nation in which the magic-capable were more common and accepted in all ranks of society. He found the concept rather appealing, to be honest. The prospect of investigating it more thoroughly as a part of his duties was a pleasurable one.

"I will find a suitable location and set aside the funds to acquire it, then! Rest assured, it will be the most beautiful of places on offer. And, when I'm finished, one of the safest."

The lich rubbed his bony hands together, making an awful rasping noise that skittered across the surfaces of the room. Some things had to be sacrificed for his own self-deception of seeming humanity.

"The materials you have requested will, hopefully, be something I will be able to get ahold of from travelers and the like. I will deliver what I can find promptly."

Reese swept a pen into his hands, dipped the tip into an inkwell, and scribbled down a few lines on his to-do list.

Naoki raises a finger and opens her mouth as if to respond, but is interrupted by Maelik’s knock. Furrowing her eyebrows and lowering her finger, she stands to get the door.

Two short strides over, and the door swings inward, revealing the hulking, metallic form of Demonlord Maelik. His yelling had already betrayed his identity, but the spiked wall in the doorway confirms it. Having already wiped the irritation from her face, she smiles a bit, and waves inward.

“Maelik. Good to see you, come in. I was just having a chat with Smiley here. Nothing of terrible importance, though. Is your matter private, or may I stick around?”

Reese considered his new nickname. While he didn't consider it to be a fit for what personality he possessed, the skeleton couldn't help but admit that his grin did have a certain permanence. Though the undead often had a bit of trouble with humor, Reese was still capable of appreciating a good bit of irony.

"That's splendid! I've heard about that magic school, and I'd absolutely love to have someone inside of it, keeping abreast of the local discoveries and advancements. You wouldn't mind passing me along some interest tidbits, would you?"

Even as he spoke, Reese started rifling through the drawers in his desk. The large map to his side would have been sufficient as far as showing the way went, but having a personal-sized travel map would be far more handy.

Drawer one was full of old contracts and civilian observations, the second full of metallic gewgaws, the third packed with deeds to various pieces of land. The fourth attempt proved to be the charm, the container popping open to reveal a rolled-up map of the known world. Reese had carefully marked down the common paths for merchants and travelers in pen, making it excellent for journeys. Of course, he reflected, winged demon lords probably found dusty old footpaths unnecessary. Reese slid it out and unrolled it against his desk, smoothing out any crinkles with a single bony hand.

"Here, of course, is Isra." His words were emphasized with the jab of a single phalange. "Aaall the way over here is Gauldin." He traced the path with the same finger, the digit coming to rest over that kingdom. "Now, I don't have a map of the city, precisely, but the school shouldn't exactly be hard to find. Big, beautiful marble building. It seemed hard to miss."

Reese rolled up the piece of parchment and proffered it to Maelik. "Will this be enough, or should I provide a bit more?"

“Oi, hold on a…”

Naoki raises a finger to challenge Maelik’s departure, but is silenced by the snapping shut of his rift. She lowers her finger, and furrows her brow once more, lower lip rising in a slight pout.
“I had things to say to him… He didn't apply for time off, either. Hmmph.”

The green gemstone finds its way into her other hand as she reseats herself, adjusting her dress to sit comfortably.

“There was something else I had to say, before he barged in. What was it?...”

The fingers of her unoccupied hand find themselves with steady work, rhythmically tapping on the edge of Reese’s desk. Her gaze wanders around the room, amber globes flitting from the pile of gems spilled on the desk to the map on the wall, with its labeled pins in neat clusters.

“Nope. I’ve forgotten. I’m sure I’ll remember just as soon as I leave, in which case I’ll just drop you a line.”

She flicks her ear, indicating that she would send a message telepathically via her earring. She stands from the seat, and moves to approach Reese.

“It’s all the same to you anyway, isn’t it? I always feel a bit inefficient, coming by in person. Anyway. Good meeting, Reese. Keep at it.”

She claps Reese on the shoulder, nods, and turns to exit, the enchanted bit of sphene still absently held between her left thumb and forefinger.