Chapter 1: Iridium Somnolence

7:15 p.m. 3rd Moon, 14th Day

Heading out from New Prahv, the Izzet woman wrapped her white coat tighter around herself as she hurried back to Nivix. Cursing quietly to herself, the wind nipping at her heels, she walked as quickly as she possibly could.

As if to add insult to injury, about a block away from Nivix, it started to pour rain. Nearly slipping in the rain, Iridium pulled her coat above her head and ran on, crashing into the Izzet Guildhall a moment later. Soaking wet, she shivered and pulled her shoes off. One of her attendants- the one she stationed at the door for such nights as these- wordlessly handed her a blanket, a towel, and a change of clothes.

Wrapping the towel around her hair, then the blanket around her shoulders, she nodded her thanks as she took the change of clothing and took the stairs two at a time. As she passed each floor landing, more and more fantastical experiments assailed her eyes and ears. Even her nose wasn't left out, as a few particularly odd experiments were working with progressively stranger materials for weirds.

Rubbing her hair with the towel, she smiled a little to herself as she stepped into her own room. The pleasant warmth of several burners wafted against her face, and she carefully shut one of them off. The solution on top whistled as the flame below shut away and she nodded. Picking up the clipboard next to it, she dipped a quill into some ink and began to write.

Day 4.

After being on a constant boil for nearly ten hours, the solution has turned a peculiar shade of red. Clear red. It bubbles slightly as I write this, frothing lightly as well. Not sure why, as of yet, but tests are commencing as of- Iridium checked the clock nearby. -9:02 p.m.

She placed the clipboard aside, taking out a long, thin, metal instrument and sticking it into the liquid. The glass vial clinked as she stirred, and the liquid hissed against the metal. For a moment she worried the liquid had gone acidic and was eating through the stirrer, but she brushed the thought away. As she stirred, her mind cleared slightly.

Outside, she could see a large flame blossom then die. Seemed the Rakdos were up to a Festival already. No doubt led by Malum and Sanguine… She sighed, listening to the gentle clink of metal on glass. The hiss of flames. The murmurs of other scientists a floor, two floors, three floors down.

The stars and moon outside glittered away and Iridium pulled the metal rod from the tube. It was acid eaten and she flicked it away to join the rest of the mess in her small room. She sat down next to the counter where her alchemical equipment was placed.

A small frown crossed the heterochromic woman's face, and she leaned her elbows on the counter and sighed deeply. Resting her head on one of her hands, she looked out the window absently. Flames were born and died, and screams intermingled with the insane chants of the Rakdos.

As if she was unable to bear the noises, Iridium stood up and slammed the window shut. She drew the curtains and sighed, rubbing her forehead and closing her eyes. The sounds were muffled now, and she could only really hear them if she tried to. A welcome respite. Dipping her quill back into the ink, she penned down another few lines.

'Liquid has turned acidic. Ate away at stirring utensil- Note to self: get a new one. Seems to be turning gaseous as well. Does not seem to be harmful as of yet. Will allow liquid to sit overnight, off heat.'

Iridium signed her name underneath, carefully dotting the i's in her name and then rolled up the parchment her report was on. She stretched, yawned, and pulled off her lab coat. The burner underneath her experiment flicked off at a twitch of her finger. Rubbing her eyes, she tossed her coat away and flopped onto her bed, pulling the covers up over her wet hair. Letting her eyes close, she huffed into the warm comforter and the thin sheets. She fell quickly into a sleep, confused and muddled by a strange dream.

Flames dance. Something chases after me, and I get the sense that it's huge and that if it catches me, it spells my death. What is it? A demon? Rakdos himself? I dare not look back, I dare not spare a single step in my running. I get the sense that whatever's chasing me, with its hot breath full of avarice, is waiting for me to foolishly look back.

Curiosity is the hallmark of being in Izzet, the hallmark of being a Scribemage. Who can blame me for slowing in my pace and looking back for only a second? What folly, what folly. The massive demon, bleeding and chained to a Bloodwitch, surges closer and closer. Flames cut off my escape as I turn to run, and it's a quick moment before the demon's maw opens and I'm presented with a view of its teeth and the back of its throat.

A scream rends my throat.

Iridium awoke in a cold sweat, with her blankets thrown in a heap around the room. Sitting up in her bed, she ran a shaking hand through her hair and let out a slow breath.

/AN: Ohmigod I'm sorry this took so long but here it is, Chapter Two! Chapter Three will be written from the perspective of Meia, the Simic Speaker! Thanks for reading~.