The following day I slept until Eda and Raine made their way inside. Neither was any the wiser to my adventure, but Eda seemed tired. Raine immediately went to the kitchen to put a pot of tea on the stove, as Eda flopped down beside me and buried her head in her hands.
"You seem chipper," I turned to the girl, "What's up?"
"Just a long day," Eda grimaced.
"Want to talk about it?" I leaned onto Eda's shoulder. She shrugged me off, "I'll take that as a no."
My mind whirled with what would cheer a witch up. My first instinct was to tell a joke, but knowing my luck it'd be offensive in this world. Pausing in consideration, I smiled and flicked out the lights.
"Wanna see something cool?" I smiled in the darkness, "Check out my new friend! Blink! I need you!"
Suddenly the silver star from before popped into existence, landing on the middle of the table. It's silver light cast an eerie glow on Eda, letting me see her eyes widen in surprise.
"But you're-" she stared at the odd star, "Is this bard magic?"
Blowing into my harmonica, the star flew up to land on my shoulder. I nodded.
"This place must have a lot of loose magic to make this little guy," I nodded, "A super charged light spell, right?"
Eda shook her head, "No way. Light spells don't act like that. This is a mote, an animated mote."
"Is that a good thing?" I asked.
"Well, if it likes you, then yes," she poked at the light that jiggled as if it was laughing. Eda then turned to the door, "Raine! Come here and see how kick butt a teacher you are!"
Raine at that point had three large mugs of tea which they promptly set down on the table, before looking at the mote in fascination. If Eda was engaged, Raine was even more so. Beginning With 'what key were you in?' And ending with the realization I did not read music very much at all.
"All I did was play a very basic song from the human realm," I gestured to Blink, "And they just showed up."
"Looks like you'll be in and out of here in no time then," Raine laughed in delight.
"Then we just have to figure out the portal to the human realm."
"In the meantime," Eda walked to the kitchen, mug of steaming tea in hand, "I'm going to make a headache potion."
"Can I help?" I grinned, hoping to see Eda in action.
"Sure!" Eda laughed , blowing a kiss to her partner, "Look, Raine, now she wants to know potions."
"She's in for a hell of a time!" Raine smiled as they placed their hand on their cheek as if receiving said kiss.
Attempting to throw off the feeling of being the third wheel, I made my way to the kitchen. Eda quickly followed and began pulling all sorts of ingredients from the pantry. As she gathered I turned to Eda and began to do what I do best, gather information.
"Mind telling me about this world some?"
"Only if it doesn't get too boring" Eda summoned a knife and handed it to me along with a pile of mushrooms. It felt nice to hold a knife again, and I quickly began chopping.
"You were studying for the Emperor's Coven. What is that? Why do you need to study for it?"
Clearly whatever I said struck a nerve, because Eda took a long pause before saying, "Look, it's really easy to get confused about Covens, and frankly I can't tell you all about them. They are social groups of witches, but once you sign up, that's it. Your magic is sealed and you remain part of the coven. Except for the Emperor's Coven. They use every type of magic."
"Woah," I blinked in surprise. With how advanced the witches were, I thought they'd be past an Emperor, "So you want to be able to do more magic?"
"Yeah, but really, I want to be with my sister, cause pranks, take over the world, all that good stuff," Eda already had most of the potion ready when she summoned my mushrooms and dumped them into a boiling pot, "She's just a little intense. . ."
"Intense?" I feigned ignorance, well aware there was trouble in paradise.
"We used to do everything together," Eda sighed, "Now all she wants to do is drag me into her study circle. I want fun"
"Have you tried telling her?"
"Won't listen," Eda took a spoonful of potion and downed it, "But now that we're done here, care to go prank Head Librarian Marcos?"
"And leave here for a bit, heck yeah!"
