It was the third day of Margaret's slumber and her fever notably subsided over night; she would wake soon, that much Laphicet knew. Right now however, his mind had disregarded the issue of their youngest agent. For he was on a mission, perhaps the weirdest one he was ever on; even weirder than the days of teaming up with Niko and Arthur, to prepare a cake for Velvet's fifteenth birthday without her finding out.
Symonne did not flee them over night like he feared, she stayed; both the first and the second night. But she definitely changed from her previous behaviour. The girl now divided her entire time between looking after Margaret and staying near him, this exposure she spoke of; Laphicet understood the idea of getting used to something one was scared of and thus lessening the effect it had, but he still did not think it was healthy to constantly hurt oneself like Symonne did. He almost shuddered again, thinking back to the many tears and the anguish; what the previous day taught Laphi was that he hated seeing her cry, or scared. That she was afraid of him made it even worse, that he could not even hug her to spend comfort.
"Let's stop, please. I can't watch you keep hurting like that." He had hugged her anyway on that first day, feeling far more powerless than a god ever should. Her will was strong without doubt, for him to break first on just witnessing how far she was willing to go. For him, no less.
But he was getting distracted; Laphicet's thoughts returned to the present and to his newest observations. Whenever Symonne thought he had not seen her yet as they would meet up around the house, she quickly hid herself away or went another way to avoid him. That much, he understood. It was not what bothered him, even though it stung a little.
Laphicet was not entirely sure because he had never been around Symonne for over a day in one go before, but she definitely acted different when they were together, such as right now. To make sure he was not just imagining this, he decided to put it to the test; though in an unusual way, which he hoped no one would ever learn about. As, for the last few minutes, he had been staring at Symonne; not sneaking glances as he did from time to time, but openly staring. Ogling, even. Symonne had yet to say a word about it; he saw her opening her mouth a few times, but she bit down on whatever she meant to say without fail.
They did not really talk, just quietly stewed in the other's company; it was not even an entirely uncomfortable silence to him, just... weird. Still, Laphi kept staring and clamping down on his nurtured instinct to avert his gaze; he knew she noticed, was sure anyone would notice with how blatant he tried to be about it.
Laphicet himself took notice of something as well: Symonne was actually really pretty. He did not pay more attention to the details before, especially while trying not to stare, but now he realised her petite figure was quite endearing. Silky looking, black hair that framed rosy skin and ran out in purple tips, bright eyes, a cute button nose, a slender build in revealing clothes that he actually let his eyes draw this time to no reaction from Symonne, and her legs appearing longer due to the dark shorts and purple thighhighs she wore; dainty fingers were playing with a streak of water she created with an arte earlier, making it flow around them in a steady stream.
Laphicet gave it a little longer just to be sure, quietly admitting to himself that he was not unhappy about the chance; rude as ogling a girl like that was, he still appreciated the sight. Even he could not convince himself it was only to confirm his theory; confirmation, he had five minutes ago.
At last, he sighed audibly before focussing his gaze on his friend's face; she looked back, curious and thankfully without any visible fear, though her shoulders tensed a little. "Are you really sure staying around me is good for you?" he asked. Symonne tilted her head, but Laphicet did not give her a chance to deny it; he threw her an unamused look. "You stopped teasing me entirely. You try to avoid me wherever you can. Forcing yourself into my presence isn't good for you, Symonne. I don't like that."
She opened her mouth as if to respond, but hesitated and stayed quiet for an uncomfortably long moment. Then Symonne sighed herself and had the water around her hands disperse. "So you did do that on purpose. I'm just..." She trailed off, tried again and found no words; this repeated several times.
He hated to see her so insecure, too. Knowing that it was him who did that to her, simply by existing. Yet all he could do right now, this he learned from Velvet during their youth, was to smile and hide his own feelings. "It is just as well that Margaret will wake up soon. You should take some time to take all of this in, then we can try again if you want."
Symonne blinked at him, tensing a little more. Her hands opened and closed slowly as she seemed to try reading him. "You, you want me to leave?"
He almost spoke without thinking. Her tone was weaker than before and that question felt like something he should give more than just a short confirmation. Living with a girl for all his life helped notice this, even it was one as straightforward as Velvet. Laphicet ultimately explained a little more nuanced and closer to his feelings: "I don't want you to stay if it makes you feel bad. You're my friend, Symonne."
It took a little bit, but the girl seraph seemed to understand; she started to smile softly, relaxing a little more. "I guess you have a point. I'm getting better around you though, it was just two days so far."
Laphi gave her a soft nod. "You are, but still. I marked down all the locations where we hid teleportation gates on a map for you two to take along, so you can come visit easily. Take it a little more slowly and recuperate, then come back, okay?" For some odd reason, Symonne's cheeks acquired a dusting of pink that was difficult to actually see; Laphi noticed, but was unsure why she would be blushing. Did he say something to embarass her?
This was a question Laphicet did not really find answers to until Symonne got over whatever it was. She took another deep breath and leaned closer, a little grin proud on display. "So. Do you want me to strip?"
A non-sequitur if there ever was one. Laphi stared at her blankly. "...why are you asking me that?"
It was the wrong question, he knew it the moment her grin widened. "Well, you didn't really get to enjoy the eyefuls you got the last few days, did you?"
He groaned and felt his own cheeks grow warm. "I'm sorry for caring more about you than your body, Symonne."
"But my body is a part of me, too~"
His forehead hit the table, to a soft yet short giggle from where his tease of a friend sat. At least she tried, even if it was to his embarassment. "Two things about that," Laphicet muttered without looking up, "first is that I'm impressed you got that skill to mastery instead of going with conventional clothes, and secondly, I can tell we're making progress by the fact you managed to keep a hold of them since yesterday." It had been around twenty-four hours that she no longer ended up naked with each pulse of his golden mana, but it would still take time for her to get over this entirely. If she ever did.
Chancing a peek, he found Symonne nodding softly to herself. "Yeah, progress is there. But honestly, I like being able to modify my clothes with little more than a thought. And, you know, turning to mist to dodge something doesn't go over well with any corporeal clothes, so I'd end up naked anyway."
"...that's a fair point."
This was when Margaret traipsed into the room, saving him of having to discuss the matter any further. "G'morn'g," she mumbled and cast bleary eyes at the pair while they returned her greeting, if much more coherent.
"It's noon," Laphicet supplied helpfully, which only prompted a tired groan from the girl. Having his head raised once more, he noticed that Symonne seemed to be in a better mood now; she was smiling a little over Margaret's bedhair and generally disheveled state.
The human girl glanced between them for a moment, then focussed on her new partner. "Symonne, uh, you're a water seraph, right?"
"Yes?"
"Can you splash me with cold water, please?"
Laphicet raised an eyebrow at that; he pointed to the side. "We have some pots full of water right there."
This got him a grumble from Margaret, who picked at her nightgown as it clung to her form. "I meant from head to toe. I'm sleepy and sweaty and urgh, please make me clean!"
Both stared at the whining girl for a moment, then Symonne let out another soft giggle and got up, likely to do as she was asked. Laphicet quietly pointed to the adjacent washroom and his friend threw him a kiss in thanks before pushing Margaret out of the room. "As you wish, but don't complain later."
Needless to say, Margaret did complain.
It was a few hours later that the two girls were getting ready. Symonne could not help but be amused by Velvet having packed a few bags for them, which was followed by Laphi putting some kind of arte into one and then stuffing the other two inside. A quick check of her own, after flinching over the sight and feeling of his active mana, revealed a room-sized storage space inside. They were definitely looking over their young friend, if in an odd way.
More importantly however, the mother she had yet to speak to was not happy. She stood with her arms crossed, a soft but firm frown etched onto her face. "Margaret just woke up earlier and now she's supposed to leave town already?"
Velvet stood in front of her with a similar posture, but no real heat in it. She nodded easily. "You have a point that it's fast, but Maggie isn't the type to let us stop her. So I'd rather she leaves where we can see her and doesn't sneak off over night."
A sharp look went to the girl in question, who averted her gaze sheepishly; Velvet apparently figured her out with ease, though Cynthia did not seem surprised. "I know, but it's still frustrating how fast things are happening. I didn't even have a chance to talk to this Symonne yet."
Considering that she did not make more of an issue of the matter, chances were Margaret and Velvet already talked to her about the former's departure. Either way, Symonne carefully reached over and gave Laphi a nudge while avoiding his gaze. He got the message anyway and extended his domain further than just the bottom floor, to surround them; Symonne shuddered and had to fight hard to shake it off. She did not manage to cast off the feeling of dread, but it was enough not to stand frozen when Cynthia's sight adjusted. She even managed a little wave and a big smile. "Hello!"
Cynthia blinked, followed by throwing an unamused look to Laphicet, who whistled in faux innocence. Velvet huffed. Then the woman turned her attention to Symonne in full, eyes running over the girl more critically than leering. Worried about her child, most likely. Wondering what kind of person Symonne was, taking note of her, by human standards, lewd way of dressing. She was not that easy to read, but the way her eyes moved this way and that, from Symonne to Margaret and back, made it clear enough.
Deciding to be nice instead of confrontational, she slid forward on a small rail of water, one foot placed on the other and balancing effortlessly. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Symonne. I kind of envy Margaret if beauty like yours is what she can look forward to growing into." It was not even a total lie; Cynthia had reached her mid or late thirties considering Margaret's age, but did not appear older than her late twenties. She was not done up like the noble ladies and princesses, but there was a kindness and maturity to her that would put many to shame. Besides, flattery never hurt.
The human woman appeared surprised but also mollified and gave a soft huff of her own. "Aren't you a cute one. I was wondering what kind of person my Maggie might take along on her journey, but this is a pleasant surprise." Her body language said something closer toward not having expected Symonne, so she took that to mean Cynthia had imagined far worse.
After making an understanding noise, Symonne took the other woman's hands into her own and put on her best smile. "I get that, ma'am. Your precious daughter is heading out into the world, far too early and with just me for company." Cynthia blinked and Symonne held her smile. "But you really don't need to worry. We can teleport back here every once in a while and I'm going to make sure she doesn't get hurt."
Now it was Margaret who shook her head and turned away from the scene; Symonne noticed the Crowes throwing each other knowing looks, too. Cynthia seemed somewhat reassured at least, nodding gently. "Alright. We have to get to know each other better when there is time, but at least I know she has someone along for the journey."
. .
. .
Velvet could not help but sigh as they escorted Margaret to the gates. Cynthia had come around and seemed to like Symonne well enough, but sending out a girl this young still did not sit well with Velvet herself. Memories or not, Artorius or not. That was another problem she still had to sort out fully. Symonne's episode over the last few days only pushed it off for a bit as Velvet worried about the seraph girl's condition; she appeared to be over the worst of it, but again, she was going out into unknown and danger.
On the other hand, she argued with herself while Margaret talked to some of her friends, Symonne might be part of the greatest danger around, so they should be fine. Velvet knew she was a worriwart, she just could not help it.
"And make sure to remember it all, you hear me? I want to hear everything when you're back!"
"Of course, I will. But it might be a while, don't forget about me in the meantime."
"We'd never!"
There was some laughter among the children and Margaret said her goodbyes, then their little group was moving again. Cynthia, Laphicet, and Velvet herself went along to see the girl off at the gates; much as Laphi predicted, it was the gate leading toward Hyland. Curiously though, more and more people crossed their path despite it being the afternoon. Housewives and workers alike called encouragements and wished Margaret well, with some even stopping for a word with her. Many more waved from a distance before hurrying on their way.
"You're popular," Symonne commented idly after a while.
Seeing how Margaret was busy talking to an older man from the church then, Laphi took over answering and stepped next to Symonne. "Everyone knows she can talk to seraphim, they knew it a good while before we opened the tavern. Ever since, she has been a bit of a person of interest around town. Word still travels fast here, too; I don't think we told anyone about her departure."
"Ah, yes. I get it now." Symonne was oddly quiet about it, a slight frown forming as she watched those interactions take place. Velvet watched the seraph girl in turn, much like her brother did. She wondered where the usual comments were, but then decided it was her still reeling from the past few days.
They needed far longer to reach the gate than expected; at this point, Velvet figured they only had a few hours of sunlight left. And it was not even done, for a squad of fully armoured knights expected them when they arrived, the tall form of Sergei in the lead. His usual, stern frown was mostly absent and replaced with a surprisingly gentle smile as he eyed the procession. A woman dressed in robes of blue leaned at the wall behind him, but stayed silent for the time being.
"I heard that young Margaret is leaving us today," Sergei began and inclined his head toward the girl in question. "and I see that word traveled not just to me. I wish you good luck and safe travels."
"Thank you, sir. I will be careful out there." Margaret answered without hesitation, standing straight and unbent. Velvet found it quite fit her, though some of the knights appeared a little confused by the girl's behaviour. She really was not like most fourteen-year-olds.
All of them were a little surprised when Sergei stepped forward, though. "If it is alright with you, young lady, I have to insist to test your skill once more, if just to ensure you are ready for whatever may lie on your path ahead." Margaret tensed and Velvet's eyes narrowed while the seraphim appeared more confused. She let her former student handle herself, though. Cynthia appeared even less happy, but a tap to her shoulder from Velvet made her stay silent for the time being.
"I..." Margaret glanced around the small audience they gathered, then back to Sergei. Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly before straightening out as she took a deep breath. "Very well. I wish for you to know though, that our situation from before is now inversed. I am bonded to a seraph and thus defy the means of all but the very greatest humans."
There was whispering among the small crowd of onlookers, with Laphi snorting and even Velvet having to bite down on a laugh. Cynthia warred with confusion, worry, and curiousity, while one or two of the knights seemed unhappy with the way Margaret just spoke to their commander, but stayed their hands when he merely nodded. "So I heard and it may be true. But I then must insist all the more, for I wish to behold the heights one can reach through the bond with a kind seraph."
He was an impressive man nonetheless, of a strong mental fortitude and purity. A good man, so Velvet saw. Margaret might have seen the same, for she drew her blade in a smooth motion; polished steel sang as it was presented in a two-handed grip, held close to herself in a simple guard position straight up. Sergei did much the same, his armor clacking in the sudden silence. People gave them space and left an empty ring for them to spar in.
Sergei then cast a glance at their surroundings, the main road they were currently blocking. "Perhaps we should move aside so as to not hinder traffic."
Even he was left stunned by Margaret's certainty when the girl responded: "This will not take long enough to hinder anyone."
She already moved on the last word, a lightning fast dash right at her opponent. Velvet saw it happen, the seraphim saw. She was decently fast to their perception, but painfully so for outside observers. Little more than a blur and yet, her first attempt to 'strike' Sergei's throat was blocked. Be it instinct or experience, this mere man took a blow capable of cutting through solid stone on his blade and kept standing despite the force behind it. Margaret was stopped dead in her tracks as the two pushed against each other, slowly forcing Sergei back a step. Only now did the crowd catch up, after the clang of metal on metal faded and surprised gasps rang out.
They separated and Margaret took two steps out of her opponent's reach, rotating as she did to align her blade with her body again. The two watched each other, waiting for the other one to make the next move. Sergei's face became a mask of concentration.
When nothing happened for a second, Margaret surged forward again, appearing to do the exact same thing she did before if slower. Velvet had many painful memories of Arthur telegraphing his attacks like that, to bait his opponent. Sergei took the bait, not expecting it to be thus; he raised his blade in the same manner as he had before, only to receive something close to a brutal spinkick into his armoured stomach instead. For the first time in their dozen spars, it was him who went to the ground, rolling almost into the crowd from the force. Margaret landed on her feet, hair rustling and sword flashing as she returned to her basic stance, then flowed forward.
Sergei was still in the process of getting up when cold, now nicked steel touched against his armoured throat with a click. He blinked up at his opponent in shock, a girl more than ten years his junior. Then however, he smiled and lowered his head in defeat. Margaret's focus broke into a smile as she retracted the weapon and sheathed it slowly, to applause from around them. "Yet it lasted longer than one would expect," she offered together with her hand.
"Truly, this is magnificent." Sergei took the hand and was pulled up easily, augmented strength allowing to do so despite the fact he was decked out in full plate. Now dented full plate, Velvet noted.
Margaret saw it as well and winced. "I, uh, sorry about your armour. I think I can pay for having it fixed?"
She received a confused look before the older man looked down and realised what had happened. He then raised his hands defensively and shook his head with a laugh. "No, no. It was my desire to test your mettle despite the many warnings and despite having an idea of the situation after my previous conversations with the seraphim. It would not be right with me to punish a child like this for getting carried away."
Sergei picked up his sword from where he dropped it, sheathing the weapon as well. "Either way, this was a learning experience for me as well; something that money can not buy."
At this point, Symonne leaned closer to Laphi with a soft frown: "Is he for real? People like that are rare, but I can not say for sure if he is just saying these things."
Velvet smiled over the situation as a whole and took to squeezing Cynthia's shoulder, who was still staring in awe. Laphi went to answer his friend in the meantime: "From what I saw of him, he is. He definitely is and yes, it is a rare quality. We looked into him too, he is a man who earned his title as knight commander."
Looking around, Velvet took notice of how the other, somewhat younger knights had lost their animosity in favour of awe at this child taking down the strongest man they knew. People around them were already chatting about what they saw while Margaret and Sergei exchanged a few more words, well wishes and the like. Then they shook hands and separated, him calling his knights to order and marching off, her returning to the group she arrived with.
"Maybe we can get outside without any more interruptions now," Velvet teased once Margaret reached them. The girl lowered her gaze in obvious embarassment, but perked up when another voice called out from the side.
"One more, I am afraid."
It was a voice Velvet heard before, though not often. They all began to walk as another figure joined them, the blue-robed woman who had been there this whole time. Watching. Her eyes were on Margaret and Symonne primarily, though she offered Velvet and Laphi a curt nod, which they returned. "Hello Sindra," her brother greeted politely. Then, seeing Symonne's curious look, he elaborated: "Seraph Sindra is lord of the land around here, and one of Margaret's friends. Don't let the detached tone or behaviour fool you, she is actually quite friendly."
"I see." The two water seraphim sized each other up for a long moment, then Symonne grinned and stuck out her hand, walking backward to keep up with the rest. "Nice to meet you, I'm Symonne."
"Likewise." Her hand was taken. "So you are Margaret's partner. I always wondered who might step up to go with her, but I would have thought them to be a local seraph." It was as much of a question as a comment and they could all tell.
Symonne simply shrugged. "Seems like no one around is awesome enough to go for it, so I had to pick up the slack."
She grinned and after a moment, Sindra let out a soft huff. "You may have a point, even. Do you know any healing artes?"
The sudden shift in subject did not seem to bother the shorter seraph, who nodded and made a so-so motion. "I know enough to treat wounds if need be. Nothing super potent, but it will do in a pinch."
"And as a matter of fact," Margaret chimed in curtly, "so do I." Using the moment of distraction her comment created, the girl stepped forward and swept Sindra into a big hug. "I'll miss you, but don't worry. I'm going to visit and then we can talk again." The other woman appeared befuddled for a moment, but then she hesitantly wrapped her arms around Margaret's back. Velvet just shook her head over how well she could handle a detached woman like that and ignored the few passersby staring; Margaret was currently hugging empty air to their perception after all, though they could all tell there must be a seraph present.
"I look forward to it," Sindra finally answered as they separated. She wore the faintest smile for a moment before fading away. Margaret waved after her departing particles and then turned back to the gate that towered basically right in front of them. They all wandered over to the border, guards kindly inclining their heads and giving them space. Traffic was slow this day, they appreciated it for the occasion.
Cynthia was the first to give her daughter a hug this time, who bore it with a smile. Even when her mother started to mutter encouragements and whatever helpful advice she had from her own few times of travel. Velvet gave them the moment and nudged Laphi toward Symonne, who eyed the two humans curiously and with something Velvet would call longing. Not much of it, but some.
Her brother hesitated for one long moment, but then stepped forward; the sound of his feet alerted Symonne, who turned her head and... flinched, ever so slightly. Velvet saw it, Laphi saw it, and Symonne knew it without doubt. Again the boy paused, hesitant to get closer when his friend was still scared of him. This time, Symonne took the choice off of him by closing the distance and hugging Laphi. He stiffened in obvious surprise while the girl seraph began to show a soft smile. "Take care while I'm out, yes?"
Velvet felt a quip on the tip of her tongue, but she held it in. Now was not the time, not to mention that her brother already answered in a similar manner: "Don't worry, I'm tough. You take care, too." She took note of how carefully he held his friend and wondered, once more, if perhaps 'friend' was a misnomer. Then again, Niko and her had been teasing each other a lot as well without there being any more than friendship. Time would tell, in that regard.
Cynthia and Margaret separated, so Velvet took the opportunity to give the girl a quick hug; she would be fine and they both knew. Her mind was still in some turmoil from what she learned not too long ago, but it had mostly settled. Some time apart would do her good as well. Then, when Laphi and Symonne separated, she left Margaret to her brother and gave Symonne a gentle clap on the shoulder. "You will be fine?"
"Should be," she returned with a nod. "But this goodbye is taking far too long. Going by Laphi's map, we will be back in a few weeks or so. Maybe two months."
"Heh. Agreed."
They exchanged smiles and then Margaret stepped forward from where she was talking with Laphi. She gazed into the distance, the forest looming ahead and the mountains far beyond, then glanced back at the small group seeing her off. Her eyes closed for a moment, but her shoulders straightened. Symonne darted to her side as if having been given a cue and both waved at them. Velvet waved back, as did Laphi and Cynthia.
They watched the two begin to walk, quiet for the moment; watched on for many minutes until the odd pair vanished into Volgran Forest.
To Margaret, things quickly became quiet. It felt like moments until the first hour of her journey passed by. She still delighted in the sporadic birdsong and other sounds of nature all around her in the forest, even if few creatures came close to the road. Symonne had since retreated into Margaret's body and there was not a soul in sight. It felt a little odd to be so tranquil, especially for a girl who lived all her life in a bustling trade hub like Lastonbell. For the moment however, she simply breathed the scent of wood and earth while marching on, elated to be on her way.
"I have to admit," Symonne's voice echoed in her head, "when he said he wanted to see your power, I thought you'd cast an arte of some kind. Any reason you didn't?"
Margaret hummed and considered the question, head rotating over a cracking sound to her right but finding a deer and dismissing it as not dangerous. "I thought about it, to be honest. Artes are almost impossible to cast without a bonded seraph after all. But I felt a show of force is better than doing magic."
"Makes sense." The pause that followed drew quite long before Symonne spoke up again, drawing her partner out of observing a sparrow take flight. "It should be easier to conceptualise how much stronger your body became than to measure any esoteric talent such as artes." She nodded, but the seraph girl was not done. "And on that note, please tell me you know you don't need the invocations. I see too many idiots who fully believe they are part of the arte."
Margaret could not help but chuckle about that. "Not to worry, I am well aware. Although for some, the invocation is part of the arte; as far as I know, the practice mainly developed as a way to center oneself while casting, to tie the words to the movement of mana through one's body." She paused for a moment to drag some other memories from her life long past back. "And unless I am mistaken, those idiots you mentioned can be faked out by pretending to need the invocation. Or using a different one to prevent them from knowing which arte you are about to cast."
Symonne remained quiet again and the human girl marched on, careful not to trip. She figured she had another two hours of sunlight, at the very least. Difficult to tell without a belltower to tell her the hour, though; she never even realised how used she was to these things.
"That's pretty clever, actually. I have to keep it in mind."
"Thank you!"
At first Margaret was quite happy, until she realised she just told an agent of her enemy how to get better at fighting. At that point she frowned, but figured there was little she could do about it; traveling together meant to talk to each other. Velvet and Laphicet had their reasons for this, probably, but she could not fathom why they would take the risk.
Silence swept back in at that point and Margaret sighed quietly; people often assumed that a journey was full of great events and adventure, but most of the time it was simply boring travel. She remembered her time as Artorius, how often 'she' was just alone with her thoughts for weeks and months on the road, sometimes sharing the fire with other travelers. At least she had Symonne around this time, so there was someone to talk to. Even if she was technically an enemy, perhaps they could become friends anyway.
Thinking of her, the seraph girl spoke up in her mind again: "Where are you headed exactly? Hyland we know, so I guess Marlind?"
"Yep, Marlind is closest so we're going there first."
She was about to continue, but Symonne chimed in before she could: "Actually, why Hyland?"
Her question gave Margaret pause and made her consider what to say. She had no great reason, just her own. This had to be enough. "When I thought about it, well, I thought I lived all my life in Rolance, so I want to see some of Hyland first." There was probably still much to see in the Empire, but her feelings remained the same. "Anyway, I was thinking to go around Glayvend Basin with how they're gearing up recently. This might cost us some time."
"Actually, you could go right through."
"How so?"
"My blessing is to weave illusions, from small things to elaborate creations. I can hide you from prying eyes."
"Ohhhhh!" This explained a few things to her, not to mention the possibilities it opened. "That's crazy useful, Symonne! Thank you for telling me!" Her enthusiasm might have flustered the other girl, who kept quiet for a little while. Enough time for Margaret to keep musing on the matter. "You can do so many things with illusions. It's kind of sad, though. Doing good for others with it directly sounds really hard." She remembered how dangerous Melchior had been, turning friends against each other and breaking the minds of great men and woman through leaning on their weaknesses. Yet she could not think of a way to use such power in a really beneficial way.
"I know," Symonne finally muttered. "Nica told me much the same, and I agree. Sometimes I wonder if it's really a blessing and not a curse I inflict on others."
Margaret opened her mouth to deny it immediately, but she actually had to think about it; that kind of belief made sense and she doubted that just denying it was enough to make a convincing argument. But then again, thinking back to her studies under Velvet and remembering how Velvet once studied under 'her', she felt she knew what to say.
"I wouldn't say that. Not all blessings are directly beneficial and more importantly, yours can do many good things with enough creativity and thought. You just have to keep at it."
She received no response, and that was that for their conversation.