In the morning, a royal Prakran carriage arrived to collect them as promised. It was enchanted and one of Prakra's many displays of technological advancement in the realm of magic. This made it possible to travel between the capital city and the sea within half a day rather than the week it would normally take by regular means. Gemini had to keep reminding herself that no, she should not stick her head out of the window as they traveled-windswept hair didn't quite go with her uniform. Valdemar seemed determined not to pay her any mind and kept their nose buried firmly in a book for the entire ride. They didn't lift their head even when the light started to fade as dusk fell. Idly, she speculated as to whether they could actually see or if they were that intent on ignoring her.

The Prakran palace was an impressive structure that dwarfed Vesuvia's. Beyond the main building, a mini-village that must have been the royal living quarters was set on one side, and on the other, there appeared to be a small farm. Gemini didn't have time to take in everything else since the guards quickly ushered them inside. Servants arrived to take their bags as soon as they entered, and a tall older woman stepped forward to introduce herself as the head servant.

"Queen Nasrin welcomes you both to Prakra," she stated. "While she understands your journey was long and you may need rest, dinner will be ready shortly and she requires your presence. It is at this dinner that she will address each of you." Gemini nodded gratefully. She didn't have the chance to eat breakfast before the carriage arrived, so she'd been subsisting off a banana that she'd gotten from her new friends yesterday. The servant went on to offer them a tour of the palace-Valdemar politely accepted, and she was about to follow when a shock of blue popped out from behind the servant.

"Hello, my love," Natiqa said, grinning with her usual mischief. Startled, the servant bowed to her. "'Scuse me, I'm just gonna steal this cutie here." Yes! My hero! Gemini wanted to start distancing herself from Valdemar as soon as possible, and she was sure the feeling was mutual.

Meanwhile, the servant was sputtering. "But, Your Highness-!"

Natiqa gave her a pleading look. "Come on. I'm supposed to be at that dinner too, I'll make sure Gemini is there!"

Wringing her hands, the servant conceded with a bow and disappeared with Valdemar after casting a worried look back. Once they were gone, Gemini smiled at Natiqa.

"Okay, one: thank you," she said. "Two: you now owe me a tour."

Natiqa grabbed her hand and began leading her down the hall. "That can be arranged... later, though. Meanwhile." She stopped to suggestively wiggle her eyebrows at Gemini. "So you've been traveling with you-know-who." Gemini shot her a death glare while she burst into a fit of giggles.

"Don't you say a word more," she whispered, looking around furtively to make sure the topic of discussion wasn't still nearby. A particularly inviting door caught her eye, and she tugged Natiqa into the room, which turned out to be a study. Only after the door was shut and a preliminary scan ensured they were alone did Gemini let out a deep breath. "Anyway. How are you?"

"Ugh, dreadful." Natiqa fell dramatically into an armchair, and Gemini followed suit. "Diplomacy is highly overrated." She launched into a long retelling of how she had to entertain some Ghalian ambassadors a few days prior and that they were returning soon, to her chagrin. When Gemini got up to stoke the flames in the fireplace, Natiqa seemed to realize how long she had been talking. "Hey now, wait a minute! That's not what I wanted to talk about, you need to spill about the Quaestor."

Gemini sighed, knowing all too well she had only delayed the inevitable and returning to her seat. "Alright, first of all, I blame you."

"What did I do?"

"Your wonderful idea to play FMK brought to the forefront of my mind something I really didn't need to be brought there."

Natiqa crossed one dainty leg over the other. "Wait. Valdemi is real?"

Gemini scrunched her face up. "What the fuck-"

"Mmm, I dunno if I ship that." She cackled when Gemini lobbed a decorative pillow at her face.

Gemini shook her head. Why did I think to confide in her again...? "Never in life utter that unholy combination of our names again. Yuck." Not even I'm that bad. "But seriously, Tink. I was in real trouble."

Tossing the pillow between her hands, Natiqa cocked her head. "'Was?' What's my fault if it's not an issue anymore?"

Gemini's cape suddenly became very interesting to her as she gathered it into her hands and fiddled with it. "Well, I spent some time last night shamelessly flirting with them." When she caught Natiqa's eye, she saw that she was waiting for her to go on. "And... and every little thing they do drives me crazy, even when they're trying to be an ass."

"Yikes. You've got it bad, huh?"

"Yeah, well. It's fine now because we'll be parting ways today." It had only been a few days and she had learned she was more interested in Valdemar than she thought. The realization was startling for numerous reasons-all of them being "But it's Quaestor Valdemar"-and also confusing, given her still-lingering feelings for Asra. She'd be lying if she said it wasn't messing with her head to be in that sort of predicament. Separating from them would hopefully give her a chance to calm her jets and let her attraction to them die down.

Natiqa pursed her lips. "Why would it be not fine if you didn't have separate things to do?"

Shame rippled through her body as she continued to pick at her cape. "I'd lose reason and keep trying to get closer to them when that's the last thing I need right now, even if they were interested. I'm supposed to be nursing my already vulnerable heart, not teeing it up to get shattered again when things don't pan out." Sure, it was harmless flirting now, but she didn't trust the hopeless romantic in herself to keep it that way. It was easy when she met people with the mutual intent of never becoming more than sex friends, but her relationship with Valdemar was quite different. Aside from that, they merely tolerated her. That wasn't necessarily encouragement to continue with her one-sided interest, especially after their little threat.

She snorted. Now that I think about it, what was that about? I would imagine they could and would tell me in no uncertain terms to go away, but they instead did... all that. And I'm still not scared, so what now? Gemini couldn't put her finger on what they were playing at but didn't have time to dwell on it as Natiqa spoke again.

"What makes you so sure things wouldn't pan out?" She continued speaking, cutting off the beginning of Gemini's objections. "And why do you feel like you need to suffer silently until you get over Asra? You are deserving of love and happiness, even if it's not with him, Gem."

"I know that." Gemini pinched the bridge of her nose. "It would just look like I don't know what I want, thinking about two different people like that at once. Maybe not to you, but it would to me; I feel like it'd cheapen what I feel for Asra, and I don't like that at all." It would also feel like she was pursuing Valdemar half-assedly, and she didn't do anything half-assed, nor did she do rebounds. Finally, on the odd chance that they were in an alternate universe where her feelings could be returned, it wouldn't be fair to them that her attention was still divided.

Natiqa walked over to sit on the arm of Gemini's chair. She stroked her hair, and Gemini relaxed into her touch. "I seriously think you're overthinking it, but I also know you and that you can't help it. I understand where you're coming from, but I just don't want you to let heartbreak get in the way of something new."

"Yeah, well nothing's happening with Valdemar," Gemini mumbled.

Continuing her comforting touches, Natiqa laughed gently. "Only because you two won't let it. When you guys walked in, you had a weird vibe going. It was kinda hot." She held her hands up in surrender when Gemini whipped around to gawk at her. What is she on about? They were flat out ignoring me and I was grateful for it. "But hey, what I'm saying applies generally, not just with Valdemar. Don't let your sense of duty to Asra get in the way of you living your life, is all I'm saying."

Gemini frowned. That's not it at all... is it?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock, followed by the door opening and the head servant stepping in.

"Sibyl Gemini, Princess Natiqa," she said, looking at the latter with a deadpan expression. "It is time for dinner with the queen."

Natiqa at least looked sheepish. "Oops. Well we're not late, right?"

"Only because my intuition and knowledge of your ways told me to come back here."

"Hey!" Gemini chortled at the way Natiqa's cheap defenses fell on uninterested ears as the servant led them to the dining hall, Valdemar trailing behind quietly. Unable to help herself, she snuck a glance back to see them looking around the palace as they walked, uncharacteristic wonder in their expression.

At last, they arrived at two great oak doors, men positioned at the handle of each. Gemini sucked in a breath as they held the doors open to a dining hall even grander than the one in the Vesuvian palace. All of the princesses sat at the large circular dining table, with Queen Nasrin and the royal consort, Namar, seated in the middle of them. It was hard not to be taken by the sight of the queen with the grandiosity of her presence-even though she wasn't actively looking for it, Gemini could sense a powerful magical aura emanating from her. The flowing robes draped over her form and golden headpiece reminiscent of a halo only added to her impact. She sat sporting an elegant grin and raised her gold-laden arms in welcome.

"Sibyl Gemini, Quaestor Valdemar," her voice boomed. It held a richness and warmth that worked to calm Gemini's nerves despite the long-awaited meeting being upon her. Valdemar bent in a graceful bow, and Gemini quickly followed. "The royal family of Prakra welcomes you. We are so very glad you could make it, and give you our thanks." Upon a glance in their direction, servants that had been standing off to the side rushed forward to usher the two newcomers into their seats. Natiqa had already hurried into her place next to Navra at some point during Gemini's trance. After they were seated, the smell of herbs and spices wafted into the room as servants started plating the first course. However, even the promise of a delicious meal wasn't enough to tear Gemini's attention from their host.

"I thought it would be nice to chat over an exquisite cuisine rather than have a more formal meeting in the throne room," Nasrin continued. "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, Your Majesty," Gemini said. "It is an honor to have an audience with you." At that, Nasrin smiled and gestured to the food in front of them. Over small bites, she engaged her and Valdemar in small talk about their travel to the palace; no one else spoke for the duration of the dinner, adding a heavy undercurrent to the light chatter. She hadn't forgotten, but Gemini was reminded of the gravity of the circumstance behind her visit.

Once the remnants of the final course were taken away, Nasrin's expression sobered. "Well, let us not delay any further." Gemini nodded and clasped her hands together tightly in her lap. "I am sure Dia enlightened you as to the basics of my request." After a brief pause, Nasrin raised her eyebrows expectantly, sending Gemini stumbling to answer in the affirmative. "We have exhausted every resource to capture this man, but to no avail. He has eluded the most experienced and skilled of my forces, and I simply cannot let this continue. When it became clear that no ordinary person could solve this matter, the magician my daughter spoke so highly of immediately came to mind." Gemini's cheeks burned at the compliment.

"It is with a heavy heart that I ask for your assistance bringing my royal magician in to me so that he may be brought to justice for his treasonous actions." Nasrin's eyes shift away, prompting Gemini's to follow. It is at this moment that she noticed Nasmira for the first time that evening. The usually bright princess seemed to have wilted; she was staring at the table, subdued and shoulders slumped. Even more shocking than her despondence was the bandage wrapped around her head and the eyepatch over her eye. Gemini exhaled heavily at the sight-actually seeing the damage that had been done made it all more real.

Swallowing, she turned to look back at the queen. "I will find him for you. What else do I need to know about him?"

"Excellent." Nasrin smiled and glanced at a servant, nodding them over. He stepped forward and produced a sketch of a man with shaggy black hair and piercing almond-shaped eyes. "His name is Fugue-I am afraid we do not know his family name or much about his background." She grimaced, not unlike Nadia's expressions of disdain. "It was the idea of one of my daughters to bring him to the palace three years ago, and we foolishly failed to look into him much more than that since she is usually a good judge of character. What we do know is that he has significant magical ability and is one who practices dark magic. That is how he injured Nasmira, using that cursed-and highly illegal-form." Gemini's eyes picked up on how Nasmira tensed at her mother's words, but she otherwise didn't react. Taking the sketch gingerly, she ran a finger over the lines of the drawing and committed it to memory. She would have this man pay for what he's done-if the truth was as they said. This wasn't her first seemingly open-and-shut case; she didn't like Nasmira's silence, and dark magic being a factor could prove to be a curveball. Whatever the truth behind this case may be, she would find it and bring it to light. For now, though, she needed to start with the information she was given. "I'd like to examine his quarters," she said. "Can that be arranged?"

"Yes, but you will begin your investigation tomorrow. I will have you well-rested before you start. We have, of course, thoroughly investigated his belongings already, so I hope a fresh set of eyes will yield new results." They discussed that the room would be unlocked and ready for Gemini in the morning and that she would communicate any major updates in her investigation to Nasrin as they happened. With a satisfied clap of her hands, she stood as everyone turned to face her. "Thank you all for attending this evening. Does anyone have anything to add before we retire?"

A soft clearing of the throat disrupted the ensuing silence. "Your Majesty," Valdemar said. "I understand that there is medical research being conducted at the palace. I was told I was invited to participate in the study of an emerging disease in this region."

Nasrin smiled at them with vacant eyes, and Gemini could see the wheels turning in her head. After a moment, she chuckled and looked around at everyone, arms spread. "Who said that? It was not me."

Nafizah, who had appeared zoned out throughout the entire evening, perked up. "Mother, I told Dia about our head physician's request for more experienced staff to assist with his new project," she said. "She offered to lend us Quaestor Valdemar's time and expertise."

A glimmer of recognition lit up Nasrin's eyes. "Ah, so that is why you are here, Quaestor. I wondered, but assumed Dia wanted to have you accompany the Sibyl for some reason." Her expression turned apologetic. "I am sorry, but that request was fulfilled once I was made aware of it. We have no space for you to join the research team, we have everything we need and it has already begun." Valdemar's wide, unblinking eyes fell to the table. Gemini bit her lip to suppress a snicker. She did feel bad for them, coming all this way for nothing. It's a little funny. Just a tiny bit. Smugly, she reckoned that they deserved this for getting so high and mighty with her the previous night. "I feel terrible about this miscommunication, Quaestor," Nasrin continued. "I shall have you sent back post-haste in the morning. With comfort. I am told you had to travel here on a banana boat?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Their voice was strained when they replied. Oh, they are hopping mad. Gemini grinned widely when they lifted their head to glower at Nafizah once Nasrin's back was turned. Tsk. They just can't help themselves, can they? She caught Namar's gaze while he stood to follow his wife with his eyebrows raised.

Nasrin dismissed everyone else just as she entered the hallway with a bevy of servants trailing after them. On her way out, Natiqa squeezed Gemini's shoulder and gave her an encouraging grin. Gemini smiled back, then turned to take in the sight of Valdemar silently fuming across from her. She was contemplating gloating to them when a shadow fell over her. To her surprise, Nasmira stood over her.

"Sibyl," she whispered, glancing quickly at Valdemar. "A word, please. You come too, Quaestor." She'd spoken quietly, but Valdemar lifted their head at her call. With one last look at the pair, she hurried out of the room.

Gemini and Valdemar stared at each other, now alone. Finally, she stood and fixed them with a stern gaze. "Don't even think about skipping out on this. Come on." With that, she turned to follow Nasmira. I don't know what she wants to talk to both of us about, but I'll be damned if I let them kick up a fuss. Her shoulders relaxed a bit when she heard footsteps behind her. Nasmira led them down winding hallways until they arrived at an unoccupied drawing room. Gemini and Valdemar filed inside, and Nasmira closed the door behind them. Nasmira perched atop the arm of a chair while the other two slid into a loveseat opposite her. It was quiet while she examined her twiddling fingers, and Gemini shared a quizzical look with Valdemar until Nasmira finally spoke.

"What they have said about him, it's not true." Smoothing her skirts, Nasmira looked up at both of them and set her jaw. "Fugue is not a bad man. I just know he isn't. There is more to this story."

Gemini blew out the breath she'd been holding harshly. She figured Nasmira would know something-her silence was too suspicious. "What do you know, Your Highness?" she asked.

"I trust you, Gemini," Nasmira replied. She stared at Valdemar for a long moment before looking away; Gemini glanced to her side to see them actually looking at Nasmira with interest. "I will tell you what I couldn't tell my family." She paused to inhale deeply, breathing out slowly before she continued. "The truth is, Fugue and I... we were in love."

Gemini sat back in her seat, bracing herself for the rest.

"Soon after he arrived at the palace, we developed a friendship. We became inseparable, growing closer until that bond developed into something more. One of the ways we spent our days together was when he gave me magic lessons. I had always wanted to learn, so it was my idea. I asked him to teach me-he refused initially, knowing maa would disapprove, but I was stubborn. So he relented, and we practiced in secret in a clearing I found in a nearby forest.

"One day, he was teaching me as normal. I had just mastered a spell that had been hindering my progress for the past week-he looked so proud. But then I heard something snap in the forest; we were not alone. Before I could say anything to Fugue, a great burst of magic exploded between us and knocked me off my feet. My senses were hazy for a moment, but I soon was able to distinguish the sound of spells flying back and forth, then Fugue calling my name amidst the shouting of unfamiliar men. I caught a glimpse of three figures clad in blue robes before Fugue was over me. He looked mortified... I hadn't even noticed yet that I couldn't see out of one eye. I tried to look around him, but the figures were already gone.

"He started casting a reversal spell on me; he said something about how he was undoing something they did to me. I'm not sure, but I think it was dark magic. He was apologizing over and over, saying everything would be okay and that he would fix it. Once I was able to sit up, he made me swear not to breathe a word of what I had seen to anyone, especially not my family. I didn't understand, but I promised, and he vanished from my sight just as the royal guards burst into the clearing." Nasmira let out a shaky breath, her uninjured eye shining. "That is the truth of what happened."

Speechless, Gemini tipped her head to loll over the back of the loveseat and began to digest everything she had just heard. As she thought, there was more to this case than met the eye. Where did Fugue run off to? Why is he running? Who were those people that attacked them?

"Gemini," Nasmira said with urgency, and Gemini snapped her attention back to her. "You must believe me. He didn't hurt me. They did this to me."

"Who are they?" Gemini asked.

"I don't know, I don't know what Fugue's into, I just know it's bad. All I can tell you about them is that they are dangerous, so I need you to find him and bring him back safely. I swore an oath to him, only he can tell the truth and clear his name. They wouldn't believe me by now, anyway." She twisted her skirts in her hands. "He is only running to protect us, he would never hurt me. You must find him, Gemini, before he destroys himself trying to run from his past. He can't do this alone!" When she shut her eye, the tears began to spill over. "Please."

Gemini crossed the room and knelt in front of her, taking Nasmira's hand in her own. "You have my word, Your Highness. I believe you. I'll do everything I can." It would be difficult with what little information she had, but she appreciated Nasmira coming clean to her since she now knew the real threat was those mysterious people. And everything else Fugue had been hiding from the palace. Hopefully, his room would yield more clues.

Nasmira nodded and wiped her face with her free hand. "Thank you. Whoever they are, they are a force to be reckoned with, so please be careful."

Before Gemini could reply, Valdemar sighed. Loudly. "Well, that was something," they said. When she turned to glare at them, they were drumming their fingers on the arm of the sofa. "However, it seems the Satrinava family has a penchant for making me listen to useless things before they divulge what they have summoned me for. So. I must ask that you get on with it, Your Highness. I implore you."

Gemini took a single step toward them before being stopped by Nasmira's hand on her shoulder. "No, it's alright," she said to her before turning to Valdemar. "I wanted you to hear this as well because you will go with her."

Immediately, they both had objections. Nasmira held up a hand and Gemini quieted, but Valdemar continued. "Well, I am certainly not! What gave you that idea?"

Slowly, Nasmira said, "As I mentioned, these people pose a great threat. Gemini could use all the help she can get; I just want to make sure she comes back alive as well."

"But Your Highness, I can take care of myself!" Gemini said, adjusting her tone once she realized how desperate she sounded. She could not spend any more time with them. "Let me handle this."

"That aside, I am merely a doctor!" Valdemar added. "What is it you think I am going to do? Surely you are not suggesting I tag along to stitch up the Sibyl's wounds should she get hurt?"

Nasmira looked at them sharply and stepped closer, her next words spoken barely above a whisper. "I know what you are."

Valdemar blinked at her, pausing before their eyes crinkled in what Gemini knew was a threatening smirk underneath their mask. "Ohhhh? And what am I?"

"Careful, Your Highness." It was Gemini's turn to hold Nasmira back; she steeled her gaze but nevertheless stood behind Gemini.

"I heard Nafizah discussing it with Nazali. She has special eyes, and she knew there was something... otherworldly about you. Whatever sinister power it is you hold, you must use it for good and help her with this." Perhaps sensing their next question, she continued. "If you do, I will see to it that Prakra funds your medical experiments and research for the next two years, no matter the cost. No questions asked."

"Your Highness!" Gemini blurted, but she was ignored.

"However, if you return without Gemini and we have any inkling that you did not do everything in your power to help her, this family will make your life a living hell. Running will not save you either, with all of the other people who would be out for your head."

Valdemar stood and paced, growling to themselves as they did. Gemini anxiously looked between them both until they stood still. Eventually, they faced the two women with a furrowed brow. "Fine," they sneered before storming out of the room. Nasmira leaned against Gemini after they left.

"Your Highness? Are you alright?" Gemini helped her sit back down on the armchair and fussed over her. Nasmira shivered.

"I am; they just give me chills. They are scary, aren't they?"

Satisfied, Gemini laughed. "They can be."

Nasmira flagged down a passing servant and instructed him to take Gemini to her room. Gemini bid her goodnight and followed him while her mind replayed Nasmira's story over and over again. It was a sweet story at first glance; the noble young man rushing off to protect the woman he loved and her family. However, the wild card of the blue-clad strangers worried her more than she let on. Begrudgingly, she admitted to herself that having some backup wouldn't hurt given the nature of this group. If they were powerful enough to send a magician as strong as she'd been told Fugue was running for the hills, she might have her hands full.

With a sweep of his hand, the servant gestured to her room and told her to call on them if she needed anything. She nodded and made to place her hand on the doorknob when the door behind her flew open. Jumping, she whirled around to see Valdemar standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression. Then, they slowly moved to the side and jerked their head to beckon her inside.

The servant blushed and scampered off, leaving Gemini frowning. Why are you blushing!? She walked past them and into their room with caution, keeping her eyes on them the whole time. When they closed the door behind her, she became slightly alarmed.

"Look," she began. "If you're going to lecture me about having you tag along for my investigation, it's out of my-"

"Rest assured, magician," they interjected. "That is not my intent. You are actually quite fortunate to have my assistance in this matter, given my expertise." They sat down at a desk and grinned up at her.

"What relevant expertise is there? You're a demonic void in a meat suit, I hardly see how that's relevant when my objective isn't to frighten anyone." She had too many other thoughts to mind their mood.

They stuck their tongue in their cheek. "So that is all you think of me?" They harrumphed and looked around the room before their eyes settled on the lit candle on the desk. They blew it out and looked back at her, the room now eerily illuminated by moonlight. "Light this candle with your magic."

"Huh?"

"Did I stutter?"

"Quaestor, what is this about?" she sighed. They shrugged and steepled their fingers, nodding at the candle smugly.

Lazily, Gemini lifted a hand and snapped her fingers. She was about to retort with something sarcastic when she noticed that the candle remained unlit. Again, she snapped her fingers. Nothing. Valdemar crossed their arms and tilted their head, clearly enjoying her growing discomfort. Once, twice, thrice more she tried to conjure a flame, a spark, anything to light the candle in front of her. It was a simple spell she'd done a million times before, so why wasn't it working now? She was fully alarmed at this point but refused to give them the satisfaction, so she merely narrowed her eyes.

"What have you done to my magic?" she asked.

They chuckled. "Nothing. I merely canceled your intent to light the candle."

Her blood ran cold. "What do you mean?"

"Just a bit of will manipulation, nothing fancy." They know magic? But... what kind of magic is that? They cackled at the way she bristled. "That will not be particularly helpful to you, however. I have yet to master it so that is the extent of my abilities. Just little things and it is only temporary." Gemini said nothing, but her heartbeat began to calm. "As you may have guessed, I am quite familiar with the dark arts. I specialize in causing afflictions to others, small illusions, and reanimating the dead. You will be glad to know that will manipulation is not a priority for me... for now." She stilled and stared them down as they approached to circle her slowly. "Who do you think was responsible for that delicious spread at the Devil's ritual?" Shuddering, she recalled the true nature of that "food."

"I see," she said finally. Her words earlier were disingenuous; she had imagined they had super-strength or some other demonic perk that might prove useful in the work ahead. The shapeshifting probably wouldn't hurt, either. She never imagined they might be a magic-user as well, never mind dark magic at that. This new knowledge of their abilities was a welcome surprise, as far as she was concerned.

Valdemar stopped their circling and looked down at her. "Not impressed?" Gemini shrugged. "Come." They brushed past her and left the room. In her confusion, she followed obediently. They exited the building through a side door and entered the torchlit garden. As they meandered along the gravel path, Valdemar surveyed the plants. She looked on as they snatched fruits and leaves here and there before they arrived at an open area with a fountain in the middle, similar to the Vesuvian palace garden. "I can do something with this," they mumbled before seizing her hands and shoving their collected items in them.

"Uh, what are you doing?" she dared to ask. Valdemar didn't reply, instead squatting low to draw a circle with complex markings in the earth. When they were done, they turned to her expectantly, and she stepped forward to drop the items in the middle carefully. They traded places and Valdemar tugged down one of their gloves so they could dig in the arm. Shortly after, they produced a small vial of murky liquid that they promptly dumped over the pile in the circle. As they closed their eyes, they bent at the waist with a hand outstretched toward the circle. Gemini planted her hands on her hips and watched, curious. What are they about to do? Is this a summoning spell? She considered that for a moment, then became worried about what it was that they were summoning. "Hey, cut it out. What are you bringing here?"

It was too late. The dirt began to stir, shifting and swirling into a cyclone. A ghastly wail that sounded like a dying animal rang out, and Gemini tensed, ready for anything. When the dirt began to fall away, a beast emerged. It was the deepest black she had ever seen and had glowing red eyes that peered at her soullessly. As its form became clearer to her, she was able to make out what it was.

"A... a horse?" The beast neighed in response, but it sounded off... wrong, somehow. This was no regular horse; its mane was rustled by a breeze that wasn't there, and it otherwise stood unnaturally stock still. Yeah, I want nothing to do with that.

Valdemar chuckled when she took a step back. "This is all I could do with what was available, but you get the point, I'm sure." Their expression hardened and they moved to stroke the demonic animal's head. "Before, I could summon an army of undead warriors without a single sacrifice or other totems. Now I am subject to some of the normal rules of necromancy and can at most summon two beings." They spoke too low for her to hear what they said after that, but it sounded like something about regaining power. She didn't like the sound of that, but she'd worry about it later. They straightened and, with a swipe of their finger down its snout, the beast disappeared with a shriek that made her wince. Wordlessly, they walked past her and back the way they came.

"I see what you mean now," Gemini said when they didn't say anything, moving to trail after them. What? No question about what I think about that? "So if we run into those people the princess mentioned, I'll leave it to you."

They stared at her blankly. "Leave what to me? All I meant is that you may ask me anything you like about dark magic, I am quite knowledgeable."

"You aren't going to fight? How do you mean to hold up your end of the bargain you just made?"

Their laughter echoed in the halls as they stepped back inside. "Don't be ridiculous. I will aide you with knowledge, but I will not involve myself any more than is required to keep you from death."

Of course that's how it is. "Unbelievable." She shook her head, but she didn't know what else she expected from them. She may as well go alone! Speaking of Nasmira's offer, something piqued her curiosity. "You sure seem to have gotten over that quickly. Being asked to come along, I mean."

"Thinking about what I shall do with my reward made me feel better." Ugh.

She was in no mood to repeat her actions from last night's stroll and let the silence stretch on until they reached the guest wing. They each entered their rooms without a word of parting and Gemini slid down against her closed door. She stared up at the ceiling for a few hopeless moments before banging her fist on the carpeted floor in frustration. "Fuck!" The fact that she'd gotten the exact opposite of her wishes finally sank in. The promise of their separation gave her comfort, but now she was going to be stuck with someone she didn't know how to act around due to her attraction to them. She didn't think it would affect her work, but it certainly didn't help matters that they'd admitted they would not actively assist her investigation whatsoever.

Despite swearing that she had other things in her personal life to focus on, before she knew it, she always ended up engaging in playful banter with Valdemar. Trying to get to know them better. Finding herself enjoying their conversation. What the hell am I going to do? She took a deep breath and screwed her eyes shut.

They weren't friends. They were coworkers. Her crush meant nothing, was nothing.

She repeated those words as she went through her nighttime routine and crawled into bed. A dreamless sleep awaited her as she tried her best to convince herself to believe them.