At the edge
Blade entered the huge library. It was beautiful, the smell of books in her nose. There were more people here than expected. She spotted a few Sorceresses meditating in some dark corners.
"Hold it," The receptionist lady stopped her. "You can meditate here. No sleeping, we aren't a hotel. No scribbling in books, no you can't keep them and above all NO FIGHTING. I don't care who stole what or who started it. You start a brawl, are in a brawl, you end a brawl, you are banned for life." She sounded harsh but it also sounded like a speech she had to held a thousand times. "Understand?"
Blade nodded, "Yes…" She frowned. 'Is this a problem that happens often?'
"ID Card," The woman held her hand open.
Blade was confused, "EH…"
"You get it back once you leave. And no, I don't call the police or anything. I just care about the books. Just give me one. I'll find you no matter which one you give me. Just so you know…" That sounded like a threat.
Now Blade noticed that woman had magic potential above average. She pulled out the Cloud Tower one. "Here."
"Thanks. Oh, and no eating, drinking, be quiet," She added as she turned around putting the card with a quick glance into a box.
"That was weird…" Blade walked on. She had never been greeted that way in any library before. 'Is this also because I am a Sorceress?' Blade sat down in another corner and pulled up her video. She stopped and screenshotted several parts to read them afterwards. It took her quite a while.
She leaned backwards in her chair. It was getting really late. 'So… basically, that thief drove around. They caught him and the jewellery was gone. Not in the car and the tracking didn't work. He must have gotten a talisman or something else.' The police didn't have many magic users, and if, they weren't the strongest. The police were for everyday matters. Anything magical was taken care of by the special forces or the Magic Council after all. Basically, the police were there to aid and relieve them. 'But why didn't William request a tracker… There is more than one way to find this stuff. Even if hidden. Then again, this isn't an important matter. Even if filed this would take ages to be taken care of. Ooooh…' Now it dawned on her. "That's why I got the mission…" Blade facepalmed. 'It's perfect for students to train and not too dangerous. Unless police try to shoot you, that is.' She was still salty about that part. Blade scrolled down further. 'Family connections of the thief…Cousin with a daughter, five years old…" She was about to skip it. "Wait what? …" Blade read on. 'That child is sick… major bills…hmm, expensive treatment….. ….. … no way, how could he overlook this? It's obvious!' Blade jumped from her chair. 'Wait. Calm down. All day I had people persecute me for no reason. I can't jump the gun on this. So far, all bills were paid… maybe I am wrong… Here, that thief has dept as well. Maybe he stole it for himself… But, what has been stolen is much more worthwhile. Bad habit? Gambling maybe?' Blade dug into the files some more.
Blade lost track of time, "Oh shit…" She exclaimed a bit too loud.
"SHHH!" Some Wizard hushed her.
"Sorry…" Blade apologised and earned a confused gaze. It was nearly midnight. She should really get to bed. She still had two days after all. She passed by the wizard's table.
"Hey, you," He stopped her, quietly.
Blade halted, "Yes?"
"Since when are Witches apologising?" The Wizard in his thirties asked intrigued.
"Sorceress," Blade shook her head as she protested. "Isn't it normal to apologise? I was a bit rude…it's against the rules to yell." She answered him truthfully.
"Oh," The guy leaned backwards. "Hmm, unorthodox. Your peculiar," He eyed her more closely. "A polite Witch…"
"Sorceress."
"Sorceress…heh. True. Well, since you are so polite, I shall reward it. Let me give you a hint. You're being followed, well-watched. Shadow magic right behind you all evening." He smirked superiorly.
Blade turned her head. She could see nothing. She closed her eyes, there, she could feel it in the shadows of a bookshelf. "Dusk…" She mumbled annoyed.
"Oh, for the love of…" Dusk rose from her hiding spot and glared at the Wizard.
"What are doing here?" Blade got a bit pissed.
"You should solve this outside," The Wizard smirked and rose from his chair and closed the book and left.
"Oh, shush, you," Dusk was so frustrated.
Blade repeated, "What are you doing here? Are you following me?"
"No…" Dusk answered with a straight face.
Blade crossed her arms. "Right, I know a court face when I see one."
"Damn it…" Dusk hissed. "Come here…" She dragged Blade outside of the library.
"Hey, will you stop?" Blade pulled herself free.
Dusk settled down on another rooftop with her away from possible prying eyes. "You saw nothing!" She cursed.
Blade raised an eyebrow, "See what? You? We met already today…" Blade reminded her.
"And that was that arrant boy, who spotted me," Dusk corrected her.
"Why are you so bothered that we talked… saw each other?" Blade scratched her head and yawned. "Oh, don't tell me…babysitting… that was Faragonda's idea for sure…"
"Faragonda? What? No…Griffin did so. Well, that other Witch suggested it," Dusk explained shortly.
"Organa?" Blade asked with a sigh.
"Yes… that one," Dusk was so annoyed. "I was aiming for a gathering mission… I nearly had it… I could have gotten my stuff and done the mission, but nooo… she had to butt in."
"Figures…" Blade shook her head. 'Faragonda is… something else. ''I bet she can't, but then an escort is set up….great….'
"Urrgh, what is taking you so long anyways? You've been screwing up all day. What were you thinking charging in that police station? You could have just bribed Steve. Did you forget your wallet? He was waiting for a tip." Dusk ranted on.
"He was what?" Blade was confused.
Dusk rolled her eyes, "He didn't throw you out. Now, did he?" She flicked her curly black hair behind her shoulders.
"Eh?" Blade was perplexed. "And that is the codeword for pay up? How was I supposed to know that?!" She was lost for words.
"How can you not know?" Dusk was in utter disbelief. "How do you get your information as a Fairy if no-?"
"Certainly not by bribing…You're a Queen. Don't you work with officials?"
"With my own, yes. But court is tricky sometimes. Anyways this isn't Eventide. I can't just order people around," She replied bluntly as she straightened out her blue dress.
"How about simply asking?" Blade stated the obvious.
Dusk laughed out loud, "Because that worked in your favour! Ha!" She laughed so hard. "We are Witches."
'Point to her…' Blade sighed. "Sorceresses. How can you down-talk yourself so much?"
"Down talk? That's just the common word for our profession. You should get used to it," Dusk yawned too. "Well, I failed… at least I can go back to Cloud Tower…little cheat. I guess you can use a decent grade."
"Grade? Wait," Blade stopped her. "You mean I get a better grade if I report seeing you? Why are you telling me this?"
"Griffin would have asked either way," Dusk jumped into the air.
"Hold it. If so let's make a deal," Blade insisted.
"What deal? I don't have anything to give you. What could you possibly need from me?" Dusk asked as she squinted her eyes. 'Weird Fairy…'
"You can get around unseen and half the police is after me. You can help me get around tomorrow and Sunday if need be. In return, I'll never have seen you," Blade smirked at the Queen.
"Why would you do that?" Dusk landed again. 'Suspicious.'
Blade rolled her eyes, "Not everything is a trap. I find the jewellery I get a good grade. We both win."
"Ha, and if you don't I would have wasted my time," Dusk declined.
"I give you my word as a Fairy. I'll not tell her even if my time runs out," Blade stood there straight-faced.
'No lie. No ill will. Dusk knew she meant it. 'Typical Fairy…' Dusk sighed. "You're supposed to do this alone. This is a Witch mission."
"Sorceress." Blade corrected yet again, "And I am a Fairy on a Sorceress mission. Fairies do things in groups. But if it's so important to you. Just be my backup. Follow me as you did and if something goes astray or I need your shadows. Help then. Come on, it's a good deal. I'm just asking for basically pointers."
"And firepower…" Dusk evaluated. "Fine." She agreed. "So, where to next?"
"Teleporter station. I need to go home. I need some sleep. We have a couch if you like or you can have my bed," Blade suggested.
"Ha!" Dusk laughed her ass off and vanished into the shadows.
"Was that a yes or a no?" The girl was gone from sight. She was still around though. Blade could sense her once she concentrated on her. "Fine, have it your way…" She pouted and made her way to the Teleporter Station in Magix.
Blade stood at the teleporter to Zenith. She was tired and ready for her bed. "Ticket please." The man in front of her request.
Blade pulled her ID Card from Cloud Tower, "Here."
The man laughed hard, "Wait, you are serious…"
"What now?" Blade wasn't up for more bullshit.
"This is not a ticket," The man checked other people's tickets and let them pass.
Blade shook her head and gave him a death glare, "It's my student ID Card."
"Oh, don't tell me. Let me guess an upper classmate said you can just use it for public transportation. Stupid first years. How much Fare evasion did you do today?" He eyed her closely.
"Fare evasion?" Blade stared at him blankly. 'What the heck is he talking about?'
"This isn't one of those fancy Alfean ID Cards. You got to pay for your tickets, duh," The man shook his head in disbelief.
"Pay? Is this some shakedown? I am way too tired for this…It's a school ID…" Blade sighed deeply. She had flown to Magix City in the morning and gotten around by foot so far or flight.
The man stopped her, "You need a valid ticket. Cloud Tower doesn't pay the City. So, no ticket, no teleporting."
'Oh that… Griffin… she knew!' Blade sighed. "Fine, one ticket to Zenith please."
"That makes three thousand Maggi," The man told her.
"Three…" Blade searched for her coins. Then it dawned on her, "Thousand…thousand?" She had maybe a thousand in her purse and even that was a lot out of her account. Even if she would use all that was left it wouldn't be enough. "That's insane how am I supposed to pay that price, twice no less to get back." Blade was lost for words.
"Hey, interplanetary travel ain't cheap and used for business or trips. Not just for everyday exploration… Have your parents taught you nothing?" the guy got a bit upset now.
Blade never had to pay for holidays. They had been on Zenith most of the time. And if they had travelled further Basil had gotten the tickets or her parents. She never had seen the bill. And with her Alfean ID, she was let past every time without question.
"Don't have the money, eh? Try a shelter…" The man sighed as he had at least a tiny bit of empathy. "Or meditate. Also works. I heard."
"Shelter?" Blade was confused, but there was no point to stand around there. She left the station.
"Dusk?" She asked into the nothingness earning some weird glances from travellers. Blade checked the magicWeb.
"Not those…" Dusk sighed as she reappeared, but she looked differently she had glamoured herself as well. "Those are hotels or hostels. He means the places where the riff-raff stays."
"Motels?" Blade asked even more confused.
"You don't have a car, dummy. No some Wit- Sorceresses have built some locations because they saw the need. Well, the money they can earn. Here let me mark them…so we can get some sleep, though… hmmm…oh well…" Dusk vanished again into the shadows she didn't seem too enthusiastic.
Blade couldn't understand what Dusk's problem was. 'Riff raff? How rude… oh well…Oooh, what the…' Blade had wandered a long way through the empty streets to get to the shelter. Yet what she saw was devastating to say the least. It wasn't a small building but there were so many Sorceresses around. There was a small fenced area with lots of burn marks all around. And there were young girls brawling it out. Magic filled the air as some lightning and fire clashed mid-air sending out a shock wave.
"HA! Need me to burn your face off, Missy?" The slightly older Witch jumped the teenage girl and grabbed her collar, "That room is mine, now piss off!" She hurled her into a dumpster and dusted off her hands.
"Woah," Blade was shocked so many were cheering or biding their time. A lot of the younger ones were hiding in darker corners. Blade rushed to the dumpster. "You ok-?"
"TCH. Come to gloat!" the girl let another lightning lose. Her burns seemed minor, but still.
Blade backed away. That girl wouldn't listen to anything she would say. "Yikes…" She looked around there were at least thirty Sorceresses hanging around.
An older one stepped up to her, "Aahh, a goody two shoes. Tower first-years. Give it." Dangerously she glared at Blade and opened her hand.
Blade knew this scene from Zenith. Lunch money shake down, "Forget it."
"Oh, you want to bra-" Her air ran out. The Sorceress looked to her stomach a fist had landed a deep blow. She coughed and fell to her knees.
"I said NO," Blade growled. 'Shit, that was a bit much…' She looked up as she noticed the crowd was staring at her. Squinting their eyes. "GOT A PROBLEM?!" She barked aggravated. There was no way she would be able to defend herself against that many even with Dusk. 'Oh, man! So, screwed…' Yet the girls and women around simply started laughing and pointing fingers at the fallen.
"HA, she lost to a firsty…"
"Ahh, gonna puke now…"
"Does she have a room?"
"If she did, we just have to beat that weak ass…"
"Why is she here? Did the Tower spit her out?"
"Maybe she got chased out…"
"Who cares, she might have some nice stuff with her," Preying eyes everywhere. While others were intimidated by her prior takedown.
Blade took a step back. Everyone was on edge here. Tired and obviously there were no more free rooms, 'Too heated.' She backed off not turning her back on the crowd and then took off.
Blade landed on a rooftop, "What the heck was that?"
"Shelters. Normal stuff. Rest won't be different. If you wanted a room should have gone way earlier but even then. Only the powerful sleep at night. Rest gets dragged out one way or another. Plus, it's a lot of money for a simple bed." Dusk explained from the shadows.
Blade sat down next to an air vent, "But how do you sleep at night? When on a mission? You don't go to Cloud Tower all the time, are you?"
"No… most missions are time-sensitive," Dusk in her new appearance sat down next to her to reserve some magic. "One way is to simply go in the day time and sleep then. Or you just meditate if it's not too long of a mission. You know skip the sleep. You can buy a room in a real hotel. I always do that."
"Ha," Blade laughed, "Who's the princess now?"
"Queen," Dusk crossed her arms offended, "And for that exact reason, I have a perma room. I can't just sleep on a rooftop. If someone is gunning for me, it's for ransom. Or some other weird shit. In the end that was way cheaper."
Blade nodded, "Right, you're a Queen… That you have time at all to do this…"
Dusk shook her head as she yawned deeply, "Not the first time a teen takes the throne. Always dangerous though. This helps me to be strong. To save myself and my people. This is my job." She looked to Blade, "Oh, don't give me that sad face, glow worm. We're not bonding over this. Now, get us a room already. I'm not sleeping up here, in the open."
"Can't we just go to your place?" Blade asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"Pah!" Dusk laughed so hard, "It's my safe location. Why the heck would I share that with you?"
Blade let her head sink, "Fine, see you in the morning then."
"Heh?" Dusk was so confused.
"Well, you can't stay out here and I need at least one of us up and awake for…" She checked her watch. "…today. I can camp out no problem. Red Fountain prepares you pretty well for such things."
Dusk rolled her eyes, "Just get a room…I'm not helping you fight other Witches…" And stood up. "See you in?"
"Four hours," Blade smirked she eyed the door to the roof and turned around, "Good…and she's gone…oh well…" Blade stepped to the door and broke the lock open with her sword and closed the door behind her. "Gotta repair that in the morning…" She slid in down the staircase and fell asleep.
Blade had overslept and was woken by the noises of the janitor a few levels down. She had rushed out and used a mending spell it didn't quite work out but at least one couldn't see that the door was broken from the outside. Dusk was around somewhere or not. Blade hadn't checked it didn't matter to much. Her path was clear and so she flew through the morning sun breathing deeply in and out to find her focus for the day as she made her way to that Cousin's house. It was a small house. The front garden looked like a jungle and newspaper was towering on the front porch. At first, she thought it was deserted but she could see a lamp burning. She was about to ring the bell when she stopped. 'If he is the thief's contractor… he'll run. But the girl… five… I can't chase them… And if a fight breaks out between us…'
"What do you want?" An angry voice resounded from behind.
Blade turned around. It was a man in his forties his hair all messy and a bag of buns in his hand, "I have some questions for you."
"William sent you? I don't know anything. Tell him that. Now leave," The man stepped on to unlock the door.
'William? Not officer?' Blade tilted her head. "William didn't send me."
"Sure… Tell him I have nothing to say to him. Friends my ass…" He pointed his key like a knife at Blade. "I won't be scared. I did nothing wrong and he can't prove it. Now, piss off, you Witch."
"Sorceress." Blade corrected. This was getting really annoying. 'They know each other? Friends? Is that why it's going so slow?'
Angrily the man ripped his door open, "Whatever, go home before I call the police on you."
"Been friends long?" Blade stepped with her foot into the shutting door.
"Were. He's not welcome, any longer. Tell him that too," The father was getting a bit upset now. He reopened the door to hammer it shut. Foot or no foot inside.
Blade slipped in thought, "I'm not here because of William. You shouldn't push your friends away." She had no intention of leaving and looked around. "Besides there are better ways to get money for a treatment…" Blade asked into the blue. The way that guy reacted had to be true after all. The house was a mess. Everywhere were bills and papers lying around. The kitchen was filled with dirty dishes.
"And what would a brat like you know about that?" he dropped the bun bag. He already eyed some broomstick. "You're trespassing."
Blade shook her head, "And you got your Cousin imprisoned because he got caught. He must really love that girl. He has not said a thing." She sighed as she heard him reaching for the broomstick. "I wouldn't try that if I were you."
Swoosh, "AHH!"
Blade infused magic into her arm and the broomstick broke as it impacted. "You can be glad I am patient and not just a regular Sorceress." Blade took hold of the rest and threw it to the side. "I'm just here to retrieve the jewellery."
"Daddy?" a young girl's voice resounded from upstairs and tiny footsteps could be heard on the stairs.
"No, stay away, hide!" the man panicked. Blade was in between him and the staircase.
"Daddy?" Coughing, the voice sounded rather weak.
Blade was on alert and stepped aside opening up the way to the child, "That doesn't sound good…"
The father ran past her up the stairs. "What are you doing Lilly? I told you to stay in bed," he was worried sick. The girl was all sweaty, her eyes glazed. She had bags under her eyes. All in all, she looked horrible, and shaky.
"Are you in trouble…" The girl asked with the sweetest voice. "Are you leaving like mummy?" The girl coughed some more and wouldn't stop.
"No, no, of course not…" The guy wrapped his arms around her.
Blade noticed a lot of old flowers and cards on the coffee table. She flicked one open, 'My condolences…' She sighed and searched her belt pocket. "Try that one." Blade held out a potion. She had brought some first aid for herself, but that girl needed it more.
"Won't solve anything…" The father answered bitterly. "This is more than a simple flue…"
Blade put it down on the table nonetheless, "And that's why you needed…Hey, what's wrong?!" Blade watched as the girl collapsed in the arms of her father. Quickly she dashed up the stairs, "She needs a hospital. I can fly he-"
"THAT WON'T WORK! Why do you think I wanted the Red Crystals!" The man screamed at her.
"Red crystals?" Blade's eyes widened. The reason so many red gems had been stolen. It truly wasn't by accident. That cousin probably had no idea, what exactly he was looking for. "Are you insane?! Those crystals will only kill her. It's black magic."
"It's POWERFUL magic! Those things can do anything. If I just use them correctly…" The man rambled on as he hurried the girl to her bed to tuck her in. "Look at her! There is no other way. Nothing is working!"
Blade shook her head, "One, none of what was stolen is a red crystal and if you had used it she… she…" Blade stopped, what indeed would happen to a human? She had only encountered enhanced spells and monsters. Not to mention those things had to be inscribed first. 'Can one even inscribe healing on normal Red Jade?'
"I'm not losing her, too!" The man lashed out and jumped on her raising his fist.
Blade reacted too slowly and got hit in the face and fell on her ass. She wasn't keen on fighting him, but she wouldn't let herself be pummelled either. "…"
"Daddy?" The girl asked as she had awakened yet again. "What are you-? Why are you try-" more coughing as her voice gave out.
"Nothing to worry, dear. I just told your dad, that we have to rethink the plan. And find a way to ACTUALLY help you. The old one doesn't work. And he put so much effort into it. All he wants is that you to get better. So please, lay down and get some rest," Blade answered calmly as the father was lost for words and shocked that his daughter saw him like that.
"Please, don't fight because of me…Daddy. I know you'll find a way. Step by step, up the hill and down the mountain," she seemed to quote someone, gestures and everything. It was so sweet and heartbreaking. The girl tilted her head, "You're a good Witch?"
"Sorceress, good Witches are Sorceresses," Blade stood up as the man got off her. "And now… drink your tea and lie down."
The girl smiled and relaxed, "Can you read me a story? Daddy is so busy…"
"Lilly…" The man closed his eyes in sorrow.
Blade picked the first book she could find, "Sure, once there was an evil Phoenix living in his castle down below…caw, caw!" Blade even voice acted as she read one story to the little girl.
It took a bit but the girl drank her tea and settled in her bed. Blade went downstairs again with the father. She used some magic to clean stuff up and readied a plate for him and sat it down on the table with the bread buns.
"She's a good girl…" Blade opened the conversation.
The man poked his bread bun, "She's my everything, I would do anything for her."
Blade nodded. "But red crystals are not the answer. Believe me. I saw their destruction first hand."
"You're lying…" The man couldn't accept it.
Blade pulled up the video from Gadiel in Hoggar, "Use them and something like that might happen. I don't know… but most certainly it won't save her. Not like you want."
Horrified the man glanced at some of it, "But if that… how will I… I…" The man was at his wit's end.
"Can I see the medical records? Is there truly nothing that can be done? You said the hospital had no means…" Blade thought about it, but nothing in her classes described all those symptoms. And there was certainly no way she could do what proper healers couldn't. 'Maybe if I ask that Council Guard…'
"It's way too expensive… and even then, there is no way to say if it works…" Angrily the guy rammed his knife into the cheese bread he had made.
"Too expensive? So, there is a treatment?" Blade looked up, 'If we could sell the gems then… wait no, that's stealing… shops are insured though…no, no, no, there has to be a better way…'
The man looked at Blade, "Why are you doing this?"
"How can you even ask this? Yes, I have a mission. But life goes before the mission," Blade was a bit perplexed, "I'm not some heartless monster." If she had come as a fairy this would have gone down every differently for sure. 'Why is everyone second-guessing my motives? … I could ask Basil for money surely… no, this is my mission… there has to be a way…'
"Just trying to help, ey? You sound like William…" He pushed away his plate.
Blade bit her lip, "He knows you have the jewellery?" This would complicate things.
"He had his hunch but didn't find anything. He gave me an ultimatum. I don't have them yet though." He got angry again, "And even if, I don't care, I need that red cry- I need… I need…" The man stopped and folded his hands above his head. That video had done the trick to scare him off that maniacal plan.
"A solution." Blade tipped her fingers on the table.
"My wife died, I have lost my job, I'm running out of savings. I just…how am I supposed to pay all this…" The father started to cry.
"How much is the treatment?" Blade asked bluntly.
"Fifty thousand Maggi just to get into the study… and then some each month to keep going," he mumbled from the other side of the table. "If we don't start in the next weeks it won't work anyways even if…"
"So, the diamonds were for the study? And the Jade for the crystals?" Blade checked the list of stolen goods.
"Aren't the Jade and crystals the same?" The man was totally confused now.
Blade shook her head. The public had some info yet of course not everything. "No, it's more complicated. But even then, those gems won't be enough to get her into the study. It's a short-term fix. What was your last job?"
"I'm an electrician… I worked on building machines and circuit boards, mostly..."
"Hmm…have a vita?" Blade pulled up Basil's number. "Ready for an interview?"
"What?" The father was confused.
Blade listened to the beeping and put it on speaker. "Just get it please, oh, and the guy likes people with ideas, enthusiasm and passion. So, let's fix the first of three things. Job, study and Jewellery." She smiled, "Step by step, up the mountain down the hill." Blade tried to cheer him up.
"Darling! How is my favourite daughter?" An overjoyed and loving voice resounded, it was her Uncle Basil. "How is your mission going? Caught the bad guy yet?"
"Yeah… about that…got a few minutes? I met a GOOD guy in search of a job. I really like to help him. I hoped you might know someone in need of his abilities," Blade started the conversation off. It took a good half an hour, with several forths and backs. As the grown-ups held an interview Blade cleaned up the place a bit and was eagerly thinking about how they would get the fifty thousand Maggi. 'I mean I could ask Basil for it as well… No, that won't always work… plus, it won't help that guy or me in getting better…other Sorceresses don't have that kinda money lying around.' Blade closed the third trash bag. 'Maye we should sell some…but then I'm a culprit, a thief myself. Ahh, there has to be a way…'
The man watched Blade for a minute as she was muttering and discussing wildly with herself. "Thank you." Now the guy was crying for a whole different reason. "You're quite weird. Witch, oh wait, Sorceress."
"To serve and protect… as the Specialists say," Blade nearly made a blunder and looked up, "And? Got a job?"
"I got a trial time. If I fit, your father said I might even be able to work in Lunasteel!" The man was super excited. This was the best news he had had in weeks. "You can't possibly understand what that means to me…" He was close to tears again.
Blade chuckled, 'Father? Well, Uncle is my second father so to speak.' She smiled, "Don't screw up. I put my word in. Your actions will reflect on all of us three. Now, to settle the other problems… Where are the jewels?"
"I don't know..." The man answered.
"Oh, come on, I-" Blade got a bit upset there.
"I really don't know," The man held his hands up. "After William came by, I didn't dare to try to talk to my Cousin in prison. I didn't even know they were gone before Will came knocking…"
Blade moaned, "So, still a treasure hunt…great… I'm running out of time…"
"You're a student at Cloud Tower, aren't you? Sure, you shouldn't swap to Alfea. You are way too nice," The man commented as he thought deeply.
"Ha, that ugly glitter bucket, no thanks!" Blade made such a bad expression as she tried to copy her peers, luckily the man wasn't listening. 'Oh man… need to work on this…'
"I know, take this," The father searched around and then held the cheesiest coloured pink beaded bracelet in his hands. "Put this on when you go to the prison. I'm sure he will tell you then. And we won't raise suspicions."
Blade took it, "Alright, and this place better be spotless when I come back. Lilly is worried sick about you. So, do something for yourself." She admonished the man and raced to the prison.
Blade had swapped appearances of course she couldn't go as the redhead. While the officers weren't happy to let her in. They had no grounds to refuse a visitor. Blade rolled her eyes as she left the prison and heard the guards' gossip behind her.
"And? Got rich now? Ha!" They were laughing their asses off.
"Told you waste of time. Isn't that like the twentieth Witch that came to talk to that guy…"
"Ahh, why so pouty?"
Blade turned towards them. She had truly enough of this nonsense, "Well, you ain't better. That guy led you on when he escaped and you still haven't found the gems. If I were you I wouldn't be so cocky. You had him several days now and are none the wiser."
The guards didn't take that one too well. "Oh, you…"
"EHHH," Blade dashed away as the guards on their break raced after her.
