"Are you going to be okay with Sensei, Cordy?" you ask. "Or would you rather go with me to talk to Altria and Ambrose?"
"I'd rather stay here," Cordelia says with little hesitation. "Nothing against Altria, but if this witch-girl is likely to recognize her, I don't want to be anywhere in the area. And I don't want to have to deal with that old jerk in the bad Hawaiian prints any more than I did yesterday."
You nod, not really surprised by the decision, but satisfied that you gave Cordy the choice.
Gained King of Women F+++
"Try not to get yourself noticed, okay, Alex?" she adds.
"I'll be careful. Back in a few."
You head off, making your way up a few rows and then out of the stands and into the halls. As you turn left and start following the long, curved corridor in Altria and Ambrose's general direction, a small glowing puffball catches up to you.
"Decided to tag along, Briar?"
"If you get into trouble again, I'd rather be on hand to help than have to come chasing after you," the fairy replies. "Besides, Ambrose thinks your magic is sealed, right? I figured you might need me for a cover story if he starts asking questions about how you recognized Beryl."
That's not a bad point, actually. Sure, you could have tried to explain it as recognizing Beryl's unique ki signature, but you don't know how well Ambrose - as a guy who works with magic on the professional level - would understand non-magical aura manipulation techniques. Plus, Briar could provide a detailed description of what Beryl's magical aura looks like, and what she's capable of, even if you have to coach her a bit.
"Did you get a look at Beryl's aura?" you ask.
"I gave her a quick look when she started throwing around those necromantic bolts," your companion answers. "I stopped almost at once. I gotta say, Alex, that is one scary girl."
"Hence the going to warn Altria," you reply. "I'd rather she have a heads-up about what to expect, in case Beryl comes looking for her."
Gained Protective E+
"And if Beryl comes looking for you? What then, smart guy?"
"One thing at a time, Briar."
You're able to navigate the hallways without any random encounters - a rather relieving development, given your recent history of bumping into lurking ninjas, angry ex-competitors, and secret magical rites. When you reach the row where your British acquaintances are seated, rather than clamber over half a dozen people just to say "Hi," you send Briar in to get their attention, and when they turn to look, you wave and gesture towards the door, a question written on your face.
Ambrose proves somewhat reluctant to leave his conversation with the pretty woman, until Briar grabs him by the whiskers and pulls in your general direction.
"What seems to be the problem, Alexander?" Altria asks, as the four of you stand in the hall a moment later.
With aid from Briar, you proceed to fill the young swordswoman and her wizardly tutor in on who Beryl is in relation to yesterday's shadow creature, and the possibility that she may be aware of Altria's presence in the hall, thanks to the magic items she was carrying on her person at the time. They both take the warning quite seriously - Ambrose even stops stroking his injured beard and casting dire looks at your fairy companion.
"And what do you plan to do with this information, boy?" the wizard asks after you're done.