#/arlyn and nuriel won't like this I bet

[adeadlysong]

At the mention of Lena allowing guesses for ages, Nuriel raised a hand excitedly. "Ooh, I'll guess! One-thousand years old!"

Candace raised a brow. "I was thinking closer to ten-thousand."

"At least as old as Starling, or three times her age." Rafaele stated bluntly. "And before you ask, I have no clue how old she is."

Arlyn groaned, facepalming himself. "We could be here all day guessing...how about we all make bets later?'

"I agree with Arlyn." Tahirah giggled, smiling.

Ariel sighed, shaking his head. "Leave me out of the bets, please. I thought I had a good grasp on how old both were earlier, but now I'm not so sure. I'd hate to be wrong and lose coin in the process."

"Leave the rumor-finding and inf0-finding to us!" Tahirah chimed, smiling at Lena and the others. "Good luck looking for Red and all the suspicious dragon people."

Candace gave Luciano a look. "I know you're fond of Loreley and her place of business, but this is not a leisure trip."

"I know, I'll be fine," Luciano groaned softly, but Araceli sighed.

"Just go..." She muttered something under her breath about men and not thinking enough with their brains.

Rafaele took a deep breath. "As you wish. Good luck."

Snap!

---

Lena, Nadine, Siobhan, Maria, Luciano, and Rafaele all made it to the port town. It was semi-busy at this time of day, with people going in and out of buildings, so they hadn't noticed the group teleport in the way they did. Siobhan had also quick-changed (without anyone seeing, somehow) into gear that was more like a normal civilian - a seemingly plain cloak and tunic and skirt with matching shoes.

"So," Rafaele started, looking toward Luciano, "You said you knew a Loreley, and Nuriel also knows her? Do you know where she lives, or works...? We could ask her for information first."

"Lucky for us," Luciano chuckled lightly, looking toward him, "where she lives and works are the same location. Loreley runs the establishment herself and keeps the peace there by fending them off with either ice magic or by summoning some ice golem. It's usually open in the evenings. I'm sure she won't mind an early visitor or a few in case of emergencies like this though."

Siobhan adjusted her hair which was now pulled into a messy bun. "Which way is it?"

Luciano pointed to their left. "Literally just down the street here, fifth building on the right."

"Then let's goooo!!!" Maria rushed ahead -which forced Luciano, Rafaele and Siobhan to all go catch up with her.

[ Lena Patches Up Sukumara ]

[iincantatorum]

"So, Eros. Rumors are flying around that you're courting the Countess of Melodia herself." Araceli's eyes glinted in the light of the room as she looked him in the eye. "I have to say, that's—quite an interesting choice." (adeadlysong, from Araceli to Eros)

@adeadlysong

“Rumors are flying around already? I hope they aren’t malignant,” Eros replied to the ruler of the Ilma region, surprised that she would visit him. Despite being a nobleman, he’d help rulers now and then when it came to matters of reading over documents and signing treaties. That’s how he already came to know Araceli Nemesis, but it’s the first time she has mentioned his personal life, that seemed to come in the limelight. 

“Interesting how?” He kept a friendly air around her, despite feeling nervous. It was one thing to convince his mother after telling her that their possible future daughter-in-law cannot bear children, but involving anyone outside his family seemed uncomfortable. But he didn’t want to seem as such, for he certainly did not want to upset the ruler. Not with her reputation.

But- he took this as yet another test. Then again, would the repercussions of going against Araceli worse than being chased by a bear? Probably not.