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THE BOUQUET ESTATE - MORNING
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Elizabeth lowers her hands, frowning at them. The skunk has her magic back, but only barely. Not enough to actually cast anything of substance, though for Teis' sake she had to try today. "Alas, seems I can't really do much more. Though I can at least sense that your ability's getting a bit better." She sits down on the sitting room's couch once more, feeling more like an old lady than her body would say she is. Sighing softly, she gives Teis a warm smile.
Teis: Teis is in wonder at Elizabeth's sudden revitalization of power, however limited and weak it may be. "That's. . .wonderful news! Truly exciting. I'm very happy for you!" Teis beams wide momentarily. But something is nagging at her. Elizabeth mentioning Sammi, the whisp of her magic just. . .Found from nowhere. Her smile drops as the curiosity grows and compels her to think, theorize, then talk, "So. . .The generator then. . .It. . .Didn't just aetherize your magic completely? How did this part survive? Is there more of it out there? If so, where is it then? How'd this. . .'Sammi' even find it? Know it was yours?" Teis has many questions. ". . .If so, could I learn how? Could I help you?"
Elizabeth hums as she ponders the flood of questions she's certainly entertained herself with no clear answers: "To answer most of that... I don't know." She looks aside and frowns: "If my magic is out there, I could probably sense it and track it if I came close enough to it. And if so... maybe get it back." She looks at her hand and flexes her claws, small and well-trimmed as they are. What if, indeed.
Teis: Teis reaches into her pompous robes, pulling out a white glasses case with a golden trim. Flipping it open reveals a set of circular silver-framed glasses with a few gemstones studded along the left arm - A diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, and sapphire. Her lesser mana lenses. Even though she'd seen Elizabeth's display of magic already, she still wanted to scan Elizabeth visually with them. "Maybe we should go and study that generator then. . ." Teis idly speaks as she slips them on, glancing up and down Elizabeth. Her expression softens further into curiosity, then confusion as her head tilts. Finally, her eyes narrow in familiarity at Elizabeth. "Wait. . ." She mutters.
Elizabeth starts to nod as Teis talks, but then grows confused as Teis does. She lifts her head slightly, giving Teis a curious look: "...hmm? Something on your mind, Teis?"
Teis: "Your. . .New wavelengths. I've. . .Seen them before. How is. . ." Teis focuses extra hard on Elizabeth for a moment, before suddenly standing up. "Wait here! I'll be right back!" She bursts into energy, leaping over the sofa and sprinting from the room. Not very lady-like, Teis.
Elizabeth is definitely not any less confused by the non-explanation, but watches Teis go and stays put as instructed, not that she really knows what else to do right now. When Teis gets inspired, it's often best to just stay still and watch the fireworks from a safe distance, she's learned.
Teis: From the foyer adjacent the tea room, the front doors of the Estate open and stay open, letting in a breeze momentarily before the heavy doors fall shut with a thud. Teis sprints across the Estate's lawn over to her lab. A minute or so later, the foyer doors open dramatically once more, closing much in the same manner. Teis has returned to Elizabeth, huffing and puffing as she regains her breath. She holds up her hand to Elizabeth, something familiar cradled between her clawtips. The Mana Crystal with Gareth's black, whispy strand of energy contained within.
Elizabeth tilts her head at Teis reappearance, frowning slightly in confusion. "What is on your mind?" She slowly gets up, slightly concerned though mostly just trying to figure what's up and going on right now.
Teis: "This! That I got from Wolf-Man!" Teis blurts out. Her eyes flick between Elizabeth and the Crystal rapidly for a few seconds. Then, "Just, look! Look for yourself!" She takes off her mana lenses with her other hand, practically shoving both the crystal and the lenses into Elizabeth.
Elizabeth blinks, taking both into her hands though mostly focusing on the crystal: "Wait..." She puts the lenses on, largely just to free her other hand. She pauses, staring at the crystal for another moment before lifting her other hand towards the crystal. As she does, she feels a familiar tug of magic: "This is... this feels... mine. But how?"
Teis: "So it's not just me then!" Teis replies. "C'mon! Try to absorb it! Then we'll know for certain!"
Elizabeth pauses and hesitates, but her curiosity is definitely getting the better of her. She focuses her magic... and very easily gathers her magic back from the crystal, aether coming back home. She blinks several times at the ease of it, all doubt vanishing as the crystal empties. "...oh."
Teis: Teis balls her hands loosely into fists, quickly pumping them a few inches up and down in the air in front of her chest like a happy but impatient child. The suspense is killing her. "Oh? And? Is it yours?"
Elizabeth nods slowly: "...yes. Without a doubt, it's mine." She turns to Teis: "And this came from some wolf, hmm? I may have to find him."
Teis: Teis explodes her hands up into the air, outstretching her digits in celebratory fireworks. Not literal fireworks, thankfully. Her hands drop and she begins clapping giddily, sitting back down on the sofa, though with newfound and poorly contained energy. "Yes. Uh. His. Um, ah. . .Gareth! Yes. His name was Gareth. I never could figure out this wisp. And now I know why? Maybe? I don't know. But. . ." Teis pauses. Finally. To breathe. Deeply. Calm down. She contains herself somewhat as she breathes out. "So. . .If this 'Sammi' had some of your magic. . .And Gareth does as well. . .Then it stands to reason that others in Respite might have some. Right?" She tilts her head, seeking approval for her theory from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looks at Teis go, trying to parse her own thoughts and feelings about it, something that's pretty tricky when an exuberant cat is in the same room, basically vibrating on the couch next to her. "It's... possible. Likely, perhaps, now." She hums, taking the glasses off and setting them on the table: "It's interesting, but also... well, I don't know how my magic has behaved without me, if you will."
Teis: "Seems to have behaved quite fine in Gareth's company. Saved his life, or so he said!" Teis replies. "This is. . .Exciting! A lead on your magic!"
Elizabeth nods, still somewhat stunned: "Yes... exciting. Curious, certainly." She gives her magic a slight flex over her palm, and can't entirely contain her smile as she does.
Teis: Teis' smile only grows upon seeing Elizabeth's. So the skunk does smile! Mercifully, Teis is silent for a few precious moments, and her loud energy dissipates in that time to a nice, general warmth. "I. . .Uh. You have my support. I'll help you find the rest. I promise. Actually, I insist."
Elizabeth nods slowly again, giving Teis a smile: "...well, if you insist." She gives a wink, actually getting excited at the prospect herself.
Teis: Teis nods. "I do!" She beams. "So. . .Uh. News this big. . ." Teis pauses, "A lesson today seems kind of. . .I don't know. You know?"
Elizabeth nods, humming: "Seems we have a new goal of sorts." She looks out the window, idly musing on where her magic might have travelled.
Teis: Teis follows Elizabeth's gaze outside, her eyes caught up by a stray vine from her balcony drooping down barely into view. All the magic she's learned since coming to Respite. She'd already paid Tarbin back. Now it's her chance to pay Elizabeth back. "So. . .To Gareth?" She questions, still staring outside.
Elizabeth nods absently: "Yes... best go find him soon as we are able." She pauses for a second before turning to Teis: "...where did you meet him?"
Teis: "Training grounds. He was working pretty closely with the guards during the whole. . .Saur thing." She looks back to Elizabeth. "Hopefully he's not dead, now that I think about it." She sullens.
Elizabeth blinks a couple of times, then sighs. "Of course, that would be the worst case scenario... let us hope that is not the case."
Teis: Teis reaches down to the table, plucking her lesser mana lenses off of it, placing them back into their rightful case and carefully putting it back inside her robes. She stands. "Well. . .All we can do is try."
Elizabeth nods, softly sighing: "That we can and should." She gives Teis a small smile: "Thank you, regardless, even if this doesn't lead anywhere."
Teis: "You're welcome, Lady Catherine." Teis smiles.
Elizabeth gives Teis a warmer smile at that, before going quiet on how to deal with this whole new situation.
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ELIZABETH'S 'MANOR' - NOONISH
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Elizabeth is dozing on her couch, sleeping of an off day and just generally wishing to be alone...
Mirriam holds a hearty pace through a simultaneously familiar and alien route through town, eventually making her way up the short footpath to, what was at one point, one of the larger houses in Respite. She squints at the door, painted a very different color than it was over a year ago, before looking down to her parcel satchel. She raps on the door a few times, eyes down at the handful of packages to make sure they're all for this address.
Elizabeth groans awake from the couch and slowly gets up: "Just a moment...!" She grumbles under her breath, since when did she herself have to get up for mail...? Regardless, she makes her way to the door, dressed in her usual home dress that's still more fancy than most people in Respite own... "Yes?"
Mirriam looks at Elizabeth when she answers the door, her grip on the packages tightening a little. The kangaroo stands a few inches taller than Elizabeth, but makes an effort to not be looking down toward her. "Ah... You're not Estus. Or are you Miss Estus? Didn't know he'd ever marry but a year can change a lot. Either way, is he here? Packages are for him." She waggles the packages at the last statement.
Elizabeth blinks slowly, then shakes her head: "No, I am afraid I am not." She gives a small nod: "Elizabeth Catherine..." Pause, deep breath: "O'Williams."
Mirriam blinks, then blinks again, her face lighting up as if she's met a celebrity. "No!"
Elizabeth is taken aback: "Pardon me? No?"
Mirriam steps back a little, tilting her head a bit. "You might be! I mean, nobody would claim that name if they knew who that name was, eh? So you're either mad, or her..." She pauses, glancing at the parcels. "Hmm and definitely not Estus..."
Elizabeth waves her hand dismissively: "Probably both mad and the person in question. But not Estus."
Mirriam perks up again. "Did you... Y'know, hex'm and take his house? Good place to escape to, Respite is. OH Is that Estus painting the door?"
Elizabeth blinks, looks at the relatively nondescript (to her) door, then back at Mirriam: "I did not curse anyone...!" She takes a breath: "To take this house. I bought it... for way too much money, if you need to know."
Mirriam hums, examining the door a moment longer before turning the gaze to Elizabeth. She gives a conspirational wink, nodding. "I believe you~ Definitely just too much money. I can see why, it's certainly beneath your style. Nothing near your manor back in Sarn. Where are the roses? You didn't bring any of your roses? I mean, your sigils are still stuck to the gate, but I figured they were a bit stuck y'know? Of course you know."
Elizabeth gives Mirriam a frown: "I am... trying to keep a low profile, here." She looks aside: "And roses are a thing of the past." If there's hurt in that voice... okay, there's definitely hurt in that voice.
Mirriam hesitates, rubbing her chin as her other hand hikes the ownerless parcels up against her side. "Mmmyes, I can see why. You were the center of a lot of less than flattering rumors back home. Hate to say, many of them grew into quite entertaining tales. So you came here, then? Hunh. Anyone know?"
Elizabeth gives Mirriam a flat look: "No. And it better stay that way." She sighs, steps closer to Mirriam and gives her a very serious look: "If word gets back to Sarn that I am here, I am a dead woman. Get it?"
Mirriam chuckles, perhaps a little bit nervously. "And I guess I'm dead before you are, right?"
Elizabeth gives Mirriam a look that promises such... but then shakes her head. "No. I have no power to prevent you. Only promise that I will haunt you once I am dead. Do as you will." She turns partially away, not terribly happy about the outcome but really unable to do much about it either.
Mirriam hums, tilting her head a bit. "Well, either case, I like twisting rumors more than making them. More fun when it comes back again so wrong that only a name is same. Sometimes even that gets lost. Tell you what, don't think you ever did anything to my family, s'all that matters to me. I'll do better than keep yer secret."
Elizabeth gives Mirriam a sideways look that's not entirely disbelieving: "...do better, hmm? I am disinclinedly curious."
Mirriam chuckles, shrugging. "Likes I said, if I hear anything too close to your new home, it wont leave Ba'nell's Folly without some creative changes."
Elizabeth gives Mirriam long stare before nodding: "...thank you."
Mirriam grins, shrugging. "'Sides, it's against my job to give away where folks're living. And I can't blame you for wanting to get away from Sarn."
Elizabeth looks aside: "Plenty of reasons." She turns back to Mirriam: "Not that you need to know. But thank you."
Mirriam nods. "Sure sure, don't worry. I would like t'talk more though. Maybe get to the core of some've them tales, if you don't mind the company."
Elizabeth hums slowly... then shakes her head slightly. "Perhaps one day. If you are around, offer me a glass at the Minnow and we may talk..."
Mirriam winks, grinning. "If that day comes, bet on one or two! Mm, can't chat much more though, got a lot of my route left. Enjoy your afternoon, madame!"
Elizabeth gives Mirriam a nod: "Very well. Have a good day." She turns around and closes her door behind her, not sure what to make of the encounter, if there really is anything to be made of it really.
Mirriam turns away as the door shuts, stowing the unclaimed parcels and moving on with her route. "Shame, juicy news. Ah well, word is stone and all that."