Emrin let herself be dragged into the room, rolling her eyes and sat on the bed. It took her a moment to answer Helena's question "...No." It was not a lie she techinically had not slept in these clothes since she had not slept yet. She looked down at her clothes. They didn't look<i>that</i>terrible. A little wrinkled, but nothing out of the ordinary. "I'm not going to change." She watched Helena rifle through her clothes, "We should hurry. I'm sure the Masters will care more about you being late than they will about how you look." She acknowledged Beatrice with a small pet on her head, and then went to Helena's closet to help hurry her changing process, pointing out a few suggestions to her, and then picking out some matching shoes. Emrin knew Helena well enough that she could help her find something acceptable to wear at least 60% of time.  Finally with some more urging and not-so-gentle prodding Emrin managed to get Helena out the door and on the way to the Master's office.<br/><br/><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--1"/><br/>They were, as expected, last to arrive. The attendant at the door wasted no time in letting everyone in and ushered them into the room.<br/><br/>The 9 masters all sat at a long arced desk at the front of their room, all looking tired and serious. The 6 of them shuffled into a line to stand in front of them. Master Emmaline stood. "I'm sure you have all heard the rumors by now. It is as you've heard. Mana's stone has been found. Right now, it is still sealed, however, I'm sure you all can imagine the consquences should someone with the wrong intentions opens it first. We will be sending your team to retrieve it. Time is of the essence. A carriage will be waiting at the city gates to take you through the mountain pass and into Amoni in half an hour. There, show your ID plates to the innkeeper. He will provide you with a map and some provisions." She looked to the other Master. "Anything else you'd like to add?"<br/><br/>"No flying." Master Haissa said from his seat. "You'll stand out too much, you'll have to go on foot. Save your flight stones for battle. You don't want to die because your enemies can fly and you can't. And make sure you take your cloaks. You'll be glad to have them." He looked pointedly at Helena. "Dress appropriately. No heels."<br/><br/>"You are dismissed." Emmaline told them.<br/><br/>The other masters sighed with relief and started to get up from their seats. Master Sylvain approached Leila and Emrin and ruffled the younger's hair. Emrin scowled. "Take care of each other." He told them, "And make sure you get some sleep on the carriage Em." Then he patted the shoulders of both Elric and Cullen, "I expect you two to help keep everyone in line. You're the oldest and the most experienced of the bunch. Remember your training. And follow your orders. Your success is also Soria's sucess, remember that."<br/><br/>Master Emmaline gave Elric a simple "Good luck" before briskly leaving the room. She was a woman of few words and always seemed to be up to her eyes in work. Master Lyndell, on the other hand, gave Cullen a hearty pat on the back, "Good luck, my boy! I have high expectations of you! This is a great opportunity for you don't miss it! If you are succesful you could return heroes! My student! A hero! Can you imagine it? Of course, if you are unsucessful you will probably die and the world may be doomed but..."  Before he could continue Master Zayla interrupted him and quickly shooed him out the door.<br/><br/>Master Haissa didn't touch her (he was afraid of messing up her clothes) but stopped in front of Helena. "I hope you take this matter seriously, Helena. The road will be dangerous. If you do not give it your all you, or the others may very well die." He turned to leave, reminding her firmly once again to dress appropriately for the journey and be on time.<br/><br/>Master Isac approached Gereed, yawning. Master Isac's main focus was on curses and so, did not know Gereed as well as the other Masters knew their students. "Gereed. You may not be a direct student of mine, but you are still my student and you are also my countryman. Come back safely."