A loud clamor filled the large, gilded white halls of the basilica. The long, ornate porcelain table was filled equally with gluttonous merchants and scheming politicians as it was food. The pristine halls of the bethel could not regain their luster in the enshrouding darkness, with only the meager embers from the braziers scattered about the premises.  Seated in the north-eastern side of the table were a pair seemingly out of place among the irate nobles; A towering knight with purple locks sticking out from her helm, and a seemingly scraggly, hooded man. As the squabbling finally calmed down, one of the anxious looking officials gave the shrouded man an inquiry.<br/><br/>"Ah, Professor Learin," he uttered, trying to keep his volume level audible but not enough to overpower the other politicians, "How goes your research? Is there still aught you might require?"<br/><br/>The hooded figure nervously adjusted his glasses, not really expecting an official to give him a response, "It seems all signs point toward the Calleran Archipelago. The disease, famine, the increasingly troublesome tide, the increase in volcanic activity... it's clear that they are out of touch with the grace of the spirits."<br/><br/>The other noble swine around the table give a disgruntled grunt at the thought of wasting more money on flights of fancy. "I-I see... well," the official muttered, his fingers twiddling with anticipation, "Do you think it could work...? Could it really bring our magic back?"<br/><br/>"How can I be so certain? It'd spoil the ending," responded Learin coyly, "but I suppose research is all about the destination for you, Head Thaumaturge. Well, I can't reach that destination without a naval vessel of some kind, so might the church be in it's good graces to provide me with one?"<br/><br/>The theurgist's brow furrowed a little at the man's playful response, "No ship will sail from Neravas with the seas acting like they are, especially on such a long journey." His finger reached his chin for a moment to muster a proper response, "Though, Serris Ona is leagues closer to the islands than we are. Mayhaps a vessel would be more willing with the flash of coin."<br/><br/>The spectacled man let out a sigh, "Very well... if that's the case, I shall head out tomorrow. I'll have Chevalier Elistrea accompany me, then. I trust there are no objections?"<br/><br/>The man across from him gave an affirming nod in response. Learin gave one in response as he excused himself from the buffet of filth beside him. He made a gesture to the knight, who had been serving as a decoration the whole conversation, to follow. The large scraping of metal echoed throughout the hall as the knight stood up, following her superior without a word.<br/><br/>"He seemed like he was on pins and needles the entire conversation. If he wanted to restore magic so badly, he could've lent me a boat," Learin announced as they left the basilica, his voice clearly disgruntled.<br/><br/>The suit of armor turned her helmet toward him, giving a monotone response, "Perhaps one of the needles was rusted, he could've gotten tetanus or other such afflictions. I also question the use of standing on pins and/or needles as a form of acupuncture."<br/><br/>The doctor let out a sigh, he was used to the knight Sigrun's overly literal responses by now. Although, that would explain the man's fidgeting, so it wouldn't be too far off the mark. Still, he was going to be stuck with... this for the next few months, he could only hope to grin and bare it.<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BF40">~Veloen~</span><br/><br/>Veloen, the small hamlet on the eastern half of the equator. After what seemed like an eternity of journeying, they finally reached the rural jewel in the desert of green. Learin let down his hood in triumph, his braided red hair meeting the sun's warm embrace. He waved the horse-drawn carriage off as it departed, before turning to his companion who was... staring into space.<br/><br/>"Right!" He exclaimed, clapping his hands together, "I will take my scholarly self and inquire about the availability and sanity of boats attempting to weather the journey to Calleran. Though, I have a very important job for you Sigrun."<br/><br/>He walked up slowly, putting both his hands on her pauldrons, a notion he immediately regretted; they were still radiating the sun's heat. If he recoiled his hands back now, it'd make him seem more awkward than his bodyguard, and he couldn't lose face in such a rural town. Thus, he continued to endure the sting of the burning metal.<br/><br/>"I need you to go in the inn, order us a room, and just... si-ow!" he finally succumbed and retracted his hands, "sit down and... appreciate the architecture until I get there."<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF40FF"><span style="font-style: italic">Siow? Does he wish for me to perform the mating call of a Ahketan Mirelynx? </span></span>, she thought, pounding her hand against her breastplate gently in what apparently resembles a salute, "I will locate your feline for you at the inn, Lord Learin. I will accomplish the task given to me."<br/><br/>The researcher was dumbfounded trying to find where her logic came from, but before he could object the walking suit of armor already began her mission. Learin simply surrendered, attending to his own self given duty, although with the thought of what unfortunate circumstances might ensue plagued the back of his mind.