“Thanks, Zull, that’s good to hear from you.”  It was hard not to blame himself when these weird situations kept happening, but at least this time, it really wasn’t his fault.  “I don’t know what political or academic decisions the school will make, but don’t let your loyalty jeopardize your education, Rensha.”  While he tried to calm her down, he was also gratified to have such a bond, and if he was ever dismissed or expelled from the academy, at least he’d have Rensha right beside him to start anew.  He reached out and squeezed their hands, taking some extra stability from them as the prefect summoned him to the headmaster’s office.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Kleris was ready to observe and read the mood as he entered, but was quickly taken up by Retario who was apparently present.  “Yes, it’s fine if he stays, he’s like family.”  It steadied his nerves that the headmaster was primarily looking to confirm Kleris’ own well-being, and not interrogate him.  And judging by the tome he was consulting, the headmaster apparently knew a bit of what had happened already.<br/><br/>“Well, I figure you know the broad narrative, we being invited to tour the manufacturing facility.  After seeing the upper level manufacturing, we went down to the more restricted research laboratory where d’Cannith told us about their research on planar residue and essence, and their interest in our participation.  Or rather, in using whatever planar energy we may have picked up in our personal travels; he forced us to use some sort of Planar Attunement device, I don’t know exactly, but when I touched it, it was like it lit up with energy or resonance, and in response some kind of warforged dragon was created or activated.  Fortunately, it seemed to go after Mr. Merrix after that, and we ran out of there.  It doesn’t look like they planned for things to happen exactly that way, but they clearly had a plan to exploit us in some sort of research experiment.”<br/><br/>He didn’t want to worry Retario, but the headmaster needed to know the full extent of any threats to student safety, and the changeling would probably tease it out of Kleris anyway out of concern.