2023-09-13: Looking Back, Moving Forward
- Log: Looking Back, Moving Forward
- Cast: Hannah Curie, Eleanor Klein
- Where: Klein Central Ward
- Date: September 13, 2023
- Summary: Hannah finally retrieves a chest she had in storage, and shows Eleanor her old notes and research into curtailing her magic weirdness. They resolve to work together on researching it. Then, an unexpected guest showed up with a few choice words for Hannah.
============================<* Klein Central Ward *>============================ The central ward of Klein City is dominated by the great, imposing castle of House Klein, black stones with great spires stretching up to the sky atop a high cliff overlooking the rest of the city, with a fine view of the sea far below. ...But while the fortress could be imposing, it is largely open to the public, the government offices of the city sprawling from within the castle itself into the sprawling buildings that have sprung up somewhat less securely. The bureaucratic machine that oversees most of the trade of Meria Boule with other nations requires a great deal of upkeep, and many industries have sprung up to provide for and cater to the officials and merchants involved in the process. Klein City occupies a notable place at the east coast of Meria Boule, and it is in many ways its gateway to the rest of Filgaia, particularly outside Aquvy. Accordingly it is fairly cosmopolitan, favoring bright fashions and a sophistication that can sometimes grate on those who prefer more straightforward talk and manner. The rocky terrain means people are often closer together than not, but it is not known for its great machinery or production as a rule, even if it is one of the more bustling cities of Meria Boule. BGM: Chrono Cross - Another Termina
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
It is a relatively peaceful moment at Klein Manor (recent unexpected house guests notwithstanding), but also a particularly peaceful moment in the room Hannah has been staying in, at Eleanor's invitation. It's still mostly empty, although there are a few more signs here and there of Hannah actually living there. A couple of books left on a desk, a few bits of fabric scraps on the dresser, and a few more things that would be revealed by poking around in the various drawers. It's not much, but... it might take Hannah at least a moment or two to gather up all of her things and leave, at this point.
She might, at least, have to agonize over leaving behind the couple of dresses she owns now.
Zephyr flies in ahead of the group once Hannah opens the door, and she makes her way in hefting up her end of a rather large chest. The chest was in storage, and Hannah asked Eleanor along to retrieve it and bring it back, wanting to share some of the contents with her. (And to share the trip--she was still alarmed by the recent Hellionization of Rixia and the effect it had on Eleanor, so spending some time together was also a nice benefit.) She's left the other end of the chest to Eleanor, who she did suggest would want to bring her power bracelet with her.
"Annnd... Let's set it down over here, I think."
"So I got all my textbooks from Sielje in here, and all of my notes on everything I figured out about whatever's affectin' my magic, and..." Hannah reaches into her bag and pulls out a small key, unlocking the chest and opening it up. There is indeed quite a bit in there--mainly stacks of books (which Eleanor might recognize as part of Sielje's curriculum 5 years ago), several well-worn notebooks, and...
A Sielje uniform, folded up neatly and resting right on top of everything else. Hannah falls silent, mood turning more somber as she runs her hand over it. "... Suppose I'd look a mite silly wearing it at this point..."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor Klein has seemingly recovered from her exertions dealing with Rixia's Hellionization; she's been out and about, doing a lot of things, including sending off Ruth after Rixia. ...But it heartens her to know that if Hannah wanted to leave, it would at least be increasingly inconvenient.
That's a start, at least.
For the carrying, she absolutely has her Power Bracelet, and has responded to the occasional person wondering if she needs help by showing it off proudly. All the same, she is glad to be done lifting by the time they set it down.
"Oh, that's all important," ELeanor says, recalling the books, the notebooks, and... That somber look as...
"Oh, don't be..." Eleanor's words are gentle, and she smiles at her friend. "It's the most natural thing in the world for you to go back. We've talked about it. ...Though it's true that you might look better in the silver and gold of an older student, now, instead of the pink we wore back then."
"I hope looking at it can give you good memories, instead of only reminding you of how you left."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
It does Hannah good to see Eleanor in person again. She'd sent Zephyr right to her upon learning of her Malevolence exposure, but it's a little different when she's there in person to converse without having to get Zephyr to do Bird Charades to communicate.
Speaking of, Zephyr flaps over from his perch on the back of a chair to settle on Hannah's shoulder, and bird and mage lean their heads together in an affectionate gesture.
Silver and grey uniforms might look better... "I suppose that's true... Wonder if they'd be okay with that..." She looks up to Eleanor, managing a small smile for her friend. "Well... it's the place where I met you, so I suppose that's plenty of good memories right there..."
Hannah regards the uniform for a few moments more, then carefully picks it up. She stands, and moves over to the closet, hanging it up with her casual and fancy dresses. It might look out of place, but... she clearly wants it there, where she can look at it, and not shoved away in a drawer.
"So, um... You wanna take a look at my notes, or look at the textbooks first...?" Hannah returns to the chest and starts removing small stacks, setting them on the desk as she organizes them a bit.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor was glad to see Zephyr, but it is different to see Hannah herself. And when Zephyr flaps over, Eleanor smiles at him. But...
"You're a practicing Crest Sorceress in your own right now," Eleanor points out. "You have more to learn, but you shouldn't discount the value of practical experience."
Then she smiles back. "...That's what I like to hear," she says of good memories, and watches Hannah move to the closet. It doesn't look out of place at all to Eleanor.
"Hmmm... The textbooks I remember," she says, "So let's have a look at your notes." Eleanor moves over, willing to help arrange things if needed.
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
After their bonding moment, Zephyr chirps at her, and Hannah blinks. "Oh, right." She looks over to Eleanor again, "Um... I... got your message when you told Zephyr. He didn't have to come back to me to deliver it." It feels... weird, having to explain this thing she's taken for granted for so long. But it does feel nice to be open and honest with Eleanor.
Hannah nods to that. "That's true... I... well I guess I've learned a lot doin' stuff for real. Way more than just in a classroom. But I also know I kinda... skipped around a bit, too, to get there."
Hannah shifts to ordering the notebooks when Eleanor suggests she wants to look at those. "Okay. Let's see..." They're all dated, and Hannah spends a few moments shuffling them around to make sure they're in chronological order. She plucks off the top one and hands it to Eleanor. "Here's the first one..."
It covers some of the time while Hannah was at Sielje and starting to have difficulties with her crest sorcery. Notes on her magic, some of her expressed frustrations--Hannah is quick to flip the page past those parts, insisting "Oh that's probably not interesting"--and there is one particular page filled with frantic, panicked scrawls.
The date is the day she left. The day she realized something was wron with her magic.
She's quick to skip Eleanor past that page, too.
"Oh, here, this is... where I start figuring stuff out."
It's all dated after she left, and the crest graph designs seem to start fairly basic. But there are copious variations, along with meticulous notes about the effects of casting each, any oddities and side effects with their casting. And as the pages go on the designs get more and more elaborate, as she attempts to rein in whatever this strange effect is that she consistently labels 'corruption.'
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Oh!" Eleanor says. "He didn't, did he?" She considers that. "Well, I suppose I could've spent a bit more time with him then. If I'm being honest... I could've passed the message to you directly, myself, despite the distance. But it's something I'm still learning to do well."
But--Hmm. "You did. You'll likely improve your practice by going over the fundamentals again."
But the notebooks.. Eleanor looks through the notebook, and starts to read through quickly. But when Hannah flips through certain sections, Eleanor doesn't stop her. "All right," she says. "I can move on."
But there--ahhh. WHere she started to figure it out..."
"...Fascinating," Eleanor says. "You located a continual dysharmonic adjustment and learned to compensate for it with barely any tools to measure it."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
"Yeah, we can... kind of see what the other sees, if we concentrate on it. I, um... try not to do it too much when others are around. It's kind of like spying. Useful though, when I wanna scout an area out." As she did on a mission that recently went very sideways. Eleanor wishes she'd spent more time with him. Zephyr chirps, and Hannah smiles at him. "Oh, that's okay. He know you were recoverin', plus he had to go hunt, and all that."
Hannah blinks. "You could've? How's that?" She's seen Ruth using an radio before, but Hannah doesn't really have any gear like that.
Who would she have contacted with it, before?
"Yeah, plus it might give me some more ideas if I revisit the fundamentals, too..."
But once Eleanor is past all of the particularly personal things, she lets Eleanor read while straightens out the rest of her notebooks.
"Y-yeah, doing it without a lot of tools was the really tough part... But you can see here," Hannah peeks over the top of the book and pokes a finger at a part of the design. "Where I used a variable resonance coupling to try and channel it into the effect I wanted."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Oh, that's quite handy!" Eleanor says. "Well, I don't mind if you look in on me while I'm with him," she says. Then--"Well," she says, "I've picked up some telepathic skills, since becoming the Sage of Light. Rauru's memories taught me how. So I can communicate with minds at a distance--even without empathite," which is usually what that requires.
"But it tends to disturb people a bit, so I haven't done it except in emergencies."
More ideas!! "It sure could."
Eleanor reads, thinking through. SHe notes the part where Hannah points it out. "Ahhhh yes. If you understood the nature of the flux, you'd be able to account for it by use of an arcane release..."
"Yes, I see what you did. Do you have any idea where the distortion came from, yet?"
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Hannah smiles, "That's good to know. Um... I feel better about doin' it if you're aware of it, you know?" Zephyr chirps to Eleanor and then resumes his perch on top of the dresser.
Hannah blinks. "Wait, really?" She pauses to consider that fact. "... Is there anythin' else your sage powers've taught you you haven't mentioned yet?" Another moment of consideration. "Well, I s'ppose I wouldn't mind if you did it with me, if needed. Would I need an empathite to send a message back, or could you pick me up without it?"
"Ain't sure I totally understand it, but... maybe with some proper lab equipment I can do some proper fine tuning?" She rubs at the back of her head. "If I'm bein' honest, some of this is... kinda by feel, if it makes sense."
Hannah shakes her head. "No... ain't had any luck pinning down a cause for it, or finding any other occurrences that match my own symptoms. I used to be able to do it just fine, but I started havin' problems at Sielje. Doesn't seem to be any kind of cause, nobody else had the same issues..."
Hannah seems to have taken some pains, early on, to attempt to hide her difficulties. And there might be something else that's evident, especially once the crest graph designs start evolving to contain the irregularity.
It's getting worse, slowly but surely, over time. The crest graph Hannah showed Eleanor when they reunited is a far, far evolution on the simple but slightly-modified designs that are in this first notebook.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor smiles at Zephyr, before she looks back to Hannah. "Good, then."
Eleanor looks a little embarrassed about the question. "Well, ancient magic that many of our newer magics are based on," she offers, hedging. But then, "Lots of things, though. More than I can easily enumerate. Changing my shape, for instance."
Pause. "I can pick up return messages, so long as I'm actively focusing on the conversation. Hearing you when you were calling out to me... I'm less sure about."
Lab equipment... "Of course," Eleanor says. "That does make sense."
But no cause, no precedent... ELeanor frowns thoughtfully, bringing up a hand to brush some hair behind a long ear. "Yes, if it were caused by something at the school, presumably we'd have seen..."
She frowns. "And it's worsening still," she reflects, looking to Hannah with some concern. "Yes. I think it's best that we look at this together. You've done well to contain it so far... But if you're willing, I'd like to help you study it. Maybe some of the things in Rauru's memories might have some clue, or maybe not, but if nothing else I'm your friend."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Ancient magic the newer magics are based on... That reminds her of a conversation she had with Holly, recently, but she'll revisit that point in a minute. "I remember that. You changin' into an owl." Zephyr chirps from the dresser, and Hannah smiles at him. "Oh no, I agree, Zephyr."
Eleanor is cool, and Eleanor turning into an owl is cool... but hawks will always be the best.
"We should test that sometime. Might not be as jarring for me on account of me being used to conversin' with Zephyr that way." Except they communicate with chirps and words. Like they just did two paragraphs ago.
Hannah sighs as she leans back against the desk. "Yeah, I wouldn't've been the only one, so clearly the problem is with me..." she concludes glumly. "Practicin' more didn't help none, either... Kinda..." The sorceress glances to the side. "Seems like it kinda just made it worse."
Eleanor identifies that its worsening, and Hannah nods. She reaches into her bag and pulls out the current notebook, flipping to a page that's recent, going by the date--within the last few weeks, even. She wordlessly offers it to Eleanor to compare. More adjustments, more complexity, almost treating it like a second source of power, along with the Ley the crest is designed to draw from. There are copious notes and calculations scribbled around it that comprise the design of it.
But she does manage a smile--albiet a sad one--when Eleanor offers her help. It's a relief, really, knowing she's not alone in trying to tackle this anymore. "Thanks, Eleanor. I appreciate it. And yeah, maybe if there's something in those memories..." She considers. "Holly was offerin' to show me some of the older Crest Graph stuff in her library. Might be worth takin' a look there, too... My, uh... access to more obscure records has been kind of limited, so..." She looks up to Eleanor. "... maybe havin' you to help me get access will help, too?"
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Hmmmm?" Eleanor wonders of Hannah and Zephyr, and then laughs. "Unfortunately I can't just read minds," she offers.
At least someone thinks turning into an owl is cool.
"Sure," Eleanor says of testing it. "Sometime we're not focused on other work."
Then... a glum conclusion. "Hmm... So you think that as you gain power, the problem worsens?" she wonders. A second source of power, almost... Ley and this other source. It makes sense.
"...Yes," Eleanor murmurs. Self-taught, but very strong...
And then she smiles. "...Hmm. I could do that. They'd allow me to look in many of the archives. I might be able to swing bringing you along. There are a lot of libraries even just in Aquvy that might be worth consulting."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
"Oh it's..." Hannah laughs a little herself, though hers is a tiny bit nervous as if trying to cover for something. "Zephyr was just commenting on your owl form, is all."
She doesn't say what that comment was, though.
"I..." Hannah cringes a little. "I wouldn't say as I gain power..." Mostly because that makes it sound like power is her aim, when it is definitely very not. "Just... I dunno. I was practicin' lots, and maybe that put stress on the problem, and then I tried to practice more to compensate, and that... made a feedback loop?"
It's hard to deny what the 'corruption' has done for her magic though. Or to her magic, as she prefers to think of it.
Hannah does manage a smile as Eleanor says she's willing to do that. "Thanks, I appreciate it. Been keepin' an eye out for records and such in digs, too, but... well, that can be kinda scattershot. Lot less regulated, though."
She starts to flip through her current notebook. "So, I've been thinkin' on some ways to--"
The door suddenly slams open with a loud bang. Hannah yelps, fumbles and drops her notebook, and then freezes as she sees who's at the door.
An older beastfolk woman, nearing her 40's, with cat ears and tail, glaring daggers at Hannah. She is very familiar to both Hannah and Zephyr, and it may have been a while for Eleanor, but perhaps she remembers Susanna Tanner, Hannah's 'big sister'.
She might have caused some consternation in the rest of the manor getting there, plowing her way through with a vibe that very much said 'Do not get in my way I still have enough ire left over for anyone who tries to stop me.'
"HANNAH ELIZABETH CURIE! You have some explaining to do, missy!"
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Oh!" Eleanor says. "Yes, many of my friends seem troubled by it, but I think being an owl is rather nice, actually."
But as Hannah cringes, Eleanor shakes her head. "It's natural; it's just like exercising the body. Whatever this problem is, it appears to grow with you, is my point." "Right, a lot less. Bu hmm--"
The door opens. Eleanor, by now a soldier with a soldier's instincts, immediately turns, one hand moving to her side in the universal mage signal for 'ready to cast'. But then suddenly--
"Oh!"
She recognizes her, and that hostility melts away entirely. "Miss Susanna!"
Eleanor steps forward, and then from behind Susanna Tanner comes a woman in black. "Aaaah... Milady!!"
Hilda the maid is having another bad day. "She just burst in, and wouldn't stop for anything..."
"It's--It's fine," Eleanor says. "...Probably." Pause. "...Elizabeth, is it...?"
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
"Nah, I ain't bothered by it. Kinda jealous, a little bit." Zephyr looks like he's about to make a noise and Hannah cuts him off. "No, not about that." This seems to mollify Zephyr and he settles down. "I can ride along with Zephyr when he's flyin', in a manner of speaking, but... bet it's mighty different doin' it yourself."
"W-well, if you put it like that, then... maybe..." Power and instability are both growing together. Sort of an odd contradiction in the development of her magic.
But then Susanna bursts in, and Eleanor greets her by name. She turns to give Eleanor a polite (and maybe even a little bit warm) smile, but one that's strained with the fury she just put on full display. "Miss Klein, I do apologize if I'm imposin' or causin' a ruckus, but I have business with this girl here." She tilts her head in Hannah's direction.
Zephyr, meanwhile, was just as startled, and is looking to Hannah curiously, or perhaps looking for guidance.
Hannah herself, meanwhile... is frozen in the kind of fear that only comes from being addressed by all three names from someone who has that privilege. Finally, she manages to weakly lift a hand in the barest facsimile of a wave. "H-hey, sis--"
And now Susanna is barging into the room proper. "Oh don't you 'hey sis' me, missy. Five years. Five. Years." She makes sure to punctuate each word quite distinctly. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been about you? How worried Rochelle's been about you? No letters, no messages, you just took off, and come to find out this whole time you've been galavantin' around and stayin' in a mansion. I had to get word from Miss Armitage to come here n' find you!"
Susanna isn't particularly tall, but she's certainly got more height on Hannah, and she's using every single inch of it (an act only enhanced by Hannah withering back into herself and slouching under the tirade.)
Susanna crosses her arms. "Now what do you have to say for yourself, missy?"
Hannah is at a complete loss for words, tears already welling up as she stammers for some kind of an explanation. Finally, she manages to stammer out a soft, tiny, "I... I-I'm sorry..."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"Ahh," the young elf replies. "Yes... It is different," she admits. "If I ever learn to teach someone else to do it, I'll let you know."
She would continue on power, but there is Susanna, and ELeanor shakes her head. "Oh, no, it's quite all right," she says. "Lovely to see you!"
She can tell this isn't the kind of danger she needs to intervene in.
...Especially since the way Susanna talks...
"I'd assumed she'd died myself," Eleanor supplies helpfully.
Pause. Then, more chagrined, "The mansion part is my fault, though. When I learned she was all right, I insisted she stay with me."
Then she reaches out for Hannah's hand. "...Hannah," she says, steadyingly, and then, "Hilda!"
She looks to the poor maid wringing her hands about this, "Why don't you get us all some nice, steadying tea?" And then, mouthed, 'thank you'.
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Eleanor offers that definitely helpful comment, and Susanna arches an eyebrow at her, then looks Hannah. "Well now, you see the effect you've had on other people?"
The second comment is genuinely helpful, though. "Hmm. Well that's right kind of you, Miss Klein." She looks to Hannah. "You should count yourself lucky to have such understandin' friends after treatin' them this way."
The crest sorceress can only nod silently at that remark.
Hannah clutches to Eleanor's hand when offered, and Zephyr takes to her shoulder to lend additional support. Hannah doesn't look so much steadied as... clutching to a lifeline, though. She's staring down at her feet, unable to meet Susanna's gaze.
Susanna falls silent a moment, arms crossed, glaring at Hannah in silence and letting her stew. And having made her point... the dam bursts, and she unfolds her arms to pull Hannah into a tight hug. Zephyr takes off and settles on the dresser, and Hannah reflexively lets go of Eleanor's hand to hug Susanna back.
"Oh kitten," says Susanna, far more softly than before, "I'd thought the worst all these years. I was so relieved to find out you were okay. Furious, but also relieved. Honestly, what could've made you just take off like that?"
"I... I..." Hannah's voice is wavering, and her own dam bursts a moment later as she leans into the hug, holding on tight. She's crying now, and in between sniffles she's trying to get out an explanation, but seems to be having a hard time forming the sentence.
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Apparently, that little bit of needling is all Eleanor intends to take for her pains, because after her more helpful comment she is quiet, waiting. And then when Susanna moves to hug her, Eleanor smiles softly, looking at the two of them and then nodding to Zephyr. Hilda, of course, has gone to find tea, but ELeanor herself steps aside, to give them a little more room. Hannah obviously has trouble saying it, so...
"It's all right," she says. "You can tell her when you're ready." Her voice is soft, encouraging. "...Would you like me to give you some space?" she offers.
She'll stay, and help, if Hannah prefers it. But... this is a family matter, too.
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
It is, honestly, well-deserved needling. Hannah earned it in spades.
There is much hugging, and crying (mostly but not all on Hannah's part), and when they finally let each other go Hannah wipes at her cheeks. "N-no, Eleanor, you can stay. I... you know everythin' anyway, you can help me explain..."
"Ssssh," says Sussanna gently, reaching up to help clean up Hannah's cheeks. "It's alright. You can explain later. For now, just... Look at you. Look how you've grown." Susanna takes a step back to look Hannah over, her tail now down to a slow swish from the furious lashing moments earlier. She reaches a hand up to run it through Hannah's hair. "What happened to your beautiful hair?"
"Oh, w-well, I..." Hannah looks up to Susanna, looks her in the eye for a moment... and then her gaze drifts upwards, to Susanna's hairstyle.
Susanna's always worn her hair short.
Come to think of it, she was wearing a cloak for a while, too. Kinda like Marivel.
But her eyes drift back down to meet the beastwoman's gaze. "I just... wanted to try somethin' different, is all..."
"Hmmm." She looks to Zephyr. "You been taking care of our girl?"
Zephyr chirps enthusiastically.
"Good boy." Susanna turns to Eleanor. "I really do apologize for the bargin' in here n' all, Miss Klein. I do appreciate you lettin' her stay here. I do hope she's been a good house guest."
"Susanna," whines Hannah softly. "I ain't a kid, you don't gotta check up on my manners or none..."
"Nonsense. She's been doing you a favor and I aim to make sure you're appreciatin' it."
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
Eleanor finds her eyes getting a little wet too just watching them, and quietly finds a handkerchief to take care of that for herself. "All right," Eleanor answers, and doesn't go. Instead...
Eleanor does notice the similarity, though. And the similarity to their other friend...
"It's all right," Eleanor says. "Though I think I'm going to have to give poor Hilda an early vacation, at this rate. She seems to run into all the trouble lately."
A smile. "She has. Actually convincing her to stay at a place this 'fancy' was something of an effort in the first place. It would probably have been easier on her if I'd recommended a nice local inn, but..."
She gestures, the rings on her left hand glinting as she does. "I missed my friend," she admits.
"Getting her to accept help is not the easiest thing. But it's been worth it to me."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Susanna turns to Eleanor when she mentions Hilda. "I do apologize for the way I burst in here, Miss Klein. I'm sure you understand the state I was in, thinkin' what you thought of Hannah's fate. I'll be sure to give Miss Hilda my deepest apologies when she returns with the tea."
But Eleanor having to convince Hannah to stay--and to make an effort of it. Susanna is giving the heiress an appraising look. They've met before, certainly, and she's known Eleanor mainly as 'Hannah's friend', even if she also knew her lineage...
But finding out Eleanor made the offer, insisted on it, even... And not letting Hannah take the easy way out.
Her estimation of Eleanor has increased significantly.
"Well now it surely is not." Susanna's always been respectful, and even friendly, to Eleanor, but now there is a little bit more warmth in her voice as she addresses the elf. "I owe you a debt for taking care of our Hannah like that. She's never lacked for stubbornness."
"Suzie... C'mon..." whines Hannah softly. "I'm right here, you know."
Susanna reaches up to ruffle Hannah's hair. "Gotta make sure you're bein' taken care of, considerin' you was too busy to write us a letter and all. What have you even been up to all these five years?"
"W-well..." Hannah doesn't seem to object to the gesture of affection. "There's kind of a lot... maybe over tea, we could...?"
<Pose Tracker> Eleanor Klein has posed.
"It's all right," Eleanor says. She didn't go into the areas that would be most troublesome for a guest to barge into anyway. "Because yes, I rather do. ...That would be nice, though."
Eleanor smiles back to Susanna, as she detects that warmth. "She's my dear friend as well," she says. "But that's very true..."
A little laugh. "Yes," Eleanor says. "Hilda--ah, there, she's coming back now. Let's all have a seat and we can start going over it..."
<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.
Susanna is quick to react to Hilda's return, stepping up to take the tea and tray from her. She's even dialed up the charm a bit as she makes her apology. "I do apologize for my outburst earlier, Miss Hilda." (She would use the last name but doesn't know it yet.) "And any consternation it may have caused you. Thank you very much for bringing the tea so quickly. I appreciate it."
Meanwhile, Hannah has moved to the table and cleared it of the project she was working on. It looks like she had some crest graph supplies on it, but those get put onto her desk so the four of them can sit at the table.
Susanna brings the tray to the table, Hannah helps serve it--though she might ask for Eleanor's help on some of the particulars, and once they've all had a chance to take a steadying tip of sea, Hannah starts.
"Well, it goes all the way back, when I was havin' some trouble with my magic at Sielje..."