Just The Messenger|Contrasta

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"Well, that depends," Locke said slowly. "I need to be ready to go the moment I'm sent for; how long do you think it will take Lord Twilight to prepare for departure?"

[Kender Bard]

Emerald smirked. "Him? Not long. The rest of the family? A bit longer. He is our eldest brother, and we won't be seeing him for at least a year. There must be time for tearful goodbyes. Besides, you're not going anywhere tonight." She gave him a stern look. "I want you fully rested, that means a night over."

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Locke blinked in surprise. Now he knew what it was like to have a commanding younger sibling. "All right," he said, because what else could one say to a member of a royal family? "Thank you for your generous hospitality," he said with a little bow.

[Kender Bard]

Emerald gave an amused laugh, a tinkling little sound. "Sorry if I seem a bit pushy. I tend to have to knock my brothers around since Snow is too sweet to do it." Eyes twinkling merrily, she added, "And you should see our mother! Oh!! Well I suppose you have. Everyone says I'm just like her." She smirks at the idea. "Ah, well, enough about me. Have you eaten? I'm afraid I'm not sure how teleporting takes it out of a Mind; just that it does. Do you need food more or rest after a long teleport?"

[Deleted]

"I partook of the refreshments offered, don't worry," Locke assured the young woman. "They were delicious. And yes, teleportation can take a lot out of a Mind, especially one-Signs like me, even if they're very good at it. If we overexert ourselves in anything -levitations, shields, teleportations- we do get very tired, but worse than that are the headaches."

He paused, remembering something. "Have I met your mother?" he asked, trying to think. "Oh! Her Majesty Salacia!" He smacked his forehead. "I'm sorry, it completely slipped my mind."

[Kender Bard]

"It's fine," Emerald said with good humor. "Mother makes it her business to be seen and not heard in the public, and so fades quickly from memory. It's a good weapon in court. Well, then, shall I show you to your quarters?"

[Deleted]

"Well.... if there's nothing else of import I should see, then yes," Locke conceded, and followed Emerald out of the university. "Thank you for your time."

[Kender Bard]

"Twas my pleasure," she answered, walking off to take him to his room.

((To the next morning?))

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(OOC: Certainly.)

[Kender Bard]

A servant knocked politely at Locke's door, calling out, "Sir Locke? Breakfast is ready, and Lord Twilight will be ready to depart soon."

[Deleted]

Locke had been sitting on his borrowed bed wrapped in a towel, staring at his right hand for the past ten minutes, mind a blank of incomprehension. Somehow, last night, his Sign had MOVED and SHRUNK. It was now a little purple thing neatly tucked on the inside of his ring finger, facing the inside of his middle finger.

It was, finally, CONVENIENT. Now instead of touching his forehead, all Locke had to do was clench his fist, or just press his fingers together. It was amazing! It was a miracle!

Forces, I humbly thank you. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I thank you.

"Sir Locke?"

Locke nearly hit the ceiling, he was so startled.

"Breakfast is ready, and Lord Twilight will be ready to depart soon."

"I-I-I'll be right there!" The Mind hastily called back, scrambling for his clothes. He went to touch his forehead to levitate the towel back to the bathing room, stopped, laughed at himself, and just closed his fist. There. Now he just had to alter his right glove a bit, using the blade of his staff to cut away all fingers but the index at an angle, so now there was nothing between the Sign and contact when he needed it.

It was a very merry Locke who went to the breakfast table. "Good morning, your Majesties," he said brightly as he entered the room where his hosts had already begun to break their fasts.

[Kender Bard]

"Good morning," the men replied. Twilight had on a sullen look for someone who was going to be traveling somewhere new and exciting, and he sat in a corner, pushing some porridge around with his spoon. Once the last servants had left, however, he dumped it, took his place by Sunray's side, and proceeded to wolf down the toast, egg, and bacon.

"Don't choke," Emerald scolded gently.

Twilight ignored her. "I'm ready to go when you are," he said to Locke before cramming the rest of his food in his mouth. He gave his packed bags a kick for emphasis.

"As soon as you give word, two other Minds will be joining you," Sunray explained.

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Locke nodded. "Then please pardon my manners, since I would like not to keep you waiting," he said, inclining his head, and also began to eat quickly, but nicely enough as so not to get crumbs everywhere or chew with his mouth open. Twilight really did seem eager to leave, but for what reason the Mind could not imagine. And Locke, as a courier, was obliged to get his job done as quickly as possible to satisfy those he worked for.

[Kender Bard]

"This is going to be so much fun," Twilight remarked, squirming around like a little kid. His siblings smiled, amused.

"Don't cause any international incidents," Sunray warned, and teased, his elder brother.

"As if," Twilight scoffed. "Where's my royal circlet? Honestly I should be taking the crown with me..."

"On your head," Emerald remarked wryly. "And if you want a crown so bad, then have one made while you're with Mother."

"Maybe I will," Twilight sniffed, covering his smile sneakily. He leaned back in his chair and waited.

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After momentarily lingering over a cup of particularly good coffee, Locke finished his meal, patted his lips with a napkin and set it aside folded. "That was wonderful," he said as he stood and bowed. "Thank you again, everyone, for your generosity and hospitality. I have enjoyed my glimpse into your land. Lord Twilight, at your command?"