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"Oh?" The Prince echoed, vanishing from his place to greet her atop the stairs as she marched by. Then she calmly turned the questioning towards his own history, asking him about whether he was dead or not. "I am my title" he began, "nothing more and nothing less. My birth name has been lost, and history cares not for anything wrought by me. I am taboo, a bedtime story to keep children from acting awry. Tsuna Miki, how does it feel to be speaking to the long dead?" The Prince walked by her, showing a dry interest in some of the books beside him as he chuckled, "don't fret - no spirit has ever seen me. And you're no medium. I exist in a place betwixt the beginning and the end. You only see me because I allow you to. I am... stretched. Alas, I am bound somewhat to the Land of Crows, but passing on my mark... extends my reach. I've explored much of Occulas beyond my physical death, and learned much more. I am most intrigued by what I might learn from you." He turned to face her, crossing his arms with disinterest in his eyes - was he lying about his interest in her if his face said the exact opposite? "A Therian baring my mark? My follower's would be boiling in their unmarked graves. But being such as I am - the societal norms and constraints of living mean little. And they're all dead - so it appears Therians aren't all bad - are they?" he spoke as if to mock her again, "they used to call your kind Howlers and Brickmutts."

The Prince seemingly wasn't expecting Tsuna's indifference to her own people. There was an almost unnoticeable scowl as he looked away from her, grey, empty eyes examining the space around them. "Ah... but now you're a nobody with my mark - lest you forget." At that she pushed past him, almost instinctively heading towards a section of the long room that was divided off with sturdy columns. Hidden in the centre of the room, illuminated by the sunlit stained glass behind it, was a large object draped in fabric. Without a thought she pulled the cloth free, unveiling an ornate gold mirror adorned in intricate crows. The Prince of Crows appeared beside her, parting his lips in astonishment as his usually nonchalant expression turned into awe. Tsuna was staring at the unrecognisable words along its top, and then at her own, isolated reflection in the cracked reflection. "After all this time" he said, placing his hand on the edge of the mirror, it didn't reflect his movement. "To think - this was here all along, hidden beneath some dust catcher. So close yet - out of my reach. Tsuna Miki... you have out done yourself." The Prince stepped around it, his fingers gliding over the mirror's top as he spoke the words along its top as though he memorised them eons ago. "Mine is the eye that sees when the Gods blink". His words activated something within the glass, making it ripple delicately, causing black water to trickle down from the cracks before her reflection was plunged into darkness. "Hm" the Prince said, circling round to stand on Tsuna's other side, "it hears my command even now... that is compelling. This, Tsuna Miki, is a scrying mirror. I suspect Declasia kept it, sensing it's power, but never knowing what it could do - or the activation command. What will you do with it, I wonder? What will Tsuna do with a mirror that sees all? Your friends? Your step father? Or perhaps the false queen?"

The mention of Alexis' name had surprised the Prince, but he didn't show it. His eyes carelessly looked into the mirror as it's familiar magic worked, bringing Alexis Truesvale into a hazy view. However, before the image could focus properly, blue, glowing eyes with a wispy essence at their edges stared back at them. The Prince almost made a sound, feeling the presence, before the mirror exploded into thousands of pieces. The Prince still stood exactly where he was before, unbothered and untouched by the accident. He didn't seem interested in the slightest that his new little project was struggling to catch her breath behind him. He ignored the sounds of Tsuna pushing herself up, the sound of crushed glass and debris could be heard beneath her as she spoke up. Her apology, however, wasn't required, as the Prince continued to stand with his back to her and said "the destruction of my belongings from bygone era is of no import to me. There are far greater things to be concerned about, Tsuna Miki." He finally turned, his mouth clenched shut, eyes still unbothered. He was thinking, deeply. "I trust you have your answer, now I suggest you do what you can with my mark to change the course of your future. We'll meet again when it next matters." And with that nonchalant comment he was gone, as if she had blinked and he had ceased to exist - yet his mark upon her hand was still there, and so was the lingering feeling of being watched. The mark emitted a warmth beneath her skin, sometimes a scratch. It waited its new master's will to be used.

Micha'el had been relentless scribbling notes and connections onto large pieces of paper than sprawled out across the table of the drawing room. Pencils had been left in random spaces, and the books given to him earlier were all beside him, each kept open to a certain page using mugs as paperweights. The Aria was also open beside him, and he had used blue ink from god-knows where to circle various pieces of information. Lottie had given up reading some time ago, and had helped Micha'el to lay out the papers in the right places, she would then remain as a support for him to bounce idea's off of. They both heard the click of the front door at the same time. Lottie pushed away from the table and stood up, eyes wide, eager to see Tsuna. Micha'el on the other hand looked tense, as if he was unsure of which way this next conversation would go. Tsuna came into view in the archway, and she politely gestured for them to remain where they were. She then calmly approached each of them, placing a circlet of flower's on Lottie head first. The sangria flowers complimented her dark red and black outfit, and was a delicate compliment to her mahogany hair. The single flower, placed in Micha'el's lapel was a stark contract to his light clothes. It was a statement piece, a token, and meant much more than simple aesthetics. Finally, she sat on a bench beside them and told them everything.

Micha'el and Lottie had both let her explain things without interruption, but Micha'el couldn't help but find it difficult to maintain eye contact until, finally, Tsuna apologised for leaving the way she did. Micha'el wanted to contradict her, reveal her statement as a lie. How many times before had she done this? But, in this moment, he couldn't bring himself to stir anything further. Perhaps she was right this time. "Okay" he said, "i'd like to see you do better." He didn't say anything else on the matter, and honestly Lottie couldn't tell if it was some sort of back-handed compliment or not. However, he then looked down at his notes, gesturing to them as he spoke. "I am glad to know that Ivan should be getting some help to slow the process of the disease. And I'm curious as to how many other people might be infected... something I will have to study. But for now, Lottie and I have been looking over the books Nyru and Claudia brought us. The only reliable sources of necromancy to study and observe are from Necrovalley. Apparently Declasia's people had a small run-in with some... sect of necromancers in Sheol centuries ago, but they didn't raise the dead against their will - and all signs of them vanished, I assume they are dead. I... have also determined that the Starwell is a place of interest, in Entei. Which lines up with your conclusion that arcane magic is the correct source for what's happening. If we are to believe that Alexis is compromised, then she might be using the Starwell. We would have to pass Entei on our way to Necro-valley anyway... if we can even get some kind of passage to the island continent in the first place. Has Professor Solomon contacted you at all? He would be mighty helpful right now if he wanted to spy on you that much." He didn't mention out loud that it was suspicious enough to have the professor spy on them... and be involved with Alexis. "Oh" Micha'el then chimed in, looking briefly up to the stairs beyond the archway. "The royal guard boarded up the window... they thought the ward was under attack and invaded the house minutes after you left."

"Don't say that" Lottie chimed in, smiling at Tsuna. Then, as Tsuna explained her reason for smashing through the window, Micha'el held back a scowl - knowing a lie when he heard one. Tsuna isn't afraid of birds, let alone crows. However, he decided not to dwell on it and answered her question about transport. "We should rest up today, I would like to finish cross referencing these books before we leave - it will be important to save Ivan and stop the plague."
"I will ask one of the royal guard to send a message to the Queen, then if we can go with Nyru - she might not send him too soon." Micha'el nodded, then he turned to Tsuna. "Sound like a plan?" He then quickly returned to his notes, peering over the blue circles, and in particular a page he had completely scribbled in blue, showing various lines and dots - like a constellation.

_____________________________

Meanwhile


Professor Solomon Day had pondered for some time in her tower whether or not to approach Lumina La Estrella with the information he had been withholding from her. When Tsuna left, he put a charm upon her that granted him a certain amount of clairvoyance to help track her. He had known exactly where she was, what she was doing, and when she was in danger. He was still concerned about the hemomancer elf that tried to kill her, and if it wasn't for his intervention he worried she might have succeeded. He'd made a mental note to try and gather more information from the Playground at some point. But now, on his way to Lumina and Ivan's living quarters, he was more concerned about something else.

"You what?! Lumina exclaimed, her voice reaching across the room. She was leaning over the island in the centre of the kitchen, having just come from Ivan's room, where Maverly was tending to him. "And what, dare I ask, has she been doing? No, what haven't you been doing Solomon?"
"She needed to do this on her own - she was ready"
"She may be ready, Solomon, but you don't go charming her without telling me. And the reason you've waited until now to tell me? It doesn't bode well!"
"Please - Lumina. I apologise for undermining you, I had hoped to merely gather information about her investigation into the attack on Ivan." Lumina shook her head, squeezing her temples with her hand, "just tell me what you have to say."
"I lost contact with her several days ago" he said, deciding not to mention the attack before the team reached the City of Crows. Lumina scowled, "someone discovered your magic?"
"Well" he smirked, "Team Sun certainly worked it out. But they didn't break it. The last information I gathered was that they were victorious in fighting against the undead. A necromancer and two powerful servants from what I could make out. And then... silence. My charm ceased to exist. There wasn't any nullification or disturbance, it simply ended."
"What does that mean?" she asked, coming around the counter now to face him. "I'm not sure. There is a possibility that my power extended beyond its reach, causing it to fizzle out."
"Or... someone hijacked your magic. You fool Solomon!" Maverly appeared behind her, raising a brow as she closed the door behind her. "Will you two keep it down? I've barely managed to impose a suspension charm on Ivan with you two causing all this raucous."
"He has been spying on Tsuna all this time and didn't tell us. And now he has informed me, in all his generosity, that his magic just 'stopped' and he hasn't been able to play overlord for the last few days!"
"You what?" Maverly repeated, astonished. Solomon shook his head this time, letting out a sigh as he regathered himself. "If you're going to play espionage you should have at least let me conduct the charm" Maverly chimed in, almost seething because she considered herself far more experienced in such magics. Solomon rolled his eyes, blinking slowly, then tapping his cane on the floor as he placed both hands firmly on the knob. "I bare a great deal of guilt for this, and I will make it up to you, however, there is a greater issue I must discuss with you both. During my time watching over Tsuna I learned that Queen Declasia suspects Alexis Truesvale of foul play." Both women gasped, but he continued, "she was asking the team about her personal visit during the winter ball. They confirmed nothing, of course. I also discovered that the Land of Crows is also experiencing a necromantic plague, perhaps caused by the necromancer that Tsuna and the others battled before I lost sight of them.
"That b*tch is spying on us too?" Maverly hissed, but quickly corrected herself with "excuse me. The Queen of Crows is spying on your school? In that case, she ought to know that Alexis Truesvale is the very person who began our investigation into this disease. By Ovdrassil... she is the one that came to me looking for help when Magus-bane was sick."
"It's likely the Queen does not know the whole picture, and I must respect that she is looking out for her country. In the meantime, I have improved the wards over this academy. I have also tasked the cook with using truth serum in all her recipes today in an attempt to weed out anyone that might be spying. We may need to control a few student tragedies, but the cook is also lacing the water to make everyone forget today's events by the morning." At that... both women weren't quite sure what to say, Solomon seemed to take meddling with the students quite lightly. It was at that time that a knock came to the door, and once Lumina opened it she found Professor Amaranth, a Fae lady with hair the colour of amaranth. She was holding an intricately woven cloth, wrapped around something, and a letter with the mark of the Conclave of Declasia. Lumina thanked her and took both, before the woman said "there's a crate full of them in the greenhouse deliveries." As Professor Amaranth left, Lumina turned to the others holding the letter and showed them the symbol. She then opened it as the others waited patiently for her to speak.

Dear the guardian's of Tsuna Miki.

I write this with my deepest sympathies, knowing all too well what you must be going through. Tsuna has told me about Ivan's ailment, and I regret to say that my best friend suffers the same. However - we have discovered that Pale Daisy's, administered properly, can supress the effects of the disease. I have enclosed our physician's notes on how to prepare them. This delivery should have enough to last you several weeks. But - shadows forbid - you require more. Please don't hesitate to ask.

Team Sun are an interesting dynamic. And though they certainly have their flaws, I can see myself in them. Tsuna may be stubborn, and brash - but I can tell she is fighting for those that she loves. I see the very same trait in my best friend.

~ Nyru Statem. Shadow Warden to the Crown of the Royal Guard of Declasia.

With that, Maverly and Lumina quickly got to work. Solomon remained also, for their discussions would labour long into the night.

(((I think i'll try to set up a travel post now for Team Elixer! AND.... i may just post in Entei with the Twins etc... there may be some inspiration from Wicked...)))