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•Arcaena City•
As you enter the city, you realize that the air is different-it feels vibrant, alive, and almost invigorating with mystical energy as you step through the streets. All kinds of arcane energy seem to coexist within this place, mingling with each other and all finding practice and dedication within the city.

Welcome to Arcaena City, a place well known for its significant use and tolerance of all types of magic. Although particularly malevolent types of magic are placed under observation and regulation, anyone who practices the arcane arts, be it in healing, necromancy, or anything in between, can find acceptance and safe haven in at least a few places within the city. The majority of the city's infrastructure and utilities run on magical energy, and countless secrets are hidden within and even underneath the city's borders. Both normal citizens and magic users live in peace together, and little to no animosity is held between them, as both magic and physical labor play vital roles within the city-as do all who dedicate themselves to maintaining and increasing Arcaena City's renown.

The gates are open before you. Welcome to the city of magic.

Dolus, walking up right beside Sic, folded his arms and looked up at the city's buildings standing before him. The magic in the air washed through him, stimulating his arcane-influenced nerves and invigorating his tired limbs and slight exhaustion, knowing that it had done the same to Sic and, to a lesser extent, Isabelle, who still walked in front of them no less feisty for all the city's influence. Dolus simply took a moment to experience the city's power, feeling it with pleasure throughout his entire body. "Indeed," he said to Sic, "we made it. And a journey worth the labor it was. There is no place in this world quite like Arcaena."

Isabelle, stopping in her tracks and standing still as well, was similarly affected by the air and reveled in it as well, although she let very little of it show on her face. The type of magic she practiced caused the air to have a different effect on her; she felt almost at one with the ether and the fabric of time around her, feeling as if she could freely flow through past and future alike as the air brushed through her. She felt rejuvenated and emancipated by the city, and felt just as pleased to be in the city as the two men did-not just because their journey was over and because it was where their project would take place, but simply because it was Arcaena City, whose every stone was laced with powerful and elaborate magics, both ancient and fresh.
Isabelle soon returned out of her indulgence into reality and continued walking, feeling as fresh as she had when they had started their march to the city. "Step up to it, you two laggards," she called back at Dolus and Sic, "it won't do if we get separated and have to circumnavigate the city to find each other."

Isabelle heard Sic's comment, and without turning around, she responded, "And I believe I preferred you when you were were mourning, weak-willed, and incapable of coherent speech." Her tone was so factual and emotionless that it dripped with sarcasm.

Dolus stifled a laugh as they continued on, rounding a corner on the wide street as and passing a few stone buildings, then answered Sic's question with a smile still remaining on his face. "Thank you for the invitation, Sic, but Isabelle owns an estate in the rich district of the city. We are going there right now to briefly rest then discuss the project. It's where we will be staying for the duration of our time here. I would insist that you join us for at least a few hours there, in fact. I doubt your apartment is going anywhere." Dolus winked, and let out a light chuckle.

Isabelle allowed a small smile to curve her lips at Sic's last comment, finding the remark genuinely amusing. This was after his first remark, however, which she found noticeably less funny. To her ears, it came about as more of a taunt than a tease, seeing as it was true-she did indeed prefer to have a grip over a situation-but combined with its teasing tone, Isabelle couldn't help but take it seriously. She felt no shame in taking control over a matter if it was necessary, so Isabelle wasn't offended by it very much, but she still registered it as a taunt more than anything else. But then, Sic's next comment made her smile, and the issue was resolved in that way. Isabelle didn't mind this Sic man too much, although she did find him a little too impulsive.

"So long as you don't mess up anything regarding our business," Isabelle responded to Sic's query, "I have no quarrel with you spending some time within my estate. I trust that you won't toss any more of your famous air missiles around anymore, however."

Dolus grinned and nodded towards Sic. "It's settled then. You'll be our guest at the estate. A warning, though," Dolus said, "as Isabelle says, it would be best if you didn't damage anything important, and we may be unavailable to you for some time during your visit, as we have certain private businesses to attend to."

Isabelle suddenly let out a sharp, deliberate cough and folded her arms, having turned to face the men. She didn't exactly appreciate Sic inviting strangers, bored or not, into estate as if she wasn't standing several feet away from him, and as a result her expression was one of narrow eyed irritation. Dolus, meanwhile, stood a little off to the side of the group, looking slightly uncomfortable. He had been about to warn Sic about inviting the stranger to come along without asking Isabelle first, knowing how Isabelle could be in certain situations, but now it was too late and he hoped she wouldn't take too much offense at Sic's impromptu invitation.

"I believe I should be the one being consulted here?" Isabelle queried, addressing both Sic and the stranger. "It is, after all, my house."