Chapter Text
Coco awoke slowly as sunrays warmed her face. She sat up rubbing her groggy eyes as she looked out the window next to her bed. Hilly and bright grasslands dancing like waves to the gentle morning breeze graces her eyes. The drowsiness seeps away as she gazes at the serene landscape. Brushbuddy clambers onto her bed and up her arm as it gives her a happy chirp.
She giggles, “Good morning brushbuddy. Oh! That’s right! Master said we get to go to a Magic Stationers today!”
She throws off her covers and quickly gets herself ready for the day. By the time she’s racing down the spiral stairs, everyone else is in the kitchen, with the exception of their master. The rest of the apprentices are seated and already gathering their portions for breakfast when they greet Coco.
“Where’s Master Qifrey?” Coco asks.
Just as the question leaves her mouth, said pale witch rounds the corner from the staircase in the kitchen. He hums at Coco quizzically, “Where is whom?”
“Oh! Good morning Master Qifrey!” Coco says with a bright smile before her eyes catch onto a familiar black cloak hanging from Qifrey’s arm. ‘Wait…that’s…’
Qifrey gives a small smile back to her, “Yes, good morning Coco. I hope you’re ready for an exciting day today!”
She blinks out of her thoughts, “Y-Yes! I can’t wait, Master Qifrey!” pulling her arms to her chest as she hypes herself up for this trip.
Qifrey’s aura seems to brighten at her enthusiasm, as he makes his way into the living space and over to the hearth. The girls can hear Qifrey quietly acknowledge to Olruggio, “Ready to try again, my friend?” before once again applying the delicate seal to the cloak.
Olruggio stands at the hearth’s edge giving Qifrey a questioning yet nervous look. “Qifrey…” he keeps his voice quiet so the girls wouldn’t overhear. “Are you certain about this? You know it’s gonna be exhaustin’ for you.”
“Yes yes, it’ll be quite fine.” He gives Olruggio a smile that the smaller man knows well, one that tells him the other man knows. “You never got to finish your work the other day. It’s important those seals be renewed, we can’t stay here much longer.”
Qifrey holds out his hand for Olruggio, the smaller witch gives Qifrey a scolding glare which doesn’t get acknowledged before he sighs roughly and steps onto the offered hand. Just like days prior, Qifrey lifts Olly to the cloak and the small flame reforms into a full sized man. Coco pets the brushbuddy on her shoulder who seemed very interested in the older witches at the moment and quietly reminds it to behave. Olruggio eyes it warily from over the half wall for a moment then rolls his shoulders getting comfortable in his larger form.
“Now!” Qifrey bops a fisted hand onto his open palm, “Girls, gather your things, we must be off!”
The girls cheered as they separated to gather their cloaks and components before meeting back in the living area. They waited patiently as their master joined them, Olruggio giving them a stern warning to stay close and not cause any trouble before he disappeared into the atelier to finish what he started the day prior. Qifrey looked at them warmly before adjusting the windowway to the closest location to their destination. They’ll have to take a magic train the rest of the way, but that will just be another learning experience for Coco.
As their little group makes their way to the station to board the train, Qifrey wrangles to keep a close eye on the girls to ensure none of them get separated, especially Coco. The girl was enamoured seeing all the contraptions and witch related things incorporated into daily life, moreso when one can actually have access to them. Qifrey must constantly remind her to come along or catch up, thankfully the other girls seemed to notice their master’s struggles and pitched in to help. By the time they actually manage to board their train, Qifrey's already exhausted; he lets out a dramatic exasperated sigh before muttering a hoarse, “Goodness me…”
Qifrey remains standing as the girls take up some of the seating when the train churns to life. Richeh and Agott sitting proper and behaved, while Coco and Tetia both sit on their knees watching the world go by. Qifrey approaches the two and bends over(once again at an odd 90 degree angle) to get a better angle from their perspective before he points for Coco to look.
“Watch closely” he says.
Coco gasps in excitement as the train passes through a large stone ring and the entire environment shifts. She can hardly contain herself as she leaps from her seat to run to the back of the car to look behind at where they just came from. Qifrey chuckles and quietly apologizes to the other passengers as he joins Coco.
“Wow!! Did we teleport? I thought that was forbidden?” She asks.
Qifrey shakes his head, “No no, nothing of the sort. Look there, see that ring? That is a large windowway, built specifically for trains like this one. You see, on either end there’s a special seal which activates the windowway based upon where its destination is set.”
“Ohhh, so that’s why one came by every so often in my hometown! I always wondered how it never ran into the normal train!” Coco inquires.
“Just so!” Qifrey smiles, though it doesn’t reach all the way to his eye. “There can’t always be a windowway for every location. So alternative means of transportation are needed for us witches, to ensure no one need enter the wastes.”
Coco turned to Qifrey ‘No one but you..?’ she kept to herself when she noticed some other passengers glancing their way due to their conversation. Instead she pretended to follow the lesson and smiled. The train hissed and started to slow which caused everyone to sway and Qifrey to upright himself. He helps bring her back to her fellow peers before they make their way off the train.
Off the platform and into the bustling streets, the group of witches have arrived in Kalhn. “Welcome to Kalhn, Coco.” Qifrey says.
“This is one of many towns outside of the Great Hall which co-exists with “unknowings". It’s a fascinating story actually, you see the large tower over there was actually built on a sandbar created by witches. It was used to help protect the townspeople from large mole snakes which inhabit the wastes nearby. Eventually, other witches began to settle around this tower and to this day it’s become one of the more well known witch settlements!” Qifrey continues on with his lecture not realizing Coco’s attention is not on him whatsoever.
Coco was taking tiny steps away from the group looking at all the witches bustling around. Before she can step too far though, Agott grabs the edge of her cloak and tugs her back, “Stay close…remember what Master Olruggio told us.” she warned quietly.
“Right…sorry.” Coco rubs the back of her head in embarrassment.
The two turn to Qifrey who’s still rambling on enthusiastically about the town until Tetia tugs at his cloak. “Um…Master?”
“Oh! My apologies, I got carried away didn’t I?” he says sheepishly. “Come now, let us make our way to the Magic Stationers. If you girls spot anything along the way we can take a look.”
It was rather busy in Kalhn, the girls followed Qifrey closely; Tetia clung to one side of Qifrey’s cloak and Coco on the other side. Coco kept getting distracted and amazed by all the items and contraptions, even watching as someone went by on a hovering board. They had ended up stopping at a few stalls, Agott wanting another journal for practicing spells and notes. The current stall contained assorted foods; some palette clams in particular caught the girl’s eyes. Vibrant colors and differentiating patterns made every one of them unique. Qifrey began going on another teacherly spiel about the uses of palette clams.
While he chattered on, Coco had noticed a pair of elderly witches standing nearby giving their group judgemental glares as they gossiped. They spoke quietly but not quiet enough that Coco couldn’t overhear them.
“Isn’t that the white haired witch everyone’s spoken about in the Great Hall?”
“I believe so, they say he’s missing an eye. I mean look at him, he has those spectacles on.”
“Ugh, such a disgrace to witches. I can’t believe a Wise One took him in and trained him, an outsider. Honestly, he tarnishes the reputation of the Wise of Teachings. Who does he think he’s trying to fool? He’s obviously taken on all those apprentices to try and earn the good graces of the council, more than likely trying to earn a spot as a potential next Wise of Teachings.”
“I hear one of those girls is also an outsider…birds of a feather flock together, y'know."
“Tch, disgraceful. One such as him isn’t long to be a witch, he’ll never succeed and those poor girls will share in his ruin.”
Coco feels her hands grow clammy as she takes a step closer to Qifrey, tightening her grip on his cloak. Qifrey notices and stops mid-lecture, “Coco? Are you alright?”
She’s quiet for a moment before meekly asking, “C-Can we come back later, Master Qifrey? To the stall I mean.” she corrects herself, “I just–um, I just really wanna go to the Magic Stationers!” turning her act into a more cheerful one.
Qifrey studies the girl's face with concern before he says, “Oh…Yes, of course. Come along girls, we can dilly-dally later.”
As they leave the stall, Coco takes a look over her shoulder and sees the two witches still giving dirty looks at the group. Little did she know that Qifrey was watching.
________________________
The Magic Stationers, also known as the Starry Sword. It’s a quaint little shop out of the way of the busy streets. It’s almost odd how it seemed tucked in its own little corner. Qifrey let Coco enter first while the rest followed suit behind her. The first thing she noticed was a beautiful, large, pale tree growing right in the center. Its ghostly appearance glimmered in the rays of sunshine that came through the skylights above. Its beauty momentarily made her forget about the negative thoughts and feelings of those gossiping old witches.
“My my” a raspy old voice chimed in, “Now this is surpisin’. A witch’s apprentice gawkin’ at a silverwood tree. Are ya so unfamiliar with somethin’ so elementary?”
A short, shriveled old man with large triangular glasses slowly descended a spiral staircase that was back nearly behind the large tree.
“Now now, none of that. Coco here knows the fundamentals, she’s simply never seen one in person.” Qifrey cuts in with a light chuckle.
“Oh! Coco ya say! So, she’s the one.” He says with excitement.
The statement, however, pulls at those negative thoughts Coco was feeling before. Her smile falls to a tight line as she tries to keep a friendly appearance. Again, Qifrey noticed her change in demeanor.
He clears his throat before explaining to Coco, “Coco, this is Mr. Nalnoa. He crafts wands and curates inks from components.”
“Mr. Nalnoa, we were hoping you could assist Coco with finding a proper pen. I believe the one she’s using isn’t suited to her grip.” Qifrey addresses the elderly man.
“Oh! Sorry wee one, that was rather rude of me. But yes of course! You won’t find anythin’ better in all of Kalhn, I guarantee it.” Nalnoa winks and holds a finder up to his scraggly beard that hides his lips. “Come along nao, I’m sure you and the perfect wand will find each other.”
Nalnoa beckons Coco to follow him around as they browse through wands. He gets some ink and paper and prepares it at a table for Coco to try out each pen she likes. While they’re preoccupied, Qifrey talks with the other girls, allowing them to go do some personal shopping of their own. However, he gives them a strict curfew to return to the shop so they can return home before it gets too late. Richeh stays behind in the shop with Qifrey and Coco, taking great care to not allow the brushbuddy to get into trouble as it had become enamoured with all the inks. Tetia and Agott went off on their own to shop; Qifrey trusted them to return on time. Some clockmarks passed and finally Coco seemed to have found a pen far more suited to her style of grip. It took Nalnoa a while studying how she grips a pen to realize the unique way Coco applied the pressure of her strokes.
“Thar ya are lass, that should tide ya over til you get a wee bit older.” Nalnoa prides himself as he hands Coco her new pen in a box.
Coco holds it up with sparkles in her eyes like she’s found a legendary sword. She finishes just in time as Tetia and Agott return. The sky outside has taken on a golden hue as the sun began its descent for the horizon.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Nalnoa!” Coco says.
Qifrey approaches with a content smile, “Yes, thank you, Mr. Nalnoa. I’m sure she’ll excel even greater now that she has a proper wand.”
The compliment makes Coco blush and Nalnoa cackles. “Of course, of course! I’m always happy to assist. You better get goin’ now, the sun’s settin’. Best to not be out once the sun goes down.”
“Yes, you’re quite right. Come now girls, we must be off.” Qifrey says unable to hide the tinge of exhaustion in his tone. He ushers the girls to the door. “Thank you again Mr. Nalnoa, it’s always a pleasure to visit!”
They make it to the train in time for one of the last trips before dark. Since the car was mostly empty, the girls sat wherever they liked. Qifrey slowly settled onto the bench seat closest to the door, concealing a tired exhale through his nose. However, Coco who was still sticking close to him noticed as she sat down next to her mentor. She leaned forward to get a better look at his features; clear fatigue was beginning to show around his eyes.
Qifrey quickly notices her staring as his hands begin to fidget in his lap and he tilts his head, “Is something wrong, Coco?”
“Master Qifrey, are you sure you’re feeling alright? You look a little pale.” she asks quietly.
Qifrey tenses minutely before trying to reassure Coco, “Yes, I’m quite fine.” putting on his best smile he could muster at the moment.
Coco gives him a look that says she doesn’t believe him, but doesn’t push the subject which Qifrey is grateful for. The ride back to the closest windowway was quiet, the long day out had fatigued all. When the girls weren’t looking at him, Qifrey’s eyebrow would twinge as he would slowly reach to rub at his temple, the aching pains of an exhaustion headache coming on.
When they step through the windowway back to the atelier, Olruggio is standing by the hearth in the living space; his arms are crossed and he had clearly been waiting. There’s a tenseness to him that doesn’t relax even once everyone is accounted for. All the girls greet him as they walk past into the kitchen to the already prepared dinner.
“You prepared dinner?” Qifrey asks innocently.
“Aye,” Olly says briskly as he gives Qifrey an intense stare, another silent conversation.
“How did restoring the casting seals go? Did any of them give you trouble?” Qifrey continues, ignoring the silent communication.
“No…” Olly gives an irritated sigh as he turns to the kitchen, “C’mon, eat.” he speaks a little louder as he continues, “Then everyone’s off to bed.”
Olruggio received no arguments back, which Qifrey snickered lightly as he proceeded to join the girls. The two older witches sat side by side though. Olly didn’t eat anything, he simply sat in everyone’s company like usual and participated in the conversation. They both noticed that at some point during the recap of the day Coco had gone quiet and seemed lost in thought. As the guardians handled the dishes and the girls started to file up to their bedrooms, Qifrey stopped Coco who was the last to get up from the table.
“Coco, might I have a word?” he says politely.
She says nothing as she settles back down next to the table, Qifrey crouches to be at her eye level.
“Is something the matter? You’ve been acting a little strange today I must say. First at the market, now at the dinner table.” Qifrey asks gently.
For a moment Coco doesn’t answer, she diverts her eyes as her little hands fist into her clothes in her lap. Qifrey won’t push for an answer but he’ll offer her an open door to walk through, “You know if there’s ever anything that bothers you or you feel you can’t handle on your own, you may always come to me. A master does not turn a blind eye when someone in their care calls upon them. As your master it’s my duty to help my apprentices.”
She mulls on those words for a few moments before she takes a deep breath to prepare herself.
“Um…earlier at the market…there were some witches…” She lowers her head as her voice begins to tremble, “They were…saying such awful things a-about you, Master Qifrey…”
Qifrey’s eye softens, he’s used to the gossip, the cruel whispers that wish the worst ills upon him; he has always blocked it out. Now he understands. For a girl so kindhearted as Coco is, it’s hard to hear.
“Oh my dear girl…” he says quietly as he wraps his arms around her small frame which seems to curl into him further. “You mustn’t listen to such harsh whispers. Know that I’m not bothered by them in the least.”
Coco’s voice is muffled in his clothes, “B-But how could they say that?” She picks up her head and her glistening apple eyes stare so earnestly at Qifrey’s icy one, hers filled with unshed tears on the verge of spilling.
“You’ve been nothing but kind to me Master Qifrey…You and Master Olly don’t deserve such mean rumors and gossip..” she rubs the heel of her palm on her eyes to stem the tears she’s fighting back.
Qifrey closes his eye with a quiet huff as a loving smile pulls at his lips. He pulls Coco against his chest again running his hand up and down her back comfortingly, “My…what have I done to deserve such love and devotion from four brilliant little apprentices?” Coco’s trembling calms as she brings her hands up to clutch the front of his clothes.
“My dear Coco, I fear not all witches are so kind. Unfortunately, it is the witch themselves who need most look inward and learn how cruel our kind can be. The level of depravity to which some may stoop to…” his voice trails off as he tightens his embrace.
“But you needn’t fear, for I have no doubt one day you’ll be the witch you always dreamed of becoming. With knowledge enough to help anyone you wish to lend a hand. A witch as inspiring as she is kind.”
Coco gasps as she eases out of Qifrey’s hold to look him in the eye with big surprised eyes. He returns her expression with an earnest smile. They stay like that for a moment before Coco returns the smile with one of relief and hope.
“Thank you, Master Qifrey.”
“Of course, now off to bed with you” he gives her arm a pat.
She nods and takes her leave after wishing the two witches good night. Coco stops at the top of the spiral stairs thinking, ‘I didn’t bring up the comment about Master Qifrey being an outsider…’ she pauses before clenching her fists at her side, ‘No, it’s none of my business. He accepts me and puts his trust in me, I’ll do the same!’ She continues to her room with a renewed fire in her heart.
When Coco’s footsteps can no longer be heard, Qifrey lets out an exhausted sigh as his shoulders slump and makes an attempt to stand. The attempt ends poorly when his legs give out and he falls unceremoniously against the low table nearly toppling it over. Thankfully, there were no longer dishes on it.
“Qifrey!” Olruggio calls as he rushes to his friend’s side.
Qifrey grimaces as he brings a hand to his head hissing in pain. Olruggio waits a moment, not only to let Qifrey collect himself but to listen in case that crash had alerted the girls. When it didn’t, Olruggio took him by the elbow and helped him stand, though the pale witch was incredibly off balance.
“Dammit Qifrey, I knew this was a terrible idea. C’mon to the sofa, undo the seal n’ put me back in the hearth.” Olruggio scolds him but is only given a groan in response.
The fire witch settles his companion on the sofa as carefully as he can before kneeling before him. He rests one hand on his friend’s knee and the other on his shoulder to keep him stable as the waves of pain crack through his poor friend’s skull. There’s noticeable dark circles bruising beneath his eye and his complexion has gone ashen.
Olruggio speaks gently to not cause more pain to his friend’s suffering skull, “You need to undo the spell, Qifrey. The pain will ease once you put me back. C’mon, we’ve pushed our limit for today, ‘specially after yesterday.”
Qifrey nods painfully. Lowering his hand from his head, he places a hand where Olly’s heart would be before leaning forward to briefly rest his forehead on Olly’s. Qifrey takes a shaking breath before he runs his thumb over the seal attached to his dear friend’s cloak. Holding out his hand with his palm up, Olruggio’s form fades as warm flames dance around his palm before consolidating into a small man. Qifrey sighs slightly in relief as the pain behind his eyes lessens a little. Not trusting his own legs, he slides from the sofa to his knees on the floor and leans forward enough to place his precious star back into the hearth. Qifrey then leans forward resting his forehead on the cool stone of the hearth that’s now begun to warm up from his friend’s touch. Olruggio says nothing for a short while; he allows his warmth to seep into Qifrey to try and ease some of his aching pain.
“You need to head to bed.” Olly finally says, which earns him a quiet whiney groan.
Olruggio huffs before he purposefully heats the mantle around the hearth until it’s uncomfortably warm. Qifrey sits up drowsily rubbing his forehead as he fails to glare at his companion.
“Now that’s just cruel…” he mumbles and pouts. “Why can’t I stay here?”
“Because you need to go sleep in a real bed. Stayin’ out ‘ere won’t do you any good.” Olly lectured.
Qifrey sways as he tries to argue in a voice that brings back memories of their childhood days, “But I always sleep better when you’re near…”
Olruggio’s flame wavers as he sputters in embarrassment. “O-Oi, don’t say it like that!”
Qifrey only pouts harder as his eye can barely stay open now, still it’s transfixed on the burning flame of his friend.
“Qifrey, if you stay out ‘ere the girls are goin’ ta tease you again.” an underhanded tactic using the girls against Qifrey, but Olruggio knows it’ll work.
Sure enough Qifrey straightens with a tired groan, his mouth an indignant squiggle at the thought.
“Off you go.” Olly shoo’s his friend.
Qifrey slowly rises to his feet, using the sofa for support, and slowly makes his way to the stairway in the kitchen which leads to his portion of the atelier. Olruggio listens carefully as his dear friend’s slow footsteps and tired grumbles dissipate into the darkness. Olly huffs, pleased at himself and at how childish Qifrey becomes at times. ‘Some things truly never change.’
“Rest well, Qifrey” Olruggio smiles affectionately at the direction his friend had slumped off to.
________________________
Dawn rose to a dreary, rainy day on the atelier’s last day in Naakiwan Downs. Everyone awoke late that morning, Olruggio realized as he listened to the thunder rumble outside. Even Qifrey, whose penchant for rising early enough to do morning chores and prep breakfast before the girls wake, hadn’t emerged. Olruggio would have been concerned, had he not known the exhausted state his dear friend was in last night. ‘Always pushin’ yourself beyond the limits…’ he thought offhandedly. He was laying comfortably on a log with one leg slung over his knee as his foot swayed casually in the air, his arms behind his head.
Olruggio doesn’t so much as move when he hears the master of the atelier’s footsteps. He doesn’t need to; their usual cadence returned, Olly could tell Qifrey was feeling much better and that he was far too comfortable at the moment. He listens contentedly as Qifrey moves about the kitchen to gather what he’d like to string together for this morning’s breakfast. Hearing his dear friend hum in thought or at the taste of something pleasing as he cooks makes a smirk quirk on Olruggio’s lips. The small witch has been with Qifrey long enough that he can picture every movement and gesture his friend makes, even the bad ones. When a particularly loud clap of thunder rumbles the old bricks of the atelier, Olruggio can hear Qifrey’s pause.
Storms have never been one of Qifrey’s favorite forms of weather, and for good reason. Echoes of the past begin to creep into Olruggio’s mind ruining his contentment. He sits up, listening for a moment to see if Qifrey continues his morning routine. When there’s nothing, Olruggio comments to break the tension, “Somthin’ smells good” saying it loudly to break Qifrey out of whatever dark trance he might be slipping into.
“Oh, Olly.” He hears Qifrey say from the other side of the half wall, “Good morning, did I wake you?”
Olruggio feels the worry in his chest ease. “Nah, just been waitin’ for you sorry lot to rise n’ shine. Was ‘alf tempted to raise the temps jus’ ta get someone up finally.”
That earns him a lighthearted chuckle from the white witch. The two enjoyed the brief moment together; the sound of Qifrey returning to his culinary duties made Olruggio relax again. Soon the familiar footsteps of drowsy children echoed down the spiral staircase, drawn by the delectable smell of Qifrey’s cooking. The day progresses at a leisurely pace. Ironically, Qifrey decided that today was the perfect day to teach the girls about water repelling magic. That was until a missive arrived summoning Qifrey to the Great Hall.
The white-haired witch settled his cloak into place before turning to the girls, “Dinner should finish cooking soon, keep an eye on the dragon egg crock if you would. Don’t wait up, I’ll be back late. Oh, and don’t worry about any mess, I’ll clean it up later. You girls make sure to be in bed on time, otherwise Olly will let me know.”
Qifrey gives the girls a mischievous knowing smirk as he watches them nod in different degrees of confirmation. He sets the windowway to his undesired course, “Right then, if you girls need anything Olly’s here for you.”
As he steps through the windowway, he quickly places a firm hand on his cap to keep it from being whisked away by the raging winds. Qifrey emerged on top of a rock spire far in the ocean, the whipping winds causing ocean water to crash against the structure and inevitably spraying anyone with salty water. Much to Qifrey’s chagrin, he proceeds to the stairway which is encapsulated by columns and a carved dome. Peering down into the dark looming depths of these stairs, Qifrey quietly huffs and he instead leaps down, activating his sylph shoes to slow his descent; upon reaching the landing, he releases the spell landing gracefully. That grace is brought to shambles when a polished hand emerges from the shadows to harshly yank the witch backwards. Qifrey lets out an undignified ‘Eep!’ before another hand braces his back so he doesn’t completely fall on his rear.
A mischievous chuckle graces his ears, “What’s the point of having a stairway when no one is going to use it?”
Qifrey turns to meet a female witch with pointed two toned hair and tanned skin. She has a satisfied smirk on her face having caught him off guard. “It’s been a while, problem child of the Great Hall”
Reorienting himself and straightening his attire, Qifrey puts on the best friendly smile he can muster, “Those days are long past, Alaira, charmed.” as he lists sideways and holds out his hand to greet an old friend.
Alaira’s smirk turns cat-like as she takes hold higher up on his wrist, a common occurrence between the two when greeting one another. She gestures for Qifrey to follow down the dark corridor, they walk side by side.
“Are they now? I’ve heard all about this new apprentice of yours. A right shame what became of her home.”
Qifrey tries his best to tamper down the protectiveness that flairs within him at Alaira’s tone about Coco. “Oh really? I didn’t take you to be the gossiping type.” he attempted to tease.
“Tch, as if. Hard to ignore the loud chatter of old crones these days; you know how they are. They live for the gossip and care little for who hears. It did pique my curiosity though when I heard about you taking in an outsider though.”
Qifrey quickly cuts in with a darker tone, “Outsider is such an archaic term and I find it rather offensive. Her name is Coco.”
“Right, yes. My apologies. Bad habit. I know how protective you are of your girls.” Alaira attempts to placate him before her own tone turns serious. “However, I can’t help but wonder, Qifrey. Given the circumstances and the girl being involved with forbidden magic…” she steps in front of Qifrey in a confronting manner, “I can’t help but suspect you’re using the girl as bait to draw out the Brimmed Caps. She’s a vital lead and could easily draw them to her. I know how much you long to find the one who took Olruggio away…”
Beneath Qifrey’s cloak his hands are clenched into tight fists, the accusation causing them to shake with anger. “That…has nothing to do with this.” he rasps, holding in an outburst of rage. “How dare you presume I would do such a thing to a child! You have no idea what that girl has been through nor how hard she devotes herself to our craft.”
He raises his eye line to meet hers with an icy glare, “I came here today to discuss scheduling the second test for my students, not to be accosted with accusations unfounded. If you’ll excuse me.”
Qifrey brushes past Alaira’s shoulder storming off into the dark corridor leaving her behind. He wished to say more, but he would rather be done with his business as quickly as possible without drawing too much attention to himself. He was already in a foul mood having to be there to begin with, now his mood was utterly soured by Alaira, someone he thought to be a close friend.
Alraira just smirked and huffed, pleased by Qifrey’s seething retort. “Good. That teacher’s visage suits you.” she says to herself before following in the same direction, leisurely.