Reconnaissance

Suggested Audio Long Rest

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Tia pads inside, the woman manning the clinic not taking notice until she reaches her desk. She looks Tia up and down, batting her lashes before offering a cheery smile.

Oh, hello! she chimes Whatever can I help you with?

Tia tries to lift her lips into a smile but can't help but grimace as she exposes her palm, her skin screaming as it stretches from the gesture.

Ah, I see! she breathes, her hand cupping Tia's as she examines her palm

Tia does not sense this woman's magic at all but she is too preoccupied with her injury to notice.

Follow me, then! the woman instructs

Tia blinks at her unflappable demeanor, unperturbed even as she scans deformed skin and melted flesh. Tia trials after her, guided to a chair centered in a space partitioned by curtains. She rubs at the residue of tears on her face while the woman fusses with a few tools on the table beside her. She flips back around with tweezers, cottons swabs and an eager smile. Tia hesitates at the thought of anything touching her palm, holding it close to her body.

Don't worry! she assures Tia I just need to clean it before healing you, you don't want anything getting stuck in the wound!

Reluctantly, Tia offers up her hand, and the girl gets to work dabbing away. There is no pain at first, her gloved hands precise and practiced--so much so that Tia doesn't feel anything at all!

Does that... actually work? Tia questions with a measure of disbelief

Of course! she hums I may still be a recruit but I've always had a knack for these things. Not a single infection yet! she chimes, unblinking in her unnerving admission How did you manage to get such an awful burn this time of day?

U-um... Tia hesitates

I try to be discreet with these things she half whispers As any medic should!

My roommate Tia admits, her voice slight I... I'm not really sure what happened, she just got so angry...! Tia's breath flutters and she chokes down a flurry of emotions

I'm sorry to hear that! the woman tries to sound comforting, knitting her brows despite her mellow tone The first day here can be disorienting... but sometimes, you need to endure a bit of pain for the overall good. I'm afraid now is one of those moments!

Tia is left agape as woman's eyes take on a dark purple hue, scouring Tia's hand and locking on to unseen and unwelcome bacteria. With a final significant glance of warning to Tia, and without hesitation, she mercilessly presses alcohol soaked swabs against Tia's already angered wounds! She works quickly but her treatment burns nearly as much as Ifani's magic. Yet rather than crying or yelping, Tia grits her teeth and stubbornly plods through the pain until the medic finishes her work.

There we go! she chimes, seemingly satisfied with her work

A frown tugs at Tia's worry ridden face, her hand appearing the same as when she arrived. Tia begins to wonder how the woman, or anyone, could possibly patch up such a messy wound.

Don't fret! the woman peeps That was the hardest part! Here...

She cups her hands together and they morph entirely into wood! A flower blossoms in her palm, blooming rapidly and then wilting away. After the petals fade a small growth expands until -before Tia's eyes- an apple ripens, cupped neatly in the woman's hands. Her face brightens, beaming at Tia before offering the fruit to her.

Um... Tia holds the apple in her other hand, looking it over before glancing back to the girl

She maintains a gleeful smile, gesturing for Tia to bite into the fruit. Tia does so, uncertain of the purpose. But as the first bites settles into her stomach, she feels a buzzing radiate out. It washes over her entire body before centering on her hand. Tia pauses chewing, her eyes popping as the skin of her hand seems to mend itself. The wound closes all on its own as if its natural healing process had been sped forward rapidly. Tia looks back to the girl again with wonder and she gives a chirping, satisfied laugh, the corners of her eyes crinkling with the expression.

Marvelous isn't it! she remarks and Tia can't help but smile back. With her wound healed, she guides Tia back to the entrance Well, sweetie, if you ever need anything else, I'll be waiting right here! the girl hums, settling back into her desk Oh, and you don't have to be torn up or half dead, I love getting any kind of company! Hearing this and that about anyone's day, it can get so dull in here

Tia chuckles, still finding something off-putting about her but appreciating her friendliness.

Thank you... um... Tia realizes she hadn't asked her name yet or given her own I'm Tia, by the way, and you?

Call me Lily! the woman answers and smiles all too sweetly

Thank you, Lily, goodnight! Tia smiles despite her still turbulent and roiling emotions, making her way outside

Lillith's smile drops as the door clicks shut. She purses her lips and taps her fingers on the desk, slowly and rhythmically.

Hmm... she hums, looking after Tia

She had noticed Tia's touch offered her no new form either, knowing this meant one of two things. Either she already has Tia's form or Tia was a shape shifter.

Certainly not her...! Wyrm denies, off on his own adventure much like Duff

Oh, I don't know Lillith sighs I suppose we'll see...!

Covert

Duff skitters along the edges of buildings as nightfall settles over the compound. He blends completely into the shadows and, in fact, they bend and stretch to welcome him as he makes his way past the plaza. He had been scouting out the grounds for nearly an hour now, finding the east half almost completely empty of humans during the evening -save security staff on patrols- and now explores the southwest portion of the compound. As he explores, it becomes apparent this zone was the private quarters of the staff. He moves more carefully now, dipping in and out of shadows rather than bending them directly. After a few minutes, he tails a number of staff as they make their way to a central lodge. It appears all off duty staff are gathering here. Duff darts inside beneath the feet of those entering. Wavering candlelight provides many hidden nooks for him to settle into and observe from. The humans cluster into little groups within the lounge, chatting about the events of their day, of new recruits and their interactions with them. As the bell tolls across the compound the Marshall steps onto a small platform and the room quickly goes silent. A swiveling chalkboard sits behind her, the clear slate serving as a stark backdrop. This is lightened as her lips curve into a smile and she holds up a glass of wine.

Here is to a successful first day Beatrice congratulates them Welcoming a very auspicious group of recruits!

Cheers and the clinking of glasses circulate the room. The marshall sips at her glass, giving them a moment to celebrate.

However… Beatrice continues with a sigh, tired admins, instructors and general staff glancing to each other warily I'm afraid we have one last bit of business to discuss. Today, we welcomed Prince Aldric, an heir from each House and even divine descendants and foreign royalties. I have been informed we have one more unexpected guest—an unwelcome one! her voice drops and grows harsh We may have one or more spies slipping in with today's recruits.

How is that possible? Instructor Baudin speaks up as whispers and astonishment circle the room These children are from the capital!

I understand your skepticism Beatrice answers over the shock and clamor But this comes from the very top! His majesty has tasked us with singling them out the room quiets all at once, allowing Beatrice to take advantage of the sudden hush We are not looking at a run of the mill spy. I have been informed that we are dealing with shape shifters posing as trainees!

Horror plants itself in the eyes of the staff, a morbid fright and disbelief falling over the room. Yet there are a number of staff more befuddles than they are frightened.

What is a "shape shifter"? Instructor Gan questions, rolling the unfamiliar term in her mouth

Her question earns her looks of disbelief or even disgust but their judgement rolls right off of her, unperturbed.

For those of you... unfamiliar with Accian myth, shape shifters are the living, breathing nightmare of every Accian citizen. They haunt our myths, our folkore and even our history, their very existance mocking the founding of our kingdom! Beatrice hisses, her vehemency leaving Gan blinking in astonishment They are created by demonic beasts, tempting the weak-willed with power and changing them into chimeric abominations! Despite bonding themselves to these foolish souls, the true masters of these beasts are the fallen gods themselves! Shape shifters are bound to serve this master, working to return humanity to the Dark Era by seeking out the revival of the Erlithmanil! Is that a clear enough picture for you?

Beatrice wears a severe frown as her eyes sweep the room. Gan hesitates to confirm as she and Beatrice's eyes meet, put off more than anything else. Yet another instructor pokes Gan with her elbow, exchanging frowns before Gan relents, rolling her eyes and nodding to Beatrice.

Fortunately, the royal scholars have been hard at work gathering intel to help us identify these... duplicitous infiltrators. Beatrice explains and turns, taking hold of the blackboard and swiveling it around. "Zalikar" is sprawled underneath his divine emblem and Duff feels his stomach drop at the sight.

Lord Ghislaine has determined the primary threat is a female dark shape shifter Beatrice continues, tapping the name on the sleek black board Beyond her ability to alter her appearance and magic form, she has a unique connection not to any one aspect but to the Dark King himself! There is no telling what kind of dark magic she is capable of so I urge you to be cautious. Don't try to subdue her on your own!

Even those among her staff unperturbed by the mere mention of a shape shifter grow pale but Beatrice's attention shifts to the blackboard, gesturing to a numbered list.

Yet this and other characteristics may lead us to her. Beatrice states optomistically The royal scholars are still compiling a more specific list of characteristics but for now I want you to report anyone suspicious, anyone meeting these criteria!

Appearance changes without enchantments Inconsistent Kaithur Unexplainable use of dark magic Unregistered Familiar Interactions with dark beasts

D-do we really, um a mousy instructor questions with a high and unsteady tone Lose our magic if she... touches us?

We don't know Beatrice drones wanly and anxious murmurs echo the lodge Lastly, in her true form she is believed to have stark white hair. If you spot a young woman with white hair, capture her if you can but keep in mind she may be extremely dangerous! Oh... Beatrice pauses to sigh, pinching her nose And please do not bring in Princess Zetian! Consider the Huaren royal an exception.

Duff's eyes linger on the board, boring into the slick black slate and powdery white chalk before he makes his way outside.

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