NOVGO.NET Chapter 2057 Embers and Ashes
Chapter 2057: Chapter 2057 Embers and Ashes
— Kat —
Kat flopped down on the couch in Steel’s house. Hedera matching her and picking a chair nearby. Lily woke up with the impact and decided to transform, stretching out and snuggling in to Kat’s body as the pair let out a sigh. Kat considered, for a few moments, just keeping the conversation topic rattling around in her head and just sharing it with Lily… but Hedera was here and might have her own insights. “Another mission and another dead end it feels like,” sighed Kat.
Hedera raised an eyebrow, adjusting her seating a bit so that she could see Kat while still being relaxed. “Technically we did what we were meant to do,” said Hedera. Her heart wasn’t really in it either. It seemed things had been wearing on her a bit.
“Maybe but it feels bad. We keep reacting to things, and this Appoline deal… I thought we were figuring something out. We were investigating and steps away from pushing to get some information out of her… and that nearly fell through before the poison went wild. It just feels like we’re not doing anything anymore. We haven’t good any useful items, and the orbs are nice but… I don’t know. I feel like maybe we could be doing better elsewhere but I don’t know who else could’ve solve the mist and…” Kat just ended her complaints by waving her hands through the air.
“Well I sure feel useful,” added Hedera.
“I didn’t mean that…” Kat tried to say.
Only for Hedera to cut it off. “It’s fine. I don’t feel too bad about it. My team splits the duties as well so it’s not like I’ m always or even regularly in the thick of it… but the power difference isn’t quite so big normally. I already told you, I’m happy to keep this team up going for as long as you want. I don’t love it… but my best chance at second place? It’s hanging around with you. I don’t really think winning is on the table for my team. I could be wrong, maybe I’m just pessimistic about my chances…
“And I admit that this obviously isn’t a winning strategy… but it’s the best one I can come up with. It’s one I’m happy enough to stick with. Currently? We’re staying in the race. To me, that’s progress,” Hedera ran a hand through her hair. “I’m not saying this hasn’t been frustrating but for me this isn’t anything new. I’ve had plenty of jobs tracking people or monsters were the trail goes cold. Sometimes you just have to stick around and hope for the best, and other times the mission is a bust.
“I guess what I’m trying to say… is that you shouldn’t let this sort of thing get you down. It happens. We were being somewhat proactive and even if things weren’t looking to be perfect, we were creating options for the guards who are, presumably, on the same side as us. Besides, we have a nice place to stay. Free food that’s high quality, and a good supply of orbs. If things go bad for other people then we can keep riding everything out until the centre opens. That will change the whole game… but that’s a future problem.”
Kat chewed on that answer for a bit. “I see where you’re coming from. I can even agree intellectually… but it doesn’t quite soothe the sting of failure.”
“I really don’t think you’ve been failing,” added Hedera.
At the same time, Lily also added. “I think you’re doing well. I haven’t been using my magic to that great effect.”
Kat pulled her girlfriend in closer for a kiss before looking back over at Hedera. “That’s nice to hear but I’m still not sure my heart can believe it you know?”
Hedera shrugged, “I suppose I can understand that. Sometimes that’s just how it is. I still think we’re doing fine though, at least from my perspective. Better than fine in fact it.”
“So… if I was to suggest that we go and explore the remains of Appoline’s lab for clues you’d probably shut me down?” Kat spoke to the air. Deliberately not looking at Hedera.
“Yes. Yes I would, and I will,” stated Hedera. “Alchemy labs are delicate things, and in the unlikely event it hasn’t been looted it HAS been contaminated. If one vial cracks, it’s basically all over. While it’s possible to enchant things to keep it all safe and stable… there is a limit, and I don’t think Appoline would’ve been willing to go that far.”
“Why not? She seems really into the profession,” asked Kat.
“Because it was a secret lab,” countered Hedera. “If you want the top of the line enchantments to stop potion contamination? Then you need to pump the wards so full of magic that standing anywhere nearby would let basically any mage find out.”
“Then why was she confident in dumping that pink glittery goop everywhere?” asked Kat.
“Probably because it’s specially designed not to interact with the vials. It might even be more sophisticated then that, capable of isolating various potions to keep them in their original states until Appoline can come and make a decision about them,” explained Hedera.
“Ok… but then couldn’t she set up a system to release that sort of thing to protect all her stuff?” asked Kat.
Hedera thought over the question. “Theoretically… but I can’t see the pink glitter sticking around forever. Surely not longer then twelve hours. Perhaps if she was a higher Rank alchemist with access to more materials… but what she’s already done is CRAZY for a Rank 2. Though I wonder…”
“Wonder what?” asked Kat.
“If she’s actually Rank 2, or just limited in the same way you are?” Hedera pondered.
“Hmmm would Thyme really do that? I can see them offering above rate recipes, and perhaps a potion or two above capabilities to study. WAIT” An idea suddenly formed in Kat’s mind. “Do you think that mysterious potion maker collaborating with Appoline is Thyme? Or perhaps someone Thyme hired to help out with all of this?”
“That… that would make sense,” agreed Hedera. “I’m not sure how much we can make use of that information but it’s something to keep in mind. She can probably get unique ingredients that way at the very least. So she’s not as limited as the city’s domed nature would suggest…”
“On that topic, do you think she was responsible for the… everything?” asked Kat.
“That’s harder to say. I haven’t even seen her. Sure I’ve listened in to everyone talking about her, but it’s not like I really KNOW her?” grumbled Hedera. “So I’ve got no idea. Though, I agree it couldn’t have been set up by just one person.”
Kat sighed, “Once again, left we no idea of what to do next,”
“Just be patient,” said Hedera softly. “Soon we’ll have the info from the interrogation and I doubt it will be completely useless. Perhaps it won’t be what we want to know, but it’s probably something that can point us towards other topics. For once.”
“I dunno, she seemed somewhat crazy,” countered Kat. “Might not be able to get anything coherent from her.”
“That’s an answer too. Driving someone properly insane, or finding someone the right kind of crazy to go along with something like that without spilling information? That’s a skill. It tells us a lot about our potential enemy. Or that they’re just really lucky,” Hedera added with a shrug. “Plus, I want to see what Lin comes back with. She’s going to be PISSED that her spy ring had nothing on this and if they don’t find anything noteworthy? Well that’s probably them out of the job. Also greatly shamed in public.”
Kat tapped along to Hedera’s statement using Lily’s cheeks. Her girlfriend seemed to find it amusing because she’d deliberately puffed them up after the first few taps. “Hmmmm, alright I admit that’s actually a lot more info then I was expecting. Or well, I was expecting we wouldn’t get much from a crazy person but I’m glad to know that isn’t the case. We can at least hope to have something useful, or insightful.”
“Exactly,” agreed Hedera.
“Should I have a proper sleep?” Kat asked, mostly to herself. “I’m still kind of wired up from the fight but also sort of exhausted? Then again, this might be the chance to fix my sleep schedule up a bit. How long until we hear back from them do you think?”
“I’d assume a while. Personally, if you want to fix your sleep schedule I’d recommend sleeping now, and then getting up as late as you can stand, and then just staying up. I’ve at least had some powernaps throughout the day to keep refreshed, so I’m probably going to eat first at the very least,” answered Hedera.
“And you know I was resting when you weren’t actively fighting,” added Lily. “I can sleep wherever. So it’s basically just up to you,”
“I think I’ve burned a lot of demonic energy and I’m keen for some sleep. Maybe not too much but at least some. I’ll see how I go… but I’ll make some food for everyone first,” announced Kat.