Lost and found again

[Syron]

Year 4, November 17, Morning

Where was he? Has he left? No, that couldn't be. Something must have happened to him. Why else wouldn't he come back? He knew Shade needed him, didn't he? Especially now...

After the incident at the HQ Shade found it hard to calm down. Impossible, to be exact. She had managed to get back into the hideout, but when she didn't find who she had hoped for she broke down crying again. Why did this have to happen? Wasn't it enough that Skylight had been taken from her? The night had been spent in the hideout, hoping for Scrapper's return, but he still wasn't back in the morning. Panic began rising, he shouldn't have been away this long. But where could he be? The task had been to search the Undermarket for Scintillance, that gave no clue on where Shade should search for Scrapper. Eventually she left, but after a short and frantic search she found the hope that he might have returned to the hideout in the meantime. He hadn't.

With each out passing hour Shade was more distraught. Her mind didn't stop producing scenarios of how he might have died and hardly had the will to search again, but eventually she tried again. It was already night again, which meant some less activity in the tunnels, but in a place like the Undermarket night time was still time of business for quite a few ponies. The fact that rumors about "The Shadow" were already spreading went unnoticed, she clearly had other things in mind. With her shadowspell active all the time, often in higher strength than would have been advisible, nopony would be able to see Shade, but the rumors would spread even more if somepony noticed the unnatural darkness moving by.

The search went unsuccessful again, it was some time in the morning that she lost the will to do another step. She lay down where she was, in a dark corner where nopony could see her, and if her eyes hadn't been tear-streaked anyway, it would have happened now. She wouldn't find him, he was gone. Only a sudden bright light in the corner of her eye made her look up.

[Lance]

Lance woke up on a rooftop in his usual fashion. slowly getting up to standing on his hooves, promptly saying "Nope." and falling right back down. and then peeling himself off the cot right after. He wasn't late, this time, so he had no need to rush. He sparked his horn, Conjured his Avian, and glided down to ground level, attracting a scene like he did the other morning.

He was trotting at a decent, and casual pace, and levitated a quarts pebble from his pocket, making sure it was still there, and promptly put it back into his pocket.

[Syron]

The golden glow already told her, and when he was on the ground Shade knew for sure who it was. Lance, she whispered. Scrapper had set out to search for him, maybe Scintillance could lead her somewhere. The possibility was there, and if there was one thing Shade would never do, it was giving up on a friend if there was still a chance. That Scintillance tended to bring up unwanted memories didn't matter now, it couldn't get any worse. But Shade still stayed hidden as she followed him.

[Lance]

Lance trotted through the undermarket streets, and eventually took a left turn towards the supposedly uninhabited tunnels. trotting through, he pulled his pebble out once more, and looked searched around a little before the rock-wall suddenly opened itself. He felt a strange presence watching him, just like yesterday. Stopping at the door way, he gave a quick search around the caves. if he didn't see anything, he would've simply continued into the passage, and it would slowly close behind him.

((Your choice, buddy. Is Lance going to see anything, or is Shade going to squeeze her way through behind him, or get stuck out there? xD))

[Syron]

(( First of all, I feel I must point out that there's a metal door, the wall doesn't simply slide open. Where have you gotten that from? xD

Second, I have another plan. I registered proximity sensors, remember? ))

Shade kept a large distance, not wanting to be anywhere near Lance' ridiculously bright light. She might not have been very cautious, but the comfort darkness provided to her was enough for her to stay out of sight anyway. Though she was there, Lance wouldn't be able to notice her, not without a direct comparison with the scene without her artificial darkness. It blended in too well.

So far, no hint had shown up, and Shade was already losing hope again before they even arrived at the end. The somewhat hidden door eventually raised her attention. She couldn't follow him here without making herself noticed, and she wouldn't do that. She didn't want to have to deal with Scintillance. She simply watched and waited.

[Silvern Gleam]

Silvern woke up, the world around her one of chaos, until she called her magical senses to order. There was still an overwhelming lot of information coming in, but Sil could recognize it as her shop. Still not having moved a bit she found the time crystal next to her mattress. 7:55 am. She was still tired, but business time was nearing, and so she dragged herself to the shower. That was when she remembered what had happened. Scrapper was still lying there, and with shock she had to notice that the spell was still active as well, though weaker now. The shower had been turned off, Skry probably had continued to watch over him for quite some time. And now that she was a little more a aware, Sil also noticed the other unicorn sleeping in the selling room. She was about to wake her when the proximity sensors picked something up. Sil had replaced the damaged one before going to sleep, and apparently it was working properly again. Considering the time, she didn't worry much about who could be coming, it was probably Scintillance. Good thing he was on time today.

After waking Skry, Sil's horn caught the pulse from Lance' key, it indeed was her assistant. At first she was just glad he was here, but when he stepped into the selling room, she found something else to tell him than his roommate lying unconscious in the shower, and she was everything else than happy about it. Congratulations, you've been followed. Again.

[Lance]

Lance turned his head questioningly towards Silvern. "...again? What do you mean? As far as I can tell, the only pony that followed me was you, a few nights ago... and then..." Lance paused, realizing that one of his friends was a darned ninja-assassin, and the other was a ninja-parkour-rogue. He face-hoofed, realizing that he should have expected to have such eyes on him.

Scintillance turned to an annoyed glance, and that annoyance can be heard through his words. "Lemme guess... there's either a black unicorn outside that metal door, or a black, white and gray earth pony with a pair of red goggles and a creepy face mask."

[Silvern Gleam]

Despite being barely able to fully open her eyes from tiredness, Skry was the first to answer anyway. Black unicorn is it then, she said yawningly and looked worriedly and Lance. The earth pony is already here, under the shower. You should see him, he was in pain the whole night.
Yes, you should see him, but first I want to be sure that we don't have a hostile out there, Silvern interjected. What do we have to expect if that's your friend?

[Lance]

"Earth pony already here..? Scrapper!?"
Lance started trotted towards the toilet/shower/place/thingy as soon as he knew where to go, talking all the way. "The earth pony's a lean, mean, insult machine, but if you pull an insult back, he'd either laugh it off or stab you. depends on his mood. the unicorn's not gonna be a problem unless you tickle her temper, or she has a contract for your head. right now, I'm the only pony in real danger, in this room, if either of them are here. and... WHAT DID YOU DO TO SCRAPPER!?" Lance yelled that one quite loudly.maybe even loud enough for Shade to hear, if the doors weren't all too soundproofed.

As soon as he saw his friend on the floor, Scintillance hurried over to the unconscious pony, and looked to the mares, expecting an answer.

[Silvern Gleam]

We didn't do anything, Silvern defended them. Well, okay, I paralyzed and questioned him because I had no idea who he was, but this happened way after that. He's suffering from a spell in his head, and I have no clue what it is.
Skry on the other hoof had caught herself at something else. Contract on my head? she asked flabbergasted. You have an assassin as friend?!?
Now that it was spoken out, Silvern registered what Lance had said as well, and looked uneasily at Skry, then at Lance. What she said. And why would you be in danger if your friends are here?

[Lance]

Scintillance sighed. He certainly wasn't allowed to reveal any much about Shade, or scrapper. Even Silvern can talk to anypony, and anypony could be a spy. After Shade's recent... loss, Lance couldn't risk anything. But, if he was vague enough, he could play the role of a mysterious pony. hopefully, it's enough to keep the questions off him. "Yes, Skry, I have an assassin as a friend, and a whole army of ninjas at my command. But let's just say I tickled the unicorns' temper."[/color] Lance turned back to his friend. he's only barely known of his condition, from the few whispers he's overheard and the one time his eyes glowed slightly when he spoke with him, but none more. Shade spent more time with him, She might know more than he did. "You said there was another entity outside, anything your blind-sight magic can tell you before I find out There's a different pony after my head?"

[Silvern Gleam]

An assassin. So that was the kind of ponies Scintillance socialized with? Give her some money and she kills somepony for you? And she was right in front of her shop, possibly targeting Scintillance. Sounds like a great friend, Skry stated Sil's thought.

Let's take a look then, Sil replied to Scintillance' request and walked to the front door, without opening it. Her report came instantly. Definitely a unicorn, constantly casting some area spell. But from this distance I can't make out what it is.

[Lance]

"casting an area spell? sounds like her awkward darkness spell. Scintillance smirked, and head towards the entrance, humorously saying "That's my assassin, alright. If I topple over and you find a shuriken stabbed into my face, please don't bury me in a coffin. just burn me, and bury the ashes. better than rotting in a wooden prison." Lance fearlessly pulled his quarts pebble out, and trotted out the entrance. though the area still seemed dark, he knew Shade was there. somewhere. "Oh would you please just turn that spell off? I know you're out there, you know I know you're out there, and we're just wasting time. At least for the sake of Scrapper, something's wrong with him, and I'm hoping you know better than to leave him to suffer."

[Syron]

Suddenly the door opened again, and it hadn't even taken long. Was Lance already done with what he had to do here? That question was quickly answered, and when Lance mentioned Scrapper suffering, she was just as quickly at the door, pinning down Scintillance, mostly because Sil and Skry still stood a bit behind the corner and hadn't been directly visible at first. Where is he? she asked, her voice only a poisonous whisper. Her spell had been reduced to only hide her face, the rest was taken care of by her cloak.

[Lance]

Lance was expecting Shade to pop up out of nowhere, but not expecting to be pinned like that, and managed an "oomph!" half glad to see his old friend again, but half upset on what terms they were standing, Lances response could have been mistaken for monotone. "Fangs away, Shade. Scrapper's in the bathroom, and I'd gladly take you there if I wasn't held down here."

[Syron]

Shade slowly let him go, now also keeping an eye on a pony she spotted behind the doorway. If her face hadn't been hidden, suspicion could have been seen, but Scrapper was in there, and Shade had her weapons with her. All shurikens had been conjured and waited for use, if anything should happen, she was prepared.

[Silvern Gleam]

Silvern had an uneasy feeling when Lance stepped outside, and to her horror, Skry shared it. The green unicorn looked warily around the corner just to see Lance being tackled and held down by a cloaked pony. Apparently it was Lance' friend, but that unicorn certainly didn't act like it. She didn't even show her face, only a mask of darkness. Okay, Scrapper hadn't shown his face as well, and Skry hadn't gotten a bad feeling about him. This mare... even though she let Lance go, Skry expected danger. The question was, which way brought the least danger? I'm not comfortable with letting her in, but I think denying her counts as "tickling her temper", she whispered to Sil, and stepped back into the selling room, out of the way. Sil followed after a close examination of her newest "guest", a surprisingly easy task. The assassin's heavily enchanted shuriken's stood out to the blind unicorn, as well as this spell she was still casting. Some kind of energy absorption. Sil stepped into the selling room as well, and secretly took the milky white gem that was making up the paralysis trap. She might need it.

[Lance]

Finally released of his unnecessary grip, Lance followed after Shade, and then trotted ahead of her. "Angry black unicorn, meet Silvern and Skry. Silvern and Skry, angry black unicorn." Lance hoped to keep the details on silence. Moreso, hoped Shade understood that. "Now if you would follow me into the bathroom, here, we have a not exactly conscious earth pony. I'm hoping you have a better clue as to what's happening with him, because I got nothing, and neither of these mares did it to him."

[Syron]

Shade hardly listened to Lance, and simply followed him to Scrapper. Scrapper!, she called out as she stormed into the tiny room, where she either had to sit on the "toilet" or stand right above him. Of course it was the latter she chose. She began to remove his goggles, but then remembered the others. As before her voice was merely a whisper, but this time not filled with anger, but worry. Everypony, please, leave us.

[Silvern Gleam]

Skry heard the worry, and was surprised. She hadn't expect something like worry from this faceless unicorn, only trouble. And for good reason, with what Scintillance had told them. No chance, I'm gonna keep...
Skry's harsh objection was suddenly interrupted by Sil's hoof on her shoulder. It's alright.
She understood immediately, Silvern could watch anyway. Skry nodded and they went away from the room.

[Lance]

Lance left with Silvern and Skry. with his experiences from their foalhoods, and her condition when he first came across her nearly a week ago, He already knew well enough that she wasn't heartless, but wore a better mask than his. "Wow, I wasn't expecting her to lose her cool that quickly. You'll rarely see that soft side of her, but it's there. She does a lot to keep from slipping her emotions." Scintillance didn't want to leave the mares to an awkward silence. "um... how'd scrapper get in here? the earth pony, I mean. aren't your defenses supposedly impenetrable, Silvern?

[Syron]

Once Shade was alone with Scrapper she made sure that the door was closed she canceled her spell and threw back her hood as she leaned over Scrapper again. When he woke up he would see her distress, but now that she was by his side and knew what had happened she found herself calming down. She removed his goggles and face mask and smiled weakly at him. Time to wake up, she said and placed a kiss on his lips.

[Scrapper]

Scrapper was completely out of it, in a strange world of his own. But even though he felt lost, the words Shade spoke still echoed into his dreams, but as a completely different voice. More ghostly, and far distant. 'Time to wake up'
On cue with that, he regained consciousness. To see the one pony he really wanted to see. He leaned forward and held her closer, keeping the kiss connected a little bit longer. As his vision began to finally clear from events a few hours ago, that's when he slowly broke the kiss, "I was just resting my eye's" he said jokingly. Once he realized where he was, he added, "In a bathroom, I was sleeping in a bathroom. Okay, that's just bloody stupid." Equally trying to stop Shade from worrying any longer, as well as let her know he's okay.
"I'm sorry I left you for as long as I did Las, but I think we both did things other than look for Lance." He continued to grin happily.

[Silvern Gleam]

Not impenetrable I suppose, Silvern answered. But I let him in and paralyzed him. But this happened when he had already recovered from...
Suddenly Silvern stopped in surprise. Uh, what?!? Surprise turned into skepticism. She kissed him... and it worked!
At this, Skry burst into laughter. I thought ... the prince kisses ... the princess awake ... not the other way around!

[Syron]

Shade was surprised by the hint Scrapper gave, how could he already know? How did you... she began to ask him, but then shoved her surprise away. Doesn't matter. She still had a tear running down her cheek, but probably the last one. She leaned down for an embrace, ending up practically lying on the larger stallion.

They were completely dependant on each other. Shade had hardly any control over herself if Scrapper wasn't there, and Scrapper's memories apparently were able to take him out if Shade wasn't there. They had to stay near each other. Right now, Shade very much liked that thought.

[Scrapper]

Scrapper happily accepted the embrace Shade was giving, and returned it as well. He was happy the smaller mare was okay after what he heard she did. He may have actually felt bad about whatever soul had to try and deal with her in that situation.
"They tried to help, by the way. The two unicorns. They did what they could at least." He said, hoping to make Shade less snappy at them. Whilst also keeping his captive moments to himself. What it actually felt like when it happened though, was that his headache was suppressed when Sil did whatever she did. But rather than venting it just blocked it. And as soon as it got out it came out with a vengeance and completely took him out doing so.

[Lance]

on one hoof, Lance was snickering to himself; this was the first time he ever saw Shade go lovey-dovey. On the other hoof... this was the first time he ever saw Shade go lovey-dovey, which left him mildly confused. He had no idea of any of what was going on between Shade and Scrapper. He didn't want to interrupt the two ponies, but the urge to know was strong. Boldly making his way into the bathroom, after witnissing the scene from outside, he wanted his answers."OK, two nights without hearing from either of you and then... this? any pony mind explaining what the heck did I miss?"

[Syron]

Shade silently enjoyed the embrace until they were rudely interrupted by Lance coming in. She stood up and turned around quickly to deliver the only explanation Lance would receive: A heavy hit to the face. Despite her small size, Shade knew how to deliver a painful blow. I'm sorry for what I said three days ago, but this was deserved, she said coldly and then turned to the two other unicorns. She slightly bowed her head and spoke in a much more respectful tone. Thank you for helping.

[Silvern Gleam]

Lance, I don' think... It was already too late, Lance had opened the door and disturbed them. That was bound to happen, Skry muttered when she saw the result. Then the black unicorn faced them and Skry froze up, until she noticed the hardly dry tears and the actually sincere tone. She hadn't expected that to be hidden under the hood.

We didn't help much, we could only watch, Silvern answered the assassin, a little nervous, but able to hide it behind by a mask of politeness. I'm glad you... knew how to deal with that.

[Scrapper]

Scrapper took the time to get his gear back on, he was quick to do it as well. He found it weird that he was left to sleep in a shower, but he didn't get much choice in the matter at the time.
Having left his face-mask down, if not by accident, by comfort that Shade was there and that they couldn't make him tell how he got such well placed scars. Even the one on his face which was mean't to symbolize that the Griffon's 'Owned' him, created years ago with that meaning in mind. Funny they didn't manage to actually enforce that meaning by 'Keeping' him. Although when others have seen it, it did cause distrust.
He went around and stood next to Shade, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "You wanted to do more for me, I knew that much at least." He looked to Lance and grinned. "You need to respect others privacy, mate. Feel lucky you didn't have me cracking you in the jaw, I'd probably have broken it." Funny, he probably would have. Earth Ponies tend to be stronger than Unicorns. They have to do everything manually, not magically. He normally called Unicorns Lazy, but doing that openly was rude as it seems. He keeps it to himself.

[Lance]

Scintillance was not amused. a good punch to him, and he kept his hoof over his muzzle from then on. He sounded a little... weird (think common cold nose-blocked) But if there was any joy in him, it wasn't visible now. only a scowl escaped his expression. "Alright, alright, but I'm quickly losing my temper now. you wanted me gone, I left. now I find scrapper stalked me yesterday, and that you did the same just this morning. And then I find out you two've been doing much better own your twosome. So... is there a reason I'm finding both of you here of all places?"

[Syron]

Wanted you gone... yes, I can't deny that, Shade said, looking at Scintillance at least somewhat apologetic. But more importantly I actually needed you gone. I know I treated you unfair, but all I can do is to give you an explanation you already know. Even now with Scrapper by her side Shad wasn't able to suppress the memories connected with him. Memories about Skylight. All the effect it had for the moment however was that a slight tremor in her voice. As for why we followed you... We still need contact with you, and when Scrapper didn't come back I searched for him and found you. Finding you is as easy as we expected.

[Silvern Gleam]

Listening to the conversation, Silvern couldn't help but frown. We definitely have to talk about secrecy, she said to Scintillance. If you're followed every time you come here this location will be known to the whole Undermarket in no time.
I told you he's a light bulb, came an instant comment from Skry, who finally forced her eyes away from that scar in Scrapper's face at which she had stared since he had come out of the bath. She wasn't worried about the mark, but somewhat disturbed. Apart from the other scars he had, this one definitely didn't just come from a fight.

[Scrapper]

"By 'Gone' Lad, she didn't mean completely out of her life." He said after Skry's comment, he did feel her eye's drift to his scar the moment he became visible, and it did make him feel funny. But he shrugged it off for now. "Dim down the angry comments and you would have simply been told you couldn't hang around." He went over to Lance and tapped his horn sarcastically, "I'd advise against getting angry though, It's not your style." That and he'd probably floor him in a second should he need to defend himself, that's the whole reason he went up and tapped his horn. Hoping for that sudden outburst., and a reason to avoid the blame for him getting hurt a little, tiny bit.

[Lance]

Lance couldn't help but feel like he was turning into the pony at fault, here. Everypony in the room was pretty much looking at him, and after Scrapper poked at his horn and told him angry wasn't his style... Lance noticed he was angry. and that scowling anger turned to a frowning guilt. "I suppose... yeah, maybe I was out of place too... but, really, if you wanted to talk to me, you could've just asked, if you saw me earlier, and not just stalked after me. Both of you. And Silvern, I'm going to have to apologize, these two are the only ponies to have any reason to follow me, and frankly, they shouldn't have, but I'll have to put that behind us. as far as I can tell, any griffin that saw me actually fight is... well, dead. And these two friends of mine, here, aren't going to tell anypony of your shop." Lance turned to Scrapper and Shadowstrike, stretching his last word "Riiiight?"

[Syron]

Shade rolled her eyes in annoyance at a notion Lance brought up. I didn't want to talk to you, I wanted to find Scrapper, she said after he was finished before answering with what he was asking for. I have no reason to talk about this to anypony outside this circle. I hope the same goes everypony here. And, being in favor of that apparently blind pony having a talk about secrecy with Lance, Shade decided to help with that, underlined by a small smirk as a conversation from a few days ago came to mind. This was the perfect proof that Lance wasn't cautious enough. Lance, one thing you have to learn: Everypony might have an interest in following you, especially since you're a rebel now. That you know this place is another reason. By the way, what kind of shop is this?

[Scrapper]

"Don't forget, Shade came looking for Me. If I hadn't been a nosy git most of this wouldn't have happened." He said irritatingly. It felt like a bunch of blame was being thrown at Shade when in true fact, he was the whole reason any of this had happened.
"And don't worry, you had good intentions for me when I needed help. I can't turn around and betray that. That secrets safe with me." Just then, he recalled what he was actually doing when he had an attack. And decided to see if he could finish that off while he remembers. "Hey, that thing I brought in. I do plan on keeping it, but I didn't catch that price. Think you can remind me?" Realizing he asked a question at pretty much the same time as Shade, he politely added, "Ladies first" While motioning everyone to answer Shade's question first.

[Silvern Gleam]

Silvern nodded at the confirmations that the two guests would keep silent about her shop, while Skry simply pieced together what she knew so far. I trade with Artifacts, answered Shade's question, and turned to Scrapper. For the analysis of your artifact it's not more than 150, I expect it to be less. I should be done with it in three days. But I think there's another service I could offer you, since you apparently have some spell in your head.We can discuss that in private if you want, she added after short consideration, though everypony here knew abut it anyway by now.

Skry kept silent, but she had a thoughtful look on Shade now. When the assassin had her hood up, her face hadn't been visible, hidden by darkness. More darkness than the hood could have provided. The Shadow... could it be? Was this the unicorn who had slaughtered the guard near the HQ?

[Lance]

Scintillance made a quick reply to Shade, "Even if I'm a rebel, like I said, I've yet to do anything suspicious." otherwise, he hadn't much else to say, and kept quiet to the conversation.

[Scrapper]

"Everything happens for a reason, rebel or not." He said to Lance, basically telling him that anypony would have a reason to follow him.
He turned to Sil, with a fairly blank expression. "I'd rather talk about it in private." He said calmly, under a mask of uncertainty. This is something he's had since he was younger, as much as he'd be glad to let it go forever, he didn't know what Sil mean't or what she planned.

[Syron]

Scrapper had an artifact? No, not the most interesting thing right now. Spell in his head? Okay, that wasn't exactly a new info, the glowing eyes already had been an indication, but this unicorn seemed to know more. I hope you consider me private then, Shade said and leaned a little against Scrapper, not willing to accept a no as answer. She would be near anyway to jump in if Scrapper should have another attack, but she preferred to stay directly by his side for now. Not to mention that Scrapper would probably tell her everything afterwards.

[Scrapper]

Scrapper smiled, "Of course, I couldn't even imagine saying no." he said to Shade, acting as a resting post for the time being.

[Silvern Gleam]

Silvern nodded and fixed her silver eyes on her assistant. It was working hour, and so she wouldn't let him sit around idly. Lance, in the library in the lowest shelf to the right you find a book on magic theory. Please start reading it while I take care of this.
The theory described in that book had been new when it came out shortly before the war, and the war stopped its spread quickly. It basically said that the physical world - what everybody could feel, taste, smell, hear and see - was actually not quite real. The author theorized that the world was but a projection, a fake image of the magical world. It was known that everything had an imprint in the weave of magic that was present everywhere, hardly any unicorn wouldn't understand the term "magic signature", but that this signature was actually everything that mattered, that the physical appearance of an object was only an interpretation of the structure of its magic, was a daring idea. Silvern was sure there would be some ponies uncomfortable with the thought that their body and everything they perceived wasn't actually there, or at least not in the sense they had thought so far.
The book had been written by a unicorn called Silverstone, but the acknowledgement on the first page was more likely to catch Lance' attention: "Thanks to my teacher and friend Silvern Gleam, who taught me practically everything about magic I know today."

After Scintillance was provided with work, Skry found herself with not much to do. Well, a nap would be nice, and that is best done at home. I think I'll take my leave. I didn't really plan on spending the night here anyway. I'll probably come around again later, she said as she made her way through the selling room.
Alright, see you later then, Sil answered before the green unicorn disappeared behind the corner.
Bye!

Both doors of the selling room closed, leaving Sil alone in the room with an assassin and a case of mind magic causing trouble. The latter was enough to let Sil forget the former for the moment. She sat down at the table and said what she wanted to say. As I already said, you carry a spell in your head that caused this attack. I'm an expert in magic, but this night hasn't been enough time for me to figure out much about it. With the little knowledge I currently have I can't say anything for certain, but with time I might be able to help, if you're interested.

[Scrapper]

Scrapper saw a downside, a ton of pain most likely. But he believed in a cost for thing like that. But he wasn't guaranteed a cure, just a chance. One he was more than willing to take to be ridden of this 'Spell' "Would you have enjoyed living your life with a problem like that? I doubt it, I guess you can call me more than interested." He also didn't want to be a burden for Shade, his headache alone was a burden to himself. If he had one while they were in some kind of danger... No, he'd rather have a chance to be ridden of it.

[Silvern Gleam]

Sil nodded thoughtfully. Now that I know it is there I can find it in its dormant state, but... I don't think I'll be able to analyze it properly like that.Seeing how much pain it causes, I won't attempt to trigger it as long as I'm not sure that it can be put to sleep again. Sorry for spying on you earlier, but I like to know what's going on in my home, and now I have to ask something. Sil's eyes wandered from Scrapper to his apparently marefriend. The spell receded when you kissed him. Did you expect that to happen?

[Syron]

Shade frowned a little, she had thought Scintillance had been the only one disregarding their privacy, but seeing that the unusual treatment for Scrapper's problem was indeed of interest here, she accepted it and told Sil everything she knew. Yes, I expected it. From what I know so far the spell stands in connection with blocked memories. If I distract him sufficiently from those memories the spell apparently loses its strength. To me it sounds like the pain comes from fighting the spell, and as ridiculously romantic as it is, I suspect that by kissing him I actually shift the balancing between his signature and the spell enough for him to win the fight.

[Silvern Gleam]

Yes, that makes sense, Sil said. Surprisingly much sense actually. That assassin apparently knew a few things about magic, even though her spellwork earlier had seemed a little chaotic. Well, her behavior had seemed a little distressed, so that was probably understandable. But that wasn't really what Sil should think about at the moment. Then there's only the question if kissing him will always be enough. But it gives me some hints, she continued. Scrapper, can you remember if there was anything different when I tried to interfere with the spell yesterday?

[Scrapper]

Scrapper nodded, "I saw flashes of imagery, Things I don't ever recall seeing or doing. It also didn't feel as bad, until you let go."

[Silvern Gleam]

With this connection to your memories I have a guess what those images might have been, Silvern said sighingly. Scrapper probably won't be the only one getting headaches from this spell. Well, if this was all you can tell me, I think we're done here for now. I have a few hints, so I'll try to find out as much as possible without having to trigger it. And after this night I won't put you through it right again anyway. I suggest that you come by in a few days, whenever you think you're ready for it. Hopefully I should be done with your artifact by then as well. Though I must warn you that I'm not always in the shop. If the door doesn't open after a minute, assume I'm not available. And please don't try to force it open.

[Scrapper]

Scrapper nodded, "Thanks, I'll be sure to do that. Nobody's ever come up and said they might fix this and I'd be happy to take the chance." Scrapper leaned on Shade a little, "C'mon Las, no reason to hang around now" he said sarcastically before beginning towards the door. Only to stop because he remembered his gear, "Oh bugger, hey whe-" was all he got out before he turned around to see his stuff being magically hovered in his face. As he took it, a pulled his mask back up and nodded a 'Thanks' back to Sil before heading out the door along with Shade.

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