In the world of vibrant meadow, tall with grasses swaying.
Selina stood, lacking a lower-half as she integrated within the world that had designed her a white intricate gown and golden-silver hair.
Using the time while on duty in guarding the Chanis Gate and because Ademinsaul has yet to undergo an examination. She went ahead to respond the prayers of her believers.
When the horizon carried a cooling and soothing breeze. She felt one of the vines calling her name.
It was Kother. She quickly injected the segment with her spirituality and opened a connection.
Gray thin fog that is see through covered the lands and entered a brawly man with stubbled chin and tied long hair.
It has only been awhile and your hair has already grown so much? What's your hair product? Selina jokingly mused inside.
"Your grace, I came to report the status of the major organizations roaming in Backlund. As of recently, I have came into contact with the Temperance faction, fractured part of the Rose School of Thought. It seems they're after an item called Scarlet Corona in exchange for a book.
"I believe it is the Book of Secrets that belonged to Primordial Moon believer Klarman."
Alright firstly, how'd you managed to know that? Selina almost blurted that out.
"In another note, I have recently entered a gathering of one of the Aurora Order's Oracle, Mr. A." Kothe added solemnly.
Mr. A? Isn't that the person Klein wanted to find?
"As of the moment, I have been acquainting myself with the Temperance faction to gain valuable intel regarding their counterpart and the whole of the Primordial Moon faction." as Kothe continues, he finally couldn't contain his worries.
"Mrs. White. How's Jean and our daughter?"
Daughter? Selina was taken aback. Right! She's pregnant... I can't. I don't know. Ugh you're making worried too!
She was clearly frustrated but fought the sensation from affecting her image and placing Kother in a deeper situation.
Pregnant... That's right! Perhaps I can perceive them through Jean's child! Sigh... we can only try...
"She's going to be alright. You need not to worry."
Kothe let out a sigh of relief. "I'm planning to take a fare to the South Continent once I've gathered enough intel about their activity. Mrs. White please permit me to do so. Once I'm there I'll be available for aid and would continue report the status of what I've encountered to you."
Selina isn't concerned about money as of the moment. So she gave her permission to use his share before shifting to another person praying to her.
It was Yesir. Informing her of the laundering process of the cash she bestowed them. Same goes for the other members.
Selina wearily mused during this until Isabelle finally the next one to pray.
"Mrs. White, I have finally convinced Dylan to learn about you." Isabelle excitedly report.
"Oh, and I've finally learned of what the boon selection ritual is called!
"The Rite of the Blood Moon."
...
"He-Help... What are you doing? Help! Help!"
Ademinsaul's head turned sideways and up. His behavior was turning erratic as the cold environment stresses him.
Inside of the alchemy room. Old Neil, clad in a robe and a pointed hat, appearing like a wizard, had his speckles reflects the dim lamplight.
He was getting ready to prepare the potion. Out of the batch of ingredients requested from the Holy Church.
"Boohoo! Haha! Dream! Corpses, blood! Everywhere! Help! Hahaha!" Ademinsaul laughed hysterically.
"We are there! You are there! Me is there! Haha, Boohoo!"
Looking at the tied up Ademinsaul, squirming vigorously as if threatening to fall down. He secretly sighed.
As sounds of water are gushing soundly. Selina, Leonard and Klein are beyond the door, quietly waiting a few distance from it.
After some time. Leonard stopped pacing, which made Selina glad because waring about his constant ADHD problem has divided her attention.
He said, "Hmm... looks like we won't be able to enter anyway after Ademinsaul became a beyonder.
"I'll just be upstairs if you need me."
"Okay, be careful." Selina said in passing as she leans on the wall.
"Careful?" Leonard blurted out and halted.
Klein chuckled as he cleared out. "Be careful while taking the stairs."
Around that moment. Leonard realized something, it quickly made him associate Rozanne into the matter.
He sighed wearily and mid-sentence he smiled. "Rozanne... alright, do call me once Ademinsaul has recovered."
"Wait!"
Just as he pivot. Selina's voice echoed. "Sigh... I forgot. Do you still have the seed?"
Leonard's eyes widened. He paused momentarily before presenting a vial, containing a thumb-sized seed from his pocket.
Its turquoise reflects a faint emerald hue to the glass.
Selina nodded, "Yes, I'll be having it back."
I can't have myself lose a seed I bestowed. Like Klein had warned, never request another seed from myself!
Leonard glanced into the vial and at the small, innocent seed in his finger. His lips curled up, "Klein had one too right?"
Klein stiffened and seconds later he eased down, "Yeah, I have one."
While appearing in control. Leonard pressed with interest, "So what does it do? Does it only extend a vine to kill your enemies from a distance? How do you even use it?"
Klein stayed out by being complete silent and gazing at Selina.
Selina thought carefully and after nearly twenty seconds, she finally answered, "It was bestowed to us... by a great existence."
Klein was struck surprise by her choice. Instinctively, he thought of himself as Mr. Fool that she was referring to, but luckily he eased upon knowing it's likely Mrs. White.
Yeah it's Mrs. White... he began rubbing his temple. Mrs. White, is Selina allowed to outright hint your existence? Oh Great White Maiden, forgive her!
Each and every chances, Selina never fails to amuse him with something new. It made him thought of how Miss Lover's would undoubtedly befriend her, knowing their similarities.
However, for Selina. The reason behind this is simple; she wanted more allies they could trust. Knowing the disharmonious fate Mr. Azik told them, Klein and her should either prepare or find out what causes them.
They should never settle for one possible solution, especially if it's unreliable. If the latter fails and that disharmonious fate that signals danger erupts, they could only blame themselves for it.
Leonard is also unique. Willing to accommodate secrets knowing he had his own to barter. Selina saw this as mutual respect.
They don't have to share with him everything. The Tarot Club, Mr. Azik and Mr. Fool.
Selina can easily let go of being Mrs. White. Having that kind of securement allows her to confidently share Mrs. White's existence to selected people.
For precaution however, the new person should be someone they know deeply and perhaps share the same or equal secret. Leonard qualifies in both points.
"Great existence?" after some time, Leonard spoke.
He held the seed closely and his face turned solemn, "Are you two apart of a secret organization?"
Selina frowned. She said in a displeased tone, "You're referring to it as if we're evil."
"Heh... I was just surprised." said Leonard, half-playing while turning relax. "So you're suggesting that a Great Existence bestowed these to you?"
Selina took initiative and said, "Yes, but only one is allowed for one individual. It's unknown what might happen if Mrs. White granted you another."
Leonard contemplated for a bit before handing the vial with the seed back to her.
After Selina withdrew it into her coat, she heard him say, "Great existences. You mean like the ones you can pray to?"
Upon seeing confirmation from her. He added, "What's this Great existence's title?"
Klein's face turned solemn. Secretly, he slithered his finger to the one slumber charm he have of Old Neil.
He was allowing Selina awhile ago as Miss Lovers referred to her as Mrs. White's blessed. But of course, there should be clear boundaries about this matter.
If Selina fails to see it, he'll have to compromise.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense for Leonard. He heard the White Maiden's full title escape from Selina's lips.
For awhile his mind stirred. The matter had one major issue, what if they're being influenced?
"Tell me..." Leonard spoke for some time. "Can I trust that this Goddess is harmless?"
Actually, there's no such thing as harmless. There's only low risk and gain that you're willing to gamble.
Klein knew this but chose to remain alert and not utter a word.
"You know who's Klein right?" asked Selina intently.
Leonard looked at Klein who's clearly tensed, it was written on his expression. He answered, "Yeah, same newcomer Klein. Heh, I can't believe you have a Goddess behind you."
After asking the rest of his doubts. He finally nodded, "Like what I've said before. As long as it benefits and does not risk anyone. I'll keep it between us."
Seeing their teammate with a carefree poet demeanor. Klein snapped and he sought her attention.
"Selina." He called. "Why did you informed him of Mrs. White?"
Selina turned him and stared back, "I had to, Captain is already aware of the uniqueness of the seed. While he tolerated it, I doubt Leonard would.
"He's already pressing us earlier."
"But won't..." Klein's thoughts are racing. "That get you punished?"
A Goddess is going to be one punishing you!
"It's alright." said Selina softly.
"Mrs. White is benign, it's one of her former titles long ago. I trust that's the case."
You trust too much... Klein exhaled a heavy breath. "Wait, long ago?"
"Mhm, but that's all I know. Miss is really conservative about it." Selina confirmed.
Miss Lovers... with that in mind. Klein now had a plan to ask this Tarot Club member about certain things and whether Selina is truly allowed to just tell Mrs. White's name.
The word 'trust' is clearly not enough for a blasphemous deed!
Moments turns to minutes and suddenly Klein recalled something.
"Right, I need to head to the Divination Club."
Selina was mildly puzzled. "But haven't you completed your digestion?"
"If we want to allow Captain to figure it out himself." Klein started explaining as he held his cane close and fix his coat.
"We'll need to build the foundation I've laid out. Hoping Captain can see the effort."
"Alright." Selina didn't opposed it. "Have a safe trip."
"You'll be staying here?" Klein asked. Seeing her nod, he followed up with.
"I'll return around lunch." as he said this, he felt that something is missing from his pocket.
At that moment, he started worrying. "Uh... I forgot my pocket watch at home."
"At home?" Selina echoed with mild shock. Usually Seers, based on Nighthawk's confidential information, wasn't one to forget.
Is my forgetfulness that contagious? Huh... I guess I was right about the Captain. Oh no, if Captain and I teamed up... Will we ever get the job done?
"Can I borrow your pocket watch?" Klein hastily asked.
"Uh... uhm..." Selina jolted and began hesitating. "There's uhh... clock right at the partition upstairs. You're going up right? Might as well..."
Klein creased his eyebrows and pressed, "You don't have a pocket watch?"
Selina stiffened a little. "Well... I don't."
Not with my minor dementia... she added heartly.
"Huh..." Klein was left silence for exactly two seconds before agreeing. "Alright, I'll check once I get there. Take care."
After he left. Selina was alone.
Being the sole person around made her senses heighten. Without the distraction, there's only her.
Distant rattles and choirs of the streets all muffled beyond the layered dirt and wall. She could hear voices, even her own thumping heart.
In such cases, without anything to do. Selina went on to reminisce about the original body's owner. How far this daughter of the Ivorys had gone, to went on to become a fellow guardian.
"We are guardians, but also a bunch of miserable wrenches who are constantly fighting against threats and madness..." she murmured.
That quote told to her by Dunns Smith settled deeply into the likes of her principles. Made by Diocese Chanis. She didn't wanted the life she had now, but perhaps she can find a way to prevent others from being a victim as well.
Not in a gallant way but in her own methods. That is because to cure is to value life.
...
Beyond the door of the alchemy. Ademinsaul who had finally drank the potion that exudes an invisible river of silver and white. Where bits of illusory marine life swam into its currents, livening the patches four-clover grasses in the banks.
Perceiving it was like learning of what's to come, the value exacted by it, and the different tributaries. They're all leaning toward it, as if favoring it.
The liquid was downed in one go. And Ademinsaul shut down at the high-back chair. Old Neil could only watch with hope that he would not turn into an erratic Monster.
When his eyes fluttered open. The same time it did, Selina felt an illusory glass breaking completely into her body. It mixes with her spiritual body.
She saw bits of lines, emerald green, all distributing a branch across the living. They seemed to share a familiar connection with her, as one line burgeoned healthily all seemed to joined in as well.
After the indescribable feeling of hunger and thirst receded, Selina returned to normal and stopped having any additional experiences.
Then she slowly opened her eyes. Reflected on her sapphire pupils is the ground floor.
So this is it... she murmured.
At that moment, she knew that she had finally become, a real Apothecary.