Drop A Line

[Bailey Raptis]

April 21, 2019

The letter came to the Tower of Earth courtesy of a goblin who sprinted as fast as he could to delivery what must have been an important message from the Archmage. It arrived in an envelope designed to resemble the twilight skies of the Isle, with ribbons of blue, orange and red across it. Inside, the letter itself was written on white stationery graced with yellow stars scattered around the margins. At the top of the page, printed in some sort of gold-leaf, was Bailey Raptis’ name and title of 67th Archmage. The rest of the note, however, was handwritten, neat and precise.

***

Dear Keeper Mallory Maeda,

Congratulations on your successful challenge for the Tower of Earth. It is not a tower I have visited, but if it is anything like the Citadel of the Stars or the Tower of Water, you will glean great knowledge from your time as Keeper, as well as your access to whatever tomes may reside within.

As my time as Archmage potentially draws to a close, I have been trying as best I can to settle old debts and express gratitudes to those who got me to where I am today. To Archmage yes, but also to Warlord. And while the words I wish to convey to Andrea and Hope have not come as easily, I feel that we share rapport enough that you will forgive me any inarticulateness I may express.

Know that although we may stand on opposite teams during the Trial of Light and Dark, our friendship supersedes any rivalry that may stem from that. As a token of said friendship, and as thanks for past assistance rendered to me, I have enclosed a black star sapphire forged from the Circle of Genesis within the Tower. It is forged from quintessence, the heart of magic itself, and, untouched, should keep its power for roughly a week or so. You may use it how you see fit to power any spells you might need to cast. Or, if you decide not to use its energies, you will be left with a gem that I wager would look nice in a ring, or perhaps cut into a pair of earrings.

Someday, I hope that we might face one another for the right to hold the key to the Celestial Tower. Until then, I remain,

Your friend,

Bailey

[Mallory]

Text to Phil last night: hey, is everything ok? I saw you running out during the match

[Phil Goshawke]

Text to Boss Mallory: Saw a jötunn. They're the enemy the Great Barrier's built to protect. Can't promise I won't run again if I see one again.

[Mallory]

Text to Phil: you mean Runt? I know he’s an isejotun, ice giant

[Phil Goshawke]

Text to Boss Mallory: You know him?
Text to Boss Mallory: Wait.
Text to Boss Mallory: I just pulled up the Duel of Swords standings online. We need to talk.

[Mallory]

Text to Na-rae, Izumi: just cracked 250k nobles

Text to Patrick: did I tell you we’re renovating and reopening that big old school on Kabuki Street?

[Pharlen]

Voice Mail to Hana:

"Sasake Hana ...? Oh dear. Hello! Governor VonTombs here. I'm going through the archives here in the office..." papers rustling, "The city can charter your school, however, ... great spirits, these are prehistoric... Ah, there it is... Though there isn't any money for the restoration of any building intended for the education of children, it does provide a generous allowance for a priest, priestess, or other holy authority to bless and cleanse the site. Nudge nudge wink wink. As far as the chartering, the requirements are that the children be educated in reading, writing, arithmetic, and... cooking? to their age in the best way for the students, and no child is to be hurt, killed, mentally injured, or sacrificed to any entity by the staff. There is a model lesson plan here, but it is pretty old, so I'm sure any overall lesson plan you can turn in will do. This will at least get your teachers paid a decent wage. Give me a call at this number if you want to talk it over."

[Hana Sasaki]

Voicemail left for Governor VanTombs

"Hello Governor! This is Hana Sasaki. As the priestess of the Zama Shrine and spiritual overseer of Kabuki, I seriously believe that this school and the grounds around it are in serious need of both blessings and cleansing. My time is very limited since I have to worry about Shrine upkeep and other things, but I think that with the kind offer of a sizable donation from the Governors office, for cleansing and blessings - of course, that I will be thankfully available to give the school what it needs when it comes to all things that are spiritual.

It's so nice that you called too! Because I recently deputized Mallory Maeda to be a priestess in training a few minutes ago -- before I even found out I had a message waiting for me, winkwink. While she's not ranked enough to handle the cleansing and blessings, she's more than capable of taking notes and speaking with you about the school related things.. from teachers, students, and - of course - most importantly, my task of making sure the school is well blessed and cleansed of evil spirits.

I've told all of this to Mallory and you should be hearing from her soon. Have a good afternoon and thank you again!"

[Mallory]

Text to Phil: talked to Runt, stressed who you are to me, what that means. he understands.
Text to Phil: how’s your eye?

Text to Hana: you available for a one-million-noble school cleansing this afternoon?

Group text to The Big Five: Pharlen’s agreed to provide generously for the school, both through the religious cleansing loophole and providing city funds per student to go towards teachers and school supplies.
Group text to The Big Five: She also wants to meet with you to talk about the old garrison and making the shinsengumi “official” I think? no indication whatsoever that school money is conditional on this meeting.

[Hana Sasaki]

Text to Mallory: I'll have to skip dinner plans so if you can bring tacos that would be great

- around 5 or 6 minutes later -

Text to Mallory: how much of that million is going to the shrine?

[Phil Goshawke]

Text to Boss Mallory: Thanks. I appreciate that.
Text to Boss Mallory: It doesn't hurt, just tingles a little right now but I'm guessing that will go away eventually?
Text to Boss Mallory: But I'm guessing it's always going to look like that?

[Mallory]

Text to Hana: 100k. 60k additional in two weeks out of my pocket.

Text to Phil: yes. price of magic. I thought you might be marked- I’m sorry that you were
Text to Phil: fwiw I think it looks pretty cool

[Aya Mori]

Aya squints at the text and then looked over her shoulder at a balding man sitting in one of the cells. The badge on his jacket showing he's a detective of the Watch and the expression on his face is one of annoyance.

She'd open up the other group text, the one without Mallory's number attached, to send her message.

Text to Heavenly Queens: We'll talk about the Shinsengumi business face to face. I'll be releasing this detective as a show of good faith.

"You're free to go."

The detective had already been standing before the cell opened. "But if I see you around here again.. I'll make sure your wife sees those pictures from the soapy," This only got a roll of the eyes from the detective. "And be sure to tell your daughter to watch it on those hills up in Seaside.. it'd be a shame if something happened to her breaks."

There seemed to be an understanding at that point.

[Phil Goshawke]

Text to Boss Mallory: Don't be sorry, I did my due diligence and knew something like this might happen, just happy I didn't get maimed or crippled or killed.
Text to Boss Mallory: Though the first thing doesn't really make sense if you want someone effective, and the last two you'd only do to someone maliciously entering a deal.
Text to Boss Mallory: Thought about hiding it for a second, but I honestly don't care about how I look.
Text to Boss Mallory: Where did you get your tattoos?

[Hana Sasaki]

Text to Mallory:

Text to Yuki: mini vacation in 2 weeks. Casino.
Text to Yuki: we also need to start price checking goldsmiths for a statue commission.