The restorative magic has eased Rosettè’s worst weakness, but it has not returned her full strength. Fie helps her sit, one steady arm supporting her shoulders.
Fie
Slowly, beloved. The floor is not going anywhere, and neither am I.
Festus remains nearby beneath layered protective wards, sleeping through his recovery. The spear stays by the basin, while children peer from safe thresholds and whisper encouragement.
Rosettè
My legs still tremble when I try to bear weight.
Fie waits until Rosettè is balanced, then guides her carefully toward the sheltered inner courtyard. Each step is supported, with pauses whenever her strength falters.
Fie
We can stop at the courtyard arch, sit beneath the sunshade, or return to the cushions. You do not need to prove anything.
Fie
When you are ready, choose what you want to inspect first: Festus, the children, or the wards. I will handle the rest.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recover enough strength for limited participation
““The children. I know your wards, nothing will happen to Festus while we’re checking in on everyone.” *I leaned a bit more of my weight into her*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Raising orphanage children, rolled -3)
Rosettè
The children. I know your wards. Nothing will happen to Festus while we’re checking in on everyone.
Rosettè leans more of her weight into Fie and reaches the courtyard arch without turning back. Her legs tremble sharply, forcing Fie to catch and support her fully.
Fie
I know, beloved. And you are right about the wards. But this is the cost of insisting on the courtyard instead of the cushions.
Under the sunshade, children gather at a careful distance, their worried whispers brightening when Rosettè arrives. Several wave; one small spirit, a young spirit girl with a slight build, a round pale face, wispy silver hair, and a blue hooded tunic, presses both hands to the warded threshold.
Fie
There they are. Everyone is safe, fed, and eager to see you. You may greet them from here, with your weight on me.
The children offer overlapping reassurances, and the courtyard wards answer with a soft gold shimmer. Rosettè remains upright only because Fie bears most of her weight, while the basin’s reserve dwindles behind them.
Fie
You made it to them, beloved. Now let them see you resting safely too.
““…it’s times like these I realize we did an exceptional job. We make quite the mothers for these children.””
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +3)
Rosettè
It’s times like these I realize we did an exceptional job. We make quite the mothers for these children.
Rosettè’s words carry beneath the sunshade. The children fall briefly quiet, then the courtyard fills with bright murmurs and shy smiles, while Fie’s arm remains firm around her.
Fie
We do, beloved. Not because we never falter, but because these children know they are wanted, protected, and cherished.
The small spirit girl in the blue hood presses her palms to the warded threshold. A gold shimmer gathers there, forming two tiny linked crowns from harmless light.
The Children
Two mothers! Two mothers for Amber Peak!
Fie
She sees what we built, even while she can barely stand. I will keep this moment safe for her.
Fie
Look, beloved. The wards heard them too. They have chosen a place for our crowns, and I think they intend to make this a permanent honor.
““…Fie. If it’s not too much to ask, could we go check on Shade? Shes been hiding in her room again, the poor Shadowspawn has been struggling with socializing and im worried she might fuse with the shadows themselves before she steps out.” *I manage to hold more of my own weight without trembling*”
SUCCESS (Legendary Raising orphanage children, rolled +1)
Rosettè
Fie. If it’s not too much to ask, could we go check on Shade? She’s been hiding in her room again, and I’m worried.
Rosettè shifts more of her weight onto her own legs. Tremors still pass through them, but Fie’s arm remains ready beneath her shoulders as they turn from the courtyard.
Fie
It is never too much to ask, beloved. We will check on Shade together, and we will not make her face the children before she is ready.
Fie guides Rosettè through the manor’s quiet corridors, matching each careful step. The children watch from the courtyard threshold, their gold-lit crowns fading gently behind them.
Shade’s door waits at the far end, its threshold dimmed by a spill of living darkness. Fie stops beside Rosettè, leaving the final approach open to her.
Shade
I know you are there. The shadows told me. I am not ready to come out, but you can enter if Rosettè is with you.
The door opens into a room where the corners hold deeper darkness than the daylight should allow. Shade remains concealed within it, but Rosettè and Fie are safely beside her.
✓ Quest Accepted
Ensure Shade remains safe from the shadows
“*Rosettè reaches out with one hand* “Shade, dear. Are you feeling well? Do you need anything? Food or water?””
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Rosettè reaches one hand into the dim room. Her legs buckle with the effort, and Fie catches her firmly before the tremor can carry her down.
Rosettè
Shade, dear. Are you feeling well? Do you need anything? Food or water?
The living darkness gathers around Rosettè’s outstretched fingers without touching them. Behind it, Shade’s hidden presence shifts closer to the doorway.
Shade
Water, please. My throat feels like ash, and the shadows have been whispering too loudly.
Shade
She came while barely standing. I should not make her carry another worry.
Fie
I will bring it. Rosettè, keep your weight on me. You have already done enough by coming here.
Shade
Thank you for asking, Rosettè. You may stay at the threshold. I can speak with you from here.
““We’ll be back with the water. Don’t forget, whatever you need you can always talk to us.””
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Rosettè
We’ll be back with the water. Don’t forget, whatever you need, you can always talk to us.
Rosettè keeps one hand extended toward the living darkness while Fie supports her at the threshold. The shadows quiet around Shade, their restless whispering fading to a low murmur.
Shade
I won’t forget. Thank you, Rosettè. I’ll tell you if the whispers grow worse, or if I need anything else.
Fie
Good. Stay where the room feels safest, Shade. I will bring water, and Rosettè and I will return immediately.
Fie eases Rosettè back into the corridor, keeping her arm securely beneath Rosettè’s shoulders. The dim threshold remains open, and Shade’s darkness follows them without crossing it.
Shade
They came together, and they will come back together. I can hold on to that while the shadows settle.
Fie guides Rosettè toward the nearest washstand, matching her pace to each trembling step. Behind them, Shade’s door stays ajar, a narrow promise of trust beneath the manor’s warded hush.
““She seems to be growing more social, ad least just slightly. Do you think she’ll ever come out of that room?””
SUCCESS (Good Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Rosettè
She seems to be growing more social, at least just slightly. Do you think she’ll ever come out of that room?
Fie fills a glass from the washstand’s crystal pitcher and places it carefully in Rosettè’s hand before glancing back toward Shade’s open door.
Fie
I think she will, beloved. Not because we pull her out, but because she is learning that the world beyond those shadows can wait for her safely.
At the far end of the corridor, Shade’s darkness loosens around the doorway. Her silhouette remains indistinct, but one pale hand emerges to accept the offered water.
Shade
I might come out someday. Perhaps first for the courtyard, when the whispers are quiet enough. I want to see those crowns properly.
Fie
Then the courtyard will be ready whenever you are. No audience, no demands, and Rosettè beside you if you wish.
Shade
They believe I can leave. For now, that belief feels like a door I can keep open.
+ New Item Acquired
Glass of water