A court attendant opens a quiet antechamber beside the hearing room. The annex door shuts behind Carciel and Serren, muting the magistrates’ voices to a distant murmur.
For the first time in hours, nothing demands a statement, a signature, or a guarded hand. A narrow window admits pale afternoon light across two wooden chairs and a small table.
Serren Vale
We can leave when we choose, and return when we choose. That still feels strange to say aloud.
Serren settles into one chair, their shoulders easing as the pressure of the hearing room falls away. They glance toward Carciel, hopeful rather than fearful.
Serren Vale
After this hearing, what is the first practical thing we do? Not the grand answer. The first small one that makes an honest life real.
Beyond the closed door, quills continue scratching over the court’s records. Here, Serren leaves the question gently between them, making room for Carciel’s answer.
“I sit across from them and gently run my thumb over the back of their hand. "I think... getting as far away from here as we can"”
Carciel sits across from Serren and gently runs his thumb over the back of their hand.
Carciel
I think... getting as far away from here as we can.
Serren Vale
Then the first small thing is choosing where. A room with a door we answer for, a table that belongs to us, and mornings without anyone summoning us.
Serren Vale
We can ask Pell about the southern towns tomorrow. Tonight, we can choose a place on the map together.
“"I like the sound of that"”
Carciel
I like the sound of that.
Serren Vale
Then tomorrow begins with Pell, and tonight begins with us choosing a town. One honest room, one shared table, and no more lives built around hiding.
✓ Quest Accepted
Choose a town for their shared life
✓ Quest Accepted
Ask Pell for advice about their shared future
“"and a bed we can make love to each other every night" I chuckle”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Carciel
And a bed we can make love to each other in every night.
Carciel chuckles, and the quiet antechamber carries the sound through the thin door.
Serren Vale
Every night? That is an ambitious opening promise.
Serren Vale
But yes. A bed that belongs to us, not to a borrowed room, a safe house, or someone else's mercy.
Beyond the door, two waiting petitioners glance toward the laughter before the court's hush settles again. Their privacy has gained a witness, however small.
Serren Vale
Tomorrow we ask Pell which southern town can shelter a bard, a former rogue, and a stubborn hope. Tonight, we choose what we want that room to hold.
“I chuckle. "Agreed" we wait till they call us in again”
Carciel
Agreed. We wait until they call us in again.
Carciel chuckles softly, and the pair settle into the antechamber’s calm. Serren’s thumb brushes his hand as the court’s muffled voices pass beyond the door.
Serren Vale
Then this is our first beginning, Carciel. Choosing not to rush.
“Are we allowed to leave? Is court over?”
NO (VeryLikely, rolled 91)
The court is not over, and the antechamber remains under its summons. The door stays shut, with no permission yet given for Carciel and Serren to leave.
“Can we continue on with it and visit Pell tomorrow?”
YES (Likely, rolled 52)
The quiet holds, and the court’s summons does not prevent tomorrow’s visit. Beyond the closed door, the returning clerk’s footsteps stop, then move away, leaving Pell’s archive as a reachable destination once the hearing releases them.
Serren Vale
Yes. Tomorrow, we can ask Pell about the southern towns, then begin choosing one together.
“Is Pell there?”
NO (Likely, rolled 87)
No. Pell is not there when the archive is reached; the place offers no sign of his presence.
“"tell me about them"”
Carciel
Tell me about them.
Serren Vale
The southern towns? Harrowfen has quiet roads and honest markets. Bellmere has work, music, and fewer questions. I would choose Bellmere. Tonight, we can begin by writing our names on the same page.
“"Bellmere sounds perfect"”
Carciel
Bellmere sounds perfect.
Serren smiles, then writes Bellmere beneath the shared heading. With that first choice set down, the search for a home quietly ends, leaving only the pleasant work of deciding what their room will hold.
Serren Vale
Then Bellmere is where we begin. Tomorrow, we ask Pell how to get there.
Quest Complete
Choose a town for their shared life