Edrin closes the cipher ledger and leaves it on the low table. The family remains seated in strained quiet, with the missing buyer’s name hanging between them.
Mother
Tavian is dead, but I still remember the way he moved through this house as though every locked door belonged to him. I should have questioned his debts sooner.
Liora’s fingers tighten around her sister’s hand. The other twin sister keeps her eyes on Mother, while Arriah studies the ledger’s torn final line without touching it.
Twin Sister Two
You said the buyer was an enemy agent. Did Father know which enemy was watching us before he died?
Edrin
He suspected several houses, but suspicion was not proof. Garran concealed the names until he could verify them, and death took that chance from him.
Vaelor remains beside you, close enough to offer support without claiming the conversation. Mother waits with both hands folded, ready to answer whatever question comes next.
Liora
Then ask her everything. No more sealed letters, hidden ledgers, or decisions made because someone thinks the truth will hurt less than the silence.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure her family’s commitment to share the remaining truth
“firstly, how have my two little rays of sunshine been, you've both gotten so big”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -3)
umbralia
Firstly, how have my two little rays of sunshine been? You’ve both gotten so big.
Liora’s face brightens, and the other twin sister laughs despite the room’s tension. For a moment, the ledger and its missing name give way to the sisters standing before you now.
Liora
We have been well enough, sister. Bigger, certainly, though I am not sure either of us is still little sunshine.
Twin Sister Two
I am glad you can still see us as something bright. But we are grown now, and we want you to know who we became while you were away.
Their warmth answers you, but the correction lands plainly. Neither sister withdraws; both hold your gaze, asking for affection that recognizes the years between you.
Liora
I still like being your ray of sunshine, though. Just do not mistake that for being a child you have to raise again.
Twin Sister Two
And we will tell you everything, if you let us tell it as ourselves. No more speaking for us, even out of love.
✓ Quest Accepted
Reconnect with her sisters as adults
“in time, i would like to get to know the young women you've both grown to be, but first i need you both to go to another room and close the door so i can speak with mother about something”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -1)
umbralia
In time, I want to know the young women you’ve both grown to be. But first, please go into another room and close the door. I need to speak with Mother privately.
The request lands gently but firmly. Liora glances at her sister, then at Mother, recognizing that your affection includes room for a private truth.
Liora
Of course, sister. We will give you the room you need. And when you are ready, we will tell you about ourselves without making you guess.
Twin Sister Two
Come on, Liora. Let Mother and our sister talk. We can wait in the east room and close the door behind us.
Liora rises and touches her sister’s arm. Together they cross into the east room, then pull the door shut, leaving the living room quiet around you, Mother, Vaelor, and the ledger.
Mother
They are listening now, even from the next room. Whatever you need to ask me, ask it plainly. I will not hide behind their presence or your pain.
Vaelor remains seated beside you, silent and attentive. Across the table, Mother folds her hands and waits, while the closed door holds the sisters safely apart from the coming conversation.
Quest Complete
Reconnect with her sisters as adults
“I wanted to tell you of my work, I steal from the wealthy people of Ithaca, take what i need and no more, and then redistribute the rest to the less fortunate of Ithaca”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +0)
umbralia
I wanted to tell you about my work. I steal from wealthy people in Ithaca, taking only what I need, then redistribute the rest to those who are less fortunate.
The confession settles into the quiet room without evasion. Mother studies you across the table, while Vaelor remains beside you, attentive but silent.
Mother
So the stories about Ithaca’s unseen shadow were true. You have been risking yourself against the wealthy, not for greed, but to keep the city’s poorest from being abandoned.
Mother’s expression changes from shock to a searching, painful pride. She looks at your exposed truth rather than the ledger, weighing the daughter before her against the child she once left behind.
Mother
I wish I had known this part of you sooner. I cannot approve of every danger you take, but I understand why you chose it. You are trying to protect people who have no one else.
Vaelor
She is not asking to be excused, Mother. She is telling you what she has made of the life she was given, and she has made it mean something.
Mother
Then I hear you, daughter. Whatever else we must repair between us, I will not mistake your work for selfishness. The people you help are fortunate to have you.
“and there is one other thing, it seems that fathers lustful desire robbed off on his eldest daughter”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +1)
umbralia
And there is one other thing. It seems your lustful nature rubbed off on your eldest daughter.
The blunt confession lands cleanly. Mother’s brows rise, while Vaelor turns his attention toward her, openly curious but careful not to intrude.
Mother
Your father’s appetites were certainly notorious, but I had hoped you inherited his courage and stubbornness instead.
A knowing amusement softens Mother’s surprise. She studies you with the measured appraisal of a mother recognizing an uncomfortable family resemblance.
Vaelor
For what it is worth, Mother, her charm is entirely her own. Whatever she inherited, she has made distinctly hers.
Mother
Then perhaps that is another truth I should accept. You may resemble your father in desire, daughter, but you are not his reflection. You choose what your desires mean.
“I also fight in the local arena to earn a couple extra coins here and there, that's where I earned my title”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +2)
umbralia
I also fight in Ithaca’s local arena for a couple of extra coins here and there. That is where I earned my title.
Mother absorbs the confession, her expression shifting from surprise to dawning recognition. Vaelor remains beside you, attentive as the pieces of your public life settle into place.
Mother
The arena. So that is where Ithaca learned to call you the unseen shadow. You fought for coin, but you also made a name no wealthy household could ignore.
Mother looks toward the closed east-room door, then back to you, pride and concern sharing the same measured gaze.
Mother
You have been feeding Ithaca’s poor with stolen wealth and arena winnings, while risking your body before cheering crowds. I wish you had not needed to become so capable alone.
Vaelor
She did not merely survive the arena, Mother. She earned the title because she chose exactly how the city would remember her.
Mother
Then I accept that truth too, daughter. The unseen shadow is not just a thief or a fighter. She is the woman you decided to become.
Quest Complete
Secure her family’s commitment to share the remaining truth
Fault Removed: seeks admiration through seduction
“if only i earned enough to afford a larger apartment in the city, seriously the room I have is barely big enough for the two of us”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +2)
umbralia
If only I earned enough to afford a larger apartment in the city. Seriously, the room I have is barely big enough for the two of us.
Mother’s expression softens, and Vaelor glances toward you with an amused but sympathetic smile. The cramped room becomes an unexpectedly practical concern amid the family’s heavier truths.
Mother
Then you should have a larger apartment. You have spent years carrying Ithaca’s burdens while asking for almost nothing for yourself.
Vaelor
I can confirm that the current room leaves very little space for two people, especially after breakfast and a night spent there.
Mother
Let me help. Your sisters and I have enough saved to contribute, and accepting assistance does not diminish the life you built. It simply gives you room to live in it.
From behind the closed east-room door comes a muffled burst of agreement, followed by Liora’s laugh. Vaelor reaches across the table and gives your hand a quiet squeeze.
“it's not quite that simple, I have a bit of "deal" with my landlord. i say with a wink”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +3)
umbralia
It’s not quite that simple. I have a bit of a deal with my landlord.
You add the explanation with a wink. Mother’s practical concern meets your landlord’s arrangement, while Vaelor’s smile suggests he already suspects the deal is unusually favorable.
Mother
A deal? What sort of deal keeps you in a room too small for two people?
umbralia
Bram lets me stay for almost nothing because I keep an eye on the building and handle problems he cannot afford to notice.
Vaelor
So your landlord is not merely renting you a room. He is paying for a capable guardian with discretion, quick hands, and a talent for making trouble disappear.
Mother
Then I understand why you stayed. Still, Bram has agreed to show you a larger apartment upstairs, at the same reduced rent, if you accept it. Your sisters heard him mention it while they were visiting.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn where the gold came from
“that and, he usually doesn't like it when tenants show up after ten bells without giving notice, in my line of work, that's most nights, so I show him a little fun once or twice a month for him to keep quite”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +1)
umbralia
That, and Bram usually dislikes tenants appearing after ten bells without notice. In my line of work, that is most nights, so once or twice a month I give him a little fun to keep him quiet.
Mother’s brows climb, while Vaelor’s grin becomes openly entertained. Behind the closed east-room door, one of the sisters makes a muffled, scandalized sound.
Mother
I see. Bram receives late-night discretion, building protection, and occasional pleasure, while you receive nearly free lodging. It is unconventional, but it sounds plainly agreed upon.
Vaelor
A remarkably efficient tenancy. I understand now why you have defended the arrangement, though I suspect Bram considers himself the fortunate party.
Mother’s sternness gives way to reluctant amusement. From the east room, Liora laughs outright, and the other twin sister adds a delighted thump against the door.
Mother
Then accept the larger room upstairs if Bram truly offers it. Keep your arrangement if you choose, daughter, but stop pretending you must live small to make your life work.
“he will be my first stop when we head back to the city, I have been dyeing for at least my own kitchen, fortunately I didn't get my cooking skills from fathers side of the family. i say with a noticeable chuckle”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +2)
umbralia
Bram will be my first stop when we head back to the city. I’ve been dying for a kitchen of my own. Fortunately, I didn’t get my cooking skills from Father’s side of the family.
Your noticeable chuckle turns the confession into a joke instead of a complaint. Mother laughs, and Vaelor’s grin widens beside you.
Mother
Then Bram had better keep that upstairs apartment available. I would very much like to see you cooking in a proper kitchen, though I cannot promise your father’s family recipes were the true danger.
Vaelor
I volunteer as a courageous tester, provided you begin with something that cannot burn through a pot or challenge the structural integrity of the lodge.
A fresh ripple of laughter comes from the east room. Liora opens the door a crack, while her sister peers over her shoulder, both clearly unwilling to miss the discussion.
Liora
If you get that kitchen, sister, we expect an invitation. I want to discover whether your cooking is truly better than Father’s side of the family.
Mother
It is settled, then. Bram is your first stop, the larger apartment is yours if he keeps his word, and your family will gladly help fill that kitchen with better recipes.
“well, we should probably be off. i say i stand and exit the room”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +2)
umbralia
Well, we should probably be off.
You stand from the table and leave the living room, passing into the hall with Vaelor rising beside you. The easy laughter follows as the family gathers themselves to depart.
Vaelor
Bram first, then the city, then your kitchen. I am beginning to suspect this journey has acquired a very practical itinerary.
Liora
We will walk you out. And sister, do not forget that invitation when the kitchen is ready.
Mother emerges with both daughters behind her. She presses a small cloth-wrapped bundle into your hands, its weight suggesting travel food and something more carefully chosen.
Mother
For the road. Come back after you have spoken with Bram, and do not let another year pass before you visit us again.
+ New Item Acquired
Cloth-wrapped bundle
“me and vaelor leave and head towards Ithaca”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)