Two spells. Laurelin kept an air of neutrality. Two spells. It was a humble start, she could not deny, but she had anticipated more. With grace befitting a cat, she leaned forward, planting a splayed hand upon the dark wood, leveling her gaze with his. It was said mages could sense one another, robes be damned, by the magic which swam in their veins and she believed the old wives tales. Steam wafted from her tea, temporarily forgotten as she drove home a point.

“You have potential,” she said, voice low. “It is best to nurture it lest it go to waste.” Waste and magic should never go hand-in-hand. She’d smite Chaos again to make sure no mage went untrained. “Torensten is a mage’s dream. A metropolis, brimming with magic. From earth to sky, to the tallest of towers, it overflows like a chalice. Therein lies a school. Within those halls lies your objective.”

Only time would tell whether or not he could be a master Red Mage.

She took a sip of her chilled tea before snatching a honeyed roll, drawing her knife, and sliced it in half. “Should my counsel hold meaning, that is.” Laurelin ate her portion, allowing Nick to chew on her words while he slurped his soup.

Once filled, she broke the silence. “I am in the midst of clearing out another Sahagain nest.” Placing the cup onto the table, she hummed, threading her fingers over the ceramic. “Typically this would have been a great opportunity to teach you Thunder. However, given current circumstances, it is best to withhold that lesson.” Her gaze traveled across the common room, focusing on a particular redhead and with it came a solution. “I’ll have arrangements made,” she mused aloud. “A room tonight, food. Warm clothes. A trusted guide.”

She should escort him. In the past, she would have just done that. She warred with herself over the decision. Perhaps she’d meet back up along the way. Yes, she reasoned she could do that. “I will meet you in the morn,” she said, “should you wish to travel. Walk with you both to Torensten. I promise.”

She rose to her feet. “You’re free to decline,” she added. “Ultimately, the choice is yours.” With that, she set off.

In the morning, she would return to hear his answer.

If he wished to travel, she’d walk alongside him towards the city, before parting ways when sand met cobblestone, with words of encouragement.