Mary-Lou: Find Saya

Normally, the connotations of hand-holding would cause you all kids of uncomfortable feelings, but this is different. Artemis is clearly going through it right now, he's barely responsive, you're both tugging him along and trying to provide what comfort you can. Kind of like an older brother might. Not that you actually have siblings, but this is what you imagine it must be like.

Vicar gave you some rough directions, saying that he should really get back to work. That makes sense, you hope he doesn't get in trouble for helping you as much as he already has.

As you walk through the town towards the Amola house you take in the surroundings. You awkwardly ask a stranger what the town is called. They say "Mawtop Town" and so you look it up in your analogue Uvaitune travel guide.

"Mawtop Town is one of the smaller cities in the Callaheim region that prides itself on its wealth and clean streets. It's the birth town of the local bishop and houses a monastery as well as a large cathedral. Also of note are the military academy and the academy for magic with a military focus. It's a beautiful town but readers are reminded that the Callaheim region is dangerous for Xtreme-LARP(tm) participants and best left avoided. Xtreme-LARP(tm) takes no liability for any risks, injuries, losses of property or life that may occur as a result of booking our services, as stated in the waiver that you signed during onboarding."

You're still getting used to the navigation of this bound book, turning the pages and lack of zoom or a search function make it a little difficult to operate. You also don't like the mention of the military academy. Best not to think too hard about it, and focus on the problem at hand.

You have to walk about 15 minutes to reach the house of the Amola family. It seems like a particularly nice district. All of the houses have multiple stories and timber-framing, most are painted in green or grey between the panels. But the one you are looking for is white. You stop and say "Maybe we should bring some sort of gift to apologize. Any ideas?" But Artemis doesn't respond, he is pale and quiet. You lead him to sit on a low wall. "What's wrong? Feeling guilty?" He nods and speaks in a quiet voice. "The bear... clawed someone's face off... fuck." You sigh and put your hand on his shoulder, trying to provide some comfort. "I doubt it's really that bad. Vicar seems like someone who tends to exaggerate. It's going to be okay, we'll bring some uhh... flowers or pastries."

The street proves unhelpful, though. Not only is there no store in sight, but none of the surrounding buildings has so much as a dead twig in a flowerpot. The cobblestone looks as if scrubbed clean. It reminds you of...

"What gives" you say. "Let's just go knock."

Mary-Lou: Apologize

The woman who opens the door looks fragile; but doesn't seem to have any visible sickness or injury. Just something about her, you guess. "Hi" you say, squeezing Artemis' hand big-brotherly. He seems half his age, and you're also not feeling all adult right now. "We are the ones who caused the bear to escape. We came to apologize. Does Saya live here?"

The woman looks both of you up and down, and finally nods. "I am Saya. Come in."

She leads you into a sitting room with fancy but worn furniture. You take seat on the couch across from hers. The room features lots of pink tones and some sort of lanterns that shine brighter than candles would be. You ask her: "So, the bear clawed at your face?" The woman looks completely fine.

Saya Amola sighs mournfully and turns to show off a small scratch on her right cheek. You can't help but chuckle. "Look, Artemis, she still has her face. Told you Vicar was exaggerating."

Saya looks mildly amused. She speaks with a soft and breathy voice. "He tends to do that. Word spreads fast in our town." Her voice grows stern and reprimanding: "But what you did was really dangerous, and you are lucky that nothing worse happened. We all are."

You nod solemly and try to look as apologetic as possible, so that Artemis doesn't have to.

Suddenly there's a knock at the front door; and you wait as Saya to leads in and introduces Guard Captain Auphrey. They completely ignore you and your friend and address Saya. "I've come to check on you and Samyan, is everything okay?" You're about to think unkind things, when the conversation gets interrupted yet again.

"What's all this commotion?" a voice inquires from the hallway.