Colin's posts

"Oh, we can do rare steaks here." he told her, before pausing.

"...but we're limited to beef." he then said. "We have a wide variety of things to choose from, but we don't usually stock exotic meats and such." he admitted to her further.

"So if you want some food that's more rare or exotic, you may need to get Ash to bring it to you." he went on.

"If beef's okay, then yeah, we'll have it brought here no problem." he smiled.

"And yeah, careful on the laughing." he then said.

"You're still very much healing."

"Uh... all right then." Nate responded.

"I won't pry." he said.

"Anyway, we'll keep a lookout on you and such, and if your progress is as it has been, you should be transferred to Candentus Lux next week." he told her. "Dr. Edwards is consulting and talking with your head medic over the phone as we speak, so we'll have more concrete info by the end of the day." he added.

"Welp, I'm done here, so I'm going to tell Ash that he can visit you here." he then told her.

"Oh, what do you want for dinner?" he asked.

"We'll have it brought in for you."

"Knowing that, I am as well." Nate admitted.

"A shame about her voice, though." he then sighed. "Nothing we could do for her, and seems there was nothing that djinn could do for her." he went on. "It angers me to think about it." he muttered.

"But she'll never speak again, regrettably." he lamented.

"Chris said the djinn did SOMETHING for her, but she told him it would 'take time'." he then said.

"...whatever that meant." he shrugged.

"But we've seen no improvements or changes in her, so... who knows."

"...we may find out soon." Nate responded quietly.

"Seems the Council and Triad are deliberating what his fate should be as we speak." he told her. "Though, it may take a while before a decision is made." he then said further.

"They're more focused on Vanessa's former cronies and such." he reasoned.

"I don't know if Chris's recent deeds and good behaviour will pay off, but... we'll see." he sighed.

"Though Ayla is seemingly getting off very lightly, seeing as she's been deemed as yet another of Vanessa's victims coerced and manipulated by both Vanessa AND her brother." he went on. "And her direct involvement with Vanessa's crimes has been minimal."

"Yeah, it seemed that Christopher had a flash of knowledge, and knew where to find her container." Nate responded.

"After that, he wished for... well, he wished everyone there fighting against Vanessa would have an edge, he wished all her cronies unconscious..." he told her. "Apparently he also wished for you to be safely brought to the surface after you defeated your sister." he went on.

"Wished for you all to be teleported here... just...seems he made a load of wishes to save everyone and end Vanessa's plans." he explained.

"...oh, and from what I heard, he was the one that wished her free." he then added.

"Got it." Nate responded.

"I'll send word to him." he told her.

"Oh, and the djinn that was under your sister's command has been freed, from what I've heard." he then said.

"Legitimately freed." he went on.

"So she's her OWN master now, and is staying here until she can catch up with the world."

"Anything YOU can do?" Nate asked.

"Just concentrate on recuperating and healing up." he told her.

"We've been in contact with Candentus Lux, and when you're well enough, you'll be transferred to their medical wing to finish up your treatment and such." he then said further.

With that information, Ashleigh knew there was a good chance that Nate's estimate of 6 months for her recovery would likely be cut down to 2 months or so. Solely because of Emma.

"Oh yes, there anyone you wish to speak to or ask questions about what happened at the complex?" he asked.

"Everyone is doing well, and can visit if you like."

"...guess they well and truly are extinct now." Nate commented.

"At least in the sense of purity." he clarified.

"Anyway, just so you know, everyone made it out alive, and the rescue mission was a success." he told her.

"The complex is blocked off so nobody can enter." he continued.

"And those that were left alive that were her cronies have been taken in by the Triad and Council." he informed her.

"Also, from what I hear, that nexus is repairing and healing nicely already."

"Well, you should be on your feet in due time." Nate told her. "You'll need a little physical therapy and rehabilitation, but we feel you'll be as good as new within 6 months." he continued.

"Possibly sooner, depending on how fast you heal and such." he told her further.

"And yes, we pride ourselves on our jobs." he added with a small smile. "Though probably not as good as Candentus Lux." he then added.

"Must have been a hell of a time at that complex." he commented.

"To massively understate it."

Nate jumped a bit when Ashleigh spoke.

"...teach me to be more observant, and not just rely on my mana..." he mumbled, before clearing his throat.

"Didn't expect you to be awake." he admitted. "Clearly." he added.

"Anyway, how are you doing?" he asked.

"How are you feeling? Anything feel off or not right?"

Hal looked at the little box, before gingerly picking it up.

"I promise you I will treat this with the same level of care and security as my own container." he told her.

"You have my solemn vow on that." he assured her further.

---

Nate sighed a little, as he stepped into the room and looked over Ashleigh.

"Yeesh." he muttered.

"Well, at least her life-aura's looking stronger than before." he went on, before checking the readouts on the machines she was hooked up to.

"...Dr. Edwards can be a real miracle worker..."

Hal cupped his chin for a moment, regarding her last question.

"Hmmmmmmmm..." he muttered.

"Well, you can leave it here in my office." he told her. "I have several hidden safes in here." he said. "Or you can leave it with ME, and I can place it in the hidden area of my home, where I keep MINE." he suggested.

"Either of those work?" he asked.

"And 'use'? Please, we serve as a refuge for those that need help, until they can get back on their feet." he then told her.

"You DO have a lot to catch up on, but you are free to stay here until such time you feel you're ready to strike it out on your own." he assured her.

Hal just chuckled as well, before digging into a cabinet, and bringing out a pair of sunglasses, much like his own.

"One of my spare pairs." he told her.

"Probably a temporary solution." he said.

"If you want something less... obvious, I suppose... then my lab team can probably put together something for you." he continued. "Like a pair of earrings or a hair clip or something." he went on.

"As for what to do with yourself now, there are facilities here you can use." he then said.

"A place to sleep, notably." he clarified.

"Or are you thinking you're just going to head into the world and see what happens?" he asked.

Hal just smiled slightly, before it faded slowly.

"What about you?" he asked.

"What have... well... what HAVE you been doing?" he asked.

"...surely you weren't in the service of THAT awful dark elf for... very long..." he went on, but then shook his head.

"I'm not that naïve, nor am I stupid." he muttered.

"I'm so sorry you were with Vanessa Encrae."