Shugo shrugs to Mira, "Yeah I'm kinda worried about that too, but that's part of the reason I want to see him. If he is a potential enemy, then he already knows about us. I don't like feeling like he knows more about us than we do about him ya know? So might as well pay him a visit."

When Leevi waltzes over to them, Shugo grins at him, "Safe travels then, and don't get into too much trouble!"

Shugo's mood is immediately dampened by the rain. He really does hate traveling in this kind of weather, no matter how bad it is. Once they get to their destination, he squints at the sign, then up at the window where the dragonborn looks out at them. He thinks about waving to her, but decides not to bother. After examining the mine field between them and Paulis, he looks over Janus's residence, despite the poisonous plants that place seems way more hospitable. Heh, the cat shopkeep did say that guy was a bit odd after all.

Turning to the others he says, "Well I was leaning towards visiting Janus first to begin with, and with the whole mine field thing here I think Janus is the better option right now. I mean, we are very likely to get in a fight with Miss Frosty up there." He points towards the dragonborn, "But a fight isn't guaranteed if we go to Janus, though I would still be careful with him. That said, do any of you have an opinion on this?"

Liivi sits back after she's had her fill from the feast, slowly nursing her bit of rum while listening to the others.  As Leevi comes over to says his farewell, she stands. "It was good to meet you, and my thanks for the wonderful feast."  She tips her head towards his as he goes.  Once he has left though, she comments to the others, "Were you planning to go to Elmars' wedding?" she asks.  Her eyes shift briefly to Mira, who does seem like she might even be on the official guest list given her mother's alliance with him. "Not sure what priorities you all have, but I'm more interested in the artefact than these armies and navies." 

Heading out with the others, she pauses for just a moment as she sees the rain coming down again.  She pulls her hood, which had been lowered while they were inside the tavern, back up over her head and simply continues on. She studies the sign when they near Paulis' tower then looks along the one path, then the other. "I agree Shugo, the path at least seems a bit more welcoming to visit Janus. Let's see him first. I'm not sure what precautions we might take- other than to be alert. If this Janus has really seen the artefact, I know I'd want to hear that with my own ears and not be keeping watch outside."  

Mira

Having recognised the lack of danger in the tavern, Mira turns her attention back to the pack. The bunny girl's ears droop slightly in response to Shugo. There wasn't much she could say, let alone argue for what he just said. When Liivi asks if Mira would be going to the wedding though, she scoffs in response; A not so noble-like reaction for someone who is of a noble family. "Tch. Even if I was invited honestly, I wouldn't even care unless if the wedding's about me or my adopted siblings. Family is indeed a priority for me, but not as much as peace and stability. I mean if mother attends though I will have to attend too; Can't just become that disrespectful especially if my mother is representing the region... *AHEM* Besides the only thing I hope to get out of it is to maybe unite those two warring factions as one rather than worsen this political instability altogether. I mean that's kind of what I wish to prioritize, not that it will happen." Whilst Mira kind of wishes that Elmars should at least think about his current actions as much as her mother would, she does sympathize with the army and the navy in a way. What they're doing to assist those who cannot stand up to nobles like her own family, who cannot stand up for such unreasonable things that might have occurred in the past... If she was to one day take her mother's position as the duchess, she hopes to reverse tensions as much as she could. At least until she notices her new crew getting ready to pack up, including the oddballs. "Anyways, we should uh... get going. Thanks, big guy for the meal." She does a polite courtesy to Leevi before she quietly leaves.

Along the way, Mira had thoughts about bringing the entire rebellion case to Liivi again, seeing that this common interest might be spark for its potential revival. But seeing the current states of everyone right now in the soaking wet, she was forced to eat this discussion. Upon reaching the foot of Paulis base, the sight of the paths immediately grind her leaps into a halt. "Wow. They weren't kidding when he said he'd take security measures too literally eh?" Mira gawks at the sight of the landmines that lay before her. Well, being a harengon, she'd presumably have impressive agility to leap over the mine without triggering them, but given how they're spread apart, she isn't going to take her chances. "Judging from the paths, 7th in line..." Mira teases Shugo lightly, eyeing just even one of those dangerous traps blinking in front of her before she backs off before darting the gaze over to the mass of beautiful flowers on the right. "...I don't think we have a choice. Let's go visit him. You said he knows everything about the artefact, right? Sort of? I think it's time we go deeper into this." She hops first-in-line (Second if Aleks is once again in the mood) before standing at the door. If no one want to knock on it, she will.

Renar

I overhear the date of the wedding as that massive cat salutes us... 16th April... that's literally two days after our stupid trial. My ears twitch in anger. No way in hell we'd be able to find the artefact, solve this Golarion issue, solve the upcoming wedding crasher conquest and resolve any other instabilities in this timeframe! Gosh this world is so messed up; I had thoughts about stopping the clash between that stupid birdbrain and the idiot's army and navy. But... given their attitudes, I doubt either side would listen, even if the bunny girl is clearly on his side because of her mother... I can't believe she is though. The idiot's army already think we're on their side. But now that we have someone on the opposite side, . Besides, I'm also wondering, if her mother severed her ties with that birdbrain, wouldn't she be able to work with anyone else to retain her stability, rather than to let hell run loose? I'm definitely not someone who can govern properly despite my noble status. That's Rixi's job, for sure. To me I'd say he can be a dictator despite his young age. And besides, it's about damn time we should be heading off. The dampening noise is already irritating me, my instincts are stirred such that I find it super difficult to stay alert. "Okaa-san. We're going." I softly whisper in her hidden ears before I stand up and trail silently behind the others. Oh... and I'm not gonna voice it, but, my main priority is to just get out of this dreaded world safe and sound with Okaa-san and the artefact, maybe hopefully bring something else just in case our main target doesn't help turn the tide of my war against Tiamat.

Continuing on the path in silence, the only thing that worsened my mood more than the current weather is the thought of Paulis and his goons endangering my mother's safety. Reaching the foot of his base, my eyes widen in shock when I noticed that one path of landmines scattered in our wake. Yikes. So they weren't kidding when he said he hates outsiders. Gazing to the right, I noticed the mass bundle of flowers overlooking that shack... That must be where that Janus lives, presumably. Unless if it's a trap. But then I turn to Okaa-san, who quivers at the sight of one of them. I also recognise that plant clear as day: The foxglove. Looking back at our recent interactions with the Shifters, I've seen Daisy grow some of these in small amounts in her garden before. Ethan's brother also told me that this plant is notoriously poisonous especially to our kind and is even found in the gardens we've visited in Japan. Actually... where does Ethan and his brother live actually? I didn't know there were places outside of Japan in their world... Whatever. I'll ask them later when I return. I don't know what Okaa-san's history with these toxic plants are but judging from her nervous reaction, it seems she had a bad history with them. "Just don't touch them, let alone inhale or eat them, and you're good." I speak to her in our native Lancean before we both noticed that they've decided to trail off. Crap. Gesturing to her, we both scamper as fast as we can to catch up whilst the rest chit chat their way through, or so it seems to me.

I deliberately remained silent whilst I let the others take the reigns for the time being. Inside my brain my thoughts churn into nothing but uneasiness and anger, further fuelled as all of us close the distance to the location of that Janus guy. Unlike everyone else, I kept a 10ft distance from the rest, not because of myself, but for the only person I trust the most; As soon as the door is knocked, I gesture to Okaa-san to hide directly behind me just in case whilst my dominant right hand remains gripped on my katana hilt. Whatever that neko said to Janus about her, he'd better come clean about it. Attack Okaa-san, and there will be bloodshed.

Feeling a little dazed from eating so much, Maya returns into a rather hunched position over the table, seeing that there wasn't anything that the ancient fox could pick up in her seemingly blind sight. She had little time to withdraw into her head however as Renar whispers into her hidden ears, saying that it's time to go. She pouts in response, but doesn't say a word as she rises from her seat and leaves last in line with her son, not even giving a courtesy in thanks to Leevi for the food. Outside, as she recalls her son's words again, she darts her vision to the prison, but finds that the guards haven't done anything dramatic yet, it seems. Coast clear, she guesses.

Once again, burdened by the combination of the soaking atmosphere and the awkward silence, there wasn't much she could say, let alone sing. In fact, out of all six members, Maya is the only one who doesn't dramatically react to the mines; She can't even read the sign yet either, but even she knows that mines are dangerous and not to be stepped on. Peering at the house on the right path, however, was enough to get a quiet whimper out of her. Despite all of the unusual flowers that lay in front of the shack, there was the one plant that she also recognises clear as day: The foxglove. Suddenly forgetting about the elaborate details of the mansion that lays before her as she walks closer and clutches her distressed chest, her mind swirls with thoughts of another horror she had encountered with this notorious plant: That day when her deceased daughter fondled and licked one of them during a trip to one of the meadows in the Sword Coast and became immobilized. The time where her magic failed to cure the poison... the distressed, choking sounds she made as she suffered for three weeks in paralysis... Even though she survived in the end thanks to a druid whose name she cannot remember, the follow-up trauma that affected both girls lasted for months; the nightmare never left her thoughts even after 4 centuries... Even as Renar tells her not to go into the garden carelessly, those poisonous plants just can't seem to shake off her mind right now; The thought about Renar getting poisoned the same way as her daughter went through for days... Speaking of Renar, the unusually serene but monotonic voice of her son brought her back to reality, particularly because of the familiar language as they close in on the mansion's doorsteps. Even so, that doesn't mean she'd at least stay hidden behind him for the time being, let alone tug on one of his sleeves just in case. Besides, he's looking incredibly tense right now, given the way his right hand has latched onto his weapon. The last thing she needs is for the two's lives to be endangered as much as everyone else standing here.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Leevi," Alex says to the pirate. "And... uh... please remember what I said about the rat in the people's army." He waves as the tabaxi leaves, and then follows his own team as they head towards Paulis and Janus's places. 

"So Janus first then?" Alex says, briefly looking over the mine field and taking note of the white Dragonborn. "Maybe he could put in a good word for us before we try to fight our way to Paulis's house." He chuckles, "Or I could try flying over the mine field and see if I can negotiate with our icy friend up there. Maybe if she knew we were here to give a warning and a gift she would let us in? Plus... then I don't even have to literally trespass, since I'd only be flying above the private property, so perhaps it could reduce the chances of someone getting hurt." He's not sure if the laws for private property include airspace, but it would make sense to him if it didn't. Otherwise any flying race could get blamed for trespassing just for flying over someone's house that happened to be in their path. 

 Liivi and Shugo seem like they want to go to Janus's first... which might be the better idea the more he thinks about it. But then again, Renar seems hesitant to visit the person the shopkeeper told them about and...He looks down at Mira, who seems intent on trying to traverse the mine field. "Renar... what do you think? We could also split up if needed. You, Maya and I could try visiting Paulis... and you to Mira if you'd rather go there instead of speaking to Janus, and Shugo and Liivi could see about talking to Janus. Who knows, maybe if fewer of us try crossing the mine field we won't draw as much fire... er... ice from up ahead." 

He lets the question stand, but is more than willing to lead the way across the field... after all, he's the tank of the group so if he'd rather be the one to step on a mine than letting someone else take that risk. 

Liivi glances over at Alex after his last comment. "I'm not going to just head off as others face off against that apprentice while dodging landmines!  We ought to stick together." She looks around briefly at the others, "Pretty sure the consensus is to visit Janus first. You leading the way Mira?" she asks, as it appears the rabbit-woman was already proceeding towards the door.  The tabaxi follows right after. 

Mira

Before the bunny girl could even knock on the door, she halts at Alex's question and turns her head to him. "Um... you must remember that not everyone is willing to try and tank such explosive forces you know. And besides, even with that armour of yours, hoodie guy is right. There's only so much damage it can absorb before it's not able to support you. The last thing I want to see is your youthful life cut short." She sympathetically replies. She then hears Liivi and for once, the hoodie boy counter with their suggestions and nods unknowingly. Especially for the latter, she couldn't help but agree with everything he had just spat out. For something that antisocial and blunt, he knows what to avoid, what the outcomes might be if they had split up, or what might have been. Plus, the thought of losing that young holy boy too soon isn't going to be something she wants to deal with too early. She turns back to the door. "Let's go see him first. Maybe he can convince that ice bozo to deactivate the mines and help us cross safely. So we can alert Paulis of what's going on." Since no one has taken the lead, Mira offer to do so as she knocks on the door.

"Hey there. Are you busy right now? We just want to talk. About something you might have seen?" She calls out, waiting for an answer, though she does hear a soft growl coming from hoodie boy himself and shudders.

Renar

Overhearing Alex's response, whilst I can theoretically maneuver my way around without any problems, it wouldn't be the same for the rest. I tug on Alex's plate. Obviously with what he's wearing, he isn't going to survive the ordeal if he makes even one mistake. "Look at yourself, Alex. All covered up in your regal, shiny blue armour of yours, yet there's so much damage it could only afford to shield despite its sturdiness." I shift myself such that I don't appear slouched an unserious. "It takes not only carefulness but also a lot of dexterity if you want to get across unharmed. Not everything is about endurance, Alex. And traversing through a minefield is one of them, even if were to split up into groups of three. With this kind of inflexible armoury, you would be the one most likely to be hindered. I doubt you can even retain your limbs when dealing with at least one explosion from these things should you even step on one. Those mines do pack a punch if triggered. Even if you had wings, What if that dragon girl suddenly cuts you off and makes you fall above them? What if you fall off a steep cliff too? There are so many risks that I'm considering despite your bravery; The thought of you plummeting from a dangerous height is what I'm currently imagining even if you can hover over those mines." I turn to Okaa-san, who also seems to be one of the least agile members of this group. "And for the record, I don't know if you have noticed but this lady behind me... she's a lot clumsier than she looks. I don't trust her to maneuver her way around this." Gazing back towards the irregular placement of the traps, I couldn't help but give off a squint. "Plus, with that random spread of the mines, what if... what if we encounter some spread that forced us to jump over without touching them?" I suddenly shut my mouth when I realised I was ranting on for too long again. I was tempted to blow up those mines from a distance, but that would fear an unwanted chain reaction if that's the case. Plus, with that ice enchantress blocking our path, what if she pushes us back into them? What if she makes that life-risking travel meaningless? Sighing with hesitation, I breathe out one last sentence if anyone is even daring to listen right now...

"If I were you, I'd play it safe for everyone. Talk to that guy first. See if he can help us find a way around this or get someone to deactivated them for the time being." Was all could muster before I instantly keep quiet and withdraw in silence again with silent fox-like growls, only thinking about the threat of Okaa-san's safety being endangered.

Alex wilts slightly when everyone else seems to have thought this through much better than he had. It hadn't even occurred to him that the Dragonborn might try shooting him out of the sky if he tried flying over the minefield alone... even if he went so far as to carry a white flag too. It seems so foolish, considering a mine is more than enough to kill someone. 

"Yeah you're right," he says, sounding a little dejected. "Let's go then." He follows Mira as she hops towards Janus's door. Right now, he's more willing to let Shugo or Renar take the reins, since he only received third hand information about this Janus whereas they at least got second hand. He perks up a little as they make their way over though, realizing that Renar said more to the group just now than he has since... well, just after the fight with Cezars if his memory serves him well. With that in mind, he decides that Renar must have pulled himself out of whatever mood he's been in for the last couple days, so he'll stick close to his 'changeling' friend as they move to initiate a conversation with this Janus person. 

Shugo chuckle's at Mira's comment, "Heh, who said I'm in line? I'm most certainly OUT of line most of the time. Haha." He nods to her next comment, then turns to the others as Alex talks about potentially flying over the mines, then nods along with Renar when he explains why that is a bad idea. Once the two are done, he speaks up. "I figured when we are ready I can just speak to her with uh....my innate abilities." He does 'magic hands' as he says this. "You know, like I've used for distractions in such? Just this time I'd just get her attention and let her know out intentions. Heheh."

With that, he becomes second in line after Mira and stands right behind her as she knocks on it.

The wooden door of the mansion is made out of the finest oak, there are three monkeys carved on it—the one on the left covers his ears, the one in the middle covers his mouth, and the one on the right covers his eyes. These are the Three Wise Monkeys: Mizaru, Kikazaru, and Iwazaru respectively, it's a common motif that originated in Sekuris and can be found anywhere across the world. Below the three monkeys is a text that says:

What you hear about the past

What you see about the past

What you speak about the past

When you are no longer in the past

Let it stay in the past

Eventually, the door opens on its own. The interior is spacious, the walls are filled with various kinds of paintings, anything from landscape to people, to abstract art—and in front of you is a jackal-like humanoid nursing an injured pigeon on a coffee table.

Astra was right, he is rather... strange. He looks somewhat like a kitsune, a race of fox people wiped out by the USL. His fur is black and almost resembles a melanistic fox, but his pupils are circular, not slit like foxes do, so indeed, he is a jackal. But from what you know, there aren't any civilised races that resemble him at all.

"Be more careful next time, birdie." He mutters to the pigeon, his voice is soft and silky. Janus wraps a small bandage around the pigeon's wing, which is bleeding slightly. The bird coos in thanks, and then she hops down and away from the scene.

Janus focuses his attention on the six of you. "Come take a seat, I've been expecting you." He says, steepling his paws. "I'm Janus, I'm an Arcanaloth, one of the many types of fiends inhabiting Hell and beyond." Fiends in Lancea are drastically different from other universes out there. First of all, there is no distinction between devils, demons, and daemons, all of these three terms can be used interchangeably. Second, because of how safe Lancea is, demons are incredibly rare, and even if they end up in the mortal realm, they quickly try to find a way back to Hell. Third, they also obey non-killing laws. And fourth and most important distinction—they are capable of complex thoughts just like the civilised, and their behaviours and personality differ between each individual too.

Before you can even say anything, he raises his paws, signalling you to stay silent. "I know you are afraid of me, I know one of you is destined to defeat my kind." He looks at Alex, "If you have a problem with what I am, please go outside and reread the cravings on the door."

He stands up and walks to the cabinet, and then he pulls out an amulet and tosses it to Maya. "Before we begin our discussions about the artefact, you should wear this. We Arcanaloths can understand any language in the multiverse, so this amulet is a piece of our power. Just a note—that thing is still a prototype, I do plan on producing this on a mass scale so it won't have all the functions of the final product."

If she wears it—the world suddenly feels different, this amulet doesn't translate everything into Japanese, it makes you understand Lancean as if it's your native tongue. You can still speak and think in Japanese, but you probably shouldn't do it anymore. When in Lancea, do as the Lanceans do.

"Now that everyone in this room understands me, I want to tell you more about our kind first." He adjusts his shirt. "It is true that we used to be evil in the past, we were manipulative, we were sadistic, we used to hurt people just for the fun of it... But after the war ended, we've changed, we promised ourselves to be better... but it doesn't seem like many mortals trust our words, they are still scared of us, and they still don't understand us. We just gave up and exiled ourselves to Hell forever—except me, of course, I'm one of the few demons who decided to stay."

"I will get to the artefact soon, but just to make sure we are on the same terms." Janus gestures, his ears twitching. "Do you trust me?" Remember: the first rule of being an ideal Lancean is to never judge someone by what they are or how they look.

Incredibly unnerved as Janus, that man that her son is apparently snarling at, tosses an amulet to her so fast that she ends up dropping it on the floor, Maya had to readjust her footing if she wanted to pick it up without losing her footing and collapse behind everyone else. Is that what the neko was talking about at the shop? She wears the amulet around her neck without taking off her hood... and all of a sudden she is able to easily comprehend, she is able to understand what he's saying for once. Though... as she peers into her son's sour face, she's probably not going to say anything in case it's all a trap. She gives Janus a little courtesy, her way of saying thank you, before she awaits the group's decision on whether to head inside or not.

Even if she wanted to respond to Janus asking her if she trusts him, she just remains silent for now as her head slightly tilts to the side with a rather whimsical look. She's not the type to trust easily, much like the only person she knows right now. Then again, if Renar trusts him, she will follow.

Upon seeing the demon, Alex's first reaction is to blink in surprise. Sure, as a Paladin he's destined to fight the forces of evil, but... considering that not all demons are considered evil (at least not anymore) he never really thought of his destiny to be to fight 'their kind'. The thing he found the most odd however was that Janus felt the need to explain what he was, introducing himself as not just 'Janus' but also as a fiend. As far as Alex is concerned a Lancean is a Lancean, perhaps that's why he was never really bothered by the fact that Renar keeps his hood up at all times (and didn't want to say what his race was). So really... it saddens him that Janus even feels the need to ask them to read the engraving on the door. 

Perhaps Alex just hasn't considered that demons like Janus may have committed the ultimate crime of murder in the past, or maybe he's just naive, but that's how he's always been. 

It doesn't even occur to him that the amulet he gave to Maya could be some sort of magical trap, rather, he just eyes it curiously. Anything like that interests him, just as anything that has to do with history and artifacts interests him. So that amulet can really let her understand their language?! That's awesome, now Renar doesn't have to worry about translating for her! 

Once Janus is done talking, Alex just grins and rubs the back of his head with one hand, "Just because I'm a Paladin doesn't mean I'm going to have some sort of grudge against your kind. I get that some people might be scared and distrustful of you, but it's not like any other races are completely guiltless of the same crimes." He waves a hand, "But like the engraving said, let the past stay in the past. If someone truly wants to atone and change, then no one has any room to judge them." Plus, how many years has it been since the end of the war he's talking about? In that amount of time he could have proven again and again that he's not the same evil creature he was before. At this point, it wouldn't do anyone any good to keep dredging up the ancient past instead of looking at his current actions... which granted, Alex has no clue about. All he knows is that Janus seems like a nice guy so far, so assuming no one else objects he's more than willing to listen. 

"So yeah, I'm willing to trust you. You haven't given us any reason not to," he says, maintaining his wide smile. Right now he's more exited to be meeting someone who's been alive for so long than he is concerned about misplacing his trust. Honestly, the fact that he hasn't said anything bad about Maya's inability to speak Lancean, instead giving her an amulet that solves the problem for her, is just one reason TO trust him as far as Alex is concerned. If Janus lets Maya keep that item, it could seriously help them out in the future since they wouldn't have to worry about her breaking some silly language rule. 

As the door opens of its own accord, Liivi looks through to see all the opulent accommodations. She is intrigued, but no less so by the creature before them - Janus. 'What sort of creature is he?' she wonders.  She watches his actions carefully, then listens as he speaks of his kind.  After hearing Alex's remark, she nods. "Your actions here in just a few mere moments suggest you have a giving nature.  I agree with Alex, you have not given us any reason not to trust you."

She steps back after her remark, giving room for others to speak to this fiend. Having done so, she steals a glance over at Maya.  She's curious what effect this amulet will have for her.  She can only imagine what it's been like if she couldn't understand.  But it must be quite startling to suddenly be able to understand.  As the woman tilts her head, Liivi wonders if that is because she now understands or if some other thought is in her head. 'Why does she not speak now,' she wonders. 'Does the magic only let her understand and not speak?'  She idly considers this as she waits to see how the others react to Janus.  And she waits eagerly to hear more about the artefact. 

Renar

Briefly distracted by the words on the door, plus the fact that the names of the monkeys sound almost exactly like Japanese names, the only thing that caught my attention was the response to the bunny girl's knocking. Noticing the door creak open slowly, my right paw gripped on my sheth even harder as I anticipate that Janus guys coming out to charge at Okaa-san and me. All because she spoke a forbidden language in this world. Instead, the only response I got was... nothing. Other than some... furry like man standing in front of the doorway as I continue to stare...

I don't recognise his species... He looks like a fox, almost like those anthropomorphic kitsune I encountered earlier. Yet... I get the sense that he's leaning towards canine-like... or dog-like in a sense. Even moreso, I was extremely confused when... instead of attacking Okaa-san on the spot, he handed her... something that I couldn't quite comprehend. What is that? And he's telling her to wear it around her neck? I blink in confusion as she obeys before I resume staring at him with hostile looks. "You gave her that thing. What for?" I ask with the snarl still audible in my voice. And then I blink again when he says... that thing is meant for her to understand this world's language... What? Was that what that neko was talking about? I need to know more... "You gave her that thing of yours so nonchalantly. Yet you clearly don't fear that she can't speak your native tongue at all. Is it because of that someone who contacted you about her? What did she say to you? Did she tell everything, about this lady's inability to understand? What else did she tell you?" I ask again. Just because he's given something that appears to be assisting her, doesn't mean that it's foolproof. He says it's a translator. So what? What if this thing ends up becoming a trap? Or a tracking device? This a prototype; An unofficial version of the final thing, he says. I've had to deal with these kind of instances in the past whenever I meet someone I don't know, so I don't exactly have an opinion. 

Turns out that judging by Okaa-san's reactions to his statements though, it seems that she's overjoyed a little in finally being able to have something to help her translate without any attunement. Pfft. Honestly, I don't care if that relieves me of my translating duties. At least that takes a weight of my shoulders. Turning the leopard girl, I felt like someone needed to answer her question and not leave her hanging. "Apparently with that weird amulet, she can now understand everything that we say." I reply, though I do sound a bit hostile when I didn't mean to this time. "Um... she can speak. But she's very quiet most of the time. Because no one understands her." And then I realised something about Janus. He's a fiend... and an arcanaloth? That knows every language? Right. So that's why he gave her the amulet. That's why that neko was being suspicious of Okaa-san. That's one answer solved at least... for now. "You know what? I take it back. Ignore what I just asked." I quickly add with my paws raised in front of me before I cause any more confusions. Just in case though, I had to stroke Okaa-san's new amulet of anything that might consider harmful. At least... that's what I assume, because other than her expressing her joy about finally being able to understand, I can't seem to find anything else about it (Arcana: 12). I sigh as I rest a hand on her shoulder. "Even if he's enabling you to understand this language, I suggest you don't risk it." 

Let the past stay in the past he says... He's right. What's done cannot be undone. The past is unchangeable. Except I'm more anxious about the future. Not what has happened. I turn back to that fiend. He certainly doesn't look like one but if he says he is, then he is. "I don't trust easily. But..." I had to swivel my head around to meet the other's glances. Alex had already stood firm despite his steadfast hatred for this guy's kind. That new leopard girl also trusts him too, but I don't know where to stand myself. "Whatever the rest chooses, I will go with them until you prove otherwise." And when I mean prove otherwise, I mean you end up harming Okaa-san in anyway, be it through something you're hiding, or that mystical gadget you have her. At least... until I recalled his last words... Do you trust me...? I gasped lightly as I felt a stone sink to the bottom of my soul.That one line struck me harder than the thought of enduring this peaceful facade; That was the same thing I asked Rixi and Ethan when I first joined their mini pack as their third member. That was the same line that Yuri asked me when she embraced me for the first time. That was the same line that the former two asked me. That Tenebris also asked too... I couldn't personally answer this myself as I arch my head down with an unnoticeable grimace... "Do you trust me..."  I had to whisper to myself in a low, unexcited voice as I await the rest of the others.

 Mira

Mira stands back as soon as the door opens, almost tripping into Shugo's thighs in the process if it wasn't for her agility saving her footing. She coos a little upon noticing that figure cradling an injured pigeon in his arms. How sweet of him. Already with that first impression maybe these guys made the right call to visit him first. Though she does cock her head in confusion when Janus throws an amulet at Maya for her to wear. What was that all about? And... it appears that Maya is showing some emotion for once? Is the amulet doing something to benefit her...? Oh. She can... understand now? Is that what the amulet is doing? "Huh. So that thing is supposed to help that hooded lady understand us more now right? Does that mean I can finally hear her talk in our tongue for real? Or is it just a translator for her only?" She asks both Renar and Janus, seeing that whatever that trinket Maya is equipping these guys would be the most knowledgeable about it. She's very skeptical about it though, because a special amulet like this can mean more things than just a simple translation device. She's also quite wary of the fact that this person is actually a fiend; After her recent battle against that Fire Genasi and the other fiend he summoned she really doesn't want history to repeat itself. But that all changed when she hears a line she always wanted to hear from minus her mother...

"Wait... did you say... do you trust us?" Mira gasps as her brown eyes widen. She's probably thinking, this is one of the rare people who judges others by personality, not by appearance. It's the type of people that she enjoys talking to the most, and especially when befriending. She nods politely, forcing herself to hold her unbottled excitement and prevent it from going loose. "Of course I do, sir. Unless if you prove to me and everyone of us here that you're nothing but a threat to our lives, of course I will trust you." She replies wholeheartedly. Only to notice Renar sour from her perspective and sighs. "Eh don't mind him. I'm sure other than muttering about some uninteresting jargon I cannot comprehend myself, I think he and that lady whose wearing your amulet are trying to say the same thing." She smirks at Janus, hoping he doesn't get the wrong idea about their current behaviours before turning to the others. "Well then, are you guys ready to head inside? And find out more about that thing you've all been yearning to obtain?"

Shugo doesn't seem to have much of an outward reaction to Janus's race aside from tilting his head slightly. He's certainly not one to judge people off appearances, and with everything that's happened....well not much surprises him. He's pleased to note that the cat storekeep didn't seem to betray them. Based on her personality, he felt it would have been odd if she had. Not to mention the all to obvious way she contacted Janus.

Casually walking in upon Janus' invitation, he takes off his pack and plops down into the first available chair, setting the pack on his lap once he's settled. He watches the other's reactions before grinning at the jackal man, "Like the others said, until you prove otherwise you have my trust." 

Janus still looks at you with a straight face when you say you trust him, but you can see his tail wagging under the chair. He must be secretly excited and happy to see someone that isn't scared of him for once.

Janus crosses his arms at Renar's comment, "Better if we talk about this in private, don't want to give the rest of your teammates a major spoiler." He smirks, that's the most expression you'll get from this unnaturally calm jackal.

"Any creature that wears that pendant will be able to speak Lancean, but she can also speak in her language too—again, I highly suggest that you do not do that. When in Lancea, do as Lanceans do." Janus answers Liivi and Maya's question

“Anyways... Listen to my story, this may be our last chance...” He gets us and gestures for you to follow him.

“I was born on the earliest day of Lancean history, -11C 2169 CY, to be exact, back when the first word were written on the first tablet by the first civilisation. Back then, magic wasn’t as common as it is now, you’ll need a special crystal just to cast a simple spell, and those things don’t come easily.” Because every C (Cycle) is 10,000 years, he’d be around 122,814 years old. All fiends are biologically immortal, which means they will live until the end of time.

He heads toward a drawer and pulls out a white quartz-like crystal. The more he walks closer to the party’s spellcasters, the more the crystal glows, it probably reacts to the magical particle in the area.

Janus pockets his crystal and continues walking down the hallway. “From -11C to -8C, there wasn’t anything interesting of note. Technology advanced at a snail’s pace, took us 20,000 years just to enter the ‘true’ medieval era. City-states pop up here and there, waging wars and disappear in a blink of an eye, you can probably imagine how it is. Magic is relatively rare, only reserved for the nobility and the rich. But of course, all of that changed in early -7C…”

He walks up to one of the paintings on the wall, depicting a giant portal opening up in the sky. “They came, the Azlanti and the Netherese. They spread like cancer, dividing and devouring this beautiful planet. Burning, pillaging, and killing men, women, and children like animals. The reason why population growth back then was so low was because they killed so much the growth rate became stagnant; around 600 billion people died in total during the timespan of early -7C to middle -4C.” 600 billion might be a lot, but it’s during the timespan of 35,000 years, the population growth of Lancea can get very high because the planet has a huge reserve of phosphorus and potassium on its crust, boosting crop yield and increasing population growth.

He walks you to the painting of a battlefield. “The gods that the Netherese brought with them started to corrupt some of our races, goblinoids and kobolds in particular were heavily affected. They began acting like them, they started killing, pillaging, and being disconnected from the civilised world—then they began committing genocide to these goblinoids, citing that they were ‘too ugly.’ Even until this day, people in Toril still continue to commit genocide against the goblinoids, they deny even the basic rights to their species.”

“They don’t have any reason to do this, they don’t have any ideology behind it. Because you see, the nature of killing and pillaging is rooted deep inside their soul. They cannot survive without bloodshed, they must see someone dead.” He says with a straight, expressionless face. “Around this time, we began to exchange our populations—not willingly, but forcefully. The Azlanti transported some of their slaves from Golarion to Lancea, which are all of the extinct species you know today: Kitsune, Ratfolk, Goloma—just to name a few. The Netherese also send their slave to ours, but their species was so similar to us it was practically indistinguishable.”

He walks to the end of the hallway, he touches the marble for a few times, and then knocks on a tile. You hear a click, and the floor in front of him slides open, revealing a stairway down to a hidden basement. “Then, one day in -3C 9853 CY, the Warriors of Light came down from Heaven to spread the message of our new and current God and turn the tide against the Golarians and Torilians.”

If Christianity has Jesus and Islam has Muhammad, then Shepherdism has Warriors of Light. They’re a group of prophet-like heroes which is the central focus in the second half of Shepherd’s Psalm, which is the holy scripture of the Shepheridists. They’re revered everywhere, even in pagan and other religions. Because Shepherdism forbids drawing any of the figures in the Psalms (just like Islam does), no one knows what Warriors of Light looks like, they’re often depicted as a group of people with a ray of light, a veil, or a helmet covering their face.

However, the Psalm said that the Warriors of Light fought against two unnamed tyrannical empires, it didn’t say it was Toril and Golarion specifically. Well, now you know why.

Janus continues, descending downstairs. “God gifted us with a new type of magic, the one we still use today. It’s much stronger and easier to learn than the crystal-based magic we stuck with for millennia. The Warriors of Light and Lanceans waged war against their gods and won, both the Azlanti and the Netherese were defeated and their empire collapsed, and they freed goblinoids from the corruption of their gods.”

He snaps his fingers and the magical orb on the ceiling lights up. You see various science equipment, but the thing that caught your eye the most is a large war table with a map of Golarion, Lancea, and Toril, and wooden figurines on it, representing armies. Janus walks to the table and leans his arm on it. “That was when Shepherdism was born, and the Warriors of Light returned to Heaven, waiting for the day when God calls them to save Lancea again.”

He pauses, you thought the story was over, but he isn’t done yet. “But… the mortals who defeated the invaders had other ideas. They formed the United States of Lancea, their goal was to protect Lancea from ever being invaded again, and you know how well that turned out to be. They killed everyone who came from Toril or Golarion or anyone who is descended from those two, they adopted an isolationistic approach, cutting themselves off from the rest of the universe. They constructed The Sphere, a magical bubble that surrounds this planet. It prevents any interdimensional portals from forming, hence the reason why none of us have ever heard of them… until now.”

Janus heads toward one of the cabinets, picks up a box, and places it on the war table. The box contains more wooden figurines, and the Arcanaloth then places the pieces one by one. “Of course, another group of rebels rose up and overthrew USL, the USL developed sun-bombs and blew up this planet to the ground. The USL tries to take control of the world once again, but they fail, the same group of rebels who somehow survived the bomb… then after the rebels successfully overthrow the USL, they get backstabbed by one of their own. That group would later become the Provisional Government of Lancea, the network of alliances we have today.” PGL functions less like a state and more like the United Nations. Its client states are as autonomous as they can be, but they still have to follow the rules written by PGL or get sanctions.

“Provisional Government of Lancea introduced their nonkilling philosophy, the core of our life and culture. They made more progress than any state in the past 120,000 years. They abolished slavery, they introduced anti-discrimination laws, they spearheaded free healthcare and education, they abolished serfdom and introduced minimum wages.” Janus glares, “And guess what our invaders are doing right now, Azlant and Netheril might be gone, but the current states of Toril and Golarion still keep commiting genocide, they still have slavery, wars are everywhere, people will kill each other based on their race.”

He starts arranging figurines, some of them have red and blue bases, but the majority of them have green bases. Green is the colour that represents Lancea, and red probably means Toril, so that left blue for Golarion.

“During my time when I travelled the multiverse, I visited Toril and Golarion a lot. Their planet is beautiful, but the rulers and their gods are smooth-brained—and I want to change that. I want to introduce them to the PGL, they will teach them our ways, and there will no longer be any war or slavery, they will live in peace and prosperity forever.” He leans closer to the group, “Which leads you to the artefact you’ve been looking for.”

He raises a finger. “To prepare for a negotiation with Toril and Golarion, I’ll need eight sun-bombs, you’ll need eight uranium cylinders, eight uranium spheres, and eight bombshells. Once you assemble the bombs, I’ll open a portal directly to the artefact. So, deal or no deal?”

Mira

Taking a seat besides Shugo, Mira does her bet to listen in on what Janus has to say... Except she thought she could. Her head swirls mid-speech after being filled with too much information, much less about stuff she knows herself. "Wow... that was a lot of info I couldn't absorb. I hope everyone else at least got something noteworthy...!" Mira says dazed, only thinking about three things at this point in time: The sheer inconvenience of acquiring those materials, the USL vs Rebellion drama and... Janus being able to travel through worlds?! How?! "Wait... you travelled to Toril and Golarion?! I thought that was impossible! What did you see over there minus the scenery?!" She exclaims, before noticing all eyes on her and shudders. "Uh... s... sorry... I shouldn't have been to rash..." She sheepishly apologizes. Quickly changing the subject so she doesn't appear foolish, she then turns to that one peculiar cat girl, who appears to be intrigued about the latter... If Liivi aims to stand beside the rebellion, now's probably a good chance to ask her more about it. "Hey, um... remember that time you were staring at the headless statue of that re... bel...?" She asks, only to falter almost instantly. Now that she has good assumptions about the new girl being on the same side as her adopted family, she's thinking of strengthening this common topic in case it needs to be revived again in the future. Yet... she finds it so difficult to talk to her every time. Why is that? She's definitely not like other people she's met despite her seemingly docile nature. Is it because of her massive greatsword? Her formidable strength? Maybe her rebellion bloodline is even deeper than her family's... she doesn't know.

Well, regardless of what Liivi says though, Mira turns back to Janus with a very bewildered look. "Wait... so you're asking us to collect what?! Uranium?! Sun Bombs?! Is this even possible for the latter?! And... Paulis...!" She gasps, after receiving a flashback of that note that she and Alex had seen in those underground stations of the USL. Whilst she'd love to adventure, to collecting something that dangerous would not mean well especially for her mother. Mother's probably gonna kill me if she catches me working on a secret deal like this... She thinks, although she has some thoughts that this may benefit the rebellion if it's for everything. Standing against this for now, she was about to raise her voice, but then realises she doesn't know what else to say as she turns to the others for help, hoping that they'd have some similar thoughts to hers. "Guys... surely you must have something to say right...?"

Renar

Even as the others say they trust him and head inside, my skeptical instinct still remains. Judging from the fact that's asking us to sit down, I had a gut feeling that this guy might be spitting facts that the others might not be able to absorb. With quick thinking, I managed to flick a pen from thin air alongside my smaller notebook instead of the thick one that contained my biggest secrets and did my best to copy everything he said at once; I'm not a fast writer, but that doesn't mean I can at least attempt to absorb as much as my brain can handle, such as... Lancea at odds with Toril and Golarion... Don’t care about the religious stuff... Azlanti and Netherese, what on earth are those? Warriors of Light... They are the gods here? And they waged war on... This doesn’t make any logical sense... What I’m saying out loud in my head as I scribble useless junk and make my handwriting appear messy, it honestly sounds like I’ve been catapulted into a world that shouldn't exist... that shouldn't even be considered reality in my thoughts... USL, the rebellion, getting backstabbed by one of their own... creating this society... what the heck... They constructed a sphere... A magical bubble that surrounds this planet and protects the planet from multiversal invaders... Wait... My eyes widen briefly as part of the realisation strikes. Is that why the portal that me and Rixi conjured began to falter? Is that also why Rixi and Yuri were unable to pass through? And if that's so... how did I get through? How did me and Okaa-san manage to get into here safely? And lastly, the Uranium cylinders... I know this one; isn't that the same metal that I heard of in Japan? That this metal was used to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki? I didn't know that this technology would come to mind in this world. And besides, where did they even come from in here...

Speaking of which, I felt very agitated that he said that all leaders in Toril are smooth brained. I know that isn't true; To call Rixi and Okaa-san smooth brained is an insult to not only me, but to them as well. They saved me. They helped restore the kingdoms to stability. They changed me in so many ways just like how they changed most of the major cities... I'm almost thankful he never mentioned anything about Japan. It seems like he doesn't know about that world just yet. But already, after having to note this down, I felt my main soul plus the reserves hiding on my tails sink. Even telling from Okaa-san’s apparent pout that she isn’t liking everything that’s being relayed to her. I bet she’s also agitated that got called smooth-brained too. My ears then twitch when he says he'll open up the portal to the artefact. So... If I'm not mistaken, this rumour of obtaining the artefact is all a hoax? Does anyone else know how many others are searching for it? Or are we the only ones tasked with this world changing search? If there people who are looking for it, would they even know it's all a lie?

Coming to a quick conclusion, it seems that as their “Invaders” rather than negotiators, we need to play along. Me and Okaa-san, we need to make sure that we're on the right side of his. We definitely dislike this idea of forced 'Peace', but right now, we don't have any right to complain... Raising my hand to Okaa-san to remain quiet, I patiently wait for Janus to finish before I start asking him... unless if anyone else beats me to it. "I would most likely say deal. But... There are a lot of things I need to clarify before we accept." I point out, ready to fill in the gaps. "Especially about the sun-bombs and those radioactive cylinders and all that. I heard the former is especially difficult to obtain. And even if we do have the time for it, do you where those are located? Because that would determine how we are supposed to acquire them and where. Obviously if we need to obtain those, I need to have a clear explanation on what we might be up against. As Shugo here said, no point jumping into things if we have no idea what to expect. Especially when the main deal is protecting Lancea from total collapse.” I didn’t mention anything about a deadline because I figured that might ramp up the pressure even more. And also, he's using them to “negotiate” and open the portal to the artefact... Also how is he supposed to teach my world in a matter of years?! This seems incredibly inefficient; It’s a problem that needs to be addressed, yet for some reason... I feel like it’s best not to bring this up...

Though, there’s one more thing I need to mention; I think Alex has already said so, but just to make sure we’re still on his good side... “Besides, the last thing we want to hear is your good friend Paulis fall to some threat on the other side of the multiverse. That’s why we also came to see you. We came here to warn you, Paulis and... his dragon caster... we came to warn you, to brace fo the worst should it unfold... before it’s too late.”

Alex listens to this history with a little too much excitement. He has so many questions about so many things, especially since Janus says he's been around since the dawn of time. But right now doesn't feel like the right time to ask. Still, with all this new information he can't help but ask a few of his most relevant questions.

"Wait... so whoever betrayed the original rebels are the ones who founded our current government?" Maybe he should already know that, but it just seems odd. Why would they need to backstab their friends if the goal was the same? What ideals did the rebels hold to that went against the government that's in place today? Perhaps they saw problems with this new form of government that the 'backstabbers' overlooked or disagreed with? After all, nothing is free and no law will keep everyone in line. What has the current government been doing to keep this peace in place? As much as Alex likes to believe that people are naturally good, the truth is that everyone has evil in them too. 

Then there was also the little comment about the origin of the Kitsune... it seemed awful coincidental that just when they met Maya (a kitsune who can't understand lancean), they also learned that Galorian and Toril (the origin place of the race) is planning on invading Lancea. Could it be that Maya was somehow tied up in this? If she was a slave, then she likely didn't have any choice in the matter... perhaps that's why she's looking for her son. Maybe the two of them were used to test some portals or something... since apparently portals aren't supposed to be able to reach Lancea due to the USL's bubble barrier. But... what if there is a different reason Maya is here? What about her son? So far, Alex likes Maya. He doesn't want to think that she could willingly be a part of any of this, and based on her reactions and Renar's translations, he really really doubts that she's on the side of the invaders. He just can't get over the fact that it seems awful convenient for her to show up when she did. He glances her way when this runs through his mind.

Of course, all that is just speculation. 

For a moment, he looks like he might ask something along those lines to Maya since she can understand them now... but then he remembers that neither Janus, Liivi,  nor Mira know that Maya is a kitsune, so he'd better wait until later to ask. 

So, he turns his attention back to Janus, "Wait... so you need bombs to negotiate? Is this... because you need to intimidate them?" Logically, when dealing with a people who don't respect the non-killing laws, (which would be really really difficult to maintain in a real war, Alex realizes with a sinking feeling), it would be pretty difficult to threaten them if they don't believe you'll follow through. "I... don't really know how to feel about that, but I do see the reasoning. What do you intend to do with the bombs if negotiations don't work?" 

The idea of teaching these people the ways of Lancea sounds good on its face, but... how plausible is it? Especially if people here really don't believe murderers can ever change. Can Lancea really ever create peace with those nations without significant conflict first? If it comes to war, what will they do if we win? What will Lancea do with these planets and the people on them who've killed in their lifetime? How long would it take for Janus and the PGL to actually teach AND convince those aliens (for lack of a better term) that the Lancean rules really are better? Even on Lancea, people have different opinions. Even on Lancea, there apparently are still people who discriminate based on race... even if it doesn't lead to violence. So what, realistically, will it take to make a real change on those planets. Something tells Alex that it won't be as simple as giving a bunch of bombs to Janus. Even if he wants to believe it. 

After a moment of silence Alex looks to the rest of the group as if searching for answers. "I... think this is definitely worth considering..." He looks back to Janus, "I'm not against doing this. We need to make preparations to deal with the oncoming threat. So if you tell us where to start I'm more than willing to work with you.  But... If it's not too much trouble, would it be possible for you to arrange a meeting for us with Paulis? I know I at least have some questions that... well, I'd like some answers too."

If the PGL is so great... why is the People's Army fighting against the political leaders? From what he's seen, he hasn't been impressed with the leadership of the current government. Well, not in this area anyways. Is Elmars even involved in the PGL? Who is leading it at this point? Either way, Alex wants to get to the bottom of this. No government is perfect. That has been made clear in history time and time again, on many many worlds. Human(oid) nature always leads to darkness, which means that there is likely corruption somewhere. As much as Alex would like to be able to blindly follow the people in charge, he's starting to see some of that corruption... thanks to Cezars. So he can't very well jump on board with this idea of sending people from the PGL to teach the ways of lances without knowing that this good natured idea won't go terribly wrong in the long run. 

Shugo, still holding the egg inside his pack on his lap, squints at Janus as he tells his story. The elf has at least heard snippets of everything the demon is saying, and thus unconsciously tunes most of it out. All in all, it's political stuff that he'd rather not think about. He only snaps back to the present when the artifact is mentioned.

"Uh, I don't really think we can make this deal right off." He says after Mira and Alex have spoken, "Alex has a good point with asking what you plan to do with the bombs, but I also just feel like we'd still be in the same boat as we are with the artifact if we go searching for the bombs or whatever. How the heck are we supposed to know where to find that stuff? I have a better idea of where to find the artifact than where to find uranium and....all that other stuff."

He scratches his head, he felt like he needed to answer the demon's question, but he really wants to get to the main reason he'd come here"Uh, this is a little off topic but....eheh, you know we spoke with our mutual feline friend over at the general store? She said you have, experience with caring for dragons...." He pulls down the sides of his pack to show the egg.

With the new translation amulet, Maya eagerly awaits what this curious Janus has to say... except that once he started spitting facts, she wished he hadn't. Whilst she has no religious interest whatsoever, everything else especially about Toril felt like a major blow for her, considering that she has seen a drastic change in their society. In fact, invading LAncea as Torilans was never her idea in the first place. Speaking of which, that strange jackal-looking guy mentioned something about her and her son's kind, yet he provided no info about them, minus the fact that they came here and became extinct because of the dreaded USL. These guys are probably wondering, what would happen if they find out the true secret of her and her son. In fact... taking a moment, she briefly stares at each person with her seemingly shut eyes. Looking back from her past experience in this world, she realises that minus her fox son, only Alex and Shugo remember her true identity; Mira, Janus and new the neko girl... they don't know at all just yet. 

She glances at her disguised son, who apparently seems to understand the situation more than her right now seeing that he's scribbling notes. A wave of emotions began flooding her brain at once, from uncertainty to sorrow to anger (especially when she got called smooth-brained as her son predicted and pouts) to fear to... dread.  As for the bombs she has zero clue about, Maya again remains silent, but inside, she's asking herself why on earth did she even come here again even if it's for the artefact? They have to assemble it themselves, possibly risk life and limb to achieve these... why? Just so he can "Negotiate" through intimidation?! Her world is in a war right now against Tiamat. The last thing she needs is for her world's situation to worsen just because this one is threatening to further destroy them. She knows she can't migrate to Japan permanently either, seeing that human society is just too closed off from her kind. Kotowarimasu... Naze watashi no sekai o odokashitai nodesu ka? (断ります...なぜ私の世界を脅かしたいのですか?!, I refuse... why would you want to threaten my world?!) She felt her large chest sink as she doubles over slightly as she continues to complain in her thoughts. Watashi ga kono sekai de nozomu no wa heiwa dakedesu... Musuko no heiwa... Watashi ga shinrai suru hito-tachi no tame ni... Toriru no joō to shite... Watashi wa kyohi shimasu! Sorenanoni, yokumo watashi o zunō meisekina shihai-sha no yō ni atsukau nante! (私がこの世界で望むのは平和だけです...息子の平和...私が信頼する人たちのために...トリルの女王として...私は拒否します! それなのに、よくも私を頭脳明晰な支配者のように扱うなんて, All I want in my world is peace... peace for my son... for those that I trust... As the Queen of Toril... I refuse! And how dare you address me as a smooth-brained ruler!)

She really wants to speak this out loud, speak her mind for the first time since setting paws on this world. At least, until her son, Shugo and Alex speak for her and immediately eats her thoughts. But... what about the other ladies besides her? "M... Mira?" She coos in a worried tone, seeing that neither she nor Liivi have no idea on where to align themselves...