The light of dawn finds Shenua somewhat better—her wounds mostly mended, though she still feels the weight of a sleepless night. She had dozed briefly before dawn, but the weariness will certainly linger through the day.

When Iromae and Vorenus wake up, she approaches them. "Are you two all right?" She rubs at her eyes as she waits for their reply. "I couldn't sleep much, so I studied these." She shows them the broken piece of manacle she carried. "Though I can't say a lot, honestly. They were designed to last only a night, meant to dampen Weave-conduits. But with the node inert, most of their power has faded."

She glances at Vorenus. "Perhaps your shard will prove more useful."

Silence lingers for a moment before she asks the question on all their minds. "What now? We still have a Masquerade to attend, and mirrorcraft clothes to find. Without Lirae it won't be easy, but perhaps we can try the shop anyway. At the very least, we should look around—see if anyone's talking about what happened yesterday."

Iromae had also awakened with the early light of day. She greets Shenua with a slight smile, clearly feeling better than the night before. "I am doing well. Just worried about what might have happened to Lirae. And wondering who those people were. Do you suppose they will be looking for us now? Are the others besides just them that know something of our presence?" 

Her eyes move to Vorenus as Shenua asks him about the shard. "Do you know anything about it?" she asks him. "I'm afraid if you guys made any attempts to work on anything last night I was too intent on sleep to even realize what you might have been doing."  She peers at him, waiting for an answer. "Do you have any idea what happened there with the node? Did you send everyone away? Or did they escape using their own powers?"  She pauses a moment, thinking that over. "Clearly those folks understood something about the arcane. Do you suppose they actually could use magic as well?" 

Finally, she considers the last question. What now? "I do think we need to be ready to go to this Masquerade. We can try to find what we need on our own."  She pauses, looking around this place. "If there are any eyes out looking for us, I'd rather not reveal this spot if we don't have to. Could we find another place to lay low while we're here?" 

Vorenus wakes up after a deep sleep, smiling at Shenua and Iromae.  He’s still holding the shard in his hand, he looks down at it and then up locking eyes with them, scratching his head.  “I’m okay, what a day yesterday.”  He looks down at the shard, concentrating on it.  He has an idea and after standing and stretching, he goes over to his backpack, opening a compartment he finds the needle.  He holds it in his left hand, in his right he has the shard.  “I was wondering, what would happen if these two get closer together….”  He brings them together to see if he can feel anything.  

He looks up at Iromae and says “I did not send everyone away, I don’t think that was me.  I became a channel for raw power, I was full of such anger toward that man in the mask and our captors, I funneled all of that energy toward them, I wanted to see them burned away in a flash of light.  It became so intense… the man in the mask must be a magic user.  They teleported everyone away at the last moment.  I feel that is what happened.”  He looks down at the shard, saying “I don’t know why the node resonated with me so much, I was connected in such a way…”  

Vorenus agrees about going to the store to get the costume they need before the masquerade - -  he reaches into his pack again and pulls out his disguise kit, saying “I’ve used this in the past, to alter my appearance, to play up my “Great Vorenus” role.  Now we need it in a totally different manner.  I feel that we need to alter our appearance.  I can do that magically as well, but I feel that we should not use magic whenever possible.  If you will allow me….”  If everyone allows, he starts to alter their features with makeup, alter their appearance as much as he can, smiling and joking as he does so, just to make them look different than they appeared to their captors in that dark room.

"Yes," Shenua says, "They used teleportation magic to escape and take Lirae with them. I cast a detection spell there just before we left. I figured that with everything that happened, a little magic wouldn't be noticed. That's how I saw the traces of conjuration from the teleportation, abjuration on these—" she points at the shattered manacles— "and evocation in the shard of the node. Magic users, all right."

The artificer looks on expectantly as Vorenus brings his needle close to the node fragment. Later, when he offers to disguise them, she arches a brow, hesitant at first, but finally nods. "Just… don't go painting a mustache on me or anything, okay?" she laughs.

"Yea, much better to disguise ourselves without magic," Iromae says quietly. She would sit very patiently to allow Vorenus to help disguise her appearance. 

The soft light through the slatted shutters brings with it the quiet hum of the waking city. Somewhere in the city, a vendor shouts the first call of the day, but the noise seems strangely far away after the chaos of the night before.

Vorenus’ idea to test the shard comes first. As he brings his silver needle close to the charred fragment, the air between them hums faintly — a low resonance, like a plucked string under the skin. A faint spark of blue-white light arcs from the shard to the needle tip, then vanishes. It’s not dangerous, but it is real. The connection confirms the shard is still alive with residual power, perhaps even compatible with the artifacts you each once held. Vorenus can feel the rhythm echoing faintly in his pulse again, but fainter now, as if the thing were dormant — waiting.

When he turns to the disguise kit, the change in tone is palpable. The tension lightens. A little laughter, a little joking — small reliefs after a harrowing night. Using your combined skills (Vorenus’ performer’s touch, Shenua’s eye for fine detail, and Iromae’s calm hand steadying the work), the three of you manage makeshift disguises good enough to turn away casual glances. A passerby might think you travelers from out of town, or perhaps tradesfolk. Only someone searching for you specifically might look twice.

Shenua’s study of the manacle fragment reinforces her earlier conclusion: it’s inert, though the faintest residue of Weave-dampening enchantment remains. It could perhaps be repurposed or reforged, but only with substantial magical tools or aid.

The question now is what next. The day stretches before you. The Masquerade is two days away, and the Veil & Vellum shop awaits — if you dare to show your faces there without Lirae’s referral.

You’ve also raised good points about security. This safehouse was chosen for convenience, not secrecy. If you intend to relocate or scout for a secondary refuge, now is the time. The city outside bustles as though nothing unusual occurred in the night … but you can’t shake the feeling that the Tribunal incident has not gone entirely unnoticed.

At this point, each of you can choose a course of action for the day:

Vorenus: Continue studying or attuning to the shard? Investigate for signs of pursuit? Scout for a new hideout?

Iromae: Seek information, pray or commune for guidance, or focus on recovery and stability?

Shenua: Work on the disguise further, research the shard/manacle, or gather rumors about last night’s disturbance?

Or something completely different?

Once the costumes are completed, Iromae says, "I suppose we should get out and try to learn something."  She sighs, "I wish we knew more about the nods, more about the magic detectors. And how are we supposed to just walk into the Veil & Vellum blind? But even if Lirae came back, how would we even trust her? We've got to figure it out on our own."  There's a pause before she says, "May as well see about costumes now. If we can't manage it ourselves, then we'll still have tomorrow to pull out some miracle. Perhaps while we're out we figure out an alternate hideout?" 

Shenua considers Iromae's suggestion. "An alternate hideout is a very good idea. We can do that,  along with approaching the Veil & Vellum to see what we can learn without Lirae’s help, yes" She pauses, frowning slightly. "I do wonder, though ... how was she going to help? Was it a matter of getting us a discount? Or does the shop only deal with certain clients, and you need a recommendation to buy from them?" She clicks her tongue, annoyed that she hadn't thought to ask earlier. Then she shrugs. "Well, we'll figure it out ourselves, one way or another."

The tiefling's turquoise-over-black gaze drops to the manacle fragment in her hands, then to the shard by Vorenus' side. She’d like nothing more than to study them further, but perhaps that will have to wait. There's too much to do, and too many eyes to avoid. She sighs, missing her workshop more than ever, and forces herself to focus. For now, gathering information is the wiser course.

She looks to Iromae and Vorenus again. "Since we'll be walking quite a bit today — finding a new hideout, checking the shop — we might as well keep our eyes open. People in this version of Suzail seem to keep to themselves, but even they must be talking about last night's disturbance. If we spot any guards, we could try listening in, as well. They're bound to know something."

Iromae nods to Shenua. "I feel like asking at the Veil & Vellum about some of those enhancements Lirae mentioned would be dangerous. Not sure if they'll just assume anyone going there would be looking for such. But I'm guessing there would be a trick to it."

Vorenus eyes Shenua, and she has that look.  You know, that look when something is bugging her, he sees her looking at the manacle fragments and then he starts to slowly nod.  “Yeah, I know.  I can tell, you’ve got that look on your face.  I feel the same.  If I had all the time in the world, I would sit here and study this shard, I feel that there is still magic left in it, it clearly reacted to the needle, did you see that?  But, we must get costumes, yes?  And we need to be careful.  I think we need to find a different safe spot, keep on the move, if we can.  So, … let’s see, that looks good!  Now, for a little of the ole Grandmaster Vorenus!  But .. not so much.  And not so softly.  I must look like a grumplestilskin….”  He musses up his hair, exaggerates his straggly beard, and makes himself like an odd old timer who wants to relive a wonderful night at the ball, starting to work himself up for the role.  “Why back in my day, we used to do the three legged Lindy…” he starts shuffling his legs and pantomiming a shuffling old timey dance, hands weaving slowly back and forth between his knees.  “Like that, young missy!  Back in my day, it was all the rage!”  And then he lets out a chortling laugh, standing up straight, winking at Iromae.  

”Let’s leave everything we can here again.  Hidden.  And look for another safe spot on our walkabout, then move our things there and study these items the rest of the night.  Unless you want an old geezer taking you out for a drink or two.  Heh!”  Vorenus keeps smiling, but it seems a little forced this time…

Vorenus' words get a smile out of Iromae. "Grumplestilskin," she muses. "That does have a sort of... hmm, fitting sound to it." When he tries to show off an old timey dance, she laughs softly. "Gosh Master Grumplestilskin, don't think anyone does that sort of dance anymore." 

Quickly returning to a more serious tone, she nods at Vorenus' suggestion. "Yes, leave things here until we have a new place. I agree. The costumes first?" She then looks back over at Vorenus. "Sir, I've always been told I shouldn't be out with old men like you at night. Although, I suppose a drink or two could be nice." 

Shenua can't help but laugh at Vorenus's words, and even more so when he begins to dance. Then she rolls her eyes slightly, noticing the looks between him and Iromae — as one might when they're not supposed to know something, but in truth, they do. In any case, she nods and smiles at them both, feeling more invigorated after this brief exchange, and is more than ready to hit the streets of Suzail. With or without Lirae's help, she's sure the three of them will be able to make their way into the Masquerade.

As they leave, the artificer spares a thought for Diego, wondering where he might be and whether he is all right.

By the time you step out into the streets, Suzail is fully awake. The brisk morning air still carries a hint of sea salt from the harbor, and the hum of voices fills the avenues — merchants hawking wares, guards in crisp uniforms marching patrol routes, the chatter of nobles’ aides carrying armfuls of fabrics and masks for the upcoming masquerade.

Your disguises hold well enough. A few curious glances perhaps — an eccentric trio, but not memorable. Just as you hoped.

As you make your way toward Veil & Vellum, you begin to notice the subtle ripples left by last night’s events. Two soldiers stand posted near the Temple Ward crossing, quietly questioning passersby. You catch one saying, “The Tribunal’s east hall — burned clean through, they say. No bodies, though.” The other replies, “That’s worse, isn’t it? Means whoever did it’s still out there.”

You continue on, avoiding lingering too close.

Before long, the Veil & Vellum comes into view — a narrow shopfront wedged between a jeweler’s and an apothecary. The gilded sign above the door ripples faintly in the breeze, letters catching the light: Veil & Vellum: Tailors of the Hidden Self.

Even from outside, all three of you — proficient in arcana — can see the faint shimmer of illusion across the windows, designed to distort the interior. For anyone simply walking past, it looks like any other tailor. For those who know what to look for, there’s something distinctly arcane about the place.

Inside, you can see two customers browsing — one in plain clothes, another in a modest half-mask of mirrored silver. A tall human attendant greets them with perfect politeness, while a second figure lingers near the back, inspecting a bolt of fabric that almost seems to ripple like quicksilver.

As they approach the shop, and Iromae spots the shimmer of illusion and tell-tale signs of the arcane, she smiles. "Ah, we seem to have come to the right place."  She keeps her voice low, trying to be very aware that nobody is close enough to overhear. "They seem oriented towards serving folks like us, so hopefully our way will become apparent."  She is rather bold in leading the way into the shop. 

She had remained quiet as she sees the soldiers questioning people and heard the rumors of the Tribunal's east hall.  She definitely did not want to do anything to make anyone think she might be interested. 

As they walk toward the Veil & Vellum, Shenua pauses at a street vendor's cart and buys flatbread and boiled eggs for herself and her companions. She returns, handing each their breakfast with a grin. "I don't know about you, but I can't think on an empty stomach! And after yesterday, I need every bit of energy I can get."

She takes a few bites from her flatbread before adding, "Also, this'll help us blend in. Suspicious people don't stroll along eating breakfast on their way to their next objective." She laughs slightly, though there's a touch of tension beneath the humor.

When they reach the shop, she gently stops Iromae before she steps inside. "Wait, just a moment. Shouldn't we, I don’t know, rehearse what we're going to say? We can't just walk in and ask, ‘Hey, we’re friends of Lirae. Can you sell us mirrorcraft clothes for the Masquerade?"  She lowers her voice as she says that, glancing at the street first, then to Vorenus. "You're very good at swaying people. Maybe you should handle the talking? Iromae and I can look over the clothes, and maybe keep an eye on those two customers. Just in case. After last night, I'm not feeling especially trusting, to be honest. They could be spies to the Crown or something!"