“Promise you'll come back okay!” Tila demanded, her voice high, and filled with worry.

The little girl was pulling on Ivan's shirt with one hand and possessively clutching the story books Ivan had bought her with the other. Ivan smiled and knelt down to be at eye level with her. Myrn and the others were gathering the last of their things they had bought from the market in the Inn's small back room entrance area.

The little room was a good staging area that Meeda used to unload caravan shipments of food and spices before putting them away properly down in the basement pantry. There were plenty of tables and shelves to lay things out and get a proper count of what everyone was carrying.

“Promise Isaac!” Tila demanded, more softly this time being face to face with him.

Ivan smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

“I promise Tila. I promise.” Ivan insisted.

The girl pouted at him, but nodded, both hands closing around her precious books.

“We're not going in very far today so there's nothing to worry about.” Andy reassured her.

Marvin nodded sagely.

“If we have any trouble Tila we'll come right out. Promise.” The black clad fighter added.

“Good!” Tila responded sharply, turning up her chin and looking away from the pair.

“Tila...” Layla, Meeda's wife, chided gently.

Tila shook her head and dashed off with her books toward the stairs.

The group shared some looks as Layla sighed after her daughter, but smiled at Ivan and the others.

“I've made up a few traveling rations just in case you get stuck somewhere, but you kids be careful. Follow Myrn's lead, as unreliable as she seems she's been in the Old Oak more often than most so do as she says.” Layla instructed, the elder mirror of her daughter for a moment. “I'm going to go check on her, and leave you to do your tasks. Your rooms will be ready for you when you get back. Take care.”

Lifting her skirts and apron Layla left the room and headed up the back stairs after her daughter.

Ivan and the others shared some smiles before getting back to putting their things together. They had taken everything apart to cross check their gear, check on who had what, and to keep everything organized by distributing their packs the same way. Ivan appreciated the practice, and even had a compact flat pack now with plenty of large storage pouches, and a good number of cushioned storage pockets. The large leather pockets held sorted herbs in small bundles, ready in case Myrn needed to use her Remedy Ranger Skill, and there was also a few potions and tonics Ivan had put together that she could use in tandem with her First Aid Skill to again act as an emergency Healer if he went down or was otherwise badly injured.

However the plan for this run was to get a taste for what they were facing. Andy and Marvin had been in before but not in such a small group, and Myrn had plenty of experience, but all three had gone in with more experienced teammates to cover them. Andy admitted openly to never being the 'the first shield', having always been seconded and not the first into the fight. Marvin was at least used to being in the main damage group, but that group's safety was often provided by the other members. Having Ivan and Davian as inexperienced members of that group put everyone at risk of being out of position.

Ivan took a breath trying to push away some of the anxiety he felt.

“I can aid you if things go wrong Master. Myrn knows of my existence, and maybe if I dramatically save the others they will be a little more accepting. I can play it up a little too.” Penelope assured him.

Ivan's first reaction to that was worry, but he let himself feel a little gratitude toward his summoned familiar.

She smiled where she stood next to the wall of the shadowy garden and put a hand to the stone.

“You're on your way Ivan. You will do well. Be confident. Hopefully your Dark Spark will bind to your Rogue Job, or even Fighter as even a skirmish in the dungeon will push you more than you've been before. I have faith in you either way.” Penelope went on.

Ivan swallowed and felt a little heat spill into his cheeks.

Penelope's grin widened.

“You alright bud?” Andy asked.

Ivan nodded.

“Nerves.” Ivan admitted.

Marvin nodded, and glanced at Davian. The Bard was sitting with his things ready, legs crossed, palms on his knees, and back pressed against the cool stone inner wall. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be whispering and lightly humming to himself. Faint ghostly musical sounds drifted in the air near him at times as his focus deepened. He was calming himself, steadying his magic, and readying himself for the ordeal.

They all recognized what he was doing now as Davian's regular form of meditation. Myrn had started him on that; being that it was important to caster types to find harmony within themselves. She was currently working with Ivan to find a way that worked for him, but they were having trouble. Ivan's Dark spark was outside of Myrn's knowledge whereas Davian's Sound Spark responded quickly to what Myrn and her family knew about Song Sparks.

Ivan would certainly have liked to have found a way to calm his nerves so easily. Of course the only thing that came to mind was to bring Penelope out and bathe himself in her presence. Thinking of that only made a gnawing hunger to have her the way he had been having Myrn chew at his thoughts. - The sensation ripping at him like a dog ripping off the bark of a tree he was currently hiding in.

Ivan let out a slow breath, settling himself again. His mind stumbled upon some odd clarity with that last thought. He brought himself through the line of thought again. He thought of Penelope's wonderful form, and looked over her as she stood within the Shroud, her wings twitching, and eyes closed as she felt his focus close upon her. He thought of the taste of her skin, and the soft touch of her lips.

Penelope shivered in the Shroud. Ivan felt her heart's pace increase, and sensed the slight increase of intensity to her scent that came with her arousal. Ivan focused on that, and the gnawing hunger. He felt the others in the room, their emotions transferred in light pulls and taps upon thin wires. He breathed again and felt something more.

His mind cleared of thoughts as he breathed out again. He was looking down at his pack, but was focusing on nothing outside. He was close. So very close. He took another breath and tried to ignore the soft natural little movements of his body, and forget about his breathing. The attempt only made it more difficult, but he tried again and again to empty his mind completely.

Another breath.

The floor board under his foot shifted. He stopped himself from moving or shifting his weight.

Another breath.

One of Marvin's buckles rang loudly as he secured his pack.

Ivan ignored it and pressed on.

Another breath.

A clawed foot tore into stone and ice. Ivan very nearly opened his eyes in surprise, but remembered where he was in time. He did his best to keep his focus, mostly by not focusing on anything.

Another crunch upon ice and dry tundra earth.

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Ivan's eyes fluttered open a little, but the image of his small pack on the table was only part of what he saw.

In his mind a great beast, a terrible horned thing, with massive jaws, horns, and tusks looked down at him as he was held warmly in the arms of a woman so beautiful and familiar that it made him want to cry. Ivan kept his mind clear, and let his mind carry the vision on.

The beast's breath was hot with the scent of iron and blood, but there was an undoubted sense of pride and familiarity in the beast's presence. Ivan tried to see more of the beast, but lost whatever the vision had been. He let out a hard breath and found his face was damp with cool sweat, and a single spot above his left brow was tight with tension.

“You seemed pretty close that time.” Myrn said softly, soft condolence in her words as she came to his side. He was standing near the middle of the staging room with the last of his things about him on the table, his bag held in his hands.

Ivan nodded.

“There's something getting in the way. Some memory of something from a long time ago I think.” Ivan answered her. He shook his head distracted as his mind struggled with something just out of his understanding.

The woman's face who held him was brought forth in his mind. Her appearance startled him, and for a moment his hands were as red as blood in his vision. -Not covered in it, but bright red skin, healthy and vibrant with magic, and warm against the freezing cold arctic air. He blinked away the images and things were normal again, but the woman's face came to his mind yet again.

She was lovely. Her nose and the shape of her brows were just like his own. Her face was kind, joyful, and her eyes were blue-white gems like they were crystals made of the pure blue sky frozen in ice. And yet her gaze held nothing but warmth for him. Her skin...her skin was soft as flower petals, her mass of silken hair the color of snow, and upon her left brow was a crown like growth of purest white Ivory. She used it to band back her hair, and adorned it with colorful ribbons and its glass beads clinked pleasantly with each of her steps.

She wore a heavy parka jacket lined with white fur with a great hood she wore down. She was smiling at him. Smiling down into her arms...holding his tiny body against her chest.

Ivan sagged against Myrn, suddenly feeling drained. Myrn quickly took up his arm. Ivan's head ached with mana loss. He knew the feeling well enough by now. His vision spun and for a few moments he thought he might be turning green as his stomach swam with the violent disorientation.

“What in the world was that?” Davian suddenly asked, and looked up to see Ivan staggering.

Myrn clung to his arm, leveraging the strength of her two jobs to hold him up rather easily. Ivan came back to himself and leaned against the table. The vision was gone, but not forgotten. He breathed heavily.

Inside the Shroud Penelope and Azalea both looked concerned as Azalea's replicated lanterns hung about the garden flared over their cages and shook as if the earth itself was coming apart.

“Master...Something came loose just now.” Azalea said carefully, standing with her iron rod and lantern hanging like a flail from its end. “It's hard to describe, but I dare say you've just undone some kind of lock in your mind. Your emotions....”

“They were pretty intense. Like you lived the memory back in moments, and if I'm not wrong that was Istania's magic I just felt come loose from your mind.”

Ivan listened, but shook his head.

“Isaac are you okay?” Myrn asked, staying close as Ivan swayed a little where he stood.

“I'm fine. I think. Some water maybe. Nerves. I'm telling you. It's just nerves.” Ivan reiterated.

Myrn nodded and touched his hand gently before going into the kitchen. Her eyes however held intense worry and knowing however. Ivan tried not to look guilty as he met her gaze.

“Nerves don't dump mana like that. I swear I wouldn't have felt it before Myrn started teaching me, but Christ alive Isaac you lost the whole pool at once, or at least as much as I've felt you use during a fight.” Davian complained.

Ivan eyed him. Clearly that was some curse he just used, but…

“Oh! OH!” Penelope said, eyes wide. “Did you hear that Sammy?” She asked, calling out toward the shadows.

“A Follower of the White God...in Ivan's world?” Azalea asked, as if to herself. She paused suddenly as if lost in thought. “Surely that cannot be...”

Ivan ignored them largely because he didn't know what they were on about, and his head was aching like mad. He fiddled with his bag until he found his Minty Clover stash and stuffed a few leaves in his mouth. The sharp taste and sensation would bring about a small replenishment of mana to his mind until Myrn got back with the water.

“My head.” Ivan responded. “Something in my head.” He shook himself gently.

Davian chuckled softly.

“You're supposed to gain mana when you meditate, not lose it.” He teased.

Ivan nodded.

“I get it. I'm bad at it.” He gave way.

Davian sighed, and seemed to pick up a slightly different tact.

“Are you hurt? Pop a blood vessel or something?” Davian asked.

Ivan shook his head as Myrn came back into the room with a glass cup filled with fresh well water. Ivan took it gratefully and drank it down, first plucking the mint leaves from his mouth as to not water them down. He drank and sighed as he caught another breath before drinking down the rest and sticking the mint leaves back in his cheek.

“Thank you Myrn.”

“No problem. Are you okay though? If you're that nervous maybe we should wait until tomorrow. Plenty of time to prepare. We leave things ready as we are and take a day.” Myrn provided.

Marvin sighed, but nodded. Andy just nodded without looking up as he worked an oil cloth over his weapons and armor.

“It's a big step going in there. I'm glad you know more or less what you're walking into, but don't over think it Ivan. You'll just make yourself sick. Though I'm pretty sure you just figured that out on your own. We'll handle it fine. You've been tearing it up in our last few fights besides and you're technically the weakest of us by straight job levels. We'll be fine.” Andy summarized. He tone carried the casual facts and shared knowledge in a way that made it comforting to hear rather than annoying. Or maybe that was just his aura doing its job, but it did lift Ivan's spirits a little.

Ivan nodded and wiped his mouth.

“Sorry.” Ivan said, and finished checking his pack.

It was easier to go with the lie than to correct them.

“Don't worry about it bud. We got this. You'll see.” Andy assured him.

Ivan nodded again.

“Thanks Andy. It's just hard sometimes. After...” Ivan cleared his throat and actually had to master himself. Putting on the act actually had him thinking about it and it did make him a little nervous. Not for himself, but...well as he looked over the group of friends he had made it certainly did.

Ivan looked back to his pack fighting to control his expression and blinking quickly to keep his watery eyes from spilling their tears. He felt the others focus on him redouble, and heat spread in his cheeks.

“Just friends here bud. We'll listen.” Andy said softly. He shifted his shield and rested his arms over it where he sat at a table with a chair borrowed from the kitchen.

“I lost my family to the Army of Light. We were...” Ivan looked up at Andy.

A soft, welcoming smile held position on the man's large and honest face. Ivan sighed feeling some tension and bottled up emotional intensity leave him as he made the decision to tell them some little more about himself.

“We were all devoted followers. My mother..my father..and my little brother and sister. I...” He choked up thinking of Ral and Jen—their broken bodies laying at his feet as he slew the last of the men who attacked the temple, and Tanya laying nearby with a hole through her guts. His throat suddenly felt raw, as if he had been screaming today like he had been in that moment.

“I lost everything..” He finished through a growling sob. For a short moment he lost control of himself until he violently attempted to wrest control back with a burst of anger.

He slammed a fist on the table hard enough to make the solid oak piece jump in place even with his gear laid out on it. Myrn caught the glass cup before it rolled off the table, and wore a worried expression on her face as she came close to his side.

Ivan fought with himself for control of his emotions, but tears spilled down his cheeks all the same as his horrible and desperate rage of the past few weeks spilled into his limbs. It made his hands shake, and his legs yearn to run, dash, or simply kick some Follower of Light's head in. He shook with the turmoil left behind in the moment Theadus had decided to destroy it.

It took him a few long moments, but he managed to reel his control of himself back in. It was hard. Yet he managed with Myrn's hands softly gripping his arm, and the broadcast warmth of his friend's concern.

Andy nodded soberly and looked to Marvin who's face had hardened to a grim expression of sympathetic anger. Davian stared at Ivan as though he couldn't imagine what he must have been sensing through his own relatively high Insight Attribute. Myrn kissed Ivan's cheek and hugged him, his arm tucked warmly into her breasts and her fingers interlacing with his own.

Ivan leaned into her and wiped his face before drawing the strap of the pack around him and buckling it. With the slightest effort of mana he summoned the Shroud around him and Myrn. She wasn't quite under the hood, but the cloak's mantle had extended over her. In the dark shadows Ivan squeezed her hand desperately thankful for her support.

He cleared his throat and tried to stand straight.

“Can we go kill something now?” He asked, voice a soft grumble.

He didn't know what he had expected exactly, but the grim smiles that spread across Marvin's and Andy's faces weren't it. Not exactly. Ivan felt the invisible tethers of his borrowed perception power pulling them along nonetheless and he suddenly realized what he had done without thinking.

Penelope chuckled darkly within the Shroud.

“Now there's something. Empathetic response manipulation and magnification. You are talented Ivan.” She said, grim lights shining in her eyes.

The light sound of a child's careless stomping feet sounded and before anyone could address her Tila ran back into the room. She crashed into Ivan's legs and pawed at Myrn's arms nearby. Ivan was startled, but smiled as the little girl looked up at him with a shameless smile.

“I almost forgot to say good luck!” She piped.

Everyone got at least a little chuckle out of that even if it was only to relieve the tension. Ivan picked Tila up to rest her on his hip, Myrn close behind, and was already teasing her little cousin. The girl laughed and giggled from her tickling and hid herself in Ivan's cloak.

Holding the petite girl settled something in Ivan and reminded him of why he had decided to learn to fight so long ago. It was an ambition he held so long that he barely remembered its true source. There was plenty of times when he decided and reaffirmed that ambition however. He kissed Tila’s forehead, deciding that this would be one to add to that memory.

“Thank you Tila. Go back to your books and we'll be back before you know it. Maybe then you and your Mom can make that Twillo-berry pie you told me about. I'm sure it would be a great way to celebrate.” Ivan said to the girl.

“Oooh that's a good idea!” She agreed, positively beaming.

Ivan smiled at her, seeing so much of Jen's bold eagerness in the girl.

“We'll all be looking forward to it.” Ivan told her, his tone sober and gentle with the weight of his memories. He kissed the sweet girl on the cheek, making her color adorably before he handed her off to Myrn. Tila clung to her elder cousin like a simian creature to its mother, hugging tightly to her with all four limbs before eventually being set down.

With one last energetic goodbye the girl took off again, running upstairs after the calls of her mother.

They got their things together, and what little gear they weren't wearing already was put on. They filed out of the back of Inn after that and made their way down the Old Oak Avenue with the late summer mid-morning light shining down on them.

Ivan felt the eyes of dozens of passerby take them in at first, and felt the number of onlookers increase the further down the road they went. By the time it was clear they were heading for the dungeon the people weren't just watching, but stopping to look them all over. Many of them seemed to recognize Andy, Marvin, and Myrn so he bet Davian was feeling just as many eyes directed at him as Ivan was feeling pointed at himself.

Every once in a while people would whoop or call out wishes of good fortune to them. Myrn would turn and grin confidently at any who did so. Ivan wished he had her energy. It reminded him of the last time he been paraded before a crowd and he was glad he wasn't recognized.