“So, anywhere fancy you want to go?” As soon as they left the College of War their hands found each other, and now they walked slower than they normally would as they enjoyed each other’s company.

Jenny laughed loudly in the street. “You know I’m not the fancy kind. Seriously, anywhere’s fine.”

Theo blushed, then confirmed in his head the one place he knew that served nice food. Plus, the surroundings might be a bit magical.

But for now, he had to fill Jenny in on what was going on.

---

“So…the founders of Union City left a bunch of chests around, and coins from all the Colleges when combined together can point to them? And people too? And you’re one of them?” Jenny summed things up, as they walked the moonlit streets.

The change from the inner districts to the commerce districts was immediate once they passed the guards at night, as magic lights gave way to flickering torches. It mean the regular, soft glow shifted to a dancing, scattered orange.

“Yeah. I don’t know why it’s only happening now after so long, or why they put things in chests in the first place, or a lot of what’s going on, but that’s pretty much it. It points to ‘people of potential’, whatever that means. And since I’m the one who found it, I’m supposed to be the leader, apparently? Nevermind the fact I don’t know what I’m doing, or –“

Theo cut himself off. “Sorry.” He flashed a sheepish grin as he cursed himself internally. He was trying to explain things to Jenny, not complain to her.

She squeezed his hand, and smiled. “It’s okay. Sounds like a lot of work.”

Theo hesitated, stopping himself from complaining further. “I mean, I’ve been spending some time on weekends, but it’s been okay so far. What do you do in your free time?” The torches became more and more infrequent, as they moved through the outskirts.

Theo watched her closely, hoping to see how she responded to the place he grew up. Jenny looked around, more curiosity than worry. “I mostly practice internal magic and train, and hang out with some other warriors. You know, Bruce, Simo, and a few others. Do you hang with the other bards?”

“Not really.” Theo admitted. “It’s either class, stuff for the Coins, or The Pub. I know there’s a few of us that hang out at the Arts Exchange, but that’s about it.”

Conversation lapsed as they approached the gate, and while it was an understanding silence, Theo still worried over how to restart the conversation.

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“Halt.” That worry was still at the forefront of his mind, even as guards came to block their passage. Theo nodded at them, and they nodded back.

One of their eyes flickered to their hands (that were still interlinked), then back up, saying nothing.

“State your business leaving this late.” Theo bristled, once more reminded of the uncomfortable reality of a city on edge.

He scratched his head, and did his best to look non-threatening. “We’re on a date.”

The guard who noticed their held hands nodded, while the others seemed sceptical. “This late, outside the safety of the city? Where could you be possibly going?”

Theo forced a smile on his face. “I was hoping to keep that a surprise.” He glanced over at Jenny, who rolled her eyes, shoved her fingers in her ears, and began loudly and conspicuously whistling.

He coughed, and quietly said in a low voice, “The Guild of Magic.”

The guard was visibly trying to not react, but still stepped aside.

---

The Woods, Theo realised, were quite pretty when they weren’t being intimidating and unnerving. Then again, things had changed since the last time he’d come here at night.

The air had a glow to it, as mana floated through the trees. Enough of The Woods were illuminated for the unknown darkness full of watching eyes to be replaced by a copse of floating lanterns.

Clearly, what he and Francis had been doing had a real effect on The Woods.

Jenny was entranced, reaching a hand out to all the motes of mana, watching them dance in the wind. “What is this place?”

Theo had to gently coax her along the path to the Guild, at times almost dragging her by the hand. “You’ve never been in The Woods before?" He neglected to mention how he only came here because of the Coins and Sparrow.

She shook her head. “I barely even knew this was here.”

That surprised him. “Don’t you have a General Knowledge class that covers stuff like this?”

“Why would we have a General Knowledge class? All of our classes are about combat, tactics, or survival.” Jenny looked at him with an odd expression on her face, and Theo learned that not all Colleges approached their curriculum with the same goals. “We’re there to learn how to kill and not get killed, and that’s pretty much it.”

Their discussion was paused, as the Guild of Magic came into view.

Theo opened the door for Jenny, and gestured for her to enter first. “Welcome to the Guild of Magic.”

Askavel was napping in the corner, and more than a few tables were filled with rowdy mercenaries a drink away from puking. It reminded Theo of The Pub, in an oddly endearing way. Eva was at the counter as always. Upon seeing them enter, she left the bar, and greeted them.

“Welcome. If you would follow me, there’s a spot reserved for you Theo.” Theo looked at her, brows furrowed in confusion. Eva simply winked in response, which was rather unnerving considering no other part of her face moved at all.

She led them to a table in the corner, with those glowing orange fruit near the table instead of candles, and two sets of cutlery laid out on top. Two wine glasses were also placed on the table, with an unopened bottle of wine in between. Eva gestured for them to sit.

Theo was still greatly confused. “What-“

“Consider it thanks for what you’ve done for The Woods.” Eva just smiled, and indicated with her head that they should just sit already.

Theo looked over at Jenny, whose eyes were rapidly flicking between the bottle and the glasses. “Could we get some beer as well?”