Episode 17: Civics

[SCENE 1: THE YARD AT THE INSTITUTE]

DEVON: I don’t understand why we’re doing this. .

BRYNN: Jenna has offered an olive branch. It’s a weird olive branch, but we’re taking it, dammit.

DEVON: Were you even planning on going to the dance?

BRYNN: Pfft. No. Were you?

DEVON: Probably not. Not my scene. But why are we shopping for clothes then?

BRYNN: This is not about clothes. This is about getting away from the school and its watchful eyes and brains for a little while. Which is why I’m shocked they’re letting me come at all.

DEVON: It is kinda shocking…

[transition]

ELLIE: I don’t get it though. Like, don’t get me wrong, I, like, super appreciate you making this happen, but Brynn? Really?

JENNA: Trust me, it will make sense.

ELLIE: It had better. Because to me it looks like you planned a fun day and then simultaneously ruined it.

PEM: Brynn’s not so bad, once you get to know her. Sometimes she’s mean to people as a way of showing affection. But other times she’s just mean to people.

ELLIE: Thanks, Pem. I picked up on that part.

KATYA: Students. Are we all ready to go? Lancook, it’s the middle of Athandar, don’t you want a coat?

DEVON: Uh, no. I’m good with this.

KATYA: You’re in short sleeves.

DEVON: I’m a cryomancer?

KATYA: Right. Okay, everyone in the teleportation circle.

[teleportation sound]

CREDITS: Electromancy, Episode 17: Civics

[SCENE 2: TELEPORTATION HUB ONE]

[A teleportation hub like the one in the pilot- same popping in and popping out noises]

KATYA: Before you go running off, we need to lay down some ground rules. You all have armbands- obviously you cannot remove them. This is not just my rule, it is Imperial law. Mages must be identified at all times in public spaces, even in Polis Alexei. If you look around you’ll see quite a few more adults sporting them than you would anywhere else in the country. The mundanes who choose to live here are comfortable with us - but the rules are still the rules.

If you run off without my permission, you will be sent right back to the school and your travel privileges will be revoked indefinitely. If I detect any illusions at all, and that includes decoy Brynns, there will be more detentions in your future. Do you understand?

BRYNN: Got it. *tel* Make sure any illusions aren’t detected.

KATYA: If we get separated by accident, come back here, to the grand arch outside the Teleportation hub and wait for the rest of us to meet you.

In order to get away with this trip I had to incorporate something educational, so we’re starting with a little historical sight-seeing. The Sixteen pillars are an important cultural site, and they stand at the top of a hill which overlooks the commercial district. Since Donovan has never been to Polis Alexei before, I thought that would be the perfect place to start.

Plus if anything can inspire a little patriotism in you, Tessek, maybe seeing the names of all the mages who gave their lives to establish the empire would do it.

This way.

[footsteps, crowdsounds. A beat.]

BRYNN: Wow. A propaganda tour. Exciting.

JENNA: I’m sorry. It’s not the trip I planned… things kinda went a different direction.

BRYNN: Yeah, Pem filled me in. Well, as much as you filled them in anyway. I think I can get the afternoon back on track.

JENNA: Yeah, I mean, there’s five of us and one of her. Just be careful and, like, subtle, and I think we’ll be okay.

BRYNN: Subtle is my middle name.

DEVON: You literally said yesterday that pizzazz was your middle name. Those are basically opposites.

BRYNN: Well, that was a different context. Anyway, I’m a woman of contradictions.

DEVON: Thanks for including us on this trip, Jenna. It’s extremely out of the blue, but I personally could use a day off. Or at least a lunch that isn’t cafeteria food.

ELLIE: Ooooh lunch! Where should we go? Last time I was in the city I really wanted to try this Kuboyan place, but no one else in the group wanted to go there - do any of you like Kuboyan food? I’ve only had it, like, twice, but I’m obsessed with it.

DEVON: I was thinking about Garf’s Diner. It’s kind of iconic.

ELLIE: Which also means it's always busy! Plus we can get burgers and fries at school. I want Kuboyan.

PEM: Would I like it, Ellie? You kind of know my texture issues…

ELLIE: I am sure they would have something you would like.

JENNA: How are we paying for all of this, anyway?

KATYA: I can’t buy you dresses with magecorps credit, but I am happy to get lunch. But first, we pay our respects.

BRYNN: Could we, like, take a cab to the monument?

KATYA: I don’t think it's far enough to justify that. It’s a nice walk anyway. I love Polis Alexei. So many mages here compared to a regular city. No one stares at your armband. No one walks the other way.

JENNA: People do that to you in other cities?

KATYA: Oh yes. Mages are only point two percent of the population, Jenna. Not a common sight. Your mother was in the corps, wasn’t she? Surely you saw her get some… reactions.

JENNA: My mom… Ardovans have a really different conception of mages. People would come up to her and… well it's not important.

PEM: Come up to her and what?

ELLIE: Pem, if she doesn’t want to talk about it-

JENNA: They’d ask her to bless them. Sometimes. Older folks mostly.

KATYA: Fascinating. I had no idea. I would have thought-

JENNA: Would have thought what?

KATYA: Well, I don’t want to make generalizations. But given what the magecorp was doing in Ardova barely a generation ago-

JENNA: I’m sure someone who looked like you wearing an armband would have gotten the reaction you expect. But my mom is Ardovan, so… she’s Reletha-satur. Never mind. You’ve never been to Ardova, I guess.

KATYA: Hostilities there were over by the time I was deployed. Most of the fighting I did was in the Northern isles. And the uprising at Caba, though that was over almost as soon as it started.

BRYNN: And heaven forbid you go somewhere for some reason other than enforcing Oswerian orthodoxy.

DEVON: *tel* What are you doing Brynn? What part of this is subtle?

KATYA: What was that, Tessek?

BRYNN: Nothing, Never mind.

KATYA: You know, I went straight from military service to teaching here. So no I haven’t seen much of the world other than where they sent me. I hope the corps instills some discipline in you, Tessek. I really do. Everyone is a revolutionary when they’re young.

BRYNN: And some, like Caba island, stay that way.

KATYA: All of the mages involved in the Caba rebellion are dead, Brynn. The mundanes who helped them are in prison. And the rest of the citizens are suffering for their arrogance. Mages have to be servants of the people. Plenty of societies have arisen where it was the other way around, and none have ended well. I am starting to wonder what it was Leonard was teaching you.

BRYNN: Well, Jenna and I have actually been to the past, so…

KATYA: Oh yes, I almost forgot. The battle of Imbira valley.

JENNA: We missed the actual battle.

KATYA: Still, what a unique experience. And you met General Norris, I hear.

JENNA: Uh… you could say that.

KATYA: The woman was a legend. What was she like?

BRYNN: Arrogant. Cocky, even.

KATYA: Well, that’s not uncommon in powerful mages. There’s a statue of Norris not far from the Pillars, you know. I think we’ll make a detour. You can tell us how good the likeness is.

[transition music]

[SCENE 3: THE SIXTEEN PILLARS]

KATYA: Okay, here we are. Each pillar represents a territory that has been brought into the empire, and each lists the name of every mage who fell securing it. This is a somber place, I expect a somber tone. Once we’ve taken a few moments to pay respects to the fallen, and take in the gravity of what we are training you for, we can go get lunch and then have some fun.

(aside) I am sorry for being a bit of a downer, Jenna. This was the only way I could convince Amy Rosario to let Tessek come along.

JENNA: She really thought this would have a good effect on her?

KATYA: She thought it was worth a try. (addressing everyone again) Why not find your own province and take a good look at those names? I’ll be over here honoring the comrades I lost in Wentonia.

[some outdoor, grassy footsteps. A bit of subdued mumbling- they are not the only ones here. Wind.]

BRYNN: She really thought looking at the names of all of our fallen conquerors would make me want to repent my wicked ways and become a model citizen?

JENNA: I think once your worldview has been twisted enough in one direction, it can be really hard to see other points of view. The saddest part is how many of these names are Ardovan. And not just Oswerized versions of Ardovan names like “Donovan”. These are people who were kidnapped, brainwashed into fighting their own people on their own land- for generations.

BRYNN: We won’t find Cabe’s name on here.

JENNA: Nope. Or my mother’s for that matter.

BRYNN: I thought she was in the corps?

JENNA: She was, but she didn’t die in battle. I wouldn’t have existed if she had- her service was years before I was born. Never talked much about it. Lotta things she never talked about.

BRYNN: Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? Your mom?

JENNA: No. Well, sort of. Maybe? Give me a minute, okay? I still-

BRYNN: You still what?

JENNA: I really want to trust you Brynn. Because it turns out I really need to trust someone like you, but- look, you haven’t exactly made it easy for me.

BRYNN: Look, Jenna. Even if I still hated you and was just playing the long game, which, yeah, wouldn’t put it past me, you really think I hate you more than I hate- all this? Turning you in helps them. I would never help them to hurt you. Even if I wanted to. The enemy of my enemy, right?

JENNA: Let’s say I have this book. Okay? And it’s got a photomantic encryption, so anyone who tries to read it just sees- nonsense. Could you break something like that?

BRYNN: Probably, I’d have to see it.

JENNA: And could I trust you not to read it after you’d broken the encryption?

BRYNN: Oooohhh. That’s gonna be a “no” I think. Sorry, just being honest.

JENNA: Well, this was a waste of time then.

[transition]

KATYA: Are you looking for a name?

ELLIE: Yeah.

KATYA: I thought you were Tolskvari, like me?

ELLIE: I am, but- like, my parents are mundanes, and like, my grandparents too, but I have one great-grandpa who was a pyromancer and he died in the Nakrithan war about a hundred years ago? So he should be on here. It’s just, like, a lot of names.

KATYA: It was a big war. Nakri emptied its treasury hiring mercenary sorcerers from Kalan and Wentonia. For all the good it did them.

ELLIE: Oh, here we go. Bertram Francis. That’s him. Only mage in my family until me and Justin. Far as anyone remembers, anyway.

[transition]

DEVON: Hey.

PEM: Hey.

DEVON: This is a very small monument.

PEM: Volar is a very small province. Not a lot of blood was shed conquering it, either, because we didn’t really put up a fight? Volari are extremely pacifistic. Oswer more or less just said “we’re taking this” and we said “okay.” “This” being the whole country. I mean, they mostly just wanted our ports- Old Oswer being landlocked and all. Conquering Volar gave them access to maritime trade and- well, I’m infodumping again, aren’t I?

DEVON: A little. But it’s okay.

PEM: Uh. Um. Where’s yours?

DEVON: My monument is… that big one in the middle.

PEM: Right. You’re Old Osweri.

DEVON: Through and through.

PEM: I heard your dad was here.

DEVON: At the school. Yeah. He’s worried about me. Which I guess would be kind of sweet, if he didn’t show that worry by throwing his weight around and intimidating people.

PEM: It must be nice knowing you have that kind of… security though.

DEVON: What do you mean, Pem? We’re mages. If there’s one thing we don’t have to worry about, it’s unemployment.

PEM: Oh, I didn’t mean job security. More like- if you disappeared, a lot of questions would get asked.

DEVON: Yeah. I know. But no one is above the law. And technically I’m not an heir to anything, because mages can’t inherit, because as Ms. Harper just said, we’re meant to be servants of the people. Which as we all know, is kind of a farce.

PEM: Do you see that woman over there? By the Ventus monument?

DEVON: Yeah, what about her?

PEM: I think she’s following us. I saw her just outside the teleportation hub.

DEVON: Maybe she just got in from Ventus and she’s here to pay her respects?

PEM: I’m pretty sure she saw us porting in and followed us here.

DEVON: Should we tell Ms. Harper?

PEM: Not yet.

ELLIE: Okay, I for one, have had enough of being bummed out, I think it’s time to get a nice lunch and have a little fun. Do you agree?

DEVON: I agree, but I wouldn’t put it that way to Ms. Harper.

PEM: I like it here. It’s quiet and there aren’t a lot of people. And it looks like Brynn and Jenna are getting a chance to talk about whatever secret thing they wanted to mmffrm- [a hand has been clapped over Pem’s mouth]

KATYA: What’s going on here?

ELLIE: Nothing! Uh, just a game-

KATYA: Well, it’s very disrespectful.

ELLIE: Yes, ma’am. Sorry. I meant, I was just- Pem had something on their mouth, and I was just, uh, wiping it away.

KATYA: I see. Well, I think we should get lunch now, it’s getting on toward that time. Did you all settle on a restaurant during the walk?

[SCENE 4: A KUBOYAN RESTAURANT]

PEM: I’m not sure your reassurance about Kuboyan food was accurate, Ellie.

ELLIE: Look at this - Voonash Ardo. It’s chicken in a creamy sauce over rice, not spicy. That literally has none of your sensitivities, unless you’ve developed a new one you haven’t told me about.

PEM: I’m actually a vegetarian now.

ELLIE: When did that happen?

PEM: A few weeks ago. Griffon actually convinced me.

ELLIE: Griffon? Oh, I get it. Yeah, I was veg when I was dating Cory too. Weird to eat an animal that your boyfriend could potentially talk to and/or turn into. But I got over it.

PEM: Well, I haven’t. He got me thinking about animals and what we know about how they perceive the world, and the meat industry, and-

ELLIE: Okay, okay. No need to ruin lunch for everyone. Vegetarian. What about the jellifruit curry? That’s usually vegetarian.

PEM: Uhhh…It’s probably spicy.

ELLIE: I will ask, but I am sure they can make it not spicy for you.

PEM: Fine. I’ll try it.

[transition]

BRYNN: I’m sorry! You should be happy I told the truth though. You have no idea how much I wanted to say “I won’t read it” and then actually read it, but I didn’t say that, because I am trying to build trust. You literally could not give me a super-secret book and expect me not to read it, and you should know that about me by now.

JENNA: Let’s not talk about this here.

BRYNN: Ms Harper seems very engrossed in the menu and there’s so many conversations going on in this room-

JENNA: Still and all.

ELLIE: So, you and Griffon, talking about animal cruelty-

PEM: I thought you didn’t want to talk about this at dinner.

ELLIE: I don’t want to talk about the animal thing. I always want to talk about the boy.

PEM: We’re still not a “thing”, if that’s what you mean. He’s just a nice boy who treats me like a person and actually seems to enjoy talking about stuff that I like to talk about.

ELLIE: Okay. God, everyone’s love lives are so boring. Including mine.

PEM: He did ask me to the dance though.

ELLIE: What? He asked you to the - how - mmm- how are you not a thing if he asked you to-

PEM: I said no. I already committed to going with you two.

ELLIE: You. Said. No?

PEM: Yeah, I think I was polite about it. He didn’t seem devastated or anything-

ELLIE: You should tell him you will go with him. Jenna and I will be okay.

PEM: He might have asked someone else by now. I really don’t mind.

ELLIE: Do you like him?

PEM: I like him fine.

ELLIE: Then go with him, Pem. Have a nice romantic evening.

PEM: I.. I’m not sure I’d know how to do that?

WAITER: Alright, hi! My name is Akama, I’ll be taking care of you today. Does anyone have any questions about the menu?

[transition music I think]

[SCENE 5: OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT]

KATYA: Well, Ellie, that was an excellent suggestion. You can have the run of the shops on this street - if you want to go anywhere else, come find me, and we will meet here, in front of the restaurant, in two hours to head back to the teleportation hub, and from there, the school. Sound good? Now, off you go.

ELLIE: Okay, Jenna, what were you in the market for? I feel like you would really pop in like a teal, maybe? April’s Apparently Appropriate Apparel is really good and affordable - I know the name’s a little goofy, but it's got a great reputation. So. What is your budget like?

JENNA: Honestly, it didn’t even occur to me to bring money. To the school I mean - didn’t think I’d have any need for it.

DEVON: I can probably spot you.

JENNA: I couldn’t accept-

DEVON: Seriously, it’s not a problem.

BRYNN: We like spending Devon’s dad’s money frivolously.

ELLIE: Does he just give you as much as you want?

DEVON: He audits me. But if I tell him I bought a pretty dress for that prodigious new Electromancer everyone is talking about, he’ll probably congratulate me on making a powerful friend and be thrilled I have a friend who isn’t Brynn. So really, you’d be doing me a favor.

ELLIE: Oh, cool. What about you Pem? Are you thinking dress or suit?

PEM: I was just going to wear my uniform.

ELLIE: Oh, you are absolutely not doing that.

PEM: Okay. Well, it’s winter, so probably something with pants. I mean, dresses are nice when it’s hot, but - pants are comfy and familiar.

ELLIE: Which do you think Griffon would like you more in?

PEM: I have no idea. But also, um, I’m not really comfortable in using that in my decision-making, so?

DEVON: Uh, okay. Okay, why don’t you and I go to Elegance and look at suits, and you three can go to April’s App - to April’s and look at dresses? When you’re ready to check out, come find me, and I’ll pick up the tab.

BRYNN: Sounds good.

ELLIE: Or, Brynn could go with your group. Since you’re not shopping anyway.

BRYNN: I want to look at dresses. It’s literally just as good as buying one for me.

JENNA: How so?

BRYNN: Observe. [photomancy noise] How do I look? Should I make it longer? [shimmer] Or shorter? [shimmer] Oh, or should I change my hair? [photomancy noise]

ELLIE: It’s an enormous waste that you’re not into fashion.

BRYNN: I can help you out if you like, though. Plus Donovan and I still have things to discuss.

JENNA: We don’t. I laid out my terms, and you refused them.

BRYNN: They’re unreasonable!

ELLIE: What terms? What is this super-secret business anyway? I don’t like being left in the dark.

JENNA: We can talk about it inside. C’mon.

[SCENE 6: THE SUIT SHOP]

SUIT SELLER: Gentlemen. Welcome to Elegance. How can I help you?

PEM: Not a gentleman.

SUIT SELLER: My mistake. But you are looking for a suit?

PEM: Maybe. Something similar anyway.

SUIT SELLER: Hmm. Something a little more casual? More modern? These are really in right now. The latest style from Tolsk, very popular with young people there. See the collar? A little funky, a little off-base. But still very elegant.

DEVON: Interesting, I saw some of those in the teleportation hub. Do you just wear it with like a sport coat, or?

SUIT SELLER: Or a vest! What are we dressing up for? A wedding?

PEM: School dance.

SUIT SELLER: Oh, you’ll be the envy of everyone in there. Let me go pull some options for you. Both of you?

DEVON: Uh, sure.

PEM: You’re going?

DEVON: Probably not, but there’s no harm in looking. Maybe something more traditional as well, for me, though.

SUIT SELLER: Certainly. I’ll be right back.

PEM: Must be nice to be able to just buy everyone formalwear.

DEVON: Whoah now. I said I was buying Jenna a dress- I didn’t mean to- I just offered to buy everyone everything, didn’t I?

PEM: That’s how I interpreted it.

DEVON: Well, I’m sure I can come up with some kind of reason that was a sound investment.

PEM: I can get my own.

DEVON: Nah. It really is pocket change to my dad, I’m just worried he’ll think I’m doing this cause I’m pissed at him.

PEM: Are you? Pissed at him? I mean, more than usual?

DEVON: I guess, yeah. He more or less threatened Brynn, he’s never stooped that low. He just kinda… walks all over everyone. And he expects me to behave in exactly the same way. And the worst part is, if I hadn’t turned out to be a cryomancer, and he’d been able to raise me himself, like he wanted to, I’d probably be just like that.

PEM: I don’t think that’s true.

DEVON: You don’t know him. Or the kinds of kids I was at school with before…

PEM: I don’t. But I know you’re a fundamentally kind person. And I’m having trouble imagining that a selfish, entitled version of you exists in some universe just as a result of a change in circumstances.

DEVON: Thanks Pem. And you know what, screw my dad, this whole shopping spree is going on his account. Get a few pocket squares. Get some cravats. Bet you he doesn’t even notice.

PEM: Do you think I’d look good in a cravat?

DEVON: Yeah, you could rock one.

PEM: How do I even tie this?

DEVON: I’ll show you. [beat] Anyway, it’s not just my dad. The way Brynn is handling this whole thing… like I tell her we need to be more careful and suddenly she’s mouthing off to a teacher about seditious - is that too tight?

PEM: A little.

DEVON: Sorry. Anyway, it’s just, like, I know you’ve never feared a consequence in your life, but, like, think about other people for a minute? You know?

PEM: Uh, Devon. Look out the window.

DEVON: What?

PEM: That woman from the monument.

DEVON: She’s going into the dress store.

PEM: Should we-

DEVON: I’m still in sending range, I’ll just let Brynn know. I don’t think she’s dangerous.

[SCENE 7: THE DRESS SHOP]

DRESS SELLER: Welcome to April’s Apparently Appropriate Apparel! Please let me help you find something that appeals to you.

JENNA: We will. We might need a few minutes.

ELLIE: I think you should try on the teal one, and maybe this one, and- I don’t know about this one, honestly, I’m not sure poofy is for you. But also I think you should tell me what has actually been going on between the two of you.

JENNA: I will, okay? Let’s go in the fitting room. Did you want to try anything on?

ELLIE: Hmmm…yes, I do, but first I want to know about the super-secret business that you can apparently trust your until-very-recently-arch-nemesis with but you can’t trust your best friend with?

JENNA: That’s… fair. Okay. C’mon, Not you, Brynn.

BRYNN: *deep sigh* Fine.

[JENNA is putting on a dress, ELLIE is waiting outside]

JENNA: So, you know my mom was in the corps, right?

ELLIE: I didn’t know that until this morning, no. It’s pretty rare for mages to have kids that are also mages.

JENNA: Pem says it's complicated, I don’t really know. But anyway, before she… left, my mom gave me this book - I think it's a diary, but it has a photomantic encryption, and I haven’t found a photomancer I trust enough to decrypt it, especially because I have no idea what’s in there.

ELLIE: And you think you can trust Brynn?

JENNA: Well, trust is a strong word. But she’s not exactly gonna rat me out to the school authorities, is she?

ELLIE: You think there’s something that serious in there?

JENNA: I have no idea! But it’s not just… that kinda stuff. What if it's personal stuff? Stuff my mom wanted just me to read?

ELLIE: Yeah, um- f that is what she put in there, it seems kinda weird that she’d hide it in a way that forced you to have someone else decode it.

JENNA: I guess you’re right. Maybe I’m building it up too much...

[doorbell rings again]

DRESS SELLER: I’ll be right with you!

STRANGER: Reletha-satur! Reletha-satur!

JENNA: Uh, I might need to deal with that…

BRYNN: Hey now, calm down. What’s going on?

STRANGER: You came in here with a lightning mage. I have to speak with her.

JENNA: Okay, I’m coming out.

ELLIE: Jenna, that looks great! Well, not sure about the neckline…

STRANGER: Reletha-satur! Ya-ah-roda zahavi pira Ardova, pira ha tapa! Na-ah rik-roda mira-kuh! Ketu gwem - Ketu akul. Hai rik-koro neemat pira ketu! Tee shayo, pa-ah gwem ha! Hai epare-soom. Te fasee-pira-Alandra aveeras!

JENNA: Ter-espan. Ya ardova-teesh rik ben. Ya-

[Another doorbell as Katya bursts in]

KATYA: What’s going on in here! Is anyone hurt! Is everyone okay?

DRESS SELLER: I’m so sorry, mage. This woman just burst in here and started harassing the girl-

JENNA: It’s okay. It’s fine.

KATYA: What did she say?

JENNA: I don’t know, my Ardovan isn’t that good.

STRANGER: Reletha-satur! Hai epare-soom!

DRESS SELLER: Get out of my shop!

[Electricity blast. The stranger goes down]

JENNA: Was that really necessary?

KATYA: I think it was. You’ll call the authorities?

DRESS SELLER: Right away.

KATYA: Good. She won’t wake up for a while. I’m sorry about that, Jenna. The city can be a strange place sometimes.

JENNA: It’s really fine.

ELLIE: That was… weird. But the dress looks great!

JENNA: Uh, if you think so I’ll take your word for it.

ELLIE: You don’t want to try on the other two?

JENNA: I’m not really in the mood any more.

[Moon Glade plays over the credits]

CREDITS: Electromancy is written, produced and directed by Nathan Comstock. This episode was sound designed by Nathan Comstock with music by Thomas Dwyer. It starred Azul Nova as Jenna, Austin Hendricks as Ellie, Sena Bryer as Pem, Leslie Gideon as Brynn, Tuesday Orion Ibert as Devon, Kira Apple as Katya Harper, Edwyn Tiong as the Suit Seller, Tal Minear as the Dress Seller, and Melissa White as the Stranger. Thanks for joining us again for season 2, and thanks to everyone who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign to make this show happen. This episode, we’d like to offer a special thanks to Jarrett Boulton. Thanks for your support, Jarrett! We’ll be back with another episode in 2 weeks!

[SCENE 8: BACK AT THE INSTITUTE]

JENNA: Brynn! Hey.

BRYNN: Hey. Thanks for today, it was fun. Even if the ending was a little weird. What did that woman say to you anyway?

JENNA: I honestly didn’t catch all of it. My Ardovan isn’t great.

BRYNN: She could have just been a crazy person though, right? Like if your people really worship lightning mages, then seeing a 12-blue-stripe girl walking down the street might bring out the crazy in anyone.

JENNA: Like I said, I’m not exactly fluent, and she was talking fast, but… I caught a few words. “Ha tapa” - your father. If she was trying to tell me something about my dad- I might not have a lot of time to figure this out.

Look, I have to take a leap of faith with you, okay? I need your help decoding this book - but we have to do it together. Okay?