Shadow's Embrace

> Sybl does.... a thing.
>
>

## Summary

Olwen Edgeworth promises to make Sybl something when he remembers his favorite color. Adrian Tanlaial slams his head on the desk as the chancellor, Ludelin, appears from behind him. Adrian tells him a brief rundown of what happened minus what Lucy brought up. Both Adrian and Olwen bring up the housing situation and the chancellor does have some new dorms that aren't in use yet. Adrian thinks that the shadowy place was Thultanthar, the city that vanished. He also mentioned that his blade glowed which throws the chancellor off. Olwen expresses her interest when talking about the Heroes of Directian. The Chancellor decides to put Adrian on leave in hopes to get the university a lot of money. It may also get one of Adrian's archeological digs sponsored which made Adrian happy to Olwen's surprise. Adrian also shares the info and the chancellor is just as petrified of the god of death. Ludelin notices that the parchment is covering things up in two ways and thinks that it's a hit list since the mark of Asmodeus is crossed off. Adrian and Olwen panic but the chancellor says it was just a theory.

Hoshimi, Flint and Seven arrive as Seven bumps into Sybl. She wants to either play or eat but Sybl isn't interested. As they're escorted to the dormitory, Xaillen arrives to be greeted by Lucy. She directs him to the dorm as Viper Rhames heads back to his place. Before he leaves, Xaillen asks him to keep an eye on his captain. Xaillen then slips out to meet with Pikria after picking Flint to be his roommate. He pays a visit to Adrian to ask about memory manipulation and he notes it's possible. Xaillen also asks about emotion tampering but Adrian has no idea. Adrian believes that someone cast a spell on Raquel to be the most likely conclusion. Xaillen adds that the third child is another loose end and realizes that the wolf cub was another loose end. Xaillen quickly asks Sybl about the local wildlife saying that the wolf cub was another witness. Xaillen then asks if Raquel's powers were an abnormality and Adrian says that while it's not common, it is possible. Even more so, her powers are above average so she can train with a sage in a few years.

Xaillen leaves to go to sleep but hopes to look up another lead with Olwen involving the visitor to the asylum asking for Raquel. When they're alone, Adrian asks Sybl what he is. Sybl says that he's a Wayang and Adrian remembers hearing about them being like shady merchants with a strange philosophy. Sybl's ability when others touch him is one of a kind though. Adrian then asks about Sybl's doll and he's apparently had it for half of his life. Sybl talks about how he's finding his own path in life and asks if anyone's supposed to share knowledge with him. Adrian shares his thoughts on destiny before heading to bed. He notices Sybl's eyes have rolled into the back of his head while talking with his doll. The doll glows with a black haze and Sybl begins swaying as the lights in the room begin to dim. Shadowy tendrils shoot out from under him and pass through Adrian. Adrian feels a dark sensation in his soul but as he blinks, things appear normal. Sybl says he likes Adrian as Adrian quickly looks for a change in pajamas. He notices a note that he didn't write talking about writing to his sisters. Adrian asks if he should and Sybl agrees so Adrian quickly writes a letter to Lhark and Marilyn. When he finishes, he cries a bit before falling asleep.

## Notable events

* Olwen Edgeworth and Sybil Indrax are introduced to the Chancellor, Ludelin, by Adrian Tanlaial
* The party is shown to their dorms with Hoshimi pairing up with Seven, Sybl pairing up with Adrian and Xaillen pairing with Flint
* Sybl and Adrian have an interesting chat