A rather surprising duo approaches from the far end of the hallway.
Name Day: I assumed Hissabeth summoned you to tell you about the banquet, yes?
Voyager: Hm?
Kiperina: Nothing. I'll do whatever I must do.
Kiperina: You'll be going to the banquet too, won't you?
Name Day: Yeah, we'll all be there.
Name Day discreetly eyes the teleport disks clutched to her chest, then, reading the mood, steers the conversation elsewhere.
Name Day: But before the banquet, your little friend and I need to make a trip to one of the Foundation's branches.
The mention of her friend immediately captures Kiperina's attention.
Kiperina: Are you saying that you and Voyager ... Um, may I ask what for?
Name Day: So the thing is you saw how Voyager experienced all those unusual arcane fluctuations.
Name Day: Given the Foundation's interest and the fact that Voyager hasn't been formally registered yet, they'd like her to visit ahead of time.
Name Day: That way, we can complete the formalities before the banquet. And if time permits, I believe the scholars at headquarters are hoping to learn a little more about her.
Voyager: A journey.
Voyager: The road ... is ... so beautiful.
Following Voyager's meaningful glance toward Name Day, Kiperina understands what her friend is trying to say.
Kiperina: You mean the road has beautiful sights along the way, so you're happy to go?
Voyager: nod
Kiperina: I remember you mentioned that even the nearest Foundation branch is still very far from here, right, Mr. Name Day?
Kiperina: I don't really know where Voyager is from, but sometimes she seems a little unfamiliar with such basic things. I'm not sure ...
Name Day: Don't worry. She can take care of herself. And besides ...
He turns his head, glancing over at the delicate and seemingly harmless girl beside him.
Name Day: Voyager can wield that arcane skill of hers quite proficiently. I think she'd be able to get out of any trouble we might find ourselves in.
Kiperina: But ...
His words don't do much to ease her mind, until her friend smiles up at her.
Voyager: I want to go.
Voyager: Want to see ... this planet ...
Kiperina: You mean you want to travel the whole world?
Kiperina: So you've already decided what you want to do next.
Voyager: nod
The excitement in her friend's eyes lifts Kiperina's spirits, though it comes with a strange, unspoken melancholy.
Brushing off the odd sensation welling up inside, she lets herself smile in return.
Kiperina: Alright. If you've made up your mind, I won't stand in your way.
Kiperina: However, be careful on the road ahead. Don't go around talking to strangers, and certainly don't accept any food from them.
She holds out her fingers, counting off every precaution she can think of.
Name Day: You know you could come too, if you'd like.
Name Day: That way Voyager will have someone to keep her company. After the paperwork's finished, we'll head to the banquet together.
The invitation is tempting, but after a brief pause, Kiperina shakes her head.
Kiperina: Thank you, but, no, I've already promised Ms. Hissabeth I'd help with her research.
Kiperina: I think I have my own destination.
It's simply that she hasn't found it yet.
Name Day: Excuse me, Ms. Hissabeth. I just need to double-check something with you.
Name Day: Just a while ago, I happened to pass Kiperina in the hall just now. She seems a little out of sorts.
Name Day: We agreed she'd stay at the branch and rest up properly for a few days.
Name Day: But she told me she intends to continue assisting with your research. Sorry, what's going on?
Name Day's typical courtesies seem to have fallen by the wayside as he bites straight into the point.
Despite that, Hissabeth is as cool as ever.
Hissabeth: Hah! You think we didn't want to give her a break? She beat us to it before we could even open our mouths.
Hissabeth: I just brought up the banquet, and she practically had an allergic reaction to the idea, like, "No, no, I don't need a party. I just need to work."
Hissabeth: Fate has a sick laugh at your expense, and what do you do? Act like nothing happened, brush off the pain, rushing headfirst into the next big noble cause.
Hissabeth: I just don't get it. It seems like everyone here can't help but be a martyr. Yes, myself included.
The Melusine shakes her head and tosses the file she was reading onto the desk rougher than she should.
Hissabeth: It made her an excellent little astronaut, I admit it, but honestly, I don't understand where it comes from.
For a brief moment, the young man is at a loss for words.
Name Day: Staying busy sometimes is the best way to help you stop thinking.
Name Day: She might believe she chose her path and braced herself for the consequences. But knowing something is coming isn't much help for when you actually experience it.
Name Day: I'm not sure that's a good idea to send her out into the world so soon after her first "Storm."
Though he favors a more measured pace, it's clear the person across from him sees things differently.
Hissabeth: If she takes things slow, I think she'll be even more likely to go mad. She's the kind to charge in before she knows which way is up.
Hissabeth: It's a good thing. It means she's tough, and I'd bet she's better than any of us at finding the right balance.
Hissabeth: Before she sets sail, she needs to decide on her destination for herself.
