where shall i begin?

[small_magics]

Isibel is without her loves, her mints, her enchannels.

She does have a coin stash. A reasonably large one, in her beloved's shifting geode colors, and a few in the higher denominations imported from Rainbow; she can make small ones herself. And she is still linked to her beloveds - she can still access Ansharil's magic, is still a functional elfmage.

And unlike any other Bell cast adrift without her convenient masochist(s), Isibel can enchant alone. It's the simplest application of hyperfocus: contemplate her spell and wake up again with it complete. Channeling through oneself leaves no lingering discomfort after the initial burst, and she can fail entirely to attend to that initial burst.

And -

She is reasonably well recovered from her earlier breakage.

It seems to her that it is time to do some... Belling, although she has not yet decided how to start.

She teleports from her folded-in-on-itself enchanted village to the town in which Magania resides, and there she looks for the other elf, who has given such good counsel in the past and already knows of the features of Bells.

Comments

[endragoned]

Is it?

[small_magics]

Yes, rather. Quite.

[endragoned]

Oh, good. They do so love to be... useful... to her.

[small_magics]

They are the usefulest! She hopes they find her useful likewise.

[endragoned]

Extremely.

[small_magics]

Good.

[pythbox]

Some weeks later, Magania contacts Isibel.

[I would speak with you, if you are available.]

[small_magics]

[I am.]

[pythbox]

[I have spoken with Andoreniel. He wishes to meet with you, and will see you if you present yourself at the House of Leaf and Star at a time that is convenient.]

[small_magics]

[I can be there instantly, if that would qualify as a convenient time.]

[pythbox]

[I would not know; I have returned home since speaking with him.]

[small_magics]

[I will collect Liselen and appear there, then. Thank you.]

[Liselen, the King is ready to speak with me "at a convenient time".]

[pythbox]

[You are welcome,] says Magania.

[Now is convenient!] says the unicorn.

[small_magics]

[I could collect you or you could meet me at the House of Leaf and Star.]

[pythbox]

[I'll meet you there,] he decides. [Poof!]

[small_magics]

Isibel catches up to Liselen.

[pythbox]

He is some distance away from the House of Leaf and Star, because it is always worth walking through an elven city when you have the opportunity.

[small_magics]

It is! They walk together towards the House companionably.

[pythbox]

Several elves peer at them as they pass, but no one says anything.

[small_magics]

Isibel resists the temptation to release her aura.

Here they are at the House of Leaf and Star!

[pythbox]

A member of Andoreniel's household appears at the door.

"I See you, Isibel and Liselen," she says. "Be welcome to the House of Leaf and Star. If you follow me, I will take you to where Andoreniel will join you for tea."

She leads them, not into the house (because it was not designed with visiting unicorns in mind), but rather around it and along a short path to a comfortably sized pavilion.

[small_magics]

Isibel follows agreeably.

[pythbox]

So does Liselen!

There is tea waiting, although it has not yet been made, along with a tray of small cakes and similar things set at such a height as to be easily reachable by a hungry unicorn. Liselen blinks at them. Their escorts smiles, nods, and departs.

"I know it's at the right height and stuff but I'll mess it up if I just start eating them," says Liselen. "You could feed me some!"

[small_magics]

Isibel picks up a cake and offers it to the unicorn, laughing softly.

[pythbox]

Liselen nibbles the cake delicately out of her hand and swishes his tail contentedly.