"That's probably the beer talking. It'll become common knowledge, or it won't, and I'll be fine. We're all hoping we manage to kill the Neuroi, after all."

"Yeah, but it's a still a bit-- worrying-- being in that inbetween space, before anyone's sure who's gonna know and when."

"All shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well. All I can do about it for now is zip my lips and go off to bed."

And with that he finishes off his dinner and heads for the bar to ask for his room key.

"See you next time we end up in the same bar!"

She should probably also sleep. ...not before flirting outrageously with the bar's prettiest patrons, of course.

Perhaps morals are more on everyone's minds today of all days, a couple flirt back but nobody here seems to want to go upstairs.

The city wakes up with its usual clamor of heavy construction the next morning.

At least they get one day of rest.

 Any jobs at the post office.

Long-distance triangle run to Berlin and then Normandie and then back, over the channel? Two days estimated and she'll be joining two official witches, but pays very well.

Or a bunch of shorter runs, mostly awkwardly staggered later in the day. She could sign up for a series of short hops to Cardiff and back and go see Rost on one of them, possibly.

Hmm, decisions, decisions.

She should probably get back to Rost soonish, let him know she made the delivery, and maybe the bits and pieces she knows about the probable-jade. ...but Cardiff runs seem to happen way more often than these triangle runs, and a reputation for 'gets the job done, may take awhile to tell you about it'  isn't the worst rep.

And a big long run across the channel would probably get her a good idea of the lay of the land, which seems useful.

She signs up for the Normandie-Berlin-And-Back run.

"If you're sure you're up for it...? As I recall, you had some concern about insufficient mana last week, and we don't really have full mana-baubles going spare."

"What's the longest time we'll be in the air non-stop? Depending on how long we stop between Normandie and Berlin, it might be a stretch, but a doable one. But if you've got someone with a bit more flight time under their belt--" she shrugs "--I can take the other."

"Two hours in Normandie, overnight in Berlin, then two hours in Normandie again on the way back here. Please tell me if you're not sure - running out of mana over the sea is a bad experience."

Yeah, they're probably right. Might make sense to build up her Essense reserves before trying that. Can't be too careful. (Even if careful isn't fun.)

"Let's be cautious. I'll take the Cardiff runs."

"Caution is good, the big regional runs are serious business. Alright, let's get you to Cardiff then."

And she has a delivery for Cardiff now.

To Cardiff! To deliver things! And I also check on Rost!

Rost's boat has left, and he's moved into an inn (he left a note with the harbormaster's office that described her in complimentary detail, presuming she would inquire there).

He's in the inn's bar, drinking and chatting with some dark-skinned fellow wearing clothes of a different fashion. Looks desert-y, almost.

Well, she's always a fan of complementary detail.

She walks over. "Mind if I join you two?"

"Ah! Certainly not. Miss Marena, this is Mr. Ayden, a gentleman I met in Persia. Mr. Ayden, Marena."

Ayden bows slightly. "I see now that Rost's words were not as exaggerated as usual. A beautiful and confident witch is a fine friend to have. I am envious."

"Oh, aren't you a charming one? I'm glad to make your acquaintance."

"It's his default mode, you know." Rost grins, side-eying her.

"I am guilty as charged. One becomes used to flattering if one moves in certain circles in my homeland. Though, usually I must reach much further for appropriate words."

"Oh, while I've thought of it - that matter we discussed the other day, with the delivery...?"

"Done and dusted! Little bit of a delay because of my day job, you know how it is, but otherwise no problems."

"Good, good. I was told you were a wee bit, mm, attention-getting, but there's no helping that really."

"Delivery?"

"Oh, yes. Witches are pricey, but fast. Reliability may vary, but for many things there is little other option. And Marena's special lets her hide things away, which is useful for sensitive deliveries."

"Interesting, interesting."

"I'm pretty sure I'd end up being more obvious if I tried to be sneaky, somehow.

I can only do small-ish objects, and I can't do that many of them, but it's a useful party trick, I'd say."

"Hmm. Magic is rather mysterious. At any rate, small things can be quite incredibly valuable."

"You do not join the flying army?" Asks Ayden. "It is a matter of pride to defend the world among the witches of my country, and they gain great treasure and fame as well."

"I'm... working my way towards the army. I'm pretty new around here, so they wanted me to courier for a bit to show my mettle."

"Ah, but that is your reason and not, say, an objection to the new order they are imposing, or fear of fighting and death?"