It wasn't long before the home itself came into view. Supported by immense wooden posts driven into the ground, the structure appeared to float above a pristine pond. Only upon closer inspection was it clear that there was no magic or trickery involved with its construction. Their guide led them across a wooden step-bridge onto the open deck that surrounded the building. Fela glanced at the various reeds and fronds that jostled for space by the pillars, noting their odd colorations and shapes. As her eyes drifted to the surface of the pond itself, her breath caught- the water seemed almost unreal as it flowed below them. a beautiful mix of greens and blues that caught the light in a familiar pattern of fractals and mirrored planes.

Another man stood waiting for them by the open door, his face radiating a look of expectancy.

There was a moment of shock as his presence registered. It was a face, in fact, that they all recognized.

For the majority of Valle, he was a man only seen from afar, a member of that select group who served as representation for the city's civil council. His role in particular, everyone knew- he was the dictated representative for Spirit Town, specifically. It was within this role that he took a public image, present at parades or holidays where he could be seen waving from a float or reciting a speech.

Fela studied him, a spark of curiosity flaring up for the first time since they'd arrived.

The nameless assistant was exceedingly polite when greeting him, but Silva charged forward and placed her hands on his shoulders warmly.

"Viktor! It's been too long!"

His assistant seemed appalled by the interaction, but Viktor smiled. 'Don't you remember? The Senate only met just last week-"

"A whole week? You've got to stop by more often, you know."

Hannah blinked. She knew that her mother was the Market representative, but it still seemed like a shock to see the down-to-earth Silva rub shoulders with this poised, elegant man. Tall and thin, with a shining bald head, Viktor wore simple clothing that failed to hide their quality despite the lack of patterning. Just like the house around him, he was plain and solid, but built from high-quality stuff.

As Viktor turned to enter, Basil and Hannah followed him inside, plainly interested. Fela held back, however, only moving after Silva placed a reassuring hand on her back.

"I know you're angry. I get it. But I think there's something you can get out of all of this. Have confidence in the day, and yourself. If there's something you want, a choice you feel you have to make yourself- well, this is your chance to speak up and say it.'

And with that, Silva disappeared inside.

The first thing Fela noticed upon entering the room was the darkness. Thanks to the dim lighting, she soon found herself becoming the brightest source of light in the room. Experience told her that the flame on her head would become the center of attention, a point of interest to focus on.

Her fire sent spindly shadows dancing across the walls, illuminating the others in uneven light. She caught Viktor's eye as he turned to face his guests, raising her eyebrows in a plea she hoped he'd understand.

Her worry went ungrounded. Before she could say anything, he had already made his way to one of the walls, revealing it to be a sliding screen that he quickly pushed open. Light rushed into the room, allowing the group their first good look at the interior.

With warm, wooden paneling and the huge sliding screens, airy when open, the room felt like an extension of the outside. A lack of furniture helped seal the impression, with the exception of the low chairs and cushions that were scattered across the room. At his offer, they all all found places to sit down and settle into.

An odd silence fell as Viktor looked directly at Silva. He folded his hands over in his lap, waiting.

Hannah spoke up. "Your house is very nice, erm..." She trailed off, an unasked question on her lips.

"Just call me Viktor," he said amicably, then turned back to Silva. "I wasn't expecting you to bring the whole village along." He said finally, then smiled. "Not that I don't love visitors. Why don't I start by making sure everyone understands the situation, then?"

The situation? For the first time, Silva seemed uncertain.

"Viktor, I appreciate the hospitality, and I'm impressed by your, ah, clairvoyance, but I'm not so sure that there's anything left to explain."

Viktor looked surprised. "So you already know?"

Fela cut in. "Yes, we do." It's now or never. "This is my life, my experiences. I want to be the one who makes the choice about my future." Fela took a deep breath. "I'm choosing to stay at the Lodestone, and there's nothing that will change my mind!" She meant it to come out as a rallying proclamation, but even to her own ears, her voice emerged in a rattling squeak.

The room was silent. Viktor's aide, sitting next to him, coughed quietly.

He looked at each of them carefully now, his smile becoming uncertain.

"While that's a very admirable statement, Fela," he said carefully, "I had no intention of asking you to live in Spirit Town." He laughed a little, but it sounded forced. "Me and Silva have been discussing a potential start to your studies here, but there's been nothing concrete established." Viktor grinned weakly at Fela's aghast expression, and took a breath, preparing to speak again.

"Wait just a moment." Silva's brow was furrowed as she cut him off her voice was tight. "That letter you sent, with the package- it's not about Fela?" she stopped herself, waiting for an answer.

Fela followed the conversation with muted horror. Her cheeks burned, embarrassment forcing her to look down at her shoes. She knew Hannah was cackling silently at her ridiculous outburst- at a councilman, of all people!

"Respectfully, Silva, there are other things I've been dealing with besides the identity struggles of your daughter. But now I don't understand. Did you open my package? Read my letter? I almost never use the striders, but I needed you here as soon as possible, and the mail courier was passing through..."

Fela wasn't listening anymore. She sat there, a range of emotions moving through her like lightning. First came relief, then a flash of freedom. But then she felt such a rush of shame that it heated her already blushing face. She almost burned her grandmother today, and actually did burn an important letter. She lashed out at her because of what, her nerves? If only she had stopped to listen, to think clearly about the situation, rather than jump to her own conclusions... Where was the calm, collected Fela- the responsible one?

If Fela was embarrassed, Silva was positively mortified. She reached into one of the many pockets in her overalls, and pulled the parcel out that had given to her this morning.

"Oh Viktor, I never thought that you'd have something else in mind; and the letter you sent, well..."

He waved her words away, the brusque action of it throwing her off.

"You'll have time later for clearing this up. I know it seems as if I'm moving at a strange pace right now, but you'll have to bear with me."

He gestured to the package again, sighing.

"Please open it, Silva. It'll help me explain what's going on."

Silva ripped the paper apart. Muttering to herself, she worked on removing the packaging until there was nothing but a strange-looking object and yet another letter wrapped around it. She looked up in confusion. "What is this?"