In a display of rather impressive arcana, Charlie unclipped a singular blank mask from a belt, then laid it atop her preexisting grin of a mask after shortly molding it with her fingers (as well as scribbling on some paints that came out of nowhere).

The moment the two masks were sealed against each other, her body slowly morphed in its entirety–mask, body, clothes and all–in a series of strong illusory waves.

First, the jester attire lost its striped patterns, colors soon mixing and ebbing into a cycle of changing solids; as if Charlie were trying to make up her mind, combing through a mental closet.

Gone were puffy sleeves and trousers, replaced by a firm, sleek fabric with some sharp suggestions of metal armor underneath. Her engraved boots lost the curved up tips, sinking down to regular duds with the wear and tear of wrinkles and mud.

Most remarkably, her masked face had distorted itself to look like real flesh.
A more prominent nose poked out in a hook, facial hair sprouting like grass magically cast with a Hurry The Fuck Up spell, jaw structure setting wider, etc. etc., until Charlie settled into her new form of a generic police officer with an undistinguishable rank.

As jarring as it was, a very Charlie-esque grin moved the lips of the new stern costume to proudly announce:

“Tadaaa!”

It was only after a solid 30 seconds of silent gaping that Charlie received any physical movement in response, wherein Zaeli repeatedly rubbed her eyes, and Kezrah hung his head.

Not that any of this deterred Charlie’s flamboyant bow; she’s had tough crowds before.

“You mean to tell me,”
Kezrah recovered first, “That after a full ten minutes of planning, only now do you think to let us know that you’re apparently a shapeshifter?”

Charlie the policeman rose from her bow in a cheer,
“Nobody asked!! Besides, as a performer, dramatic timing is everything.”

While Zaeli quickly re-strategized and Kezrah scratched the trunks of nearby trees in what the jester-who-doesn’t-look-like-a-jester-anymore could only assume to be despair, a distant and soft pitter patter gave them all pause.

As soon as everyone caught on to the quickly growing sound more distinctly,
“MADE IT!”

Kirin burst through the thicket of trees, scaring everyone but Kezrah half to death.

As Charlie patted the back of a poor Zaeli clutching her heart, Kirin hurriedly tumbled onto his feet, looking up at the two in surprise.

He looked to Kezrah wildly for an explanation, who simply shrugged,
“They agreed to help us.”

More pause, as Kirin skeptically scrutinized them, “...Really?”
The implied so what was that random goosechase from before went unsaid.

Zaeli straightened to explain after brushing off her near heart attack from Kirin bulldozing through the trees like some rabid raccoon,
“Yes. We—well, I—need to learn if Vel’s invention is dangerous. I discovered today that it’s sought after by nobles on top of your gang, and we–”

“First of all, ex-gang, okay? Get it right.” Kirin interrupted, not nearly as concerned with the involvement of Fortunizian nobility as he probably should’ve been, “Second of all.. that doesn’t explain the fucking police officer??”

Riiight.

“Oh!! Oh no, this is Charlie, the jester you saw earlier!” Zaeli gestured to the policeman/Charlie, who just gave a chipper thumbs up.

“Huh.” Frankly, Kirin was undeniably impressed by how convincing the uniform and face looked. The last time he attempted shapeshifting, he got such a bad case of uncanny valley that the mirror broke and he never dared to practice again.
“Damn. Always wanted to learn that.”

“If you lot swing by the carnival show later, maybe I can teach ya!” Charlie clapped her hands, happy to finally extend the invitation.

She’d still need to tell Calico though… only reason she hadn’t already being that it felt slightly rude to invite them someplace where they’d very likely get arrested for indecency (t’was a miracle no one reported them earlier). And once they began browsing clothes, it was easy to forget about the invite in favor of Calico’s tales of demonic possession.

“Also, d’you happen to see our other friend? They’re a tiefling, you must’ve seen em earlier when we were playing tag!”

“Ah, yes. Them. Er…”
Technically, they were still totally okay, right? Alive in the least, which is the most he figured anyone could hope for, “They’re fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“Are you su–”

“Yup.” Kirin hurriedly moved on, “So then- I’m assuming the plan to get past these guards involves you and your Hollow's Eve costume?”

“Correct!” Missing devil momentarily set aside, Charlie angled the police force badge, an enchanted glint shining off it almost too realistically.

Zaeli agreed, “I was thinking earlier that Charlie could cause a diversion amongst the main two guards right by the entrance, which might give a good enough of an opening for the rest of us to sneak through?”

Charlie nodded eagerly.

“I dunno..” Kirin eyed the row of guards marching both along and beyond the entrance’s perimeters,
“There’s too many of them around to just take another’s place if a gap opens up. With this amount of outer security and only one way in, we’ll need another distraction.”

Charlie nodded eagerly again (look, she’s just excited to give this cop getup a go. who doesn’t love impersonating law enforcement?)

Zaeli further analyzed the crowd, not finding much potential for one.
Up until she raised her eyes to the presenting aasimar, bowing to a round of applause. She then drifted them over to Kirin, thinking, “Maybe…”

“What?” Kezrah had followed her gaze warily.

“...I’ve an idea. There’s too many of us to file in undetected, so Charlie.. what if you pretended to bring Kirin in as a fake prisoner? That way, the two of you can stall before waltzing in, while me and Kezrah cause a ruckus elsewhere to lead the patrol guards away and better sneak through right before you do.”

This time, Charlie nodded with a hop, “Ooh sure! Anyone got some rope or a random pair of handcuffs on them? Don’t worry, I won’t judge. Pinkie promise.”
She held up a thankfully rhetorical pinkie that no one had the heart to reciprocate.

Kezrah quickly slipped out a coil of rope from the back satchel underneath his poncho, winding it around his knuckles.
Kirin had his hands thrown up the entire time,

“Excuse me, I feel like I should have more of a say here.”

Kezrah walked up to him, rope taut, “I’d take your place but.. you did sort of crash the party to begin with. That job was worth ten thousand gold pieces, just so you know.”

“Wha- my job was worth TWENTY thousand! Double your loss, just so you know.” Kirin bit back.

“And whose fault is that?”

Well.

“Ugh. Ughhhhff–fine.” Kirin begrudgingly turned around, letting Kezrah loosely tie his wrists together behind his back. It was flimsy enough for Kirin to break them free if he wanted to.

Charlie began clearing her throat, lowering her already baritone voice to be more gruff,
“Ahem, testing testing, do re mi! Kay, I’m all set.”

Zaeli took a calming breath, “Alright. Head off in five minutes while Kezrah and I find a way to draw the guards? After they leave the vicinity, flag us when to go in.”

“Not to worry, Stalling is my middle name!” Charlie grabbed Kirin’s hardly bound arms (who muttered something about stupid middle names under his breath) in a convincing enough fashion, while Zaeli led the way toward the crowd with Kezrah.

It took a decent minute to weave through the crowd; many had left after the massive letdown of the first show, but just as much had come to spectate the uncommon sight of police patrols around the university building.
After a fair bit of bumping and apologizing, Zaeli and Kezrah made it to the front row.

Leaning over, “So what exactly was your plan here?”

“The current presenter seemed very close to the end of their speech.. I was thinking we convince them that something is awry enough to go ask the guards for help. It’s more likely they’d listen to actual figureheads here than any random denizen crying wolf.”
Zaeli nodded toward the grinning aasimar up above, who indeed was wrapping everything up with a long closing statement.

“..been wonderful, and thank you all for attending!”

A quick round of whoops, as the aasimar clasped her hands together. As most aasimars tended to do, she looked radiant. Bright and blonde hair flowed down to her waist in thick curls, with a classic pair of softly glowing blue irises surrounding navy pupils.
She donned the university’s apparent colors of gold and blue, but wherever the color white could be incorporated, it was.

“I am so proud to be an arcanist at such a prestigious institution. As always, you can stop by the grand library down the road to check out or buy my new book on the theory of Quantum Applications on the Weave, under Constance Goldwine…”

Kezrah willfully tuned out the rest of the glassy voice, looking back to where they left Charlie and Kirin. Sure enough, they were gone, and his tail involuntarily flicked side to side.
He didn’t doubt their ability to slip past in now–Kirin was able to sneak into Vel’s office just fine, and Charlie seemed skilled enough magically–but he couldn’t help but mutter,

“Better hurry up.”

Zaeli nodded as the crowd spread out once Goldwine exited the stage,
“Right. She mentioned that she’d be at one of the booths, over the other side of the building. We can catch her there.”

The two swiftly jogged over to the side of the building, already finding several colorful booths scattered about. Zaeli spotted a bright yellow table, and correctly assumed that to be Goldwine’s.

Right as they reached the table (although Kezrah did hang back a few steps to act as “lookout”), Goldwine had exited the building. Spotting an awaiting fan, Goldwine happily went directly over to Zaeli with a warm welcome,

“Why hello! Might I help you with any inquiries?” At certain syllables, it sounded like she was singing.

“Uh, yes! I came a little late, but I was just.. really, really intrigued by your um. Book!”
Smooth start.

Thankfully, Goldwine perked up,
“Ooh, how wonderful! Yes, I can happily summarize what the book encapsulates, though it can get a tad bit complex. Especially if you’re not a spellcaster or scientist. But I specifically wrote everything to be as accessible to the common mind as possible! See, as we were all taught in our youth, the Weave has traditionally been perceived as this more versatile form of phenomenal science. It often can be subtly yet consistently connected to the user’s emotions or mental state, which–”

“Right! So, I’m actually here to... tell you something. I mean- I’m interested in the book of course–but, not just because of the intriguing title.”

“I- oh?” The aasimar tilted her head, foreheading creasing upon Zaeli’s nervous shifting,
“Why, whatever’s the matter my dear?”

“On my way here, I… saw.. a group of people at the grand library… protesting! Your book.”
Gods did she hope this book was on display today.

And by the sudden grave look on the aasimar’s face, it was. Score.

“...Wha- really? I, I don’t–why, I don’t understand. How could–?” Goldwine cleared her throat,
“I.. I mean, I know some sections concerning the psychology of mages and members of the Hybrid Animidia family were just a scosche controversial upon publication, but I had thought I cleared up any misconceptions by adding a footnote explaining my citations in further detail and–”

“They’re burning your books.”

Goldwine gasped loudly, and very, very briefly could Zaeli hear Kezrah snicker from behind,
“By Verdius, it can’t be! This is just- just so unprecedented and–”

She took a breather, inhaling and exhaling quietly for a few rhythms, and Zaeli found herself subconsciously mimicking it.

“..I see. I am… upset, but thank you for letting me know. Truly, I greatly appreciate it.”

Straightening, Goldwine tuned her gaze toward the marching guards, and Zaeli was just about to internally celebrate, when the aasimar then turned back,

“You did the right thing. My apologies for not being able to talk with you further right now, but if you’re ever curious or concerned about anything at all, my office door is open for you, room 701B at Snostrum Hall. I know this may sound contrived but.. I can tell that you are a kind person.”

Zaeli opened her mouth, then closed it.

“Now, we must depart. While I encourage debate on any of my books, fire hazards and mobs don’t mix in a library. Guards!!”
Goldwine finally took off toward the police authorities nearby, returning to her frantic state earlier as she called for their intervention.

If Zaeli felt like wincing from the thing in her gut curling up in guilt, she didn’t say anything on it as Kezrah ushered her back toward the entrance Charlie and Kirin would be at.

“Good job.”
Zaeli shook her head, blinking up at Kezrah. “You’re doing a lot of quick thinking. I’m already seeing a good chunk of guards leaving. Now we can get inside, and learn more about the orb.”

“Right, right.” Reminded, Zaeli focused on her current goal. Find clues, finish leads, then move on. Like she always does. “Thank you.”

She took his quiet grunt as a “You’re welcome”.

-*-

Calico rolled over sluggishly, looking up at the sky to check how much time had passed.

Once they figured the sun was still high and bright enough, they went right the fuck back to their mini food comatose, recovering.
This was worse than that one time they were hungry enough to eat an entire horse, and then proceeded to do so.

Then again, they supposed it would take a while to get over an abruptly interrupted death sequence.
They also supposed they probably should’ve asked Kirin a few questions about just what made their blood smell so appetizingly powerful before putting it in their mouth.
They also also supposed they could’ve done a LOT of things differently within their first 24 hours upon regaining consciousness really, but before Calico could do any more supposing... they closed their eyes.