It was in a gasp that Calico, Kirin, and Kezrah all awoke, lurching forward in their swinging hammocks before simultaneously groaning,
“Mhgmlg.”

“Funny way of saying morning!” Charlie chipperly commented, already up and at em. Zaeli was still in her hammock, but slowly roused to the commotion, “Oh heeey, maybe THAT’S why they call it a Starry Malg.”

Kirin felt his skull split in two as soon as he tried to rub his eyes, and thus collapsed back into his pillow in swift defeat, “A what in a what.”

“Starry Malg? The poison you dented my coin pouch for? Or- I guess in your words, a Starry Mhgmlg.” Charlie giggled, stretching by doing cartwheels all around the cluster of hanging hammocks.
“So! How’re y’all feeling?”

“Let’s just say,” Calico hissed, “that a thousand years of sleep didn’t do any favors to my tolerance.”

“I, actually don’t feel awful, despite having dreamed.” Not normally one to move in his sleep, Kezrah righted his tilted mask in a tut, “Haven’t had one of those in a while.”

The other two nodded in spite of their raging hangovers, mumbling incoherently about their own strange dreams, both crystal clear and blurry.

“Dreams?” Zaeli sat up in slight intrigue, swinging her appropriately star patterned hammock,
“What were they, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Wasn’t so much a dream as it was a memory,” Calico yawned as Kirin and Kezrah reported the same in slow surprise.
“Pretty sure mine.. was about when I learned how to escape hell?”

Among other things.

Being the only one to have had front row seats to Calico’s demonic abilities, Kirin massaged his temples,
“Right, that. Aren’t you guys… like, supposed to be banished or some shit?”

Most knew that demons existed and all (sans some religious groups or unschooled skeptics), but aside from the few that turned traitor during the Blood War and got left behind, it was as if every demon had disappeared overnight.

And it stayed that way for 1,500 years.

“Like I care what the devil says! That carnival popcorn yesterday had twice the flavor any grub in hell could ever offer me.” Not to mention all the delectable soul snacking here and there, “I regret nothing.”

“Welp, I for one am glad you escaped hell!”
Charlie ceased her cartwheeling in a backflip and a wink, “And if you ever want more popcorn, we’ve got an encore show in a few days, so stick around!”

Calico mimicked the strange one eye blink, secretly resolving to NOT mention how they figured Void was likely a weakness to not just themselves, but all demonkind, what the shit.

Just because they didn’t miss hell and its utterly incompatible cuisine, doesn’t mean they weren’t AT ALL patriotic. They’re a demon for Satan’s sake!
Best to do as Charlie suggested and “stick around” to keep an eye on this seemingly ancient yet all too new Void development.

“And what of you?” Zaeli directed to the remaining dreamers, “I’d share as well, but moon elves may choose whether to dream or not. Last night, I did not.”

As well as the many, many nights before that.

Kirin waved a hand, feeling his headache slowly cede, “Nothin special. Just me tinkering at my workbench.”

“Did it have anything to do with that?” Kezrah nodded toward Kirin’s gauntlet, just slightly poking out from his sleeve.

Out of habit, Kirin touched the smooth metal, reverent, “Yeah, actually.. this baby was the first and only Void instrument I ever succeeded in building.”

“Special.”

“More than anything,” Kirin tugged his sleeve down, done reminiscing.
“Your turn.”

“I only drank one Malg shot after you passed out. But I’m sure the dream was of... of my mother. Teaching me how to wield Void.”

Kirin’s ear perked, finally getting more information, “So then, you inherited Void from your mother?”

A hum, “She was a fallen aasimar, before becoming completely voided.”

“Completely–”

“I mean head to toe. If you’re not used to the sight, it can look a bit… eldritch.”
No offense Mom, “Anyone would run away, save for my tabaxi father. From there, she learned to assume a normal tabaxi form.”

Kirin was debating whether to ask how the mother became so voided to begin with, or to comment on the fact that Kezrah’s father was probably a total Freak with a capital F, when Charlie announced atop a nearby fold out table,

“Guess what I dreamed about!”

Before anyone could actually offer a guess,
“Breakfast!! Nothing crazy fancy, but you can bet your hammock there were waffles and fruit and nectar involved!”

Calico sniffed the air, “I’ve no clue what any of those things are but they sound amazing. In fact I.. I think I can even smel-- ohhh wait I see what you did there.”

A metal cart rolled in on cue from the entry flaps of the tent, tin platters and utensils jostling on top until it reached Charlie, bumping against the rickety table.

It seemed as though no one was pushing it at first, up till a small, marionette doll poked its head out from behind the food trolley.

It waved an excited hand.

“Everyone, meet Triboulet!” Charlie proudly gestured as Triboulet hopped on the table too, “Triboulet, meet everyone.”

Triboulet did a cute little bow, tipping his matching jester hat with a white mitten.
His outfit looked identical to Charlie’s, only blue, and his soft wooden face had a charming smile carved in.

Zaeli was the first to slip out her hammock, greeting the marionette. One by one, everyone joined Charlie by the table, dragging over stools or barrels to sit on.

Now that everyone was officially up, the jester host snapped her fingers twice with both hands, bringing the dangling twinkle lights above to life and casting everything in a soft, welcoming gold.

“Charlie.”

“Yea Cal?”

“This is..” Already a full stack in, Calico lacked the words to describe just how obsessed they were with the crippling amounts of sugar; almost as sweet as joyous souls.

They didn’t have much leisurely time after their escape to try any local cuisine, but something told them food had gone through much improvement since the past millennia, almost making them glad for their impromptu hibernation.

“...yes.”
Meat would always hold a special place in their hellish heart, but great gore was this stuff good.

“Right?! Circus cooks are best cooks.” Charlie mimed a chef’s kiss,
“Alsooo, this totally has nothing to do with the fact that I’m on break today, but, if any of you guys are up for some more stealthy fun…”

She gestured toward Zaeli, who straightened and stopped drowning her pancakes in maple syrup,
“Oh! Right, um, see-”

In a clatter, she set aside her utensils and presented the chamber key on the table, quick to the point,
“-this, was dropped by one of the noblemen yesterday. I intend on infiltrating the chambers again today to look for any clues.”

“About the orb, or Void?” Calico managed around a mouthful of waffle.

“Er, ideally the orb and what they plan to do with it. They clearly want it for a reason, as did others from Ragnar.” Zaeli pocketed the key,
“If.. any of you are also curious or, would like to join..?”

Calico, Charlie and Triboulet all raised their hands enthusiastically.
Kezrah was just about to as well, before Kirin snatched it right down, voice lowered, “What, are you serious?”

Kezrah cocked his head as everyone returned to the filling breakfast, “She helped us speak to Vel?”

“So what? We got our answers already.”

“We could get more from the chambers,” Kezrah pointed out, “Vel may have created the orb, but those nobles could know something of Void we don’t.”

Kirin grumbled, resistance crumbling at the catch-all temptation of knowledge, but kept holding onto Kezrah’s forearm,
“I tend to lay low after a falling out with any gang. As of now, I just want to keep by you and see what can be done with this orb.”

“Likewise, and you will.” Kezrah lightly tugged his wrist to break free, raising it as Kirin huffed,
“Besides… know what else we could find in a noble’s underground chamber?”

The tabaxi rubbed his fingers together, evidently eager to make up for lost payment, and Kirin gave in, “Fine, fine. We’ll help you with your errand.”

Zaeli only caught bits and whispers of their talk, but nonetheless beamed,
“Really? Thank you all, that’d be w–”

The lights went out.

Then they came right back on, before anyone could react. Then again and again; blinking.
On off on off, on off on off.

“Huh?” Charlie looked up, in the middle of wiping Triboulet’s mouth with her sleeve after he smashed a berry into his face, “Someone’s outside.”

“Nice alarm system.” Kirin motioned to the flickering lights with a half-eaten banana, “No way anyone can get past those flaps.”

“Ha ha.” Charlie stood up, walking over to the entryway, “Annd no, they actually can’t. These tents are enchanted to only let persons I already know in. This is a stranger.”

The feasting slowed as Charlie slowly drew back the multiple layers of striped drapery, opening it enough to reveal a new face.

A very pale, blue one.

“Why hey there! How can I-”

“I come with a message from Lord Felderwell.”
The face leaned in slightly, “May I?”

All noise finally ceased as the haughty voice demanded an audience (not counting Calico, who refused to pause in licking up every last crumb from their plate).

“Uhm, sure!”

The messenger was a thin and tidy elf halfling; combed back gray hair with a snappy white coat matching intelligent white glasses. Entering, he wasted not a second,
“I trust you lot still hold the Void Conduit prototype in your possession?”

“What the f-”
Kirin would’ve gotten up if it weren’t for Kezrah dragging him back down by the belt as payback, “How’d you..?”

“What Wrest Felderwell invests in, he keeps eyes on.” He huffed, as if it were common knowledge,
“He wishes to extend an invitation to you all for dinner at his lodgings tonight, graciously offering protection in exchange for your negotiations.”

“Dinner!!” Calico perked up. Triboulet stared at them, prompting an innocent, “What?”

“Sorry but.. protection?” Zaeli asked concernedly.

“Surely you are aware that you have stolen his rightful property, yes? And just before a grand demonstration no less.”

“Weeell, technically??” Charlie made none-too-subtle gestures toward Kirin, who did absolutely nothing to portray denial. Honestly, he looked a little proud.

“Regardless,” The messenger sniffed, already turning to see himself out, “Felderwell expects your cooperation at eighteen sharp, knock thrice on the front door by Detine Lane, business casual. Good day.”

And just like that, he departed in a furl of his coat and the tent flaps, leaving everyone reeling from the abrupt intrusion and exit.

Charlie did go after him briefly, but found zilch upon sticking her head outside.

“Weird..” She returned to the others with a shrug, “He’s gone.”

“Vel you fucking snitch.” Kirin groused, leaning back in his stool,
“Now Felderwell knows we have the orb. So much for laying low.”

“But, but,” Zaeli got up to pace and think aloud,
“He didn’t call for law enforcement to retrieve it. Why negotiate instead?”

Kezrah finished discreetly eating his meal–sneaking in morsels of food under his mask, much like Charlie–and guessed, “Maybe he doesn’t want the law involved.”

Zaeli’s brow slowly rose, “From what I heard in the chambers, those nobility and Felderwell seem to be adversaries… this could be a good thing!”

Charlie mimed Zaeli’s pacing behind her in good humor, making Calico and Triboulet snicker,
“Wait, we’re still gonna do the sneaky sneaky in the chambers, right? Cause I really wanna do the sneaky sneaky again.”

The jester may be well versed in the art of disguise, but something about using them in public rather than performance was just so.. thrilling.

“Yes, of course–but afterwards? I say we ought to hear Felderwell out.”

“Pardon me but,” Kirin raised a lackluster hand, “I’ll have you know we’re not givin up the orb anytime soon. Stole it fair and square!”

“Erm,” Kezrah scratched his neck, “Not that I don’t agree but, I only inadvertently helped you.”

“Same difference.”

Zaeli tsked, “Didn’t you say earlier your only intention with the orb was to learn how it worked?”

“I’m not planning on using it for world domination if that’s your concern.”
Kirin crossed his arms at the serial eavesdropper, “I’m more a mad scientist than I am a gangster. And it’ll take time to get all the necessary equipment to test it properly.”

Especially since all his workbench tools were sadly left behind in his ex-gang’s headquarters, darn shame.

“That’s fine, but then wouldn’t Felderwell be the perfect ally to help with that? He’s clearly got resources, and if the other nobles turn out to have malicious intent, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind helping to keep his competition in check.”

Kezrah coughed, “Forget not the fact that Felderwell had Vel make a Void focus in order to wield it from other voided persons? His intent here is unclear as well.”

“That’s true, but...”
Zaeli remained silent for a while, no longer pacing.

Impatient enough to not bother waiting for a reply, Kezrah sighed,
“You’re set on this.”

She gave an apologetic smile. “Just another lead.”

Kezrah nodded in thought, about to comment more until Kirin–much to his surprise–agreed,

“Okay.”

Zaeli looked taken aback, “Ok?”

“You’re gonna go to his dinner to ask questions with or without the orb anyway so, yea. Okay.”
Standing up, Kirin dusted off his trenchcoat of any trace breakfast, “We’ll see what those nobles know of Void, swipe a few bags of gold, then see what Felderwell knows.”

“GOAAAAL!”
The three jumped at Charlie’s exclamation, turning to find Calico and Triboulet engaged in a makeshift game of.. chess? Crossed with football??

Either way, the table was now covered in chunks of waffle, and Charlie stopped refereeing with a snap of her fingers,

“Aight! So where’s that chamber at?”