Ren gave Ayra a look, as she had already removed them and placed them into a container with her name on it. With a nudge from Kalin, Ren begrudgingly removed their shoes and shrunk quite a bit. Kalin snorted and received a playful punch on the arm from Ren. Meyra handed her shoes away, then a pair of slip-ons were placed in her hands. 

One of the employees took the group upstairs, taking care to wipe the handrail for them as they came up. Meyra looked around at the chandeliers and the plush furniture, but no one was to be seen. As they got upstairs, the worker held the door open for them. Once they had all gone in, the employee closed the door and locked it behind them. 

The upstairs smelled of freshly baked food and incense. It was a cozy bar with small rooms behind glass doors and a few tables in the common area. One of the waiters walked up to the group and guided them to a closed door. Inside, there was a large seating area with one person sitting inside. 

As they walked through, Meyra's hair prickled at the barrier. The waiter closed the door behind them with no sound. Ayra introduced everyone to each other. For a minute, all sat in silence looking at each other. 

“Well, let’s get started,” Weylyn said after clearing their throat.

Weylyn began to explain what their research had uncovered. Compared to some other sectors, the heads of the different schools in Dovin regularly visited the bars. Some as often as nearly every day. They would order various things, but they never ate the fish on the menu, even if it was the evening special. 

“Considering that none of them are eating fish, when that is the most popular thing on the menu, is peculiar. We believe that they may know something or are in some way involved in this matter.” Weylyn took a sip of their drink.

Weylyn recommended that the group went to visit the different schools. There is one for the military, which focuses primarily on physical movement for protection of the castle and surrounding regions. Another is for magic and research, some graduates go onto the military school while some stay in academia or go to the workforce. The last one is for the various trades that require some of both, typically these people will manage the outer borders or take requests for monster management. The military school is the largest, with the trade school being second, as it subsidizes the living cost of the students and their families. 

"We have noticed those in the military are not going to the bars. Instead, they only eat within their designated squadron. They are punished if they are found to have eaten outside of that,” Weylyn said as they pushed forward a large pouch of money.

The three stared longingly at the pouch and agreed to go to the schools. They filled in Weylyn with the information they found, not being too specific except for the barrels in the basement of one of the Cruxn locations. Meyra spoke about the Mer disappearances. After being told about them, Weylyn hummed and leaned back against the seat. 

“They could be taken for questioning, or other uses for their scales,” Weylyn said.

The Mer are known for making potions, specifically potion antidotes. They are known for keeping the recipes secret, so they could be taken away to try to get the recipe out of them. As to exactly why, it could be hypothesized that they were using them for the production of the barrels Meyra and Ayra saw. Weylyn took a sip of their drink before flicking their wrist. 

Out of the shadows, someone wearing a gray cloak emerged. The person was petite, with a cloak enveloping their whole body. They had a notepad and prepared their ink. 

"We have dozens of individuals being tailed that are of interest. I will allocate a few of my best to help you. Ayra, with your skills I would like you to work directly with them and direct at your will. Does this sound okay with you?"

Ayra agreed, and as she did, four individuals came out of the shadows and bowed before her. She awkwardly tried to tell them to stop, but they kept their heads low. Weylyn instructed them of their tasks, once they finished, each of individuals' hands glowed with a green ring that faded into their skin tones. 

"This will be how you communicate," Weylyn said as they handed Ayra a small earring, "If there are any issues you can tap the gem twice and it will connect with me. Once will connect you with them." 

Ayra thanked Weylyn and put on the earring. She excused herself to go speak with the people she would be working with. Ayra waved goodbye, the waiter taking her to a different room. The rest finished their conversation over their meal. 

"Meyra, could you stay for one minute?" Weylyn asked as everyone was getting up. 

Meyra smiled at Kalin and Ren. They sighed and nodded before heading out, saying they would wait for her in the general seating area. The waiter closed the door once more, pulling out a specialty bottle of liquor. 

"There is no need for that, thank you. Please exit the room as well," Weylyn said and the waiter did so. 

Meyra sat there awkwardly, twiddling her thumbs. She looked around the room, the only source of light in between them. Weylyn tapped on the table, and Meyra placed one of her hands on the table. A piece of paper was secretly slipped into her hand as Weylyn's hand was on top of hers. They gestured to their hair, and the same hairpin gently glimmered in the light. 

"They are currently out of town. Please meet them when they come back," Weylyn said with a smile. 

Weylyn's eyes glossed over, and then they slammed their head into their hands. Meyra let out a startled yelp and got up to help. Their eyes were quickly darting back and forth while closed. They suddenly shot up, nearly hitting their head against the back of the chair. 

"Sorry about that. We met last night," a feminine voice spoke. 

"How can I help you?" Meyra said, her voice trembling. 

"The date is not soon enough. You will meet them after the gathering, before it happens." The feminine voice stopped, and Weylyn's head crashed into their hands again. 

Their moon-shaped hair pin turned into a star-shaped one. Weylyn let out a groan as they lifted their head, rubbing their sore hands. They felt around their hair and noticed the pin, grinning as they did. 

"I'm glad I was able to help," Weylyn said as they grabbed the paper back, burning it over the candle. 

"Well, I'll be seeing you in the future then. Please be safe." Weylyn smiled and stood up, opening the door for Meyra. 

“You as well,” Meyra said before getting up and making her way over to the others. 

They were both quite merry on drinks, in addition to having gorged themselves on two large baskets of meat. Meyra sighed, going to the bar to close the tab. With the two drunkards, she slowly made their way back to the guild. 

She dropped them off in their relative rooms and collapsed in her bed. Through the window, she looked at the moons, and thought she saw one wink at her. Meyra blinked and rubbed her eyes but didn't see it again. Laying in her bed, she looked at the opposite wall at something covered with a cloth. 

Meyra got up and pulled the cloth away, showing a dusty mirror. She cleaned it off and looked at herself in it. Her eyes welled up in tears, unable to recognize herself. Meyra sat in the bed, trying to remember her old features as the tears flowed down her face. 

She had no family here and desperately wanted to go home. Having seen Ren and Kalin act like family today brought forth all her memories. She pulled out her journal of memories, sobering up as she read, before falling asleep with her tear-stained pillow.