Saige's Training

Rosemary nods and snatches the paper and crayons from Valerian who pouts. When Rosemary walks away, Valerian hops up onto his feet and runs over to Saige, giggling as he shoves the paper in her hands.

"Give that to my love! Oh and!" He takes the paper back, kisses the paper and then folds it up and hands it back. "There! Ready!"

He looks at Kalil and winks then turns to head down the hall, giggling and speaking quietly to himself. Or maybe the Frog.

Ruvean turns a surprised look to Saige. "You were in jail?!"

Basil also steps closer, folding his arms across his chest as he listens in.

Storm flinches. "Uh oh..."

Saige steps back and grabs Storm's arm.

"Yeah, they put me in there before that trial I told you about... I was only in there a few days! It was fine, I-"

Her face suddenly drops and her eyes start to turn to a distant, hollow stare. She begins to shake slightly, gripping Storm's arm tighter, as a single tear falls from her eyes.

Storm wraps an arm around Saige and rubs her shoulder. "You're okay, Saige. You're with your family. Not there.

Kalil watches Saige quietly.

Ruvean steps closer and puts a hand on her shoulder as well. "I'm sorry, Saige. I didn't mean to upset you. I was just surprised. I can't imagine any of my children in a cell."

Basil scoffs and looks pointedly at the twins. "I can."

They stick their tongues out at him and one throws a vial at his face but Basil catches it midair. It explodes in his hand in a puff of grey smoke. He immediately drops to the floor, snoozing quietly. The twins double over laughing. Sylissa turns, hands on her hips, and glares at them. They point to one another and then laugh again.

Kalil watches the exchange in mild horror and then turns to Saige. "Does the whole family know alchemy?!"

Saige blinks and looks at Storm, then her father.

She shakes her head, life returning to her face. A small smile appears as the twins knock Basil out, then she turns to Kalil.

"Most of us, yeah. We're a family of poisoners. Have been for like, a really long time. Great great great great great grandpa or something like that."

She sighs.

"It was fine back home because there was nobody else in the forest, except the animals, and Mr. Spiky Bone Man, and Mossy Bear, and Mr. Lots of Teeth, and the lady with the hair that is like arms, and Mr. Glowing Eye Bark-y Man! And then the creature that duplicates to cheat at hide and seek." She pouts. "Mr. Deer Skull Man is probably back home too... But yeah. Just us. No other people. Which is why I'm so happy that we're friends!"

Her expression turns dark.

"I hope they don't get in trouble when we leave here. If Miquella puts any of my family in that jail, there won't be a plane out there that can't hear him screaming."

Kalil and Storm share a look and then Storm gives her a tight squeeze. "I'm sure they'll be fine. So long as they don't use them publicly."

Kalil shrugs. "Miquella knows you're pissed at him. Surely he knows better than to add to that anger."

"He didn't seem to know better when he tried to have me killed for treason..." She mutters, then takes a deep breath. "Anyway. this is my family! Well. Most of it!"

She looks sad.

"We really need to get everyone back soon... I'm worried."