An Important Letter

Vesta approaches the Guild of Light looking like a shadow of herself. 

There are no silken skirts, no glittering jewelry save for the ring on her finger. Her curls are not carefully arranged. Instead, her hair has been pulled up hastily. Her clothes are practical. Where kohl and shimmer would normally frame her eyes, there is only bare skin and the faint redness of someone who has been crying for far too long.

She pauses at the entrance just long enough to steady herself, gathering what composure she can. 

Once inside, she moves quietly to the desk. Her voice is softer than usual, stripped of its usual lilt.

“I would like to see E’ni’cala, please.”

The young woman with long brown hair is waiting around the front of the guild and sees Vesta approach. She lowers the wards for Vesta. Then she waits for Vesta to approach and gives her a soft smile.

"I'll fetch her. Wait here for me." The woman says and then heads off to disappear further into the Guild.

A few minutes pass and both the brown haired woman and E'ni'cala come into the room. They are speaking quietly. E'ni'cala has rings under her eyes and her robe sleeves are pulled up and tied at her shoulders. She is wiping a cloth down her arms to clear off any remaining blood or sick from her hands and arms. 

When E'ni'cala sees Vesta, her expression turns worried and she rushes away from the woman beside her and up to Vesta. She starts to reach for her friend's hand but stops herself short.

"Vesta! Are you okay? You..." She looks Vesta up and down. "What can I do for you, Vesta? I want to help you however I can."

E'ni'cala presses her lips together in a firm, determined line.

Ignoring the blood and whatever else she might have on her, Vesta steps forward and wraps E’ni’cala in a tight embrace. She holds on for a few long seconds before pulling back.

“Sorry. It’s been a rough morning.” She sniffs, brushing quickly beneath her eyes. “I… need to send a letter to Tristan. A missive.”

Her fingers twist together in front of her.

“I know I could go to the Mage’s Guild, but I don’t really know anyone there. And this…” Her voice wavers just slightly. “This is too important to place in unfamiliar hands. I need someone I can trust. I was hoping you might know someone here.”

She straightens a little.

“I can pay, of course.”

E'ni'cala nods slowly and reaches out to set her hand over Vesta's clasped in front of her. "I'll go ask the Guild Second if he would be willing to do it. It's not really something we offer people here since we're healers but... Maybe he'll be willing to bend a little. If I say it's a favor for me." She gives Vesta a brief, soft smile. "But how much can you afford? I know components are getting harder and harder to come by so he's most definitely going to ask for payment. Not that I have any clue the going rate for components." She chuckles awkwardly and squeezes Vesta's hands. "I'll haggle as much as I can."

Vesta’s confidence falters, just slightly.

“Well… I don’t have any coin. But-”  

She shifts her bag off her shoulder and nudges it towards E’ni’cala, opening it with a small, almost sheepish motion. Inside rests a wheel of cheese, carefully wrapped. 

“I have this. I’ve been saving it for an emergency. I’m hoping it’s enough.”

She exhales softly.

“If not, I can volunteer my services as well. For as long as it takes. Scrying, healing, whatever is needed.”

E'ni'cala gasps and reaches over to close the bag, pushing it towards Vesta. 

She leans in conspiratorially, eyes darting around, and whispers to Vesta. "Don't let anyone see you with that." She steps back again and smiles. Hold on. I'll go ask Lord Marquanthis if he'll take that as payment. I'll be right back."

E'ni'cala turns and walks in the opposite direction from which she came and disappears down the corridor.

About five minutes go by before the young elf returns. She is grinning and the sleeves of her robes are pulled back down once more.

She walks over to Vesta.

"Okay. He said he'll do it but he wanted me to stress that he wouldn't normally do this since sending missives is reserved for other things." She is still grinning as she reaches for Vesta's hands. "I'm so glad I'm able to help! If you want, I'll just um.... Take the bag? And I can return it to you once the letter is sent. I assume the letter is in the bag too?"