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Occtis isn't really sure how Thjazi Fang manages to still attend Sundered House galas. They literally put him on trial and tried to have him executed despite his marriage to Lady Aranessa Royce. But, he's glad Thjazi does come, because that means Thimble comes.
"I scoped out the kitchens, found the desert displays. They've got tiramisu," she whispers in Occtis's ear.
He hums a quiet acknowledgement. Tiramisu is one of his favorites. It's nice that Thimble has remembered that.
"So how's that Disguise Self coming along?" Thimble challenges Occtis.
"It's barely functional," Occtis whispers back. The illusory features still come out blurred and darkened by the shadows reshaped into them, and he can only attempt it once before needing a good rest to regather his meager (yet existent!) magical reserves. Hopefully the Penteveral will help him straighten that out in a few months once he gets there. Thjazi's loaned spellbook is educational, of course, but not… supportive if he can't decipher its meaning on his own.
"With these idiots, that'll be good enough," Thimble tries to hype him up.
Occtis… isn't so sure about that. But it's either he attempts the desert snatch, or Thimble does. And he knows that Thimble is incredibly stealthy, but if she's caught, she'll be in a lot more danger trouble than if it's him.
Thimble must sense his hesitation, for she nuzzles into his ear, warm and tingling with magic, the barest puff of air there as she says, "Hey, you've got this. I believe in you."
And it's for that belief that Occtis draws the shadows around himself into an illusion of Ethrand. Still a little blurred, a little off. But as long as no one gets a good look at him, well, his brother never really did stop throwing rocks at him, so to speak.
Thimble gives him a maliciously mischievous smirk after inspecting his disguise.
"We should get him into soooo much trouble. Do all sorts of shit and no one will know it was us instead of him!"
"I-if it comes to it. But sneaking is better, right?" Occtis gently reminds her.
"Fiiiine. Be boring," she huffs, flopping over his shoulder.
"We get more treats if we're boring," he points out.
"True!" Thimble says, perking right up. "This a-way!"
And Thimble zips off, leading Occtis off on his last adventure with her before the Penteveral.
before things go very wrong five years later