Much like Iovia, Ntuni keeps herself distant.
Za Minyahil joins in the ritual, channeling their frustration at the pugwampis from yesterday into the words as they chant, hoping some remnant of it will remain to scare any gremlins who dare return.
The ritual begins with Ikto taking primary role, spreading the three oils over the cold iron bells. Assistance is offered by M'Baba and Za Minyahil, in various forms, whether it is instructions on careful crafting or the channeling of frustrations meant to scare off gremlins. The assistant casters seems to give the right vibes to the ritual, but it does not seem to be synergizing the magical energies enough. And after an hour the ritual ends, with no success in enchanting the bells, at least for now.
"Not to worry," says Mariama soothingly. "Not all magic works every time, that's why this is place of learning, and not of creating. Maybe it is for the best, as we are not exactly sure the unintended consequences of this ritual, it doesn't just target gremlins, but all fey, even good ones. We may keep trying especially if the gremlins come back."
Just as the ritual ends, a sleepy-looking Chizire shows up, stretching with a big yawn. "Got it all done, I see. Must be a good instructor! Tomorrow morning its the Emerald Boughs who will take you under their wing....Boring!" He laughs and shuffles off to his own devices.
Mariama says, "You are excused again for the rest of the day, and what lazy Chizire says is true. The Emerald Boughs will show their task again in the morning. Rest well and well done today!"
"Is there anything that you can share about the Emerald Boughs task that could help us prepare for it?"
Regardless of the answer, she will then go to take a bath and make sure that any traces of the Purple Pox are gone from her. After that is dinner and a night in the common room socializing.
The next day, her morning prayers are slightly different as she asks Tlehal for her daily spells.
Ntuni frowns deeply as the ritual fails. "That is it? Can't we try again? Are the oils wasted after one try? Did we go through all of this for nothing?" Anticipating a particular answer, she turns to their instructors. "And if you say 'oh, you've learned a lesson' or something like that, I'm going to lose it."
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M'baba thoroughly enjoys watching and participating in the ritual, even if the results aren't what they expected. He is a person who focuses on results and normally he'd be adding to Ntuni's complains. Instead, he has his head on something else. He says "Normally Esi is here to see us after our tasks. I wonder why she hasn't come."
"I was too eager," He chides himself but not just for the sake of chiding himself "Perhaps if I had taken more time in the ritual ,found the proper 'beat' of the heart of the magic we were trying for?" He admits "I would like to try again, or let someone else take primary who it resounds with better?"
The talk of Esi makes him wince. While he does not trust her judgement as much as he did before, holding onto a grievance doesn't sound wise at this time.
Mariama shrugs at Iovia. "I don't know what they have planned for you, but it will be Ignaci and Strands-of-Glowing-Dawn who lead you. You could ask them tonight, but I don't know if they will tell you. But taking every advantage is smart!" You recall that Ignaci Canterells was the young man also from Vidrian, that you met briefly on Day 1.
Read Aura allows Iovia to determine the silk glove with silver hooks and the long red feather are both magical. The smooth bone and shiny rocks are not.
Mariama agrees with Ntuni and Ikto. "I agree that the outcome of the ritual is disappointing, but such are the experiments we do in Cascade Bearers, we imagine solutions and then try them out. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. We don't have time to try the gathering and ritual again tonight, but if you wish, you can try it for yourself if you get downtime. Persistence can be as important as imagination in our branch, for sure."
"Esi is such a busy-body," Mariama says rolling her eyes. "She doesn't have to be involved with every lesson, but you can't tell her that...I am sure she is back at the Spire."
He says "Normally Esi is here to see us after our tasks. I wonder why she hasn't come."
"Perhaps because most of us have seen through her crap." She answers, in a pretty terrible mood, her frustration with the whole pointless task overwhelming her.
She then waves to the others and leaves, heading towards the kitchen to keep her mind busy in menial tasks.
"I have no issues with Miss Djana. But, given that we are doing a task for each branch of the school, I do not think that she will always be here to greet us, but you could always go look for her." Iovia encourages M'baba.
Sometime that evening, she will study both the glove and feather to try and learn more about how they work, and she will encourage others to try as well.
Mariama agrees with Ntuni and Ikto. "I agree that the outcome of the ritual is disappointing, but such are the experiments we do in Cascade Bearers, we imagine solutions and then try them out. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. We don't have time to try the gathering and ritual again tonight, but if you wish, you can try it for yourself if you get downtime. Persistence can be as important as imagination in our branch, for sure."
At that, he brightens, "Thank you, Mariama. You're right, of course. I'll practice in free time so next time the school calls on me I'll do better than I might if I rushed another attempt."
He hopes he is making a good impression regardless of his success. He's always happy to make more friends.
And he too is curious about these magic items