Thames and Lin were sat at a corner table at his favorite restaurant in Pronton. The Underside Diner had been a staple on Main since before he was born.
There was light chatter among the dozen or so people who were enjoying lunch.
"So how'd you end up in Nira?"
Lin asked directly while tossing a fry in her mouth.
"Liked the countryside.. We'd visit the town every summer for a while."
He responded slowly while sipping on bubbly water.
"But your from here?"
"Mhmm.."
He looked around at the unfamiliar faces while Lin started to eat her burger.
"How'd Ode find ya?"
He looks back at her now half eaten burger before answering.
"I was hanging a sign for my shop.. He asked to look at my paintings then.. I was here?"
He tears off a piece of bread from the loaf that was between them and dips it in a bronze oil.
"Mmm.. It's a good burger."
She says while wiping her mouth.
"Yeah.. How'd you end up working for Ode..?"
Lin tosses another fry in her mouth before looking into his eyes.
"Me..? Oh.. Hmmm.. Well I was already a driver for the Tower Association? Just happened to keep gettin missions with him."
Thames finishes stuffing a large portion of oil soaked bread before gulping.
"Do you know magic then? Since you work for the Tower Association."
"I know enough to keep up! Neva really cared."
A waiter stops by to refill their glasses and drop a check. Thames reaches for it, but it's quickly taken by Lin. She slides three silver dollars into it.
"I would have covered it.. I brought you here after all."
"Both our moneys from Ode anyways.. Don't matter! Lemme just look good."
She winks at him before finishing her burger.
"Want me to teach you some magic?"
"You can..?"
"Not that difficult!"
The waiter grabs the check.
"Sure then.. Where should we go?"
"Back to the house obviously."
She rolls her eyes before grabbing his hands. The chair make a loud scratching noise as she drags him out the restaurant.
Back in the empty house, Lin throws Thames onto the couch and starts pacing in front of him.
"So whatcha know 'bout magic already?"
"Uh.. Nothing? I know you can make fireballs!"
She nods exaggeratingly while stopping in her tracks, staring right at him.
"That's not it! Magic is your beliefs! It might sound strange, but it's like faith. Do you follow a deity?"
He nods before speaking.
"Mother Trem.."
"So if you do magic it might be more like.. Fireworks! Of course you ain't limited to this! Spells have been recorded so others can use em!"
He nods again while letting her continue.
"Watch this!"
She clears her throat while stepping closer to Thames.
"[Rejuvenate!]"
A warm energy spreads from her body and into Thames'. He feels his body aches fading and his mind softening.
"That's a spell I know 'cause I follow Runi! Now I also know a spell like.."
Clears her throat again and points at the dagger Thames left on the table.
"[Move!]"
The dagger snaps to her hand.
"See that I know 'cause I learnt it!"
"What deity is that from..?"
She pauses while setting the dagger down.
"Hmm.. Well I guess that's from mages? It's weird! I bet Ode could give ya a betta explanation."
He nods while leaning back on the couch. She joins him on it shortly after.
"What should we do while we wait for Ode?"
"No clue.."
She leans back on the couch too.