[ Mary's Studio ]
"Yes, of course. I'll explain what I know better once we meet, I promise."
"...?"
"Do I mean well for the planet?"
Viviane blinks. While holding Rachel's snatched phone, her eyes follow the red splattered across the plastic sheets and stacked canvases.
"Yeah, I'm harmless. Couldn't even hurt a fly."
"..."
She closes her eyes, snorting bitterly. "That was sarcasm. Look, I don't plan on being some sort of apocalypse or great change. Best thing is if I can continue living my days like a human. That's not going to happen right now when there's a cult targeting me and the people I love. The same goes for you."
Left unsaid is that she may have indirectly created the cult, but those were details. Even if she buried The Book of Isis rather than leaving it to Bedivere, a fanatical group could have still been formed. There's no guarantee that it wouldn't have teleported away to someone's hands, either.
The exchange continues while the others around her watch silently, unsure whether to be happy or worried that Viviane can take charge so smoothly. Yet, the unease in her eyes says she's still maintaining a mask, despite having shed Marlin's appearance.
Behind state lines, Mike seemed to be convinced enough. Although, he doesn't have much of a choice, either. Before they can end the call...
"Is she alive?" he presses.
Viviane stiffens.
Mike's heart bleeds in the question regarding Lecia. Now she can understand why Rachel said to trust their connection, if not for the man himself.
Except, what can she offer?
Viviane opens her mouth for a second before closing. She lowers her head, bangs shadowing her eyes as she considers everything she learned.
Victor's book... the blue flame that covered Lecia as she read it... how Nico was able to escape in a flurry of green flames. Adding to those events, Victor's split with The Order is enough to say he's at least not on their side. He didn't harm Daniel, either.
"I'm more certain that she is than before," she finally answers, lifting her head. "I hope to have better answers when we meet."
"..."
Viviane's lips rise sadly. "Yes, I'm that Vivi."
The phone seemingly shakes as Mike can be heard breathing out unsteadily, but clings to the summon's promise for now. After a few more exchanges with hums and reassurances, the call finally ends.
Viviane breathes slowly, both unneeded and necessary after everything she's had to do.
Lowering the cellphone, she hands it back to Rachel, whose gaze wavers. She brings her phone close to her chest. "Viviane..."
The elder slime smiles weakly, then glances around to Marlin, Daniel, Anne, and Mary.
All are safe and sound.
But, for how long?
Her gaze lingers to the blood stain once more, then back to Rachel. "This is a horrible first impression, Rachel. I'm sorry."
Rachel inhales sharply before pressing forward with her free hand to the slime's arm. "To hell with that! Dear, you were trying to protect us!"
"I..."
"That's quite enough!" she huffs. "We need to get out of here first. Did Mike reveal the location of our safe houses? I know they exist because I remember Lecia mentioning... Oh?"
A buzz on her phone pulls her back, answering her call as Mike sends the addresses. While Viviane is grateful, she can't quell the unease lining her slimy molecules.
For now, she tries to ignore it, switching Daniel and Mary while the astronomer is distracted. "Are you two okay?"
The two artists nod. Mary opens her mouth first as she rubs her neck. "It was... strange, but I think we were put in a state similar to Daniel by Victor."
"Except, your slime form was unaffected?"
Mary breathes out, chuckling weakly. "Yes, that was real close one, wasn't it?"
Viviane hums flatly. "I'm just glad you two are okay. Nico tried the same to me, but I saw no changes to my perspective."
"Really?" Anne raises, widening her eyes. She only arrived after her slime sister had brought the large man to his knees. "Then... does that mean we're immune to the magic fire?"
Viviane shakes her head. "I doubt it. How else would I have been able to seal myself? Not only that, we both saw a similar violet fire that seemed to hold up a mental space within Marlin."
Said uncle blinks before lurching forward. "Wha... Me?! W-wait, is that why you were stuck to me for so long?!"
"It seemed to be a space that I added to the Book of Isis, which then passes to every holder. Some were able to visit it and record themselves. I guess it's like a living journal."
"What did this place look like?"
"It was an infinite castle hallway with one door to a large circular chamber." Viviane shrugs. "Unless it's hidden, I don't see from your memories that you've ever visited."
Silence trails before Marlin's forehead creases. "You're right, I don't recall anything like that."
"There was a noticeable skip in previous holders, so I'm guessing not every person was aware of it either." Viviane pauses for a second, wiggling her lips. "By the way, have you, um... seen some of our memories? Anne and I were connected to you, so you might have some collective memories."
"I... don't think so? I mean, nothing comes to mind except what I know."
Mary and Daniel breathe out a sigh of relief.
"Hey!" Marlin snaps, turning to the two. "I get you wouldn't want me to know your intimate lives, but what about my privacy? Especially seeing how I've been tampered with, it feels like I've just been used this whole time!"
"You were definitely led without knowing," Viviane admits. She places a hand on his shoulder. "Still, it wouldn't been possible for us to get closer to my past without you, so... thank you."
"Urgh..." Marlin slumps before sighing. "You should thank your wizardly teacher for somehow involving me and my niece in his perceptive ways."
"Oh, that's right!" Mary grabs everyone's attention. "I don't know if it's related to Merlin, but there is another thing I saw while frozen."
As she was connected with her clone, she goes on to explain the different colored fires that cut through her warped perspective, seemingly representing Nico and Viviane.
Hearing of flaming humanoid shapes, Viviane widens her eyes. "You were able to see the fires in us?"
"Yeah, but it disappeared for me once my clone split."
"Sounds like you had a special lens with the clone." Daniel crosses his arms. "I wonder if that's what Victor saw. He was able to determine the fires in others."
"All I know is that Viviane was especially bright."
Daniel hums, nodding. "That matches how Victor said it: like a star."
"Alright, we can continue this exchange later," Rachel urges, having finished looking up the addresses Mike sent. "Lecia bought land and a few homes several years ago in case any of the members needed a place to lie low. It won't be long before the Order visits this studio again and finds related people. We have to get out of the city while we can."
Mary frowns, taking in her workspace. "Oh, man... We really have to hide?"
Daniel wraps an arm around her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Mary."
"No... I should've expected this." Mary shut her eyes. "I just... I didn't think it would get this bad so quickly."
Her gaze reopens to the elder slime, who looks away shamefully. However, Mary snorts. "Viviane, don't be mistaken. I'd rather be alive with my memories intact than otherwise."
Viviane sighs. "Yes, I know. It still doesn't feel good."
Daniel turns to Rachel. "How far are these safe houses?"
"It's a little more than a hundred miles. From what I can see, they're a set of cottages in a forest. There will be more than enough space for all of us."
"What about your work?"
Rachel smirks. "I've already taken off! I have more than a month of PTO accumulated, you see."
Daniel stares flatly. "You're such a workaholic."
"I don't want to hear that from you, young man." Rachel clears her throat. "Also, we shouldn't worry about bringing any clothes, food, or items. Mike says that the cottages should be stocked for at least a week before we have to go out."
Mary blinks. "Sounds like your boss really prepared for things to turn sour."
"She's not my boss. That said, even I'm surprised."
"Speaking of sour..." Anne looks to the blood on the floor. "Should we clean this up first?"
"No, I'll handle that," Viviane insists. Before anybody can object, she extends her hand, spreading out into a blue, gooey blanket that covers the floor. The group steps back as her mass floods everywhere until it reaches nearby canvases along the wall, creeping up to remove the specks of red.
Shlip!
Within seconds, all of her extended mass retracts, shrinking back into a hand. A few breaths pass as the room runs silent and clean, but the tense air remains.
There's no hiding the stains of her actions.
"I'd like to stop somewhere first," Viviane begins, an effort to stop dwelling on the state of the Italian man. "We need to visit Rose."
"R-rose?" Rachel furrows her brows. "I understand if you're worried about her, but she should have the least trail to Lecia's group and us than anyone."
Viviane curls her lips for a moment. "I'm not so sure about that."
Everyone holds themselves, waiting for her elaborate.
Breathing in, Viviane lowers her gaze. "Once it became clear Nico was going to try to erase me somehow, I confronted him on Layna Moore. He told me her disappearance years ago wasn't because of them."
Everyone stiffens.
She lifts her eyes again, hardening. "I have a feeling that Victor is involved with that author, similar to Lecia. Between the three, Rose might be our only lead who was there with all of them."
Nobody can deny it.
Rachel thins her lips. "You know, we can always call..."
However, her suggestion falls through as Viviane stares firmly, brimming with intent behind those silver eyes.
The astronomer swallows. "Wait, you're not thinking of..."
Viviane nods. "I might have to dive into her mind as well."