2921/A Meeting of Mermaid and Curator

A Meeting of Mermaid and Curator
Date of Scene:	25 January 2026
Location:	Penguin Park - Museums
Synopsis:	Two mermaid princesses and a curator discuss many things, including an alliance.
Cast of Characters:	Coco Kiumi, NPC Maryam Siddig

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Coco Kiumi has posed:
After Mamoru had shared a lot of information through the Shed, Coco was surprised to find out Candidus Cordis was pooling together such a vast amount of information. She wasn't even aware humans had anything like that, due to how restrictive the combination between Fade and Veil was.

The scarce rate of awakenings didn't really help either.

She thought it would have been really helpful, though, to establish a contact between the Seven Seas and Candidus Cordis. At least that would make them better equipped to protect the human world, if the 7 of them could just be called on whenever they could help.

Even if right now, the North Pacific still wasn't budging on keeping Lucia unaware, with her Pearl still missing, and the other five were still busy managing their own hectic situations.

The others hadn't stopped her from going at least. Seira being in that in-between state had helped a lot to change their mind: can't exactly fade into seafoam by revealing yourself to a human if you have no body to fade from.

So, she had left a message well in advance she would be coming (the search for the Spiral Shell was taking up a lot of her time, but she is glad that is over now), and had brought the relic with herself, just in case it would be useful to explain certain things.

Walking up to the Curator's office, she occasionally glances a bit nervously to her sides: even if she doesn't have anything eyecatching with her, the thought of being questioned by someone else has her a bit on edge. It's with a sigh of relief that she knocks on the door to Maryam's office, and waits for a reply.

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
As Coco navigates the museum, she's allowed to approach the curator's office with only the most mild of eyes cast her way. Maryam has made sure to let the staff know that she's working with a variety of students on very projects, and that they're to be allowed to see her. To that end, she's made sure to reach out to other schools besides Radiant Heart, arranging guided field trips, behind the scenes visits, and the like, to throw off the trail.

The office that Coco approaches is occupied - there's a bit of light shining beneath the door.

Maryam Siddig is a busy woman, between carrying for the artifacts, working with the floor volunteers who discuss the artifacts with visitors, discussing the artifacts with visitors herself, completing her paperwork for the exhibit, connecting with and furthering her research for the sake of Candidus Cordis -

Which is to say, she isn't always in her office, but especially on days where someone has specifically reached out, she makes sure to be present. Standing, she puts aside her papers and cross the room, opening the door with a gentle swing to avoid an abrupt startle. Seeing the young woman there, with shell in hand, she smiles, warmly.

"Welcome, please come in - you must be Kiumi-san, it's wonderful to meet you face to face."

Maryam's office isn't particularly large, and there's no windows, but it's warm, with lamps adding additional lighting, and large landscape paintings on a few of the walls, giving the illusion of outdoors that a window might have offered. She has many books and items tucked carefully in the office, but there's also a few comfortable seats. "Would you like to have a seat?"

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco smiles at the woman who opens the door. Her smile is just a little bit strained, even if she knows that she has nothing to actually worry about.

There is an actual adult in front of her. A human adult. As far as she knows, Kyouka and Mitsuki are the oldest people to have ever heard about them in millennia.

"Thank you very much, Siddig-san", she replies, walking into the room with measured and then bowing her head. "I am happy to meet with you. I am Coco Kiumi, yes."

The blonde girl takes the chair offered to her, and waits for the door to be closed before doing anything else. She didn't come here to spook anyone out of their mind, after all, and a ghostly mermaid would do just that. Probably.

"Before we start", she clears her throat, "there is a friend that wants to say some things first. Just don't get surprised. She is in a unique circumstance."

Is that enough? Probably. Coco brushes the orange shell at her side, and calls out "Seira, we are here." The Pearl inside glows, and the light flows through the shell itself, making it appear as if that is shining.

The orange particles of light then consolidate, and the orange mermaid floats in the air, just to Coco's left. "Hello, Siddig-san. I am Seira, and as you can see, I am a mermaid. Both me and Coco are. She let me talk first, because we normally can't reveal ourselves to humans. I am an exception currently. But she is able to tell you herself now."

The residual tension on Coco's face disappears as Seira explains, and the smile she is offering the Curator is warm and sincere now. "Another mahou, Tuxedo Kamen, has shared information you gave, and I thought to do the same. Nice to meet you for real now."

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
There is an actual human adult in front of Kiumi-san, and that human adult is looking Coco over, understanding her as a young adult mahoujin. She's guessing Kiumi-san is close to graduating high school, and thus likely to be around Chiba-san and Saitou-san's ages. It's in her nature to be both curious and respectful, so she is glancing for signs of what magic the girl in front of her has....

Once the door is closed and the two of them have sat down - Maryam choosing the chair nearer to Kiumi-san, rather rthan on the other side of her desk, to lessen the feeling of being brought to an authority's office - she waits, patient, for Kiumi-san to begin, and -

"It's nice to meet you, Seira-san," Maryam says automatically. The warning had helped, in that while her eyes widened in surprise, she didn't jump or start when the transparent girl suddenly appeared. Only... she's not just a girl, but a... mermaid... her eyes swing to Coco, and she's fascinated.

"Mermaids, how wonderous. We've records of accounts, and of course, myths about mermaids have existed for many ages, but to actually meet you both... how incredible. Thank you, for sharing your secret, Seira-san, Kiumi-san."

She's itching to ask many questions about the various legends that exist regarding merfolk, not to mention questions about their magic, but - well.

"Tuxedo Kamen has visited several times," she nods, swiftly, and she hadn't suspected them, but if she had she would be reassured now. "I would be happy to share with you, and to receive any information you're willing to offer."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Choosing to stay on the same side of the desk shows Maryam in a more positive light, and Coco actually feels quite good that the older woman is being as friendly as she is. She probably would have been... She isn't actually sure, but she definitely prefers things this way.

"Ok, so, where to begin", she comments lightly, interlacing her fingers together. She hasn't prepared a speech: she prefers to let things come out as they happen to. "I come from the South Pacific Ocean, and I am its princess."

She looks at Seira, who has moved in front of both Coco and Maryam, and is observing both of them. "Seira is the Mermaid Princess of the Indian Ocean, and there is one of us for each of the Oceans."

She stops herself here to see if Maryam has any questions, but the yellow mermaid continues right afterwards, since she hears nothing. "All of us together are called Mermaid Princesses, and we are directly in charge. We have someone similar to a queen, but she is Aqua Regina. She is the goddess of the Seas, and the ones who created the Seven Pearls. My pearl is the Yellow Pearl, and I was born from it a little bit like 18 years ago."

She moves a hand to unclip the yellow shell locket from her skirt, and raises it to Maryam's eyes, opening the shell to reveal the Yellow Pearl.

"But we all do our best trying to manage the kingdoms and defend the surface and the Seas both, if something happens to threaten either. This includes both people, and events. I don't know if you heard about the legend of Awami Shrine, but it happened for real."

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
Maryam waits patiently for Kiumi-san to find her beginning, having learned better than to prod and push these mahoujin before they're ready. She's spent her whole life believing - but they are the ones who are magic, and even she doesn't go about sharing every secret and thought willy-nilly.

"Does being princess of these oceans mean that you have a people, of these oceans as well? Or is it more of a ceremonial title?" Is the question she asks during the brief pause, and her question is answered as Kiumi-san confirms that she and the other princesses are in charge, and that they have a goddess above them. "What an incredible responsibility you both have. It seems only right that I should thank you, for all you and your fellows have done for the seas. Even if we humans don't always care for the oceans as we should, they're very important to us."

So mermaids are real, and they do indeed have princesses, and they also have a duty to the surface and the seas... what an incredible world they live in. She can't help the smile that spreads over face, and reaches up to push her glasses further up her nose.

"I've heard something of the legend, and we do have some pieces in our museum that depict the mahoujin at sea, but those pieces are among our most mysterious."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco is here to share those secrets in the first place, so she doesn't feel that any question would be off-limits, as long as she knows the answer, at least. But the conversation is going well, and Maryam is being quite good at taking in all of this on the fly, she notes. Is it because of what she had to deal with over the years?

"We do our best, Siddig-san", Coco winks at the older woman. She kinda has just started herself, but she definitely aims to have a meaningful life. "We actually met and saved the mermaid of that legend. A dark general named the White Bone Demon had brought her back corrupted, and was trying to turn her tale of love into a tale to demotivate people? I think. Cure Wukong knows more. But we stopped it."

She thinks back to those indigo eyes, blonde hair and white tail. That was unusual, and she has wondered since if mermaids were different then. "We don't know how old the story is, but it's really old."

Seira interjects. "I think it is a beautiful story. Coco and her friends are teaching me everything about emotions, and I can see why people are drawn to this story. I hope to have as fulfilling as that, one day. Or as the one Coco has for Rihito."

The blonde girl coughs suddenly. She looks between the orange mermaid and Maryam with a small smile, then back at Seira. "I am sure you will find someone, Seira-chan. And it will warm you up", she chooses to say.

"Anyway, you were asking about our kingdoms, right, Siddig-san?", she nods, getting herself back on course. "Magic helps a lot with our livelihood, food, making sure the buildings withstand sea pressure, lights. Stuff like that. It also provides air humans can breathe, but that's very rare. We don't usually invite them." Many exceptions have happened recently.

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
The conversation is going well, and Maryam is itching to take notes, doing her best to commit to memory what Kiumi-san and Seira-san are saying and sharing. Years old training in refining her memory and oral traditions from anthology classes is coming in handy, though it helps she's sure she'll be able to ask Kiumi-san to elaborate later.

Just thinking of how readily she can reach out to the legendary heroes she was raised to have faith in is enough to have Maryam smiling, the long braid of her thick hair swaying as she hums.

"That's incredible. Was she still lingering near the shrine, or was it a matter of... temporal manipulation, or something along those lines?" She tries to imagine what could have twisted the story, but there are so many options that it could have been. An incredibly old story, and an old Mermaid, nonetheless warped by demotiva... "Oh! There's a painting in the museum, which mentions a witch who delayed others, I wonder if it has to do with that? She was allegedly sealed, but - if there's something vindictive magic users are skilled at, it would be returning, by all accounts."

A pause, and then, looking at Seira-san and Kiumi-san, she adds, "We have other paintings regarding the sea, as well. It's one of the many reasons I'm curious about your kingdoms - the works we have seem to largely depict battles with evils, rather than every day life, and there's so much more of the latter than the former, when it comes to learning about a people and culture."

Her eyes shine with curiosity at the mention that the magic provides air that humans can breathe, but she certainly isn't so free as to ask if that's an option.

"Given how rare it is for we humans to even know about magic, I can understand why that must be rare. Are your every day lives similar to the life you've experienced here on the surface?"

Coco Kiumi has posed:
At Maryam's question on her daily life, Coco hums, crossing her arms, making sure not to poke herself with the Spiral Shell. She is not sure she is the most reasonable meter for daily life underwater. Her duties are of a different stamp, and so is her quality of life.

She tilts her head sideways while she thinks. "I don't know a lot about Historical Pretty Cures, but we don't live this long, only 400 years, so I think temporal manipulation. Fits with the name too."

She bites her lips slightly at the question on the Witch of Delays. Being demotivated... She sees the similarity with what the White Bone Demon was doing, but delaying doesn't help, on the other hand. "It might be tied to Grand Ocean's situation? I have heard that their people have fallen in a deep sleep recently.

A smile returns on her face as Maryam mentions the other paintings. "I think you have one with the Panthalassa. They lived in the sea with us once, but a group of them was sealed away after trying to conquer the oceans, and the rest chose toove to the surface. Rihito is a Panthalassa on his mother's side", she adds.

"I think that would be right. We do have school for kids and up, and my people work hard to provide for themselves. We also have robust welfare programs for unfortunate situations. I am afraid the best I can give you are numbers and facts. I don't have direct experience", Coco explains, bowing her head at Maryam.

"But they match with the life I am having here on the surface, and what I am seeing from other humans, at least. We also have heart fragments coursing through the kingdoms, though. They make the atmosphere more serene, and sustain our life." She takes a few moments looking at the Curator.

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
We don't live this long, only four hundred years, Kiumi-san says, Maryam giggles a bit before pulling it back, manifesting serenity in the same way she had when Chiba-san insisted on talking about things like past lives, royal families, and the like. Calm. Nothing made an interviewee more nervous than being treated like They have said something, or worst done something, strange. Humans could live well into their eighties, even into their nineties, and regularly spoke of living into their seventies as 'only being 70'. Would that not be equally preposterous to the dog that could dream of living into its late teens, or the horse that might be lucky to make it to their early thirties?

It was all a matter of perspective, and she knew better than to assume her own perspective was the normative one.

"It does fit with the name, you're right. And, you're right about that, too - there's a triptych in our collection known as "Banishment to the Deep Sea", which seems to depict the, well, banishment of a variety of demonic-looking creatures. Would these have been the portion of the... Panthalassa," she carefully pronounces the word as Kiumi-san had, "then?"

Possessing a depiction of such a pivotal event is exciting. What is a museum, a collection, for, if not preserving and passing down the stories of those gone before?

Listening to the description of life in the mermaid kingdoms, she imagined how peaceful and easy-going such a life must be, with more support and care. "Thank you for sharing with me. I'm afraid the truth is, I could ask you about your home for hours and never grow tired, so may I suggest instead that we focus on the subjects you wanted to discuss with me?"

Coco Kiumi has posed:
The pulled back giggle gets a bit of the headtilt from Coco, but she doesn't really questions it. It's light enough that she figures it's not actually her business, or something she should concern herself with.

She instead thinks back to the painting Maryam is referencing. Luckily, she did happen to see it while exploring the exhibit, so she doesn't have to ask for a picture. The name was fitting enough that it had immediately attracted her attention.

"Yup, that's it!", Coco confirms warmly. "I think the figure at the bottom is meant to be the king of the Panthalassa, or Gaito's father, and at the top there is Aqua Regina, while those between them should be water demons. I don't know if that's just an artistic preference, or if that's all they had in their army though."

She very lightly shrugs. It's not very important, probably, not when the consequence would have been roughly the same.

"I don't mind satisfying your curiosities. I just got here because I thought you'd appreciate receiving news too. One more thing besides that, actually, but I have enough time to answer your questions", Coco replies, giving Maryam another smile, looking at her softly with those sunshine eyes of hers.

"But we have our own leylines too, inside the kingdoms of the seven oceans, and you can probably find some inside the kingdom of the giant squids too. It's somewhere near Greece."

She probably could have asked Somegoro if he was fine with a picture being shared. A shame she didn't actually think of it.

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
"The heads of the opposing armies, and a host of water demons... some of that was clear in the imagery, but I can't wait to look again, with this new insight. Is Aqua Regina then the goddess of the seas for merfolk? Or were the Panthalassa in a sense turning on their own goddess when they sought control of the seas, as you said?"

Oh she has so much curiosity, even when she's trying to reel it in.

"I do enjoy the chance to learn from you and your peers. The world of magic is even more expensive than I hoped."

And then she offers that detail, about having their own leylines in the oceans, and one off the shore of Greece, and she gasps a little.

"Oh! That may be why one of the leyline nexuses is in the sea, then," she realizes, explaining, "There are several areas where the Earth's leylines have been artificially layered atop one another, which creates areas like Tokyo, where there's such an abundance of magical energy. One of them is in the oceans, which we always thought was a byproduct of happenstance..."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco hums. She has never actually considered that angle, and her eyes close ever so slightly while she considers what she knows. Would the Panthalassa have worshipped her, back when they weren't fighting each other.

"I know Aqua Regina created the Seven Pearls that give birth to us when a new Princess is needed, but I have never been told about her receiving prayers from the Panthalassa", Coco first says.

She looks at Seira briefly, but then pushes that thought aside. The orange mermaid should know even less than she does. Unless... "Seira-chan, did you learn anything, in the other dimension?"

The kid shakes her head, however. "They spoke a lot about Michel, but I never heard anything from them about Aqua Regina. I didn't even see her."

Coco blinks at that information. Come to think of it, neither did she. Why is it that they never met her?

"I think they probably didn't", she goes back to speaking to Maryam. "They might have worshipped Michel, before his disappearance, but that's so long ago. I don't know. It's so far into the past that all the information we have about them just calls them 'Ancients'."

She bites her lips now. "And he is back now, but I don't know why he has joined Obsidian, or is trying to put an end to the surface. I am sorry. We are trying to do our best", Coco tells the Curator.

The yellow mermaid gives her an interested looks when she mentions the leyline nexus in the sea. "So you think that came out due to us?", she comments curiously.

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
Now that's interesting. Is the goddess younger, then, or the goddess of only one of those people under the sea? Maryam contemplates this thought even as Kiumi-san and Seira-san converse about another dimension (this at least she's prepared for. Tales of magic and the stories passed down of magical users are rife with other dimensional planes).

"Ancients... Given the era implied in such a name, there may not be anything in our archives that tells of Michel, though the name certainly rings a bell in other contexts," the Archangel Michael, to name one, "But I can certainly search. Perhaps there's something in history that could explain his motivations now... you don't have to apologize to me, though. I know that you're doing your best. I can tell just from this conversation that you're a responsible young woman, Kiumi-san, and I can't imagine you would give anything less than your best in response to the pressures you and the others face. It's difficult for me to imagine how anyone could assume you weren't doing your best."

It's true. How could anyone look at these young heroes, and not see that they give so much of themselves?

"I do think that now. the magic that was wrought in that era so long ago is difficult to imagine, and there is little record left of what precisely was done - much of our understanding comes in looking at what the world is now. We don't fully understand all of why the magic it was laid where it was - where it is, now, but what we do know suggests that efforts were made to concentrate magic in areas where those facing a great danger dwelled. We had always thought the ocean point was a necessary byproduct of creating a nexus elsewhere... but who is to say that your people, or another people of the sea, were not involved? That it wasn't purposeful, that a nexus of magic would be located in the sea, where it could be of best help to those below?"

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Maryam's reasoning makes a lot of sense. Perhaps they did, or perhaps it was Grand Ocean, or maybe the giant squids, but it makes a lot of sense that would be done, considering how utterly vital the presence of magic is to their life. "Yeah, I think that is very likely. We definitely need the help."

The high consideration that Maryam shows for Coco gets her to give in return a wide smile, and she slightly bows her head at the Curator. "Thank you, Siddig-san. That's really nice to hear, and I intend to continue doing that. It's also the thing I wanted to talk about. As we both find new information, it could be useful if we keep in contact to share it with each other, and the South Pacific could start cooperating with Candidus Cordis."

She fiddles slightly with her metallic heart necklace while she gives Maryam her proposal. "Once we manage to stop Obsidian, I will also have to go back home to rule my kingdom, but I don't want to cut off all contact again", she says, keeping eye contact with the Curator.

"We do keep an eye on surface, but, I am not sure if all information arrives as early as it could. Would Candidus Cordis be interested in helping us be aware of dangers to the surface so we can come help?"

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
All those areas, where magic concentrated... where people had once needed magic, and received it. It only makes sense, that the seas too, would benefit. The people of the seas might have been known, to the magical communities that spread across the planet, back then.

It's not a strange thought, given her own upbringing, but to realize that now she might be a part of the continuation...

Well, when Kiumi-san makes her offer, her suggestion, Maryam cannot help but to smile.

"That would be an incredible opportunity. I don't speak for all of those under the reach of Candidus Cordis, but I can be sure that those with me, would be more than happy to cooperate. I can't imagine who wouldn't, though they may want to connect with you - or a representative, if you prefer, Kiumi-san - separately." Her eyes shine with interest, with hope. Merfolk could live up to four hundred years - that sort of historic continuity offered a structure to continue into the future. Not just raising generations with belief, nursing them on evidence, but alliances forged with information, consistent heroes to reach out to...

"Ah, I see," she pulls herself together enough, sympathy shining in her eyes. "You'd have to return home, which would mean... leaving the life you've found here. And yet, goodbyes are rarely forever... and I, and those close to me, would be quite glad to carry on ties with you, Kiumi-san. Not only for the sake of the surface, but to build ties, and hopefully, a lasting friendship."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
The yellow mermaid looks brightly at Maryam, reflecting her earnest wish. "I am glad to know that, I will look forward to our working together. Just, can I ask that you warn your colleagues they are going to meet a mermaid? We cannot reveal ourselves to humans, or we fade into seafoam. It's why Seira had to speak for me at first. It's probably clear why she can avoid going through that." She nods at the bodiless mermaid.

The transparent girl nods in turn. "It came useful, that's not too bad. It's kind of a stupid thing we do that, but Coco says it doesn't have a first point. It's... just there." She crosses her arms together with a hint of unease. What will they do when she is finally born?

At Maryam's observation about her limited time, Coco's smile straightens just slightly, though it is no doubt still there. "Yes... I will have to. It's contradictory, isn't it? I have come here to help bring peace, but I am also finding a peace that is only temporary, destined to fade away like seafoam", she says with a nod. An ironic connection, no doubt.

"I am sure it will hurt, when I will have to go back, but this isn't going to distract me from these wonderful days. They are amazing friends, and I want that to matter. Not Obsidian, or the Black Moon Clan, or any other unknown enemy that will be here till then."

Coco takes a deep breath, thinking back to one of Legend of Mermaid's verses, and staring at Maryam with her yellow eyes open wide.

"We sing about that, you know? As long as we sing the melodies of the seven countries
Even if there comes a day where everyone...
Is to journey away from here
I will never forget", she sings with a smile, thinking of all the memories she holds dear in her heart, and letting that give strength to her voice.

"I am happy these days are happening, and by remembering them, I will keep that joy alive, and my friends will do the same, I am sure. And you are right, of course, goodbyes aren't forever. I think I will meet them again, and you too. We just need to stop the Fade."

She looks down at the pale shell in her hands. "I have to bring this shell back underwater, but I thought to let you know we have something like the Jar of Memories, in our kingdoms, if you would like to have a look at it later. We call this the Spiral Shell, and I just retrieved it from the Indian Ocean."

A rather obvious name, with the design on top.

"Because Michel told you to, right?" Seira asks, and the older princess nods. "Because Michel told me to, and then it led us straight to Glimmer, trying to take it away. I am glad we could stop the theft of Sara's shell, but why get in the way of his own subordinate like that? I don't get what game he is playing."

Seira has a confused look on her face as she picks her words. "Not sure... I didn't see him order Glimmer, so that's weird."

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
"I will spread the word," Maryam promises, serious now with the weight of those words upon her. "You are mermaids, and my fellows will believe. We shall shelter you and your people, such that you do not suffer that fate."

Turning into seafoam, because a secret was told... how very Hans Christian Anderson.

"I am glad that Seira-san here could break the ice, and share your secret," she is. "And... I hope there's some sort of reasoning, for such a weakness."

Just saying! That's a big one!

"Kiumi-san, that's quite the mature outlook. Being able to embrace the days you have now, without surrendering to feelings of loss or grief over what will come someday... it's a difficult thing. I truly am sorry that your responsibilities will create separation, but, then, if life has taught me one thing, it's that life is a series of separations and reunions. You're right, to not let the pain of tomorrow dampen the joy of today." Maryam tips her head back as Kiumi-san sings, and the soothing notes of her voice bring a smile to her face.

I will never forget. What a sentiment, when fear of the Phenomenon is on most every Mahou's mind. There is a beauty in such generational resolve.

"How old is the Spiral Shell, if you know?" Her eyes roam the artifact, seeking out details. "It doesn't surprise me, that there would be other artifacts akin to the Jar of Memories, but... for you to have one is certainly fortuitous for you all." She smiles, and a little, and then frowns.

"I am sure you know your enemies better than I, but... perhaps he is not his entirely in line with this Glimmer?"

Coco Kiumi has posed:
"No clue", Coco replies lightly with a casual shrug.

"As far as we know, that has always been the case. Even if you go back to the legend of the Awami Shrine, the risk was always there. It's why her efforts to save that one man were so special, you know?", she tilts her head to the side, peering intently at Maryam's reaction.

"I really mean that. I don't have a reason to offer you. We are just like this, and... hmmm, if there were a reason or a way out, I think people would have found it already? Please don't worry about it too much. We can deal." Coco gives Maryam a wink of encouragement.

She shakes her head at being asked to date the Spiral Shell. "Sara would say it had always been a part of the Indian Ocean Kingdom, so really old. Sorry, I can't give you anything better than that. Even Noel doesn't have anything better, and if we had a specific date, she would know."

She frowns too as the contact between Glimmer and Michel is questioned. "He gave her new magic and her mother back, but it's true that they are in different departments. Still, Glimmer seemed really set on doing this for Michel."

Was there a miscommunication somewhere? "If I find out why, I will tell you", Coco promises.

NPC Maryam Siddig has posed:
"Very well then," Maryam concedes, easy. "If this is how it is, then I'll do what I can to ease your way and defang the risk, rather than lament it's existence."

Besides, who is she to think she can find a solution, or even prod the problem? As a curator, art historian, and anthropologist, she's excited enough to simply have this opportunity to learn.

"That happens more often than you'd think," she assures Kiumi-san. "Ancient objects, handed down the family line or revered in place, until the origins are blurred, and in many cases, the techniques that might deliver answers could also damage or even destroy the artifact. Knowing its ancient by the standards of your people is enough."

The subject of Glimmer and all she's received is contemplated - magic and mother, power and connection. Heavy weights to tie one to another, for Glimmer, but who was to say those things meant the same to Michel?

"Thank you. And in the mean time... would you care for a tour of the exhibit?"