NOVPUB{Javir}
Javir was in the middle of translating an ancient text when her office door burst open with enough force to scatter papers across her desk. She looked up, spell of protection already forming on her fingertips, only to find Jaylin standing in the doorway, chest heaving and face flushed like she'd run across the entire academy.
"We have a problem," Jaylin blurted out.
Javir took the misfire, gritting her teeth, letting the spell go.
"Knocking is customary before entering, you know."
"Sorry," Jaylin said, not sounding remotely sorry as she slammed the door shut behind her. "But this is serious."
"I gathered that from your dramatic entrance." Javir gestured to the chair across from her desk. "Sit. Breathe. Then tell me what's happened."
Jaylin collapsed into the chair, still visibly agitated.
"The Memory Snare. It's... changing."
Javir's expression sharpened.
"How so?"
"I saw a memory without touching anyone. Just by making eye contact."
[... Really?]
"With whom?" Javir asked.
Jaylin's cheeks darkened.
"Margaret," she mumbled, suddenly finding the floor fascinating.
[Of course it was,] Javir thought.
She'd noticed Jaylin's odd behavior around Margaret lately. The blushing, the stammering, the fleeing from rooms. Not exactly subtle. Naturally, she had no room to judge, given that a year ago she'd nearly kissed Melisa.
"And what exactly did you see?" Javir asked, keeping her tone neutral.
Jaylin's face went from pink to scarlet.
"Um. Private stuff. You know. Between her and Melistair."
"I see."
"The point is," Jaylin rushed on, clearly desperate to change the subject, "the disc's power is spreading, right? Getting stronger? That's bad!"
Javir sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Yes, it's bad. It's exactly what I warned about." She stood, moving to the glass case where the Memory Snare sat. "The ancient texts described this phase. As users continue to access memories, the connection strengthens, requiring less and less effort to activate. I didn't think that literally meant accessing memories from a distance, though."
"So what happens next? We start seeing people's memories randomly? All the time?"
"Well, now I imagine that, eventually, yes," Javir confirmed. "Perhaps the boundaries between minds begin to blur. First eye contact, then proximity, then nothing at all."
"Shit," Jaylin breathed. "We need to do the ritual. Now."
"Oh? That's quite a change of tune from our last meeting."
Jaylin had the grace to look embarrassed.
"Yeah, well, that was before I realized this thing was going to turn me into some kind of walking memory leech. I'd like to keep other people's thoughts out of my head, thanks."
---
{Melisa}
Melisa hurried through the palace halls, flanked by two guards who'd been sent to escort her. The summons had come less than an hour ago—a royal messenger arriving at the academy with an ornate scroll bearing Queen Aria's personal seal.
The message had been brief: Her Majesty requested Melisa's presence immediately for a matter of utmost importance.
Melisa had barely had time to change out of her practice clothes and into something marginally more presentable. Her hair was still damp.
The guards stopped before an elegant door carved with flowering vines.
"Her Majesty awaits within," one announced, opening the door and stepping aside.
Melisa entered what appeared to be a private solar. A beautiful, sunlit room with comfortable furnishings and windows overlooking the palace gardens. Aria stood by one of these windows, dressed in a simple blue gown rather than her formal regalia. Melisa hadn't been here before.
She turned as Melisa entered, a smile brightening her face.
"Miss Blackflame. Thank you for coming so quickly."
"Your Majesty." Melisa bowed. "I came as soon as I received your message."
"Please, sit." Aria gestured to a pair of chairs arranged near a small table, where a tea service waited. "And in this room, you may call me Aria. We're speaking privately, after all."
Melisa sat carefully, hyper-aware of the last "private" memory she'd witnessed of the queen.
[Don't think about her masturbating. Don't think about her masturbating. Don't think about—dammit!]
"You seem nervous," Aria observed, pouring tea for both of them. "I hope my summons didn't alarm you."
"Not alarmed," Melisa said quickly. "Just... curious. You mentioned it was important?"
Aria handed her a delicate porcelain cup, their fingers barely brushing in the exchange. Melisa tensed, waiting for the Memory Snare to activate, but nothing happened.
[Thank the gods for small mercies... Though, why didn't it work just now?]
"I've been experiencing something strange," Aria said, settling into her own chair. "Episodes, for lack of a better term."
Melisa nearly choked on her tea.
"Episodes?" she repeated, struggling to keep her voice even.
"Yes. Moments where I... see things. Memories, I think, but not my own." Aria's brow furrowed. "At first, I thought it was simply exhaustion. The duties of rulership don't allow for much rest. But they've been increasing in frequency."
Melisa's eyes widened slightly.
[Oh shit. Shit shit shit.]
"That sounds concerning," Melisa managed. "Have you consulted the court physician?"
"This isn't a medical issue," Aria said firmly. "It's magical. I'm certain of it. Which is why I've called on you."
"Me?"
"Of course. I mean, you're a talented mage with several good connections. And someone I believe I can trust." Aria set down her cup, leaning forward slightly. "I need your help investigating this phenomenon. Discreetly."
[She wants me to investigate the Memory Snare's effects without knowing I'm one of the people causing them. Fantastic.]
"I'm not sure I'm the best person for this," Melisa said carefully. "Perhaps a more experienced mage—"
"I don't want someone more experienced," Aria interrupted. "I want someone who thinks differently. Someone who sees beyond traditional magical boundaries." She smiled. "Someone like you."
That made Melisa's heart beat a little faster.
"I..." Melisa hesitated. "What exactly have you been seeing in these episodes?"
Aria's pale cheeks flushed slightly.
"Various things. Mundane moments, mostly. People going about their daily lives." She paused. "Though some have been rather... intimate in nature."
[Like masturbating while saying my name?]
"And have you recognized the people in these memories?" Melisa asked, struggling to maintain a professional tone.
"Some. Palace staff. Citizens I've encountered. A few academy students." Aria took a sip of her tea. "Actually, just yesterday I experienced a particularly vivid episode involving you and that stoic friend of yours. Raven, is it?"
"Me and Raven?" Melisa blinked, genuinely surprised. "What were we doing?"
"She was giving you flowers. Quite sweet, really." Aria's lips curved in a small smile. "She seemed very pleased about your reaction, in her own reserved way."
[That just happened this morning!]
"Strange," Melisa said weakly.
"Indeed. Which is why I need this investigated." Aria set down her cup with a decisive click. "Will you help me?"
Melisa knew the right answer was "no." Or, rather, she should tell Javir about this development immediately. The Memory Snare's influence had clearly spread beyond their small circle, affecting even the queen herself.
But looking at Aria's expectant face, Melisa found herself nodding.
"I'll help. But I might need to consult with Professor Folden. She has expertise in, uh, rare... magical phenomena."
"Of course," Aria agreed. "Just maintain discretion. If word spreads that the queen is experiencing visions, it could cause... political complications."
"Understood."
"Excellent." Aria smiled. "I knew I could count on you, Melisa."
"..."
Melisa swallowed.
That casual use of her first name...
It was kind of thrilling.
[Get it together. She's the frickin' queen.]
"I should warn you," Melisa said, setting down her cup, "magical investigations can be unpredictable. We might discover something unexpected."
"Oh, I'm counting on it," Aria replied, her gray eyes sparkling with something that might have been mischief. "The unexpected has always been more interesting than the routine, don't you think?"
There was a playfulness to her tone that Melisa had never heard before.
"True enough," Melisa admitted. "I'll start looking into it right away."
As she rose to leave, Aria stood as well, reaching out to touch Melisa's arm.
"Thank you," she said softly. "It's actually quite comforting to know I have someone I can trust with such personal matters."
[... Well, yeah, except I'm literally the reason this is happening.]
