After the kerfuffle at the market, the group of four individuals found themselves sitting together in a private room at the adventurer's guild. The suggestion was made by Lyrah to head there because fights break out in the guild all the time and no one would immediately call the guards if Kalliope lost her temper again.
Lyrah sat in the small room eating some of her favorite deserts absentmindedly while the other three looked at each other intensely. Kalliope's ears were perked straight up and her tail was ever so slightly bristled. Every movement that came from either Marie or Renton made her hands reflexively twitch in the direction of the daggers in her boot.
For Renton and Marie's part, they could not have approached the situation any more differently. Marie was extremely timid and shy as a person so she looked exorbitantly uncomfortable with the situation. Renton simply looked at Kalliope with a patient gaze waiting for a moment he felt like it would be safe to speak without her snapping at him.
Every few minutes of silence or so, Marie would awkwardly glance in Lyrah's direction, which she responded with a teasing smile and wiggle of her fingers. Lyrah chose not to say anything and simply enjoyed the scene spread out before her. Despite the tension, now that things had softened after the market incident, Kalliope would not do anything to cause permanent damage.
Kalliope sighed deeply and waved her hand to indicate that Renton could start speaking. Lyrah smiled at the gesture. This very situation was pre-determined by Lyrah. It was a future that she was able to guarantee.
Depending on how things went, it was hard to say there would be no fighting... but at least no one would die. Rather, that's what Lyrah had foreseen happening today. With prophecies things were seldom guaranteed. There was always a room for chance and randomness, though in general the overarching theme of the prophecy would come to pass.
For example, she knew that Lucius would go to war. That was a fixed outcome that nothing could change. However, when and how he went to war was something that could be different. Had he gone on time after his dungeon raid was over, then the next fixed point would have been his death. However, if he went to war early, then the fixed-point would be his survival.
Part of the Oracle's powers were to dive down these branching paths and find the fixed points. Their recommendation to the kingdom would then manipulate the factors leading up to the event in question.
Just like today, since Renton and Marie survived the war, they were guaranteed to run into Kalliope. Because they did so while Lyrah was present, they survived. Lyrah then suggested the guild hall to meet in, not because of preventing fighting, but rather the long walk would allow everyone to calm down and gather their thoughts, leading to a productive meeting.
She continued to smile and quietly enjoy her desserts, wondering what would happen next. There were a few outcomes, but she decided to see which ones would come about on their own.
"Lady Kalliope," Renton began after taking a deep breath, "I want to start off by saying that we had nothing to do with the attempted assassination of Lucius. Truly, we had no idea that Mia was planning such a thing."
"It is understandable, Lady Kalliope." Renton affirmed. "You were simply wanting to protect him. Even though you lacked the information to truly understand everything, I believe anyone else would have made the same conclusions, and we do not fault you for that."
"Th-that's right!" Marie stuttered, "If y-you need anything at all... please let us know. Our party has kept its name, though there are only two of us now. We are at your service."
Kalliope bowed her head slightly and the two adventurers left the room. Now it was empty save for the young Oracle and the wolf-girl. The only sounds were those of Lyrah snacking. Enjoy new chapters from M-V-L
"So!" Lyrah sang out, "How are you feeling?"
"Ill..."
"Understandable!" She continued, "I knew this would happen of course, but it was interesting to witness!"
"You knew?" Kalliope's brow furrowed. "I thought you could only see visions of Lucius. He's not here and I doubt that it only needs to be about him for you to see it."
Lyrah gave her a smile, "Perhaps."
"Have you been lying to us?" Kalliope accused.
"That's funny coming from you, Lady Kalliope."
"What do you mean by that?"
Lyrah put down her plate. The vision of amusement and playful attitude she normally portrayed vanished in an instant and was replaced with a stone-cold expression. She leaned in close to Kalliope and locked eyes with her, "You're a liar."