Daire humored Violet in tasting the waters. He knew about them vaguely from The White Tragedy, so he admitted to having a minor interest in how they actually tasted. The spectators were excited to see two taste-testers back-to-back but were disappointed alongside a drooping Violet. She got less and less excited as Daire went along, almost perfunctorily testing the waters as if saying, 'hm, it is as I thought.'

The color-coded waters were intuitive even for children.

The Clear Auburn was from the God of Fire and Emotion. It tasted like hot sauce but went down easier than drinking the actual thing. Freshman year pranks weren't all that funny to the freshmen.

Aura's water was as expected, clear and refreshing as spring water on a hot day.

The Summer-Green-tinted-water was blessed by the God of Air and Travel. There was a joke the author made about it tasting like jet fuel, but that was far from the case. It tasted like cotton candy. He enjoyed it but didn't take any more than he did from the previous two, only dipping a finger in.

Using his pinky for the brackish water enchanted by the God of Earth and Stability, he brought the dripping liquid to his lips. It was warm, like hot fudge from a molten chocolate cake. Thinking about the oddity of water tasting like a thicker liquid boggled Daire's inquisitive mind. When he considered how the previous liquid tasted lighter than water, it made sense that the elemental opposite became denser.

Violet was surprised the Daire took a second drop from the brackish water. Dipping a finger in herself, she exclaimed.

"This. Is. AWESOME!"

Throwing her hands up, she went to dive for more. Daire held her back while glaring at the spectators who were urging her on.

"Don't. I know you could probably suck the whole fountain dry if you wanted to, but it is holy water. There are still three others to try."

Violet only half-listened, taking a couple of gulps before retracting her head.

"Daire."

Her voice was unusually serious.

"Yeah?"

The way her eyes stared at him for a long time even had the crowd questioning what she would say next.

"Is this what chocolate tastes like?"

Daire's answer was a smirk.

Still serious, she nodded, turning back to stare into the water like she could see her future in its nonexistent reflection.

"You need to make cookies with this."

Daire tilted his head. Thinking.

Making chocolate was an arduous process that not enough people appreciated. He made it in a high school cooking class before, and even that was dumbed down. Trying to get the right ingredients and setting everything up... Violet's idea might be for the best. Just take a few pinched of some holy water into regular cookie dough and—voila!

"Nice idea Violet."

When they moved onto the next water to test, it was dark and murky, with a thin miasma floating across the top—the God of Darkness and Games.

Violet coughed.

"Why does it taste like bugs?"

Daire stopped his wet finger from reaching his lips.

"Ah."

He cringed before tasting his as well. It needed to be done.

"Hm? Mmm."

Violet turned her head.

"What? You actually like the taste of bugs juice?"

Daire chuckled, wagging his finger.

"Nope. Mine was strawberry."

The pixie crossed her arms in denial.

"No way! Why did you get something different?"

Darie explained that the God of Games was a kid. He was a child who loved playing pranks and having fun. Thus he made his blessed water like a mystery box of beans. You know, the one you buy as a gag to play on friends. Some taste good, like fruits. Others would taste like dirty socks or farts. Or so the back of the box says.

Violet still didn't believe him.

"Nu-uh. No way. You're trying to trick me into drinking it again."

Daire shrugged his shoulders, not seeming to care.

"I'm not lying, you could ask any of the gawkers the same question, and they'll agree."

Said gawkers avoided eye-contact when she tried to gauge the truth.

Daire huffed.

"Don't believe me? Try it for yourself?"

He presented his left ring finger, which he used to grab a few drops of water. It was still wet.

Daire had only brought it to his lips, but the idea of taking the remaining liquid made Violet's head woozy.

He waggled the finger in front of her tauntingly.

"Too chicken?"

"WHAT!? NO! Of course not. I drank it earlier. I just... I mean..."

Violet shouted louder than necessary and tried to smooth it over by scoffing. Trailing off, she stared at the ebony liquid atop Daire's finger. A minute amount of dark miasma still swirled above it, almost daring her to do it. Laughing at her.

"You think I won't do it? I'll do it! I'll really do it. I mean it."

"Go ahead then."

Violet could feel the extras forming a tighter circle to see if she would do it.

"I'll really do it."

She repeated half-heatedly.

Maybe her mind was playing tricks, but she could hear chants of 'Do. It. Do. It. Do. It.'

Her neck and cheeks were burning as her lips came closer. She could hear the dramatic pause.

Closing her eyes, her head inched closer.

"There you are!"

"What-"

"Awww..."

"Who ruined the fun?"

"Hey, shut it, don't you recognize her?"

Seeing the approaching figure, Daire thought he might be mistaken. It was Tabitha. Smartly dressed as if coming from work or about to clock in, reading glasses sat atop her small nose. Her arms were crossed underneath her chest, and she seemed peeved.

"Tabitha? What are you doing here? How are you up and about after last night?"

Whispers from the crowd started to ruminate.

Tabitha addressed the onlookers before dismissing them.

"Stop gossiping like loiters and go do something productive for once, would you? For your information, I know how to manage a hangover. I searched at the inn you're staying at, but Gunther said you headed towards the temple. I arrived here thirty minutes ago but couldn't find you, so how come you are only here now, after I doubled-back?"

She knows Gunther? I suppose it isn't a huge surprise. These people seem to know her too.

"We got lost. Your city planner should be fired."

"He was—this morning. I even talked with this Rila you mentioned. I passed the information on to my superiors, and they were appalled. It's been handled. Your other information too. I came because of what you wrote on the back of that piece of paper."

Has she even slept at all?

"You work fast. Could you wait a moment while I fill Violet in?"

"She seems busy."

Daire looked back to where Violet had been, but she was nowhere to be found. Tabitha pointed a finger to the other side of the fountain, where steam was rising from Aura's section.

"Steam? From Aura's water?"

"I saw what you did. That poor girl..."

Daire felt conflicted. On the one hand, he felt like the relationship between him and Violet was unique and that Tabitha was intruding. On the other hand, he wasn't overly concerned when he used the gawkers to peer pressure Violet.

"Yeah."

Daire relented.

"I went a bit overboard."

Tabitha leaned her weight to one side.

"Honestly, I don't know what you think you're doing to that girl. In a temple, no less. With all the gods to witness..."

Daire scoffed this time.

"Please. Miles is probably on the floor laughing, enjoying how his water provoked such a reaction. Heim is smacking his leg too."

"..."

Daire continued when there was no answer.

"Veil is likely scolding Miles and trying to rein in Heim's boisterous laugh."

An arched eyebrow.

"And Aura is sitting like a bump on a log, a displeased expression written across her face as Gurm naps."

=

Raucous laughter.

"How does he know? How- Ha-huack- How does he know! HAHAHA-haah..."

A long wheeze followed by a sharp intake of breath as a child's fist pounds the floor.

=

"Anyway. I assumed you would seek me out later. Today is my day off."

Tabitha glared.

"You can't drop a fireball spell in the middle of a room, disappear, and not expect someone to come looking."

You were the one who chased me out...

Was what he didn't say.

"I understand, but I'd really rather not do this now. There is still time. I can meet you tomorrow before you greet the others."

"How do you-"

Her words cut off. She stared long and hard, but Daire didn't give away anything.

"Try some of Veil's water. She may ease your mind."

The Goddess of Light and Guidance.

Daire was not affected by the dispositions the gods granted their water since he was aware of the effects. Others may argue Miles' water swayed him, but Daire's nature was like that. Chaotic. Impulsive at times and thoughtful at others.

Daire scooted his butt along the side of the fountain and dipped a clean finger in Veil's transparent water. Tasting it... It felt like a warm hug and a mother's scolding.

The most bizarre by far. How cold you taste an abstract feeling?

However, it was what he needed at the moment. That was the duality of Veil's water. It disguised itself as water when it was something else entirely. The taste was actually a feeling.

"It does help."

He whispered to himself, momentarily forgetting Tabitha's presence.

The receptionist rolled her shoulder twice. Huffing, she bent down and cupped her hands, offering a two-word prayer before drinking the substance she picked up.

The tenseness in her shoulders relaxed, and her uneasy mind calmed. She'd been so worried and even slightly frightened, but it was as if Veil was telling her that there was nothing to worry about and that everything would work itself out.

At some point, Violet wandered back over to try some.

The feeling she received was less of a feeling and more like a shove forward. Like as if a friend was telling her to get back at someone who wronged her.

As Tabitha continued to occupy Daire with conversation, he didn't see Violet's wicked grin.

=

"You're just as bad as me!"

"Hush now. I gave her the guidance she needed."

"Bwaha-ha-ha-haaaa!"

A burst of loud laughter was still ringing out from a different corner, excited for what was to come.