The others looked around like tourists as we strode our way into the foyer. Our footsteps echoed as we made contact with the gilded marble floors, outside of that the building was completely silent. Velora and Kurt broke away for a moment to admire the interior, the walls adorned with portraits of Tinworths of past generations. The only identifying feature that most of them shared was their auburn hair, I ignored them and finally made my way to the terminal in the center of the room.

As far as I know, no one in town other than me has had access to this place since my parents passed, and I’ve never really had a reason to come here by myself before now. Despite that, the place was spotless. I expected the air taste stale and have the others complaining about how stuffy it would feel in here, but to my surprise the tower felt more like a well-kept museum.

I vaguely remembered the terminal, designed to be like one of the public sending tablets, except this was a one-way deal. I placed my hand int the center of the structure and tried to focus.

“Ya know, I was expecting some creepy crawlies, maybe a rogue experiment or something. This place is actually pretty sweet. What’s next Thompson?” Kurt whipped around to me after he got bored of looking at paintings.

“I’m figuring that out.” I winced as a needle jabbed my fingertips and the terminal began to process my blood sample. Looks like my magis emission still isn’t up to snuff. Some things never change.

The terminal came to life after a few moments as I kept my hand in place. Feedback from the receiver arrived as an intrusive thought, without me having to think to ask the layout of the upper three floors, and the entrance to the basement were in my mind as if I had walked them daily since I was a runt. I shake my head to get past the sensation. “Got it, follow me.”

“Just like that and we’re on our way?” Carla questioned with her familiars in tow, “This seems easy enough to me, why didn’t those people just do what you did instead of running amuck like that?”

“Not just anybody can get in here, I don’t know if they lack the credentials, or the firepower to get what they want out of this place, but we’ll be finding out inevitably.”

Leading the group to the westernmost wall where the current portrait for the current head of the house, Tina Tinworth, was hung. In the picture she stands in an authoritative pose pushing forward a scroll with a space to sign at the bottom. No doubt a reference to Tina always having some sort of contract or framework for everything she does. Mom always hated that bout her.

I channel magis into my pointer finger and draw my family’s crest on the dotted line. A horizontal hourglass with each corner representing a common element, none of which I ever found an affinity to. This boring piece of symbolism never failed to bother me just a twinge whenever I had to use it.

Once the energy settled, Tina’s image shifted into a smirk and stepped aside, beckoning us to enter the hall behind her. Pencil pusher or not, I guess she knows how to have fun in her own little way. I step up crossing the threshold of the frame. Nothing feels different, a good sign. While Carla has Luchi jump into her backpack. Velora, eyes closed, extends her hand out for me to help her up through the painting. Ignoring her, I push forward.

“You coming, Kurt? I don’t know how long that’s gonna stay open for you.” I call back.

He yells past the girls attempting to stifle the doubt in his voice, “Buddy you sure this is safe?”

“Tobias, I am physically inside of it. That should be enough of an answer for you. You don’t have to tag along if you’re too chicken.”

He picks up Velora as he tries to catch up to me. “Yeah?! Well, you don’t gotta be such a know-it-all! You and me are going a few rounds once we finish up today, I’ll show you whose chicken!”

He’s too easy, I swear.

Carla chuckles, “Have you guys always been like this?”

Kurt and I are silent for a few beats, “Actually, we hated each other’s guts until a few weeks ago.”

“Hold up, you hated my guts?” He sounded hurt. “I just thought you were always too busy messing with your toys to actually pal around and have some fun. What’d I ever do to you?”

I didn’t plan for damage control, “Maybe I worded that a little too strongly, and you’re right I’m always busy. But you should take some time and get to know some of the people around school you don’t regularly talk to, you’re kinda known for being bully. I thought that was intentional initially, but after getting to know you I think you were too much of a meathead to realize.”

I watched Kurt’s eyes grow wider as I stumbled through my explanation. He looked to Velora and Carla, “Are you guys hearing this?”

Velora shrugged, “I’ve never personally thought of you as malicious. Then again, I’ve never had a reason to think of oy of you before today.”

I could feel Kurt’s heart sinking. Knowing him, it probably hurt worse hearing that kind of comment from a girl. He always assumed he was popular with them. He looked to Carla for single shred of reassurance. She just smiled quietly and didn’t take the opportunity to cushion his ego.

I didn’t mean for the conversation to go so rough; this could be my team going forward. We should be bonding or whatever. I decide to change the subject. “Looks like we’re in the first level of the basement guys.”

We arrive at sufficiently lit room full of shelves marked fixed with receiver tablets on each end. This area was just as eerily quiet as the foyer, aside from the dull humming coming from the amber-colored light fixtures.

Velora clasped her hands together gleefully, “Ah yes! This must be their index hall. Tell me I’m right Wyatt!” She cut ahead of me with and began to dart between the shelves tapping each receiver.

“Uh, yeah. This is it. You looking for anything in particular?” I called out to her as she was halfway across the hall in a matter of moments.

“Yes dear, this won’t take but a moment! Just a few catalogues to take home as reference for my work, maybe even some original patented scripture on runic embroidery if I’m fortunate enough.” Don’t mind me I can stop when we’re on our way back if I don’t find anything now.

I pondered on whether or not I was responsible or onto for keeping her form taking anything from those shelves as a branch member. As soon as I start, I decide that I don’t care, the Tinworths are well to do enough as it is, and Velora deserves some level of compensation for coming here with us. Plus, if anything comes of this, I can call her in for a favor if the time ever comes for it. Yeah, easy settlement.

“Okay, just let me know if I can help with anything.”

“Oh, Alice was right, you really are such a dear!” She continues to poke around as Kurt, Carla and I keep things moving to the end of the hall. A door with another magis scanner waited for us.

“Alright, two floors down.” Kurt chirped, “We’re cruising right through this place no problem.”

I place my hand on the scanner, “You said it, I almost feel bad calling for the extra help, sorry to make you and your pets spend a nice a day all cooped up, Carla.”

Carla shakes her head as she scritches the back of Luchi’s ears, the pup was sound asleep in her backpack, green fur no longer glowing. “No worries Wy, I was serious about wantin’ a tour of this place, plus me and these two have been training awhile now for scouting quests. I wanna be a ranger someday, and not all recon takes place outdoors. It’s good practice for us!”

The door opens revealing an elevator platform, with runework on each wall, the floor, and the ceiling. A simple sliding scheme for the room. “Well, I’m glad I’m not putting you guys out. Thanks again.”

She smiles as we step inside, “Don’t mention it.” Then she whips around and yells into the hall, “Time’s up Lorry! Lets go!” Seconds later, Velora makes her way into the Elevator with a modest stack of patent material that she’s struggling to stuff inter her handbag.

“You could have just as easily sent to me instead of assaulting our eardrums, Carla. I swear… Oh and don’t worry Wyatt I had copies made.”

I shut the elevator door and focus my magis on the intent to go deeper into the tower. “Honestly I wasn’t really worried about it, thanks though.”

We stand there for a few moments waiting for something to happen.

“You sure you know how to use this thing Thompson?” Kurt crosses his arms.

Annoyed, I turn to him, “I’m pretty sure I felt the feedba-!”

*SHFF*

“-ack.” I finished my sentence staring at the wall, I turn around to find Kurt behind me, also facing the opposite wall, bewildered look on his face. Carla somehow ended up sprawled on the floor, with Velora underneath.

“Did that…?” We decide to ignore the displacement and hope that means it worked.

Thankfully it did, the door opens and reveals a room with another terminal and another door behind it. A caution symbol was plastered on the door. “Well, this should be good.” I step up to the terminal, and instead of giving me instant feedback like before, a holographic screen zips up and projects itself on the wall in front of us.

Tina Tinworth sits at some desk looking important, and unaware that we’re watching her. A few seconds go by as she shuffles though paperwork until she finally looks in our direction.

“Oh we’re rolling? Trevor, what have I told you about using audio cues?”

She straightens up and addresses the screen after clearing her throat. “*Ahem* Hello transients, travelers, researchers, pillagers, or whoever you are! I’m Tina Tinworth, the current head of the Tinworth house, and the defacto owner of this Tower an everything in it. Us Tinworths have a legacy of innovation through adversity and collaboration with other houses, as such we’ve prepared a sort of, aptitude test to access our treasures and intellectual properties.”

Velora starts stretching during the video.

“Uh you feeling stiff?” Kurt questions.

Velora rolls her eyes, “Yes, and I feel like I’ll be earning my patronage of this tower soon enough. You might want to follow suit and warm up.”

“Inside of this room is the last thing my great grandfather Thomas Tinworth desired as a finishing touch for our intel stores. Ahead of you lies the Proving Room, in which lies an automaton that has been enchanted with a copy of my late great grandfather’s consciousness. Should he deem you worthy to benefit from the labors of our house, you will be permitted access to the depth of the tower. Step forward at your own peril, however. Once this assessment starts, the only way it stops is if the parties entering or the automaton are disabled.”

“Disabled?” Kurt breathes as we all flash one another with concerned faces.

“That’s probably putting it lightly… jeez Tina. What in the depths is wrong with this tribe of nerds?!” I spat through gritted teeth as I try to keep my cool. I know we have a war coming, but I’d like for just one of these excursions to not be a life-or-death thing.

The video continues, “The choice is yours if you’d like to proceed, I’ve been Tina Tinworth! Also, if you do make it through this, feel free to give me a call using the terminal. We’re always looking for new talent. Ta ta for now!” With a familiar zip, the projection finished.

I slap myself with both hands and shake off the stress. We haven’t even gotten started yet, Kurt’s proven to be a reliable guy, and Velora seems to have seen this coming, Carla’s an up-and-coming ranger apparently, and we’ve got me… We can handle this, no casualties.

Even so, it’s only fair I give them a chance. “Guys, obviously I didn’t know where this would end up. If anyone feels like they can’t hack this, I can walk you out now.”

Kurt punches his palm and smoke billows out of his nose. “Thompson this is our everyday now, ain’t no way I’m leaving you high and dry over some grandpa robot. It’s in the bag!”

Carla unzips her backpack and places it on the floor, “Rise and shine little guy! Time to earn our keep.” Pup Luchi does a big stretch and yawns before shaking his body. In an instant he grows to his adult size as green electric discharge shoots out from his fur, his glow fully returning to his coat. Carla puts on a falconer’s glove, and Pele drops down from her shoulder, onto the glove. The birds feathers ignite and the flaming creature slowly assimilates to the glove, embedding itself as embroidery that looks like it had always been there.

“Well, I’ll be Tobias’s uncle! This thing works great Lorry!” she beamed a Velora, who finishes stretching, looking satisfied.

“Of course. It’s a Velora Couture original. It’ll be worth kingdoms someday!” Velora takes two of her four bangles from her arms and placed one on each ankle. She then taps her belt buckle, a rune resembling a spool of thread glows for an instant, soon after her gold bangles are covered in an ethereal thread.

She uses recall runes too; I can’t pretend I’m not impressed.

“So, you’re all sure?”

They all look at me with conviction that makes me feel like an idiot for asking. “Alright, I’m opening this thing up.”

The Proving Room’s door opens seconds after my confirmation, almost painfully slowly. The temperature in the room drops noticeably as a cool fog rolls in at our feet.

Without a word another word, we make for the threshold.