They returned to the Vincha Cask, where Richard was already waiting in the common room.

  “So, how did it go?” he asked the moment they stepped inside.

  “You owe me a toothbrush,” Irene said as she passed him. “And while you’re at it, you might want to get a few more.”

  "What? Wait a second, Irene—"

  "I'm off to rest. Let's speak after lunch." She dismissively waved him off and continued toward the stairs.

  Lucia followed in silence, her expression giving nothing away. Richard opened his mouth to protest, but Icarus stepped into his path, calm as ever.

  "You probably can't buy toothbrushes here in Vincha," Icarus observed. "You should catch a train later today if you want to have replacements ready by tomorrow."

  “Wait, you’re actually serious?” Richard gasped. “About the toothbrushes?”

  “Well, it was the plan you approved,” Icarus reminded him.

  “When I said an item, I meant an item—” Richard dragged a hand down his face. “Gah. Right. Right. I get it. It makes sense.”

  He paused as a new realization dawned on him. “Wait a second—aren't those things incredibly expensive?”

  Icarus’s mouth twitched. “Charge it to the client.”

  Richard let out a noise that was halfway between a laugh and a groan.

  Meanwhile, Heron stayed in the back through all of it, silently watching the exchange.

  Richard tapped Icarus on the back. “All right. I’ll make an overnight trip.” He turned and began walking toward Heron.

  “Not a mark on you. I’m almost disappointed,” he said humorously.

  "I'd take a beating if it solved the tension," Heron said quietly.

  “Let’s take a walk. You can tell me exactly what happened while I head over to buy a train ticket.” Richard gestured toward the street, and the two of them stepped out. As they walked, Heron gave an account of the events in the stables.

  “Well, I think things went fairly well, all things considered,” Richard remarked once Heron finished.

  Heron’s hands curled at his sides. “How am I supposed to act around Lucia?” The words came out tight, packed down hard to keep from turning into a shout. “We didn’t solve anything. We just put it on hold.”

  “And that is exactly where it’s going to stay until you can prove you’re no longer a threat,” Richard said flatly. “I don’t disagree with Lucia’s assessment. As it stands, you are a danger.”

  “Then tell me to leave,” Heron sharply interjected.

  “I didn’t say that either. Stop being dramatic,” Richard countered. “Our agreement still stands. I told you that you could become a full party member if you proved your worth. Well, the greatest proof you can offer us now is showing that we can rely on you not to go berserk the next time you're near a crystal.”

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  Heron absorbed his words. "And if I can't learn to control it?"

  Richard’s steps slowed. “Then our agreement ends in Gaya. If we find your mother there, the two of you can settle in whatever village you choose and live quietly. No hard feelings.”

  “Understood,” Heron said solemnly. “Thank you.”

  "Just honoring the agreement. Nothing to thank me for."

  When they reached the village gate, Richard came to a stop.

  “You don’t need to come all the way,” he said, turning slightly. “Go eat lunch and rest today. If you run into Irene, tell her I’m up to speed.”

  He adjusted his pack, already half-turned toward the road.

  “I’ll probably hold off on eating until I reach the city,” he added. “I’ll be back around this time tomorrow.” He shook his head, a wry smile on his mouth. “Still can’t believe I’m going to buy toothbrushes.”

  The following day, Richard returned just before lunch. He carried a small wrapped parcel under his left arm. He found the others gathered at the table preparing to order. He approached Irene and dropped the parcel in front of her. He had a look that said, "Don’t ask what this cost me." He then caught Heron’s eye and jerked his chin to signal that they should step outside.

  “Those toothbrushes cost me a pretty coin,” Richard said, “so do your best not to break them.”

  “I will,” Heron promised.

  “I’m sure you will. But just in case your own willpower isn't enough, I’ve brought a little motivator.” Richard smirked. “I bought exactly enough for the whole party. Every time you shatter one of those, someone in this group doesn't get theirs. And you will be the one to decide who goes without. You have exactly one mistake, and that is your own brush. After that, you’ll have to live with the guilt of choosing who pays for your lack of control.”

  Heron's face fell. "That's... really cruel."

  Richard’s mouth twitched in a half-smile. “Had plenty of time to think on the train. I had to take a ride because of someone who broke the first brush.”

  “Fine, fine. You’re right.” Heron rubbed the back of his neck. “But I still don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I visualized the head spinning, heard the sound, everything. That was all.”

  "You must have done something." Richard tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe you pushed too much miasma into it."

  “I don’t even know what miasma is,” Heron admitted. “I’ve heard the word, but…”

  Richard raised a hand. "Didn't I tell you to ask us about things like this?"

  "Yeah, we discussed it. It just slipped my mind with... everything."

  "Right. Well." Richard leaned against the wall, settling in. "There are two terms you'll hear, and people sometimes use them interchangeably, and wrongly. First is aura. Aura is the layer that tells you someone's using a crystal. You'll see it as a faint glow."

  He held up a finger. "Miasma is different. It's the actual power of the crystal that you're channeling. Sometimes visible, sometimes not, depending on how you use it. Crystals naturally ooze miasma, so we use catalysts to contain and channel it. That's why it's taboo for humans to use crystals directly. It is because the miasma interferes with the body and mind. Even with a catalyst, there are small leaks, but with tainted crystals, the effect is negligible as your body builds a natural resistance."

  "So you're saying the toothbrush broke because I used too much of that miasma stuff?"

  "Yes. Think of it like this." Richard gestured to the bistro’s door. "I ask you to open this glass-stained door. You control how much force you use. If you push too hard, the door slams against the wall, and the glass might shatter. You need balance. Normally, you don't think about force. It is because you do it subconsciously. But with crystals, everything requires intent."

  He held Heron's gaze. "So when you visualize it again, don't just think about rotation. Visualize how much force a single spin should take. Feel the difference between too much and just enough."

  Heron stared at him blankly.

  “Was there something you didn’t understand?” Richard asked.

  "No." Heron shook his head slowly. "It's just...I'm sitting here thinking about how seamlessly you all make using crystals look. Like it's nothing. Yet here I am, fighting for my life over a stupid toothbrush."

  “Don’t beat yourself up over it,” Richard said. “We’ve been surrounded by crystal technology since the day we were born. It’s second nature to us, so we don't even have to think about the small things. But don't be fooled—even we struggle. And when your intent is wrong in battle? It can cost you everything.”

  Heron nodded. “I see. Thanks. That actually helps. At least now I understand what I’m trying to control.”

  "Don't mention it." Richard smiled, then hooked an arm around Heron's shoulder, steering him back in.

  “Now, let’s go grab some lunch. I had such a foul breakfast on the road that I’m desperate for something actually edible.”