She was assigned to start a search in Abed, the Blessed City for any signs of unusual activity. The others had been sent to search elsewhere, while Shiloh herself made a trip to investigate around Nisshoki. Despite her protests, Sylvain was intent on coming along even though he didn't receive a specific assignment. 'Your objective is to search for anything related to red moons, keep a close eye on everything you see.' That Nerine noted was that everyone was breaking off to look in places that were densely populated. It was a small clue to what they needed to find, but for now they were chasing a shadow. The streets of Abed were more than lively. "You'd think that somebody was holding a wedding every day." She said aloud, watching a parade procession of decorated elephants march down a main street. Colorful bits of paper and powder were in the air, and she had to raise her voice just to hear it. "You didn't really have to come. I thought you hated raucous places like this?" Looking to the tall, dark-haired man behind her she raised an eyebrow.

The scholar had switched to plain clothes for today, but they were still garnering attention from the locals. Maybe they should pick up a few saris as to not stand out so much. It was obvious they were tourists. And a certain vampire's imposing presence wasn't helping with things. Nerine felt there was no need for him to escort her. She was quite capable of defending herself. Since she wasn't in Arri, she could easily utilize the humidity in the air for water weaving. The streets were certainly crowded despite it being early in the morning. Before she arrived she had made herself a list of places to visit. One of the locations was the famous Padmaja baths, a common gathering place for visitors and locals alike. Not only was it a possible point to begin their search, it was a place she herself had wanted to see too. 

He told himself he was acting as an escort, nothing more. When the scholar mentioned that she intended on making a trip to Abed on her own, he was quick to object. Despite how she stated she was perfectly fine by herself, he insisted and accompanied her. As soon as they set foot in the city, they were assaulted by an array of sounds and colors. Everything was in a state of festivity. Having grown accustomed to Kurayo, the atmosphere here was positively insufferable. People dancing in the streets, carrying on as if they had not a care in the world–it was like a parade of fools. He couldn't understand how anybody could stand living in such a place, enduring this folly every single day. Perhaps it was just him who wasn't enjoying the overtly jubilant ambiance.

When she told him he didn't have to come, he didn't reply. Silently he agreed, but it was too late to retract his word now. After making that display of stubbornness, backing down was the last thing he needed to do. He wasn't showing her any signs of weakness, especially in the presence of hundreds of strangers. He could feel eyes on them from everywhere, and the smoke of incense and spices was drowning out his finer senses. The entire city was too garish for his tastes. The Rosenite chose to go along with the carefree nature of the locals, intent on visiting some of the most renowned attractions the Blessed City had to offer. If there was one thing he disliked more than the city's volume, it was the humidity. Kurayo was cool and a touch more arid. 

"Our first stop will be the famous Padmaja Bathhouse. I can't wait to see what it's like inside! I've been to the baths in Arri on several occasions, and I'd like to see what they have to offer." She said, stretching her arms behind her back. 

She was honestly surprised he was still here. In their time undergoing intense training at Elysia, she and Sylvain had gotten to know each other better. Being from Kurayo, the goddess' strict but direct style of teaching was making him grind his teeth to where she was sure he would decide enough was enough. They both made it through somehow, and it did teach her a great deal about him than just healing. Nerine was polite and mild-mannered, but she wasn't helpless. Rosenites were hardier than they appeared. On their way to the bathhouse, they turned down a street lined with small vendors. The opportunity to browse was hard to pass up, and she found herself staying at least five minutes to see what curios they had in store. 

"Oh–coral jewelry! I didn't know they came in blues and purples." An elderly Abedi woman in a green sari had a spread of carved earrings and bead necklaces with materials she recognized from Sularia's streets. Lapis lazuli, opals of many colors, and even commonplace gems like rubies. Coral was an especially rare thing, as they were imported or sold by vendors who would bring the raw pieces from the sea to be fashioned into works of art. Even pearls weren't as precious. The most well-known shades of coral were the varying hues of orange-red that became the color's namesake. "Hello dear, come–take your time. Do you see anything you like?" The vendor asked, the corners of her eyes creasing as she smiled. "There's so many choices…I can't possibly decide. These are beautiful! Where are these from?" Careful not to touch anything she wasn't intending on purchasing absolutely, Nerine pointed to the lavender-blue drop earrings set in gold. "These were made from coral found off the southern shores of Iria. The magic of the fairies is strong in those waters, and the corals there have drank in the enchanted waters. The same can be found near the high elves' land, but you can't take any from there." The vendor looked to be past her fifties, but she had an air of mischief about her.

"I see, so it's even reached that far? I'd love to see the reefs there sometime. I'd like these two, please." The purple coral earrings would be a good souvenir for her aunt. As tempting as it was, she couldn't spend all of her silver at one stall. Bidding the vendor good day, she moved on, checking to see if Sylvain was still nearby. 

Time was dragging on, and when she stopped to see the stalls he was left standing idle. It seemed he was the only one here not enjoying himself, but how was that his fault? How the locals weren't tired of this constant revelry he would never fathom. Following a purchase of trinkets, they continued at a slower pace down the street-side bazaar. It was growing more crowded as they walked, and he was bumping shoulders with people carrying loaded baskets and parcels on their heads. "Greetings travelers, care to take a glimpse to see what fate has in store for your future?" One of Abed's many fortunetellers was sitting by the wayside, calling out to whoever wandered within his sights. It was an old man wearing naught but a colored turban and wide trousers. Barefoot, his skin was a deep brown and his beard draped like a tapering rat's tail.

With a scoff, he was ready to turn away when he saw the scholar look the man's way. "A scrying-ball diviner; there aren't many of those in Arri. How does it actually work, I wonder?" The fortuneteller wasted no time in latching onto a potential customer. "Ah, young woman with the golden hair. I see you are curious as to what your future holds. For a pittance, a humble diviner such as myself can call the spirits to tell me." She looked interested, which was what Sylvain didn't like to see. This man was another of those common swindlers who drew castles in the air–giving vague predictions that could easily be interpreted through one's imagination.

"Leave him be, there's no point staying here." He didn't believe that one could see the future, regardless of the method. Using a glass ball to peer into time? How ridiculous. It was an even worse way to con people out of their money than overpricing souvenirs. 

He did have a point. "Alright, let's go then." She couldn't see all of the Blessed City in a day. Besides, she could always come back another time. As they were exiting the bazaar, the old turbaned man called out to them again. "I see you bear doubts in your mind, young sir. Surely you would take heed and pay proper respects to fate? It is folly, thinking fate does not notice." Nerine could see that the man's words were getting under his skin. "Come on, weren't we going to see the bathhouse? Oh and there's the palace grounds too–" Her attempt to distract him wasn't working and he turned around to glare at the diviner. "Do you take me for a fool, you eye-clouded gaffer?" It was happening again. He was always short of temper, and thankfully Nerine knew how to douse the flames before they grew worse. 

"No, no of course not Sylvain! He's just trying to get customers, don't you see? Thank you kind sir for your offer, but we'll consider it another time." Quickly giving a bow she pulled the vampire lord away before things could escalate further. Once they weren't being stared at, she stood up on her toes to whisper into his ear. "Do you really have to pick a fight with every person you perceive slighting you? This isn't Kurayo you know. It's not a sign of weakness to let things slide." The diviner was just an ordinary old man. To her he was simply working to make a living. Whether he could actually foretell the future was another thing, but that still didn't justify the lord's anger. 

Outside of Kurayo, no one knew who he was. It was irritating when people who were only a sliver of his own age tried to act as if they had some form of leverage over him. To him Nerine was being too accommodating. If you didn't stake your own claims, then anyone would come and tread over you as they pleased. She reminded him that they were simply ignorant, and though he still wasn't willing to ignore the slight they didn't need to waste more time. He'd overlook it just this once because she had given a solid argument. Satisfied with window-shopping, the Rosenite was back to finding her way to the Padmaja bathhouse. The rest of the tents were of little interest, and he was glad to get out of the crowd.

After asking for directions, they arrived at their first destination. Looking up in awe, the scholar took a moment to gaze at the building's architecture. "I've read books about this place, but all that pales to seeing it in person. The mosaics are so intricate; how many artisans and workers did they have while it was built? I can see some parts that I've seen in the Arriese baths back home. They're both equally grand, to be fair." Turning to him with a bright smile, she beckoned. "Let's go in! It'll give us an excuse to take a break from this humid heat."

"Gladly…" He muttered as he passed through the entry, giving one last look up at the ribbed arching. The bathhouse was even more crowded than the streets. People were everywhere, and the steam of essential oils were mixing together. The baths were mixed for most rooms, and Nerine right away searched for an attendant to show them where to change. He hadn't planned on partaking, so he only removed the outer layers of his attire and his shoes. The pools were filled with ornate fonts carved from stone in the shapes of exotic creatures: peacocks, elephants pouring water from their trunks, fish, and even mermaids holding decorative urns. The surrounding chatter was more muted than the bazaar, one great improvement despite the lack of space. 

Fragrant oils were poured from colored bottles into the bubbling water, while flower petals floated on the surface. The bathhouse also sold bottles of colored scented salts for those who wished to truly bathe in an authentic Abedi experience. If there was one thing Abed loved, it was color. There were few places that weren't decked in a rainbow of tiles or paint.

Sylvain was sullen the entire time they were in the bathhouse. Nerine still didn't quite understand the man herself. He always seemed to be discontent with just about everything, as if he was at odds with the regular pace of life. She asked Shiloh once if she had any advice to share, and the deity merely shrugged and said: "He's from Kurayo. That's just how they are." If everyone from Kurayo was as hard-headed and hot-blooded as he, then pulling him out of it was the best thing anyone had done for him so far. The day ended with them returning to their lodgings, in a beautifully decorated inn in Abedi's signature style. Dinner was full of exotic flavors and spices. She tried local favorites such as garam masala, and sweets such as gulab jamun. Their hostess was an excellent cook, and the rose-flavored syrup reminded Nerine of Sularia.

She was excited to talk about all sorts of things, from daily life in Abed to more important things like politics. They ended up chatting late into the evening, and when she started to yawn the Rosenite realized she should sleep soon. She and Sylvain had separate rooms, and the last thing she remembered before sinking into the netted bed was snuffing out the bedside lamp. She was so comfortable that she was surprised she woke up to the sound of scratching. Still sleepy-eyed, she thought nothing of it and rolled back to sleep. Maybe their hostess was doing some cleaning or preparing for tomorrow morning. Sylvain didn't need to feed from others with that special chalice now, so she had no reason to be anxious. Morning came too soon, as Nerine was settled in the silk and cotton covers.

Time passed all too slowly for the vampire lord. Once night fell he was grateful for the respite. Abed's harlequin-like festivity had long overstayed it's welcome and he was sick of it. Nevertheless he wasn't allowed to do as he pleased with darkness shrouding the sky. He still had to maintain as low of a profile as possible, so shapeshifting into his raven form was forbidden. All due to the possibility that someone might catch a glimpse of him should they ever think to look up. After a dissatisfying time during the daylight hours, Sylvain retreated to his room while giving off the impression that he had retired for the evening. Their hostess had the courtesy to provide him some wine beforehand, and he frittered away his time waiting for the next day.

Lounging by the window with a glass of spiced wine, he watched the Abedi nighttime sky gradually brighten with the passage of the twin moons. Time dragged on through an uneventful evening. A few night-birds fluttered in the moonlight, and he sat in silence. A few hours past midnight he woke with a start. When had he fallen asleep? He looked down at his glass and found it was still half-full. It couldn't have been long–he had barely finished his second drink. The night was deathly silent, completely absent from the usual ambient frogs and crickets. It was then that he heard an unpleasant ringing sound humming in his ears. It was droning, irritating, and he could feel his head pounding all of a sudden. Covering his ears, he knitted his brows as he tried to block out that incessant sound. Then a few moments after it had come, it waned. Any discomfort he had been experiencing had left as well. Thinking little of it, he resumed gazing at the moon as he finished off his glass.