Your name is Sophie, and you’re about to meet Corinn O’Reilly, the master gem smith currently serving as Stellalune’s Master of Light. She’s also the grandmaster of the O’Reilly clan, although you’re told this is more of a ceremonial role than an administrative one. It does nothing to decrease the intimidation factor.
Corinn’s workshop, dawn.
CORINN: Sophia, welcome.
YOU: Good morning, Grandmaster.
CORINN: How was the walk up the mountain?
YOU: It was fine.
CORINN: Who was your escort?
YOU: Tara O’Reilly.
CORINN: She’s a good egg. I could easily see her taking over the role of grandmaster in some years’ time. May I assume she was a good guide for you?
YOU: Yes. She brought me coffee.
You shake your mostly empty coffee cup. The ice cubes rattle.
CORINN: Ah, I see. May I offer you a top up?
YOU: I’ll never say no to coffee.
CORINN: Perfect, please follow me.
Corinn leads you into a hut located near the outdoor workshop. Inside, it is overflowing with all sorts of trinkets and tools, as well as a small kitchenette with a table and chairs. Corinn pours coffee from an elaborately bejeweled carafe before joining you at the table.
CORINN: Do you know why you’re here, Sophia?
YOU: I was told you wanted to speak with me.
CORINN: Hm, that’s true; but what I meant was do you know why you’re here in Stellalune.
YOU: No ma’am.
CORINN: I see, that’s very unfortunate.
YOU: You don’t know either?
CORINN: Given the circumstances, I can only speculate, and I prefer not to indulge in such a frivolous habit.
YOU: I was really hoping you’d have some answers.
CORINN: Sorry to disappoint. Alas, my age and many responsibilities have not made me all-knowing…yet.
YOU: I guess that’s fair. But why ask if you have no way of knowing whether I was being straight with you?
CORINN: *taps the carafe* It’s enchanted.
YOU: Eh?! To do what?!
CORINN: Broadly speaking, reveal the truth. Drinking something poured from it has the effect of a low-grade truth serum.
YOU: *intrigued* What if you drink from it directly?
CORINN: Naturally the effect is greatly amplified.
YOU: So if I know a thing, but don’t know that I know a thing, I could drink from this and know if I know the thing?
CORINN: Hypothetically, yes…
YOU: *grabs it*
CORINN: …but I really can’t recommend trying. *also grabs it*
YOU: *tug*
CORINN: *tug*
The carafe goes flying, hits a wall, and cracks into several pieces.
YOU: Fuuuuu—dge.
The Challenge
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