“For you, Mr Asano? Always. Things have been a lot more manageable since the initial rush, and having a healing priest here full-time really makes things easier. We miss having you around, though. You’re always off having exciting adventures, these days. I’m surprised you aren’t on that big expedition everyone was talking about.”

“They need someone to keep things running while everyone else is gallivanting about,” Jason said. “You haven’t met Clive, yet, have you?”

They chatted, waiting for Jory, but a different person emerged instead. It was a runic, with the dark skin and glowing runes typical of his people.

“Mr Lange,” Janice greeted and made introductions. Donal Lange was the priest of the Healer assigned to Jory's clinic for the moment. He had arrived in Greenstone through a portal created by the Healer to help replace the excommunicated clergy.

“Jory has good things to say about you, Mr Asano. Confusing and contradictory at times, but with much praise. Healing people for nothing is a fine calling, although I may be biased in that opinion.”

“Don’t go praising me too much,” Jason said. “It was an easy way to train my cleansing power, so it wasn’t exactly selfless.”

“Jason!” Jory said, entering the waiting room. “Come on back.”

Jason and Clive shook hands with Donal, then followed Jory. In one of the back rooms, Jason quickly got to the point.

“I need something that can change our faces and something that can mask our auras. Knock it down to normal rank, if possible.”

Jory rubbed his chin, thoughtfully.

“Changing your face is easy enough,” he said. “Frankly, I’m surprised it took you this long to ask.”

“What’s wrong with my face?”

“I've had some reports that the face-changing ointment is a bit unreliable,” Jory said, ignoring Jason's question. “Moving your face reduces the effective duration, so try not to talk and keep your expression blank as much as you can.”

“That should be fine,” Clive said, Jason nodding agreement.

“Changing your aura is trickier,” Jory said. “If you just wanted to mask it at your own rank, that would be one thing. I could give you something for that now. Dropping it down a rank is another matter. This is for a contract?”

“It is,” Jason said. “Clive and I have been working this one for a little while.”

“I heard you’re a big, three-star adventurer now,” Jory said. “How did you swing that?”

“With your watering can and a little discretion,” Jason said, causing Jory to laugh.

“That makes sense,” he said. “They must have been so startled to see discretion from you that they handed over the star from sheer startlement.”

Clive burst out laughing.

“I’m starting to feel put upon,” Jason said. “Can you help with the aura?”

“I think I can make up what you need,” Jory said. “It’ll be precarious though. How’s your aura control?”

“It’s coming along.”