**TO:** Facilitator
**FROM:** Cora, Continuity & Accuracy Editor
**SUBJECT:** Continuity Review – Chapter 7: "Locked in the Dark"

This is a pivotal chapter for the romantic arc, but the transition into the "merely human" state introduces several foundational risks to the established world-building and character physics. I have analyzed the text against the established series bible for *The Starfall Accord*.

### 1. STRENGTHS
*   **Atmospheric Consistency:** The description of the Archive’s location ("three levels beneath the foundations") aligns with the architectural layout established in the preliminary academy blueprints.
*   **The Power Dynamic:** The contrast between Mira’s "heart" leading and Dorian’s "structure" leading is consistent with their professional clashes in Chapters 1-6.
*   **Sensory Anchors:** Dorian’s scent (ozone and cedarwood) has been a recurring motif since his introduction; its presence here maintains sensory continuity.

### 2. CONCERNS & CONTRADICTIONS

**A. The "Dead Zone" Paradox (Major Contradiction)**
*   **The Conflict:** Mira states, *"I am a Chancellor of the Sun. My blood is fire. I don't just stop."* This is consistent with her established nature. However, Dorian later says, *"I am a walking battery of thermal regulation."*
*   **The Flag:** In Chapter 2, it was established that an Ice Mage’s internal temperature remains constant because they *draw* heat from their surroundings to fuel their core. In a "dead zone" or "dampening field" where magic is siphoned (as described in the text: *"The more you try to force it, the more the room will drink"*), Dorian should actually be the more vulnerable of the two.
*   **Citation:** Chapter 2 established that Dorian is a "heat sink." If the room is siphoning magic/energy, he should be freezing faster than Mira because he cannot draw ambient heat to regulate himself. Here, he is acting as a "walking battery," which contradicts the mechanics of his ice magic.

**B. Residual Glow Discrepancy (Minor Flag)**
*   **The Conflict:** The text states: *"Ice mages held a residual glow, a byproduct of their internal temperature."*
*   **The Flag:** Chapter 4 explicitly stated that the "glow" of mages is a result of *active* mana circulation. If they are in a "dead zone" where magic is being siphoned to the point that Mira can't even spark a thumb-flame, Dorian’s residual glow should be non-existent or rapidly fading. Having him serve as a light source for the entire scene undermines the "dead zone" stakes.

**C. The Void-Latch Plot Hole (Timeline Flag)**
*   **The Conflict:** Elara reports: *"Someone placed a void-latch on the external sensors. It was a targeted strike."*
*   **The Flag:** In Chapter 5, the security sweep of the Archive was a major plot point to prepare for the merger. It was established that the Archive is protected by "Twin-Key" biometrics (requiring both Chancellors). If an external "void-latch" could override the internal mechanism, the security protocols established in Chapter 5 are rendered nonsensical.
*   **Ambiguity:** How did the "wild magic spike" during their argument (caused by them) interact with a "targeted strike" (caused by an outsider)? We need to clarify if the argument *triggered* the trap or if the trap was already active.

**D. Physicality/Clothing (Accuracy Flag)**
*   **The Conflict:** Mira pulls back to look at Dorian: *"She could see... the way his lips were parted."*
*   **The Flag:** This occurs in "absolute" darkness, save for Dorian’s glow. If he is under a heavy fur-lined cloak with Mira pressed against his chest, the shadow cast would make it impossible to see the "slight crook in his nose" or the "parting of his lips" with such precision. This leans into "romance-novel physics" at the expense of "environmental logic."

### 3. VERDICT: MINOR FLAGS

The core of the chapter is salvageable and narratively strong, but the **internal logic of the magic dampening** needs to be reconciled with the established rules of the Chancellors’ physiology. Specifically, if Mira (Fire) is freezing, Dorian (Ice) should be struggling even more to maintain his "battery" status unless we establish that his "residual" energy is handled differently than "active" casting.

**Recommended Fix:** Adjust the dialogue to explain *why* Dorian can provide heat when the room is siphoning magic (perhaps a specific heirloom or a physical property of Ice Mage blood that doesn't count as "active" magic). 

**STAY ALERT:** Ensure the "void-latch" mention in the next chapter acknowledges the security failure of the Chapter 5 sweep.