So far the life of a cadet hadn't been entirely what Anne Avery Scot had anticipated. From the first unexpected 'encounter' to their rather lax Captain (yet still nothing compared to the "captains" back home) to the village of Orello itself, nothing had fit the world she had known. It amazed the young lady how cold the everything was; even the docks back home, with their salty breeze, couldn't match the standing temperature in the village. Speaking of the docks, the cadet couldn't help but notice the lack of flowing water. In Orello the sea had been replaced by a lake enclosed by mountains. She had thought the academy was worlds apart, but here in the mountains everything was so peaceful, so tranquil compared to the fast paced life she knew.
And Anne Avery Scot wouldn't have had it any other way.
She had always been a curious girl by nature. Thus to be in a place so starkly different to anything else she had ever known was a godsend. To make matters even better she had seen the Princess today. The essence of nobility had stood in front of Anne Avery Scot and the young woman did not waste any time. An eager student in the ways of the nobles, she quickly became a silent observer. She noted down everything from the stern gaze to the harsh voice. Every little detail was consumed by the young lass. Her fascination required her to pay more attention than perhaps anyone else listening to the Princess' speech. Although amazingly, so focused was she on the Princess, that she barely grasped the actual words.
But no matter, nobility was about the attitude after all. Who cared for a couple words here and there?
Besides, she could always grab a thesaurus if she got too confused.
If any curious onlookers caught sight of the colonial cadet posthence, they would note a peculiar woman imitating the Princess' posture. In whatever hidden alcoves of the fort Anne Avery Scot could find, she had practiced her own cadence. She needed to embody nobility if she wanted to become nobility after all. Observation wasn't enough, she had to practice to make perfect. Whether that meant properly holding her head above or practicing her "Ohohoho"s, she would be ready. She just hoped no prying eyes would catch her secret.
Crafting a suitable explanation would be troublesome.
Still, unable to hide in the fort's recesses forever, Anne Avery Scot would soon find herself in the tavern alongside the rest of the cadets. Now that she wasn't just passing through, she realized just how accurate her earlier assessment had been. The village, which apparently lived off sheep and beer, seemed to embody peace. Of course, part of that was likely due to the table she was seated at with the other cadets. Sure the lamb was filling, and the quieter nature of the second floor meant their Captain didn't have to shout over the other patrons, but even still...
It was crazy.
She wanted to embody nobility. Experience the finer things.
She was curious about the rest of the world, so much so that she had accidentally neglected to make proper introductions with the others.
And yet...
The rowdy mess downstairs, the hollering for more beer while some drunk idiots gambled in the corner, reminded her so much of home. She had grown up in such a bar, it was only natural that such cantankerous rambunctiousness would draw her in. She had joined the academy to escape the monotony of home, and yet here she was being led like moth to the flame.
Nobility liked similes right?
No that was offtopic, and besides the one thing that nobility couldn't do, wouldn't do, was intermingle with a group just as rowdy as the one she hailed from. They wouldn't be caught dead amongst the kinds of people Anne Avery Scot kicked out of her father's bar everyday. Or at least she used too.
Wait, maybe they needed someone to help calm things down? What was her father doing without her anyway? He used to always complain whenever she got back from a voyage.
NO. She wasn't going to get distracted. Nobility didn't get distracted on such things.
Right?
Damn it all.
When the moment presented itself, namely when the Captain had finished explaining the nature of their mission and laughing about paperwork, Anne Avery Scot decided to excuse herself (in the vein of proper nobility of course: silent with a polite head nod) and first returned to her room. Thankful that none of her roommates had similar ambitions, the young colonial was quick to change into something more fitting. Her long red hair was hidden in a short ponytail as she obscured her face with a tricorne she brought from home. Similarly her academy uniform disappeared for an old outfit her father had gifted for one of her first voyages. Simple and expected, it consisted of loose white shirt, some brown trousers, and a black jacket with red lining and silver buttons. Under such a garb she could easily pass as a typical male sailor from the colonies.
And she was counting on it.
Not long after, the young lass, likely to be mistaken for young lad, found herself at one of the tavern's first floor tables. The men in Orello were so bad at dice compared to back home. The woman with dreams of nobility lost herself into the world of noise. Mountain villagers had nothing on a sailor. No one questioned why he wore his hat so low either, or refused to speak, to the simple villagers it didn't matter. They were far more focused on beating this new challenger at liar's dice. Which suited Anne Avery Scot just fine.
After all, nobility couldn't be seen in a place like this.
Hopefully none of the other cadets would stumble upon her.
