Aviaire

Cardinal Rift

@Yankee ä̴̢̡̨̢̡̨̧̢̢̢̡̨̧̧̡̢̧̢̨̧̡̧̧̡̡̢̨̡̧̧̮̙͍̻̟̬̖̭͇͇̝̭̩̦̖͎̯͎̰̞̘̙̙͚͓̬̝̮̝̜͎̯̘͔̹͕̞̬̹̭̗̱͉͖̱̭̩̘͎͍̹͕̹̘͓̱̺̥̤̥̤͙̻̬̦̦̗̦̘͎͈̟̱̬̩̮͈̤̯̞̺̫͙̟̥͚͎̦͎̜͇͈̞̘̟̲̻̣̠͇̘̳̙̹̠͔̘̫̝̹̩̗͈̗̹̟̜̹͕̟̘̯͙̦̞̠̮̙͖̤͓̹̗̞̥͙̟͉̹͈͓̪̜͍̯͚͖̫͓͖͉̭̫͇̼̤͚̤̮̞̮̫͍͉̩͚̗͍͖̝̖̪͓̟̣̠̪̺̫̤̺̺̣̹̜̻̞̺̻̣̣͉̠͕̬̠̤̭̣̺̰̫̥͖̟̹̻̖̜̞̮̲̯͚̺̘̱̩̹͕͔͍̻͇̦͙̜̗̯̯͍͈͇̼̹͎̫͓͙̹̻̲̞̫̩̮͓͓́̅͌͊͋͜͜͜͜͜͠͝ͅͅͅͅͅͅͅͅp̶̨̨̧̛͚͍̬̝̠͔̠̪͔̣̜̫̟͔̺͍̀̔̒̓̆́̃̔̽̏̿͗̇̄̓̇̏͗̈́̓̃̑͛͆̐̈́͑̽̂̅̍̆́̅̽͌̆́̏͋̏͌̉͆̐̈̌̐̈́̎̿̓͐͑̀̍̍͋̃̓̆̓̑͋̅̇͗͘̕̕͘͝͠͝͝͠͝͝p̶̢̨̧̢̡̨̛̲̥̹̞̱̯͕̰̠̝̣̪̮͚̲͚͙̝̱̬͕̰̳̰̭͉̙̼̹͓͕̙̲̘̮͚̼͔͔̠̭̪̖͇̺͉̟̤̤̬̻͈̩͎̻̝̾̇̂̍̌̋̋̈̀͗͂͆͐͐̏̿̑͆̀̀̑̋͐͛͋́͑̓̌̀̇͋̈́͑̏͑̀̓͆̌̃͊̑̍̈̿̂̏̈́̆̿̂͆̂̎͒͊͗̇̇́͋̏̈́̏̇̄͛͗̒͑̊̃͒͋͊̒̔̚͘̚̕͘̕͘͜͜͠͝͝͝͝͝͝͠ȓ̴̡̧̡̛̛̼͔̰͍̖̲̦̭̺̟͈̭̫̫̣̥̈́̆̆̒̎̈̔́̀̾̅͌̊͑̍̋̌̄͌̆̐̌̂͆̽͐̑͗̈̊̂̉̓̀̿̎͂̋͒̈́͌̔̓͆̈́̔̏̏̒́͆̎̋̉̅̏̓̌̈́̓̂͒͛̍̔̍̾͛̊́̈̃̌͑̓̓̈́͂̈̔͌͐́͛̈́̒͂́̅͐̇̔͒͆͐̕̚̚̚̚̕͝͝͠͝͝͠ơ̴̢̨̨̧̧̨̡̨̢̢̨̡̢̢̨̡̡̡̡̢̡̢̢̧̡̧̨̧̛̛̟̞̫̞̤͍̺̹̻͓̟̜͓̹̟̫̗̠̳̩̜̬̫͔͉͙̬͇͚̼̠̘̼̫̭̻̳͓̫͈̟̮͈͖͕̰͇͚͙̠͎̯̱̩̝̥̰͕̙̼̭͉͖̬̬̯̤̹̟̞̥͍̝̳̭̪͚̜͔̯͎̱͈̩̥͓͔̟̭͈̻͎̝̬͙̺̯̳̮̳̦̱̤͖̫̳͖̺̣͍͇͖̞̜̠͔̳͖̤̫͖͚̪̺̠̻̘̩͓̺̬̩̱̱̺̮͇̜̼̤͚͕͍̺̟͓̘̘͙͚̟͚̟̳̬̻͔̠̘̪̬͎̳͉͉̝̰̜̠͓̹̰̱͎̮̫̲̥̭̗͈͎̦̞͙̯͔͓͉̼̻͙̭͇̼̭̩͓̳̼̲̳̭̱̥̙̜̟̩̭̪͔̮̣̲̳̣̥̦̭̟̝̦̣͖̲̜̟̙̄͌̈̈́̆̑̌̈̄̿̈̇͑́̂̀̇̔̉̉̅̀̈́̐͑̈́͗͋̔̂̈́̅̾̍́͊̂͐͂̌͌̒͑̅͒̀̽͂͋̉̒͐̾̿̒̀̋̀̈͂̉̐̏́̌͋̾̈̏̊̌̊̋̉̓̌͋͗̂͒̿͑͋̒͋́̆̋̊̂̈́̀̾̀̂͐̅͛͂͒̓̎̆͌̏̔̍̈́̾̈́̅̂͆͊̓͐̀̇͋̈́̋̐̈̂̽̓̌́̃́͑͒̂͒̈́̇̈́̓͛͑̅͛̀̎̌̾͑̂̿͊͐͊̂̀́̈́̓̈́̀̕̚̕̕̕͘͜͜͜͠͝͠͝͝͠͠ͅͅͅͅͅv̴̨̛̛̛̛͇̖̹̩̜̫̖̦̪̙̫̏̀̀͂̃̽̓̓̓̔̇̌̅̃̓̓͗̈́̓̐̉̒̀̄̊̎̽̂̇͋̉̌͆̈́̓̆͊̇̋̑̑̀͒̊͑͒̾̄̉̓̅̓̈́̒͌̓̂̽̿͌̀̔͒͌̾͛̂̆̊́̾̿͌̑̾̉͆͑̊̿͐̓̆̿̿̋̿̈́̇̓̿̋̎̋͑́̊̈́̃̂̅̉͆̈̐̀̓̀̇̆̾́͆̆͂̐͊̐͛̽̆͌̎́́́͑̾̂̂̊̒̋͌͌̐̈́̄̍̃̈́͐͌̃̃͛̎͋͗́͌͆̆̎̇͒̄͑̀̿̈́̏̌͌͆̆͐̋͂̏́̇̏͊̌̈̈́̊̈́͐́̌̈́͐̉̑͑̽̿̉̈́͊͌͑̉̌̌̌̈̍̎̓͒̚̚͘̕͘̚̚̕̚̕̚̚̕̚̚͝͝͝͠͝͠͝͝͝͠͝͝͠͠͠͝͝͝͝͠͝͠͝͝e̶̢̨̨̧̨̡̧̡̡̡̢̡̡̨̡̢̧̧̡̧̧̡̡̨̨̢̨̡̛̛̛̛͓͈͚͎̲̲̠͇̯̜̖̪̪̩̣̟͚̰̹̥̮̟̦͕͇͈͖̞̙̘̲̙͇̭̬͖̻͇̙̮̹̰͙̻͔͙̟̩͓͈̩͓͕͉͓̙̬͎͙̟̰̖̥̖̰̦̹̖͕̼͍̹̙̺̺̫͉̠͓̬̹̝̣̩͕͎̰͖͔͎͙̖̜̦̠͉͈͕͎͓̺̫̱͎̱̗͎̞̙̳̜̦͓̻̹̫̮̫̠͕̰̮͍͚͔͈͎̠̙̠̰̖̳̪͙͙͚̬͓̙̠͍͚͈̥̪̠͖͇̣̜͚͉̥̞̺͖̹̺̘͍̭͉̣̗̻̖͉̮̗͙̣̞͍̙͚̘͔̻̞̖̰̗̭̼̯̭̪̤̘̥͍͉͖͓̯̺͚̯̥̗̙̥͖̭̲͖͍͈̜͎̹͚̱̣͈̫̟̳̗̺̲̟̲̠̮̤̳̮̝̖̘͇̅͌͛̀̎̓̉͆͗͂͂̉̍̅̽͑͐̾̇̾̑͊̾̀̈́͑̔͛͑͑͗͂́̓́͆͛͛͂̒̈́̂͆̊̒̇͆̓͒̐̒͋̈́̐̈̆̈́̈́̆͋̆̀̌͗̌͋̔͆̌̀̔̂́͆̃̓̆́͂̿̂̉͗̐̉̔̄͛̆̄̍́͛̑̌̐͋͊̌͐́̉̓͗͛̈́̾͛̇͌̀͒͌̃̐̂͑̎͂̓̕͘͘͘̕͘͘̚̕͘̚͘͜͜͜͝͝͠͝͝͝͝͠͝͠͝ͅͅͅͅͅͅd̷̨̨̨̢̡̛̛̛̛̛̖̳̞̞̝̭̣̖̭̭̙̗̘͕͙̥͍̦̪̠̜̹̝̝̮̘̹͎̻̤̞͔̞̳̠̟̠̠̺̣̼̠̭͙̩̘̝̞̰̘̟̦͎͖̮̺͈̦̞͙̣̗͕̩̤̩̭̝͔͔̭͙̤̜̺͖̝̰͔̀̾̏̈͑̓̂͑̇̐̎̓̊͊͒̅͆̑́̆͐̈́͗̈́͒̐͂̋̒͆͐̏̉̿̽̇̎̎̅̐́̋̀̊́̈́́̈̔̊̏̀̾͌̉͒̍̎̅́̋͒͂̿̔̄̐͋͐̓̓̌̈́̿̒̇͗̀̎̏̀͋̔̑̿͐̎̄̆̆̆̃͂͑͛̋͆̃͐͌͂̂̒͆͗̅͒͌̓͒̈́̓̾̉̆́͆̈́̐̀̑̇̅͑̃̈́̀̇̐̀̀̾̌͊̍̏̋̃̋̈͛̅̅̈́͒̾́̌́̓̋̓̃̚̕̕̚͘̚͘͘͘̕͘̚͜͜͜͝͝͝͝͝͝͝͠͝͠ͅͅ.̸̢̧̢̧̧̢̧̧̨̢̨̢̧̧̨̡̧̨̛̛̛̛̥̭͇͚̝̳̮̮̗̜͇͈̹̤̠̭̲̱͍̠̤̠̟̣̲͉͚̮̙̲͕̮̬̜̘̘̤̻͚̬̟̙̝͍̦̰̤͙̝̩͙̞̱͔̮̤͚̪̟̖͚̳̜̟̫̼̪̲̫̹̩̤̖͇̩͍̣̺̩̳̥̘̠͉͍̥̞̯̺̰̰̥̜̩̞͕͇͚̬̻̻̪̜̜̞̙̠̟͙̰̬̻̗̤͍̜̰̩̦͔̠̟͙̖͕͓̩͓̗̥̗̰͕̗̠̤̪̦͍̞̱̬̲̯̙͍͇̗͕̝̗̯̙̘̞̤͙̠̱̳͇͇̣̘͙̳̳̭̱̝̺̗͎͉̥̝̞͖̬̰̗͉̟̫̫̲͈̬̪̻͉̭̝͕̝̼͖̟̭̣̰̱̜̝̤͚͈̻̫͔̬̫̠̦̺̦̙̞̭̥̤̼͇͍͓͚̤̗̹̟̠̭̣̭̲̞̭͕̫̫͔̖̖̘̞̖͔͎̦̹̗͙̘̪͈͚̱̫̤͉̖̯͈̞͖̻̰͋̈́̈́́̒̉͌̅͑͋̇͛̿̿́̐͗̑̄͐́̈͊̈́̏́̑͗͒͑̓͆͛̆̊̆̓̀́̈̀̂̈́͑͐̾́̓̀̀͐̿̌͐͋͐̓̈́̇̈́̾̆̆̀̓̎͂̀̐̂͌̉̈́̔̑͆̓̉̇̎́̃̅̈́͗̓̑̉̓̋̾̓͛̀̇̄̎̀̽́̾͌̄͂̒̏̄̓̌̅̌̂̈́̇̋̏̊̆̎̊̎̃̀̅̇̐̂̋̀́̍̾͐̈́̈́̂̈́̚̕̚̚̚͘͜͜͜͜͜͠͝͝͝͠͠͝͝͝͝͝ͅͅͅͅͅͅ.̷̢̧̧̧̧̧̧̧̨̨̡̨̨̢̢̧̨̧̨̡̧̡̢̨̡̢̧̡̡̨̡̡̧̨̨̛̛̛̦͈̭̳̝̭̣̝͎̣̠̗̯͔̖͖̜̻͚͕̺͚̼̮͍͔̞͓̹̝̟̺̦̥̺̰͇̰͓̺̦̼͈̤̹̫̗̘̟̦̲̲̜̩̮̭͇̭̰̼̜̩̙͔̻̺͖̝̳̯͈̙̱̮̙͕̥̦̮̦̼̻̱̟̟͚̹̬̖̰͙̳̩̱̼̹͖̬̬̦͓̮̘͖͖̳̭̲̞͓̮̳̳̥̲̩͓̳͍̞͕͍͎̝̖̲͇͇͔̙̟͓͍̰̦͇̲̘̻̺̗͓̞̫̫͇̠̦̫̼͙̠͕̜͕̳͔̱̳̹͕̠̩͍̣̪͇̰̞̝͚͚̖̣̻̤̤͉̲̤̠̞͓͎̪͕͕͖̤̠̤̼̬͎̤̼̠̰̼͔̘͇͓̻̠͇̺͔̜͇̜̜͙̤̳̤̱͙̻̥̪͓̭̖͓̤̳̝̫̼̠̙͙͕̳̥̼̙̒̊̈́̃̿́̇̎͗̆̓͐́̑̓͗̓̀͐̐́͛͊́̀̐̐͛͆̈́̊̾̇̌̌̄̅̈́̅͂̌̐̃͂̉̉̽̔̒͐̋̑͑̾̒̉͑̿̅̀̾̌͛͒͆̊͑̑̋̋́̊̋̓̇̑͐́̆͐̋̽̀̌̆͒̈́͌̀̉͂̓͂̀͒̌̆̊̍͑̌̀̈́̈́̀̓̿̒̎̕̚̕̚͘͜͜͜͜͜͝͠͝͝͝͝͝ͅͅͅͅͅͅ?̸̨̡̧̧̧̛̛͙͕̱̤͉͙̜̥͖̫̲̰̩̬̞̣̰̣͇̭̯̟̤̣̥̜̲͍̝̹̝̯̳͎̦̜͎͇̻̱̜͙̪̪͎̫̼͍̼̯͍̭̬̖͔͍͖̜̭̝͚̙͍̳̳͓̥̝̬̤̤̗̩͚͖͙̗͕̗̣̗̰̗̙̼̼̺̞̪̩̒̈́͂̀̐͛͐̃̂̆̓͑͆̓͌̏̃̄͒̏͊́̍͑̀̐̏̅́̍̈́́̉̈́́̈́̂̍̏̅̃̂̇̓̑̓́͒̈͒̈̎̄̉͑͑͆̋̑̏̋̆̈́̈́̑̍͑̉͊̉̆̈͐̀̓̍͊͊̉͊͛̎͋̍͑͗͊͗̄͆̌͊̐͒̑̄͆͐͋̓͗̿̔̈́̎̔͒̈̋̄̃̆̔͛͋͒̉̒͌́͊̐̀̿̑̓̌̇͑̓͆̀̔̇̀͆̒̾͂̓̿͊̃̎̆͊̔͒͂̄̏̋̍̏̃͗́̍̕̕͘̕̕̕̕͜͝͝͝͝͝͝͠͝͠͝͝͠͠ͅͅ well you know that already but

Cardinal Rift

@Stitches yes

Soul Eater: Apple of Discord

Katherine Leblanc

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"Cam...ping. Cam-ping!"

Name / Nicknames:
Katherine Leblanc - alternatively, Kath, Kathy, Katie, anything you can think of. Reactions may vary.

Age:
16

Gender:
Female

Role:
Meister

Special Trait:
Katherine is able to sense people's emotions from their soul. It doesn't go very far below surface level, she can only tell how someone is feeling at that point in time. If someone is trying to conceal their true emotions, she can only occasionally pick up on it. It depends on how good the person is and how much they're trying to repress their feelings. In a battle, Katherine can use this ability to identify who souls might be. It's a little fickle, as it's difficult to reliably tell who someone is based on their superficial emotions, but it comes in handy. It's also useful outside of it, allowing her to pick up on if someone is not quite telling the truth.

Strengths:
• Physically, Katherine is incredibly strong. Not only is she capable of swinging Cameron around without a sweat, but even without him she packs quite a punch. She lacks technique in hand to hand combat, though with strength alone she can still be a threat.

• Good at thinking on her feet. It isn't hard for her to whip up a battle plan, even when she's being shot at. Her success rate is not ideal, but it's better to fail than to die.

• Baking god.

Weaknesses:
• Katherine doesn't care much for consequences. She'll rush into things just fine, and when they fail, suddenly it's the end of the world. A vicious combination.

• Lacking in self awareness. Sorely.

Partner:
Cameron Schumaker | @stone

Soul Type & Appearance:
A normal soul. Pale blue with a wide, almost mischievous grin. You can't help but wonder what it's up to.

Appearance:
Katherine is slightly above average, at 5'7. She's deceptively strong - at least for her build. Tastefully thin, she calls herself, if it weren't for the strict fitness routine she puts herself through she would be anything but. It's ridiculous how much sugar she eats. She's no bodybuilder, but she can lug Cameron around without breaking a sweat. She often has a lot of bandages all over her body from all of the injuries she can't remember getting.

Katherine's hair is short and a bluish white she swears is natural. Catch her after she's just woken up and you'll see the worst bedhead known to man. One of her eyes is covered by her hair, though she does pin it up from time to time. Despite her cheerful personality, Katherine tends to look displeased when she's doing anything but smiling. She's been told it's intimidating.

Personality:
Katherine is as sweet as sugar. She's peppy and energetic, a sociable person supported by her overwhelming confidence. For good reason too, she's a very capable Meister with a good brain to boot. Despite this, her accident prone nature means that things don't always go to plan, and her confidence has led to countless disappointments. Though she should be used to it by now, she reacts very badly to these. Her emotional and over-dramatic nature cause her to shut down. It doesn't take a whole lot to set her off either. It's never always sunshine and rainbows with Katherine. Just most of the time. She can be a little insufferable, stubborn and impatient with a healthy dose of inconsiderate. It's not intentional. She just lacks some self awareness.

Katherine sees things as give and take. If she does something for someone, then they will eventually have to do something in return and vice versa. It just makes sense to her. She doesn't use this view to get people to do what she wants, but she tends to operate on this principle. The way she perceives the value of actions is a little skewed too.

Backstory:
Katherine is the only daughter of two Meisters - Alison and Victor Leblanc. Her following in their footsteps was a surprise to no one. In fact, when she was a child her education was supported by material that would help her on her inevitable path. It isn't something she resents, even if she was given the choice she would have decided to become a Meister. They did the best they could to be there for her, but duty calls and it was no surprise when they would disappear every now and then. Katherine never did get used to the disappointment.

She was never lonely, though. Other than the countless babysitters she'd had over the year, she had no difficulty making friends. People tend to like you more when you bake them stuff too. Most notably, the plain-looking boy with the camera she'd encountered one day. She'd demanded that he take photos of her with his poor feline model. He'd accepted, and from there their friendship blossomed. When they got paired together at the DWMA, you can imagine Katherine's delight. They became inseparable.

It's kind of concerning, actually.

Soul Eater: Apple of Discord

Katherine Leblanc

---

---

"Cam...ping. Cam-ping!"

Name / Nicknames:
Katherine Leblanc - alternatively, Kath, Kathy, Katie, anything you can think of. Reactions may vary.

Age:
16

Gender:
Female

Role:
Meister

Special Trait:
Katherine is able to sense people's emotions from their soul. It doesn't go very far below surface level, she can only tell how someone is feeling at that point in time. If someone is trying to conceal their true emotions, she can only occasionally pick up on it. It depends on how good the person is and how much they're trying to repress their feelings. In a battle, Katherine can use this ability to identify who souls might be. It's a little fickle, as it's difficult to reliably tell who someone is based on their superficial emotions, but it comes in handy. It's also useful outside of it, allowing her to pick up on if someone is not quite telling the truth.

Strengths:
• Physically, Katherine is incredibly strong. Not only is she capable of swinging Cameron around without a sweat, but even without him she packs quite a punch. She lacks technique in hand to hand combat, though with strength alone she can still be a threat.

• Good at thinking on her feet. It isn't hard for her to whip up a battle plan, even when she's being shot at. Her success rate is not ideal, but it's better to fail than to die.

• Baking god.

Weaknesses:
• Katherine doesn't care much for consequences. She'll rush into things just fine, and when they fail, suddenly it's the end of the world. A vicious combination.

• Lacking in self awareness. Sorely.

Partner:
Cameron Schumaker | @stone

Soul Type & Appearance:
A normal soul. Pale blue with a wide, almost mischievous grin. You can't help but wonder what it's up to.

Appearance:
Katherine is slightly above average, at 5'7. She's deceptively strong - at least for her build. Tastefully thin, she calls herself, if it weren't for the strict fitness routine she puts herself through she would be anything but. It's ridiculous how much sugar she eats. She's no bodybuilder, but she can lug Cameron around without breaking a sweat. She often has a lot of bandages all over her body from all of the injuries she can't remember getting.

Katherine's hair is short and a bluish white she swears is natural. Catch her after she's just woken up and you'll see the worst bedhead known to man. One of her eyes is covered by her hair, though she does pin it up from time to time. Despite her cheerful personality, Katherine tends to look displeased when she's doing anything but smiling. She's been told it's intimidating.

Personality:
Katherine is as sweet as sugar. She's peppy and energetic, a sociable person supported by her overwhelming confidence. For good reason too, she's a very capable Meister with a good brain to boot. Despite this, her accident prone nature means that things don't always go to plan, and her confidence has led to countless disappointments. Though she should be used to it by now, she reacts very badly to these. Her emotional and over-dramatic nature cause her to shut down. It doesn't take a whole lot to set her off either. It's never always sunshine and rainbows with Katherine. Just most of the time. She can be a little insufferable, stubborn and impatient with a healthy dose of inconsiderate. It's not intentional. She just lacks some self awareness.

Katherine sees things as give and take. If she does something for someone, then they will eventually have to do something in return and vice versa. It just makes sense to her. She doesn't use this view to get people to do what she wants, but she tends to operate on this principle. The way she perceives the value of actions is a little skewed too.

Backstory:
Katherine is the only daughter of two Meisters - Alison and Victor Leblanc. Her following in their footsteps was a surprise to no one. In fact, when she was a child her education was supported by material that would help her on her inevitable path. It isn't something she resents, even if she was given the choice she would have decided to become a Meister. They did the best they could to be there for her, but duty calls and it was no surprise when they would disappear every now and then. Katherine never did get used to the disappointment.

She was never lonely, though. Other than the countless babysitters she'd had over the year, she had no difficulty making friends. People tend to like you more when you bake them stuff too. Most notably, the plain-looking boy with the camera she'd encountered one day. She'd demanded that he take photos of her with his poor feline model. He'd accepted, and from there their friendship blossomed. When they got paired together at the DWMA, you can imagine Katherine's delight. They became inseparable.

It's kind of concerning, actually.

Soul Eater: Apple of Discord

yes

Cardinal Rift

𝕋wo 𝔾uys 𝕆ne 𝔼ye

---

Everything was black. Not a murky black, or some sort of pseudo-black that mysterious and brooding strangers would wear while skulking in the corners of taverns, waiting to be approached by brave heroes to recruit on their fantastical journeys. Not even the blackest of souls could match this darkness. No, this was true darkness in its purest form - the complete and utter absence of light.

For any other person, the darkness would have been frightening. Sight was, after all, the sense humans relied on the most.

For Reason, however, it was simply the 16th of Anais. Yes, the talks had happened just prior, but he hadn’t actually done that much. Just a bit of fiddling here, a few choice words to Pachel there, and boom! All the policies passed. It was simple, really. Diplomacy wasn’t that hard if you used all the tools available.

And so, as the doors were opened and the stuffy air of negotiations spilled out in the lethargic way characteristic of everything associated with bureaucracy, Reason made his way to the library.

It was odd. He’d never learned to read, on account of not being able to see the words on the page. Tina had tried to start a movement for raised letters on pages. The movement had died, on account of nobody really wanting to accommodate those who couldn’t even cast magic. To draw out their magic, humans needed to be able to see where they would cast- a line of sight. But who would even work for those who could not hold a pen?

Reason grimaced. He’d work on that metaphor later. It was a bit clunky. The ones in books were always so eloquently worded. But then again, authors had all the time in the world to rewrite their complicated machinations. Reason had to commit his jokes to memory. It took up a lot of space. He wasn’t like Tina, with her uncanny ability to recall basically anything she’d ever heard or seen.

He had always felt a sort of kinship with books, even if their contents were a complete mystery to him. He’d always had someone read them aloud, usually Tina. Oh, how wonderful it was to have someone read to you. He almost felt happy that the raised letters movement hadn’t gotten anywhere. It certainly let him spend more time with her.

Ooh, that would be a good thing to bring up next time reading was mentioned. He could almost see Tina’s flustered reaction- but not really, for that was impossible.

Reason knew immediately when he crossed the threshold into the library. Not just from feeling the doorway - there was just a certain sort of weight to such repositories of knowledge. A wise man once said that knowledge = power = energy = mass, and mass distorted space and time. There certainly was a sort of magical feeling to libraries (certainly the major library, with all its tomes and forbidden knowledge), but as far as Reason knew, this one wasn’t particularly mystical.

He settled into a plush chair in the corner. Leather. Cotton filling, probably.

Peace. Sweet, silent peace. Nothing but the smell of paper and the warm insides of his cloak. He’d go talk to Tina later about the results - she probably wanted to see her mother first.

Someone entered the library. Reason couldn’t see them, but he could tell. An empty room didn’t pant, after all. Nor did it yell. Awfully loudly, too.

“Ruel! Ruel, are you in here?! Where on Teliv did you run off to?” Cedric shouted. He glanced around the library. No sign of his brother anywhere. He met the blank stare of one Alexander Reason, about to speak, when a tremor passed through the room and rocked the foundations of the tower. Reason opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water. It would have been a humorous sight had Cedric any time to think about it. A bright white light overtook the vision of his one good eye. Everything went black. Something not unfamiliar to both of them, but the time and the occasion were the real shock.

---

Cedric awoke first. Head pounding, vision swirling, he could barely make out the chaos around him. At first, he attributed the strange sight to his nausea, but when the room didn’t change after a few seconds of staring, he realized that he was gazing upon reality.

The entire library was flipped on its side. What was once the floor was now a wall and what was once the ceiling was now the opposite wall. Every shelf not bolted down to the floor had slid down, spilling their knowledge all over the wall floor. The tables and chairs were piled up, splintering from the drop. He realized he was lying on a bed of books - centuries of knowledge supporting his body.

Cedric began to stir. “Agh… I…” He trailed off, clutching at his stomach. He felt very, very ill.

A retching noise sounded from somewhere to his right. The acidic stench of stomach acid and partially-digested breakfast wafted past Cedric’s nose. Centuries of knowledge, ruined by bacon and eggs and orange juice.

The heir to House Immolis struggled to his feet. It was even harder to see than usual. The lights had been knocked around, some broken, and what was left of the windows (on the ceiling) barely let any light in at all. Outside, he could see only grey. Still, there was no mistaking that hideous fur cloak. “Reason heir… that you?”

Reason coughed. “Yes. Might I have the pleasure of knowing who I’m speaking to?”

“Hmph. You can’t even recognize my voice? Cedric Immol-agh!” Cedric suppressed his own urge to vomit.

Reason sat up. The top hat had stayed on his head, almost like it was bolted on. “Ah, I should have known from your shouting. Is your brother around?”

“Ruel!” Cedric hissed, whipping his head around, only to be hit by a wave of nausea. He settled for slumping forwards. “Ah, Anais… where is he? Where are we?”

“Well…” Reason swung his head about in a motion that seemed suspiciously like looking around. “There’s certainly a lot of mana here. It’s… blinding, in a way.”

Cedric stood up, legs shaking. He was about to fall back down any second. “The library… damn, that explosion! Must’ve fucked this whole place up.”

“Interesting.. Gah!” Reason doubled back down onto the floor. His voice floated shakily from his slumped form. “I appear to be afflicted with mana sickness.”

“Appear? Clear as day, isn’t it?” Cedric stumbled over bookshelves, approaching Reason. “Place exploded and now there’s mana everywhere. Sounds pretty northern, doesn’t it.”

“Now, let’s not be leaping to conclusions.” Reason attempted to stand. He slipped on a few books, nearly falling into his own vomit. “Whoops, haha. We’ll want to gather information first.” Again, he swung his head around. “Perhaps a window, to assess damage.”

“Damage? This entire room. No gate could’ve done this. So there’s only one other option.”

“Oh? I recall that House Immolis is Magusist. Perhaps it was… divine intervention? As, say, retribution for helping those of a ‘lower status.’”

“As if any of us actually believe in that,” Cedric scoffed. He was staggering across the room, over to where the portal should have been, on what was now the wall. “Status doesn’t matter when you’ve just attacked the most important place on the continent. I wouldn’t say that I was surpri- oi, what’s this?”

Where the metal plate of the portal once stood was now a swirling vortex flecked with gold. SInce the room had rotated, the portal had ended up on the wall, standing eye level with Cedric. It didn’t seem to be exerting any force on the things around it, but something about its shape, its color, its spectacle, was almost inviting.

“Reason? Can you see this?”

“Well, no. What is it?”

“Get over here, then.”
Reason crawled over on his hands and knees. It was quite a sight- the fur cape made him look like a malnourished bear.

“Oh, my. That is interesting. It certainly creates a connection like before, but it… hmmm…” Reason stood up and looked at the portal. Except he couldn’t. But it certainly seemed like he did. The heir dropped back down to his hands and knees to make the rest of the distance.

“This is pathetic,” Cedric muttered, walking over to pick Reason up. Except he only got halfway before his stomach lurched and he tripped. He stayed standing, but didn’t move anymore. “Agh… sick.”

“Why, you sound terrible, Cedric. Do you mind if I call you that? It’s almost like you’ve never felt mana sickness bef-” Reason’s limbs gave out from underneath him. “Hah. Just a… simple matter of rebalancing your levels…”

“Could only wish to have too much mana,” Cedric grunted. “What is this thing?”

Reason stood up and made the rest of the distance. “Well, from what I can see, it’s a portal.”

“No shit, [redacted]. Why don’t you go in?”

“Are you kidding? This thing looks dangerous. The destination route’s entirely random. The mana flow’s going any which way.” Reason gesticulated wildly, pointing in various directions.

“That means nothing to me. Which only leads me to believe it’s those damn northerners’ fault. If it isn’t magic, it isn’t ours.”

“That’s the thing. It is magic. I could sort of sense the portals before, but now they’re standing out like beacons in the night. The mana levels here are insane- I bet every device or person here is full to the brim with mana.”

“Mana sickness must be getting to you. Why don’t we try the portal out, then?” Cedric said, remembering how sick he felt. He’d almost forgotten, what with Reason’s tomfoolery.

“Well… it does seem to be pretty stable when it makes a connection- probably with a corresponding portal or something. Where is it?”

“Up on the wall. Not that far up, but I can’t just reach it.” Elise probably could, though.

“Hm. Give me a boost?”

Cedric looked at Reason, then back at the portal. “Is that a good idea?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“Say no more,” Cedric said, picking up the Reason with some difficulty. It was getting hard to ignore the mana sickness. Normally, he would be able to do it just fine. He was sure of it. But, as he began to approach the portal, it was becoming harder to stay standing. There was no guarantee he wouldn’t vomit all over Reason’s lovely fur cloak, either.

“Whoa! Watch where you put your hands! I’m already taken.”

“That technologist girl? She doesn’t count for anything. There’s not enough of her to mean shit.”

“Hey, I love her as she is. What’s taking so long, anyway? When are you going to put me-”

“Can’t you see? It’s right in front of you,” Cedric said, pushing him closer to the portal. “Hurry up. I’ll drop you in ten seconds.”

Reason reached out a hand and stroked the portal. As soon as his fingers made contact, the portal began to suck him in with surprising force.

“Whoa! It’s got some suction going. I know a few people that’d be interested in this.”

“I’m going to arrest you.”

Before Cedric had the chance to take him into custody, Reason slipped through his grip and disappeared through the portal. He stared in shock at the vortex, his knees giving out. He was seconds away from emptying out his stomach, and his head spun.

“Oh, Anais. Oh, fuck. I just killed Reason!”

Project Zasshu

my current plan is a monsterboy but it's taking some time to work on;;

Cooking Fantasy maybe?

interested!

Cardinal Rift

𝕀nterlude

---

There was something frightening about large rooms. Even more so when they were not empty, but filled with equally frightening people. On a certain day, four of such individuals were seated around a table much too big for so few. A rectangular table, intended for banquets. There was no food laid out. The real meal was each other - for this was a gathering of hawks, all waiting to feast on their companions the second they let down their guard.

“Where is Myrised?” said the one at the head of the table.

“You know she cannot come. Please, let her rest. She will need it.” The man in the middle of the table bowed his head at the empty seat opposite to him. The space of the absent ‘Myrised’.

“Very well. We shall continue without her. Let it be known that her holiness does not approve. I shall seek out her guidance for a suitable punishment.”

“You don’t need to ask her about everything,” came the response from the bottom of the table. “Just tell her to come next time. You can do that much on your own.”

“Her holiness, Sieng. She requests you show a little more respect for her, and she will grant you her blessing in return.”

“Blessing? I already have that, right? Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” Sieng leaned forward.

A loud sigh from the middle of the table. “Please, there are more important things to be doing than arguing. If we could begin.”

The one at the head of the table stood. Silk robes fell around her, the image of regality. Her head was held high. She did not dare look either of her companions in the eye. “Very well. Stand, my brothers. We have been instructed to carry out her indomitable will.”

“For her holiness, lay down your lives!” she roared. Her voice echoed around the chamber.

“Until the end of time,” the other two muttered back.

words words words words

𝕋he 𝕋alks

---

The talks were to take place on the second floor. The monks had cleared the Minor Library's space, setting up the room with a large table, multiple whiteboards, and many comfortable chairs. The first round was to run from 8 am to noon. Any points not resolved would be tabled for a later day. All the results and decisions were to be sent to the capital - to be put into effect immediately. The lords would then be free for the rest of the day to relax, make behind-the-scenes deals, and do other lordly things.

Everything was set.

The shortest day of the year, the winter solstice, the 16th of Anais, 1648, changed the course of Croanian history and set it on a new course, one that was impossible to predict.

---

sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀ
CHAPTER 3 - Nationality & Citizenship
Definitions
Individual; A self-aware being capable of intelligent thought.

Policy Change ( a ) : Delete or define 'intelligent'.

words words words words
Codes
3.1 - Any human individual born on Croanian territory (2.1.4) is considered a citizen of the State.

Policy Change ( b ) : Delete 'human'.

words words words words
CHAPTER 5 - Civil Rights
5.2 - The rights of Croanian citizens shall not be abridged on account of sex, age, or race.

Policy Change ( c ) : Append 'species'.

ARGUMENTS

REINA YOUNG

Reina Young: “Any individual who does not vote to remove the ‘intelligent’ part of the definition of ‘individual’ does not deserve to be recognized as one. What ‘intelligent’ means is subjective. This word had no business being in Croanian law in the first place. Besides, what about children, the elderly, or the mentally impaired? Are they refused their rights because they do not meet societal standards of ‘intelligence?’”

ARTHUR KOTHLIN

Arthur Kothlin: “Allowing the beastmen in Croania citizenship negatively impacts both public morale and the economy. We have more beastmen now than any other time after the Exodus. A sizable number of them suddenly requiring proper documentation, registration, and citizenship would place undue burden on our workforce. Recognizing them as citizens would drive their birth rates up and increase sub-human immigration. The beastmen do not know how to work mid to high-level jobs, and there are already far too many people for the amount of low-level jobs available in Croania. As they would be proper citizens, the governments across the land would need to provide unemployment benefits for a far larger number than what we currently face. We should focus on our own species’s problems before we try and fix another’s.

RUEL IMMOLIS

Ruel Immolis: “As it is, beastmen don’t do anything for order! They cause more problems than they solve. There aren’t any at all that work for House Immolis. But compared to the amount of them there are, we have to spend a lot of time and money on dealing with the countless crimes they commit and problems they cause. These changes will only encourage immigration and increase the beastman population. It’s like you all want a country filled with filth and crime.”

VECTOR SELER

Vector Seler: “Well, I’ll bet that none of you have ever spoken to beastmen before. I’ve been to Ashket countless times before. Just because they have a different culture to ours that you don’t understand means they deserve to be treated as sub-human. More beastmen is a larger workforce. If humans were truly superior, then why would beastmen be able to take their jobs? Their animalistic traits mean that they’re more suited to certain jobs too. They are a valuable asset, and we can’t let that go to waste.”

MELODIA LAPSEUS

Melodia Lapseus: “Strangely, I’m with geezer Seler on this matter. While there aren’t enough numbers to speak from a concrete perspective my studies have found that beastmen are sometimes better fitted for some jobs— to be completely honest, I would say on a biological level they are far superior to us, but I digress. As for the intelligent bit, I agree with Reina— not enough wiggle room on that choice of words, sir. And Lord Kothlin, who knew you were such a chauvinist?”

DRAKUS SOLARIS

Drakus Immolis: “Being born on Croanian soil does not make you a citizen!
Being Croanian is far more than the ground beneath our feet. We are more than that and to say otherwise is an insult to our history.

Yes Lady Reina is correct and intelligence is a subjective term but so are many others, what is important is that we as a council and country understand the intention of the law. And the intention of this law is to honour our forefathers and Anais who guided Ishtar to take these lands for her children.

Don’t let her fool you into voting on word play, Croania is flourishing now the way it is. Why risk that all? Why now when we have peace would you insult the mage queens legacy and jeopardise everything we have achieved.

We all have a place, you are all aware I hold no reservations against the akeshans. In fact, I owe my very life to one. Now I’m sure you all here understand just how much importance I put on my own life, in fact I unashamedly further assure you it is probably greater than you imagine. Yet still, just because of the actions of one singular akeshian I would not grant the entire race free reign over a country we have worked so hard to build.

Reina, I am shocked you would try to attack others intelligence to make your point, it only makes me question what you already think of us... Your family has always considered yourself smarter than everyone else, but still I can’t imagine you’d put a broken cog from an unknown craftsman into one of your devices just for the sake of inclusion. Why do it to Croania?

Let the beastmen prove their worth, ensure they will be a valuable citizen and a benefit the state.
They can register their family name, prove loyalty for a set timeframe, be tested on skill and knowledge and then allowed to be one of us.

This should appease all sides. Also, to sate the fears that they may impose on our economy the council should reconvene at next meeting to decide on the max percentage of our population that we will allow as Akeshian citizens. Limiting this ensures we can not be overthrown and that we only get the best. It also allows for our people who we are here to represent deal with the changes gradually and monitor their reaction.

This all will of course require further time and dictation, we cannot rush such important matters.

If still after all that they are unhappy with those conditions allow Vector to sail them back home at his own expense. I might even consider joining him on such a journey one day.

AELIOUS AUREOLIN

Aelious Aureolin: “Yes, Lady Reina, children, the elderly, and the mentally impaired are indeed refused certain rights, often for their own good. The complete abolishment of the requirement of intelligence seems rather hasty to me, because certain civil rights are naturally suppressed in lieu of the lack of capacity for sound judgment. After all, I’m sure we’ve all encountered at least one individual in our life that was capable of thought, but certainly not ‘intelligent’ thought. Intelligence is subjective, though, so perhaps we should define that requirement in clearer terms? As for the beastmen, was Croania not strengthened with each new nation that joined it? The majority of us here are descendants of what was once foreign and different, and yet, here we are, all working towards collective prosperity. The beastmen cause problems because we allow our civilians to treat them as a subspecies to be abused, rather than potential allies possessing unique capabilities. If we were to grant citizenship only to those beastmen who are able to prove their worth to Croanian society, then we ought to eliminate racial barriers that prevent or discourage them from doing so. Who would want to contribute to a society that treats them like vermin? Who would be able to become a skilled worker when any chance at being trained is denied on the basis of their race? Who would be able to assimilate into a new culture if no one is there to offer them the education necessary for it? We’re quite literally handicapping the potential of the nation, dealing with this situation as if it were an existential threat rather than a chance for further wealth.”

---

sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ʙ
Policy: 40% of education funding is allocated to the Northern Houses.

Policy Change ( d ) : Increase to 60%.
Amount can be negotiated as: 55, 50, 45, 40.

ARGUMENTS

ALEXANDER REASON

Alexander Reason: “This shouldn’t even be a debate. The North carries over half the population. It’s illogical to give them less than half of our funding. Even I can see that! Furthermore, funding isn’t even based on statistics! It’s something like, what, five percent of the funding goes to House Reason? We’ve already got the highest literacy rate and less than three percent of the population. We don’t need all that money, and I guarantee the rest of you don’t need it too. Your hired administrators are probably embezzling the runoff. I’d bet one of my senses on it, and it wouldn’t be my sight. Education funding should be by population percentages, plain and simple. Give a little extra to the North so they can make up for the years we’ve been stifling them.

ELISE DALRIS

Elise Dalris: “Oh my, oh my! Sixty percent, for fifty-five percent of the population. Skimming a little extra off the top, I see. Well, I don’t think that’s very fair. Forty-five percent is good enough. The South needs that ten percent. Why, House Dalris is completely dependent on having educated and competent people around. If our education funding is cut, operations may be even more chaotic than they are now. I hadn’t had a proper meal in months until this evening. We may give the North a little more, but sixty percent is simply unreasonable!”

DRAKUS SOLARIS

Drakus Immolis: “Are we a unified country or not? What did all our ancestors die for in those wars? Education and knowledge must be shared throughout all of Croan fairly so all ‘Citizens’ have a chance. But!!! When it comes to research and innovation that money should go to the houses that have proven worthy. We must always seek to further our understanding of the world around us. Let’s split the educational funding up into more focused detail.
1-Give basic early literacy and history lesson funding out evenly based on population.
2-Advanced learning is based on ‘citizen’ population.
3-Further funding and training must be put aside and distributed based on a states mageborn population. Mages need extra attention that cannot be ignored. Their powers need guidance to reach full potential and that they may be safe.

This structure may see the south with a bit more funding per person but overall I imagine the disparity to close and everything be fairer.

Lastly, the last piece of the pie will be put out to vote based on what each house has produced with previous years fundings. Cases should be put forth detailing what they have achieved and why it is important to us.

Mostly what I want to see is shared knowledge and a united educational system.
A smarter Croan for all.

AELIOUS AUREOLIN

Aelious Aureolin: “Has the South not always had lower education levels than the North, due to disparities in technology and culture? As far as I see it, it’s rather short-sighted to base this off population, or even off what new research or innovation comes from such funding. As things stand right now, the vast majority of commoners in Croania can only enter into the labour force due to their lack of education, something that must be amended swiftly if we wish to progress as a nation. The illuminating research done by the highly educated elites may serve as a catalyst for advancement, but it is only by improving the baseline education of all our citizens that we can hope to improve Croanian society. After all, though we are bound to our respective lands, our citizens are free to move and choose which House they wish to serve under. The improvement of the education of the South’s citizenry will bleed into the North, as educated individuals will naturally gravitate towards such Houses. The 40-60 split in funding remains as is.”

---

sᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ᴄ
Policy: Funding for, and research of, the following subjects is restricted: Artificial Intelligence, Atomics, Material Science, Robotics, Space Travel.

Policy Change ( e ) : Lessen or remove restrictions on research. Robotics and material science are favoured for removal.

words words words words
Policy: The usage of magic alongside technology and the research thereof is restricted in the following areas: Artificial Intelligence, Atomics, Chemistry, Material Science, Robotics, Space Travel

Policy Change ( f ) : Lessen or remove restrictions on research.

ARGUMENTS

ERIC GRANIS

Eric Granis: “Material Science is something that everyone can benefit from. I know our ancestors (may they rest in peace) thought that the Northern Houses would develop some sort of superweapon and use it against us, but that’s clearly not the case! None of our three tech lords would hurt a fly. We could develop better roads, bridges, infrastructure, but only if we open up the sciences for further research!”

ESMERALDA NOLS

Esmeralda Nols: “Allowing robotics as a research subject is incredibly shortsighted. I’ve seen the reports on workforce numbers in the North. Arthur, you say you don’t want people to lose jobs, but I see here that your unemployment rate went up after you developed a certain mechanical arm to help create screws. Isn’t that contradicting what you said before about the beastmen? I can’t help but feel like you’re interested in developing robots for… other purposes.”

ARTHUR KOTHLIN

Arthur Kothlin: “You’re right about the numbers, but this is exactly why we need more funding for education! With more funds in that sector, we can produce highly-skilled workers who can do the jobs that robots can’t. We can still restrict research to non-combat applications, in case you’re worried.”

REINA YOUNG

Reina Young: “Magic and technology together can create amazing things. I’d like to use my daughter as an example. She’s able to power her own devices using her magic. Imagine if we could use our physics-breaking abilities to push the bounds of what science can do. It would push Croania into a future of technological superiority. We could even solve the Ledgermann Problem of Limited Propulsion! We could create proper flying machines, or even go to space!”

DRAKUS SOLARIS

Drakus Immolis: I know none of you here are fond of my arrogance, so trust me when I say I am trying my hardest to sedate it. But how can you not see the solution here? Do not let fear hold our great country back. I’m sure across the seas other races will eventually do what we will not.
I believe for our safety and future every field of forbidden research should be relaxed but not removed. Applications for tests should be put in place and monitored while fines are disbursed for non-compliance. Any house who opposes or has concerns with certain work has full rights to have a representative present and educated on the matter.

In fact no field of research should be governed by one house alone but a mandatory three. That of an opposing house and of course the neutral and unbiased law keepers, Immolis.

AELIOUS AUREOLIN

Aelious Aureolin: “Who needs flying machines when we have wyverns? ...I kid, I kid. Flying machines would certainly be a sight to behold, but I would recommend that we only remove restrictions on research upon matters that are immediately useful. Space Travel seems like a sinkhole for funding, especially when we hardly even established sea routes to Ashket and Nolore yet, while I question whether we’re at a state in society where Artificial Intelligence is all that beneficial; being able to replace the work of labourers is one thing, but to replace the work of our scholars and scientists too? That’s dangerous territory to be treading in. The study in Material Sciences should definitely be undertaken though, as I’m sure Heir Granis would agree, and while Robotics may serve to replace human labour, couldn’t a balance be struck too, as we acquire machinery that accelerates construction efforts and such? We’ll have an employed population AND an accelerated work flow. A beautiful match, if I do say so myself.”

words words words words

𝕋he ℝesults

---

THE RESULTS

POLICY	YES	NO	VERDICT
Policy Change (a)	Pachel Seler Balaur Aureolin Kothlin Young Granis Lapseus Reason	Nols Dalris Immolis Solaris	PASSED
Policy Change (b)	Dalris Seler Aureolin Balaur Young Granis Lapseus Reason	Pachel Nols Immolis Kothlin Solaris	PASSED
Policy Change (c)	Seler Aureolin Balaur Young Granis Lapseus Reason	Pachel Nols Dalris Immolis Kothlin Solaris	PASSED
Policy Change (d)	Balaur (60%) Kothlin (60%) Young (60%) Lapseus (60%) Reason (60%) Seler (55%) Granis (55%)	Pachel (45%) Nols (45%) Dalris (45%) Solaris (45%) Immolis (40%) Aureolin (40%)	PASSED • Average = 51.54 • Final Amount: 50%
Policy Change (e)	Seler Aureolin (Material Science) Balaur (Atomics, Material Science, Chemistry) Kothlin Young Granis (Material Science) Lapseus Reason Solaris	Pachel Nols Dalris Immolis	PASSED • Material Science • Atomics • Robotics
Policy Change (f)	Dalris Aureolin (Material Science) Balaur (Atomics, Material Science) Kothlin Young Granis Lapseus Reason Solaris	Pachel Nols Seler Immolis	PASSED • Material Science • Chemistry
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Project Zasshu (Kaiju, Monstergirls/Monsterboys, and other things)

Might be interested!