Ingrid was elated to be back in her homeland for this leg of the race. Though she was a weary. She knows things are supposed to be dangerous but she couldn't help but feel that there might be a few deaths from people's sabotage and underestimating these mountains. As a local, Ingrid was very aware of the dangers these mountains could pose. A saving grace was that because of our numbers, we are likely not going to become simple prey. This was dragon territory through and through.
Ingrid brought some of her own personal gear. She had some decent gear given to her by her family when she went to the mines in the south. It was a disappointingly tight fit on her. I feel like all the training I did with Desmond is just vanishing after just one pastry. Ingrid missed her more limber years when she was strong and fit. She thinks she might need to up the level of her training to make up for all the food. But when she starts to think of the dedication, the pain, the soreness she quickly rescinds herself to starting later. At some point. Maybe.
Ingrid has made one decision though. She is going to have fun. She is searching for fun treasures and maybe a dragon egg or 5. She needs money but at this point they are going to make it or not. A lot of things don't really matter. Ingrid has no idea how Ismette and Desmond time is going so she is just going to enjoy some cider and talk to some of her competitors, spreading some tips on how to stay safe. She would rather people not die. She talks to some friends. Dick around with Chad and let him know how appreciative she is of him for agreeing to search as well. She seems super comfortable here, genuinely happy even. They were waiting for a while it felt when her teammate bursted through and they were off!
Ingrid had expected herself to be perfectly fine with the air but the sudden change in atmosphere made breathing harder than expected. She felt slow at the start but they ended up keeping a consistent pace even as the steepness increased. Their plan of managing a infinity loop together really helped with the lack of available power on the mountain with so many competitors trying to scale it at the same time. The climbing wasn't difficult if that was all they had to worry about. Fending off multiple sabotage attempts slowed them down.
Then the true challenge came when Augusto dislodged a snow sheet from the mountain causing a cascading avalanche. Ingrid was caught off guard and was swept away. Chad and her were separated Ingrid used kinetic magic to slide on top of the snow. Ingrid indicated to the safety staff that she was okay even though she was sliding over the cliff edge. She drew from her own fall to slow then soften the inevitable impact. She was a little raddled and was surprised that someone would just do that. Either way she needed to continue on.
Lots of dragons were riled up from the avalanche, some were weaseling out of the snow and were trying to get into the knocks and crannies of bald mountain side. Ingrid started to scale the mountain, taking in the breath taking scenery. The pure white snow contrasting with the shards of obsidian made this one of her favorite places. She wants to go exploring… Okay just a little. She sees how the mountain comes in a little and goes generally in the direction she needs to go.
The amount of obsidian spike was increasing and made it difficult to move through confidently, Although the obsidian was black, it reflected light and made it hard to not just stare at the ground. She has to keep her eyes up and drew to lessen how many time she was blinded from the obsidian. She was cautious because their could be rope dragons at any time. Something long and slender appeared from the corner of her eye and she jumped back, cracking into and obsidian spike. It hurt a little but she was ready face her assailant! She drew in the light around her, aimed and then all she saw was a sword half way encased in obsidian… Ingrid couldn't help but laugh at herself, "Yes. The most powerful enemy, a sword stuck in some obsidian." Ingrid had a good laugh at herself before inspecting the sword.
The first thing she noticed was the craft of the sword, it was beautiful although the pummel and handle looked worn. Either way she would have to remove it to view the engravings properly. She chipped the obsidian away using a metal pick enhanced by kinetic energy. When she finally freed the sword she could read the name of the sword, Bjorn. From the motif, majesty, and approximate age this was most likely the sword of Bjorn Coldfist, an artifact that doesn't deserve to be left in the snow.
Ingrid felt satisfied with her exploring and dashed off to catch up. She got lucky that her way ended up being on track for the finish. It was a long climb but she uses kinetic leaps to dangerously bound up the mountain. She was able to meet up with Chad who proudly showed off his fossilized poop. The kept going, both on the proper path. The got the peg and started to ski down the slope, screaming the entire way, Ingrid out of pure joy and Chad out of pure terror. They could hear the ice crack when they went over it and Ingrid just froze it again to keep herself going. They passed through, Ingrid came 8th!!!.
She went back through to watch other people come through. Sven has a big dragon egg and she eagerly celebrated with him but before they could go together to the festivities where the next leg of the race was happening, she was grabbed by some friends to go on another adventure. She gave Sven a big hug goodbye and waved to Benny who was finishing up.
As the Melon Derby came to an end, Ingrid just felt a flood of relief. The anxiety of protecting the special melons and large melons was just too much. Fuck they had even 3 fucking monsters and 2 annoying dudes come into their home. Thank god it was all over. It would be awhile until the tallied all the melons and in the mean time they needed to clean and fix the house.
Cleaning was calming. Just a mindless activity that allowed Ingrid's mind to normally wonder to her studies or imaginative world but she was feeling bad about some of her descisions and responses. She left the group for far too long, and if she did choose to leave, she should have brought them all, it wasn't like they had any melons. Then she came back with a healthy chunk of points but then left again and literally did nothing.
And how I acted towards Zarina. It wasn't just wrong, it was dangerous. Using a spell like that without even being fully practiced in it was stupid. If it went wrong I could have accidently melted her. I need to apologize to her.
Ingrid felt dejected by her own actions but was overall fine. All she needed to do was to apologize and reflect. She couldn't help but question what the Ice King said. He was overwhelmingly strong and frighteningly insightful. She rarely thinks about her family means of making money past what is written on the ledger. But it is thrown in her face about how her family are oppressors. Easily seen if you just think for a moment. If you care to look and Ingrid never cared to look even when she worked at the mines. Terrible. She felt terrible and uncomfortable with herself and she knew she should be.
The guilt was heavy but it is something she shouldn't just let control her nor push away. Until she can level with herself she needs to keep it where it is and continue with the others. Her guilt shouldn't be a bother to others. Afterall, they came 4th!!! It was a small celebrations as they finished up the cleaning. Ingrid chose to go out for a walk, hiding away whatever she was shaken up for, from Dory to her own ignorance. Just be happy that you came top 5, something you believed that you were never capable of.
A growing headache was taking hold from the stress she felt. She was thankful she could hold herself up in moments of stress most of the times, she wishes she was more aware of how stressed she was instead of what seemed like passive aggressive signs from her body.
That magical bean juice she invested in was a cure all at this point for Ingrid and she headed over for that bitter medicine. To her surprise, Zarina was out there with Casii and it seemed a fight was about to break out. Ingrid didn't mind watching. Cathartic violence was always a way to take your mind off of it. Ingrid started watching and she ended up next to Ismette, the last person she expected to watch this. She tried to make some conversation, maybe some fun but Ingrid misread the situation and instead got on her bad side a bit. She just wanted to learn how to flirt and kiss. Ingrid thought that she should have just asked but that was too embarrassing.
But as her mind wandered to the last time she had a kiss with Benny, the fight had frown fierce and outside sources were healing fighters. Things were getting rowdier but it felt within reason. Zarina and Casii were looking fucking awesome though. Ingrid rooted for Zarina because she knew her slightly more. But the intense spectacle started to turn as species started to rile.
It wasn't long until insults were being thrown and Ingrid was suggesting that before the fighting Ismette should leave. But Ingrid failed to coax the good hearted Yasoi from trying to stop the fighting as she left Ingrid to join the mash and try and stop the fighting. Ingrid wanted to get out of here, fear and disinterest as her primary motives. But she needs to try and do better and she rushed in after Ismette, facing the humans as Ismette faced the Yasoi. Doing her best to stop the fighting with her imposing size.
Her actions were not based off of strength but trying to reason. And the normal life lesson that volatile emotions and reason have no place with each other, no wonder Dami and Eshiran are at odds with each other more often or not. Things intensified as Hegelan and Eaiko joined into the fight as well. The fight started for real for Ingrid when Chad tried to do a flying dropkick to only get slammed by Manfred followed by a Zarra slamming into an unprepared Ingrid.
Fighting was breaking out and Ingrid had this painful grinding in her shoulder, she might have cracked it or damaged her cartilage. But higher than her wellbeing, Ingrid was just trying to find Ismette. She wasn't good in these situations and could accidently kill people, a fate Ingrid wanted to have her avoid. Before she could, Zarra healed her arm. She said thank you as she started to try to get to Ismette.
Things went from bad to worse, Ismette was knocked over and it didn't look good and she let out a scream. Ingrid rushed over to cover her when a rotund Virangish boy kicked her in the head. She was obviously down and injured and this insolent boy attacked her. Ingrid started to draw and had every intention to twist and rip him in half from his fat belly. She would have truly done it if her draw wasn't so slow. Ismette's anger exploded before Ingrid, blasting everyone near her away. Ingrid was blasted into a wall, maybe some broken bones and head and organs felt like they just been shook around. She was out for most of it until she was healed by Zarra. Ingrid stumbled her way to Ismette to check on her, she should be afraid but her worry for Ismette outweighed her self-preservation.
To Ingrid's relief, Ismette was fine and was back to the self Ingrid knew. Casii made her way over and she watched Ismette take care of her with Casii literally falling into Ismette's arm. They were close. Like it felt they were dating. But Ismette wouldn't offer to bang me later if she was- then they went off and looked like a couple. Ingrid would be lying if that didn't strike her as odd. She felt stupid for being excited about sleeping with Ismette. People cleared out and she was left wandering and having a sudden panic is she was just ugly and no one had the heart to tell her, not even Benny. But these were just momentary extreme thoughts and she luckily wandered upon Zarina.
Ingrid sighed as she now needed to do what she actually left to do, apologize. She felt weird just going up and doing it. Normally she would send a letter first for a time and place, arrange an appropriate gift to smooth things over, prepare refreshments in case they wanted to talk afterward, and go over how she would apologize exactly the night before and the morning of. But this time was different, she just had to earnestly go up and apologize. Nerves built just thinking of it.
Having spot Zarina, she felt even more nervous. Zarina was riding a high and Ingrid thought that she would just bring it down. But based of how things went with Dory when she apologized all formal she got punched in the stomach. Honestly it might happen again, Zarina has quite a punch.
Ingrid walked up and said, "Hey Zarina, you got a second?" Ingrid seemed uncomfortable but she was maintaining a steady line of eye contact.
Zarina was accosted by Ingrid right after the fight. A very high and wobbly Zarina with her arm over Marci's shoulders and incessant giggles come from her, “So we'll take the cash, and then buy loads of potates for a potate salad.” was the first thing Ingrid would hear as the duo was taking an alleyway to reach the dorms the Virangish brawler lived in.
“Ehhhh?” she responded to her name, prompting her to stand on her own two feet and relieve Marci of support duty. She nearly stumbled down but eventually found her footing. That Casii shit was strong, “Iiiiiiingrid.” she acknowledged the Eskanding giantess and pointed her index finger right at her, “You wanna steal my cups too? Well-” she raised her fists, “You ain't gettin'em without a fight.” she imitated Casii to a T there, and couldn't help but snicker and snort with each word.
Ingrid questioned if Zarina was on drugs or drunk but she remembered some of the miners talking about feeling high after a fight, better than drunk they said. Maybe this was for the best, or she might just swing at me. Ingrid did an awkward chuckle, "You can keep your cups Zarina, I wanted to talk to you about today." Ingrid kept it at that for now, she was gauging the situation.
“Talk? Oh.” Zarina's arms were lowered and a stiffer posture was attempted, “Talk about what? I didn't organize the bets if that's the issue.” an accusatory finger was quickly pointed at Ingrid, “Although if you bet on me, you've won.”
Maybe she didn't remember what I did, I could just play this off and let it be, Ingrid thought. It would be easier but Ingrid knew that was the issue. "I meant what I did in the Melon Derby. I got in the way of you getting the Supreme melon," Ingrid stated, some guilt in her voice. "I know it was a game but I only targeted you and got involved to get back at you for the teasing." The shame she felt for doing that was showing through.
“Huh.” Zarina just gave a dumb stare to Ingrid and then scratched the back of her head, “That's really dumb.” she replied with no reservations on how she formulated things, eyes wide and red from the baking, “So that means ...” a toothy grin slowly stretched out, “I get to hit back, like, whenever? Heh. Heh. Heh.”
Ingrid scratched the back of her head and said, "I think that would be fine, I did escalate it a lot so that is on you now." Ingrid was worried, She liked her nose and Zarina has shown she is good at punching. She really wants to ask if they can go back to teasing but that isn't for her to decide.
“With your blessings, Miss Penderson ...” Zarina rubbed her hands together, “I shall concoct a devious plan to make things square! It could be today. It could be tomorrow ....” she leaned in a little closer to the Eskandish, “It might even be next year!” she winked and clicked her tongue.
"Of course," Ingrid said. There was no confidence in that, more the sound of someone rescind to their fate. Her shoulder's slumped, this is okay, she thought. "Well I have to be off, I need to apologize to Evander for slamming him into the floor during the Derby, I realize now he was just retreating," Ingrid said then sighing. Ingrid started to turn to leave and waved saying, "Have a good night Zarina."
“Eh?” Zarina squinted, “Why the fuck are you apologizing to every dickhead from the Derby? They knew what they were signing up for.” she sucked in her cheek and crossed her arms, “That just sounds like so much effort for a whole lotta nothing.”
"Because it was unnecessary," Ingrid said turning back to her. "I don't want to be someone who just steps on people. Even if it was a game, I didn't need to slam him into the floor hard enough to knock him out." Ingrid said, not confident but just stating her thoughts. "I could have just stopped him to see if he had any melons, I could have gently knocked him out with chemical or arcane. I could have just let him go. If I can't actively weigh my actions in a silly game, I can't be trusted to do it when it matters." Ingrid looked away, "During the brawl I kept calm until Ismette was kicked when she got knocked down. I almost lost it and was going to tear the boy in half. Luckily Ismette lost it before I did. But it's that I'm trying to correct." She just sighed after saying so much. "Didn't mean to say so much, I guess I'm stressed."
Zarina's lip quivered with Ingrid's response. Her arms loosed a little without fully unfolding, “Ah, I see. You're afraid that you're too extra. I would've thought an unstoppable frosty guy would've calmed that.” she looked as though she was chewing something, though her mouth was empty, “Well, I think they won't be offended. What you REALLY need is some self-control courses.” her eyes drifted toward the forked tower, “Ever thought of taking one of those?”
Ingrid didn't think much about Zarina knowing the Ice King visited her. If she sent him, then it still wouldn't matter. She wasn't strong enough even with the help of Hegelan drinks, she definitely isn't strong enough now. But it was something to keep note of.
But their was no time to ponder their connection, if their even was one. "The Ice King did indeed come by. How he would of calmed things I have no idea. He just came in and bullied everyone. If you mean to say that he had control, then I guess. It's easy to be in control when you are that strong. All he told me to do was essentially stop having to apologize and instead do better," Ingrid said as she leaned against the alley wall. It was obvious that the Ice King's words had an effect on her but it was unclear how much. Ingrid chuckled, "Do they have classes for self-control? I think I could use some."
“Uhm, by having you guys sit down and cool off. That tends to calm down hot-headed people.” Zarina cocked a brow and tilted her head, “So, wait. He told you to stop apologizing, and yet-” she snorted before shaking her head, “Y'know. I get this feeling you have a slight fixation on strength. I do, in another way, as well. But perhaps you should heed the King's words, Ingrid.” she started to seem a little more focused now with the chemicals in her body mellowing a tad, “Strength alone is not Justice- You can't solve everything with power. And in the end, power had nothing to do with how the Derby ended, even if I thought your little cabal with the winners was going to be detrimental to us all.”
"I have no reason to listen to the Ice King," Ingrid stated plainly. Ingrid quickly added, "I'm just considering his words. I still find apologizing to be useful. I'm not perfect and I know I will make mistakes whether I want to or not." She kind of rolled her eyes when she said strength alone is not justice, "I know that. And the whole thing with helping them wasn't really some grand plan, Jocasta tried to crush me as well remember. I had a few reasons but it really comes down to that me and Trypano have something going on and we said we would help each other. Completely opportunity base." She didn't say if she had a fixation on power. She wasn't completely sure yet.
“Uh-huh.” was Zarina simple response to Ingrid's stance on the subject. The eye roll in particular was responded with a half-lidded stare, “Well, thank you for coming all this way.” she twisted to look over at Marci, “I'm going to wish you a good night, Ingrid. The scary things that lurk in the Night will be coming out soon.” she snickered some, “I'll see you tomorrow. To kick your ass.”
"Night Zarina" Ingrid said as she waved goodbye.
She stayed in the alley trying to consider if what she did to Evander deserved an apology now. They way she acted to Evander wasn't even something that terrible considering what she could've done. Plus it wasn't like she was squishing a bug, she was squishing an intruder in her base. Anyone would do that. And from the way Zarra looked, they did.
If he seems to have issue with me and wants one, I can give it, Ingrid thought. But until then their is no need.
Ingrid looked forward to the Auction. She had planned a presentation with Zarra and Korin to help sell the dragon pearl. From what she knew, she could sell it off to someone for 5k magus. But in the Auction it could go for more! Ingrid felt confident as a salesmen. But it seemed her belief in herself was misplaced. Even with prove of it working, the species that can confirm it true led to it selling for 4k… She kept on a straight face and thanked Zarra and Korin. But she felt like she was about to puke when they left. That was a lot of money. She could accept even 250, no 500 magus below market value but a thousand was and impossible amount of money.
She could swear she could see her family staring at her as the numbers came in. Her friends laughing at her and the snickering of the crowd as she failed so publicly. She just wanted to go and bash someone's head in. In her manic state she started to scratch herself lightly before going to her trusted method of self-harm. A finger full of arcane energy placed her bare skin and burning herself in small but intense bursts of pain. When she could smell the skin burning she stopped and covered her shoulder back up under her dress.
She continued to the auction and it was fun! Much better than loosing face for failing to sell a dragon pearl. Much better than Failure. Much better. So she needed to so better in the auction. Each loss on something she wanted to win on hurt and each win was elated her. There some displeasures hearing Dory and Manfred flirt so much. She normally be able to hide her feelings but she couldn't and moved across the auction to sit next to Sven. He was a much better auction partner anyways. He was knowledgeable and filled her with these overwhelmingly fuzzy feelings when she let him bid as much as he wanted to go on a dragon date on a Tyrannus Mosiengus.
Ingrid was glad to have him as a friend. Sven was so bright and she liked to bask in it. Though she questioned what she added to the friendship, well enough to equal what she receives. 25 Magus was nothing if it was for him. But the final item came out and the tone of the Auction was about to change.
Sven spouted it was a rare artifact. He was sure. He never spouts things off like this unless he was sure. It was enough for Ingrid. The bidding was quickly climbing. To the point to where Ingrid was betting with speculative money. Desmond had joined in on this, lending 2k and the number climbed higher and higher and it was obvious they were against the endless purse of the Doge. It was that Evander fellow. He was connected to it from the start. Ingrid was approached by what seemed to be representatives of the Sovereign Pac. Sven was getting increasingly nervous and wanted out but Ingrid hated the idea of being beaten. It was her box and she wasn't letting no fucking bitch of the Doge get it. The price was so high that the auction was taken private and they were brought to the back room.
Money was calculated and things were weighed and the amount they were offered by their backers felt low, 21k. Ingrid decided to add 4k and Desmond added 2k for 27k. They won it and but over payed by 2k. It was upsetting but they had it. She felt strong. She won. And that is when the third group made their move. Ingrid remembers little from their but she came to a very different room. There was Covenant and the mystery people were defeated and they were being either tortured or questioned. Her box was with her but for how long. She was panicked. Her precious box, her 27k magus box was in danger and everyone could be a threat. The odd priest tried to make motions towards her as screaming could be seen and heard from the man caused by one of the brothers and one of the sister. She moved away and he tried to negotiate giving the box to Desmond. No he will steal it while it is being transferred. She threatened him to stay where he was as she hid next to Sven. Sven was safe. The brother had enough and knocked her out without even a struggle. All her strength she was told she had meant nothing. Why is she always failing. Why isn't she strong enough.
A beautiful, sky-blue vase from Engyu
You have all seen him at the festival, but Sir Jean-Claude has offered a very special prize of a night with his Tyrannus Monsieger. Enjoy the thrills of riding the largest tamed dragon with the legendary dragon rider himself. Finishing the evening enjoying a dinner where you can ask him any question from his adventures. Your one shot of spending the night with a real star.
The chunk of mineral appears to carry a decent weight and has a greenish gold tint to it. To the layman it looks like a piece of gold, but to a jeweler it's just pyrite. It feels heavier than it should be.
A lumpy green stone weighing about 2 pounds( Radium)
The next time she woke up she was in her Zeno's house with a welcoming smell of a warm mulled cider. She wanted some so bad that she only got up for that and came to notice the people around her. Some of shortlisted, Desmond, and Sven. She sipped some and tried to feel better. She wasn't in her right state of mind. She felt vulnerable with what happened and all these people were here. Desmond did his best to cheer her up and it did help but she still embarrassingly asked Sven to just stay with her. He felt safe for some reason, she just wanted to be safe.
Talks happened and Ingrid understood but she longed a certain girls company but she would obviously be with her lover… Sven shocked her with the idea of buying it themselves. It was stupid and stupid. One stupid didn't do it justice but she played ball because it was Sven. She knew this wouldn't pick up steam. She even called Benny in, Mostly to cuddle with him, and second to see what he thought. And he thought it was something they could do. And with that it was so. She couldn't believe it. Benny was off to do something that he wouldn't even let us do. She wanted to go with him, wherever but he was against it and he was gone. Her heart was left wanting but she could only accept this was his way of doing things.
Ghaven started inspecting it and Ingrid went out to search for jobs. No luck was found but she could think. Just a lot of questioning how things happened. What would happen. Just questions with not even speculation. And finally there was Silas, they boys she thought was dead.
Ingrid was wandering in the alleys when she sighted Silas. She saw him before the brawl going on but couldn't get to him with everything going on. She needs to apologize for kicking him so savagely during the Student Faire. She starts to jog over, calling out to him and waving.
For all the excitement of the day, the city was oddly quiet come dusk the evening after the melon derby. Silas's adrenaline was still pumping, unsatisfied with his performance and placement, he's decided to exercise out his frustration with a walk rather than return to the Zeno's quarters. The streets had emptied enough that he was able to recognise Ingrid from quite a distance, causing him to tense immediately. True panic began to set in when she began running towards him, sending flashbacks to the fountain at the Societies Faire. With a sudden great gust of kinetic energy Silas was six feet off the ground and clinging to the adjacent alley wall where he remained. She didn't seem aberration mad this time at least.
"Evening Ingrid," He'd underestimated her height and had to awkwardly shuffle his foot out of her reach when she finally stopped getting closer. Silas did his best to sound casual, but remained firmly perched on the wall. "Can I help you?"
Ingrid has no idea how to respond to someone jumping on a wall to keep away from her. It was... interesting. Ingrid decided to try and defuse the situation first, it was a little too odd to talk to someone hanging on a wall. "There is no reason to run Silas," Ingrid affirmed, "I just wanted to say sorry for what happened at the faire." Ingrid waited a moment and asked, "Do you think you can come down?" It was awkward and made it seem like she was about to beat him. She seem to look around quickly to see no one was watching.
"Hm" Silas considered. The derby was over, and if she wasn't enraged maybe he truly didn't have anything to fear. His hand and side slid against the brick until they were at eye level. "Apologise? To me?" A noble apologising proved a difficult concept to him, being more accustomed to getting chased down to give one himself.
"I did kick you," Ingrid said, "I hadn't seen you since then so I was excited when I did. Sorry for spooking you." Ingrid seems to be happy, ecstatic even that he was okay. Ingrid saw him as a good acquaintance after the Birfday thing. It was so much fun and she was dismayed when she believed she ended his life with a kick. "How are you doing though, did you have a fun time at the derby?"
"Quite hard." He nodded in a agreement, then shrugged at her question. "Didn't win." Was his curt, embittered response. It took only a thought and half moment for his attitude to flip to one of jovial excitement however. "Dragon's next though, and we have that one in the bag at least" He grinned widely, almost bouncing on his perch. "We're too fast to lose"
"Well, best of luck to you," Ingrid said. "I'm afraid that most of my team, myself included, are shitty runners," Ingrid couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Ingrid then said with a bit of fake confidence, "Who knows, maybe we will get lucky like in the derby."
Silas shook his head and finally lowered himself to the ground, making their size difference all the more pronounced. "Too tall not to be fast." He said with certainty. "You trying to make me go easy? Won't work."
"Nothing lucky about it either." He continued, barely take the time to breathe between thoughts. "Two tethered won't be much help in a race. Mozaru won't be first long. Only real worry is-" He stopped, apperently remembering that Ingrid was part of the conversation. "Yasoi said you ran into the ice King, ya?"
Ingrid raised an eyebrow, "Well we can always find out who is faster with a little foot race later," Ingrid said, hoping they might do it. She could use some exercise.
Ingrid set aside the idea of jojo just keeping people from going forth or worse, knocking them into the obstacles. "Yeah, it should help us with Mozaru having 2 tethered. And yeah I did. Why do you ask?" Ingrid asked.
"He the real deal?" Silas tilted his head, continuing the verbal back and forth but already sensing out potential race paths based on his knowledge of this city. "Kills everything in his path, scary serious, got more magic than you real?"
Ingrid seemed surprised, "I don't know about killing everyone but he was definitely scary. And had way more magic than me." Ingrid folded her arms and lightly rubbed one of her arms, "He knew things about me that he shouldn't. I just don't know about him." Ingrid shook her head like she was removing the Ice King from and started to think about where they should race. Something nearby might be nice.
Silas remained quiet for a moment, carefully considering her words, only to change the topic completely. "A race then yeah?" Just saying the words brought his energy back up to barely-contained levels, he shuffled his feet. "Blessed fountain to parade street? Will be curfew soon enough anyways." He didn't face her, but paid carefully attention to her reaction at the mere mention of breaking the rules. "Ought to have a wager for it too- bad luck otherwise."
"I guess the fountain was okay, I guess the curfew was getting close," Ingrid looked to the sky and made no other note of the curfew. "I love a good wager. Loser dunks the other in the fountain? Or are you thinking more in terms of Magus?" Ingrid asked as she rubbed her fingers together to signify money.
"One swim was enough thanks," He grimaced "and money is too boring. Pick something you really want." If he'd been after her coin he wouldn't have wasted time with asking, much less a race. "Like how I really want to pay a visit to The Society of the Gift."
"You want to go to the Society of the Gift? Can I ask why?" Ingrid asked. She could only ponder why he would want to go there. Maybe it was because they were excluded only to nobles.
Silas shrugged. "Maybe. If I win and you take me there. After the trails, so you know there's no funny business." He held up his hands in innocence. "But what do you want? It may not look like I got much, but most anything you can think comes through the Ersand ports, and I know my way around the night shift."
"That does interest me," Ingrid admit. "I been needing a way to get out at night. I'm not a member but I know I can get us in. Sure, let's race. Some rules talk though, no magic right?" She didn't assume but she didn't want to suddenly be blinded by light at the start of the race.
"No magic." He agreed. "No fighting neither, just speed." He motioned for her to follow the short walk to their starting line. "Count us down to a bang?" He suggested.
"Alright," Ingrid said as she started to stretch. This was getting exciting. Ingrid started to count down, "3... 2... 1..." suddenly thier was a bang in the air like she combusted something, "Go!"
Silas took off at a jog, it had been a long day and he wasn't terribly worried about losing to the noble girl. At least until he saw her running, full sprint past and ahead of him barely a block into the journey.
With a short curse Silas worked to pick up speed, but without the familiar push and pull of kinetic gift aiding him there was little hope for him to catch up to Ingrid's impossibly long strides. So he ducked left, towards the buildings north of the main street in hopes of finding a short-cut.
Instead he came across a blockade; damage caused by student during the derby had closed the path and left him with no choice but to return to the original track; even further than behind than before. His cheeks were burning by the time he arrived at the greens at Parade street, more from embarrassment than exertion. "Like I said, too tall to be slow." He offered his hand. "A trip to the port hold in owing."
Ingrid never looked back. She just kept running. This was a race. She like race. She made it to the fountain and she threw up her hands before taking a seat on the floor and heaving. She felt like she was drowning and felt light headed. She saw Silas and gave a small wave. "Thank Desmond, he's been training me and Zarra for weeks!" Ingrid said, owing everything to Desmond. Ingrid took his hand and used it to help herself up before saying, "Yeah, I need it to find a good date spot and who knows, I might learn something." She looked wobbly still from the run. "God you don't even look tired," Ingrid said with a mixture of disbelief and amazement.
"Training with Desmond?" Silas made a face of disgust. "No wonder you're tired if you've been waking the same hour as him." He let go of her hand and took a step back, using his senses to scan up and down the street as other students hurried to turn in for the night. "Good race Ingrid, and thank you- for the apology. But we've all felt the aberration effects before, you weren't exactly in control."
"Waking up that early isn't the worse since I would get us some coffee after. And it was a nice race, and no problem. Even If it wasn't in control, I should still have said it. You have a good night!" Ingrid said as she walked away.
It was fun to race a little. Her heart racing felt nice. Her winning felt better. She finally headed home. She didn't want to interrupt anyone. She didn't even want to talk to Dory, worrying that she may still unable to control her feelings. She wish she was better to talk to her. She really wanted to talk to someone. Maybe cry or let out her frustrations but she couldn't so she just went to bed. She just felt tired.
The sound of a nail falling onto metal ringed out and Ingrid awoke to put out the candle. Although the rest was rather short, Ingrid felt alright. Possibly a result from her mid day nap that Brother Ashe put her in. Whatever the case, she should make breakfast since she was up so early and people stayed up so late working. It was the least she could do.
She gently went room by room to extinguish the flames of their candles to stop their nails from waking them up. She thought about what to make for the Hegelans. Ingrid didn't want to serve them something as drab as skyr and oats. Ingrid thought to herself how to best impress her guests and she was reminded of the 'breakfast' pastries she was introduced to here. Maybe some pastries and a spread of different breakfasts would be enough for them. I should get Dory to help, Ingrid thought as she went to Dory.
Ingrid gently kneeled next to Dory as she still slept. It looked peaceful, like the world can just stop there. Seeing it made Ingrid let out a yawn as if she yearned to just go back to sleep as well but responsibilities of the hosts shouldn't be taken lightly. Ingrid lightly said, "Dory, Dory," before increasing her persuasion to gently shaking her shoulder. "Would you help me out with breakfast?" Ingrid asked.
Dory was shook awake by her Eskandish friend, a little bit cranky from having been woken up so suddenly. "Ingrid? What'ya want?" Her eyes perk open upon hearing her request. "You want to make breakfast?... Sure, let me get ready then." She replied, still somewhat sleepy.
"Thanks Dory, " Ingrid smiled as she stepped away, "I wanted to leave a good impression on them and I don't know a better baker than you." Ingrid walked down to the kitchen where they started cooking. "I think I will pull out the works for the hard work our team and they did yesterday. Plus with the whole music box, I want to leave them satisfied with us," Ingrid said as she rolled up her sleeves and began by preparing a few birds and prepping some veggies. Ingrid kept prepping as she talked, "Did you sleep well Dory?"
"I slept rather well!" Dory walked up to Ingrid, looking what she was preparing. "What are we preparing for everyone today?" She thought to herself for ideas of what might work well with it.
"Well, I guess a bit of everything?" Ingrid said, clearly going in blind. "If the event is as taxing as yesterdays, then a large morning meal will hopefully get our team through it and help Shortlisted." Ingrid started to put some of the smaller birds on a spit and started to roast them while turning, best way for an even cook and good color. Ingrid wiped her hands before starting a porridge of oats and ground nuts, "I can make a bunch of stuff but I think the best way to impress someone is a sweet pastry. They are so addicting."
"Sweet pastry? What kind do you have in mind?" Dory asked, instinctively grabbing for the flour. Soon she'd get a bit of a blush from embarrassment. "I doubt mine would impress that well."
Ingrid put the some almonds in a mortar and proceeded to pound them with the pestle, infusing it with just a touch of kinetic magic. "Hmm," Ingrid let out, "Well, this time of year is known for their fruits and berries." Ingrid stopped and rolled her eyes, recalling, "At least according to Sven. Grape dragons are out and in full force right now" Ingrid said through a chuckle. She decided to stop pounding for now and moved on to sifting the oats to make sure no rocks or other debris can be found it it.
"Seems you are fishing for compliments," Ingrid said jovially, "Not that I don't have plenty. For starter, your pastries are always well seasoned, just as sweet and salty as they need, I don't think their is a baker in town who has a better knowledge on how to use spratz, your pie fillings are always good and never too runny," Ingrid said in a dramatic fashion to tease her friend. "Plus," Ingrid added, "I have always enjoyed whatever you made so I think they are plenty to impress."
Dorothea let out a rather heavy sigh, trying to hide the embarrassment from the compliment.. "Fine fine, you've made your point. Any pastry you'd like me to make in particular? I can try to make them and if we don't have the ingredients... Then we'll just improvise!" She stood proudly, it seems the compliment did have some effect, even if she would never admit to it.
"Oh? Sven's a dragon lover? Haven't spoken with the lad lots, most I know about him is from you."
"He is indeed," Ingrid replied as she adjusted started to add the porridge ingredients to a pot. Ingrid continued, "In fact he is almost borderline obsessive." Ingrid sighed but smiled lightly. "When he starts to speak on his passions, it is like something changes with him. He speaks better, he is less reserved. I might even call him bold. I can't help but just want to stay and listen to him talk." Ingrid seemed to have caught herself before saying more. Now Ingrid seemed smidge annoyed, "But now that passion for dragons have gotten us into a weird situation," Ingrid said, completely skipping the fact that Sven actually said to her maybe they should back out of the box auction. Ingrid just leaned on the counter, weighing how much more she can say. They are trying to keep it on the secretive side but Dory was also Ingrid's best friend. She looked at Dory, "Do you want to know the situation? We are trying to keep it secretive but if you promise to keep it a secret I can let you in." Ingrid really did want to let Dory know but she was dating a Kerremand noble. Plus as much Ingrid hated to consider Dory for her cash. She might have a few thousand.
"Well, it's good that he has someone to talk his passions to!" The Feskan chuckled as she got a bowl from a cupboard, looking at the flour as she chugged it in without much thought. "Now for the other ingredients to match it!" Seems like she was already somewhat lost in her own world. "Keep what a secret?" Giggling as she grabbed some eggs. "Did your family betroth you to Sven all of the sudden due to his passion? But you know my mouth is sealed."
"No no no," Ingrid said as she waved away the thought of being betrothed to Sven all of a sudden. Ingrid sighed, "As much as I like Sven and he wouldn't be a bad partner. My family wants to marry me off for a good price. Unless his family is offering to be absorbed by mine, I doubt they would even consider it. But that's not the point."
Ingrid went over next to her and watched Dory work her magic. "During the auction we somehow got pulled into a bidding war between Revidia and Eskand," Ingrid said as she rubbed her arm nervously. She let out a heavy sigh, "Anyway, Sven wants to buy the artifact we bought by ourselves to keep it out of any nations hand." Ingrid weighed how much she should say and just decided to trust Dory. "It's an artifact that would allow us to control one of the most powerful dragon. An item that could swing the war so far that it could make a weak nation stand a chance against a strong one through sheer force," Ingrid said, stressing the importance of this item. Ingrid continued, "And instead of handing it over to any nation, Sven wants to gather funds to buy it ourselves."
Dory looked somewhat afraid from hearing the story from Ingrid. "You tried to get into politics with Revidia? Have you lost your mind?" Her expression calmed somewhat after thinking a bit more on the topic. "How much do you need?. . . Please don't tell me it's a lot. . ." She might have already caught on why she was even told about this.
Dory's response was very justified and all Ingrid could say was, "Possibly." She tried to keep her nervousness hidden but what happened at the auction house was still fresh in her mind. "It is a lot of money." Ingrid had a lot of pride in herself. She has never asked for help from anyone at the school. Especially nothing financially. But what they are trying is insane. She never wanted to use a friendship for money, especially not Dory. She seemed to struggle saying it but it eventually came out. "The cost is 27 thousand Magus..." Ingrid has nothing left to say.
"27 thousand Magus?... What do you have as an idea to gain all of that?..." She might get a bit harsh but it truly is a lot. "I do need to know that it truly is worthy to invest into it, you understand that?" She cracked some eggs into the bowl, putting some spratz into it soon after.
Ingrid felt she was choking up. Their was no proper reason to invest in this. Dory wasn't one to just throw money for nothing in return.
She knows that Kerremand isn't siding with Eskand and Perrance so Ingrid knows that she could levrage that if Eskand gets this. Kerremand would be the first place to fall and would lead to Manfred being potentially a fallen noble or dead if they recall him. Ingrid could easily phrase it that Feska is so small that they would most likely conquer it in a matter of days to be safe and have full access to the lake. But all of those could easily be seen as threats.
She felt sickened that those thoughts were her first come up in this talk. Maybe it was just realistic to think this way. Dory most likely doesn't know that Eskand will side with.
"Dory," Ingrid said with some concern, "If we do not pay this by ourselves, Eskand will take it for themselves." Ingrid placed a hand on Dory's shoulder, "Eskand is hungry for blood." Ingrid leaned in to whisper, attempting to dampen sound around them to try to keep this as secret as she could, "And for the first time in a thousand year, it isn't Parrench blood they are after." She couldn't say any more.
"For the investment, this is to try and make a stand against the politics that bind us. The norms that has us going to be married off like Ayla. This is just the price of pursuing change. I'm not asking you to do this. If you want to do this, you can. If you don't, I won't blame you."
Hesitation hit her as the thoughts of the destructive power of such a thing if true would be catastrophic. It is a lot of money but leaving it to a war hungry people might not be the best. "Then who are the Eskandr after this time if not the Perrench?" Perhaps playing dumb might be best in a situation like this, she loved her friend to death but she does need to milk out a bit more information before coming to a conclusion.
"Would that really help change the world's politics? . . . I doubt it can change the engraved ideas in nobles that's been there for ages. . ." She hated what happened at the party, however there isn't much there is she could do. Events of the morning, goodbyes with allied teams;
Ingrid could not say more without saying who the Eskandr was going for without saying it directly. Ingrid could only hope that Dory could put the connection together.
"Who knows," Ingrid said. "I still have my doubts about this. But I want the world to change. And this might be my way of doing it without having to give up the things I want to give up the things. I just want to be idealistic at least one." Ingrid tried to think of her words carefully. "I came to ask you because you are my friend. If that is not enough than I understand and It won't change anything between you and me. I will still be on your side and love you as I did before." It was awkward but Ingrid chose to break off with, "I should go get some coffee for us" and left.
Ingrid's head was a mess. So many conflicting thoughts and an overwhelming feeling that she is going to make the wrong choice. If I really don't hand this over, how long will it be that my father or grandfather marries me off? Or who knows, maybe it will disgrace me enough that he just cuts his losses on me and I will just owe him money. How many more Eskandish soldiers will die because I didn't give the box. Would I even be allowed in Eskand.
Sven seems so sure of this. Does he have a plan if his family is sieved or striped of their land because of his choices. My family is large enough to not be removed but Sven's... I need to talk to him before it is too late.
Then there is how I acted at the auction house. I acted like a total nutjob in retrospect. Threatening a member of the church who was just trying to make sure we were okay. Ingrid cringed remembering how she acted towards him. You can't just threaten someone
I would just take a single day of not fucking up. I hope todays trial goes well.
Ingrid made her way to her dorm first to grab the glass ware needed to bring so much coffee, cream, and sugar back with her. She came into the coffee house, Zeno Bucks, carrying all the things she needed. Like many others, she came with a big order. "Morning, I need 10 large coffees, 15 servings of cream, 15 serving of honey and sugar," Ingrid said with a smile.
Another day, another Magus to snag from the kids who didn't have anywhere else to get quick and tasty coffee, plus pastries, “That will be five Owls. Yep, thank you for choosing Zeno Bucks~” Zarina is manning the kiosk at this time, ensuring every coin is properly stored before treating the next customer - there are so many, far more than the stall could handle! Then comes Ingrid, and at first the business owner didn't actually realize it is her, “Welcome to Zeno Bucks, how may I serve you today?” and then came the familiar voice along with quite the outrageous order. Zarina cocks a brow, “Woah, woah, Ingrid, you're killin' me here!” she humorously replied, but got right to serving, “Feeding the entire gang or something? Also, by cream you mean milk? We only have milk.” she sucked in her cheek while pouring in a cup, “Got any cups of your own, by the way?”
Ingrid set down her tray of cups and pitchers, "For my team and our guests. We paired with the Hegelans and they were real fun to play with. We were up pretty late and I want to get us all ready for the day," Ingrid explained why she came with such a big order. Ingrid shot out a sudden reply, "Oh yeah, milk, sorry. Tired," like she processed it a few seconds late.
Ingrid yawned and decided to do some small talk, "How's your dragon egg going?" to Zarina. She was genuinely interested because as much as she reads about dragon care, she can't help but worry over her little egg.
“Sounds like bad sleep.” Zarina tilted her head and cocked her brows, “Not a position to envy before a race. Luckily you've got me.” cup after cup, the order was being filled, “15 orders of cream ... Do you just want your coffees made with milk?” during the downtimes the Virangish shopkeeper whistled a little tune, “Large servings sizes? Both? So, like, thirty servings?” she supported her weight with a single hand whilst she dangled her sugar spoon with the other, “Gonna need to be more thorough, love. Maybe take a sip.”
The second subject was tackled, prompting Zarina to look a little more alert. She nodded, “They're both doing well, actually.” she took a bite from a brioche slice, a bit of brain food as she let her mind wander a little, “Signed them up in DRAGON, got my license, also got a bed for the little shits when they hatch. Egg life is goooood.” she smirked, “You sure you don't wanna get some breakfast with that? Like, you don't wanna run on an empty stomach.”
"More like I had a forceful nap and my sleep schedule got a bit out of whack," Ingrid said, not really wanting to go into detail about that. "You know probably, coffee can have be quite bitter the first time around. But I'm sure that with what the Hegelens drink, I think they could down burnt and cold coffee without batting an eye," Ingrid said then taking a sip of it. Ingrid nodded, "Definitely 30 servings of milk, I think Zarra and Dory would cry if they had it with less."
Ingrid nodded along to Zarina as she started to get out the money she needed for the order. "No thank you," Ingrid responded, "I actually am making breakfast for both teams at home, its the least I could do." Ingrid got surprisingly chipper, "Dory is making some of her spratz baked goods so I think I will save my appetite for that." Ingrid connected back to the conversation about dragons, "I actually ended up with a dragon egg somehow. If it wasn't for Sven I would have been raided by D.R.A.G.O.N. I didn't know the first thing about dragon raising so Sven is helping me raise it." Ingrid seemed to be reminiscing about something as a smile came to her face. She let out a small chuckle, "I swear he finds spending time with egg more enjoyable then when we hang out. A little dragon nerd." Ingrid's face went to a more serious one as she started to sip from the finished cup, "Sven has been getting more and more worried about dragons being taken for the war efforts. That and the actual toll of a war." Ingrid was paying close attention to how Zarina responded to see if she should go further.
“You know what?” Zarina stopped her pouring and prepping, instead downright got extra cups to fill them with the appropriate amounts of sugar and honey each, while she downright provided a liter of milk to go with it all. It was a lot to carry, “You may as well just get the bulk option, so they can figure out what they like.” Then came the amount to pay, and it definitely wouldn't be cheap. “Y'know, as an investor, you should definitely shill our pastries to the foreigners.” she shrugged with a sassy smirk, “Just sayin'.”
“Actually,” she snapped her fingers to get the glasses girl's attention, “before we get knee deep in other stuff. That Dory doll. She's your friend, yeah? I'd like to meet her proper.” the last few cups were filled and all of it was presented neatly, although those in line were getting a bit cranky, “Business opportunity. I'm getting fuck all ideas to get spratz here without absurd tariffs.”
Back to eggs, which unfortunately couldn't come with the breakfast, “Ahhh, getting your own little shit too, huh? And with Sven? Ooohhh la la!” she shot a toothy grin with her very sassy tongue coming out to say hello, “Making a nest so soon. I like it. With a keeper too. Daddies supposedly get SUPER hot as they get older.” she took a sip of her own coffee and continued, “Anyway,” she clears her throat after taking maybe a bit too many sips, “Dragons being used? What, did someone say you had to draft yours or something?” she furrowed her brows, “Sounds kinda illegal in this city.”
"Bulk option it is then," Ingrid agreed as she held onto her coffee like it was the only thing keeping her going right now. Ingrid knew she shouldn't buy the pastries but buying could put Zarina in a better mood since she refused on Zarina's first pitch. I should give her what she wants to put her in a better mood. Ingrid shrugged with a smile, "Your right," She pointed to the Brioche, "the brioche is hear is delectable and freshly baked. That isn't something you can just make in an hour or 2. 10 slices please." Ingrid knew that in the grand scheme of things this was a drop in what they needed and even more so if this could give us a better chance on getting more contributors, then it was worth the chump change.
Ingrid figured that Zarina would want to make some connection with Dory eventually, I could introduce them but Ingrid wanted herself to be there. Ingrid smiled lightly, "I think I can arrange that." Normally she would bring up that as Zarina put it she was only part of this for her money and it would cost her to use her for her connections but their was no need to bring it up when you plan on asking for help. Ingrid thought that the dragon talk would be toward raising a dragon. And as such saying her and Sven are making a nest was a quick way to get Ingrid very red with embarrassment. Ingrid begun to talk quick, "I mean. It's not like that! I mean he does have his good sides but he is just a friend. You know that friend you've known forever and stuff. He like loves dragons and animals so I thought it be fun..." Ingrid became aware that her trying to quickly explain the situation while being utterly flustered made her look so guilty. Then there is the fact that apparently Sven bridal carried her home yesterday. She took a breath and switched to the dragons, "It is more than that. He is worried that innocent animals will be sent to die in a war. Pulled from their habitats and tamed to kill people and then die," Ingrid said. "He thinks that our nations are going to find a way to take the dragons. But he has a way to stop it. You should come talk to us if you want to know more about his thoughts. Got to protect your little shitter right?" Ingrid said. With Zeno Bucks hosting so many people she couldn't say anything outright but she could hopefully peak Zarina's interest.
“Good, goooood.” Zarina grinned and got to it: A whole pound of brioche to go with another half of a loaf, making for a dozen instead. It made it more practical overall. The sweet bread was still hot, clearly made today right from Pumpernickel, “Veeeerrrrry good.” she adds with a lyrical tone to the potential Dory meetup. Spratz were soon going to be at an arm's reach.
“Yeah. Childhood friend. Grows to be a fine man. School sweetheart ...” oh the teasing wasn't ending with some forced snickers here and there, and Zarina was not oblivious to the cues. Although as the pleasantries died down for a more somber subject, Zarina's features loosened too and her posture straightened a little more, “I mean, I'm gonna be real with you,” she whipped out a few churros to add as freebies to the order, “I'd be the first one to give a shit about those creatures. But I mean, this is just as applicable to people. I don't recall many bumpkins being enthusiastic over being cannon fodder.” she crossed her arms, slightly challenging Ingrid's initial idea, “Oh I'll protect my little shitters alright, but this is sounding like you wanna stop war altogether.” she clicked her tongue and paused briefly to muse the notion.
And then she sighed, “I'm of the not-so-optimistic idea that if two people remained in this world, Vashdal bless them, one would end up killing the other.” the Virangishwoman peered down for a moment, only for the whiny customers at the back to bring her back to reality, “I don't think we'll ever stop folks finding ways to kill one another, whether it's through animals or pseudo-slaves.” she sucked in her lips and grit her teeth a little, “But- Fine, I'll bite. If only for the big lizards.”
Ingrid tried to play towards the dragon aspect from her lack of insight into Zarina's priorities. Many people she has met sees war as part of the natural cycle and should be enjoyed when it comes. Ingrid couldn't know what Zarina's opinion was but she was happy that she didn't. It let Zarina show her priorities and her values. Ingrid felt more assured that Zarina was a good start. And she seems to realize the situation more than Dory. Ingrid seemed excited getting a few free pastries, "Thank you!" Ingrid said implying it to both the pastries and her giving her a chance. She lifted the tray of drinks and pastries with relative ease, it was obvious that she was practicing drawing the weight away from things.
Ingrid carried the coffee back and had a good sendoff to their hegelan friends. One day Ingrid will go to their home to drink with them. Ingrid was just happy she made what she thinks a good impression on some jolly folk.
Ingrid spent time by herself getting ahead on studies and read some more of her favorite books. That is about it. Just the nerd reading by herself.
Snaked and Afraid matched with Ismette's cousin team, Vysta's Favour. It just made sense and they went over who went where. Ingrid didn't mind pairing up with Chad, he was hot and fun to be around. Just that kind of person if you can deal with him. Ingrid somehow convinced him to search with her even when he was solidly no. Now Ingrid needs to get Chad and his friends to an Eskandish Party after the Dragon. Should be easy enough. Eskandish know how to party with the best of them.
The dragonspine was as beautiful as ever and Ingrid has a worrying amount of time to admire them… The cold was nice. It was home. It's like it just took some of the stress away. She was going to have fun. She needed it to avoid cracking.
The drinking with the Hegelans came to an end as the Melon Derby start was approaching. As the plan was explained by Desmond, Ingrid listened to the plan and it seemed agreeable. Ingrid, Ismette, Dory, and Dorisay were to stay and set up really strong defense from the start. Any melons that would come in would stay there. It was possibly not the best plan with 3 of the 5 biggest RAS on the team were all on base defense. But Ingrid thought this made more sense for her. She is likely to tire out and she isn't a free castor so defense suited her more.
Hour 1
At the very start of the games the teams took off with Zarra going off on his own trying to nab high value melons. What wasn't to the defense group was that Ismette teleported him and herself out. The idea was going to revolve on making the place sealed off and using her power to get in and out with ease but no matter she was already gone. Ingrid helped melt the metal latchings on the windows to seal them from kinetic opening taking into account of the hegelans skill with metal. She hung plates and pottery in the air to make it a shitty situation for whoever comes in. Ingrid was quite satisfied with the job Dorisay and Dory had been doing. She ended up soaking up some rope in kerosine and icey brine.
Hour 2
However, Ingrid grew anxious just waiting for the other's to bring the melons. Ingrid trusted the competency of Desmond but the other's not so much.Were they getting any? Are they already knocked out? Came to her mind as she prepared for a bit more defensives. Without Ismette, Ingrid's absolute defense of fire and ice would just be too much for their own team to get in. Ingrid justified leaving through this lens and left, now like there was anything to steal.
Ingrid flew up feeling for the first time her new power, her range was slightly larger and she felt boundless in drawing. She just closed her eyes for a minute and just felt this new power. It was amazing. She couldn't even use her own to its own potential but this power made it feel impossible to fail. She blasted off to the Owl Obelisk, a land mark she could easily make out from the sky. Although the flight was still unrefined, she didn't care because when combined with her Arcane Eye, a spell that zooms in on things she focuses on, she could get all sorts of goodies. A hundred pointer here, another one there, a dark melon hiding away. Ingrid saw a small nikanese girl taking a 100 pointers and she simply flew by and nabbed it. The girl seemed angry but Ingrid was riding the high of doing so well. 800 points! If I keep this up I might not even need an elemelon! Ingrid thought in her achievement based high! But what about the supreme, could I find it? Ingrid thought. She was on a roll so maybe. I really should be getting home though, the other's may have come back by now and we might have melons now…Ingrid pondered for a few moments until she has a great idea in her head. The Clamshell! It might be there. I should look just in case. And Ingrid blasted out to their again with her melons in tow.
She arrived and there was nothing. Not even a 10 pointer. A complete bust that she should of coming, that would be the same as Hugo just saying "hey, take the win" But it seemed as she flew up to stay away from the chaos down below she saw something interesting.
Hour 3
From her bird's eye view, she could see her former captain and now team leader Desmond drowning in water. At first she was confused but from the people chasing him it was the Watermelon! Some nun threw an arcane lance at Desmond and Ingrid flew down to hopefully scare them off. Normally she wouldn't do this but she wanted to scare them real good. She converted the light around her into that penetrating radiation and filled the nun with it, causing her to weaken and puke. She hoped they would recognize her strength but instead this weird priest tried to affect her in some way. She wasn't sure how but it was creepy. Ingrid was about to start smashing him but they retreated when Desmond made it in the base with the melon. Ingrid let out a sigh of relief, knowing in her heart that she wouldn't be able to win against them without possibly getting disqualified from accidently losing control.
Ingrid spotted the beam of light earlier. But she was more worried about getting the melons to the base than just blasting off. Ingrid dropped them off and she could see a lot of people there so without much talk she blasted off again. This time seeing quite a few people. What decided who she would go for was helping Trypano and messing with Zarina. She flew down before the fight even started with the intention of knocking her out with some radiation. Who knows, she may even have some diseases from working at Zeno bucks so much. You never know, Ingrid thought as she snickered. But before she could get down there, Kol wannabe snatched the melon and it lit up!. Now she had to grab it for Trypano. Lots of things happened but mostly Ingrid wasn't involved. She just lucky to have the time to grab the melon from when one of Zarina's goons got knocked out. Good, I can give the melon to Trypano! Ingrid thought before a sudden weight was placed on her and brought her down to a kneel. It was a tethered, maybe Jocasta… Ingrid held strong and defended it from Zarina, knocking her out in the process, and Yuliya. She could finally hand it off to Trypano and saying something slightly cheeky to Yuliya before going off again.
Hour 4
The short flight back to the base was long, the place where the light came from was full of determined teams and they weren't about to let Ingrid just get through when she was just heading directly to her Zeno's abode. When Ingrid got there, her house was damaged and there was like 3 people in her base that have no reason to be there. Ingrid smashed someone into the floor, thinking he was running away with potentially their high point melons. Then there were apparently Ismette's family and they seem to be on bad terms. Lots of things happen and nothing much at the same time. Odd magic was being slung and even a demon was spawned and then removed. Ingrid handled it well, it was just another magic, probably not okay but hey, she been chemo-ing people all day so, whatevs. Zarra just noped out of there which was funny but very inopportune. And that is when a cold wind could feel.
Cold started to set in and Ingrid wasn't too sure what was going on but Ingrid was she was prepared for a fight. But as the wall began to eerily unravel, meticulously deconstructing and holding it aloft as he calmly walked in. If this wasn't a competition Ingrid would almost be taken away by the majesty of it. Unfortunately they were competitors and he just entered her house. Ingrid acted quickly, grasping at him with open palm and chanting in Eskandish "Warm milk and honey, sleep gently child." It was an easy chemical spell that she was used on her whenever she would have a hard time sleeping as a child. But it had no effect. The Ice King simply walked up to her and set a hand on her shoulder. She didn't use magic because she was well aware of his strength. If he wanted hurt her, he would. His presence was oppressing. And seeing how he quickly dealt with everyone there was terrifying. Hugo has to step in and she couldn't be happier. Everyone had left and she could breathe again. But where was Dory?
Hour 5
Ingrid apologized for leaving so long to Dorisay, she seemed to get messed up a good bit fighting by herself. Ingrid went on the defensive for the remaining hour. She felt that they had a good chance of coming top 10 if they could hold on to what they have earned. She was against sending more people out since Zarra already ran out and Dory was nowhere to be found. But the final hour was a lot less hectic as the 2 before. Maybe with 6 of us here it made it too dangerous to do it. It gave Ingrid to reflect on how the Ice King knew all of that. Who was he? Why was he so strong? Ingrid wanted you know but her mind pushed those to the side as she felt a kind of jealousy and guilt pertaining to Dory. She left her here when she should've pushed for Dory to go out and have some fun, Ismette was right and this was a game and instead she treated it so seriously that she let an oppressive plan take hold. Ingrid herself even broke it without thinking of Dory, they could have left with her and the 3 of them could have had some fun. No she was with Manfred, someone she doesn't approve of because of how lightly he treated their relationship, being vacant when she needed help the most. But here he was, sweeping her away for some fun. Dory returned with some melons and seemed happy. Ingrid just put away those ugly feelings, she had no reason to have them.
A few days have passed since the second day of the fair and Ingrid has not made any progress in much other than her schoolwork. She hasn’t apologized to Dorothea or Manfred for trying to kill them when she went aberration mad. Ingrid would like to say she was anguished over what she had done to Dorothea but in all honesty, she was more caught up in trying to process the event as a whole. What happened with Dorothea was just part of that. But soon guilt outweighed the other issues on her mind and she wanted to make amends with Dorothea.
Ingrid didn’t want to admit it but she worried if making amends were even possible. Most people can’t simply forgive someone coming for their life, especially nobles. Even Ingrid doesn’t know if she would be capable. Ingrid pessimistically thought that the best would be that they would at least work together at the trials but that would be the extent of their relationship.
She had brought over some wine and the normal paraphernalia. Along with some spratz and snacks to replace what she used last time she was over, not being sure anymore that her using Dorothea’s own was okay anymore. Ingrid brightened herself up to try not to earn sympathy. She wanted them to speak equally, and with that, she knocked on Dorothea’s door.
“Coming!” Dorothea opened the door with a bright smile before looking at the person standing in front of her. Her smile disappeared into a bit of a straight face as she was somewhat confused for the appearance of the Eskandr girl. “Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”
Dorothea changing mood at the sight of Ingrid gave her valuable insight into how this might go. Ingrid gulped, “Hello Dorothea, I wanted to know if you wanted to talk. I brought some wine and snacks,” Ingrid presented the fine bottle of wine. A sweet one at that.
Dorothea let out a somewhat heavy sigh before pointing towards her room. “Come in. I will keep the bottle even if this won’t lead anywhere.” She walked back into her own room before looking back at Ingrid. “Be sure to close the door.”
Okay, you are through the door Ingrid, that is a good start, Ingrid thought then smiled when Dorothea turned. Ingrid shut the door behind them and followed Dorothea. Ingrid had been in here not too long ago yet somehow it seems slightly alien now that their relationship had been strained or cut. She set the bottle down and waited to see what Dorothea wanted to say first.
Dory would look at the bottle before crossing her arms and looking Ingrid into her eyes with a soul piercing stare. “What did you want to talk about then? Better make this good, miss fireball” Dorothea might try and get the true intentions out or she is just still bitter from the faire.
Her stare was quite intense and it was effective at the moment with how Ingrid currently felt. Ingrid took a breath out and tried to maintain eye contact, “I wanted to apologize Dorothea. I know I put you in harm's way but I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Ingrid tried to continue eye contact but she was facing someone that she hurt and it was becoming growingly difficult
Dorothea couldn’t help but sneer at the apology. “Didn’t mean to hurt me? Then what do you call that blazing inferno heading towards me? A nice ball to warm me up?” There wasn’t a moment that she lost eye contact with the other as she walked towards her.
Ingrid had secretly hoped that Dorothea would be more forgiving but it made sense. “I know that you have every reason to be upset but I wasn’t myself. I was momentarily insane” Ingrid stepped back as Dorothea got closer. Ingrid was nervous and started to panic but kept it tightly wrapped up.
No words phased the Feskan any longer as she just kept on slowly walking toward Ingrid. Those eyes almost seem to be hate filled. “So many words and I have yet to hear what you want to say to me.” Now practically leaning against the taller woman with intent for violence. “Say it!”
Ingrid had rarely been hit outside of sparring but she was growing from nervous to fearful. Ingrid was up against the wall now with Dory still approaching. Ingrid let out one last, “I came here to apologize!” Ingrid held her arms up to protect herself, believing Dory would assault her because that was the reason she came and she already said it.
With a sigh, Dorothea lunged her fist into the other’s gut. “For someone so smart... You’re an idiot..” As the fist was still making contact Ingrid could feel the Feskan shaking. “Such a damned idiot sometimes..” Dory walked away towards her bed. “A simple sorry would’ve been enough..”
Ingrid had been hit in the stomach and it hurt. She didn’t want to fight back, not yet. As Dorothea moved away, Ingrid stayed where she was, no longer making eye contact anymore. Ingrid looked towards the door, wondering if she should leave and it didn’t take long for her to decide. Ingrid gave a slight bow, “Thank you for hearing my apology… I’ll be on my way.” Ingrid started to leave for the door.
Dorothea in a moment of panic threw her cloak towards the Eskand woman. “Don’t you dare leave!... You have to pay me back for burning my cloak.” a heavy voice rang through the room. “Listen here, I just want you to say one damn word. Are you that noble to say it to me plainly?” Dorothea asked with an anguished look. Why did she have to be so damn formal? They are friends, right?
Ingrid overreacted to the coat being tossed at her and smacked it to the side. She was just trying to leave. Dorothea was getting more and more aggressive and if this continued then they would actually have to fight. Ingrid tried to keep her voice steady but it was a pitiful attempt at best with her voice getting quieter, “If you want me to pay you back for the coat, I will. If you want me to pay you back for the spratz I used, I will. But I don’t know what else you want. I apologized, I brought a gift, I even let you berate and hit me but if none of that can satisfy you then I don’t know.” her voice was trembly, with just a small drop of anger in it.
"I don't care about the monetary part of it all! Paying me back is by just being here! I want to see you smile, you imbecile!" Dory's facade couldn't withstand Ingrid's trembling voice. Did she go too far? "Ingrid… I knew you were under the influence of Aberration madness… I.. know what it's like… I was never mad at you for that… because it was my choice to try to restrain a girl way out of my league." A little chuckle came from the Feskan. "You would've gotten me good if not for Manfred saving me." She knew she was starting to wander off with her words and sighed. "My dearest friend. Don't be fancy with your words, just say sorry once and I will give you something for that punch."
Ingrid was still fearful but she was calming with Dorothea easing her beratement. “Sorry, Dorothea,” her voice was distant still, from either how Dorothea got so enraged by a proper apology to the fact she had struck her. Still, she put these feelings away. Ingrid just stood there waiting for whatever Dorothea was going to say next.
Dorothea sneakily stood back up. “Then close your eyes, otherwise I can’t give you the thing!” She said in a fake angered voice as she walked towards the Eskand woman. Her regret from her act might have taken quite the toll on her.
Ingrid was not yet trusting of Dory but she still closed her eyes because she wanted to leave and playing along was hopefully the best way of doing that.
After a few more footsteps Ingrid could feel a couple of arms coming around their waist. “I’m sorry for hitting you… I did not mean to hurt you..”
Ingrid thought that a hug may have been coming knowing how Dorothea can be, and it wasn’t welcomed at the time. It was like a child profusely apologizing after doing something wrong but Ingrid knew rejecting Dorothea’s apology would only sour their relationship further. Ingrid embraced Dorothea, saying “It’s alright, I should have came by earlier” in a much warmer tone with some unsteadiness in the background to give it a more natural feel.
“I was the one that should be sorry. I tried to restrain you.” She truly did not know what to do any longer but losing Ingrid as a friend was not something she could take. “I know I acted out. But you’re the only person that has even tried to put up with someone like me.” Her voice couldn’t help but become somewhat shaky.
Ingrid was somewhat confused, maybe the intense emotions have gotten to her but she just feels out of it. Dorothea needed comforting and Manfred, her supposed boyfriend, never seemed to be around to do so. I know that Dorothea can be a little much but that doesn’t mean you only date when the time are good. But what do I know, I’m not privy to their relationship status, Ingrid thought this as she decided it was time for action.
“Up we go,” Ingrid said as she lifted Dorothea and then carried her to the bed. Ingrid laid her down gently, “Dorothea I thank you for trying to stop me. Without your assistance, I would have maimed or even killed someone.” Ingrid laid next to her, still facing her, “And your not someone I put up with, your someone I enjoy. You think you would still have all your teeth if I didn’t?”
“Well, then at least I almost died for something.” Dorothea snorted as she didn’t let go of Ingrid, somewhat nuzzling in their frame. “You really know how to make me feel better, huh? I rather like keeping my teeth after all. But I do not think that I would’ve only lost my teeth if you really did not like me.” A somewhat teasing poke into the side of the Eskand woman. “I think I would be ash by that point, miss prodigy.”
Ingrid held onto the Feskan girl, letting Dorothea rest on Ingrid if she wished, “I don’t think I am that much of a prodigy, Maybe in RAS but their was so many things I realised that I cannot do.” Ingrid seemed reserved is speech before continuing, “Maybe things I shouldn’t try to do. We are young Dorothea, we have so much to do and learn.” Ingrid said it like she was suddenly an old person. “Anyway,” Ingird moved her hand up to Dorothea’s face, “Did I leave any marks on you?”
Dorothea smiled warmly. “Only a couple light burn marks. My cloak took most of the burn.” She looked the other in the eyes. “Yes but Ingrid.. You have so much that you can do in the future. You might even be able to rule over your home Eskand!”Dory was thinking big like usual before going back on her words. “Or maybe become like a great atomic mage.”
Ingrid caressed her cheek and smiled with relief, “Thank Oraff that pretty face was saved or Ipte would have sent me to hell.” Ingrid seemed wrapped in thought before speaking, “I would like to say that I would settle for just a simple life with a few loved ones but I tend to find my greed pushing me forward. Maybe thinking big wasn’t that bad,” Ingrid said before asking Dory her goals, “What of you Dory, do you plan on taking over Feska?”
"Pretty face? I don't think I look all that nice for a noble." She could barely contain her glee from such a comment. "Greed is a good way to push yourself forward. Think big, dream big!" Dory's smile faded as she heard the question. "I just want my people to live better lives…"
Ingrid chuckled, You’re easy to read Dory, Ingrid thought. It wasn’t a bad thing, not here at least. Ingrid could sympathize with Dory, “That is indeed a big goal. Quite an ambitious one too.” Ingrid wasn’t sure what to say. Dory was usually so meek that Ingrid didn’t believe that the current her could lead a country in the future. But Dory had also done a kindness to Ingrid, even if it was rocky and a tad violent. So she pulled Dory in closer and sighed, “An ambition like that needs allies to achieve it, so let me just say that as a friend I will be there when you call.” Ingrid was quite embarrassed, blushing even. Dory had her flaws but they were on display, she even could open up at times when Ingrid had desperately hid herself. She had a strength that Ingrid didn’t, she just needed to mature in Ingrid’s mind.
“Allies?...” Dory’s voice was wavering somewhat at the thought of it. Until now she has thought she was all alone in her goal, never involving others as she thought nobody would take her seriously. After thinking about it a bit, she couldn’t help but snort. “I didn’t think the trade heavy Penderson’s would help me ruin the trade balance in the whole southern continent.” Dorothea pulled herself closer as the other pulled her closer. “But thank you… I really needed to hear that.”
Trying to assuage Dory of the uncertainty, “My family deals more in ores, metals, and gems than we deal in luxury goods such as spratz.” Dory and Ingrid were very close, like physically. It was a bit intimate for Ingrid’s liking if she wasn’t going to do anything else. “Besides,” Ingrid said, “I’m learning that not everything needs to be purely profitable.”
“Not everything needs to be profitable? What do you mean?” The mercantile mind of the Feskan tried to comprehend the comment her friend just said. Not profitable? How would that be a good thing? “Well, if I rule Feska I can involve your family more in the trade of Spratz.”
“What do you think this is?” Ingrid asked sarcastically, “I could be friends with you without having to be here for you. But I want to. You can say that this is networking but I don’t see it as that” Ingrid was a bit more blushed, “I’m here with a friend, intimately cuddling her for no other reason than because I want to.”
“Because you want to? So you don’t want anything from me?...” This truly is the first time she heard something like that. “So you aren’t going to use me for my claims or name?....” She clung onto Ingrid like a scared child, seems like she really had to mature in some places.
Ingrid could see Dory had been taken advantage of like most noble girls. She put her head to Dory’s, “Let me state this one final time. I am and have never been here for your name or for your claim. I see you as a friend.” Ingrid was making eye contact, pulling just inches from her face, “So do not doubt that Dory.”
It was still somewhat hard to believe her words but since Ingrid was her best friend and if she does not try to believe her… who would she believe? "Then I will try my best to believe you… I'm sorry if I'm still a bit doubtful…"
“Thank you,” Ingrid replied sincerely. “I know how hard it can be to trust. Besides, I can’t be the only one you trust, you are dating Manfred,” Ingrid was trying to hide that she was interested in their relationship. The why was a question though.
"Well, I trust Manfred… but I do not know if I'm ready yet to tell him everything.." She smiled brightly at Ingrid. "That's why I have you! I can tell you everything!"
Ingrid smiled, “Of course.” Ingrid felt an internal oof and moved on. Ingrid continued to talk to her about all the random things.
"You really are the best, you know?" She couldn't help but laugh. "If Manfred did not need me so much… I think I would have completely fallen for you." She tightened her grip. "Just don't tell anyone else I said that, okay?"
Ingrid kept that outward smile and thought on the inside, Oh god Dory, why do you tempt me so? Ingrid raised an eyebrow, “Are your people not that accepting of a woman loving another woman?” Ingrid was curious.
Dorothea would look somewhat annoyed, "My mother would kill me if I would love a woman. She doesn't even consider Manfred as a partner as she thinks he is just a poor duke… Stupid Mutti.."
“I see… My family is a bit more accepting. As long as I produce a child, then I may love as I please.” Ingrid kinda smirked, “You could love whoever you want if you took over your family quickly.” It was a genuine suggestion as Ingris was secretly plotting the same.
"Take over my family?... But I'd have to kill my father for that. I do not know if I can do such a thing…" Dory looked somewhat conflicted about what all of this would mean. "Will you take over your family?"
Ingrid put away the topic of killing Dory’s father for now, “I thought about that. I made nice with the Segonia queen and have favor from her, one seen by a Parrench princess,” Ingrid meant to brag a little because it was cool, “I thought I would just ask for land and establish myself as a lowly merchant if it meant escaping my family but I realized something.” Ingrid looked a bit more seriously, “I might be able to do it. Take over my family and control it.” Ingrid looked at Dory again for another intimate moment, “Would you taking over for your family be better for your people?”
"Segonia? Where was that place again?" Dory wasn't too well known with the other side of the world. "But to have a piece of land there… That might have something profitable. You might want to keep it just in case." Dory's tone became hesitant "I do not know if it would… make it better."
Ingrid asked quickly, “Then what do your people need to live better lives?” Ingrid assumed that removing her father from the picture would be a suitable solution to both but obviously, it’s not. Admittedly, Ingrid was ignorant in regard to most politics of smaller nations.
"Remove the other families from power. My father has barely the political power to do anything. Our family is practically just a show dog." Dorothea smirked with a bit of annoyance. "If not for us Feska wouldn't even exist… yet… yet… we are nothing anymore..."
Ingrid wasn’t quite sure what they lost, “What did your family lose to become the show dogs of Feska?” Seemed like this was a sensitive subject for Dory, and Ingrid wanted to respect that but she couldn’t be very useful if she was unsure of what was going on.
"Everything. Most of our land was taken. Most of my family was executed. Do you know how many people there are from my 'house'? You can count them on your hands." Her face grew darker as she retold her family history.
Surprise was all that Ingrid could muster but she held on as it seemed Dory needed it. “That is quite tragic Dory,” Ingrid said sympathetically, “how about removing a threat to your family one at a time? There has to be a noble who keeps watch of you if they didn’t remove you outright.”
"There are five ruling houses in Feska. Although currently only one has true power and the others nothing more than leashed hounds." Dory snarled at the thought. "They get what they deserve." Her mind was a bit lost before answering. "No… if we would take one piece out the others would go crazy.. we need to hit them all at once.."
The more Dory spoke the more Ingrid questioned if this was simply her being pessimistic or her having carefully weighed the situation and came to a decision. Still, there was always a way, “How about you start by planting informants in their domains? And gather information from there?” This was the best thing to do if they truly needed to take over all of it at once.
"Informants?... What do you mean?" The one thing Dory never considered as someone that always tried to play fair. "Why Would I have spies in there?"
“Because no one in power openly flaunts their weakness. And everyone has something to get them to act in your favor.” Ingrid put a hand on her cheek, “Battle is won by any means, and through information, you gain ways that they have to figure out to defend against. Information is the weapon of the clever. You have neither the power nor wealth to make moves against them. So you much use information.” Ingrid wasn’t a battle specialist but her family made her well aware that even with power you cannot always win. Maybe if Ingrid had been smarter, wiser then she could have outcompeted her cousins.
"By any means?.. So would involving you be another of those means?" Oh Dory, ignorant Dory. To think she never tried a thing like that would be most absurd for most schemers. Perhaps she wasn't made to be the most sneaky of people. "But if I rule Feska. Will you be with me? I need someone by my side after all."
Ingrid went blushed, “Who knows, maybe by that time I will be ruling Eskand or something…” Ingrid was trying to calm herself, Remeber Ingrid, she is dating someone. Don’t be an asshole. She is just accidentally teasing you…I think Ingrid bumped their heads together, “If I can be there to help, I will.”
Dory smirked smugly. "Well if you rule Eskand and I fail. I guess I could live with being one of the great queen's concubines." She poked the other's nose with her own. "But I am determined not to fail! I shall see my country freed to my breath."
Ingrid needed a drink. Dory’s teasing was a lot and hopefully breaking for a drink would be helpful. Ingrid sat up and asked Dory still laying in bed, “Would you like a drink?”
"A drink would be nice. Perhaps it would help ease the previous tensions between us." Dory smiled warmly. Not even knowing what it all might mean. "What kind of wine did you bring with?"
Ingrid smiled as she brought over the bottle with liquid telekinesis to test herself, “I know you like things sweet so I brought over a honey wine.” Ingrid popped the cork off as she poured 2 glasses of it, chilling it slightly to what would be the ambient temperature she remembered from Eskand. “To friendship,” Ingrid raised her glass to toast with Dory.
"Oooh, I didn't know about honey wine. We usually ferment spratz and turn that into wine. Oh, I could ask father to import that with the next batch if you'd like to try it!" It seems the opening of a bottle of alcohol has gotten the girl to speak her mind on the subject. "To friendship!" Dory clang her glass against the other and took a sip. "You know Ingrid, this wine isn't so bad."
Ingrid took a sip, “I like it a lot but that is probably because I grew up with it. That spratz wine sounds interesting, I would love to try it with you.”
The 2 girls continued to drink wine together, jumping from topic to topic. Sometimes it would be more serious and they would comfort each other, other times it was just light-hearted ramblings of 2 intoxicated nobles. Either way, both needed this comfort they found in each other, 1 more than the other. And the night ended with them sleeping together with an empty bottle between them.
In the early morning, Ingrid had to leave to join Zarra and Desmond to continue their exercise routine. Ingrid found it difficult to get out of bed with a Dory grasping her. But Ingrid’s work ethic got her up. Barely managing to slip out without disturbing Dory. Ingrid wrote a note and set the empty bottle on top.
Dear Dory,
As much as I wished to have stayed with you until you awakened, I sadly have to work off the wine bottle we drink together. I hope the hangover isn’t too terrible for you, it fucking hurts already for me. I’ll be seeing you in Arcane class friend.
Ingrid made her way out of the room and was mostly lying about the hangover. What was hurting her head was if they got too intimate and the guilt that comes with that. She is only glad that she doesn’t ever talk to that boyfriend of hers.
In the campus library, Zarra patients stares at the copy of 'Helegans: A Missing History' which admitted he had to pulled some strings to attain, sitting rather uncomfortably on the public dark oak seats, their height just low enough for his knees to stick out. Across him is Ingrid, glasses glaring from nearby candle lighting.
Ingrid was reading up on how mana worked in blood. Having absorbed a few aberrations, Ingrid always felt the ick travel through her veins. So to read up on mana manipulation and where the Mana actually resided was in her mind the secret for getting the wand to work. She hoped at least. Little was known about the Hegelans so it was hard to say if it would be useful to study the Hegelans or Mana itself. This duel approach would help a lot. Ingrid took off her glasses to clean them as she talked at Zarra, ”Have you found anything of particular interest yet Zarra?” Ingrid had hoped that his research was baring easy fruits this early into their research.
"Not really, unfortunately. First off, the title itself is a lie, it's not remotely about Helegan history. It's just a story about a dude named Claude who is travelling to a supposed Helegan settlement. 'Day 51, I peed on a rock!', it doesn't obviously say that, but it equates to that. And half the book is him just trying to survive the wildlife with his supposed RAS of 8.88" Zarra looks clearly frustrated he got an adventure autobiography instead of a genuine textbook.
Ingrid chuckled quietly at his frustration with the text before waving her hand at him apologetically.”Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh but the way you stated that was much funnier than I expected.” Ingrid put her glasses back on before speaking in a more assured tone, ”It’s only the first day Zarra, plus your not even done with the journal yet. Their may be more things inside of it. The Hegelans aren’t considered to be mostly legends for nothing. Maybe you can use his geographical area to determine if you should look in other areas.” Ingrid started to read her own book again, and now in a more monotone voice, ”If it makes you feel better, so far this book feels like a very general overview of what I knew. So maybe I also need to dig deeper after this. But that is what research is right?”
"Don't forget your shovel." Zarra says with literalist snark. More awkward time goes by as 1 page flip turns into 5, which turns into 50. After all hope seemed lost they would get something, Zarra furrows and rereads a passage. "Aha. Here, he meets a Helegan on the outskirts of the mountains. He asked about their runes on their faces and armor, and the Helegan responded essentially that it is their language, but also an art. Each rune grows with every generation. It would be the equivalent to plasting your family tree to your clothes… But I am beyond doubtful that my bloodline is Helegan in origin. Plus it doesn't solve how runes are applied to tools, such as a wand." Zarra puts the book down and pushes his leg while turning his torso, audibly cracking stiff muscles.
In a surprised tone, “Oh so he actually met the Hegelans? That is pretty cool. And they use runes. Old Eskandish uses runes but I doubt that they have any power in them. As for me I have a theory but I need to do more research because it might be a bit to extreme.”
“No Ingrid, I’m not going to sacrifice baby birds to get it work, a man has to have some ethics…” Zarra rolls his eyes at his own sarcasm. “Speaking of a lack of ethics, didn’t you say as part of your blood research, you were gonna engage Trypano? Are they willing to give information out for free?”
Ingrid shook her head a little to play along with the sarcasm, “Zarra I sacrifice at least a bird and 5 baby birds everyday.” Ingrid stopped the sarcasm by changing her tone of voice back to that monotonous way of speaking, “In all reality Trypano would be able to help us for a price but it is a price that I believe you cannot bear very easily. She is also a binder like yourself but I would consider her a higher class one. Apologies, but she may ask for time with the wand as well and I assume you don’t want more people on this project?” Ingrid raised an eyebrow wondering what he truly thought about it.
“You make a good point, I don’t want the wand to play hot potato or I’m never going to see it again. I’m sure I could do the price, it’s just gonna be something likely very weird and out of left field and I’m going to regret all my life decisions up to that point.” Zarra is not really reading the book anymore at this point and has his full attention with the banter between his research partner.
Ingird still having a seriousness to it, “She would probably take parts of your body and experiment on you since you are a rare specimen.” Ingird looked back over to him seeing he had stopped researching. Ingrid started to collect her things, “My research should be over in a couple of days. We can meet up here in a few days or you can come to my room after school when you wish.”
“I would like the latter but I don’t like your guardsman, I’m sure he does it to everyone, but he gives me stares. He probably doesn’t like that I'm a greyborn and can essentially sneak past him at any time I please, plus, my parents have expressed they are in fact coming, so it would be simpler if we shared research while doing that at the same time.” Zarra seems to be trying to make more intelligence decisions this time around, though the futility of that is beyond him.
Zarra seems to not like Eirik, Ingrid’s guard, and Ingrid can confirm the feeling is not 1 to 1. No, Eirik dislikes Zarra much more than Zarra dislikes him. In fact it was worrying to say the least but Ingrid trusted Eirik to not kill Zarra just because, even though at times it has felt that way. Essentially, Eirik hates kids like Zarra. So Ingrid lied, “He does indeed stare at everyone. If you are uncomfortable with him, how about we go to my bedchambers? I have essentially another study in there.”
The boy looks confused more than anything, “I assume you bringing it up, that you’re ok with that? You and I both know how dangerous it is with you being such a celebrity.” While it did not come off in a complimentary tone, Zarra genuinely seems to mean that Ingrid is popular and liked enough to be one of the supposed ‘popular kids’ of the school.
“You would be entering my dorm, Zarra. From there I would guide you to my bedroom. No one will see.” Ingrid had collected her things at this point and was beginning to rise from her seat. “Plus my popularity has waned recently so it should be fine.” Ingrid started to head off. It was up to him if he would patiently wait by himself or come to her room to continue her half of the research.
Zarra seems to get up along with Ingrid, not really with purpose like her, more of ‘so what are we doing next’ kind of manner, he continues to follow her as if somehow this question will answer itself.
Ingrid looked at him, “Um, Zarra, I thank you that you believe I’m talented enough to have a theory to test right away but it is going to take a few days to make me comfortable with presenting it to you. I more meant that since your research has come to an end, if you wanted to help me out, I would be in my room…” Ingrid questioned where the miscommunication came from.
"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to make it awkward, I was under the impression we were going there now. Alright, I'll talk to you later about it."
—--------------------
A few days pass as students from every corner of Ersand participate in the Societies Faire, Zarra and Ingrid are no exceptions. As promised, Zarra meets Ingrid on [undecided day of the week] with his parents, knocking on her dorm door expectantly.
Ingrid wasn’t in tip top shape after all that happened but this needed to happen so she put on a face and moved forward. Ingrid once again had Eirik greet the guests under explicit instruction to be kind and if any attitude would be detected then it was off with his beard. Under this threat Zarra and his family was met with the utmost care and Zarra could swear this was a different person. Once again they met in Ingrid’s study. Upon being told they were entering, Ingrid rose to personally greet them, “You must be Lord and Lady Travendour, it is good to meet you, please have a seat,” Ingird gestured to the finely crafted chairs, Normally there was only 2 but Ingrid had another one brought for Zarra to sit in on the talks as well. Now that they were settled, “My name is Ingrid Penderson, Zarra has informed me that your family are talented ship builders?”
Atlas responded first, his silver hair his most striking feature, it’s likely he’s graying and he just decided to commit to the look, one can only wonder how much they spend on their looks with dyes and obviously well-tailored clothes. Atlas is visibly taller than the rest of his family, but just as scrawny as his son. “Oh no, that’s a myth mostly, I am a ship schematist, I design the boats, we pay for the labor. The only parts we do make are the sails, which is my wife’s specialty.” The redhead that is just over Zarra’s height pipes up. “Atlas, you haven’t even asked the woman for her name!” Atlas seems to glaze his eyes towards the wall before coming with a proper response. “Do we need to? You are Ingrid Panderson are you not? And you are aware of our names? Unless my son has failed to communicate such basics.” Zarra is already feeling the exhaustion of listening to dad talk like his entire life is business.
This is going to be exhausting isn't it? From Atlas’s choice of words, to the mother already forgetting or never even acknowledging I gave my name to begin with. You know I assumed that Zarra was a but an unbelievably quirky child that was uniquely odd. Now I see it was hereditary, Ingrid thought as she tried to figure our how to continue the conversation. Playing along was probably the best option, “I am indeed Ingrid Penderson, and I am aware of your names. So to move on, you design the ships and hire shipwrights to build it for you. This is done directly under your supervision no?”
"Yes, exclusively my own. I also own all blueprints, attempting to use them without my express permission will result in legal action." Milennia adds to the discussion, "Yes, same for all my cloth designs, we take our work very seriously." While Atlas is much more stern in his assessments, Milennia seems to give almost a bored or disappointed tone. Atleast they have their priorities in order. Zarra is starting to pick at his nails and hair like a bored kid brought against their will.
“Alright, I can accept that. So then, will you be gathering materials?” Ingrid asked.
Atlas and Milennia look at each other in confusion, before the mom inquisits further, "You own a mine. Why would we be supplying the matetials?" Zarra actually engages for once, even if it's to be pedantic. "Actually, mom. Her family owns the mine. It isn't under her ownership, just like you are with me." She puts her hand to her face with a 'oh' expression, but doesn't seem that shocked she missed such a detail.
Ingrid chuckled, “While I’m glad you belief I could be the owner of a high production mine and forge, I am sadly only connected to them. I can still arrange for quality materials to be delivered to your works site.” Ingrid seemed confident in this assertion.
Atlas continues with the trade conversation, “I am understanding that you are asking us to exclusively build the ship? And you will compensate us for the labor costs; you will be the owner of the ship. If this is the case, I can make an exception to the no manual labor on our part clause, and I will personally oversee the build, this should easily remove a third of the construction time.”
Ingrid was impressed but kept it under a laxed smile, “I see, then we should get to pricing. Since I’m going to be buying and shipping the materials to you, I would like to put a down payment for your build. Then the rest on completion of the Galleon. I believe this is fair as I’m holding a majority of the risk.”
“Oh, honey. Working this us is not a risk.” It’s a little disconcerting that she doesn’t elaborate on that, Atlas visibly wants to contradict her, while Zarra isn’t really able to, he seemed to have fallen asleep of boredom in his chair. His parents seem entirely unphased by this, like it’s just a thing that happens.
“I mean that if I were to pay you fully right now and purchase the materials and then ship them to you, I would be the one risking their capital. It is not that I do not trust you, it is to make sure that there is incentive for you to finish.” Ingrid hid her irritation at what they said.
Atlas pulls out some sort of large tome, starting to sift through and grasping the information again. He turns to his wife, asking a question in the middle of his study. “Are you going to make them supply the sails? You know the price of making them…” she laughs haughtily. “You know the answer to that.” Atlas furrows and continues to study the book, who someone could easily deduce is a financial record of some kind. “Well, we made the decision to supply the sails ourselves, we only trust explicitly our supplier, and your family surely doesn't have easy access to the many pounds of fabrics required. Avoids headache for everyone. With that in mind, the costs are… Three thousand, five hundred magus?”
Ingrid was quick to ask, “What is the break down between the sails and work?” She was mostly curious. She assumed that sails would be any where between 1400 to 1600 Magus for all the sails.
“They’re about 1500, according to my charting.” Atlas responds, “2000 for labor, and for any hiccups that come up” “That’s so much material, looks like I am not sleeping for a few weeks. Not that I got any with 2 kids, haha.” Milennia tried to break the awkward tension of a sleeping Zarra and only Ingrid and Atlas dominating the conversation, the failure is palpable.
“Alright, that seems reasonable.” Ingrid started pulling out some papers. “So, would a thousand Magus be enough of a down payment for the labor. I believe the sails do not need to be bought right away?”
“No, I was actually just going to ask if you would like a family logo or anything like that on the galleon? And, no, I will not accept ‘just make it white’ as an answer, it’s part of our trademark to do custom sails.” Milennia shares canderously,
“Well give me some time to commission some art for the sails then,” it is a small thing she has to take care of so it shouldn’t be an issue. “So I will start with a down payment of 1000 magus to lock you in and the project will start when the first shipment comes in.” Ingrid wanted to confirm this since they seem to be a bit airy.
Milennia and Atlas huddle together and whisper a little bit to each other. They turn back to Ingrid. “Yep, sounds good to us. We will stay on campus until a contract can be decided.” “Before we do that, my son had brought up the idea of using our hot air balloons for these so called ‘trials’, what is this about?” Milennia hopes asking one of Zarra’s classmates will get her answers.
With the main things laid out, Ingrid asked Åsa to start the contract as Ingrid answered some questions, “Oh, the trials is an event that many schools attend to take part in a variety of games. The overall winners get unknown prizes. And I think a hot Air balloon would be immensely helpful,” Ingrid said as she shook Zarra awake.
Zarra shuffles awake, not particularly tired and more of just understimulated. “And so how many will you need? And more importantly, will they be at any risk of damage?” Atlas has for once taken the backseat in the interaction. “Are you done already? I expected that to take longer.” Zarra adds naively.
“I cannot say,” Ingrid replied. Relaxing back into her seat now that business has been finished, “I have never done so but I believe it would be safe to be ready for some in any case.”
“While we absolutely support our son being creative, surely they’re going to set rules about this in the future. If it’s just a one time thing, why bother?” interprets Atlas. “Got anything to defend yourself mister?” Millennia says to her son, rather confrontationally at that. “You never listen to me. I told you it’s for a trial where we have to rise for as long and as high as possible. A balloon would be able to carry my whole class and Ingrid herself is an Arcanist, she could learn it effortlessly.” There’s a subtle undertone between the two, while there’s a veil of resentment, it’s never remotely explicitly expressed, how unhealthy…
Ingrid coughed to make her way back into the conversation, “Lord and Lady Travendour, I believe Zarra’s suggestion was quite ingenious. No one would be able to replicate your technology and if you are worried about the use of it, I am quite capable of keeping it afloat.”
“It is more about the fact being that this is a competition of sorts, there’s a high likelihood someone will attempt to destroy your balloon to make sure you can’t stay afloat.” Atlas fairly reasons. “We could attempt to use it as advertisement, but I don’t know how good of an idea this is. If Zarra has not told you, I am Revidian, but my husband is Perrence.” Like a true couple, Atlas finishes his partner’s thought. “The single last thing we want is to brandish ourselves too much and get pulled into the war, as we’ll be betraying one, if not both of our home countries.”
“Lord Travendour, with all do respect, unless you have the population, the children, or the capital, you will find yourself in the war. A balloon that exists as a luxury item would do little to make people weary.” Ingrid was speaking mostly because it seemed to need a mage to operate it. And unless it could directionally move itself, hold hundreds of people, and move vast cargo, then it would at best be a footnote if war was to break out.
"You seem to misunderstand, I am talking about our ships. Being used to transport men and weapons. While our balloons are our prized inventions, they do not always pay our bills." Atlas retorts this in a rather patronizing manner.
“Then simply don’t mark the as your own,” Ingrid responded. “Then when the war is over, I will let you take claim for building it if you are truly worried about this.” Ingrid didn’t care that much since this honestly wasn’t her issue. They want to build the ship and they want the cash.
And so the finalization of the business is done, and Zarra and Ingrid are able to reconvene and share research as promised.
Ingrid had sent word to Zarra,
Meet me in my bed chambers during the early hours of Eshiran. Make sure you are clean and bring a spare set of clothes, I doubt you will be returning to your own bed that night.
Zarra is understandably a little spooked by these instructions but ultimately follows them, bringing a set that he has less remorse for if they happen to become damaged in any way. He knocks formally at her chambers while bringing along a borrowed book from the campus library.
Åsa, Ingrid’s secretary, answered the door and smirked when looking at him, “It seems you followed her message, Zarra. The Lady will be pleased.” She turned as she guided him to the Ingrid’s bed chamber’s. Letting him in before shutting the door behind him
In the room was Ingrid in her normal clothing, maybe dressed down a bit. On her desk were plenty of cloth and sutures. Along with what seemed to be a sharp dagger and a pot of water. Ingrid took notice of Zarra, “ah, Zarra, you made it. I believe I have something to show you,” Ingrid smirked.
"So where's the part where I never see the light of day again?" Zarra quipped while looking at in his mind some sort of sacrificial ritual set-up. "I see we had vastly different ideas on how to handle the wand. I was gonna suggest we attempt to put as much power into it as possible, see what the upper limit of it is, if we learn anything from that…"
Well it is similar, Ingrid thought but decided to cut to the chase. “By my research, the wand is activated by Mana and if combined spells are the line of logic we are using in this case, then I believe cutting yourself to let your blood run over the wand would bring out its power. Essentially, we need to have your mana interact with the wand. But we are neither skilled enough to do that so cutting ourselves should be an effective substitute for our lack of skill.” Ingrid held the dagger in her hand quite confidently.
"Hugo gave me this nice old fancy wand and I'm told I have to bleed on it, gnarly. Does it matter where I'm cut at? It sounds easier to do on like the arm or elbow over a sensitive part like my hand. Just don't make me bleed too much or you're gonna have a dying grayborn in your room." Zarra seems rather squeamish and physically averse to this whole idea.
Ingrid responded bluntly, “Do you hold the wand with your elbow or forearm? We need it to be as close as possible. I would personally recommend we cut a semi sphere into your hand to increase the amount of area it is in contact with your blood” And Ingrid smiled afterwards, “Don’t worry about bleeding out, you are a binder after all. Plus I can always ask the Centuries for help if you are truly dying!” Ingrid was showing an unnerving amount of enthusiasm.
"Look Trypano, I gotta cool moon scare" Zarra says in an intentionally annoying falsetto. He inhales to calm his nerves as he waits for Ingrid to make the incision. There's an obvious look of 'aren't you gonna do it yourself?' but Zarra quickly looks at her like she's legally insane if she expected that to happen.
Ingrid sighed, “Fine.” She boiled the water to sterilize the blade, then cooled it before carefully cutting a semisphere into his hand. Ingrid held him close, almost holding him to make sure he didn’t move. She gave him a piece of leather to bit down on. “Do you best to not pass out Zarra, you are your own healer after all” With that Ingrid did it. Blood started to pool and she said lets begin the testing
The leather did little to help as Zarra instead basically just screamed, one of which could probably top Ayla in pitch. "Son of an actual woofaworf! God damn that freaking hurt. Who designs magic items to bleed on?? That's how you get like, every infection in the book!" Zarra shouts exasperatedly
Ingrid covered his mouth to muffle the screams. Last thing she needs is the Centuries busting in and believing she is a blood mage. “Quiet…” Ingrid said as she tried to calm him down. “Now look at that bath filled with hot water. It is very salinated and should be difficult to freeze with your RAS. Absorb from it as much as you can without holding the wand, taking note how you feel.”
Zarra instinctively tries to use his unsliced hand on the water but Ingrid basically stops him and forces him to use the sliced hand. Zarra is understanding he has to freeze the water. Which is made more annoying as he visibly bleeds into it, "Yah. I can feel it cooling but barely, if it were any hotter it'd burn." Zarra impatiently waits for Ingrid to hand him the wand so he can try and get this strange trial over with.
Ingird said, “Good, Now release the heat back into the water and I’ll bring it back up to where it was.” Once the tub had been reset, “Roll the wand in your blood and then set the pearl in the wound, then draw and see if you feel any difference.” Ingrid was doing her best to comfort him by holding him as he went though a lot of pain.
“Do I put the wand in the water? Do I use my hand after touching the pearl? Gotta be a little more specific here…” What sounds like basic instructions to the Penderson clearly does translate well to the Travendour.
“Grab the wand like you would hold it in the injured hand. Do not put in water, draw the heat at a safe distance now using the wand and trying to focus on it. Then release the heat back into the water and note any differences. Do you understand”
“No, absolutely not,” Zarra proceeds to do exactly as Ingrid asks, making the denial to be entirely rhetorical. As Zarra does so, the water visibly stops steaming and if he decided to push for any longer, he could get the water to freeze as well.
“Alright, that is a small change! But a change is a change! Lets repeat this a few hundred cycles tonight and then tomorrow we can do some kinetic testing on ships bobbying up and down in the on the dock!” Ingrid seemed to be wanting to kill this poor boy… Like she had some ulterior motives. Or she could just be excited about researching.
“Uh, Ingrid, I am going to probably cry tears of boredom if you think I’m going to stay here for hundreds of tests. I’m happy to do less than that, but at that point any possible benefit the wand would have would be canceled out by my complete lack of focus.” Zarra argues while he wipes down the bloody and wet wand with his undershirt.
Ingrid grips onto Zarra, “Zarra? This is research. And if we want to get to use this during the Trials to win then we need to put forth a grand amount of effort. Now sit down and do magic” Ingird voice seemed friendly but it seemed a little threatening in the way a tutor would.
Zarra sighs before sitting down, deciding he better get comfortable. And with that Zarra is not seen for the entire rest of the day and night. Some say you can still hear his girly screams from the floor below. The end.
The end of that day! Ingrid was not done with her training of Zarra to unlock the potential of the Wand. Every day she was cutting him open to get him used to casting with it. From moving boats to increasing chemical reactions to simply burning things. More tests to get him used to the wand. Ingrid was ruthless. Zarra cried a lot. Like a lot. But in the end, he could pull a decent amount out of the wand but their was no idea if they had reached the bottom of the wand's potential.
Location: Ersand'Enise Interactions: All the charaters@Force and Fury
Ingrid’s time before the Scholastic Faire was busier than she originally planned. She was able to catch up on her schooling and even come up with a line of thought for her Atomic project. The speed dating event she put together was in retrospect enjoyable with her making new friends and rekindling some old ones. She somehow even got into a contract to help Zarra out with studying the wand in exchange for pretty broad favors. But the favors didn’t mean much as Ingrid didn’t have the heart to do anything that terrible with them.
I can only imagine how worried his parents are for him with his slipshod way of doing business, Ingrid could only think as she looked over the contract Zarra shined. Ingrid felt a burden on her from the trust he put in her. We barely know each other Zarra and you signed this. You sure are interesting.
Besides that, Ingrid had her sleepover that went mostly to plan. Ingrid still cringes as she remembered she tried to kiss Dory and hit on Ayla. Of course, nothing happened but the memory of it will haunt her for many sleepless nights. There was some benefit though. Ingrid found out about what happened to Dory and how wrong seemingly everything had gone on the ship. Ingrid found herself putting away the feelings she absorbed that night from Dory. Ingrid wanted to fight them on her behalf but that wouldn’t do anyone any good.
The thing that didn’t go as planned that night was hopefully opening up about what she had done to those poor people. She wanted to confide in her friends to try to lessen the weight but instead, she couldn’t even say the name of the girl who died. Pathetic was all that was.
Then tension of the war started to escalate and she could see the line being drawn. Cliches of the same nationality started to pop up more and more. Higher nobility started to mobilize their influence to make those lower than themselves get in line with their will. It was all so arduous. Eskandish Nobility was slow as Ingrid expected. As much as they wished for revenge, many were worried about if this was a false ploy. Many Eskandish had ties to Revidia and now their ancient enemy, the Perrench, was now a supposed ally that saved their king. The confliction between the 2 sides just never settled.
Ingrid had been swepped up in all of this. She was one of the higher RAS students from Eskand and her family had many connections outside of Eskand so her attitude towards things was highly scrutinized by her own countrymen. Some of the bolder Eskand Nobles tried to let her in on what was nothing but a thinly veiled assault on Revidian commoners and artisans under the guise of looking for something stolen. Ingrid didn’t participate and did her best to pressure things to stay away from physical violence the best she could. Luckily the presence of the Centuries at Ernise’Ersand made such conflict a fleeting dream.
The events were tiring. Shipments from her own family had started to make more sense. More arms were being produced and made than normal. Some of her own generation of Penderson’s were investing in artisans to produce more armor and weapons. Some she worried had started to buy the service of blood mages based on some of the transcripts. And here Ingrid was looking to purchase a galleon.
No wonder certain nobles felt emboldened. Smiths are churning out spears and cannons. Some are even producing rifles. And here I am looking to purchase a galleon in the middle of this. Maybe I should wait. No, Zarra already sent word to his parents and it would be rude not to consider it. Ingrid couldn’t help but stress. Ingrid was aware if war broke out she would likely be safe from it as she is at school but she couldn’t help but worry for her family that was out of school. All 8.0’s that specialize in explosives were going to be used extensively if war breaks out. Sven with his surprisingly high RAS may be pulled out to fight as their family wouldn’t have much else to contribute to a war effort.
All these events were under the influence of the aberration she absorbed with the others in the desert. It was larger than the first and gave her more power but with that came more side effects. Ingrid could handle the constant headaches but small things not going her way that would normally be passed by inconsequential as they were, suddenly became genuine annoyances and that took some time to forget. It was tiring to be so easily angered. Benny was infuriating in many ways and the aberration was making it worse. So as much as Ingrid wished to not ignore him, she did limit her interactions with him wishing to not damage her budding friendship with him. However, she did let him know that the aberration was affecting her strongly enough that she wanted to postpone their dinner date.
But as much worry as there was, Ingrid felt she did a good job monitoring herself and keeping a firm grasp on her emotions. And her reward with the sway of the aberration was the Faire. She was excited about the clubs. She even purchased a new dress out of impulse, maybe that was also the sway of the aberration she laughed to herself. She wanted to go with friends on that day considering there was no school. She thought it would be the perfect time to see Benny again, A little walking, a little talking, seeing the performances, maybe going home… Ingrid thought. She knew it was going to be crowded but thought it would be on equal footing. She sent an invite. And was rejected outright. It stung as she didn’t really set any backup plans so she resolved to just go by herself. She just put the pretty dress away and reserved it for the next event she goes to…
Not having anyone there to talk with made it less enjoyable. She knew she could be eccentric at times but even she liked good company for events. She tried her best to correct her mood from the start by going to Zeno Bucks for the Grand Opening.
The store was busy but Ingrid was able to get her coffee in a reasonable amount of time. She ordered a large café au lait with no sweetener. The warm milk was more than enough to blunt the natural bitterness of coffee. Plus the subtle flavor of dairy from the milk was delightful to Ingrid as she was used to much more dairy in her diet before coming to Ersand’Enise and she frankly missed it. She knew she has to go pet some of the kæmpe ko if they will let her, as they were but the cutest cows in the world. With her coffee, she got a yum yum mostly for the name itself. It was fun to say and it was very sweet. The perfect pastry to raise her spirits for the rest of the day.
Ingrid’s first club was conveniently just across the street from Zeno Bucks. The Pumpernickle club! The stall was popular not just for the people wishing to join but for the absolutely scrumptious pastries and bread that they have set up. From the variety of bread they had to the butter that they use depending on the good, this was completely unthinkable to Ingrid. The trade connections they have are amazing. But the thing that did it for Ingrid was the dark loaf of bread with kæmpe ko butter spread on it. It was the best taste of home she had in months. She had some starter for the bread they make at her dorm from time to time but the technique the Pumpernickle club uses is on a different level. Very nervously Ingrid asked if she could join and they said there would be a test. Ingrid nodded and they said to come back when you think you're ready. Ingrid smiled and bought some more bread to eat for the day.
Ingrid noticed that there were some girls behind the Pumpernickle stand using a mixture of Kinetic, Magnetic, and Arcane magic to make a high fat butter without having to constantly squeeze the water out and save time in the process. Ingrid thought the technique was interesting but Ingrid was more interested if they made the kæmpe ko butter fresh this morning. Surprisingly, they had and said they were given some from the Fauna club in the early hours of Shune. Seems things are looking up for me, Ingrid thought as she made her way to the Fauna club
Ingrid showed little self control and started to munch on some pillowy enriched yeast rolls as she strolled through the Arbortoreum to go visit the Fauna club. She had no real intention to join the Fauna club but from what the butter churners said, there will be a calf or two. The Arboretum, which was usually one of the quieter places on campus was now bustling as well with people. Still, it acted as a slight break from the loud roads of Ernise’Ersand. It wasn’t long before Ingrid could see the massive kæmpe ko that seemed to be a part of the club’s petting zoo. Ingrid spoke to some of the club members and they let her in, taking her bread so that way she doesn’t feed them intentionally or not.
Petting animals was a very soothing time indeed but Ingrid was still on the lookout for the truest prize. She saw one of the kæmpe ko move and then, Baby kæmpe ko! Ingrid was smiling ear to ear as she calmed herself before getting closer. The mother didn’t seem to care since it was massive but the calf was having none of Ingrid trying to pet it. She spent a pathetic amount of time trying to pet the baby. Eventually, almost as if the calf learned that Ingrid was a very diligent petter, gave up and Ingrid was able to pet the adorable creature. A true moment of bliss for Ingrid and a moment of weakness that would lead to the calf’s downfall as now that it was staying still many other petters came over. By the end, Ingrid was satisfied and the kæmpe ko calf, now named Koko, was laying on the ground being cuddled and petted from all sides.
Having completed her goal, Ingrid made her way to the Fingersteepler stall, checking out Ipte’s Courtyard along the way. If it wasn’t directly on the path to her true goal then she wouldn’t either bother. Her lack of interest was definitely a shift from her original plans for the school. God things have changed, Ingrid reminisced. At the beginning of the school year, Ipte’s Courtyard would probably been her only way to find some romance but after some of the recent events, Ingrid was feeling fine about her chances. Even if her current romantic prospect doesn't work out, Ingrid thinks she can find someone else. Hopefully.
Ipte’s courtyard was what she expected and although the attention from very attractive men was nice, it wasn’t good enough for her to join. She enjoyed the realer moments of throwing herself out there and hoping for the best even if it did lead to her being alone for the first day of the fair. Ingrid left the club to go to the Fingersteeplers.
Ingrid could see the stage but no one was there right now. Ingrid shrugged and took a seat across the street from it and turned her attention to some of the pastries and bread she had picked up earlier. Just one or two, Ingrid promised to herself, still being conscious of the weight she was gaining at this school. However, the sweets were dangerous and Ingrid ended up eating closer to three to 4 while waiting. Suddenly the stage came alive and a masked man announced the club. Ingrid watched giddily, this may have been embarrassing to some but to Ingrid, this was just cool. She watched the Choc Force spread out to find their victims. One happened to be Ingrid and she was more than ready to play along. She took the flyer and the chocolate.
With her time at the Fingersteeplers over, Ingrid had a decision to make. The day has been wonderful so far but maybe it could be greater if I were with someone. Maybe I should just go to the clubs I’m joining and enjoy the fair tomorrow. I already had a good time already so maybe… Unable to decide, Ingrid flipped a coin. Guess that means I’m going to rush my clubs today.
Now knowing that she wasn't here to wander about, Ingrid hastened her speed and tried to go to the remaining clubs on her list. They were fun for what it was worth but she knew that revisiting them tomorrow with someone would be even better. Ingrid already knew that she wanted Sven to accompany her tomorrow since he was always fun to talk with. And it would be cute to watch him randomly nerd out. Luckily Ingrid met him at the Draconic Order club and they were able to set it up.
With that, Ingrid went to her dorm where she had set up small things ahead of time. Her servants were made aware that she was trying to bring home a man and they kept themselves away from the front door, waiting to hear the door open. When Ingrid entered, she let out a slightly frustrated, ”It’s just me.” A small chuckle and a small snort was heard from the side rooms, obviously from her servants. Ingrid let them know that no one was coming and that they could eat the cheeseboard. However, her servants were cheeky, as they showed they already ate the cheeseboard, knowing Ingrid wouldn’t have succeeded. Irritating to say the least. But whatever, Ingrid thought. Their friendly jests were of no actual pain to her. They knew her well at this point and knows she plans a bit too much. Ingrid grabbed another set of clothes for tomorrow as she was still at her Zeno’s at the moment. Ingrid gave them the rest of the pastries and whatever else Ingrid had picked up along the way. Ragnhild was sharp with her tongue though, “Wise lady Penderson! Any more and I would have to get your dresses refitted!” That one stung. She left a little red from embarrassment and made her way to her Zeno’s abode.
She took a bath before just talking a little with her Zeno group. And went to bed
On the second day, Ingrid woke up and talked to Dory and Ismette a bit, proclaiming that she was going out with Sven today. She skipped breakfast to meet Sven at Zeno bucks. Ingrid had looked forward to today. The nerd himself was quickly growing to be his best friend.
But the day didn’t go as she wanted. Things started nicely. Some light talking and laughing. Going to a few clubs nearby. It was nice. Exactly what Ingrid wanted. But everything changed when Ingrid discovered a large aberration near a club stall behind some crates. Ingrid only came here to get out of the sun and wait for Sven to grab some snacks. It was scary to see one here. Why would it be here? Ingrid waited for Sven to come back but he never did. Ingrid couldn’t leave it here since this place was so densely packed. She decided because of its size and her own RAS she would take it in to make sure someone with lower RAS doesn’t absorb it.
As she plunged her hand in it she immediately felt regret. The aline feeling was even worse, hor body became wracked with pain like she was resisting it. Images flooded her head and she lost her mind until she collapsed.
To an onlooker, they swore that the woman had just died.
Ingrid rose from the ground in an unsettling way, lumbering. She seemed to be in a daze but soon she held her head and swayed side to side like something akin to a madman. Her eyes were red and they had no tears, they just seemed wrathful, more wrath than one who knows Ingrid could assume she had. She ran through the central street, trying to avoid anyone she may have known. She just needed to get home. She needs to hide before she lets loose on someone.
But as she crossed the junction she saw another aberration. Her mind didn’t even resist, it pounced on it as she needed it. She knew she would go crazy but she didn’t care under the influence of the aberration. It was almost as large as the other one. Silas had started to absorb it as well, maybe trying to stop her but Ingrid succeeded in touching it before it disappeared. As she drew even a lick of it, Ingrid had gone fully mad.
The first one to gain her ire was Silas. He had stolen from her. She lashed out at him and kicked him in the stomach with a slight bit of kinetic magic like you would a stray dog that tried to nip at you. She assumed he dies as the commoner body went a decent way. And she turned to see someone she once cared for
Dory had been unlucky to be the one Ingrid saw. The care and worry she had for the Feskan girl had twisted her image of her as someone who she abhorred and detested. Someone that needed to be squashed. With more kinetic energy Ingrid grabbed Dory and slammed her into a wall but Ingrid wasn’t done as there was a sadistic and vile feeling welling up in Ingrid that felt like euphoria. Ingrid held her life in her hands. It was but a game. She wanted to inflict pain upon her friend. Dorry tried fighting back but Ingrid was too fast at this point as she was augmenting herself with kinetic magic. Ingrid wanted to crush her into the ground and when she couldn’t it was no longer fun.
Ingrid took a step back and drew the fire and ambient heat and light darkening the area immediately near them and what took form was a large fireball that was destined to kill Dory. All of the magic Ingrid used before was almost random uses of magic, unplanned, unrefined. But this was different the girl had let off thousands of explosions and this was built into her like the lunge of a duelist. The fireball launched with an intensity that the Feskan girl couldn’t attend with. When it all seemed lost, Manfred came in and helped match the intensity saving Dory.
Ingrid yelled in frustration that they were still standing. The fight lasted a little longer but Ingrid could no longer get away with casting such a huge fireball. Even with all his experience, Manfred couldn’t restrain Ingrid with her large size being supported by this heretical strength. The fight wasn’t looking good until Dory gained confidence and used internal chemicals to weaken and sedate Ingrid. Dory's sedation had calmed the situation but she needed to still restrain Ingrid as there were moments when Ingrid came back and was still as rabid.
When Ingrid came too, she simply stared up at Kaspar, not completely aware of what happened. She just knew there were people on her. She didn't know what was happening but things started to happen
Dory and Manfred had begun to get off Ingrid as she seemed to stop struggling and her wits were returning. Ingrid was confused about the situation, her moment of madness was remembered but it was like watching something unreal. It was hard to connect it to herself. Before she could ask any question she found herself brought to her feet by two Centuries. All she could say was “wha-” before one of the Centuries just said “Stay quiet, you’re disrupting the faire.” Her voice was clear and commanding, giving no room for Ingrid to try and speak. She kept her head down hoping to not make a bigger fool of herself. What have I done?
It was not a long walk to Balthazar Hall, which was where one might’ve expected to go for disciplinary matters. Yet, it soon became clear that Ingrid was not headed there - not at all. The two Centuries were strong. Even in her semi-dazed state, she could feel that. They also gave nothing away.
The trio proceeded in silence, more or less, as she was led off of campus proper and… toward the Violet Enclave. Weren’t students not allowed in there? She’d heard all sorts of stories about powerful spells designed to keep them out. Closer and even closer she was led not just to the enclave but, inevitably, toward the Forked Tower.
Some of the daze had subsided after their walk from just outside the noble dormitories. She could barely make out that she was not going to Balthazar Hall. She wasn’t worried at first as she couldn’t process what that meant but the realization of what was happening set in as they walked her toward the Violet Enclave. Fear set in quickly as they walked. Oh god, she thought as she approached, they are going to kill me. The thought wasn’t well conceived and was mostly an instinct from all the stories of students disappearing from entering. In a last ditch effort to save her from the force field of instant death that surrounded the Violent Enclave, Ingrid in a growingly panicked voice started to plead, ”Um, there must be a mistake!”Ingrid twisted back and forth between them, “Balthazar Hall was a while ago and this is the Violet Enclave. I’m a student.” Ingird smiled and tried to make herself seem more personable so maybe they could have some empathy. They continued their walk and Ingrid got desperate, “I know I’m tall but I’m a student! Please I don’t want to die yet!” Ingrid did not stop walking, though, as it would be a futile act against the legendary Centuries.
Her breath became rapid and unsteady, she tried to slow her walk but the Centuries didn’t slow. Panic had set in. She could hear the beating in her ears as she thought this would be the end once she entered the Violet Enclave. And then, as she could sense a faint shimmer in the air, as she prepared herself for whatever would happen, there was a voice, from about a foot behind her. Reality wavered. She hadn’t even sensed the energy. An old man with a thick grey beard had placed a hand on each of the Centuries’ shoulders. “She is in my custody now. Thank you for your service to us.”
The Centuries regarded him dubiously for a moment. Then they nodded, exchanged a glance with each other, and departed. The old man turned to Ingrid. He was wearing a hooded black cloak with Eskandish runes sewn into the hem. “The barrier won’t kill you,” he said shortly. “Stay close.”
Ingrid hadn’t sensed the old man who appeared behind her. Ingrid jumped a little accompanied with an eep when his voice came out of nowhere. She turned with the Centuries to face whoever this was. Ingrid couldn’t recognize him at first, but he had to be important for the Centuries to hand over custody to him. The only person who this might be was the Arch-Zeno Giacomo Giarrone, Ingrid’s Arch-Zeno. He told her that she won’t die to the barrier and that was relieving but it was also ominous the way he told her to stay close. She couldn’t help but feel that she would die if she left his side. She followed him silently to wherever he was taking her. The silence was filled with memories of what she had done, guilt building with it.
He led her further into the Violet Enclave stroking his beard occasionally. Tall, dark pine and spruce trees rose about them and the air seemed somehow cooler. When Ingrid glanced back, she could no longer see the city, even though she had just been in it. The old man made not a sound. Even his steps, his movement, were uncannily silent. The only sounds to be heard were the rustle of tree branches in the wind, and the cawing of crows and ravens. There were a great many of them on the trees and the rafters of buildings, but there were no people.
As they walked, Ingrid continued to piece together her actions from absorbing the first aberration to genuinely trying to kill Dorothea. The sights of the Violet Enclave were a calming if not mystical experience with what looked like the city disappearing and the noticeably different climate than from just outside. Normally she would be enraptured by the scenery but the silence was heavy. She was left alone with her mistakes and it was starting to weigh on her. Why was he not saying anything? Was he not going to expel her? She had to ask, ”With all due respect Arch-Zeno Giarrone,” Ingrid fidgeted as a part of her didn’t want to know, “what are we doing? Am I expelled? Why are we walking in an area I am not allowed?” She was rightfully nervous to ask him. She had no idea what was going on.
The Arch-Zeno said nothing. He merely motioned for her to follow. Ahead, they could again see the school grounds, as if they had passed right through the enclave. He picked up the pace, forcing her to keep up for fear of whatever ill thing might happen if she did not. “Go,” the old man said enigmatically. “You’re free.”
Ingrid had hoped for any kind of answer but nothing. They kept walking and she kept thinking more and more things about what she did. When he increased his pace her worry had increased tenfold. She had to keep up for the fear of what might happen. So much anxiety wracked through her brain that she almost felt a high. She hadn’t even noticed the school was now within sight again. His words felt like they were a trick, she hesitated but went forward as he said. She waited for him to say something else but there was nothing. She entered the school grounds once again and nothing happened. i lived? the anxiety was flushed away with relief and her body relaxed in dramatic fashion, falling to her knees. Why did he let me go? I went insane and attacked people with magic. I should be expelled! She couldn’t understand why he had done that for her. Ingrid gulped, I don’t know why you gave me a second chance but… thank you. Ingrid rose, dusted off her dress and went back to her home with her head down.
Only, it was not that simple nor that easy. The first thing that she might’ve noticed was ‘off’ were the buildings just south of the Enclave. The brickwork was different on a couple. Hadn’t that one been a pawn shop and not a butcher? The people, too, didn’t seem to pay her much notice or, really, any. High frilly necklines abounded. Those were already going out of style when she’d been born. Ingrd had not thought Ersand’Enise so unfashionable. Finally, however, she did see the door of her Zeno’s townhome ahead. Had Luna changed the flowers?
Her head was kept down for a portion of the walk and she intended to keep it that way until she saw someone dressed with a frilly neckline? I haven’t seen one of those in quite awhile, I believe it was when I raided my mother’s old wardrobe. I thought they were silly as a child and I thought they are silly now, Ingrid thought as she took a good look at it. Maybe it was some sort of dress like your parents’ worst choices event. Either way it was quite a shock. With her head up she swore everything seemed to be a bit off though Ingrid chalked it mostly up the after effect of the aberration. What seemed supremely odd was Luna’s flowers. Enough for Ingrid to reach out and gently caress them. Perplexed why they had changed she went and opened the door and called out to Luna, “Luna, when did you have time to change the flowers?”
She’d called before even opening the door and, with alarm, noticed it swinging open right into her face. A youngish man with red hair hurried out, dressed in robes like she’d seen in old paintings of Zenos in Balthazar Hall. That was strange, but what was even stranger was that… he passed right through her, as if she was noncorporeal, as if she wasn’t even there!
Ingrid had stumbled back trying to avoid the door, falling onto the ground. ”Hey watch it!” she exclaimed before a red headed man dressed in old fashion ran at her. She put up her hands believing she is about to be trampled by this man as he just passed through her. All Ingrid could muster as an audible ”What.” There was no inquisitiveness, just a reaction to having a man run through her. She stumbled to her feet before going into the building, something was wrong. Ingrid was still trying to collect evidence of what was happening. ”Maybe temporal magic? I don’t even know what it can and cannot do. Maybe I died and this is hell! No, bad fashion is not hell.” Ingrid tried heading to her dwelling in the house, hoping that would provide answers.
However, she did not get far. There, in the drawing room, were two individuals. One was a boy similar in age to her and familiar in a way that she couldn't quite place. The other was… in a wheeled-chair, a somewhat more old-fashioned one, but she had long blonde hair and cool grey-blue eyes and… she was Jocasta. Ingrid did a double take and there was no doubt. She did not merely resemble Jocasta. She looked exactly like her.
Good, more people, Ingrid thought as she let out a sigh of relief that she finally saw someone she could recognize. As the matter was still urgent, Ingrid entered the room and called out to her, “Jocasta! Do you know what is going on? Someone just ran through me.” Ingrid didn’t think Jocasta’s hair was that long but maybe she was misremembering, they didn’t interact that much after all.
For a moment, Jocasta furrowed her brow, half-glancing in Ingrid’s direction, but then she returned her attention to the boy, who seemed to have noticed her fleeting distraction. “What is it?” he inquired. “You look like you just saw a ghost.”
Jocasta shook her head. “Nothing.” She forced a smile. “Nevermind. Must be the lack of sleep. I swear, if I hear Leluun scrabbling around on the roof one more time, I’m going to fly up there, drag her down, and beat her until she needs the wheeled-chair.”
The boy shivered.“You are ruthless.”
“Oh, and you’re not? Rewinding time and resetting the world, Hugo?” She rolled her eyes. “Unless that’s just another of your stories.”
His face sobered.“How I wish it were,” he concluded sadly. “I may need to do it again, you know, to save you.”
At this, Jocasta looked annoyed. She wrapped her arms around herself and huffed in another direction. “I don’t need saving,” she insisted. “I’ve even more of the Gift than you.”
“As you constantly remind me,” Hugo replied. He was young but… it was in the eyes and the bridge of his nose. He was the same Hugo Hunghorasz that Ingrid had seen as an elderly man. “Then why don’t you learn too?” he prodded. “Come with me, Enna, the next time I loop. We can grow our knowledge together and -”
“You shouldn’t be messing with it,” Jocasta or… Enna warned. “You’re playing Oraff and Eshiran. How many people have you erased from existence or brought into it?”
“All for a good cause!” he insisted.
She let her hands fall to her wheels and let out a sigh, starting to move. “Don’t do it yet, Hugo. Please don’t do it.” She shook her head.
Hugo? That young man? And wait, that is not Jocasta? Why does she look so similar to Jocasta? Ingrid’s mind felt muddled as she tried to process what she was witnessing, This has to be an illusion, right? Resetting the world, erasing people from the world and bringing new ones in? That is preposterous! What was being shown to her didn’t make sense. Why was she seeing this and if it was real, why was he allowed to do this. Everything felt real though. Nothing seemed like a deception. She began to accept this may well be real and with it came an existential dread. Hugo was playing a role no person should be. It was terrifying.
She needed to stay and listen though. Jocasta, no Enna, had been able to somewhat sense her. Maybe if she yelled her name she could gather her attention. Ingrid yelled out Enna this time, hoping that she could be heard.
There was a slight hitch in the push of Enna’s wheels, but nothing else. “I have classes now,” Hugo finished brusquely, brushing out the door, and the blonde’s eyes followed him until he’d closed it behind himself.
“Are you an echo of some other time he’s erased?” she asked softly, to nothing that she could see or sense particularly.
Erased? Ingrid thought. What could she mean by that. Obviously there was a mistake. ”No no no, I was just walking from the Violet Enclave. I got in trouble and was brought there but I was let go by Arch-Zeno Giacomo. I was let go…” Ingrid’s desperate way to try to explain that she couldn’t possibly have been erased sounded like lies to even herself as she was faced with a scarier outcome than just dying. In a defeated tone with just a thread of hope hanging, “Have I been erased…”
Enna paused, stalk-still, and her eyes became alarmed. “Whoever the hell you are, it isn’t funny.” They darted about the room. “Show yourself!” She rose from her wheeled-chair, very much like Jocasta, and one could sense her riddled with fear and anxiety, ready to strike out at any perceived danger with the full power of a nine-point-five RAS thaumaturge. Then, there were loud footsteps on the stairs: thu-thump, thu-thump, and a rangy yasoi girl bounded down the last four in a single leap. “Leluun!” called Enna, “did you hear it too? The voice? Please tell me I’m not losing my mind!”
“You heard it too?” the yasoi answered, looking relieved. “I thought I’d had too much jamb’ysp.” She shook her head, glancing around. Only, it was hard to pay attention to her specific actions, for Ingrid found herself looking directly at Ismette.
Ismette!?” Ingrid shouted at the sight of now someone she considered a friend. Wait, this is the past. Whoever Ismette was from my time was not this person. This person was Leluun. They seem to hear me though. Maybe I can get to them since they can both hear me Ingrid tried to touch Leluun and Enna at the same time maybe that had some way to help as well. She tried to draw as well for any additional help before yelling, ”HELLO! MY NAME IS INGRID PENDERSON FROM DAMI-ZEPT FIFTY-FOUR! CAN YOUR HEAR ME!” Ingrid took a big breath in after yelling louder than she maybe ever had. Hopefully they can hear her.
For a moment, a very brief one, both of the other women started, and their eyes widened. Then, Ingrid was standing there in that room, alone, lungs burning from her shout. There was no sign whatsoever of the other two who had been there. In fact, the room itself was subtly different: not in construction but in decor. She twisted to watch the patter of gentle rain against a large front window.
In an instant they were no longer there. The decor was different and the weather had changed. Ingrid just let out a meek ”No…” as she realized she was moved in time again. Did they hear her? A part of her spirit died as they were probably the only people who could get her out of here. She began to wander the house with the situation setting in that she may never get out. Hopefully they were still here somehow.
She heard voices before long, wafting in from the inner courtyard. “I shall be back soon,” said a smallish female Zeno. She was just shy of middle-aged, with long dark hair and a rigorous manner about her. She walked through Ingrid on her way out the door.
“Is she gone?” asked a voice, and it was Hugo. Ingrid made her way towards him, rounding a corner and he was talking to another boy, dressed in the distinctive armour of the Dauphin of Perrence. “Yeah, and I gave her a crisis to handle.” There was an unmistakable smirk in the voice, but that was far from its most startling quality. The boy twisted to open the light screen door, and Hugo followed him in. He was Benedetto.
All Ingrid could muster was a light, “Benny?” This Benny seemed like almost an exact opposite of the one Ingrid knew. He looked to be royalty of Perrence but that smirk reminded her of him. Hugo was there as well last time he didn’t even notice her presence. Maybe I can grab his attention this time, Ingrid thought but the words of Enna held a place in her mind that Hugo was the cause of this. Would I be helped or dealt with if Hugo sensed me. Would it even matter?
“You’re a bastard, you know that?” teased Hugo.
Benny sighed, but there was a smile there too. “Maybe in more ways than one,” he admitted. “Least if my sister has her way.” He threw himself onto a chair, tossing his armoured gloves onto the table. “Fucking bitch,” he growled.
“She’s the monster your uncle made her. I wouldn’t blame her too much.”
“Benedict the Bastard.” He scowled, looking very much like the Benedetto that ingrid knew. “And yeah, I’ve seen it.” He shook his head. “It’s the only reason I might not put her head on a spike.”
“And you’ve seen it for yourself too, right?” prodded Hugo. “You know every move they’ll make. You’ll have every counter ready. You’ve seen every possible -”
“Timeline,” Benedict sighed, “I know.”
“Just trying to help a friend.”
The prince smiled. “I know… I’m just nervous. How can I not be? Everything rides on this: my future, my crown, my kingdom. Doesn’t matter if you’re the rightful king if you can’t win. I’ll do right by you, buddy, don’t worry.”
“Thanks,” said Hugo, sliding into the seat at his friend’s left hand. “I was actually thinking -”
“Enna?”
Hugo gulped and nodded. “You know me too well.”
“Well, you cured her, didn’t you?”
“Well… yeah.” The lanky youth scratched nervously at the back of his head. “But she’s still… the way she is, you know?”
“An invalid?”
Hugo nodded. “And it’s hard on her. I can tell.” He opened his mouth as if to say more, but did not.
“Aaannnd?” prodded Benny.
“And her parents are opposed to the marriage.”
“Then they’re idiots,” replied the prince.
Hugo let out a faint snort of laughter. “They are. How could such awful people produce someone so wonderful?”
“Ipte, she’s got you whipped, man.” Benedict shook his head.
“Someday, I hope you’ll experience true love, Ben.” Hugo shook his head. “I really hope you will.”
Benedict pushed his chair out and rose. He clapped Hugo on the shoulder and picked up his gloves. “If you’re any indication, looks like too much work.” He smirked again. “Anyways, I’m off, brother: off to battle. I shall see you on the other side or I shall not.”
“You shall,” answered Hugo with an almost unsettling certainty.
Ingrid had followed behind them with building anxiety and the intent to reach out and scream at the both of them who she was. Simply waiting for potentially an unending existence being unseen and unheard sounded like a hell only the gods could create. They had spoken long enough. She had heard enough. Before Benny could leave, she reached out to both and did the exact same thing as she had before, only this time she felt her spirit was weaker than then.
There was no reaction. Benedict walked out the door with a final farewell and Hugo stood there for a moment, still and silent. Then, to her desperate surprise, he turned and looked directly at her. “I blocked it,” he said simply. “I don’t know who you are, but you’re temporally displaced right now, and Benedict is about to go into the most important fight of his life. I can’t have him be distracted.”
Ingrid was weirdly relieved that Hugo gave some kind of answer but a part of her didn’t know whether she should continue to speak to him or try and hide from him. He seemed benevolent to his friends but from what Enna said, he is responsible for erasing people and maybe herself. Ingrid built the courage to speak to him, “Hello Hugo, my name is Ingrid Penderson. We meet in the future or maybe another timeline. I’m not too sure. I know little about temporal.” Ingrid spoke to him as clearly as she could, hoping he could make her voice out for them to have a proper conversation. She didn’t know if Hugo would end her existence here or help her out. She could rely on his kindness.
“I can see you,” he admitted, with a bit of a mischievous smile. “You uh… don’t have to shout in my face.” He tilted his head and seemed both a boy her own age and profoundly not. “Perhaps you encountered me in another timeline where I had not yet mastered the art of this magic. In this one, I know much more. In fact, I have lived… perhaps one hundred years already, in a sense.” He nodded. “I am not sure when it is that I will meet you, but it shows me that I have yet more work to do. There will be yet more timelines and I will repair the wounds of this world and free Enna.” He paused and regarded her strangely for a moment. “I will,” he decided, telling Ingrid as opposed to asking her. “Despite her misgivings, she has learned it too, and Benny. Together, there is so much we can do. Perhaps I can even send you back to your own time.” He smiled as reassuringly as he could, but there was doubt behind it too.
Tears welled in her eyes for a moment when Hugo stated he could see her. She listened to him speak and tried to figure out what she should say versus not say. She couldn’t say for certain but this Hugo seemed younger in a sense. She took a deep breath out trying to calm herself as the uncertainty of him being able to return her home rattled her. In a comparatively calm voice to her screaming beforehand she began, “So let’s set aside you being able to return me home. I don’t know if you are the one who did this to me. The Hugo I know was already past a hundred living years. So maybe you're a younger timeline. I do know some things are wrong.” Ingrid didn’t know exactly how to word this so she decided to be blunt, ”Those people I saw, Enna when she was still bound by a wheelchair, Leluun, Benny- I mean King Benedict. They all exist in my time as well under different names. Except they are young like me.” Ingrid decided to not say anymore since there was a chance that he already knew that. Temporal magic made it difficult to piece together what information was known and unknown. She wanted him to confirm or deny what was happening since it was the only way for them to talk since timelines are scary.
Hugo regarded her as she spoke with growing interest and more than a hint of confusion. When she was finished, he merely held up a hand. “One moment,” he mumbled, sitting back down. “I think I have learned some things, but I am not sure, and the less that I know, perhaps the better.” He thought in silence for a time and Ingrid vacillated about whether or not she should disturb him. Then, the young version of Hugo raised his head and offered a tight smile. “Yes, I do think I have it. Please, take a seat.” He gestured and then waited for her to do so. “Take my hands?”
With no other real options, she trusted him enough to do so and it was something just to feel the touch of another person. Hugo closed his eyes and bade her do the same. Then, after a moment, that touch faded. When Ingrid looked upon her surroundings again, it was the same kitchen, only… different. It was not the first, nor the second, nor Luna’s. It was a cool somnes day, and a girl and a boy were playing outside in the leaves, shamelessly flirting. One of them was Enna and the other was… strikingly familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him.
“Another jump to a different place. Maybe that was Hugo. Who knows at this point, all I can say is that is some flirting.” Ingrid took some steps outside and yelled out to them, ”Enna! Can you hear me?” Ingrid couldn’t tell why Hugo would send her here if he was trying to actually help her, they might be able to help. Having another person see her and then disappeared once again gave her a feeling of dread as Hugo may have failed and she knows nothing of temporal.
It amounted to naught. To her surprise but also not, because she had heard of Enna and never heard anything about her being tethered, the girl rose to her feet and giggled as the boy rained a shower of leaves down on her. “Vanderrrr!” she squealed, “stop!”
The cascade of leaves, some of which had seemed to materialize almost out of nowhere, stopped. He grabbed her instead and the pair kissed and, to be frank, Ingrid felt strange just standing here and… watching them. Thankfully, the romantic display was cut short by the arrival of Leluun, who appeared in the doorway. “Room for one more?” she teased, and Enna stuck out her tongue. “You wish, Loony!”
“She’s mine,” added Vander, giving her one last squeeze, a peck on the nose, and releasing her.
“Fine, then!” huffed Leluun. “I’ll find my own boyfriend!”
“You could always go for Benny,” suggested Enna. “Prince charming himself.”
Vander snorted and so did Leluun. “He’s about as romantic as a sledgehammer,” griped the latter, “even if he is nice to look at.” She shrugged. “Hugo’s more my type.”
“Don’t you dare break his heart you… you temptress,” warned Enna. “You know he’s like a little brother to me. You know what he did for me.”
The ghost of something uncomfortable flashed across Vander’s face. Ingrid had seen that face somewhere: not in person, but in a picture. Then, he faked a supportive smile. “Yes, we like Hugo. Be gentle with him.”
“Gentle is my middle name!” chirped Leluun. “Anyways, it’s time for Caldores carols! Show me this human tradition of yours and I shall make all of your stubby lil’ ears regret it!”
Enna dashed forward, throwing an armful of leaves at Leluun and, soon, both girls were having a leaf fight, while Vander awkwardly attempted to stay involved but not too involved. It was only broken up when Benedict arrived. “Have you no shame?” he scolded.
“Okay, Mr. Fun-guy,” taunted Vander.
“And puns, too.” Benedict cringed. “Get your good coats on and let’s be off. I wanna get to houses while the eggnog is still actually warm.”
“Is Hugo coming?” Asked Enna, voice hopeful.
“Darling, you know how he was under the weather. We probably shouldn’t -”
“HUUUUUUGOOOOOO!!!" shouted Leluun, springing up onto an awning and the roof in two bounds as only a yasoi could do. She rapped on a window and then pressed her face up against it but, after about twenty more seconds she turned to the others and shook her head. She leapt down. “He’s still in bed, under the weather.”
“Right,” announced Benny. “I’ll go check on him before we head out, make sure he has everything he needs.”
“I can go!” insisted Enna.
“No,” said both boys at once. “You know you always get a fever around this time of year,” insisted Vander, “and I don’t want you catching it from him.” Benny tilted his head to one side and nodded. “He’s right, you know.” He winked. “Don’t worry. I’ve got him.”
Seeing Enna makeout with this new person, Vander, felt specifically odd as from everything that Ingrid now knew, It was Hugo and Enna. She listened in to their conversation, a little weirded out just watching people flirt when they didn't know she was there. It seems in this timeline after Enna was cured and Hugo got moved closer to her in a… different way, Ingrid thought, cringing at the reality of that. When they mentioned Hugo being under the weather, Ingrid just straight up didn’t believe it. I wouldn’t want to watch the one I love make out with that dude. I know Enna doesn’t need to return his love but I feel for him. Ingrid followed Benny indoors to check on Hugo. Her mind wandered on who Vander was, he seemed familiar but Ingrid couldn’t place it at the moment.
“You should come with us,” said Benedict, closing the door behind himself. Thankfully, doors were not proving much of an obstacle for Ingrid these days. “Everyone knows you’re not really sick.”
Ingrid nodded, agreeing with Benny, ”It’s true. I don’t even know you that well and I can tell you were faking it.” Ingrid said this knowing that the only person who will see her was Hugo.
“It’s a different kind of sickness,” said Hugo, hunched over his desk, scribbling away at his notes.
“Leluun’s sweet on you, I think.”
“I don’t want Leluun.”
Hugo wasn’t looking at Benny. He couldn’t see what Ingrid swore was a slight roll of the eyes. “So what are you gonna do, then? Reset things again?”
“Leluun’s sweet on everything,” Hugo elaborated, dodging the questions. “Her only requirements are legs and a pulse.”
Ingrid just glanced up for a second and thought if the Ismette she knew might be the same. Good to know.
“You can’t just stay here, moping, now that they’ve made it official.”
The boy that Ingrid had only known as an elderly man until now turned his chair, the legs of it scraping across the wooden floor. “I don’t intend to,” he replied a bit too evenly. “Enna Lantisca is happy, you’re restored to your throne, Leluun is… well, Leluun, and I’m tired of it all.”
Ingrid grimaced upon hearing how he responded, it sounded so defeated. I know I can’t tell him but from what I know at least Vander and her don’t marry. Wait… that may not be good either.
“Godsdamn, man, you sound like you’re a hundred years old.”
Hugo smiled wanly and shrugged. “Sometimes, yeah. Besides, it’s too risky. There’s still the other Enna out there, and the other Leluun.” He shook his head. “They’ll try to destroy me.”
“I won’t,” promised Benedict. “There’s no other me out there from an orphan timeline. The two of us against the two of them? I like our chances.”
So it seems in this timeline there wasn’t another Benny yet… So does that mean there will be another reset? Ingrid thought, doing her best to not make any facial changes that may garner Hugo’s attention.
Hugo ran his fingers through his hair, anxious, and rubbed at his temples. “Yeah, I guess we could take them. I just… don’t wanna risk any others.”
“Well, if you change your mind, I’ve got your back. Fuck ‘em, huh?”
“Hhmp, yeah, fuck ‘em,” Hugo agreed. “Now, don’t you have a bunch of lame holiday songs to go sing?”
“Don’t remind me,” groaned Benedict.
“Go, do what you have to.”
“Yeah, they’re probably waiting for me but, uh, first…”
“Right, the thing,” Hugo sighed. Rising, he walked over to a corner of the room where a small bureau was, and shifted it aside. A dark aberration sparkled in the dimness, radiating the opposite of light. The Perrench prince walked up to it and drew, his eyes bugging out, nostrils flaring, and veins bulging. For a second, he doubled over, hands resting on his knees, and breathed heavily. Hugo hovered nearby, face somewhere between anxious and subtly judgmental. “I’m good,” panted Benny, holding a hand up. “I’m… I’m good.” He stood and brushed himself off. “That should get me close to her now.”
After a moment, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pouch of coins. This, he dropped into Hugo’s outstretched hand. “Next time, think you can look a bit further?” Benny prodded. “Just maybe about ten years. I wanna make sure it goes smoothly, you know?”
It was disturbing to see Hugo just hand an aberration over to Benny. Maybe this Benny doesn’t have as much RAS as the one I know, Ingrid thought to herself as she watched the future king nearly hit the floor. ”Not his finest moment, huh?”
Hugo bit his bottom lip, counting the coins. “That’s getting risky. I don’t know what those two are up to. Could jump to my death.”
Prince Benedict smiled and shook his head. “You worry too much, buddy.” He clapped the lankier boy on the shoulder. “Besides, I really need it.” His tone had shifted for a moment. “And you know I’ve always stood by you, right? Even when they haven’t.”
Hugo looked uneasy for a moment, and then he flashed a quick smile. ”I’ll, uh, see if I can maybe try. I uh, know I owe you.”
“Don’t even think about it, buddy.” Benny smiled. “I’ll give you a bit more for it too. I need that one.” Before the silence could become awkward, he turned on his heel and bid his friend and drug dealer farewell. Then, it was just Hugo, alone in a small empty room, but for Ingrid.
Ingrid waited for maybe half a minute to make sure Benny was at least on the lower floor before speaking, “Do you always make aberrations for him?” Ingrid then scratched the back of her head and some sympathy to Hugo, ”Sorry things didn’t seem to work out with you and Enna. I would say that’s rough but at this point I think we need to make a new word for what you’re going through.” Ingrid knew that was awkward as hell but it was better than just not saying anything in her opinion.
“You did a better job not freaking out this time,” he replied, with a bit of a smirk. He shook his head and threw himself onto his bed, scooting backwards until he was sitting up against the wall. “Truth is, they’re all shitheads, even Benny. I’m just his fuckin’ drug mule, and I tell him how his glorious reign will go for cash. He thinks he has me fooled.”
“Calling all you supposed friends shitheads is quite something,” Ingrid remarked. She tried to take a seat on the corner of the bed with him before looking back at him, ”If you don’t like being his drug mule then why not tell him no? Worst comes to worst you go back to before you told him no and retry later. If he is anything like the Benny from my time, I know he can be… difficult.”
Hugo leaned his head back until he was staring at the ceiling, and he swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in his throat. He glanced at Ingrid from the corner of his eyes. “It’ll just make things worse. In one timeline, when I taught Enna temporal magic, I turned her against me and she turned Leluun too. Then she learned to jump timelines and she’s coming for my Eshi-damned head. Then, in the last one where we met, you mentioned having seen all three of them in your time. That means all three turn: Benny too.” He sighed and let his head fall until he was sitting normally. “Enna’s happy. She’s cured and, even if it isn’t with me, that was my goal from the start. I lost sight of it for a while. Honestly, I’m seventeen going on a hundred-seventy and I’m just tired of it all. It only causes more problems when you play Dami. It really does. That’s why I’m done with it.” He shook his head, pulling his knees up to his chest. “I dunno who you are or why you’re here - maybe I’m like… your teacher or something in the future, I guess - but whatever it is, keep things simple. More power isn’t the answer. It doesn’t bring you happiness. It really doesn’t. Forbidden magics… ain’t it.”
Ingrid was lost for words for a second. Hugo seemed to have tried his best but things had gotten worse and worse. Ingrid took a huff out, “Well I guess I should answer who I am. I’m not your student per se. You’re the Paradigm of Ersand’Enise and I only have really met you because you sent me on a mission. You were really old at that time.” Ingrid tried to figure out what to say next, “I can’t say if they are after your head but they don’t seem to be the exact same people you knew. Benny is from what I can tell a Revidian commoner who spouts a lot of hate for people with power. Enna from what I can tell is your direct student or at least you favor her. And Leluun is Leluun. So who knows, maybe all that jumping wiped their memories of things. All I know is that they are first years with me.” Ingrid tried to assure him in some way. If they were out for his head they did a shitty job at it so far as it seems old age is going to get him first. Ingrid also wanted to bring up Vander since he seemed familiar, “And that Vander fellow, first off I don’t like him; second, he seems familiar to me somehow. I just can’t place it though.”
“Him too. Hah!” Hugo snorted. “But I shouldn’t know anymore.” He slid off of his bed and stood. “Just one monroe thing, though… maybe two: what happened with Benedict? He get to be the bigshot Perrench king?”
Ingrid was curious why Hugo wanted to know if they were all supposed ‘shitheads’ but she’ll give, “Benny turned into a great king that literally is called Benedict the Blessed. He is even considered one of the 10 Virtues by my time. Kind of sucks because well, to me, he’s just a boy I fail to get to even walk around a fair with me.” Ingrid did seem a bit peeved about that still. She then laughed, “It seems I lost my mind if I can laugh about not getting a boy’s attention when I might not even be able to return home,” Ingrid wiped away the tears from laughing a bit too hard. ”So what was the other thing you wanted to ask?” Ingrid inquired.
“The Leluun from another timeline pulled a shitfit about those… weird black things that popped up. Called them aberrations and stuff. Said they were addictive and just another example of humans misusing dangerous magics they didn’t understand.” He scowled. “I just dismissed it as her being dramatic at the time, but… I dunno. It’s just some bullshit, right?”
Ingrid gave him the most assured face she could, “Oh they totally are fucking things up in my time. They are practically everywhere it feels like. I literally awoke with one next to me at the school. And they are addictive and worst of all they turn you crazy.” Ingrid put her head against the wall, ”I’ve absorbed 4. First one because I just touched it to feel what it was; 2nd was with a group in a desert after killing a Royal Sand Wyrm that ate one; 3rd one I was at the Club Faire and it was literally near one of the presentations; 4th was just after I absorbed the 3rd on the way home.” Ingrid looked a bit distraught, ” I couldn’t stop myself from absorbing the one on the way home…” there was a pause before she continued, ”I went crazy with that one and tried to kill my friends. Luckily I was able to snap back to reality by a student named Kaspar but I was taken off to be punished. Went for a walk with my Arch-Zeno and I ended up temporally displaced I guess…”
Hugo’s face darkened as she spoke and he seemed to consider. When she was finished, he remained still and thoughtful, brow furrowed. Truly, the weight of the world seemed to settle upon his shoulders. “I… see.” He reached out, unbidden, and put a hand on her shoulder. The world wavered for a moment but she did not find herself in some other place or time yet. Hugo was staring intently at her, looking haunted. “I understand a lot more now, and I’ll… try to change it. For now -” His hand remained on her. “I think I know how you got here. I’m a bit new at this. Time to send you home.”
He didn't wait for anything else. He didn’t give a heartfelt goodbye or anything of the sort. He seemed… deeply disturbed by what he’d heard, barely managing to hold it all in. Ingrid’s world wavered once again and she blinked. There she was, standing at the edge of the Violet Enclave. The Centuries were gone. The old man was gone. Everything looked normal. She twisted back and forth, taking in her surroundings desperately, hopefully and, for just a moment, watching her from the steps of the Forked Tower, she could’ve sworn she saw Hugo Hunghorasz.
Ingrid didn’t want to disturb him to that degree but it needed to be done. Things are getting worse and worse and maybe he will be able to help even if it puts more burden on him Realizing she was truly home she started to cry once more from the relief of not being lost to time itself. Ingrid wanted to thank him but he wasn’t there. Ingrid just said, ”Thank you Hugo for saving me in time,” in a quiet voice hoping he would hear and maybe laugh.
Ingrid continued to make her way to Luna’s. Her emotions were mixed and hard to process. She had no one to find comfort in now in her mind. Sven is probably furious that I ran off. Hopefully, he doesn’t know what happened… Ingrid had a pained look on her face, Of course he will Ingrid, it happened near the magic clubs, we talked about going there after the Orators society! I was then taken by two Centuries to the Violet Enclave! Everyone will see that. People are nasty and it won’t be long until everyone knows! Fuck!
Ingrid made it to Luna’s and grabbed her bag and headed up to the roof. She just stayed their. Crying intemtitedly when she thinks on how she fucked up. Ingird popped a bottle of spirits out of her bag and got absolutely hammered on the roof. They day got cooler as the sun went down yet Ingird didn’t feel like getting up. She didn’t want people to see her. Especially not Dory. What she saw when she was temporally displaced fucked with her mind but she thinks she understands hugo’s motives at least for just looping the time line over and over again. Her mind was filled with a lot of thoughts.
Why did I even absorb that aberration at the Orators’ Society? Did I really absorb it to help prevent maybe another student from absorbing it accidentally? Or did I just want the power I know it would give me? I don’t even know anymore. Does it even matter why I did it? Maybe I should have just kept to myself and walk away and report it. If it got absorbed during that time would I have been responsible for that. Why the hell did I even think it was my responsibility? Because I’m a noble? Because my RAS is bigger than most people? God, a noble that believes they are all self-important, fucking pathetic. I never wanted to believe my father but he seems more right everytime I mess up, Maybe I am just a girl with a high RAS destined to get married off and handed to different husbands over their life like almost all high RAS women. That fucking sucks but if I can’t even care for my own wellbeing maybe that is how life works. Maybe if I give up now I can at least choose my first husband.”
Ingrid stopped thinking not for any specific reason. She was just numb and overwhelmed by herself that she ended up freezing. She laid unmoving unil she started to shift her collar down just bellow her own collar bone on her right side. She rubbed that area until it was hit and becoming tender. Suddenly she collected the ambient heat in the air left hanging in the air and the smoke from the chimneys drom other’s making dinner. Focussed into a small beam on her finger that started to burn her. The skin went red quickly and it hurt but Ingrid continued unil she smelt the skin burn the same way it did on the person she burned alive.
Like a rude awakening to her system, the pain has snapped her, at least momentarily, out of her spiral. She took a deep breath adn drew out the additional energy out of the burn. She didn’t use anything to help with the pain. What the fuck am I doing, Ingird thought as she slid her shirt up and cover the burn which turned out to be a bad idea as it rubbed against it and caused a a great deal of discomfort.
Ingrid’s emotions were still their but they were less overwhelming and she could nock away some of her worst ideas but a new one came into her mind, Like hell I will let myself be married off for my family’s benefit. I would be better off dead before that.
Ingrid didn’t harm herself for a few days after that but when she got overwhelmed again she turned to it and it provided a form of relief. She started to use this as a way to control herself when thing got overwhelming and the frequency of it would increase over the time to the trials. So if anyone were to see under her normal clothing they would notice the growing number of burn like holes. Other than that she wouldn’t allow people she cares about to see them nor would she talk about it.
Ingrid stayed up on the roof the entire night and only left once the sun had risen and she could go to Zeno Bucks to grab 2 cups of coffee along with some pastries to fuel herself. She knew she should have felt tired from not sleeping and all the other things but she didn’t feel much other than mentally exhausted. She still has so much to do and she thinks if she stops she'll sink.
- Ingrid is worried about how her movements as a larger noble of Eskand are impacting the other nobles - She worries about escalating violence. - The whole temporal displacement has messed with her mind in a lot of bad ways - Ingrid started to self-harm when she has starts to feel overwhelmed, them being covered by clothes.
Guild: Enchanters Union
Fingersteeplers Golden Mushroom Pumpernickle Club Draconic Order Society of Grapes Eshiran's Own Eskandish Circle [Ethnic Club]
After returning to her dorm at Ersand'Enise, Ingrid couldn't wait to rest as a constant headache hammered her head. But there was no rest. Ingrid had not only left her academic responsibilities to the wind, but also left her servants with not even a note to let her know she was out. They knew that at times of high stress Ingrid would go to nature to calm herself but she would never leave them with nothing. All they knew was Ingrid was gone and she had left with her backpack. So when she returned in a sarong carrying a bag of unknown make that was filled with 3 Wyrm Pearls and 10 Wyrm Scales they were in fact very worried. Ragnhild scolded Ingrid as it was not only her job too but also because Ragnhild had watched Ingrid grow and she had never been this inconsiderate.
Ingrid was stung by those words as they were true. She snuck out in the middle of the night in the during a storm with no explanation and came back with unimaginable things. Ingrid could only apologize but Ragnhild wanted none of it, she simply told Ingrid to ready herself for a bath and then to go to sleep. The night ended after the bath and she would have to face any consequences of her actions in the morning.
Day 1
Ingrid had been awoken about an hour earlier than usual. It was quite dark out, not even a sign that the sun would be rising soon. Ingrid's day was going to be full. She had left in the middle of studying, classes that she missed, paperwork that needed to be done, finalizing her speed dating event, apologizing to all her teachers that she may have offended. Unloading the Wyrm pearls and looking into the book from Sileen would have to come later.
Ingrid spent her entire week flooded trying to fix the entire week she disappeared. Ingrid planned to make herself less available during the coming week for her speed dating event but now she has no choice to be unseen as she was swamped with responsibility and some very disapointed servants. Ingrid's plans to have her dinner date with Benedetto also had to be postponed. She felt bad but he seemed to understand for the most part.
Her work load during the first week was immense. There were times that she could remember staring over notes and books and thinking, maybe I should just run away, be a pirate before centering herself and continuing. Ingrid was mostly thankful that she listened to Luna about not taking a 3rd magic class because from what she hears, chemical class is very study intensive. Thanks Luna for making me realize I was indeed a nugget before it was too late.
The first Zeno day back was challenging. Ingrid felt like she betrayed Luna's trust and was ready for a thrashing. But Luna was chill and she seemed to be in the loop. In fact this led to a completely different effect. Some of the students were spreading rumors that Ingrid had went off on one of the Zeno's errands. This did more for her school status than she could have imagined. She let Åsa know ahead of time that she needs to prepare more food for the incoming guests.
Now having caught up on her student responsibilities after a full week of overtime, Ingrid could now try to off load some of the pearls. It was hard to find a buyer on short notice but she was able to find one. She hoped to get at minimum 2500 neskals for it but secretly hoped for 3000 neskals. Ingrid was offered 2600 neskals for it. It was crucial that Ingrid have funds ready for the speed dating event and for certain clubs she wished to join. She accepted the deal and handed over her smallest pearls. Now secured in her personal funding for the mean times she could relax a little and wait for the speed date in 2 days.
The day before the event, Ingrid was finally able to hang with Benny. It wasn't the dinner date that she promised but more of a casual hang out with someone she was trying to get to know better. A little flirty but nothing as bold as making out with him randomly. She was curious about him and how he thought. Of course she was attracted to Benny but at the moment she wanted to solidify their friendship more than anything else and Ingrid wasn't comfortable enough to see if he been willing for a casual relationship. Other than that, it was fun to see him outside the mission
On the day of the speed dating event, Ingrid was up early with her servants preparing the food. Ingrid was in charge of cooking the meats and making the pates. Ragnhild was in charge of baking, decoration, and presentation. Åsa was in charge of making the jams, jellies, and drinks. Ingrid also made Ice creams and sorbets, using her magic to make them fast and impossibly good. Eirik was setting up chairs and making sure his weapons were sharp just in case.
Afterward she spent about an hour and half getting ready. Dress, makeup, going over manners, refreshing herself on potential suitors. Then Eirik took it upon himself to make sure Ingrid could defend herself in her more tighter and restrictive wear. Ingrid was able to demonstrate her defensive skills with a similar level of proficiency as she would show in training. Eirik was still disappointed how winded Ingrid was after a small demonstration. Ingrid knew she needed to take better care of herself.
The speed dating event begins…
A speed dating event that has been rumored to take place at in the week prior to the student social club. Many suitors were looking to make themselves known as Ingrid Penderson is considered a very good investment for almost any noble. A 8.4 RAS, beauty, a wealthy family, good connections across the continents, and many other resources at her family's disposal. Although many nobles have tried to woo her already, Ingrid monopolizes her time and keeps them at bay. This may be some of their only chance to leave an impression on the Eskandish woman.
The event is open to all people and all social levels. From lowly gardener to prince can come if they please. From a spry fresh face man to an elderly Zeno. Participants are to wait in and out of Ingrid's dorm. Her maid will provide food and drink for those who want it. Fine food from many regions have been procured and replicated in house. It is said that some of the entrées and desserts were made by Ingrid herself.
Each date lasts for 5 minutes and is controlled by a finely crafted hourglass. When the time is up the head maid will see you out and pick the next suitor at random. Gifts are not required but if a gift is brought, you may hand it to Ingrid directly to her if you wish. If not it will be taken away by her guardian to a side room and the head maid will inform Ingrid that you brought something.
Ingrid had dreaded this day since coming to the school. It was everything she disliked and it was going to be all on her. Being at a party where there was other people to talk to was more her style. But Ingrid put on a mask and went through the event with strength.
The event was pretty sleezy. She wasn't interested in almost anyone. Some were rich and would be her family's option. Some had the RAS that was near her own. Others were just damn attractive. But none made the 5 minutes feel good. And none could get her to extend the time. However, there were a few people that made the time special.
Ayla
Ayla returned to the Pizza Slice, the big dormitory area which houses her and some of the other noble biros of the academy. As she made her way to her room, there was a big queue outside of it, though confused she tried to break through it to enter her room when some gentleman pushed her out of the way. “Hey, no cutting in, get to the back of the line!”, he shouts, getting others to turn to heckle her, startled, she ends up joining the back of the line full of frowns. Feeling rather sheepish, she tries to ask what the line was even for, only to be dismissed, “Well, you are in it, so you should know”.
As Ayla manages to get to her door, it seems there was an exodus from one of her neighbours, with the next lot being called in. The eager admirers drag Ayla along with them and now she is brought into the rooms of Ingrid Penderson to wine, dine, and meet with the noble girl herself.
Ayla watched as many suitors entered and exited, the atmosphere was less than jovial, as she senses a lot of anxiety in the air, many people giving each other dark glares, and overall being less than friendly as tension was so thick in the air, it could be sliced with a sword. The staff were looking a little overwhelmed, as she opened her bag, bringing out her Flauta to play.. She selected an Eskandr theme to play, starting to recite it to pacify and calm down the others in the room. youtu.be/3065Sw9t5D0
It was some time till Ayla was interrupted by one of the maids. It seems they made the strategic decision to call her in as one of the last due to the calming effect her music had upon the others. “Lady Penderson will see you now”.
As Ayla is brought in, she recognises from the Desert, though looking far more dressed up and beautiful in her attire for this occasion, “Ingrid! So these are your accommodations then”. With genuine surprise, she moves up close to the girl, taking her hands in a warm squeeze. “It is Ayla, we met in the Desert without formally introducing ourselves.”
In the middle of a conversation with a drab suitor, an unexpected musician started to play in the waiting room. An Eskandish piece that Ingrid could play by memory herself. It calmed her soul and even made the current suitor barrable. Ingrid knew that whoever was playing this was going to be saved till the end as Ragnhild, the head maid, loved this more than Ingrid.
As the mystery musician was finally slated to make an appearance, Ingrid could only imagine who it could be. Maybe an Eskandish man trying to woo her with his impressive skills. One of the many performing musicians near the school, trying to make an impression to the rest of the suitors as well. Whoever they were, they had impressed Ingrid already.
As Ragnhild brought the musician in, Ingrid was surprised to see it was none other than Ayla. Ingrid just smiled as Ayla seem to be the affectionate type as she moved in to hold Ingrid's hands. Ingrid just looked slightly down to the petite woman as she herself was still sitting. Ingrid replied in turn, "Well it is good to formally meet Ayla, come take a seat," Ingrid gestured to the chair just across the small table that would separate them. Ingrid with a slight use of kinetic magic, flipped the hourglass in the corner of the room, starting the timer once again. "So, I heard from Ragnhild that it was you that was the musician out there. It was beautiful I must say. I don't know what mood I may have been in without it." Ingrid kept herself in her seat, neither leaning back or forward as she had not fully figured if this was a friendly meet up or a romantic gesture. Ingrid thinks this is friendly but best to be on the safe side until she can say definitively
Ayla smiles widely, “Don’t know what kind of party this is, but some of them out there were looking as if they were waiting for execution, very anxious and with a lot of negative vibes. Hoped for it to lighten things up. Glad you found it refreshing”. She blushed for a moment as she realised she misspoke to the party host as she aimed to change the subject, where she was offered to make her introductions. “Ah, yes… … Pleased to meet you Lady Ingrid Penderson, you do live up to your reputation as the bluebell of Eskand”, Ayla overheard some comments like that, and it is true, the Eskand bluebell is a pretty flower and Ingrid is well dressed in front of her. “My name is Ayla, daughter of Duque Duerte, Casa Arslan del Torragon, Guardian del Varrahasta, Protector del Río Arapor, Warden del Reserva Natural de Arapor, Keeper de la Basílica la Llama Sagrada… the Unburnt…”, Ayla accidentally slips in the joke title Zarina gave her after the events of the Desert, though pretends to play it off as it is one of her titles.
After the formal introductions, she returns to a more friendly and casual speech, “It seems we are both staying in the Pizza slice, only a couple doors down. They always say it is good to get on with your neighbours. Perhaps we should use the opportunity to meet up under less formal circumstances some time.”, she offers a warm smile towards Ingrid as she takes the opportunity to be comfortable in her presence. “Have you given thought to the Student Societies and clubs? My tummy hungers for the Pumpernickel Clubbe. The Fauna Society looks like it would be good too, lots of travelling and cute animals, the Fireflies look good for all things dragon related…”, her cheeks flush and become a little rosy, “... what do you think of the Fingersteeplers?”.
Ingrid chuckled a little as she described the waiting room as a que for execution and then listened to Ayla's sizable amount of titles. Ingrid had heard the compliment of her being the bluebell of Eskand a hundred times on this day alone but it still brought her a moment of joy as who doesn't like to be complimented. Ingrid didn't posses such a long list of titles, she was more or less "Ingrid, daughter of Ásbjǫrn Penderson." Ingrid stopped for a moment and then let out, "And now a dragons slayer." Just saying it felt good.
Ingrid was surprised to here that Ayla was only a few doors away, "Only a few doors? I'm surprised we haven't ran into each other more often. And yes, I think we should meet in a less formal way. I tend to monopolize my own time but it would be good to have more friends." Ingrid so far enjoyed this meeting with Ayla. She was comfortable to be around. As clubs became of topic Ingrid started to show her hobbies. "I been looking at a few clubs and pumpernickel club was on my list. I love to cook but I'm afraid my baking skills are underwhelming, I feel much better at making savory dishes or an Eskand favorite of Ice Cream." The conversation of clubs had been going smoothly until Ayla seemed to go rosy. Peaked by curiosity Ingrid leaned in, waiting to hear what was about to be spoken. And as she heard Ingrid also started to blush, "I think the Fingersteeplers are... fun. They have also been on my mind."
Ayla cheered and gave a little clap at the ‘addition’ of Dragon slayer. “With these titles.. Do we just make them up, or is there a registered title society?”, she beamed brightly, remarking upon the concept with novelty, “Imagine the advantages to add ‘The one who receives an extra dessert’ and ‘Devourer of Ice-cream’ ?”.
She nodded more vigorously as Ingrid shared the excitement. “During the mission, dressed up as Jocasta. It was terribly fun and exciting. Used it to deceive Duque Frannemas of all people.”. She puts her hands together in the finger steeple manner, “You know, the Perrench have an ancestor of mine as a Grand Demon. Along with a bunch from Eskand too. We can announce ourselves to be the Dark Heirs of Destiny”.
Having someone share in this excitement was exhilarating. Ingrid looked surprised and at the same time impressed, "You really fooled Duque Frannemas? That is quite a feat Ayla. I would love to have seen it but I was probably playing a pirate at that time. Desmond was actually quite good at conceptualizing costumes and acting out as our captain." When Ayla offered to do a Dark Heirs of Destiny thing together Ingrid was all in, "I would love to! It sounds like you already have a grand demon you want to be heir too. Any suggestions for me?" Ingrid is super hyped for this. Joining the club by herself was going to be nerve wracking but with a friend it feels super approachable. Maybe they should get more of their constituents involved?
Ayla considers the options, “From the top of my head, there is Fradje Ironshaper as Greed, and Hrothgar the Black as Tyranny. If you were a mooncaster, definitely be the Ironshaper, but Hrothgar was the king of kings who united Eskandr under one banner to take on the Parrench… though my ancestor burnt his fleet to a crisp. It is said our founder ran a lion that broke through the offensive line, then summoned a great firestorm to burn the ships away. It caused the Eskandr to panic as they fled into the green fields of Parrence trying to find their way back home. Apparently he set fire to that too…”. She muses for a moment, before she looks up and waves her hands in surrender, “No plans to burn down your home, swear it! My family just has an obsession with fire. Avoid trying to use it where possible. It only causes destruction, mayhem, and hurting people”.
She looked a little embarrassed as she went completely off on a tangent, “So where were we… was it the ironshaper, the one who brought down the Avincian Empire which interested you?”
Ingrid understood some history was going to come up but wasn't expecting Ayla to essentially say my family kicked Eskandr's ass back in the day. She showed a bit of displeasure for that part of the conversation to make sure her old fashion maid was not going to make a riot about her not having pride. Ingrid sees that as what it is, history. She has no personal grudges and many of the major events are long in the past. Although what happened at the conclave made Ingrid weep it had no weight on this. Instead, Ingrid focuses on her family's use of fire. "I see fire as something else. In Eskand, the only way to survive is fire. The beauty of a hearth where families gather to stay warm, eat and cook for each other, and laugh and complain with each other. Sure it can be used to destroy but it can be used for so much more than that. Besides, an obsession with fire seems innocent in comparison to an obsession with explosions. I would enjoy seeing a demonstration of your fire some day. And for my choice? Ironshaper is my choice, it has a ring to it!"
Ayla does look very embarrassed by what she kind of implied unintentionally in her comments. She has been thinking a lot about her family recently, with being sent to the academy in the place of her brother, and even finding an old letter from Alizée Arslan at the refuge, it just started rolling off her tongue before she gave serious thought about it.
However, she was most surprised to hear Ingrid’s comments. Almost wide eyed in fact, especially with the choice of words, having a physical tremor as she listened, shaking a little in her seat. It almost got too much for her when Ingrid said about wanting to see her use fire magic. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do with this outpouring of emotion as if felt like she was going to break down in front of Ingrid. She closed her eyes as she began to take deep breaths, longer breathing out with short intakes, doing the breathing technique she was taught to try to settle herself.
Ingrid had not noticed the smaller physical signs of distress that Ayla has been showing. Once Ayla closed her eyes, Ingrid saw that she was overwhelmed by what Ingrid said. Unlike Ingrid who showed some distaste to appease her maid, Ayla seemed to be genuinely distraught. Ingrid was going to wait for her to calm down naturally but remembered the time she was panicking in the alley and Desmond tried to console her. Ingrid quietly moved her seat next to Ayla and rested a hand on her shoulder. She gave a light rub and was more or less being present for Ayla. As although they are on friendly terms, Ayla is a new friend and Ingrid has no idea what is okay for her.
Once Ayla composed herself, she returned back to the meeting. She had noticed the hourglass has come to an end. She takes a breath, “It was good meeting you, Ingrid. It seems time has passed rather quickly. Feel free to come by, would enjoy an opportunity for us to have a more casual chat. Otherwise, would be fun to meet up with you during our society time together, Lady Ironshaper.” She gives a very warmly smile with a light curtsey as she was shown out by the head maid.
An embarrassment had overtaken Ayla as she finally calmed. Ingrid gave a softer smile to show that this was of no trouble to her. Soon Ayla brought back her normal demeanor to make her exit. Ingrid made a small chuckle and replied, "It was wonderful to meet you Ayla. And lets make a grand appearance Lady Arslan. Oh, and before you go, please take this," Ingrid went over to a small chest and grabbed this unusual looking apple and offered it to Ayla, "This is a Brandæble. A fruit that grows near Eskand's volcanos. We use it as a symbol as good luck and I wanted to give this to you for such and enjoyable time."
Silas
The head maid called Silas' name three times before he bothered to so much look up from the pastry tray before him. Her perturbed glare was lost on the sightless boy, as he popped a final sweet into his mouth, still chewing and brushing powdered sugar off his clothes when he finally took a seat across from the host.
"Silas Reiger" He finally introduced himself after swallowing and offered a mildly filthy and clamy hand over the table. "I was at the refuge when you arrived, pleasure to meet you again."
She certainly was tall, and had come in the group with Desmond. Most importantly, she had wealth coming out of her ears. "I won't waste your time, so." A vial was produced from one of his pockets and placed on the table, a dark viscous liquid moving inside. Silas smiled as he leaned back in his seat, arms folded, confident no further explanation was needed.
No one so far had needed there name called more than once as Ragnhild would normally move on but she seemed to be repeating herself. Someone has gotten on her nerves. A blind boy seemed to enter. Not very well dressed and a bit dirty with powder sugar and crumbs on him. He announced him as Silas and he announced that he was at the refuge. Ingrid wasn't shy from shaking hands with him. She has a cleaning rag for such occasions. As she shook, "Ingrid Penderson, pleasure to make your acquaintance." It seemed he was quite bold.
It seemed he was here for some negotiation and he set a vial on the table. Ingrid couldn't recognize it but he seemed quite confident in it. She can't seem to remember what he purchased. She decided to play it safe, "I see, and um, what is it?" Ingrid had no clue on what it was but he was so confident that she wanted it.
"Wyrm gland acid" He explained, unbothered by her ignorance so far. "There's more of it but" His face flushed under the blindfold "It's all in my room with the rest of it. This is just a sample"
He popped the cork off the vial and looked around. There really wasn't anything demonstrate on; any one of the objects surrounding them were worth more than all of the common dorms combined. With a sigh, Silas removed the fabric covering his eyes and folded it on the table, carefully keeping his face lowered in effort to keep the malformed black growths somewhat hidden. Barely a drop of the liquid poured from the vial, but a cloud of smoke bloomed immediately, bringing the smell of scorched linen with it. "Tah-dah. The real stuff." He coughed, waving the smoke from his face. "You should know of course, having helped kill it and all."
All Ingrid could say is "Oh, Wyrm Acid." She felt bad about him using his eye coverings as a test material. She had to question why he was offering this to her. It is a very strong acid and it could possibly used to test the ground for minerals that can withstand the acid. But she couldn't help but believe there would be better buyers. But she'll play for now until she can figure out why he was going to her. I'm sure an a zeno or upper chem mage would buy this up. "Would I be purchasing the vial or the entire gland? And do you have a price in mind?"
"Four hundred carona for the whole thing." He said too eagerly and quickly made to correct by clearing his throat loudly. "Or twenty a vial. Though with what I've heard about your research interests the whole gland is really a better deal."
The sum of Silas' chemical knowledge wouldn't be enough to fill the vial in hands but he did his best to play to her ignorance and managed to keep his voice steadily confident as he re-tied the mostly-ruined fabric on his face.
Ingrid was stunned by the low price. Only 400 Corona. That was within her normal budget. Ingrid was ready to jump on this deal to make an easy profit but had a sudden wave of guilt. It was wrong. He was a commoner and obviously didn't have better knowledge on how to sell it. She remembered Trypano wanting it for obvious reasons. Ingrid had a buyer so it wouldn't be hard to off load. "Silas, that is a very generous offer but I must decline a direct purchase. Instead how about I buy it from you for that price and then I will sell it on your behalf. I take back the 400 corona plus some for acting as the seller and you take home the bulk of the profit for this." Ingrid gave him a pretty good deal considering she could have just stole from him after all. "What do you say," hoping Silas would take it so that he can be properly compensated.
The boy's confidence evaporated with her un-expected response. Silas had thought himself prepared for any response but hadn't expected that. The vial rolled between his hands as he considered her offer. He knew better to trust strangers, especially those promising of a better deal. A better life. It was difficult to keep the flood thoughts about Madame Copin and Moriff. What were some fantastical bulk profits to him compared to more coin he'd ever held before right now? He examined her closely, memorising the kinetic rhythm of her heart before responding. "I have your word you won't make off with the goods and coin?"
Ingrid could see that Silas was skeptical about the deal. And it was smart too in general but Ingrid was being honest. It was a risk that was hard for him to take but Ingrid wanted to make him sure. Ingrid looked at him and said, "You have the word of Ingrid Penderson that I will not make off with the goods and coin that shall be made from the proper selling of Royal Sand Wyrm Acid Gland." Ingrid extended her hand for a shake and said, "Do we have a deal? I believe we could easily make 6 times that amount."
Well her heart beat didn't falter or quicken. Not as far as Silas could tell, but it was hardly and exact science. "We have a deal Then. Thank you, Ingrid." He finally confirmed, shaking her hand a second time just as the last of the sand fell to the bottom of the hourglass. The maid re-appeared, her face still sour as she hurried the commoner away from her charge. "Meet me in the common dorms for the rest; mine's the one with the mulberry growing into the second floor." He called over his shoulder with a casual wave to show the vial gone from his hand, instead left behind in Ingrid's. The maid tutted behind him as she lead the next person into the meeting room, but Silas payed her no mind, and pocketed a few more sweets before leaving the noble dormitories, with a notably gaiety in his step that hadn't been there before.
Zarina
The next ‘suitor’ came prepared with an inordinate amount of equipment. Zarina had not only a large duffel bag over her shoulder, but also a folded tripod with a covered wooden board connected to it under the opposite shoulder. Rightful stares of confusion were dedicated to the Virangishwoman and none of them fazed this confident go-getter. When she came in, Ingrid could see there was an effort to keep up appearances with neatly cleaned and tied up hair and makeup to make Zaz’s complexion appear a tad paler, along with some blush. Nothing too clown-like, of course. Her attire was the usual high-end stuff one expected from affluent Virangish merchants.
”Hello, hello, Ingrid.” she greeted the host with a pleasant tune in her voice and an enthusiastic smile. Before she took a seat, the tripod was set and the board was unveiled to reveal: Zeno Bucks! Now with a Logo, a menu and cute drawings to represent the different drinks and pastries. There were no prices yet. The bag was dropped by the chair with two sealed cups pulled out to be set over the speed dating table that separated them, ”Do you like coffee by any chance?” she inquired as she finally took a seat. A good thirty seconds of her allocated time had already been eaten by her setup.
Ingrid could recognize Zarina pretty quickly even if there interactions had been limited. She was beautiful. But what stood out even more than her beauty this time was the large amount of gear she brought. At first, Ingrid believed that the Virangishwoman would try and sketch her in the five minutes she was allotted. But it became clear that Zarina was hear for something much greater importance, a sells pitch. Second time today actually.
"Zeno bucks," Ingrid mumbled the name under her breath to see how it rolled off the tongue. It had a nice feel to it. It seemed to be a restaurant or something similar. Ingrid watched as some cups had been pulled out and set on the table. Ingrid smiled because she realized she was going to be treated to some coffee, "Why yes, I enjoy coffee from time to time. Is this 'Zeno Bucks' going to be a restaurant you will be starting?"
Zarina energetically nods when Ingrid repeated the company name. It sounds right - Just rolling off the tongue and evoked something rich, maybe even prestigious. Hopefully Marceline’s theory would bear fruit and perception would be as she predicted, ”Sort of, but not quite!” she is quick to answer the question, waving her index finger to keep things ‘moving’ without ever pointing toward her potential investor, ”We imagined something a bit more … Fast paced!” but first, she gestured her hands toward the two cups, ”Do you prefer with or without milk?” Depending on the choice, Ingrid would be given the one she wanted. Both were unsealed, allowing for steam to escape and the smell of freshly brewed coffee permeates the room.
”The limit of many Taverns, bakeries and even the homemade is location and timing.” she indulges in the drink that hadn’t been selected by the ruler of this den, ”I’m sure you’ve been in a hurry more than once, forgetting to get your morning drink or yummers made by your staff. Or maybe you’re craving something at lunch, or in-between periods, but the closest way you could get your pick-me-up is just so faaaar away. And usually takes a while.” and then, her hands dramatically present the Zeno Bucks Logo, ”That is where we come in! On site, fast and efficient! At a reasonable price too!”
Ingrid patiently listened to Zarina's presentation as they only have so much time. Only speaking to say she like it with no milk. The idea was good. The school was a very busy place and many students don't have the staff to have snacks whenever they want and everyone who drinks coffee knows its benefits for studying. Ingrid could see this being a real success with what it was offering and most of all, how much money flows through the school. If they could capture 5 percent of the market here they will be swimming in cash. Ingrid just wished to add, "Since this all seems to be about speed, are they going to deliver these to classes and across the school? Maybe getting identifiable uniforms to make them easily recognizable?"
Zarina wags her finger in Ingrid’s general direction, ”Very good idea and something we have indeed considered.” she straightens her posture on her seat, hands clasped together and her grin barely faltering since the exchange had started, ”To give you a quick rundown of how we’ll operate: We intend to first see the traffic by simply using a kioske to gauge interest, recurring business and popularity.” her hands slowly open up as she gestures, ”From there, we will estimate whether or not a delivery service can be of more than just a marginal benefit in a time of, hopefully, strong growth. Delivery would likely go beyond the school, since we’d be stationed right in front of it.”
She pauses for a moment to let it all sink in, and then continues, ”We haven’t fully considered uniforms yet, actually. Or rather we are still pondering on a design, and your investment would partially help with this part of the project.”
Ingrid could appreciate a good sells woman when she could see one but Zarina had a charisma to her that most did not. However her words were simply gilding the lily at this point. Ingrid could see an excellent investment opportunity. Depending on how much they were asking for, the business could have a quick turn around on profit. Cutting to the chase, "And how much funding are you looking to secure for the initial launch of Zeno Bucks?" Ingrid was curious if she was the first or only investor so far but that can come in on a later date where they can discuss the buisness at length.
Zarina let her back rest on her seat now that they were discussing numbers - the concrete. Both hands return together, flat and the tip of her fingers tapping her lower lip, ”Factoring in the starting fees, designing a uniform which would potentially come a bit later, and the primary materials we’re to purchase in bulk …” she let these elements sink into Ingrid’s psyche before she gave numbers, ”We’re imagining an investment of … 200 Neskals. Quite big, yes, but it does secure our anticipated supply lines and we project a return on this investment within six months, maybe a year if things are not so favourable.”
200 Neskels isn't a lot at the moment. Ingrid's own personal wealth has increased dramatically. They are asking for much less than what Ingrid thought Zarina would. The only reasons why is either it is a scam and she plans on leaving the academy afterward or the are worried on how much of a stake I would have in the company. Ingrid Looked towards the hourglass to measure how much time was lest. A decent bit but less than she would like. "With a 200 Neskal investment, how quickly would we be able to start? And how much of the company would I have a stake in?" Ingrid believes that Zarina also sees how profitable this can be and wants to protect her stake in it.
”When my coffee shipment arrives. So, perhaps a week. We are also investing in sugar and honey, as well as starting equipment.” she replies as soon as the question is posed, keeping it professional and holding back a little on the enthusiasm, ”8%. That is if owning a portion of the company is of interest to you. We are considering going into limited liability, so that number may not be as meaningful as one may think.” she states calmly, her gaze intense but never too focused onto Ingrid’s own.
8%? It wasn't terrible but at the same time she wanted more. Right now she hadn't too many investments so she could take a risk on this a little. However, Ingrid needs to save money for her own endeavors with the galleon. So taking such and easy investment would be preferable. Ingrid didn't hide the fact she was thinking on the offer. "So 200 Neskal and you belief that I could see a return on that in as little time as a year. Fine, I would like to increase my investment to 300 Neskal for a higher stake at around 10% and to when future investments are needed, you come to me first. I would also like a guarantee that if another one were to open, I would be given the opportunity to invest first." Ingrid didn't mind Zarina protecting her cash cow she may have stumbled upon but Ingrid doesn't want to loose the chance to invest further if this truly takes off.
Zarina’s smile folds into a cold pokerface the moment negotiations are underway. No frowning or strong reactions - Ingrid hadn’t stepped out of any lines yet - but she takes her time to think whilst indulging in her own coffee, ”10% and big guarantees. 2% and a ton of trust in a new investor for just 100 Neskals.” she clicks her tongue and drums her nails over the surface of the table before her, ”Strong position. Let’s ground ourselves here. There will be no guarantees of favoritism in investor choice - However you will remain informed of our decisions as a shareholder.” the drumming stops briefly, ”Ingrid Penderson. What would you say that you bring onto the table that would warrant 10%? Beyond Neskals. I only need 200 Neskals from you, after all.”
"Quite fierce Zarina Al-Nader. Do not take my intentions wrong. I believe that having a noble name attached to the business would make it more palpable to the nobility here. I am just open on investments at this time and I believe you have a real winner as well. Plus you are bound to run into issues if with the nobility here if it becomes as successful as I believe it would be. I can add a level of protection to it for a small 10%. Plus it would be easy to spread to the nobles of colder climates where I have more reach. Having come to try it, I can genuinely say that this will become to be very successful in the coming years in Eskand. I know the safer routes to sail. I am a Noble from there and will be able to get other nobles hooked on it before long." Ingrid felt safe with her proposal it seemed like something that would service both of them in the long run. But Ingrid was still nervous as Zarina has a cold expression that is hard to read.
”There are many noble names, and 10% isn’t small.” she is quick to counter, although her expression does soften a little bit to ease some tension she may have created, ”What you are proposing, however, is definitely something I hoped to hear from someone with your specific name.” and the grin is slowly allowed to creep back onto her expression, ”But you are also proposing something that is very different to what Zeno Bucks is going to be in the very near future. Which is why I’m going to propose a new offer:” both hands set themselves flat onto the table, as if she were showing her cards, ”If we grow to the point of such ambitious expansionism, which would entail us branching out, you will have a privileged guarantee when it comes to investing and the means in which we deploy our strategy, should you provide a strong project.”
Zarina wags her finger, indicating she isn’t finished, ”I want us to stay on the initial offer I’ve provided. Not to belittle your offers, but to get this funding going ASAP and allow you to meet my partner before we get too ahead of ourselves. I think her perspective on this is important, and you two could actually get something good going on.” her hands slide back to meet one another, fingers interlocked, ”Does this sound agreeable?”
Ingrid attempt to get more at the start has been forted. The deal was agreeable at the start but Zarina has budged a little. "I can agree to those terms." The timer had nearly ran out, no more time. "You have a good day Ms. Al-Nader. And take this with you." It was a peculiar apple looking fruit. Ingrid smiled and said, "This is a brandæble, a fruit that symbolizes good fortune in Eskand. You are quite interesting Zarina, I hope besides business that we can foster a friendship. I'll have the coin prepared for you tonight if you stop by or tomorrow morning if you wish."
”Great!” Zarina claps her hands together and seems to have almost instantly returned to that chipper and high-energy self she had started this whole pitch with. With the offering of the yummy-looking fruit, the Virangishwoman graciously extended her right hand out to accept the gift, ”Why thank you, Ms. Penderson.” she even lowers her head a little and then takes the time to eye the apple in her hand, ”I reciprocate these feelings, and I hope our efforts with be …” she grins a very toothy smile, ”Fruitful, hehehe. I’m looking forward to seeing the end result of your investment today.” and with that, she performs a dramatic but brief bow as she stands, ”Thank you for your time, and have a wonderful day, Ingrid.” the equipment is gathered and Zarina takes her leave whilst humming a small tune.
Sven
Next up was a boy. He was Eskandr and quite tall: nearly as tall as Ingrid, in fact. He entered with a flourish, dressed in last year's best fashions and a colourful hip cloak embroidered with the sigil of his house: Alfsgard. "My lady," he purred, reaching for her hand rather forwardly, taking hold of it, and planting a smooch on her fingers. His wispy mustache tickled at her skin as he did so. "It ish an honour t' make your acquaintansh."
He flashed a smile of decent but not perfect teeth, for one of his upper incisors was noticeably crooked and there was a hint of yellow to them. "I am Shven Bjornsshon, future Jarl of Alfshgard." It was... difficult to tell whether his name was actually Shven or whether it was lisp, though it appeared to be the latter. "Which, ash you know, ish a large and rich plashe." He smiled again, as if he was reminding himself to do it, and took his place across the table from her, his hand perhaps shaking a little bit but his voice hiding it well enough. "I hear you, too, are from Eshkand. Whereaboutsh?"
The man who walked through wasn't the handsomest of suitors today but it seemed he dressed his best at least. The forwardness wasn't the issue for Ingrid, it was the weird wispy failure of a mustache that planted itself on his face. It tickled and it that was...bad...
His lisp wasn't an immediate no but it made it much more difficult to understand the man. She knew him from when he was younger. He may not recognize Ingrid though as she has changed quite a bit. "Shven it is good to see you again, you have grown quite tall since we have last met. Remember my Grandfather's land is the one near yours, more mountains and trees but near. How have you been?" He seems to be going through a rough time with all the acne, lisp, and yellow teeth. Makes Ingrid thankful for her grandfather's hard work and her beautiful maid Ragnhild.
Sven gulped and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down. "Ah, yesh," he replied. "Ash have you." He blushed. "I think tall women are rather refreshing. The lasht girl my parentsh forshed me to court felt more like a doll than a pershon, to be honesht."
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Anywaysh, I hadn't thought you'd remember." He lowered his voice. "It wash many yearsh ago and Alfshgard is lessh the short of plashe you remember and more the short of plashe you gallop pasht. I shupposhe I have been well enough," he continued, "but how about you?" He smiled a nervous little smile. "I think mosht of these others are jusht after your money. They're either pitching you bushinesshesh or pitching themshelvesh. Might be hard to get a word in edgewishe. Sho, let'sh talk about you a bit, for onshe."
It seemed Sven was going through the same demeaning act of trying to flaunt yourself to find someone on your parents behalf. Ingrid laughed a little about doll sized woman, "I have to agree Sven, some of the women here are small and dainty but from personal experience it is nice to have someone smaller in your arms, you should give it a try some time." Ingrid listened and could tell he was a tad bit embarrassed, "Of course I would remember you. You were quite tall and more importantly you were kind from what I could remember our family's have a history of sticking out terrible harvests together." Sven was right about the people she has seen today, "Your right Sven, I have I have had only 2 people today that I have truly enjoyed." Ingrid was caught off when he wanted to let her talk. It just hasn't happened. "Well alright then, I guess I can try," said Ingrid.
"So I been studying Atomic magic recently and I been learning at a pretty great rate. I may be able to perform some of the highest-level spells before the end of my schooling. I've also made some friends actually and umm..." Ingrid struggled to talk about herself. She wants to limit her mad ramblings about things that should remain secret along with her obsessive hobby. So many things. "I guess I'm pretty terrible at talking about me." Not wanting the conversation to die because of her own ability, she kicks it back to him, "So how has the school been treating you? It can be overwhelming at times for myself"
"Terrible harveshtsh, huh?" Sven grinned ruefully. "Had a few of those lately." He grimaced. "A few too many."
Then, he let her speak and she didn't have much to say. Maybe, like too many young women, she'd been taught to be seen and not heard. Maybe she was just being polite, and maybe she was just hiding something. Sven leaned in conspiratorially. "I heard you were misshing lasht week, on a shecret errand for one of the Zenosh. I won't bother you for detailsh if it'sh all hush hush." He leaned back, a bit more comfortable now, more confident. He slung an arm over the back of his chair. "Atomic Magic shoundsh intereshting," he admitted. "I wash thinking of trying it, but we only have sho many classhesh we can take, you know?"
Ingrid was surprised to see that they already know about some students disappearing for some Zeno errands. With him knowing a little Ingrid wanted to show off a bit. "Keep talking Sven, let me show you something," Ingrid said as she stood and started to make her way to a chest. She talked to him while searching in the chest, "I know right? My Zeno is Luna and she told me to stick with the 2 magic classes. She also calls me a nugget and I kind of like it. Ah~ here it is!" Ingrid hid the scale behind her back for now. and made her way back to him. "Oh and on you doing Atomic? I think you should if you have the RAS. I find that it feels like the school is still untouched with lots of room for exploration. Plus being able to blow stuff up is how I got this!" as she shows of the Royal Sand Wyrm Scale. She would let him grab it if he wished. "I was invited to hunt a dragon. Oh boy was it a blast!"
Sven's eyes widened as he witnessed her pull out the treasure. "That'sh... a Royal Sh-shand wyrm shcale!" he exclaimed, jumping out of his seat. Eagerly, he took it from her and inspected it every which way. "Looksh to be from an unushually large dragon." He furrowed his brow. "Probably Dune Sea shubshpeciesh, male, quite old." There was a flash of magic as he used an Arcane spell to magnify what he saw. Thoughtfully, he did the same for Ingrid so that she could follow along. "Yesh..." he trailed off, inspecting closer. "About three-hundred-fifty yearsh," he decided, his head popping back up and eyes meeting hers. "They have growth bandsh. That'sh how you can tell."
After a moment, he remembered to address her subtle exhortation to try Atomic Magic. Sven's face became awkward again for a moment, the utter glee at handling a dragon scale fading from it momentarily. "Well, yesh, I have the RASH for Atomic." He lowered his voice. "It'sh 8.48, but I don't really like to advertishe it. It jusht becomes a dick meashuring contesht, you know?" He shook his head. "And every other guy I know from Eshkand ish sho inshecure, all trying to be like the raidersh of yore and shit like that." He rolled his eyes. "Thoshe are nishe shtories. They're shomething for our people to be proud of, but I prefer to live in the preshent, you know?"
His eyes glimmered for a moment, flicking over to the dragon scale as he handed it back to her. Their time was nearly up. "I prefer to learn everything there ish about cool shit, like dragonsh and wulliwidsh, forbidden magicsh and faraway countriesh!" He blinked and paused. "Sho yeah, I guessh I should learn Atomic. Maybe I'll get invited to one of thoshe cool adventuresh." He waggled his eyebrows, getting the pun. "That would be a blasht." Sven even winked.
Ingrid felt like the cool kid showing off her pretty rocks with the way he was all over the scale. What surprised her was how much he knew about it. Ingrid just got absorbed into his nerdiness and was now following along to his beat. "So do they grow forever? Or is it that they need there scales to stay and they go through intense growing periods?" She liked people with passions, Ingrid could relate to them easily as she has some intense passions of her own.
When Sven said his RAS, Ingrid just went wow. "8.48? That is super high Sven. And I know what you mean by dick measuring contest. I'm an 8.4 myself so I been constantly compared to one another." Ingrid rolled her eyes, "I know what you mean, all they care about is pretending to be the Vikings of a bygone era. I think certain things can stay but others should be left in the cold. But..." Ingrid looked away and have a bit of a smirk, "Horrik is pretty cool. He plays the whole Eskandish raider thing to a tee and looks good while doing it" Ingrid had no shame. King Horrik was hot.
Ingrid had seen now a few forbidden magic. And seen people of far out lands. Ingrid more just put a hand on his shoulder, "Sven I think following those passions will lead you to many great things. And since you might be doing some Atomic one day, maybe I can tutor you to help you learn faster. Atomic Buddies!" Ingrid busted out laughing at the pun. Puns are a weakness of hers. So bad but so good!
"Well, yesh: they have periodsh of feasht and famine and they're alsho jusht too large to shed all that shkin. Growth shlowsh but never completely shtopsh, at leasht from what we know. Not exactly a lot of Royal Shand Wyrm shpeshimensh to shtudy." Sven only paused to clear his throat. "It'sh the keratin on the outshide that can be shed, and the lamellar bone at the core doeshn't acshually grow much. It'sh the vashcular bone and the coshmine that develop thoshe growth ridgesh, like tree ringsh, and they show through faintly in the keratin layer if you know what to look for."
He blinked, catching himself, and Ingrid used it as an opportunity to address his RAS capacity. "Well, yesh," Sven agreed. "I mean, Vikingsh are objectively pretty fuckin' cool. The pathetic shimping for them ish not. Horik hash... genuine preshence, at leasht. He pullsh it off and it sheemsh like... authentic, you know?"
Then, she was onto forbidden magics and Atomic. "Shee, I'm not shure you'll be happy you made that offer," he teased. "I'm known to be quite the, um, monshter with magic." He grinned challengingly. "The apprentish will shurpassh the mashter in no time!"
Just then, the last of the timer's sand ran out. Sven stepped back, straightened, and fixed his collar. "It hash been a pleashure, my lady. I look forward to our next meeting." With a lanky awkward grace, he took her hand once more, bowed, and planted a second wispy mustache smooch upon it. He then bid her a goodbye, striding smoothly out of the room.
Ingrid thought for a moment and decided fuck it, "Sven, take this before you leave." In an outstretched hand she held the coveted brandæbles. He knew what this meant. And he understands how much it means to give a gift from an Eskandr.
Zarra
Zarra was fascinatingly next in line, trying his best to avoid nervousness brought on by the circumstances. He is holding the wand recently awarded him by Hugo, while at the end of the day, he wished that he had been given the book, he's not going to complain, as it surprised him nobody had vied for it besides him. However, rumors have definitely spread that an Eskandr girl had heard of his acquisition and rather than wait for her to make the first move, Zarra had ultimately decided to take advantage of this strange "speed dating" event she has set-up. Can you ever truly guess the intentions and personality of someone in 5 minutes? How much of her intuition does she trust? Regardless of her answer, he wasn't here for that. He was here for business.
Zarra had entered the room and just sat down. He has said nothing yet and for the first 30 seconds without saying anything. Ingrid decided to break the ice, "Um, hey Zarra, are you here for something?"
Zarra smiles, a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I space easily. I was thinking about what I was going to say. Listen, Ingrid, I'm not going to lie to you and try woo you over like all the other guys. I'm not interested in romance. I'm here because this is the only chance out of your busy schedule I feel I have of just talking about..." He pulls out the wand, which he has rather shameless brandished around the school. "The wand Hugo gave me. I think it would benefit us both if we worked out how it worked. I'm asking you and only you because you are both powerful and brilliant. But it's also out of trust. People like Jocasta or Trypano are also those traits, but they have hidden agendas. They have an idea of what they want and if I'm in the way, I'm going to become collateral. I can't imagine that with you."
Zarra says all this with an entirely cool demeaner, none of it meant to sound complementary, purely factual, making eye contact or looking at the wand exclusively, visibly ignoring the timer on the table that likely stresses many others.
"huh," Ingrid let out. His boldness was on the level of Silas but with less charm somehow. But his compliment game was on point. Though Ingrid would have preferred if he could have given some credit of not being completely harmless. "I guess we can work together on the wand. And why didn't you come to me when we were sleeping near each other at Luna's? Well anyway, I think we can work on it together if you have something to offer me. I am quite busy after all and I don't even know what the wand does."
He shrugs slyly, "That's the thing, I don't know what does either. Hugo says it's Hegelan, which I was going to attempt to research in the library tonight. Being that it's a wand, we can inherently assume it increases they caster's magic skill in some way. Maybe by artificially raising their RAS, or allowing greater control of their chosen spells. Hugo himself said everyone else was a fool to not take it, if that tells you anything."
Zarra wants to continue, but decides it would be wise to let Ingrid speak before continuing to drill towards the end of the conversational point. He hasn't really thought of a good response for her initial confusion. She makes a point of he could've just talked to her then, but no reason at all sounds better than a bad reason.
Ingrid heard him say that it may increase the RAS of the user. It was interesting but she has to ask, "Zarra, even if I want to research this with you, what benefit does it have to me? Would I be partial owner of it? Or are you just offering me the chance to help you and study it?"
"If we figure its the secrets, can't I just make a new one for myself? As a binder, that's kind of the whole point of the school. If not, I'll find the means to do so. Essentially, I just want to know how it works. Once we're both satisfied, I'll let you have it. I'm not in it for money or favors. As comically villainous as it sounds, I'm in it for the power. I'm working on making a deal with Carmilla to study her new tome, the object I originally wanted."
Bold would currently an understatement, in Zarra's mind, he's being outright brazen. Nobody just says their intentions so blatantly, he wonders if Ingrid will find it more suspicious than trying to just lie, or if she'll find it refreshing.
It seems Zarra has gotten through life by not speaking. "Fine, I will help purely for my own self interest as well. Hopefully we can have this ready to use by the trials. oh and good luck with the Carmillia thing. Come by tomorrow and we will sign some paperwork."
"Sure, no problem. Looking forward to it." While the timer had only about a minute left, Zarra in true chaotic personality, 'accidentally' knocks off it the table and ruining the status. "Oh, woops, crap, sorry!" He frantically picks it up and puts it back the emptier side up. He leaves visibly uncomfortable, but it's just an act. The moment the door closes, he gently grimaces at subtly ruins the expectations of others by coming out but the next person not being called in right away.
The event was tiring to say the least, She maybe saw 40 or so people. She looked forward to the gifts that were brought. Fianlly seeing them was quite a sight, hundreds of bluebells. There are so many! The florist should be well off for the foreseeable future. Well either way, Ingrid's work was not done. Ingrid had the prepare her investment for Zarina along with prepare a vessel to hold the gland of the creature. Once that was settled, Ingrid headed off to sleep.
Ingrid woke up early to grab the gland, using telekinesis to hold it aloft in its vessel. Ingrid knew her classes were and had a letter be delivered to Trypano for them to meet at luncheon. At lunch, Ingrid made her way to Trypano's dorm with the acid gland in tow.
Ingrid met with Trypano at her dorm. Ingrid brought the jar of acid and was there more for a quick conversation.
"Good afternoon Trypano, I have a trade offer I would like to make." Ingrid shows the bottle of Wyrm Acid.
Trypano was at her desk when someone approached from the doorway to their dorm. Turning in her chair she looked up to see Ingrid with a jar of what she could identify as a bottle wyrm acid.
"I would gather this would be pertaining to Silas's wyrm acid gland correct? I already have samples of the wyrm acid itself."
"Indeed, He came to me to sell it and I decided you would be most likely to trade for it quickly. What do you have to offer?" Ingrid knew what she would want to trade for but had no idea if Trypano would trade the gland for the egg.
Rather than answer she stood from her chair, moving over to a section of wall within the room. It was close by so she could tell if any others were using magic in a similar capacity on that section of wall. Using a gentle amount of drawing she unsealed a section of brick before removing it from the wall, opening an aperture wherein the froabas egg laid. She removed it before turning back to address Ingrid.
"I'd say given the demand present I'd be happy to exchange this for the gland and twenty Corona to make up part of the difference in market value."
Ingrid smiled, "That seems to be a pretty fair trade. I'll have my servant bring it in." Ingrid signaled to bring it in, showing how much she believed Trypano would want it. "Here you are Trypano. Pleasure seeing you" As Ingrid takes the egg and leaves promptly as she is very busy.
"Ah, before you go-" Trypano interjected just as she was about to leave. "I have something to discuss with yourself and Desmond regarding a matter from our mission, something that pertains to an events slated to come in a few weeks time."
"Do let him know to meet up at some point in the future for discussion, preferably somewhere discrete." She paused a moment, before adding "Unless I spot him first of course. If you do still, my thanks regardless."
With that, Ingrid continued her plan to get Silas the most money. Selling this reticulated dragon egg just before people could join the dragon club is perfect. It is a rare and noble beast that is sure to catch a high bid in this market. Now to hope that she can sell it before clubs begin to make good on her promise to Silas.
The market was not what Ingrid has inspected. She thought that a reticulated frobass egg would be more than 2500 neskal, it seemed that breeders had flooded the market. All she could get was a measly 2500. She felt disappointed in herself for not considering the breeding rates of the dragons this year. So stupid of her. She even saw how many a wild group had. She could have predicted this.
Ingrid decided to bite the bullet and buy the egg for 800 Neskal to at least get him a sizable amount as she couldn't buy the egg for its true price. Ingrid apologized for not getting him more. She left in a hurry, not even able to say that she was unable to even sell it.
To cheer herself up she asked Sven to have lunch with her and showed him the dragon egg. His nerdiness was the medicine Ingrid needed to cheer up a little. Ingrid decided to raise it after failing the beautiful egg so terribly. Sven was obviously excited and Ingrid put it out that she would love the help since he is an expert. Sven was more than up for it. It was a dragon one of his passions. Ingrid also offered one more thing. A Wyrm scale. That way he could join the dragon club with ease. News should be making way to the school of the dragon hunt and with this, he can get into the club if they are being rude to him. Just an easy layer of insurance to help a new friend out.
Location: Sirrahi research lab -> a Desert Interactions: Trypano @A Lowly Wretch, Desmond @Th3King0fChaos, Sileen@Force and Fury Ingrid had been serious about not going through with this if it posed too great of a risk to Nine and her siblings. Nine seemed resolved to accept what might come about from this for the sake of bettering her people. Ingrid couldn't argue with that. Ingrid had never thought too deeply on the way the world operated, she was always too focused on her social standing in the past to care. For someone who has traveled across the continent, her worldview is much more narrow than she thought. Perhaps it is time to change that.
With Seven directing Ten to prepare the transport and revealing how little time they had left, Ingrid only felt how little time there was. She wanted to talk to them more about their world and understand them even if it was superficial. She wanted to spend some time with Nine, not as a test subject but as equals. But there was little opportunity for us now.
Everyone rushed through the halls, Ingrid wasn't in the best shape so she relied on the Gift to enhance her body, using kinetic magic to help keep her going at a reasonable speed. The stairs provided a unique challenge to someone who failed oh so miserably getting on the boat earlier. Ingrid leapt through the air, clearing them ease and as she descended she drew her own momentum of falling to fuel more of her run knowing Penny might need to draw more than the rest of us only having 1 leg after all.
As they ran, Nine decided to start the explaining what exactly were they studying. To Ingrid it seemed like a simple test. The hypothesis felt like it came from someone trying to confirm a bias rather than actually test anything. Ingrid knew but was important to retest things as that is the nature of science but she couldn't help but see their professor as a dick. Some of their talks went over Ingrid's head but she got most of the information about the experiment. Seven came to a stop and they entered the room that seemed to hold their means of transporting us.
The room was a busy-looking room. Full of everything one would need to have their own laboratory, somewhat similar to Hugo's chambers. It was different and Ingrid could tell that they were researchers, there was a certain air to it. It was mystifying how much they could achieve with technology. The energies they had under their control without the Gift was astonishing. Using so many with such ease and a surprising amount of magnetism.
Nine seemed to bring up Seven's interruption to her earlier to our benefit as Seven quickly relinquished and gave an opportunity for us to grab some stuff as a reward of some sort. Ingrid believed the memories were more than enough but there was no time to talk about that. Ten had called over for the coordinates that they needed and Ingrid found that hard to answer as they she had no way of describing the school other than saying its name, an issue that would have never mattered to her if it wasn't for this one moment. Ismette seemed to be able to handle it and was the first to ask for her reward.
Temporal magic? Ingrid thought as she heard Ismette's request. More interesting to Ingrid though was this 'cure' Ismette was looking for. Ingrid wanted to know more about what was going on and if she could be any help to her so she made a quick note of it for after they get home. They seemed receptive to Ismette receiving it. It touched Ingrid that Nine would openly say that she would trust us with that kind of knowledge. Ingrid had some time to look around before Nine returned to help her pick her final selection.
Ingrid smiled at Nine, "Finished up with Desmond?" Ingrid asked, seeing if she had Nine to herself even if it was just for a few moments. Seeing that the coast was clear, Ingrid moved herself and Nine behind the shelves to get a smidgen of privacy. "Hey," Ingrid said shyly as she rubbed the back of her neck then smiled at Nine, "I know we don't have long but I wanted to thank you. I know you said that this time with us has changed you but it has changed me as well." Ingrid looked away as she tried to summarize her thoughts in an efficient way. "Before coming here I was so focused on myself. I think I always cared for people but I never allowed it to be my focus. I never took a hard look at myself or the bubble of a world I lived in. I learned so much from this time away from the academy. It was painful and scary but it has opened my eyes to many things. I only know now that there is much more for me to do before I can say I have bettered myself now." Ingrid looked into Nine's eyes, placing her hand on her cheek, "Whether you know it or not, your passion has changed me. I want to go out into the world and learn about it in a way I could never see before." Ingrid went in for a quick kiss before backing away again to continue. "I want to help you with your own mission. I can get information and interact with humans in a way that you can't right now. That is why I want Temporal magic. To send you pieces of our culture. To give you information that is needed to convince your own people. I want to help people on my side as well and sadly the only way for me is to increase my standing through skill. I…" Ingrid was cut off as they had ran out of time and had to get to the platform.
Ingrid wasn't a crier and she held herself until Nine said her goodbyes and told Ingrid that she could call her Sileen. "It was wonderful getting to know you Sileen. I have no idea when we will be able to meet again but I will promise to never forget you." Ingird felt bitter sweet about the goodbye. She didn't know how long it would be until she could help Sileen but in any case, Ingrid knew she would never say forget her.
The portal wasn't that intimidating after all Ingrid has been through. She was ready to go through when Sileen turned her around and kissed her. Ingrid closed her eyes and let it happen. A last kiss to send her off. It was nice Ingrid thought but as Ingrid took one last look at Sileen, she could see Sileen wink at her. There was something in that wink but she couldn't tell what it could be at the time.
There was no time to ponder what the wink met as it seems the coordinates that Ismette gave put them into the desert. A very hot desert. Luckily Ingrid was dressed pretty lightly. Benedetto pointed immediately to the army of thousands marching towards a compound. Oh for the love of the Pentad Ingrid thought. From the hired hands of the Doge to now thousands of soldiers. Could things get worst? Of course they could, they be dragons now.
Ingrid looked up and saw the froabases. They already deemed us to be the prey they were looking for. With the army over there in sight, Ingrid didn't want to do anything that would garner their attention. Trypano already made a hole to hide from them. Honestly, it seemed like the most reasonable option considering not being on the army's radar sounded nice. So I guess it was time to dive into the hole. Before going into the hole she whipped up the sand around her to create a blind spot for the dragons. Ingrid went down into the hole with less flare than Desmond as she was trying to create a dust storm to cover their stealth from the dragons. Ingrid did her best not to get wet though as she had no idea if the chainsaw would blow up if dunked into the water Trypano was making. As she made it to Trypano Ingrid smiled and said, "Thanks for the hole. Hopefully, the dust storm above gets them to waste a bit of time for us to escape." Another adventure awaits them in the desert now.
Location: Underground Base Interactions: Benedetto @Force and Fury
As much as Trypano's and Desmond's questions were frankly a better use of time, Ingrid decided that she wanted to indulge in some more light-hearted questions about their culture. Romance had always captured Ingrid's Imagination with how much it changed from place to place. Some seemed familiar, some seemed alien but in the end, it was a culture she wanted to learn about. Somehow that ended up with Ingrid hitting on Nine and Nine wanting to take a hand at teasing her. Ingrid would back off normally but this seems like a perfect distraction from all those thoughts trying to creep into her mind. The kiss happened, it was Ingrid's first. Well, that was nice. I think? It was kind of fun, crossed Ingrid's mind before the other Sirrahi seemed to have a mental explosion watching that. She knew they fed off of each other's energy but Ingrid couldn't help but chuckle to herself as they so boldly announced who they wanted to kiss.
Those bursts of energy throughout the night had finally come to an end and they had guided us to a bed chamber. It was interesting, to say the least. 1 large bed fit for the entire family line from Ingrid's point of view. She knew sharing a bed was common for the lower class but with how insanely advanced they are, Ingrid had to take its construction as a product of their culture. Ingrid thought for a moment about how she would feel sleeping with her whole family. Maybe they would have been closer. Maybe they would have actually cared about each other more than a single connection. Maybe. Ingrid lightly shook her head as she laid down, relegating those questions as wishful thinking. She made herself a target of her cousins and siblings with her RAS and let her guard down and became the 'slacker' of the family.
As the group settled down, Ingrid's mind was hostage to her thoughts like most nights except instead of beautiful theorems and visualizations there was only the death she caused. She knew she needed sleep but her essence was restless, it begged for some relief from the guilt she held. The wasted time, the cluelessness, the failure, the death sat on her chest paralyzing her thought. For what felt like hours she laid there just reliving the last day until her mind went still. I never thought I would have to kill someone like this. I knew one day I might have to defend my land or protect someone but I killed because I decided to come on this mission. I let myself get involved in killing. I didn't need to do this. My studies are going well and although my research for my family feels slow it wasn't something that felt unobtainable. So why? Ingrid felt anger well up in her chest as she berated herself. Why did you join this mission? Why did you think you could do this? Because I wanted to selfishly gain favor like a fool. I'm a fucking idiot for thinking that killing was worth whatever reward this will have. Those thoughts stung as Ingrid realized there was no promised reward. Nothing had been promised to her and even more so if this was a test then she would not be the first to receive any kind of reward.
Desmond found the Princess and acted as the general orchestrator of the mission. Penny went off on her own, gaining valuable information, and somehow stole the lantern and captured 2 ships! Benedetto saved the Princess after we failed to stop that damn atomic mage, put out the fire and made Ingrid realize that the rubble needed to be cleaned, and then saved us again after I failed to guide the shot into the Maria Nera after he literally stated he wouldn't help us again. God damn it! All I was able to do was distract the damn atomic mage and almost die twice to be saved by the person we were supposed to rescue! Just Fuck! Normally when this utterly frustrated she would get up and walk around but she didn't want to wake people up. She just had to lie there, getting more heated. She needed to put this away. She took a few deeper breaths to calm herself. Little by little she put herself in check.
Okay, Ingrid thought as she started to review her performance. Something that was drilled into her since childhood, all narrated in the voice of her disappointed father. You killed people. It was not how you imagined it to be but you chose this and you knew what was the mission. You can claim no innocence here. You were blinded by your greed for knowledge that you didn't even weigh the lives of others. You failed to live to your ideals and didn't hold yourself to the standards you set for yourself. Many were injured and 2 children died directly from your negligence. No matter the circumstances you should have been more cautious. You should have reached out to feel their metabolic energy. Anything but blow up the building as a distraction. You survived the atomic mage but that wasn't the term for success. Eliminating the enemy to keep the Princess safe was your goal. You are lucky that you get another chance and thank Benedetto that he was competent enough to make up for your failure. The children… Ingrid couldn't bring herself to think of them directly so she just skipped it to not risk her mental state again. You failed to even board the ship and had to have them hoist you onto the boat, shameful at face. You did well at getting some reaction out of the lamp. You failed to land the shot on the Maria Nera, you can only assign so much blame on Desmond who had no chance to actually guide the shot as it reached further. It was your mistake for failing to succeed in another critical moment. Once again thankfully Benedetto was strong enough to save you from what could have easily been death.
Ingrid stopped her evaluation as she believes that all things considered, the meeting of the Sirrhai is a good thing. There wasn't anything to say to herself besides 'Hey, maybe don't make out with some cute snake girl because you are fucked in the head at the moment.' That point actually stung as she realized that Nine probably also did it because she is fucked in the head at the moment. Fuck, Ingrid thought as she realized that shit was manipulative as hell to her at the moment, seems I have to apologize to Nine. I should have thought that she was just being excessively nice to make up for how she was feeling. Great job Ingrid, great job. Ingrid fell asleep quickly after that.
Sometime later, Ingrid was woken up by Nine crying, she was only half awake at the time so she isn't completely sure of what they discussed earlier but all she knew was that was apparently Nine's sister wasn't killed by us humans but by her own race. It was the Kasssseels, the person that the others had growled at earlier. Seems there was already some bad blood between the 2 groups. It was terrible that her sister was killed by them but frankly Ingrid didn't think revenge was a good option. If they have laws then revenge is rarely recognized as you get to more complex and progressive societies. Not only that, her entire family could be punished. The guilt that would be crushing. Nine seemed pretty determined to seek revenge and Ingrid could understand her wrath but she kept thinking it wouldn't turn out well.
As they made it to the weapon armory, Ingrid was quick to pick her chosen weapons. She had been quite a shot when she would test them at the mines and the production houses. She even hunted with them. Ingrid took the pistol as she wanted to have a free hand for the grenades. Ingrid looked towards Benedetto, she wanted to apologize for earlier and thank him but doing it here would feel disingenuous. At the same time, a part of Ingrid honestly thought Benedetto doesn't give a shit about that and it was better now than later. Ingrid approached him after he was already geared and prompted the conversation. "Hey Benedetto, I just wanted to say sorry. I shouldn't have placed my standards on someone I don't even know. I don't know your life. And I also wanted to say thanks, I couldn't beat the atomic mage. And no matter how weak he was to you, without your help the princess would have been taken. And even after that you still came to help when you said you wouldn't help again. You saved the mission then saved my life so thanks you, truly" Ingrid left after that. Whether Benedetto likes it or not he is getting a present from her when she gets back. Maybe a pendant? Or maybe some quality gauntlets with how much he likes to punch things.
"Yeah, he was pretty fuckin' tough," Benny replied. He shrugged. "Not tough enough, though, and he was a piece of shit anyways." He said nothing more. He wasn't sure why this girl who hated him was being all nice all of a sudden. People were never nice unless they wanted something. Maybe she just wanted the D, but he didn't know and it kind of unnerved him. He also didn't have magic right now and that was unnerving him more. He went to select his weapons: things that would protect him from death. Honestly, he didn't wanna do it. He had no magic and no reason to care about some snake girl, even if it was sad that she died. He was basically a prisoner of these reptiles, they were taking away his magic while smiling at him, and he hadn't even done anything 'bad' for once. As for Penny, she was stupid. She kept putting herself and others at risk and why was it his job to save her from herself? People either fuck up and learn or they fuck up and die. If you keep helping them, they never do either and just keep being a liability for you. Benny didn't wanna live with liabilities. Why should he?
Izurich
Jumbus
jasbraq
A Lowly Wretch
Force and Fury
Emeth
Ti
