WeepingLiberty

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Interacting with: Madalyn @Achronum}

“Straightforward directions would have been preferred, as would have been some type of clearly marked path… but then this wouldn’t be much of a test now would it? I hate to admit it, but sometimes the most effective way to learn is to dive head first into the deep end. Amaris had folded her arms across her chest while she and Madalyn had been talking, her tapping index finger an agitated contrast from her otherwise calm exterior. The anxious tick came to a slow stop as the countess inhaled slowly and deeply, exhaling the tension she had allowed to build. Now wasn’t the time for her to panic, after all, they had only just taken their first steps.

Stay calm. Your role here is as a resource, a role you cannot fulfil properly if your mind is clouded by wayward thoughts. Stay focused on what can be solved and nothing more. The countess scolded herself silently before finally relaxing.

“I leave myself in your very capable hands, Maddie.”

It was difficult for Amaris to proceed without her sight, her hesitant steps only serving to slow their already limited pacing for what felt like a long time. Eventually, as Maddie grew more confident in her ability to guide so did Amaris’ confidence in her ability to be led. Still, having some semblance of perception would have been much preferred to the current situation.

As the path stretched on, the countess’ thoughts wandered inward to the blood within. So far she had only learned how to trick the eyes into seeing something other than what was before them, but was it possible that there was a way to see through the spell placed on her? Would it be wasted energy to hope such a feat would be a passive one? Amaris had to silence the scoff before it had a chance to make itself known to her partner.

How childish.

Eventually the pair came to exit their initial path, the change in pressure alerting the blind vampire to the approach of a second clearing. This one was a bit different from the last, however, as the silence was broken by the sound of metal striking metal… no, that wasn’t exactly correct, it wasn’t as crass as that. With each brush of contact the metal sang to the space around them, each voice adding to the previous until a chorus had been born. Windchimes?

Her thoughts were confirmed as Maddie read the sign and described the scene for her, yet somehow the countess was still hopelessly lost.

“Neither do I, but for all we know it’s just meant to intimidate and distract us. Let’s just take a moment to pick this apart and figure out what we can before moving on. Hopefully that will help ease some of our uncertainties.” Amaris began to chew excitedly at her lower lip as her mind went to work, careful to not break the skin like she had so many times in her youth. The first riddle might have been disappointing to her but this one? This is what she had been waiting for.

“It sounds like our direction is pretty clear, so this must have more to do with an obstacle we will face along the way. Is there anything in particular about this that stands out to you?” The countess was itching to pick the lines apart one at a time and analyze the many possible meanings they could have but the test was not hers alone. Normally Amaris would be disappointed in having to show such restraint, however this was a good opportunity to learn a bit more about her partner. Not only would she get a glimpse into the mage’s thought process, but she might glean a new outlook on the puzzle before them if she halted herself from prematurely injecting her own bias.

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Interacting with: Madalyn @Achronum}

“So long as we complete our task here we won’t have to worry about experiencing that again tonight. I don’t know how there are mages that travel like this regularly.” Amaris agreed that inquiring about alternative modes of transportation might be for the best moving forward, but she knew such a request was likely to be denied under similar circumstances. The princess had everything planned out just so, every detail accounted for to ensure that the students were tested properly. Amaris wouldn’t have been surprised if the teleportation was just another part of the assessment.

The countess listened intently as Madalyn activated a spell with a single word, finally revealing the world around the pair to herself… or so Amaris assumed. In all actuality, she had no idea how effective such a spell was for general night vision or if it had more to do with the signs she was supposed to be locating instead. Curiosity pushed at her to ask, but she silenced herself so that she could listen to the mage read. There was a hint of disdain in the girl’s voice by the end as she described an inscription of a compass on the sign, though perhaps it was more an unamusement than true disdain.

“I suppose it’s better than nothing at all.” Amaris countered with a shrug before falling silent for a moment. Madalyn was correct about compasses pointing only one direction, but it was something known as magnetic north which had its moments of venturing from true north from time to time. Would such a distinction even matter for their cause?

“Interesting. Well, I guess it is one less thing we would have to keep track of while stumbling around out here. I’m just a little surprised at how straightforward this hint was… Wasn’t expecting impossible right out of the gate, but this wasn’t as fun as I had hoped.” The countess sounded almost disappointed in how quickly they were able to solve the riddle. It was a guarantee that the difficulty would be raised the closer to the finish line they got, but the information was of a subject that held little interest to her. Either way, the pair had their answer and all that was left was to follow it.

“So I take it we should be following the little fake compass north then? How does the path look in that direction?”

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Mentions: Lilie @Hero
Interacting with: Madalyn @Achronum}

It seemed the guard in charge of escorting her to her partner’s side was more than confident in his ability to lead as Amaris was able to make the trek without so much as a stubbed toe. She smiled as she felt her hand being exchanged from one to another, feeling somewhat accomplished despite her severe lack of provided effort. Everything was so far so good, and that was about as much as she could hope for.

“Thank you. Your assistance is appreciated.” Amaris spoke to the guard before they took their leave to retrieve another disoriented vampire, the countess listening as best as she could to the footfalls in an attempt to calibrate any semblance of spatial awareness. The shock of having lost her sight was beginning to wind down but it had not yet yielded adjustment to her other senses. It was her hope that by the time she and Madalyn began the exam that she would be less of a burden to her partner, even if only slightly.

She couldn’t help but to wonder how Madalyn was reacting to it all, standing silently across from her newfound responsibility. Amaris was fairly certain she could sense a rising tension in the mage, nerves perhaps? Whatever it might have been, Madalyn steeled herself against it with a deep breath and decided on her first move. The countess was guided gently out of the way of any potential passersby in a gingerly manner, gentle pressure moving her along until she had reached the desired mark. She listened carefully to Madalyn as she listed off the names of those standing nearby, Amaris taking a reflexive half-step away from the area where Lilie was supposedly standing.

There was little way for Amaris to know how close they were actually standing, but she could just imagine the looks Lilie would have for her. Anger, betrayal… disgust? Did she blame the countess for the loss of her classmate, her neighbor, her friend? Would she think that Cassandra was easily replaced in the eyes of a noble, that Amaris would forget the mage like she had cast aside Minfilia? Amaris couldn’t tell what was worse, imagining the possibilities… or being faced with the reality. Caught up in her runaway thoughts Amaris almost missed Madalyn’s question, the countess snapping back to attention just short of violently.

“Hm? Oh, right. I’m already starting to adjust and I don’t sense any interference with my balance... A general description of our surroundings and a guiding hand should be enough in theory. We should be prepared for anything the princess and her staff might have in store for us though, so we’ll likely have to play things by ear and adapt as necessary. There’s really not much else we can do.” She responded thoughtfully, catching her mind before it wandered off into a spiral of possible tricks and traps and challenges that bore no life outside of her imagination.

As if to prevent the disasters of overthinking, a familiar voice rang out in the darkness. Amaris was able to identify it as belonging to the mage proctor from before, or at least that was what she would have to assume. Little else would be able to silence the raging storm that was Varis, who seemed to have a challenger other than Victor. She did what she could to annoy the man here and there, but she had never been so bold as to mock the Sinnenodel so openly. Manuel went on to explain that the time tables had been moved up due to a fortunate stroke of efficiency. Fifteen minutes might not have sounded like a lot, especially if the time of transport was taken into account, but every moment was going to have to count for something when the children were leading the blind.

“Alhinc ieclei vadete. Magua salituen in usque mundadi salituen…” Amaris squeezed her partner’s hand just the slightest bit tighter with an expectant smile plastered to her face.

“Down the rabbit hole.”

“...et te teraga.”

~~~

Ice seeped into every atom of her being, a chill so intense that even she could not escape it. It was unusual for Amaris to feel cold but she knew that her preference for cooler temperatures was very different than the side effects of magic. She suspected it had less to do with actually feeling cold and more of the body’s way of protesting a forced and very sudden relocation but she didn’t know enough about how the spell actually functioned to theorize specifics. There was no sound to accompany the pair’s journey, not a whisper, a sigh, or heartbeat. Amaris couldn’t even say that she experienced the distinct draw of the vacuum of empty space. It felt as if she existed but the very fabric of the world did not, an eternity etching this solitude into her very being; and yet all washed away in the blink of an eye as if nothing had ever happened.

The experience forced Amaris to a knee, her free hand planted palm down on the ground beside her to keep herself from dragging her partner over. So much for her claim to balance. Amaris took a few moments to gather herself, feeling out the space around her whilst searching for her hidden voice. Despite her lack of sight, Amaris was confident the pair had moved. The air felt different from the clearing where the students had gathered. It was thicker, heavier, calmer… the air did not flow as freely, its path twisted and confused by the seemingly endless growth around them. Amaris carefully found herself upright once again, clearing her throat to see how much of the sound would be cannibalized by their environment.

“Are you alright Maddie? Fingers and toes arrive in the proper order?” The countess attempted a joke but her laughter fell somewhat flat as set to composing herself. She released the mage’s hand so that she might move freely about the space and gather what information they would need to start their lengthy journey.

“I suppose it would be too much to ask for the sign we’re supposed to be following to have plain arrows, wouldn’t it?” Amaris heaved a sigh once she learned their starting point was a riddle based around some sort of cardinal direction. She wasn’t exactly a survivalist and had little experience with long term, unsupervised outdoorsy activities. If Maddie didn’t know the answer she would have to hope trivial knowledge would be enough to get them started.

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Mentions: Varis and Victor @ReusableSword
Interacting with: Madalyn @Achronum}

Amaris pinched the bridge of her nose as Victor stepped up to the plate to have his swing at Varis. She had a few choice words for the man herself, however, it was probably for the best that little room was left for her interjection. The pair continued to trade verbal blows until Ryner chose to take matters into her own hands and put an end to the pointless squabbling. The countess could see the princess moving her lips, but the woman was quite practiced in the art of volume control making it nearly impossible to make out what she was saying to the boys. A couple of nearby students caught her attention by leaning forward as if the one to two inches of ground they gained would be enough to catch Ryner’s words. Amaris had to admit that the urge to do the same was there, but she pushed it aside and remained standing tall with her eyes fixed on the sights before her.

After a few words spoken in private, Ryner raised her voice so the rest of whatever warning she was issuing would be made clear to the rest in attendance. It was fairly generic and a tad on the disappointing side, but just knowing that Varis had been publicly put on the spot would have to do for the time being. She couldn’t help but cast a glance in Victor’s direction as the princess made her follow-up speech to address the nerves of the participating vampires.

48 blades? What use could one person possibly have for 48 blades? … And where in the Sun, Moon, and Stars was he hiding them all? Amaris shook her head and returned her attention just in time for Ryner to hand the reins over to a Mage by the name of Arjin who would explain the details of the trial they were about to endure. Each vampire would have certain senses magically altered in order to keep them as unhelpful as possible, essentially turning one in each pair into deadweight. All of this so that the mages could be tested on their mastery of a spell known as ‘Dark Eyes’, or so Amaris had thought. She had suspected there to be a bit more to the test than just simple teamwork and critical thinking, but what new Dr. Arjin carried came as a surprise even to her.

With a few short words, the practicum had transformed from exam to game. With the addition of extra challenge signs required for top marks, pacing magic consumption became a whole lot tougher. However, Amaris knew there would still be more that would play a role in the added difficulty. By making a certain percentage of the new signs extra credit as well, it was almost guaranteed that certain pairings would turn the practicum into a competition thus resulting in the overexertion of their mages. The countess would be excited to see how many she and Cas Madalyn could complete but she would have to remember to keep her focus on the goal.

Amaris took a moment to watch the first of the vampires to receive their enchantments to get an idea of how others were adjusting to the spell. It seemed there were some who handled it better than others, but it was to be expected if the safety nets in place were any indication. Calmly, the countess melded into line and one by one approached the casting mage. By the time she reached the front of the line she couldn’t tell her nerves apart from her excitement any longer. She had no words to offer to acknowledge her readiness to be disoriented but she could nod her head definitively before shutting her eyes and preparing for the feelings the mage Dr. had described.

The initial casting of the spell was not what took her off guard, it was the shock of the reality that followed. A Royal guard had stepped up to escort her aside so that the mage could continue casting on the next vampire, meanwhile Amaris had taken a moment's pause. She knew what she was in for with the enchantment yet opening her eyes to such darkness was still rather unsettling. It seemed every time she instinctively attempted to focus, be it with her eyes or just her general sense of the space around her, the world would recoil from her leaving her fairly dizzy. For the moment, Amaris decided that keeping her eyes shut was the better option and allowed the guard to guide her in the direction that she trusted was her mage.

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Mentions: Madalyn & Varis @Achronum}

“No Getsuga, you cannot come with. We’ll only be gone a few hours, it’s no different than any other school day. Stay here where it’s nice and warm.” Amaris scolded the reptile as she caught him attempting to slither from his tank for the third time. She scooped the creature up in her arms and kissed his tiny head before gingerly placing him back at the bottom of the tank and latching the lid. It wasn’t a feature she used often, but if the little monster wouldn’t stay put she didn’t see much other choice.

This was the day that Amaris had been looking forward to since the nature of the practicum had been announced. It was slightly bittersweet as she had always pictured herself working side by side with Cassandra to complete whatever task the instructors had laid out for them. Still, she was excited for the opportunity to strengthen her bond with Madalyn. They might have still been fairly new partners, but Amaris had a good feeling about the test.

Adjusting her towel accordingly, Amaris sat before her vanity and set to work on her hair. She wasn’t going for anything particularly nice, after all, it was about to go up into a ponytail for the remainder of the night. However, the chilly weather wasn’t going to mix well with drenched hair. Amaris worked to remove as much of the moisture as she could, alternating the brushing of her locks with applied heat from the blow dryer she seldom used. Once everything was to her liking, the countess selected a tie and got to work pulling her hair back from her face into a high pony. For good measure, Amaris slipped a backup tie onto her wrist before rising from her seat and approaching the closet.

Colder weather had always been her favorite and the dipping temperatures rarely caused her any problems. Had she been going out alone dressing light might have worked out just fine, however, she had a partner to think about and a mortal one at that. She carefully selected a few different items, holding pairs of clothing up together and glancing them over before swapping pieces out and repeating the process. Eventually, Amaris had settled on a thin, black, long sleeved shirt and a pair of form fitting pants to match. Slipping into thick, wooly socks, the countess dug out a pair of hiking boots that would support her ankles and set to lacing them up before returning for the final piece; a jacket. She had many different options concerning the garb, each one holding a benefit and drawback to her upcoming activities.

Several minutes went by before Amaris selected the plum dyed wool from the closet, wrapping herself in the fabric before clasping the folds into place with a wide black belt. If she was honest, she wasn’t entirely sure what the type of jacket was called, or if it was truly a jacket at all. It had been described to her once as a ‘princess style cape jacket’ but really it just looked like a dress made of thick wool. Either way, it was sure to keep the elements off of her, and if need be, easily removed to cover her mage should she need it more.

A quick glance of the clock let Amaris know that she was right on time to depart, the countess swiping a thing pair of gloves that she tucked into the side of her belt before turning to leave the room. She stepped out into the hallway and made her way through to the entryway where Madalyn stood ready and waiting for the big day.

“Oh good, you look warm and ready to go. Shall we?” Amarris prompted, opening the door to allow Madalyn out first before closing the door firmly behind them. It was a pleasant walk from the dorms to the bus stop, at least in Amaris’ eyes it was. Light conversation, thinner crowds due to the differences in scheduling for those participating in the exam and those with regular classes, and a familiar sense of calm that always seemed to accompany the colder weather. Winter was close and she couldn’t wait to see it.

The pair arrived on time as expected, loading up onto the bus with little waiting required. Amaris selected a seat that would allow for the pair to sit together, opting to give Madalyn the outside so that she could participate in the many conversations taking place around them. The countess didn’t care much for joining in, far more comfortable just taking in the various sounds and pondering the events to come.

“This is more than a little nerve wracking.” Came the voice from beside her, Amaris turning her head to smile reassuringly.

“It will be ok, you’re going to do great. We’ll take this one step at a time.” She settled back in her seat and tuned in for a bit to the conversation Madalyn had found herself in. Amaris was at a loss to the content and thus found herself drifting into the topics of other conversations further up until the bus had pulled up to its destination.

The countess took pause as she waved off her departing partner, taking a moment to watch her shuffle off with the other mages towards the refreshments provided to them by the school. Once she was certain Madalyn was on her way to getting prepared for the practicum, Amaris turned and followed her own kind to where they gathered and awaited further instruction. She had been waved through the security check with a fair amount of ease, but she hadn’t expected any pushback considering she had shown up with only the clothes she had been wearing. The same could not have been said for Varis, however. Amaris fought to contain a smirk as she witnessed the guard stop the count and proceed to request quite a few forbidden items from his person. The man had always been a control freak but this was just extra, borderline on sad.

Shaking her head, Amaris made her way gently through the gaps left by the raging count until she was close to the front of the group. She didn’t dare speak for fear of Varis turning his vitriol upon her, but she wasn’t about to miss the response of Varis challenging Ryner in front of everyone the way he was. While he might have had a point that disabling all four noble heirs presented a risk with serious repercussions, the truth was that not all of the nobles in attending were actually council heirs. Amaris herself might have been the last of the main bloodline, but the leadership was already in the hands of another. Should she fall, the title would still move organically to the next in line after her. Victor she knew to already have ties to the council but she couldn’t see him running things from the chair, not to mention she doubted he would be in much trouble regardless of his condition. Muscle memory was on his side if anything she witnessed in the arena meant something. The only outlier was the Eve representative, which she realized she still didn’t know anything about. Word of Mariette’s departure had reached her but that was about all she had detail wise.

Aside from the obvious, Amaris couldn’t see anything more to prompt what could only be described as a juvenile tantrum. She would be lying if she said that she wasn’t nervous about the idea of having her senses magically altered, however, the nerves were quickly replaced with a sense of excitement. It was an interesting opportunity, one that didn’t come around all that often especially when one was a noble. Her only worry was not being able to protect her mage should something happen… but the escort and extra guards insisted that hypothetical something would remain hypothetical, didn’t it?

Jacket Reference

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Dates: September 21st - October 7th}

September 21st: Marivaldi Mix

Devotion of the Apostle

The Mariivaldi estate, though once an imposing citadel, was now a sprawling mansion, renovated when Amaris' conception was announced and finished shortly after her 15th birthday. Rose bushes climbed trellises all over the home and yard, manicured into an elaborate maze with various sitting areas and art displays. Lord Ralmevik always credited an old friend he hadn't had the opportunity to speak with in many centuries for the design from before the Sinnenodels and the Marivaldi's drew clear political lines. He always hinted, with a chuckle and a fond look, that there was more to the garden than met the eye but even with several decades of searching, none of the servants found anything out of the ordinary.

Amaris' arrival was highly anticipated. Salazar spared no expense for her arrival and everyone was in high spirits. Servants darted through the mansion, filling it with her favorite flowers, putting up all her favorite art pieces, hanging banner after banner, sprucing up the altar to her father that Salazar insisted be kept in the Foyer so everyone who visits could pay their respects. Salazar has faced ridicule in the vampiric community, especially from the older ones, but he hasn't budged on the subject and as Lord of the Marivaldi's, their complaints are only worth as much as he cares. And he doesn't care.

The jovial atmosphere infected everyone, from Lord Salazar moving decades planned events to Alyssa dancing around the in blood stores making sure they were stocked up on all of Amaris' favorites, little Romero singing away at her hip. Servants drew straws to see who would welcome her back at the drive and accompany the family through the maze. Whereas the Eves and the Noilas were served from a furious loyalty and the Astorios and Sinnenodels from fear, the Marivaldis were served because their servants loved them. Mages under the care of a Marivaldi had any for opened to them that they needed. The House was known for doting on and caring for the mages with a depth normally unseen in vampires and there was many a mage in the service of others that secretly yearned to be rescued by the family.

Salazar, in the usual mage robes he wore, Alyssa, and Romero all waited at the edge of the garden where the drive broke free from its tree dappled shade and opened into the clear moonlight. Four servants murmured softly behind the trio while Salazar spoke softly into his wife's ear, earring a fond eye roll and a should nudge from his wife as she chuckled.

The journey home had been entirely uneventful, yet it felt like it had taken twice as long as her initial trip to the school. Amaris couldn’t deny her excitement at getting to return to the family estate, however she doubted it was the sole reason for her unrest. She tightened her grip on the bag in her lap as she cast her eyes out the window of the moving vehicle. The passing scenery seemed to crawl by as she took in the sights, the natural features easily tracked by her eyes as they drew ever closer to home.

As the car approached up the drive, Amaris beamed at the sight of a small group awaiting up ahead for her arrival. Somehow, she never expected the greetings she was met with from the group. After all, she wasn’t related to the new lord of the house by blood, yet he had always gone out of his way to make her feel welcome after the passing of her father. A twinge of guilt raced through the countess as she recalled her meeting with the princess; regret that she had not appreciated his efforts more over the years. She figured she owed the man an apology at some point, but decided not to weigh down the reunion with such a heavy subject.

The countess steadied herself as the car rolled to a stop, maintaining her grip on the bag as she stepped from the vehicle and out into the moonlight. The black, full-length tulle skirt spilled out in a cascade of fabric as Amaris stood to her full height. It was long enough to hide the ballerina flats she had chosen for travel so long as she wasn’t moving too fast. For the sake of comfort, she had chosen a grey, 3/4 sleeve shirt with a wide collar so as to show off just a bit of shoulder. The material was thin enough that it allowed the chill of the night air to keep her comfortable.

There was little in the way of hesitation as Amaris rounded the car, forcing herself to keep a calm pace as she approached the edge of the garden where the group patiently awaited her. As she took her final steps forward, the countess spun herself into an exaggerated curtsy. The skirt bounced around her ankles as she came to a sudden stop, her house pendant proudly glistening in the moonlight from its home around her neck.

“I’m home, My Lord.” Amaris couldn’t hide the excited grin plastered to her face as she greeted the Lord and his family in her familiar style.

“What a relief to see you home, healthy and hale. I hope your travels proved comfortable.” Salazar wrapped her in a hug for a moment and stepped away so Amanada could kiss Amaris’ cheek. Salazar, outside of a paling of the skin, looked exactly as he did nearly a century ago. Dark skin, a shaved head with barely three inches of brown hair down the center, the same color following a strong jaw in a well kept beard, and a youth and brightness in green eyes. Amanda had started showing signs of her forty years. Her beauty still held, though her crows eyes had deepened and wrinkles creased her forehead and mouth. Her hair was cut short, neat and easily maintained, and wore her typical jeans and blouse rather than anything overly fancy. The woman moved around faster than half the vampires she knew; she definitely needed more durability than some of the fancy clothing the nobility touted.

“Welcome home, Amaris.” Amanda beamed, taking her arm and guiding them inside as Romero latched onto Amaris. He chatted at a million miles a minute, talking about all the history he learned and how he’s made new friends with a cat and some of the lesser family members. Salazar only chuckled, pausing as they passed into the doorway and bowed at the prior Lord’s altar.

“Now, I believe some time conversing is in order! We have so much to discuss.” Salazar said. “But we waited these long months, we can wait an evening more. Would you like a night to unwind from your travels? At least, as much as my son will permit you to. I’m afraid even Lord Astorio probably couldn’t pry him off you.”

“The journey home always seems to take longer than when I leave it but things were pleasant all the same. I’m just glad to finally be back.” She mused, shifting the weight of her bag to one arm so that she could wrap the other gently around Romero. A rustling from her side caught her attention as Getsuga poked his nose out through a small gap in the fabric. Gripping carefully to Amaris, the reptile moved carefully from the countess to the boy to rest atop his head like some sort of beastly crown. She worried for a moment that the night might have been too cold for the creature but he didn’t seem at all uncomfortable so she allowed him to remain.

To some, Romero’s hasty chatter might have been overwhelming but to Amaris it was just another reminder that she was home at last. The girl had started to miss the updates he would have for her, everything ranging from a new food he had dared to try to the types of history lessons most would be drooling at by the end. It seemed, very much like his father, that there was little that would keep him from the subjects of his curiosity; or his excitement to share it upon others.

There was a respectful pause as the group approached the altar, Amaris resting her palm gently before it as her smile took on a nostalgic tone. It had been decades but she could still remember the man of her childhood clear as the night on a full moon. Princess Ryner’s words clung to the edges of her mind like an impending curtain of fog, trying to draw her ever into their grip, but Amaris simply shook them off with a false indignant smile.

“And miss out on Romero’s riveting account of his adventures?! The Lord Astorio would be harder pressed to remove me from his side. Isn’t that right, piccolo topo*?” Amaris glanced down at the boy mischievously.

Salazar chuckled and guided the group upstairs to their private sitting room. Yana, an elderly woman who held the title of housekeeper for almost 60 years, just finished stoking the fire to full. Although the chill from the open doors to the veranda didn’t bother any of the vampires, Amanada was prone to being chilled easily and Salazar made sure every fire in the mansion was stoked to full during the cooler months. The circular room was decorated with elaborate tapestries woven decades prior to the wars and gifted to Lord Ralmevik by his own sire. A rug of similar design covered the stone floor and four plush chairs surrounded a well worn walnut coffee table, laden with a decanter of blood, a bottle of wine, and Salazar’s favorite honey cake.. Yana smiled as she curtsied

“Welcome home, m’lady.” Yana gave Amaris a look over with a satisfied nod. “And none the worse for wear it seems. The house hasn’t been the same since ye left, m’lady. Is there anything else I can do before I check to make sure the linens have been freshened in Lady Amaris’ room?”

“Unless Amaris needs something, I think we can take care of the rest. Thank you.” Salazar said as he took his seat and Amanda took the chair next to him. Normally Romero would be clamoring into his mother’s lap but for now, he was still firmly stuck to Amaris.

“Would I ever hear the end of it if I returned in any condition less than how you sent me off? I will do my best moving forward to send more letters home during my absences.” The countess stepped forward toward Yana, planting a gentle kiss upon her forehead before retreating once again to Romero’s side. Following Salazar and Amanda, the countess moved to take her seat as well. Out of habit, she chose the one positioned furthest from the crackling flames without sitting too far apart from the others.

“I should be okay for the moment… Although, if I could trouble you for a small blanket before you go, I would appreciate it.” Amaris added as she settled in comfortably, signalling for Romero to join her. She had always preferred the cooler spots of the estate, giving the raging fires set during the colder months a much wider berth than most of the house. She worried, however, that this habit might open Romero up to a chill if he insisted on sitting with her instead of his mother; after all, Amaris wasn’t exactly a decent source of heat.

It didn’t take long for Yana to do so, laying the blanket over where Romero curled into Amaris’ side. She was gone after that, leaving the nobles alone in the room. “How has the Academy been treating you? Has the Princess been treating you well?” Salazar asked as he passed a glass of wine to Amanda.

“Salazar, what did I say about politics? Give her a night to rest.” She chastised him. “No, tell us about your partner! Who are they, what affinity do they have?”

Amaris’ expression fell subtly at Salazar’s question, the countess taking the time Amanda spent redirecting the subject to take back control over her face. It wasn’t exactly like she hated the place, or that anyone had truly wronged her in any fashion while there… She had just hoped for more, and that hope had led her to a fair amount of disappointment in the Academy. For the time being Amanda had given her the out she needed to avoid the topic, but she knew full well the eventuality of her answer.

“Ah, Cassandra. She has an affinity to one of the base elements; fire. Scares me half to death but it’s a source of pride for her so I’ve done my best to adjust and support her. Which by the way, I appreciate the request I mailed back being taken care of so quickly. The timing couldn’t have been better, and I really think she liked it.” Amaris smiled at the rising memory of Cassandra. After weeks of learning to navigate each other’s presence and slowly building a proper relationship, Amaris had decided it was time to present her with a ‘mark’ of sorts.

She knew Cassandra wouldn’t react well to wearing a metaphorical collar, announcing to the cosmos which vampire owned her life, and Amaris could never bring herself to do so anyway. Instead she had sent home a design for a card that the mage could keep with her at all times, and choose when she needed or wanted to use it. While it was little more than a customized playing card, the design that represented their partnership could only be revealed when met with the flames that Cassandra tethered to her identity. It wasn’t just some sigil or ID that Cassandra would be forced to bear, it was personal to them both.

“We still have our moments, but I would be lucky to consider someone like her a friend.” Amaris followed up, snapping herself out of her momentary fog.

“I can’t be all that exciting though… Come on, tell me. Anything happen while I was away? Another runaway table, accidental ice ages in the kitchens? Pineapples?” The countess’ eyes sparkled as her imagination began to run away with her. She was always looking forward to something unusual happening, especially when magic was involved, and had worried she would miss out when she left the estate to attend the Academy.

“Well, Romero accidentally startled one of the newly Awakened children and they nearly buried half the staff in the formal dining room. Thankfully, there wasn’t much structural damage.” Salazar sighed. “On top of it, a few of the lower house members thought it a clever idea to cut a deal with some Astorios for front stage tickets to their underground fighting ring. I was out of the house for nearly the entire time you were gone trying to handle that fiasco. Thankfully, everything was settled without issue, the ring is disbanded, and I’m owed a few favors. A mess but all’s well that ends well.”

“Amaris, why are you asking about pineapples?” Amanda interjected, knowing full well that her husband was likely going to steer the conversation back to Ryner and the Academy.

Fighting rings, how barbaric. Explains why he wasn’t able to return my messages but that isn’t any less troubling. Amaris thought to herself before Amanda pulled her back in with the mention of pineapples.

“I have this professor, very strange guy… has this obsession with this fruit known as a pineapple. He almost always has one with him, and class can easily be derailed if you show interest in it. It’s alright though, his partner is quite good at getting him back on track, but his enthusiasm for something he technically can’t eat… It’s piqued my curiosity it seems.” The countess shrugged with a sheepish smile before slowly leaning toward the woman.

“We wouldn’t happen to have any would we? … For science?” She asked in a hushed tone.

“I don’t think we have a pineapple on hand but I’m sure we can purchase one.” Amanda chuckled. “I’m not sure if it’ll do you any good. If he’s not a young vampire, he’ll probably at least be able to taste them. Maybe you can ask him for one. If he is obsessed, maybe he’ll want to share the wealth. Also for science.”

“Old vampires have all sorts of hobbies. Saves them from losing their minds to boredom.” Salazar laughed as he chewed on the cakes. “Now I do need to know if I need to send a letter about the Academy’s treatment of you. I know sometimes the others look down on us for keeping you as part of the main family and I won’t tolerate the Princess letting such an insult permeate her campus.”

“Princes Ryner wouldn’t permit any such thing to circulate if she knew about it. I don’t know why you have this paranoia. I even looked into it for you despite it being a gross violation of our authority and found nothing.” Amanda said irritably. “What do you need to prove Amaris is being treated just fine? She’s an adult vampire. Give her some space to grow. You can’t protect her forever.”

“I can and I will. Lord Ralmevik would have wanted it and I fully intend to honor his wishes to my dying breath.” Amanda gave Salazar a look that spoke volumes and he reflexively took a deep breath. “But you’re right, you’re right. Amaris does need some space to grow. So, just let me confirm and I’ll...” Salazar’s jaw worked even as no sound came out for a few moments. “Let the issue rest. So Amaris, how has the Academy and Ryner been treating you?”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about the treatment from the general staff. It’s the other students I should probably be wary of. Following the incident with my first assigned partner, a couple of rumors started circulating the campus. The impact for me was minimal, but I fear it might have made things worse for another which is something I highly regret. Nothing I can’t handle, I suppose, but unfortunate all the same.” Amaris spoke softly as her thoughts turned to the blonde mage that had been forced to kneel before the class. Forcing a smile back into place, Amaris shot a glance in Salazar’s direction to make sure he was still alright before babbling on from the uncomfortable subject.

“Her royal highness has been an unexpected source of guidance during my stay at the Academy; her sister… not so much. But I’m sure you two have heard all about that already, so if it’s not too much trouble I would prefer to skip that discussion this evening. Oh, but did you hear that Count Varis not only attends the Academy, but that he managed to worm his way in as an assistant instructor as well? Just my luck I would pull his class.” The countess sighed dramatically, not one to hide her distaste for the man and clearly irked at her circumstances. Besides, the theatrics helped her to distance herself from the discomfort her prior report had left her with.

“Oh, for the love of...” Amanda muttered to Salazar’s stifled laughter. “Why the Princess willingly associates with that inbred bottom feeder, I’ll never know. The vampire sells disappointing mages to the Astorios for their barbaric fighting rings. Can you believe it? And if they cross him, he sells their family off for―”

“That’s enough.” Salazar spoke softly but the power in his voice was clear. He spoke as the Lord of the family, not her husband, and she snapped her jaw shut. “Take Romero and get some air.” Amanda looked like she wanted to argue but a look leveled her way changed her mind.

“Of course. I’m sorry.” She stood and pressed a kiss to his temple. “There’s work to be done anyway. I have a meeting with a contact.” She scooped Romero from Amaris’ lap. “We’ll catch up later Amaris. A girls night will do us some good.” And, despite Romero’s struggling, she was out the door in a flash.

“I apologize for the unpleasantness but involving you in the Council’s business presents a conflict of interest as long as you remain at the Academy.” He sighed, pouring himself a glass of blood and then offering one to Amaris. “Though, I do share her sentiment. Dealing with the Lady and her pet of the century is an exhausting business. I feel like anytime I win with them, I still end up losing. I’m almost convinced it’s a mind game they play but I’d loathe to find that out at a critical juncture. However that house aside we should move onto a more important issue. Whatever caused you to message, is it still something I can help you with?”

Amaris was saddened to part with Romero, having already grown accustomed to the unusual warmth by her side. She accepted the glass gratefully and nodded her head with a stiffened expression, no longer feeling pressed to keep up a smile.

“I understand. It’s just frustrating to feel like there is a game being played around me and I’ve been pulled in half way through with none of the same advantages as the other players. What’s done is done though and I suppose it wasn’t without its upside.” She said, pausing to take a drink from her glass and pull the bag she had carried in closer to her person.

“There was something I needed to know but, for obvious reasons, Ryner could only tell me so much. Father kept many secrets but she was adamant that this particular one was not kept from you. I had hoped that considering your circumstances, you might be of a unique position to help me make heads or tails of his last gift to me.” Amaris’ fingers brushed against the skin of her cheek as if searching for the long faded line the princess had made with her knife. She could still feel the blade sinking into her flesh, the memory of her soured blood dripping onto parchment still as fresh as the moment it happened. Her reservations were made clear not only through her expression, but the vagueness of her speech. Was this really a door she wanted to open when she could still walk away?

“The question is not if you can still help me, it’s if you are willing. You work so hard to protect me the way that he used to, the way that he would have wanted you to… but if I am to assume that Ryner has spoken with honesty, what I ask of you goes against that completely. I can read it Salazar but can you teach me to use it?”

Salazar’s face fell as she spoke. He leaned forward, running his hands down his face, and he stared into the fire. A weariness much older than his 200 years seemed to weigh on his shoulders as he considered how to continue. “You knew this day would come.” Salazar’s voice lacked any semblance of emotion as he spoke. “I swore I’d keep her fate at bay as long as I dare. Yet here we are, on the doorstep of disaster. The Children play and their parents scream and the rest of us die in between.”

“If I teach you this Amaris, there is no return. You will learn and grow and you will revel in your power because it is overwhelming in its splendor. Stars know I did.” Salazar gave a self depreciating chuckle. “But there will come a point that I cannot follow. You will take the place of your father. As the Lady of this family, yes. But also his place among the Children. And once you do, you will have enemies beyond your comprehension. Everything you know, everything you trust―each and every one turned against you. If you believe you have the strength to shoulder this burden, then my guidance is yours. But if not, I must take back what was given.”

“I have to know, it’s just who I am. But do you honestly believe that whatever enemies father had would just wait forever on the mere chance that I might not walk his path? Would this family be safer led in ignorance or could I forgive myself if something were to happen knowing full well I had turned away from that which could have made a difference? If I am to protect this family, our family, I cannot do it incomplete.” Amaris closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the chair as her mind raced to answer her own questions.

“Do I have the strength to shoulder such a burden?” She echoed lightly before turning back to Salazar with a steeled resolve.

“As I am now, absolutely not. But if I am incapable of growing with what I learn, of stepping up to face what is needed… Then I have no place being here let alone assuming my inheritance as our Lady. I refuse to believe that father’s fate was an inevitability, thus it is my hope your guidance might better equip me for whatever lays ahead.”

“If your will is settled, then you shall have my guidance.” Salazar promised solemnly, pulling out a pager. He pressed on it and a mage opened the door, bowing to the pair. “No one is to come near this wing, inside and out, until I approve. Have the door to this room warded immediately.” The mage bowed without question hurrying to comply. A few moments later, the door would lock itself while Salazar closed the veranda doors and pulled the curtains. “Not another soul may know you’ve decided to learn this. Do not tell anyone, do not practice in front of anyone, even if you trust them.” Salazar sat and gestured at the table.

“Since the Princess,” Salazar’s disapproval of her was clear. “Revealed how to see past the enchantment, I take it you’ve dabbled a little. A dangerous thing and incredibly irresponsible of her. The art of Marivaldi blood magic is as ancient as vampirism itself and some suggest the source of it. Blood magic allows its user to manipulate the magic in their blood and express nearly any affinity. The cost is, of course, a volume of blood consumed by the spell. It is incredibly versatile, capable of expressing nearly any strength of an affinity, and incredibly dangerous for the same reason.”

“But Marivaldi blood magic makes arcane magic look like child’s play. All living creatures have magic but the strength of the connection is what determines whether an Awakening is successful or not. Official vampires are not living and thus do not have magic but it is a lie. We vampires are something of an in between, our magics corrupted in a way that leaves our bodies warped past living but not quite dead. We consume blood in the way a mortal consumes food to power this corrupted energies that give us our strength, feeding on the magic inherent in mortal blood. This corruption grows stronger as we age, making us stronger, more durable, faster and thus does our magic grow stronger..” Salazar explained. “We Marivaldis can actively direct that corrupted magic, in ways as simple as a glamour to coaxing the blood of others out of their skin to walking through the blood’s past.” Salazar grabbed the remaining while and tossed it against the door, watching it shatter and splatter on the walls and floor. He bit into his own hand, held up the palm, and snarled “Sanguis emni actoniuma, sapien et sanguis.” A thin, shimmering strand of red flowed off his palm and vanished.

Nothing happened for a moment. And then it passed in the blink of an eye. The blood covering the door, the floor, and the bookshelves trembled and quivered before rising up in droplets that twisted into a single rope of blood and rushed Salazar, sinking into his palm as if there was no barrier. “This magic is powerful and can call the blood out from the skin of your enemies, let you gleam secrets of the one whose blood touch, and mimic the capacities of most mages. It is a difficult and painful path to walk as each spell and incantation consumes a part of your essence, the blood that makes your body. But as you grow older, this magic will only get more powerful, more painful, more exhilarating. Now open your book and we will begin with the first exercise, the basic glamour spell.”

Amaris could see why Salazar had requested such an extreme level of privacy. There wasn’t a single word that came to mind as she watched each and every drop of spilt blood respond to his summons, disappearing into his outstretched palm. It wasn’t much of a surprise that the magic would be something incredible despite its terrifying nature; after all, nothing sweet was ever disguised as the untranslated ramblings of a madman. No matter what she had been expecting, though, the sheer power the Marivaldi magic was capable of was overwhelming. The versatility alone was something to marvel at. It seemed the more she listened to Salazar speak about the possibilities the more she began to wonder how much of the lock down might actually be to protect the unwitting passerby.

“You said that some people suggest this magic might be connected to our origins. Do you think that’s true?” She asked, sliding the book from its place in her bag. Amaris opened to the page she had been stuck on when she had first messaged the man. While it might have been irresponsible to have allowed Amaris free access to knowledge and power beyond her current control, she had never been able to make it through the first notes on simple glamour. There had been a point where she thought she had semi-successfully changed the color of the paper but it had just turned out to be paint from an earlier project.

“I am not sure. We have no records going back far enough to confirm anything. I suspect one of the few people who could tell us recently passed.” Salazar replied, looking over the spell and nodding. “Now, the first part of these spells is blood. Only a drop should be fine for this.” He pricked his finger with a fang and let it drop onto one of the remaining honey cakes. “This glamour only covers a small space but as you get more comfortable with the spell, you’ll be able to cover more. With more blood of course. Once the blood has been applied, you have to use your mind to reach out and grab the latent magic in the blood. It’s like trying to grasp at smoke for the first while but eventually, you’ll feel the knack. Once you have a strong hold, speak your incantation firmly. Inculo Mutaat.” The color in the honey cake darkened until it was pitch black with white speckles.

“This spell is limited to minor visual effects. Color and the visual texture changes but that’s it. Of course once the effect is applied, it can only be broken with Marivaldi blood as powerful as the blood used to cast the spell.” Salazar explained. “Excluding the reclamation spell which recalls the blood of a spell and thus ends its effect. Sanguis venhunc aduthic ut pelunthr.” The cake returned to normal and a faint red ribbon floated off of it. “Now you try.”

“Blood, mind, incantation. Got it.” The first and last would be the easy part, it was the elusive nature of the magic that was going to be the problem. There hadn’t yet been an attempt that felt how Salazar described. What was it she was missing?

Reaching her right thumb to a fang and breached the skin to draw forth the drop of blood she would need for the spell. Stepping forward, Amaris approached the cake with an outstretched hand and applied just enough pressure to free a single droplet. Her eyes tracked the droplet as it made its descent to its target below, landing with a faint plunk. Simple. Straight forward. Now what exactly was it that she was supposed to be feeling?

The countess stared intently at the object, willing for something, anything, to call out to her. Amaris hadn’t the faintest idea of what it was supposed to feel like. If there was no draw to whatever magic might exist within the blood, how was she supposed to ‘grab’ hold of it?

Calm yourself. This is no different than trying to learn how to transform, just relax and let it come to you… no, Salazar said something, what was it? ‘...you have to use your mind to reach out…’ Pulling her hand close to her chest, Amaris closed her eyes and grew still. Despite having shut herself off from her sight Amaris was still acutely aware of everything around her. She knew the layout of the room like that back of her own hand, the empty spaces like a void among the solid objects that occupied the area. Bit by bit the countess worked to tune out the objects around her that had no part to play in her task, zoning in on the feeling of the table that displayed the cake.

The longer she focused the more she could sense something she hadn’t before. Amaris didn’t know how to describe the feeling other than familiar, a little like her, just in front of her. She had been caught up on searching for something foreign but maybe this was it? The countess figured it was worth the shot regardless of the result, after all, it was the first time something felt different to her. Focusing on that feeling, Amaris recalled the words Salazar spoke in her mind.

“Inculo Mutaat.” Amaris spoke decisively though she was hesitant to open her eyes and witness the result of her attempt.

“Well, it isn’t horrible.” Salazar chuckled at the splotches of colors all over the cake before he undid the enchantment. “When using this magic, never be afraid of it, never back down to it, never consider it your equal. Unlike mages who work in tandem with their magic and guide it, we command it. Given an opportunity, it will work against you. Try again with a clear image in your mind of the end result and command the magic with the incantation.”

Amaris relaxed a little seeing the cake's unnatural state, laughing at the uneven coloring she had caused. It wasn't right but at least something had happened this time, and that was a good enough start for her. She nodded her head in understanding and reset herself to try again.

Clear image, clear image, clear image. I wonder what he would think if I turned the thing green. Amaris thought to herself as she closed her eyes, trying to picture the cake from every angle in the hue of her choice. To keep things simple, she opted to stick to one solid color and avoid overwhelming herself with the details. Fun speckles could come later.

Once she had the desired version of the cake pictured in her mind Amaris repeated the steps from before, this time her gaze set sternly on the item.

"Inculo Mutaat."

It still wasn’t perfect but it was much closer to what it should have been than her previous attempt. She continued trying for as long as Salazar allowed, breaking down the glamour just to cast it again. Each attempt got just a little bit better, even if it continued to reveal more details she would have to focus on.

By the end of the session Amaris was drained but feeling more confident in the maneuver. It wouldn’t be long before she would get the hang of the simple spell but even she had to admit mastery wouldn’t come in single night. Instead she welcomed the opportunity for a break with the resolve to return to it another night, after all, it had been quite some time since she had slept in her own bed and she was quite looking forward to it.

Extras

*piccolo topo = little mouse

Outfit Reference

_{Dates: October 8th - November 4th}

October 7th: Amaris & Madalyn

Third First Impressions

Amaris stared coldly out the window of the vehicle escorting her back to her dorm at the Academy. Had the countess gotten her way, she would have been dropped at the front gates and walked herself the rest of the way like she had her very first night at the school. Things were different now though, and she didn’t have the heart to fight the extra precautions. The attack during the Revel changed everything, its effects felt even towards the outskirts of the property with the increased security… just like the princess had promised.

A little late for that. The thought was full of bitter feelings, but it was short lived as Amaris silently reprimanded herself. It wasn’t as if Ryner had planned for a tragedy like this to occur, nor could she possibly have known that it would happen when it did; at least, it was no more Ryner’s fault than her own.

Tearing her eyes away from the passing scenery, Amaris cast her glance down at the card she held gingerly in her hands. Despite its apparent blank face, the countess could still picture every detail of the design that hid below the surface. She ran her thumb across the space where Cassandra’s name should have been as her mind wandered off to other places. Amaris had heard the news about the mage during the broadcast Ryner put together to publicly address the incident that had taken place the week before.

Deep down she knew something had been wrong, after all, she hadn’t seen the girl at all before leaving to return home for the break. She had justified the absence to herself by assuming Cassandra had gotten caught up with security response to the attack, perhaps hunkered down with a friend in need of her support during the rough time… nothing more than wishful thinking. It seemed, however, that although she had seen the same broadcast as everybody else, the full gravity of the situation hadn’t set in until the card was returned to her just a couple of days later. Its return to her possession had been a clear sign that Cassandra was no longer considered her partner. Whether it be her condition or the investigation into the attack she did not know, and knew she likely wouldn’t know for some time; if ever. Instead of returning to school to the bright and high-spirited girl she had bragged to Salazar and Amanda about, Amaris would be returning to a stranger.

As the car drew ever closer to its final destination, Amaris pulled her bag from its place on the floor to her lap. She slipped the card into a pocket for safekeeping and instead withdrew a letter that had been sent from Ryner, or at the very least a member of her office, confirming the change in mage assignment. According to its contents, Cassandra’s replacement would be a girl known as Madalyn and, if everything went smoothly, she would have arrived to get settled in ahead of Amaris. The countess scanned over the words a few more times until she was certain the name had been committed to memory before folding it back up and returning it to her bag. Amaris had just finished fixing the clasps on her bag when the car rounded the corner into the cul-de-sac that contained her ‘home away from home’, pulling up slowly to her designated building before coming to a complete stop. She thanked the driver for the escort before getting out and waving the gentleman off.

For a few moments, all Amaris could do was stand and stare at the front door of her dorm; a lonely figure clad in black from head to toe. The style she had chosen was reminiscent of her ‘Gothic’ period following the death of her father. While the sense of mourning was not nearly as extreme, the simple look was still enough to get the point across. It consisted of a black blouse with ruffled details running partially down the front as well as capping the ends of both sleeves and the collar of the raised neck. Paired with the blouse was a high-waisted skirt that hugged the remainder of her torso before flaring back out until it reached its length just above the knee. The pattern etched into the fabric was subtle, the swirling designs just about disappearing into the fabric depending on the lighting, as it was the set of six buttons along her abdomen that were meant to draw the eye. Looped around the top two buttons was a thin silver chain that attached a small crescent moon charm to garment. While the countess had opted not to wear tights or leggings of any sort, the majority of her lower legs were covered by the tall leather boots she had chosen to round out the look.

“You going to stand here all night or what?” She mumbled to herself, before resigning herself to the inevitability. One foot in front of the other, Amaris approached the dorm slowly until there wasn’t any more distance to cover. Hand resting on the handle, the countess straightened her posture and let herself inside.

Madalyn had arrived a few hours earlier, picked up and dropped off by Academy vehicles from her previous mage college. On one hand, she was glad to escape the oppressive atmosphere the Countess of her territory instilled in the school. All of her schooling had been gender segregated and strongly enforced the gender stereotypes. Thankfully, it was a Sinnenodel influence and regardless of how they viewed the separation of the sexes, they were determined to educate their subjects as thoroughly as possible. She had a strong background in math and finances, in art and literature, but history, law, science, and business were always considered the "man's role". On the other hand, her lack of a well rounded education made her a little more nervous than she’d care to admit. The Noila Academy offered equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of traditional roles, and a lot of people came from territories that didn’t adhere to such strict gender roles. It put her at a distinct disadvantage and she was hoping there would either be remedial courses or she could avoid where she lacked all together.

When she’d been dropped off at the Marivaldi dorm, Madalyn almost had to ask if they got it right. Of course she’d had some etiquette classes but they were meant for interacting with other humans, not nobles. Madalyn had been escorted inside, her bags dropped off in the appropriate room, and then everything she had been alone. She’d spent some time looking around, poking through what her room had, checking out the backyard, and the rest of the dorm. It was far nicer than anything she was accustomed to. Her house back home was thrown together from thrift shops and hand-me-downs with the occasional nicer item that they’d saved up for since taxes decimated what revenue they made from the restaurant. She’d stepped lightly for the first bit but that got tiring.

She continued procrastinating―she had very little interest in going through the effort of unpacking when she’d just packed earlier that evening―for a while, lounging on the couch with a cup of coffee and a book until her stomach reminded her loudly that early evening coffee was not, in fact, food. She put doggy eared the page, put it down on the counter, turned on some easy listening music, and ruffled through the kitchen. Easy and quick was what she was looking for and when she turned up some pasta, beef, and a surprising number of ingredients she recognized from home, it quickly became a no brainer. She hummed quietly with the song as she prepped ingredients when an idea hit her.

“I should probably change.” Madalyn muttered under her breath. She’d worn something comfortable to travel in: a simple t-shirt with a band she liked on it, dark wash jeans, sneakers, and one of the beanie hats she knitted herself. The water started boiling as she considered it and she shrugged. The noble hadn’t shown up yet so she probably still had time. She’d change into something more proper later. She focused on cooking, the sizzling on ground beef keeping her attention long enough to miss the door opening.

Closing the door softly behind her, Amaris stepped into the space with a deep breath. The air was thick with the scent of cooking beef, the smell creating a homey atmosphere that helped the countess to relax just a little. Curious to see what her new partner was up to, Amaris dropped her stuff into a chair in the common area and calmly made her way toward the kitchen. It seemed that the closer she got, the better everything smelled, good enough that it came close to making the vampire jealous.

Slowly Amaris poked her nose around the corner to observe the girl she assumed to be Madalyn, noting the intense focus she seemed to have for the craft before her. It was clear that the mage had not heard the arrival of her roommate, which meant it was very likely that Amaris was about to startle her. While not an ideal first impression, she figured it was best to just get it over with and out of the way. Just to be on the safe side though, the countess remained close to the entrance of the kitchen in case she needed to get out of dodge.

“That smells delicious. What’s it going to be?” Amaris asked with a soft smile.

Madalyn startled at the voice, nearly flicking out some of the meat she was browning with an involuntary jerk, and she looked over her shoulder at the source. A woman stood partially behind the wall to the kitchen as she looked in. She was clearly a vampire and considering where she was, Madalyn's partner. Madalyn was expecting a demanding question or some sort of comment on her attire if her limited knowledge of the nobles was right so she wasn't 100% percent sure how to handle the unassuming question or the smile on her pretty face. Madalyn knew the vampire was a Marivaldi at the very least. Madalyn knew the Marivaldis respected their mages far more than the other houses. Unfortunately, that was as far as her understanding of them went so she'd have to test the waters for now. She bowed to the Marivaldi before returning to cooking.

"Just spaghetti, ma'am. Right now I'm just cooking meat that I'll add back into the sauce later." Madalyn explained as she took the beef off the heat and set about draining it and setting it off to the side. She slid the spaghetti into the boiling water and then put a bit of the oil back into the saucepan pan and set it to heat again. It was a staple recipe in her house so she could practically do this in her sleep, turning away from the stove to give the Countess her undivided attention for a few moments.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. I apologize for my outfit; I wasn't sure when you'd be arriving and I thought I would have enough time to finish cooling before I changed. I hope my clothes don't cause offense." Madalyn said, keeping her gaze politely down.

Amaris stepped out into full view now that the initial shock had been dealt with. She positioned herself so that she could watch the girl at work, her eyes following each step thoughtfully as ingredients were prepped and moved about. While there had been many opportunities for her to watch such activities like cooking at home, the whole process still managed to fascinate her. Very rarely did she see humans eating foods that were as immediately consumable like her food-source; they always seemed to be altering their forms in one way or another.

“It’s no trouble. You’ll find that my travels tend to be on the expedited side regardless of my personal wishes. With recent events considered, I can’t say I blame the rush this time around.” The countess shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly though her smile remained soft.

“I understand this might be a bit of an adjustment for you, so it makes me happy to see you settling in comfortably. Were all of your belongings delivered properly?” There was a brief falter in the expression reaching her eyes, but Amaris pushed the melancholy sentiment aside to avoid giving off the wrong impression.

The vampiress didn’t answer her question directly and Madalyn wasn’t sure if the settling in comment was approval or a side step. She had been hoping for something straight forward but it would probably come up again if it was a problem. “Yes, ma’am, they were. Thank you.” The fat in the pan started sizzling and she turned back, sliding the ham she cut into the pan and stirring the pasta. She gathered her other ingredients as she stirred the ham periodically, using the time to collect her thoughts. There wasn’t much to consider other than this vampire was soft spoken and seemed more relaxed than the stories suggested of their kind. Considerate and quiet so far but for every good rumor there were twenty more bad ones and Madalyn knew she’d have to keep her guard up until she could confirm how true the ones about the Marivaldis were.

Once she had everything cooking happily again, she turned back to the Countess. Neither of them had introduced themselves. Madalyn wasn’t familiar with most vampires outside the Queen, the council members, and the Countess that controlled her territory so she wasn’t sure who she was dealing with exactly. Maybe she was waiting for Madalyn to introduce herself first. “My apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. Madalyn Vazquez, ma’am. My affinity is life magic.” Her expression was pleasant and neutral, like she was taught in school. That was probably the only thing she’d done right so far. Her teachers back at school would probably be clicking their tongues in disapproval but she didn’t see them having to suddenly adapt to living with nobility.

A life mage… how ironic. The countess thought to herself with an internal laugh. While likely a coincidence, Amaris thought the affinity was approaching the line of cosmic mockery. Still, it was little excuse for her absent mindedness and severe lack of manners.

“I suppose it would help to give you a name if I’m going to get you to stop calling me ma’am.” She chuckled lightheartedly. There seemed to at least be a bit of familiarity, or at the very least the expectation, of etiquette. It would be helpful to not have to worry about teaching it from scratch, but she hoped she wouldn’t have to fight hard to leave it at the door.

“My name is Amaris Marivaldi, Countess to the main house of Marivaldi. But for the purpose of our partnership here at the Academy, you are more than welcome to call me Ari. Or Amaris if you think Ari is too familiar, I promise it won’t hurt my feelings.” Eyes wandering to the cooking, Amaris inhaled deeply to take in the evolving scent. It had somehow grown richer since her initial arrival, and she was greatly looking forward to its final form. Shaking her head, the countess returned her gaze to the mage still standing politely in front of her.

“I’m sure between the two of us, there are quite a few questions to be asked. Why don’t you finish up here and we talk things over where it’s a little more comfortable. I find conversations are far more enjoyable when there are chairs.”

"If Ari is what you'd like, then that's what I'll call you. It suits you." Madalyn said. "I should be done in about ten minutes and then we can play twenty questions." She chuckled and turned back to the stove, stirring the ham for a bit longer before adding the remaining ingredients. She took a deep breath as sofrito and cilantro filled the kitchen, draining the pasta as the sauce simmered and thickened. It was nice to have a little bit of home in a new place even if she was glad to be out of the nest. Not that she didn't love her family but they could be slightly overbearing. but they

Meanwhile, her mind was whirring. Trading information with her new partner, easy enough. What did she know so far? First, she was definitely living up to the Marivaldi stereotype. Polite, nice, and immediately creating a sense of familiarity with someone considered beneath her station. Well beneath her station if her introduction was anything to go by. Second, she didn’t comment on her clothing despite the clear differences between their level of dress and coupled with the easy way she put them on first name basis, it was likely Ari didn’t disapprove. Thirdly, the Countess seemed to like the smell of what she was cooking. That would be a good default topic to fall back on if there was a lull in the conversation. She hummed along with the music again as she stirred the beef back into the sauce. She definitely had some mixed feelings about this whole situation. She expected to have four years before she had to face a vampire but, much like her Awakening, she’d been thrown for a loop again. She scoffed softly at the thought.

Awakening. Not the first in the family but it wasn’t like they were common either. The last one had been her great uncle on her mother’s side so when that crystal lit up in her hands, she’d been completely unprepared. Her entire life plan―waitress at the restaurant, learn how to handle the finances from her mother, find a husband that would benefit the family and that she liked―evaporated in that moment and she’d nearly broke down crying. She’d almost missed her affinity announcement in the shock. But what was done was done and there wasn’t any point in crying over spilt milk.

She finished the sauce, stirring in the last of the cilantro because there could never be enough, and tossed the pasta in it. She considered whether to leave it covered rather than plating it but her stomach growled again and she shrugged. “This should be fine. She would have said something.” She rummaged around until she found silverware, grabbed a glass of water, and poked around for the vampire,starting in the dining room. If she didn’t find her there, she’d put the plate away first.

Amaris had stepped away from the kitchen to allow Madalyn some space to finish cooking, returning to the bag she had abandoned near the entry. By this time the object was rustling as a very impatient Getsuga nudged his nose out a hole he had found. She scooped the bag up in her arms and pulled it up close to her face with quiet cooing noises.

“I know, I know. All this traveling has got you antsy doesn’t it? Let’s get you to your heat lamp.” The countess disappeared around the corner to her room, taking her time so as not to rush the mage in the kitchen. With her pet settled in and her bag emptied of what it didn’t need, Amaris slowly made her way back down the hall to the dining area. She picked up a book she had left lying around and took a seat at the table, skimming through the pages she had read hundreds of times while she awaited Madalyn’s presence. After a few minutes Amaris sensed the mage’s approach from the kitchen, the countess placed the book down on the table and pushed herself to her feet.

“Please, sit down and eat.” Amaris gestured to the space across from where she was standing before retaking her own and leaning back comfortably.

“If you don’t mind my asking, it’s a bit odd of a time to transfer. What pushed your decision to come to Noila?”

“Thank you, Ari.” Madalyn set her place and settled into the chair across from her, considering the question as she laid out the napkin on her lap. “The headmistress of my old school called me into her office and told me that I’d be attending. She said Princess Ryner sent an invitation. I’m not sure about others but I’m not in the habit of denying her anything. I can tell the difference between a request and a politely worded demand at the very least,” She chuckled as she took a bite.

“I haven’t heard much concrete about the school though. How is attending here? This is my first co-ed experience so I’m sure it’s a world difference.” Madalyn asked.

“I see. She must have seen something she really liked. Even for her, it’s not always easy to steal talent from hard to reach places. I’m glad to get to be a part of your journey.” Amaris replied before taking a moment to consider Madalyn’s question. She had quite a few opinions about the school, but she thought it best to ease the sentiment in rather than bombard her with the negativity.

“Her Royal Highness runs a fair school, and it certainly lives up to its reputation. I just hope the recent tragedy hasn’t marred your view of this place before you’ve had a chance to try it out, it really is a wonderful place. Here you will have access to some of the best teachers and mentors you could ever hope to train under. Oh, and our headmistress will not tolerate any outright abuse of its students no matter who they are… just keep in mind there are still those that toe that line and refer to it as tradition. I recommend keeping your wits about you while you settle in.” The countess seemed almost disappointed that such a warning would exist, but the last thing she needed was for Madalyn to get hurt because she was not prepared.

“But with me, the only detail you’ll have to be especially concerned with are the feeding arrangements. Princess Ryner set it up as a way to ease through the transitional period and strengthen bonds or something like that. Would it be incorrect to assume you are new to it like many of the first year students?” She asked, raising an eyebrow curiously. It hadn’t sounded like her previous school had such a system in place, but Amaris still didn’t know much about Madalyn’s home life to be able to make a certain call.

Everyone had heard about the events. Six students hurt under right under the nose of the Princess that supported mages’ rights and she had to call in the Traditionalist one to fix the problem. She would be lying if she said it didn't make her uneasy but there were additional security measures and she was under the direct supervision of a noble so that had to count for something extra. “Thank you for the warning. I’ll make sure to keep it in mind.” She promised as she took another bite.

“It is a fair assumption. You’ll definitely be my first in many of these experiences. We have little claim to magic in the family and we own a restaurant. This is my first time sitting in the same room with a vampire for longer than a minute.” Madalyn explained. The first time she met a vampire, everything in her screamed run. Knowing that she would be fed on definitely triggered some sort of fear but she’d slowly become more accustomed to the idea. The inevitability of it definitely made it an easier pill to swallow. “Any guidance on the subject would be greatly appreciated. I’ve heard that a bite is relatively painless. Is that true?”

“From what I have been told, that is true. It is my understanding that the process feels a little different from person to person, side effects and so forth but so long as the one doing the biting is mindful of their manners there should be little to no pain. Ca-... My previous partner didn’t seem to mind it at all, but I found myself tucking her in for a nap more often than not.” Amaris’ laugh was nostalgic as she caught herself mid-sentence. She figured she would be able to speak her name again eventually without feeling the pit in her stomach, but now was not that occasion.

“It’s not something you’ll have to worry about tonight anyway, I got my fill before leaving home so I should be alright for another night or so. If you’re really nervous about it, I’m sure you can track down one of your professors or a fellow classmate to help ease your mind. Once that is settled, the rest will come as it needs to. Let’s see, am I forgetting anything?” She asked herself aloud, eager to move on from the boring subjects as soon as possible.

“Ah, I suppose there is one other thing. I’m usually one for open spaces and the freedom to occupy them, however I’d like to get the whole ‘I’ll stay out of your room if you stay out of mine’ speech out of the way upfront. It’s the only place I would consider off limits unless stated otherwise, as for the rest of the dorm you are more than welcome to stretch out and make it yours. Does that seem fair to you?” After spending the break practicing with Salazar at home, there was little she had to worry about in the ways of a novice mage discovering something she shouldn’t… but she figured setting the expectation right out of the gate might help make those necessary moments of enforcement a little less conspicuous.

Madalyn nodded as the Countess explained. It was a relief to hear that pain wasn’t going to feature in her future from a necessary ritual though the additional commentary wasn’t as helpful. So the only way to understand being fed on was to experience it. Jumping into something without some preparation wasn’t exactly how she liked to do things but it had to happen eventually. She almost wished the countess hadn’t fed; that way, she could have gotten through it like ripping off a band-aid.

But what caught her attention was the stumble. Ca―? Although she was curious, she’d wait and bide her time. This previous partner of hers was important to her, that much was apparent, but then why wasn’t she here? Why had she been brought into a situation when the Marivaldi clearly already had a soft spot for the other? There was definitely an inkling in the back of her mind but she’d explore that particular issue later when she had some time to herself and process everything she’d found out.

“I’d never dream of intruding.” Madalyn replied, putting her silverware down and giving the vampire a mildly concerned look. “I apologize for my forwardness and I don’t mean any disrespect but aren’t you entitled to come into my room? I was under the impression that, for all intensive purposes, I had no right to refuse you anything with some exceptions.”

“No need to apologize. I understand my methods are a little unorthodox. You’re not wrong in the sense that the legal system agrees with your statement, as does a good portion of my kind. There will undoubtedly be times where the metaphorical leash will be tighter, the expectations of you higher. However, there is a reason those same people don’t particularly vibe well with Marivaldi-kind. We don’t just care for our mages, we respect them as individuals. So I guess to answer your question, yes technically I am entitled to enter your room without invitation but I have no intention to unless I deem it absolutely necessary.” Amaris explained calmly, wondering if she had thoroughly freaked the girl out yet. Evidently it was not so easy having one’s expectations of life with a vampire shattered, but Madalyn seemed rather level headed. It might take some time but the countess was confident the adjustment could be made.

“You’ll find that I diverge from a lot from the traditional views of our society. Sure, sometimes you have to put on a show and pretend to just fit in, but all that stops at the door. Here, at home, it’s just you and I. What that looks like will be up for us to decide.”

Madalyn couldn’t hold back the amused snort at Amaris’ words. The last thing she expected out of a Countess’ mouth was vibe. Despite her looks, Amaris was probably around 100 years old so it was like hearing hip slang coming from your grandparents or great grandparents. The idea made her laugh softly, her smile less polite and more genuine now. She moved her plate to the side, leaning forward and resting her chin on the back of her hand. “Please tell me you’ve said vibe in a proper meeting. I can only imagine how long it took for some millennia old vampire to try and figure that out.” If Ari said it was okay to be relaxed behind closed doors, she wasn’t going to try and impersonate a high up servant. That was a lot more work that she really wanted to do and the less often she had to, the better.

“But okay. We can figure out how we want to vibe here at home so I guess that means how do you want to do this? I’m not going to lie, I’d appreciate a place where we can just chill.” Madalyn asked. “And in comparison, what are the expectations once we cross that threshold? Etiquette classes were a mandatory part of my schooling but they were definitely intended for human interactions, much less vampires and even less so nobles.”

The countess was pleased to see Madalyn brightening up, clearly more relaxed than when they had made their initial introductions. She shook her head with a laugh of her own, wondering what look Salazar, or more importantly Amanda, would have reserved for such an antic. The thought was enough to send a shudder down her spine, but she stood by the idea.

“Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity, but I think I’d rather avoid the extra time it would take for some of those guys to get a proper translation. Trust me, those types of meetings run long enough.” She waved her hand dismissively as if the very idea of the grumpy old vampires were a gnat buzzing about her head.

“For the sake of both of our sanity, keeping this space relaxed is what I feel is best. There will be enough of the ‘stick-up-ass’ to go around outside of these walls, no need to bring it in with us. No titles, no pressure… leave the stress for Varis’ lectures. As for expectations held on the other side of that door, well, it’s mostly about minding your manners and knowing how to feel out a situation. Aside from me, there are three other noble representatives; one from each of the houses. I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with their faces quickly and remember your titles with them. If you can, avoid the Astorio altogether. Varis can be strict but at least reasonable and, I hope, respectful of the boundary that comes with interacting with another’s mage. Victor on the other hand… I’d feel a lot better with a little more distance to be honest.” After having witnessed the man launch the mage Lillie clear across the arena, just hadn’t felt much at ease with his presence. She had hoped to know the extent of what punishment followed such a disgrace, but knew that realistically he had probably gotten off with a strict warning.

“As for me, be it Amaris or Countess I will leave that up to your discretion and comfort. You won’t have to ask my permission to do anything or go anywhere. The campus is a big place and there is a lot to see. I would honestly hate for you to miss out on even a second of it. I just ask that you check in with me every so often and understand the importance of returning swiftly if I should have to request your presence back. And if you find yourself interested in really diving into the noble etiquette I’m sure we can have something arranged, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Princess Ryner had already considered it when she sent your invitation to transfer. Just let me know and I can take care of it for you.”

So basically, nothing was expected of her. She’d wound her nerves up for nothing which is the one of the greatest sense of relief in the world. Be respectful of boundaries, behave outside of the dorm, and check in to make sure she was still alive and kicking. She didn’t know what she did to please the Princess but clearly she drew the lucky straw when it came to the nobles. “Well, that all sounds reasonable. When I was dropped off in front of the dorm, I nearly turned around and ran. I’m glad I didn’t. I think we’ll get along well.” Madalyn relaxed back into her seat. “If we’re keeping it chill in here, then call me Maddie. All my friends at home do. So, check ins. Are texts okay for the most part? We’ll see each other here plenty I’m sure but I don’t know what my schedule looks like yet so I don’t know how easy it’ll be to set up face to face meetings throughout the day. What’s your number?” She took out her phone and opened a new contact for Ari.

“So you mentioned the other nobles but they have mages too right? What are they like?” She asked.

“I wouldn’t have blamed you for taking a healthy jog in the opposite direction, but I’m glad that you decided to stick around, Maddie.” Amaris reached for the phone she had tucked into the side of her skirt after returning her bag to her room. She had been keeping the device close to her on the off chance that Cassandra messaged her while they were apart, but it was clear now that such a thing wasn’t going to happen. Instead she flipped through her information until she had located her personal number and turned to offer it to Madalyn.

“Texts are perfectly fine, as are calls if there is something you need a reply for. I will admit though, I have not fully mastered the device yet. Texting etiquette, if there is such a thing, is still quite foreign to me so I apologize for that.” With a sheepish smile, the countess shrugged her shoulders and sat back in her chair once more. It didn’t take her long to ponder Madalyn’s question about the other’s in the cul-de-sac, but unfortunately her own introverted nature left her with little response.

“I’m afraid that I won’t be too much help to you there. To date I have only personally interacted with one of the mages here. Lilie, she’s paired with the representative from Eve. A sweet girl so I hope the partnership is kind to them both. I don’t know much about Varis’ partner other than he was most definitely groomed for a position around royalty; you can see it in the way he holds himself. Unfortunately for him, he was paired with Varis of all people and his treatment is harsh. Makes me sick to see the two of them together. As for Victor Astorio… I’m not entirely sure who pulled that equally short straw. I rarely see him, let alone his assigned partner.” She figured she had seen the mage in question before, but without the proper context, she wasn’t able to connect the dots.

“Maybe we’ll luck out and they’ll drop out of the sky to introduce themselves.”

“Or they’ll leave us alone and we won’t have to mingle at all.” Maddie said hopefully as she entered the phone number into hers. She sent off a quick text to Amaris, nothing more than a hello and a hand emoji, and tucked the device away. So she was in the dark about the other mages. A disappointment considering the likelihood of them interacting was high. Hopefully, they are relaxed and chill. The royalty one made her a little nervous but she sympathized with the poor mage. If his Sinnenodel was anything like the Cou―

“Wait. You said Varis. As in, Varis Sinnenodel. The vampire who is the heir to the Sinnenodel family currently?” Maddie asked as she made the connection. For some reason, just saying the first name didn’t mean anything until the family name clicked into place. There wasn’t much in the way of news about the vampires except for those close to the Council but their heirs she knew. Great. Out of the frying pan and into the fryer. She’d make sure to put a little extra effort into avoiding that one.

“And you’re Amaris Marivaldi, Lord Ralmevik’s daughter. Wow. You are very relaxed for someone in your position.” Maddie said, stunned. The lives of the Council members and their immediate households were common subjects even among humans considering their decisions shaped their entire existence but you considered them like the stars, distant and out of reach. Yet here she was, neighbors to one and the actual mage of another and the realization was more than just a little overwhelming. “Okay. This is a lot, I’m not going to lie. I have to be honest, wouldn’t someone with experience in this kind of field be a better choice of partner? How does the Princess choose us?”

“I wouldn’t mind it much if they opted to leave us. I might actually get something productive done for once.” Amaris joked, plucking her phone back up just to tuck it back into the band of her skirt. She would fiddle with the device later to get her new contact in order. It was far more amusing to watch Madalyn make connections she hadn’t before with the names and a tad more context provided to her.

“The very same, and the only one I know of. I don’t think I could handle any duplicates. He is… interesting enough in singularity. And correct again, the late Lord Ralmevik was my father. Salazar and his wife run the show these days, and it’s because they do such a fantastic job that I can afford to be a little more relaxed. Besides, I wouldn’t be able to assist much while attending Noila anyway. Evidently, it would be a conflict of interest.” The countess smiled softly and reached a hand out to rest on top of Madalyn’s.

“It’s going to take some time to get used to, but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about the experience. You will glean some over time, and having me as a partner will hopefully help to take some of that pressure off. Now, if we’re talking about Varis or Victor… well, the experience might be a little more important. But the only thing you could do to offend me is lie to me, so as long as you don’t do that you’ll have plenty of time to figure things out.” Shifting once again, Amaris removed her hand from Madalyn’s personal space to instead pinch the bridge of her nose.

“As for Her Royal Highness, only the stars know what goes on in that head of hers. I’m sure she is full of wisdom and I don’t doubt her abilities or choices, but I cannot even begin to understand some of her decisions. I mean, she initially paired me with a girl who was under investigation for something. Nox was breaking down my door the first week of classes. You wouldn’t happen to be up to anything illegal would you?” Amaris raised her eyebrow at the mage with a playful smirk.

Maddie nodded as Amaris spoke but quickly shook her head at the end. “Well, you nobles certainly know how to get into trouble." She murmured quietly. Being a noble's mage was going to be a pain. She'd have to stay on her toes to keep out of the other ones hair and hopefully out of the eyes of whoever was eyeing Amaris next in their little political games. Why did her life have to get so complicated?

“What can I say, it just comes naturally. But I suppose that’s what it means to be in the spotlight, gotta keep things interesting for everybody else.” The countess let out a small chuckle before rising to her feet.

“Well, I suppose I’ve taken up enough of your time this evening. I’m sure you have plenty left to do in order to get settled in so I won’t keep you here any longer. Seems like a good time to retire for the morning, so if you find yourself needing anything, you know where to find me. Pleasant dreams Maddie.” Amaris departed the table with a smile, the book she had been skimming while awaiting the mage scooped gingerly in her arms as she walked away. Her pace was leisurely, the vampire in no particular hurry for anything, but purposeful as she made her retreat to her room.

There wasn’t really much in the way of luggage, after all, the belongings at the school were just a fraction of what she owned in total. What need would she have had to transport anything, when all she needed would have already been at the estate for her? The only things she cared about had already been unpacked and placed including her beloved Getsuga, who snoozed comfortably beneath his heat lamp. It wasn’t long before Amaris also found herself curled up and resting comfortably.

Maddie waved goodbye, staying at the table for a few minutes after Amaris left. She sighed at her plate as she took it to the kitchen and started cleaning up, putting away the extra food and putting away her mess into the dishwasher before retiring for the day. This situation was surreal. It was a lot to process, knowing she’d be running into more high stress, high strung vampires along the way. Hopefully, their mages were less so. Maddie stared forlornly at the pile of luggage waiting patiently to be unpacked, swore under her breath, dug out her toiletries, and left that pile for another da-

Night. It was night now. She yawned. A night owl she may be but years of waking up with the sun left her exhausted in the early hours. That kinda sucked. She was going to miss the sun and she had a sneaking suspicion it wouldn’t be the only thing she missed. But those thoughts were no good now. Right now, a shower and bed sounded fantastic.

Extras

Outfit Reference

_{Weeping Liberty & @Achronum Collabs}

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Mentions: Smol Dennis @Achronum}

Stepping up to their destination at last, Amaris was able to sigh a silent breath of relief. While she hadn’t expected anything to come jumping out at them from the dark, the knowledge the pair carried with them was a heavy one. Somehow, having returned unhindered by neither criminal nor guard made the situation just a bit easier for her to handle. The countess smiled warmly at the mage as he separated from her and bowed his farewells.

“I’m sorry the night had to end the way that it did, but I had a wonderful time as well. I appreciate the opportunity.” She replied with a curtsy just the slightest bit deeper than when she had met the boy back at the dance hall. At this point she couldn’t yet say that she completely trusted the boy but he was sweet and hopeful; hopeful that perhaps the Revel wouldn’t be the only night she would be allowed the comfort of casual socialization.

“Do you think uh maybe we could hang out again?” The mage asked her lightly. The countess nodded her head, maintaining her warm visage despite the eyes burning holes into her from beyond.

“I don’t know about your friend there, but I would certainly enjoy that.” Amaris shifted her attention from Dennis to the stiffly poised girl awaiting the boy’s return. Lifting her right arm, she offered a polite wave with little expectation of it affecting the girl’s apparent mood.

“You shouldn’t keep them waiting. I’ll see you around, ok?” With a final curtsy, Amaris left Dennis to the care of his friends so that she could return to her own dorm. She doubted even the nobles would be given free passes for breaking the mandated curfew considering the circumstances, and the last thing she wanted to be dealing with was an angry Nox for failing to comply with official orders… again.

The countess walked swiftly and with purpose, quickly exiting the circuit of general dorms and setting course for the noble’s.

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Mentions: Smol Dennis @Achronum}

Amaris cringed at the mention of Princess Nox, the memory of her own personal interactions with the royal still rather fresh in her mind. She found herself hoping that Nox would be too busy sorting out the mess to have to deal with a secondary encounter with the woman.

“She always looks like that, but it gets worse when she doesn’t have the axe.” The countess breathed calmly, keeping her posture tall and her eyes active for anything that might stand out. She listened intently as Dennis listed off some of the actions taken by both Nox and Ryner. A part of her was beginning to wonder how he was able to gather such in depth knowledge, especially when the subjects were royal subjects, but she opted to leave the conversation for another time. She was, however, unable to stifle a small laugh at his follow up comment.

* “Non ne conosci la metà.” Amaris chuckled under her breath as the group they had been travelling with continued to be corralled along. Every so often she would spot a student, high on the night’s festivities, attempt to break from the crowd only to be swiftly returned to the flow of foot traffic by a royal guard.

“Well, at least it looks like security tightened up a bit. I wonder how long it will take to get this mess sorted out now that Nox is back on the warpath.” She mused, taking a moment to glance down at the mage still attached to her arm. He was very clearly still distressed about the situation, and rightfully so. Amaris felt a twinge of guilt, that if she had kept her curiosity in check he wouldn’t have had to witness such frightening things… but realistically she knew it was likely he would have still looked into it and suffered silently on his own. At least she could be there to provide whatever small amount of support she could for the time being.

“We shouldn’t be too much further now, right? You’re doing great.”

*

Non ne conosci la metà = You don’t know the half of it.
~Again via google translae…. Pls forgive~

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Mentions: Smol Dennis @Achronum}

Then they likely haven’t properly contained whatever this situation is yet. Amaris decided to keep this particular thought to herself. While it was a conclusion anyone could come to, sometimes it was better left unsaid to avoid facing the terrifying reality. Instead, she stood silently and listened as Dennis attempted to pull himself together and respond to her previous question.

“Ye-yeah. I think, uh, I think I can do that. We should start heading back to the dorms. Do you think you can stay with me on the way? I don’t want to be alone right now.” He asked meekly, seeming more than a little embarrassed but Amaris responded with the warmest, kindest smile she could muster in such a tense situation.

“Don’t worry yourself over something like compensation. It would be rather rude of me to not ensure your safe return to your dwellings. What would your friends think of me if I left you wander home alone? Come along, we’re getting left behind.” Amaris continued to support the mage as she lead him back into the flow of patrons exiting the building as instructed.

The general dorms weren’t all that far, but every step was weighted with the knowledge of what had happened just under their noses. And as if murder wasn’t enough excitement for one night, Amaris still hadn’t seen Casandra since passing her on the dance floor. For all she knew the girl was one of the bodies being hidden from view, some lie being woven to cover up the fact that someone was able to commit such a crime on royal property… Amaris gritted her teeth in an attempt to calm herself, there was little use in panicking now.

“She’ll be fine…” She mumbled to herself before glancing over at Dennis.

“Is the cool air helping any?” Amaris didn’t know what else to say. She wanted to be of some comfort to the mage but outside of providing an escort back to his dorm, there was little she knew how to do or say to console a human mind.

Of Blood and Magic

Amaris Marivaldi

_{Mentions: Smol Dennis @Achronum}

Amaris was taken slightly by surprise at Dennis’... well, surprise. Her request was apparently a lesser common one despite the many applications such an ability could have. While she understood the fear behind having someone poking around one’s thoughts uninvited, the backlash the boy was used to was beyond anything she could have imagined. The countess opened her mouth to say something but was quickly silenced by the mage latching onto her arm tightly. It wasn’t enough to hurt her by any means, but it was definitely enough to discern the severity of the situation.

“Someone’s dead. Holy fuck, Eris was next to a dead body?! There are three dead bodies… That’s…” Amaris’ eyes snapped to the boy, her hand cupping the boy’s mouth gently as she led him aside from the shuffling crowds. She allowed him to continue to hold on to her but had positioned them in a way where neither of their lips could be read from nearby festival goers. Despite his whispers, all it would take was one wayward phrase to spread panic and make an already bad situation even worse.

She stood beside him silently for a few moments, paralyzed by the new information. There were many dangers to the programs offered by schools such as this, however, there were just as many, if not more, safeguards put into place to prevent anything more than major injury. Not only that but three? Three deaths and an evacuation of the surrounding area… The individual responsible might not be in custody just yet if they were going that far.

“They were mages weren’t they? Are you going to be okay Dennis?” Amaris asked, removing her hand from his mouth to lay it comfortingly on the boy’s shoulder. There was no way for her to know the severity of the situation but she instantly regretted having asked him to look into something so distressing. Still, now was not the time to give in to such feelings. If her assumptions were correct, they were not safe where they stood and would likely stand out to the authorities if they failed to vacate the ballroom as requested.

“I need you to listen to me very carefully. You know nothing of what is going on outside, you are just mildly inconvenienced by having your night interrupted by the malfunction. You can process this once we can get outside and to somewhere a little more private. Can you do that?” The countess’ question was poorly punctuated by the realization that her own response to the news was a pair of darkened irises. Amaris had to close her eyes and focus a moment before reopening them to their ‘normal’ cheery hue, hoping that the shift in colors was not misinterpreted by the mage as being at him.