“Well, you’re certainly less fun today.” Erika chides.

I reply listlessly. “Hmm? Oh, yes, I suppose.”

Her face scrunches up in displeasure before she directs it towards Alan sitting across the garden table from her. Her expression instantly shifts to a warm smile. “The tea is excellent. You must tell me where you source it.”

Alan waves in a dismissive flattered gesture. “Oh, this? It’s just something my company handles. I’ll gift you a box before you leave.”

“Why thank you.” Erika beams with a brief and pointed side glance to me.

“And one to you too Ellen, if you enjoy it.” Alan shifts his attention to the second guest sitting across from me at the round table.

She’s tall... taller than Erika at least, though she probably would only reach her brother’s shoulder. She’s also much more tranquil than her friend, engaging in the witty banter but without the sense of trying to score points like Erika and I do. Or did, rather. Erika still has that attitude from the exam and is clearly disappointed that I’m no longer feeling it. Perhaps that is the reason she sought me out – to beat me in a contest of words again after being eliminated from the contest of magic.

But of course, said word contest was one of my behaviours I regret, so I’m hardly in the mood to repeat it.

“You’re so kind.” Ellen smiles, not warmly like Erika, but coolly. Well... not coolly as is typically meant, but refreshing like a cool lake or other water source. “But just seeing this beautiful garden is gift enough. It certainly does the stories justice.”

“Why thank you.” Alan smiles irritatingly. “It is one of my proudest creations. I wouldn’t call it art per se, but it has been the cause of art.”

“Yes, I can see how that can be the case,” Ellen says, sipping her tea. She looks at me, her smile shifting to include some mysterious emotion. “I heard you bested Erika in the occulter game.”

Erika scowls. “Only because he went first and used a trick.”

This amuses Ellen, who gives her friend a placating side glance before returning to me. “Still, you must be good to get to where a trick would be useful. I hardly ever beat her at that game, and have to use tricks when I do.”

“I wouldn’t call what you do ‘tricks’ Ellen,” Erika speaks before I can, “at least not after experiencing his. They’re a normal part of the game – you just feel mischievous when they work.”

“Is that so?” She looks to me.

I shrug. “I would have to see what tricks you normally use.”

“We should play a game then,” Ellen says.

“...If you wish.” I shrug, seeing no reason to play outside of the exam, but also no reason not to.”

“That was hardly enthusiastic.” Erika chides me again.

I just shrug and instruct a servant to bring out our game set.

The game goes quickly. She’s right – she's not as good as Erika – but I start to lose anyways. I see through her traps, but somehow keep mishandling them. No clever way around them comes to mind like with Eirka – no desperate gambit born from certainty that she’ll guess it right the next turn.

“Why are you being so listless?” Erika asks at possibly the final round. Despite me going first, and her inferior tool, Ellen is winning four to three.

I shrug. “I suppose I’m having a harder time concentrating on a friendly game.”

Erika scowls, but Ellen speaks before her. “Have you shown me your trick yet?”

“...No, not yet.” I suppose it’s my choice for the number, so I might as well.

“All right, cards then.” She says, causing Erika to grimace. Cards are clearly her favourite occulter despite being ‘simple’ as Erika puts it.

Naturally, I choose two. We occult our occulters and make our divinations. I pull out the pendulum and perform the trick as I did it with Erika. Part of me thinks I should change it up, but it is a demonstration.

She guesses the circle in one.

She beams as Erika glowers at me. “That was clever. I wouldn’t have caught it if I wasn’t looking for a trick.” Ellen speaks in soft praise. “I shall have to use that against Erika sometime.”

“No doubt,” Erika says, still glaring. “So, tell me: Did I lose to someone who only viewed the game as an expediency? As a way to get points for the exam?” Her voice is full of scorn.

“...I suppose so. I enjoy the game, but I only learned it to get in.”

“You suppose,” she sneers. “You suppose this, you suppose that. What happened to your resolve?”

“My good lady Erika.” Alan interposes with his irritating smile. “Malichi has been feeling a bit down is all. It’s not that he has no interests beyond the academy, it’s just that he has been giving it his complete focus for a while now, and so he’s a bit listless. I had hoped your visit would cheer him up, but it seems I was mistaken.” He flashes me a ‘what’s wrong with you’ look.

“My cousin is right,” I say, taking the cue. “I’ve just been feeling down. Though I am feeling a little bit better with you here. The game at least was a bit distracting. But please forgive my lack of energy as a host.”

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Erika's face twitches, but Ellen speaks first. “Of course we forgive you. The exam was stressful on all of us, and it would be boorish to critique one’s behaviour between the end and results.” She gives a meaningful glance to Erika who blushes. “Ah, I know. Perhaps a calming walk through this delightful garden will help all of us.”

It’s clear that she just wants to explore the several acres of greenery, but her words make sense, so I nod. Though I lack hope for efficacy given my previous attempts to rouse my spirits doing just that.

“An excellent idea lady Ellen,” Allan beams, “and I think I have a better one still. Perhaps you would like to give the tour Malichi? He’s so knowledgeable about plants, even more so than me.”

It sounds like a pain, but I nod in agreement anyways.

We go through the garden with me naming plants and listing their medical properties, which causes Erika to become cross again.

“Medical facts? Is that all you have to say?”

I give a perplexed look. “What else would you like to know?”

“I don’t want to know anything from a tour – I want to share the experiences of the giver. Their favourite parts, what they find beautiful, how the empress’s palace peaks over the hedge in a certain spot, places for hidden rendezvous, how the light shimmers on the water through the chance dancing leaves at dawn...”

“Erika!” Ellen suddenly reprimands with slightly flushed cheeks.

Erika glances to her flustered friend and nods in acknowledgement. “Forgive my expletive, but you understand what I mean.”

“...Yes, though it seems you’ve already noticed a good deal without me.”

She rolls her eyes, but a hint of a smile forms at the corner of her mouth. “Just try it, okay?”

I do, which ameliorates her somewhat, at first, but then she suddenly cries out, “Do you not see the beauty of this place at all!?”

“...Perhaps,” I say thoughtfully. “It’s tranquil and enjoyable, but I don’t know if what I feel corresponds to your conception of beauty.”

She sighs. “Yes yes, beetle boxes, certes. But surely you have some idea of what I mean by beauty.”

I open my mouth, but leave it hanging, uncertain what to say. Fortunately, Ellen interrupts before I can think to speak.

“I think this is my favourite flower, pity it’s not in bloom yet,” she says crouching down at the edge of the path looking at a white and yellow flower.

Without really thinking – my mind on Erika’s question – I cast plant grower on it. It visibly begins to grow and, in a minute, goes from bud to full blossom.

“Oh, that was delightful, thank you.” Ellen smiles broadly at me, causing my chest to strangely tighten.

Not knowing how to deal with the sensation I cast animal communication on one of my bonded jays, which promptly lands on my outstretched palm as instructed, and I awkwardly thrust at her.

“Oh! That’s a surprise. How nice.” She says with a startle, but stares at the bird in admiration.

“Would you like to hold it?” I ask, slightly flustered but pushing it down with divine coordination.

“May I?” She holds out her hand with another chest tightening smile.

“No, I don’t want to, she’s scary,” the jay complains through the bond.

“Go, or I amend my agreement with the cats to exclude jays.” I threaten through the link.

It chirps, physically and mentally, in protest, but obeys my command.

Her smile intensifies. “Cute. May I pet it?”

“Of course.” I smile, which somewhat relieves the tension in my chest.

She gently strokes the top of its head, causing immediate coos of forgiveness through the link.

“See?” She turns to Erika. “He understands what beauty is with spells like that. Of course, anyone might get defensive and philosophical if you suddenly corner them.”

“...Yes, I suppose.” I can hear her gritting her teeth, which delights me.

Ellen continues. “I’ve seen the animal one before, but not the plant. It would certainly be helpful in our goals, don’t you think?”

Erika sighs. “Yes,” she glares at me, “I suppose.”

“I would be delighted to copy the spell for you lady Ellen.”

“Would you? That would be so kind. Thank you.”

“Though I am curious about what sort of spell casters you’re trying to become. Erika mentioned that she lacked offensive spells, I assume that’s the same for you?”

“Yes,” Erika answers very seriously all of a sudden, “it is our belief that, beyond being inherently more noble, the greatest benefit magic can give to our empire isn’t by aiding conquests or slaying enemies, but in helping develop the economy and making art.”

“That’s... interesting,” I say, non-comittally.

“You think it’s foolish, don’t you?” Erika asks confrontationally.

I shake my head. “I don’t know what to think of it yet.”

“It’s not foolish.” She continues as if she didn’t hear me. “Certes, mages are powerful on the battlefield, but that is merely short bursts of high benefit. A magically crafted public work however grants a small benefit constantly every time it’s used. Battle mages might presently be necessary to prevent destruction from without, but they are not sufficient to thrive.”

“I see,” I say. “And what is it exactly that you will be doing?”

“I’ll be a material specialist and shaper. Ellen will be transportation. Together we will be an effective team.”

“Transportation?” I ask.

Ellen answers. “Size, mass and or gravity distortion coupled with high-speed flight spells.”

“You can fly?” I ask.

She blushes. “A little, just an extended hop really. Eventually though, I should be able to make long-distance journeys at high speed with tonnes of materials.”

“Interesting.” My mind goes back to Caethlon. All the flying mages there were terrifying, and so I associate it with advanced magic. “And what do our examiners think of all this?”

Elen shrugs. “I guess we’ll see, but even if they disapprove, I’m hopeful that our academic scores will win us through. Especially in alchemy which we both scored high on.”

“Unfortunately, that’s a subject I don’t know much about, but I can see it being useful to you.”

“Oh, that’s a pity. There are so many alchemical uses for plants.”

“Yes, it’s something I wanted to learn, but had trouble getting books on for some reason, not to mention non-botanical supplies.”

“Yes, those can be hard to source,” Ellen admits, “but enough about us. Let’s continue in this wonderful garden while you tell us about your magic.”

I comply, thinking as we walk about their views. I don’t know if I should be happy or concerned. If they’re wrong, then their views finding hold will weaken the empire, but I can’t help but think they might be right. It’s such an Arkothan mindset, and if anyone can benefit from it, they can.

When we get back to the table, we formally exchange gifts as first-time guests and hosts. Alan gives them the aforementioned tea, as well as sketching their portraits with astounding speed. “Just something to reference for the real work” he says, but they’re so detailed as to be works of art in their own rights.

I grow a potted flower while he’s sketching which I give to Ellen, and promise to send them copies of the plant grower spell. Erika is surprisingly upset at Ellen being given an extra present (though she tries to hide it), so I quickly get another flower planted in a pot and grow it a few inches for her before it’s time to leave. She comments how it hasn’t begun to bud like Ellen’s, but we’ve run out of time.

They give us artwork too. Ellen gives us handkerchiefs with complex and brilliant patterns of colours which she says were created as part of an alchemy experiment and won’t stain. Erika uses her material magic to shape ingots of silver into likenesses of us on the spot.

Allen’s sculpture is of him sketching her, which easily captures his grace and elegance. Mine is of me holding out my hand with the jay in it. My expression seems a little twisted, but it’s probably just my imagination.

With that we say farewells and they go home, leaving me feeling... better, I think. It’s hard to tell. Distracted at the very least, for a little while. But I feel optimistic that I won’t be uselessly circling back on my mistakes for a while, real or imagined.