4th September 2149
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“Is there any way I can help here?”
Those are the thoughts that currently inhabit the mind of a certain young boy, as he walks across the massive rooms of his by now familiar, yet still distant place of residence.
This adolescent who roams these halls warily, surely looking like a lost puppy, is Divian Selv. Fifteen years of age and member of the Salviga clan. And as of this moment he is helplessly in face of the one thing he can’t handle no matter what:
Being unproductive
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Approximately 15 minutes ago he was summoned by the head maid of the mansion belonging to the Aisen family.
“Good morning, Master Divian.” The head maid spoke promptly, while bowing in a manner so natural, that still feels alien to him. He has yet to adapt to the mannerisms of this new environment. Nevertheless, resisting the urge to bow in response, as it is apparently not acceptable to do so for him.
“Good morning, to you too, Miss Zaie.” Nevertheless, he smiles brightly and greets her with the polite warmth he himself is familiar with. At least this is supposed to be allowed. However, she does not quite reciprocate for she carries on with the same cordial, yet distant tone and expression. For what it’s worth, Divian understands that this is not out of any malice pointed towards him, but that does not alleviate the awkwardness he feels right now. She carries on.
“I was informed by the master and asked to pass on the message, that all of your home lessons are cancelled for today.”
“Oh.” Was all that Divian could say in response. He tries his best not to show any expression on his face or let out the breath he unknowingly held. He is afraid of letting it slip, that he might feel a bit of relief. He always feels really pressured, whenever his teacher arrives, as the moment they enter the room any “inappropriate” manners will be met with immediate reprimand. Although he doesn’t feel any special reservations regarding school lessons, the strictness he endured so far were above and beyond anything he experienced at school back then.
“Uhm, what is the occasion?” He replies after a brief pause. And yet, that brief pause was enough to earn a disapproving glance by her, as one is supposed to reply in a perfectly brief and curt manner.
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“He has left for a meeting with new government officials and has decided to have you participate, as well.”
“I’m supposed to participate?” And, just like that, the relief he felt has dissipated immediately.
Seeing his panicked expression, she couldn’t help but sigh and perhaps sympathetically sought to calm him down. “You will simply participate as an observer and won’t have to engage with anyone. You still need to work on your mannerisms and complete your education before you can make your debut.”
That did calm him down a bit. However, he wondered why he was suddenly asked to come. He guessed it was to gain experience before he left the island soon. His parents are quite nice and try their best not to pressure him, but even then, they had duties they needed to uphold. And he needs to fulfil the duties he wasn’t aware of until recently. Understanding this, he has quickly buried down any of his reservations and held his head high as he declared in the manner he was taught, straightening his back.
“Very well, then I will do my best to fulfil my duty.” He replies curtly.
“A carriage is currently being prepared. Please, prepare yourself and meet me at the entrance.” She said, as she bowed and promptly left him to his own devices.
“Uhm, what am I supposed to do now?” He thought to himself, not having anyone to direct his question to.
That brings us to the present time, his dilemma still having to be resolved. Miss Zaie told him that they were ready to leave in an hour and he had barely anything that needed to be prepared. So now he still has a good chunk of time that needed to be used somehow. While he wanted to use that time to study, he didn’t have access to the library, since it is currently undergoing renovations. However, lazing around doing nothing felt physically impossible to him. The best he could settle for was walking around and exploring the mansion, however that quickly felt pointless as every room looked the same to him.
He tried anywhere he could help, but it ended up a fruitless endeavour.
The kitchen staff turned him away when he offered to do dishes.
Tidying the rooms or cleaning was a proposal that was met with the same rejection.
Even helping with the gardening, a task he thoroughly enjoys, was a wish that was burnt to ashes.
And so, the boy continued on his pointless journey to find anything remotely helpful he could do.
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At the same time a boy of the same age was lazily sitting around on one of the many empty seats of the plane he was boarding, chewing on some snacks he snuck away with, before he left for this trip. He gave off the air of someone being forced to serve time in prison, however to him it might be all the same.
“Master Alphonse, we will be landing soon. Please make sure to prepare yourself so you can greet the officials accordingly.” His father’s subordinate urges him.
He responds with all the distant politeness that is expected in such a situation.
“Understood, you may leave now.” She nods her head politely and heads back to return to his father on the other side of the plane.
Resting his head on his hands, he glances out the window viewing their landing spot. A solitary, yet large island. He was told of its existence only recently as it is considered confidential information of the highest degree. The island of the so called “celestials”.
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Character Profile
Name: Alphonse See
Born: 12th August 2134
Description: Son to an accomplished politician
Likes: Sweets, his sister, playing games
Dislikes: politics, his father