“I’m an S-Rank Hunter!!!” Cali squealed, not letting Clio offer a greeting. “It's been a whirlwind since I found out. Guess what my meaning is! It’s 181! Can you believe it! I’m not a mage like you, but still. An S rank. When I was called into Ms. Red’s office I knew something was different. She wasn’t there, instead an NHA official was sitting behind her desk. He started talking about how I’m gonna be a major help to the country's standing and that I was going to meet with the president and generals and stuff.”
When Cali finally paused to breathe Clio was able to get in an exclamation of shock. “What?! You're an S rank?”
“I know right! After they told me my results I was taken to a fancy conference room in the NHA building. I met with the head of the association! Right now, I’m in a fancy hotel room they booked for me while they get people for a meeting!This is all so crazy!”
“That’s amazing Cali! I’m so happy for you! When I come back my sister is going to be a superstar. Defending the world from powerful threats, representing the nation.”
Cali’s musical laugh carried over the phone “They’ll sell T-shirts and toys of me”
“Oh my god! If they do, you have to send some to me! I was your OG fan anyway!”
“How am I supposed to ship a package to Antarctica?”
“I bet Ms. S-rank can figure something out.”
“Who knows maybe I’ll be able to visit you!”
Clio snorted, “They won’t let you leave the country for a vacation to see your sister and there’s no world they’re gonna deploy a rare S-Rank to Antarctica.”
Cali audibly deflated. Her voice was softer when she next spoke. “I miss you. This is a lot you know. I wish you were here with me.”
“I miss you too, Cali, but you're amazing, clearly the world agrees. Send pictures of all the amazing places you get to see and don’t forget about your popsicle of a D-rank sister.”
“I won’t. I got to go. The Personal Assistant is here. Next time you have to tell me about what you’ve been doing.” Cali hung up the phone leaving Clio feeling even more isolated. She had been feeling fine, but hearing her sister’s voice made the homesickness come rushing back in full force. Clio clutched the necklace from her sister and swiftly passed out. The wolves were now joined by the monstrous monkeys.
When she woke up she was still shaken. Needing something to calm her nerves she filled her room with the audiobook of The Cleopatras. This was probably her 100th time reading it, but she learned something new every time. She restarted back to the story of Cleopatra I Syra, the historical facts distracted her racing mind from her family and the monsters she would have to face before she had to head to the kitchens.
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“Morning Clio!” Called Deipneus, everyone just called him Deip. He was the head chef for the BHB and always had too much energy in the ungodly hours of the morning.
“Morning, Deip.” Clio moved to the sink to wash up before starting meal prep. The BHB kitchen was a well-oiled machine, although it was only the two of them. Clio had taken over cooking breakfast, leaving Deip to prep for lunch and dinner.
“I got a call from back home. Did you hear that apparently there’s a new S-rank hunter?”
Clio nearly nicked her finger. “...What?!” New had traveled far faster than she could have imagined.
“It’s not out to the public, but my sister-in-law works for the NHA divisions where the S-Rank was found. They hold a press conference later today. At 5pm EST, it's like 9am here. I have a small monitor in my room. I'm gonna have people over to watch it, wanna join.”
Clio quickly decided that she would not reveal that the new S-rank was her sister. It would only add fuel to Theia’sclaims. “Sure, I would love to.”
After breakfast was served and the dishes were cleaned Clio helped Deip prepare his sitting room for what looked to be more and more like a party.
The other invitees. The last to arrive was Theia, she stood in the doorframe and glared daggers at Clio. “I refuse to watch anything with that uppity little princess.”
Deip stood, “Don’t be rude Theia. I don’t know what happened between you too, but Clio isn’t an uppity princess. This briefing is going to be a historical event, can’t we put whatever this is aside and watch.”
“No, Deip,” Theia crossed her arms. “Not with someone who doesn’t give a shit about how their clout chasing impacts those around them.”
Clio put a hand on Deip’s shoulder. “I’ll go. See you this evening.” She nodded at Theia, who didn’t acknowledge her as she exited. Clio made it back to her room in time to turn on the briefing just as it started.
“Welcome to the Hunter News Network with all your global hunter news. We now go to Washington DC for an announcement from the United State’s National Hunter Association.”
The stream’s feed switched to a podium in the NHA’s press room. “Thank you for joining us. The NHA has an important announcement to share with the global hunter community. A few days ago the United States of America’s 7th S-Rank hunter awakened.” Murmurs rippled throughout the crowd. “Her powers and identity will not be disclosed at this moment. Now we would like to open the floor up for questions.”
A reporter called out “Since the United States now leads the world in the number of S-ranks by two, how will this impact the country's foreign policy going forward?”
“We can not comment on that at this time.”
“What’s her mean score?”
“We can not comment on that at this time.”
The questions and vague answers continued a little longer before the press conference ended. Clio turned off the broadcast as the stream shifted back to the studio reporter. How could the same sister who had packed her an incase-of-cute-boy bag have an impact on the nation's foreign policy?
As much as she hated herself for feeling it, a part of her was jealous. Her sister was staying in expressive hotels, while she was sent to this frozen wasteland. She slapped her face breaking that line of thought. She would celebrate her sister'ssuccess.
Clio returned to her work sorting the plants she had gathered. The room was filled with little pills. While it appeared that all gate materials held magic properties, somewhere better than others. When she finished her categorizations she turned in the spreadsheet she created, waiting to see what the BHB would need her to turn in. A secret part of her wished she would get to keep some of them to experiment with.