image [https://i.imgur.com/rAWwce0.png]
Late into the night time hours, Varric was enjoying his favorite drink at the Hazy Pour Taphouse. He slowly swirled his glass around, causing the ice to clink and echo across the empty bar. As he took another depressing sip, the owner of the bar approached his table.
“Geez Varric, how many glasses is that? Fifteen? You keep this up and you won’t be able to walk outta here.” She said with a disappointed tone, pushing the empty cups away from the edge of the table.
“I’ll be fine Rachel. It’s just alcohol…” Varric replied, slightly slurring his speech.
“Pfft, if you say so. What’s got you in such a bad mood anyways? I thought training that girl would’ve softened you up, but you seem worse.”
Rachel let out a loud snicker as she watched Varric take yet another long sip from his glass. Varric stared at the drink and remained silent, clearly contemplating a response.
“Gah, the brat just gets on my nerves. She asks too many questions and cries every time something doesn’t go her way. How she made it this far with her lack of discipline is beyond me.” Varric said, his voice filled with great irritation.
“Aww come on, you’ve gotta give her more grace than that. Hell, the fact that she even wants to learn from someone as grumpy as you is a miracle in and of itself.” Rachel replied with another chuckle.
“Tch, doesn’t make her any less annoying. It’s only been a day and I already regret agreeing to this.”
Before Rachel could continue her thoughts on Varric’s rather irksome situation, the bell dangling above the front door jingled. She looked over and saw a group of twelve men funnel into the taphouse. They all had on similar tattered, brown cloaks with their hoods up and a rather suspicious aura about them.
“Welcome! I’ll be right with you fine gentlemen, please have a seat.” Rachel said with a smile as she reached into her back pocket, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen.
However, when she stepped away from the table, one of the men suddenly dashed forward and stopped directly in front of her. He grabbed Rachel’s wrist and gripped it tightly, causing pain to race down her arm.
“What are you doing?! Let go of me!!” Rachel yelled as she tried to break free from his grasp.
“Are you the owner of this taphouse?” The man asked, squeezing her wrist even tighter.
“Yes, why?!”
“If you value your life, you’ll take us to your safe and give us everything you’ve got.”
The man’s hand started glowing a light purple color as he exerted his Core Energy. The pain radiating in Rachel’s arm increased tenfold and she quickly dropped to her knees, unable to withstand the pressure. Before she could give a reply, another member of the group walked over to the table and looked at Varric.
“Hey, ya old drunkard, get outta here or else we’re gonna have to kill ya!” He said with a rather strange twang to his voice.
Varric remained seated and silent as he stared at his drink, not making any effort to comply with this man’s threats.
“Hey, are you deaf?! I said move!”
Yet again, no response from Varric. The man quickly grew frustrated from Varric’s lack of obedience, prompting him to step forward and lean over his cup. With a single snort, the man spit his phlegm into Varric’s glass, causing liquid to splash onto Varric’s matted beard.
“See what happens when you don’t listen? Now get up and lea-”
Before the man could finish his words, he burst into a magnificent flame. Fire engulfed every inch of his body, burning incredibly hot and until nothing but ashes were left. Everyone in the room was stunned, not knowing how to react to such a sudden and ridiculous sight.
When the men finally realized what had just happened, they quickly rushed over towards Varric. However, within a single step, they were all engulfed by crimson flames, one by one. The temperature of the room skyrocketed as fire danced across the floors, leaving nothing behind but burnt corpses.
As the flames dissipated, Varric stood from the table and slowly looked over at the last remaining assailant. Terrified and frozen with fear, the man quickly let go of Rachel’s wrist. His legs began to tremble and shake violently as Varric took a few steps towards him, his heavy boots pounding against the wooden floor.
The man fully prepared himself for the worst, but to his surprise, Varric walked past him. However, just as he breathed a sigh of relief, he was consumed by another sudden and terrifying flame.
He screamed out for help as his body was scorched, hoping against all hope that the fire would end and someone would save him. Unfortunately, that help never came and the assailant was reduced to ash.
Varric eventually got to the door and stopped, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a small stack of golden coins. He placed them on a nearby table and put his hand on the door handle.
“I’ll be back tomorrow. Oh, and uh, sorry for the mess…” He said with a groggy voice.
“N-No worries. See you.” Rachel replied with a slightly terrified expression, staring at the multiple burnt bodies strewn about her taphouse.
Varric opened the door and stepped out into the chilly winter night, not showing an ounce of emotion towards the atrocity he just committed. He closed the door shut and headed towards the snowy forest with the moon’s rays lighting his path.
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image [https://i.imgur.com/d60vRFl.png]
The heavy oak doors of the Dahlia room shut closed as Ashton Bridgeford stepped inside. He approached the center table while wearing the most cheeky grin ever.
“Ew, what are you smiling about?” A soft female voice said once Ashton took his seat. He looked towards the pink haired girl and continued to smile.
“Well Scarlett, let’s just say that I took care of a little pest.”
Ashton crossed his arms while propping his legs up on the table, getting himself incredibly comfortable. “Ahh, it feels so good.”
Scarlett looked beyond confused by his statement, raising her right eyebrow towards the ceiling. Before she could ask for him to elaborate, Castell decided to chime in.
“I see that my harmless little info leak was of some use to you, Ashton.” He said with a smirk, pushing his glasses upwards with a single finger.
“Damn right it was useful! Once my father learned of what that stupid 1st year did to me, he was furious. He put the Vandel family back in their place and made them realize that’s not how servants are supposed to behave.”
Ashton began to belly laugh, causing his large muscles to flex and tremble with glee.
“Oh, so this is about that Bridgette girl that was added to our ranks. I was wondering why she hadn’t shown up and introduced herself to me, ungrateful little brat.” Scarlett said, now following the conversation clearly.
“Maybe I should join in on this fun as well.”
Scarlett’s dark pink eyes sparkled at the mere thought of disciplining the 8th Dahlia holder. However, to her surprise, another voice spoke up from the opposite side of the room.
“Do you people really not have anything else better to do?” Rosemarie questioned as she looked out of the window, admiring the many students walking around campus below.
“Aww, do you have a soft spot for the 1st years? Bet you just want to coddle them and change their diapers too, huh?”
Scarlett chuckled at Rosemarie’s statement.
“No, I just don’t see the point in belittling them so much. They’re here to learn just as much as we are. All you’re doing is wasting your time on silly, childish vendettas that serve no purpose. Grow up…” Rosemarie said as she continued to look out the window, her back still facing the table.
Once her statement ended, a thin beam of concentrated light fired at her from behind. The speed of this attack was seemingly impossible to sense or dodge, however, Rosemarie simply tilted her head to the right.
The beam missed its target and pierced through the window, blowing out a sizable hole and blasting bits of glass in all directions. The winter wind quickly rushed into the room, causing Rosemarie’s fiery red hair to sway elegantly.
Unfazed by the attack, she slowly looked over her shoulder and noticed a teardrop shaped prism floating in the air. Its crystal-like material glistened in the light, showing multiple colors as it spun on its own axis.
“Don’t act all high and mighty now that you’re no. 1. You did just as much dirty work as us to hit that rank, so you’re in no position to lecture me or anyone here. Worry about yourself, Rosemarie.” Scarlett said as she held out her hand, prompting the prism to float down and suspend itself above her palm.
“Tch, if only you didn’t have that stupid future sight ability…”
“Now ladies, let’s all just calm down and get along. Rosemarie is right that we shouldn’t hold grudges. Once the 1st years know their place, we should leave them be until they get out of line again.” Castell said, trying his best to quell the tension between these two powerful Vestas.
“I agree. I have other things to worry about than what a 1st year student is doing. This semester’s budget needs some serious work, so that’ll be my focus.” Viola added as she straightened up the many papers and folders sitting in front of her.
“Same. If anything, I think that Bridgette girl is pretty cool. Loved the way she tossed your muscular ass around, Ashton!”
Tamril burst out laughing, recalling the events of their previous fight. Ashton let out a sharp toothed snarl and angered glare towards Tamril, feeling incredibly disrespected by his statement.
“Whatever…”
Scarlett rolled her eyes as she sent her Manifest away. She rested her head on her fist and sighed, contemplating what she should do next to combat her newfound boredom. With the commotion having died down, Rosemarie made her way towards the door. Castell stood from his chair and looked over.
“Where are you going?” He asked with a curious tone.
“Getting some fresh air.” Rosemarie replied as she opened the door, slamming it shut behind her. Once outside, she leaned against the door and sighed.
‘I swear, graduation day can’t come soon enough. So tired of this school…’
Rosemarie looked up at the LaVeda crest greeting her from across the hall and frowned. She quickly collected herself and made her way to the stairs, no longer dwelling on the actions of her peers.
Once she exited the building, Rosemarie eventually found herself at the central courtyard. The large white pillars and flowing fountains greeted her as she enjoyed her leisurely stroll. When she passed the center-most rotunda, Rosemarie noticed Bridgette sitting at a nearby bench.
“Mind if I join you?” She asked as she approached.
Bridgette looked up from her book and nodded after seeing who was talking to her. She scooted over and Rosemarie proceeded to take a seat. The two sat there in silence for a moment until Rosemarie let out a big sigh.
“Hey, can I ask you something?” She said as she stretched her arms and back.
“Uh, sure.” Bridgette replied, closing her book in the process.
“What're you here for? Of all places, why’d you decide to come to LaVeda?”
“Because my Father wanted me to go here. That’s all…” Bridgette immediately said with an unenthusiastic tone.
“Stop lying…”
Bridgette looked over with a surprised expression, fully taken aback by Rosemarie’s rather direct response. Before she could give a reply, Rosemarie continued.
“Even if your Father wanted you to go here, there’s no way he could force you. Especially with that stubborn attitude of yours. Come on, tell me the real reason.” She said, her green eyes staring deeply.
Bridgette averted her gaze towards the empty, blue sky above and took a moment to think. After a brief silence, she let out a soft sigh.
“Ever since I was little, I always wanted to go to the school that my sister went to. See the things she saw, experience the things she experienced, and follow in her footsteps a little.” Bridgette said with a half smile, the memories of her sister lifting her mood considerably.
“That’s a good answer. But, now that you’re here, has LaVeda been everything you dreamed it would be?”
“Tch, not at all. I’m not sure what happened, but this school has been nothing like how Claudia described it. Maybe she was lying to me this whole time and sugar coating things, I don’t know.”
Bridgette’s reply caused Rosemarie to let out a hearty chuckle.
“What’s so funny?”
“Ohh nothing. Even though I knew you were going to say that, it still got a good laugh out of me.” Rosemarie replied with another chuckle as she leaned back on the bench.
“Hey Bridgette, can you do me a favor?”
“Like what?”
“After I graduate, make sure you become the next no. 1 student at this school.” Rosemarie said while staring at the sky.
“Uh, why?”
“Because you should make LaVeda reflect the experiences of your sister’s. Make this school better, not only for yourself, but for all the other students that have similar stories as yours. Can you do that?”
Bridgette leaned forward and pondered Rosemarie's request, however, when she opened her mouth to reply, Rosemarie stood from the bench. Her long red hair swayed in the wind as she turned to face Bridgette.
“Thanks, Bridgette. I’m glad I can count on you.” Rosemarie said with a smile.
“Huh? But I didn’t say anything?” She responded with a confused expression.
Rosemarie gave no reply, she simply smiled again and turned around. When she started to walk away, Rosemarie said one last thing.
“You should probably head inside, it’s going to snow soon.”
Bridgette sat there and watched Rosemarie get further away until she disappeared behind a pillar.
‘She’s nice, I’ll admit, but also a little weird. And what does she mean by snow? There isn’t a cloud in the sky.’
Bridgette shook her head and reached for her book, getting comfortable again on the bench. However, the moment she turned the page, snowflakes landed across the paper. She looked up and saw flakes of various sizes trickling down, playfully dancing in the wind.
‘How did she? There’s no way…’
She was at a loss for words as gray clouds began taking over the previously empty sky. Bridgette eventually let out a soft sigh and gathered her things. While she made her way back to the dorms, the conversation she had with Rosemarie played back in her mind.