Absorption 2.6.1

Life returned to a strange sense of normalcy.

For, despite the horrible time at the Pits, an event which had placed my life in jeopardy, an event which still haunted me, an event which Kate had the audacity to claim was a date, for, despite all of this horror, I had achieved some significant gains in regards to my personal growth.

However, if that growth was worth the spectacle or not, I could not say. But even if it had been, I would have at least preferred the option of declining such an opportunity, as opposed to being dragged to it and tossed in without prior warning or any sort of consent.

Just thinking upon it left my spirits in turmoil and I could not decide on any one emotion. There was anger at having the event sprung upon me, gratitude at having a third party scheme and then removing a problematic group, and something else approaching fondness and exhilaration. But also, embarrassment. And worry that my capabilities were now further known.

But the gains from that horrible alleged date had been significant.

Gymnastics (5/9) (+1)

Stealth II (2/9) (+1)

* Trackless Tracks I (6/9) (+1)

* Unnatural Concealment: (2/9) +1

Evasion I (3/9) (+1)

* Impending Sense (6/9) (+2)

* Lucky Break I (3/9) (+1)

Courtly Dancing: Treachery (6/9) (+2)

* Flexibility (8/9) (+1)

Illusion I (8/9) (+1)

Guise of the Kitsune I (2/9) (+1)

* Malleable Form: 2/9 (+1)

Perhaps most concerningly was the fact that my slowest growing, vaguest and most worrying Sigils had also increased. How it ever could be considered a ‘Blessing’ was beyond me, but I suspected that sadism had been involved.

Obsession (5/9) (+1)

Other than these gains, the horrid night had also granted me insights as to my newest Sigil, or Spell, really. When I had first received the mark, I had been at something of a loss. The Grimoire had offered no advice on the matter, at the very least, not that I remembered. Instead, there was a momentary absence of awareness. I had read the Grimoire, blanked, and then awoke some time later without an itching Mark on my right arm.

From trial and error, I had determined that the Spell had no requirements for a verbal component. I had tried, both with my Guise active and without. Naturally, I had been at a loss for how to actually activate the Spell. It would have been the peak of irony were I unable to use what I had spent so much to obtain. But that was very nearly the reality that I had feared.

In fact, if it had not been for that horrid alleged date-night with Kate, I would have likely still been unsure as to just what the Spell actually performed.

Not that Kate had anyway to realize the potential boon when she had dragged me off to risk body and limb for the entertainment of others.

Even the better part of a week later, even attending the regular Academy classes for the Grace Path, I still found my mind wandering back to that blood slicked and offal strewn moment when I had activated my Illusions–while still maintaining my Guise.

Being able to do so was a breakthrough that I had not been able to achieve prior, and which I had attributed to my newest Spell, even if that Spell lacked any casting component and likely should not have qualified for the term. But then again, my ‘Blessings’ were seemingly the opposite of a beneficial gift, thus I figured this voided any assumption on how a Sigil should function.

Unfortunately, the next day after the ill-conceived date, I found my Illusions once again failing, or if they were to engage at all, they would only do so in a stuttering flicker, disappearing the moment they appeared and then refusing to re-appear for a significant period of time after.

It was from these observations that I came to a rudimentary idea of how my newest Spell functioned.

Passive Enervation: (3/9) (+2)

It seemed to only function during combat, not that I had a large sample-size to draw from in that regard. The Spell would act to refill my pool of Spirit, not that I had a concrete measurement for that pool to begin with. Of course, this was purely my own assumption, as it was Spirit that was the bottleneck for my Illusions in the past, and for the rare few Spell users out there, it was a Spirit enhancement that was often reported as the most critical secondary Mark.

Besides that, it made sense. Evervation was the taking of something vital, from presumably a living entity, and funneling that vital energy somewhere else.

Or, that was what I assumed anyways.

It still seemed foolish that a Spell would lack any deliberate actions to use. I doubted it could even be technically termed a Spell. It was frustrating enough that I likely would have swallowed my pride and asked for assistance in verification.

In fact, this would be one of the times that I would have appreciated the resources at Laverna’s Cup. Belobog seemed the sort to know a significant amount of everyone else’s affairs, including Marks. Likely, she could assist me with my questions regarding the Spell as well.

However, I had not returned to Laverna’s Cup since I had ingested the Grimoire.

Joe had made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that activities were to be halted until the heat died down from the heist.

It was in this way that normalcy returned. I resumed my usual duties and classes, working partial nights at Ma’Ritz as a largely superfluous security guard, and then, my classes. It was as though nothing had ever occurred, despite the trauma involved.

Though, thus far, I had been avoiding Kate at the Academy, and rather successfully as well. I had withheld details of the ‘date’ from Marianne, despite her curiosity, and I had been loath to speak of that night at all.

Instead, I found myself diving into my classes of interest. Not etiquette or tea ceremonies, no, but dance and to a lesser extent, massage.

It was in dance class where I found myself at this point.

Class had yet to begin. Marianne and I were performing our warm-up stretches amongst the buzzing hum of students gossiping vainly. I had given up on eavesdropping during the first week of class after I had realized that more than nine parts in ten of their discussions was vomit inducing drama of which held little to no value, and in fact, detracted from my own intelligence. It was a small miracle I withheld from sneering at these teenagers.

From what little I could remember of my previous life, Mother had spared me from attending any sort of school, instead choosing to personally hone my abilities, a whetstone to grind away my decencies and humanity whilst improving my abilities to perform her detestable and rancid–

“What’s got them going, I wonder?”

Marianne broached our own comfortable silence, still stretching, her foot resting upon the wall roughly at neck height. She was a ways off from performing a vertical split, but every day brought her nearer to this goal.

“Pardon?” I asked, caught off guard by her observation. In truth, I felt gratitude that she had drawn me from my reminiscence, as what I could reminisce upon would leave me in an ill-tempered mood.

Marianne nodded towards several girls in particular, one of them being Brittany Gold, a manly looking girl and apparently a scion of a wealthy house. Were it not for her wealth, I doubted she would command the respect of the gaggle of fools she surrounded herself with. However, now that Marianne pointed it out, Brittany’s gaggle was glancing our way more often than not.

Brittany had just glanced at us, at me, and said something that her gaggle found entertaining, judging by the titters and one unfortunately donkey-like laugh.

“Think it has something to do with class?” Marianne asked, turning away so that she would not be so obvious in her observations. “We’re still doing the.. What was it called? The hard one–”

“The Ra’Slae,” I corrected, however in my head I preferred to call it the Raslay. “If the simplified version could be called that.”

“Not all of us can pull it off like you do,” Marianne said with a slight smile and a playful jab.

The jab caught me off guard, not that it hurt, but that the Marianne of a month ago would have never made such a crass gesture. I suspected that the Academy was exposing Marianne to poor influences.

Before I could order my thoughts, Brittany led her gaggle towards us, her eyes locked upon mine, a cruel turn to her smile. When she arrived, her gaggle spread out to either side of Marianne and myself, under the pretense of stretching, not that they ever truly exerted themself in class.

Brittany, however, chose to address me directly.

Marianne only flinched back slightly at the attention. Personally, I refused to show such weakness, keeping my emotions separate from my face. Oddly enough, compartmentalizing as such seemed easier than it normally ought to, and those compartments felt more like flexible sacks than boxes.

“You know,” Brittany started, her tone laced with false sympathy, “if you find yourself struggling to pay for tuition, you could have always asked for a favor. I am certain myself and others of my ability would be more than willing to provide… proving you convinced us, of course.”

While I recognized that she was taunting me, I was uncertain as to where she was headed with it. Marianne was frowning, likely also trying to determine the trap. By this point, I had chosen to allow Brittany Gold to empty herself of her ire without offering a retort myself. Afterall, one should treat all generously–at least until one removes the source of contention completely.

“And you’re just going to throw out the Chargers like that?” Marianne said with a scoff, likely deciding she needed to get to the bottom of the ploy. If only she had the same reservations as I. I worried she would draw the ire and hostility upon herself, which I assumed she was ill-equipped to weather. “I doubt anyone is willing to do just that. And besides, Jackie can pay her own way just fine.”

“Oh?” Brittany said with an amused smile, as though she were humoring a small child. “I supposed she would have a surplus, working nights as she does. I would not have thought that line of work would pay so well.”

“Well, it does. And we already have plenty of friends to help us out.”

“I would wonder what you have done to garner such friends and such… favors.” The manner in which Brittany savored the word with a lascivious smile left little to the imagination, at least so far as Brittany interpreted the word.

One of her friends tittered.

Meanwhile, I glanced towards the door from which Instructor Rose ordinarily entered from. She had still yet to arrive, although she must have been close. I supposed we would be forced to endure for a moment longer.

“No,” Marianne said, denying the implication without thought for tact or how doing so would only further implicate herself in the minds of whoever was listening in to this drivel. “It’s not like that.”

Before this could worsen further, I decided to deflect.

“Lady Gold,” I said, interjecting. “I appreciate your generosity, however, neither Marianne nor myself are in such dire straits. If I may broach the question, what has prompted your offer?”

Marianne huffed and glared at me as though I had betrayed her, even if just slightly. I ignored that, instead watching Brittany carefully. Were I not doing so, then I would have missed it when Brittany’s eyes widened a fraction and the corners of her lips turned upwards. This left me wondering for a second, but I suspected that the blunt manner in which Marianne comported herself had somewhat disturbed the lady, even if the said lady had been the aggressor in the engagement. Likely, Brittany found herself uncomfortable debasing herself as such, and with my interjection, I had elevated the conversation to a status more fitting of the said lady. If my suspicions were correct, then the implications would be amusing.

“You may ask, and I am glad you did. It should not be so difficult for any reasonably intelligent student to infer,” Brittany spoke with a snide and mocking tone. “The answer, of course, I am quite compassionate.”

A moment of silence passed, one in which even Brittany’s friends failed to respond. In fact, it was Marianne that broke the impasse first.

“Really,” Marianne said bluntly.

Brittany’s left eye twitched. “Indeed. For after I heard of a certain dalliance in the Crown forsaken slums, I felt the need to at the very least offer aid. Afterall, should a colleague be forced to debase themselves, surely some amount of that debasement will carry back?”

“What’s she talking about, Jackie?” Marianne asked, likely worried I had been turning tricks for the surplus of wealth that she knew I had. In fact, she must have already suspected something of the sort, which I allowed to perpetuate as I found it difficult to explain my purchases otherwise.

The misconception had seemed harmless enough, but now I saw that it might cause a rift to form between my roommate and myself. While this would hardly be the end of the world, and I had likely outgrown Ma’Ritz and the generosity I had received therein, I considered Marianne a friend, and I found the accommodations comfortable in a way my home had never been before.

Given this revelation, I went to belay such allegations, as I had an idea of what Brittany was after.

But as I prepared my words, Brittany replied in a haughty tone.

“If this really must be explained in such a fashion, I suppose I might make an attempt…” Brittany made a show of thought, a long and slender finger upon her chin. She pantomimed having a sudden moment of genius. “Ah! When you perform your duties, scrubbing pots or toilets and whatever else scullery maids perform, should you fail to cleanse your hands, whatever you next touch may find itself spoiled by filth. That is what I mean.”

Marianne appeared as if she wanted to interject several times, likely to protest the alleged duties, despite the fact that Marianne in fact did perform several of those actions. But that was besides the point. There was a reason Marianne had worked herself tirelessly to attend the Academy, and it was not to have her efforts thrown back into her face.

But Brittany never released the initiative and continued rolling forward with momentum to an inevitable conclusion.

“In the same way, when Jackie humiliated herself in front of thousands, a portion of that shame has followed her to here and polluted this institution. It would have been better had Jackie serviced wealthy patrons as high-class courtiers do. At least such favors would have been private, keeping the shame to herself…”

“Jackie’s not a courtier,” Marianne said, some heat in her voice.

“Unfortunately so,” Brittany said with a sad nod.

“What–what was she even doing that was so humiliating?!” Marianne blustered.

“Has she not informed you?” Brittany asked, scandalized, if falsely.

“No…”

I sighed. This conversation was suitably painful. I knew that it was meant to be demeaning and insulting, but the failure on Lady Gold’s part to deliver the insult in a readily understood way was just offensive. The girl was clearly unpracticed in emotional torment. Marianne, also, was disappointing, at least with her naivete.

It was near that time that Instructor Rose entered.

Of course, Brittany attempted to fire off one last parting shot.

“If your friend deigns to deceive you, then who am I to oppose?”

And then, Brittany and her cohort withdrew to their own corner, and the instructor began setting up.

Meanwhile, Marianne hissed in my ear.

“What was she talking about? The slums… Jackie?”

I may have groaned. “I’ll explain later,” I said.

“Give me something now though! At least so I don’t embarrass myself with–”

“-It is nothing so serious,” I cut in. “Merely, Sir Kate’s idea of a date leaves much to be desired.”

“Sir Kate? You mean the date she took you on…” she trailed off. “I thought I saw blood stains. What did Kate get up to?”

“Later,” I insisted.

She furrowed her brow in a manner that some less scrupulous individuals might infantilize. Fortunately, she was interrupted before she could protest, for at that exact moment, Instructor Rose clapped her hands to draw all attention to herself.

“Alright class! Today we continue practicing the third part of the Ra’Slae, if somewhat modified to be more accessible,” she almost grumbled and then added under her breath, “if it can even be called that anymore…”

I had to agree with her statement, and the insult was not lost amongst several of the less talented students, including Lady Gold. However, before a formal complaint could be issued, the instructor perked up and continued.

“But nevermind that!” she said, smiling in a sudden turnabout. “After class, I have an announcement to make which is sure to excite you all, as it has roused me!”

She must have given that bit as a tantalizing bait to encourage her more talented students, namely myself, to submit ourselves to mediocrity.

At the thought, I could not help but think poorly of Lady Gold and her ilk. This unfortunate turn in recent events was largely her fault.

I could hardly blame the instructor. Let it not be said that the complaints issued by the privileged and by the wealthy had gone unheard. When the instructor had originally designed our syllabus, I am certain that she had held much hopes for her students and their aspirations to master difficult choreographies.

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If not for Lady Gold protesting to the dean, likely we would be learning the full Ra’Slae now, rather than the tepid, watered down, worthless and unengaging hour that followed.

Of course, not all had gone awry. Afterall, Marianne and I had paired off for our practice, and at the very least Marianne was a comforting presence, most of the time, but perhaps not after the last conversation.

Actually… no, this pairing was not a boon. I learned this as Marianne and I had far too much time to chat.

I wanted to keep my personal reservations to myself, but Marianne questioned me incessantly until I yielded at least somewhat. I supposed that given the rumor mill, and that my presence in the Pits had finally gone noticed, that it would only be a short period of time until Marianne learned of the events that transpired.

Under normal circumstances, I would have avoided thinking or speaking about that night at all.

“I just don’t see what the big deal is,” Marianne said.

Marianne just kept pushing, refusing to accept my own refusal, refusing to allow my own denial.

Somewhat irksome. Marianne had not always been so brash. The Academy had definitely had a poor effect upon her character.

Thus, she continued her needling.

We had just finished our turn and resumed the same three steps again, this time facing the opposite direction.

“I mean, I know that Kate and you have a bit of a…” Marianne trailed off a bit, mulling over her words and chewing on her lip.

This lasted until we turned once more.

“I guess I’d call it an unconventional relationship? Why won’t you just say what happened? It’s obviously bothering you, and it must have been noteworthy if the gossips know about it.”

There was some discomfort in her tone. I could imagine why. Others had learned of Kate’s idea of a date night before Marianne had.

Another turn. Others practicing nearby were eavesdropping without subtly. Should Marianne continue, I could not guarantee that my personal life would remain secret, as she knew far too much and was far too vocal in her needling.

This left me no choice but to provide at the very least a morsel, even if I would much rather not.

“Your assertion is somewhat accurate,” I said. “I do find discussing this uncomfortable.”

Marianne winced slightly. But before she raised a further issue and gave away another piece of information that could be used by a malicious social engineer, I continued onwards.

“However,” I said, continuing to lead us in our paired stride. “If that night has somehow reached the rumor-mill, I would rather you hear this from me rather than second or third hand. If only to prevent one from arriving at an incorrect notion.”

I shot a glare at one of the eavesdroppers, a boy in a white linen shirt that showed a slight pit-stain, which was unfortunately normal in the practice clothes many of the students kept. The boy belonged to one of the lesser stations in Lady Gold’s circle of acquaintances. He glanced away, breaking eye-contact as our movements carried us past each other and beyond range of vision.

Once I had made clear that I was delivering this under protest, I provided a sterilized summary of the so-called ‘date’ that Kate had inflicted upon me. Despite my own feelings on the matter, I withheld sharing the duress of the event. I refused to provide my enemies the leverage to exploit me, thus I refused to elaborate upon my personal thoughts and feelings.

As I shared, Marianne nodded along with a mixed expression upon her face that at least featured some relief along with a melody of other emotions, a mixture that grew more complex as I provided the barest account of what Sir Kate had considered a date.

By the time I finished my tale, we had finished another half dozen sets and Marianne appeared equal parts astounded and scandalized. Or at least, so I thought. But her follow up question felt too insightful to have come from a girl her age who truly felt such.

“That’s… Huh,” Marianne said. “I guess she planned it to get rid of the Garnets? So that’s nice at least? Shows she cares, right?”

She read more from my silence than I read from her; she hastened to add, “Not that she shouldn’t have asked you first, it’s just, you know how she is. She probably just assumed you’d go for it and wanted to surprise you. It’s not the craziest thing? I mean…” she trailed off awkwardly.

“Right?” she asked after a long moment of silence.

“That night was certainly jarring,” I said, admitting as much as I was willing to in a public setting. “I had been avoiding thinking of it, but you are correct. Likely, the only missing ingredient was proper communication.”

“Which a lot of couples struggle with,” Marianne said, nodding sagely.

I disliked the comparison. Truthfully, I disliked almost all of the comparisons. Kate and I were certainly not a couple, at least not in any healthy sense of the term. And while I was quite the novice when it came to how relationships should function, I was absolutely certain that there was at least some semblance of… something–

It was then that a jarring thought occurred to me, one which I began to voice prior to formulating a response, coming far closer to ad-libbing than I ever desired.

“Do I…” I started and then trailed off. Some of the color drained from my face and I barely prevented myself from grimacing.

Marianne pursed her lips, held her head askew, and began frowning deeper and deeper as the silence continued. She apparently could no longer take the silence and she prompted with a concerned sound.

It was then that I finished voicing my fear.

“Do you think I give mixed signals?” I asked. “This is in regards to my desires and what I am willing to entertain.”

Marianne grimaced and looked away.

I took that as an answer enough. Perhaps I could not blame Sir Kate completely then. The onus of proper communication partly fell to me, afterall.

This fact brought me some discomfort.

But personal revelations aside, the lesson wrapped up and prior to heading out, the instructor delivered her ‘news’ that she had felt was certain to ‘excite.’ As all the students ostensibly ‘cooled off,’ after our practice, she stood before all of us on a short step stool in lieu of a stage, and she made her announcement.

“In several short weeks,” Instructor Rose said, “Princess Marissa is holding a Gala.”

Already, there were some murmurings. Notably, Lady Gold appeared unbothered by the news. It seemed she and a few select others had either already known, or showed an adroitness at controlling their mannerisms to reveal nothing. Marianne herself was not immune from the excitement and she had grabbed tightly to my elbow in a seemingly uncalculated expression.

“Normally, this would be by invite only, and quite prestigious to attend-”

“-excuse me,” Lady Gold interrupted, “-but it is invite only.” This contribution went unnoticed by the instructor.

“-My troupe has been chartered as the primary entertainment for the eve-”

“-of course she would use this to brag,” Lady Gold continued to comment, loudly enough to be heard alongside Instructor Rose.

“-Many of you are likely wondering why I would share this, besides to share in the joy of such an opportunity that your instructor has?” Instructor Rose asked rhetorically. “The answer for this is simple: I was given permission to bring along several students of the best talent to show-off as a warm-up for the troupe.”

“-dosn’t make sense,” Brittany Gold said more to herself this time, before she cleared her throat and spoke loudly enough that ignoring her would be problematic. She addressed the instructor. “Might I be so bold as to inquire who granted this permission?”

“Ah,” the instructor nodded, “You’re wondering if it was the Princess herself?” There was a hidden smile there, perhaps a taunt, though it was difficult to say for certain.

When Lady Gold narrowed her eyes a fraction while glaring at the instructor, I realized there was likely some context I was missing.

“Well, sorry to burst that dream,” Instructor Rose said. “Although, the permission was given by someone important. Tell me, Lady Gold, how familiar with Lady Trigg?”

Brittany grimaced and glanced away. “I may have made her acquaintance,” Lady Gold said before falling silent.

Dance Class ended, Massage Class went without issue, except none of the other students allowed me to come near them with my ‘deviant’ arm. Which was, unfortunately, quite the norm. Soon that class ended as well, and Marianne and I were making our way out, exiting the Academy.

We chatted as we walked.

“I think Instructor Rose was thinking mostly about you when she said that, you saw how she was looking your way?” Marianne postulated.

From Marianne’s perspective, attending a Gala of such renown would likely be a desirable opportunity. Had the girl ever met the Princess or Lady Trigg, I doubted very much that she would continue viewing this ‘opportunity’ in such a positive light.

Remembering my own encounters with both of the ladies, I found myself wanting to avoid the event altogether. Preferably, I would remain at a substantial distance from either of those sadistic women. However, I had to consider that attending a ‘posh’ Gala would provide plenty of opportunities to exploit of all different sorts.

But, so long as I maintained my Guise, it was not as though I would run afoul, unless I was caught red-handed in some criminal act, which I very much doubted would happen. This meant the Gala was likely safe enough for me to attend, despite my discomfort.

These were the thoughts that I kept to myself while Marianne continued gushing about the upcoming event, from fashionable dresses to the gardens and finally the meals that would be catered themselves. Considering the wealth and egos involved, Marianne did have a point regarding these things.

Another benefit to this latest topic was that it allowed me to forget a certain ill-fated venture. I was set to enjoy another evening of normalcy as we descended the stairs from the Academy’s front entrance when fate decided to treat me cruelly.

For as our last class let out for the day, and as Marianne and I left at a sedate pace towards Ma’Ritz. As we were exiting the front of the Academy, we were intercepted by none other than Sir Kate.

When Marianne saw just who was waiting for us with expectation, Marianne whispered loudly into my ear.

“it’s your chance to make up!” Marianne insisted. “Ask her to forgive you and say you’re sorry and it’ll be clean as snow! You’ll see!”

With us being within Kate’s range of hearing, I could hardly refute Marianne for such a foolish notion. Instead, I could only respond with neutrality.

“Indeed,” I said in a somewhat strained tone.

It was at that time that Kate met up with us, having climbed the last few steps to meet us most of the way down. Rather than a greeting, Kate opened with an uncomfortable question.

“Make up? What for?” Kate asked.

Marianne flushed at having been overheard and began to stammer some nonsense, but Kate cut her off with a wave of a hand.

“Ah, yeah, don’t care,” Kate said somewhat bluntly but not overly rude. “Actually, this probably concerns you too. You’re like Jackie’s bestie, so you’d probably want to come with us. Gotta get some stuff ready before we head out.”

In my head, warning bells sounded and my alarm was raised. Many, blaring, alarms.

“Us?” I asked, perhaps improperly, at the same time that Marianne obliged without hesitation.

“Of course!” Marianne said, exhibiting not an ounce of self-preservation.

This simply could not stand. I refused to give mixed signals yet again. So, rather more foreful than normal, I asked for clarification.

“I beg your pardon, but go where?” I asked.

“Ah, well…” Kate scratched the back of her neck somewhat nervously before soldering on. “Gregory and I got paired up for an excursion and I thought to bring you–” Kate glanced back towards Marianne, “-and your friend, of course! You know Gregory Silverborn, yeah? We’ve–”

“-we would love too–” Marianne said eagerly.

“-but where is this excursion to?” I asked once again.

“The Under?” Kate said with a chuckle, as though she had provided a mundane location within city limits. “And I kinda already signed us up for it, so… ?”

I could only let out a weary sigh before beginning my protestations.

“Unfortunately, Sir Kate,” I said, using a voice affected with a false sense of contriteness, “Marianne and I are unable to commit to any length of excursion at this time.”

“Uh, no… but why?” Kate asked.

However, as soon as I even began putting my foot down, Marianne shot me a glare. I would likely need to beg her forgiveness later for speaking on her behalf, but I felt she would thank me, should she undergo whatever horrors Kate had planned, especially should it be in a place so abhorrently called the Under.

Before Kate could formulate a new manner in which to ignore my desires, Marianne interjected.

“Yeah, why?” Marianne asked.

I refrained from wincing, though it was a near thing. Instead, I answered with a collected mannerism that I hoped would reveal naught of my personal reservations, lest I offend Sir Kate.

“The Grace Path has not issued a stay of class or an excusal for our absence. Neither you nor I have the convenience of missing several days worth. I would have thought you would be eager to attend, considering the efforts required to simply attend.” I may have asked in a somewhat snide tone to Marianne.

“Pfft,” Kate waved her hand as she made an undignified sound. “That’s dumb. Nobody’ll care if you take off for a week.”

“That may be,” I said, “But our instructor has unveiled an opportunity to audition to perform for a Gala of some renown. I am loath to miss this chance.”

“Gala?” Kate asked.

Marianne jumped in to explain, “Miss Rose’s troupe is performing for Princess Marianne’s Gala–”

Kate frowned and cut Marianne’s gushing off.

“What do you wanna attend that for?” Kate asked dismissively.

“Uhm… hm?” Marianne stumbled.

“I mean, I guess you two probably haven’t ever been to that sorta thing… but they’re kinda…”

Kate trailed off, quickly glancing at the other students passing by.

“-stuffy, yeah?” Kate finished neutrally.

“As stuffy as the party at Baron Ore’s?” I asked. The robbery had been the talk of the town, and it would be more strange for this event to not work its way into discussion, leaving me safe to comment upon it.

“Ha,” Kate said dryly. “If anything like that happened again… just… it wouldn’t be good. Anyways, I’m doing you a favor by keeping you from that.”

No, I would not simply roll over. I protest.

“But is it your remit to do so?” I asked.

“Huh?” Kate said.

“Should not each of us, Marianne and myself, be given the agency to decide for ourselves?” I explained.

“Uhh…” Kate scratched the back of her neck once more. “I mean… maybe? I’m not saying you can’t, but, why would you?”

Marianne rolled her eyes.

“Jackie!” Marianne snapped.

My eyes widened slightly in shock at Marianne’s raised tone.

“You need to get over this! Sir Kate is trying really hard here, and you’re just–” she stamped and made a frustrated sound, before realizing both Kate and I were staring at her outburst. She then stammered slightly.

“-can’t we just go talk to the instructor?” Marianne said. “She adores you. I don’t think it’ll be a-an issue…”

“Hey! Yeah, that’s a really good idea!” Kate said with a broad smile. “Let’s just get this all squared up. Think she’s still around?”

Without waiting for a reply, Kate began dragging both Marianne and myself back up the stairs and into the Academy in search of Instructor Rose.

Surprisingly enough, Kate’s brashness worked.

I would have thought that Instructor Rose would have left by the time we came searching for her, as the instructor had multiple obligations outside of the Academy, especially with the upcoming Gala and her troupe’s performance and possibly also catering, although the details were somewhat sparse regarding that aspect of the event. And yet, she had yet to vacate the Academy.

Of course, we likely would have missed her had Kate not dragged us along with her as she barged into the staff quarters where she then accosted several aides and instructors until learning of Instructor Rose’s whereabouts.

I tried my best to avoid eye-contact throughout the affair, as I sought to avoid any ire from being associated with such a brash ploy. Because while Kate’s pedigree may have protected her, it would certainly fail to protect me. I was sincerely regretting even bringing up the excuse in the first place as I was now doubting that Kate would accept any answer but the one that she sought.

So when we finally did encounter Instructor Rose, I had already largely given up on the notion that I could avoid the excursion. The only reason I continued pursuing the possible excuse to avoid attending the excursion was a matter of consistency. I could hardly retain any respect should I yield and roll-over without at the very least following through. I could only imagine that the manner in which Kate treated me would only degrade further should I lose what little respect she felt for me.

The possibility left me shuddering.

“Jackie?” Instructor Rose prompted as she turned. She had been packing a travel case with several cosmetics and folds of cloth. “Marianne… and…?” she trailed off, failing to recognize Kate.

I made the introduction before any offense might be provided.

“Sir Kate Gaurdson, enrolled in the Warrior’s Path.”

“Right… well, how can I help you girls?” Instructor Rose asked.

“You need to excuse them for the next few days or so,” Kate said without preamble.

Instructor’s Rose frowned slightly while Marianne and I winced.

“I am not necessarily opposed,” the instructor said. “But I assume there’s a proper reason for this?”

“Yep,” Kate said.

A beat of silence followed followed that as expectations were not met. Another beat of silence before Kate realized that those expectations rested upon her shoulders to fulfill. Kate coughed, realizing she should explain further.

“Well, me and Gregory have an excursion planned and I want Jackie and Mari to come with.”

“...I see. And you, Jackie? Marianne?” the instructor glanced at the both of us. “Is this something that you want? It feels somewhat sudden.”

“Yeah!” Marianne said. “I think it’s a really good opportunity to learn more ‘n stuff.”

As much as I was able, I shook my head in the negative without giving the game away to Kate. It was not much, and I could not have been certain that the instructor had even seen.

“And stuff?” Instructor Rose asked Marianne instead, failing to react to my silent plea.

“Well… I mean… Master Plum’s told us to expand our network and this seems like a good way to do that?” Marianne finished with a note of uncertainty.

“While that may be true,” I said, before anyone construed my silence as consent to go along with Kate’s foolhardedness. “I am concerned that an absence at this juncture would worsen my chances to audition for the Gala.”

Instructor Rose’s lips twitched upwards in a slight smile. “Oh, well if that’s your only concern, you need not be worried, Jackie. You’re one of the best dancers in the program. In fact, I doubt the next few days would do much to teach you anything you don’t already know, considering how I’ve had to dull the lesson plan…”

My spirits dropped as the instructor continued bashing my excuse into nothingness.

“... So go on with your friend. Have fun on your excursion,” Instructor Rose finished.

“Thanks Instructor!” Marianne said with much enthusiasm.

It had appeared that my excuse had been rebuffed. And while I could escalate, at what cost? Would it be worth it to upset the sole daughter of the High Knight Captain? Would it be worth it to upset my roommate? It was difficult to say for sure, but I thought not. At least, not unless the Under was far more dire than I had been led to believe. And if that was the case, I could always abandon the others and make my own way, although that would expectedly burn down all bridges and relations I may have built, except with the criminals at Laverna’s Cup.

And thus, I gave a pained smile, almost more of a grimace. The instructor noticed but did not care enough to comment upon it, instead asking a follow up in a gossiping fashion.

“So,” the instructor said, clapping her hands once. “Where is this excursion to? Anywhere fun?”

“Loads of fun,” Kate said with a smirk. “We’ll be traveling deep in the Under to find some gems.”

“Pardon?” Instructor Rose stammered slightly, before catching her voice and smoothing it over. “I mean to say, surely I misheard. Did you say The Under?”

“Yep.”

“For an Academy Excursion?”

“Yep!”

“But… are you not…?” the instructor continued stammering. “But even veterans find themselves struggling there!”

Kate made another unflattering sound.

“Please,” Kate said with a dismissive scoff. “You’re comparing us to scrubs. We’ll be fine. Nothing’s down there that’ll be too challenging. It’s why I signed us up.”

I was beginning to second-guess my previous risk-benefit analysis.

The instructor gave a somewhat deflating sigh. “Well, it’s not like I can keep you, and you would know best…” the instructor sounded anything but certain.

Naturally, Kate ignored all caution from the instructor and instead gave a firm nod and a curt end to the conversation.

“Whelp, we gotta go and start prepping,” Kate said, beginning to drag both Marianne and I away. “Be back in like a week or something!” she finished calling out over her shoulder.

As we left, Instructor Rose gave a polite farewell. When we were almost out of auditory range, I heard her add something else, but in a low and hushed voice.

“Good luck girls,” she said. “It seems you’ll need it.”

Symbiotic Parasite (aka false-arm)

4.2 Tendrils, approximately 1.5 yards in length, unspooled.

Talents:

* Athleticism I (3/9):

* Climbing I (5/9)

* Featherlight I (4/9)

* Inversion (2/9)

* Gymnastics (5/9) (+1)

* Stealth II (2/9) (+1)

* Trackless Tracks I (6/9) (+1)

* Area Coverage (6/9)

* Alchemical Immunity (ineligible for growth)

* Unnatural Concealment: (2/9) +1

* Eschiver I (3/9)

* Evasion I (3/9) (+1)

* Impending Sense (6/9) (+2)

* Lucky Break I (3/9) (+1)

* Chance Encounter (5/9)

* Courtly Dancing: Treachery (6/9) (+2)

* Flexibility (8/9) (+1)

Spells:

* Illusion I (8/9) (+1)

* Touch (8/9)

* Guise of the Kitsune I (2/9) (+1)

* Malleable Form: 2/9 (+1)

* Passive Enervation: (3/9) (+2)

Gifts:

* Obsession (5/9) (+1)

* Closed (0/9)

* Closed (0/9)