"Jeral? Are you okay?"
"..."
"...Jeral? Jeral. Jeraaal? Jeral!"
"Yes, Lannie."
"Are you going to leave like mom and dad?"
"Never."
"..."
"..."
"...Liar."
=
The day of the festival.
Bellavarn finished in time. It was completed.
The device stopped spinning. Resting, it looked like a children's toy or something a cat might play with. There were three successful spinners. One purple. One black. One yellow.
Other than the yellow one, there was no specific reason for the colors other than personality.
"Congratulations, you're a wizard Bell."
Bellavarn corrected him, smirking.
"No, Kerv. I'm an artificer."
"You can call yourself whatever fancy titles you wish, but do it later, or on the move. Everyone is waiting."
Touching the spinners affectionately one last time, he turned away. Wiping his hands, Bellavarn slid his arms into a light jacket, silver and blue, leaving it unbuttoned. He patted Kerv's shoulder twice, avoiding the rounded shield acting as a backpack.
"You're a good friend."
Kerv followed Bellavarn out, grumbling about how friends didn't pelt each other with rocks.
Upon exit, Bellavarn used a bronze key to lock the door and trigger the security ward. The door outlined in bright blue before returning to mundaneness.
"Don't worry about your inventions, master Bellavarn. I'll keep an eye on it for you."
Jeral approached alongside Kyle, both in uniform. Kerv high-fived Kyle. Hard.Â
Bellavarn thrust his hands into his pockets, addressing Jeral.
"I know you volunteered to stay behind, but Lannie will be disappointed you aren't joining us. Are you sure you don't want to come? Taren, Korel, and the others can handle this."
A nod at the locked door.
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"We've already discussed it. Go ahead and have fun, master Bellavarn."
"Oh, we will, don't you worry, Jerry."
Kerv threw an arm around Jeral.
"Don't call me that."
"I don't know. I kind of like it."
"I don't."
"Knock it off, Kerv. Let's go. Are you going to be the one to hold us up?"
Kerv twitched, separating from Jeral. Bellavarn started walking away when Jeral grabbed his shoulder. Leaning in close, he whispered.
"If you make any moves on my sister as you did with April, I with smash your treasure."
Off guard, Bellavarn whispered back.
"I wouldn't do that. And I could always make more spinners anyway."
"I was talking about your jewels."
Jeral separated, walking back to stand guard at the library door. Bellavarn rejoined Kerv.
"I didn't know Jerry had a sense of humor."
Bellavarn deadpanned in horror.
"It wasn't a joke."
"But-"
Turning back, Kerv spotted the deadly gaze aimed their way. The same threat was aimed at Kerv.
"Ooh. Okay. Cynthia is more my type anyway. And you have April, don't you? There was no need for threats."
Jeral smiled innocently. With the inclusion of Bellavarn and Kerv, he'd made a total of 32 threats today. A new record.
=
Rounding the corner, Bellavarn saw the waiting crowd. Everyone was out of uniform. Adopting casual apparel, some were more dressed up, going on dates, others planning to meet up with family. A few people looked stiff, but all of them, without exception, turned and rejoiced at the last arrivals.
"About time. My feet are getting tired, and we haven't even left yet!"
"Ester, honestly."
"There's my handsome son! Look at you, all grown up."
"Mom. Let go of my cheek. "
"Kerv, you ugly mug. What took you so long. We were expecting you a half-hour ago."
"It wasn't my fault, Potter, I swear. Bell insisted on decorating his little inventions."
Kerv held up a hand conspiratorially.
"There's still paint on his hands."
"Does he ever stop working?"
Kerv shrugged and twirled a finger next to his temple. A fist collided with his arm.
"Ack! Since when were you so violent, Henry?"
A toothy grin. Kerv took back the thoughtless words.
"Point taken. Say, where is-"
*CLAP*
"-the Duke."
Braster Sallow attracted everyone's attention.
"Now that everyone is present, we can depart. Continuing the chatter will be equally as enjoyable while walking. Make sure to enjoy yourselves fully tonight."
A collective cheer. Those in front moved out the large entryway doors and out into fresh air. Dirt and budding grass trampled underfoot instead of crunchy snow. It was a relief to many but discomfort to those used to it.
Bellavarn walked in tandem with his parents. Kerv and Henry took their spots. Cynthia, Denice, Ester, and Lannie formed a group. Wilson paired Vienna and Ness. Oslo plus Parcy guided the crowd from the front, joined by Misses Vale, Wendle, and Nem, who would split off later to spend time with their families.
The guards lining the perimeter of the procession joked and taunted each other in a friendly manner, excited for festivities and determined to enjoy themselves. The servants, cooks, maids, and staff that Bellavarn got to know these past months all mingled and mixed. The light and jovial atmosphere lured Bellavarn away from his constant musings. Grinning from ear to ear, he locked arms with his mother, feeling like the luckiest guy in the world.
=
Celia was the unluckiest girl in the world.
At times, her terrible luck would grant her once-in-a-lifetime breaks. Others, it literally killed her. All this time, she was wondering where she went wrong, but she knew all along. It was the stupid game's fault. Arbitrary percentages that rose due to mundane actions or plummeted with nary any warning.
Escorted out, she saw two carriages waiting for her. One with too many sparkly jewels and velvet. The other overflowing with roses. Two men greeted her, bowing.
"Princess."
In unison. They offered a hand.
Astor: 9%
Raiden: 14%
Then, looking behind her at the escorts sending her off...
Kly: 10%
Tristan: 5%
Why did they all lower? Weren't they all twice as high yesterday?
Next to her was Princess Anne, dressed too elegantly for a festival.
Anne: 0%
Why is it zero? What the hell happened!
Lecil exhaled sharply through her nose.
The offered hands, her waiting sister, and watching brothers... There was no doubt in her mind. The answer was so simple that she wanted to cackle crazily.