Hazel:

I sat across from my great-grandmother, Aulia Velra, and resisted setting my elbows on the mahogany table. Instead, I maintained the super-erect posture she insisted upon, along with all the other proper table manners that I had been drilled in since graduating from a highchair. Granny Aulia had just finished a recent rejuvenation session, so she looked slightly younger than Aunt Aimi right now. She also generally spoke and used mannerisms of a younger person. No one would suspect her advanced age at a first meeting or even maybe subsequent encounters, but as she always said, “Good manners are always in fashion.”

And Granny Aulia certainly knew fashion. For example, one of her first wordchains helped fellow Avowed Twiggy rise to supermodel fame, by leading to the boyish style that celebrity hairdresser, Leonard, chopped for her in 1966. Almost overnight, the D-Rank Morph-Brute became the face of the decade. Another wordchain brought Karl Lagerfeld to the House of Chanel in 1983 and helped relaunch it to the forefront of fashion. There are photos in her office with Granny Aulia and several influential designers over the years.

The temptation to slouch, just a little bit, was very strong right now. It was the stress of the past day and half. I mean….I had complete faith that Granny Aulia’s super awesome wordchain was going to work. But…I could see the stress building in the rest of the family as their luck swung wildly in their favor. It was the weight of knowledge of what it was going to cost them afterwords. They were all espousing positively optimistic comments…to my face. However, I saw the winces and heard the whispers when they thought I was out of the room. I think some were even questioning whether my future class was worth it.

Not Granny though. She sat across me with eyes closed in calm meditation. Her shoulders held no tension and a slight smile rested upon her face. It was her experience and confidence as a Chainer, one of the first Avowed to hold the class, that gave me such faith. My only regret was this ridiculous B-ranking. EVERYONE expected me to be S-ranked. I was heralded as a ‘genius’ with wordchains. Instead, cousin Lute…LUTE, who only wants to play his stupid music, received an S-ranking. Our mothers had wanted to be pregnant together and we were a bare two weeks apart in age. Ugh, that still burns. Anyway, I suppose I could have been somewhat satisfied with A-rank. However, I watched Aunt Aimi for years as a B-rank and heard her complaints. Once it was clear the window had passed for an S-ranking, the family started shuffling some assets around to secure an A-rank Chainer. When THAT passed and the odious B-ranking came, the negotiating began in haste. For the first week, my parents and the rest were still rather calm, if annoyed, but also confident B-rank Chainer could be secured. As the weeks extended into a month, I started to worry despite the family’s reassurances. Now, with only hours left until forced affixation, I sat and waited with the entire Velra clan under that powerful wordchain of luck.

Suddenly, Uncle Corin swept into the dining room brandishing a stack of papers. A lone drip of sweat trailed down his cheek. Granny Aulia’s eyes snapped open and both of our attention fixed upon him.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“We’ve got one,” he pronounced. His eyes shined in triumph, but dimmed slightly when he glanced back down at the burden in his hand. “However…” he trailed off, then added, “Never mind. We’ll deal with that later.”

“Excellent,” Granny replied and ordered, “Alert everyone. We’ll be using every ounce of what is left of this wordchain to pull it together in time.”

And then the mad scramble began in earnest. It seemed a B-rank Chainer who was willing to trade had recently arrived on the island and sent some serial-killer-esque letter asking to trade specifically with the Velras. I was whisked off to Celene North for a memorial being held where this “wholesome boy”, according to Aunt Aimi, was going to meet me for the trade. I saw the letter though. Either he has a very strange sense of humor or is completely mental. Perhaps our Healer of Mind on retainer should examine him, just in case.

During the car ride over to the University, Aunt Keiko called me privately.

"Look, Hazel," Keiko began tiredly, "You need to be nice to this kid. He's...well, he's been through a lot. But don't come on too strong either. I know what Granny has probably already told you about integrating him into the family one day; however, he seems rather reserved. There's hardly any social media presence for him and he's made it clear that he wants to stay under the radar with this entire thing. "

I pressed my finger to my bottom lip. A habit, when I'm thinking.

"What do you mean when you say he's been through a lot?" I ask.

Keiko sighed and wiped her eyes before answering, "His story is his own to tell, and don't share this with anyone else, but Hannah Elber, the Adjuster whose memorial you're headed to, rescued Alden when his parents died. He obviously wants to keep all of this private...so...yeah."

"I see," I murmur. After a moment of watching Keiko's eyes begin to droop close before rapid blinking, I add, "So I guess that's why he wanted Rabbit?"

"Hmm?" Keiko yawned. "Uh, yeah...probably. Okay, so I'm going to bed...finally...and just...be nice, okay?"

"I will Aunt Keiko...sleep well," I bid her goodbye, but I think she might have fallen asleep before the call disconnected.

I stare at the looming system countdown as a stand outside the exit waiting to receive a text from Lute that Alden is on his way out. I flip my hand over to inspect my nails once again. I'm due for another manicure, so hopefully I can fit one in this afternoon before the Affixation Party Granny Aulia is hosting for me tonight. Normally, I would've affixed right at the party with everyone in attendance, but as Mother reminded me, 'All's well that ends well'. I'll be affixing as soon as the trade is complete and at least I won't be entirely alone. Alden will surely wait a few moments to congratulate me. It'll be the start of what Granny Aulia was suggesting...a friendship that could be more one day. At least we could exchange info and plan to meet up when he moves to Anesidora for Intake....or whatever...

I glance at the countdown timer again and start tapping my foot. Geez, how long is this thing gonna last? I'm really struggling to stave off the anxiety.

A flashing notification pops up. It's the text from Lute. Thank the Artonan Mother. I won’t end up affixing as a Rabbit after all.

I put on a serene smile and look for a reddish-haired, green-eyed teen that matches a screen capture Aunt Aimi sent earlier of a relatively attractive guy wiping purple frosting off his face.

Annnnnddd....there he is. Time to obey Aunt Keiko and 'be nice'.