The Kids Aren't Alright [IC|Invite Only]

[Rohane Alista]

Morgan grinned, looking up at the shining lights announcing that she’d successfully arrived at the Cavalier Colosseum, home of the Calihain Cavaliers, and for tonight only, also the site of the hottest concert of the season. Atomic Blue, a well established girl band originally from Glaristant that consistently topped the charts with their energetic pop rock was the opening act for up and coming rock band Study Cult, whose latest album was just starting it’s fourth week at number one on the Rohanian Hot Hundred charts.

She found a spot near the front, having arrived early, and parked her SMC Destrier sports car, getting out and twirling the key for the cherry red vehicle on her finger before she grabbed them in her hand. “Hey Tes, I know it’s a comfy ride, but get your ass out here so I can lock it,” the red headed girl laughed. “I wanna be first in the doors!”

With some effort, a Bovinian exited the car, his long black hair nearly covering his horns, “Geez, Morgan, I like it in there but it’s tough to get in and out,” being nearly two feet taller than Morgan was, Tesgar was still getting used to all this. “Still can’t believe you got tickets to this.”

“Yeah, well, having my mom does come with the occasional benefit,” she gave an excited giggle, locking the car after Tes’ door was shut. “Come on, come on! Last one there is a silly cow!” She said, immediately heading off for the entrance with a laugh.

“Hey, c’mon, no fair!” Tes awkwardly followed her; he thought maybe all the work herding animals on the farm would let him deal with large crowds, but it was harder than he anticipated keeping up with Morgan.

The energetic girl didn’t slow down, but did occasionally pause a moment to make sure Tes didn’t lose her entirely, quickly reaching the entrance and looking around. She waved to the bovinian who was at least a head taller than everyone else as moved to her right, to a smaller entrance with a guard in front of it. While she waited for Tes to arrive, she pulled a small mirror out of her purse and began fixing up her make-up, blowing a satisfied kiss to the mirror as she put it away.

Tes in part was slower due to trying to avoid pushing other people over, but nevertheless he managed to make his way to Morgan. “Phew… geez, Morgan, I still don’t know how you do that.”

“Do what?” She asked with a tilt of her head, but before he could answer, she approached the guard and showed him two actual paper tickets. “Hey, hey! We’ve got VIP passes, this is the place, right?”

The guard wordlessly took the tickets and examined them, handing them back as he opened the side door, closing it as soon as the two were through. The hall inside wasn’t the most remarkable, covered in red curtains and with a plush red carpet, photos of famous musical artists and athletes on the walls, except that it was entirely empty aside from the two who had just entered.

“Huh, that’s weird,” Tes looked around, confused, “Where’s everyone else? Are we just the first to arrive, or what? Ya think they’d at least have some staff ‘round…”

“Come on, Tes, we’re in the VIP area!” Morgan said exasperatedly. “Of course there’s not gonna be anyone here, there’s probably staff on the other side,” she then lowered her voice as she continued on. “I heard the VIP section has a bar, and I for one intend to get a drink. Mom has a freaking combination lock on the alcohol at home.”

“O-oh…” Tes turned red, “Ma told me I shouldn’t drink ‘til I’m all grown up… but she isn’t here either. I… guess if we are careful it ain’t a problem. C’mon then, let’s find it and try some!” A few drinks wouldn’t hurt, right?

Morgan cheered a little. “THAT is the spirit, Tes! Fuck yeah, tonight we’re gonna live! I am so so excited,” she said, grinning like a maniac as the two exited the hallway, finding themselves on a balcony overlooking the stage, a staircase to their right the went straight to the front of the stage, and on their left an exclusive confections counter, which did include a bar. There were a few others here now, some of them employees, but a few clearly other VIPs, sitting at tables and chatting or eating. Most of these people were around the duo’s age, or slightly older, but none of them were familiar, though Morgan did spend a little bit of time looking at a girl eating a steak. “Having dinner here… huh. Never thought of it!”

“Makes sense, though,” Tes replied, “‘sides, I know how much you Rohanians like beef. I just hope they’ve got some nice salads t’go along with it.”

“I was thinking we could go hit up some place after, but we can eat now if you want?” Morgan answered, beelining for the bar. “First! Drinks! Whatcha want?”

“Erm, can’t say I know my drinks well,” Tes said, “Always wanted t’try some wine, though. It’s gotta be good if it’s made from grapes, right?”

“Got it,” she said, approaching the bar and flashing her ID. “Full bottle of Rosé please,” she asked, pushing her watch against a scanner, which quickly shined green. Within a minute, she was sitting at a table with a tall bottle of wine and two glasses. “Bottle of wine for you, sir,” she giggled.

“Th-thanks, ma’am,” Tes held his glass awkwardly, “... are they supposed t’feel like they’d snap in two if y’held it the wrong way? Or am I just doin’ it wrong? … might just be too fancy a place for me.”

“Tes, use your brain,” Morgan rolled her eyes, pouring the wine for them both and taking a sip. “Just use a couple of fingers, come on! You have got to learn this stuff, we’re going into senior year, you know? Soon your life will be full of ‘too fancy’ places!”

“I mean… I guess so?” Tes copied Morgan’s handling of the glass. “I ain’t some minister’s kid, I’m from a farm in some village in Dyste nobody’s ever heard of. Never been t’anywhere fancy ‘til I came to Rohane Alista. Dunno how I even got here aside from bein’ top of my class.”

“Well, that’s probably why,” Morgan laughed. “But now you’ve gone to the,” Morgan took on a mildly mocking tone. “Jacobin Imperial Academy. I think returning to the farm might be out of the question now, Mr. Moo!”

“... but my last name’s Ironhoof,” Tes completely missed that one, “I guess you’re right, though. Still, bet there’s loads of people in Dyste better suited t’this than me. Dunno why you’d wanna invite me to this of all our friends, I’d have thought you’d have people beggin’ to join you to an Atomic Blue concert.”

“Oh, I did,” She grinned, leaning over. “But you know what? They can buy their own damn tickets, if they want, the lot of them have more money to spend than me! You deserve to have a fun night too, you know! And hey, I find you pretty fun when you finally let yourself relax, you big beefhead.”

“Yeah, yeah, right as always, Morgan,” Tes took a sip. “... that ain’t like any grape juice I’ve had, I’ll say that much.”

“Well duh, it’s rosé,” Morgan replied. “It’s like… pink wine? Red and white wines combined or something. I really like it!” She giggled, drinking more. “Is it too strong for you, tough guy?”

“No, it ain’t too strong!” Tes gulped down the full glass, “See? I can have more!”

“You are so easy,” Morgan teased, pouring him more. “Gotta be as macho as you can, huh? But it is pretty funny!”

“I thought people liked that sorta thing,” Tes sipped some more, shaking his head, “Whenever I’m with you or the others, I hear ‘em saying stuff like ‘look at that slab of beef next to Morgan’, or ‘good thing they’ve got that brick wall to block ‘em off!’ … I dunno if that was supposed to be a compliment or an insult.”

“Uh, me neither,” Morgan admitted. “I mean, the slab of beef thing’s probably a compliment! People do like a strong man! But come on, I know you better! No need to be the tough guy around me, fashionista!”

“Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a nice suit, y’know,” Tes got a little defensive, but he did appreciate Morgan helping him out there; he looked even more out of place before he managed to get her advice. “... but thanks for bringin’ me here.” he lifted his glass, “Um, this is a ‘toast’, right? Don’t see no bread, but… to our senior year, I guess?”

“Oh that’s a lame toast,” Morgan said, raising her own glass. “To a fucking awesome night, and a sweet ass future!” she said, clinking their glasses and downing the rest of hers in one go.

“R-right…” Tes drank a little slower this time, “So they’ll be startin’ the concert soon, aren’t they? Wanna try to get a good spot t’sit?”

“Yeah, we should,” Morgan agreed, standing and taking the bottle back to the counter. She returned quickly, grabbing Tes’ hand. “They’ll keep it safe for me. Come on, let’s go!” she grinned, nearly bouncing again as she pulled the bovinian boy along towards the stairs down to the floor level.

“H-hey!” the sight of a Rohanian teenager pulling around a Dystan Bovinian was something you wouldn’t expect to see, but here it was as Tes followed Morgan into the front row.

Morgan quickly led her friend downstairs, finding a spot in the front row right near the stage, just in time as the lights started to dim. “I hope you’re ready for this, Tes! I bet you’ve never been to a show that’s gonna be as wild as this!” she exclaimed as more VIPs and normal concert goers filtered into the standing and sitting areas of the arena, the lights getting lower and lower in the rest of the place as those above the stage snapped on. “Any moment now…”

Tes took some of his hair to cover his ears; he had a feeling being this close might cause some lasting effects on their hearing…

Morgan cheered when the lights on stage turned into various shades of blue as the rest of the lights in the Colosseum snapped off. “Here they come!” she shouted, the crowd in general already quite loud, as she raised her arms to cheer more. Tes could see that she was being surprisingly responsible, some earplugs in that would dampen the sound without truly blocking it.

The lights on stage began to pulse in brilliant blues, until at last they fell dark leaving the crowd in all encompassing blackness. After a few moments the crowd could hear the human of the amps pierce the silence, all the while the screen behind the stage lit up with a stylized blue and white AB appeared. The crowd went wild as at last they heard a familiar female voice call out as a single blue light appeared on a purple haired woman carrying a guitar. The woman, known to her fans as Lyre, gripped the microphone as she called out "HELLLO CALIHAIN! It's been a while, but AB is back and ready to show you just what we've been up to while we've been away! Hope you all are ready because we are going to bring this house down! Hit it girls!" Within a moment the stage lit up to reveal a white haired bassist, blue haired drummer, and green haired guitarists wearing matching shirts and shorts that seemed a size to small for them. They gave a collective nod as the bassist and other guitarist began to play, a few soft strums quickly turning into a ripping chord as the drummer launched into a heavy beat. Lyre for her part joined in, her melodic voice echoing through the stadium as her fingers danced over the frets of her guitar, "i always wanted to be more...."

“FUCK YEAH!” Morgan screamed, giving Tes a huge grin. “I hope you’re ready to rock Mr. Moo!” she said over the music, cheering and hollering and generally jumping around.

Tes’s ears rang from the sudden bursts of sound, not the least of which was his own friend’s reaction. “GAH! … yeah, I am!” As he banged his head to the music.

Morgan began to sing along to the song, bumping into Tes with her shoulder and giving him a smile before reaching her hand up towards the stage to see if she could get Lyre to touch it.

Though she continued to play, Lyre surprisingly seemed to notice Morgan's hand reaching up to the stage. She gave the girl a warm smile as she knelt down, reaching out her own hand to touch Morgan's hand. "Keep rocking." She mouthed as she soon returned to her set.

"Tes, she touched my hand! She touched my hand!" Morgan shouted in excitement to her friend. "This might be the best fucking day ever!"

“Might be mine too if my ears survive!” Tes laughed.

"Oh come on, you'll be fine!" Morgan declared as she turned to the stage. "ATOMIC BLUE, WE LOVE YOU!"

Lyre ripped through three massive chords, but not before winking towards Morgan. She craned her neck back, giving the drummer a slight nod as if to start the next song. Unlike the previous one, this song seemed to start off at a slower pace and was somewhat more melancholy, "There must be some way back...I would cross the stars if that's what it took."

"Ah no, they're playing Blossom," Morgan whined. "This song is soooo sad, in kinda surprised. I did hear Lyre loves performing it, though," she told Tes, as if he needed a run down.

“Oh, I see…” Tes tried to seem knowledgeable, but in reality he only really knew of the band from talks in school about it. “I guess ya need th’sad stuff alongside the rockin’.”

"I think it's so they don't get pigeonholed," Morgan shrugged. "Oh yeah! If you need a break we can always go back up top!"

Atomic Blue ran through Blossom rather quickly, with Lyre letting the last few notes hang in the air as she looked back to the band once more. She held up three fingers, with each of the bandmates nodding as they saw her signal. The bassist set down her base, moving to a keyboard as Lyre called out, “Now this isn’t exactly a song we’re known for, but it’s grown on us over our last tour, I hope you’ll like just as much as our Silverdalean fans did.” The bassist played a few notes, seemingly setting a somber tone akin to blossom as Lyre began to sing, “Not so very long ago, we found ourselves under the light of the moon….” Yet within a few moments the tone shifted from a somber piano heavy piece, to one dominated by the heavy beat of the drums and Lyre’s frenetic guitar playing.

"I've never heard this one," Morgan said. "Oh shit, Tes, new song!" She screamed and cheered more, the entire crowd amped up by a new song most had never heard before.

Tes still wasn’t sure how much he liked having VIP seats, but he could appreciate great music when he could actually hear it over the screaming fans. “Yup, it’s nice alright,” his voice being barely audible over the noise.

The song came to an end, with Lyre and the rest of Atomic Blue taking giving a wave to the audience. She took the microphone in hand once more, gestuing to the members of study cult, “Thank you all. It’s been a pleasure getting to perform for you all once again. Before we hand things off to Study Cult, their lead singer and I have a special treat that we hope you enjoy. Now, Charlie if you would be so kind as to join me….We can get this started.”

A man rocked up on stage, a guitar strapped around him and a mic in his hand. His blonde hair was ruffled, giving his casual smile a helping hand, along with the torn jeans he wore. "Hey Calihain!" He spoke into the mic. "I hope y'all have given Atomic Blue a warm Rohanian welcome!"

The crowd cheered in response, a roar of affirmation as he held up his arms. "Alright, alright! I hear ya! Well how about one more song and then we give them a very affectionate goodbye! Lyre, you wanna get us rocking?"

“Sure thing, Charlie.” Lyre said, as she began to play a few notes, “Took some paint, wrote my name on the wall…”

Charlie waited for the opening lines to end before he kicked in with his guitar, singing his reprise to Lyre's main chorus. He was clearly in his element, strutting up and down the stage as he played, even leaning in to use Lyre's mic once before moving back out.

Morgan, meanwhile, seemed to be losing her mind. The girl was jumping in place, clapping, hollering, holding her arms out to the stage, along with almost everyone else in the VIP section,
and when she wasn't doing that, she was giving Tes the biggest eyes he'd probably ever seen.

Even if it wasn’t Tes’s favourite style of music, he still could see how incredible this all was. He put his arm on Morgan’s shoulder as he cheered and jumped alongside her.

In a few minutes the song was wrapping up, Charlie finishing his last line, then showing to the crowd. "Amazing! Hey, Atomic Blue, anything you wanna say to the audience before you're off?"

“As always, you guys were an incredible audience! We look forward to seeing some of you later on at our aftershow party.” Lyre said, blowing a kissing to the audience as she and the rest of the band hurried off stage

"Isn't she a charmer?" Charlie laughed, waving the all female rock band goodbye. "Now I know you wanna keep rocking, but we've got an intermission. In 20 minutes we're gonna see you all right back here, got it? If you want merch, now is the time!" Charlie finished, waving and retreating back stage, as the main lights came on again.

Tes’s ears were still ringing from all the noise, but he still seemed to be able to hear to some degree, “Hey, Morgan, wanna go back to the lounge? We might be able to get another drink in the intermission.”

"Fuck yeah man," She replied. "They've still got my wine! Plus we can see if we can get you an extra extra extra large t-shirt!"

“I’d hope so, do you even know how many times I’ve gone to an event and found they don’t carry anything in my size?” Granted, he hadn’t actually been to too many of those, but it was still annoying. “C’mon, let’s go while we can.”

“Relax, Tes, we’ve got twenty minutes,” Morgan laughed, still following the boy with the flow of the VIP attendees heading for the stairs, and the lounge above the stage. “You know, if you want, we can stay in the lounge. You can still watch from there, it’s just not as personal.”

“Tradin’ a bit of the personal touch with some more comfort, hm?” Tes took the seat they had before. “You’re th’one with the passes, so I’ll go with you either way, but might be a nice change.”

“Twist my arm why don’t you,” Morgan replied with a snort, also sitting at the same table, waiting for the employees to bring their wine back over. “We’ll stay up here a little while after it resumes, but then I wanna get back down there, alright? Your poor little ears probably need the break anyways!”

“Y’can say that again,” Tes sighed. “... ya might hafta anyways if th’ringing doesn’t stop.”

"Wait, your ears are ringing?" Morgan asked. "Tes… did you bring hearing protection? You know, earplugs?"

“No, I didn’t know…” Tes seemed embarrassed about it. “Didn’t realize we’d be so close t’the music.”

“Tes, you are the stupidest smart man I’ve ever met,” Morgan said, standing. “Come on, we’ll check the merch stand. They might sell earplugs, but we’ll stay in the lounge until your ears stop ringing. And if they don’t, well, we can go home. There’s other ways to be entertained, and your health is important!”

“That’d be good,” Tes rubbed his ears, “I don’t wanna leave just yet, it’d be a waste of those passes, and I know how much you’ve been lookin’ forward to this.”

“Quite a lot,” she affirmed, taking Tes to the VIP section merchandise stand, replete with fliers, shirts, bags, and other assorted knick knacks with the concert date, the bands, or other related imprints on them. This one even had a few unique items, like a copy of the outfits Atomic Blue had been wearing during the opening. “You know, I always thought selling the shirts was funny, since like, who’s gonna wear it?... but on the other hand, I kinda want to get one of those AB outfits… you think it suits me, Tes?”

“Huh?” Tes had been in RA enough that he hadn’t exactly seen many shirts around, “Guess maybe th’shirts are a collector’s items or something… but yeah, I think you’d look great in th’outfit, Morgan.”

"Sold," She said, moving up to the employee at the kiosk and giving them a smile. "Yeah, hey, I'd like a pair of the earplugs, and one of the Atomic Blue outfits, small please! And uh… Tes, you want anything else?"

“Maybe one of th’ hats?” Tes said. “Probably one of the only things that’d fit me here anyways.”

"And a hat, make it a Study Cult one," Morgan said, gathering the gear and paying for it via her watch again. "I think an SC hat fits you better, big man," She continued, handing over the hat and earplugs.

“I figured as much,” Tes fit it on his head; while he still preferred a cowboy hat, it fit quite well between the horns, also fitting in the earplugs. “Ah, that’ll be much better.”

"Slightly less ringing, hopefully," Morgan bumped him with her shoulder. "I think they're starting soon, but we'll stay up here for now. Gotta give your ears a proper rest!"

“Gotcha,” Tes was relieved for the break from the front row regardless, “Don’t wanna have th’others t’tease me if I lost my hearin’ at a concert, I’ll get enough of that from you!”

"Aww, big man is embarrassed?" She immediately teased, then giggled. "It's fine! Come on, sit down, we'll finish off that wine!"

As Morgan said that, the lights began to dim again, the stage being lit up in red this time. It was only a few moments before Charlie returned, this time with three other men, one behind a large drum kit, and one each with a bass and guitar. "Guess who's back and ready to rock, Calihain!"

“My guess is a band that has studyin’ and cults.” Tes chuckled. The earplugs appeared to be working nicely, as he wasn’t reeling from the noise anymore.

Morgan gave Tes a bemused expression as she watched the concert start again. "I see ringing in your ears can't stifle your weird humor," She responded, much easier to hear this far from the stage. "You're such a weirdo, Tes," She laughed.

“C’mon, you know you like that,” Tes teased, feeling more comfortable. “If ya didn’t, ya wouldn't have invited me.”

"Maybe I just needed someone to help me push through the crowd," She retorted, as said crowd roared in response to the chorus of a song. "I mean, little old me could use the help of big old you, doncha think?"

“We ain’t that old, but otherwise ya may be right,” Tes laughed. “I’m good for that at least.”

"You're good for a lot of things, actually!" She happily informed him, leaving her seat, alongside another empty wine glass, and jumping into his lap. "Great seat cushion, for exam-exanp… example! Five stars."

“Fine Dystan leather, ma’am,” Tes replied, “Best seat in th’house.”

"Oh come on, by now I think it's pretty clear this is fine Rohanian leather," She giggled, adjusting and watching the show. "Best seat might be right, though. Hey, can you get me another glass of wine? That's good shit!"

“Haven’t ya had enough,” Tes said, nevertheless giving her another. “Last one for now for ya.”

"Oh come on, are you my mother now?" Morgan said, drinking the wine gratefully anyways. "If you are, you'd prob- uh, prolly get goin'. I'm sure she's at some kinda big deal meetin' again."

“If I was yer mom, I’d prob’ly need to scowl more and do that thing where she breathes out through her nose,” Tes laughed. “Don’t worry, I ain’t goin’ that far.”

Morgan shuddered. “Oh no, not the, not the nose breathing thing,” she whined, finishing the last of her wine. “It means she’s angry,” the girl added in a hushed tone, clearly not even paying attention to the concert down below. “But I don’ think she’s home to, tonight. And dad’s outta the country. We can steal their snacks,” she giggled.

“You know that’ll just make her even more mad, Morgan,” Tes grinned. “We can see if her face really can become as red as her hair if ya dare t’try.”

“Like a tomato,” she added with a giggle. “She’d do the, the nose thing, though,” Morgan nodded, leaning back into Tes. “Hey Tesssss, can I have more wine?”

“Fine, one more, but you’ll have to let me drive now,” Tes poured one more glass, emptying the bottle.

“Can ya even fit?” Morgan asked, happily accepting the glass anyways, raising it to him. “To you, Tes! Yer a good dude.”

Tes tinked the glass with his own empty one, “I fit in th’back, didn’t I? I’m sure I could in th’front. … but thanks.”

“Fuck yeah, man,” Morgan sipped at her glass, but soon handed it to Tes again. “Might… might be enough, actu, akshully. I think I should stop,” she said, blinking slowly. “It’s so loud here…”

“I told ya, right?” Tes patted Morgan on the back. “I can take you home if you’d like, otherwise just try to take it easy.”

“Mmm… home, home sounds good,” she replied. “Too bad, wan’d Lyre’s autgraph,” she was slightly slurring now, the many many glasses of wine clearly overcoming her. “Wanna wa’ch a movie?”

“Sure, sure, I bet ya’ve got a great collection at home,” Tes picked up Morgan. “Probably a more quiet one after all this.”

“Hehe, ye,” she agreed, holding onto him. “Yer sooo strong, it’s like, crazy, man. ‘N’ such a gne, gent, good dude. You’re a good dude, Tes.”

“Don’t ya know it,” Tes smirked as he led her out of the lounge. “All that work on th’ranch weren’t for nothin’.”

“Or in the weight room,” Morgan giggled. “Take me home, cowboy!”

[Glaristant]

Collab with Rohane Alista

The weeks after her incident back home had been hard for Vesta as not only had she grown distant from her best friend, she had, despite the best efforts of her family, found herself exiled to Rohane for the next few years. Between the humiliation of being exiled and the anger she felt over what she had done to Macy, she had sunk into a deep depression. Once they had returned to her apartment in Calihain, the princess had all but locked herself away in her room for the better part of two weeks. Needless to say, this had not gone without causing a good deal of concern in her friends….

There came a knocking at her door, at first softer and then more and more insistent. Finally, a voice filtered through the wood, male by the sound of it. “Vesta, I’m coming in one way or another, so you might as well open the door, huh?”

"Go AWAY, Ælfric!" Vesta's voice called from within the apartment, seemingly unamused by her friend's remark.

“No,” was the blunt response. “I meant it, I’m coming in one way or another. Come let me in before I let myself in, Vesta.”

"Just leave me alone." was all Vesta said, before falling silent.

?The door creaked open, whether it was Ælfric or someone else who had unlocked it, and he entered the room. "Request denied. Annoying time of making sure you're actually alive in here started."

"My apologies, Aelfric. She has been rather difficult as of late." Said a white haired Sylph male in a suit.

Vesta, who for her part was wearing little apart from a wrinkled night gown hissed at the sylph. "Damn it, Niamh….I told you not to let him in. As for you….Shouldn't you be with Macy? She's the one that needs your attention more than me."

"She is perfectly fine. She's healing very well," the boy said, shaking his head and making his messy red hair bounce. "Right now, she is more worried about you, and I agree. And no, you can't chase me off. I've got to make sure you're alright, as much for me as anyone else."


"I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine …I don't need you to check in on me. Particularly not when I have Niamh here. He will make sure I am alright." Vesta weakly countered

"No you're not," Ælfric replied bluntly. "You're suffering and withdrawing emotionally. I take the psych classes, Vesta. Anyways," he sat next to her on the bed. "You're stuck with me. You know I love you just as much as Macy does, so you can never escape me," he grinned at her.

"F-fine…you are so stubborn at times." Vesta said, sighing as she moved closer to him, "I suppose now you're going to drag me out if here, huh?"

"Hmm… well that depends on you. Are you gonna hug me and cry it out, or do I need to force you up and out to remind you there's nothing under the sun we won't forgive you for?"

Vesta muttered her breath as she pulled Aelfric in a tight embrace, resting his head against her chest. She choked out through tears, "I-I know…it's just…I feel so terrible for what I did, Ael. How…can you guys just forgive me for something.like that?"

"Well, cause we love you," Ælfric replied. "I've still got concerns, we've got to do something about that anger. But we want to help you do that, not drop you," he said, rubbing the girls back.

"I…I know…it is just….I didn't want to face you two after what happened." Vesta said as she rested her head on Aelfric's shoulder, "Maybe…it's time to just accept your help."

"You don't say," he replied, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Come on, sitting in bed isn't like you anyways… or at least, not for this reason. You're stuck with me, so let's get going on… something!"

"I suppose…." Vesta said as she returned the kiss before getting out of bed. She shrugged as she set about getting ready for the day, "I suppose we could try heading down to the culture district if you'd like. Maybe check in on Mace too."

"Macy is actually in Sanirego right now," Ælfric grumbled. "That's part of why I ruined it like this, so you would only need to deal with me at first. She's gonna be pissed, I'm sure, but it's alright. Anything you want to do in specific, or just a general date day for my princess?" He grinned at her again, watching from her bed as she got ready.

" I see…seems like you will be sleeping on the couch then, at least with her." Vesta said, making a show of getting ready for Aelfric. At his question, she chuckled, "Oh, I was thinking we might grab some lunch, hit a movie, do a bit of shopping….unless you've got any better ideas. And…I appreciate the thought, Ael…but don't you know I am no longer a princess?"

"You'll always be my princess, princess," he replied, watching her with small smile. "Fuck 'em. You're gonna change the world anyways. Now you just do it how you want… but maybe I'll stay with you to avoid the couch."

“You’re such a flatterer….always were,” Vesta said, giving Aelfric a quick kiss as she moved past him, swinging her hips slowly as she walked by, “I don’t mind….Honestly, I could use the company to keep my mind off things. At any rate, shall we get going?”

Ælfric happily returned the kiss, standing up himself. "Yes, yes we should. Down to Old Theater road? We can get a fast lunch and then see if there's any good movies, or go bowling or something.”

“That sounds lovely, Ael. I just hope you don’t mind me kicking that sweet ass of your’s at bowling.” Vesta remarked with a smirk, all the while pulling her friend through the open door She called back to Niamh, “I’ll be back later, Nia”

"It's OK, Ves, we'll turn on the bumpers for you," he laughed. "That way you can win," he said, waving to the butler on the way out. "Who drives?"

“Hey, it was only that ONE time!” Vesta said with mock indignation, as she nudged him, “Well you know I don’t drive all that much, so why don’t you take the wheel?” The butler tossed them a pair of keys as they worked their way out of the hall towards the lot.

Ælfric caught the keys, walking outside and to the red SMC Destrier parked in the lot. “I do love driving this car,” he said, unlocking it and sliding into the drivers seat, which he had to push back slightly. “Hmm… I kinda want to go for a cruise in it…”

“Glad you like it, El. You can thank my dad for it to be honest….said his little girl should have something that fits her while abroad.” Vesta said as she hopped into the passenger’s seat, sliding it back as well as she donned a pair of crimson sunglasses, “Nothing says we can”t. Since sis isn’t here and Niamh knows we’ll be out all day, we’ve got nothing stopping us.”

“Your sister is in Calihain?” Ælfric raised an eyebrow. “I thought she stayed in Berabil full time, huh. Well then, hold tight, we’ll get food and then see where we go from there,” the boy said, reversing out of the lot, onto the residential road. “Hmm, where to go… you know what, we could eat then go to the river, or the water park.” he said. “Screw the movies, it’s a good day, let’s hang outside.”

“She occasionally stays in town when on business, which is thankfully rare,“ Vesta said as she settled in, “Hey, you know what….Let’s just grab some food and hit the river. Would be nice to be out for a bit.”

“Nice,” he said, leaving the residential area to pull onto a highway. “We’ll just get something to go… you don’t have any river gear, do you? Going Rohanian or do you wanna get a swimsuit on the way? I’m fine with either, you know.”

“Eh, we don’t need to stop. I’ve got a swim suit in the trunk, I can use. And yes, it is that little red number you are thinking of.” Vesta said, giving Ael a sly smile.

“Well, someone was more prepared than I expected,” he replied with a lopsided smile. “And you do know what I like, after all…”

“After all these years, I’d hope I’d know what you like.” Vesta grinned as she leaned back in her seat, watching as they blew past her apartment tower.

"It has been a long time, hasn't it?" Ælfric replied, shifting into a higher gear and getting in the fast lane, pushing right up to the speed limit and avoiding the rails to drive the asphalt. "You know, I'm glad about it though," he said, speeding up a little to pass someone. "I like to think I've been a good influence on you overall!"

"Yeah…something like what? Ten years now?" Vesta chuckled as she lowered her sunglasses, giving her friend a sincere smile, "Same here. Honestly, were it not for you, I don't think I'd have done as well as I have here. Just wish at times we could be…a bit more ya know."

"Like what, exactly?" Ælfric shifted gears again, slowing as he moved to exit the highway into the river district.

“Oh…Just there are times I wish you and I were as close….as you and Macy are. “ Vesta said, “Maybe like being your primary girlfriend?”

Ælfric pulled into a small parking lot and stopped the car before looking over at Vesta. "Well that was more direct than I expected," he said. "I would say I consider you both equal, but we both know Macy was first… listen, I'm not going to neglect her for you, but I promise I'll give you equal attention. And hey, she's in Sanirego the next two weeks, so I can spoil you for now? If you would like that…"

"Mhmm…I think that will work nicely.. Quite nicely indeed." Vesta remarked, "I will make it worth your while too…"

"Oh I bet you will," he laughed, starting the engine and pulling out again. "You girls are always bribing me to do things I probably shouldn't, in your ways. Like letting me drive a Destrier, or other things I know fit a fact you have in mind," he grinned as he spoke, taking them onto a freeway that would cut across the city and get them to the River District.

"I wouldn't call it bribery, so much as it is giving you….an incentive." Vesta chuckled as she patted El's thigh, "Keep it up and we'll continue to do so."

"Yeah, yeah," he sighed. "Can't say no to my girls. Damn puppy eyes. You still have to promise to have the cheerleaders at every game. You know the team loves it… even if soccer is a weird sport for it, I admit."

"Alrighty alright. I will make sure at least a few of us are at every game….even with how odd that sport is. Besides, you know you love it when I give you those eyes." Vesta remarked.

"Yeah, well, they keep getting me to do things, they must have some power," he snorted. "What do you want to eat? I'm buying… please don't do what you and Macy usually do and inhale the whole menu?"

"Fine…..but I suppose we could do Mr. Moocows," Vesta said in mock protest.

"That's a lot simpler than expected," Ælfric responded in relief. "You know my family isn't rich, Vesta, but I still want to treat you! Someday, I'll be able to buy anything you want, so give it a little time, ok?"

"Perhaps it will be sooner than you think, El. For now though, I am happy with whatever you can buy." Vesta said, giving him a sweet smile.

"Now who's the flatterer?" He asked with a chuckle, pulling them off the road and into the drive through of a Mr. Moocows, where they were second in line. "OK, one restriction. No rib boxes. You are so messy with those you'll destroy the poor car."

"Oh, it's still you by a wide margin …but sure. I would rather not ruin my car after all. At any rate, I was actually thinking of getting a burger," Vesta nodded, "What about you?"

“Double Ranch Hand with a large side of chicken fries and a large Elroy’s, aka a large number 7,” Ælfric replied with such swiftness and assurance it was obvious he ordered that exact thing every time. “Better hurry up, Ves, looks like we’re up.”

"Just tell em I will do a medium number #2." Vesta said, seemingly not deviating that much either.

Ælfric pulled forward, a bored voice, sounding like a teenage boy greeting him from the menu board. “Welcome to Mr. MooCow’s, where the beef is the best. How can we better your day?”

“One large number 7, and a medium number 2, both with an Elroy’s, thanks,” the red headed driver responded.

“A large number 7 and a medium number 2, both with Elroy’s,” the bored voice replied. “That’ll be 12.34 at the window, thank you.”

Ælfric pulled forward again, now sitting in line for their food. “I am glad I don’t have to work at a place like this… I feel kinda bad for the kids that do. Lucky I got that scholarship.”

"Like I hear the pay is okay for what it is, but I can't imagine having to put with customers all day. Makes me glad you got as lucky as you did." Vesta said, her smile shifting to a slight frown at Aelfric's comment, "That said, even if you hadn't gotten the scholarship…I'm sure we could have worked something out with my mom to help pay for your tuition."

“I am not accepting charity from your family,” he put the kibosh on the idea immediately as they inched forward. “Absolutely not. Hell, we only even met because I had a scholarship to the primary school, so I probably wouldn’t have even met you without one, y’know?”

Vesta held up her hands in mock surrender, giving him, "Alright, alright. It was only a hypothetical, El. But yeah….I suppose that is true. Had it not been for you getting that, things would be entirely different…both for me and Macy." Vesta said as she tried to change the subject, "Might need to check on my cousins there soon. He's supposed to be starting there in a few weeks."

“Oh, right, you did have a cousin in the school, didn’t you?” Ælfric said, pulling up to the window and handing over a card, taking it and the food back with a nod to the worker before handing the food to Vesta and pulling off. “I don’t remember, how close was that one anyways? Like, in relation?...”

"Decently. She's one of my Aunt Ky's kids so a full cousin. Still from a different line from mine tho, so makes things kind of weird." Vesta shrugged as she leaned back, "I suppose that's what you get when your grandmother has like four different spouses. Honestly, makes me glad mom didn't do that."

“Yeah, well, I guess,” Ælfric replied. “And yet, here you are…” he teased, chuckling. “Though I can’t recall any significant stories of more than two or three spouses in Rohanian history. I guess the first emperor is the big one, two wives, but I feel like that’s got nothing on your families usual… proceedings.”

"Oh let's see….You have my great grandmother with four spouses, grandma had two plus two lovers, and my aunt had one but ever since she ascended…she's taken on another one. Some elf from Silverdale from what I hear. All told, it's like at least one Arnheim per generation that engages in polygamy." Vesta chuckled out, "Who knows, maybe that's even where grandma got it. She did know the first emperor after all."

“No offense, Vesta, but from experience, the ladies in your family need absolutely no encouragement to be promiscuous as a standard,” Ælfric rolled his eyes as he merged back onto the surface street, heading for the river ‘beach’. “I mean, I guess you at least got a push from Macy… are we sure they didn’t swap you and her at birth?”

"Hey, that doesn't apply to all of us, just most of us. Besides, you know that I would never be promiscuous with anyone apart from you and Macy." Vesta joked as she gave a light laugh. “Honestly, it wouldn't surprise. Hell given the way Mace behaves …she may as well be an Arnheim in all but name"

Ælfric gave her a side eye. “Sure. You totally didn’t do it with anyone else this summer,” he snorted, reaching into the bag of food and grabbing a fry, soon parking the car. “We’re pretty much there. I’ll get a parasol while you change, don’t want you to get burnt.”

"Sure thing." Vesta said as she grabbed a red bundle of clothing from the glove compartment. As El took off to grab a parasol, Vesta quickly changed into a skimpy two piece that accentuated her features rather well. After a bit of walking she managed to catch up with him, swinging her hips as she drew close, "It's been a while since I've worn this, but it still fits. What do you think, El?"

Ælfric, for his part, had begun heading back, a large parasol tucked under his arm, when he spotted Vesta. He whistled softly in response to her question before saying, “Damn, Ves, it certainly does fit. Tightly, too. Times like these, gotta be thankful for being technically a foreigner, huh?”

"Bah! I am Rohanian in body and spirit. And you know it El!....but it doesn't hurt, especially not if I can show off occasionally..." Vesta said stretching, as if to give El a better view of her body, "Ooh yeah…there we go. So you ready?"

"Well, maybe get the food," he laughed, waving her in front. "And then yeah, I'm ready."

“Fair enough, El.” Vesta chuckled as she grabbed the bags of food, quickly following after Aelfric

[Glaristant]

Temple of Glacia, Glacius

The temple gardens of the Warrior Trinity in Glacius were well renowned for their beauty and serenity, with them featuring examples of flora from not only across Mystria but from outer planes. One could find Silverdalean snowblossoms, Glaristanti Argentum Lilies, and all manner of flowers in arrangements that seemed to shift every few hours. The natural beauty of the gardens was only further enhanced by the presence of several finely crafted metal and marble sculptures of the Warrior Trinity, as well as their various companions. Yet of the assorted sculptures and flora of the gardens, what truly drew the eyes of its visitors was the titanic crystal fountain that lay at its heart. The fountain towered over most individuals, its central spire easily reaching twenty feet into the air. Perched at the summit of the spire was a shimmering cyan sun, with its rays refracting through the fountain and making its various crystals shimmer. The sun flickered for a moment as it heard the sound of footsteps echoing towards, all the while calling out, "Who is it that seeks solace in the garden of the Warrior Trinity?"

“Well, I think if anyone can be here, it’s me,” arriving first was the blue-haired, pale-skinned elven woman who was the namesake of the city and this temple, Glacia Invernos. “I see the repairs went well; Nelvana was generous enough to offer some flowers to replace the ones that were lost before. How are you doing today, Niviea?”

The sun flew down from its perch, circling around the goddess before coming to a halt a few feet in front of her. It pulsed a vibrant lilac as it spoke, "Oh am I doing well, mom. I was just meditating on a few lessons Master Solis taught me yesterday. And yes the repairs turned out well! I would say the place is better than ever. At any rate, what can I do for ya, mama?"

“Well, young lady,” Glacia folded her arms, “I think we need to have a little talk about things. I had been hoping to raise you alongside your brothers and sisters, but, well… you grew up sooner than I had expected. I had hoped to ease you into dealing with mortals, but… it might be time you spent more time with them.”

"Don't I already do enough of that when I interact with them here or at mama Ky's shrines? That's to say nothing of me working with some of her colleagues during that expedition last month. Surely that should suffice…." Niviea said, as audible confusion echoed within her voice.

“That’s not the same thing,” Glacia frowned, her eyes turning gold, “You need to be able to interact with them on their level, not always when aiding them on adventures or seeing our followers when they worship us. If all you do is see them the way you are, you will not be able to empathize or connect with any of them. I wasn’t born divine like you, and neither were your Aunt Shield or Yuki, so we understand that we need to keep in touch with the mortal realm, to keep us from becoming detached from the world. And I don’t want you to become that way, either.”

Niviea sighed, her light shifting to a pale red as she hovered closer to her mother, "I understand the need to be able to interact with them, but I can do that just fine as is. Between what I picked up from Felice and Solis, I am more than capable of dealing with them in the way a goddess should. Besides, from what I have learned we as deities are supposed to be at a distance and focus on our duties in the world at large, are we not? Be it the Auroras and the dead in Mama Ky's case or the Sun in Master Solis's case…."

“Maybe that is what they think,” Glacia said, “But not all of us are like that. I’m not saying you need to solve everyone’s problems; if you did, none of them will grow. But especially at your age, you need to be able to learn about what they are like. Furthermore, I’ve already talked to Ky, and she’s concerned about you, too; you’ve spent most of your time recently like this, and barely interacted on a personal level with anyone aside from the two of us and Solis.”

Niviea's form pulsed a vibrant crimson as she closed the gap between her and mother, with Glacia being able to feel the searing heat emanating from her daughter's form. Her voice dripped with the slightest hint of anger as she spoke, "Maybe that is what is necessary for you given your portfolio, but my job as a goddess is to ensure the protection of the southern skies and mom while she is in the Auroras. Those duties do not require me to have a thorough understanding of the inner workings of the mortal mind. Besides, I can't take the time away from my duties or my studies to engage in such frivolities."

“Don’t take that tone with your mother, young lady,” Glacia seemed to be getting upset herself, “Remember that you are still my daughter, and given your ties to me, there are things I can do…” she touched Niviea’s form, and in an instant, the miniature sun disappeared, in its place a green-haired elf with a striking resemblance to Glacia herself was in its place. “Now then, are you willing to hear me out?”

The elf frowned, her lavender eyes regarding her mother with barely concealed irritation, "Ugh….did you really have to force me back into this stupid elf form? It's so….limiting, and I can't get nearly as much work done with it," Niviea sighed, leaning back against the fountain as she spoke, "Alright…fine…I suppose I can hear you out…if it lets me get back to my proper form sooner."

Glacia sighed, her eyes turning back to their silvery colour; she wasn’t exactly pleased with that comment about a ‘proper’ form, but one problem at a time, “Alright, sweetie, so listen. Given how you grew up, you never really got to go to school; I tried my best to fill in, and Auntie Yuki tried a bit herself, but it’s no substitute. So listen; there’s a prestigious secondary school in Rohane Alista, and, well, let’s say even in a place like that I have some sway with some donations,” she giggled, “So you can make friends there and learn about mortals! What do you think?”

Niviea sighed, her expression softening as she listened to her mother's idea. It was something she wasn't exactly sure about, particularly when she already had her hands fully with her duties. Yet she would be lying if she said there wasn't at least a small part of her that was intrigued with the idea, "I…I…suppose I can give it a try. As much as I hate to admit it, you and mom's stories about them doing make the mortal realm sound fun. So….I guess I can give it a try…."

Glacia offered a hug to Niviea, “I’m sure you’ll find it interesting if nothing else! … sorry I had to be a bit forceful, sweetie, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy the experience.”

"I…I hope so. I just….well it's just a bit scary getting ready for this, mama. The mortal realm just feels so alien to your realm and Dal Riata." Niviea said as she returned the hug, her lips forming into a small smile as she spoke, "And…I am sorry for being a brat there. I…I just didn't want to admit you were right."

“That’s part of why I really wished you had grown up at the same rate as Elsyia and the others,” Glacia sighed. “So you could all see it together… that said, the elf form isn’t so bad, is it? You can’t exactly give hugs as well as a star, dearie.”

"I know….it would have been great to have grown up normally like Elysia, but nothing I can do about that thanks to Aunt Ivrea." Niviea said, giving a slight chuckle, "It…has its uses, hugs being one of them! It doesn't hurt that I look fairly good in it as well…At least going by what grandma Veleon said."


Calihain, Rohane Alista

The sound of cars hurtling by and thousands of souls going about their daily business filled Niviea's ears, her mind both terrified and excited by how alien it was. She had only been in the city for three days, but even in that short time she had already been overwhelmed. The sheer contrast between the serenity of Glacius and the cacophonic nightmare that was Calihain, made her stomach churn as she struggled to adapt to it. The fact that mortals could live in such a chaotic state, let alone thrive in it was something she doubted she would ever grasp. That was to say nothing of the physical symptoms she had upon arriving in Rohane, with Niviea still battling recurrent waves of nausea and fatigue even three days into her stay. "Ugh, I knew this was a bad idea. Honestly, I don't know how the mortals can stomach living like this. Especially if they have to put up with being being sick like this constantly…" Niviea thought as she did her best to regain her composure, slowly but surely making her way towards what she had heard was called an apartment complex.

From what her mother had told her, Frieda had already taken care of all the arrangements including her lodgings and her paperwork. Though she didn't care for the idea, her parents and Frieda had decided it prudent not to allow their daughter to use her real name. Instead they had opted to have her portray the middle daughter of the Frostbournes, a minor noble family in service to Kyaras holy order. Niviea, or rather "Miyuki", she corrected herself, had been enrolled on the sociology path for one term. "Well…it's no palace or mansion, but it will do I guess" she muttered under her breath, adjusting her glasses as she at last reached the gate of her new home.

The gate was an ornate piece of wrought metal, tall and firm, and thankfully also open at the moment. Security seemed more relaxed than one might expect for such a prestigious institution, only one guard keeping an eye on the gate. ‘Miyuki’ wasn’t the only person entering the complex, as around a few other boys and girls, between fourteen and nineteen, filtered in. School wouldn’t start properly for another week, but it appeared students from further afield were already returning, to set up their dorms or just get back into the flow of one of the largest cities in all of Mystria.

Niviea was bumped from the left side, quickly followed by a happy seeming boy’s face coming into view. “Heyyy, sorry about that! You alright? Nothing valuable in your left shoulder I hope?” He chuckled, raising his palm up to head height, flat and facing towards her. “The name is Callum. I don’t recognize you, new student?”

"How d…er It's fine. And no, there wasn't much valuable up there." Miyuki said, trying to temper her annoyance at the oblivious boy. She feigned a smile, doing her best to channel her mother, "Yes… I am a new transfer student from Vorelex in Silverdale. My name is Miyuki…Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

“Vo..rek…ex…” he hummed. “Nope, never heard of it. Silverdale huh? That’s cool as shit, I’ve never been but I want to go! I hear it’s like, super cold, but I’m from Morhale so I can handle it,” he laughed, turning to walk by her side. “So, Miyuki, you staying in the dorms then?”

"Vorelex. It's a relatively new city, but fast growing city. At any rate, I am sure it couldn't possibly compare to this..Morhale? I mean at least if it is anything like this place." Miyuki said, suppressing her disgust at the casual tone Callum took with her. She did her best to keep some space between them as they walked towards the dorm, all the while continuing to feign a cherry attitude, "Yes. I wanted to get an apartment, but my parents pretty much quashed that idea. What about you, where are you staying?"

"Oh I'm in the dorm too," Callum smiled. "Dad said he wanted me to make connections, not just sit in my room all day. Men's dorm, of course, not girls," he chuckled. "You know, you might like Morhale! It's a lot smaller than Calihain, and way cooler. Like temperature, I mean. If you don't go home for winter break you should come check it out! Do you ski?"

"Odd they segregate us based on gender, but I suppose that's to be expected. Oh….I've skied a few times up in mom's r…er up at the resort she owns. My family has a place up in the mountains near the city so we go up there all the time. But yeah…. Sounds like paradise compared to here. Honestly, I don't know how the people here stand the heat." Miyuki remarked, fanning herself with one of her books.

"Well, you don't look to be handling it well," Callum sounded sympathetic, taking a moment to wave at someone as they walked past, the sandstone walkway worn by hundreds of years of feet traveling it. "But it's OK, you'll adjust! This is the hottest part of the year, though being right on the equator it doesn't get too much cooler either…"

"Hopefully sooner rather than later….I have been sick ever since I got here. Honestly, you all must be pretty hardy if you can endure the sickness this places causes." Miyuki said, stumbling a bit as she felt another wave of nausea wash over her, "Ugh…my apologies. Anyways….what are you…studying here?"

"Sick? Dude, let's take you to the doctor, come on," Callum steered her onto a different path. No longer were they headed for two large sandstone buildings standing across a field from the rest of the facility, but towards a small brick building surrounded by a water feature and a small garden. "Maybe it's cause of the travel? Well, Doc Dorian will know."

"I-It's n-nothing serious. Just min…." Miyuki fell to her knees in a coughing fit, gasping for air as her lungs began to feel like they had been set aflame. After a few moments she managed to muster the strength to stand, placing an arm around Callum's shoulder, "M-maybe, I just know when I-I was home I felt fine, then arriving here I felt like crap. But you are right…should probably see that Doctor."

"You think?" Callum said with a raised eyebrow, half carrying her to the medical building. "Girl, you sound like you're dying. I hope you didn't get influenza on the plane or anything!"

"Me .die…that's absurd…od…we don't know death." Miyuki choked out as she leaned further onto Callum, her mind just barely registering them as they made it to the medical building.

Callum got the attention of the nurse at the desk, and soon Miyuki was being carried by them both to a room, where she was laid in a bed to rest. As they exited the room, the nurse softly spoke to Callum. "I'll call Doctor Dorian. Would you mind waiting? He may wish to examine you, as well."

Callum nodded, taking a seat in reception. Soon enough a surprisingly young man with brown hair and a white coat strode by, giving Callum a nod as he entered Miyuki's room.

The man was efficient, preparing what tools he would need and taking her pulse before gently making sure she was awake. "Miss, I need to examine you. Can you sit up? Don't force it."

"I can try…."Miyuki nodded, struggling to sit up as she continued to cough. After several moments, she at last succeeded, "There…."

"Alright, this will be uncomfortable, but I need to listen to your breathing," he said, equipping a stethoscope and placing it first on her back, then her chest. "Actually sounds good. I don't think it's the flu, but I can't be sure. Can you look up for me?" The doctor asked, holding up a small light and shining it in her eyes.

Miyuki complied, lifting her head up so that the doctor could then. Her deep lavender eyes looked toward him, all the while she gave him a puzzled expression, "S-strsnge….didn't sound like nothing."

"Oh, it's definitely something," the doctor replied, pulling out a tongue depressor. "Mouth open, please."

Miyuki complied, opening her mouth wide for the doctor. She wanted to say something at the doctor's comment, but restrained herself as she thought, "Calm down, Niviea. You are better than allowing yourself to be flustered by a mere mortal healer."

He pressed her tongue down, examining her throat. After a moment he took away the depressor and hummed. "I think I have an idea. I'll need to take a blood sample, just in case, however. May I have your left arm?"

"I…guess…" Niviea said, as she offered the doctor her right arm.

"Hmm," he hummed again. "Well, that'll do," he said, picking up a small plastic device with a curved end. He put it gently on her arm, looking at a screen as he slowly adjusted it, then she felt a short sharp sting and he pulled it away, pulling a vial of blood out of the rear of the thing. "Takes all the guessing out. Better for everyone," he showed her the vial, securing it in a stand as he looked for something.

"I suppose it does make things easier…Ow/" Miyuki yelped as she felt the sting, "That…Er what are you thinking is causing it, Doctor" Miyuki mentally cursed at the pain, "Is this really what mortals call healing? One would think they wouldn't need to resort to such odd methods…"

Doctor Dorian, meanwhile, pulled down a small black rod, inserting it into the blood, watching it and pulling it out after a few minutes. "Would you say you're particularly magically inclined?"

"That is putting it mildly, but yes. I am rather an adept magus if I do say so myself." Miyuki said. "One of the best my family according to my master"

"Well, that's great! You're suffering from major magic depletion syndrome," the doctor informed her, looking at the purple rod. "Honestly… listen, nothing can help you but time. Your body will adjust to being magicless faster than you think, but you need to rest until then. Can you come back on Sunday? I'll run the test again and see if you're good enough for school. Oh, and have that boy help you to your dorm. Doctors orders, you aren't allowed to go alone."

"I..I ..see. That explains a lot of it…Odd though…Alright, I suppose I can do that" Miyuki muttered as she nodded, managing to to muster the strength to get up as she called to Callum, "H-hey…Do you think you can lend me a hand getting back?""

The boy entered the room a few minutes later. "Sure! You, uh, alright?"

"Not really…My magic is gone and I'm in a land msurrounded by mort…er" Miyuki went silent for a moment, catching herself. She looked towards Callum, giving him a smile, "Sorry, it's just been a hard day. Plus I wasn't expecting to be hit so hard by this place."

"Well I guess it's like losing your hearing or something," Callum shrugged, walking back towards the dorms with her. "You'll get used to it, I think, but it might feel a little like something is missing? I mean, I've never been magical, obviously, that's pretty cool. What kinda stuff could you do?"

"It does honestly….feels like there is a major hole where a key part of me was." Miyuki remarked, as she gave him a smile, "Well, a lot of basic elemental spells, fire, water, ice. But….I mainly focused in sun and star magic. Creating and manipulating sunlight, reading the stars as well."

"Oh sick, that's so cool! I'm on the Astronomy path, you know? That's so cool. If I ever get to Silverdale you gotta show me, alright?"

"Sure….perhaps over our term break you could accompany on my trip home. There I can show you everything you'd like," Miyuki said, chuckling at his enthusiasm, "Maybe I can even a show you a thing or two about astronomy…"

"Hah! Or I can show you some things," he laughed. "My dad is actually vice director of RASB, you know? I've loved stars and stuff since I was a kid. Hey, what path are you on?"

"Hehe…we'll see. That said, I am glad to have met someone who's interested in stars. It will make the semester a lot more interesting….Wait what is the RASB?" Miyuki said, chucking at his comments. She perked up at the mention of her path, "Oh…uh…Sociology I think it was. Mom wanted to me to get to understand how the world outside of our country worked, so that's what she and my tutor recommended."

"Soft science, meh," Callum replied, directing her to the building on the right side. "You should take Astronomy electives! Though I don't understand how you've never heard of RASB? The Rohane Alista Space Bureau? They just started on a Venus terraforming project, it was big news. Man, you must be super sheltered huh?"

“I guess….It’s more just to get to know people better. But yeah! I plan on it, especially if they are anything like Professor Yuki’s lectures on astronomy back home.” Miyuki giggled, before giving Callum an offended look, “H-Hey! That’s not true! I’ve seen plenty of the world and the other planes! It’s just….kind of hard to keep track of mortal…er outside tech when your studies aren't really involved. Still, I would love to hear more about it!”

“Suuuuure," he laughed, stopping at the door. "Oh, yeah, you have an ID card, right? From the school?"

“Y-yes…in my side pocket.. Just please don’t laugh at the photo…it’s embarrassing.” Miyuki said, reaching into her coat pocket to get her ID card before handing it to him. He saw Miyuki in what looked to be the school uniform, but instead of her normal ponytail her hair was styled in a tight bun. Rather than her current wireframe glasses, she wore a green thickframe pair of glasses. Miyuki rolled her eyes at Callum’s comment, “Look….if we ever are in Silverdale together, I’ll show you just how unsheltered I am!”

“Those are some thick glasses, girl,” he snorted, pressing her card against a scanner and then opening the door when it beeped. “Pretty easy to get in. Honestly, if you get a holowatch,” he showed her the small, metallic watch on his wrist. “You’ll have an easier time. It’s common hours, so I can take you to your room. Did you get a number? Or not yet?”

“Just stop…it’s not funny.” Miyuki said, blushing as she rolled her eyes at his comment. She seemed rather fascinated by it, “Oh…I don’t think I’ve gotten one yet. Maybe it just got delayed…but uh…Yeah, I’m in Room 108.”

“Oooh, first floor. How much did your parents shell out?” Callum whistled, leading her through a common area stocked with tables, chairs, several TVs and vending machines, and a two doors, marked “Kitchen” and “Storage” respectively. He lead her into a split hallway, taking her to the left side, where just a few moments later they were in front of a door marked 108. “Here you go… hey, can I see inside? Apparently the first floor rooms are the biggest ones on the whole campus, their own bathtubs and everything. Come on, pleaaaase?”

“Um…well my parents paid a small fortune for it I think….Something like 60,000 in gold? They…well wanted me to have the best while I was away from home,” Miyuki said, shrugging as she limped towards the door, giving a nod to his request, “I mean…I do not see a problem with it. Honestly, it is not like there is anything wrong with you being in there…..”

Callum let out a small cheer, waiting for her to open the door and then following her in. It was clear it hadn’t been set up yet, several boxes lining the far wall, but the basics were already there. On the far right wall was a plush looking bed, a window directly behind the headboard, though it was currently curtained shut. Across from the bed was a modern wooden table with multiple drawers and levels, as well as many shelves on the wall above it. Power points were liberal throughout, and a large wardrobe made of some kind of tropical wood was in the corner nearest the door. There was clearly room for more decoration and customization in the room, most of the floorplan left empty except for boxes.

Callum whistled as he entered, quickly finding a door on the left wall and opening it. “Nice!” He said, entering the next room. “You’ve got the full suite bathroom, lucky!” He continued, examining it. The room was fully tiled in marble, with a sink, counter and medicine cabinet on the right hand side, with plenty of drawers in the sink cabinet, while the right hand side had a small room all its own for the toilet, and a large bathtub, with a shower head attached for a quicker rinse. There didn’t seem to be any laundry facilities, perhaps something students weren’t expected to handle themselves. “All I have is a small shower. Oh, and the toilet and sink, but no cabinets or counters like that!”

“Oh if you think this is nice, you should see the palace back home. Mom has made sure that every room is decorated to match, if not exceed the luxury of this room. That said, while it’s no palace it will suffice for the year.” Miyuki said as she hobbled over to several boxes in the corner of the room, picking up an icy blue with faint Gold letting reading Home. She opened them up, revealing a photo of an elf woman that looked rather similar to her and a white scaled draconic woman standing on either side of her. She placed the photo on the windowsill, before reaching back into the box to withdraw a large golden covered book emblazoned with a highly ornate engraving of the sun. She giggled as she took the book in her arms and returned to Callum’s side, “Sorry, just had to get a few things.. At any rate…Shouldn’t you have something at least decently similar? I mean surely your parents paids quite a bit for you to stay here…”

“The tuition alone is a fortune,” Callum replied, exiting the bathroom. “These rooms cost extra, on top of that. Who’s that?” He asked, pointing at the photo. “Mom and… sister? Aunt?”

“No. Those are both my parents, Ky and Glace Frostbourne.” Miyuki said, as she gestured to the photo, “I suppose that makes some sense, given that this place has to make its money somehow. Still, it’s a shame you don’t have access to facilities as nice as mine….Hrm, if you’d like, I suppose I can let you use mine from time to time.”

"Huh. So you're adopted? That's cool, I have an adopted little brother," Callum said. "Not that I would mind, but maybe you shouldn't offer your bathtub to every guy on campus," he smirked. "They might get… ideas."

Miyuki gave him a puzzled look at his adopted comment, “Eh no….They are my birth parents, Callum.. Oh….I suppose you have a point. Last thing I need is them getting improper ideas.”

"Birth?... oh, one transitioned?..." Callum asked, losing confidence in his answer. "Well, whatever, it doesn't matter. You should lie down and go to bed, you can unpack more later. You're sick! Rest!"

“Just forget it….” she said, shaking her head as took the book in hand and made her way to her bed. She plopped on it with a heavy thud, “For what it is worth, I appreciate you assisting me today, Callum.You were a big help.”

"No problem! You uh, kinda seemed like you were having a panic attack in all those people, to be honest," he replied, rubbing the back of his head. "But, hey, yeah! I'll see you around, if you ever need help… uh. Do you have a phone?"

“In a manner of speaking….just too many people here compared to home.” Miyuki weakly laughed as she pulled out a silver phone from her pocket, which she tossed to Callum, “Yeah…This is it I think. “

"You think?... oh man, you're so sheltered," Callum replied, hitting a button on her phone and holding it up to his watch. His watch quickly glowed green, at which point he tossed her phone back, typing something into a holographic keyboard from his watch. "OK, Miyuki, gotcha in my contacts. You should have me, too. If you need something, or… you know, get confused… shoot me a text! Maybe spend the week getting used to not having magic, though…"

“Enough of that. Just because I am not up to date on the latest mor…er Rohanian technology doesn’t mean I am sheltered.” Miyuki retorted, as she took the phone from Callum. She scrolled through her contact list, quickly sending Callum a text, “I will. Besides, I could use some time to rest a bit. Gives me a chance to get caught up on the assignments my teachers back home gave me.”

"You're going into school here and they still gave you stuff to do? That blows," Callum replied, his holowatch glowing. "Oh I got your text. You figured it out, good job! And now, goodbye! I have my own homework…" the boy sighed, leaving the dorm room and closing the door firmly behind him.

“Farewell, Callum.” Miyuki said, giving him a slight smile as he left the room. As soon as the door was closed, she let out a loud sigh as she opened the golden covered book. “Honestly, what a strange mortal...Definitely an interesting one though. Alright, time to focus Niviea. Got to get through this chapter.” she remarked, chuckling as she became engrossed in her book.