*COMPLETED* Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

Black's sudden change of tone into something almost apologetic came as a surprise to Kurui as she leaned on him, however she still wanted to tell him to take his advice and choke on it right now. She held herself back though, more out of knowing it was smart than because she was scared. Having actually expected the shocks had diminished a lot of the fear... although the same couldn't be said for how painful they had been. It hadn't been all bad though, this reaction showed Kurui that Black knew he had gone overboard and at least slightly regretted it. The fact that he could see as much and stopped meant he at least wasn't going to kill her at the drop of a pin. Also, despite his talk about high standards, Kurui had succeeded in showing Black there was some limit to what she could tolerate right now, after all she was still just 19 and “potential” or not she was nowhere near his level or experience with any of this, and he appeared to make a begrudging peace with that for the moment. The panacea he gave her afterwards seemed to reaffirm all this.
Although the numbness of the shocks was wearing off on its own, the panacea sped up the process considerably. It was something of a notable gesture. Potions, or at least the ones with healing effects, were something of a rarity in Elynsor. The ingredients known to Elynsor alchemists to make the most potent brews only grew in small area's with specific climates. While they were affordable enough that most students the RMA had a few of their own small potions for days of heavy magic-duel practices and stuff, they were not something to be used lightly or commonly, to the point where the Elynsor military didn't even issue them to regular soldiers. Even for someone like Black who probably had the money for such things, demand meant they were sometimes still hard to get on a moment's notice depending on the time of year and stuff. A lot of the time it was cheaper and easier just to see a church healer. The Academy itself even had an infirmary with a few nuns from the church acting as healers. Although for the questions it would have raised to see them right now, Black's panacea had obviously been a better choice and Kurui wasn't about to complain about the free aid.

Kurui wouldn't make any attempts to leave the room after this, even at Black's order to clean herself up. Begrudingly she would trust Black to play “fair” and that meant she herself would have to as well. It didn't matter much anyway, Black's shocks hadn't been meant to kill and hadn't left any actual burn marks either on her or her uniform. There were very little physical signs anything had happened, despite how “intense” it had been. If anything, the only outward signs were her frizzed hair and where she had bit her lip. The second one wasn't all that suspicious, and the first one was something she could fix right now just by running a misty water gate through her hair a few times until it looked good again. To make matters even better, Black's words at the end about just needing a few minutes to retrieve his item implied he wouldn't keep her a whole extra hour today. “...maybe thats just wishful thinking on my part. Even if he doesn't “use” this thing on me today... sitting here all class with it is going to awkward enough. I STILL don't think this is meant to be teaching me anything... but enjoy it while you can, Bastard. Slip up once and we'll see how long my “obedience” lasts. In fact all those shocks you gave me an idea if you do “cheat.” on our deal. I'm not good with lightning magic, but I'm pretty sure I can shock myself hard enough to pass out before I lose it to your little toy... if you dare to try it. You won't like it, but you couldn't just leave me there like that in front of everyone. There will be too many eyes on you for you to NOT get me to the infirmary.”
Soon after others would arrive and make things feel less tense, if only because she wasn't alone with him now. Although the mood would still be expectedly depressing given the circumstances.

“I'm about as alright as I can be I guess...” Kurui would lie to Rythe, although she was unsure how convincing she was. “I... didn't sleep very well last night, but I'm not going to complain like I have it worse than anyone still trapped down there. I don't think Black is going to have much time to speak, we'll probably spend the whole time getting questioned by the Royal Constables or something, as if they expect to find something...” her voice sounded just a little hopeful at this last part, but enough to be over suspicious. After all, to everyone else Black was still a respectable noble and this was all an accident... unless by some miracle some of them had any reason to suspect differently. She remembered Rythe's compass from the enchanters shop, but didn't say anything yet. A question for after class maybe. “Either way... it's not going to be fun today. On Red Day too... I had forgotten all about that. I wasn't expecting anything from anyone worth worrying about, but it's still depressing for the one's who are missing it, you know?” She paused for a second, a look of deep sadness crossing her face.
“If Dinn were still here... maybe I wouldn't have minded getting something from him... why did it have to be this way? Why is everything going to hurt so bad until Black is dead or in a royal dungeon somewhere? Is it because I'm being weak and playing along in the hopes I'll get a chance to make it happen eventually? Even then... that won't undo everything that's happened if I never see Dinn or any of the others again...”
She gave a small cough, shaking away the expression.
“There's something I want to talk to you about after class, but I have a few things I need to ask first, so wait for me out in the commons for a bit. Hopefully they don't make me stay after for any extra questions or anything since I was in one of the caved-in shafts... but if they do I'm sure it won't be too long.” She lowered her voice in case Black was listening but still avoided saying Sienna's name anyway. “Do me a favor and don't bring along anyone else. I'd rather not us worry them or depress them talking about this whole thing.” She sat back and tried to look normal now, bringing her voice back up again.
“Anyway, I guess all thats left to do right now is sit back and see where this depressing disaster goes today. Though the sooner it's over, the better.”

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

"Hmm... guess you're right. I just hope they manage to save whoever's stuck there soon," said Rythe, tilting his head ever so slightly as she observed Kurui's features. If she found anything peculiar about her friend, however, she wouldn't mention it, at least not here in Black's presence. "Let's just hope the constables that come by here are competent." The brunette sighed, putting on a thoughtful look. She certainly didn't have the ability to make light of a given situation, at least not in the way that Sienna did, but at the very least, she seemed considerably sharper in some regards, and comfortably discreet in others. When Kurui mentioned needing to talk to her after class, Rythe practically interrupted her with a nod, saying in a low voice, "I figured as much. I'll wait for you there." If the Water Major was to look, she would find that Black didn't appear to be listening to them at all; that, or he was merely pretending not to. He did, however, glance upwards for just a moment to note the interaction towards the end.

With that, Rythe returned to her seat, only a few over from where Kurui's desk was, as the others began to arrive one after another. Familiar faces showed up; Odetta, Celeste, Helmer, Gray, Caldus and a few others made their way in. Naturally, Dinn, Reius, and Anisse were still absent. Once everyone was seated, and the time for class officially started, Black stood up from his desk and moved to the small podium used to make lectures. He surveyed the class coolly, clearing his throat before addressing them as a whole. "...Good morning. Or so that's what I'd like to say. As many of you may know, the... field trip yesterday was subject to some complications. According to the monitors' reports, one of the mine shafts collapsed, effectively trapping roughly three groups of students within. Miners at the site are still working to get them out, and hopefully we'll receive some good news soon. However, as your instructor, I cannot help but feel partially responsible for this, as many of you have suffered undeniable emotional trauma for this incident, let alone the possibility of losses. Naturally, the Academy is not particularly pleased with the outcome of this expedition, and I'll be questioned as well. The Royal Constables will be here in an hour or two to conduct a complete investigation. I expect all of you to fully cooperate and answer any questions they may have. Also, due to the extenuating circumstances surrounding the project and those still trapped within the mine, I've changed this project to count as extra credit."

Some of the students heaved sighs of relief, others showed looks of disappointment. By this alone, Kurui could easily tell who left empty-handed and who didn't. Regardless of their reactions, Black continued.

"Until then, we'll be starting class as usual. Today, our topic will be on each of the Elemental Planes." His eyes met those of the Water Major's for just a moment. "Hopefully most of you know of them, as that would be part of the reason you are here to begin with. The Planes have many theories and ideas surrounding their nature, but one thing is for certain; that we, as mages, draw our desired elements directly from them. It is important to be familiar with these. Elynsor mages, such as ourselves, cast spells by opening 'gates' to these dimensions and channeling the desired element into the material world. However, other cultures also have different ways of working with the planes. It is important to keep an open mind in order to consider the various avenues of accessing these planes..."

He went on, essentially giving a watered-down version of just part of what he taught Kurui, and even then, much of the class didn't seem to hold interest. Provided, yes, many of them were still trying to get over the other day's events. The Water Major's moment of truth came sooner than expected, however, as she was called up to answer a question on the board regarding the 'common area' of the Water Plane, one that she knew quite well. She would find that Mr. Black's hands were in his pockets when she made her way up there. If there was ever a time for him to activate the vibrations of the stone within her, it would be now.

It didn't happen.

As soon as Kurui finished writing her answer on the board, Black removed his hand from his pocket, and simply gave her a knowing look. He'd put on a taunting smile, if he could afford to, but managed to refrain from doing so. It was likely a relief for the Water Major to know that her teacher didn't seem to have any intent of activating the stone during class time, not when he had passed up the best opportunity by which to humiliate her in the way he implied.

An hour or two later after the very routine lectures, two Royal Constables showed up; an older, larger man, and a shorter moustachioed one, both of them carrying thick pads of parchment by which to take several notes. If Kurui wanted to tell them anything outside of her usual excuse story, she did have the opportunity to.

The smaller of the pair, still a relatively tall man in his own right, was the one assigned to her row of desks, eventually making his way to her position. "So, to my understanding, you were the only one of your group to avoid being trapped in the cave. I already have a rough idea of your situation from Black, but uh... just looking to make sure all of the stories match up, and if you would happen to suspect any foul play in this case, be it on the part of the instructor here or any chaperones that were in attendance."

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

Kurui had a rough idea what was supposed to happen once class started. Part of her kind of hoped Black would slip up somehow, make the others suspicious, but as she knew, he was a good actor and today would be no different. She was the only one having to put on any effort to act normal. Rythe's gaze unsettled her a bit... although Kurui didn't care how suspicious she looked to the Lightning Major right now as long as she had the sense of mind not to say anything about it yet. Kurui feared the others in the class might be looking her over too, with her being the only one of her group to escape, but for them who didn't know her very well, she would have no telling signs of anything being off.

The rest of class would be somewhat “normal” The usual boring lecture, the usual sighs and groans and excitement over the news the project had been changed to extra credit. (This in particular pissed her off for some reason. Although she didn't wish her knowledge on them, their ignorance made her jealous). The same people caught up in gossip that Black had told her were a waste of space. The normalcy of it all should have been comforting, like after the incident with Teague when she left that abandoned part of the school and got back to where life had been going on like normal. This time however, it didn't help. Instead she felt isolated and alone by it this time. She would practically tone out the entire class and try to ignore it until Black called her up to answer a question.

“-!!! Damni-! Really!?”
Kurui jumped to immediate suspicions about his intentions, and even started to quietly chant the beginning few words of a lightning spell under her breath before stopping herself.
“No... this is a test, if I form up a spell he's going to sense the energy of me doing it and know I don't trust him. I have to stay normal... stay “obedient”. A spell doesn't take that long to do anyway, and his “toy” isn't going to push me over the edge THAT fast. I can still do it if I need to. For now though... there's no reason to look cautious.”
It would prove to be a smart choice, as nothing would happen to her. Even though she had been tuning out through the actual lesson of today, it was stuff she knew well enough anyway, and she quickly scribbled down the answer on the board before returning to her desk, stopping only for a moment to meet Black's gaze as if to say “there... exactly like you wanted”. Luckily for him, the panacea he had given her earlier allowed her to pull the whole thing off without any of the stiffness or clumsiness of movement she would have had if she were still numb. The performance seemed to be convincing enough for him anyway, as he wouldn't call her up again and the rest of class would continue onward normally until the Royal Constables arrived.

As the two members of the Royal Constables arrived, Kurui spent a long time staring at them, trying to take in their features and read their eyes, hoping to gauge some sort of trustworthiness from them.
“Tch... I can't tell anything one way or another. If anything they look... disinterested. They're not like Colt, their eyes don't tell me anything truthful. Black said they were in his pocket... he could be lying, but he could be NOT. It's too much of a risk... they might go out and tell him exactly what I say after this.”
She would keep trying to reassess this opinion as the questioned the class, but the time one of them reached her row, her judgement was still the same. Finally he would reach her and she would clear her voice and begin her best attempt at acting.

“No sir... I don't suspect anyone of anything other than maybe having bad luck. With all due respect, I think Lord Black just got stuck in a bad circumstance having something like this happen to his students. A noble like him has nothing to gain from anything happening to us and I'm sure this is hurting him as much as us. Our escorts too, I'm sure the Elynsor military did their best, but they couldn't have been prepared for something like this. They were just supposed to protect us from bandits and stuff... and now they got caught up in this too just because they had to babysit us.”
She was doing a good job of speaking respectable about everyone involved and showing the submission someone in her position should have had, however she kept expecting to slip up and say something wrong and was extremely nervous inside. The formality and etiquette she had learned as a child was serving her well right now though.
“Sir, I believe you can trust Lord Black on what happened. I can repeat the whole story if you'd like, about how I got separated in the cave-ins and spent what felt like forever trying to find my way out... but it all seems like a formality to me. I... I don't really want to relive it again so we can just skip that part so I can forget easier? I apologize... I know I'm not being helpful, but I just want this to all be over. I shouldn't even have been lucky enough to survive myself... but since I did, the only thing I can really do help you or the others is pray to Erion that everything works out OK in the end.”
She had managed to even pull off the appropriate level of “grief” as she finished up, hoping the man interviewing her right now really WAS in Black's pocket and wouldn't bother to dig deeper... or short of that would at least believe her story anyway and stop there.
“Come on, go away and leave me alone. Even if you're not with Black... nothing I can say is going to make me be taken seriously against the word of a noble... even if I knew what to say to make you take me seriously, it's not you I would be trusting with the story. Go tell Black I played along like an obedient little puppet. Go away and let this class be over already...”

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

"...Huh. I see," replied the constable in a deadpan voice, jotting down a few notes in his book rather hastily. His handwriting, or at least what Kurui saw of it, was barely legible, and the girl could only imagine that it wouldn't be much better even if she were to try and take a closer look. He tilted his head when the Water Major showed hesitation in explaining the entire story, but didn't push for it, simply shrugging and saying, "Fair enough. We have plenty of other witnesses, so don't make it so hard on yourself. If you don't feel the need to say anything else, then we won't push if you're not comfortable."

With that, he simply moved on from Kurui's desk and onto the next student. If she were to listen closely, she'd find that the man's questions were, for the most part, the same every time, and delivered in a most routine manner. It seemed like this was more of a job for him, and less of a passion. Black seemed confident enough to not even bother eyeing even those who were giving the most detailed answers. Even when the taller of the two guards appeared to be questioning him, he remained calm as per usual, giving an account like anyone in his position--minus the Syndicate connections--would.

Before long, the investigators had come and gone, with relatively little drama or strong outbursts from those involved. The atmosphere was certainly melancholy, but more of a subdued type of sadness than a strong one, at least when it came to the others. Perhaps some were holding out hope, as there were no official death reports yet. Kurui knew the truth; of course, most of them weren't dead, if only according to Black's plan, but the relative unreliability of the goblins had even kept that from being a sure deal in of itself. If a group with her and Reius, two of the more esteemed students in class, fared that poorly against the monster hordes, then the other less competent parties' fates were surely in question, though only the Water Major could even comprehend this possibility, at least of the students currently in the room.

And as if some unknown deity granted Kurui's wish, class was over, dismissed before she knew it, perhaps just an hour or so after the pair of Royal Constables had left. The students left quietly, gradually engaging in heartfelt, serious discussions in low volumes outside in the halls and common areas, and away from Black for the most part, not that any really exhibited serious suspicion towards him, outwardly at least. Rythe gave Kurui a knowing nod before taking her leave, no doubt heading towards the commons where they agreed to meet from earlier in the day. The ebon-haired professor turned his gaze upward to meet hers as his way of telling her to stay there, however, and when the others had largely cleared out, he would peek out into the hall to make sure that no one was terribly close by, then shut and lock the door.

"Over the desk," he commanded. Of course he wouldn't let Kurui remove it herself; being the control freak that he was, Black made it a point to have the girl slide her underwear down and retrieve the stone for her, though it did vibrate for a few seconds before he pulled it out all the way.

"As I said, you can keep your image in front of the class. I'll just have to... ease you into things of this nature, gradually. Just know that you could be in those mines, or even in a labyrinth far worse than most dungeons. To compensate for the rather... rough way I treated you the other day, I can certainly make up for it if you visit my manor tonight," he offered in a strangely enticing tone, which was rather eerie considering his usual demeanor. "Inner district, third gate from the left. I'm normally occupied on Red Day, but I feel that celebrating it with my newest pupil might be... appropriate, perhaps?" He smirked, placing both hands on her shoulder from behind as he spoke in her ear.

After cleaning her up a little bit down below with some salve and a cloth, he'd gently pull her panties back up. "Speaking of objects like these... I'll teach you a bit about advanced enchanting, amongst other things, tomorrow. You are dismissed for now."

If she had no further protests, he would send her off, unlocking the door and sliding it open for her, then returning to his desk afterwards. The trip to the commons would invariably take Kurui by several lockers, which were used as mailboxes of sorts. Lanie was at hers, digging through her uniform for something, probably a key, by which to open it. It looked as if she hadn't quite found it just yet. Not far from the Water Major were two girls exchanging gossip, trying their best not to constantly look up at the green-haired prodigy. She could catch a bit of what they were saying, although Lanie didn't seem to.

"There's Lanie again, probably checking on her popularity status," said the first, a short, purple-haired girl with squinty eyes.

"I seriously don't even understand why she gets all the boys either, outside of her grades and looks. But those are just surface reasons and all... pretty much the worst criteria for judging someone, you'd think," replied the second, who was almost half a foot taller, with glasses and wavy blue hair.

"I dunno. Boys are so stupid."

Oblivious to the gossip around her from the search through her own clothing, Lanie eventually found a small key, using it to unlock her mailbox. As soon as she did, the small metal door swung open, and a flood of letters poured out, some with boxed confections attached to them.

She looked down at the pile that had accumulated at her feet and sighed.
"...Boys are so stupid."

Kurui's own locker wasn't too far from here. She could check it before going to meet with Rythe, or bother with such things afterwards.

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

“Thank you, Sir.”
Kurui was relieved the questioning ended relatively easily and uneventful. It's not that she thought she had said anything wrong, but more of a fear that the longer the questioning went on the greater the chance of it happening would become. The Royal Constables were known to be somewhat incompetent sometimes, and whether these two were was some of the bad ones or just in Blacks pocket and not really trying anyway, they seemed to be no exception to the rule. There were a few investigators who took their jobs seriously and had pulled off amazing feats of justice that detective work... but Kurui knew a situation like this didn't warrant that close of a look. This was all just an unfortunate cave in... not some kind of “slasher” lurking the streets and killing people. “I hope you appreciate that lying I did for you just now, Black. Not that it probably would have mattered with these two.”

Once the Constables were gone, Kurui would give a small sigh of relief... although atmosphere in the room itself would stay just as bad. Looking out over the others, Kurui wondered for a moment if they had it worse than she did not knowing anything... or if she had it better knowing not all the others had died in the cave in... although between the goblins violent reactions and the soldiers who had seen her an Anisse as utterly disposable, how many were truly alive was still questionable even for her. “Don't think about it. Just get through class, it will be over soon...”
Class would end some time later, although Kurui would be staying a moment later longer than everyone else. She had caught Black's gaze and returned it with a small nod. Everyone else would leave uneventfully, and as Black took a look out the door to make sure they were alone, Kurui was glad Rythe hadn't stuck around to snoop. “Lets get this over quickly too...”
Kurui would find obeying his commands slightly... easier than before. Whether it was fear over the earlier shocking session, or just some form of “acceptance” she would obey his commands without any attempts at excuses or protests this time. Although she would grit her teeth and say nothing compliant either. “Enjoy it while you can... you're not going to get to me this time...”
Despite Kurui's determination to show no signs of anything, he DID get to her a moment later though, with his “invitation” for later this night. To this she also said nothing, but multiple emotions flashed across her face. “You... fucking... bastard! You're playing with me again! This is another fucking test! If I don't do it.... you'll have an excuse to be act angry again. But... I'm not humoring your fucking Red Day fantasies. This day isn't for you. This is a day about affection and love, not your fucking rape fantasies and the people you stole that chance from! I have no doubt about your “labyrinths” though, your basement probably has it's good share of torture stuff...”
Black would be finished with her soon enough having retrieved his “toy” after only a short bout of teasing her with it. It had not been enough to dull the flames of anger he had stoked though. She would speak only what she needed to say to keep herself safe, then leave, giving no answer to his invitation.
“If that's all for today, I'll be leaving you then. I did free up the time and make excuses to not look suspicious if you wanted me to stay another hour like you discussed, but if you have stuff to do that's fine too. I can't guarantee I'll be easy to get ahold of after I leave, I have appearances with other's to keep up as well and it doesn't look right if I spend all day back in my room. Rest assured, I'll be here the same time tomorrow though.”
Her voice had a cold tinge to it as she spoke, but it was matter-of-fact'ish rather than overtly showing anger.

Back in the halls, on the way back to her room to grab some things, Kurui would pass rows of lockers which included her own. Although the Academy provided everyone a room and the rooms wern't particularly cramped or anything, sometimes they would be a far way from certain classes and it helped to have closer storage for heavier books and stuff. Given this particular day of the year, they would be particularly crowded for Red Day, as it was easier for the boys to leave their notes of affection her than have monitors spend all day running stuff up to the girl's rooms for everyone. She would catch sight of Lanie and her mountain of notes, as well as a few other girls talking about it like it was some huge big deal, to which Kurui quickly became annoyed. To Kurui's surprise though, Lanie didn't seem to like the attention for once, and for just the briefest moment the Water Major felt bad for her, although she didn't say anything out loud.
“At least you're right about one thing Lanie, Boys ARE idiots. I might as well check my own stuff while I'm here though, although I'd probably have been better off being a fire major like you so I could just throw in one of those compressed fireballs and have it incinerate everything. I don't know anyone I care about enough to be excited over having gotten something from, but maybe I can at least see what other weirdo stalkers I have aside from Black... thats assuming HE didn't leave me something creepy himself.”
She would retrieve her key from a small pocket in her uniform, as she usually carried it around with her during class hours, and slowly open her locker, taking efforts to block the view inside. “Last thing I need is a crowd like Lanie... these people don't have any business seeing what I got...” this would only take a minute, she could run up to her room and meet Rythe in plenty of time still.

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

Black raised a brow at Kurui's answer to his invitation, or at least, the closest thing he would get to one. "Oh? Appearances, you say... heh. So you've a date of your own, then? Hmm... that's a shame. Perhaps we'll have the chance to enjoy each other's company another time. I suppose I can let you experience some of your 'happy little life', but do remember the reason why you are back here in the Academy to begin with. That would be me, and any freedom you have to go about campus as if you were any other student is solely a result of my own graciousness, and not from any actual leverage you might believe yourself to have. Maybe when you start to prove me wrong, I'll reconsider, but not until then." Though his expression was as stoic as ever, Kurui could tell from his sharp tone that he wasn't particularly pleased, not to mention the constant reminders of her position in the 'relationship'. However, he did dismiss her shortly afterwards.

Later, in the hall, Lanie looked from side to side to see if anyone had witnessed the avalanche of letters pour from her locker, then began working to pick them up. "Funny how I don't even... like, KNOW half of these guys," she mumbled to herself. Just as she had managed to collect half of the pile, a few boys passing by would greet her with a smile and a wave, which the prodigy begrudgingly responded to with a smile that Kurui could tell was obviously halfhearted. The Water Major's own mailbox wasn't too far from Lanie's, though when she opened it, there was, perhaps thankfully, no such flood. Instead, all she received was a modest note attached to a small box of confections. It read:

Spoiler

"To the prettiest girl in her class. I gave you these chocolates so that maybe you'll love me more and someday we can make lots of babies.

...Just kidding! Have a good Red Day. And thanks for being the best friend a Wind Major could ever ask for.

-Sienna"

After picking up the gift, Kurui would notice another letter beneath it, one that had no sweets or other bulky attachments, but was sealed very carefully with red wax. Inside, in rather neat handwriting, read:

Spoiler

"Kurui,

We've known each other for quite some time, I think, and I've admired you for much of that span. I know this sounds awful, but I figured today was a better time than any to tell you how I feel. I'd still like to admit my feelings face to face instead of entirely over a Red Day letter, though, so if you wouldn't mind, please meet me two hours after class ends, outside in the west courtyard, underneath the redblossom tree."

Other than that, the message was largely unmarked. From there, Kurui could do what she wanted with either of them, or go to meet Rythe.

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

Kurui grit her teeth a little at Blacks final words before she left, her voice let some anger slip through this time, but didn't think Black would mind, as her words would just re-affirm what his point was about their relative “positions”.
“Date? No... not planned anyway. I wouldn't want to bring the misfortune of your attention on anyone else I care about. I'm not a social butterfly like Lanie or Odetta, but it IS Red Day, I should at least look halfway interested and do something with my day before people start asking... questions. Leverage or not, like I wouldn't have used any I had my first hour back if I did have any, it's exactly because I'm NOT your equal or anywhere near it that I have to worry about these things... unlike you. I have no doubt about how “disposable” I am if I become a problem, as if feeling like I was going to die to those shocks a few hours ago didn't make that obvious to both of us.”
With that she would leave, thinking herself have treaded a fine line between begrudgingly stroking his ego and working out some of her own frustration. “On the plus side, he seemed to quick to drop the subject of his invitation earlier. Maybe he WON'T kill in a blind rage tomorrow if I don't show up. Surely there was some actual reason behind what I was saying, he's not stupid enough to ignore that.”

~~~~​

“Great... no huge flood of letters for me. I'm not sure if I should be happy I'm not an idiot magnet, or worried that I'm THIS standoff-ish. Oh well, at least I got SOMETHING, lets see who the loser stalker is this time. At least I didn't burn everything and waste the sweets...”
Kurui proceeded to open the first the first letter and read it. It was so bad she almost rolled her eyes reading it and wished she had an audience to show off just HOW bad it was... until she got to the “just kidding” part and saw the name at the bottom. This actually made her break a smile for what was probably the first time today.
“Wow... I almost feel bad that I didn't think to do something like this for you. Thanks Sienna, you always know to shatter my worst moods.... huh? What's this?”
She then caught sight of the second letter underneath it and would proceed to read it much in the same way.

“What in the-?”
The subject of the letter wasn't that odd in and of itself, not for Red Day anyway, but the strange lack of a name on it or any other marking, and the careful way it had been prepared seemed to indicate it was more than just the usual idiotic scrawled out flirting notes most of the girls would be getting today. It caught her off guard and even left her a little embarrassed.
“At least they want to meet me face to face... but... “We've known each other for quite some time”... That makes no sense. I don't talk to most people any more than I have to. The only ones to have known me for any real amount of time are Sienna and Rythe... but I it can't be either of them, right? That would just be weird. Maybe Ciley... but I've only talked to her like that one day there was the fight. There's always the chance it's Black just messing with me again, he would be a cheap bastard about it and not even include any sweets or anything, probably just wanting to see if I jump and take the bait... but this seems childish for him. There's Dinn and Reius... but there's no way they'd be back yet without me or Black or anyone else knowing, right? Teague or one of his goonies? They should know I hate them... it could be a trick, but it doesn't seem like them...”
She then realized she had already spent a few minutes pondering this.
“Forget it, it's probably some guy I talked to like one time who thinks that I means I'm hot for him or something. Why am I even worrying about this right now, I've got such bigger issues to worry about right now! …although maybe I WILL see who it is later.”

She would stuff away both letters, run back to her room to grab some gold, then head to meet Rythe.
“Wait... maybe I should bring this too. She's never going to believe me... but maybe it's still got traces of Void on it or something.” she made a last minute turn around, dug out her box with the stuff from the mine, and ripped another strip from her goblin blood-stained notes. This one had her writing on it, but it didn't matter, Rythe was the only one who would see this, there was no chance Black or anyone working with him would and she could just burn it if the need arose. “Ok, back to Rythe... I have no idea how I'm going to say any of this and it's probably dangerous to even be telling her... but if she suspects something anyway and goes digging on her own... Black isn't likely to be kind about it. She's in danger now anyway because the next class trip it could be her as one of the targets. I... HAVE to tell her... but lets guage some reactions and see what she knows first... If she thinks I'm crazy or can't keep it to herself... that could be very bad for both of us.”

INVENTORY

Spoiler

Aside from her uniform and the waist satchel and anything else to be expected for classes or the Academy...

-Gold x100
-Blood Stained Notes Strip x1
-Note from Sienna x1
-Note from ??? x1

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

Kurui would find the dorms predictably empty at this time of day, though the walk there was filled with various groups of both boys and girls, and more notably, numerous couples already walking hand in hand. It was no surprise, as it was Red Day after all, and many students had met up for dates and such. Even established couples often used the 'holiday' of sorts as an excuse to get together. However, it was still relatively early afternoon, and others were just getting out of class. All in all, it was a busy day for the students of the Academy, made more apparent whenever Kurui stepped out onto the campus' outdoors sections from both her classroom building and her own dorm. With the evidence in hand, she went back to the common areas, where she would find Rythe sitting at the large, center fountain. While most of the other people around her were couples, she was sitting alone, with a very serious look upon her face as her eyes scanned over the pages of a small, leather-bound book held in one hand. Only until Kurui arrived close enough to show up in the edges of her peripheral vision did she stop, close the bit of reading material she had, and greet the Water Major with a slight smile and a nod of acknowledgement. "Hey."

Putting her notes away into her bag, Rythe stood up, taking a moment to brush any dust from the backside of her skirt, and looked around. "People are starting their dates pretty early today, huh. Anyway, what's up? Hope you're alright. Was it just me, or did that whole investigation process go kinda... well, fast? Seems to me like those guys could care just a little more about what's going on here. But then again, the mine 'accident'... if you want to call it that, probably isn't the most exciting case to be assigned to, at least on the surface. If I were in their positions, I might just be bored out of my mind too." Some of the surrounding couples looked up at the two for a few seconds, only to return to what they were doing. The brunette noticed this and sighed, her mouth going crooked to hint just a tinge of frustration. "Talk about feeling out of place, huh? Anyway... how about we go somewhere else? Maybe try to find a place that ISN'T infested with slaves to romantic obligation day." Rythe's comment earned her some raised brows from those closest to her in proximity, but the Lightning Major didn't seem to care in the slightest.

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

“Sorry I'm a bit late, I was just doing a few things really quick and making a short trip to grab a few things first.”
Kurui would be relieved to find Rythe waiting for her when she arrived. It's not that she had any particular reason to think anything differently... but if there was a time for anything bad to happen, it was this week it seemed. Fortunately nothing HAD happened, and Rythe was there despite any delays on Kurui's end. It was... comforting. She was alone too, no Sienna to tag along, that would make this a lot easier. She didn't have as good a feel for Rythe's personality as Sienna's, but was still pretty sure Rythe would be easier to talk about for what was to come.

“Yeah... this whole thing today did seem a little.. odd. I mean what I know there's not a whole lot to investigate about tremors... but they didn't try very hard, did they? Perhaps this isn't the best place to talk about this though. You pretty much read my mind about getting out of here. Too many people... it suffocation and too hard to get any quiet or... privacy.” To this she gave a quick glance around, perhaps a little TOO paranoid of Black or anyone else who might be in his pocket watching them. She quickly switched back to a more upbeat tone though.
“Not that I don't agree with you about the whole “romantic obligation day”, but I have to admit I'm a little surprised you're not out with that boyfriend of yours. I mean it IS Red Day... even I managed to get a letter from someone... although they had to be all creepy stalker about it and ask me to meet them a few hours from now. No name or anything on the letter. I'm still not sure if I want to go see someone like that... but never mind, 2 hours is plenty of time for us to do something in the meantime so lets go. I was thinking we should try and find a nice quiet spot in one of those places in town that has the fancy tea from Honrai and stuff. That sounds pretty good right now. My treat, I stopped by my room on the way here and got some gold so I can pay.”

If there were no objections, Kurui would lead the lightning major towards the Academy's gate. As they started to get further away from people though, her tone started to change ever so slightly and become a bit more serious and hushed.
“Obviously Red Day wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about... this is going to seem like a really strange question... but did you happen to have that compass of yours that you got from the enchanter's shop with you when were on the mine trip?"
"There we go... a nice simple question to test the waters. Nothing TOO strange that's going to make her stop us or worry too much. No... it's better if we're farther away before I start saying things that could be... dangerous. She doesn't seem like the type to panic or run to the instructors, but it's best if we're somewhere where that can't happen right away or draw any of that sort of attention for any reason... not to mention it's probably better we NOT be 30 seconds away from the guy with a knife at my and Sienna's throats and maybe hers if he knew I told her too much... now let's just hope Black hasn't told the monitors to not let me leave or anything. It's not like I'm actually trying to get Sienna out of here or anything, nothing that would threaten his "blackmail" against me."

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

The Lightning Major idly brushed a tuft of hair back behind her ear as they walked, shrugging her shoulders a little when the topic of conversation moved to her significant other. "Well... we don't really choose any special days unlike the others. It's a little more of a spontaneous relationship, we just kinda meet up whenever. He's got some things to do today, so we won't be meeting up or anything maybe until uh, later tonight..." Her upper cheeks turned a shade of red, though she kept her gaze directed forward, towards the school gates. "A-Anyway... so you have a secret admirer, huh? Hmm... well, supposedly it isn't unheard of to get mystery letters like that. Personally, I'd prefer to at least get some kind of name or a good hint, but if that's how they want to play it, I guess no one's stopping them. Just be careful, okay? I mean, if you want, I can even come with you to make sure it's not a buncha goons or whatever."

The prospect of having someone pay for her was an offer that Rythe could hardly refuse, and the sparkle in her eyes told that much before she made the verbal part of her response. "Honrainese tea shop? Wow, and to think I'd have more than just one person taking me out for Red Day," she said with an amused look to her. "Well, I'm not exactly going to say 'no' if it's your treat, soo... let's go!" She seemed a bit more upbeat after this proposition, almost moving ahead of Kurui at some points. It seemed like the Water Major's choice had brightened Rythe's mood, at least for the time being. The pair made it out of the Academy gates with no argument from the monitors standing guard, nor even a nod or wave, as there were numerous other students heading out at this time.

A few blocks down and they reached their destination. Its main sign, made from intricately carved wood, was in a language Kurui couldn't quite understand, but a smaller banner hung beneath it read 'Silk Road Teahouse'; that was all she needed to see to know that this was definitely the place. Inside, the shop was about half full, though there didn't appear to be any other Academy students there, at least not yet. An elderly Honrainese lady hurried over to seat them, placing a tea menu in front of the girls followed by a polite bow. The translations seemed... rough, to say the least, but if nothing else, it was authentic.

After making her selection, Rythe's features turned more businesslike, especially when the compass was brought up. She reached into her bag and placed it on the table. Its needle spun for a short while before wavering in the Academy's general bearing. "Mhmm, I still have it. I even took a glance at it not long after the tremors started, when they were trying to get all of us out. Normally this thing has only activated near that one spot on campus... but I mean, it's not like I walk around the city staring at it. But in the mines, it definitely pointed towards one place for sure, and that was more or less in the direction of the branch that the cave-in occurred at. I'm thinking it had to be some kind of Void rift--could've been what caused the collapse in the first place. But yeah, I... I really hope everyone who's missing is okay. There's got to be some kind of unnatural business going on down there..."

Rythe received her order at the same time as Kurui, her own choice being a green leaf tea that smelled quite nice. "Mmm... so good." She showed a delighted expression for just a moment after having taken a long sip of the tea, though her look reverted quickly enough after it all went down. "I don't know... maybe I'm just paranoid, so stop me if you feel like I'm overreacting. But what do you think about the whole situation?"

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

“You're kind of lucky you two don't need any special reason to do anything.” Kurui would comment, catching Rythe's blush but not mentioning anything too embarrassing. “I'm kind of jealous... but oh well. Anyway, thanks for the offer to come with me later and see who wrote me this... but I'll probably go by myself if I decide to go at all. I'm not too worried about anything too bad happening in an open area like that and I'd rather not stress out whoever it is with an audience.”
“As if I'm afraid of anything random Academy goonies can do to me anyway... not after yesterday.”

Kurui was surprised to find that there would be nobody stopping her and Rythe as they left the Academy grounds. From a logic point of view, it did make sense though, despite her paranoia. Had Black not been lying about the Royal Constables being in his pocket, then it wasn't exactly like anything she told them would have made anything happen. There were others she could have told, but without any proof or any other witnesses, that would be a wasted effort too. While she had more evidence than Black probably suspected, a bloody piece of paper wasn't much.
“Don't worry about it, there's no reason for Black to try so hard when he has all the cards. Focus on one thing at a time.”
Kurui would be content to follow Rythe's sped up lead, a bit surprised by the Lightning Major's apparent enthusiasm for her suggestion. It was alright though, Rythe did know her way around the city better than she did. It reminded the water major a bit about herself with the enchanting shop a few days before.

They would arrive only a short time later, the place they had gone to not being all that far from the Academy grounds. There would be some people there, as there were anywhere for Red Day, but it wouldn't be many this early in the day. This wasn't exactly the most “romantic” place for Red Day couples to go out on dates or anything anyway. This was a clam place... one more frequented by older adults or quiet types. It was more “classy” and probably not the kind of place horny students would go to make out. All of this was good though, Kurui needed to stay calm right now.
Upon entering the pair would quickly be given a booth of sorts. The table off in a quiet corner of the large room and surrounded by dividers most of the way around except for a small door-size gap at the side where they could enter. It wasn't exactly soundproof or anything, but it would at least block anyone else from seeing them too easily. Kurui would place her order soon after and get a bitter green tea similar to Rythe's. She usually didn't have much of a taste for bitter things, but right now it was calming in a way... it would keep her focused. In the meantime, she would allow the brunette to answer her question about the compass, but wouldn't say anything herself until the orders arrived to avoid the risk of being interrupted.

“Well... I'm glad I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this thing is suspicious... or... maybe a bit more than “thinks”. At least now you won't think I'm crazy... hopefully.”
Kurui took a long sip of her own tea to help her focus, maybe not in a traditional Honrainese fashion, but it still had a manner of properness to it due to the manners she learned as a child in Veltria. While she took her sip, her eyes turned towards the compass... it was indeed pointing towards the Academy grounds... but she was also sitting directly in line between the two.
“That's quite the range on that thing. I don't remember it being that strong when you first bought it... I'm not saying it doesn't work... in fact I think it works really well. I don't think it's pointing at the Academy though... I think it's pointing at this.”
Kurui produced her strip of goblin blood-soaked note and put it on the table, slowly sliding it towards the compass to see if the needle followed it.
“Blood. From something that attacked my group in the mines... although just by looking at it you can tell it's not human or animal.” It was true, even though the blood had dried now, it still had an unnatural purple'ish-green'ish sheen to it as the light hit it at certain angles.
“There's a lot I didn't tell you or Sienna last night, and maybe you'll understand why in a moment...” she looked Rythe directly in the eyes with a deadly seriousness “But... you have to PROMISE me to not freak out and to keep it a secret. It's going to be something you wish you didn't know once you do. It's probably dangerous even... if that bothers you, we can just forget this ever happened. This is probably the last chance you have to change your mind if you have any doubts.”

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

When given the answer regarding her offer to accompany Kurui to meet her so-called 'secret admirer', Rythe took it in stride, shrugging. "Jealous? Of... me? Don't be silly, you're far prettier than I am. You could probably get almost any boy at this school, though I honestly wouldn't blame you if you had your sights set elsewhere, knowing most of these guys. But alright. I was just thinking that you seemed a little... well, worried about something earlier, and wasn't sure if it was that."

At the tea shop, she seemed to be more than understanding of Kurui's worries, even highlighting similar suspicions. "I'll admit I am a little cautious and all, but I just find it hard to believe that this was just an accident when the compass was acting up the way it did, and well, didn't you mention thinking you saw some things? That, plus the lame investigation... I don't know. If you're crazy, then I am too, because something just -feels- wrong here. Anyway..." Rythe took another prolonged sip of her hot drink before continuing. "Yeah, well, I haven't exactly been brave enough to really check where on campus it seems to be pointing to. I kinda just picked it up out of morbid curiosity, not so much actually WANTING to see anything Voidic, but--"

She stopped almost instantly when Kurui produced the strange note, her eyes widening at the bloodspot upon it. "Wait... what is that? That's not your blood, is it?!" Rythe dipped her head forward to take a closer look, and upon seeing its strange coloration, crinkled her brow as her classmate continued to explain the key details surrounding its origin. "So what in the world attacked you guys?!" Her question was almost loud enough to be regular conversational volume, but the Lightning Major immediately corrected herself, bringing her following words to a near whisper after taking a quick look around to make sure she hadn't caused any heads to turn. "Oops, sorry... uh, so what was it?"

At first, the needle did nothing, merely pointing in the direction of the Academy. But when Kurui brought the bloodied piece of evidence closer, right next to the compass itself, the pointer finally began to move, slowly... and finally, it settled, aiming directly at the strangely colored stain.

Rythe mirrored Kurui's serious look, nodding quietly. She looked left and right, biting her lower lip, in deep thought for a few seconds. There was some obvious hesitation in her expression, but finally, the brunette nodded twice. "Okay. It's a little scary hearing that from you, 'cause I know you don't really joke about these things... but this sounds too serious. If this is something that's so bad you can't even tell Sienna, well, I'm even kinda flattered that you'd even consider telling me about it, even though I don't think you should keep it from her, personally. So, is this something that's just between you and me then?"

Her eyes moved back towards the note. "Hmm... I'd like to think I'm pretty good with secrets, for the most part, so... okay. I promise." If nothing else, she at least seemed ready, regardless of whether or not she truly was. After all, Rythe had always been cool-headed for the most part, even in organizing impromptu battle commands against a delinquent group. In her mind, the possible weight likely didn't even register, not to mention the strength of her curiosity was far too much to let her sit this one out. Nodding for Kurui to continue, Rythe waited for her response.

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

“I was hoping you'd say that. This is something you really should know.... but I just felt like I needed to warn you first.” Kurui let out a small relieved sigh at Rythe's willingness to hear the story and seemingly open mind to it. “But yeah, for now this is just between you and me. I'm telling you because you wont think I'm crazy... and because it might be more dangerous for you to not know what's going on because next time it could be you... Sienna though... no, she wouldn't handle this well. It's safer if she doesn't know. I kind of owe you anyway, that lightning spell you put in the ore for me might have saved my life.”

Kurui took another drink from her tea, obviously struggling with how to say what was coming next.
"Ok... don't get nervous, just repeat it like you're telling a story."
She took a second to clear her throat, then started talking, keeping her voice somewhat lowered and remarkably calm.
“Well... this whole trip felt off from the start even before we left with how it made no sense and everything, but we both know that so I guess I'll guess start there right after we left instead...”
Kurui then proceeded to go over all the events that had happened since the class left the Academy grounds. Even mundane events like the short delay from coach problems on the way she didn't skip, as they helped her stay focused and unemotional. She would cover the ride over there, her observations about her own group and outside of the mine, everyone getting their crystals including how Dinn helped her... the story was actually quite boring for awhile. But then part about the first attacks came. The way everyone fought, the way Reius got pick-ax'ed in the back but they ultimately won, they way the found out they were sealed in, the parts where they met with Julius and Octavian and how her being too afraid of the caves kept them from walking into a trap, but then how it ultimately didn't matter when they two improvised later on, the part where Dinn got stabbed and her and Anisse got grabbed and possibly almost killed, how the lightning enchanted ore saved them but she got drug off anyway...
It wasn't until she started explaining the things she found out about Black that her voice started to waver. The things she heard from Julius and Octavian.... and then later how she hit her limit and got captured later, along with the true origins of how she had hurt her wrists, only to wake up later and have Black confirm everything she heard and reveal the true purpose of the trip.
“This is kind of why I thought you should really know... you got lucky this time... but Black doesn't care about us, next time he could be setting you up for something like this... who even knows what people he has in his pocket, obviously the entire mine and those two investigators from this morning...”
She continued on to what had happened to her while Black was there. Of this she changed her style and avoided explicit detail. She would explain the torturous things he could do with lightning magic, and his explicit threats against Sienna and the options he offered her. However of their “sexual” encounter she would say little, except to imply that Black was demented in more ways than just the mine plan.
“Black gave me two choices... since I'm here right now... it's an obvious guess which one I chose. I couldn't refuse... or else I might as well be killing myself and Sienna. This is why she CAN'T know! You probably hate me for putting her in this kind of danger, but forget about me, if you're her friend you'll keep this secret just for her sake! It wasn't on purpose... I just don't know what to do anymore...”

Kurui was done speaking now, and only waited to see Rythe's reactions. Kurui was in no position to ask the lightning major for advice if she didn't even believe this story... or worse had a hostile reaction over having not been told sooner or the fact that Sienna had been dragged into all of it because of her.

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

Rythe would have looked a little more pleased with the fact that her spell did help, if it weren't for the implication that she could be next. While she initially gave the one sitting across from her a worried look at this, her expression eventually flattened in preparation for what was to be a long story, to say the least.

As Kurui went over her recollections of the events, the brunette reacted as expected, first repeatedly nodding through the parts she mostly knew, as well as the less exciting details of the trip. She was listening casually enough, without appearing too impatient so as to push the Water Major towards the more relevant details. Her expression did change, however, as the darker details of the journey were disclosed, one after another, and by the time the other girl was done, Rythe had a look of genuine concern... not only that, but the fear, anguish, and everything else associated with the tale in of itself. "Sorry, t-this... is gonna take a while to sink in. I-I mean..."

Her voice wavering, she finished the rest of her tea, then continued hesitantly. "I knew something was off, but that is just... it's a lot to stomach, Kurui. Not that I don't believe you or anything, but I really thought we lived in the last place to get involved in all of that kind of stuff. I almost kind of wish that I didn't know all of this, but like I said, with all of the things that I thought were warning signs, I don't really have any reason to doubt you. And yet, it's just so... surreal, you know?" She placed a hand over her head, swallowing, and remained speechless for a few seconds before looking back up to hear the rest of the story, particularly the implications regarding their teacher, Mr. Black.

After taking another deep breath, she shook her head, looking up at the one across from her, and said in a low voice. "If I ever wished that my suspicions, or your claims, were ever wrong, it would be now. But it all makes too much sense to be false. I mean, I'm not mad at you or anything, but geez. You're crazier than you look, you know that? To think that you're doing this all for Sienna... I mean, I love her to death and all, but... that whole deal with Black and everything... that's just too much. For a guy like that to be training you like this, or whatever, is... ugh. If he's really a Syndicate member, then there isn't a safe place on campus, for Sienna or either of us. We have to take this to one of the knightly orders, or at least someone who's trustworthy, since obviously the Royal Constables aren't going to do a damn thing. And as much as I wanna tell Sienna, I'm not an idiot. Your secret's safe with me, but I'm not going to sleep so easy tonight, now that I know. I'll uh... I mean, we'll think of something." She placed a hand on Kurui's arm, in an attempt to comfort her, but the Water Major could tell by the slight tremors in her touch that Rythe was just as nervous as she was.

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

“Thanks Rythe. I know this is a lot for me to have sprung on you like this after only a few days of knowing you... ever since you've met me I've seem to have been a bad luck magnet, huh? Between the whole thing where we got attacked with Ciley, to somehow making our new teacher some kind of inhuman monster pretending to be one of us... I'm really glad you haven't decided to hate me yet though.”
At this Kurui's eyes watered a little and she wiped away a tear with a small sniff.
“I'm OK... I told myself I wasn't going to cry anymore, I've spent too much time doing that doing that the last 2 days. It's not going to fix anything. I have to do something else... I just don't know what. I was so desperately hoping Colt and the others would have made it out and told someone... that this morning instead of those two Constable puppets it would be someone else, there to drag Black out in chains or something. Pretty stupid to think my luck would have been that good after everything else to happen, huh?
I've thought about telling one of the knightly orders... and even the Royal Guard themselves because there's no way even a noble like Black could have THEM in his pocket... but the Guard is only concerned with stuff that affecting the Royal Family, you'd have to kidnap the princess or something to get their attention. The knightly orders too, I'm not a noble... someone like me doesn't just make accusations against a noble and expect to be believed. They would think I was crazy or pulling a prank on them or something. Even if they heard me out, they can't do anything just because of a bloody piece of paper. That in itself doesn't prove Black did anything, and while the Royal Guard might have the Royal Families permission to check out anything suspicious on a whim, the knightly orders aren't going can't just go looking around his stuff. They would ask his permission first, and by the time he gave it anything that would have helped me would be gone and he would know I said something. I only have ONE shot at this and if something goes wrong I might as well be dead. Me and Sienna both.... you too if he thought I had told you anything.”

Kurui tilter her head back and gave a long sigh, as if she just wanted to fall asleep and ignore the whole thing until it went away. Eventually she brought herself back to the topic though.
“My original plan was to just let Black teach me what he knew and then someday take care of him myself... I was so stupid.
He's so far ahead of me it will take years, decades even. He can do things with magic I didn't even ever stop to think about. I don't think I'd live that long. For as collected as Black looks, he has serious anger problems. Before class I had hit one of his buttons and the shocks he gave me felt like they were going to kill me. I was only able to make it through class today because he gave me a Panacea afterwards. I think I'm scared of your element for life now, Rythe. The creepy bastard even invited me over for “Red Day” tonight, I'm afraid if I go he'll do something to scar me for life even worse than am I am already, if I don't tomorrow morning's lesson might end with me in the infirmary with lightning burns and paralysis.
I'm stuck... Hoping for the others to escape the mines is a prayer at best... but I can't do anything on my own, and telling anyone is a risk as to whether or not they'll believe me with the questionable evidence and zero witnesses I have. A risk that could blow up in my face. I don't know ANYONE I could trust. Maybe Lord Vernan if I could get back to Veltria and talk to him in person, but Black isn't going to just let me disappear for a few days to make the trip back. I don't exactly know anyone else in the city here... I suppose it's stupid of me to ask if YOU do?

I'm safe for the moment at least... there's still time to think of something. Don't do anything stupid for my sake though. You'll drive yourself crazy worrying about it if you try too hard. Heh, less than an hour ago we were talking about whatever weirdo stalker might have left me a Red Day note. It sounds stupid, by I've been kind of trying to act normal so the stress goes away and maybe a good idea comes my way. I'm not ignoring it, I promise, but I can't rush this either. Good things come to those who wait... hopefully.
Anyway, lets get out of here, there's one more place I wana go before I see who this stalker is and decide if I wana take my chances with Black tonight. That ore chunk I got from the enchanting shop DID probably save my life, it feels wrong to not at least pay the full price for it now. Who knows... maybe something else will give me some ideas on how to get something more convincing to corner Black with. Go ahead and keep that paper in case something happens to me, be careful with it though, it has my writing on it, Black absolutely can't find it.”

The conversation, or at least the parts of it worth keeping secret, were mostly done now. Kurui quickly finished what was left of her tea and paid before ushering Rythe out of the teahouse, double checking to make sure nobody had been following them or close enough to overhear along the way. Rythe seemed informed enough to speak in “code” now if she had anything else to say after they left. Within minutes they were back on their way to the Enchanter's Shop, probably the last stop of the day before heading back to the Academy.
"I have to do that more often, that bitter stuff is actually kind of good..."

INVENTORY

Spoiler

Aside from her uniform and the waist satchel and anything else to be expected for classes or the Academy...
-Gold x92
-Note from Sienna x1
-Note from ??? x1

*Lost Blood Stained Notes Strip x1 (given to Rythe)
*Lost x8 Gold (spent on Tea)

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

Rythe giggled a little bit at the comment about her newest friend being a bad luck magnet, but she shook her head afterwards. "Hehe, okay, it HAS been a pretty crazy week, but I never thought to pin any of the blame on you! Honestly though, if you WANT to take credit for all of that, better you than me," she joked, until seeing the tears that had formed up in Kurui's eyes. "H-Hey..." She gave the Water Major's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Aw, don't do that on me now, or I'm gonna start too. It's not like any of that was your fault. Honestly, all of this scares the crap out of me too, but blaming you for it would just be stupid. Not to mention I'm pretty sure it wouldn't get either of us anywhere." She offered a reassuring look to the girl sitting across from her. The Lightning Major, while not always quite as positive as Sienna, was being almost uncharacteristically comforting, though in a way, both of them knew that she had to.

The brunette finally withdrew her hand, exhaling sharply. "I really hope that the other groups managed to stay okay, too. Ugh, to think how far you guys made it... I'd never have thought a party with both you and Reius would have that much trouble, but if all creatures from--" She paused to take another look around, ensuring that no one else was listening. "...from the Void are that bad, then I don't ever want to run into one."

"Hum... I guess you're right about the Guard and the Orders. I'm still struggling to digest this whole thing, so forgive me for being a little weird about it, but I'm just trying to stay calm somehow. I mean, there's gotta be a solution for this, right? Black is... I mean, he's just got too much leverage. I'd probably have to deal with a hundred delinquents than him, at least they don't have the political immunity that he has. Ugh. So yeah, it might take a little while, but, I'll come up with something. Maybe he..." Rythe stopped herself for a few seconds before moving on, then shook her head. "Sorry. I try to think of solutions a lot when I'm stressed. It helps me relax, I guess."

After hearing the portion about Kurui's original plan and the situation with Black, Rythe bit her lower lip, clearly unnerved by these revelations "That's definitely more than I woulda done," admitted Rythe. "I never thought you to be that... well, gutsy. I'd probably keep thinking of ways to run away or... yeah. Not that we aren't now, and I don't blame you. But that's, wow. I mean, I know most professors are pretty competent mages, but you're no slouch yourself when it comes to casting. For you to say something like that is pretty... wow. Anyway, at least he gave you that much, as those aren't cheap." She even looked a little guilty when her element was mentioned. "I'm sorry... yeah, it's uh... the Lightning element can be really painful if used in the wrong ways. And it sounds like that's exactly what he's doing. That really pisses me off, for some reason. We definitely gotta find a way to get you out of this weird contract, but just... promise me you won't do too much to piss him off, alright?"

Unfortunately, the next detail of Kurui's story presented a most interesting dilemma between the choices of 'staying safe' and 'pissing off Black'. "Wait... he's inviting you over for Red Day?" She grimaced. "That just -sounds- suspect. He's not uh, using you for sex or anything, is he? Kurui, this is..." The brunette took a deep sigh, cupping her forehead as if nursing a headache, pondering, as was her instinct when particularly troubled. "But he does sound pretty volatile... oooh, by Erion, this is so... rrrgh! Just... just promise me, you'll be safe, okay?" Genuine worry showed up in the girl's features. Here she had just made a new friend, and the thought of losing even that was already plaguing her.

"Lord Vernan... I honestly don't know my way around Veltria at all. Is there anyone I could stay with? Would he grant an audience with me? No, nevermind. Uh... I can do it. Maybe the day after, if you can wait that long. And don't worry, I won't do anything too stupid... I mean, I was gonna tell you the same thing. Ehehe..." Her expression changed slightly as she realized the potential hazards of what she just said. "A-Anyway... okay." Reaching forward, Rythe carefully picked up the piece of bloodied paper before retrieving a small book from her bag and inserting the piece of evidence between its pages. Afterwards, she shoved it back into her pack and nodded. "Alright... let's go. Just... promise me you'll be safe, above all else. I mean it, okay? I know I already said that probably three times now, but... just saying," she whipered, before standing up and getting ready to leave. "Thanks for the tea though, that was really good."

When they reached the enchanter's shop, the same man from before was waiting at the counter, prepared to greet the two girls as they entered. He brushed a few stray, curly ebon locks from his tanned face with a grin upon seeing them. "Ah, hello, Academy students! I see you are back! So, interested in a few other items? I hope the ones you selected last time were to your liking."

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

“Suspect... yeah. If it happens, it happens though. It's not like it will be my choice. I'm not hoping it will, but at least sex won't kill me if it does, I can't say the same for more of the lightning. Besides, it can't be that bad, Sienna thought he was actually kind of hot...” Kurui tried to pass the comment off as a joke to avoid Rythe's question, but couldn't bring herself to laugh at it.
“Yeah... OK... bad thing for me to say. I don't have a lot of control here, but I can at least promise you I'll do everything I can to stay safe. It would be easier if I died, and I spent a lot of time thinking about it when I was trapped in the mines... but I also realized I'm way too scared of getting hurt to ever mean it. I was even freaking out just from seeing Reius bleeding. I know every second I'm breathing I'm keeping a knife near Sienna's throat and every fiber of my being hates Black for it, but I'm not about to run off and try to get myself killed in some big “noble” sacrifice or anything... that only ever works in books and I'm still together enough to remember THAT much at least...
Although eventually I'm going to have to try SOMETHING...”

Kurui felt a little weird opening up to Rythe so much, even though she had dodged giving a direct answer to her question. This kind of openness was something she might have done with Sienna, but with Rythe it felt... too soon or something. It didn't matter though, it had just happened whether she meant it to or not. “It's OK... she doesn't hate me. She even seems to care about me... It would probably be worse if I DID keep myself all walled off.”
Kurui gave a small cough, a small subconscious “technique” she used to facilitate tone changes in her speaking, and went on to address things she COULD give a serious answer to.

“I never thought about sending someone else to Veltria. I always imagined my best bet there would to go myself, if it were as simple as just telling Lord Vernan, I would have written a letter or something. Even though he pretty much rules a whole province and “outranks” Black in that regard, it's still hard for a noble to bring a serious accusation against one of their own. I don't have the proof to make it an easy job for him right now... if I were there myself... in person, I might be able to eventually wear him down and convince him... I think he has a soft spot of sorts for me.
I don't mean that in a creepy way or anything though. He's an old guy without much family left. His wife died in child birth... he had a son that was a commander in the Elynsor army back before I was born... but he got captured by rebels back in Rydale, back then Elynsor didn't really have much of a “hold” on the area, and he was never heard from again.
Anyway, in Veltria, the retainers closest to the nobles live on the manor grounds and aren't supposed to have children because there aren't supposed to be a bunch of kids running around the manor and stuff... but I think when I was born, Vernan was still feeling his own loss and too happy for my parents to assign them anywhere else. When I was little, I was actually allowed around most of the places on the grounds as long as I behaved. I spent a lot of time in the manor's library and thats where I first started to pick up magic. Vernan was never actually “affectionate” or anything... but I think he liked having me around if only to feel like there was some life around besides the boring adults. There were other things too... one time as a child I caught Crimson-Grip Fever, it's nasty to the point of being completely debilitating, the fever is so bad you feel like you're dreaming and seeing things that aren't there, but normally its survivable unless you're really young or really old. Even then it's not common to die from it, but he still sent for one of the church healers from here in the capitol city to look after me and paid for their visit and everything...

*sigh* Aaaaaanyway, memories aren't going to help us right now. If you did go to Veltria, it's pretty easy to find where Vernan lives. Most of the province is mining and empty land, I swear 80% of the population lives clustered in one area... my parents have their own small place on the manor grounds, but pretty much anyone there would probably give you a place to stay. Magic is kind of a big deal there and there's aren't really any “families” of skilled mages like here or in Aelwyck where Sienna is from, so it would big a big honor and everything to anyone there to help someone from the RMA.
If you did leave, it would probably be best to wait until the weekend when Black won't notice you gone from his class the next day... but I don't know who he has watching us... it's still a risk. I couldn't ask you to go and try and get a favor from a noble on my behalf anyway, we've still got the problem of not having proof of anything. Unless you're a secretly a noble and not telling me, asking a noble to give you his time and accuse another noble of serious crimes for no other reason than that you know me, when I didn't even come myself and my only relation is being from a family to serve as his retainers, is completely unheard of... not to mention it's a coin flip's chance any other important people there might just accuse you of wasting his time or even lying for the purpose of some kind of treason. I won't risk gossip starting and Black finding out about this over something with the odds of a coin flip. No... we need a better plan... or more to work with.”

~~~~~​

The pair would arrive at the enchanter's shop some time later. Kurui was actually kind of happy to see it was the person running the counter as the last time they were there, and that he remembered them. This would make paying for the ore earlier less awkward... but also it would mean she would mean she would have an easier time asking him questions, after all, he seemed to be the type to appreciate a paying customer. Especially one who was happy as she was with her last purchase from him. She had been hoping to see something that would give her ideas... but one was forming on the edges of her mind already...

“Yes, very happy actually. I don't know if you heard about the Academy's recent mine trip going badly, but the spell I was able to store on that chunk of ore you sold me last time actually ended up saving my life.” Of this she was sure not to go into details of how, but she figured it was plausible enough for him to assume she had an earth spell to have blocked a falling rock or something. “After all that, it's only fair I pay you what it was originally worth.”
She put down the 20 coins she has managed to haggle her way into saving last time, despite an objections the shopkeeper or Rythe might have.
“I was actually hoping you could help me again-” she continued on, her eyes wandering over various trinkets and stuff in the shop and her voice slowing a little in the fascination that hadn't dulled since last time. If the shopkeeper didn't use this chance to show her anything new though she would get herself back on her original train of thought though. “-you know what memory crystals are, right? I was kind of hoping you had ones that could record sound too. The smaller the better. I know it's kind of a weird request and rare-ish item, but I'm willing to pay for it. You see...umm, we're not supposed to have things like this in class, but if I could hide it and use it to record lectures... I ask for a memory-crystal type thing specifically since those are reliable and you can only record and erase those... nobody could say I was lying if I get something wrong on a test that they TOLD me was right and I play it back to them.” she glanced at Rythe for a quick moment, seeing if she would catch on to what she was actually thinking.
“Come on... have what I'm looking for. Lets at least have the first part of this go alright. This will be good business for you if you do, as I'll have another request after this. I know you hate me, Fate, but lets have my luck be good again, please.”


INVENTORY

Spoiler

Aside from her uniform and the waist satchel and anything else to be expected for classes or the Academy...
-Gold x72
-Note from Sienna x1
-Note from ??? x1

*Lost x20 Gold

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

Despite being the one to have brought up the implication of intimate relations with Black, Kurui's response, however joking it sounded, didn't seem to comfort Rythe any. "Oh right, she has the hots for him, huh. Yeah, uh, that almost makes me WANT to tell her... just so she doesn't try anything stupid. Not that she would, but I mean, it IS Sienna, eheh... hmm." Her mouth went crooked as the Water Major went on. "I wouldn't get that far ahead though, I mean there still... there just has to be something we can do about this. Without anyone... dying, or whatever. Sorry, it's just heavy enough for me right now as is, I guess. We've already had enough people disappear just the other day, and after finding out that they might not be coming back, I just... I don't know. I'm just trying my best not to accept that as a possibility."

For the most part, she stayed quiet during Kurui's recollection of her time in Veltria and her relationship with its lord, Vernan, waiting until after she was finished to make a comment. "Wow, I didn't know you had such a history with the ruler of the fiefdom himself. I have to admit, that's pretty interesting. If I went, I'd probably get lost there, but I mean, if I could have gotten a map or something, I figure it wouldn't be too bad since it's not like... well, Rydale. Plus, I've been to Aelwyck and it was a pretty nice place. So, magic is a big deal over there, huh? At least that's pretty encouraging. Think it's the kinda place I could make a lotta cash for doing a few cantrips? Ehehe... just kidding." She gave an apologetic look afterwards for what she might guess to be a joke made in poor taste, though given Rythe's record with money before, Kurui could guess that only half of the statement was likely made in jest.

She straightened her expression afterwards. "But yeah, on a more serious note, it might be a wasted trip if he seriously couldn't do anything about you-know-who. Maybe if we get some real solid evidence, then it could work. I still say we find something crucial enough to bring to one of the knightly organizations, 'cause I heard that they've been cracking down on a lot of supposedly corrupt noble houses as of late. Especially the Order of St. Lisle, they just don't seem to care who are you are... so that at least gives me a little faith that someone is willing to take him down. It's just a matter of giving them proper reason to, legally and all that." Rythe seemed more determined when talking about them, even a little excited. While the situation in itself was most distressing, she did seem like the type to get off on solving puzzles, or rather, cases.

~~~~~​

At the enchanter's shop, the clerk looked quite surprised to see the returning Academy student place the 20 gold on the counter. Rythe looked as if she wanted to say something, as did the man himself, but after enough insistence on Kurui's part, he would take it somewhat reluctantly. "Well, either way, I am glad to hear that our products could assist you in so crucial a manner! If I may be so bold as to push such a claim, I would even go so far as to say that any of our enchanted items could save a life or two, especially if employed properly." He was just about to go on, though the man could see the questions already forming in Kurui's expression, and sensing this, allowed her to go on with her initial inquiry. After hearing her out, he would then look as if pondering for a while. "Hmm... I see... memory crystals, yes... mmm."

Suddenly, his face seemed to light up with the brightness of a new idea. "Why, you are in luck! I'm surprised you didn't pick this up from the last time you visited." He produced a small fountain pen from underneath the counter. It seemed... fancy, even a little expensive, gaudily so, but functional. "This pen will record up to an hour of any sound. We keep these in stock fairly well, for some of the more... clever Academy students who have other things to do during their lectures. And by record, I mean that it will replay it, exactly as it was heard. Truly, I am quite surprised that neither of you went for it before! But it's never too late, not for this item anyway. 50 gold. But since the you seem to be such a loyal, honest customer, I will lower it to 40, just for you."

The salesman grinned widely, trying his best to gauge the girls' expressions before moving on. "If it is not to your satisfaction, however, ah... I can process items of similar function to this, of almost any size. Maybe of half this pen, I'd say. But that would take about a whole day to process. If you'd want a memory crystal that records both images and sound, it would take three days to complete, likely costing you about... oh, let's say 90 gold. Otherwise, it sounds like this pen is just what you need! Fits right in your pocket, as well. Just twist this end here clockwise in order to start recording, and twist it back to stop. Then, push the top in to replay what it has recorded." He pantomimed the motions necessary for making the object work, occasionally making eye contact to ensure that the girls were following his explanation.

"...And, just like that. Well, either way, it is really up to you. Memory crystals themselves run between 50 and 100 gold, depending on the length and quality of the scenes they can contain."

 

[Kat]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

“Sorry, didn't mean to go on that little tangent.” Kurui answered in regards to her trip down memory lane over Vernan and Veltria. “I probably made it sound a lot more special than it really is. I mean... I'm not ungrateful or anything, but if I made it sound like I was practically an adopted daughter to Lord Vernan or something, I'm sorry to say I'm not THAT lucky. As awesome as it would be to be able to ask for whatever I wanted from him or maybe be given a title that would make me important, I don't think thats likely to happen any time soon. After all... my family was just the glorified help around the manor and never really did anything special. I still had to disappear when other “important” guests were around or defer myself to them, learn etiquette even though I was just a child, and accept that my family was lucky to have what they had and I would never have a whole library full of books or anything... that I was just *borrowing* them from his library, ect.
Lord Vernan was never condescending or strict anything, he was less so than my own parents actually on that second one, but I was always very much aware that it would be improper for me to ask for anything that wasn't a gift... or for me to... forget my blood.”
At the end of her sentence she felt a twinge of spite, for a moment her mind considered that Black might be right about the nobles not being so special... that they were just ordinary people. Part of her brain already knew this... but another part was resistant. “No, Black... they're not all like you. A lot of them have done great things... for the good of everyone.” Part of her mind wanted to hold onto the spite, but it lasted only a moment before burning out.
“I suppose I'm lucky in that he always treated us pretty fairly though, and appreciated my family and anyone else for the work they did for him. I should be grateful for that, as I'm aware he never had to do any of it and my family was still pretty comfortable. Besides a noble like you-know-who wouldn't have been like that if he ruled the province.”

There was a bit more talk about Veltria in general, how traveling merchants made quite a bit of money of small enchanted things and how magic was impressive to the people... although there wasn't much practical use for it unless someone was an Earth mage and thought it fun to burn themselves out helping with the mining. Then eventually the topic of the conversation turned back to people who could help with Kurui's troubles.
“The Order of St. Lisle? It seems weird such a big important organization with their kind of history would be spending time on people like us... then again thats the one Emilia joined awhile back and she wasn't any kind of noble or military leader or heiress to the traditions of one of the Great Schools or anything. If there are more people like her in the Order then maybe it makes sense. The fact that they're specifically known for going after corrupt nobles as of recently makes me wonder if they're all the heroic beacons they claim to be though, or if they're just going after something that makes a good story. A few of them might just be “playing” hero for all we know. I'm not saying they don't do good anyway, but when I was a child and had to go to church every week with my parents, it was some of the preachers who spoke with the most fire and conviction who turned out to be the biggest hypocrites and hit the taverns to get drunk as soon as the sermons were over...
Sorry, thats unfair of me. I guess after all this with you-know-who, I'm just a little suspicious of anyone right now.”
Kurui would drop the conversation there until they got to the enchanters shop a moment later.

~~~~​

“Three days to make a memory crystal that does both, huh?” Kurui would think it over a moment. This wasn't what she was hoping for.
“3 days is too long to do nothing. Too long to leave the others back in the mine. I knew my idea was too complicated. But there's good news too. If these recorder pens are a common thing, it means there will be others to compare them to, I'll be able to say it's not just some weird one-off item with mysterious origins that could have been faked. Although if they do just sound... that can be faked even if the enchantment isn't. With Black's distinctive voice it would be unlikely I would know anyone who could copy it, and anyone I showed a recording to would probably guess the same... but damnit, I only get one shot at this. This is EXACTLY why I wanted a crystal that could do both.”
Kurui appeared to be deep in thought, but was still keepingt rack of anything the shopkeeper said to her. Small details could be important here.
“My original plan was to get that other Siffulum crystal cut into a focus shape and put into a base I could sew onto my glove so I could tell Black it was practice for when I decided to start using my Falenium one... but I was going to have the back of it hollowed out so I could slip a memory crystal inside. The Siffulum was transparent enough that it would have been able to “see” out and still hear things, while only looking like an impurity at a quick glance. That would have covered BOTH my needs...
But...
Maybe I can still make this work with what he's offering. Maybe I can use one of the things here to prove the other isn't fake. If I have a visual of me buying this recording pen... a visual of me going into Black's class with it... something that can prove where I was and when... then that makes anything I can record more reliable. The pen itself is a brilliant disguise for the item and not likely to be found. While a memory crystal for visuals is harder to hide and I'd have to "aim" it, I don't have to record Black himself, just where I was before starting up the pen.”
Kurui's expression of thoughtfulness changed, having finally come up with a plan that seemed feasible. While not as good as her original idea, this one had the luxury of not needing a wait, she would have everything she needed before tomorrow's class... maybe even by later tonight if she chose to take Black up on his offer... although she wondered if he would be as open as he was in their early “lessons”.

“Alright. Just tell me I can wipe these things with a magic pulse to re-use them a few times and that they don't make any sound or anything that's going to give me away when the recording runs out, then you've got yourself a deal. This is turning into an expensive project, but since you've lowered the price for me, I'd also like a memory crystal if I can get one for 30 gold. Just one of the regular ones that only do images should be fine, I also don't care if it's small or not, since I'll have the pen for more “sneaky” things. I... um... just want it so I can record myself flipping through some pages of notes or something... call it a backup copy if something happens to the parchment. As long as it's reliable, one that does even just half an hour will be good enough if I can control when it's “on” and “off” and not have to use all it's time at once.”
While Kurui wasn't much of a haggler, and doing so seemed kind of wrong after her last purchase saved her life, she did need BOTH these items and hoped she could get them with the 72 gold she had left. If not, she would be asking Rythe to lend her some just until they got back to the Academy, but held off on mentioning that, as even she knew bringing it up might make the shopkeeper aware he would have more room to “negotiate” with.
“Well Rythe, once we get everything we need and I tell you what I'm thinking, I hope you'll be willing to help me again. I know it's dangerous to be involved in any of this... but I can't very well record where I am AND keep the crystal on me afterwards. I'm safe'ish with the disguised pen, but not this... and Black is a lot more likely to find it on me than you, considering his habits...”

 

[Takimaru]

Re: Elynsor's Royal Magic Academy (Kat) GMed by Takimaru

The shopkeeper nodded, smiling. "Yes, three days. Any less and I cannot guarantee its quality." He stood there, awaiting the Water Major's response as she appeared to go into deep thought, though he didn't do so in a way that added unnecessary pressure, at least not in the way that many other shop owners did on the strip. When she finally put her carefully-selected thoughts into words, he was quick to respond. "No, the pen doesn't make any noise; it was originally designed to be discreet, after all. Yes, they are viable for re-use, but the more you do it, the less viable the magical... memory becomes, though that is characteristic of such items no matter where you go. As for a 30 gold memory crystal... mm, not a problem!"

Upon hearing her explanation as to the intended purpose of her need for such things, the man gave her a sly grin, shaking his head and raising a hand as if to tell her that there was no need to go on further with it. "Heh heh... no, I really don't care what you use it for. Only that you do find good use for the item and that it helps serve you well. Amongst enchanters, a reputation for reliability is important. So if you do like our products, be sure to tell your friends about us," he said in a manner most rehearsed.

"Hmm... take a few of these fliers and I'll lower the price to 60 gold for you, yes?" He reached behind the counter, handing her a few small advertisements, each only about the size of half a page of parchment normally kept in notebooks. "For the both of them, of course." If his terms were acceptable, he would fetch a small memory crystal, just smaller than Kurui's thumb, and of course one of the recording pens he had shown her earlier. He had three of them total, and each came in different designs for her to choose. Once she made her selection, then he'd receive her cash and finish the transaction with a most cheerful "Thank you for your business!"

Of course, there was another potential customer right next to Kurui, and the enchanter was not about to let that opportunity pass him by. "Now, how about you, young lady? Seeing that today -is- Red Day, after all, we do have a few specials. Perhaps a perfume that draws members of the opposite sex to you? Or members of the same sex? Ahem... or if you're interested in other types of goods... Oh! You did purchase the compass last time, didn't you? We also have one that traces Cosmic energy, or even signatures from some of the five elements taught in the Academy, eheh. Lightning and Wind, for one."

Rythe crooked her mouth a little, only needing to think about it for a few seconds before shaking her head. "As much as I did enjoy the compass, I think I'll pass for today. I already have some other plans for later, I guess."

"Ah, that is a shame. Well, feel free to stop by anytime, for we receive new stock quite often, almost daily. Be well, now."

Unless Kurui had any additional inquiries, he would then see them off with a wave and his usual, somewhat cheesy smile. Once they had left the enchanter's shop, provided that the area they walked in wasn't too heavily populated, Rythe would turn to her with another inquiry. "So are you planning on using these tonight? Seems like figuring out how to bait him via talking could be a little tricky, as he kinda seems like a sharp guy. Maybe tomorrow I can help you think of some things to get him to open up with more, unless you already have something in mind, or he just tells you everything to begin with."