Songwoven presents Irabrin Dawnbreak, a level-up, advanced-fit edition, actual play campaign.
Episode 2.
Names names.
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Thanks for listening!
Hello everyone and welcome back to Songwoven, Irabrin Dawnbreak.
Um, of course, as always, I am your humble narrator, Tim Don Tran, and here with me today
are my, um, my freaking, I gotta think of like a phrase, my opulent officers.
The Opulent Officers Academy.
Welcome to Opulent Officers Academy.
Sparkle sparkle, shine shine.
So this better be like the rainbow brigade, like, you're an officers academy, we're all
about being opulent.
I have a different campaign idea.
These past months of friends are all out the window now.
We're gonna do something different now.
Changing everything.
Changing it all right now.
Um, I'm of course joined by, um, Jenny Sherard.
Hello, I'm Jenny Sherard.
I play Velora Avonlea.
But you know now because you were here last week.
Whoa.
And Emma Morosco.
Hi, I'm Emma Morosco and I'm playing our adorable dumbass Lucia.
And pumped to be here today.
Oh, yeah.
Awesome.
Um, if anyone, if this is a, if this is a, you know, precursor to you believe to be really
interesting session, just know that I am on some new medication at the moment.
So today is going to be very interesting.
Yeah, Dragmire just asked how was everyone's week and I'm like, Timmy.
You know, you know, you know, I know about his week.
It's gonna be on a wild ride today, that's for sure.
Both of theirs power went out today before the stream.
So that's cool.
So today, mine's on the way.
Mine's, you know, on a three hour delay from time zone.
So we'll see.
From time zones.
So, you know, today's session is heralded, is being orbited by so much cosmic circumstance.
We're going to see what happens.
I'm sure that will affect our rules.
Mercury is in the microwave?
In the microwave.
It's in the microwave.
But you know what?
Why don't we deal with our our real life issues healthfully by escaping into another world
completely where things are not bad at all.
Everything is not corrupt.
Everything is completely fine.
Working as intended.
FUTILEISM!
I love not having to corrupt everyone.
Working as intended is correct.
Yes, working as intended.
I love being a pawn.
Anyways, I don't believe we have any announcements at the top of the show.
We're just going to go in all din, done and dirty.
And this will officially be our shortest intro yet.
Recap.
Well, of course we're going to do the recap.
Of course someone else is going to do the recap.
I will literally just read the thing in the chat.
Okay, but it's the recap.
Okay, okay.
We're going to role play you doing the recap, but I'm covering your screen.
I'm covering the recap with my hand.
I can't see it.
Yeah, you can't see it.
We're going to role play.
Wait, I'm being Lucia role play?
Who am I role playing?
Your role playing is Emma Romasko.
Your famous role.
Your film's famous role.
Emma Romasko.
It's at the top of her resume.
Yeah, it's at the very top of her resume.
And I am playing esteemed actor, director, writer, producer, Tim Don Tran.
Tim Don Tran.
And with my big bare ass hands, I am covering your screen, getting my greasy fingertips
all over it.
So last time.
Please Jenny.
Jenny's playing Jenny with x-ray vision.
We met Lucia.
And Lucia is in the capital of Anor, and she was orphaned, we found out later at some point.
And she lives with a gothie?
Gothie.
Or a godman.
Is that what you call them?
Yeah.
A godman.
A godman, because they are religious and in a dwelling.
Just with this old dude named Arnalda Lussardi.
Arnalda Lussardi.
And they have these all sweet, wholesome things.
And he's super old and maybe dying, but he's like, hey, you should, you know, see the world.
See like, you know, a boat leaving the harbor and stuff.
And then.
The fire says she's an A plus student too.
She's an A plus student.
She is a student.
She's very, very smart.
She found a red berry among the blueberries, an omen from the Allfather.
And that everything is great in life and awesome.
And then this orie, an elite warrior of the ministry, the asatron ministry, which is,
you know, the religious arm of the kingdom of Anor that we live in.
She's like, hey, what's up?
But not like that.
But she's like, hey, what's up?
A Lord Aldabrand from the eastern region of the kingdom.
So she came kind of far is here to get her yearly fortune read because Lucia can do that.
And she goes and she gives her fortune and she's like, oh yeah, it's you and the throne.
Really great.
Oh wait, what's that I hear?
A horse.
And then Kali Aldabrand is pissed off about that horse.
But it's not her fault.
They let it, you know, they move on.
And then she goes to eat with, I think it was actually the wrong order, but she went
to a picnic with her, with her gulfy and they are having a nice picnic with the little boat
that someone gifted them for an exchange for like their jams and their help doing work
around the house and stuff.
And she has a nether vision of like a black dragon against the red sky, but like it feels
comforting and warm.
And they have these nice little conversations and go on.
And then basically, Arnalda convinces Orië to let them attend the naming ceremony that's
going to be happening there in the capital later that day.
And they go to buy a nice outfit for it off screen.
And then I think that's most of the things for that.
Yep.
Yeah.
And then-
And cut to-
Valora, who is a noble, but she's up in the Northern region, Aurora, helping map some
of the less charted areas in with cliffs in the cold and whatnot the day before the naming
ceremony.
And she goes to a hotel where they try to coerce her into doing an ad read and her and
her wyvern phantom.
And then, oh yeah, I forgot about the Yeti, but yeah, she, you know, there's a Yeti, they
deal with it.
And then they go-
And then she goes to the capital and escapes quote unquote her protector, her knight Rudra.
And goes flying in the air above the town where Lucia sees her, the same dragon from
her vision.
And that's where we left off.
That is where we last left off.
Oh, I have a very good question in the chat from our mob, JT.
He said, how many lights does a wyvern have?
And they have four.
I thought they had two because they just have, they have no arms.
No they have four.
Emma, just play it cool.
Just nod.
They have-
Nod.
Nodding, nodding.
And Valora will explain it to anyone who's asks in game because, you know, it is a misconception
about them that they typically have four legs.
And because they, I mean, they typically have two, but they actually have four.
A thing I really like about playing with people in this world, collaborating with individuals
is that they get to carve a piece of themselves into the lore of the world.
And they can fashion, weaponize, anything.
And Dragmire asks how many lights does a dragon have?
Dragons can have anywhere from four to eight.
Timmy's like, I didn't, we didn't discuss that one beforehand.
There's definitely an eight foot, eight like a dragon.
An eight legged dragon?
Yeah.
I didn't even think about that with going with them.
Like Haku.
You know, like Haku's got like six, he's got like six legs.
Don't try to tell me I'm wrong.
Oh, okay.
Four to 10, Dragmire says.
Okay.
I'll accept that correction.
All right.
I had my finger over the end stream button.
Our life flashed before our eyes.
Check my Twitter bio anyways.
No, seriously.
But that said.
Lucia.
Getting gathered into the, getting swallowed and absorbed into the hustle and bustle of
the town, you somehow manage to, you somehow manage to get yourself a rather, a rather
nice dress.
Would you like to describe what the dress might look like?
Keep in mind, you were, this was tailored.
This was everything.
You were given the whole treatment and this is the first time you've ever had anything
done like this.
It's been, it's been absolutely exciting and this is the first time anything's been really
designed to your whims.
I think she would have had a little breakdown because she doesn't know what, she doesn't
know what's popular in terms of fashion.
So I think she would have been, she would have settled on, you know, a simple like white
shift of a dress, but around that has like soft billowing sleeves, but around the cuff
of the sleeves and around the hem of her dress are embroidered little wildflowers.
So it's like a very simple like frock, but the intricacy is really in these hand stitched
wildflowers that just like cascade down the bottom and around her wrists.
And she's got her hair all fluffed up and ready to go and maybe has picked a flower
or two to weave into her hair, very flower child vibes going on.
Now a thing that was not stated to you, a thing that Lucia might not be thinking about
was the price of this, but that, but the number of that, the identity of whatever that is,
it was never revealed.
It was never said.
Whatever happened-
She gave away four jars of jam thinking that would be sufficient.
And what do you believe it was?
Rush order.
Rush order, I need to throw in an extra blackberry, you know, and seals the deal.
Right then and there.
So eventually as the moments pass, as the, gosh, I forgot what they're called.
They're not called hemorrhous, the seamstress tends to your dress.
A hemorrhous?
A hemorrhous.
He has said that in earnest multiple times.
I'm going to play that next time.
I have called a masseuse a misogynist before by complete, complete accident.
The next character.
It happened in a D and D game.
Actually in an Ira Brin setting game.
No.
Yes.
Yep.
So anyways, as the man is continuing to talk guys, we passed the bed pill test.
You of course being this entire, this entire excitement being overseen by your goatee, by
Arnolda, who has been almost reveling in your excitement, almost giddy at seeing you being
so happy.
And then it comes placed out in full, unfurled before you, the dress, something to call yours.
And of course there was an excitement to rush back, rush back to your estate, to get everything
all gathered to become well appointed yourself and to put this on.
You're going to, you're going to an event, a celebration, a gathering of-
So anime opening?
I can't.
I love it so much.
I can't even hear for the beat music.
Exactly.
Yeah, exactly.
Sparkle.
She turns around in the mirror in the sparkle.
Pink background.
Yeah, exactly.
Arnolda's like coughs up sparkles.
As you come out, as you come out wearing it, Arnolda gives you a once over, him himself
wearing his priestly vestments.
Doesn't look anything too different, but he swears it's for the, he swears it's good for
the occasion.
He regards you with a very gentle smile.
He goes, is that everything you've wanted?
It's everything I could have dreamed.
Look at us.
Well, hold on.
And then she plucks one of the flowers from her hairs and puts it into one of his little
like lapels.
There.
Now we look perfect.
I can do nothing but agree.
You look like quite the pair, don't we?
We look so good.
The Allfather is going to look down on us and bless everyone around us to stay.
As he does every day.
Now can you imagine?
We're going into the city.
We're going to see the next leader of the silver cats?
More of something along the lines of a roar.
Oh, lions, right?
The silver lions.
Yes.
That's a bit, that's a bit more intimidating than the silver kitties.
Okay.
Yeah, that's going to be so cool.
You have to admit, my roar is as ferocious as one.
It was, it was pretty scary.
I would not want to meet you in a back alley late at night.
That's for sure.
Well, shall we head to the occasion then, Petal?
Do this.
He walks in front of you.
He opens the door for you.
And as you walk out, stepping into the outside world for the first time, dressed in something
that is your decision, that is, that is something of your creation, your make.
You look to the sky.
The beautiful red canvas that spans across the sky.
And you can't help but be enraptured by the spiral of black that moves on its own.
That is agnostic from everything else.
The whole sky tells it to be red, but there is this little part that says, no, I will
move against you.
And even though I am small, I will stand out among the rest.
Valora.
Where is, where is the music I put?
There we go.
There's so much music, guys.
You are, you are, you are in an expanse.
This is where, this is where you feel the most free, where others feel peril.
You, you glide, you thrive in such areas.
As you look at the small dots of people, the small dots of people before you.
As I've said before, you realize that every dot here is for you.
As you allow phantom to perform his flourish, to spread his wings, to glide in the same
spot, you, you get a view of the entire cityscape before you, the entirety of Castle Gimli.
The spires of the, the spires of the councilors' towers that are attached to the building.
You see the bard, you see the bard academy dedicated to the Dambreaker off to the side.
A magical academy that you can't quite get the name of at the right at this moment, but
it's a long, it's a long name.
It has like too many syllables.
But you get an entire view of this, of this cityscape.
This is a view you've definitely had before, but nothing as clear or as red splotched.
Nothing wearing your colors right now, but as of like, as much as this moment.
You see the ruby, the ruby cushion below, you see the place where you're supposed to
go to.
And well, it's time.
Alright, so when she finds the place, she says, Vera, go down.
You are led downward, us led, led downward softly towards the ground.
Lucia, you see this, this gentle, this gentle black that turns as your eyes focus turned
into gray.
It almost floats downwards, almost with ease.
Almost like it's natural.
Things of things that are natural are free and you know, are spontaneous and this, this
just feels natural.
What is Lucia's reaction to this?
Do I see anyone on the back of this figure?
It's very far.
Give me a perception check or an investigation.
We gonna do Perception.
Perception.
Ain't what we want.
Okay, hold on.
Thank God I made myself proficient this time.
That's going to be a 11, you dumbass.
You do see mixed, mixed amongst the, the, mixed amongst the, like there is some other,
like there's some other color.
There is what stands out.
There is a color, there is like a little brighter like color that's, that stands against the
black but is a little bit blends again, blends in with the red.
But there's something, there's something there.
I point to Arnolda and I say, what is that?
Can you tell what it is?
Arnolda walks out looking, looking up into the air and his smile slowly widens and he
just goes, that's the occasion.
What do you mean the occasion?
What is it?
That's why you're wearing that dress.
See her like, her face.
Oh my goodness.
The leader of the house of the silver lions is a dragon.
In a metaphorical sense, perhaps.
Oh my gosh, there's going to be a giant lizard that's going to be leading a house.
Well why don't you hold on to those beliefs and so they can be challenged throughout the
day, my, to my pedal.
See, as a hand on your back.
I never met a dragon.
Do you bow to dragons?
I don't speak draconic, but maybe I could use some celestial.
Why don't you ask the dragon that?
As he's allowing you to do this, he's just, he's, he's getting so much mirth from, he's
being, he's, he's so fun with this as he's just allowing you.
As he's just letting your questions flow as he just, he'll all be answered in due time.
I was wondering, I was wondering, maybe, like maybe if the dragon says that if the dragon
wants a snack, we can get them for him and then maybe they can go, I can tell him about
the boat quote that we have.
You know what?
That would be a fine occasion.
Typically in these naming ceremonies, it is custom to bring a gift to the, to the one
being named to the honoree.
We don't have a gift.
I don't have a gift.
We don't have a gift.
Quickly go find one.
Quickly, quickly.
You see her like, she sprints off into the woods.
Wait, wait, wait.
No, no, no, no.
Back, back, back, back.
In the house, in the house.
She comes sprinting back with like, with the, with the dandelion.
I found one, I found one.
It's perfect.
That's the Petals are okay.
He gently grabs the, the naked dandelion from, from your hand.
It's fine.
We'll find something along the way.
This dragon needs a really nice gift.
Why don't our presents, BD, our mere presents, that should be enough.
I could give him or her or they a prayer.
I think that would, I think that would be more than sufficient.
Come now.
Dragons like prayers.
I mean, I wonder if they know the gods because they can fly up into the sky.
They can maybe meet with them and talk with them.
I'll have to ask.
I don't believe anyone can frown upon a blessing.
His fingers gently press against your back urging you a direction.
All of our characters are allies, Dragmire.
As we, as you make your way into town in, in towards the occasion becoming engulfed
into the people, into the tides of people who are all walking in direction.
Now being a part of the, the glamour and the, the flubber of the rubble of like the entire,
the entire town being, being one of the many footsteps in the rumble that shakes this place.
Velora.
You land.
You, as you descend downwards onto the street, you see already that there is a, that there
is a wealth of guards sort of like bisecting the street, creating a, creating a perimeter
around the place.
It's almost, it's, it's almost a convenience for you because you're flying and you know
that they were expecting you to come in on a wagon, you know, led by a knight.
And you, as you, as you land, you see that the guards around sees you and one of them,
one of them hits, one of them kicks a guard that's like laying down against a wall.
The young lady is here.
The guard stands up and you hear one of the guards shout, the honoree has arrived.
It says, it says the young lady of house, Evan Leia.
And you see that this, this gathers the attention of people, of people around, people who are
already following along, following along with the image of you up in the, up in the air.
But now people in your immediate local area are suddenly looking at you as you land directly
in front of this lavish and that was no doubt reserved for only you in your house.
This beautiful two tier in with the Ruby, like a little, a little sign with the Ruby
that's been in the front.
It's called the Ruby cushion.
And your, your father has spoken spades about this place.
Like he never shuts up about this place, the service in this place.
She, she waves to who, whoever the main guard looked like to acknowledge him as she, as
she dismounts.
As the, as that happens, as you see a small crowd begin to gather, there's a, there's
a small procession of like a small line of like horse drawn wagons that are empty, just
lined up on the street.
You see the door open to, of the Ruby kitchen open to see a, to see a handsome, like younger,
a younger human man with like a kind of like slicked back black hair.
He's young, he's younger face, but you have seen a crack, you have seen a crack more easier
smiles over the years.
You see Sir Yashka, Ring Yashka, your, your other night, opening the door, bowing, bowing,
stepping up to the side and bowing.
As you see another individual charged through the front door, she moves with a hurried gait
as she always does.
She has a little, she already has a dimple on her face.
She, she, she smiles very often and very freely.
And she is the spinning image of you if you are a bit older and overworked.
Oh no.
You see this, you see this woman, you see this woman step out immediately, her face
a bright looking at you.
And she just, and she just goes, how was the trip dear?
Walking over to you to hug you.
She hugs her.
She's pretty smooth.
You know, um, Rudra's coming and everyone else.
Oh, she's not with you right now.
Oh yeah.
Yeah.
You know, she tried to stop me, but I wanted to fly in, you know, you know what?
That's perfect.
I love that flare.
Hey, so I told you, it says I had a good talk with your dad.
He's going to behave today.
Today's your big day.
Okay.
I'll believe it when I see it.
And then you hear you're early.
As you see a, um, um, a man as tightly wound as the moment you last saw him, hands behind
his back, um, shaped like shaped features.
You definitely don't have his, uh, you definitely don't look much like him.
Um, he wears a small set of square glasses, which has been a new addition over the, over
the years.
Your father, she responds.
She has thought I should be punctual.
That is good.
And this is him behaving.
Lord.
Um, fun fact, he is not the Lord of house Avonlea cause my mom is the one in charge.
So she is Lord Avonlea and he is sire Avonlea because he's her husband.
No, your place.
Just fun fact.
Now get this, now get this Eric, our daughter ever says ever taking on the pioneering spirit
of house Avonlea decided to have a little show for everyone and flew in.
It says flew in on Phantom.
And I even brought my dress.
She holds it.
Oh my God.
After she's flung it around, she is kind of testing him a little bit since she said that
he would behave.
Be a little bit more careful with that.
Well it's in one piece, isn't it?
It is.
You should take the moment to freshen up and be prepared then.
Yep.
Um, Rudra should be here soon with everyone else.
I would advise and then your mother goes, you're doing, we should get you ready.
Isn't he doing so good squeezing your shoulders?
Yeah, so good.
Sir Yashka.
Young lady, I trust that the expedition has gone well.
Oh yeah.
Yeah, it actually, so we got done on time even though there was a Yeti.
You've dealt with lots of Yetis probably, haven't you?
Yes, multiple.
And you've remembered about their certain dislikes, correct?
Yes it came in handy.
You know, okay.
She kind of is like kind of glancing to her dad like she goes, I think it's a cool story,
but.
And then the dad, you see your dad, hands behind his shoulder just goes, looking at
the, his eyes look towards the clock.
And he doesn't say anything at the moment.
And your mother Sabine goes, everyone all right?
Oh yeah.
You took the Yeti down, didn't you?
Well in a way, in a sense, but basically Ven had fallen after taking two steps instead
of one, you know.
And so flew down to get him off the cliffside, but right as we did, this Yeti jumps out at
us right as I had gotten him on to Phantom.
And I then grabbed the torch for me and we lit it and then scared it away by flying at
it and propelling off of him into the air.
She says kind of also to her night, she really wants to impress this night because he is
an Aurora native with cool monster stories.
Rean has the arm crossed, the easy look of approval.
He nods and he goes, well, I might just make a monster hunter out of you yet young lady.
Though you didn't confirm you slayed the beast, so I can't call you a monster slayer just
yet.
Wasn't needed for the situation.
It would have been excessive, but it did fall from quite a height, but Yetis are pretty
good at doing that, aren't they?
Your father.
Are you sick?
The time.
Oh no.
She looks...
Maybe he should stay.
Do you need to stay and rest during the ceremony?
I wouldn't blame you if you needed it.
Your mother pinches your cheeks.
It goes, don't touch them, dear.
Come on.
I'm not the one coughing.
She gives a wave to her night and walks inside.
It's just a little stuffy.
That's it.
Yeah.
I cough all the time when it's stuffy.
And if you would like to be as short as long as you want, describe the dress that Velora
has.
I don't think it's actually that crazy.
It's nice, obviously, but it's pretty simple, all things considered, even though it's well-made.
It's silver and she has a sash for it that is red and gold.
As you come out wearing this and you see your mother seeing you in the dress, it goes, I've
seen you a thousand times in a dress, but every time it's just so much more exciting.
I say this every single time, but you are growing up so fast.
It's almost like you're leaving.
Okay.
Yeah, I know.
I'm going to do this here or I'm going to do this outside in front of everyone.
It's not too wrinkled, right?
Oh, it's fine.
Whatever wrinkles you have, whatever anything you have, people should look beyond that and
learn to love everything anyways.
Well, it doesn't change a decision for today anyways.
Those are no wrinkles.
Right.
Now, let's see, the Alizon family, I think, was already set up at the castle.
They're already ahead of everything.
Good.
You have the itinerary today, right?
My other pocket, maybe.
Don't worry.
I have it memorized.
Your father has it memorized and he's not going to give you any zip about it.
If he does, let me know because he made a promise to me.
Okay.
And you know, this is your day.
But just play a little bit nice with him too.
I've not been bad.
You haven't.
It's not like...
But I did see those little teasing looks.
I never started.
I know.
But I just want everyone on the best behavior today.
And I want you to have the best day you possibly can.
And I won't even have to talk to him.
He'll be so busy.
If that is what it means to have your best day for you, then okay.
Oh my gosh, you look so great.
I don't want to see you go.
I mean, I'm like, what, like an hour or two flight away?
Yeah, really close by.
But I won't be able to wake up and make you, you know, your sandwiches with the crust cut
off anymore.
My God.
You know, we don't have to cut off the crust, right?
It's the worst part of the sandwich.
I mean, yeah.
However, I will not condone.
It's a new style going around.
People are taking bagels and scooping them out.
I will not.
Absolutely not.
I will not condone any of that behavior.
Ever.
Wait, scooped bagels?
Just don't even say it.
I made a point to not say it.
You can outlaw them.
Outlaw scooped bagels.
It's a conica thing.
They always have new trends over there.
Oh, innovation.
Oh yeah.
That's what they call it.
And waste.
Now, are you ready?
Very ready.
Let's go, dear.
Opens the door.
A bigger crowd has a mast outside.
You see, you see, you see your father already.
He has already issued himself next to one of the wagons.
The one that you and your mother and him are going to be in.
While your knight, Rudra, who is just coming from the outside, Ven and Ven, who are just
coming in on a wagon and have to rush to get themselves dressed because they're also going
to be part of the occasion.
You kind of like gather yourself, kind of like gather your countenance a little bit.
Where we go to as you enter the wagon to be prepared to do a lot of waving and smiling.
You see, you see, as you walk towards the wagon, your father turns to your mother and
just goes, by the way, in the evening, there's a surprise for all of us.
A surprise.
She looks at you like, huh, your father's going to surprise us.
What is it?
Won't be much of a surprise if I told you.
You're you're doing it's your surprise.
Yes.
And I feel like you will enjoy it as well.
Then give it as a congratulatory gift.
Well, I'm excited.
Because and you look around to see that there's no transport for Phantom.
We'll tell Phantom to follow.
You see, Phantom just just gives a nod and just begins to walk along.
You see people are fawning over him as well.
They're like, oh, my God, it's that four legged wyvern.
That is the norm.
They say, turns to the camera.
It's the norm here.
It's actually not the norm here, though, but that is my lore.
Sort of the office now.
Lucia, there is a crowd of people in front of you.
It is hard to look over.
Oh, look over anyway.
What's everyone looking at?
There's a there's a just a sea of people in front of you.
Oh, yeah.
Trying to see over.
I shouldn't have done that.
We're moving on.
You look over and character as her caregiver.
Yeah, I know.
Right.
Oh, yeah.
I'm an old man.
You you're just trying to look over anything.
There's a there's a wooden there's a wooden crate.
But as you step on it to get a look, all of a sudden, like a lion steps in front of you.
How tall is Lucia?
Lucia is five four.
So yeah, you're just getting absolutely nothing from this at the moment.
And then you see the crowd eventually starts backing up as this line of silver armored
guards start making their way and pushing on the crowd.
The crowd begins to make distance, move to the side and just try to just just allowing
this procession of wagons to move through.
You and on all the by your side, it pushed off to the side as you see, as the view opens
up, you see a this dark, this gray creature.
It's the leader of the house.
Another stifling his laughter.
He's a prankster.
Oh, my gosh.
OK, OK, OK.
OK.
And she's he is walking with a little bit of pride, like he's had held high being showcased.
But he is walking alongside a wagon.
I think can she she's going to Druidcraft in her hand a small little bouquet of fragrant
blossoms that have like cherry blossoms that have like little cherry snacks on the ends
of them.
And she's going to try to sprint forward and search forward to talk to the creature.
If you sprint forward, you see that the the guards in front of you, there's like people
like like there's like some people in the way see you like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,
holding up a hand.
Sorry, I really just wanted to give a blessing to the leader of the house.
She's pointing to the dragon on all the on all the texture.
So this goes all the time, all the time.
We don't get the gifts yet.
We're pulling you back lightly.
Oh, OK.
Well, I just to come.
And she starts like tossing the cherry blossoms like over the prison section.
As you talk, as you toss it over, ironically, you didn't know about this, but this is part
of it.
People are throwing flowers and stuff.
She goes, everyone just copied me.
Oh, my gosh.
Arnara laughs just pulling out the flower.
I didn't realize that such a little me would be able to make such a huge difference.
Everyone's copying me.
He pulls out a little copper, gives it to like a flower girl and throws the flower up.
As Valora, all of a sudden a flower storm is taking over the place.
You are being showered with attention.
Just just praise people just wanted to get any look at you.
And you see as you wave, you see you see phantoms like having to blow flowers out of his face
a couple of points.
But he's liking it.
I just think it's really funny is like, yeah, Lucia has the opportunity to see Valora now,
like these first meetings, but everyone is, whoa, the dragon, the dragon, because that's
how I would be too, to be real.
She's like, the leader of the house is a dragon.
I can't even imagine.
I've never even seen one in my life.
And you hear you hear from next to you.
What?
The leader of the house, is it a dragon?
Who is OK?
Who's this bitch?
Emma asks.
You look at the bitch.
It's a it's just a boy in like a like tunic with like very swarthy, like brown hair.
He's sweating.
He's sweating up a storm.
Well, I will have you know, the leader of the house, not yet, but soon to be is indeed
a dragon.
The leader gave them a flower.
No, you didn't.
The leader of the house is Valora Avilea, the heiress to house Avilea, and she is a
human.
OK, but how do you know that?
Like where?
Like that's not a fact.
Because because because my dad told me my dad told me, well, your dad might not have
the most whoever whoever told you that was wrong and you're wrong.
Are you going to say something mean about my dad?
I will fight you in the streets.
And she points to if you make fun of my dad again.
Fiery, fiery.
Arnalda comes up to you and then you see the other boy, the boy's father kind of walk up
and goes, sorry about that.
Sorry about that.
And she's like, you see it, the only time she would throw hands would be for Arnalda.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
We'll be here after the ceremony.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
A child, a literal child.
Just like something John Son would do.
In actual terms, you see this twenty something year old or like this young adult, like 19
year old, right?
Threatening a smaller child.
Old habits die hard.
Oh my God.
Arnalda kind of pushes you just kind of starting to follow the procession now.
Believe it.
He was disrespecting the leader of the house, the dragon.
I have a confession.
Oh, we have an announcement from our mod.
Stretch and hydrate.
I can hydrate.
Don't stretch.
I can't stretch right now.
Your boy threw out his back at work.
We gotta be careful.
Lift with your knees, guys.
Lift with your legs.
So as you begin to follow this procession, Arnalda goes, I have a confession.
That's my dear.
And you see she like goes to take out like prayer beads or something right now.
Not that kind of confession.
Oh, OK.
OK.
Good practice to bring those with you, though.
That is not a dragon.
That is a wyvern.
The small, the smaller, less fire breathing cousins of the dragons.
They're bigger?
Oh, points to the wyvern.
Oh, much bigger.
Oh, they're so fearsome.
I've seen one one in my lifetime and it was absolutely huge.
What?
When did you see a dragon?
A story for another time.
Wow.
That's some like dad lore that you're going to drop right about now or something.
And the leader of the house is within that wagon.
And as he says that, as he points at the wagon, Valora, you see your mother kind of like leans
leans over to you.
She's sitting at your father's side and she just gives you she gives you a small squeeze
of your arm to get your attention.
She goes, hey, why don't we show off a little bit of that Avonlea like flair?
I love it.
She opens the door.
And Lucia, the the small dot that you saw earlier, even though it was hard to make out,
it's unmistakable now.
As you see this young as you see this young woman step out of the wagon as the door opens
and the procession stops.
You see Phantom kind of like perks up looking at you, Valora, as you approach.
She pats him real quick.
Then climbs up in the dress that just poof out enough.
And as you do that, you see people are just like, there's a little round of applause.
Just your just your presence as you come out to do a little show as you as you wave.
As that happens.
Give me one moment here.
Not the assassination attempt.
Wait, the assassination attempt.
Are we going into combat already?
As that happens.
As Lucia, as you as you watch this young woman glorious in full displays mount the top of
the Wyvern and and began to gesture herself, you see you sense the comforting presence
from before.
It wasn't there completely with with just the Wyvern, but some.
But as this person joins the image, as this person inserts into your life, exiting from
the wagon, you feel the confluence once more, the joining of the two rivers.
There is something complete about the warmth and the inspiration that it brings you.
And even though you don't know this person, there is something that inexorably draws you.
In the middle of this.
As you guys need to talk to all of a sudden.
You are you fall to the ground on your front and you hear.
Oh, sorry about that.
As you see, as you as immediately Arnolda leans out to give you a hand and you see a
man and you see a man, a young man with black with black hair.
He wears like a small like news like newsboy cap and kind of like he's kind of tall and
lanky kind of kind of like tip his hat, like backing away a little bit.
And he just goes, sorry about that.
Are you all right?
Yeah.
And she's kind of like she's kind of scrambling up from the ground.
There's probably dirt all over her white dress now that she's quickly trying to brush off
and goes, oh dear.
It's OK.
I'm fine.
It's OK.
She says to the boy with the cap, these things happen.
And then she turns to Arnolda.
I have to talk to her and go ahead and make a perception check for me.
As you as you hear, did you steal something from me?
That little fuck as that as that happens and as you like, I have to talk to you.
Well, it goes, yes, sorry, I'm in I'm in a hurry.
As you roll a 12, oh, no 12 16.
He just he just goes, sorry about that.
Thank you for your time, though.
And he turned right.
He turns around quickly leaves.
You pat yourself.
You feel one of your pockets a little lighter.
The pocket watch that Arnolda had given you.
And she chases after him.
What do you scream?
Anything do you say anything?
Oh, he just hears Arnolda's tears.
As she goes and chases after as you yell, stop thief.
Velora, you hear that.
She doesn't even like look at her mom yet.
She just says his fear as Phantom fly and goes to see if she could spot it.
What happened?
Someone running.
As you yell, stop as you stop thief, Lucia, you see the boy immediately begin sprinting
down the alleyway.
I don't know.
Tears after him.
You're making that picking you up a lot of your shout.
My Mike is like, Lucia doesn't shout, Emma.
So she's just tearing after him.
As you tear as you tear after him, go ahead and make an acrobatic sex with this advantage
because this is a narrow alleyway filled with like just like wood, like like like barrels,
all kind of hazards.
And sadly, this is the dress you're not quite acquainted with at the moment.
No good.
Very bad day.
Okay.
So let's see.
Disadvantage, right?
Yes.
You said acrobatics disadvantage?
Yes.
Oh, so it's going to be an eight.
As you're struggling to like lift your leg over like you see, you see this this boy,
he knows what he's doing.
He he leaps over the barrel.
He vaults over these objects with ease, like tearing through this alleyway with ease.
You are lagging behind seeing this person become a dot in the distance, but you see
overhead a wyvern fly directly overhead.
Valora, you see you see the supposed thief as he's as he's running away.
It's the only one he's the only person being chased.
Boy, looking back towards you, eyes widen, starts going faster.
How quickly does she think she'd be able to cut him off?
You are phantoms way faster than a person.
Yep.
She'll just she'll she'll command him to to cut him off.
As he cuts as he as phantom cuts downwards, you see the boy skids to a stop as you land
soundlessly, but with but with authority directly in front of them.
You cut he's like at a T section in the alleyway.
He has another path to his right behind him is another girl that's chasing him.
He he he kind of does a double take.
Hey, just just stop.
Make a persuasion check.
Just that.
At the lead, does he know he's the house leader?
I have advantage on persuasion checks influence.
He's not friendly, not a friendly creature, probably with lower CR than my level.
But I don't think he's counts as friendly, does he?
And he might be a higher seat.
I'm kidding.
Persuasion initiative with this boy in the alley, you know, whip our asses.
Well, no.
Oh, he goes, yeah.
Yeah, OK.
Um, she runs down the section.
She teleports him to her if she can.
All right.
What's the saving throw again?
Oh, shit.
Um, let me look through my many abilities.
Um, it's under my mark, I believe magical passage.
Teleport?
We're on level three.
Magical passage.
Once you do so, OK, um, I can teleport two targets to another point that you can see
within 60 feet of you.
Um, and it's what's the where's the DC?
It doesn't say.
OK, I believe it is a Christmas saving throw going by certain certain other spell rules,
I believe.
I think we didn't have the DC when I copied this onto my sheet.
OK, I do have her mark on a page up here, too.
Yeah, I believe it's going to be eight plus your charisma and then your proficiency bonus.
I think it's I think that comes up to 14.
Um, eight, nine, ten.
Yeah, 14.
OK, here we go.
I rolled a nine.
Um, so so, Lucia, what you see is that as you're coming closer, you see this, you see
this like you see this, the shadow, this large shadowy creature cut this boy off immediately,
almost instantaneously appearing and as he just goes, he starts running the other way.
All of a sudden, he is shunted backwards as his form disappears for a moment.
And Flora, he lands on his butt directly in front of you.
If you just give it like, I'll let you go.
He just does catch up.
He reaches into his pocket and just like here, here, pulls out this very nice pocket watch.
Yes, yes.
Insight.
Can I insight?
Go ahead and insight.
Yeah.
OK.
Um, not that she has a very good way of telling.
He has all these pocket watches.
Nineteen.
Um, you have just done something that this boy has probably never experienced before
and probably doesn't want to test you, especially with a fierce looking wyvern in front of you.
He's definitely telling the truth.
All right, go on.
And he runs off.
As he runs off, um, Velora, you see a pink haired girl.
Pretty much like the little anime hands in front.
I'm guessing this is yours.
And you see like she's trying to process all of it.
She has the wyvern, the house leader, the watch.
It's all and she's confusedly.
She quickly drew it, crafts cherry blossoms and she stumbles over and goes, I, I, I, and
slaps the cherry blossoms in your hand.
Oh, um, it gives you a really deep bow, like very, very deep.
Thank you.
Um, she goes to hand her the pocket watch, assuming it's hers.
She bowed, like, like bowed over in half.
And so she's while she's still like bent over in half, her arm is going to reach up and
just start grasping around.
You can stand up.
Just you, this.
Are you sure?
I am very, very sure.
He slowly stands up, takes the pocket watch in her hands and goes, I'm supposed to help
you.
As you say that, Valora, you're the one who sees this, but you see guards are like fast
approaching in the back.
Like they're really late to the chase.
Um, it's okay.
He ran off.
I got what he stole.
That's well, if everything is pointed for them, then, um, can we escort you back?
Young lady?
Oh, they're looking at me or Valora, Valora.
Definitely.
Perfect.
She is.
Um, I mean, I can, I'll, I can fly back and catch up.
That's fine.
And where did the, where did the perpetrator go?
You know, I, once he gave it back to me, I lost track.
Not gonna make an insight check.
Just believe you.
Um,
Very well then.
Um, just as you were then.
Um, and, and looks to, um, looks to Lucia and, uh, and, um, uh, just goes, come on,
join with the others.
Um, um, I would, but I have to help her.
Yeah, she's helping me.
Infusively, like she believed me.
Like double take, double take, and then nod, nod, nod to the guards.
Very well.
Um, gives a, gives a nod.
Um, and just, you see the two of them just kind of like look at each other, just kind
of like walk back.
She wasn't part of the itinerary.
My dad's itinerary.
This girl in a dirty, in a dirty white dress with flowers all fucked up in her hair.
She goes, I just wanted to make sure you're, you're okay.
That's all he took, right?
This is yours, right?
Um, does she still have the pocket watch in her hand?
Yeah.
Or is she indicating it to, oh, um, so you will feel two hands clasp around your hand
with the pocket watch and you feel this, these two hands squeezing yours tightly.
She goes, yes, it's mine and I've been sent to help you.
That's very nice of you.
No, no, no, you don't understand as she's not letting go of your hand.
No, like I, I, I, I ha I don't know what, but I'm going to help you.
Okay.
Thank you.
Um, I'm sorry.
Thank you.
What and in what way?
Lucia.
Um, older man approaching now.
She sees the ropes and she's like, oh, in a religious way.
I get it.
Okay.
I, I get it.
Like it's just a religious type.
It makes sense now.
Oh no.
You, as you, as he's walking towards it, you do hear that there's like a round of applause
as like the guards announced.
Don't worry everyone.
The young lady is safe.
She stopped the thief.
Um, and you know, people cheer at, but all in all does already walking forward, uh, coming
up towards you and he, he bows.
He goes, my lady, thank you so much for the assistance.
It's a lot easier to catch up with someone on, on a wyvern.
So taking the time out of your busy day.
I feel absolutely blessed.
Barely a blink.
Um, and you, um, does she, would she know just from looking at him, what his title would
be or would she just be like just vague holy?
You definitely know, like the, the, the kind of like slightly decorated vestments.
He's, he's definitely like a leader of a, of a den.
She is, um, well, um, I hope you both have a great rest of your day with, um, thanks
for the, this is not her hand.
I really better go.
So I'll come with you.
No, I don't understand.
She turns back to her and I'll say, I need to be, I need to help her.
He gives like a rub of the bag and goes, you will see her in due time.
Slowly removes hands, taking the watch, um, gives another awkward, you know, right angle
bow, uh, with the watch in your hands and goes from her bow.
She goes, thank you for helping me.
Um, it's my pleasure.
Um, are you, she heard what he said with like, you see her in due time.
She goes, are you part of the ceremony?
Oh, yes.
Quickly stands up, pops up, glances around confused.
Yes.
Um, we are going to be attending as esteemed guests of the, of the head executor.
Oh, well, we are.
Yes.
That is why we're going, that's why we're allowed into the castle here.
Yes.
That's, that's why we're allowed here.
Not for any, you know, mystical reasons or things beyond mortal control.
What are you all about?
Then I'll see you soon, I presume.
Uh, uh, uh, break legs.
Don't actually break your leg.
You know, just, just, just hypothetically you really well.
I will hypothetically break my leg.
Thank you.
Yes.
Phantom again.
It will be a glorious day.
As you get on Phantom and fly up.
Yeah.
She's like, I should probably keep going.
This, this, this girl is scaring me.
It feels like an assassination coming up.
As she flies upwards, um, um, you've, you're mystified by the, um, you're, you are mystified
by the exiting form of this individual, how soundless, but how you could feel her exit.
Um, your, uh, Arnalda looks towards you and just goes, excited I see.
I saw her in a vision.
I don't know what I'm supposed to do, but I think I'm supposed to be with her and help
her.
You saw her in a vision.
Yes, during our open air prayer and it feels good to be around her.
So it can't be a bad thing, right?
His eyes search for a moment.
If you saw her then it's good.
You'll be attending the ceremony.
I got to talk to her after.
Yes, dear, but, um, allow me to give you some notes on your approach.
Hey, come join me.
Okay.
Well, I did get her the flowers as they're walking off.
In making a strong first impression, one does not, one does not clasp the other's hands
with a vice script.
Oh, oh, well first I slapped the flowers in her hand and then I put in a vice script.
So maybe I shouldn't slap the flowers next time.
That is among the thousand things of not to do.
So does she have a title?
Do I call her princess?
Is she a princess?
Just young lady works fine.
Lady young lady, but she looks to be late.
She looks to be my age though.
I'm not good.
That's weird to call her lady.
She's my age.
Young lady or lady.
It's only proper.
Lady, my lady, my lady.
Malady, my lady, my lady.
Hello, my lady.
Hello.
And she's not like that.
Oh, her mother.
She's the lord of the house.
She she is the one who bears the Aon mark.
And you know that the people with Aon marks, the mystical sigils that are born on their
body to give them these amazing abilities.
These are very powerful.
These are the people that are directly blessed by the gods themselves.
Maybe that's why I'm supposed to help her because her mom's been blessed by the gods
and the gods like to talk to me sometimes in my head.
So maybe that's why I'm supposed to help her.
You know, for Laura has an Aon mark as well.
It's all coming together.
Just calm, breathe, dear, breathe.
The next time she's clutching her clutching her watch in her hands, not putting in her
pocket, making sure she can see it where it is.
She goes, he goes, just get rid of the white of your knuckles and breathe.
The next time you see now, these people are venerated.
They're protected decorum and such is is required around these people.
The next time you see her approach with calm, says, of course, have the utmost respect and
speak, speak from the heart calmly, heart, calmly.
I can do that.
Calm heart respect.
And of course, of course, have a gentle smile and a blessing.
Ready to bless.
Gentle, gentle, gentle.
As he's giving you like basically a quick tutorial on how to deal with decorum, like
you've definitely done.
You've definitely had to do some of this before.
You've definitely had to do with this.
Not to this level.
You've definitely had to do this with Kali Aldebrand.
Like there was a level of decorum to be expected with her.
But like you're just given a quick like refresh and like a little bit more added on because
this is this is a bigger occasion.
Yeah.
Eventually, of Velora, riding around and gathering more people's attention, get the flair of
House Avonlea.
Tucks the cherry into Phantom's saddle because she doesn't want to be rude and doesn't know
what to do with it.
So it just sticks out one of the saddlebags.
You eventually find your way circling back.
The procession moved a little bit.
You see it's moving a little bit.
It's moving a little bit without you.
Just to just to get on schedule probably because you're dead.
As you land, there's clapping.
There's clapping, of course, people cheering and no doubt more people are gathering around
because of your display.
You see Phantom just kind of like looks around and like raising his head with like, yeah,
I'm proud I can be here.
I'm hot shit.
And of course, the guard opens up the you see Rudra open up the wagon door as it continues
to move.
And as you fly down to walk near her mom, if the wagon or whatever, as they get really
close, your mom, your mom looks at you just goes, something dramatic happened.
I mean, not that dramatic.
It was just just a little boy stole this pocket watch from this girl and then she was a little
excited, I think.
Then your dad goes, you didn't let the guards handle it.
Well, why?
I'm faster.
And your mom immediately leans in between the both of you.
And she just goes, our daughter on her day found the time to do a heroic act and help
someone.
That's right.
With everyone being here.
Yep.
He just sits up straight.
The girl had like pink hair, like fully pink hair.
Oh, wait, did she die?
It was a diet.
Can you tell?
Well, I thought it was died.
I would have assumed it was died.
But then like, this gothie came up behind her and she was with him.
And like, they wouldn't dye their hair, right?
They like, like simple lives or whatever.
Hmm, maybe it's like a new thing.
I'm not familiar with the trends about like the religion stuff.
It's got to be natural, right?
Maybe it's Maybelline.
Is she gonna come to the ceremony?
Apparently they're coming to the ceremony.
Maybe they're-
You have to point out this girl to me.
Pink hair.
I think she'll stick out.
Are you sure?
I mean, it's like fully pink.
I know, I know, I know your father's a little colorblind.
Maybe are you a little bit colorblind?
No.
Hmm.
And then your father's like, we're almost to the castle.
You'll see her.
But I mean, she's a little strange, but maybe she was just excited when she got stolen from.
I've heard that brains were pink.
Do you think it's?
No.
Ew.
I don't think her hair is her brain's bomb.
I didn't say that.
I'm just like you just said she was strange.
So I didn't get enough sleep last night.
I'm just I have all my thoughts.
I'm super excited to be here.
And then your father goes, Valora.
Yes sir.
You recall what's going to happen throughout the whole day, right?
You're prepared.
I remember all of it.
That itinerary.
It's locked in my brain.
You have the arrival and the greeting.
You will be greeting everyone who's going to be you're going to be all of the nobles
are going to be entering.
Well, I'm going to give it to you one more time.
Because no doubt the itinerary wasn't with you.
It's crumbled up somewhere in your bag.
No deception.
14.
But she attacks on.
But besides, what use do I have for the paper anymore if it's blocked in my brain from all
the many times I read it on the way here?
You were on that 20.
So he also knows she didn't read it.
Wow.
And you go from it's a greet everyone polite is the king, the prince, all speech, whatever
they're going to they're going to tell me.
And I know it.
Just let her hear your as he's about to go in your mother just like hits his arm because
she's going to be going through a lot of this by instinct.
So it's going to be a good day either way.
There was an itinerary though.
I have it.
I told you I have it.
Gosh, it's going to be fine.
And if I go get a little snack, when I'm supposed to be getting a little drink, it's nothing's
going to come crumbling down.
It's going to be fine, Eric.
And then your father is just goes.
Well if the time comes, I will have to remind you, be sure that I will.
I'm sure you will have no doubt about that.
Yay naming ceremony.
And you eventually get to it.
Seeing the breath of Castle Gimli in front of you, venerated marbled halls of power.
You enter through the gates, you enter through the draw gates into the front garden of the
place where you become cut off from the rest of the crowd.
Lucia, you and Arnalda get there and the guards begin to form a line and they say, the procession
will begin in 20 minutes.
And as people are loosened up, you see the wagon containing Velora and Phantom walking
side by side get farther and farther away from you into the garden, into the, towards
the front gates, towards the front large wooden doors of the castle.
And with that, we'll get to a break.
Break time!
Hotter time!
Hydrate time!
Snack time!
Stretch time, baby!
Not for you!
Little guy.
I'm so tiny.
So, with that said, everyone will be back.
Oh, I am going to make nachos.
Oh my, that's a good idea.
I'm so hungry.
Idea, Chad.
Great idea.
I'm hungry now.
Alright, everyone, we'll see you back in 15 minutes.
And we're back.
Hello, everyone.
Are you ready to prepare to join us for our second half?
We had our first seemingly fated meeting between our two PCs, Velora and Lucienne.
It says, even though it was small, it was a spark.
It was a confluence.
It was a small, little spark.
Small, little spark.
A cherry of a spark.
I just remembered to double check my bingo card, and I don't think we have anything
still.
I'll put it back in the chat.
Put the bingo back in the chat!
There's bingo.
There was a game changer episode.
I'm not allowed to look at this guy, so don't say anything in the chat about it.
Because I did see some people talking about it in the chat.
I'm like, I can't see this.
That way he can't influence it, because a lot of it's in his control.
Oh, the bingo board?
Gosh.
Yeah.
I watch Dropout a lot.
There's one episode of Game Changer where it's like they're secretly playing bingo.
I'm like, I'm not going to watch it.
I'm going to watch it.
Honestly, I feel like I need to do that before you do.
Just don't ask about it.
It's called a bite.
On your arm?
What about my back?
Rips off shirt.
Aw, I missed us.
I missed us.
Me too.
All right, everyone.
Are you ready?
I'm ready.
I missed us.
Me too.
I missed us too.
All right, everyone.
You ready?
Yes.
Ready.
So,
Valora,
you enter into the grand halls.
Getting out of the wagon,
you enter into the grand halls of the,
of Castle Gimli.
As spotless as the day,
as the other times you've showed up here
with your mother and father.
But now the occasion is built around you.
You see, you see little,
you see your house sigils placed next to like,
the symbol of the crown,
the symbol of the Asatran ministry.
You see,
you see that there's little,
and you didn't know that they did this,
little personalized things,
but you see that there's like little,
like pegasus shaped cakes that are out on,
about on the tables.
She's like, oh,
she points, like taps her mom and points.
Is this a surprise?
Turning to Eric,
and Eric goes, no, something better.
It's kind of hard to beat.
Yeah, it is.
Oh my gosh.
I need to meet the baker and make them like,
I'll make them rich.
Are you going to steal their baker?
You're going to steal the king's baker.
If, if, if they can do that.
I need someone to keep me company at home too.
Oh no.
You'll have Sir Yashka.
Yes, I know.
But like someone who's like really sweet
and knows how to bake something,
can maybe bake bread without the crust.
I was going to suggest your pegasus to,
I don't think you can bake bread without a crust.
I think it wouldn't cook all the way.
Well, if the baker's really good.
We're always finding ways to innovate.
She's joking.
Maybe you can teach Alinor to bake.
I think he, I think he does need a sore lesson in baking.
Hobs and all.
Because I'm the best baker you know.
Debate, debatable, but.
The banter is fine ladies, but we must go somewhere.
We can go and talk at the same time.
As you are led by a selection of guards,
you see a young, not young, an old halfling man.
You know his name to be Frubert,
or just Bert as like your mother affectionately calls him,
arrive and he's just joined by a small chorus
of a vuror society of attendees.
And it just goes, all right, good.
All of you are here and looking as presentable as ever.
Allow me to take you to your place of being, honoree.
Thank you, Bert.
My lady, Lord, sire, giving the respects all around.
And even goes through the night, he goes, sirs.
And just just for you to follow along with him.
You are taken through halls of history of large paint,
of large swaths of paintings
depicting multiple points of history.
The slaying of the Ash Tyrant,
the founding of the kingdom of when the first king,
Frith Lunen defeated the Ash Tyrant all those years ago.
How many years has it been?
Gosh, your father drilled you on this.
It was exactly 986 years ago.
An exact exposition number of years.
The founding of Ior Brin established in 500 PR,
which was established 971 years ago.
You know that.
And as you come in into like a,
as you come in through like all the procession scene,
everything lined up, people still like,
like putting things into place.
And of course, giving you a quick bow and says,
my lady, congratulations, as you walk by,
you arrive at the Grand Hall.
And in there, you already see a small,
small groupings of people who, upon seeing you,
polite smiles, applause, nobles.
Look, looking around, you see many familiar faces,
those who you have acquainted with over the years.
No vassal, not many vassal lords,
but you do see many other Aeon Mart nobles.
You see the proud, steeled face
of the Lord of House Lewinheart,
the big broad shoulders of Gunther Garvey,
the House Garvey, the shield of the realm.
You see members of the council,
who you are not that familiar with,
but have been present at every big occasion.
Members of the King's Council, the Board of Ravens,
looking at you, giving you like polite nods.
And of course, directly in front of the throne,
you see a golden-haired man.
It has withered over the years due to age.
It is, what was once what you heard to be
an illustrious gold color has now become a little bit muted
and is mixed with a little bit of like grays and whites.
He wears an eye patch over his right eye,
signified because of the god that directly represents him
and his mark.
You see the King of Anor, Gwalter Lumen,
a direct descendant of the first king.
Gwalter or Walter?
Gwalter with a G.
Gwalter.
Yeah, Gwalter.
Which is a Welsh name.
And I love the-
Oh, okay.
The first king was Frith Lumen,
which I just always think is funny too.
Welsh names are tough.
If you know anything about Welsh mythology or history,
then Frith is a, that's a important name.
But you see King Lumen, if Gwalter is too hard,
you see King Lumen and his wife, the queen,
a gentle face, dimpled woman.
She has freckles and her eyes are caring
and her expressions are always gentle with age,
even through all the years.
Brown, long brown hair.
Alice, spelled with a Y, A-L-Y-S,
because this is a fantasy setting.
Love the fantasy names, here for it.
You see the king immediately turns towards you
and he walks towards you.
He was always, you've always known him to be a warm
and regal man, always had authority in his voice.
But you also know that his laughter is loud
and it can be erupt.
And there was a time where it always scared you
when it happened, because it always just happened like that.
And it was always loud, it always shook you.
But you're a bigger person now.
And he approaches your, of course,
your mom and father first.
And he goes, Evan Leia's.
She says, oh, please, the occasion is mine today.
He bows his head slightly towards you.
Just can't do too deeply or else the crown will fall off.
He goes, and then your father goes,
your highness, and mother goes, your highness, of course,
just the usual.
I thought for certain that after this many years,
they find a way to glue it in, your majesty.
Oh, says, I've been trying to read the books.
I'm thinking that if I gain knowledge or wisdom,
that perhaps my brain will grow
and I'll finally fit the crown again.
He says, and how are we doing, young Valora?
It is wonderful.
It's been such a beautiful morning
and it's always lovely to be here.
And it's always lovely to have you.
Now, apologies on my end, but
I haven't quite got the speech prepared.
And then you see Alice, the queen, the queen goes,
he's been practicing all morning.
And the queen goes, to no avail.
What king can't give a good speech from the heart?
I suppose everything will have to come together,
but I just wish to let you know, Valora,
that perhaps you are the one that is most prepared today.
She goes, well, with some help, she looks to her dad.
She goes, I have certainly done my best,
but I intend to have some heart as well.
She's like the picture of like formality
compared to before, something different.
Except she is a little looser than you'd expect normally
with someone addressing the king, obviously too,
but still a lot more formal.
And I expect nothing less.
Just goes, bring us pride, Valora.
I intend for you to witness valor.
Oh, and he laughs really loud.
And you see your mom go like,
I chub said, I chubs a little bit.
Nods, all right, well, I hope you came on an empty stomach.
It's going to be a big day ahead.
I love the, we love the Pegasus cakes.
And he just goes, the queen just goes,
our new, it says our new chef, believe it or not,
his name's Declare.
That's just meant to be.
He says, isn't it?
It's quite amazing.
You have your calling from a name.
Because he brought over delicacies from other kings
and I'm quite excited for everyone to try it.
It's different from our usual spreads.
I'm even more excited
and I didn't think that was possible.
And then the, and then the king goes,
well, I'll leave you to it now.
There's going to be a lot of ceremony later
and I'm going to be doing plenty of talking off of your ear
in due time.
Your majesty.
And Valora.
And walks off.
You see he walks off with his wife.
They talk something a little bit out of earshot
and then he goes, he throws his head back
and he laughs again.
And then your mother just kind of like,
she kind of looks at him and goes,
you know, I don't see it.
It's like, it's nice to see him all relaxed right now.
Usually when I get to him, it's all about business.
She kind of side eyes her dad too
to see if he's like going to scold her for her jokes.
And he does go,
a little impertinent to make jokes in front of the majesty.
Mom.
A little impertinent to make little cracks
at our promise that we made.
Hmm, Eric?
This is your day.
And the king did not seem offended.
He seemed delighted, in my opinion.
Of course you know him better.
You see, you see eventually one of the knights,
Rujah comes up and just goes,
they have Phantom out in one of the courtyards.
He's being treated well.
Oh good.
This goes, oh, did they get, turns to Eric,
did they get the request?
They did get the request.
Turns to Eric, did they get the request
to make an exception for Phantom to be in here?
And Eric goes,
it must have slipped my mind to send the request.
I mean, it is an occasion.
He is an honored member of House Avalea.
Well, you do have to obtain permission first
from the majordomo of the castle.
And you are the best person to do that, I suppose?
I'm not sure.
I am.
But the occasion is now,
and you should be getting into place
for the arrival and greetings.
Well, if I must do it myself, then.
I will do it.
Thank you.
He just looks towards Sabine, your mother,
and she just goes, she's getting into place.
And he just turns and walks.
Smile.
He didn't ask on purpose, did he?
Smile, smile, smile, smile, smile, smile.
I am smiling.
Okay, everything's gonna be good.
It's gonna be a good day today.
In fact, there's gonna be in here.
Everything's gonna go exactly the way you want it.
And then you hear,
Avonlea's.
As you see, walking over this,
this really well-dressed noblewoman,
you know her very, very briefly.
She says, you don't quite exactly have your name yet.
It starts with like a J or something,
but you do know the other person that is accompanying her.
Red, they both share the same fiery red hair.
His is straightforward and encamped.
He wears really nice, like, vested,
like, not vested, but like,
really nice garments for the occasion.
He's dressed very sharply, sharp,
sharp red eyes, really fierce,
and like, really like, organized look about him.
Graham Alizon,
and his mother, who you've heard about in passing.
It's good to meet you, Mrs. Alizon.
She says, my lady, my lord.
And you see, you see Graham walks towards you.
A man, a young man about around your age.
This was the young man that was promised
that to be your retainer at Irobran Academy.
Someone whom your father has really,
who your father has really talked up about.
And your mother, to a degree as well,
has talked a great degree about their house.
You know them to be a merchant.
They're more so a merchant family.
They're not nobles.
Because nobles in this kingdom are mostly people who are,
people with Aeon marks,
or people who are sired by people with Aeon marks.
But these people are just rich, a really rich family.
But no doubt, going to Irobran
would bring them a lot of prestige.
Graham, of course, does a deep bow.
He goes, Valora.
No need for that, Graham.
I mean, you're gonna be my retainer, right?
I mean, yeah, truly.
I mean, I just whispered,
you're gonna be my retainer, right?
Oh, yes, truly.
Um, I suppose I do have to keep it a secret until then.
A light secret.
But it's good to see you again.
It's good to see you too.
Are you ready?
A little nervous, I have to admit.
You know, I'm going to be a retainer under you,
of all people.
Forgive me if I'm a little daunted
by the shadows that are ahead of me.
I mean, well, at least,
I don't think you have to give any speeches.
That is true.
I did prepare something just in case.
A lot of high words, a lot of praise for you.
I mean, that's nice.
Well, my dad would commend your preparedness, I'm sure.
And you see, the two mothers have gone off
and you see his mom just goes,
they're hitting it off so well, what you think?
And your mom just goes, yeah, yeah.
So how are you, Jolene?
She goes, Jolene, internally.
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.
Gotta remember the name, she forgot it.
Graham goes, you know, there was this,
all these high occasions,
I've actually never attended something like this,
but both of my parents have been drilling me
all these months about it.
They taught me this new dance for the dance later
after the ceremony.
Oh, so you're feeling prepared about that?
As prepared as I can be, I mean,
as someone as fleet-footed as you,
I'm sure you have no problem keeping up.
I think I do far more than keep up.
I tend to be a little ahead.
Well, I guess that's not a good thing in music, though.
Maybe not in...
And not in a dance, but you know.
Maybe not against me,
because I've been well-practiced and such.
Oh, well-practiced all of, like, what, a few weeks, you said?
A few months, actually.
Oh, a few months.
I feel rather confident, Valora.
Well, if you're going to be my retainer,
I suppose confidence is good, but also,
humility can be learned.
Oh.
I guess you do...
And I will teach it.
Humility, humility.
I guess you do have a small chance of beating me
if the stars are aligned and you are very lucky.
It would be really embarrassing if you
fell over your feet your first time in the palace.
I think that would be embarrassing for anyone.
Good thing it won't happen to me.
As the friendly banter...
As the friendly banter goes on,
eventually, your mom takes you by the hand,
and you're like,
I'm going to be seeing a lot of time later.
We gotta...
We gotta ship up.
The itinerary...
War game.
War game face. War face.
I'll see you later, Graham.
Of course.
As your mother takes you off, she goes,
OK, war face.
She's kind of confused.
You want me serious?
Oh, well, when you say war, it sounds very bleak.
The war politics.
There we go.
You see that the houses are being...
The many nobles and such are being led out of the building.
As you stand in the center of the halls,
as the king takes his place at the throne,
we head outside.
I see a suspicious look sometimes from...
I look over to Emma Remasko, and she's like,
Hmm.
What is outside, though?
As you're outside, you are forced to be a part of the crowd.
As people split, you do see the occasions of people coming in from time to time.
You see these wagons with these flags being flown over them.
You're explained that those are house flags that belong to the houses of Anor.
House Luwenhardy, this lion sigil, House Garvey, House Luclara, things like that.
Of course, each one of them is met with veneration and awe.
And of course, you, from you, of course, in equal measure,
because you are taught that these people are very...are touched, are divine touched.
They're bloodlines blessed by the gods.
The Aeon marks are mystical sigils borne upon by the Norse gods themselves,
who recognize, who are closely watching and blessing bloodlines
and giving them...recognizing them for their merits in the past, present, or future.
Anybody with these marks on their skin have these abilities that make them stand out from the rest.
The Asatio ministry, the ministry, the church in charge who rules alongside the crown,
they put these people...if you have a mark, you are immediately put at the top of the chain.
You are given status, you are given power, everything you'd ever want.
And you know that these people are proof that the gods do...
that not only do the gods exist, in this fantasy world, of course gods exist,
but the gods care and they award.
As that happens, you feel a slight twinge of...like a slight twinge in your chest of something.
As you're just clapping along with the crowd and watching, you feel your...
as you make that little sound, your...Arnolda goes,
Is everything alright, dear?
Yeah, yeah. Got a frog in my throat is all.
And you feel this growing sense of something.
It creeps up your back like anticipation.
There's a swelling in your chest.
The crowd noise kind of like swirls inside of your head for a moment.
And then all of a sudden just snapped out of it. A breath, quick breath.
You forgot to breathe.
And you hear from your side, excuse me, but is that hair color natural?
Sorry?
You look to your side to see a man with...he has a very...a face...he has a smile that shows teeth.
He's obviously a face that smiles a lot. He wears sort of like purplish robes.
He has like a big...like he has a big hat on.
Really like seaweed-like, kind of like fringed, like kind of like white grayish hair kind of like falling to his back.
His hair is long.
And he picks you with a smile.
Sorry if the question is too intrusive.
She smiles back and goes, uh, no, no, this is...right?
She turns to look at Arnolda.
Oh, it's always been.
Yes. Yes, it has.
Sorry for the rude question. I don't mean to take your attention away from...
I don't mean to take your attention away from the spectacle of many rolling wagons ahead of you.
Not at all, sir. Are you enjoying the festival?
Yes. I haven't been to many of these occasions.
Have you?
This is my first one.
Hmm. This is a very special occasion. Then too bad we're not going to be able to go inside of there.
What do you mean?
Just, well, to my understanding, all of us common folk can't exactly walk through the gates, especially in the procession, correct?
It's all about the higher life of people.
Great. And then she turns to Arnolda. I thought we were special guests, so we would be able to see.
We are special guests of Fuluwane, the head of the Vajandi, so we are venerated enough to join the rest inside of the castle.
Oh, is that right?
Well, I didn't realize I was talking to special people.
Oh, no, no, no. It's don't...no, no, no. We're just...we're just here to...just here to, you know, we're just here to see.
Nothing...this is...we won't be...not too special, so don't...don't worry about it. Do you...um, well, maybe he can come in with us if he wants.
Oh. Can I? I would...
Um...
I would not mind the invitation.
Looks to Arnolda. I mean...I don't see the harm.
And Arnolda just kind of looks...he just goes,
Can I get an introduction of you, sir?
And he goes, Ah, me. I am a man of no consequence, but you can call me Crouvan.
Crouvan. I'm Lucia, and she...
He...um...what did you do again? Sorry.
She gave a little curtsy.
Bows his head. And he just...and he just goes, And thank you. Says, And thank you. Of course you don't have to do this for me, but...
I do repay little favors that I am given to, so perhaps that can become a boon in the future.
Well, don't worry at all. I'm just...I'm glad we can all enjoy the festival. Right?
Yes, and...I'm afraid you haven't given me your name?
Is she looking at Arnolda?
Are you?
I thought she said...did I not...did I say it?
Yeah, he's asking for it again.
He's asking for it again?
Yeah.
I can't...I...um...a little confused.
Yeah, Lucia.
Oh, Lucia. But is there a surname?
Nope, it's just Lucia.
Ah. Is that...that's the name you most acquaint yourself with?
Um...she looks at Arnolda.
She has a little mysterious smile. He just goes, And I'm another Lusardi. Says, Thank you for your names.
Now then.
Um, you're welcome.
Says, Thank you.
Yes. Yes. This little shifting of names, trading of names is a custom where I'm from, so it's a big thank you.
Where are you from?
Says, Oh, I am from...says, believe it or not, I am from Anera.
A small pocket of Anera.
Oh.
Where are you from?
I'm...
She's like a little uncomfortable now because like, this is your question she doesn't even think about, really.
From here, we've got a little cottage, you know, a little bit of ways.
I see.
Hmm.
Says, You lived a small life, have you? Looking back towards the procession.
She goes, Um...
Well.
Small.
Well, give them my name and I'll be sure to pop around sometime. You're not coming with us.
Oh no, I...there's a place I have to attend to at the moment, but rest assured, you will see me again.
Hey, well, we'll see you soon, Cravan.
Says, You will.
Lucia? Arnold Lussardi.
And he just goes, Shouldn't...you're not Lucia Lussardi. You're just Lucia.
Yeah, just Lucia.
Oh, quaint.
Tips his hat.
Easy to say. Small name for a small life.
Hmm. Who knows?
Walks away.
Are you people in the city so weird?
He's just being friendly, Petal.
Is he?
So that's weird.
There are different breeds of friendliness. For some people, it might see yours as a little strange.
That's a good point. That's a good point. The girl we were talking to earlier.
Yeah, I got you there, didn't I? Point for me.
Yeah, you did get me there. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, fine. Point for you.
I'm winning. Woohoo.
You're winning. Yes, you are. Yeah, yeah, fine. I'll be a lot more open minded moving forward.
The gods would wish me to do so.
I would wish. I would also wish that.
Okay.
And eventually you see in the back, coming in at the very back of this procession, you see the Vrijanbi, the warriors walking in lockstep of each other.
The only one not moving in lockstep, the only one with the commanding gate sword on top of her elegant rapier, is Aurier.
Oh, she waves.
She looks around, seemingly looking for you specifically, and she sees you because you stand out.
She just got, she just, just for you to come over.
And she squeezes, aren't all those, and goes, oh my goodness. Okay, I will, I won't mess up. I'll do a really good job. Okay?
Yes.
Perhaps.
I trust you.
We'll let you down.
Walking forward.
You enter past the gate.
Into the garden.
What a beautiful place.
You've always seen this place through windows.
You have entered through like little side parts of this place. You've never entered through the main entrance.
Entering such a holy and venerated place. It's, you've never got the full, you've never got the full glimpse of it.
But now seeing the fountains, the large statue of the various gods, grandiose, all about.
Place that has pieces of everything that you've ever worshipped, you've ever been taught to worship in your life.
Built up in high volitudes. Big statues that tower over you, large, grand paintings that are organized against a wall.
I told you about things that are natural and how they are spontaneous, free, that they're just supposed to be there.
With your knowledge and what you believe and what you venerate, everything around you feels like it wasn't built, but it was just put here by a divine ordaining.
Every inch of this place as you walk along this procession of highly, of people of high society, of merchants and nobles, of people who are divine touched.
As you walk among this company, something that you may or may not realize only happens like a very, very little percent of people.
You are in the most exclusive of company given this chance by Aurier.
You enter into walking through the marbled, gilded halls, following along your eyes, scour every little detail.
And you see, you know, these little, the people of the Vore Society carrying these little trays.
And one of them comes up to you and offers you, he goes, chocolate. Chocolate's a word that you've never heard before.
As he hands you this kind of like, this small brown creation that has a little bit of a glaze on the outside. Looks like bread, but a little burnt, you think?
I like bread.
I'm standing next to the tongue out.
A sweet glaze immediately touches the tip of your tongue and it is powerful. It sends little shockwaves to your taste buds going to the back of your mouth.
It was powerful. It sends a little jolt in your brain. That was just the outside.
What? Not even another one?
Of course. Guest. You're an esteemed guest.
Starts.
How many can I take?
As many as you want.
She starts using her skirt as like a little bag.
Before you start doing that, Arnolda goes, there's going to be a lot more that come from this battle. Just take what you could put in your mouth.
Slowly puts the one she was about to put in her skirt back on the tray.
Thank you for these delicious chocolates.
Of course.
And she just goes, why don't you eat one?
I'm afraid that if I eat it, I'm never going to stop.
Teach yourself. Like I said.
Expanding. You should expand your horizon. Set sail. Take the boat out of harbor a little bit.
Yeah, but this boat didn't realize that these waves existed this whole time. This is incredible. She pops in her mouth.
And the boat would have never known if it hadn't left.
And then you have your first taste of pure cocoa chocolate. Fudgy.
Little semi-dark semi-sweet.
It coats the tongue and it is unlike anything you've had before.
And you see that these little pastries are offered throughout. And of course, all of the things you've never you've never heard about, you've never heard about before.
All these little hand foods. Horde of hors. I don't know what they're fucking called.
Hordervs. You got it.
Hordervs.
Hordervs. You don't pronounce the H. No H. Hordervs.
Hordervs.
No H.
Hordervs.
And the food is impeccable. Everything you everything you try, small in size, but a big impact on the taste buds.
It's different. It's different than leek soup. Potato soup with the occasional little bit of cheese.
Blueberries.
Did someone say blueberries and someone comes up with a little blueberry cobbler?
Would you like some?
I think she yet again, when he said like only take what you can fit in your mouth, she's just been cramming food in so that she has like these big chipmunk cheeks.
And she goes, she takes another piece of the cobbler and just.
There are there are looks from other nobles are like, kind of like.
Slowly pulls the cobbler out of her mouth.
There are judgmental looks, definitely.
But the.
But.
There is a look of pride of happiness.
From Arnaga.
Who, even though you are not the image of decorum in front of all these nobles at the moment.
You are exploring new avenues that were not afforded to you before.
And right now, that makes him happy.
I think also anytime someone gives her a weird look, she gives like a little like wave in response that she thinks royalty is supposed to do the little like Princess Di wave.
And just nods.
Walks.
Eventually, another takes a cup, this glass like flute cup and hand it over to you.
And you sniff, you sniff it and it's smells of it smells of great but not powerful.
Yes, as she shoots it back.
It's just.
Yes.
He left, he laughs again taking the cup away and putting it back with the with the with the waiter.
He pulls out a small little napkin inserts, dabbing up your mouth, a little bit, cleaning your face.
I can do it myself.
No, no, no, let me get.
Let me fuzz over you.
She's like a, she's like a 1920s year old woman.
Just a reminder.
She's a kid. Nope. She is an adult woman.
She's like, oh, I can do it myself.
She takes a napkin and.
Thank you for letting me come this year.
It's a rare occasion and I'm glad.
It's incredible.
Yes.
I've been to a few of these myself.
Last one I went to was way before you entered my life.
The chocolate is good.
Chocolate is new.
I've never actually had these before.
Let's come back next year, OK?
Might not be in next year.
Maybe three or four more years.
It's going to take a while.
Let's come back in three or four.
Yeah, let's let's take three or four years and I'll be sure to ask.
Oh, yeah, we got to thank her.
This is incredible.
Where's the princess?
I mean, the was the Maladi.
The Maladi is this way.
In the distance, Valora.
You see people begin to enter as you see as you see Bert.
Cut up position himself.
He closed his door.
Now entering just the venerated guests of House Garvey, the shield of the realm.
And you've seen them before.
You you you you peeked behind the curtains.
These guys were already here.
This is your second time seeing them today.
But you see that they enter into the building.
You see Gunther Garvey with his wife, whom you actually know the dirt on a little bit.
They're a little strained at the moment because he has two bastard children.
Oh, the drama, the drama.
But nonetheless, you see that they're linked in arms and that she's you see that she's a little she's smiling.
But you know that, you know, there's a little drama behind it.
You see, you see the large sons of the Garvey's.
The the the Garvey's are the shield of the realm.
They're a swan shield of the of the king defenders.
They normally are like these these large, robust men who are, you know, often very, very powerful.
They often like they just often like form a wall in between in between whoever they're like standing between Gunther Garvey,
especially a seven, seven foot tall, two, seven foot two man, darker, darker skin, all kind of like kind of like kind of like
like a kind of like blondish hair up here, shocks of little like white and such.
He is a big man.
But but of course, standing out the black sheep of the black sheep of the group amongst the sons who obviously have the looks of their father.
There are the two children who have the looks of their mother, which is not which is not the woman that is around Gunther's arm right now.
You see a man of of a relaxed composition.
He is smaller and scrawnier than his brothers.
His hair is long and wavy and brown.
And he wears small like round.
He smells small round spectacles.
He's dressed elegantly in comparison in comparison to the others.
And of course, you see him like attached to the side of a younger girl who also shares the same the same brown hair, the same dark skin.
The two bastard children of House Garvey, Quincy Garvey and Skanda Garvey.
Quincy, who you know through your talks with him, is also going to be joining you at Irabrin.
And he he is the one of the bastard children who has the Aeon mark, but his sister younger sister is the only child of House Garvey that does not.
You you see as walking, you see as they're walking in, you greet every single one of them.
They all bow in front of you.
And as the last two arrive, Quincy walks up towards you, gives you kind of like a once over, like slowly up and down.
And then he goes.
And then the specter look you so it looks so well for the occasion.
Hmm. Did you think I'd come over in my riding clothes?
I have expected you to crash through one of the windows to make a dramatic entrance.
I should have thought of that.
You should have.
Darn it. I've only gotten a chance to speak to you beforehand.
I didn't know that you could be tamed by the palm in circumstance of things.
Oh, you know, um, my parents are here.
The king is here also.
Ah, right.
That's that has that's going to be the thing that grounds you.
And of course, where is.
It's a phantom sconder here is a really wants to see him.
He smiles down at his sister.
The sister looks up you with these like big eyes like, is he is he here?
He is here. He is in the court and a courtyard, apparently.
But my dad's seeing about getting him inside with the festivities.
So hopefully he'll be here soon.
They left a while ago.
Well, he should be allowed in my exactly.
Yeah, he's well, well behaved enough.
It's kind of do you want to ask?
Can I can I pet him?
Of course, you just have to just.
I mean, if he gets in here, if I get a chance, I'll introduce you myself.
But as long as he's not eating.
You should be good to go.
OK.
Thank you for Laura.
He'll be excited to have someone to play with.
He's a little this one.
She looks up at Quincy, just goes, I did it.
You're very brave.
No one looks up at Quincy, looks up to you with like like his typical like like a musical regard.
And he just goes, if you need anyone to steal you away from any forced conversations with stuffiness,
then I'm sure to have a drink in my hand for you.
I'll keep that in mind.
Congratulations, Laura.
Thank you.
I hope you don't get too sick of me at school.
Three years.
Only three years.
He smirks a little bit and he walks off.
As we as we're being shown off to all of the main cast, I'm kidding.
Here's every character.
I'm going to say it's the house.
It's our house intro.
Um, and then and then speeding through it.
Introducing the house of the house of Laura.
Hi, nice to meet you.
Oh my gosh, this is my daughter, Diana.
Oh my gosh.
Where's the prince?
Um, and introducing the house of House Luhwienhart.
And of course, you are introduced one by one.
The rivals and greetings of everyone.
You are forced to be there.
Smile, handshake, nods.
My lady, this my lady that congratulations.
This goes on for a long time.
Lucia, you are waiting in this line for a while, but eventually you see as you eventually plot along.
You can see over overhead of someone, the grand halls before you and before you know it, you're eventually there.
I like nudged my mom.
Was a spotter. Oh my God, I saw her in line.
I saw immediately.
That's so pink.
Yeah, I can't be natural.
I'm not going to ask her.
You do it.
But I'm supposed to be all formal.
Yeah, but I'm the Lord.
And my mom.
And as as your Lord and your mother, you will ask you will ask the nice girl if that is her natural hair color.
Well, I was going to do it, but now I don't want to because you told me to.
Dang it. Yeah.
Learned that a long time ago.
Eventually, Lucia, you are brought up.
You approach the person.
You saw what everyone else is doing.
They're greeting, bowing.
I have to.
Did they get an entrance thing?
Or no, she just got to walk in.
There came a point where the houses were introduced and then everybody else, the merchants and council members.
Great.
They're like, fuck off.
We don't get a poor announcement.
Perfect.
Perfect. Perfect.
Because I was like, please don't do the announcement thing.
I'm a rascal.
So Lucia will.
You know, this is probably the most I she's ever have on her.
So she's having a bit of performance anxiety as her palms are like fully sweating.
She's grasping at like the hem of her dress that has like dirt and like chocolate smeared all over it from the day.
They've been clean.
Oh, clean. Okay.
He's been cleaning.
Okay.
So she approaches and she tries to mimic what she's seen the other people do in front of her and gives a brief nod.
Hi, it's nice to meet you again.
I know why I'm supposed to help you now.
Is that right?
She kind of like, like side looks at her mom as she's like, is that right?
Yes.
Are you seeing this?
Yes, Prince.
Miss Meleti.
My name is my name is Valora.
The lady Valora.
I know why now.
And it's all going to be okay.
Good.
What's your name?
Oh, oh, I'm and she goes back into like a weird little curtsy.
I am Lucia.
I speak for and she points up.
I don't speak for but I kind of.
Well, I don't really.
They kind of like taught when you're a boat and you need to go see other boats.
You know, sometimes this boat gets directions from captains in different shores.
I speak for the boats.
That's me.
Try the chocolate.
There.
Oh, I will say that Lucia that there is this tall half elven muscle bound woman standing next to Valora.
That's that's becoming more and more apparent as you get a little louder.
She's just arms crossed.
I will.
Good luck.
I'll try the you got to try the chocolate.
Is that what you're saying?
Yes.
It was.
I don't think I actually understood what it is you you do.
That's okay.
I'll explain to you later.
I'm taking up your time as she watches the muscle to get closer and closer.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
I'm sorry.
This is oh, I hope this isn't stupid.
Your hair.
Is it.
Do you tie it?
She puts her hand in her hair, forgets his flowers in there, takes them back out and goes.
Interesting, you're the second person to ask me that question.
Is your hair dyed?
Oh, no, no, it's just I have never seen anyone with.
Well, I guess I've always assumed everyone I see with pink hair had their hair dyed, but now I second.
That's all I hope that.
Oh, no, no, I appreciate you asking.
I mean, maybe maybe I would die.
I don't know.
That seems like it's like a lot of time.
I don't know.
Well, and she's still watching like she's going to get this muscle warrior by chairs.
She's just standing there now.
She's just.
Okay, okay.
Now she's fine.
Okay.
Now that she knows that she's not in trouble, she goes.
Yeah.
It's just how it is.
You know, I had someone out there.
Well, and then she remembers back to her conversation about how she has to be polite.
I think it's really beautiful in here, and I'm really, really grateful that I got to see your naming ceremony today.
So thanks for having it.
Yeah, thanks for having it.
Well, those things would be owed to His Majesty the King.
Right.
He's our host.
Yes, right.
Yes, yes, yes.
He is our host, and we're here to give you really.
We already have your name.
You're here to just take up the mantle of the silver catch, the silvered lions.
And I don't know what else.
She's starting to panic because she doesn't know what else to talk about.
She places a hand on your shoulder.
She goes, Lucia here is starstruck to be in your presence.
It is an honor to watch you.
May you bring us pride.
Young Avalaya.
Thank you.
And I didn't get your name.
Arnaud, another Lucardy.
Yes.
And he bows his head.
May the Allfather bless you.
Oh, oh, that's right.
And she's going to, you know, bow her head because I believe with a cleric in A5E, I have ceremony at this level.
She's going to cast ceremony specifically for coming of age.
And.
Okay.
Oh, do I not, Jenny?
Do I not?
No, no, no, no, no.
It's whatever.
Whatever.
I just I just know that the spell is normally like an hour.
Yeah, it's like an hour.
But we could modify it if it made sense.
So I was like not going to interrupt you.
We were just going to let it go.
But either don't worry about it.
Hold on a minute.
It's going to take me an hour.
But.
Oh, I.
Let me show you next.
Blessing is going to be all good to go.
That I'm you've done well enough.
But thank you.
May the Allfather bless you as well.
And and she presents she drew and crafts a small little apple in her hand with apple blossoms around it.
What was the pronunciation?
We said.
Do.
And she said.
And may a dooms youth.
Give you the strength you need.
To be your best self.
She presents her this apple with the blossoms around it.
Thank you.
Speaker of boats.
She giggles.
That's me.
Actually, speaker of boats.
That would be kind of cool.
Like maybe I could like tell the boats to go certain directions.
And have you ever been in a boat?
Oh, gently pushing you forward.
Goodbye.
I mean, bye bye.
Bowels, Your Highness, Your Majesty, Princess, Your Lordship.
Bye bye.
And you make your way past.
Arnold gives you a little shake of the shoulder, big smile on his face.
And how was that?
I did really well.
I can tell.
I'm not out of the park.
What I enjoyed about that is that you were yourself.
Yeah, who else should I be?
Yes.
Quilter.
And.
You see.
You see the man.
You know to be the king whom you've only saw as dots in the distance suddenly turns.
And goes, why did you come?
I don't know.
Arnold.
The Walter see the king sees him.
And he goes, and you see Arnold.
It goes, how long has it been?
He goes, too long, friend, too long.
And the two of them share an embrace.
Your Majesty.
Hello.
And she full on instead of like doing the 90 degree angle like she did with velour, she just folds in half.
Like touching her toes.
What do you say?
Thank you for this beautiful event and for having us.
Another what we've been teaching the people within your dwell.
Because, oh, she's.
It's her own unique brand of respect.
You don't have to bow that deep, darling.
And then she like whips herself up, almost giving herself like that's where you flash.
That's how you throw your back.
Yeah, that's what.
You give to the.
This at home kids.
You give to the back brace.
She goes, oh, your Highness, this is such a beautiful, beautiful thing.
We'll see.
Thank you.
Correct.
You know, it's my name, she says.
Of course I have.
Yes.
It is not beyond me to learn to remember names so spoken to me, especially names of the beloved citizens of the realm.
I miss me.
You're a really good king.
If you know my name.
Yes.
Well, of course, I've heard about you before.
Oh, and she looks to Arnalda.
What did you tell him?
I, I didn't know that the boat was going to go down the river.
I thought it would come back.
I felt.
What's this about a boat now?
Smiling.
And you see the queen walks up and just goes.
Says, oh, no, it's been so long.
How the fuck do they know where?
Arnalda goes, yes, I haven't.
I haven't visited as much as I wanted to in the past 20 years, but.
I'm glad you still recognize me beyond, beyond the age.
And this is Lucia.
Your Majesty.
Go on.
She just goes, oh.
Rise.
She flips back up.
You're popping your back.
And that's four to six times I can do that.
And that's four to six weeks.
She goes, there's only so many more times I can do that.
I'm really sorry.
This might be weird.
But you know, Arnalda.
It was well, of course, I'm acquainted with many of the dwells that
says many of the religious dwells of the of our city.
It's good to be in touch with says to touch with all roots of the ministry.
It goes.
But your dwell was something I haven't heard about in quite a while.
It's only been you for a while, hasn't it?
Yes. Yes, yes, it has.
But Lucia here has been with me through so many of the years and she has been
an absolute blessing to the palm blessings.
I decided to sometimes you might call me a curse.
She says I said she goes and it might be a curse.
Only when I pick it up.
Well, sometimes I can be annoying.
No, not really.
Well, now you're just being nice because we're in front of fancy people.
And you see the uproarious laughter abruptly.
Full on like jumps back at this like giant laughter.
Huh.
Yes.
Well, Arnalda, just assume because I am the king of Anor that you don't have to
attend ceremony every time you need to come and see me.
Yes.
Come see me more often.
For all time's sake.
Hmm, friend.
Hmm.
Yes.
But for now, the occasion is I believe surrounds Lucia completely.
I just want her to get a fresh look at the palace, at the castle and everything
inside.
Well, there's much to look at.
You should catch up sometime.
If your majesty's would ever like some fresh jam, you would be more than happy
to put in a special order for you.
You know our Baker and the Queen goes his name is a Claire.
He just goes, our Baker could possibly use that.
And he just turns to his wife and he goes, why don't you put in a word with the
majordomo?
Because and you see Arnalda goes, no, no, no, it's quite fine.
It's quite fine.
Our jam can possibly compare to the quality gems brought by the Royal Baker.
What do you mean?
We pick them fresh in the morning.
We make sure to give lots of care and love and make sure that the fruits are nice and
grown and nice.
And then you see like, oh, there's a line forming behind a people wanting to talk.
Meet the King.
Your Majesty's and then she goes to bow and then pauses because her back can only do
so much.
She gives a short little curtsy instead.
Thanks again.
And nods.
Walking another takes you away.
And you sense his heart.
You can feel it.
I was beating a little faster.
It's wrong.
Because I said our jam was better as it is.
I know it is.
No, no, no, it's not that.
It's not that pedal.
Dab's is face off.
He's sweating a little bit.
Wrong.
I'm fine.
You're not.
Why don't you go enjoy yourself?
There are some other dwells here that I should equate to myself with.
It's been a long time since I've chatted with some people here.
Will you promise to tell me what's bothering you when I come back?
It's just a little hot.
Yeah, and the heat's making your heart speed up.
You should leave if it's making you sick.
I'll leave when you're ready to leave.
Just, and then she'll turn to face him directly.
Lean on me sometimes.
I know I don't know a lot of things, and I do dumb things all the time, but I can help.
I know you can.
And that's why you are so good.
You are free with your love.
You are caring and attentive.
Even though you know you don't know much, you still apply yourself when you see troubles.
You still heal others even without their asking.
Even with the slightest hint of trouble, you apply yourself, Lucia.
That is why...
I say...
That is why I believe.
The world needs you more than I do.
Well, what about what I need?
I want you to find that out.
Because it's not just, it can't only be just me.
I want you to find out what Lucia needs.
Are you kicking me out?
No.
You always have a home.
I will always have you.
I will always be there to make jam with you, to do everything with you.
But there's an entire world out there, and there are people who need help.
But you're the one who taught me all those things, and I don't know what to do on my own.
And who's going to stay with you?
You can't be alone.
Hand on your shoulders.
You can't carry...
Boats are safest at the harbor.
But that is not what boats are for.
It's scary.
There's much you still need to learn.
And I'm afraid that the things you need to learn, I cannot teach you.
Okay, well, wherever I'm going, will you please write me?
All the time?
Of course.
So I know you're okay?
And you can always come and see me, and you will not go until we both know that you are well prepared.
Yeah, because I mean, like, I just had chocolate for the first time today.
I do not feel prepared.
I bet you there's much more wondrous stuff than chocolate out there.
What?
Her eyes kind of come back.
But come now, there's much more festivities to be had.
Let's enjoy the day.
Well, keep careful with that heart of yours, and she's going to tap and give him guidance.
This I'll be sure to follow says I'll be sure my heart follows the direction in which your magic has set upon it.
I want to go try their jams because they might not be as good as ours.
I don't mean to be snobby, but I bet it's not going to be as good as ours.
Has you never going to be as good as it's not going to be.
It's not going to be.
As the two of you head off, Valora in the middle of your long reading of this of this procession.
And oh, God, there's a big day ahead of you.
There's going to be an invocation.
You're going to be blessed by the fucking head, all father McGill's all decide the head of the church.
And then there's going to be all there's going to be a presentation and there's going to be speeches and tributes and there's going to be like a musical performance.
And then the naming ceremony and then there's the old musical.
There's the old and pledges afterwards and then mother fuck on.
If there's a feast and celebration entertainment afterwards and you got to do toast and well wishes.
And then maybe there's like a little send off.
Oh, there's so much ahead of you.
Surprise.
Probably isn't as good as he thinks it is.
You feel a slight tap on the back of your arm in the middle of this kind of like monotony.
This Avalaya as you turn around to see a young child about nine, 10 years old, blonde hair, much like his father.
Your Highness, she bows.
It's good to see you.
You see Prince Circe's Lunen 10 year old boy will will appointed for some of his age and will spoken.
Because I.
I still have your.
We just into his pocket and he pulls out a small he pulls out one of Phantom scales.
Oh, that's great.
I remember to bring it.
I have I had this with me the entire time.
Well, you know, oh, yes.
My father's trying to see about allowing him and he forgot to clear it beforehand.
He he he can mean he.
I can allow him in.
Well, if the prince says it's so, then I suppose that's all the permission we need.
And I think the crease itself.
And since my father is taking far too long, I think this is would you agree with me that this is a top priority?
Yes.
Then we better go get him.
You see, you'll be so excited to see you.
Your mom kind of gives you a side look, but like a little smile.
She goes and she looks at her mom.
She goes, if anyone's upset, you have to say, well, the prince.
Well, if the prince is doing it, then I can't say anything about it.
Yeah.
Let's.
Let's go get him.
I'm walking alongside you.
It's just because you're going to be just like, what's the phantom?
You're going to miss you.
He did.
Yep.
I think he knew that we were coming to see you when we started flying near here.
He was really excited.
You remember me?
Oh, I'm sure he remembered you.
You played with him so much.
He goes, he played all day.
He really caught those discs really well.
Except for the ones he broke.
And the ones I broke.
I think that's nothing to be ashamed of being as strong as a wyvern's jaws.
I asked my dad, my father, if I could have a wyvern like that one day.
He said, maybe if I grow up big enough.
I don't know how big.
How big do you have to be to ride a wyvern?
Well, not to undermine your father, the king.
But as long as you can get your legs on either side, I think you can ride it.
But ride yourself, you have to make sure that you can get a saddle that can strap you in tight enough.
So I think you're plenty old enough.
I'm going to tell that to my royal instructor, who has misinformed me on this matter.
There is a whole other matter of...
Hmm, you're old enough to ride perhaps a trained wyvern.
But if you wanted to train one yourself and bond with them properly, I'd give it another few years.
Because they get quite nippy when they're little.
And it's not like a puppy, it's... you could lose a hand.
Oh, it's okay.
My blood makes me really strong. I can take it.
I'll be really good, and I'll be really gentle.
I'm willing to bet that they're not willing to take that risk with the future king of Anor.
But in a few more years, who could deny you?
And you can teach me.
Of course.
After you're done. And when you're free, of course. I know you're going to be busy.
Well, maybe if your studies demands and what not aren't too much, maybe you can come stay with House Avonlea for a summer and learn how we train them.
I would like that very much.
I think that'd be a lot of fun. Though we're mostly on the pegasi. We don't exactly... we don't raise wyverns.
But occasionally when they come through, I've helped.
If there's anyone I can trust, then it is you.
My father speaks very highly of your house and everyone there.
I appreciate that.
And by this time, you make your way out to the courtyard.
And you see Phantom.
You see Phantom there.
He is currently... you see that they have a space for him.
It's just a little fenced up part of a field.
And you see he has his head rested on the post looking towards the castle and the lights and everything.
He's just so bored.
Oh, Phantom, I thought they had done everything up for you.
She goes, Confune, could come.
Comes towards you, but then he looks towards Cersei's.
And you can tell on the inside he's happy to see him.
Oh, that. She goes, I was right. He is excited, I can tell.
Phantom, do you recognize me? And then Phantom nozzles him immediately.
Gives little face nozzles. And Cersei just laughs and has... just kind of hugs him.
Well, we better start those writing lessons now.
As that happens, you hear from behind, Velora?
Turns.
You see your father just showing up at the same door you just exited out of.
He just goes, shouldn't you be greeting the rest of the people coming inside?
Oh, well, the prince and I had urgent business.
Your Highness.
Yes, yes, the most urgent of business. Someone as venerated and esteemed as Phantom should not be outside the castle.
He's a guest of the royal family.
I see.
She knows her dad's gonna get pissed off about this, but she's, she's just gonna do it.
She thinks about it for a second and then just says, she goes, all right, let me give you a like up.
Velora, he goes, okay, he starts getting, he starts getting up and you even see some of the guards are like, kind of like keeping an eye out.
Because that's the, that is the, that is the heir to the kingdom.
And she adjusts the straps to strap him in better.
Okay, okay. I don't know about this. I don't know. I'm gonna be brave. I'm gonna be brave.
Witness Fowler.
She climbs on. She goes, here, I'll give the reins to you.
Okay.
And she says, she says, few wheel Phantom, which means gentle to be careful. But she goes, then if you want him to fly.
Okay. All you have to say is you take the reins, you give a pull, you say his fear.
His fear.
And then goes out gently. He holds on tightly as a smile, unrestrained smile, sort of spreading on his face, wide eyed.
As you've been flying with the, as you've been flying with the prince.
I will fly low to get back to the hall.
She says, his wings might be a little too big for the doors.
A small flying trial happens. The landing is gentle. And you see an uncut, definitely not decorum, definitely not manners for the prince to do an excited little like bounce on his seat.
I did it.
Do you want me to teach you how to do a trick before we get inside?
Yes. And you see your father goes, Velora.
Okay. So all you have to do is she shows him how to pull the reins and it's to make him fly straight up and then straight down.
But he's strapped in and she's also holding him.
It's like a little, it's like a little like thrill ride. And he just goes straight down, lands so softly.
You hear one solitary clapping in the distance.
And you look to see the king watching.
You're already a pro.
Okay.
Thank you.
Can I get off now?
Here she helps him get out.
His legs are so shaky when he's on the ground.
And he got, and the king walks up and goes,
Look at you. Does you want to be a full fledge flyer yet?
That's the best I've ever had a student do in a first lesson.
I can do it.
Father, I can do it.
You gave the commands very confidently.
Your father walks up and just goes, Your Highness.
Your father kind of like has a little half smirk.
Looking over to your father.
The king looks over to your father. He just goes,
That was,
That was good.
I enjoyed that.
I'm glad to hear that, Your Highness.
Yes.
And Prince, the prince goes, I gave permission to allow,
to allow Phantom to be within our halls.
And why ever not?
We decided it must be a top priority.
She says, looking at the prince.
Yes.
And you see,
you see the king just goes,
He should dress for the occasion, however.
You are completely correct, Your Majesty.
And you see the prince goes, He can, he can wear my tie.
Or maybe I could give him my sash.
Yeah.
She puts her sash around him.
He looks dignified.
Aww.
Eventually you are led back into the room. Your father obviously disapproves.
But walking in,
people are, people are, some are shocked that a creature
walked, has walked into these renovated halls, but
they can't say anything because the king is there and the king seemingly approves.
Some are shocked, some are in awe, some politely clap, some give cheers.
You do see, you do see Jolene Alizon looking over
and just doing this face.
Just kind of like, look kind of like a little, a little shocked face.
Sees you but then smiles.
And as that happens, your father goes,
The time for the invocation is close.
Yeah, but I have some time, right?
I don't know if you should be ready.
Okay.
She, but she waves over, she tries to, she can see them, the youngest Garvey girl.
She tries to, she's sure that she's probably looking directly at Phantom.
She's like, her eyes are looking for permission.
And she quickly runs over.
She goes,
I'm sure the prince can tell you everything you need to know about how to be best friends with Phantom.
She looks at the Phantom, who looks at her.
And Phantom does this thing where you can tell his eyes are more gentle.
He tries to be more approachable.
She reaches out gently, she almost flinches.
But then eventually her hand rests on the cool grade scales.
And Phantom closes his eyes, allowing him to bow his head.
And she smiles.
She, um,
Surround for like, where she'd set stuff people had, anyone had given her.
And she's like, remembers like, oh, she grabs the apple and goes,
Here, why don't you give that to him?
The apple!
The apple.
And goes,
Are you hungry?
And just, and off is it.
And he does the little gentlest, grips it in the, in his front teeth.
And then eats it in one bite.
She claps.
You see, you see Quincy's looking over from the side.
And he has a gentle smile on his face.
He doesn't smile often.
And then she'll go for whatever her dad wanted her to do.
And there's that.
So,
The day begins to move along.
You are greeted by Miguelos Altercide.
Um, who, um, who as the Grand Hall clears, and Lucia, you're here, you're here for this as well.
Miguelos Altercide, you know, head honcho of the ministry.
Um, he is, he's the big boss man.
He is Arnoldas Boss's boss.
Oh, shit.
Can't say that around there.
He is known as the All Chief or the head gophe.
He commands the Virjandi.
He, um, he's one, he's, he's,
If you have a mark, he knows it.
He's the one who tells you that you have power now.
Um, he is a, he's a small, he's a, he's a smaller man with kind of like orange, auburn hair.
Um, and of course, much like your father, not your father, but Arnolda, he has a gentle, kind face.
Um,
a powerful sweeping prayer takes place as, as, um, you, as Valora, you are kneeled before him as, as, um,
censors and a genuine, like, great scent fills the hall as he blesses you, as he basically gives you the Norse Pantheon's blessings.
This ceremony legitimately takes like 30 minutes.
Um, and then throughout, uh, throughout the day, um, throughout the, throughout the day, Lucia, you watch as Valora is swamped by other people,
as in, as is embroidered in so many different things and, and ceremony, there's always a sea of people between the both of you.
You wonder if there's any, another chance to even talk to her at this point, because it seems like now it's just
the tide of the occasion has just swallowed her whole.
Um, you try, you definitely try to enjoy the other things, but other people just won't speak to you.
Um, it's hard to approach other people because it feels like they do have this air of differentness that seems to shield you away from them.
But it doesn't, you have the comfort of Arnolda with you.
Then in the midday speeches and tributes happen, uh, people hold up their cups and, and Valora, you were forced to listen to everyone gushing about you.
Um, the current heads of house, they're supposed to speak about you.
They have these embarrassing stories about you when you were a kid.
Um, and, uh, you see these, uh, close friends of the, close friends of the family, the halflings, uh, rep, all representatives, all different kinds.
And then you are treated to a bard performance.
Um, it says it's some, someone, someone named Jom, the bard.
Uh, Jom.
Yeah.
Jom, Jom, Jom Klum.
Jom Klum?
His music is very, his music is very pretty.
Um, but while, but the music is, the music is very, the music is very pretty.
It is a violin.
Uh, there is a violin playing in the back.
But, right, but as of right now, as everyone is paying attention, as everyone's paying
attention to him, as he's taking center stage, your mother at some point has left and then
has came back.
It just goes, oh, he's still playing.
Yeah, I mean, it's nice.
Is this one song?
Gosh, I need to check the, it doesn't say anything in itinerary about it.
How long is this supposed to go on, dear?
It's only 20 minutes.
It's a pretty song.
He has all the unseen servants playing all the different instruments and stuff.
Feels like cheating.
No, it's skill.
I mean, I mean, he has to command the other ones to play the thing too.
Well, dad, like, if you cast that spell, do you, do you just tell them to do it and they're
able to do it?
Or do you have to like think about every little thing they do?
You have to think about every little thing you do and two, it's rude to talk during the
performance.
The both of you.
I'm talking that loud.
Nobody can hear us.
I can hear you.
Oh, okay.
And your, your mother just kind of like hits your arm.
It just goes, hey, the naming ceremony is up next.
I'm feeling a little parched.
You want to take a break from this?
Go and find me some, find me something to drink.
Yeah, I bet her.
Very important.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
She gets up.
I just, the washrooms over there.
I went to the back over there.
Excuse me.
Just as good as.
Just be sure to be back before the naming ceremony.
They won't start without me.
Your father just goes, you should stay.
Well, my mother, the esteemed lord of my house is thirsty.
I'm thirsty.
Sire, Avonlea.
My god.
What kind of daughter would I be?
She just moves past.
As you move away in the performance, Lucia, the music is uplifting.
It is nice.
The performance is nice.
And you've stuffed yourself full.
In this performance, however, you see Arnold, kind of like as he's watching on, he pulls
out a rag once more and pats himself.
Noise of uncomfort.
And he just, he turns towards one of the servants and he goes, excuse me, do you know where
they are?
Do you know where the washrooms are?
The servant gives him the direction.
He goes, thank you.
Lucia, if you want to stay here and enjoy the performance, I'm just going to go use
the restroom.
He just, as you are raptured with the performance, he begins to excuse himself unless you want
to follow along, Lucia.
Hey, am I near her?
No, that's Arnolda.
Oh yes, yes, yes, I follow Arnolda.
He was making sounds of discomfort and then he was like, I need to use the restroom.
Oh no, yeah, she follows him for sure.
He goes, you don't have to follow me, Pettles.
You can enjoy the performance.
I will put a spell on you if you keep it up.
Okay.
I will slap cure wounds on you so fast.
And he goes, I don't want you to slap anything as he walks off towards a direction.
He finds his way towards the restrooms and you see he stumbles a little bit as he opens
up the door.
He goes, some water on my face, exactly what I need.
Just wait out here for me, all right, Pettles?
Okay, I've got a lesser restoration ready to go though.
Thank you.
He closes the door and then you hear a reverberation in the area.
You... why does it feel so familiar?
You felt this before.
You look around, the music is faint in the distance, but nothing has happened.
No one's panicking.
There's nothing.
And then you hear glass shatter in the distance.
And you hear a small gasp.
And you hear your stupid bitch, a harsh whisper.
Where is this coming from?
Who do you think you are?
It's coming from a direction inward, deeper into the halls, towards the kitchen area.
She's going to whisper at the door, Arnalda, someone's going to get her.
I'll be right back.
She's going to rush over to where the sound is.
You rush over?
And you see a young woman of the Varroa Society.
She has her hand on her face, large red mark on her face.
Just been slapped.
Shattered glass on the ground with juice.
And you see standing above her, holding his glove, looking down at her with scorn.
Little splash of grape juice on his garments.
Graham Alizon.
He just kind of like, he kind of like waves his hand.
You assume that he hit her really hard.
He just goes, no, your place.
Fucking you.
You look up at you, glaring at you.
What?
Say something.
What are you doing?
I did just say something.
What are you doing?
As she rushes over and she's going to cast Healing Word on this young woman.
As you rush over, his hand reaches out towards your neck.
And as he takes tight grasp of your neck, you're in the hallway.
The music is faint in the distance.
Arnalda has just opened the door.
He just goes, I just need to freshen up real quick.
I'll be right back.
And she super-hits over to where she thinks it's going to happen.
Closes the door.
As that happens, you rush over.
You see, like, oh, I'm so sorry, sir.
And he goes, you bitch.
He raises his hand.
I dive in.
As you rush in, diving in immediately, and you catch the hand.
He looks at you.
Sir, please.
Unhand me.
As he says that, it's loud enough where at the point that Velora is walking across, she
hears a loud, unhand me, in the distance.
She starts going that way.
She can use our words, I'm sure, rather than slapping people around like we're kids on
a playground.
If you don't unhand me at once, and that is when-
Are you going to hit her?
I'm trying not to make a lot of attention as I walk up, either.
She's going, do you know how much this cost?
Cost?
Your stupid shirt?
I'm going to be named retainer at the naming ceremony.
She spoiled my look.
She didn't mean to, right?
She looks back at the woman behind her.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry, sir.
You are going to be sorry.
Oh, don't be sorry.
It's just-
You are going to be-
It's juice.
What happened?
You walk in to see Lucia holding his hand.
His hand was raised, poised to strike.
He goes, Velora.
What's wrong?
Kind of like gently gestures to take his arm away.
I think he tries to take his arm away and she doesn't let go.
Yeah, why don't you tell Velora what's wrong?
She's gripping my arm strongly.
Yeah, I wonder why.
Doesn't know her place.
Graham, what happened?
I was just walking in here looking for refreshments, and this young lady spilled grape juice.
She just saw my garments, the one I was going to be presented with, and I got a little heated.
Let go.
He has his art back.
She looks at Lucia.
She goes, what happened?
Not asking her.
I wasn't going to.
What happened?
She asks Lucia now.
Well, she looks at the young woman.
I don't want to cause any trouble here, but all I was saying is instead of hitting people,
and she looks at Graham, I think we could use our words to express when we're upset
about stuff getting on a stupid shirt.
You were going to hit her.
I wasn't going to hit her.
Then what were you going to do, pat her on the side of the cheek?
Velora, I know how this looks, but I wouldn't have.
And you think that she should know her place.
That's what I heard.
Velora.
No, no, tell me.
Is that what you said?
Did I miss here?
It's not what I meant.
I assure you.
What did you mean?
I understand you're angry.
It's a frustrating day.
There's a lot happening.
It's just so scary.
You don't want to look out of place in such a big moment.
So explain to me, what did you mean?
And then you hear applause in the distance.
She doesn't even care.
Do you always struggle with your temper like that?
I don't think so.
Explain it.
Explain it to me.
Velora, I apologize if I offended you.
No, you're not.
Explain it to me.
You said you wanted to explain.
You said you could explain.
It's not what you meant.
Explain it.
I wasn't going to strike her.
I had raised my hand out of surprise.
That's not true at all.
Do you know my intentions?
Yes, I do.
I saw it.
But I was able to come here in time before you actually hit this poor girl.
You saw it.
Yes.
Of all the drivel.
You doubt the gods?
I doubt anyone coming in here claiming they hear the words of gods.
Yes.
Velora, do you hear this?
She's a holy woman.
She came here with the guilty.
So what reason do I have to doubt her?
You could ask this young lady too.
The woman who's been standing there the whole time.
She's just kind of rubbing her arm.
She's scared.
Yeah, that's what Velora assumed with this.
She just goes, she's not...
Look at her.
She can't speak.
She's barely beyond her dwell.
You don't trust what she says, right?
Beyond my dwell?
At least I don't get, I don't hit people when I get stuff on my shirt.
I wasn't going to hit her.
You can hit me.
Go for it.
I'm just gonna whack you right back.
I'm not that kind of person looking to Velora.
What kind of person are you?
I am a person who was raised right, raised in high society to be the utmost image of
prim and proper.
Image.
And I assume that form.
Why?
Can I just...
You're here trying to justify and justify to me and you know what you haven't done?
You said, oh, I didn't mean, but you know what you haven't done is you haven't done
and you haven't apologized.
Oh, I'm turning towards the girl.
I apologize.
For what?
What are you sorry for?
He's searching for it.
You can tell.
I apologize.
I slap him.
Since apparently that's what he was about to do.
You full on smack him in the side of the face.
She just goes.
And you hear from out the hall, Velora.
Oh God.
She's...
Fuck.
Maybe you should go sit down.
Velora, I apologize.
I apologize if...
Why are you apologizing to me?
And he goes, he turns towards the other girl.
He turns towards you, Lucy.
He goes, I'm sorry.
I apologize.
Turns towards the other girl.
And I apologize to you too.
Honestly, with all of my heart.
Because Velora...
Go Graham.
Go.
Go sit down.
I promise you will not regret naming me your retainer as he walks away.
She checks on the servant girl and she goes, is it true?
Was he going to hit you?
She grabs her arm and...
Did he grab you too?
Yes.
Oh no, wait, hold on.
Hold on.
Don't worry.
Don't get too sad right now.
I know something that can fix that.
And she's going to pull from her pocket a piece of chocolate that she saved.
I want you to look at this for one second.
And then while she has given her, does she take the chocolate?
Thank you.
She takes it.
As she's distracted by the chocolate, she'll quickly cure wounds on her arm.
Kind of like when you're trying to distract a kid from a shot.
She just goes, oh.
Thank you.
See?
Power chocolate.
What's your name?
She says to the servant.
My name...
You're asking for my name?
I want to make sure you don't get in trouble for anything.
It's clear that you didn't do anything wrong.
Aside from apparently an accident or whatever.
I don't give a shit about that.
Spill a bit of something doesn't deserve...
When you say shit, she just flinches in surprise.
My name.
My name is Eveline.
That's a pretty name.
I'm Lucia.
Nice to meet you.
Just sticks out her hand, really not, blocking any of this being a problem.
I've heard about you.
Taking your hand gently and shakes it.
And my name or her name points to Valora.
Both of you.
And you hear one voice.
Your father goes, Valora.
And then you hear another goes, Lucia.
She's still trying not to be too concerned with the time.
She just looks at Eveline and she goes, I'll make sure to put in a word just in case.
Thank you.
This is the mo...
Thank you.
I should clean.
Can I help you?
I got some spare time.
No, it's alright.
You should be tending to the event.
This should be left up to me anyways.
But thank you so much.
Valora's like... as soon as she's like stood up, then she's just like, oh, damn it.
Valora.
Standing in a doorway now looking at you.
Hi, Dad.
Come on.
They're not gonna start without me.
I... just...
She looks at Lucia, she goes, thank you.
You're... you know, you're pretty loud.
Um, and that's been to our benefit twice today, it sounds like.
Oh!
And for your healing.
I can be a lot quieter if you'd like me to be, but also thanks for...
No?
It was...
I'm glad you were.
I needed to see that.
Well, thanks for helping us out and for saying the stuff you did.
You're pretty scary, I gotta say.
She kind of looks at her dad like, oh no, no, no, what's he gonna think?
But she's like...
Oh, but break your hypothetical legs!
Thanks.
I'll try to get both of them this time.
Yeah, two!
Two for the price of one!
Stop answering, let's go!
Ah!
Sorry, sorry!
And she's going to help clean up with the young girl while Valora goes off.
She goes to her dad.
What were you doing?
Come on.
There was...
It doesn't matter.
I mean, it does, but...
You need to be at the naming ceremony.
We're waiting for you.
Come on.
Well, yeah, I'm gonna...
I'm going!
As you head out towards the naming ceremony, all eyes foisted upon you as soon as you exit
the hall.
You see everyone's already set up, getting set up for it.
You don't even need to bring you here.
It wasn't urgent.
They're still getting everything all set up.
They're not even ready, she says.
Go, go, go, go!
I'm here!
By the gods!
Don't say that in the castle.
Are the gods just too holy for that here, or...?
Stop talking back to me.
Oh my god.
As you're walking towards the front, you see... you are approached from the side quickly.
You see Quincy Garvey with a drink, a punch.
Oh, perfect timing.
Thanks.
Really quick.
You know, um, thank you.
But I was actually supposed to get my mom some, and I forgot.
Could you do anything with her?
Of course.
Grab it.
You look good.
Thanks, Flora.
I sure hope so.
Oh, um, yeah, just, she...
I'm sorry.
Yeah, did she get to play with Fanta more, or did she get pulled away?
Got pulled away.
Bet she'll leave you be.
I have a delivery to make.
Yeah, um, thanks.
She kind of looks... did she find Graham?
Rosie Graham is next to her, next to his mom, and he's like, he gestures.
He seems dispirited.
He's gesturing to the stain, and you see his mom is like, kind of like, observing the stain.
Just gives a little huff, but he still sits up proudly.
He sits up straight, because he's expecting to be announced.
Um, you make your way up, and before we get to that, we'll see ya.
You help with, um, you help with Eveline.
She just sweeps up the glass, finds a towel, finds something to absorb.
She goes, thank you, you really don't have to help.
It's no problem at all.
I mean, no use crying over spilled grape juice.
Ha ha.
But I'm, shh.
As she's like, awkwardly, you know, trying to help clean up with like, the hem of her
dress.
This is crazy.
Like, did you, did you see the garden out there?
It's incredible, and all the food here.
It's wild.
Do you live here?
I do.
I'm, uh.
Wow!
I'm a servant of the castle.
She didn't say anything else?
Oh.
We're just expecting to-
I'm a servant to the gods.
Technically.
Well, I thank the gods every day.
They're the reason why I'm here in the first place.
Oh, they are?
They're the reason why I'm here too.
It's wild that we have so many things in common.
It was really great meeting you, Lucia.
Yeah, listen.
If you like jam, me and, uh, Arnalda, we make really good jam and you can come by and visit
any time and then we can go get bread from Vexia and then we can have some bread and
jam and then maybe do an open air prayer sometime if you're free.
Hi, Lucia.
Oh, you see Arnalda in the doorway?
Oh!
Arnalda!
This is my new friend.
Her name is Eveline.
Friend?
I'm your friend?
Yeah!
Why would I invite you over for jam?
She smiles a little bit.
Arnalda just gives her, like, just gives her a look and she goes, you can find this over
in the secret district.
We would love to have you over any time.
That's, thank you.
Thank you.
Well, if I ever get a break from my duties.
And I-
I could come visit you.
I'm not sure if the head of the house would be, would like that, but perhaps I could come
see you.
That would be fun.
Thank you again, Lucia.
I'll father a smile on you.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I'll father a smile on you.
Blessed be, all good day and all that good stuff.
And I'll talk to you soon.
You will.
She smiles.
And you go over to Arnalda and Arnalda kind of like looks at you and goes, a friend.
Ah, yes, this guy tried to hit her.
Oh no.
He accidentally spilled juice on him or he spilled it on him.
Who knows?
It doesn't matter.
He got juice on his shirt and he went to hit her.
That is no occasion to hit someone, to strike someone.
That's what I said.
Yes, and then here's the weird thing.
I saw it happen and then I went, whew, whew, whew, whew, whew, whew, whew, whew, whew,
my head or something and I was able to stop and whew.
Has that ever happened to you?
No, it hasn't.
You're very special, Lucia.
Oh, you're very special.
Come, you've done the right thing.
Let's go enjoy the rest of the ceremony.
Yeah, I want to see Valora kick some more ass.
I mean, I want to see her do her godly duties.
By the old father.
I didn't.
I'm sorry.
The heart was pumping.
The blood was pumping.
I was in fight mode.
Oh, dear.
I'm going to do some prayers tonight.
I'm sorry, sorry, sorry.
And she takes out like her prayer beads and starts like, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Come now, let's go.
Eventually, the ceremony is put into place.
You stand before a statue of the Allfather of Odin, Valora.
One eye, one eye patch over his eye, two ravens on his shoulders.
He stands above the throne.
You stand next to two torches that are ablaze, statues of armored people on top of horses,
spears pointed towards the throne.
And all eyes are on you.
As you are standing in the middle of this little elevated platform with the red carpet
draped over it, where it's just you, the King, Gualtor Lunen, and Miguelo's altarside, the
head priest of the ministry.
Everyone quiets down.
This is the big moment.
And he just goes, you see the King just goes, well, before I unravel the mystery on who
exactly is going to be named the leader of the Silver Lions.
He says that and it gets a polite laugh.
There is another choice to be made.
Valora, Avanlea, now is the time for you to speak forth.
You're second.
You're second in all matters when it comes to your command at Ivar Bryn.
And then the torches pass up to you.
Your next words will make someone's future.
It will pave the path for someone.
If they attend Ivar Bryn and graduate, they will be amongst the most venerated.
Words have been used a lot during this session, but it means so much more now than ever before.
Learning from Ivar Bryn promises prestige.
It promises a path in life.
It promises that your name will be etched in the annals of this kingdom.
And this whole time, the promised one was Graham Alizon.
But the thing is, retainers historically are people who are close friends at house, people
who you could trust completely with your life.
And you thought that you can do that, but seeing him in action, seeing him unveiled
for the person he truly is, you realize you truly need to know a person.
You truly need to know if a person is good.
To see them do good.
To really know who they are.
And the thing is, Graham isn't that.
You see he stands up already in the back, expecting to be announced.
This little stain on his shirt, but he's wearing it.
You should say his name.
That should be it.
This is what your father wanted.
But your heart tells you no.
And your eyes search.
Some name is ebbing on the edge of your heart.
And you see something stand out.
Take care.
Bravery.
She says, I am so honored to be selected to represent Arnador, Ira Brin, to work among
the other leaders and many of the lords who will go on to lead this kingdom in just a
few years, a sort of mini trial.
But nonetheless, I am incredibly honored to be representing the heart of our kingdom.
And that's something that, when something has heart, truly, you should care about the
others it supports.
And what supports it?
She's looking at Graham in the audience and she goes, and.
I know we can often be criticized for leading with our heart.
So it's my honor to not announce, but to ask.
Will you be my retainer?
Lucia, I didn't get the chance to talk to you first.
And people look around.
I don't know your last name.
People look around.
People gaze.
One of the pink hair.
And then people see her.
She's the healer.
The healer, Lucia.
You can say no, to be clear.
I know this isn't the traditional way to do it.
We're talking.
Graham is horrified.
But you see Arnolda, like wide eyed, looking at you, Lucia?
Nuts.
She like looks up to see if she can see.
Laura looking right at her.
This isn't how this is typically done.
You can say no.
And I don't suppose she glances to the king.
I don't suppose we need an answer immediately.
Immediately, do we?
Gaze in towards Lucia, to Arnolda.
First, we need confirmation of the blessing from the family's elder.
Do we have that, looking towards Arnolda?
Arnolda takes a breath.
He's shocked.
He just goes, yes.
She has my blessing.
What are you doing?
Boats.
Lucia.
And eyes are foisted upon you, Lucia.
You feel as if this is going to be.
You feel it in the air.
This is a defining moment.
This is must be decisive.
The next word, the next words that come out of your mouth, you feel as if they must be
assured.
They must be.
They are going to decide what happens.
The entire path of your future.
I feel like she starts to like panic.
Like, this is too much, too much, too overwhelming.
And then she remembers the image of the Wyvern across the sky.
And she remembers seeing Velora.
And she remembers watching how, even though she is someone from a position of power, she
always would get on others' levels to help them.
But it all just kind of locks into place.
And she takes a deep breath and says, it would be my honor, my lady Velora.
Clapping, clapping.
People, people eventually cheer.
They didn't know who to expect, but it wasn't this commoner girl.
Eventually, you're, eventually you are, you're put to the front.
And all of a sudden, Lucia, you are at the center stage of attention.
You are the occasion.
As you, as Arnolda marches up with you to the front, as you walk the middle of this
grand hall on this carpet all the way to the front, you stand next to Lucia, you stand
next to Velora.
And behind Velora is her mother and father.
You see the father, little bewildered in his face, eyes searching.
And the mother also looks surprised, but looks at you and she just gives you a small nod.
When Lucia's close enough, I'm like, the quietest, quietest, like, I'm so sorry.
Sorry to apologize, but what exactly is a retainer?
Neil.
And the king goes.
As you kneel and as you say, what exactly is a retainer?
You see your, you see the father goes.
She looks at dad like, like eyes drilling in, like, do not give it away on your face
to how upset you are.
Please do not right now.
She's like glaring at him, like, please stop.
Yeah.
Even, even Sabine's like, Eric, Eric, Eric.
As you both, as you kneel, as, as all attending Neil and bow their head, you feel, you feel
a scepter touch the both sides of all your shoulders.
And King Lunen's voice rings throughout the room.
Esteemed guests, dearly beloved of the realm, everyone within these halls of power, gaze
now.
See history well before its making.
That may seem like an overconfident statement.
And to this one, gesturing to Valorio with his head, it may seem like I'm putting the
weight of the kingdom on your shoulders, but to cast any shade of doubt on yourself, I
believe is to discredit everything that you know that you and your family are capable
of.
If anyone has any doubts about young Evan Leia here, please let me hear you draw a breath.
And he literally does this.
You all can breathe now.
And then you hear like a legitimate, like, there is like an exertion of like people were
holding the breaths.
Absolutely.
It is with great pride and anticipation that I stand before you today to celebrate a momentous
occasion, not only in the life of a fiery upstart, but the legacy of the Irobrin Officers
Academy and the foundation of history we till the soil on.
All of you know about Irobrin, the institution built by our forefathers, designed so that
aspirants from all five kingdom regions could come together to learn about one another and
grow together into excellence.
Excellence that will guide the very future of our kingdom.
And no doubt, all of you have heard about how Evan Leia.
If you have walked any of these roads or sent a whisper that travels beyond the miles, then
you have them to thank, the very ones responsible for crafting the roads that connect us all
to one another.
Like twine in a tapestry.
In many ways, this feels like destiny.
The ones responsible for connecting us all to one another now is a part of the heartbeat
that is Irobrin.
In you, Valora, I see the same spark of ambition, the same unwavering loyalty to our values
that many promising, aspiring leaders before you had, and all of them have gone on to perform
great deeds with distinction.
That is why I put my trust in you.
That is why you have earned this mantle with confidence.
That is why I have no doubt that you will uphold our traditions, leading your housemates
with the same valor and integrity that has defined your path thus far.
Valora, that leadership is not merely about giving orders or achieving personal glory.
It is about serving others.
About putting the needs of your house and your kingdom above your own.
It is about making difficult decisions, even when they are unpopular.
And about standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult.
As you embark on this new journey, know that you have the full support of the Crown, the
faculty of Irobrin, and the entire kingdom.
May the gods guide your steps.
May your sword be sharp.
And may you lead with wisdom, integrity, and honor.
May you live a life that when all others witness upon it, they will witness valor.
Now rise.
Valora Avonlea and Lucia.
Rise.
And everyone, I wish to hear your loudest roar for our leader and retainer of the Silver
Lions.
I take her, I know you're getting ready to end so, but I take her hand.
She's, may you grab her hand, it's like vice grip.
And she also like really really suddenly whispers like, you said you'd help me.
And I will.
She's just like clinging to your hand.
And that is where we'll end today's session of Irobrin Dawnbreak.
We did it!
Great speech, Tim!
This isn't really going to be the end of the first episode, so.
Oh Jesus!
How the hell are we going to do that?
Yeah, we always plan things beforehand and then it's like, oh wow, that was a lot longer
than we planned.
Also Graham is the fucking worst, is he in our house?
Yeah.
He's rich enough to go to Irobrin even without my sponsorship, so.
Quincy seems decent though, and he's in our house, right?
Yeah, Quincy's cool.
I'm closer with his brothers, but they're not coming to school with us, they're older.
So Quincy's with us.
Graham can suck it.
I'm going to fight him in the streets.
That's fucking Graham Cracker.
Grandma.
Fucking Graham Cracker.
Grandma!
Grammy.
Yeah, he sucks.
Alright everyone.
We're back, baby!
Not quite at Irobrin yet, but you'll see the fallout of this entire thing next time.
I wonder how my dad will feel about that.
War college time!
Yay, war school!
I need you to see the world!
War school!
Go to war school!
That's a good way.
They deploy people pretty far.
It's like, it's just an officer's academy, right?
They're not actually going to send her to war, right?
You're like, you're so good, you help people, right?
Hey King, they don't send the kids to war, right?
It's like, no, no, no, no.
Sometimes.
If they're really good, if they're really good they'll send them to war.
Oh my god!
Alright everyone.
And Lucy is still standing there not knowing what a retainer is.
No fucking clue.
It's the thing that holds my teeth in.
Literally, she's like, the thing that holds your teeth?
Like, no.
Alright.
Everyone, thank you so much for watching.
We'll catch you next time.
Goodnight.