Songwoven presents Irabrin Dawnbreak, a level up, advanced fifth edition, actual play campaign.
Episode 11, in plain sight.
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Calm down!
Everybody chill out!
Everybody stop!
Everybody stop now!
Stop!
Cool down!
Sorry everybody, sorry everybody at home.
The chat was just getting a little rambunctious before we started.
Things get busy here at Songwoven.
Oh you're talking to them, not us.
No no no no no no, the cast.
The cast here.
Jimmy and I were like this!
The cast, no no no, the cast here gets a little rambunctious.
It just got a little too wild before the show started.
We don't want to start at any wild energy.
Hello everyone!
I am your narrator Tim Don Tran, T-I-M-D-O-N-T-R-A-N.
There's two spaces in there, you can decide where it goes.
You're watching Songwoven.
I'm here with my two other cast members, and they can introduce themselves right now, starting
with Emma Romasko.
I said her name already.
Hi Emma!
I play Lucia!
And then the next one!
The one beneath my wings!
I'm Jenny, and I play Valora.
And Albert says to me, check Discord.
Okay I'm gonna check my Discord, it better be words of affirmation because I really need
those right now.
He threw a brick at me.
Okay.
He threw a brick at me?
Hello everyone welcome to Songwoven!
Today's a very special Songwoven edition because it's episode 12.
Eleven, right?
Is it eleven?
I have eleven in my notebook.
Oopsie.
Hello everyone, it's an episode with two digits.
Double digits baby!
Hello everyone, it's episode 11.
And you know what that means.
That we ruined your bit somehow?
That it, that it.
That it's Tim and Jenny's five year anniversary today.
Yay!
Happy anniversary!
And you know, if you think about it, eleven is kind of like twelve.
And twelve is the month that me and Jenny got together.
If you really think about it.
Twelve.
It's still such!
It's got the fifth year anniversary today!
Love is real guys, it's real!
Jenny is amazing, she's what dreams are made of.
It went beneath my wings.
This is what dreams?
I don't know how I can think I'm sorry!
I see the world and the universe in her eyes and she's absolutely gorgeous and I love her
and I love every bit of her and I love...
And I'm supposed to reply to that?
What the fuck?
Chim's like, I'm gonna drop some real quick poetic verses about the love of my life.
He's the writer, he's the writer, I can never match.
Bastard.
Alright, but besides that, yeah, I think we just start playing the game now?
We got a recap!
Oh, recap time!
Let me also open my notes.
Yeah, we have a recap to do.
I have...
I should also open my notes.
Also guys, isn't Timmy like the best ever?
Awesome?
What are you talking about?
I have to do it while he's unsuspecting.
You have to get him when he's not looking!
JT, you can back me up here.
You're my main man here.
Anyways, so the recap is...
After the mock battle, Lucia went to check on Archibald, the retainer of the blue wolves
after Vesper threw the mock battle because Lucia noticed that Archibald was upset.
They had a really, really lovely conversation and Archibald, where Lucia found out that
Archibald is in love with Vesper.
And Archibald also offered to help Lucia learn how to read.
Meanwhile, during the party, Valora got to know Brimstone better, the leader of the golden
moose got to talk to him, and then they had their drinking contest where they drank all
the different house drinks and it wasn't great.
The blue wolves one was horrible, but it was okay.
Then Orië showed up and was like, hey, do you guys want to join me for some prayer?
And Valora was like, no thanks.
No!
And Lucia was like, yeah!
Also, real quick, Jenny, not to interrupt you, but before Lucia left Archie, she had an image
of Orië stabbing Archie in the chest with a dagger.
Yeah.
Yep, yep, yep.
Right before she left him.
And that's why she ran away, because it was scary.
Anyway, continue.
Thank you, Jenny.
And then, so she went to go pray with Orië.
And then Todd showed up to the party.
Worst.
Ran to the party and just really killed the vibe.
And everyone was like, hey, get out of here.
And he was like, whatever.
And he left.
And then Valora got suddenly sick out of nowhere.
And Sasaga helped her to her room, and she stayed in there with her to make sure she
was okay.
Meanwhile, Lucia caught up with Tamsen, who never showed up to the party because she was
picking up a delivery.
A normal delivery, she said.
Delivery?
And so Lucia found her struggling with a barrel near their dorm rooms, because they're next
door neighbors.
And when she got in there, Tamsen apparently got the all clear to explain to Lucia that
she died in the gnoll attack that she was seen as a folk hero kind of for.
She died.
And this entity known as the Hands from Beyond reanimated her by filling her body with worms.
With worms.
Her body is made of worms.
And then Lucia passed out.
Because that's creepy.
Is it?
And that's what happened.
What do you mean it's worms?
It's someone made up of worms moving around.
You're going to hurt the feelings of 45,262 worms?
I think I might have to.
I don't know if there's any other choice in this matter.
I bet some of the worms don't care.
I bet some of the worms wouldn't be hurt.
Like you know, you can't please every worm.
You can't please all the worms.
All right.
Dragmire says Tim was homophobic because we didn't get a forehead kiss from Saga to Velora.
I thought we know of.
That's true.
While I'm being accused of homophobia because I like slow burn romances.
And we've been such the opposite of slow burn so far too.
I mean it is fire emblem inspired.
All right.
Before we start.
Jenny, I do not love you as if you were salt rose or topaz or the arrow of carnations that
fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved and secret between the shadow and the
soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms but carries in itself the light of hidden
flowers.
Thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance risen from the earth lives darkly in my body.
All that I ask is that when I die, bury me in fractions of ash and all of the cities
that you've ever felt alone.
Let's play the game.
Are we getting married?
You.
Is this a wedding?
If this is a proposal, I swear to fucking God.
I'm going to be at your goddamn wedding.
I meant to launch into the game from that.
If I'm at your goddamn wedding, I swear to God.
Speaking of which, it just casually is like, hey guys, I wrote poetry.
Let me.
Where's the ring, Tim?
Track by your sense.
Oh my God.
Let me find your ashes.
What was it?
Find your ashes scattered in every city where you felt love.
If I die, bury me in fractions in the cities that you've in all the cities that you've
ever felt alone.
That is so fucking hosier.
It's not even funny.
I can't take complete credit for that.
I it was it was something I read a long time ago and I rang with it.
Lay me gently in the cold, dark ground.
No grave can hold this body down.
I'll call home to her.
That is you too.
Jesus.
Let's talk, buddy.
Let's do this.
Hosea.
Listen, listen, we've got a proposition.
I know he likes the green light as a DM on critical role, but also.
That's right.
All right.
One in the same one in the same.
So anyways.
Laura.
You find yourself awake.
A slight a slight miasma from yesterday still carries on.
And your eyes open without pin without any pinpricks and without without too much pain
in the head.
Sunlight breathes in through your window.
And as you look around your room, something something surprising finds you keeping sentry
over you during keeping sentry over you sleeping within the chair that she had that she was
sitting in when she was keeping watch over you.
Is saga Dondarius sleeping soundly arms cross head hanging head hanging backwards?
I think when she wakes up and sees Saga there, it's really surprising to her.
But she like.
Because I think maybe like even if she assumed that Saga had the best intentions last night
and it was all very genuinely caring and whatnot, there's still like the thought of like, oh,
you know, if I just have this little cold and she's just going over the top, is it just
to like flirt with me or win me over?
And obviously she wasn't she didn't need to stay in here all the like this kind of confirms
to Valora that there was like genuine care and concern.
And it's.
I think it makes her actually kind of happy.
And she sees that like she actually like even though she really, really didn't have to,
it was just such a little thing that she really.
Cares.
And I think she smiles a bit and then quietly just starts to get herself up and quietly maybe
puts their her blanket around her for now because she's sitting on a chair, probably
one of the like most of her chairs are outside.
So like it's probably not even one of the more comfortable chairs either in the room
that what was previously in the room since she moved them onto her perch.
And she tries to like without waking her up, just try to start getting a little ready.
If I was more confident in my strength, I would move her to the bed, but I'm not.
You find yourself you find yourself slowly, slowly moving about, taking great care in
the noise that you produce as you are dressed in your literally regalia.
Ready to strike at the very first day of classes.
At some point, as soon as you get it on, you see you see saga stirs.
She kind of like and you see that as her as her head sort of rears up, she kind of like
you feel like you see that she pinches the blanket around her.
Her eyes fully open at whatever implications that bring.
Seeing the bed empty.
That's where her eyes first look.
She sees you with her sleepy eyes and she shares a yawn.
Good morning, sunshine.
Hey, good morning.
Um, feeling better?
Mostly, I think.
How do you feel that can have been comfortable?
Did you really stay here all night?
Well, yeah.
You know, I told you to call out for me because we're neighbors and all, but I kind of realized
I was a little counterintuitive for you to yell for me.
You know, you might have a sore throat and all.
I know how bad these get.
So I figured I should stick around in case you need me.
I really wasn't that bad.
I'm licking this thing up on you.
It sneaks up into you and then boom.
All at once.
Well, I was just about to go sneak out and grab some breakfast.
If you if you want to lay down a bit more, you're welcome to.
I mean, that's your next probably all.
She stands right up grabbing the grabbing the blanket.
And little curious seeing her as she takes the blanket, folds it in a nice, a nice fold
and puts it down onto the bed neatly.
She goes, well, guess what?
It's the first day of school for me, too.
So I kind of have to go be a leader.
But before you head off, I don't think I'm going to let you go walks over to you.
And on your forehead.
I mean, besides a little bit of redness in the cheeks.
She squints her eyes at that.
Thank you.
Fever did die down.
Yep.
Just needed a bit of sleep.
You sure you don't want to stay here?
Get a little bit of room service?
Well, I can go grab us something if you want to hang out or if you want to start getting
ready for school.
I gotta go get ready.
I'll bring something back.
You see she actually she's thinking about it for a moment.
She just goes, let's save let's save the cantaloupe meals for our date.
All right.
She goes ahead and she opens the door.
She just goes, see you.
See you in breakfast.
Good years.
Thanks for making sure I was good.
You're gonna get a lot of that.
You take care of each other here.
Good.
I'll get into trouble while I'm gone.
Oh, I'll try.
I don't know, guess it's follows me everywhere.
Well, good thing I'm an expert in getting out of trouble.
All right.
See you later.
Walks off.
She feels the Laura just feels so stupid because it's like because it's like I was like, yeah,
I'm gonna be all cool.
I'm gonna, you know, be like cool or flirty.
Yeah.
And then oh, oh, shoot.
Oh, no.
All it took was her showing she genuinely cares about people and me one night.
And now I might be kind of falling for her for real.
But it's not supposed to happen that fast.
We haven't even had our first date yet.
That's her brain.
Basically.
Well, sometimes when you know, you know, you know, you know, she's like, I didn't want
it.
And she's always like this, though, with every everything is she always falls in love super
fast.
But she's like, no, I'm going to be different this time.
And then oh, baby, for Laura.
Okay, quickly, Emma's play, play the play like the the knowing on to knows everything
about romance.
And we're just going to tell you everything.
We're just going to we're going to funnel this into you.
Listen, honey.
Where did you come from?
Because when you feel safe with that one special person, you need to know what it was just
what it was just it's just puppy love.
It's just puppy love.
It's not real.
It's not.
Is it real to you?
When you know, you know, oh, and she'll she'll go finish getting ready.
And do you head out?
Yeah.
As you head out, you hear the bell of the school bell ring signifying that it is seven
in the morning.
Classes will begin at the next bell.
The thoughts of earlier are cut through with the thoughts of what's going to happen in
the future.
You are going to get the foundation of everything that's going your everyday life of how you're
going to spend of how you're going to spend every day for the next three years of your
life is going to be unveiled right before your very eyes in these next few days.
You are in this late stage of your life as what as like knowing and as experienced as
you are.
There is something still very exciting about being feeling like you're still within some
formative years.
As you walk as you walk through the halls and you're traversing through another particularly
empty hall, you hear you hear from behind you.
Hey, just just like that.
Feeling better.
Yeah, feeling great.
Actually, I don't think we've met.
I mean, you turn to see a guy, black hair.
He has like the top button of his uniform, like unbuttoned showing showing chest.
He is leaned is back against the wall with his arms.
He has he has he has like black hair and like objectively handsome.
He's a dork.
And I don't mean that in a good way.
Does he have a fedora?
He has a he has a whole wardrobe of it.
No, I don't like him.
No, no, no, no, no.
He takes his fedora off.
Revealing his revealing his face.
And he just goes.
Yeah.
I bet it's not a great feeling, you know, feeling sick in the stomach, all the fever
and sweating, coughing.
Yeah, you noticed that.
I mean, I wasn't that bad.
That was a warning.
What?
He walks, he leans up off the wall and he he stands face to face with you.
He has a serious dark expression on his face as he does this.
Because you stay away from her.
What are you talking about?
I see the way you look at her.
The way you look at our saga.
You're one of saga's friends or?
I guess you can say that.
I the president.
No.
The esteemed president of the saga fan club.
Oh.
And I'll go ahead and post a description of the saga fan club.
She just goes, I always thought he was joking when he would talk about yes, saga, Dundarius
fan club.
And he goes, my name.
Oh, no, it's Franco Packins.
Franco.
Come on.
Franco Packins.
Yeah.
And I'll go ahead and post a description of the saga.
Saga Dundarius fan club, a clandestine organization that operates within the confines of Irobrin.
Their goal is unknown and the members are kept secret.
The group seems to hold saga Dundarius in high regard, even though she's unaware of
the existence of this group.
The leader is Franco Packins, a fully, fully clothed human.
What do you mean by fully clothed?
As opposed to what?
Aren't we normally fully clothed?
Yeah.
It's not a, it's a pretty unspectacular detail.
I know, you guys just hung up on it.
Because it's weird.
Um, I didn't know.
That's my fake name, by the way.
Oh, yeah.
My undercover name.
Are you a student here?
Yeah.
I guess you can say that.
Now what happened yesterday was just a warning.
Okay.
Now you're saying you're the one who got me sick?
Yes.
You better not.
Let me talk.
You better.
Because I'm going on a date with saga.
That's why you don't deserve her.
Wait, did you not know I was going on a date with her?
I mean, we.
Of course I know.
Of course.
Well, you know, I think your plan might have backfired a little bit because she stayed
in my room last night to take care of me all night.
She was real worried.
You do realize how powerful we are, correct?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
You can get this is my one little little tickle in my throat.
Yeah.
Real scary.
You see, you see, it's very like expressive on his face that you are making him so angry.
You know, you like, but you don't get to come here and tell someone like, OK, if saga has
a problem with me, she can tell me that herself.
You don't get to make decisions for her.
OK.
You don't know her.
You don't know how beautiful and perfect and amazing our saga is.
Well, I'm excited to learn.
You see, he you see, as you say that, you see, almost like he almost starts taking off
his glove.
He just goes, I don't want to beat you in a duel just yet.
Oh, yeah.
Totally going to lose in a duel to some dude named Franco who hasn't bathed in a month.
I bathe all the time.
Oh, yeah.
When was the last time?
I don't have to answer you.
Yeah, like, but if.
If Saga has a problem with me, she'll tell me herself.
I'm sure she doesn't need some guy like you to tell me.
This is my final warning to you.
If this were to escalate, then I would demand satisfaction.
For. it's not like you're like you're not like together or anything.
You're just like a fan club.
Well, you can sing our saga and stuff, too.
Like, what do you mean our?
She'll get to know me one day.
Oh, have you?
Oh, you're like not even friends.
This is your last warning.
Stay away.
Oh, I got it.
Yep.
He starts backing backing away.
Heard.
Yep.
You got me.
Whoa.
You're acting.
You're acting all my doing this with you.
What?
What's the way it just it just goes.
And remember, we are the night.
We see all.
This man needs help.
It's a really funny.
She's thinking, OK, this is a really funny prank.
This is hilarious.
Put some fedora walks away.
No.
Oh, buddy.
She just inches herself real quick to make sure like, nope.
Oh, yep.
Yep.
I'm awake.
You're awake.
There's people this weird here.
OK, got it.
Great.
This is a prank.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
OK, go get breakfast.
As you go ready to go get to go get breakfast.
We switch over.
After that.
Lucia.
A a haze finds you as you awake.
Awaking in a place that you haven't woken up in before.
As your eyes kind of blink open, you're trying to.
You're trying to remember.
You're trying to remember what exactly happened.
How did you get here?
As the first thing you see is a man next to you, a young, a young, a young man of like
a like a nice physical like he has a rather like terse like tight stature about him.
He wears like guard.
He was the armor of a guard, very nicely trimmed hair, brown hair, swept back.
He has a sword on his side, a shield resting against a chair that he's sitting on.
He's sitting on a chair next to you, watching over you as you sleep.
And you see on the ground blanket blanket over her covering her body, kind of like leaning
against the walls, seemingly sleeping is Tamsin.
The man goes, oh, you're awake.
Yes.
How do I sleep?
Good.
I'm so I think she's like one.
She was like, there's a man right here.
And then she was like, oh, there's Tamsin.
OK.
I think like the night before comes flooding back to her, mainly that Tamsin is full of
worms.
And you see she kind of like double takes to Tamsin, sees her cuddled up in her cute
little blanket and just.
Sorry, you had a weird night.
Is everything OK?
Where where am I?
Sorry.
What's happening?
Oh, you're in my room still.
Oh, yeah.
Hey, yeah, it's me, Tamsin.
Oh, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, you.
You didn't know.
Yeah, you didn't know the man speaking to you, the man speaking to you.
Tamsin is sleeping on the side.
Yes.
Seemingly.
There's a man speaking to you and he goes, I'm Tamsin.
He he says that.
OK, I think I need to explain some more.
It is morning and OK, yeah.
So that's my body over there.
OK, so thank you for helping me so much with the barrel.
This was for you, the body in the barrel.
Where's your body in the barrel?
Not my body.
This this person's body, this guy's body.
But yes.
Yes.
We we so Tim, we we please don't scream, please don't scream, please don't scream.
I won't.
I just so OK, so you you you body jumped from that Tamsin.
She points to the figure on the floor into the body in the barrel.
Oh, that's my that's my husk.
I took over this body.
The worms are in here now.
So this is just a corpse of a girl.
No, that's my body.
That's my husk.
That's my like my my preferred skin suit.
I OK, so this person, his name was his name was his name was Aiden Funakla.
I can access all of his memories like I can see how like I think the thing is he died
inside of like a tree well inside of Aurora and people thought he went missing.
So the hands were beyond thought this was perfect body for me to inhabit so I can like
get around, you know.
This is this is horrifying for you.
I'm seeing that now.
OK, I'm realizing you haven't seen a lot.
I'm OK, but it is me, Tamsin.
And I'm given while you were sleeping, I was I went into this body so I can like access
the memory and see, you know, everything in his head before he died.
Why?
Oh, because the hands from beyond told me told me.
And you know, it's a really good disguise because no one knows this guy's dad.
We sent that.
Isn't that so invasive, though?
We died already.
Yeah, but like, what if you run into his family or friends or someone who recognizes him?
Oh, yeah, I need to ask the hands from beyond about that.
Tamsin, this is she'll get out of bed and she'll go to like take this man's hands and
then look at.
So are you OK?
So what do I do with your husk?
Well, no, we leave that here so I can go back in.
Why can't you just stay in your husk?
Because sometimes I have like a task, I have to be in another person's body.
Why?
I know all their memories.
I can like absorb like, you know, like, you know, kind of if you think about it, the case
sort of an extant form of life.
And that's what the hands from beyond tends to.
They sound kind of evil.
I was actually hoping you didn't wake up.
They're not evil.
You were hoping I would die so you could have my body?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
She's getting up on her bed.
I was hoping I got to talk to you as my preferred, you know, body, you know, and that I didn't
have to explain everything to you while I was in Aiden's body.
That's what I want to know.
Chat wants to know real quick.
How old does Aiden look?
It's like a like older 20, like 20 something like upper 20s.
You know, OK, OK.
OK, well, I don't know how I'm going to explain this to Valora.
You shouldn't.
Why not?
I'm not threatening you.
It's just a lot.
What do you mean?
I didn't say anything about threading.
I just I just I just get the feeling you may be thinking that way.
You're thinking that way.
Just like.
It just it just this is a really complicated situation, and I'm really kind of like realizing
now that it's sort of like it's sort of like a cosmic, like beyond the world kind of thing.
And it was really kind.
It was really unthoughtful of me to kind of put it all on you at once.
No, no, I.
And she's still standing on her bed, like kind of against the wall or sitting on the
bed.
So, so OK.
OK, the the the hands from beyond.
Is that what they're called?
Yeah.
The hands from beyond sent you to to help or harm or to help me to help me.
Right.
Because I I've been able to I've been able to see visions of the future and I've been
able to make time stop and rewind itself.
So you ever sent to help me.
Right.
Yeah, you got it.
But you are are there.
Technically, that's your original body.
Right.
Point of Tamsin on the on the ground.
You got it.
Right.
And the hands from beyond like you to swap into dead people's bodies so you can gain
information there and just pump.
Just jump around.
And this was the body that was in the barrel.
Right.
Yes, absolutely.
Don't you think that's kind of wrong?
I think a lot of things now.
Um, like I have so much in my head space and and and everything like I know everything
that's ever happened in the past ever.
I've been filled with like so much knowledge and like of like and I see like these ancient
visions and things.
But like I.
I'm just I'm on I'm on I'm on a task.
I'm on a mission.
I need to do this.
Mission for what?
And Lucy will jump off the bed and like walk right up to the guard now.
For what?
I'm trying to get my body back.
You made a deal.
These hands and beyond.
And they said, we'll give your body back if you do what we tell you.
They said that I can have anything that I ever dreamed for.
And the only thing I want is for me to be.
A girl again to love to be able to do all the things.
A living person with a soul can do.
Where did you even find these hands from beyond?
Well that's a longer story.
But I'm really happy that you know it now.
You're the first person outside of like the little cult circle that I'm in to.
And I need to reiterate, I'm not a part of that cult.
They do their own things, but I am like a chosen one.
Okay, are members of the cult here?
Oh no.
Well they did deliver me this body.
And they did a really good job of like giving him a haircut and cleaning up his clothes.
When he died he was like all mangled and everything.
Like, I think some wolves like dragged him out and like ate him up.
But they did all the cleaning stuff and everything.
I never really meet them.
Okay, um.
Yeah?
Okay, I realize this is a lot.
Would it be better if I go back into my Tamsin suit?
Oh.
Oh god.
Well then what if we- well wait wait wait wait wait wait wait wait wait wait wait wait
Tamsin if you find this guard in our room just what are people gonna think?
Our room?
Or your room?
I don't know, your room.
Well, obviously no one's gonna come in here.
And I'm gonna hide it pretty well.
I just don't see how this is sustainable.
And like, you know, after the worms eat this body if I get the memories I can like assume
this form.
The worms are gonna desecrate and eat this person's body?
That's what worms do!
That's awful!
That's their nature!
Tamsin!
This poor man, and she's saying it to the man's face, didn't even get a proper burial!
You're using him like Tinder for a fire!
He was designated!
I'm just doing what I'm told!
I know you are, but that's not fair!
I'm just- Why don't you go back in your other body
and we'll go to class.
Okay.
Worms flood out of every orifice of his body, out the eyes, out the mouth, and it becomes
a shirt, a skin suit with no eyes, completely flattened, as 45,000 worms crawl across the
ground crawling into Tamsin's head.
And then you see one of the worms as you're screaming kind of like all of a sudden stand
up and a lot of them like start standing up looking towards you.
And there's a huge discordant like whisper, like discordant voices, all of them going
shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh!
I think this is the underworld.
And they crawl into her body!
I'm in a dark, dark place.
This is- I should have never come here.
You see her body is lifted up.
It begins to fl- as you see, as you see the worms begin to like, begin to almost like
it wriggles and it seems to solidify into a solid image.
Her innocent eyes, her- it accentuates, like brightens up the color of her hair a little
bit.
It's like they're doing like cleanup before you see eventually no worms in sight.
Tamsin stands before you.
Okay.
Should I have waited for you to not be in here before I did that?
I should have done this while he was in the barrel.
No, no, um, I- and she looks at the skin.
The suit skin on the floor.
She looks at the suit skin and goes, would- do you- this is just like everything that
is- as a healer this is so like- I can't- everything she knows!
Do you wanna pack that up?
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Um, it's a lot lighter now.
Because it like, ate most of it.
Right.
What was his name again?
Oh his name was Aiden.
Okay, Aiden.
Okay, okay, that's good to know.
Tell me- do you want me to help make you like, forget this?
No, no, don't.
You could forget.
No, no, if you do that I will turn back time and smack you.
Okay, I don't want you to smack me.
I don't want to smack you either, but don't be tampering with my memories.
Okay, that's why you asked.
That's why you asked.
Because you seem pretty traumatized by this.
I'm glad you did ask, Tamsin.
I- you know what?
Tamsin, I am greatly disturbed and I have so many moral questions, but we're here.
We're gonna help each other?
Because there's a lot that's happening and I need someone to help and someone who actually
knows what's happening.
It's really hard to do it alone.
I know what it's like to be lonely.
With things that are out of your control, it sucks.
By thinking my case, I just made a series of decisions.
And it turns out you work way harder just trying to turn back the mistakes you made.
Well, listen.
I don't know what I would do if I lost my body, you know?
Maybe out?
And she leans in like, kind of quietly.
Maybe I could find another way too.
I hope the winds can tell you about that one day and you can tell me.
But for right now, I have to do this.
Okay.
I do.
You do anything to pursue love that you once lost.
You're looking for love?
Like yeah, family, friends.
Just the ability to have it.
I'm 45,426 worms.
You are.
Yeah.
Um.
Okay.
All right.
You pack up Aiden.
I will wait outside for when you're ready to go to class.
Okay?
You should like go for a walk and go talk with people and stuff.
I might just see you at class.
Okay.
Yep.
I'll see you in class.
And yeah, I think she's kind of like shell shocked.
It's fully setting in this horror movie moment.
Tamsen leans forward.
She takes off her glove and she leans forward and takes her hand and it is skin.
It is you feel natural heat.
Um, everything.
Um, as she goes, please don't tell anyone about this.
No, that's a really, I'm velour is retainer.
Well, you don't have to tell her about this.
Unless she's, she might think you're crazy if you tell her that I'm 45,426 worms.
I won't say anything.
For now.
Okay.
If something happens, if you start snatching people's bodies, Tamsen, I'm not the one who
does it.
I promise.
If your cult members start snatching people's bodies, Tamsen, I don't like it.
That's then we'll then we'll talk later.
But for now, let's not worry about that.
And I will see you in class sometime.
Okay.
Of course.
Okay.
I'll take a pinky swear.
Oh, boy.
Asking a lot of me, Tamsen, with this pinky promise.
Okay.
She'll extend her pinky shakily, but she'll extend her pinky.
She takes it and wraps it around yours.
And as she does, as she looks at you, two piggies, like it kind of looks like two worms
kind of like, okay, she's out.
She's out.
She's done.
That was my last final straw.
And she.
And you walk out.
Oh, my God.
How did we go from on the funny, adorable rom-com to a literal horror movie?
I'm still living in it.
I've got the rom-com with the weird stalker dude.
And you get horrible visions of the future and worms.
And cosmic horror.
And body horror.
Okay.
I'm leaving.
Yes, I'm leaving.
Please.
Okay, well, since you said please.
I'll let you out.
Please let me out of the worm.
You leave the room and when you close it, okay, you're not in a dark hellish place.
You're at school.
You're in the hallway.
I need school.
There's your room right there.
Your neighbors where Samara is.
There are people who walk by.
Yes.
Good morning.
As they're going.
As they're heading out.
I think she at first, she flinches and goes, oh, good morning.
And then reminds herself she's at school.
It's a beautiful sunny day.
She's at school.
And she's.
Woke up on the wrong side of bed.
As he's walking by.
Yeah, you know how it is.
And she just starts.
The bell.
The bell rings.
Valora.
Oh my God.
As you head out and seeing the swarm of students, a more unified looking student body of black
uniforms with their proper house colors.
You cannot help but catch amongst the myths coming out of the of the the commoners dormitory
is Lucia.
Oh, Lucia.
Good morning.
Oh, did you have time to get changed since the mock battle and everything?
Oh, shit.
I don't think I did.
I was just about to go get breakfast.
I can wait for you if you want.
Are you feeling?
Yes.
Actually, yeah, I just I passed out as my moment.
My head hit the pillow.
You know, I mean, it was exhausting yesterday.
And yes, how was the stuff with Orier and everything?
Yes.
Great.
Awesome.
No problems whatsoever.
Are you feeling better?
Oh, yeah, I'm feeling great.
Yeah, mostly awesome.
Great.
Cool.
Because I know you got sick.
So I'm glad you're not sick anymore, because.
Yeah, I feel a lot.
You know, I know it's the first day of school.
It's OK if you're nervous, you know.
Yeah, it's OK.
You know, you don't you don't want to be.
You know, I think first day is going to be I mean, it's it's the easiest and going to
be figuring things out.
And it's sometimes you have a bit of a rough morning, but you have to remind yourself,
right?
That you're you're here and you're here to learn.
And we won.
We won.
We won the log battle.
We did.
I'm going to get changed from a far.
Hello.
Hi.
Oh.
You see making his way over a young, a young halfling man in a dress, dressed in crimson
griffin attire.
He carries a notebook that has all different sort of like attachment and cute jermons attached
to it.
And he just goes, hi, I'm not bothering you two, am I?
Not at all.
I am Kadeo Kaliya.
I am says I am one of the I'm one of the head editors at the Black Powder Club.
The Black Powder Club is a student publication here that writes like the news and such here
at Ira Brin.
We provide you all with the news of let you let you know what happens around here.
And I was hoping if I can get a few words from the both of you because if I'm not mistaken,
I've seen seen that and I thought I saw your faces when I was beaten like halfway unconscious
by Samara Eckbert in the mock battle.
One of the victims.
It happens every year.
I was hoping if I can like get a word from the two of you from the leader and retainer
of the Silver Lions because we're going to try to send out our issue tomorrow.
Well, yeah, of course.
You know, why don't I mean, do you do you need to go get dressed?
I could talk to him for a bit and then you could come and see.
Yeah, I'll be right back.
Just going to spruce myself up and and and you guys and I'll be right back.
One second.
Prince after her room to like dunk her face in water or something.
As you sprint off, it goes, it goes, go, Valora and Lucia.
That is that is a fountain pen name if I've ever heard one.
Timmy's really obsessed right now.
I love stationary.
It's so cute, though it is.
So Lucia, you rush off.
You look less ragged now.
And you had you had back.
Moving everywhere with speed because that is your one speed is sprinting.
She constantly in sprint.
There is no walk with Lucia.
It's sprint.
It's like me playing three houses running around the monastery.
Yeah.
I got a task, guys.
Just goes.
All right.
Laura and Leah and the person that is quickly approaching us at at the law says at velocity
is unheard of is almost as fast as me.
They might be faster even.
I cannot argue with that.
Hello, Lucia.
I'm sorry.
But like, I hope this isn't offend you.
But do you need to put your last name in?
Uh, it doesn't offend me because I don't have one.
Oh, wow.
OK, that's fine.
I'm just trying to get your name down for the thing.
Let me get my washing tape here.
You're washing tape.
Wait, is she scrapbooking?
You're very prepared.
My washing tape?
An interview?
Yeah, I know, right?
Timmy made this whole bit just to show off all his stuff he's bought.
Um, OK.
Sorry, I'm not going to hold your time.
I know you're really busy, but we're just trying to get like some words, some quotes
from the leaders to put in the very first, the opening sort of inaugural article for
this year.
So just anything that you two want to tell, like anybody and like everybody's going to
read it tomorrow.
Anything inspiring or any goals that you have?
Hmm.
Well, it's, you know, I don't know if there's anything like particularly unique or crazy
with us, but I'm excited to meet everybody and to be learning with everybody.
Um, oh, what's that boat quote you have, Lucia?
The one.
Oh, yes.
She's like, how does it look like some sort of like proverb or something?
Yeah, you know, so so you know how boats, they're meant to push out into the water and
and and and and the harbor is left far behind.
And because the harbor is left far behind with the boat in the water, like that's that's
why the boat does that is because the harbor is far away.
And I feel like that really is, you know, kind of being new here, new to this place.
It's like we're boats out at new seas, but they can be maybe a little scary.
But for the most part, we're looking at new horizons, new places.
And we have we're like boats going on a brand new adventure together.
And I'm excited to do that with all our classmates.
Well, I'm personally looking forward to learning how to read common.
I've always kind of wanted to be a bit of a bookworm.
Well, not a word, not a word, not a Billy.
But when I when I say were my I don't you know, when the literal worm.
Why would someone be a literal word?
Laura, she like almost like we should probably go get breakfast.
She's not going to see us acting so weird.
But she is like this.
She just assumed she's nervous for the school day.
Laura's like, why is my retainer so fucking weird?
I've written it all down.
Can I get a shorter quote?
Which I figured you'd just take like the cool parts.
OK, like, you know, you'd condense like whatever you think's best.
I don't know. Yeah.
Yes, we we love the press here at the Silver Lions.
Witness Valor.
Yeah, when is Valor witness Valor witness Valor record Valor
write down Valor.
Yeah, that's you know.
OK, well, nice to meet you.
Nice to meet the both of you.
It's really nice to meet you.
You too.
You have a good you too.
Have a good morning.
You too.
Yeah, happy first day class.
Yeah, absolutely.
Do you know what the blue wolf slayer is by any chance?
Oh, oh, you just have to just like ask around and call it Vesper.
And if you see like any like animal furs and things, double check.
Sometimes Vesper just appears to.
Yeah, exactly.
It's kind of hard to pin down.
OK, well, I'll go ahead and
I don't leave you to cheer mourning, but welcome to Agrabahim.
It's going to be a great year.
Yeah, thank you. I'm excited.
And I'm looking forward to working together.
I hope you join consider joining the Black Powder Club.
What if I can't read?
We can help.
Sorry, I got to go now.
I'm really embarrassed.
Valora, Valora walking off with the sea is like, is like, you know,
I think if you really wanted to do like the newspaper,
there's probably stuff you can do with even though you can't read yet.
Like, yeah, I don't know if the press, I don't know.
I don't know if that's that's the I bet you'd be really good
at getting like people secrets out of them, like, you know, really?
Coming up to the I just I think.
Oh, yeah. I think you'd have a really good interviewing skills.
Yeah, you know, people just love to confess their secrets to me.
And it's not like it's really easy for me to share it or something like that.
But if if I if I had a secret, you know that I
I would try to share it with you, right?
But but the secret's dangerous, so I couldn't really share it, you know?
Is something wrong?
Are you OK? Yes.
Just know, Valora, just know, Valora,
and she's going to take your hands gently in hers and hold them up.
Just know.
And I am so glad
you are my house leader, and I am going to do everything
in my power to make sure.
That you succeed.
Well, both of us, you know, and you're doing a good job so far.
You've handled all the change really well, I feel like.
I know it's a lot.
It's it is, but I'm I'm I'm we can make a difference, you know?
There's a lot of bad things that might happen,
but I think we can stop them if we work together.
You know, there's always the risk of bad things happening, but
we don't focus on that because we try to make good things happen, right?
Right. And and just because.
The future is not set in stone, right?
We might think that life is going to go one way, but
but it doesn't necessarily have to be that way, right? Exactly.
It's what we make it, ultimately.
Yeah, absolutely.
And, you know, you can talk to me about anything, but you don't.
Secrets or whatever, you don't have to tell me
everything I know we've just met, like I don't expect you to tell me
every little bit of everything you're feeling if you're not comfortable with it, you know?
I'm not offended.
By that, OK?
I.
Appreciate that.
One day.
Promise I'll be able to tell you.
Great. Today's the first day of class, right?
Mm hmm.
So where are we off to first?
I did. No, no, I didn't.
I left in the room. I'm sorry.
I really want breakfast tomorrow.
Yeah, yeah, I'll definitely bring it tomorrow.
I just had a weird day.
That's all.
Was the praying stuff that weird?
No, the prayer was great.
No, the prayers.
Oh, no, the prayer is great.
The prayer was great.
I'm sorry.
Oh, no, the prayer is great. The prayer was like a little bit of like normalcy and like home, you know?
No, the prayer is great.
Um.
Yeah, just wow.
Magic is wild, isn't it?
Magic's a wild thing.
Somebody do something to you?
Not to me, no.
If anyone casts a spell.
No, no, no, no, no one casts a spell on me.
No, no, no, thank goodness.
I found out someone said they did something to me to make me sick last night.
Someone cast a spell on you?
I don't know if it was a spell he didn't explain.
Ha ha ha ha ha.
Well, well, well, if it isn't the little worms.
Lucia, Lucia, my hand goes to a crossbow.
She hears a worm.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Everybody look at, look at, look at that.
Look at her.
Who is talking to us right now?
You see Robert, the one of the one of Todd's henchmen, who was right by this.
Oh my God.
Half work man and one of the leaders of the drama society.
Oh, the drama club.
Don't worry, me and Robert are both in drama.
Because the drama club kids are always the bullies.
Oh my God.
Art reflects life.
You see one of the knights kind of like, kind of like eyeing between the both of you, like,
like ready to act when you have your crossbow drawn.
Sorry, sorry, it was a joke.
Jokes, jokes are funny.
She puts her crossbow back on.
You know what I think better about that quick draw thing?
Yeah, you know, just a little surprise like good morning.
Keep and make sure your instincts are.
Oh, it's Robert, right?
I'm surprised that he shook off being a crossbow aimed at him.
That someone as lowly and quiet as yourself remembers my name.
Yeah, I don't think I haven't heard the word quiet about either of us.
I don't think quiet is I don't think quiet yet.
No, that is not the word.
How pathetic that you square.
Fuck me.
I can't do this shit.
How pathetic watching you squirm beneath.
Pathetic.
Is this a dialect?
Why are you saying it like that?
It's pathetic that you squirm underneath the might of the great Todd.
Is he putting on an accent?
Is he in the drama club?
This is my natural voice.
Oh, sorry.
I didn't mean to insult your accent or something.
Seems a little performative.
It kind of does.
Yeah.
Todd will straighten out the both of you yet.
I'm actually really impressed that Todd is friends with people in the drama society.
We became the presidents of the drama society through the Todd's teachings.
So he has allowed us to thrive.
Todd's a bit of a drama queen is what you're saying.
Oh, you jest.
And I will tell Todd what you said.
But here's the thing, I thought drama was actually a really good outlet for emotions
and stuff.
If Todd's putting on a show, we can all support him one day.
We are emotionally stubble.
Stubble?
Stunted?
Emotionally stubble.
Stop.
Stubble?
You know exactly what I'm saying.
I really don't.
Your little peanut brain cannot comprehend exactly what I'm saying.
Dude, I'm just trying to remember I'm just going to go get some breakfast.
Yeah, what does she want?
I'm lost here.
All right, get out of here.
Wait, it was just to bug us?
That was it?
He was going to talk to you guys some more, but you guys are going to have to help.
Timmy's like, I'm done actually.
Don't be warned, you are under considerable consideration.
Todd, have you handled yet?
Well, I'm missing something.
You know, we won the mock battle, right?
Yes, without Todd's help.
Yeah, and Todd didn't help, so what's the problem?
He thought it fit not to spend his time.
He thought it fit to spend time better elsewhere.
I'm glad to know we didn't even need him.
Well, I'm going to let him know you said that.
Good.
I don't care.
Honestly, I've been meaning to have a talk with Todd anyway, so yeah, if he sent along
that I'm looking to talk with him, that would be great.
Is not hard to find.
Oh, I'll talk to you about breakfast then.
Lucia in class Robert.
That's not what that doesn't look like me at all.
That's a horrible thing.
But what if you did this and she does like a little spin and is Robert.
Oh, oh, oh, oh.
And Lucia bends the way she normally does, which is fully with her face to her knees.
Robert as she pulls in half.
I say it was bad for your back.
He likes this.
Walks away.
He likes that.
So Todd got you sick?
No, it was OK.
So I feel like this must have been some sort of prank or something, because I mean, apparently
there's a lot of really weird people here.
I shouldn't be surprised to see weird people.
Yeah, like were me.
Yeah, I know that.
Yeah.
But yeah, there's this dude named Branko.
He said he getting me sick was a warning because he's the president of the Saga Dondarius fan
club.
Oh, boy.
Wait.
He.
So what he cast like gas, a spell on you to make you sick.
I don't know.
Or maybe put something in my drink.
I don't know.
I assume it was like the like the decomposing bread in my stomach or something.
Yeah, the Tamsin did.
That's right.
Because, you know, the things decompose and die that way.
And it's like bodies like yeah, I still get how she did that.
I've never heard of anyone like being able to do that.
You know, I don't think anyone's normal here.
Yeah, let's just go with that.
Let's just let's just let's just establish like I thought I'd be the weird one.
But no, I guess not.
Allura, you are so cool.
What are you talking about?
Why would you think you'd be the weird one?
Oh, I don't know.
I like I can talk to someone for like eight hours straight about roads.
It's not exactly the most like normal thing in the world.
I think it's really cool.
Well, thanks.
And whoever this Franco is.
Next time he casts some sickness spell on you, this healer is going to handle it.
I'm not that worried about him.
He was.
I don't know.
Just weird.
It was just weird.
You know, maybe it was like a prank.
Maybe it wasn't like actually.
He's just jealous that Saga likes you.
Well, I mean, I don't know if she like I don't know if she like likes me.
But like, yeah, she likes you.
I mean, just because we're going on, I mean, I think we're going to be I knew we were going
to be like friends at least like you just want that.
You just want to be friends.
That's it.
Well, I mean, I'm not I don't know.
I mean, I don't know yet.
I mean, we have to get to know each other, you know.
OK, I say just see how this date goes.
It's the first day of school.
You know, we've got who knows it's going to happen.
And if I I think it'll be I think we'll have fun.
I think you will, too.
And I want to help pick out your outfit because I I've never done that before.
I don't know what we're doing yet.
Um, but yeah.
I want to come up with multiple options like, oh, are we going to go?
I don't know.
Like if it's like wilderness, see, can't be like wearing something.
I think there are things that can be done.
I know I have a vision as the two of you draw closer to the mess hall.
You see now that next to the door is a small is a large, small, large blackboard showcasing
the menu at the mess hall.
There is a mess hall and it says mess hall menu and it says breakfast, breakfast, mentally.
That's all it says below that.
There's another title, another another like title that like the same the same basically
presentation as mess hall menu.
And it says Kylnsman menu.
And it says a wake wake up meal.
That's what it says.
And that's it.
Um, a and you see a particularly very like appetizing smell comes from comes comes from
the mess hall.
It smells spicy.
Well, to see.
Yeah.
You come in to see two separate lines.
At the moment, fire speaker, the fire speaker is tending to one of the lines you see, you
know, an array of like array of eggs, bread and jams.
That seems to be freshly that seems to be freshly jarred as well.
Just a really good amount of food.
But in the other ones you see in the other line, you see a a fire genasi is heading like
the sort of distribution of food and in the back where you see people working within the
kitchen, you see in the you see students with aprons seemingly leading the cooking in the
kitchen as well.
Oh, is this because of the game mechanic you can cook in the kitchen?
So cute.
Which lines are you doing?
Well, we got to be adventurous and doing the doing the spicy line, right?
Are you sure you were sick last night?
Maybe it's better to go with something a little bit blander.
But it'll be fine.
OK, don't say it in warn you.
And they'll get in that line.
Again, as you get in the back, making your way up front and you see the fire genasi.
Who's wearing like as a particularly like intense sort of like he does.
He does really stand out like a little bit of a mohawk, kind of like a flower printed
flower printed on it on a shirt, sunglasses, as he as he's working.
As he's as you are kind of like making your way up, you see the you see someone takes
the space behind you.
It just goes going for the kids been first first day.
Yeah, I don't know what it is, but oh, the kids been that's the student culinary body.
They also run a menu from time to time.
Oh, cool.
Fun.
Yeah.
Yeah, the wake up blend someone I remember last year when they did it, someone passed
out because it was a lot of was a lot.
Oh, OK.
And you hear and you hear it was a hit.
Apparently you hear from behind Christopher.
Don't scare them.
I'm just having fun.
But no, it's going to be good.
They're good.
Yeah.
And you make your way up eventually and before you was like like like stuffed peppers with
with like with like a like a medley of like egg and some kind of some kind of like cheese
with a like a sort of like cayenne pepper on top.
People seem to be hard seem to be harder work.
And as you come up, you see the fire, Janessi, who kind of like who is providing the food
and he goes, all right, next up.
Come here.
All right.
And you hear you hear like hands.
I need hands.
Oh, my God.
It's an episode of the bear bear.
I should have had a bear here.
Oh, my God.
I drew it a druid.
As you as you as you come up, you see you see someone comes up sweating a gnome girl
goes, hi, says, chef, we got a problem with it.
We got a problem with the stuff.
Steffan Peppers like we need we got a problem.
But take sunglasses down.
He has like charcoal black eyes.
It just goes.
This is just like one of the guys one of the like Josiah.
He just quit.
Oh, my God.
He puts his sunglasses.
He puts his sunglasses on.
It goes just wait here a moment.
Heads back.
Someone from the back goes, hey, what's holding up the line?
Let's see.
Hold on.
What do I have for spells?
I have purify food and drink.
I can't do much.
But if you need any drinks or food, you're fine.
And you you hear you you hear in the back like I got says I got two customers.
I got two customers and you're blowing this.
No, you listen to me.
You listen to me.
They're not paying for anything.
We're technically not customers.
She was for Silicia volunteer.
You guys need help back there.
This is the divided as it comes back and just goes, no, no, no, I got I'm going to get your handle right quick.
I'm going to get your handle.
Don't worry about it.
OK, well, if you need help, I know.
Nope.
It just goes, hey, you know what?
You know what?
It just goes, he just he's just to the back and comes back quickly holding like like two containers.
Here you go.
It gives it to the both of you.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Yep.
You enjoy that.
Next.
Like rushing you guys off.
All right.
I take it very seriously here.
It's pretty tense.
Speaking of purifying and then she's going to quickly cast on velour's meal, purify food and drink.
I'm not taking any more chances.
Oh, you know, actually, maybe a good call if they were.
Well, thank you.
You don't know how many members of this weird fan club are trying to see.
Who knows?
You can't trust everyone, I guess.
Oh, God, I hope it was a prank.
I hope they were just pranking me.
I have a feeling it's not.
Yeah, I mean, the more people I meet here, the more I think you're right.
Yeah.
Well, it's all good now.
And do they get to a table?
Absolutely.
Yeah.
OK, I think they'll they'll put down their food.
Yeah, I guess.
Never mind.
I'm not saying I'm good.
As you open your food, you take notice, Lucia, that it is the rate that they had.
But like you are immediately hit.
It's spices like you can tell it's flavor.
It's smoky.
But it's also something that really hits you.
How are velour you don't?
She purified it.
It's good because the lower I already decided that velour wasn't good with spicy food.
Was it that good with it?
Like, technically, you're not supposed to eat capsaicin, so the magic recognized that.
Oh, my God.
Um, she goes, wow, what a hit.
She eats.
It's not as spicy as I thought it'd be.
Really?
Yeah.
Take a bite.
I like it's not spicy at all, actually, like all that smell.
Is it like water or milk or bread on the table?
There's there is whatever drinks you got from the front.
She like shoves her tongue in her water cup.
It's not helping.
Water doesn't help.
Well, I was wondering where the two of you were, but.
It's like one of you is already says.
Good thing one of you is easy to find in the middle of a room, a crowded room.
As you see Quincy making his way.
It's really not spicy.
She says, did you eat this?
She's like shouting at Garby with her tongue out.
He takes a bite of it.
He has the same food.
Really?
Geez, she eats and she's totally fine.
It's burning a hole in my mouth.
You don't maybe you still have time to get the medley instead if it's too much.
It's getting more intense, Lucia.
Help me.
She's like scrambling.
OK, OK, let me.
She goes to get some milk for her real quick.
As you go and as you go and get as you go and get milk, Lucia Quincy just goes, all right, let's just has a hand out towards you.
She's she's just she's gripping it and her tongue is so hot.
It burns my tummy.
My tummy's going to burn up and die.
I'm going to poop everywhere.
I'm going to poop everywhere because the spices are going down to my tummy.
It's OK. It's OK.
It's OK for Laura's getting help.
I hear her across the room while I'm getting the milk and I decided to just go get her the medley too.
I see if they let me.
I don't want to cut the line, but I'll see if they let me go be like, hey, I think my retainer's dying.
Is it OK if I grab one?
She can't handle cayenne pepper.
I guess not. And just yeah, they've they've they've fetched you something.
Thank you.
As you as you go back, all of a sudden you're crowded as as like a bunch of silver lines and goes, hey, Laura, like, oh, hey, um, you want to come sit with me?
Hey, I'm a second year here.
And like if you ever need anything, you let me know.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, you don't have to listen to him.
He gives bad advice like, hey, why don't you guys come sit with me?
We're really excited.
You're like, do you need like do you need to like get around class or?
And you see this one is like on the ground, like arms around Garvey's legs like my mouth.
I think my lips are bleeding and Garvey dips his hand in water, like rubs it on your forehead as he's watching for.
I think you guys you guys can come with me with come on and then annoyed that they're all ignoring her.
You must have someone goes, well, well, well, look who it is going for the less spicy meal I see as you see Marcellus.
Oh, I picked this up for Lucia.
Oh, how thoughtful of you.
Genuinely.
But she couldn't she couldn't get her own meal.
Oh, well, she tried the other one first and it's not going over.
Well, speaking of, I need to go rescue.
She's screaming down her face from the heat.
He just keeps going.
He cuts you off like he always does.
He just goes, you know, I was so energized this morning.
We'll galvanize.
We can.
I was thinking we could do our race this morning.
And then you hear, brothers, that you.
And then you Marcellus's face falls and you see just just like his shoulders kind of like fall.
As you see from across the room, a handsome man in nightly regalia.
Oh, no.
Same hair color.
It is Marcellus, but he looks like he's successful.
Oh, no.
It's like.
And then you see, he goes, the this person talking just went just goes, brother, I didn't see you after the I didn't see you after the mock battle yesterday.
And he goes, oh, I didn't know you were here.
You should have made your presence known.
We were busy celebrating.
And you see this person walks over to walks over to us.
Well, you've you've had the honor of meeting my brother.
I'm sure I am Adrian.
Nice to meet you, Adrian.
Edivane.
I'm Marcellus's bigger brother.
Oh, yes.
I didn't know you had had a brother.
Oh, he doesn't he doesn't talk about me.
Oh, just we were not that we've only just begun knowing.
We just met.
I'm Laura Avonlea.
I'd give you a hand, but I'm kind of.
Oh, yes.
Making a delivery.
Oh, OK.
I get out of your way.
Marcellus, why don't we talk?
I also have to eat, brother.
I'll sit with you.
And I have business with Marcellus.
She says, elbowing him a little bit, so that was you back.
Like, yes, she should go about doing that.
Come on here.
Marcellus, can you help me carry this?
Oh, yes.
I can't balance this here.
I can.
Takes it.
Yeah, I can.
I'm trying to move him out.
He's being a jerk.
It's really nice meeting you, Adrian.
I hope we get to talk soon.
Yes.
I'm going to be here for like the next day or so.
So I hope I get to talk to you soon, Marcellus.
Yes, of course, Adrian.
We'll talk.
He was.
He's walking away.
He seems nice.
What's?
Yes, he is the epitome of knighthood.
Everything you everything you'd want in a night is your is Lucy.
Okay, as you see, she's doing like, you know, like when women are giving birth, they do a certain like breathing method.
She's trying to do that with her.
Wow, Quincy has your hand and he's just like, breathe, breathe.
Give her the milk.
Oh, just Lucy.
I'm going to administer milk to you now.
I put the new meal in front of her.
Making stuff.
She's chugging the milk.
Quincy goes, you're going to choke.
That's so weird.
I don't I didn't find it to be spicy at all.
Takes another bite of hers.
Marcellus goes, how bad can it be?
You're not going to finish that, are you?
Lucy, are you pointing at your spicy meal?
Please, Marcellus, it's all yours.
As she like uses she is because he's Garvey still holding her hand.
Yes.
She'll use it as like to like pull herself up and like climb up his arm to her feet.
It's all yours.
Go for it.
I didn't know it got rid of your ability to walk, but I'm here for you.
How are you still alive?
Because he ate it too, right?
He just goes, oh, you know, having entry level spice tolerance.
Some of us don't have all these cool spices where they're from Garvey.
Well, you made me aware of that much.
Yes, that's true.
I mean, like we get a lot of spices through through my home.
It's a pretty big trading hub.
So get a lot from Conica.
Oh, did he start?
Marcellus.
Oh, milk, milk, milk.
And she'll go over.
No, I'm fine.
Now look who can't handle the spicy.
She goes administering milk and starts to throw it down his mouth.
I don't need it.
I don't know.
It's OK.
It just surprised me.
You shouldn't be ashamed.
No, I'm not.
I'm not ashamed.
I'm not.
I'm just.
It just surprised me.
She takes a big bite of hers.
You shouldn't be ashamed to have a low spice tolerance, Marcellus.
I haven't changed at all.
He runs away.
That's going to hurt.
Quincy looks at you, Laura, just goes, I don't know.
We're surrounded by children.
Oh, I get to be included in this time.
Can't handle the heat, so they have to fetch the milk.
Well, you weren't you weren't you weren't saying that yesterday when I was helping you not get shot in the face.
It was supposed to be a comeback, but didn't really work out.
I wanted it to.
Well, now I know what the playing field is.
So let's open up the field for me.
What?
We're bringing stuff up that happened in the mock battle now.
I see.
Right.
Yeah.
And you almost got your butt kicked.
But I came in and I helped you.
You did.
Thank you for that.
You're welcome.
We did a good job.
We did do a good job.
We won.
He won.
He says quietly.
Yeah, well, we won.
We won.
He just goes, it was quite a show when you handled the when you handled Vanga.
That one on one little unorthodox to to hinge it all on a one on one duel.
But I like dueling some, you know, and I mean, the blue wolves work together well.
That much is really well.
But you know, we did pretty good too.
We did.
Maybe it's a foolish thing to say, but it does make me more optimistic for the future.
They can use a lot of that.
Did you guys know that Marcellus is brothers here?
So is a brother.
Yeah, he's an older brother.
Apparently he's a knight.
Oh, cool.
Was he nice?
Oh, well, he seemed nice to me, but he was trying to kind of escape from him.
So I kind of helped.
You helped Marcellus.
What do you mean I helped Marcellus?
He's my classmate.
Yes, but your eternal rival, apparently.
Yeah.
You guys are always trying to one up each other.
I can get wanting to escape an annoying family member.
Ah, she just nods in silence.
And you know, as a person that I am, it would be cruel of me to not help someone who loses as frequently as Marcellus.
Something like that.
I don't know.
She says he's not even here to rub it in.
So it's not really worth it.
That was very good of you.
I'll tell them about it.
Oh, thanks.
Did you know that someone poisoned Valora?
Yeah.
OK.
It's I feel like it's like some sort of prank almost.
But like this dude came up to me and told me that me getting sick last night was his threat to me because he's the leader of the Saga Dondarius fan club.
Do all the house leaders have a fan club?
Can I start Valora's?
Hmm.
That's kind of weird.
But it'd be like not a creepy one.
You know what I mean?
Like a nice one like the worst part is I don't know you enough to figure out if you're this is just your sense of humor or not.
But no, I'm serious.
This dude came up.
He had like this fedora on and when you say fedora on you see Quincy visibly like cringes.
So you have seen him.
He is real.
No, but I've seen fedoras.
His name is Franco.
Well, what a delightful combination of details.
Oh, and that's his fake name.
He made sure to tell me that's my that's his fake name, by the way.
Is he here?
He is going to like look around the dining hall to see Fedora.
You don't see any Fedora.
Do I do I see Franco?
No, you as you look around, like everyone is caught up with their own thing.
Do I see anyone staring at me maliciously?
Make a perception check.
Right.
One of the secret members.
If they turn out to be the big bad, I will cry.
Twenty one.
Nice.
You do see you do see as you're kind of like looking around, you make slight eye you, Velora specifically make a slight eye contact with.
You see this like tiefling girl with like striking yellow eyes as you kind of like make eye contact with her suddenly.
She like you see her eyes are like like a bit like art and then like she realizes and then turns away.
She tried to smile.
Okay.
No, I don't see him here.
He also ran into Robert.
Oh, yeah.
How's it going to be a real problem?
Robert that half work.
Yeah.
When I was when I was carrying the lightweight Marcellus to his to his bed the other day, Robert had approached us to begin the taunt us loudly spoke over us.
What a rude.
He wanted to instill his superiority over everyone.
Never really allowed us to get a word and just spoke loudly.
Yeah, we talked to him.
Yeah.
But I thought I thought best just ignore him.
Probably a good idea work.
No.
Oh, typically us.
You would think ignoring theater kids would work better than like the opposite probably like incenses them.
Speaking of which, where is Todd?
That look around and no Todd.
Aren't it?
Quincy goes, well, whatever the case, we have, we have the day set up before us.
Yep.
First day of school.
And I assume you to have all the Vim and vigor and optimism and everything share with everyone.
Oh, I'll gladly share some with you.
You're the one that brought it up first Garvey you said to be optimistic about the future.
I did.
Are you smiling? I think he's smiling.
A little bit of a mouth.
Look, the edges work work.
All right.
I won't dispel your delusions.
One waste of energy.
And he stands up as much as I was comes back with a with with a milk.
Well, ready for our race.
I should spare you.
I should.
You're not sparing me.
There's no there's no action of sparing me.
There's no need to spare me.
There's no place for mercy.
Mercy.
You're in no condition.
I am in condition.
I'm in yes condition.
That didn't make my I'm I didn't get any spice at all.
And I'm not trying to be like weird about it.
But like it's like no spice.
It was good though.
No, it's made of tougher stuff.
Nothing.
It's made of tougher stuff.
I have things to look up to, among other things, of course.
But reaching your spice tolerance, reaching the height, reaching the heights that you're at for Laura, I think makes you a makes you a very worthy leader in my eyes.
I'm glad I've won you over with my ability to eat spicy food.
Well, among other things, of course.
It'd be nice if Todd and Robert did that.
I'm not worried about them.
I mean, I am.
I mean, I'm they bugged these two last night.
I'm getting sick of it.
Who did Robert?
Is it Todd?
Yeah.
And is that what happened to Quincy?
Like Quincy just goes Quincy just goes, you've had two drinks.
It's okay.
Marcellus, I'm there with you.
I'm right there with you.
And Marcellus goes, well, I don't participate in my patients that much.
Because what did he say specifically?
What did he say to taunt me?
Because I might have some reprimands.
I might have some retaliations.
I'm sure he said something stupid and barely comprehensible.
Quincy nods.
You know, if I write what you're avoiding your brother for them.
I'm not judging, but like, just curious.
It's just I finally got a chance to step away from the household and all of, you know, all everything, including my brother.
And it seems it has followed me here.
At least it's only for a day, right?
Don't get me wrong.
I love my brother.
Just for the first time, I've truly had a freedom.
Hi, guys.
As you see Tamsin.
Oh, hey, Tamsin.
Hi.
Did you get your package?
I never saw you at the party.
Oh, yeah.
Sorry.
It was.
Sorry.
Yeah.
It was a really heavy package.
I had to take it into my room.
Oh, we should have come and helped you.
I helped her.
It was all handled.
We got it.
I don't want to burden you, but Lucy was really helpful.
Oh, good.
I'm glad.
Speaking of helpful, you need to have a growing girl needs to have her breakfast.
This will take her food, her spicy plate and hand it off to go.
I'm sure you like this.
Oh, well, I got my own plate.
But thank you.
I am kind of hungry.
You know, I did have it like a midnight meal, but I'll take this too.
Yeah, it's a white sheet.
So it's eating it, but it's been full.
Okay, breakfast is almost over.
I should really.
I'm going to have a midnight meal.
Why am I in the horror movie?
It's kind of cute.
It's like a psychological horror.
Worms.
The worms.
The title is the worms.
What are you talking about?
It's adorable.
It's lovable.
But as she's eating, as she's eating, you hear from you hear from the from the front, like 10 minutes of class, everyone.
Quick.
Him and chat.
Oh, my ass.
Can I redeem inspiration now to give disadvantage on Lucia to keep that secret?
Don't have inspiration.
But I should introduce a reverse inspiration.
I'm getting I'm not going to do that.
Reverse inspiration.
Reverse.
Just let it go.
Just let everyone know my stance on like, I don't really like the idea of like having viewer rewards to influence like stuff directly in the game.
But drag Meyers is a very special occasion, but we are going to figure out something with the channel reward points later.
And yes, she will have this advantage now because you because you gave me the idea.
I'm kidding.
She's been doing so good.
Somehow, somehow, somehow.
It's purely because I don't like what.
How would I even catch on?
I think something's wrong.
The most of it is like, yeah, it was easy.
It's kind of weird.
She's just yeah.
The problem is, is that like her normal is weird because always weird shit happens.
I just think she's nervous about school.
Inspiration, Albert says.
Inspiration.
Tamsin goes, ah, that was really good.
And Marcellus is like, staring at her.
Kind of like, this is looking like, like, incredulous.
Like, did you really do that?
And she just puts it she just puts it down.
She goes, all right, growing girls gonna get to class today.
First day of class, everyone.
I hope we all sit together.
Sorry, my discord got real slow all of a sudden.
Mine too.
Really?
Yeah.
Mine's fine.
Mine's not caught up.
Mine keeps stopping.
Oh, a little bit.
But I think it's fine.
It stops every bit.
Little bit of scuff woven on the anniversary.
Load woven.
Buffer woven.
We haven't had a discord have a problem for a while.
Yeah.
Has to happen on screen.
Always.
Tamsin, well, I'll say again, Tamsin finishes the meal and she goes, oh, that was really good.
I'm thankful for the second one, actually.
Are you all right with that, Lucia?
Oh, all yours.
You're a growing girl.
You're so nice.
A lot of mouths to feed.
Got one mouth to feed.
Yeah.
We should probably get going, you know, see if the professor has anything for us before class starts and everything.
At least the two of us, you know.
Yeah, that's right.
Um, as you two like, as you two like start getting up and getting ready to head out, um,
you hear a loud crash from far.
Some silence hangs over the mess hall as like everybody kind of like looks around at each other.
Just confusion.
I'm just going to look.
Um, and as you as you go to look, uh, Velour, as you step outside, you see a bunch of the school's nights rushing towards the direction.
Uh, up the stairs.
Um, you see one of the nights turns to you all just goes, everyone be calm.
Just, just, uh, and just goes like, go to your classes and runs, runs, starts running back in that direction.
She wants to go see Laura.
What's happening?
I think you see a cut out there.
Another crash.
I don't know.
I hear, come on.
Let's see.
She starts walking towards it, but follow kind of trying to blend in with the chaos, not stand out too much.
As you're making your way along, um, kind of like leading the small crowd of people who are wanting to come watch, you are constantly like discouraged by nights.
Uh, as you're making what, but they're not stop.
They're not directly stopping you.
Um, as you make your way, uh, as you make your way up, um, both of you give me investigation.
Oh, no.
I don't have a group.
Okay.
I was gonna say, does anyone in our group have investigation proficiency by chance?
But I'll take the perception instead.
I have a 21 passive though.
18.
You still roll.
But if you roll over the 21, I'll take the 21.
23.
Okay.
Higher than 21.
Making both of you, uh, both of you making your way up.
The both of you spot, uh, on the ground.
Um, cause you've been down these stairs in the morning, but there's gravel.
There's like debris, uh, on the ground.
Uh, the nights, um, you hear the nights like going up and like some of the nights are kind of like community and you're like, what's happening?
What's happening?
Um, so, uh, so drawn, um, and you hear, um, you hear from one of the other ones descending.
Um, and you picked up from the chaos.
You hear that night goes, it goes, it's cat wallader.
Oh, no.
It's Todd.
Um, all right, we better go.
And, and, uh, as you're coming up, you hear, get her off, get her off.
Um, from one of the, like, uh, from one of the nights.
Laura, we should do something.
Yeah.
She's trying to go look and see what's happening.
Um, as you, um, as you come up, as soon as you're approaching the precipice, one night, uh, does make her way up to you.
It's sura Mari.
It just goes, they do for Laura should have back.
That puts a hand out in front of you.
That's not your concern right now.
You need to head back.
Sounds like it's one of my classmates, kind of my concern.
Uh, and I'll keep your perception.
I'll keep your position for earlier.
You look past, you look past Mari.
You see Sir Pallavi carrying right now the limp form in a hurry going towards the, like, going towards the infirmary.
Your father in her arms.
You see a bit of his clothes is torn. He's battered, um, and Pallavi is currently retreating from what seems to be a, like a pile of debris from when a wall is broken down.
Your father is covered in the dust and, uh, the dust of the debris.
She okay. She's totally ignoring sura Mari now and she just goes into full run to follow.
Follow.
Um, you go to follow.
Yeah, Sir Pallavi looks at you and just goes, lady, lady, Valora.
Like,
Um, she just, she just goes, come on, let's walk.
What happened? Lucia can heal. Lucia, can you?
I knocked over my lamp.
And you, you hear from afar. It's you hear from afar a voice raging like, no, let her go. Let her go.
Todd, let me at her. It's Todd.
Um, as you see a group of nights, attempting to stand between, they're pulling Samara back.
As Todd is bruised and has been bruised and beaten in the face.
Um, both of them are sharing like battle wounds. As you see other nights are lifting and carrying off a unconscious beaten brimstone.
Oh, no.
Wait, maybe I can help.
She looks between Valora and the two fighting.
She's just, yeah, she's like, you can go help. I'll go here. I'll follow you to make sure nobody, nothing happens to you.
I'll go to where Samara and Todd are fighting.
Um, you see, you see Samara pushes aside some people as some of the nights are kind of like, kind of like, like, no, just just grabbing onto just grabbing onto her as Todd with a war hammer in hand, pie face shoves another pie pie pie face shoves a night, tossing them easily to the side.
As a Todd isn't restrained properly.
Yeah, there's a there's an effort going on and there's like nights continuing to head up.
But it's not. It seems like there's still like the conflict, a conflict going on.
Hey, what's going on.
Um, and, and you see one of the nights sees you, it just goes back up, back up, like, just like, like very hurry like try to try to back you away.
No, don't know. She's a person. You can talk to her tomorrow. What are you? What's wrong?
Um, Samara is currently being held by many people. She's in a rage. This is a full on like operation that you're, you're walking into as Todd, like, as, as, as you see one of the nights, Todd picks this person up by the arm and just full on one arm, chucks them across the square.
Todd, stop. And can I get in front of Todd?
Yeah, I think Velora rushes to to be like to she's like, I thought you were going to heal, which is to say that.
You get in front of Todd.
Yeah, Todd stop.
Get out of my fucking way.
Todd.
Get out of my way.
Out of my way.
And she is going to cast shield of faith on herself so it's in between her and Todd.
Um, he, he just, you see he just goes like he has to hammer in his hand it's got like a little bit of blood on it already.
Am I able to teleport objects out of people's hands?
Yes.
I would like to teleport his hammer away.
Okay, he's going to make a, I'm going to, it's a wisdom save.
Give me one second, he has a wisdom of zero.
12.
I'm pretty sure 12 fails.
You like 14 DC.
You watch, you, Lucy you watch as like, he's not, he doesn't hold up the hammer doesn't, he doesn't armor to swing at you.
And he just goes, you don't have any part in this, you step out of the way and then the hammer is gone.
This, surely, whatever is going on doesn't have to be handled like this.
And Samara from afar is going, you're dead to Todd.
Next time I get my hands on you, we're finishing this.
And like the nights, eventually like fairy her off.
And a voice cuts through the air, your Jareth goes, enough!
Everyone here who is not a part of the faculty, please disperse as of this moment.
She, is Brimstone, how does Brimstone look?
He's just like your father in the pile of debris.
They, people are carrying him off at the moment.
It seemed like he took a brunt of the hits.
Is there anything you can, Lucia?
Yeah, I, and I think from like, through her shield of faith, she'll let it dissipate as she looks at Todd.
And she'll, is this a touch based spell? Hold on.
Is guidance touch? Yes, it is.
She'll go to touch him.
Brimstone? Todd?
And what are you casting specifically?
Guidance.
Guidance?
Yeah, and as she taps him, she'll say, you need help?
Make a persuasion.
Valora's worried, worried, but not stopping her.
I have, I have, um, I have inspiration, right?
Yeah, we got inspired after the mock battle, I think.
Oh Jesus, 23?
23?
No, sorry, that's perception.
I was like, how did, wait, I didn't even fucking roll.
No, 13! Oh no, 13!
Todd stares you down his fear, not his fear, but his anger, intense.
And before he gets to say anything, you see like a guard approaching with Halbert's point at him, and Jareth, Jareth goes, Lucia, step away from him at once.
Jill, as she steps away, she says to Jareth, he needs help.
Please step away.
And Todd goes, yeah, you pointed, you pointed those at me? Go ahead, stab me with one of those.
And then Justin, he approaches one of the guards, like, go ahead, you put me, you put me with that at the end of your life, go ahead.
Can I move in front of, in between the guard and Todd again?
I think if I see her moving to do it, I think I want to kind of take your arm though and be like, like I don't want to be like, no, don't do it, but she's genuinely worried for you is the thing.
She gently takes it. But if you want to pull away, you can.
I think, I think, unfortunately, like all Lucia can see when she looks at Todd right now is like an injured animal.
Like that's all she sees. So, Dragmire, he needs help like most theater kids. It's true. It's true though, he does.
So I think she sees an injured and she doesn't know what was said. She knows he's violent. She knows he says awful things.
She knows he does this, but she sees an holding space for Todd right now.
Holding space for Todd.
She sees an injured animal, like, like, like an animal caught in a trap.
So she will, she'll say to Valara, I'll be okay, and she'll pull off and step in front. Todd.
It's okay.
Persuasion check.
With advantage.
Oh, how did I get that?
I guess you'll find out one day.
He has a bad home life and you're showing him so much compassion or something. I don't know.
Does he have a bad home life?
His dad sucks. Probably.
Okay, hold on. I'm using my inspiration. Please, please, Lucia, please for all that is good and holy. Can you roll high?
Please, you dumb little bitch. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Don't roll yet.
I am going to write down the DC.
Hold it right here. I wish my thing. I did.
And I'm going to, can I tap guidance on myself? Can I do guidance on myself?
This year, 17.
I had just written down the number.
I looked up and saw right there.
This is the most nerve wracking combat Lucy has been in and it's fucking emotions.
She says, Todd, it's okay.
He takes, he just he stares at you for a moment.
Breast heaving up inwards and outwards.
And he quickly, eyes come off of you. You walks to the side and he just, he just walks away.
You are going to report to the, and then Todd just goes, yeah, I know.
And just walks off. Nights following.
And I will run over to brimstone and cast cure wounds.
As you touch him, they casting cure wounds.
Brimstone eyes kind of like blink open.
Okay.
Hey, poppy.
Poppy. That's a cool name.
You can't move my back.
It's okay. Just relax. Sorry.
There's some things you can't fix.
We can fix that. Don't worry.
Samara rushes over.
And just bends down, just goes, are you okay?
I need to get taken to someplace.
I'm sorry.
Just, just puts arm under him. He's a, even though he's a big dwarf guy, she lives, she lives in with ease.
And just and brimstone it through his haze. Just looks at you just goes.
Just so we're clear about this.
What's the evil Laura? I want you blaming yourself for this.
Don't believe me. I'm not.
But like,
still sorry.
And some and Samara runs off.
Can I tap? Can I tap a cure wounds on her before she goes?
You do.
And even though it's healer, you see the wounds are healing. She doesn't even think about it.
That's okay.
And runs off.
I'm guessing they're going the same direction that they were taking my dad.
Yes.
Oh, your dad should go.
Yeah, it's okay if you want if you want to go to class.
Laura, what are you talking about? Come on, let's go.
And she'll grab your hand and head towards to where they took her dad.
The nights not talking to you at the moment, but nights you see are going to the other students and just going,
everyone go to your class and the bell rings.
Hurry up to the infirmary.
That's why I didn't want to read my post.
Your post.
A post to know what am I missing? I just have a so much.
So at the beginning, so before every session, I have a little post and note that I have on the bottom of the computer here of a to do list for the game.
I have underlying in all capital letters, the Todd incident.
That's why you said the incident in chat. Oh, no, you could have told me the Todd incident.
That was big enough. Oh, that one was scary.
But Laura doesn't know why he didn't freak out on you.
But she's glad and check on my stupid dad.
Hope your dad's not dead. I hope this isn't a direct Fire Emblem.
It's not Fire Emblem without a dead dad.
That dad doesn't count.
He gets to believe that's enough.
Sweet music. Also, drag my that's a cool point.
Poppies are insanely dangerous or poisonous. You're dangerous.
You're I'm poisonous. You're toxic.
I'm toxic is my theme song by Brittany.
I love you guys.
I'm so glad I get to be a part of your anniversary.
Like, hey, it's having our anniversary date and I was here too.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Laura, you make wimps your dad. He's dying.
He just goes to the music does sound like the fire of like romance.
It's what it sounds like right now.
Get married to somebody.
Take this ring. Do something with your life.
Okay, fuck you actually.
Language.
This is not the music for this. I play the Laura's theme.
I'm not gonna do that right now.
Oh, but so pretty.
You
make your way to the infirmary where you had once carried Bell to
the receptionist.
Sorry, we're not
Oh, that way. Point.
Thanks.
Just goes.
You make you make your way to
one of the one of the rooms where you see like Samara is being led by
like medic medical personnel to a place.
But you go another direction.
Heading into one of the rooms.
You see that
currently your father is being tended to with healing magic. He's unconscious.
They, they kind of like uplift the shirt and you see that there's like a
massive, massive, massive bruise on his back.
I was taught that strong.
Rudra is
rudra is on the side, standing on the side of the room letting the medical do
their thing turns to see you, Laura
and steps out.
What in the hell's happened?
At Waller
got into a fight with Brimstone
Why attacked him.
Your father tried to get in your father tried to get between them to stop
with her and tomorrow will him and Samara.
I don't know the details but
that tried to help.
Is he okay?
I mean obviously not but
Todd hit him with a hammer just sent him through a wall.
Jesus.
Do you think he should stand in between a cat Volader and Samara egg bird
is doing his job.
I know but
what good is it. What good does his body do between two forces like that. He's like
using magic or something.
I'll look after him.
He's going to be okay.
What good.
You should get the class.
That was really stupid of him though.
If he wakes up tell him I said that okay.
I got you.
Thanks.
Take this fucking ring my daughter.
Oh God.
You watch us like the medical person like okay put him on his front and they're like
just
looking over his armor is completely like dented. Todd at least at least
Valoranose and Lucy you might have an idea has an Aon mark
dedicated to him by Thor.
Oh shit.
So that ridiculous strength.
What knocks people around in his blood just directly in his blood.
Those people this violence that you will see are taught that these people are paramount.
The higher apex of society the ones that are meant to lead us.
So we're more worthy.
I'm going to do some reading on.
Okay I have ideas.
Okay.
Reading.
No we're not reading.
Only in celestial only in celestial.
I was going to say there's got to be what up with like Thor would not approve of this behavior.
I don't think maybe he would.
I played a cleric of Thor in a previous Irobrin game and he's like yeah go for it.
I have I have spoken to him directly.
He kind of loves this stuff.
Oh no.
That's not good.
Okay.
Is a like everyone thinks he's like glorious a glorious where he is a drunk round man.
Okay.
He's a he's a.
Oh no.
Love battles.
Okay.
It's like a guy at a football game.
Okay.
All right.
So score some fucking goals.
What the fuck you doing right.
Okay.
Okay noted noted.
Okay.
I'm just I'm just standing by Valora to not interrupting the conversation or to do anything
just to give her comfort.
You know my presence is comfort just waiting to see what she does.
All right.
Probably should be in class anyways.
Are you okay.
Yeah I'm fine.
He's fine.
He'll be fine.
It's not a big not a big deal.
It's scary.
Todd shouldn't be.
It's fine.
I wonder what happened.
I don't know it's obvious Todd has a worse temper than like a toddler.
But like you were both so mad.
Well yes Amara was probably mad because because he hurt her her charge.
She's his protector.
Of course she was mad.
Well as long as everyone's okay end of the day.
Yes I know why they let Todd come here.
They have to let him stay here.
But like after if he does shit like this all the time someone needs to tell him that that who cares what your dad thinks you've got to go back home and you can't be here anymore because like fuck this.
She's just walking back to class.
Yeah.
It doesn't help the reputation of our house.
That's for sure.
No more importantly like he could kill someone like that.
Might I try to talk with him.
Lucia you're.
So so sweet and so brave.
But like you saw what he.
He did to Samara to Brimstone what.
And he's clearly not a rational minded person.
I don't know if you can just talk your way through it.
He might hurt you too.
Oh just know I have some tricks up my sleeve.
Laura.
Times on my side to wink.
She doesn't get with that.
You what you mean by that.
I just.
I don't it won't be I won't try to do anything and you can be there and you can be like you know hanging out in the back.
I won't do any I'm not I just want to.
I just saw something he stopped.
He stopped today right.
Yeah but like.
That could have been.
I just.
He's.
I don't want you to get hurt.
Doing something like this and I'm.
I don't know people like that.
Lucy I like there you can't just talk to them and make them better.
No you can't but.
Before we kick him back home.
Let me try.
Let me I can't I can't fix him right.
That's not my job.
But as your retainer.
It's my job to look out for you and to look out for our house and he's been a problem.
Not only him but his lackeys are a problem.
It's my job to.
This I'll try talking and you can smack him.
At that as you're approaching the classroom.
You see making your way him tap he's tapping a cane along the stairs you see the teacher assistant.
Lucius.
Help.
He just goes.
Well.
I have to get very far seems like the two of you are to get into class.
Sorry we're late.
What happened again.
No you're absolutely fine.
I'm not people are expecting you.
Yes.
Laura.
Are you going to be all right.
Yeah I'm fine.
All right.
Well.
I will admit it's probably going to be a lot more drama in the coming years but hopefully these things are more fun than this than what happened today.
Well glad I don't have to explain everything at least.
Glad you already know.
Come now.
Laura Lucia.
As I was walking to class he literally just started looking for you.
And because you're just you're almost right next to the glass basically.
Just hears us around the corner arguing about Todd.
Oh we're very excited for our first day of school. Yep. I'm ready for that.
He says four spells down.
So as you walk in you hear you you already hear Lambert your professor calling role.
And as soon as you and as soon as you as soon as you walk in people turn towards you.
It's silent. You guys ever been to class late and all of a sudden you're like the center of attention for everyone.
Everyone thought you like like did you just brought did you just like murder a guy you just you're just getting out of jail. That's like the feeling right now.
As you walk look at the floor as you walk in and people turn towards you Lambert goes.
Eyes up front everyone.
Just go sit down.
I sink under the desk if I could melt into the floor I would.
So the class arrangements like it is a very nice looking building.
There's like a little like I forgot what they call it but you know in theaters like the like the little like balcony.
Yeah it is. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
There's a balcony students put on top of like not on top but students are lined up like the chair like chairs on these long tables that kind of like run run alongside each other facing towards the front.
Where a podium stained glass of the silver lions in the back.
It is an extremely beautiful display.
As you make your way towards your assigned seats.
You see sitting next to you.
Sitting next to you.
Valora is Quincy Lucia you sit at the very end of the seat so no one six to you so it's Lucia then Valora and Quincy.
Aka you are surrounded by nobles.
Yeah.
The nobles up front and the commoners in the back but you're.
Oh my god are you shitting me.
Timmy's dancing.
Do I notice with I don't know if you would know that though right.
You don't know the nobles I think and stuff.
Yeah I think she just thinks her seating.
Wow.
Yo that's so bad.
Oh my god.
It's kind of sweet isn't it.
We love class.
No it's not.
Once I once I once I find out anyway continue.
Welcome to classism school.
Specifically requested by the parents of the nobles.
That's why that's why you guys are not the PTA.
Wow.
But but Lucia you're special you're up here with all the wow.
You're with the company.
No.
So okay continue.
Oh my god that's bad.
Lambert gets through roll call.
And then at the very last he calls.
Laura.
Evan layer.
Here.
Lucia.
Yeah.
Almost full almost full attendance today.
Close his book.
He just goes.
Maybe next year.
Nothing.
In this world.
Can take the place.
Of persistence.
Talent will not.
Nothing is more uncommon.
Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not.
Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not.
The world is full of.
Educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone.
Are omnipotent.
Hello everyone.
All new and all returning.
Welcome.
To our brain.
I am your professor.
Lambert Grantham.
This is the this is my assistance.
Like new says new to the club says new to the room that is Lucius.
And he he gestures over to Lucius.
Lucius just kind of like gives a gentle wave.
To people.
He just goes hi.
Like a very just like a very like.
Like a very just he just like not going along with like the formality of it.
And just goes.
Typical TA.
Now speaking to the first years.
You are going to have a very busy three years ahead of you.
I expect nothing.
But the best.
Out of you.
I will learn about you.
You says you will get to know you.
You will get to know me.
I am going to become your best friend.
Yes.
I will learn about you.
Your dreams.
Your goals.
I promise I will try my best even if you don't tell me.
And I will push you.
Push you into the excellence I think you all can grow into.
Now for the first years you can ask the second and third years.
They can attest.
And if you ever need them.
I hope they took any note from me in these previous years.
And they offer you a guiding hand.
Easily and freely.
Now.
With that said.
I suppose we are going to have to get a little teaching done.
Second and third years you already have your regiment put out in front of you.
Year leaders please go through everything with your fellow class members as we attend to the first years.
Now.
First years.
I hope you all like to read.
Oh no.
I hope she whispers.
Maybe they have like an audio thing.
I can help.
It's probably a spell.
And goes.
Your leader, Velora Avalea is going to pass out.
Is going to pass out.
The required reading ahead of us.
She gets up.
There's got to be a spell or something.
You.
He just as you to a pile of a pile of sheets.
That's on that's on the table next time.
And you pick up you begin passing it out.
Yeah.
We'll see you.
Oh.
I keep talking.
I'm not trying to be mean.
I'll read it to her when I sit back down.
I turn to I lean over to him to Garvey and say.
Leans over to you.
And he does legitimately he like points at the words and he just starts reading it through the titles of books.
Like no hesitation or nothing.
He just does it.
Yeah.
He just goes.
We are going to spend the first.
We're going to spend the first day getting you all oriented within class.
Now we're going to be moving along.
Now we're going to be moving along quickly.
But we have a philosophy here.
If you see somebody lagging behind you pick them up.
You run alongside them.
No one's left behind.
Never see you leaving anybody behind.
Well, we'll see how my mood is when I start beginning to assign chores.
And you all better treat for Laura nicely too because she has a hand in that.
Little laughing from that.
As you as you give the paper to Tamsin of Laura of Laura Tamsin just goes you're going to give ourselves something really bad.
Aren't you?
I thought be fair.
Unless he earns it.
She says kind of looking at him wherever he is.
And as you make your way to Marcellus he just goes.
I have a feeling you're going to force upon me the toughest task and I will have you know I'm ready for it.
You know, don't worry.
I'm taking the professor's words to heart and I'm not going to leave anyone behind.
Oh, that's so kind of you.
Too bad I am not going to do the same thing when I beat you at the race.
It's just like well, when you get more flying stables duty, it might help you get a little bit more attuned with.
I need to keep passing.
I don't see you.
I don't hear your feet moving leader.
Volusius says I'm smiling a little bit.
Press those down the room.
As you pass them down, Lucius walks up next to Marcellus.
You catch this as you're walking away.
Lucius just goes and what is going on there?
It's a Marcellus.
Lucius is a Marcellus shipper.
I was going to say the lines are being drawn.
Sides are being formed.
We're going to have our own personal ship war.
This new ship war podcast.
We create the characters and then we fight with them.
AKA we're just going to have Emma scream about both sides.
I'll be like and in the blue corner.
I love how the audience has been very firmly.
Nobody feels like they have a full one side, which I've never seen before.
Everyone's pretty flexible.
Yeah, everything.
Why is there no music playing?
Where's the music?
Creepy music.
Oh, no, that's not.
Oh, I was like, this is not more worms.
Worm time.
It's the worm song.
A worm can fill up each of these seeds.
You can have a whole class here.
She has plenty of worms to spare.
You bet.
This ain't the one.
So I'm just going to do the music.
You've actually passed.
You've actually passed out the sheets.
And Marcella is like, Marcella is like, just a little bit of friendly competition.
And Lucius is like, ah, I'll be listening closely.
Lambert continues.
Just goes, in a few moments here, we are going to go ahead and get up.
We're going to show you around the school, explain all the faculties and everything.
Hopefully someone has done it for you when you came here, but we're going to have another tread.
I'll explain my expectations to you and we're going to be going to the library to get all the required reading.
First things first, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, all school days, Sundays you have off.
I get to leave you alone.
Just as you sit down, thank you, Valora.
All right.
Now, everyone, let's go ahead and get up.
Let's form up outside.
And you walk out.
This is not a song either.
I would say this is very moving.
I was like, what a moving first day of school song.
Let's go get books.
We're getting books.
You form up outside with Lambert, walking a designated path.
You cross other little bodies of students as well as their professors, leading them around all first years.
You catch Vesper and Archibald and the other two that were in the mock battle with you as you walk by.
Vesper gives you a gentle, excited little wave.
Vesper.
Poor Vesper.
We love Vesper.
Noted.
No!
You see D'Vora, who also gives you a greeting.
And she just goes, hey, how's your first day?
Oh, they're over there.
And you're walking.
See you.
Bye.
Walks over and walks into the classroom like, wait for me.
You are shown to the different faculties and explained what they are.
Here's the mass hall.
Here's the going towards the bottom.
Here's the private training grounds.
You've been here before.
There's training grounds outside.
He gestures but doesn't take you there.
There is a burgeoning new hot springs.
It's only to be used on Sundays.
He shows you where the equipment is, where you can borrow equipment.
Everything important you become familiar with the school.
And if you have a good commitment to memory, then you can probably make your way there good enough.
He does show you a few places that you haven't seen, that Pedantos hasn't shown you.
There's the guild line where a bunch of training guilds help students and club meetings are held there and such.
And Velora, as you're walking along, wait a second.
You see a student leading another little body of students in the Black Boars class.
A smaller little splinter of students.
And he's just going, yeah, and this is the bookstore, not to be confused with the library.
You see Franco.
Lucia, Lucia, Lucia.
That's him.
Who? Who him?
Franco.
He's completely buttoned up.
His hair is like different.
He's not wearing the fedora.
I think he took a shower.
Not going to poison your food today.
She's getting like she already has like, what's it called?
Purify food and drink on like the tip of her tongue.
Franco sees you, Velora, and then immediately just goes, and over here, and just completely just walks.
Oh, he's a coward.
Yeah.
He wouldn't give me the glare he gave me earlier.
Oh, he's been on his best behavior now that school started.
We'll see about that.
And you eventually like get the full layout of the full layout of the school.
You begin walking across the sky bridge that that nestles between the other large library and the school.
And like Lucia, this is again, this is a wondrous sight. You're walking on this bridge now.
It's so fucking high.
This bridge is the only like piece of infrastructure that's like you between like you and the school and everything.
If this was not here, you would be plummeting at velocity from like thousands of feet up.
You guys are almost touching the clouds.
You know, phantoms around, right? In case, you know, phantoms here somewhere.
He's still in his stable.
But Quitsy has a hand on your shoulder, Lucia.
She goes, if you shove me, I swear to the gods, Garvey.
Same thing, but no.
I bet Quitsy would do it if you got on this bad sign.
Yeah, I would.
But you're not there.
Oh, that's good. We've had enough conflict for today.
Oh, yeah.
And eventually the venerated large, like a colossal library in front of you.
The library takes the entire like headspace of this of this other like huge hill that it's built on.
Cathedral like like like build Lucia.
You are not the loves architecture.
He loves geeking out about this kind of stuff.
He explains some things to you.
You see some of the stuff that are here, such as like the entablature of like with all the significant like like.
And you think like Arnolda would love this.
She's like trying to like see if she could take a mental picture, sketch it later.
And you are led into the you're led into the library where you also see the blue wolves are located.
The blue wolf's professor is a stern looking as a stern looking Elven man.
Everything about him seems simple, but but refined.
It is like it is like whatever it is.
He's just he is looks like it looks like an elf.
Nothing. Nothing spectacular.
He's just like a stair icy cold like the underbelly of a glacier.
Lambert makes his way up and just goes, see, sir, it looks like you beat me here.
I wasn't aware we were having a competition.
That is on point for the blue wolves.
Just a little bit of just a little bit of Banshee's.
I see.
Lambert goes ahead and just gives you guys like gives you guys like, all right.
You guys are getting your books on your list, but you starting with the first row of books here are pointing at the page.
But he said, but he's separating you guys. So you guys don't all fucking fuddle fuddle around one bookcase.
Making your way into making your way into the library.
Vast system that goes all the way up multiple, multiple levels.
A huge skylight punctuates the top, shining down, shining natural light everywhere inside.
There's no torch in here. There's no fire.
There are these little fire, fireflies that seem to like bounce around in like little glass enclosures around.
And you see floating books going from place to place. Things are things are like flying about, seemingly organizing themselves.
They have a system here.
You guys go find your books.
Yeah.
Going heading off to find heading off to find your books, you spend the time going through the library.
There's a lot of climbing ladders. There's a lot of ladders on wheels.
A lot. There's a lot of learning cut to cut to them like flying back and forth on ladders.
It's like up there.
It's that red one.
No, you have to stop though. Stop yourself. Stop.
It's a montage of them in the laps. Knocked it over again.
You know what, for fun, both of you give me a, who's going to give me the acrobatics?
Oh Jesus. Oh no.
I don't know if my, I don't think my acrobatics is high.
Does she get a bonus from the, I'm the one who pushed the ladder.
Oh, dirty 20. Oh, good job.
I'm disappointed.
Quincy. I was here to catch her.
Oh, you want to catch her.
Well, she doesn't get hurt. Yes.
Were you going to?
I could have.
No.
Ah, Garvey.
Marcellus goes, and how many books did you, did you receive so far?
Oh my God. Stop.
Yes. I am helping my fellow classmates find their stuff so I might be a little less efficient than you.
I wasn't comparing. I was just, it was a genuine question. It wasn't the competition.
We're about halfway through the list.
No, it's not.
Here, let me look at your list. Maybe I can help.
Yeah, maybe you can help some of our other classmates since I'm helping some of ours. That would be, really take some load off, you know.
Oh, you know, I was just seeing.
Since you're so ahead.
I was just sensing where help is needed and applying myself.
Something a good, you know, fellow companion would do.
And then you see Lucius on the side. He should stop this, but he's just like, like, head tilted.
My question is, if they kissed, would it get better or worse?
That's my question.
Well, we had to find out who's the better kisser, so.
Oh, it would get worse.
You know how you know how people can tie a cherry stem.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I can't do that, but I have definitely tried.
I've tried, but I can't.
My brother can do it though, bastard.
That would make sense that Marcel's older brother is a ladies man.
Marcel's just there.
And then Marcel is going to be like, I was like, no, I can't leave my old life.
So the day continues until of until eventually.
I would say the two of you come across Vesper and Archibald and Elia and it's gone.
All working together.
Vesper sees you and as always, their face lights up immediately.
Oh, hello.
You've got to stop and catch each other like this.
Yeah, I mean, what are you following me around for?
No.
It's good to see you guys.
It's good to see you as well.
It's good to see that all of the chaos at this morning hasn't shaken you either.
Yeah.
Oh, stupid.
I'm glad.
I mean, people were hurt, but I'm glad that everyone's going to be okay.
Archibald sees you, Lucia.
This goes, good day.
Hi, Archie.
He smiles.
She's giving some space, though, because I think the image of the dagger.
Sorry.
I was just like holding space and I was like, no, no, no.
She's holding space.
She's holding space for Archie.
I think because like the image of like him being sad with the dagger like kind of spooked her.
So she's staying like, you know, friendly and pleasant, but also like, you know, not on top of him.
Right.
As she normally might be.
Happy first day of school.
It's been going as well as introductory days tend to go.
And Vesper goes, despite everything, we are coming out, assumingly, we are finding many of these books, such as, let's see, dissolving illusions, diseases, vaccines and the forgotten history.
They sound so cool.
Is that on our list?
It's not.
It's just mostly like little little treatises on war tactics and things like that.
She's like, yeah, we have on war.
More war.
It seems fascinating.
Yeah.
You know, War Academy.
I guess it's pretty standard.
Why do we have different lists?
I want the cool one with the diseases and the cures.
Well, they probably can't have everyone from all the houses check them all out at the same time, I'm guessing.
Oh, perhaps you can get this next semester.
You'll be assigned it.
Or if we are at a good place with it, I can lend you the book if you really like it.
As soon as Archie teaches me to read, I'll take you up on that offer.
Oh, of course.
He's very good at it.
One of the brightest minds I know.
Archie's face is unmoving.
I'm glad that you guys take good care of each other.
Yeah.
You've got a good retainer with you.
It's very important.
I would ask for no one better.
He has known me for a very long time, taught me, has been with me throughout my loneliest days.
Oh, well, a special how much you two care for each other.
It's got to be good when you're in a new place to have a good friend around.
I figured it would be pertinent, but you see, I can speak privately for a moment.
This is Archie.
Yes, it's archibald.
Archibald turns to you specific, turns to you, Laura, just goes, I promise it's nothing clandestine.
There is just a matter of scheduling that we have to do.
Oh, yeah, of course.
Yes, we will be right back.
They're getting along.
That makes me happy.
Me too.
You walk off and Archibald goes, right, we're going to have to establish a day where you and I can spend time with one another.
So I can properly teach you.
Yes, I'll be your most willing pupil and student in today.
I admire the tenacity.
Yeah.
How do Mondays and Tuesdays?
Okay, today.
How do Mondays and Tuesdays, let's say directly after class.
Two hours from three hours from three to five.
It is the minimum amount that I'm recommending.
If you're if you're particularly enjoying the lesson, then I suppose we can keep it on longer, but I am asking for two.
Let me finish.
I am asking for two hours.
Well, you know, I might not be the smartest tool in the tool shed, but I will be the most hardworking.
So you've got it.
Nods.
It just goes.
I don't want you to.
You are going to be one of the oldest individuals I've tutored yet.
But I don't want you to feel discouraged if you feel like you feel like you aren't making progress.
You will.
OK, I trust you.
There's that cough again.
And she'll go to.
Tap him and give another.
Your wounds.
And again, there's a little parry comes in the form of a in the form of a finger.
Not allowing you.
It's fun.
Is it fine?
Are you hiding something from Vesper?
In those.
Now, is it something that's not going to get better?
Lucia.
Yes.
Do you ever feel as if there is chaos in your life?
Things that you cannot control.
Every day.
There is nothing more empowering than feeling like you are the one that has control over your life.
I understand that.
That is something that I wish for everyone.
Everyone yields themselves to the chaos, to the uncertainty of life.
But that is something that I that I am personally not comfortable with.
That is why I schedule.
I get rid of chaos.
I introduce order.
This is how I.
And I hope that through this.
Perhaps I can teach you this if you'd like.
You can have the same thing and perhaps you can feel like you can stand on a foundation where you can exert your will on the chaos around you and feel like you have control.
I appreciate that.
My promise I'll protect you.
In exchange for all your help.
A dangerous promise.
I ask you to reconsider just for this moment.
I can't.
I appreciate the sentiment.
I have to try.
With that.
That's hard to dissuade.
Three to five.
Monday Tuesday.
After class today.
I'll be expecting you here.
I'm going to bring lots of snacks.
And necessary.
Very necessary.
Snacks are what keep us going.
They are the essence of life.
Yeah, little morsels of goodness.
Get us through.
The growing times.
I shall bring snacks.
Well, I'm glad you're establishing order in some way in your life.
Seek your own applause.
I don't know what that means.
Well,
with time, perhaps.
Some of us have lots of it.
But we can't turn it back.
I can.
I'm glad you're doing this.
Did she say that?
Does it go through?
Does that one go through?
Did you say it?
Yes.
Was she able to say it?
Was it cut off?
I feel like Lucy is constantly testing how much she can get.
It goes through.
It does. Yes.
She looks around and see if anyone cuts her off.
Did you hear me say that?
I do.
I hope that endeavor and that sentiment.
Have you heard of chronology magic before?
Yes.
A little difficult.
Banned.
Forbidden.
Oh.
We'll speak later.
Okay.
As she takes the handbag.
But bring an open mind.
Know that failure is not defeat until you stop trying.
And that we must all suffer from one of two pains.
The pain of discipline or the pain of regret.
Yeah, I think Vesper really likes you.
We've like a school ball or dance coming up.
Not your concern.
I think if there is...
Do they have a homecoming?
We have a dance at some point.
Perfect.
I'm letting you back.
And then walks off to regroup with the others.
And coming back to Vesper, having a conversation.
Vesper is like, do you want to play a game?
Perhaps I can hide somewhere in plain sight.
And you can attempt to...
Only if you do it in this exact row.
Like this row of books.
Absolutely.
Do I have to close my eyes?
If you'd like.
But I can leave them open.
Yes, if you wish.
Okay, leaves her eyes open.
She knows he's stupid.
He's just gonna vanish.
It just goes, I've learned that book covers are made from the hides of animals.
And if there's anything I'm good at doing, it's replicating animals.
At him really hard.
And Fidelia's like, I'm not sure now is the time for games?
She does seem very intense.
And then you see Archibald come back as Vesper is trying to find a place.
Staring at Vesper.
Really hard.
Locked on.
Lucie, you make your way back and you see that Valora is...
Wide open eyes.
Whoa!
Everything okay?
Yeah, yeah.
Vesper's just gonna hide.
Oh, okay.
And then Archibald just goes, we're running behind.
And Vesper goes, oh.
We gotta catch up.
Perhaps another time.
Valora?
Alright.
He starts shimmering.
Whoa, but wait, I don't know, the second I moved my head.
And then suddenly snaps back and goes, next time.
I don't know how you do that.
That's crazy.
Stop their heartbeat.
I share, I share my heartbeat with ghosts.
Oh.
So you can go real ghost-like.
When one's heartbeat stops beating, ghosts tend to fall out of consideration in people's minds.
There's the large death when you are forgotten.
And even though that does not happen to most because people do a good job of remembering,
there are times when people do forget.
I fall into the same, I fall into the same consideration when I share my wavelengths with ghosts.
Uh-oh.
Well, I'm not forgetting you.
So you're saying if I don't forget you, I'll always see you?
Perhaps.
Hmm.
I'll keep that in mind.
And Skan goes, I'm his childhood friend.
I still don't get the explanation when he explains it.
Yeah, I don't fully get it either, but like, you know, maybe, maybe I'll, maybe it'll click.
And Vesper goes, it is a little out there, but perhaps we can have a more intimate moment where I can explain it.
That'd be fun.
Archibald goes, now we have to go find more.
And starts walking off.
And Vesper goes, oh.
Valora, I'll see you again later.
Yep, see you later.
Walks off.
And Lucia, you rejoin with Valora.
All right.
All right, ready for the next ladder.
Let's go!
Um.
And Lucia, as you're walking alongside Valora.
On top of your head, a book falls.
And it lands on the ground next to you just flopped open.
Ouch! Hey, careful. She looks to see who.
Um. You watch, you look, you look up as you see a raven on top of the bookshelf.
It just looks at you, looking down at you, just goes, ha ha.
Shoo, shoo.
There's a bunch of, there's a bunch of like, bops up and down.
Ow.
It's not funny, you could give someone a concussion.
I win.
It's funny.
Ha ha.
Is that raven talking to me?
Punk.
I didn't know ravens could talk.
Lucia leans down and.
Come at me.
The book. Oh.
Um.
As you, you, you, you pick up the book.
Uh, Lucia.
Uh, you pick up the book. It's a hefty book.
Um.
Oof.
Or you see that, uh, the book that she picks up is a book that's, that's called The Body Keeps the Score.
Oh no.
It is a, it is a book, a treatise.
Um, about diseases.
Oh, I thought you were talking about The Body Keeps the Score, the book about trauma, like how we hold trauma in our body.
Oh no, no.
You know that's an actual book, right?
Yeah.
It is?
Yes.
It's an actual book called The Body Keeps the Score and it's about how our body holds on to like, trauma.
Well.
A little similar.
Really?
Yes!
Yeah.
That's what I thought. I literally was like, wow, what a real life world reference.
That's a bit too real. Um.
It's not that, but I'll write that down.
Wow.
That sounds like, that sounds like a book I'd read though.
Honestly, you should. It's gotten a, it's got a lot of, it's got a lot of controversy surrounding it actually, but I thought it was an interesting read.
Oh my, okay. Well, maybe I should change the title.
Diseases and Disorders. There you go. D and D.
Diseases and Disorders.
D and D.
Diseases and Disorders.
Uh, whoever wrote that The Body Keeps the Score book, uh, don't sue us. We changed their name.
We changed their name.
I will definitely hang on to this one. Thank you. Even though that hurt.
She says to the Raven.
You're welcome.
Is this like someone's familiar?
There's a bunch of pops.
And then, and then tries to, you see him situate on top of another bookshelf up directly above you, Laura. He's, he's already, he's trying. He's trying to get the drop on you now.
No, you're not going to, I just saw what you did.
Backs away from the bookshelf.
Oh, sorry.
Knocks it down trying to get you.
Just pushes the books out of the way.
Flies off.
Guess in war school everywhere is a war zone. Even the library.
Whoever's making their familiar do that really needs to stop. Like you could get a concussion.
Is that someone's familiar?
Probably. It's too smart to be like a actual Raven.
I think.
We'll see it looking at the book. It's again a hefty book.
And it has something that you do know at the very least as an auto-torture is that like there's official insignias for like certain institutions like this book comes from this place.
This one venerated like place of study.
You see that there's one of those here as well. Like it's embossed in the spine.
Give me a history check history time.
I don't think it's that high, but that's okay.
It.
Man, I wish you knew.
I also wish I knew. Hey, Valora.
Oh, um.
You want me to put that back or?
No, do you know what this symbol means? It's on the tip of my tongue. You just can't remember it.
Um, does she recognize it?
Um, I would say definitely because you're well read.
It is it is a venerated like institution of like health of like of the body.
This is a this is a book that's written by like, you know, good people.
If it was possible.
Is it Winifred?
Well, I was getting there.
You're so good at this. Yes.
It is.
It's House Winifred.
The House Winifred people, the Aeon Mark of Healing.
Oh, no way.
They're in Stravae in the southern region.
But she as she goes, this is an organization for House Winifred's health organization.
They're the ones who make all like the potions and everything.
No way. Is there someone from House Winifred here?
Oh, I don't think so.
I think their daughter is too young.
She's like eight or something.
Ah, I'd love to talk with one of them, but this is awesome.
Yeah.
You know, I bet there's some good info in there, especially since you're like a healer and stuff.
Mm hmm.
Always fascinating to learn new things about the body.
It's always changing.
Things we can do in medicine.
Yeah. The gods give us these wonderful tools to help out each other.
Yeah, and people learn a lot of cool things.
Make a lot of good advances.
Always moving forward.
And Lucia, I'll say that you take note that the worst way to mark your position on a book,
folding the corner of a page, is on one of the pages.
Oh, Laura, do you know why this one's marked?
And she'll open it to the page.
Oh, it's probably probably just whoever had it last.
She'll skim the page.
Um, you skim the page and it is a it is a it is an article.
It is a it is two pages dedicated to the idea of white rot.
It's sick. A disease.
A disease that a disease that has grown to resist, resist magic,
were once natural cures and magic attainment.
But it is typically it is typically very hard and development is trying to be made in order to save it.
Symptoms can result in coughs and such and such.
And it is exhibited.
It's not contagious, but it is exhibited by those who live in the in the extreme cold,
who live near who live near sites of spirituality like gin.
I summarize it to her basically like, oh, it looks like it's about white.
That's what he has.
She goes to grab the book.
What?
Oh, that's what he's in the book.
That's great.
Yeah.
Um, well, if you want to check it out, it's like cool.
Anyway, she's like, I feel like I don't want to push it.
But OK, yes.
Can we check this one out, please?
Of course. We check out whatever you want.
Perfect.
And eventually with that, you gather all together all of the required all of the required reading.
Tams, there is one point where Tams is like, oh, wow, the book is so high up.
Check this out.
She points her finger at it and the book she starts like fidgeting a little bit.
And then it falls off the shelf.
And then she just she tends to catch it and it just hits her in the face.
It goes out.
Oh, careful.
And then it picks it up.
Um, you go to you go to check out the books.
You see the blue wolves are already finishing up.
And as you're as you're getting it through, a figure walks into the room like by a guard again.
Orye.
Orye gives a smile to the both of you, seemingly just doing her rounds.
Makes her way to the people at the entrance already, which are the blue wolves.
And Lucia, you watch as Vesper and Archibald make their way in front of Lucia and they're paying their respects.
In front of Orye?
Being cordial, paying their respects to Orye.
And Lucia, a chill hits you for a moment.
A flash.
Not again.
You know what you see.
You know what you know what's being felt.
The blood on Vesper, the anger.
Anger.
Betrayal.
Apathy.
Your books are placed in front of you.
And is there anything you wish to do or whatnot?
What can she do?
I think she'll go, uh, Orye, uh, and take her books and go up to her.
Oh.
Hello, Petal.
Hey, um, I saw you, um, saying hi to, to Vesper and Archie.
Archie is going to teach me how to read. Isn't that super nice of him?
Oh, truly.
I must admit.
Learning only to read scripture and such might have not been the most optimal way to, for,
for Alnalda to, uh, to spend your upbringing, but you still came out to be quite wonderful.
Well, you're just biased. Um, but, um, have, have you talked with Vesper and Archie?
Have you, have you met them?
Oh, I've just spoken with them. They were cordial and offered their respects.
They're really awesome.
Like they're really good people, you know?
I see they've made quite the impression on you.
Yeah, like, I really think they're good people and I think that whatever is going on between the two nations,
I think we can, we can come together and, and fix it, whatever it is.
Not through violence.
I am not one to have opinions on the matters of what goes on in the States or the regions.
But I am also hoping for the most beneficial outcome for everyone.
You are?
Of course.
Okay. I'm glad to hear that.
He smiles and she just goes, and how was your first day?
Hitting you so far?
Well, started off a little rough. Is, is Samara and, and, and the house leader, are they okay?
They are fine. Yes. Grimmson is expected to make a recovery.
Is your back is okay?
Nods.
But...
And Todd, where is he?
They are evaluating whatever to do with him. Typically the verdict is to send him home, but he will return.
He will not hurt you. We've already seen to that.
What do you mean? I wasn't worried about that.
Both could.
Cadwallader was given express, express instructions specifically to be one in defense of you.
To have you as a charge.
You mean Velora?
You.
Todd is supposed to protect me?
You are an anomaly when it comes to retinorship, leadership.
You are a very, you perhaps don't know it yet, but you have become a very significant.
A very significant member of the Asachio ministry.
Your, your reputation.
You have earned significant considerations and distinctions.
Cadwalladers, if anything, are the protectors of the Asachio ministry. They are enforcers, the protectors.
Guardians.
And there was an effort to make sure that he understood that.
Oh no.
Let's see it goes. Well, she doesn't say anything, but in her head she's like, oh, fuck, right? That's gonna make him pissed if he has to be stuck with her.
Okay, well, I think that'll be good. I look.
I think it will be good for us to spend some time together.
Well, when he returns after his father, I believe gives him a straightening out.
Yeah.
Well, um.
Other than that, we've had a really good first day, right? Velora? She'll kind of like call off.
Oh, yeah, um, finishing checking out her books.
Um, yeah, you know, despite everything in the morning, that's been pretty good.
Let's hear that.
The Academy is going to prove fruitful to all of your, to all of your upbringings.
As I'm sure it has been proven beneficial to be part of mine.
I am in the position I am because of what I learned at school in the relationships that I've made here.
I hope that brings you optimism.
Optimism for the future as Garvey would say.
Yeah.
He really did say that.
Optimistic fella.
It's just always so sunny, always seeing the glass half full.
I see that there is an inaccurate approximation of me being shared around, but I want to spell your delusions again.
No, I can sense it radiating off of you.
It's like sunshine in your soul.
Look at the smile.
She as she puts her fingers on either corner of his face and backs away.
Big gestures.
Yes, I see that the two of you are going to be committed to rousing me.
So fun, though.
It is.
Shrugs.
Anyway, see you around.
A moment.
Oh, okay. One second, guys.
Remember, I'm not going to hold you for long, but I just want you to remember.
She takes her hand and as she takes your hand, as soon as she makes contact.
You feel the air around you stop.
She said she has a gentle and caring look at you, but for some reason you can't help but feel an intensity.
War.
War. Oh, war built inside of her.
He goes.
I just want you to remember.
That if you have if you are ever feeling lost.
Screaming.
Blood slash, slash squelch.
All you need to do.
And you watch as a fireball erupts in a field in the distance.
Charred charred bodies your your village or what the place of your vision.
Shows up in your mind.
Or you cuts through it.
This goes.
All you need to remember.
Is to keep.
And you see her.
It flashes.
Her hand.
Around.
Fidelia's neck.
Now.
To keep your faith.
And it comes back.
And she's with a gentle smile.
Looking down at you.
If you allow your faith to guide you.
The gods lead me where I must go.
Chin up.
Chin.
Finger pressing your chin.
Pushes it up.
Sapping.
She smiles at you.
This goes.
It's hard not to feel prideful when I see you.
All grown up, huh?
I won't speak my mind at the moment, but perhaps I can relay some aspirations to you in the future.
Perhaps next time you pray.
I look forward to it.
And you return to Valora.
A little deflated.
That was a lot.
Did I do something wrong?
Um.
It's okay.
I have some good news.
Oh yeah?
Tog'Gan sent home.
Oh.
Well.
Guess we don't have to worry about him for a little bit.
So.
Yeah.
He's sent back, he's kind of like my bodyguard?
What?
What do you mean?
That's what Orië said.
Okay, Orië said that he's supposed to be your bodyguard.
He's supposed to follow in the footsteps of Caldwalder, which is to protect the church.
And since I technically am like a symbol of the church.
You know, I asked before.
Like I said, it's fine if you don't want to say or anything, but like.
What was your role in the church and stuff too?
Like the way my dad talked, it sounded like.
The king was.
Concerned for you and stuff, which isn't.
Typical.
Can we go outside and talk about this?
Yeah, of course.
I mean, got our books.
Garvey, we'll see you in a bit, okay?
All right.
Little bit of a weird glance, but let's go.
I'll just get us, doesn't have to be outside, just away from like everyone.
Yeah, the library at least.
The library and where like the crows are listening in on the conversations.
So yeah, I say that you head off to what you believe to be a sufficiently private location.
Many of those in this library.
Laura.
I don't know why.
But I've been gifted a special power.
Abigots.
Oh, like.
Like what?
I'd love to tell you.
Every time I've tried to tell you.
Divine intervention.
What do you mean?
Every time I tried to tell you something happens.
Well, that's.
That has to just be like a coincidence or.
Not when you're me.
I mean, whenever you tried to tell me, I don't remember.
Like, I mean, there were.
So many times.
Well, it seems fine now.
I mean, if you want to tell me maybe or you could write it down.
Oh, wait.
Can you read Celestial?
Huh, actually, I do.
You can read Celestial.
Well, I speak it.
I can. I know some of the symbols.
OK, hold on. Hold on. We're going to try this. OK.
OK. And she'll.
She'll flip to the back.
That's her. That's her. That's her.
She's the one you need to go after.
Was that you, too?
That was a loud.
Even in the real world, it's like she can't tell.
Hey, Emma, check the garage.
That's fucking wild.
At the back of so quickly take out like a like a writing implement and try to quickly sketch at the back of her in Celestial, at the back of her one of the books she has.
I can see the future.
And see if it stays.
It does.
And I've said that she knows Celestial.
I bet she probably does read it fairly well because the reason she had it was she did Pegasus commands in Celestial.
But also her dad, her dad, the languages he had her learn were Celestial and draconic, like stupid, freaking Latin, basically.
Yeah. And so I bet she because I was going to say if it's just the Pegasus, she might be a little bit more rough with her reading.
But I think because of her dad's training, she probably does read decently.
I can see the future.
She says that.
I can see the future.
She's like scared to speak, nods and then writes underneath it.
And I can rewind time.
You can actually see the future and go back in time.
You're like a time traveler.
No. And then she'll go back to the book and say, I wonder if I can say it now.
Remember the servant back at the party.
Yeah.
With some voices.
I was on.
So I saw him hit her.
And I was able to go back in time.
A few moments before.
So I could stop him.
I can't go back that far.
Or like when we were playing the game.
You remember the game that with the with the two siblings with the red ball and everything.
The lottery.
Yeah.
You were losing.
And so I rewinded it so that you could win.
Wait, but how is just rewinding it make it make me win.
Sometimes I can affect the outcome.
Okay.
And the ministry all knows about this.
Obviously.
Every year.
That's why my dad wasn't mad after he talked.
My dad wasn't mad about me picking you anymore after he talked to the king and the council and everything.
Well, every year.
Tell me why.
Every year since I can remember I've gone to the castle to meet with the lady.
Tell her a vision.
The lady the queen or.
Holly.
Lord Alderbrand.
So she.
She come.
So she knows.
How many people know.
I know.
And you're like sure.
I'm pretty sure.
I mean, yeah, I just can really hide from.
Well, the 100 for me.
I'm going to get slapped in the face by Celestial or something like you just did the working around.
Boom right from the like you little sneak five.
Keep going.
You talking.
Yeah.
Yes.
How many people know.
I mean, I don't really know because the ministry is so huge and so big and connected.
But I mean, my dad or sorry, our Nelda knows.
Well, now, you know, calling or a nose.
Apparently, the king or.
Yeah.
My dad.
Yeah, your dad.
Why would they not want you to tell me?
And then all of a sudden it's fine now.
But then all these other people can know and stuff like.
Well, I don't know.
I just know that every time I tried to tell you in the past, I'd get cut off every single time.
That's what the gods were like.
Don't tell Valora.
And I have so much to tell you because so much has happened.
Is that is that why you're like, we're talking about like you're this morning like, oh, you want to tell me.
She nods.
The thing is, is like, it's like it's one of those things where it's like she doesn't want to believe you, but she's the one who asked.
And it's like, but she does. I think she just does believe you is the thing is it's like, yeah, so she's like incredulous, but.
Not really disbelieving.
It's a lot.
And so wait, you just like see like, do you like always see what's happening in the future? Like, you know, like what's going to happen, like five seconds from now?
No, no, no, no, no. Ten years from now.
Well, it comes in pieces and visions and.
Most recently, the visions haven't been great.
Actually.
War.
Death.
Destruction.
Bad, just bad.
The first really good vision I saw was you.
You said.
Laura.
Roll the roll the 100.
No.
34.
Keep going.
You saw a vision of me.
Surrounded by a bright red dawn.
On the back of a wyvern.
I guess that's pretty standard for me.
Symbol of hope.
You got all that from a vision.
You are the one that's going to make sure whatever I see doesn't happen.
Um.
I mean.
Yeah, I mean, I do want to make things.
Better than if you're saying that all this bad stuff's happening, but like you're going to.
I'm going to help you.
Laura.
See ya.
Oh, yeah.
We're here.
I have to keep looking.
I have to keep looking for you, too.
I'm sorry.
We were just waiting for everyone.
Everyone's all ready to go.
Sorry.
Just have a little girl talk.
You know.
You know what girls do.
Girl talk.
Yes.
I can also dish.
You can?
Yeah.
Okay.
What's your girl talk?
Oh, my.
Well, why don't we walk and talk?
Come along, now.
Little girl talk, saving the world.
Little girl walk, little girl talk.
You mean that on a t-shirt, little girl walk?
Little talk.
There's the next TikTok trend.
Yeah, little girl walk, little girl talk.
As he walks along, he goes, I do have juicy gossip.
Do you?
Fill us in.
We're so out of the loop.
Yeah, I mean, we just got here.
Yeah.
If you all would have the time.
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps tea at my place.
We'll be careful not to spill it.
Yes, you simply must spill the tea.
We'll have to go see.
There they are.
I found them.
As Lambert just goes, oh, you too.
All right.
We're going to be heading back to class.
Come on.
Perfect.
OK.
Mm-hmm.
As you, uh, you've been making your way across the sky bridge, Lucia, you walk.
And as you're walking behind Valora, there comes a point where Valora stops, and you almost
run into her.
Oh!
She's frozen.
Laura, you OK?
The leaves in the air are frozen.
The whispers and the wind have been frozen.
The swaying grass has been frozen.
Everyone is frozen.
Thunder rolls in the distance.
An errant wind finds you.
And you hear the clanging of metal in the cadence of footsteps.
A storm ffff rubberates.
It feels shaking.
It shakes the bridge that you stand on.
And you see on the other side of the bridge, standing far from you, a man clad completely
in armor.
Staring you down, everything around you has disappeared.
It is just you and this man on the bridge.
And looks at you.
Walks towards you.
You do not see his, you do not see this person's face.
He's going to take you away.
You feel it as he's walking closer.
You feel the flames from before encroach.
It licks against your skin.
He walks with a hurried cadence.
The flames are roiling.
They're drawing closer as he's drawing closer.
He draws his sword.
sword.
Velora again shows up between the both of you.
Velora!
He raises the weapon.
No!
And Velora you hear, no! from behind.
As Lucia, you're back.
Students around you, uh, students around you just suddenly jump, kind of like looking at
you.
Turn around.
Okay.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Yeah, of course.
Hey.
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
We're just going back to class.
I won't let them hurt you.
If she sees people kind of like looking around at them and stuff too, I think she just goes...
Yeah.
It's like, Lucia can like, she can't, she's not a, she's not like clocking like, this
is socially awkward.
She's really like focused in locked in on Velora.
Velora does though.
And she goes, I told you it's okay.
My dad's going to be fine.
But she takes her hands.
And she goes, um, quietly just goes, I'm okay.
Nothing happened.
You see like tears start to well up in her eyes, not from sadness, but from relief.
And she just nods.
If people kind of start looking away, I think she does want to go, um, Oh, wait, did you
message me something?
No.
I don't have any messages.
She goes, she, once the people seem to be kind of looking away, she'll whisper.
She goes, did it happen?
Did that, what you were telling me, did it happen?
They're not happy that I told you.
Who?
I don't know.
Well, fuck, um, if it's your ability, you can tell who you want.
And I'm, promise you, I'm going to be okay.
And I'm going to help you.
Okay?
But I'm going to help you.
That's the point why I'm here though.
Right?
You got that though.
Right?
Like you're, you're part of like this big thing.
Like you're like, kind of like the chosen one.
You okay?
Who was that saying?
Who was saying who?
Lucius.
Oh, Lucius.
Yes.
I thought you wanted to wait till later to get in on the girl talk.
I was, I, my heart is broken as the young woman's heart does.
And it dooms.
And Apple of youth can only provide me so much comfort because-
It's the first day of school, Lucia.
There's plenty of-
I know, but it's so sad.
I really thought they were the one.
Performance or deception.
I have no charisma.
Does she get, no, nevermind.
I was going to say because I'm like, I know I've been helping her, but um, Lucius filled
it 15.
I think what would it, it doesn't matter because it's all zero for me.
Manifest.
Oh.
Seven.
I should have said woo manifesting.
Lucius goes, Oh, all right.
Well thank you for allowing me my use of my girl pass.
You joining the conversation?
I could talk a little bit about broken hearts and this and that too, but-
The first day of school, it's going to be okay, Lucia.
And she just like pats her back.
Trying to at least, if you're committing to a bad performance, I'm at least going to
try to help.
Well let's save the girl talk for later.
That's right.
We're strong, independent women who don't need no person.
Yes we are.
I can't just tell girls not to talk, you know?
I'm just saying.
Let's go.
As you walk along, Lucius does like a behind Valora, just kind of like gives a little tap
on the shoulder to you, Lucia.
Just goes, I'm here to speak to you about anything.
Of course.
Come along now.
How long?
As you walk along, you cross.
Valora you see crossing you on a sky bridge.
You see Saga Dondarius leading the first years alongside Corbelia Belmont, the professor
of former knights.
Belmont?
Belmont.
Saga walks and as soon as she sees you she goes, oh look who it is.
She gives a wave.
Get all your books?
Yep, very full bag.
Oh look at you all grown up.
All ready for my first day of school.
Maybe you'll give the tour to new kids next year?
Maybe.
And you see from behind also walking down a sky bridge leading another splinter of students
is Franco.
Oh hey Franco.
Does not acknowledge, does he just continue to talk?
Good to see you.
Rude.
Who's that?
I don't know, I'm just looking at some looks.
Where you going?
Like where?
Oh well, he told me his name was Franco this morning.
You must have been mistaken for someone else.
Oh my god I hate him.
No no it was definitely you.
Sorry what's your name?
Then if you're not Franco.
Oh sorry, busy waiting for this.
We can talk later.
Yeah yeah yeah.
He's the worst.
So what's the thing going on between you two?
Thing?
An enemy?
Oh trouble I knew it.
He confronted me this morning?
It's stupid you don't want to hear it.
No no, I'm the leader of this guy let me know.
He and honestly I think it was just some sort of weird prank okay.
He told me that his name was Franco not his real name he warned me.
And he's such a dork.
He told me that me getting sick last night was just um a warning.
And he told me to stay away from his well he said our Saga Dondarius.
Because he's the leader of the Saga Dondarius fan club.
I'm not joking he said this.
He said all of this.
Uh wow.
Oh no.
What yeah I thought it was like a prank.
It's probably a prank right?
Is he like a prankster type?
No.
Oh no.
Devon isn't usually.
Devon!
Devon you dumb little shit.
And you see Orwin you see you see Orwin is like don't look at me.
I ain't joining no fan club.
Are you surprised though?
I mean who has a fan club and you don't know about the existence of a fan club?
I promise I'm not joking.
Oh no I know.
It would be a really funny joke but I guess I'm not that creative.
Our Saga Dondarius.
Our Saga.
Yeah he told me to stay away.
And he's threatening you?
Yeah.
I told him that's not exactly his decision so.
Well you get me.
More than apparently my fan club does.
Hey you know what?
You know what?
I belong to a few people.
I share my hearts with very few people.
Looks over to him who's he's walking on the sky bridge where you see he is glaring backwards.
Is he glaring at us?
He's glaring backwards.
Saga goes.
Let's tell me tell you what I gotta move I gotta move pretty soon.
But uh do you feel like making some trouble?
Of course.
I mean that's that's my name isn't it?
Perfect.
She leans in gives you a peck on the cheek.
She wasn't expecting it and he was rebelling from all cool to um red face.
Oh my god.
What is that?
What's that?
Oh my.
Okay you're just surprised I didn't realize.
Oh do you want me do you want me to and she starts delivering like the mark where she
the part where she kisses.
Pushes her.
Um actually there's that there's like gas and like and like and like we all see this
squeals of delight yeah you see this.
Um there's a very public display um a very public display there's there's a lot of ooh
is going on and you see Devon just.
All right see you around.
Yep uh see ya.
Kind of looks at Devon once more.
Devon.
I think he's gonna push me off the bridge.
And then saga continues to walk um uh Orwin Orwin goes sometimes you're just too much
for me.
The side as he walks and then Lucio walks by you Lucia and just goes did you see that?
Who says that to me?
Lucio.
They they're totally dating.
Did you do you really think that there is some entanglement between our leaders.
Are you blind man?
Sorry Lucius are you are you unseeing man?
Um Lucio just goes it's our responsibility to.
I'm not dating you.
No I did not ask that.
Cause you are you are gonna say like it's our responsibility to date too and the answer
is no I don't even know you.
You're yelling too loud you're not even letting me finish my sentence you're just assuming
things.
Just because our names are similar doesn't mean we're destined for each other.
I don't care about that I don't care about that I don't want to do care about it's the
well being and the welfare of our leader.
We have a right to know about the personal lives of our leaders without we are the retainers
of.
No we really don't I mean much like their private relationship.
Lucio.
Please tell me you're not in love with Saga or something weird.
No.
Oh good.
I'm saying that we need to form a partnership.
A relationship I'm not dating you.
No we need to form a partnership.
I'm 15.
You're 15?
Yes.
You're 15?
Yes.
You're a child why are you here?
I'm a prodigy.
You're 15 you're a child.
I'm a prodigy.
You're a child that's illegal.
I'm a prodigy.
That's illegal.
I'm a prodigy.
Keep your voice down.
Does anyone else know I'm 15?
I am offering an accord.
You're 15.
Stop staying on that fact.
Yes I am smart and skilled for my age.
Wait he doesn't look 15 though right?
No he I did say before that he was a prodigy and that he was 15.
Introduced to us as a child.
Okay okay okay sorry I completely missed.
I wouldn't be surprised if Lucia was really hung up on over your name is Lucia when they
told us that too.
So I wouldn't be surprised if she forgot.
We forgot.
Okay we can make a consensual alliance.
An accord yes.
Whatever you want to call it I don't care.
Okay never mind.
A platonic a platonic.
He leaves.
Oh well what the fuck.
She doesn't say that.
He's so mad he leaves.
These alliances are hard man I'm not good at it.
You see um Laura you hear in your head as uh as Devon takes cover in the bush and casts
a message at you.
Stop.
You have made an enemy.
You have now earned the distinction of my sexual rival.
Wait wait wait what.
That's the last sentence of this game.
Now on Valor's wiki page it has to say like titles and like it says.
No please don't write sexual rival.
Sexual rival.
I hate him so much.
I hate Devon so much.
He's actually Franco.
Whatever his fucking name is.
I would think Franco is a cool name too.
Yes he would be.
Franco.
My name's actually Devon.
And even when Tim was like and he's hot and attractive I'm like he's gonna be a dick and
annoying.
And he's such a fucking loser.
He's such a loser.
Such a loser and I can't stand him.
I love that he's like hiding in a bush to do it as if.
He's right there.
It's like.
Like I can't have Saga know that I am actually a jerk.
And insane.
He's gonna be taken down one way or another.
Oh yeah Valor you get an inspiration point.
I get an inspiration point aww.
Inspiration for dealing with Devon.
For gaining a sexual rival.
Not for that one but.
I don't think he's in the contention you know.
I don't think he's a real threat romantically but he might be a threat to my safety.
I was gonna say he's not gonna be.
No if he keeps poisoning your ass that's gonna be a problem.
Fucking dork.
I can't believe you actually did the Saga Dondarius fan club.
I was semi because the thing is I had a plan.
It was so funny because I knew you wouldn't believe me.
Valor a sexual rival.
Aww.
She's already starting to have feelings.
And it's like why am I so early.
I like though that Valor's like cool suave vanishes.
When feelings get real.
I like that a lot.
It's so hard to be cool too.
She wants to come across as cool and make friends.
Got her shit together.
She hasn't really ever been able to make a lot of friends her age and places where she
stays frequently.
She can make friends everywhere she travels.
No problem she can make friends with anyone.
But they don't stick around so she really has been waiting for Irobrin for a long time.
And she really wants people to like her.
Even though she's trying to just be herself and be cool and stuff too.
She wants to be cool.
But she's not cool deep down.
She's kind of a nerd.
Oh my god you guys froze so hard.
I was like you're really staring hard at Dane.
You guys froze so hard.
Hey now is your time to freeze.
We did that earlier.
That's true you guys did that earlier.
We're sharing the anniversary with everyone.
Happy anniversary!
Happy anniversary Jenny and Tim and five more many many many many more beautiful long years
of you beautiful people.
Thank you.
Love is real.
And we got our saga kiss because as you should on your anniversary.
The saga scene should be longer for our anniversary obviously.
But the kiss was worth it.
Yeah.
Every anniversary TTRPG kiss required.
I love that Lucia is just having like an absolute journey on her own.
And it's and Velora is just having a good time.
Albert says really if you think about it we can thank Devon for the kiss happening and
it's true.
It's true.
Thank you.
That's why she stayed in my room last night.
That's true.
Wait so Devon is really the ultimate shipper of Velora and Saga without even realizing
it.
What if he comes up to you like this whole story.
He's your rival.
You guys are fighting on top of a tower in the rain just this entire climactic duel and
when he beat and when you beat him and Saga is like are you okay and he gives you like
and like you know gives you a kiss.
Devon just goes hey my job is done.
Devon's like that was my plan all along.
You just wanted Saga to be happy.
Saga you deserve happiness.
That would be cute.
Unfortunately I don't think that's the case with this NPC because he is truly insufferable.
Truly a dork and a thorough line for me.
And not in a good dork way.
I love me a dork but he's a bad dork.
A thorough line just for me to say you're my sexual rival.
I'm going to put that on one of the quote cahoots later.
I'm going to put Laura you have earned a distinction.
So good though what a great episode.
Excellent work.
Whatever.
And the incident did happen.
The incident happened.
Oh the incident was great.
Did you did you split second were like you know what I'm a pair taught up with Lucia
because she made a ballsy move.
It's um it was like it's not on like oh you are attached to her at the hip.
It's more along the lines of hey don't kill her.
In fact if anybody tries to kill her you kill them.
She's important.
It's like that.
Oh cool.
So then so then I can talk with him and not get killed ideally.
Basically yeah.
Awesome.
Yeah he can't do anything if it's like really important people have told him he can't.
So guess who gets to talk about feelings.
Yeah.
Your worst nightmare.
No not therapy.
A tiny pink haired girl showing you compassion.
Your worst nightmare.
The moment you showed him compassion he was like fuck this.
He was like ew.
No this is bullshit.
I'm not going to cry.
Every time we jokingly talk as Todd and stuff and he says something mean to me and I say
something mean back.
Timmy always has him say something about like his dad problems and I'm like no.
It was I don't know what it was with that scene because like normally I would have been
like Todd you're a fucking loser.
I love how behind Emma's behind.
Yeah you are.
I'm lagging really bad.
Oh she's fine on my end.
Oh she's absolutely not.
You can watch the stream.
She's a.
I've just been letting this go because it's the end of the episode.
To be bad on stream.
Maybe I should hang up.
OK we'll talk later.
All right everyone.
Thank you all so much for watching.
We'll catch you next time.
And next time on the adventures of the sexual rivalry.
Stop for saga Don Darius is hard.
Gross.
OK.
Stupid stupid.
We just record on time.
And now for my anniversary my boyfriend threatened me.
My friend I read you.
I threatened you for the word with your girlfriend.
Yep.
As it should be.
That's true love everyone.
When you really when you really look at stuff from like that perspective I seem insane when
it comes to like characters like yeah I played your dad and I play your pet crow I play your
wife and I play your this I do this and I argue with myself.
I seem fucking insane.
See her fan narrators if you just lay it out flatly it did you seem like the craziest people.
And we love you for it.
We love you for it.
Yes.
Well.
I love you for it.
Don't Quincy me.
Don't don't don't don't talk to me for me.
Every time.
Yes.
Get some confident teaming up on Quincy.
Valora and Lucia have become a good a good bully someone team.
It's true with Robert they were like let's just dismantle him.
Hey hey Valora let's kill this guy.
Okay everyone goodbye for realsies.
Good night everyone.
Emma's probably waving.
I don't know but probably you she's fine on mine.
Maybe you can hear it.
Oh there's a heart.
You can hear me waving.
Okay.
Good night.
You're like you're like you're like doing you're like in like stop motion picture right.
We are Santa's elves.
All right.
Goodbye everyone.
Bye.
The winds have been whispering of what's to come but every time the words are about to
leave my tongue some obstacle arises some stop up his voice.
Fear awakens fits unstoppable course but there's so much I still don't see.
I never thought your second in command would be me.
High in the mountains where they train the elite.
Amidst all this nobility.
You with your aiding mark of passage and speed with riches and power in your family tree.
But injustice strains all your loyalty.
Desire and duty is the balance between.
The winds have been whispering of what's to come.
Foreboding whispers whispers to thunder.
Your castle walls crumble in one by one against the blood red sky right on fandom.
I fight for what's right.
You may call me naive but nothing can put out the flame in me.
The goddess of spring life and death she bring taken from war raised in items ministry.
I shed off my shelteredness freedom at last.
I pray what I've seen does not have to be done.
For the winds have been whispering.
Of what's to come.