💕Amy 💕

“I’m never going to love you.” She declared bitterly, not even a tremor to her voice. “I’m *not* going to marry you. And if you ever try to kiss me, I’m going to kick you in the balls every single time I see you for the rest of your life.”

@amy-bellevierre (the roommates!!!)

Occtis tensed at the sound of approaching footsteps. He had his arms loosely wrapped around himself, and when he saw it was only the Bellevierre girl he had been arranged to marry sometime in the future, his posture relaxed slightly, only for it to grow stiff as he realized the state she was in.

Her mind was set before she even noticed she’d stood, scooping up her sandwich and bottle of juice.

“Hey sweetiepie, do you mind if I sit with you in the shade?”

@amy-bellevierre

The Penteveral’s collection of books was, simply put, insane. There were hundreds of them, thousands even. Stories and tales from the past, fictional and otherwise. Zuri had never imagined there could possibly be a collection as large as the Penteveral’s, but apparently it wasn’t even the largest collection out there.

And, while inaccurate in reality, it felt as though the collection of books paled in comparison to the collection of students and staff that roamed the halls. The crowds felt overwhelming. Students laughed and talked with each other, always demonstrating the vast amount of connections they had already formed. Not a singular student looked out of place here. It only felt as though Zuri was the exception.

The sound of steps approaching them made the orc freeze. While her eyes still locked on the book, she remained focused on the periphery of her vision, waiting to see who was approaching her.

Zuri only allowed themself to look up when a voice spoke up, truly breaking the relative quiet of nature. They looked up at the figure above them, taking in their appearance briefly. Maybe a few times Zuri had seen her around the school grounds, but it had always been in passing or only for a few moments. And those moments had been spent just trying to maneuver through the halls and get to class on time or find a spot outside to breathe or let Freyr hop around for a while.

Being a druid explained the animal companion, could even explain a reclusive nature. But it didn’t explain why this person was so antsy at even her presence. Amy decided she was going to find out.

Her mind was set before she even noticed she’d stood, scooping up her sandwich and bottle of juice.

“Hey sweetiepie, do you mind if I sit with you in the shade?”

@amy-bellevierre

The Penteveral’s collection of books was, simply put, insane. There were hundreds of them, thousands even. Stories and tales from the past, fictional and otherwise. Zuri had never imagined there could possibly be a collection as large as the Penteveral’s, but apparently it wasn’t even the largest collection out there.

And, while inaccurate in reality, it felt as though the collection of books paled in comparison to the collection of students and staff that roamed the halls. The crowds felt overwhelming. Students laughed and talked with each other, always demonstrating the vast amount of connections they had already formed. Not a singular student looked out of place here. It only felt as though Zuri was the exception.

The sound of steps approaching them made the orc freeze. While her eyes still locked on the book, she remained focused on the periphery of her vision, waiting to see who was approaching her.

Zuri only allowed themself to look up when a voice spoke up, truly breaking the relative quiet of nature. They looked up at the figure above them, taking in their appearance briefly. Maybe a few times Zuri had seen her around the school grounds, but it had always been in passing or only for a few moments. And those moments had been spent just trying to maneuver through the halls and get to class on time or find a spot outside to breathe or let Freyr hop around for a while.

The flyer seemed hand made, with little pink heart stamps lining the edges. It detailed a bard’s performance at a venue on campus—the name Amy Belle in glittery pink cursive across the top.

@amy-bellevierre

Chiara found herself caught off guard as a pet name was called out to her, and suddenly a girl skipped into view. Her aesthetic, bedecked in pink and shine, seemed in a direct contrast to the muted greens of Chiara’s own tunic, which seemed like perhaps a shirt for a much taller and broader individual belted at her waist, and the cool, purplish grey of her leggings. Practicality versus extravagance. The young Davinos wondered what about herself caught this stranger’s eye as a paper was thrust into her hand.

Hours later, Amy took a deep breath in the darkness backstage. She stretched out her wrists, watching the light flicker underneath the heavy curtains separating her from the stage. There was a fairly good turnout for the crowd, which was partially due to her work today and partially due to the agreement between the school and the venue. Students love half priced food.

Her clothes were a bit more formal than she preferred, but this was for a grade, her teacher would be in the crowd. The theme for the assignment had been elegance, and it was left so open ended that she’d had several late night panic attacks composing for it. In the end, she had a set list she was mmmostly proud of.

“Amaryllis,” a woman whispered, motioning her forward. “You’re up.”

“Amy.” The correction was instinctual at this point, a smile and slight nod to confirm, breezing past it. “Thank you hun.”

She closed her eyes and took one last centering breath, then pushed out past the curtains before she could change her mind. She wanted this. She loved this. It was just a little new and terrifying having someone judge her work so academically.

In the instant she was visible to the crowd Amy stood tall, enjoying the feeling of her hair brushing up against her exposed shoulders as she walked up to center stage. She drew her focus to the expectant hum in the air, potential. It made her grin like it always did, familiarity smoothing out the discomfort of the situation (and her skirt—truly, she should have chosen something that let her move better).

It reads:

Hello!

My name is Amy. I hope you don’t mind me sending you a little letter, I just really wanted to get to meet you! I think your rats are super cute.

You’re Occtis’ sister, right? I’m his fiancée, we’re roommates at the Penteveral so I see you sending him letters all the time. I heard you live in a tower? What’s that like? Also how many rats do you have? I know this one is Amadeus, do they all have names? Do you name them, or do their parents? (Or do they pick for themselves??)

Anyways, it’s nice to meet you!

🩷, Amy

A different rat sends back a letter, penned in red ink with the slightest silver shift, labelled simply "Amy" in a sharp elegant cursive. The rest of the letter is written in the same hand.

Miss Amy,

Thank you for your missive. If I may be honest, I am eager for the correspondence. You are right; I am Tempris Tachonis, Occtis' sister— my twin brother Templar and I are his immediate elder siblings, I the sixth and Templar the seventh. I'm happy to meet my brother's betrothed, though I am a touch bewildered, as I was under the impression Occtis was to wed a young man of the Davinos line.

No matter. I understand why my young brother may not communicate such things, and I know our father holds little regard for what I know.

Yes, I do live in an arcane tower. I believe it once was owned by some sorcerer-priest of our family, but it has been uninhabited since the Shaper's War at least. It works for my purposes, but I cannot say it's what one would call cozy. Stately, perhaps, and a little wild from its time left to sit. The rats act as my couriers, constant company, and household help. It is amazing what a pack of them can do together. There are twelve in total, with the one who brought you this letter being Huxley. I apologize if he is misbehaving; he's an excitable one. I've named each of them myself, but as I can communicate with them as my familiars, I have assurance that they like their names. With my next missive I will send a complete list of their names and defining features, if you would like.

Warm Regards,

Tempris,

Wow, they really keep you out of the loop. That marriage fell through years ago, though it’s not really my place to talk about it. Personal stuff, not my business. Safe to say, my dad swooped in and put me up on offer like right away. We’re making the best of the situation.

I’m so excited to hear that your rats like their names! And yes, I would love to get to know them! I fed Huxley a little cheese because Occtis said it was okay, he seemed to really like it. He’s so playful, I’ve been letting him chase a ribbon of mine while I write this. I’m going to let you keep it for him since he likes it so much. (Also he chewed it a little so I can’t wear it anymore.)

Well wish me luck, I’m about to stay up half the night doing coursework again. Luckily we usually get busy at around the same time, so your brother and I aren’t keeping each other up. He went to go get us snacks! :)

Have a snack in our honor!

Most of the family does not contact me unless it's of an urgent matter, save Occtis and my twin. I suppose they find no use in keeping me up to date on political matters. Still, I do apologize if my ignorance offends; I mean no slight on your good name. I wish you and my brother happiness as your lives intertwine.

You should be pleased to know that Huxley became very excited upon seeing your gift. I believe he shall find great entertainment in the ribbon, though I know his siblings will get jealous. I'll have to invest some of my allotted funds in ribbon for them to play with. Huxley and Adora are, at the moment, rather entranced by my mage hand dangling the ribbon above their heads. A little cheese is alright for a treat; they also greatly enjoy fruit, especially berries, but I no means expect you to get any on their account. Even those from noble houses, I know the budget of a university student is limited.

May I ask what you are studying at the Penteveral? Are you also interested in wizardry? I find it all rather fascinating, but I know Occtis is somewhat shy about his studies, due to our father's prejudice against arcanists. I'm in the midst of some research myself, so I'll be thinking of the two of you while I likely am also up in the wee hours of the morning.

My Best,

Tempris

Don’t worry about it, sunshine! No offense taken at all. I’m sorry you don’t get updates like you should, but it kinda makes sense no one mentioned me, I don’t think I’ve ever been popular with your family (except Occtis, who is a sweetie and also legally bound to me so, there is that).

I did notice Huxley likes the ribbon, he kinda stole some more while I wasn’t looking and chewed them up. :( I think I’ll keep them here for him, but do you think you could tell him that my things are not toys unless I give them to him to play? I don’t want to tell him off but, I also like those ribbons.

But on another note, my studies! I’m not really interested in classical wizardry, though it does help in my study of bardic magic. What are you studying? We should tell each other little fun facts! My fun fact today is that all magic hums at a frequency, usually outside of mortal perception. But someone skilled enough can match that frequency and cancel out a spell entirely! (I can’t, I’m just a beginner but still!! So cool!!)

Thank you for the guide! I’m keeping it on my desk as part of my studies :)

It reads:

Hello!

My name is Amy. I hope you don’t mind me sending you a little letter, I just really wanted to get to meet you! I think your rats are super cute.

You’re Occtis’ sister, right? I’m his fiancée, we’re roommates at the Penteveral so I see you sending him letters all the time. I heard you live in a tower? What’s that like? Also how many rats do you have? I know this one is Amadeus, do they all have names? Do you name them, or do their parents? (Or do they pick for themselves??)

Anyways, it’s nice to meet you!

🩷, Amy

A different rat sends back a letter, penned in red ink with the slightest silver shift, labelled simply "Amy" in a sharp elegant cursive. The rest of the letter is written in the same hand.

Miss Amy,

Thank you for your missive. If I may be honest, I am eager for the correspondence. You are right; I am Tempris Tachonis, Occtis' sister— my twin brother Templar and I are his immediate elder siblings, I the sixth and Templar the seventh. I'm happy to meet my brother's betrothed, though I am a touch bewildered, as I was under the impression Occtis was to wed a young man of the Davinos line.

No matter. I understand why my young brother may not communicate such things, and I know our father holds little regard for what I know.

Yes, I do live in an arcane tower. I believe it once was owned by some sorcerer-priest of our family, but it has been uninhabited since the Shaper's War at least. It works for my purposes, but I cannot say it's what one would call cozy. Stately, perhaps, and a little wild from its time left to sit. The rats act as my couriers, constant company, and household help. It is amazing what a pack of them can do together. There are twelve in total, with the one who brought you this letter being Huxley. I apologize if he is misbehaving; he's an excitable one. I've named each of them myself, but as I can communicate with them as my familiars, I have assurance that they like their names. With my next missive I will send a complete list of their names and defining features, if you would like.

Warm Regards,

Tempris,

Wow, they really keep you out of the loop. That marriage fell through years ago, though it’s not really my place to talk about it. Personal stuff, not my business. Safe to say, my dad swooped in and put me up on offer like right away. We’re making the best of the situation.

I’m so excited to hear that your rats like their names! And yes, I would love to get to know them! I fed Huxley a little cheese because Occtis said it was okay, he seemed to really like it. He’s so playful, I’ve been letting him chase a ribbon of mine while I write this. I’m going to let you keep it for him since he likes it so much. (Also he chewed it a little so I can’t wear it anymore.)

Well wish me luck, I’m about to stay up half the night doing coursework again. Luckily we usually get busy at around the same time, so your brother and I aren’t keeping each other up. He went to go get us snacks! :)

Have a snack in our honor!