How do I forget?

Eremiya then placed the back of an hand against the underside of her chin, as she gives an inquisitve look.

"And that opinion goes doubly so for me. It doesn't matter what 'could have' been my future, I already set myself on my own goal, my own end of journey already. And yet, curiosity is humanity's most stubborn sin, and even the most pious of us are bound by it. So yes, I wish to see what the world sees my future as. Or what it could have been like. Though I doubt it would matter much to me."

Eremiya then tilted her head, as she gave off a faint smile.

"It does make me wonder though about you..."

And Eremiya leaves it hanging right there. As far as she could tell, this young one was quite reserved about her words. How bluntly she wants to direct attention off her. But not to worry, Eremiya has a lot of experience with these kinds of people, and she knows just how to work around that nature of hers.

Respect isn't the same as trust.

And she cannot relate to the way the woman finds strength in religion.

Despite that, she manages to relax her rigid body, shoulders slumping down.

There's no immediate threat; it really seems like the woman's main goal right now is a constructive discussion.

And Tine is  willing to indulge that.

" I am Tine of house Freege, and I have indeed enrolled as a student for a little over a year now."

How time passes, doesn't it? She intended to take on more responsibilities once that first anniversary passed, but instead she's been drifting through life with little interest in anything outside of studying and major school events.

How ironic it was, returning home that broke her in this way.

"Yes, I can certainly see how many would appreciate your intensions but-"

But what ?

It is wasted on me?

Is that what you will say you're willing to reject a kindness from someone you do not trust to remain docile?

"This is something I need to solve within myself."

Steaming, charred, and still very hot to the touch, the dessert tumbles out gracelessly and Ronan deposits it quickly back onto the counter, recoiling and shaking the heat from his hands despite the mitts. He examines it for a moment; it's lopsided and dark on one side, and hardly looks edible, even though ordinarily he'd certainly had his fair share of burnt food before simply because his family couldn't afford to throw mistakes away.

"Uh, well, I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but I could take it off your hands if you really want." Slipping the mitts off, Ronan rubs the back of his neck helplessly.

Objectively speaking, it doesn't even warrant tears, does it?

It's frustrating, yes, to have something she took time and effort into making fall apart like this, but this is just a piece of it, isn't it?

"Its not really for friends exactly

But well, it was supposed to be a welcoming gift for the new students. So I wouldn't have minded if it helped me become acquainted with them."

It all seems kind of pointless now, just like encouraging Ronan to learn magic will likely just make him associate it with that crazy girl that couldn't mind her own business.

How exhausting.

"Please don't say that the blame is all on me. I mean, there must have been some more secure ways to go about this."

The whole dessert is too big for her, but she scrapes off the burnt edges. It's much uglier now, and she can't really eat it all.

It's sugary and vain in its own existence, mocking in its excess.

She spent too long with this kind of luxury tantalizingly close yet out of her reach.

"Thank you for indulging me. I don't know how to repay you for it, but know I am grateful."

She takes a spoonful of the dessert, something she worked for where the work was meant to be the reward.

It's sweet and sour, melting in her mouth.

No matter. She has already come this far, and she might as well ask what this young woman looks to find on such an item like this. "No, no, do continue. I have no intention to stop you. There is nothing wrong about using this kind of item... although your intentions do pique my interest. Are you hoping to see if this orb can tell you your future? Would you be prepared to face what comes from it?"

She would rather that this one is dissuaded of such a notion. She could do better to give them a certain future, rather than something that whatever mysterious forces might give them. Control and order are important, or else these children might do something... regrettable.

But she has fairly little power to steer the children. Only her words and her own smile. But that's alright.

She can regain what she lost in time, and she'll make her own standing in this quaint academy, to continue her work.

She spoke out loud beforehand but wasn't expecting her dilemma to be heard or engaged with.

And now she's struggling to give a straight answer.

Why does this woman care?

"I would hope it could show me a world where certain tragedies never came to pass."

A world where she never lost her mother?

Maybe even one where the betrayal at Bellhalla never happened and Tine grew up in a full family that wasn't fractured.

A world where she at least broke away from Hilda without tearing apart everything else that was left.

But also.

"Its about as likely to show me a world far more rotten or one where hardly anything is changed."

Or that she sees a world so perfect her truth couldn't ever compare.

She speaks rapidly, breathlessly; being wary of strangers is quite natural to her, but still there's something about this woman that makes her feel tense.

"How about you, miss?

You came to try it yourself, right? Does this curiosity have something specific behind it, or are you just filling time?"

I mean, it's just a glass-like orb that pulsates with light for something with such a mysterious ability.

Still, the academy staff is literally letting everyone test it out, so they must have deemed it safe. 

Nothing is ever guaranteed to be safe, especially when it comes to magic.

"Will it just show me another appearance?

Or  would I learn what that other me's life is like?

Would it show only me?"

It would all be answered if she touched it, but despite nobody forcing her to do it, she's stalling out of fear.

Whatever she sees won't change a thing.

She's not afraid of what it might show her but how it compares to what she actually has.

"My apologies-"

She missed someone coming in, hadn't she?

She's been tasked with delivering invitations for a festival to their seemingly random participants.

Was the assignment random?

There are a dozen upon dozens of secret things that could tie their recipients together, but nothing obvious so far.

Well, nothing as obvious as how her assignment partner was picked.

"So how have you been sir-"

And interaction failed step one; she's sure of that.

Yes, you're supposed to display an appropriate amount of familiarity towards an acquaintance, but

That is not how you word it, you dummy.

How do you word it? I mean, the intent is still clear even if the delivery was botched.

"A-a, I mean, you're still settling down here, right? I've been in Foldan for over a year; it would be improper if it didn't offer help."

This is not how any real human speaks, but she just cannot fully remember how they do.

"My apologies for talking so strangely. I hadn't expected to meet most of the liberation army after we all went our separate ways at Bellhalla."

"Stranger things..." Deirdre agrees with a hum. Yes, that is certainly one way to put it. The fact that they are both here, together, is definitely strange but it is also magical. "I think it is a blessing. I would have liked to have gotten to know you better when you were young but I am glad for the chance to do so now."

It might be optimistic to choose to believe in the kindness of spirits and ghosts but it is the view she chooses to have as well. There are too many she has loved and lost that she needs to believe they are able to watch over their loved ones with kindness.

That word tumbles around her brain but refuses to connect with anything.

Not due to it being incorrect, no.

She can see the broad outline of how their fates are alike, stripped of their autonomy for the simple crime of being born the child of an equally unlucky woman.

In that way, Tine is clearly the fortunate one.

Deirdre's legacy is in how she doomed the world and saved it in equal measure.

But does that matter here and now?

The tragedy of how her life ended wasn't undone; it cannot be, and yet she's here.

Living a new life, in this world she is no ghost.

And Tine is no duchess, no heavy legacy weighing her down.

Maybe the way they are alike is that despite everything, they got lucky.

"Th-thank you, I mean, for seeing me as someone worth knowing better-and for sympathizing with me."

There are loose tears streaming down her face.

Not exactly happy ones but definitely not ones of sadness.

Just confusing emotion melting into the mist.

"Oh my gosh," she delights, swinging her lance's flame haphazardly. "You should TOTALLY learn to fly! With me, of course. And you can teach me some spells... even though I have Mom's swords and a little magic. But nothing like the incredible things you can do! Then, we can cast AND fly together, how awesome is that?"

Another friend in the skies with her! And riding a wyvern, of all things...! She'd never have expected little Tine to rise to an occasion like that, but heck, she's not gonna complain about her being a little more adventurous! I mean, she's already casting spells with me on Annand, too!

"Happy to hear it, Tine," she giggles. Her polearm's spinning ceases for a bit, now, and the mirth in her voice becomes tinged with seriousness. "Let's check in with those merchants though, and tell them the good news: the only badassery to be had around here is on this pegasus!"

And yet that joy always feels fresh and comforting.

"You would learn with me? Thank you. I promise to make it worth your while. I actually befriended a pegasus knight here, but she's never struck me as the magic-wielding type, and she's been so busy, so I hadn't asked."

There's also that strange professor, but he made it quite clear his greatest asset lies in his strength.

Either way, she's glad to be taken seriously, even if it would be wise for this idle chatter to end.

"Of course I trust your judgment in this."

“I have met some in my lifetime, yes. Most of them kind— in their own ways, striving to protect that which matters to them. There are some that were vicious, committing awful crimes in search of power. Not much different from the divide you see amongst humans.”

The next question is a bit more personal, and she’s not exactly sure of the extent that’s been divulged here at the Monastery. She doesn’t seek to hide her heritage, but there is little benefit to broaching the subject without a specific end to the topic. “Mm… I can name one in certainty, yes. A Divine Dragon, whose boundless compassion never ceases to amaze me. Though her soft and gentle demeanor should not be mistaken for weakness.”

“As for elemental domains, no. Such a concept I have not heard spoken of amongst the dragons of Elyos.” A concept foreign to herself, certainly.

“It seems you have begun to feel better. Shall I escort you back to your dorm?”

Still, it's dragons, maybe; the word common is relative in this context, and Tine lacks the lived experience to perceive it the same way.

"Well while 'divine' isn't an elemental term, it still reminds me how Saint Heim's patron blessed Lady Naga was referred to as divine in the same breath as Forseti was seen as of wind and Salamandr of fire, but I'm unsure if that actually means anything."

Regardless, her mind goes blank in this moment as, despite her palpable excitement, she can't find any other questions to ask.

Especially in the face of what she herself is asked about.

Is she okay?

"N-no, I mean no need to escort me. I wasn't actually injured. It would be a travesty to miss the exercise just because I'm"

Still, she looks down at the pendant and its broken chain.

Even if she puts it down in a safe place.

Won't it haunt her too much?

And yet running away seems equally foolish.

"Wasn't she the best mage of our generation? That's what I'd heard. And she's come from a whole line of powerful mages. I might not know who my dad was, but my mother's not a mage."

If she was, then she's hid it pretty well all these years. He can't imagine she wouldn't have woven in little tricks here and there, like this scrap of paper capable of lighting the hearth, if she'd had any talent with it. But still, Tine echoes what the old man who'd hired him for the monastery had said. Impressive. For someone without any training at all.

Ronan glances down at the palm of his hand and flexes his fingers.

"The fire didn't touch me, but, ah... that wasn't my first time. An old monk tested me the same way when I got here. Whatever he'd scribbled on that piece of paper had let me shoot arrows without a bow."

But it wasn't him that he should worry about. When Ronan turns to look at Tine again, her lip is a little bloody from how she'd been biting it earlier. And then she says she'll cut herself.

"No!" Ronan darts toward her to make sure she doesn't reach for any of the knives on the counter, standing between her and anything sharp. "No, please don't. I don't want you hurting yourself like that just to test me. I can... try to fix up your lip, but--"

He frowns, looking her in the eye.

Its still praise but she cannot sand the edges down if she wants to be at all taken seriously.

Amd even then that damned tome didn't mean nearly as much as people deluded themselves it did.

You can kill a man with a baisc fire tome

And Ishtar could die by one just the same as Tine and Ronan.

Her beloved cousin was an impressive woman not a god.

"Magic Arrows? That's not a Jugdrali spell, I believe. Hmm, what was the name Saggitagne ? I hadn't tried those, and archery is out of my skill set, generally speaking."

She could not have expected such a strong reaction for what in her own eyes was just an idle suggestion did he think she was going to stab herself.

... she hasn't been acting most stable during this conversation has she?

"Im so sorry

I didn't mean it like that i mean it seemed a lot more reasonable in my head."

She does shrink back a little managing to look apolegentic without being frantic.

How is she supposed to apologise does she even have a real apology?

"I bielieve i already made my point about how valuable a varied skill set is but i understand if you do not asign the same weight to it.

It wasn't my intention to alarm you or make you feel cornered but i do understand that what i had in mind was quite over-"

While fiddling around and babling in a vauge explanation of her intentions she notices the warm glow illuminating her sillouete brighten.

Oh no

The fire was too strong making the desert melt over the flame igniting it even further.

One of the blessings of her outstanding aim if that she can extinguish the flame without damaging it further with the wind spell.

Still, that didn't mean much, as one side is already burned.

.

.

Bruno hands the collected materials off to the lab, noting smears of scarlet that stain the underneath of his fingernails and smear across the crevices of his palms. His nose wrinkles in faint disdain at how it rusts at the edges, and he quickly makes his way over to the nearest washbasin — only to see someone there.

...Back to work?

He shakes his head, managing a small smile. "No need to apologize. I have no interest in scrutinizing your time."

That's the very opposite of what she expected from anyone finding her here right now.

While so many suffer.

Still she retreats from the washbasin, slumping against the wall.

That concern eases her guilt for it.

"It wasn't intentional; I just

I didn't want to stop and think about all of this."

She's been following orders nigh mindlessly, always looking for something to do. 

Just to escape reality of it never let the fear set in.

"I'm actually both experienced as a healer and well-read, but I never faced such illnesses.

I can't pretend that it doesn't scare me."

Why is she so honest? Is it the exhaustion that brings it out of her?

Maybe, but with how polite he seems, she doesn't really care.

"Do you like ginger bread?"

Silly question: one that briefly takes away the heavy tone she's been using. She takes the small wooden basket and chews on one of the cookies.

"Theyre a little hard, but it's still good to eat with water or tea, and I'd feel easier taking a break alongside someone else.

"It's nothing sp-ecial- I'm actually very glad you like it. I was worried I might be overstepping."

It's not something she would usually attempt in relation to somebody she has only cursory familiarity with, but this time it truly seems to have turned out in her favor.

" Fascinating I do love tea, and it should be a counterbalance to the candied cherries."

Honestly, she's getting kind of excited by the idea.

Still, that is far ahead of them right now.

"Do we reduce the water, or will it need to mix together? Are we supposed to wait for it to cool down?"

There are ice spells in Foldlan, right?

“We shall firstly reduce the water, yes, but then we need to use the rice while it's still hot” she explained, gesturing the girl to pick up a convenient container for draining water, “Take that and lets’ drain water” and she waited for the young student to help her put with the boiling rice. “Be extra careful, it’s really hot!” she chirped, carefully looking at the fingers of the other person, as she empty the rice into the colander.

“Perfect! Now, can you pour hot rice into the mortar? I’ll help you, don’t worry” she thought it might be a little too heavy for one person, so she gingerly placed her hands around the bowl to help Tine and to pour the contents inside the mortar. And now, the fun part.

“Now we can actually do the real magic to turn this into a soft dough” she softly giggled, staring at the hot rice with enthusiasm, then shifting her gaze on Tine. “What would you like to do first? We can switch the role, but I’ll gladly let you choose what do use first, of course!” and she eagerly waited for the young girl to actually pick between the mallet and the mortar: both roles were very important during this phase and despite the inexperience, Sakura was sure that the young girl would do magnifically.

“And if you would like to try the mallet first, I can show you how to do it, my pleasure!”

Those are both true even if it's not the core of the issue.

But this role invites a different issue.

She gazes down upon her hands.

Didn't think of that before.

Turning her back to the princess, she removes her gloves.

Pristine white, she maintains carefully.

Revealing all the callouses rough skin old burns and split nails she still does her best to matain trimmed.

Even if no ones supposed to see it

It seems necessary.

She washes her hands before returning

first she crosses them behind her torso and then hides them below the large wooden dish.

"I'm ready when you are."

Maybe there could be more on their tail, in that case he’d need to remind them to back off a second time.

It didn’t take long however for their run to come to a halt, as a rather treacherous roof stood before them. Lambert scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Of course it would not be so easy, I see…” Time was short, and before them were merely two alternatives- figure out a way to climb and go over the roof just as before despite the difficulty, or take the long route and go around it.

“If we go around it we may end up losing too much time. Those guards are slow but they could be gathering extra forces and depending on the layout it would be possible for a pincer move. On the other hand…” The blond frowned at the obstacle before them. “If we fail in getting over that roof, not only will the fall be splendorous but they could chase us into a dead end.”

Both were blessed by equally bad possibilities, no matter what they decided to do or how. Plus time was short, and each second spent mulling over a decision meant their hunters closing in.

Lambert looked at Tine, hands on his hips. “I personally would choose to go over it. If we fall, then I will make sure you are not hurt and…I may destroy a wall or two if I must if it means ensuring an escape route for both of us. What is on your mind?” He wanted to avoid engaging in needless combat- a handful of broken roofs, walls and so on were troublesome but ultimately fixable.

Injured guards or worse- dead ones, would bring a lot more trouble to the Church’s door. Additional trouble that they didn’t need at the moment.

"If you are unable to climb, you may hold onto my back."

Just what else can this man do is he helswatch in human form?

"I appreciate the idea, but property damage inevitably costs you once this is over.

We should cross separately to not concentrate weight at once .

How far from your mount are we anyway?"

She offers this interloper a beautiful smile, and poses, one hand outlining her open eye as she winks, and the other propped purposely on her hip.

Maiden ofwhat?

Well, being called a maiden is odd in itself, but she has no clue who the girl is, but invoking storms is too specific for the other girl to not  have at least a passing knowledge of time herself.

Maybe they just attended the same class, and something about Tine's thunder magic stood out to her.

Less of that; all of this is absurd, and she hadn't addressed the more concerning part.

"Wait wait liberate?

What do you mean by that? I mean, I'm willing to hear you out; just can we talk about it first?

"It is nicer with company. It is nicer with you."

She watches Tine curiously, trying to figure out what she might mean. Has she experience with monsters? Or have crowds been too unkind to her?

she doesn't feel she deserves it a reflex to just stay quiet and expect to be forgotten claws on her mind

but ahe wrong so often and even the most basic etiquette demands a grateful response.

"That

It is incredibly kind of you to say."

Maybe the Empress really means just being able to socialize one-on-one with someone?

Still, it is a kindness directed at Tine; she should not be overanalyzing it.

Not when the question that comes next is so ironic.

"Ah, I suppose I do. I've seen stranger things already.

I mean, this entire world is so removed from ours."

Here you are, alive and thriving, living the life that was taken away from you by another's selfishness.

"It might be an optimistic view, but I like to believe ghosts are quite kind"

That's hardly a surprising reaction.

Dame Fiora is a withdrawn soul it could be theoretically possible that shes shy about praise.

But even Tine can tell there's something darker bearing down on her features.

And yet that isn't what strikes her first.

"Im not what you think I am."

she doesn't scream it.

But she closes the book with a thud, and her voice has an edge to it she didn't intend.

Realizing the graceless words takes even less time than speaking them did.

She turns her head away, gazing blankly at nothing as she tries to find her breath.

She sets the book down, moving her legs up and resting her chin on her knees.

This is a defensive position, making herself small, but it does allow her mind to relax just a little bit.

"Im sorry.

I dont know what you went though but you also don't know all of what i seen.

And there are likely people that are glad to have meet me bu-t.

I had already lost what you think you see in me.

My kindness is underppined by loneliness by needing somebody to care it might as well all be an act.

But genuinely an-nd."

she grasps other womans hands still not meeting her gaze instead looking down to the ground.

"You may bielieve me blind or stupid but I do feel like theres something effortlessly kind about you.

"Tine... It does not mean it is an act. To be lonely, to need people to care about you -- that is simply what being a person is. You are allowed to need others to care about you. We rely so much on our connections with other people to inform the choices we make, the person we become... That is only natural." A small, sad smile quirks her lips. "I do not believe you are blind, or stupid... Thank you, for your words."

Her lungs uselessly process air as the script is flipped on her.

In and out

slow and steady

do not panic

not now

She breathes

"I know what you mean. I believe it to some extent; it is just that..."

She sputters uselessly; even if she's not outwardly panicking, no coherent thoughts come to mind.

" I appreciate your consideration and hope that this doesn't diminish my earlier words, but I'm not ready to really talk about this."

About how she should have been stronger, yearned for less, and done more.

About how impossible it was, as she is only human.

How in the world could she save all of them?

"Still, I'd say this proves how considerate and kind you are once again~"

She switched on a dime

a teasing tome she hardly uses

The joy is fake, but the determination is palpable

Grabbing the scissors out of his hands the moment she spots the mismatch in how he trims the bushes, nothing like the actual gardeners filling her with dread.

"Do you have a death wish???"

Her voice isn't loud, but it's sharp, all her frustration once again laid bare.

"You can get everyone here in trouble, and people don't look kindly at troublemakers."

Surely he cannot be unaware of it. She doesn't know what life he led before becoming a professor, but it couldn't be too high of a station with how he behaves. Yet he wasn't taught how to keep his head down?

" Your life doesn't matter to the owners; you will be chewed up and spit out at the smallest slight.

And if they decide you cannot pay for it with your life, it will be taken alongside - ."

She's heard them moving, but the worker was actually engaging with her job only as an irrelevant figure within her peripheral vision.

So her coming behind Tine, clasping a handkerchief over her mouth, neither makes sense nor elicits the right response, her body flailing briefly but inconsequentially.

"Sorry sorry just quiet down-"

she wispers apologetic.

"I get what you're saying, but what if the lady overheard you?"

Brows lift as he tilts his head in Tine’s direction, nonplussed.

“Hmmm?”

She’s lucky he doesn’t throw a tantrum.

“Surely it wasn’t that bad,” he mumbles, sitting back into a crouch and lifting a leaf from the bushel in front of him. It’ll just grow back soon enough, anyway.

But he’s been thoroughly scolded once more, so he should probably behave at this point, right?

Brows jump again, this time in surprise as a third party steps in.

Hm.

“Thank you, thank you,” he greets quietly, with a small smile. “For looking out for us.” Us, plural, because it isn’t Azama’s chaotic cutting that would have grabbed their patron’s attention here and now - it’s Tine’s taking issue with it that nearly gets them busted.

And that on its own is enough to amuse the monk back into a good mood, even as their mysterious benefactor trots off back to her own work.

He peeks at the foliage, peers through and studies the Madame a moment, his curiosity his better. Haughty in true noble fashion, she is here to prove Tine’s point: currently, she looks to be in the process of educating a servant who hasn’t met her standards. She pours her tea over him, throws the cup at him, and turns in a huff. And away she imperiously goes.

A fairly light sentence, all things considered.

Azama holds his hand out to Tine, expectant. “Give them back.” Another small smile. “I’ll be good." A pause, then, in consideration: "You know, it seems that poor fellow’s position might be opening up shortly...” He hums.

Her outburst could have attracted attention to them, hastening the trouble the staff will inevitably get in for his flippant agriculture.

Maybe it could actually be a good idea. She doesn't want the actual staff to suffer; she can handle some abuse since she's leaving soon anyway.

" Why would I? If you intend to behave, then you do not need those. Either way, Miss, I think it might be a good idea for you to leave now; if someone should get in trouble for this it should be us."

She says, gesturing to the massacred bush.

"Actually you should cut off a few more. The lady's servant has been taking them for a while if its less of an art project maybe he will think hes forgotten?"

Thats

Very weird .

She looks closer to the bush, seemingly the same plant as any other around it, only different in the trunk being thinner and the leaves being smaller and slightly more yellow.

It smells cool, almost like mint mixed with lemon grass.

What in the?

It could likely be a medicinal plant

Curious

*

"Rejoice, imbecile; we are quite close to finishing the workday either way; let us vacate the premises."