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Maria von Hohenzollern 
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Royal Capital Lugnica
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[@liferusher]

[color=gold] “Hold up, Tani,” [/color] Maria said, trying to get Tani’s attention before she had left the area. [color=gold] “If it is manpower you need, I’d like to offer my own skills to eliminate this beast if possible. Even if I had proven myself incapable yesterday, I still wish to protect my kingdom and the people within them, assuming you would allow myself to be nominated, Tani.” [/color] 

Maria was someone who felt obligated by their duty to assist those in Lugnica. No, it wasn’t merely an obligation. Even if she was not a knight, there would be other methods she could use to help those in need. Her father had also served the royal house before her, and she would keep up his image as both to honor her upbringing, as well as provide genuine good for those involved. 

Perhaps as a knight, a “dog of the army”, she could not be counted on to do the right thing versus doing her family honor. Even so if she had the ability to influence the lives of individuals in a positive light ,then perhaps this choice was the right one. 

[color=gold] “Even if I am not the best knight  All I have is a bit of fancy swordplay and my family name. I can possibly be, I wish to better myself. Last night had shown me my weakness as an individual, but so long as I am able, I will make sure that such a disgrace never occurs again. Besides, I feel if I am working with you, there is nothing we cannot do together.” [/color] 

Maria had faith in Tani as an individual. Even if she had not performed to perfection in the last day, Maria understood that Tani’s skill as a knight was good enough to attract the attention of the director. Maria had admiration and respect for any of her fellow knights. Perhaps it was a bit naive, as not every knight was a paragon of justice, but Maria was the sort to hope for the best in people, so long as they were not irredeemable. 

...Like that damned golden swordsman. 

[color=gold] [i] “There is no way I can forgive that man for what he had done. I will bring him down to justice. Even if he is leagues above me now, I shall sharpen myself and face him when I am ready to do so. His crimes will not go unpunished.” [/i] [/color] 

After all, that damned sword was the reason why Malakaus was … Malakaus was what? Maria seemed to have thought of something, but for whatever reason her consciousness refused to admit a “fact” that had occurred. Something that definitely “happened” and that she had recollection of, but could not place it into her consciousness. As if some sort of mental “block” was preventing her ability to process this information. 

[i] Perhaps if she saw Malakaus, or that idiot swordsman Aleph from last night, she might recall something that she wished to forget …[/i]

[color=gold] “Ahem. Sorry for delaying you from your post if I have, Tani. I apologize for any inconveniences I caused you by speaking with you. I might take it upon myself to gather a few capable individuals of my own if you would allow me to assist you in this regard.”  [/color] 

Now there was the matter of Shiina, whom of which had recently asked about the art of magic. Maria was hardly an expert in the craft. If anything, she was pretty basic at most of the magical knowledge she understood. The person she considered her “sister” was much more skillful at magic, and one of the best sorceresses she knew. 

[color=gold] “I have some basic tombs in my library if you’d like to check those out at your leisure. I don’t think I would make too great of a teacher though. My skill with magic isn’t too great. Aside from a few basic spells, I cannot really say that I was born with too much skill in that regard.” [/color] 

That was about when Shiina’s stomach began to growl. 

[color=gold] “I-If you are hungry, I did promise to get you food. But don’t take it the wrong way. I wanted to check out this place anyway.” [/color] 

Maria wanted to pass it off as a simple desire to get food, but in reality she did think that Shiina was at the very least an “interesting” individual. Perhaps in the sense that she seemed to almost act like an animal in terms of cute behavior, or her minimalist speech pattern, but Maria knew that this girl, if not taken care of, would likely fall into the hands of individuals less kind than she.