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[center][sub]Dates: November 9th - December 6th[/sub][/center]

[hider=November 14th; Amaris and Maddie]

[center]A Questionable Connection[/center]

Maddie knew Amaris would be at the library but instead she returned to the dorm for a shower after class ended. It would have been reasonable to broach the subject immediately but Maddie wanted a moment to consider how to go about this. It was unlikely the Countess would deny her―the Countess was far too eager to buy her the yarn she needed to make more beanies when she brought it up―but this was a far more delicate situation. The Sinnenodel family wasn’t well known for respecting the Marivaldis, in fact the exact opposite, so it wasn’t unreasonable for her to believe Amaris may see an issue with the mages of the heirs of both families spending time together. Maddie sent Amaris a quick text before turning the shower on.

>[i][color=FC8686]When you have the time Countess, may I ask you a favor at the dorm?[/color][/i]

She normally did her best thinking in the shower but today it failed her. It made perfect sense keeping them separated but she also wanted someone to talk to about the TCL and watching it with someone else who appreciated it as much as she did made it ten times more fun. The only idea she came up with was developing a friendly relationship with the Sinnenodel mage and then using it to subtly draw information out of Aaron about the Count and his plans. But that idea left a bad taste in her mouth even though she was certain Count Sinnenodel would expect it from Aaron. She was going to have to be careful to shield Ari away from him. Even if they were good friends, Maddie trusted that anything said here would go straight back to his vampire.

Worrying about it in circles was pointless. Maddie would simply ask, thank the Countess if she said yes, or provide her counter offer if she said no. They'd just have to hang out somewhere a little more public as long as neither of the vampires restricted that as well. Maddie spent a little extra time getting dressed, putting on her favorite purple beanie that she knitted herself, and stepped out of her room softly.

~~~

“[color=f49ac2]Well, this has been a bust.[/color]” Amaris sighed to herself as she closed the cover on Introductions to Internal Blood Manipulation. She had hoped to find something in the curriculum that might help her along with her extracurricular studies but so far she wasn’t finding anything solid in the texts she had available. Without access to Salazar, Amaris had no one to answer her questions and, more importantly, no one to keep her in check from messing something up. The book her father had left behind was far from enough for self-education and she couldn’t rely on her trips home as her sole guidance, instead she would have to learn to get creative. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem that the elective subject had anything to offer that would benefit her current situation; although the concept of organ control did sound pretty cool.

The Countess returned the book to its proper place on the shelf before crossing her arms to think. There was another way to get the information she was seeking but it was a bit riskier than she was comfortable with. Amaris shifted her gaze upward to look at the ceiling where the restricted section was housed. If there was anything in the library that was going to help her, that's where it would be, but how could she get access to it without raising suspicion?

A sudden vibration from her pocket caused Amaris to jump a little, jarring the Countess from her thoughts. She still wasn’t quite used to using the device as a regular mode of communication, but that also meant that it was a pretty fair bet as to who it was that messaged her. As expected, it was Maddie’s name that graced her screen when she checked her notifications. For a brief moment the Countess found herself excited to have her partner reaching out unprompted, however, the excitement was quickly replaced with concern as she read the message. What sort of favor could her mage be in need of that required a face to face meeting?

>[i][color=f49ac2]I think I’m done here for today anyway. Should be home shortly.[/color][/i]

Amaris sent off her response before returning the device to her pocket and gathering her things. She would need a little more time to figure out how to collect the information she would need without tipping her hand too far. The last thing she needed to be dealing with at the moment was Nox and her merry men, especially when Ryner had already done so much to help protect her the first time around. Such things were a problem for later, however, as her current focus shifted subjects to her mage.

She couldn’t help but wonder if there had been a mistake in the supply of yarn she had recently gotten for her partner. Maddie was such a polite girl, she could see her going out of her way to help avoid any potential for public embarrassment… still she doubted yarn could be so serious that even an e-message wouldn’t suffice. Curiosity mixed with anticipation had the Countess setting off at a pace that was slightly faster than what was probably called for, Amaris running through various scenarios as she made her way from the library back to the dorms.

Being lost in thought made the journey home feel much shorter than it actually was, the Countess finding herself somewhat surprised when she finally arrived. She took a moment to prepare herself for whatever waited for her within before approaching and letting herself in the front door.

“[color=f49ac2]I’m back from the library![/color]” Amaris called out, announcing her presence in case Maddie couldn’t hear the door. She made her way into the space toward the common area while keeping an eye out for her partner.

Maddie relaxed in the living room, music playing through the single headphone she was plugged into. The other bobbed over the pages of her textbook. She was… resigned to only scrapping a passing grade out of Count Varis' class. Some of the comments were good critiques, veiled in traditional Sinnenodel fashion, but most of them were blistering and abrasive for no other reason than she existed. She assumed it was also because she was associated with a Marivaldi. Still, she had to put her nose to the grind on a subject that was both mind numbing and necessary if she didn’t want to flunk. 

She jumped a little when the door opened and she rose to her feet. She yanked out her headphone, stuffed it carelessly into her jeans pocket, and shut her textbook. Maddie turned and smiled at the Countess. [color=FC8686]"Welcome home, Ari. How was your night? Pleasant I hope."[/color]

“[color=f49ac2]Pleasant enough I suppose. I seem to have run into a dead end with some personal research, unfortunately. But I’ll figure it out eventually.[/color]” She responded with a smile and a shrug as she found a place for her belongings and motioned that Maddie could retake her seat. Amaris sighed with content as she settled into a seat of her own before returning her attention back to her partner.

“[color=f49ac2]What about you, m’dear? Studying hard I see.[/color]” The Countess nodded her head in the direction of the nearby textbook. She was happy to see her partner taking her studies so seriously, but she couldn’t help but to wonder what it was, exactly, that Maddie got up to for fun. It was doubtful that knitting was her only pastime, though she had to admit it was perhaps Amaris’ favorite to see so far. So much so that she had briefly considered asking the mage to teach her the basics but had instead decided to ask Maddie at a later time.

[color=FC8686]“I have to for Treaty Law. Count Sinnenodel has an eye for underwhelming effort.”[/color] Maddie sighed as she sat again, folding her hands in her lap.  Her fingers tangled together as she continued. [color=FC8686]“Otherwise, well. Spell Theory is fascinating as usual, Affinity Mastery is still interesting in a mildly morbid way, and I could use without the bruises from Self Defense but if that’s the worst I have to complain about, I’m doing better than others. I put in another req to replenish some of our supplies before I came back to the dorm so productive as well.”[/color] Maddie watched Amaris carefully as she spoke, gauging her mood. She seemed to be in a good enough one so perhaps her request wouldn’t be too difficult to defend.

[color=FC8686]“In more personal news, I made a friend and I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind if he came over to watch the TCL in a few nights.”[/color] Maddie asked, unconsciously speaking slower than normal in the event she needed to cut herself off early.

“[color=f49ac2]Varis’ eye will find ‘underwhelming effort’ whether it’s there or not.[/color]” Amaris countered before perking up at the sign of a request. Conversations about classes were a daily occurrence, but special requests were interesting. They allowed the Countess a brief glimpse into the life of her partner without having to pry for the information. Her expression shifted in the direction of energized intrigue as she heard the mage through. 

“[color=f49ac2]So this potential guest is a [i]he[/i] then? And what might his name be?[/color]” She teased lightly, surprised by how much she sounded like Amanda in that moment. Amaris was thrilled to hear that Maddie had made a new friend but was increasingly curious as to who it might have been. A fellow classmate seemed like the most likely possibility, but with such a free flowing campus, one couldn’t be too sure. 

What she didn’t know, and was equally as fascinated by, was that her partner watched TCL matches. Amaris found the revelation of Maddie liking it rather funny as she had just been complaining about the bruises left over from Self Defense, but she figured it was easier to enjoy the combat when she wasn’t the one getting knocked around. Amaris, herself, didn’t have any qualms with the TCL. She had an appreciation for the skill and technique but there was just something about it that failed to hold her attention. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem likely that she would be able to bond with her partner over it, but it was useful information all the same.

[color=FC8686]“He is Aaron Starag and he is going to stay firmly friend zoned. My type aside, his vampire is…”[/color] Maddie chose her next words carefully because what she wanted to say, simultaneously the most annoying and terrifying vampire she’d had the misfortune of meeting, was not exactly appropriate to say of a Count. [color=FC8686]“An effective deterrent. I’m not sure anyone is naive enough to stumble into that honeypot.”[/color] Maddie couldn’t imagine anyone would willingly be interested in him [i]and[/i] brave enough to suffer the ilk of his vampire. She wasn’t sure which was worse: Staying cooped up in the castle for the rest of his life or being allowed outside but essentially cut off from almost every area of social interaction. 

Poor guy. 

Enthusiasm waned as the word Starag fell from the mage’s tongue. Of all the classmates available for her to socialize with and Maddie had chosen him. She tried her best to hide her distaste from her partner but found the best she could muster was a fall back to a more neutral expression. It wasn’t just romance that Varis was a strong deterrent of. Forcing his mage to publicly kneel before him while in front of his peers had been a very calculated move on his part. With the Count playing such an active role in the mage’s affairs, Amaris couldn’t fully trust Aaron’s intentions. The last thing the Countess wanted to do, however, was jeopardize the relationship she was working on building with her partner.

“[color=f49ac2]I see.[/color]” Her words were slow as she carefully considered her thoughts. Was this really what she was willing to go back on her promise for? She would essentially be taking away some of her partner’s independence based on little more than a biased suspicion of Varis. Still, she wasn’t quite convinced that there was no danger in allowing him into such a personal space.

“[color=f49ac2]While I’m not keen on saying no, I do hope you can forgive my hesitation in agreeing to this particular request. How did the two of you… come to this arrangement?[/color]” Amaris thought that if maybe she could understand it a bit more, she might find more comfort in the situation.

[color=FC8686]“We spoke briefly before the practical exam began. I’d been discussing the TCL match from the night before and he reached out to me because he missed it. I get the feeling he misses a lot.”[/color] Maddie explained. There had been a secret hope that Amaris would have been unconcerned but she knew it would have been a long shot. Inviting a snake into your house is dangerous no matter who the snake is. [color=FC8686]“I absolutely understand the complications of this and if you decide the risk is too much, I couldn’t reasonably protest against it. It is concerning, I can’t deny that, but I figured having the noble mages on good terms with each other for at least the duration of school would make it easier on us. A friends group that knows how to act without having hurt feelings if some separation or caution is needed because of the political scene would be far less stressful than common friends who are incapable of empathizing.”[/color] Maddie didn’t particularly like her chances; it was a risk bringing a Sinnenodel in and into the house of a high ranking Marivaldi at that. 

[color=FC8686]“I don’t know enough of your political moves yet to be able to accidentally give away information and neither of us would have issues if you wanted to stay to chaperone.”[/color] Maddie offered, hoping it’ll make the prospects less scary. [color=FC8686]“But if you decide against it, you know I’ll support your decision completely and I doubt Aaron will take offense.”[/color]

Amaris couldn’t help but feel pity for the boy, knowing full well how right her partner was. There was a lot he would be missing from the life he knew from before the academy. Whatever luxuries had been afforded to him as a Starag mage in the care of the royal family weren’t just gone, they were likely to be actively blocked by his new ‘master’. The Countess grimaced at the phantom voice echoing the word in her ear. But that only further raised the question of Aaron’s allowance into a Marivaldi space in the first place. Was this something the boy was going behind Varis’ back to do? Did Varis allow the arrangement in the hopes of finding something? Or was this just one of those things that he simply did not care enough about to oversee?

Too many variables, Amaris didn’t like it. And yet, she liked the thought of disappointing her mage even less. Clearly Maddie had put some thought into the arrangement before bringing it to her. She had already considered political implications and Amaris’ personal feelings on the matter while simultaneously trying to advocate for a fellow classmate and, evidently, friend.

“[color=f49ac2]Let me ask you this then, honestly… Is this important to [i]you[/i]?[/color]” Amaris asked the mage directly. The Countess had maintained her stiff expression giving her words a more serious tone. She could weigh the situation until the sun came up but the only person Maddie hadn’t really spoken for yet was herself.

Maddie kept herself composed as Amaris weighed her options. She wasn’t surprised at that; it was a precarious situation but she figured that with the proper social procedures, it would be a relatively simple thing to keep their friendship above the table. Even if the Sinnenodel heir did want Aaron to bring back some sort of information, Amaris had the advantage here; she could organize everything in such a way that Aarn wouldn’t have any information to take back, hide any of her secrets, and cut off any conversation she thought may give some insight into her life. As risky as it was, Maddie was interested to see how well Amaris would handle a situation like that.

But her question caught Maddie off guard. It had never crossed her mind Amaris would ask her if it was important to her. Maddie knew questions would happen but she expected the usual background information and her thoughts on motives but not her personal opinion on the weight of her request. Maddie took a moment to gather herself, the calm facade broke for a moment from the blindside, and looked down at her hands. [color=FC8686]“This would be my first step towards a significant friendship. Maybe it’s my upbringing but it’s easier to find friendship in someone who shares a background.”[/color]

There was another moment of a silence before Amaris finally relaxed in her posture, most of her built up tension easing with a sigh. “[color=f49ac2]Alright then.[/color]” From where she was sitting, the friendship sounded innocent enough. The two mages were bound to cross paths, and from what Maddie was telling her, there was little sense that Varis had interfered. She also could not ignore the importance of a friendship that her partner had gone out of her way to consider, not just from a personal standpoint but a political one as well. Before she had even asked, she had thought of the possible dangers and had come up with solutions or compromises on her own so that she might put her Countess at ease. Even if Amaris found herself still less than comfortable with the whole idea, she was willing to at least allow it a chance and to see where things led.

“[color=f49ac2]There’s a lot to consider for sure, but so long as you are willing to shoulder the responsibility of your request I think I can allow it. Though, I suppose this means we’ll have to come to an agreement on ground rules for guests then.[/color]” Amaris worked a soft smile onto her face, her features softening with it as she spoke. “[color=f49ac2]And he’ll have to earn a degree of my trust if this is to become a regular occurrence.[/color]”

[color=FC8686]“Thank you. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”[/color] Maddie replied with a soft smile. She had been worried she’d have to disappoint Aaron. [color=FC8686]“What are your expectations while guests are here? And, if you don’t mind me asking, how is Aaron to earn your trust?”[/color] Not to mention her own because while she isn’t opposed to friends, she wasn’t planning on letting her walls down with him more than absolutely necessary and she wasn’t naive enough to think he wouldn’t do the same. 

“[color=f49ac2]I would prefer if your activities remained out in the common space that way we can control what he has access to. For the time being, I don’t want him having unmonitored access to any part of the dorm. That may change over time based on trustworthy behavior but I believe it’s a fair request to start.[/color]” The Countess began with what she considered to be the most important aspect of the arrangement. While there was only one object in the entire building she absolutely needed to keep Varis off the scent of, she still wanted to gain as much control over the situation as she could. If Aaron did end up being nothing more than a Sinnenodel spy, it would be difficult to give a proper report from within a manufactured scenario.

She did find herself stumped at how to answer the latter part of Maddie’s question, however. How was Aaron supposed to earn her trust? Amaris didn’t want to hold it over his head as some arbitrary, potentially unattainable variable but she couldn’t quite imagine specifics on the matter either. Did she intend to haze him? Was there a specific response or action or something she was holding out for? Gut feeling?

“[color=f49ac2]Unfortunately, I doubt it will be possible for him to earn my complete trust. But I suppose what I’m looking out for most are his motives, what drives his actions. I don’t want his respect for our rules to be driven solely out of fear of repercussion. It might take a little time, not going to lie to you, but the more I can see that he is here for his own sake the better I’ll feel. I just don’t quite know yet how I can objectively gauge such an abstract feeling.[/color]” Amaris caught herself beginning to frown and worked quickly to restore a more positive expression.

[color=FC8686]“Aaron and I will stay in the living room while he is over; he won’t leave my sight.”[/color] Maddie agreed immediately. [color=FC8686]“Of course, I’ll ensure anything he has access to is strictly school provided, food, or something of my own. If you want to make a list of things that are acceptable out here, I will make sure only those items are accessible and everything else is put away. In the event he has to use the restroom, would you prefer we send him back to his dorm or is it okay if he uses mine?”[/color]

“[color=f49ac2]That’s not a bad idea. A written list might help for me to gather my thoughts and sort out my priorities. Yes, yes, I can do that for you. As for restrooms, if you’re comfortable with sharing yours then that will be fine by me. I’ve left you autonomy over your personal space so just be mindful of whatever you’ve chosen to do with that freedom. If there is any information or objects you’d think I’d disapprove of sharing with Varis then I would ask that they be hidden for Aaron’s visit, but I doubt you have anything that could be considered detrimental so there’s little need for me to handle it myself. You could even consider it practice for reading a situation and acting according to your best judgment.[/color]”

[color=FC8686]“I’ll give it thought then.”[/color] Maddie promised, letting herself relax now that the worst of it was over. [color=FC8686]“Was there anything else you needed from me right now? I have a little more work to finish for classes if not.”[/color]

“[color=f49ac2]Nothing for the moment. I’ll get out of your hair so you can focus on your classwork, and I should have that list for you shortly. You know where I’ll be if anything else comes up.[/color]” Amaris’ smile was much warmer this time around as she excused herself from the room. While there were aspects of the situation she was less than thrilled about, the Countess couldn’t deny the excitement was beginning to grow on her.[/hider]

[hider=November 17th; Aaron and Maddie]

[center]Play Date[/center]

Maddie double checked the list Amaris had left her as she paced around the room, double checking to make sure everything was up to standards. She’d had the cleaning services offered by the school come through earlier in the evening just to make sure everything was perfect. She moved a few things here and there, rearranging the appropriate books on the tables at the end of the couch. She was definitely nitpicking at this point but it was nice to find a friend she could spend time doing just normal things with. She wasn’t about to threaten it because she missed a detail. 

Once the living room earned her final mark of approval. Maddie paused by the hallway mirror to make sure everything was still in order, hair tucked away neatly under her knitted cap, a blouse that started black at the shoulders and faded to teal at the bottom, and an ankle length skirt that matched. She nodded and headed to the kitchen.

She’d spent the entire evening in the kitchen to make sure they had food and drink ready and available. She wasn’t sure what Aaron was used to―probably nothing she’d ever even heard of honestly―but her family made the same thing for every match at home and she wasn’t about to stop now. Thinking about it now, she probably should have asked what he liked but she was sure if he didn’t care for what she already made, she could make something quick for him to eat. She made sure they always had a decent assortment of food, for her own sake of course, so that she wouldn’t have to eat the same thing over and over again. Well, she had food aplenty and hopefully something Aaron would like to drink, even if it was just water, and started finishing up the last of the empanadas while she waited for Aaron to arrive.

It must have been the tenth time Aaron changed his outfit. 

It was an absolute blessing that Varis was hard at work on something in the study and not hovering around his door frame judging his every move, because if the latter were the case (as it so often was whenever Varis found himself a spare moment) he probably would have gotten so thoroughly dressed-down that his little outing tonight would have to be called off in favour of grinding out another punitively long set of lines. But he just couldn’t help it! He’d only just [i]barely[/i] gotten a handle on how to manage his new wardrobe for class and his duties; he didn’t have the first idea how to make it work for a casual hangout with a prospective new ‘friend’. In a [i]Countess’[/i] dorm, no less. Was a vest too formal? 

Ugh. It didn’t help that he’d never really done something like this before, and all the slice-of-life sitcoms he tried using as references took place decades ago in fashion no one born after the 1990’s would be caught dead in if they wanted to face their master afterward. Jeans were the only piece he could choose with any confidence; dress shirts felt too formal, those vests Varis had him wear from time to time felt too… [i]Eris[/i], but his regular sweaters felt way too familiar. After all, what if he sauntered up in a simple crew neck and Maddie got freaked out thinking he was acting too ‘friendly’? What if he was totally overdressed and she got intimidated? Why couldn’t TCL watch parties have a dress code?

[i]Ugh.[/i] Aaron just about slapped himself, glaring at his greatest adversary in his full-length mirror for the third time that evening. He had to get a grip! It was this sort of pathetic passivity that Malek smelled on him when they met, and that passivity that would get him chewed up and spat out by any House-related task more complicated than writing invitations and looking expensive next to Varis. He had to make a decision and stick with it, then [i]move his stupid indecisive ass[/i] over to the Marivaldi dorm before he was late. 

With that, he chose the first shirt he saw in his closet - a deep forest green dress shirt with the Sinnenodel crest embroidered on the collar - and, forcing himself past the thought that it would be too revealing for a one-on-one visit with the [i]female[/i] mage of [i]another noble[/i], rolled the sleeves up just below the elbows to force himself a little out of his comfort zone. Still nervous but at least a little content that covering his elbows would make the look appropriate enough, he spared only a moment to double-check that his hair wasn’t too messy nor too ‘stick-up-the-ass neat’ (as Eris liked to put it) before throwing on his coat and boots and all but barreling out the door. 

For a blessing, the Countess wasn’t supposed to be at the dorm this evening, so at the very least he and Maddie could go about their business without worrying too much about nobles breathing down their necks. That said, being alone with her would open him up to a [i]second[/i] untoward rumour about him and the Marivaldi mage, though at this point he was more concerned about how that might affect Maddie’s reputation than whatever mangled shreds remained of his own. Varis wasn’t concerned, and Maddie seemed okay with it - indeed, she organized the whole thing - so he was inclined to trust their judgement. 

He climbed the steps to the Marivaldi door a crisp five minutes before their scheduled meeting time, a feat he could only attribute to muscle memory considering how long he’d flip-flopped on what he would wear, and allowed a few seconds to collect himself before knocking. He just had to relax, that was all. This was a friendly get-together between mages with similar interests, first and foremost. Also, definitely an opportunity to network with other noble mages and probably a foothold into the Marivaldi dorm for the night Varis would inevitably leverage his rapport against them, but he’d freak Maddie out if he went in thinking about that. Above all, he was just here to watch a fight. It would be fun. It would be fun! 

Maddie startled when Aaron finally knocked, a quick glance at the clock confirming it should be him. She’d been so focused on finishing everything that time had gotten away from her. Oh well. She’d managed to get everything set and in about ten minutes, the desserts would be ready to come out of the oven. She turned off her music, washed her hands, and headed to the front door. The smell of baking dough and pineapple followed her just as she’d planned. She took a moment to smooth everything out and opened the door.

[color=FC8686]“Aaron, welcome. Come in please.”[/color] She invited him in, stepping out of the way. She took a moment to look over his outfit, lingering on the rolled up sleeves and jean combination. He’d gone for a little less formal than usual. It looked good on him. [color=FC8686]“Since we have some time before it starts, why don’t you make yourself comfortable in the living room and I’ll bring out some drinks. What’s your preference?”[/color]

Aaron’s court manner took over when the door opened, the blond smiling and greeting Maddie on autopilot with a polite “Thank you, good evening,” before he’d even completely pulled himself out of his little pep talk. Stepping in, the first thing to hit him was the smell of sweets, and he was surprised Maddie had gone to such lengths for a visit until he remembered where she was from: no one raised under Sinnenodel influence would settle for anything less than the whole nine yards when it came to entertaining, [i]especially[/i] when their guest was a noble’s mage. A [i]Sinnenodel[/i] noble’s mage. 

Ah, but there he was overthinking things again. Malek would disagree, but not everything had to be political! 

He didn’t miss Maddie eyeing him when he hung up his coat, but in her defence, he’d done the same thing. Her outfit was an interesting balance of casual and proper; the skirt and sleeves were all appropriate cuts and lengths, but the colours and the hat added a pop of whimsy he might have expected from someone like Lilie rather than someone raised in a stricter territory. Was she unique in that regard, or did he just still not quite grasp the nature of life outside castle walls? Well, the latter was guaranteed, but it was interesting nonetheless. Part of him wanted to ask, but he quickly decided that would probably just come across weird. 

[color=f0d705]“Oh, water is fine, thank you,”[/color] he replied politely, following Maddie further into the dorm. It still felt strange to step into another noble’s dorm, but at least this time there wasn’t the added pressure of a Count - or Countess, in this case - fussing over him. He did notice with surprise that whatever smelled so sweet and fruity wasn’t the only food Maddie had prepared; a glance into the kitchen on his way to the living room showed a whole host of options sitting ready on the counter. A mix of foreign, but appetizing, scents wafted through the door as he passed, and even as he settled - well, [i]settled[/i] wasn’t the right term, but at least he did sit - on the couch, he couldn’t help but comment. 

[color=f0d705]“You really thought of everything!”[/color] he called, hoping that would sound as much like a compliment out loud as it did in his head. [color=f0d705]“Do you do this often? Have people over for matches, I mean.”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]“No, no. Just family.”[/color] Maddie laughed as she went into the kitchen, checking on the timer as she did. She filled a pitcher with ice and water, grabbed her pitcher of iced coffee, and two glasses, all neatly lined up on a tray along with some of the savoury empanadas she’d made. They were easy and delicious so it was easy to get carried away with them. She’d send some home with him if he liked them. [color=FC8686]“As many of us get together as we can every week to watch so it’s just habit honestly.”[/color] Maddie placed the tray down, pouring him a glass of water and herself a cup of coffee, black and bitter, before she settled down next to him.

[color=FC8686]“Normally, everyone brings something over. We usually stick with dips and all that but I’m a little too lazy to cook anything that requires more than three steps on most days so I took advantage of the motivation.”[/color] Maddie explained as she sipped at her own drink, relaxing into the couch with a pleased little sigh after being on her feet all morning. [color=FC8686]“Does your family ever do big get togethers? We don’t know much about you guys other than you exist.”[/color]

[color=f0d705]“Oh, if I’d have known I’d have brought something!”[/color] Aaron offered quickly, a little embarrassed. Although, he couldn’t help but laugh at a memory of his mother, who could cook exactly one thing without setting the drapes on fire out of frustration, fretting over the horrifying way he used to cook eggs. He shook his head and expertly poured some water into his glass, careful not to let the ice splash. [color=f0d705]“Or... maybe it’s better I didn’t. Anything I tried to cook would probably have been more of an insult than a help.”[/color]

He took an obligatory sip of his water, eyeing the… dumplings? that Maddie had brought out as he considered her question. “Well, I suppose there aren’t a whole lot of us to get together,” he began, picking one up and taking a bite. It was crispy and filled with meat, pleasantly seasoned with spices he wasn’t sure he recognized, but enjoyed all the same. Of course, with his palate it could have been cardboard and he wouldn’t bat an eye, but the punch of flavour was a nice bonus regardless. [color=f0d705]“These are great, by the way. Thank you.”[/color] 

[color=f0d705]“Anyway,”[/color] he continued, setting down his glass, [color=f0d705]“there’s really only the four of us - my mother, two aunts, and me. Since Aunt Dora lives with Count Alder and Aunt Clara is usually off globetrotting with Princess Nox, it’s usually just my mother and me at the castle. Granted it’s not like the other two are a rare sight by any means, but you know what I mean.”[/color] He shrugged. [color=f0d705]“Of course we’re always together for Revel, Moon’s Mirror, Sangueunum, the usual-- although, come to think of it, I guess this year was the first time I spent Revel alone.”[/color] 

The remark was just an offhand observation, but the moment it left his mouth, Aaron suddenly felt his mood drop. In retrospect, what with all of the chaos at Revel, Clara was probably busy with Nox, and Dora would have been tending to Academy matters with Alder. That meant for the first time, his mother had spent the holiday alone; and he, all the while, was either living it up on the beach with nary a thought to spare her, or destroying the gift she’d sent him in a bout of spite. 

He took another bite of his dumpling to cover his silence, allowing himself only a couple of chews to dwell on the realization before he forced himself to brighten up, shooting Maddie a grateful smile. [color=f0d705]“Aside from holidays and anytime we’re all coincidentally in the same place, we don’t really organize much. Besides, Aunt Clara and I are the only ones who watch TCL, and she tries to pretend she doesn’t, so I usually just catch matches online when I get the chance.”[/color] 

Eager to get the topic off him, Aaron finished off his dumpling, gesturing with his free hand to Maddie. [color=f0d705]“You have a big family?”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]“Like you wouldn’t imagine. Sometimes I forget exactly how everyone is related.”[/color] Maddie laughed fondly as she picked up and bit into an empanada herself. Such a small family. She’d expected the Noilas to push for a larger one since they wanted to keep the bloodline going. It wouldn’t be an issue of having too many hands for the job either. She couldn’t imagine that there was any end to the responsibilities the royal family shouldered. Surely an extra mage here and there would make their lives a little easier. Not to mention, Aaron was the only male in that list; how odd they’d have given him away. Maybe there was unrest in the royal family and they needed him out of it. A Sinnenodel mage’s skillset would probably help immensely at court functions. Perfecting the art of treachery from them could only be a boon to his future service. 

[color=FC8686]“I have two older sisters, my mom has three brothers and a sister, and I have nearly fifteen cousins.[/color]” She continued after a few bites, continuing without bringing up the questions. [color=FC8686]“And let’s not get into great uncles and aunts. We all live within the same five streets so it’s always an event, you know. Cramming that many Vazquezs into one house is always a struggle.”[/color] She missed it honestly. At first, it had been a nice breather away from everyone. She’d be the first to admit it was overwhelming sometimes but it was a comfort knowing someone―many, many someones―was always around at any given time. Here the silence pressed in a little too hard sometimes, the secrets and the doors heavy with locks and chains. She missed the easy flow of family through any house at any given time and the easy way everyone talked.

[color=FC8686]“I’m glad you like the food though. I really should have asked but it slipped my mind honestly.”[/color] Maddie explained after another bite. [color=FC8686]“I have to say, I would have never guessed you watched the TCL honestly. What else do you do when you find a moment to yourself?”[/color]

Aaron’s brow raised as Maddie rattled off her family makeup, a little in awe as he chewed his next dumpling. He wasn’t sure how to imagine a family so big; sure, if he looked at his family tree he’d probably find cousins and other distant relations galore--hell, he was even related to [i]Ralph[/i]--but that didn’t seem quite the same. Those people were hardly [i]family[/i]. They were [i]relatives[/i], sure, but it could also be said that pomeranians were relatives of wolves. There was a time in generations past when the Starag family was vast, but their numbers had whittled down for reasons he now wished he’d never paid much mind to, and even if numerous noble mage families could trace lineage to the Starag line, they could hardly count themselves as the real thing.

But, at the same time, Maddie’s description of her family life wasn’t entirely alien either. Aaron knew well the experience of a busy household; in fact, it would be harder to find a moment [i]alone[/i] in the Starag wing than it would be to find some company. From the footsteps in the walls to the ever-busting kitchens and even the groundskeepers tending tirelessly to the gardens, the servants of Noila Castle cultivated an atmosphere not unlike the one Maddie described. He’d be hesitant to call them [i]family[/i], but many of those mages helped raise him, and Aaron had fond - and not-so-fond - memories involving them all. 

The thought made him smile through a mouthful of dumpling. Anytime Lilie talked about her family, he always wondered if he’d missed out on something uniquely [i]human[/i] growing up. But maybe his experience was just closer to Maddie’s; maybe he wasn’t as distant from common mages as he thought. 

Maddie’s question brought him out of his corny reverie, and he had to laugh. Why [i]wouldn’t[/i] he watch? Why wouldn’t [i]anyone[/i] watch? Even his sweet aunt Dora, who turned her nose up at the ‘barbarism’ of the TCL, could still be caught watching through the corner of her eye anytime Clara had it playing on her tablet. As for himself, he was raised on bedtime stories of glorious battlemages, tales of his grandfather and other ancestors cutting bloody trenches through hordes of monsters with little more than a gesture or an incantation. Add in Lucan’s lessons and the myriad ways he could weave magic into his training, and watching the TCL just seemed like the next logical step. 

Not to mention the money there was to be had with a skilled eye and a knack for predictions. 

[color=f0d705]“That depends; do you mean back home or here?”[/color] he half-joked, sitting back against the couch. [color=f0d705]“I don’t really have a lot of free time, but when I’m not training or practicing my cello I also follow horse races. I do a fair bit of betting, both on those and on the TCL, so keeping up with updates and following my numbers keeps me busy.”[/color] He shrugged. [color=f0d705]“Honestly, I could probably do with some more hobbies. I found myself with a lot of unexpected free time on the last break, and to be honest I wasn’t really sure what to do with myself.”[/color] He chuckled, though it ended a little bit bitter as he remembered the crushing feeling of realizing he was no longer needed.

Gambling was another odd hobby she wouldn't have marked him for. Although admittedly next to nothing was known about their personal lives, the Starags were the royalty of mages and hearing that he indulged in something like that was surprising. But who was she to judge? He grew up in an entirely different world and maybe gambling was a natural part of it. “Well, you’ve still got some time until next break. It isn’t nearly as exciting as the TCL but I knit in my off time. Make a little bit of money back from selling what I make too. Maybe look into something like that? I’m sure you’re not exactly strapped for cash but it’s always nice to see something you put effort into appreciated.” The timer in the kitchen dinged just as she popped the last bite in her mouth and she jolted, coughing as she stumbled to her feet to pull out the food she forgot about. She took a long sip of iced coffee before she managed to get a hold of herself again.

[color=FC8686]“Shit, sorry. I’ll go get those out and powdered. Why don’t you get the tv set up? They broadcast on channel 73. Remote is just on the table.”[/color] She explained as she rushed back to the kitchen, focused on getting the food out despite her near death experience. Thankfully, they looked perfect and the powdered sugar went on almost as soon as they hit the cooling rack.  

Aaron jumped when Maddie did, though more because of her own surprise than the timer. Of more concern to him was the remote, sitting there on the coffee table like some kind of alien space weapon. 

He gave the remote a long, appraising look while Maddie was gone, gingerly picking it up. The power button was obvious enough, and the numbers were probably for the channels, but what on earth were all these other buttons for? “INFO”? “HDMI”? “GUIDE”? There were play and pause buttons too; did he have to put in the channel and then press ‘play’? Damn it, there was a [i]reason[/i] the TV in his and Varis’ dorm hadn’t been touched since they moved in, and it wasn’t just because Varis didn’t like the noise! 

His lack of experience with TV showed greatly as he fumbled with the thing, not immediately realizing he had to point the little light bulb [i]at[/i] the TV for it to get the signal. The power button was simple enough, but after pressing “7” and “3” and waiting a beat, the screen just turned to noisy static. 

[color=f0d705]“Ah! I’m sorry!”[/color] he exclaimed on reflex, panicking as he mashed the volume down button to quiet the static. Once it was quiet, he cleared his throat meekly, forcing out a chuckle. [color=f0d705]“I… should admit I don’t know a whole lot about TVs,”[/color] he admitted sheepishly, giving Maddie a pleading look from the living room. [color=f0d705]“I didn’t break it, did I?”[/color]

Oh of course. He mentioned he hadn't had any experience with televisions. She'd been in such a rush, it had kind of slipped her mind in the moment. [color=FC8686]"Oh, no don't worry! It's an easy fix. I'll be right there."[/color] She hurried through washing her hands, spot checked for any mess in her clothes, and hurried back out, giving him an apologetic smile. [color=FC8686]"I forgot you mentioned that back at the exam. That's entirely my fault."[/color] She fiddled with it for a brief minute, getting everything set up until finally the channel popped to life and the familiar noise of pre-fight commentary rolled out of the television. 

The image panned around the arena. It was similar to the one at the Academy, stands separated by a near invisible barrier and a layer of sand over the floor. It was a little smaller but no less packed and the noise of their excitement threatened to overwhelm the announcers. Currently four mages were on the field in TCL uniforms grooming the sand flat and even. [color=FC8686]"So, what are your bets on today's match?"[/color]

[color=f0d705]“Oh no, don’t worry about it!”[/color] Offering a grateful - if not a little embarrassed - smile for the help, Aaron quickly settled in as soon as he heard the announcers chime in, excited for the chance to see a TCL fight on such a large screen.

The question of his bet perked him up even more. [color=f0d705]“Oh, I’m betting Lao, no question,”[/color] he replied, sounding more confident than he could remember being all semester. [color=f0d705]“She’s really been flourishing this season, and come on, Lightning and Transmutation is going to blow Buckland out of the water. He won’t know what hit him.”[/color]

[color=FC8686]"Really? I mean, sure Lao's a powerhouse but Buckman's entire strategy revolves around wars of attrition."[/color] Maddie pointed out, surprised by how certain he seemed. It was quite the 180, sheepish to sure in the blink of an eye. [color=FC8686]"Transmutation is an effective counter to his affinity but what's to stop him from clamming up and digging in behind layers of protective magic?"[/color]

Aaron shook his head. [color=f0d705]“I might have agreed with you last season, but ever since Ishido took her on, you can see she’s fighting smarter.”[/color] That had been one of his favourite changes this season; Shige Ishido was a renowned TCL trainer, having trained several years’ worth of world champions, and Lao seemed to be thriving under his tutelage. It was no small part of his decision-making. Knowing the fighter was only half the battle; knowing their team and their circumstances was the difference between a smart gamble and a losing one. [color=f0d705]“Turtling up is only going to buy Buckland some time; he has to come out sometime and she’ll be ready for him when he does.”[/color] 

Where Maddie enjoyed watching the TCL, Aaron was totally invested in it. He did make gambles on matches so it made sense but Maddie's interest didn't drive her to really look into anything that wasn't a match. She hadn't known Lao switched trainers and it hadn't even crossed her mind to look into it. [color=FC8686]"You don't think Buckman would have planned to adjust for that or do you think it's like what you said at the practical? Focusing on their strengths rather than shoring up their weaknesses."[/color]

[color=f0d705]“I’m just not sure he can counter her right now even if he does have a plan,”[/color] Aaron commented thoughtfully. [color=f0d705]“A hothead like Rijker might beat themselves against his shields until they’ve knocked themselves out of the fight, but Lao is smarter than that. She’s not going to bite when he digs in with his shields and he can only keep them up for so long until he’s exhausted. Not to mention anything else he throws at her is just going to be transmuted into a conduit for her lightning. The best strategy against Lao is to either end the fight quickly or go hard at her and keep her on the back foot the whole time, and I don’t know that Buckland can do either. He’s a tank with no knockout punch.”[/color] He shook his head. [color=f0d705]“His best bet is to wait until Lao makes a mistake, but with Ishido behind her, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”[/color] 

The announcers were almost cut off completely as the cheering rose to a crescendo. On screen, the two combatants were walking across the sands to meet in the center. Dorin Buckman, Earth affinity with a stranglehold on protection magic, practically sauntered his way to the center as he basked in the attention. Tammtih Lao, a quick fingered lightning affinity with a tricky transmutation skillset, was the exact opposite, focusing entirely on her opponent and the field around them. They listened to the referee, shook hands as they agreed to the usual rules, and backed onto their respective sides. 

[color=FC8686]“I guess we’re about to find out.”[/color] Maddie said as she settled back on the couch, refilling her coffee. Buckman always had a cocky attitude so she was silently rooting for Aaron to be right. It’d be nice to see him knocked down a peg. On screen, the ref made his way back into the referee’s box and the countdown started. Ten, nine, eight... The crowd was silent, the tension in the arena palpable even through the screen, as everyone seemed to hold their breath. Seven, six, five… Buckman’s stance stayed relaxed and confident while tension oozed out of Lao, her grip on her metal staff tightening. Four, three, two… Buckman’s stance finally changed, wide and solid and nothing unexpected. Lao relaxed. One.

Lightning streaked across the screen in brilliant white and a roar of thunder. The cameras barely adjusted for the intense light in time to see the staff embed itself in a thick wall of rock Buckman called up at the last second. But by the time the camera panned back, the announcers went crazy over the fifteen foot steel square Lao was standing on. She plucked another staff out of the sand with a short incantation. 

Meanwhile, Buckman turned himself into a stone golem. Large slabs of earth covered his whole body and he sunk part of the way into the earth. He pulled up large chunks of stone, broke them into fist sized chunks, and sent them hurling at Lao who ducked and danced around the edge of her steel plate, expanding it just a little with every step until it was a good twenty feet on every side. 

Buckman charged just as Lao hurtled her staff agan, staff and mage riding the lightning and appearing again as they collided with Buckman’s armor. Buckman gripped onto Lao’s wrist and two huge stone stabs rose to crush her but the camera caught Lao sent back a mockery of Buckman’s signature smirk as another peal of thunder caused Buckman’s armor to explode into a small cloud of debris and sand. Buckman ripped out the left side, clothes and skin burnt and cut, and slammed into the barrier with a sickening crack. Meanwhile, a bolt of lightning vanished as it collided with the steel square leaving Lao warily eyeing the dust cloud. The crowd watched as Buckman struggled to his feet, snapping at the ref who questioned if he could continue.

Lao was given the first round. 

Aaron leaned forward onto his elbows when the match began, eyes trained on the screen with food and drink all but forgotten. His focus was more on Lao than Buckland, examining her every move with the occasional glance to Buckland to see how he’d respond. Underwhelming as ever, it turned out. How this guy drew the crowds he did was beyond Aaron; to him, it felt like to see one of his fights was to see all of them. Fortunately, Lao didn’t disappoint; her typical focus was clear, but Aaron could see Ishido’s influence in some of her movements and reactions too, grinning despite himself. He’d been following the TCL for years and it never failed to amaze him how something as seemingly simple as a change in trainer could influence a fighter so profoundly. 

He sat back as the round came to a close, allowing himself a breath and another dumpling. [color=f0d705]“I’d love to see her turn that ridiculous armour into lead and just leave him there seething,”[/color] he joked, tossing a sidelong glance to Maddie. He expected Lao to transmute it into copper and turn the whole thing into Buckland’s personal electric chair, but he’d concede that her choice was better showmanship. 

[color=FC8686]“That would be fun. I couldn’t imagine how angry he’d have been.”[/color] Maddie agreed. Watching Lao dance around in lightning like that was amazing. It was easy to be jealous. Controlling tremendous power with such finesse wasn’t a trifling thing and her affinity was flashy and fun. Life magic was great but it was hardly glamorous. She was learning how to stitch skin back together, alleviate headaches, and ease muscle soreness which was less fun and more… grossly technical. Aaron’s predictions had been spot on, Buckman falling into the same rut while Lao ran circles around him. She’d clearly been baiting him and he fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. 

[color=FC8686]“I’m interested to see how she uses her safe space moving forward. There’s no way Buckman will let that stay now that he’s seen how she uses it.”[/color] It must be another trap but she couldn’t see how. Lao hadn’t even bothered trying being subtle about making it and Buckman had no control over it. Maybe she was just pointing out how easily she could break his advantage on the field. 

[color=f0d705]“I’ll be interested to see if he even manages to lay a finger on it,”[/color] Aaron replied. [color=f0d705]“It’s all but guaranteed she’ll transmute anything that touches it. If he goes after it instead of avoiding it like he should, he’ll be practically building it for her.”[/color]

[color=FC8686]“Well, I guess it depends on how deep it is. If it’s just a thin sheet, could he pick it up the ground beneath it and use it to help ground some of her lightning?”[/color] She wondered as she turned away from the screen when it faded out to commercials. [color=FC8686]“Just keep some pieces out of her way and block. He’s already shown he can manipulate a massive amount at once.”[/color] 

[color=f0d705]“I figure if it becomes unusable, she’ll just abandon it and use something else,”[/color] Aaron replied, tugging his ear in thought. [color=f0d705]“I guess we’ll see.”[/color] 

The feed faded into commercials, much to Aaron’s dismay, having usually been able to catch the ad-free broadcasts. Having an IP address associated with Noila Castle did have its perks. But seeing the fight on a large screen was an absolute joy, and he supposed ads were a fair enough price to pay. 

[color=f0d705]“Thanks again for the invitation,”[/color] he decided to voice his appreciation, offering Maddie a smile. He supposed now was as good a time as any to get to know more about Maddie than her TCL insight and her family; he didn’t want this visit to turn into an affair of subterfuge, but Varis would have his head if he came back with [i]nothing[/i]. Besides, he was curious too--Maddie’s arrival hadn’t exactly been run-of-the-mill. [color=f0d705]“So, how are you finding the Academy so far? I hope the… unfortunate circumstances of your entry didn’t colour your experience too badly.”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]“I’d be lying if I said that it hadn’t. It is a little nerve wracking knowing you were only called in because someone else was injured. And then to find out that I’m being assigned to the noble partner of that person makes it even more stressful.”[/color] Maddie admitted. [color=FC8686]“I wasn’t sure how the Countess was going to feel about me. Reputation notwithstanding, no one could fault her for feeling a little resentful that they called me in so quickly.[/color]” She wasn’t sure how a vampire handled grief, or if they felt grief for beings that lasted a fraction of their own lifetimes, but she imagined it much like losing a close pet. She was just relieved that the Countess hadn’t taken out any of her frustrations with the situation on her. Maddie wasn’t sure what she did to cope but it seemed to work. Unless she’d only just started to care for her predecessor. 

[color=FC8686]“That being said, the Academy is wonderful. The campus is beautiful and magic is amazing. I’m only worried I won’t be able to settle on an arcane major in time!”[/color] She shook her head in wonder. [color=FC8686]“And the freedom we have here to explore our options is fantastic. My other school basically had it charted out for you based on your affinity. Certain affinities got to go into certain arcane majors and that was it. They’d only let primaries go into charms. Said it was for their own good but everyone knew they just didn’t want to threaten their graduation rates.”[/color] Maddie rolled her eyes. [color=FC8686]“Though I think the library is my favorite part of it. The study rooms are amazing and the magic that must have gone into it is mind blowing, honestly. Though, I am curious about what’s on the ceiling. If they didn’t want students to get to it, why wouldn’t they just keep that section somewhere else?”[/color]

Aaron nodded along, though he was surprised to hear how pigeon-holed the students at Maddie’s old school must have been. He couldn’t think of any relevant science determining which arcane disciplines were invariably better for which affinities, so it seemed odd to constrain their students’ potential. Then again… it was Sinnenodel territory, and they seemed oddly fond of assigning one’s role in life early on, if his inevitable destiny as a show mage was any indication. 

[color=f0d705]“The library really is amazing. It’s even more impressive than the Castle library,”[/color] he replied, happy for the change in subject. [color=f0d705]“I don’t spend as much time there as I’d like but I love every chance I get to see the magic in action.”[/color] He had to think for a moment on her question, though. She brought up a good point. He knew students [i]could[/i] access the materials on the ceiling with the proper permissions, but why leave them in plain view?

When his best answer came to him, he had to chuckle. [color=f0d705]“Maybe they’re there to tease us,”[/color] he suggested, smirking. [color=f0d705]“Maybe they think if the restricted materials are just dangling out of reach, more of us will be curious enough to study hard and gain access to them.”[/color] He shook his head, amused. [color=f0d705]“That’s the sort of sneakiness I’d absolutely expect from Her Highness, anyway.”[/color]

[color=FC8686]“Then she’s done a wonderful job.”[/color] Her laughter followed his at the thought of the Princess meticulously planning out how to get students to study without making it apparent. [color=FC8686]“I’m certainly curious enough to consider it. Academic work has never really caught my interest but I wonder what it takes for it to be considered restricted. If it has a little bit of magic involved, I think it’d certainly motivate me plenty.”[/color] 

In fact, it was a little disconcerting how interested she would be if there was unique magic there. Maybe it was that it was new and shiny but still it was odd to want to dive into something that she’d never had her whole life. Magic hadn’t had a large presence in her life, only showing up here and there when her uncle and great aunt came back for visits. She wasn’t one to jump with both feet into something before she determined how deep it was but say the word magic and suddenly it had her attention. It was a weird feeling. She wasn’t sure she liked it yet. 

[color=FC8686]“I think my only complaint would be everyone else.”[/color] Maddie continued, fiddling with her hands in her lap. [color=FC8686]“No one is particularly mean or overbearing but there’s a bit of a distance that I don’t know how to overcome. And when others do make an effort to talk to me, it’s always about Ama―the Countess. It’s awkward trying to have a conversation about things you don’t know or things you shouldn’t say and people don’t seem to understand what that means when you tell them. I suppose it comes with the territory of being a noble’s partner but how do you handle it?”[/color]

Maddie’s honesty was surprising, but refreshing nonetheless; Aaron certainly wouldn’t be the first to voice the challenges of attending a Noble, but it was nice to hear someone else was experiencing the same thing. 

[color=f0d705]“It can be tough, for sure,”[/color] he admitted, choosing to just come out with it. He might as well; it wouldn’t be anything Maddie couldn’t observe with her own two eyes, and he’d already talked to those other students about some of it anyway. [color=f0d705]“I thought I’d be more prepared for it than I am, honestly.”[/color] Understatement of the century. [color=f0d705]“You might have noticed, but people tend to… give me a wide berth. I think it’s a mix of my last name and my Master, but there were a couple of rumours and… incidents that happened near the start of the semester that didn’t exactly get the student body on my side.”[/color] 

He tugged his ear sheepishly before gathering his hands in his lap, spinning his ring. [color=f0d705]“So in that sense I’m not an expert on jumping the conversational hurdle,”[/color] he chuckled meekly. [color=f0d705]“I think it was tougher at first than it is now. I don’t really notice the looks anymore, and it’s kind of nice to be left alone. It’s better than being pestered all night, at any rate.”[/color] He tried to look on the bright side. [color=f0d705]“Besides, I don’t have much free time nowadays, so I’m busy enough that I don’t really notice the distance.”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]“That said, it’s not like you’re just doomed to solitude,”[/color] he added quickly. [color=FC8686]“Some mages disregard the noble connection entirely, or take interest in it rather than being intimidated. I spoke to a few of them after the practical, in fact.”[/color] It was still a little creepy to think that there might be people watching from the wings, waiting for him to have a spare moment to talk, but he’d keep that to himself. [color=FC8686]“I pretty much just keep to a small core group of mages I cross paths with often. And if all else fails, the other noble mages are an option. You’d probably like Lilie; she’s new to noble life as well, so the two of you probably have a bit in common. Salem, on the other hand…”[/color] he chuckled again, deciding not to colour Maddie’s opinion of Salem with his own distaste. [color=FC8686]“He can come off a little odd, but he means well.”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]“Does Countess Amaris have any other mages your age in her employ? Maybe you could get in touch with them,”[/color] he suggested, remembering that something similar went on with Max and one of Eris’ other mages. 

Maddie nodded along as she listened to Aaron’s experiences. It should be expected. She lived in the same cul-de-sac as Count Varis and she wanted to give it as wide a berth as possible. She couldn’t really fault anyone for that. But now she knew with certainty that, to some degree at least, this little barrier would always exist. His advice on sticking with a smaller group that could separate her from Amaris’ business was good and she’d definitely work on that. Now she had to figure out how. 

[color=f0d705]“I’ll have to ask the Countess. I think we’re still getting a feel for each other but our next time together, I’ll ask. I’m not sure exactly what counts as prying yet.”[/color] Maddie shrugged. She was still feeling for the boundaries Amaris had but she supposed she should probably figure that out if she was going to remain with the Countess after her time at the Academy. [color=f0d705]“So you’ve met with Lilie and Salem a lot? I haven’t managed to run into them yet, despite being neighbors. I saw them for a second at the practical when we were all lining up though. Lilie is an Eve mage and Salem is an Astorio right?”[/color] 

[color=f0d705]“Yes, Lilie serves Count Benjamin and Salem serves Count Victor,”[/color] Aaron confirmed. [color=f0d705]]“They’re both quite approachable so if you ever cross paths feel free to say hello. You could probably even go knock on the Eve dorm door to introduce yourself if you’re so inclined, but I personally wouldn’t try it at the Astorio dorm. Count Victor can be… unpredictable.”[/color] Or just downright [i]weird[/i], but that was impolite. [color=f0d705]“I try to keep my distance.”[/color] 

The conversation was interrupted as the announcers came back on with a brief recap of the last round with plenty of ragging on Buckman for such a poor performance. On the field, Buckman had his worst cuts and burns patched up. Lao looked as fresh as she did at the beginning of round one and was already slipping back into battle mode. Buckman waved away the life mages and the pair took their positions. The ten second countdown started again and a hush fell over the crowd. 

This time, Buckman took the first move. A massive pillar of rock rose up out of the ground in front of him and massive slabs broke off the top and hurtled at Lao. She seemed unconcerned, riding lightning as she hopped between the debris. Buckman made sure to keep the pillar between him and his opponent as Lao dodged around the arena. The announcers chatted away above the sound of rock shattering against the barrier, contemplating if Lao was really on the ropes or just waiting. 

It turned out to be the latter, Lao exploiting the brief moment that Buckman needed to replenish the rock. With a flick of her staff, she sent out a barrage of lightning bolts. Only one went straight at him, the others curving around to keep him from being able to block them all quickly. He managed to block several but two made it through the rocks he called up and Lao vanished as she followed the strands to finish the job. 

Nothing happened for several long moments, no one able to see inside the small fortress Buckman called up desperately. The rocks finally collapsed. Lao hovered, arm outstretched and wreathed in electricity, centimeters away from Buckman's throat. Her electricity rolled against an invisible barrier and she struggled uselessly, unable to move. Buckman couldn't wipe away the look of relief quickly enough, clearly having managed a stroke of luck, but he schooled his expression shortly after. With Lao unable to move even with her magic, the round defaulted to Buckman. Buckman let her go and Lao stalked off.

[color=FC8686]"Buckman isn't just going to lose. Lao's going to use him to wipe the arena, isn't she?"[/color] Maddie felt some sympathy for the man. He was clearly outclassed and he just humiliated her with a lucky catch.

Aaron, on the other hand, was laughing. [color=f0d705]“After that dirty little trick, absolutely,”[/color] he assured Maddie, finishing off his glass of water. [color=f0d705]“As long as she keeps her cool, she's got this in the bag. He won't land that a second time.”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]"I wonder how hard it is to get signed on as a life mage to one of the mages."[/color] She mused as the screen faded back to commercials. [color=FC8686]"I used to want to be a titan. I used to daydream about winning the championship if I ever got magic. Once I grew up and realized how grueling it is, I changed my mind but it would still be fun to be involved, don't you think?"[/color]

[color=f0d705]“Definitely,”[/color] Aaron agreed. [color=f0d705]“I would never be allowed to take part - not that my affinity would be all that well-suited to it anyway - but I think a lot of kids had that same dream.”[/color] He shook his head, a fond look on his face as he remembered challenging the castle guards to sparring matches as a child. [color=f0d705]“I can’t even guess what it takes to be one of their life mages, but I think it would be really cool to own a team.”[/color]

He lowered his voice, amusement clear in his eyes. [color=f0d705]“Not that I ever could, of course. Her Majesty was never too fond of how much I enjoyed watching Sangueunum, and you can imagine how much my Master values the TCL.”[/color] 

Maddie grimaced. She could imagine how little Count Varis cared for the TCL. If it was up to him, the TCL would probably be banned. She was glad Amaris tolerated it at the very least. She'd have been forced to sneak off somewhere on campus to watch it anyways. [color=f0d705]"At least you still get to watch it. I'm actually kind of surprised."[/color] She laughed quietly. 

It was nice having someone over that she could talk freely to. Everyone else she had carried a conversation with practically forced her into silence with the questions they were asking. Having someone who understood the situation and knew enough not to ask the wrong things was like a breath of fresh air. Hopefully, Aaron could come over more often. Maybe involve the other noble mages if they like the TCL. It'd be a little more like home then.

The announcer’s voice broke through the commercials again. It was the same image as before, the fighters taking their places as the announcers expressed their surprise about the outcome of the last round and worried about Buckman’s continued health. It cut to a close up of Lao and she looked like a woman on a mission. She tracked Buckman’s walk back to his spot with laser focus and she barely blinked as the countdown began. Meanwhile, Buckman was doing his best to keep a brave face on but his uncertainty shone through the cracks of his bravado.

The countdown ended and neither mage moved. The tension rose with each passing second. Lao didn’t move, didn’t blink, barely breathed as she seemed to mutter an incredibly complex incantation. Buckman was the first to break the stalemate, putting layer on layer on layer of jagged stones between her and him. The arena turned into a maze but still Lao didn’t stop incanting. The announcers were just as confused as Buckman, who finished setting up his defenses and decided to go on the offensive. His maze shifted around him, letting him pass through unhindered, and a trail of sharpened rock hovered around him like flies. Still Lao didn’t stop. 

One of the announcers swore as Buckman finally reached his target. He quickly explained that the incantation she was using allowed her to change the composition of the gases in the air around her just as Buckman’s rocks coalesced into one massive boulder and he brought it down to crush her. Lao left a trail of sparks as she hit the ground.

Lao’s half of the area exploded, the cameras shaking with the sheer force of the explosion she set off. Rock, sand, and rubble went flying and the barrier shimmered and darkened for several seconds before settling. The announcers and the crowd were going crazy, waiting for the dust to settle, and when it did. Lao stood, her staff up in silent victory as she stared at Buckman’s motionless body. He was slumped back against the crumbled remains of the wall of his maze. His own rock shrapnel was buried in his body. Lao waited for the ref to announce her victory and stalked off camera without a second glance. 

Maddie sat there stunned as the announcers cut to one of the TCL’s transmutation specialists explaining how Lao increased the methane content of the air so she could set off an explosion of that magnitude. It was an incredible feat of magic but one that would take constant focus and, more importantly, time so it wasn’t usually a viable strategy. Lao took advantage of Buckman’s long set up and let herself seem vulnerable, luring him into the deadly trap. It was perfect because methane was both odorless and clear, making it seem like whatever spell she was trying to cast was just barely failing with no obvious effect. 

[color=FC8686]“Wow.”[/color] Maddie said, not able to say anything else.

Aaron was wide-eyed and silent, eyes locked on the screen as the feed flashed back to various angles of the carnage. A crew of mages came out onto the sands to collect Buckland’s body, and the crowd could be seen descending from the stands to mill around the edge of the barrier in excitement and curiosity. 

[color=f0d705]“Wow indeed,”[/color] Aaron mirrored, though he sounded considerably more energetic than Maddie. [color=f0d705]“What a bold move! She didn’t even bother countering him; I never knew Lao to be the type to lay traps but that was spectacular thinking.”[/color] His eyes were bright with the same sort of buzzing energy that always pumped him up when he watched TCL matches, and a ghost of a grin turned his lips. [color=f0d705]“Can you believe it? That’s the riskiest move I’ve ever seen a Transmuter pull!”[/color]

[color=FC8686]“I think that’s the riskiest move anyone other than a fire mage has tried. Even then honestly.”[/color] Maddie whistled, starstruck. If Buckman had done anything but charge her, that entire plan would have gone to waste. Lao redefined boldness. [color=FC8686]“I don’t think I could pull off a move like that. She could have seriously killed herself!”[/color] She sat back and took a deep breath. This was a match for the history books and she was so lucky to have seen it. It was just shy of turning herself into a bomb. 

[color=FC8686]“I’m so glad I record every match. I have to show Amaris!”[/color] Maddie gushed now that she’d collected herself a bit, her enthusiasm rising. [color=FC8686]“I mean, you have to appreciate that even if you don’t like the sport. That was phenomenal! She must have known he’d rush her rather than keep her at range but how would she know?”[/color]

[color=f0d705]“She could probably tell he was angry,”[/color] Aaron postulated, just as giddy as Maddie was. [color=f0d705]“Other than a lucky catch, she’s been humiliating him. He’s way too egotistical to take that lying down; she must have realized he was finally getting serious and trying to end the fight quickly.”[/color] He let out a long breath, a little in awe of the spectacle. [color=f0d705]“Still, that must have been a gamble. I don’t know how anyone could predict his hesitation at the start. Maybe he was nervous?”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]“She must have been banking on his defensive set up alone then. Maybe she just took advantage of a lucky situation. She might have meant to catch him in a smaller blast.”[/color] Maddie theorized. [color=FC8686]“That makes the most sense to me. And it worked out in the end. If I was her next opponent, I’d be a little afraid right now. I’d be wondering what other nasty surprises she has up her sleeves. That kind of stuff is what made me reconsider my dreams real quick. Think that kind of move puts her in as a contenter for Titan title this year?”[/color] Maddie asked.

[color=f0d705]“Oh, her next opponents will be shaking in their boots,”[/color] Aaron confirmed. [color=f0d705]“They won’t give her the time to set something like that up again, that’s for sure. I don’t think she’ll be able to pull another trick like that in a while, but she’s [i]absolutely[/i] gunning for the title.”[/color] He shook his head, still amazed. [color=f0d705]“She definitely has more tricks up her sleeve. If I was a team owner I’d be reconsidering any matches with her in the near future.”[/color] 

He had to laugh at the absolute improbability of it all. [color=f0d705]“That’s going to get her more sponsors for sure, and Ishido won’t let her rest on her laurels. I fully expect to see her in the finals.”[/color] He was already calculating his winnings from this match in his head, and adjusting his plans for future bets. Stars above, he loved this sport!

[color=FC8686]“Everyone else is going to have to come up with something amazing soon or all the attention will stay on her.”[/color] Maddie agreed, standing and picking up the tray to head into the kitchen. [color=FC8686]“I expect most future matches are going to get flashier and flashier.”[/color] Maddie laughed as she put the pineapple desserts on the tray, refilled the water, and came back out to set it out for them. 

[color=FC8686]“You know, I was going to be forced into transmutation at my other school. This kinda makes me want to go into it for real you know?”[/color] She joked. Transmutation had seemed boring and dull so she’d been irritated over the choice but if it could be used in creative ways like that, maybe she could learn to enjoy it. 

Aaron laughed in agreement as Maddie went to the kitchen, eyeing the desserts with interest upon her return. They must have been what he smelled when he arrived, some kind of pineapple pastry. He took one as soon as Maddie set them down, pleased to find they tasted as good as they smelled. Honestly, though, he was just glad they were pineapple and not berry; two and a half months of strawberry danishes for breakfast had turned him off the flavour for the foreseeable future. 

[color=f0d705]“You should really talk to Lilie,”[/color] he suggested again when he was finished, [color=f0d705]“she’s an excellent baker, she’d probably love to talk about it with you. That’s one more thing the two of you have in common.”[/color] 

Regarding Transmutation, he laughed. [color=f0d705]“Maybe I should show that clip to a friend of mine,”[/color] he joked back, imagining the [i]thrilled[/i] look on Max’s face if he tried to shove a TCL clip in his face to demonstrate the potential of Transmutation. Or, hey, maybe he [i]would[/i] like it; he seemed attracted to destructive potential. [color=f0d705]“But seriously, I think the arcane disciplines are a lot more versatile than a lot of mages give them credit for. As far as I can tell, their only limits are the user’s imagination.”[/color] He had to laugh again, shaking his head at himself. [color=f0d705]“As corny as that sounds.”[/color] 

One thing did strike him odd, though. [color=f0d705]“Why would they force a Life mage into Transmutation?”[/color]

[color=FC8686]“Details were not particularly forthcoming. I found out when they handed me my four year curriculum guide and I opted not to ask. But that’s how it works in a Sinnenodel territory. You do as you’re told and hope that it’s right.”[/color] Maddie shrugged, taking a bite of her own and sighing pleasantly at the fact they came out perfectly. [color=FC8686]“I’ll have to do a little more research on it. If it’s just a matter of broadening your perspective, then maybe I can enjoy any of them. I just find it a little stressful that we have to pick by next semester. I wish I had more time.”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]“Have you given any thought about your major yet actually?”[/color] Maddie asked, genuinely curious. 

[i]That’s one step more consideration than I get,[/i] Aaron thought bitterly. He brushed the thought away with another pastry, only to inwardly groan at the inevitable question. 

[color=f0d705]“I’m doing Mental magic,”[/color] he came straight out with it, punctuating his forced nonchalance with another bite of pastry. [color=f0d705]“I figured it was a good defensive choice considering my Lady’s ‘interests’. My master disagreed.” He shrugged. “What’s done is done. If I could go back, I still don’t think I would have chosen anything else.”[/color] 

Despite the bitterness behind the words, she wanted to give Aaron a pat on the back. Standing up against Count Varis and not backing down was an impressive feat, necessity be damned. [color=FC8686]“Practical choice. I’d probably do the same honestly.”[/color] Maddie replied, matching his shrug. Considering Lady Sinnenodel’s love for messing with anyone and everyone, developing a resistance against the easiest methods was a solid plan. It sucked he had to make it out of necessity but at the very least, it would be an interesting subject. [color=FC8686]“I don’t know much about it except it’s difficult. Make sure to let me know if I can help at all. I am right next door and usually don’t do much.”[/color] She laughed.

As quickly as he'd raised his walls up, Aaron eased them down again, giving Maddie a grateful look. He was pretty sure she was the first person he'd told who didn't immediately recoil in disgust; a small step forward, but a welcome one. 

Still, he was fully prepared to smile and thank Maddie for her offer and never bring it up again, but come to think of it, there was [i]one[/i] thing she could help him with. He wasn't all that comfortable accepting favours, but… 

[color=f0d705]“Actually, there is something, if you're interested,”[/color] he replied, tugging his ear a little sheepishly at the request. [color=f0d705]“I… well, the Mental program is taxing and to do it you're required to submit a plan to relax your mind and body. Long story short, it lowers the risk of affinity loss if you keep your stress as managed as possible. And, well,” he had to laugh, a little awkward to say it out loud. “My coping plan involves… dancing.”[/color] 

He practically cringed at himself, still not having fully accepted how [i]dumb[/i] his coping plan sounded. [color=f0d705]“Anyway, I’m no ballerino so I need a dance partner, and my master won't tolerate me ‘milling with the commoners’. Would you by any chance be interested?”[/color] He shifted in his seat, giving Maddie an apologetic look. [color=f0d705]“It would be three times a week, so I absolutely don't blame you if you don't want to do it. I only ask because my partner has to be someone I'm comfortable with, and simultaneously in a high enough social stratum for Master’s satisfaction, and that’s a harder box to check than you might think.”[/color] 

Oh, she had no doubt that’s a difficult role to fill. Count Varis probably wouldn’t accept anyone outside of the nobles unless he knew them personally and she knew Lilie was off the list immediately. The white hair guaranteed that. She didn't know much about Salem or the cOunt;s relationship with this particular Astorio but maybe that was an Aaron decision rather than a Varis one. Either way, it didn’t really matter. [color=FC8686]“I have some training in ballroom dancing. A waltz and a few variations but if that’s okay with you, I wouldn't mind. I can discuss it with the Countess tomorrow or after you talk it over with Count Varis if you’d like.”[/color] 

Aaron brightened up considerably, having fully expected her to say no. Not that he would blame her; if he was in her shoes he'd want to stay as far away from Varis’ sphere of influence as
possible. Really, he should have commended her for her courage. 

[color=f0d705]“That's more than enough!”[/color] He assured her hurriedly, [color=f0d705]“I can even teach you more, if you'd like. It's the least I could do. Thank you so much.”[/color] It was obvious his gratitude was genuine, even as the wheels started turning in his head. [color=f0d705]“My master is going to want to talk to you and the Countess as well, but I think I can arrange that to happen during the upcoming blood tasting. Believe me, that's a far better alternative to a formal dinner.”[/color] 

He looked up from his thinking and back to Maddie, offering a grateful smile. [color=f0d705]“I definitely owe you one for this. Seriously: thank you.”[/color] 

[color=FC8686]“Oh no, I have to spend time with a friend. How terrible.”[/color] She deadpanned, chuckling shortly after. Did the prospect of having to talk with count Varis terrify her? Of course. Was she going to try and use Amaris as a shield? Absolutely. But it netted her a friend and that seemed relatively worth it. They both knew what was expected of each other and both of them knew basically anything that was said between them would get back to the other’s vampire. She wasn’t naive enough to think that Aaron wouldn’t when Count Varis asked but there was a certain kind of relief found in knowing exactly where you stood with someone. [color=FC8686]“You don’t owe me anything. Friends do stuff for each other, right?”[/color]

Aaron grinned bashfully, tugging on his ear. [color=f0d705]“Yeah, you're right,”[/color] he conceded. 

A buzz in his pocket alerted him to the time, and more notably, a text from Varis wondering what the hell was taking him so long to ‘satisfy his barbaric urges’. Aaron grimaced at the message. Did he really have to phrase it like that? 

[color=f0d705]“And right on cue, it looks like I have to go,” [/color]he admitted apologetically, rising from the couch. He was disappointed to leave after what felt like such a short visit, but he was up one dance partner and one friend from where he'd started, so he'd already gotten more out of the visit than he anticipated. [color=f0d705]“Thank you so much again, for everything. This was really nice; I hope we can do it again sometime.”[/color]

Maddie smiled sympathetically, rising with him. [color=FC8686]“Absolutely. Hopefully now that we’ve done it once, the Count and Countess will be convinced we can behave ourselves.”[/color] She laughed as she walked him to the door. [color=FC8686]“Have a good evening, Aaron.”[/color] She waved him goodbye and shut the door behind him.[/hider]