[center][h2][u][color=875f9a] L[/color]inah [color=875f9a]A[/color]randa [/u][/h2][/center]
It was the middle of the night. Linah had already slept a bit, but had purposefully made herself awaken now, that everyone else would be dead to the world. She quietly sat herself on the floor, cross-legged, leaning against her bedframe as she thought.

A lot had happened that day. The first notable thing she’d nearly forgotten about. Something had been [i]off[/i] at the reception ceremony, around the time all the rulers were being introduced. She didn’t know what, but she’d told herself she’d at least attempt to gather information on it. This was something she had to remind herself of, because she might disregard it otherwise.

Then, her teammates. Penny spoke casually to the Perrench king, had verbally routed a Belzaggic noble boy with ease. Was she from the sort of merchant family that’d be termed as upstarts? One looking to be ennobled? Why else would she act so comfortably among the upper class? [color=875f9a][i]Maybe I’m looking at this the wrong way?[/i][/color] Linah wasn’t sure. Perhaps, in due time, she’d have enough clues or knowledge to make a conclusion one way or the other.

Anesin was difficult to get a grasp on. An Eskandish noble, but mingling with others of a “lesser” status perfectly fine. Quiet and watchful. Unafraid to offer compliments. The only magic school she’d mentioned to have practiced was binding, and she’d been the one to reveal the invitation she’d received to be taught blood magic. Of course, she hadn’t known the significance of the assortment of ingredients on her course selection sheet, but she hadn’t seemed impacted either positively or negatively when the hidden message was uncovered. Excellent control, that one.

The Tan Keoulean girl. Penny had marked her as having an [i]agenda[/i]. Could a lone student possess and act upon one? Maybe someone’s backing. Just like Na’ir expected regular letters from her, there were surely countless others behind the scenes, meddling. The idea of such a vast web made her mind spin. Blood magic…Linah had been briefly tempted to take the course herself. However, given that she was near certain Penny would go, there was no need to risk herself. Admittedly, she was afraid of the possibility of having such magic used against her. However, if she could use it herself…Well, there was the temptation, wasn’t it? But binding was a skill that yet eluded her, so it would be pointless to attempt the advanced blood magic.

Onarr. A studious youth, who despaired of being restricted in his electives. Who was proud of his knowledge, and eager to share it. A scholar. Yet, he’d dined with his country’s president. Maybe that said more about the free nature of Joru’s leader. But it could be indicative of the boy’s hidden depths. What did he think, to have such an esteemed man’s attention? What had they discussed? Zeno Afraval’s words implied the conversation had some level of significance.

And she’d know, wouldn’t she? A [i]royal[/i]. She commented how Penny, Anesin, and she were the life of the party. Had all their attempts to conceal their true topic of interest been for naught after all? Did Afraval mean she knew that they knew? Or was she saying they’d stood out, and she suspected something? Did she approve or disapprove? Linah frankly couldn’t tell.

What a tangled mess of threads to unravel.