[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/OfFDTqI.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zfggkOZ.png[/img][/center] [hr][hr] The time between enrolment and arrival for Yuliya is a blur. Living in the moment was a blur, and thinking back on it is even more hazy. It is not as if she wasn't conscious, but rather the process was so.. uninspiring. Letters came back and forth, coin exchanged hands and requests for discretion were given to the Zenos. Before long, she was ready to head out under the new surname of Zolotova, a fitting one for a merchants daughter, but not one that she had intent on using. A boat was set to to the misty river docks of Karamevo, and they set sail. No royal procedure, no grand exit, just as her brother had requested. Truth be told, Yuliya didn't remember much of the long voyage that brought her to the shores of Constantia, for she was not above deck much. Even on the largely southern sea route they took, the sun still stood high in the sky most of the day, and so most of the days were spent in the cabin below. The rattling of the waves against the ships, the taste of fine Vossoriyan vodka and far too many card games were how she spent most of her days aboard the boat. Occasionally she'd wait for people to fall asleep, and sneak out onto the deck to look at the stars and feel the cold air, but it did little to soothe the nerves in her stomach. It did the opposite. She began to realize with every day, how much further she was from the shores of her home. And so she'd drink again and forget, both from the bottle and from the unfortunate sods kept in the bilges. They were far from a good meal, but they kept her from going insane. And as nearly 3 months passed, they finally arrived. And yet, time never really seemed to slow down for the girl. She was put under the merchant dorms, assigned her classes and began to get herself acquainted with the city and those around it. A few parties here and there, but she was still struggling to build a meaningful connection with her fellow students. That would be, until she'd make a fateful encounter on the 29th, the day the student society faire began.. [hr][hr] [h2][b]Assani 29th[/b][/h2] [b]Location:[/b] The Guild Stalls - North of the School [b]Day of the week:[/b] Lepdes [b]Time:[/b] 3:00 HO [b]Characters:[/b] Yuliya, Zarina [@YummyYummy] Zarina emerged from a session of bureaucratic management and was met with a faire that was just as energetic as it was when she had left her Zeno Bucks stand. Both her’s and Marceline’s paperwork were in order and packed neatly in a messenger bag over her shoulder. Beyond that more rudimentary container, she looked relatively plain for someone of her merchant class with only her lavish rings showing off the wealth her culture was keen on flaunting a tad too much. Most were indulging in their luncheon but the stalls were still active and doing their very best to garner the attention of youthful-looking individuals. Zarina was noticed rather quickly, and by the Society of the Gift of all things - It was the rings, she thought, for there would be no way they’d pay attention to her in her current getup. They were bleeding members to the Magicians’, it seemed. [b]”My Lady, if you would kindly hear u-”[/b] the young, noble alumni froze in place as she noticed the bag Zarina was carrying around. In no universe would anyone of their calibre be caught dead with that dead animal on their backs! [b]”My mistake, errr, yeah no.”[/b] she finished with avoidant body language. Zarina, silent from the surprise, squinted. There was an opportunity here, [color=C78A2C]“Woah woah woah, hold on there, love.”[/color] she waved her arm and shook her head, taking a step closer to close the distance the representative had created between the two, [color=C78A2C]“I would LOVE to know more about your [i]Society[/i], it looks real fancy, [i]m'lady[/i].”[/color] the Virangish accent was particularly thick. Yuliya watched. It’d been a little while since she enrolled but she’d recognize the tall beauty with the thick accent anywhere, for she was on her team. And what a situation she was in. She’d heard about the guilds, and this one seemed to be for the snobby elite. She had a particular distaste for those sorts. As far as she was concerned, the difference between nobles and rich commoners was a shitty little title. And this club seemed to fit the name of that bill. With a mischievous smirk on her face, she walked forward to the stand, admittedly dressed the part of someone who’d look like they’d belong there, but that would only serve her true intent here better. [color=pink]”Sorry to interrupt, but where did you get that bag!? I’ve seen them all over court in Sawand!! It must have cost much money!”[/color] she spoke, her Avincean still rusty and ladened with even more accent than Zarina, though this was not by intention. The noble secretary was making her discomfort very obvious to the Virangish teen that prodded for more, and it would be exacerbated by an interloper that most certainly fit the Guild’s criteria entering the scene. Wide, blue eyes from the olive-skinned creature leered at the bag she had once judged and then looked over at Yuliya’s lavish fashion sense. Something here didn’t add up, which just added to the stress, [color=C78A2C]“Oh!”[/color] Zarina exaggerated a gasp as she twisted to acknowledge the Vossoriyan girl, [color=C78A2C]“Mind you, it’s actually an EXCLUSIVE from Ahangaziz! Your friends at court must have some REAL GOOD friends to get these over in Callanast!”[/color] a toothy, impish grin took form onto her visage. That same, amused face then slowly turned to face the Guild’s representative. The poor, mousy critter was overwhelmed. [color=C78A2C]“So! What were you saying, love?”[/color] she leaned over the girl just a little, arms crossed and her golden hues shifting toward Yuliya from time to time with a wink added there for good measure. [b]”Uhm. Yes, right this way …”[/b] they would be brought to the stand where the now nervous piece of nobility fiddled with various, expensive-looking brochures, [color=C78A2C]“Sawand you said, yes?”[/color] she turned her attention to Yuliya for a moment, [color=C78A2C]“My my, wouldn’t have guessed! Our enterprise does cover all of Palapar, and we do get many Sawandis to work for us.”[/color] the more she talked, the more the rep could see just how painfully AVER AGE Zarina truly looked, with more and more onlookers, especially those affiliated with the Guild, beginning to whisper whilst gawking.``` As the two girls made eye contact, they both knew that some fun was about to be had. But they had to string it out just a bit longer to truly get the most entertainment out of this as possible. She turned back to the olive skinned girl with a confused look on her face, shifting her parasol all the while to cover herself more from the sun. Yuliya spoke once more, trying harder to sound a little more pompous than usual. [color=pink]“So, you haven’t heard of Tatas? They are most extravagant wear, you agree?”[/color] she smiled once more, expecting a response. [color=C78A2C]“First Edition Tatas, too.”[/color] she waved the piece of crap she was wearing over her shoulder. The stall holder was sweating and it wasn’t from the heat of the high-noon. [b]”Would you like-[/b]” Zarina cut her off immediately, [color=C78A2C]“Tell me honestly, love, does this Ruis Zeburg fit with the bag? The colour schemes are a little off.”[/color] she waved her hands over her pair of dark, unremarkable legwear that covered her legs and were a tad too baggy. There were some light coffee stains here and there if one looked closely enough. The girl was speechless, [b]”Uhhh.”[/b] the Virangish girl then reached out for one of the pamphlets and hastily flipped through a few pages, [color=C78A2C]“Hmmm. Whatcha think? Getting a little competitive these days, no?”[/color] she peered over at her Vossoriyan accomplice, eyebrow conspicuously raised in a manner that the stall owner could very much see Zarina’s full-expression. [color=pink]”It’s very modern look! I see Duchess Tatyana wearing something just like it before I came Ersand’Enise. I might have change my wardrobe to fit the fashion, you agree padruga?”[/color] she smiled inconspicuously at the ever more frustrated stall owner, not giving anywhere near as much away as Zarina was currently, which no doubt served to confuse her further. The poor stall owner stared blankly at the blonde dame and could barely compute the information entering her ears, [b]”No.”[/b] she said with a mousy voice. To have Yuliya’s awe-inspiring getup be replaced by whatever amalgamation Zarina was wearing caused quite the meltdown in the poor girl’s brain. It was important to note that she too was dressed for the part as to best represent the Guild’s image. They were spitting on this image! [b]”No! You look far better. It’s just a fact!”[/b] Zarina furrowed her eyebrows and dramatically slapped her hand onto the stand, [color=C78A2C]“What? You’re saying I don’t look good enough?”[/color] a panicked look was conferred to Yuliya, and it quickly turned into exaggerated outrage, [color=C78A2C]“I bust my ass off to get this LIMITED edition Tata bag, and you …”[/color] she was gritting her teeth, holding back laughter. Yuliya was managing just as well as her friend to stifle a laugh, but she knew that the best was to come, so she bit her tongue slightly before speaking once more. [color=pink]”You are just being nice, I know I am not looking good as her, you can be honest."[/color] she almost struggled to get it out, swallowing a little bit of blood from her tongue, her pride for the gag and a laugh that almost definitely would have slipped out. [b]”No- I uh-”[/b] her heart was racing, the stares were growing in numbers and none of them showed interest in what was once a prodigious Guild. The others were enjoying their luncheon. This was too much! [b]”You. Look …”[/b]” she sighed and took a moment before speaking again, [b]”You’re messing with me. I get it. Another one of these Grapes. Yeah, yeah. You do this every fucking year …” [/b] she clenched her papers and glared at both of them, [b]”I’m not going to let you lowly wenches tarnish our good name with some practical prank.”[/b] she stood her ground, posture stiff and eyes shifting between both trolls. [color=C78A2C]“A prank?”[/color] she looked over at Yuliya, [color=C78A2C]“I think she’s calling us fools.”[/color] The Callanasti girl was enjoying herself far too much. She felt a tinge of anger as she was called a lowly wench, but she kind of respected the fact she stood for herself a little bit. It’d be no fun if this was just a walking over. But this was the time - to seize the moment. And so she would. [color=pink]”Lowly wenches? Do you know who you speak to? This is Fedwa Bukhari! And I am Ochistitel Kartoshki Maria Svetlana. How dare you speak to us this way!? I thought your club were for nobles but apparently is for uninformed people!”[/color] she spoke, bringing out a more enraged maidenly voice than she was ever used to making, before scoffing at the woman in an exaggerated fashion. [b]”I don’t believe you and your wenchy lies. Yeah, that’s right, I’ve dealt with your KIND before.”[/b] now she was just being venomous. Zarina could only raise her eyebrows at the flames emitting from this little noble creature. Just as she was about to speak up, however, a male associate of the stand owner’s emerged from the back. He too was well-dressed and looked to be albino with platinum hair - A Bloodchild, maybe? [color=red]”Wait, Elana. Did I just hear Bukhari?”[/color] surprised, he noticed the two standing before them, with Zarina more or less fitting the profile of a West Constantian noble. Again, the rings gave it away, somehow, [color=red]”Goodness! Yes! We were errr- expecting you, My Lady! Are you aware that every Harrachora has been an alumni of this Guild?”[/color] looking anxious, it seemed the name actually bore weight, [color=C78A2C]“Wait, so now I’m no longer a wench? What is this circus?”[/color] with these words, the male stall owner twisted his head to glare at his associate, [b]”... They’re lying, Pierre. Look at them, th-”[/b] Pierre raised his voice, [b]”Look at them? Have you seen her friend’s clothing? That’s Vossoriyan haute couture. It doesn’t matter if a Bukhari dresses this way, you don’t call- …”[/color] panicked, he quickly bowed toward Yuliya, and then to Zarina, [color=red]”I am oh, so sorry. Oh Gods.[/color] Yuliya smirked at the ‘recognition’ but she couldn’t help herself now. She looked politely at Pierre, before turning back toward Elana and looking at her far more seriously. She had to fake the level of offense she felt, but it helped that she’d used such strong words. It made her job at this point easy. [color=pink]”Thank you for fixing your friend's mistake. But she slight us very much. It is custom to kiss boots in apology in my home. If she does that, the offence could be forgiven."[/color] she said pridefully, trying very hard to hide a shit eating grin. Zarina wasn’t really hiding her’s at this point - it wasn’t like Pierre was looking at their faces with all that bowing. [color=C78A2C]“I can agree to that.”[/color] she nodded at the direction of Elena, [b]”No. Oh no no.”[/b] Pierre shot a foul glare at her, [color=red]”You will get their forgiveness, Elana.[/color]” he leaned closer to her, [color=red]”For the cause.”[/color] Elana’s heart visibly sank as she realised her position. She knew this was total bullshit, but the Society of the Gift would not take this loss lightly. There was a lot at stake. Her body language showed nothing but resistance and revulsion as she slowly stepped aside and made her way around the stall, [b]”A kiss on each one?”[/b] she inquired whilst looking at both teens. Zarina pursed her lips at the sight and raised her hand over to Yuliya’s shoulder, [color=C78A2C]“How’s about we get them to pay for luncheon, hmm? Boot kissing is fun and all, but I’m staaaaaarving.”[/color] she subtly shrugged as both teens looked at one-another. Maybe it was about time the con ended, as the air got a bit less lighthearted. Yuliya got closer to Elana after making eye contact with Zarina. As much as she wanted to break the girls pride, she knew that maintaining appearances was a bit more crucial in the present and decided to settle for the compromise that was suggested. She got as close to the girls ear as she could and softly spoke: [color=pink]“Lunch is fine. Intent is what matters. I forgive you.”[/color] before pulling back and gesturing in dismissal. She smiled sweetly at the girl, still holding back the laugh that would come when this would be over. Oh how she wanted to go further. But more fun would be had, if Zarina was as fun as she thought she was. A sigh of relief escaped Elana, and she made herself scarce quickly after with Pierre catering to the two. A few pleasantries here and there and they would get to cut through a line to the nearest Revidian parlour for what they called a “Pizza”. With sausage on top too! Pierre bowed once more and Zarina spoke, [color=C78A2C]“Well, I’m sure we can put this behind us, Mr. Pierre.”[/color] not even Lord or Sir, [color=C78A2C]“We will mull over our options after this lunch, yes? A Guild choice is very important after all.”[/color] a few enthusiastic nods later and they would be given a new brochure of the Guild before Pierre took his leave and the two could enjoy some fresh pizza on a nearby bench. The brochure was promptly hurled to the nearest bin, [color=C78A2C]“Pfffftttttt, HAH.”[/color] with a burst of laughter, Zarina raised her hand for a high-five - if that even existed in Vossoriya, [color=C78A2C]“EASY lunch! And she was gonna lick your feet too! Pffftt hahahaha!”[/color] munch, she took a first bite from the slice in her hand. Yuliya didn’t restrain her laugh anymore. A hearty chuckle was given in response to her newfound friend and the high-five was met, though it definitely felt less pleasant for Zarina than she anticipated. She thought back to the girl at the stand. How delicious she’d be. Night Time, she thought. She’d fill her stomach and distract herself for now. [color=pink]“I was very hungry. It was good suggestion from you.”[/color] When their hands met, Zarina winced! Just how hard could this broad hit a high-five?! She waved her hand in the air and furiously wolfed down her pizza slice, [color=C78A2C]“Fuck, I’d almost say you’ve got that wanker’s cramp going with how hard you hit that.”[/color] she snorted, [color=C78A2C]“Now, if you want a real good dessert, there’s this stand that has a very pretty girl’s face a block down, near the bakery club. You like that shit back in …”[/color] she paused, [color=C78A2C]“Where are you from again?”[/color] Yuliya sighed slightly as she watched her shake her hand. She forgot she had to control her strength here. She was no weakling but even still, restraint was necessary. She didn’t want to break hands or something akin. That would almost certainly raise suspicion. She smiled as she scarfed a slice down, before turning to face her again. Dessert sounded good. Another distraction, and she was definitely partial to sweets. [color=pink]“Oh! I am Vossoriyan! You heard of it? Not many sweet thing, but I like very much.[/color] she paused. Was her accent that unrecognisable? Perhaps her Avincian was improving faster than she thought. She smiled with pride a little. [color=pink]“You are Inipori? What is your name? I am Yuliya but can call me Yuli if you like.”[/color] she spoke, missing a couple of words from her new friend. What was a wanker’s cramp anyway? She’d have to study up. Zarina shook her head, [color=C78A2C]“Virangish. You’ve probably seen a few of us near the islands.”[/color] she paused and tilted her head, [color=C78A2C]“Or not.”[/color] she shook her head to get back on topic, [color=C78A2C]“Ah! Yuliya of Vossoriya! I’m Zarina Al-Nader. Zaz is fine. Zazzy if you’re feeling Sassy.”[/color] finger guns away, [color=C78A2C]“Yuli. Yuyu. Yuuuu. You’ve got a strong nickname potential, Yuliya, I can sense those. It’s my special power.”[/color] she did a little bit of ominous hand waving, and then snagged another piece of pizza, [color=C78A2C]“Oh, wait.”[/color] she snapped her fingers, [color=C78A2C]“I remember where I saw you.”[/color] finger wagging followed, [color=C78A2C]“You’re one of Afraval’s, yeah? We’re on the same team. I think.”[/color] Yuliya took a little longer to process. Zaz as she called herself talked fast, and used a lot of wordplay, and boy was she expressive. It was always exciting to meet foreigners and this was no exception. She could hardly keep a light chuckle escaping her lips as she ate the last slice completely shamelessly. [color=pink]Yes. I recognize you. Tall beautiful one. There were three others? Pale boy, tan boy. He looked like he from my side of world. And another pretty one. Dark skin. Is boy or girl? I don’t want make bad impression.”[/color] She spoke, more confused as she went on. Avincean was hard. Why couldn’t it be easy, like Eskandish or Vossoriyan. Zarina shook her head and waved in dismissal, [color=C78A2C]“C’mon now, you don’t gotta flatter me, you helped me get free pizza. Easiest way to my heart.”[/color] she took a bite and munched away, making her reddened cheeks come out a little more, [color=C78A2C]“Girl, I think?”[/color] Zarina shrugged, [color=C78A2C]“Ehh don’t worry about it, half of them are cool. And the other half is the three guys you didn’t meet.”[/color] she snorted, [color=C78A2C]“... So, do you know what clubs you’re joining?”[/color] The two continued to chat for a good while. It turns out they shared a couple of mutual interests in clubs and they discussed for a while, and in fact, Yuliya managed to talk Zarina into considering the society of the grapes. After all, there was nothing better than a good drink after a good jape. Or both in tandem for that matter. Regardless, not more than an hour passed before they walked right past the stall for the Society of the Gift right over to the Magicians Guild and signed right up. To put salt in the wound, Elana watched it happen. [hr][hr] Location: North of the school, near the noble dormitories. Day of the week: Lepdes Time: 5.00 HD Characters: Yuliya, Elana Long after her lunch had settled, Yuliya set out for a different meal. She hadn't had a real drink in a couple of days, and she'd picked her target. That prideful girl who'd been running the stall, that had spoken to her so disrespectfully. It wasn't like it was unwarranted, but that didn't matter. She'd been keeping distance for a while now, and the school was silent, yet the girl was still out. She'd gotten an earful by her guild, perhaps for falling for such an obvious scam, or perhaps because they let such a big fish get away. She didn't stress the details, nor did she attempt to listen. Her focus was entirely on the meal she was about to have. Alley to alley, she moved with pace but quiet, getting closer and closer to the mousy noble lass until it was too late for a reaction. A hand over her mouth to stop her screaming, and her senses of sight and hearing were stripped, but not her sense of touch. How terrifying it must have been for her, to not know what had came and not be able to comprehend what was happening. Within seconds, she was dragged away to a less public alley, and a drink was had. Slowly, she sampled the flavour. A savoury taste, perhaps owing to her Revidian diet, and definitely a healthy blood, but it was nothing special. She'd had better, and she'd had worse, but the taste was still new to her, and so she'd keep a tally in her book. She knocked the girl out when she'd had her fill, content with her meal, and left her where she drank, using some extremely mediocre binding to cover up the holes she'd made in the girls neck, before briskly walking back to her dorm, and making sure no-one saw what just took place. [hider=Elana] Race: Human Nationality: Revidia Age: 14 Social Class: Noble RAS: 6.75-6.99 Primary Specialization: Chemical Secondary Specialization: Binding Gender: Female Blood Type: Blackblood Secondary Mana Type: None Mana Virus: None Flavor: Savoury, not too salty but similar in profile to a Ragu. Not her favourite taste but one that was new to her and definitely appealing to her palette Rating: 7/10, though context and hunger definitely added a point and a half. Otherwise, this wouldn't have been too special. RAS was high enough to be filling however. [/hider] [hider=Summary and Clubs] Yuliya went from Vossoriya to Ersand'Enise under a false identity. Trolled the Society of the Gift with Zarina and ate lunch together Ate a second lunch at midnight. What a bad day for Elana. Guild: Magicians’ Guild Clubs: Eskandish Circle The Milliners' Society Brotherhood of Brew Appreciators Society of the Grapes Oath of the Blade Golden Mushroom Society Eshiran's Own Fingersteeplers [/hider]