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[@dragonpiece][@yoshua171][/center]

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[color=757163]Incessant scratching plagued Ingrid’s residence on an early Victendes morning, a good hour before Quentic mass was to take place. It came from her door, with the source being a ginger cat with an envelope under its paw. It meowed a couple of times whilst leering at the Eskandish girl, head tilted slightly to the right. Then, it dashed away!

A similar encounter occurred with Valerian, this time at his window. A black cat with an envelope in its mouth tapped against it until it received the attention it wanted and dropped the delivery into the home. Then, off it went!

[center][i][color=8493ca]Dear Friends of the Rettanese Empire,

Let’s meet for real! We have much to share and many events to prepare for. 

Dorm 17B - Merchants’ Quarters. After church.

Stay Dope!

-Stormcloud[/color][/i][/center]

The time for worship had come and passed like any other week, and like any Victendes most students would find ways to spend their free time, whether in hobbies, self-improvement or simply nothing at all. It wasn’t the case for the two fresh Sanguinaires, however. They had a date. They could decide to completely ignore it, of course. How dare this individual walk on their limited weekly break? On the other hand, she knew where they lived (like most of Ersand’Enise).

Do they attend the rendez-vous?

[center][h2][url=https://youtu.be/xc_0wfIuuzw]♫[/url][/h2][/center]

Ingrid tried to pet the cat before it took off. [color=8882be][i]Damn,[/i][/color] Ingrid snapped her fingers as she watched it dash off. She picked up the envelope and shut her door. She made note of the wax cat stamp binding the letter close.

Ingrid leaned on a side table and melted the wax away into a pot. [color=8882be][i]Rather short,[/i][/color] Ingrid thought. She weighed on rather to skip mass or to push back her duties to her business. She went to her room to think but more importantly she kept examining the letter, the loops in the letters, the tilt in the words. Punctuation if it was longer. 

Ingrid fed the letter to a flame, [color=8882be][i]I can go on my nature walk some other time, my businesses needs some tending.[/i][/color] Ingrid worked on the paperwork she needed to do and dropped off what she needed at the banks and handed her letters to the postmaster along with the fare. And away Ingrid went to Stormcloud's dorm.

Flames flickered in a drape drawn window like lantern light as Valerian wrote his reflections in a journal. He’d had the habit for some time and found it helped him process everything he dealt with on a day-to-day basis. Now, with the events in Retan it seemed he had even more to unpack than usual. As he finished a page, Vel heard a faint scratching at his door. Raising an eyebrow slightly, Valerian finished his thought then closed the book before he pushed up from his desk and headed to the door.

Lock moved with a small kinetic spell, Valerian opened the door and glance down the hall. No sign of anything beyond a small cat bounding away. Looking before his door he noticed a letter, which he pulled towards his hand with a bit of kinetic magic.

Catching it in a hand he moved back into his dorm, closing the door behind him as he opened the letter. As he moved through the well appointed door room, the small flickering flames reoriented around him.

Eventually he read the letter’s contents, at which point he frowned slightly. Sighing, he flicked it to the side and into an orb of flame where it instantly ignited and burned to ash. A moment later he’d grabbed a coat and left his dorm room, locking it behind him. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Valerian made his way to the meeting place.

He made a point of finding cover and shade whenever possible, but when that wasn’t an option he used a bit of clever magic to shield himself from the sun. If anyone asked, he’d say he overheated easily and the sun had been getting in his eyes.

[color=98A4B1]“Come in!”[/color]

Called a voice, maybe familiar to the two, maybe not. The new resident wasn't exactly the most chatty of the Black Guard. The door opened before the guests with only a chubby tabby welcoming them with a loud meow and expectant look before U-turning, butt out and retreating inside in an elegant gait. The door gently shut behind the visitors once they stepped inside.

The dorm room was spacious, as one would expect from the higher-end merchant quarters. Though there really wasn't much else other than space. A few crates at the corner, a simple blue rug in the centre of the large room and a desk with a chair and a few bookshelves behind it set at the side of the room that had all the windows. There was only one framed painting on the wall opposite to her desk - one of a dune sea and a castle at the distance. Judging by the style, it looked very old. 

Stormcloud we under her desk, loading up the drawers with various baubles the two couldn't see. A pale face stained by green paint on her cheek with long, dark hair poked out with a wide smile plastered on it.

[color=98A4B1]“Hi!”[/color] she chirped before hopping on her feet, and then hopping again, over her desk this time, to close the gap between herself and the teens. [color=98A4B1]“Please, have a seat.”[/color] she opened her arms to gesture toward the entirety of her abode. She wore a freshly paint-stained, white hanfu mismatched with Constantian-style shoes. [color=98A4B1]“First thing's first.”[/color] she regarded the tall bunch, quite a bit taller than her mere five feet and three inches, and let her smile mellow into a more neutral look. [color=98A4B1]“How are you adapting to your new lifestyle?”[/color]

Ingrid gave a light nod to greet Valerian before they entered Stormcloud's room

Ingrid couldn't help but to very obviously inspect the room. The mysteries of what a centuries old woman does in her spare time intrigued her but the room left her mostly disappointed. She had expected dozens of small knick-knacks to strewn the room but instead, all Ingrid could find of note was a painting of torragonese dune seas.

[color=8882be][i]Maybe her home from years ago?[/i][/color] Then she noted the paint that laid on Stormcloud's cheek, [color=8882be][i]Or she is just a painter with lots of styles under her belt. Only time could tell.[/i][/color] She took a seat as she asked. 

Ingrid was unsure how she was doing. She sat silent for a few moments trying to figure out how to word her experience so far. [color=8882be]"I find myself struggling with it. Every time the lor burns me when I worship in the sacred grove, I wither inside,"[/color] Ingrid spoke candidly in front of Stormcloud, not giving any care of Valerian hearing it. [color=8882be]"The blood thing hasn't had as much impact on me as I thought. It's odd, don't get me wrong. But it could be worse."[/color]

Giving Ingrid only a small perfunctory nod of acknowledgement, Vel glanced about the room as the feline granted them entry. There wasn’t anything particularly impressive about the Blackguard’s room, but it wasn’t [i]drab[/i] either. As he noticed Stormcloud beneath the desk a somewhat amused expression crossed his features. As the woman rose and greeted them with a pep in her step, Valerian found himself liking her.

[i]Cheerful[/i] was the first word that came to mind. Funny how they had almost been enemies. At the thought he almost grimaced before hiding his face behind a practiced mask—in the form of a courtier’s smile. Turning his eyes to find a seat, Valerian eventually settled on his own. With a brief cast, the air itself was trapped in between a series of invisible ‘panes’ of kinetic energy such that as he moved to sit, the air caught and held him as if it were solid. [color=#D3844B]“It is…certainly an adjustment,”[/color] he stated in a plain yet ambiguous manner.

He’d been rationing himself, a difficult thing when blood starvation would have…rather severe consequences. At Ingrid’s words he nodded somewhat, [color=#D3844B]“I agree, the Sun’s newfound hatred for me is…certainly disconcerting and more than a little troublesome…but not entirely intolerable.”[/color]

A smile of delight graced Stormcloud's visage once more. Both were sitting, in a room with no viable seat, with one sitting on the floor and the other straining himself for something more high class. It was nice when people did as requested. It also made her feel just a smidge taller.

[color=98A4B1]“No substantial challenges.”[/color] she made oral note to herself, making her unusual Avincian stand out. It didn't sound foreign, but rather accented in a manner that put emphasis on different syllables than one would expect. [color=98A4B1]“That is subl- Err, Swell! Dope, even.”[/color] she nodded. 

The black guard turned chaperone scooted into her desk a little more under she could cross her legs for extra comfort. [color=98A4B1]“I think I should introduce myself, actually. We'll be working with each other for a long time, after all.”[/color] she regarded both of them with a sweeping glance and then focused upwards to the ceiling as she began. [color=98A4B1]“You know me as Stormcloud. My name is Ariadne Hyde. No, it's not my original name, but it was one of my names. I am NOT Enthish or Thalak. And I am here to make sure your transition into the life of a Sanguinare happens seamlessly.”[/color] big breath, she was reciting something she had rehearsed and forgot to breathe. [color=98A4B1]“Also, to make sure you don't get yourselves killed and keep the peace between the school and ReTan, I've been sent to intervene on most matters regarding you. Whether for assistance, or reprimand.”[/color] another deep breath, and then she went briefly silent whilst tilting her head. Did she forget something?

Ah, right! [color=98A4B1]“Feedings! That, I'm supposed to teach you proper methods. And manners. And our cycles.”[/color] she firmly nodded to herself before peering at her group of sitting kids. [color=98A4B1]“I think this is where you can start asking your first questions, before I continue with the, errr,”[/color] she had trouble uttering the final word. Or maybe she was unsure if it was right. [color=98A4B1]“deets ...?”[/color]

Ingrid nodded along to [s]Stormcloud[/s]Ariadne Hyde, surprised on how seemingly normal it all was compared to the stories of Sanguinaires she heard as a child. What should've been surprising was the school knowing and permitting it. But that ship has sailed. Ingrid's once strong support of the school had shifted to skepticism. The trip to ReTan was a real waking up moment. Upta had known so much more than she told even when asked. 

[color=8882be][i]Did they have a role in Hugo's passing?[/i][/color] a thought fluttered in for a moment...

Ingrid raised a hand, [color=8882be]"So, is there any kind of blood you should avoid? Like the dead or animal blood?"[/color] Ingrid decided to start with a simple question. She was somewhat aware of what can happen if she does but asking it from their resident expert was better than any book she could read.

Raising an eyebrow as he listened to Ariadne's rather [i]unique[/i] communication--both in annunciation and affectations--Valerian considered what he might want to ask. While he was considering, Ingrid spoke up, asking her first question and though it was a good one...his probably would've been more related to the ethical concerns of feeding. Nonetheless, he was eager to hear a response, his eyes training on Ariadne to show just that. Still, not one to be left in the wings, Valerian spoke up, posing his own query.

[color=#D3844B]"Speaking of the sun..."[/color] he began, referring to both their earlier comments, [color=#D3844B]"...do you have any suggestions for dealing with it, given that we do still need to be active during the day?"[/color]

Ariadne's fingers drummed over her calves as she listened to each one. Her head canted to one side when Ingrid spoke, and then the other when Valerian did, all the while her gaze drifted about as if she was thinking of something entirely different.

[color=98A4B1]“The bad kind of blood.”[/color] she answered Ingrid completely deadpan. [color=98A4B1]“Animals won't nourish you. The ones that won't kill you, anyway. Even dead people, unless very freshly dead, will not sustain you. You will just get sick. Stick to people - mages in particular. RAS, as they call it nowadays, is the indicator you should follow. The higher, the better.”[/color]

Then came Valerian's turn, and her expression turned into one of smiles again. [color=98A4B1]“You stay in the shade.”[/color] and then a pause. An awkward one. Was this really it? [color=98A4B1]“Although,”[/color] she eventually broke it, of course. The grin turned into something impish. [color=98A4B1]“You could cake yourself in makeup. You WOULD look like a clown and utterly suspicious. But, in theory, you'd be safe.”[/color] she chuckled. [color=98A4B1]“You're going to be suspicious to some degree, especially to those that came with you to ReTan. Accept it. You're likely already found out by the faculty. It is, in all likelihood, a matter of time before everyone and their dog is aware of what you are.”[/color] she snapped her fingers and pointed right at Valerian with a finger gun. [color=98A4B1]“Which is a problem for you, Parrencheman. Your people are particularly vicious to our kind. Whereas this one here,”[/color] she nudged her head toward Ingrid. [color=98A4B1]“will likely be ignored so long as she doesn't cause a fuss, YOU are a noble. A stain on their image. They WILL come for you.”[/color] she tilted her head slightly. [color=98A4B1]“No matter how important you may believe yourself to be. The biggest nation of the Twin Continents does not hinge on a few superficial pillars. They'd gladly sacrifice their own King for the grander picture. Be careful, fledgling.”[/color]

Then, she clapped her hands together. [color=98A4B1]“Dull questions answered. Now you will answer mine before I hit you with the 'deets' and the catches.”[/color] one hand retreated to her ankle while the other was kept raised at shoulder level, fingers wiggling as if machinating something devious. The High Sanguinaire grinned wide. [color=98A4B1]“What are your three preferred blood types?”[/color]

Ingrid leaned back on the wall as the next question was posed. An illusionary scorecard manifested for everyone to see. She put down some obvious ones and then started to dig through her mind to find more of them to consider. 

Logically she needed things that were easy to hide. She already has a sun weakness now but if she suddenly makes plants whither and is 9 feet tall, she will be found in an instant. Things that could help her take down her targets should be high priority as well

After about 3 minutes, Ingrid speaks up, [color=8882be]"I think for hunts it would be Sensemaster. For power it would be Fireblood, you can't go wrong with extra power. And because it is interesting, Timewalker."[/color] Ingrid answered. Though she did wonder if these would just be dangled above her to control, either way there were plenty of other interesting ones.

Listening to the explanation for Ingrid's query almost brought a frown to his lips, but he schooled his expression as he'd long been taught to do. instead of the shift in expression he simply nodded and gave a small amused chuckle at the idea of caking himself in powders and makeups. That simply wouldn't do. He'd have to find his own solutions it seemed. He supposed nothing easy was worth it, at least that was the common wisdom. Then Ariadne pivoted from educating to inquiring and he raised an eyebrow, admittedly surprised by her question.

He'd not given it much thought, but in that moment he drew on his studies and considered what might be beneficial.

[color=#D3844B]"Glowvein,"[/color] he said, looking thoughtful, [color=#D3844B]"...and Sensemaster as well."[/color] He'd seen the strength of awareness and the danger of Atomic magics and while he had little desire to meddle with such energies, it would be wise of him to have a means to combat them. Then a third came to mind and he nodded to himself, [color=#D3844B]"...Rosebud as well, I think."[/color]

Those were a good start. Rosebud covered social situations and could eventually become an asset even in combat. Glowvein gave him an innate resistance--if not immunity--to the invisible fire of Atomic power, whereas Sensemaster let him not only enhance his own awareness--and thus faculties--but also to afflict others with reduced capacity in such areas. In tangent with his own innate talents they would make for a potent combination. Still, as he lifted his gaze and met Ariadne's eyes, he wondered why she was asking.

Ariadne continued with her habit of canting her head to one side when paying mind to one pupil, and then shifting when the other spoke. It was her way of communicating that she was paying attention, even if eye-contact was flimsy at best.

[color=98A4B1]“Sensemaster is a big favourite. And a tad bit of a trap.”[/color] she uncrossed her legs and let them instead hang over the edge of her desk while supporting herself with her hands gripping the opposite end of the desk behind her. [color=98A4B1]“If you've managed to touch them, you've probably succeeded in your ambush anyway. A good mana-type, but there are better starters, like ...”[/color] she snapped her fingers before pointed to Valerian. [color=98A4B1]“Rosebud! Why take risks when you can seduce or mislead your prey with words and presence alone?”[/color] she flashed a toothy smile at the two. 

The finger then pointed toward Ingrid. [color=98A4B1]“I expected you to want Glowvein, actually. With your propensity for ... The more destructive spells outside of the forbidden, it would suit you. But Fireblood!”[/color] that same finger wagged side to side in denial. [color=98A4B1]“Tsk tsk. Unless your mark is weak or easily mislead, it's a trap that claims many new Sanguinaire lives. Only jump into an ambush for Fireblood if you are convinced you can get a strong advantage. Otherwise,”[/color] another click of her tongue. [color=98A4B1]“Better off steering clear until you've fattened up a bit.”[/color]

Then, Ariadne snorted. [color=98A4B1]“Timewalker ... Are you suggesting you have a growing interest in Temporal Magic, Ingrid Penderson? Much like Linlin did, or maybe she was sick of having two evil eyes.”[/color] she chuckled smugly. 

[color=98A4B1]“I wanted to know your priorities. It's good to see you're not TOO ambitious, but have some spunk. It'll at least be entertaining.”[/color] she raised her hand to brush the stray locks of her that his a fourth of her face behind her ear as she continued. [color=98A4B1]“Now, for the bummer - You're gonna start wasting away, and I do mean WASTE, if you don't feed semi-regularly. Ideally on a weekly basis.”[/color] she announced with a stern gaze and a hardened tone. No more happy-ditsy fun-time, it seemed. [color=98A4B1]“And, you will only hunt in my presence. If I deny you a mark, you obey. If I give you a specific target, you go for it. Defy these two core tenets, or cause enough of a mess to get the hunters on Ersand'Enise, then I will be taking away your acquired abilities and you will be banned from hunting for a month.”[/color]

She hopped off her desk, now standing straight and her arms crossed under her chest. [color=98A4B1]“Is this understood?”[/color] she inquired, waiting for a response, before continuing. [color=98A4B1]“I'm not difficult to please. Come to me for Sanguinaire-related problems only. Otherwise, we're merely peers. Jolly, youthful school peers. That definitely attend clubs. Yes. And fairs.”[/color]

Keeping her words in mind, Valerian nodded along, only finding himself hesitation as she made her second stipulation.

He didn't much like that, her dictating in any instance who he was and was not allowed to hunt. It wasn't that he'd prefer particularly ambitious targets, nor that--as he was sure some Sanguinaires might--that he wanted to target someone and hunt for sport, but rather that he had no idea what the woman's moral scruples were. Stifling a sigh, he nonetheless acquiesced...at least for now. She was stronger than him, that was a simple fact, and there was little he could do to go against her if she truly wanted to put him in his place. As such, it was better to lay low for the moment and question her judgement later even if he ended up following it anyways.

[color=#D3844B]"Very well,"[/color] he said, nodding once, his expression serious.

Ingrid listened earnestly to Ariadne, making note of sensemaster being a trap and the benefits of rosebud. Ingrid was not much of a seductress. She liked the act but most men found her size to be unappealing, even in Eskandish circles. And Ingrid only grew more perplexed about showing her face in to get it. Maybe she would have to try though.

What Ingrid had been surprised about is fireblood. She knew it was strong but she thought of the manatypes with affinity to a school of magic, fireblood would be safer with their lower RAS. A lot safer than an Atomic mage with Glowvein at least.

Ingrid was obviously curious about Linlin, leaning forward to only lean back as she felt a little teased by Ariadne. [color=8882be]"Who wouldn't be interested in it? But trying to become a time mage right now? I'm not sure. I think just feeling time would be worthwhile though."[/color]

Lastly came the rules. Ingrid made no fuss or face about them. She just nodded at the conditions placed in front of her.

[color=98A4B1]“My remark, Ingrid, was meant to underline the fact that without Temporal magic, you shouldn't aim for known Timewalkers. The moment you fail your ambush on them,”[/color] Ariadne snapped her fingers. [color=98A4B1]“done. Time stops and in the blink of an eye, your head's spun the opposite direction. That said,”[/color] she raised a brow as she mused. [color=98A4B1]“You're always rolling the dice whether your prey has that sort of magic to begin with. Which is why I recommend sticking to the semi-familiar, if you can, or study potential targets.”[/color]

Pale and dirty hands clapped together, prompting the self-grooming cat to perk up and stand. It brushed against Ingrid's calf. [color=98A4B1]“With all that said, I think we got the important things sorted!”[/color] she flashed her pearly whites. [color=98A4B1]“We all got to meet each other, you know where to find me, now ... You're free to go if you have no further questions! Thankies for attending!”[/color] Segu, the cat, meowed and yawned.

Nodding, Valerian rose and made his way from the place to enjoy the rest of his day.

The two were dismissed, and first to leave was Valerian. But before Ingrid could cross the door, Ariadne hollered at her.

[color=98A4B1]“Oh! Ingy! I have a small request.”[/color] arms reached up for a stretch. [color=98A4B1]“It'll just be a minute.”[/color]

Ingrid was so ready to leave after the successful disaster that was the first hunt. But Ingrid knew better, that display of hers earlier taught her better. She turned to Ariadne with a smile and stepped back into the room shutting the door behind her, [color=8882be]"And what can I help with Ariadne."[/color]

The High Sanguinaire canted her head. [color=98A4B1]“What clubs are you signing up for?”[/color] she smiled.

Ingrid was suspicious but thought there wasn't much harm in answering. [color=8882be]"Well, I'm continuing most of my clubs from last year. The Eskandish Circle but that is more of a religious outing for me. I actually have become more attached to the Draconic Order."[/color] Ingrid rolled her eyes and smirked a bit, [color=8882be]"Originally I only joined because of an enthusiastic friend of mine but now I go there because it's fun. He made me into a dragon lover before I knew it. Oh, but back on topic."[/color] Ingrid steered herself away from talking about her dragon friend.

[color=8882be]"Eshiran's Own I've been a member since last year, and the same with the Pageturners. I think you might enjoy some of the more experimental literature people test out there from time to time."[/color] Ingrid gave a light recommendation, always looking for another book enthusiast. [color=8882be]"I've also am trying to join the Special Ones for pretty obvious reasons. I had a spot open after I left the Golden Mushroom."[/color] 

Ingrid then in a hastened whisper, [color=8882be][i]"Fingersteeplers as well,[/i] And that's them all"[/color]

Ariadne hummed, tossing a few m'hm's and uh-huh's to Ingrid's need to explain the why's for her simply query. Eye contact was also broken in favour of gawking at various details of the somewhat ascetic room she had been working on. Once the question full answered, her head adjusted back to look forward at her pupil.

[color=98A4B1]“Okie! We appreciate it!”[/color] she beamed at Ingy, eyes closed to emphasize her delight. [color=98A4B1]“You are dismissed. Have a pleasant day.”[/color]

[color=8882be]"Thank you, and a good day to you as well,"[/color] Ingrid left without a fuss. It was actually quite pleasant though Ingrid resisted both the urge to speculate and the urge to believe it was out of mere curiosity. Ariadne didn't come off as malicious but she could be conniving, Ingrid believed. Either way it was not for her to worry about today.[/color]