Matsuri

World Beyond the Lexicon

these matches are getting real intesnse, I love it! can't wait to see the others

World Beyond the Lexicon

A L B E R T A

---

AVALICE ACADEMY — CLASS C COURTYARD

---

Walking amongst the courtyard camellias did little to improve Alberta's bitter mood. She had heard whisperings of the Festival of Champions before in her time at Avalice, especially during last semester considering what the next one would bring. Alberta was also aware of the consequences should a class fail to perform all too well; just her luck that this was the year where she would have to fight alongside the finest failures the academy had to offer. If last semester's mishap hadn't humiliated the Blumenthal name enough, then the most likely outcome of the upcoming festival definitely would.

As much as she loathed her new classmates already, Alberta had no choice but to trust that by the end of their professor's 'test', only the better half of Class C would remain. Of course, Alberta knew where she stood. She just hoped those who also proved themselves to be part of the 'better half' were component enough to keep the class afloat once festival season arrived. If not — which honestly wouldn't be much of a surprise to her at all — then Alberta's plans to reach the top of the school on her own would remain unchanged.

Caelum Tempesta was to be her opponent for the day. That was the sword boy, wasn't it? Alberta could just about remember the terrible ruckus he'd caused after running late into class that morning. As she approached him, her eyes narrowed into a scrutinising scowl. She didn't like him already. Something about his presence just aggravated her, both mentally and physically. It felt like a swarm of invisible bugs were nipping at her skin, and the irritating sensation pissed her off. Alberta closed the gap between them with a heavy stomp of her boot, overshadowing Caelum as much as her height would allow her.

"You're Tempesta, right? Come with me," Alberta ordered, expecting him to follow behind her. She led him to the middle of the courtyard where most of the students seemed to be avoiding in favour of the walled corners. It would give her more than enough space to run this sorry excuse for a swordsman into the dirt.

World Beyond the Lexicon

@metanoia I'd also be willing to do a collab post if you're down for that

World Beyond the Lexicon

This will either be the biggest surprise of the lineup by being evenly matched or Caelum is gonna get creamed so bad you might as well call him Butter Tempesta.

@metanoia

judging by their very conflicting personalities there probably won't be a courtyard anymore after their match is done

World Beyond the Lexicon

A L B E R T A

---

AVALICE ACADEMY — THE PLAZA

---

In truth, Alberta hadn't been fully aware of what she was saying as she carried on with her spontaneous ramblings. Such outbursts, rare as they were, were often times met with puzzled looks or apathetic sighs in her past. Not that she had many people to talk with back home in Grünewald anyway.

So when Kiara and Sanhan replied to her with genuine curiosity, Alberta had to hide the twinge of joy that threatened to surface on her face. She kept a nonchalant expression to save herself from further embarrassment, not at all matching the feverish passion she had put into her long-winded explanations about tea. But when the subject suddenly switched to parties of all things, the feigned apathy on Alberta's face began to reflect true disinterest.

Parties were hardly a source of excitement for Alberta, more a source of the more unpleasant memories she'd harboured during her childhood. It was uncommon for her grandfather to accept invitations to such events — he was more concerned with scribbling the mornings and nights away in his office than interacting with other people, especially Alberta — so it was practically unheard of that an invitation would ever be extended to her.

For the few celebrations Alberta did attend, one could hardly call them 'parties'. As the memories briefly came back to her, her face twisted into a harsh grimace. The stench of acrid cigar smoke, the sounds of slurred drunken laughter, the sickly sweet taste of stale gingerbread pudding; the mesh of recollections made her nose twitch with discomfort.

"I don't care for such celebrations," Alberta said in a nonchalant tone. "There are more important things I'd rather commit myself to. But…"

She trails off and puts a thumb to her chin, as if she were in deep thought. "I guess offering advice on refreshments isn't something I'm opposed to. I suppose if I'm forced to attend a… party of any sort, I'd rather have something pleasant to drink while everyone—"

Alberta was then rudely interrupted by the sudden surge of electrifying mana several yards away, the menacing energy sending an uncomfortable itch through her skin. Thankfully, the mana vanished into the air as quickly as it had appeared, and Alberta heard loud cheers from whatever commotion was taking place. Just that one, minor occurrence was enough to sour her mood again, and whatever positive feelings she had left from the previous conversation were now gone. And before she could even close the discussion, another interruption in the form of her professor's voice echoed in her head, ordering the class headed back to the lecture hall. Alberta groaned, running a weary hand through her hair.

"Well, you heard the professor. I'm leaving," Alberta finished coldly, walking away from Kiara and Sanhan at a brisk pace as if their conversation had never happened.

World Beyond the Lexicon

berta to eris: "—the ramblings of the foolish and average such as yourself are of no use to me either. You should save your shallow philosophy lectures for when you find someone stupid enough to listen."

berta to kiara, sanhan and sekhandur: *proceeds to explain in detail how tea of all things is harvested, processed and brewed*

World Beyond the Lexicon

A L B E R T A

---

AVALICE ACADEMY — THE PLAZA

---

What was meant to be a conversation for two quickly became a topic for class discussion, not at all what Alberta intended. Usually she would have been irate at the sudden interruptions, but the two girls who had spoken up — and who she vaguely remembered being in the same classroom as her — didn't seem to be looking for a confrontation. Much to Alberta's surprise, considering the turbulent events that had taken place earlier in the morning. There was no reason for her to act hostile. Yet.

"But of course, my family has been brewing some of the finest teas in the continent for centuries," she replied to Kiara and Sekhandur. "Most of our plantations are based in Grünewald down south, since the weather is a lot milder near the coasts. Tea plants do favour climates where rain is most frequent, after all."

It was as if Alberta's perpetual ill temper had suddenly dissipated, now overcome with an intense, almost aggressive earnestness. There were very, very few things in the world she genuinely appreciated, and even fewer instances where she could express them; but once the right conversation met Alberta at the right time, there was almost no stopping her from blathering on about the subject in question. Sekhandur had asked her to regale them with her expertise, and Alberta was prepared to deliver.

"And yes, I make most of my teas myself, especially when I'm away from home. Anything I can't grow here myself, I just request to have imported from the plantations," Alberta continued, even setting down her half eaten biscuit sample on a table behind her. "Really, it's a fairly simple process, you know, withering the tea leaves to pull their moisture, bruising the leaves and letting them oxidise to strengthen their aroma and flavour, then steaming the leaves to stop them from oxidising which prevents damaging said aroma and flavour, then rolling the leaves into a desired shape which can actually further enhance the taste of the tea depending on how it's handled, and then finally air drying or baking the leaves to finish, but it's important they're not overcooked otherwise all your efforts basically amount to nothing and you're left with the hot, bitter taste of failure. And that's just for making black tea! There are many others that follow different processes, but this is the most common one."

Alberta took one second to catch her breath, then resumed. "Of course, you could just harvest the tea leaves fresh and soak them in hot water, but compared to dried leaves and flowers, the taste is completely different. Still, it'll probably taste a lot better than the teabag garbage some of these food stalls are serving, you might as well be drinking sugared compost with hot water poured on top of it."

She then turned to Sanhan, who, in the midst of her brief talk about tea processing, Alberta had completely forgotten was beside her. That, and her name had slipped from her mind since the morning introductions. But with the mentioning of tea escaping the young woman's mouth, Alberta at least remembered what Sanhan had asked earlier.

"A lemongrass and liquorice root blend should wake you up, it sure looks like you need it," she advised Sanhan, staring her up and down. "Go look for the Practitioners United stall, they're the only ones here who sell loose tea leaves that actually taste decent. Their president's got a few screws loose and he'll definitely try to sell his weird smoking herbs to you while you're there, but if you ask him for something specific he should give you the right thing."

World Beyond the Lexicon

which means our class rep but not really Sophiel’s birthday may be coming sometime soon, while Alberta’s has likely just passed without anyone to celebrate with which is probably why she’s so a n g e r y.

@samakama

figured berta doesn't even like celebrating her birthday since her workaholic grandpa definitely ignores it out of spite and his distaste for such celebrations :/

World Beyond the Lexicon

A L B E R T A

---

AVALICE ACADEMY — THE PLAZA

---

Any opportunity out of this hellhole of a classroom was a blessing for Alberta. She practically leaped out of her seat and bolted for the door, the heels of her ribbon lace boots slamming against the floorboards with surprising vigour. It was a distinct sound her classmates would have to accustom themselves with in the coming weeks.

This wasn't the first time Alberta had to force herself through these grand speeches, she was no stranger to having such fickle principles like honour and heroism shoved down her throat. But with Headmaster Augustine being the owner of an admittedly magnificent institution, she made an effort to clap along with the crowd. It was one of few instances where she managed to remember her manners. When six out of the Miracle Seven shuffled onto the stage however, Alberta's eyes narrowed. So widely revered by the academy populus, so powerful that their abilities outshined the professors that were meant to watch over them. Even Alberta's heart began to beat ever so faster at the thought of snatching a position for herself.

It was more like a privilege for Alberta to be away from the unruly horde she had been forced into a classroom with. She wouldn't have the opportunity to take such long breathers once everyone started settling into school life once again, she had to spend this fresh air wisely. Taking a seat by the fragrant flowerbeds, Alberta took some time to ease her prior annoyances away from the noisy crowds.

"Making friends with the flowers now? Really, Berta? I thought you'd stooped to the lowest of the low after transferring to Class C, but this is just sad."

Alberta glared up at the girl who had approached her, scowling at the smug expression that was shadowed by her deep red locks of hair. "Call me 'Berta' again and I'll rip your tongue out, Auclair."

"Last name basis already? It's only been a couple of weeks—"

"I don't want to hear it. I've already had my earful of stupidity today, I don't need anymore from you."

"Wow, someone's grumpy today. Did granddaddy give you another spanking before you left home?"

"Shove it, whore."

Headley was relishing in the young woman's frustration, giving her another triumphant smile before turning away. Alberta crossed her arms with a huff, staring daggers into her former classmate's head. What had gotten into her that made her believe she could act so tough all of a sudden? She wasn't the one who had defeated her on that fateful day.

"Oh, and that hand embroidered silk dress you lent to me last year?" Alberta called out to the redhead. "If you want it back, you can go dumpster diving at the back of the school and see how many threads you can find."

Before the horrified Auclair could respond, another group of girls called her name and she reluctantly followed. The two exchanged glares, and the former classmate left for the other stalls. Alberta smirked to herself; so typical for someone of Auclair's nature to befriend a flock of impressionable, cowardly hens.

As she wandered the courtyard looking for something to snack on, a familiar scent caught Alberta off guard. Lemon, peppermint, ginger. She turned to her left and saw a figure clad in luxurious blue robes sipping from a ceramic cup. She recognised him as one of the many eccentrics she would be stuck with for the rest of the school year.

"Ah, I know that smell," Alberta uttered, each word followed by another calculated step towards the student. "That must be Leanna Millward's famous lemon and peppermint blend, correct?"

She peered into the cup and scoffed at the sight of large ginger chunks floating to the top. Alberta glanced up at the boy with laughing eyes. "Anyone with more refined tastes can clearly tell she just buys it straight off fraudulent commoners at second-rate market stalls. She thinks adding heaps of ginger and sugar would hide it, but anyone with four or more braincells can deduce that it's a scam."

Alberta swiped a biscuit from a nearby stall and chewed the end of it. "The only thing she can make on her own is that god awful cinnamon concoction that leaves freshmen with stomach ulcers for weeks."

World Beyond the Lexicon

@ERode as long as she's the one to finish things, I don't think Berta would mind lmao

@Dead Cruiser alternate timeline where Berta and Sekhandur actually hit it off because they're both snobs and have grand daddy issues. their plot lines end with them taking over the school as a platonic power couple and Berta turning her grandfather's private plot of land into a public garden for the commoners out of spite