clare and yvenne so far

[13:06] <Claire> Thankful for the weekend break, Claire plays around with the handwritten invitation in her hands while she sits on the train headed away from the Cerberus facility. The mysterious envelope had arrived four days previous, containing only the invitation to visit the Lady Yvenne Azuhr-Rouze at the Belkan enclave again.
[13:07] <Claire> The train is only minutes away from arriving at the enclave's station, and she packs the card back into its envelope and waits with ill-disguised curiosity for the trip to be over, collecting her bag and heading for the doors when the vehicle glides smoothly to a stop.
[13:08] <Earthflame> The station is a quaint little rural affair, with relatively little foot traffic for the town and small villages scattered nearby. Rather standing out in the rustic scene is the bright red and blue sportscar waiting for her outside the station, and the flame haired woman in the drivers seat raises a hand and gives her a wave.
[13:13] <Claire> With a small smile she heads for the vehicle, dragging her one piece of luggage behind her on its cushion of air.
[13:15] <Earthflame> The door opens and Yvenne steps out, a tall and robust woman currently clad in tight red leathers, boots, trousers and a jacket on top, all presumably custom tailored given how perfectly they hug her curves, and the blazons of her house artfully scattered across them. "Welcome my dear! Let me get that for you." The trunk of the car pops open and she takes the case, not even bothering with
[13:15] <Earthflame> the mass reduction as she moves to fit it into the storage space.
[13:17] * Claire steps back for a second in surprise, not expecting either her host or the grabbing of her bag. "Uh...okay, Mi--Lady Yvenne."
[13:20] <Earthflame> She laughs at that, giving the girl a blazing smile. "Well don't just stand there, get in! We have much to do."
[13:22] <Claire> She can't help but return it, grinning widely as she steps into the car though the same door Yvenne exited, scooting over to make room for her.
[13:24] <Earthflame> Yvenne slips in. The inside of the car is almost as luxurious as her manor house, real leather seats, a high end stereo system and, from the sound of it, a top end car. "Buckle up!" Comes her laughing warning, before the pedal hits the floor and they're tearing towards the mansion... Apparently ignoring TSAB speed limits is only one of the many benefits of living within the Belkan Self
[13:24] <Earthflame> Adminstered Zone.
[13:25] * Claire laughs as the acceleration presses her back into the seat, barely managing to get her seatbelt fastened before the first high-speed turn threatens to whip her straight into the door.
[13:25] <Earthflame> Yvenne isn't careless enough to get her guest injured... Although it seems close more than a few times as she tears around hairpin bends or sends the car flying over small hills.
[13:26] <Claire> The laughing turns into outright whooping and hollering with each added stunt. "This is almost like flying!"
[13:28] <Earthflame> Yvenne laughs at that, giving her a grin. "Oh, flying has its own pleasures, but the weight of an steel steed is more thrilling for me!" All too soon, the ride is over, Yvenne coming in to the mansion with a screeching skid to a stop... Which does not touch a Single one of the flowers surrounding the driveway. Yvenne stretches, arching her back and pressing out her prestigious bust with a
[13:28] <Earthflame> grin. "Ahh, the simple pleasures in life..."
[13:29] * Claire giggles furiously as she fumbles at her restraint, fingers shaking from the adrenaline rush and her own laughter. "I almost wish there was room to do this back home."
[13:30] <Earthflame> "Well, you have simulator facilities, don't you? Book an evening or morning slot on a weekend and call up a racetrack. That's what Sepphy and I did when we were at school."
[13:30] <Claire> She nods thoughtfully, still not quite fully able to wipe the idiot grin off her face. "I might, at that. Maybe Alexa would enjoy it too."
[13:31] <Earthflame> "She is a Belkan Lady of true blood... We know how to appreciate a thrill~" She gives Claire another brilliant smile before leaving the car. "Come, come! Your things will be delivered to your room later, for now... Ohh, there is so much to be getting on with!"
[13:33] <Claire> Still smiling at the enthusiasm, though now with a bit of confusion clouding her mind, she nevertheless obediently follows the flashy woman. "Like what, if I may ask? Your invitation wasn't exactly...heavy on the details..."
[13:36] <Earthflame> "Hm? Oh, she didn't tell you?" She turns with a gleam in her brilliant blue eyes. "Oh this will be fun~ Lady Kalina contacted me on the status of polyamory in Belkan Tradition, and I agreed to help her smooth out a few of the kinks with the situation."
[13:37] * Claire blinks once...and blushes darkly, speechless for the moment, though she doesn't stop following Yvenne.
[13:39] <Earthflame> "Thankfully our ancestors knew that the passion in Belkan hearts could often not be contained to a single man or woman. What else are concubines for?" She gives a merry laugh.
[13:42] <Claire> "Hoo boy...uh, I guess that's a good point?" Her blush refuses to die away, mind busily concocting fantasy scenarios.
[13:43] <Earthflame> "But first and foremost is marriage. Uniting with a Belkan lineage is both an honour and an acceptance of duty and responsibility, to uphold the values of the family and to ensure that the bloodline continues after you. The duties of a Wife."
[13:45] <Claire> She nods slowly. So far, it's not...all that different from back home, really, aside from being dressed up in prettier language. Then--"Wait. W-wife?"
[13:48] <Earthflame> "But of course!" She gives Claire a smile. "Doubtlessly in the fullness of time she will propose, but that is no reason not to be ready! I invited you here to help you prepare for that day, to equip you to be a Belkan Bride!"
[13:50] <Claire> "Eh heh...o-okay..." The blush is stronger than ever now, and her step falters slightly as the new mental image--herself in a traditional bridal gown, Alexa in a matching one but in black. Ainlinn and Atalanta are also marching alongside, in similar regalia to Claire.
[13:53] <Earthflame> She chuckles. "A Husband or Wife is an important role in a Belkan household. While not a dedicated guardian like a Knight or a dompanion in the bedchamber like a Concubine, you will be expected to perform decently well in both roles, as well as assisting in managing the estate, arranging events and so on... Where shall we start first?"
[13:53] <Earthflame> *companion
[13:55] <Claire> "Uuhhh..." She shakes her head slightly, then look up at Yvenne. "It's...a lot to think on, but...how about, um, going backwards? I know how to fight and...me 'n Alexa..." Her voice starts to trail, growing quieter with each word. "...we've...already had sex..."
[14:10] <Earthflame> "Oh, I know dear." She gives her a smile. "I wouldn't have called you here if you had not consumated your relationship."
[14:12] * Claire smiles again, through her blush, pushing her index fingers together. "Okay...um, well, I guess..." She straightens her back--though she still has to look up to meet Yvenne's gaze squarely. "Please teach me everything I need to know."
[14:15] <Earthflame> "I swear to do so, on my honour! Any less would be a discourtesy to dear Lady Kalina." She laughs softly at that. "She will be recieving her own lessons, of course... One must make up for the gap her parents left in her proper education, but as was said on the old days- noblesse oblige!"
[14:18] <Claire> The meaning of the phrase seems to pass straight over Claire's head, but she nods anyway. "What first, then? Managing her estate?"
[14:21] <Earthflame> "I suppose if we must. A rest from your journey, before we get onto something more vigorous."
[14:24] <Claire> "Well," she says, instantly deferential to the noble, "I mean, it was a suggestion; if you think something else first would be better..."
[14:25] <Earthflame> "No, no." She waves a hand with a soft smile. "It is an important part of your education, even if it is not particularly fun... But getting up to something physical afterwards will be a welcome reward for both of us, Mm? Come this way~"
[14:25] * Claire follows, wondering just exactly what she meant. Probably dueling or something, though with these people it's hard for Claire to know for sure.
[14:27] <Earthflame> Yvenne pauses before the large, ornate door whose signage declares it to be the main library, taking something from a nook in the wall and clipping it around her right wrist with a soft sigh.
[14:28] <Claire> "I agree, Lady Yvenne," she says after a few steps. "I mean, it might not be exactly the same thing, but I always try to get my homework and stuff done as fast as I can to have time and...uhm, what's the sigh for?"
[14:29] <Earthflame> She raises her right hand. The phoenix wing tattoo upon it has faded from its usual brilliance at the application of the bracelet. "A power limiter. Sephia insists I wear it in the library to ensure I don't burn anything down. I haven't started any accidental fires in Months, but she still insists I be cautious..."
[14:31] <Claire> "...Wow. I mean, I knew you were strong but I didn't know you were THAT strong...you might be the first person I've met in person who has to wear one of those." She...might be fangirling. A little. "What's it like? I mean, I'm just a cadet, none of us have the oomph to need one of those but I've heard stories..."
[14:32] <Earthflame> She smiles. "Oh, I'm not as strong as most who must wear a limiter, but it assists with my, ah, condition..."
[14:42] <Claire> "Ah," she nods. In her experience, most of the time people mention a 'condition' it means they're reluctant to expand on it, so she lets it drop. "Well, so...I guess I'm going to have some reading to do?" she asks, nodding at the fancy door in front of the pair.
[14:43] <Earthflame> "Indeed!" She smiles at Claire, pushing open the doors. The library is huge. Tall wooden bookcases line the walls and fill out aisles, with little islands of comfortable chairs or desks poking out amidst the stacks of books. Ladders on rails run along the racks, allowing access to the upper books, and the whole room has an air of ageworn tranquility. Yvenne breathes softly, pacing in with
[14:43] <Earthflame> a smile. "Hmm... Where to begin..."
[14:45] <Claire> "Woooow..." She whispers, following behind the redheaded woman, her tone almost reverent. "I've never seen so many real books..."
[14:47] <Earthflame> "Mm... I know screens and devices are the modern thing, but I find it so much easier to relax with a real book... And they lend such an atmosphere to the place." She gives Claire a smile. "If you like, you can have a look around before we begin. I need to select a few books for you to study from, anyway.
[14:47] <Earthflame> *"
[14:48] <Claire> She nods, seemingly only half-paying attention. "...Yes'm. Umm...I guess call me when you're ready?" She wanders off, not even sure what she's looking for, until she finds herself standing in from of a series of a half-dozen shelving units labeled "Biographies."
[14:50] <Earthflame> There's a great many there, of notable Belkan figures but also of various figures of the Azuhr and Rouze families. Particularly of note is a series of a dozen volumes listed as 'The Life of Jaya Rouze', apparently a grandmother of Yvenne's. Yvenne herself is currently up on a ladder, shapely rear jiggling within her leathers as she slides along the racks, tugging out a volume here or there.
[14:52] * Claire finally notices her when the ladder almost runs her over, and she can't help but stare at the woman in almost-indecent clothing as she rolls through and past. The spell is broken when Yvenne's ladder turns a corner, and Claire pulls the first couple volumes of the Rouze biography down. Turning, she looks a little higher up, looking to see if maybe there's any history of Alexa's family, as well.
[14:53] <Earthflame> There aren't any books specifically of the Kalina line, but in a collection volume of Belkan Histories she finds a few entries by members of the Kalina clan at various points in history.
[14:54] <Claire> She adds that volume to her own little stack, then settles down at one of the reading stations to begin on the story of Jaya Rouze. She's quite curious how the woman warrants enough words to fill a dozen books.
[14:56] <Earthflame> ...It's quite a tale. The woman is something of a firecracker, starting the book with a duel over a woman at the tender age of fifteen, gleefully indulging in a life of flaming scandal on almost every page after that. It reads more like a work of fiction than a dull history, but the book attests to being written by the womans own hand and to be as accurate as she could make it. Which might
[14:56] <Earthflame> explain the graphic description of her many lovers, and the various little tricks she shares, such as lighting small, harmless but magically warm candleflames on a partners nipples and genitals.
[14:59] <Claire> All of this inside just two volumes has Claire with her hand clapped over her mouth, trying to stifle a hysterical case of the giggles.
[15:01] <Earthflame> She's just up until the point where Jaya attends her birthday party at eighteen wearing nothing but magical flames when Yvenne comes around a corner, carrying a staggering number of books. "Are, there you are Claire- Ohh, you found my family histories! Ahh, I learned so many things from those works... Truly, they are a proud legacy passed down to me!"
[15:02] <Claire> She giggles more, nodding. "I was just...just looking and there were twelve. TWELVE! So I took a couple to see why there were twelve and...and this is awesome!"
[15:03] <Earthflame> Yvenne grins. "Oh, Aunt Jaya had a way with words, and her stories were more than worth telling! I wish I had known her, but she died in a bed of flames before I was born... Of natural causes, I mean. She simply found it more comfortable to set her bed on fire in winter than to wear extra clothes or covers."
[15:06] * Claire kicks her feet and has to use both hands to keep herself from laughing like an idiot.
[15:07] <Earthflame> Yvenne laughs heartily herself. "If you wish, you can take the book back with you to keep reading it! Pass it on to Alexa, too, doubtless she will learn much from it. I trust you to return it in good time."
[15:12] <Claire> "Oh, thank you! This might be the best historical book I've ever read...and I'm sure Alexa would love it all, too." She closes it and takes a deep breath, sighing as she comes back under control. "Oh my. Alright, um...those..." She stares at the frankly enormous stack of books. "...are for me, too?"
[15:12] <Earthflame> "Yes!" She grins. "Just the basics, of course. Come!" She turns on her heel, strutting over to one of the desks...
[15:12] * Claire gets up from her chair and follows Yvenne.
[15:15] <Earthflame> ...For all her bounce and vigor, Yvenne also proves to be a smart woman and an efficient teacher. She seems to know everything listed in the books by heart and more besides, grilling Claire on mathematics, time management, event organisation... A gruelling curriculum, but it's more interesting than it seems, and she delivers all the lessons with smiles, encouragement and pokes in the right
[15:15] <Earthflame> direction.
[15:18] <Claire> Math was always one of Claire's better subjects--a good thing, given how mathematically intensive the Mid-Childan style of magic is--and she proves an adept pupil at it, though she has some trouble adjusting to the fact that sometimes a schedule must needs be "juggled", with events sometimes overlapping. She explains once during the lectures that it offends her nature...and confesses that she was labeled a bit of a perfectionist at her pre
[15:18] <Claire> >previous school, before graduating there and coming to Cerberus.
[15:19] <Earthflame> "There is nothing wrong with striving for perfection, Claire. But this simply means you must ensure perfection in multiple things at once!"
[15:19] <Claire> "Right," she nods. "...I'll try. At least I have a little while to wait before this all comes down on my head, right? And maybe one or two of the others to help?"
[15:21] <Earthflame> "Delegation is a key part of your role, of course, but you must keep it all in mind. And I wouldn't wait too long." She grins. "Your homework will be arranging Alexa's next birthday party. I'll provide you a budget, of course..." She states a number. A ludicrously large number. "I think that should do for something modest, Mm?"
[15:22] <Claire> She stares at Yvenne in mingled shock and awe. "...I...it...modest?" She swallows heavily. "...Yes. That should do..."
[15:23] <Earthflame> She gives her a smile. "I wouldn't want to overwhelm you. A small event for a few hundred people should do nicely, don't you think?"
[15:27] <Claire> She coughs into a fist. "Y-yes, Lady Yvenne, that should...suffice."
[15:36] <Earthflame> "But I think that is enough, for a start at least." She stretches again with a yawning sigh, arching her back and grinning. "Where to next, I wonder?"
[15:37] <Claire> She smiles. "If you wouldn't mind, milady, maybe a break to eat? We *have* been at this for a while..."
[15:37] <Claire> Her eyes don't *quite* reach Yvenne's face after that stretch, though.
[15:42] <Earthflame> She doesn't seem to notice, but she responds with an almost overly dramatic "Oh my! I am so terribly sorry my dear, I had forgotten you had been travelling. Such a poor host I am... Come, come, I'll ring down to the kitchesn for some lunch."
[15:45] <Claire> "Nono, you've been an amazing host, it's nothing really I just thought..." Her protest dies stillborn as Yvenne drags her up and out of the reading chair.
[15:48] <Earthflame> Yvenne leads her... To a familiar warderobe. "Select something to wear for lunch, the table will be set shortly. I will rejoin you there." Yvenne gives her a smile, a pat on the shoulder, and then leaves her alone in the room that would likely render Rhiannon catatonic. Or send her into spontaneous orgasm.
[15:53] <Claire> The thought makes her giggle out loud, imagining the almost obnoxiously take-charge blonde reduced to a quivering puddle on the floor, but she steps inside nevertheless and browses, quickly but not in a hurry. It wouldn't do to make herself or Yvenne look silly by picking a poorly-thought-out outfit, now, would it?
[16:02] <Claire> She hems and haws for several minutes, flitting between the fancy ball gowns and other very pretty, though very formal, attire; Yvenne seemed not to mind her current casual outfit overly much for the time being, but given everything so far, she guesses being told to change is another test...so deciding, she abandons the overly-fancy attire. Those would really be more for a formal dinner, anyway.
[16:08] <Claire> Half a dozen aisles of clothes over, she finds what she's looking for, and pulls four hangars off almost immediately, setting them nearby and, looking around to make sure no one is nearby, begins to change in place. The knee-length sheath dress in dark blue complements her hair and eye colors, and its high collar keeps itself modest. It has no sleeves, but that's taken care of by a black bolero jacket, and the tights she pulls on feel deca
[16:08] <Claire> > feel decadent against her skin. Low pumps finish the look, and she clutches a small, though empty, purse in one hand.
[16:09] <Claire> Finding a mirror she takes a look at her ensemble and, satisfied, heads down to the dining room to await her host.
[16:11] <Earthflame> She doesn't have long to wait... An arm slips through hers and her hostess is by her side, smiling in a navy blue suit, with sensible shoes... And a bright red tank top beneath the suit jacket. "You look Radiant, Claire. I approve."
[16:12] <Claire> She smiles happily, allowing herself to be led. "Thank you. It, um...took a little while to decide. There's just...sooooo much to choose from. My friend Rhiannon would probably worship the ground you walked on, to see that wardrobe."
[16:13] <Earthflame> Inside the dining room... The table is covered in food, covered dishes of meat and vegetables, fresh bread and cheese, soup and stew... "Your friends have good taste~" She laughs softly. "I'm sorry it isn't much, I didn't think to ask the kitchen to prepare more than usual."
[16:15] <Claire> It's...very difficult for her to retain a scoff of disbelief. "No," she says instead, "this is...this is more than adequate, milady, I'm sure I'll be stuffed like a...well, like a something that's probably not very polite and have barely put a dent in this."
[16:16] <Earthflame> She laughs heartily then, walking Claire to her chair and seating her. "When you and Lady Kalina are out together, remind her it's her duty to seat you."
[16:17] <Claire> She nods, smiling up at Yvenne. "I will. I think she likes to do that already, but I'll try to make sure it becomes habit."
[16:17] <Earthflame> "See that you do~" She smiles, moving around to sit opposite her. "Now tuck in my dear! You'll need your strength for later."
[16:22] * Claire nods, then reaches over the table, loading her plate down with the bread and cheese at first. Tucking that one to a side, she piles some of the meat and quite a few vegetables on a second plate, which also goes near the bread plate.
[16:23] <Earthflame> "A healthy portion, good!" Yvenne remarks as she fills her own set of plates. "Too many fainting violets pick and simper rather than eating properly. I have no time for them."
[16:24] <Claire> Her bowl, she selects one of the stew pots and ladles a generous portion inside, then begins to eat, her half-remembered lessons on polite manners from her mother, Celise, coming back to the fore as she engages Yvenne in conversation between bites.
[16:25] <Claire> "I remember one of the first things that prospective cadets are taught, milady--always eat like it's your last meal, since it may very well be. I don't think they are all that serious about it, but...we work hard enough to need it."
[16:27] <Earthflame> She nods. "A wise lesson... If you are to serve with the TSAB you may well face death one day. For them and the Saint Church, I've done so more than once... But Sephia and I have always won through." She smiles, looking into the distance, her expression softening in something that absolutely must be love. "My dear Knight... She will return soon. I always feel more comfortable when she is
[16:27] <Earthflame> by my side... Together, we are invincible."
[16:30] <Claire> She smiles after finishing a sip of water. "I know the feeling, ma'am. Alexa said as much to me, and to Ainlinn and Atalanta, and it really is like...like being parts of a whole, you know? It's not something I ever knew I was missing..."
[16:32] <Earthflame> She nods again, having another few mouthfuls before speaking. "You will need to support each other, in life and on the battlefield... I hope to teach you as much as I can about both."
[16:34] * Claire nods, popping another helping of bread, meat, and cheese into her mouth. When it's gone, she says, "I certainly intend to do my best at all of it, Lady Yvenne."
[16:35] <Earthflame> "I wonder... From what Alexa told me, your magic strikes foes from afar?"
[16:37] <Claire> "Yes'm," she says, immediately before swallowing a spoonful of stew. "I'm only using a training storage device for now, while I learn how to control it, but the Bureau's testing said I had an aptitude for shooting spells and wide-area magic, too. Like The General"--with the audible capital letters, there's only one General she could be talking about--"but not *quite* as powerful."
[16:40] <Earthflame> She nods. "...There are forms of magic the TSAB tends not to teach anymore. Not because they are banned or dangerous, but because they are no longer suited to the battles that occur, we engage in far more duels and skirmishes than wars. But..." She gives Claire a smile. "I wonder whether you might have the aptitude for it... To master the lessons of Belkan War Magic, and translate them to
[16:40] <Earthflame> the Midchildan style."
[16:43] <Claire> She nearly chokes on another bite of stew. After coughing it clear, she looks up, wide-eyed, at Yvenne. "Me?! But...but I thought that was the Neo-Belkan style that some of my friends use. The aptitude test said I wasn't cut out for it..."
[16:44] <Earthflame> She shakes her head. "Neo-belkan is a blend of Belkan and Midchildan magic, but it borrows much of its Belkan teachings from the duelling forms of Knights... Not the huge, powerful spellcasting of one such as Hayate. My magic is kin to hers."
[16:45] <Claire> "...And I thought General Yagami was in the pure-Belkan style. I mean, she has the Tome, and Rein Zwei as a Unison Device and everything..."
[16:46] <Earthflame> "It is pure Belkan style, but I also speak of philosophy of using it... Although I suppose it would be better to show than to tell. Finish your meal, and then we will head for my training field."
[16:48] <Claire> She nods hurriedly, curiosity driving her to try to inhale a chunk of bread...and after *actually* choking on it and washing it away with another sip of water, she slows down again, eating more properly. She's still done fairly soon.
[16:49] <Earthflame> Yvenne eats her fill, slowly but efficiently, smiling across to Claire when she's finished. "Call up your Barrier Jacket as we head outside. No sense getting dirt on those lovely clothes, Mm? You can keep them, of course. They suit you so very well."
[16:54] <Claire> She blushes. "Thank you, milady. I will." As instructed, on their way outside she grips her device and calls up her barrier jacket, the sleeveless tunic and red-orange tabard, shorts and solid boots, replacing the sleek, curve-hugging dress.
[16:56] <Earthflame> Yvenne calls up hers as well. A tight top of red and blue flows over her breasts, spilling down into a billowing dress that spills out behind her, split wide in front to allow her legs freedom, a pair of shorts preserving her modesty. She smiles to Claire. "How about a race to the training field?"
[10:56] <Claire> "A race?...What're the rules?"
[10:57] <Earthflame> "Rules?" She quirks an eyebrow, waving a hand and setting an AR waypoint a few miles away. "Get there as fast as you can. How else would one race?"
[10:58] <Claire> "Well, I meant...you know...just running or full magic or..."
[11:00] <Earthflame> "As fast as you can." She repeats with a smile, before gesturing with a flourish. Two silvered gauntlets form over her hands and wrists, identical save for the colour of their trim- Icy blue on the left, fiery red on the right. And then they ignite, and the true name of her device, 'Twin Wings', becomes clear. From each of her wrists spills a wing of elemental power, a scintillating shard
[11:00] <Earthflame> of ice upon her left and a flowing thing of feathered flames on her right. She gives Claire another smile. "But please, do try to win."
[11:04] <Claire> She nods determinedly, and her device intones a spell name--"Angel Lift"--and two wings of pure magic grow from her back, the same orange-red color as her normal shooting spells. Her feet lift off the ground, and she looks down the "course" for where the AR marker spears the sky. "Alright, I will."
[11:05] <Earthflame> "Good! That's the spirit." Yvenne gestures again, and her device speaks in a soft, feminine voice... <Blazing Trail> "On your marks..."
[11:06] <Claire> Her face set in concentration, she orients herself in midair toward the marker, taking a position not unlike a runner in the stocks awaiting the starting gun.
[11:07] <Earthflame> "Get Set..." A glittering sheen of ice forms before Yvenne, beneath her left hand, while her right moves behind her, a spark of flame glowing in her palm...
[11:10] <Claire> She raises slightly, nerves singing, waiting for the word... Her eyes glance down at Yvenne, then back up to the target, and she smirks slightly...and vanishes from view.
[11:13] <Earthflame> "Go!" Yvenne is apparently unpeturbed... Or perhaps she's just focused. There's a roar of flame as a mana fuelled jet engine surges into life behind her, propelling her forward onto a materialising plane of frictionless ice, accelerating to a ludicrous speed, although such a technique likely has little in the way of finesse to it...
[11:17] * Claire blasts off as well, the wind whistling through her unbound hair--though it doesn't slow her down, because hey, magic--and fades back into view, screaming through the skies toward the target, pouring everything she's got into her forward speed.
[14:17] <Earthflame> The race is hard fought. While Yvenne has the advantage in straight line speed with her rocket driven ride, her ability to turn and maneuver is rather impeded. Claire is able to make up much of the gap, or even pull ahead, by taking shortcuts and more direct routes... And although Yvenne arrives first, she has the rather ignominious honour of landing with a plume of dust and a decently
[14:17] <Earthflame> sized crater.
[14:18] <Earthflame> Then again, it seems like it's not unusual- The training field is a small valley, large enough to house a town but empty of almost everything save echoes of destruction. Huge piles of malformed stone sit beside craters and great burned ridges reduced to molten slag.
[14:19] * Claire touches down gently next to the edge of the...newest...crater, the AR indicator still glowing merrily. "...This might be a silly question, but are you alright?" she calls into the extra column of smoke and dust.
[14:20] <Earthflame> "Perfectly fine dear!" Yvenne smiles as she emerges from the cloud of dust, brushing herself off. "One gets used to it, after all."
[14:23] * Claire giggles, her flight spell dismissing with a pop of displaced air. "I suppose you have a point. It just looked...well, I've gone into buildings before, and I'd personally rather NOT experience it again, so..."
[14:25] <Earthflame> "Oh, I've had buildings collapse on me. After the fourth or fifth time I had the measure of it. Mind you, Sepphy is even better than I am. She once caught a block of stone that must have weighed a hundred tons!"
[14:26] <Claire> She blinks, twice, slack-jawed. "...I, uh...I mean, Altea's strong, but I don't know if even she's THAT strong..."
[14:29] <Earthflame> "Well, it's not just mean strength. I don't understand it at all, but Sephia is a genius at gravity manipulation."
[14:30] <Claire> "...You know, I think someone mentioned that the last time we were here. Maybe Miss Sephia herself."
[14:35] <Earthflame> "Mm, she does talk about it. It's a very rare elemental affinity you know. I do wonder just what will happen, when our bloodlines are merged..."
[14:36] <Claire> She stares at Yvenne for...more than a handful of seconds. "...Uh...how...how would that even happen?"
[14:38] <Earthflame> "When we have a child, of course." She states rather bluntly.
[14:40] <Claire> "Buuuuuuuuut...you're both...women, right? No, uh...that?" She turns a hand upside down and wiggles her finger in a gesture meant to imply a certain extra organ.
[14:41] <Earthflame> She laughs again. "Oh yes, we are both entirely female. But there are certain medical procedures, and... Even if one doesn't have the taste for them, secrets of Old Belka ensure that a bloodline will last, no matter what. I would teach you of them, but... I doubt you are considering bearing a Kalina heir within the near future."
[14:43] <Claire> She opens her mouth to protest, blushing, but stops when Yvenne's words register. "...Maybe not right away but...sometime..." She looks away, embarrassed in spite of herself.
[14:44] <Earthflame> She grins. "I might give you a taste of it later~ The techniques are quite enjoyable, as well as useful. You could share them with Lady Kalina on your return."
[14:46] <Claire> She smiles happily, though her cheeks are still red. "I think she'd like that..."
[14:47] <Earthflame> "But those lessons are later- Now! Let's see you try some battlefield magic." She points towards a small, irregular hill of uneven rocks and stone. "Destroy that. Or do as much damage to it as you can, at least."
[14:50] <Claire> She follows the pointing finger, rapidly losing the blush as she thinks to herself. Nodding, she takes a few steps away from Yvenne and calls up her second-biggest shooting spell, a dozen and more orbs of red-gold light forming around her. "Fire!"
[14:51] <Claire> Every single one of them streaks off, and more replace them to follow, all of them impacting and exploding rather violently against the gathering of stones.
[14:52] <Earthflame> Yvenne nods, watching the barrage wear the hill away. "Not bad, not bad! You do have the aptitude, as I expected. Few Midchildan mages have much skill for wide area attacks, their skills rather more focused on duelling and precision."
[14:53] <Claire> She returns her storage device to staff mode and chuckles slightly. "...They, um, told me I *needed* to work on dueling and precision. I was too wild and unfocused otherwise."
[14:56] <Earthflame> "Yes, the TSAB always says things like that." She frowns a bit. "And then they need to call in specialists like me when they need something big blown up. I mean, it wouldn't be too much effort to teach you a few simple things like this-" She raises her right hand, and the device calls <Infernal Blaster>. And then a column of searing scarlet flame, fifty feet across and several hundred feet
[14:56] <Earthflame> long, rolls across the landscape. A hill in its path is reduced to a cloud of blazing ash in seconds, but Yvenne's voice is strangely matter of fact as the flames die away. "It's really not that hard."
[14:57] * Claire gapes. And says absolutely nothing. Just...stares.
[14:58] <Earthflame> "Attacks like that aren't much use against powerful mages, of course. The spells power is too spread out and easy to deflect or absorb by those skilled enough to do so. But they're incredibly effective for controlling a large area or taking out many lesser foes."
[15:02] <Claire> She makes a couple of wheezing noises as she tries to speak without control of her mouth, then closes it with a snap and swallowing. "Um...yeah. Effective. I'll say..."
[15:04] <Earthflame> "There are so many gaps in the TSAB education..." Yvenne sighs, almost seeming to be talking to herself as she raises her hand again, gesturing to the few lingering flames along the path of destruction. <Pyrocatalyst> causes them to swell up again, before the gauntlet calls <Fires Fealty>... And the flames start to move like water, Yvenne almost delicately guiding and shaping them... And
[15:04] <Earthflame> within moments, a phoenix of living flame is gliding through the air towards them. "Magic is art as much as science... Creating beauty has no less power than unleashing destruction."
[15:05] <Claire> "Wooooow," she gasps, watching the phoenix fly, strangely mesmerized. "It's so pretty..."
[15:06] <Earthflame> Yvenne gives Claire a smile, raising her right hand and letting the phoenix alight on it, preening at it's wings with a flaming beak. "It's just a shaping of course, not a true summoning. Those take rather more effort for me." She gives Claire another smile. "Finding beauty in your own magic is something everyone should do, I think. That is another piece of homework for you."
[15:07] <Claire> She rubs her eyes, breaking her entrancement, and nods at Yvenne. "Find the beauty...got it. I wonder how..." She trails off, already thinking.
[15:08] <Earthflame> Yvenne laughs softly, raising her right arm and letting the phoenix take flight again, before it dissolves into a shower of sparks. "You will know it when you find it... The only answers are within your heart and Linker Core."
[15:10] <Claire> She looks up and nods. "Yes, ma'am. Um...if I may ask...how long did it take you to figure out how do do that?"
[15:11] <Earthflame> "A long time." She chuckles, giving Claire another warm smile. "You have many years of life to find your own strength, Claire. But lets have you try something else... Instead of a flurry, try to concentrate your magic. Condense it as much as you can, and then strike out at a single target."
[15:16] <Claire> She nods, and her device returns to its firing mode. She turns in place, seeking out a good target to aim at, and settles on an outcropping of rock that dangles precipitously. Taking her stance, she focuses her will as always.
[15:17] <Earthflame> ...And then Yvenne is behind her, hands on her shoulders. "You're too tense. The TSAB firing stances are all well and good, but you also want to feel natural, as simple as breathing... Here." She gently but firmly guides Claire, shifting her footing and posture in small ways... But it does feel better. "There..."
[15:18] <Claire> She takes a deep breath, almost not registering that Yvenne is there. Magic gathers at the tip of her staff, and she calls: "Arch Ballista: FIRE!" And a beam as wide as her forearm lances out, spearing a hole through the center of the rock she aimed at without causing it to further crack, much less explode.
[15:21] <Claire> "...Huh. It's...never acted like that before..."
[15:21] <Earthflame> "Good, good..." Yvenne nods. "Now here's the tricky part... Condense the mana again, but keep the internal structure layered, fragile... A solid core will punch straight through, but arrange it slightly differently... And it will explode~" She can hear the joy in Yvenne's voice at that. "Shape it in your mind... A barely restrained ball of power, volatile and energised... Feel it pulsing
[15:21] <Earthflame> with every breath." A firm hand presses to her abdomen, forcing her to take a deep breath, right down to her diaphragm.
[15:27] <Claire> She nods, then settles herself the way Yvenne just showed her. Another deep breath, more concentration. Another cast of Arch Ballista, this one aimed at the base of the hanging rock...and this time the entire lith vaporizes, blasted into pebbles and gravel.
[15:28] <Earthflame> "Well done!" Yvenne laughs, grabbing the girl up into a tight hug, obviously extremely happy.
[15:29] * Claire drops her device as Yvenne grabs her, giggling at the show of attention. "All thanks to your teaching, Lady Yvenne."
[15:30] <Earthflame> "Well, it's just the basics. It takes a lot to do so under combat conditions... And the real trick is to combine the two. A solid outer core with a fragile, volatile exterior. A blast like that will punch through any armour or protection before detonating within." She smiles at Claire, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "But you are an Excellent student, Claire!"
[15:32] <Claire> "Thank you, ma'am," she says, blushing under the praise and the kiss. "It's...something to keep in mind. Say...you wouldn't know how to, I dunno...ignore an AMF, would you?" Her subsequent grin is quite cheeky.
[15:34] <Earthflame> She laughs at that. "Through skill? No. When I've encountered them in the past I've either overpowered them or gone around them. Ah, let me show you-" She steps away from Claire, raising her left hand above her head, gesturing... And forming a great spear of ice, with a barbed head and a long shaft of crystalline blue. Her right hand rises to, fingertips tracing along the shaft, igniting
[15:34] <Earthflame> a deep red glow from within the clear blue ice. "I used to need Sephia to help me actually use constructs like this... Of course, when we cooperate these days, they're significantly larger..." She mutters as she works.
[15:38] <Claire> Suddenly less sure that asking her question was a good idea, she takes a step away...to give Yvenne room. Yes, that's it, perfect: to give her room to move around.
[15:39] <Earthflame> "Oh, it's perfectly safe." She smiles, catching the spear with one hand and offering it to Claire. "...You might need to use both. It's quite heavy, and I wouldn't want someone to drop it."
[15:42] <Claire> She takes it gingerly, wondering what Yvenne has in store... As advertised, it's fairly heavy, though she does manage to keep from dropping it, resorting to resting it one one shoulder. She huffs a short laugh. "And you were carrying this with one hand."
[15:45] <Earthflame> "Really, I was cryokinetically levitating it. I can hold it too." She chuckles, reaching for it to take it back, twirling it in one hand before shifting her stance, leaning back. "Look closely. This may happen rather fast." She winds up to throw...
[15:45] * Claire bites her lip gently, watching and trying not to blink.
[15:48] <Earthflame> Her body moves, the spear flying forth through the air, fast and true... And then a second before impact... It shatters into nothing, a cloud of crystalline shards blooming around the suddenly unleashed surge of white hot flame, blackening the earth in a small area around the projected impact site. "That's a form I've used against an AMF before. The spear is entirely physical, but the
[15:48] <Earthflame> magical fire ensures it can't actually hurt anyone, and it allows the blast within to breach the barrier. Sephia is better at subtle manipulations than I am, I rely on more gross and obvious effects such as that."
[15:52] <Claire> "...So it's...a physical piece, containing a timed magical burst inside?" She sounds...impressed and underwhelmed at the same time, somehow. "How did nobody think of that before? I mean...no offense, Lady Yvenne, but it just seems so...simple..."
[15:53] <Earthflame> "It's just a variation on the usual technique, using a shell of mana around a projectile. I simply substitute in ice due to my affinity." She shrugs. "Not everything has to be complicated. But it's simple, and it works."
[15:54] <Claire> "Huh." She shrugs. "I wonder if that would have worked on Orryx..."
[15:54] <Earthflame> "Orryx?"
[15:56] <Claire> "Oh, uh..." She blushes again. "Sorry, thinking out loud. Big, dangerous jerk, seemed like he could null magic on contact, but we all figured out a way to contain him."
[15:59] <Earthflame> "Some form of monster? Possibly. For all I've learned, the most important thing is thinking on your feet..." She pauses, and grins. "And remembering my family motto."
[16:00] <Claire> "...If at first it doesn't burn to death, freeze, then burn again?"
[16:00] <Earthflame> She laughs at that. "Not quite that complicated. It's an old saying of the Rouze- Anything is Flammable." She grins again. "Substituting 'anything' with whatever you happen to want to set fire to at the time."
[16:01] * Claire giggles at that. "Maybe I should try to develop a mana conversion affinity to fire too, then."
[16:03] <Earthflame> "Such things are very hard to learn... Gifts of bloodlines make it significantly easier. I can turn mana into flame or frost as easily as breathing." She gives Claire a smile. "It is not impossible, though... And who knows, you might have a latent affinity just waiting to awaken."
[16:04] <Claire> "Could be. I AM the first one in my family's history to have enough magic to register for the Bureau, so..."
[16:06] <Earthflame> She nods. "Test yourself. Experiment with what you can do, and see what seems most natural. The TSAB gives good training, but it's rather one size fits all... Better for making men and women of the line, rather than preparing future aces."
[16:07] <Claire> "Yeah...I know the most famous ones all really came into their powers on Nonadmin 47."
[16:08] <Earthflame> She nods. "It's an interesting world... We visited it some years ago, helped the Bureau deal with some local troubles. They make good food."
[16:09] <Claire> "Neat. I kinda want to go there some day. It'd be neat to see how they do things when they don't depend on magic at all, unlike us."
[16:10] <Earthflame> She laughs at that. "It's rather quaint."
[16:10] <Claire> "Oh?" She grins, and there's a hint of cheshire to it. "Is that because it's true...or because they aren't Belkan?"
[16:13] <Earthflame> She laughs at that. "My dear, I am Half Belkan. The Azuhr are an old Midchildan family... Admittedly, as will all nobility in those days, they had Ties to Belka. But I do not believe Belka is the ultimate or only source of greatness. I believe all can honour its existence and strive for an even greater future!" She pauses. "...When I was younger I Was involved in a small political event...
[16:13] <Earthflame> Several major noble estates attempted to secede from the TSAB. It was rather a mess, and soured me on the idea afterwards I must say."
[16:16] <Claire> "Huh," she says thoughtfully, "I don't think I ever heard about that." She smiles again. "I'm just teasing, anyway. It's a habit, since I'm pretty sure Alexa would have called it quaint too and, well...you know how she is."
[19:44] <Earthflame> "Alexa is a fine young lady in the proudest of Belkan traditions. She carries that pride as a banner and a shield... But from her background, she will need people like you to be there for her, in trying times. It is not easy to live up to the legacy of a lost empire."
[19:46] <Loviatar> A pink haired woman can be seen approaching in the distance. Sephia is a stunningly beatiful woman, with short pink hair and an athletic build. She's currently in black cargo pants, boots and a pink tank top. It's a little lower cut than she'd like, showing off generous cleavage...but she's got a certain Belkan to blame for that.
[19:49] <Claire> "I hear that part often enough from her," she agrees with Yvenne. "Especially with how disappointed she is in her parents...even though I can kind of understand them."
[19:49] * Claire waves as Sephia gets closer.
[19:50] <Earthflame> "A legacy is a great burden to bear..." She nods solemnly... Before turning to wave enthusiastically towards Sephia, bellowing so she can be heard. "Oooh, Sepphy! It's good you're here! You can show Claire your black hole trick!"
[19:52] <Loviatar> "Sephhy?" She blushes a little pink. "...I said not to call me that in public." Her voice comes from thier devices as she walks closer. She gives them a warm smile and wave as she arrives.
[19:52] <Claire> "I'm not public, Miss Sephia. Also Ainlinn says hi."
[19:53] <Earthflame> Yvenne grins at her. "I'll call you what I like, my Knight~ Although would you prefer 'Sephia, Knight of the Blazing Spear'?"
[19:55] * Loviatar rolls her eyes. "It's a bit more dignified." She smiles at Claire "Tell Ainlinn I said Hi. I hope she's well."
[19:56] <Claire> "She is. I think Alexa had planned to take her shopping today."
[19:56] <Sephia> "That's nice to know." She looks to Yvenne. "Now what is this about black holes? Beyond your wardobe?"
[19:56] <Earthflame> Yvenne smiles, stepping up to kiss Sephia on the cheek as she arrives. "It's good to see you~ Now show Claire your black hole trick! I've been talking about how impressive it is all day~"
[19:57] * Claire nods. "She has, really. And some other things about you. Nothing bad," she hastens to add.
[19:57] * Sephia raises an eyebrow at Claire. "Dare I ask?"
[19:59] <Earthflame> Yvenne raises her hand to cover her mouth, laughing heartily
[20:00] * Sephia sighs...and pokes Yvenne in the chest.
[20:01] <Claire> "Just how you help her be better at her magic," she says, ticking points off on her fingers--she can't help but grin at Yvenne's near-cackle--"and help her make that giant ice spear bigger, and how much you mean to her as her Knight, and wondering how your bloodlines would mix when you two eventually have a baby."
[20:01] * Claire smiles innocently.
[20:01] <Earthflame> She blushes and lets out a small squeaky moan, her breasts jiggling a bit within the barrier jacket. "N-not in public!"
[20:01] * Sephia pokes her again "...bloodlines mixing? Really? That again?"
[20:02] <Earthflame> "Mnf... I mean, one day..." She bites her lip, pouting at her. "Mean Sepphy."
[20:04] * Sephia rolls her eyes. "And now you see the Belkan Noble in thier natural habitat. Pouting and refusing to take responcibility for what they've done." She voice is teasing and she sticks her tongue out at Yvenne.
[20:05] <Earthflame> Yvenne leans forward suddenly, wrapping her lips around the tongue for a moment before dancing back with a grin. "Revenge is mine~"
[20:06] <Sephia> "For now~" She grins, blushing a bit. "So, what's this about black holes? It's a bit tiring."
[20:06] * Claire giggles at their antics. For all their age and power...they're no different from her and Alexa. Or Ainlinn. Or Atalanta, sometimes.
[20:07] <Earthflame> "Just one? I've been telling Claire all day about what a powerful and impressive magical working it is... Pleeeeease?~"
[20:08] <Sephia> "Alright. I've got a supply of batteries built up." She sighs and looks over at Claire. "Have I told you much about my magic before?"
[20:14] <Claire> "I don't think so, no," she replies, shaking her head. "At least, not much more than that you're her Knight and yours is gravity-related...although that last bit might have been from Lady Yvenne..."
[20:15] <Earthflame> "Oh, just call me Yvenne, dear. We're all friends here."
[20:16] * Sephia nods "I'm a very poor mage, magically speaking. While some people." She looks at Yvenne. "Have enough power that an elemental affinity is something they are spectacular at, I'm weak enough that an Elemental Affinity means that it's all I'm naturally good at."
[20:17] <Earthflame> Yvenne can't help but look a Little smug. "But you have so much more finesse than me, Sephia. Most of what I do is just throwing Elemental Mana at things."
[20:20] * Claire nods along with Yvenne. "I'm kind of in that same boat...I *want* to be good at finesse-y things, but..."
[20:22] <Sephia> "So, a bit shamefully for a knight, I cheat." She gestures and one of her armbands unfolds into a sharp, high tech looking spear. "This is Arondight." [Greetings!] The spear speaks.
[20:23] <Claire> Finding herself slightly at a loss, she nods. "...Hi?"
[20:24] <Sephia> "Despite the voice...he's an armed device, not an Inteligent. He's clever for one though." She pulls out a screwdriver from a pocket...and starts unscrewing his shaft.
[20:25] <Earthflame> Yvenne smiles at her. "Sephia is always tinkering. A friend of my fathers made Twin Wings for me, but I'd be at a loss to maintain her myself. Thankfully Sephia is a genius~"
[20:26] * Claire nods along to both. "I...think the techs at Cerberus are kinda like that, too. More cackling than Miss Sephia has done so far, though."
[20:26] <Earthflame> "She saves that for her private lab." Yvenne smirks.
[20:26] * Sephia opens up the shaft...and reveals a battery pack running nearly it's entire length. She blushes slightly "I'm not really a...I just like technology." The blush deepens "Don't tell lies or...I'll do things you'll never forget to you..."
[20:27] * Claire blushes as well. With how they acted a minute ago it's impossible to NOT attach innuendo to that one...
[20:27] <Earthflame> "But you've done so many things I'll Never forget~" Yvenne says sweetly, giving Sephia a bedroom grin.
[20:28] <Sephia> "S-Shut up." She pokes Yvenne in the chest again. "Anyway, I mostly make up for a lack of power with battery packs and precision." She gestures to Arondight's internals.
[20:29] <Earthflame> "Mnnnf... And who helps you Fill those battery packs?" She smirks at her, giving Claire a sideways look. "Although her Cryothermal Mana Generator is rather spectacular."
[20:30] * Claire nods and takes a step closer for a better look. Then at Yvenne's words, she swivels her head slowly to look at the redhead. "...Please tell me you don't, uh...'plug in' the battery packs like it sounds like you're suggesting..."
[20:38] <Sephia> "Huh..." Sephia looks confused for a second, then goes very, very red. "No!"
[20:38] <Earthflame> Yvenne goes into another gale of refined laughter, at her knights expense~
[20:39] <Claire> "I didn't think so, but...I don't know, sometimes, knowing the people that I know..."
[20:40] <Sephia> "No...just...no..." She starts putting Arondight back together, red-faced. "Anyway, that was to show off what I mostly use...mostly because in the context of this? I only have enough power for one shot. It's close to two months of my own power...though Yvenne can recharge them in a couple of days."
[20:41] <Earthflame> Yvenne doesn't speak, but she radiates an aura of smug.
[20:42] * Sephia sighs and starts walking out into the area, looking for a particularly damaged area.
[20:42] * Claire shakes her head. "That's kind of nuts..."
[20:43] <Earthflame> Yvenne leans towards Claire, giving a stage whisper "She has an entire cupboard full of spare batteries back home. She just makes a big deal about it~"
[20:43] <Sephia> "I can hear that!"
[20:43] <Earthflame> "I know~"
[20:43] <Claire> "Well...but still! Two months, for just one shot..."
[20:44] * Sephia stops about fifty meters out. "Arondight. YUE. Graviton Generators Online." [Aye Aye] [Yes Sir]. A semi-visible haze fills the area around her and a few pebbles start to float...
[20:45] * Claire retreats to hide a step and a half behind Yvenne...
[20:47] <Sephia> "Unlimited Drain Authorized. Bypass password: Event Horizon." A circular area around her sinks a few centimeters into the dirt, like a massive weight just appeared on it.
[20:48] <Earthflame> Yvenne gives another stage whisper to Claire. "She claims she's so much more practical than me, but even she has a flair for the dramatic~"
[20:49] <Claire> "...It is pretty dramatic so far, yes," she nods, wide-eyed.
[20:49] <Sephia> "I can STILL here you!"
[20:50] <Sephia> *hear
[20:51] * Claire kind of wishes Tazzari or Circe were here too...they'd be able to analyze what's going on and provide commentary. Instead she just watches what happens in the boring old visible light spectrum. "...You're not going to make her lose control of anything, are you, teasing her like that?"
[20:53] <Earthflame> "My Knight has more composure than that. I could tell you in detail what I wore for her on her birthday and I doubt she'd quiver... At least until the spell was done~"
[20:54] * Sephia raises her voice. "Program Activation: BLACK HOLE CLUSTER!" [Black Hole Cluster!] [Burakku Hōru Kurasutā!] A ball of sheer blackness appears in front of her, darkness beyond dark...no light is escaping. A black hole. Sephia reaches out...and grasps it.
[20:56] <Sephia> Pebbles around the are lift up and are sucked into it, along with dust forming a spiral into it...
[20:56] * Claire gapes once again--but at least she has the sense not to ask how Sephia is manhandling the most destructive force in nature.