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Post by Veliky on Apr 9, 2023 0:45:37 GMT -5
Veliky feels her face twisting and reddening in frustration. Astrid's every word is eroding her will. She's putting so much on the line here, so much more than she's ever risked for anyone. Can't Astrid see that, even if she doesn't fully understand why? In response to Astrid's jeering implication, Veliky presses her nose with more force.
"Because I'm not supposed to do this! This is *supposed* to remain strictly professional. If it became common knowledge that I-..."
She stops, realizing that she'd be only be belabouring points that she already has little way of effectively communicating to Astrid. Still, she isn't sure how to explain it all in a way that a child would understand... Perhaps she'll be able to at some point, construct an explanation that'll settle Astrid without also upsetting her. But not now; her mind's too cluttered with fog, stress and other things she wishes weren't there. For now, she just has to put a bit of trust in the foundling.
...She never was good at trusting. Another thing she'll need to get used to, she supposes.
Veliky lowers her arms and crosses them. Her face is so hot, it feels almost feverish. Even though she's mostly certain that Astrid has seen her face several times, she can't show it; she looks away, raising a bit of her collar to hide her besmirched façade.
"I... I'm making an exception for you, okay? I just need you to trust me."
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 9, 2023 2:53:32 GMT -5
It isn’t necessarily that Astrid doesn’t understand Veliky’s reasoning, it’s just that she thinks it’s kind of ridiculous. They can totally keep things professional (or at least as professional as a twelve year old can be) when they’re working, but they’re not working right now – they’re standing in Astrid’s yard. This is strictly personal. Why does she have to be so red in the face?
Astrid blows on Veliky’s finger as she stands up, crossing her arms, though not as indignant as Veliky may take it. “I wouldn’t call Cantio an’ Wolfe knowin’ ‘common knowledge,’” she says. “An’ I ain’t the best at tellin’ fibs, if ya ain’t noticed.”
Then she unfolds her arms and lets her hands drop to her sides. Her expression softens as the half-dwarf looks down at the quarterling. Veliky’s got a lot to deal with beneath it all – Astrid’s always had a feeling about that. The way the replicants spoke and said things she herself couldn’t, the way she has to hide behind a mental conversation, the way she looks embarrassed about this “exception” she’s made.
“Alright,” Astrid says simply. “That's fair. Yer an important businesslady, an’ I’m the lucky kid that gets to be a bit of an exception ta yer 'all business, no play' lifestyle.” A sly amusement crosses her face briefly, one that says, 'For now anyway.' "I’ll get down ta yer gooey core one day, boss.” Astrid gives a little wink. What will she call Veliky?
It occurs to her that she hasn’t shown Veliky the last two things from the table. “Oh, right! I’ve got more stuff fer ya. I…” Astrid pauses, considering her words. “I dunno how yer gonna like ‘em. But I made ‘em fer ya, separate from the mechanical stuff an’ the helmet. Come on!” Then Astrid marches back inside to her workshop.
Earlier, she was completely confident that Veliky would be impressed with the innovation of the drill, the quality of the helmet, and the intricacy of the mouse. The lack of initial reaction hurt her feelings because she thought there’d be at least something to show. Now that she knows what Veliky really thinks, the confidence has flooded back into her. Veliky isn’t her mother. Deep down she likes Astrid and appreciates the things she makes. She may have a tough time expressing that, but that’s something Astrid’s going to have to learn to deal with. If Veliky is gonna be her boss, then she’ll have to take harsh criticism on the projects that she makes for the company. That’s alright, it’s a different environment, and feedback is just as good as running tests because that’s all running tests does is give feedback for how to improve.
The last two things are the things Astrid has for Veliky she’s always expected Veliky not to react positively to, so she’s already braced for it to avoid disappointment. Obviously, she hopes Veliky likes them, but she understands if she doesn’t. At this point, they’re just bonuses. As Astrid walks into the workshop and over to the table in the center, she says, “The mouse is fer ya ta keep, by the way. S’posed ta be one of a kind, though, so if ya want more of ‘em, I s’pose ya’ll hafta buy the designs from me.” Another amused smile crosses the girl’s face as she looks back at Veliky.
“Alright, last two thin’s! These are gifts, too, though I dunno how much yer gonna like one of ‘em. Guess we’ll see.” With that, Astrid turns and presents both the soft package wrapped in burlap and tied neatly with twine and the small box. “Take yer pick.”
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Post by Veliky on Apr 10, 2023 18:40:49 GMT -5
'Gooey core.' Veliky isn't even sure what that's supposed to mean; one of those strange Common analogies, no doubt. But context clues point to mischief and to further jeering. It seems that this... familial... connection won't mark any end to the mudlark's impositions. In fact, it seems that it won't change their relationship much at all, save for that Veliky will have to be more tolerant of it. All in exchange for loyalty...
'This is a terrible idea.' she decides. All the time she's spent building this image -- an image that's necessary to any hope of making a difference -- and she's risking it all for the sake of this foundling's talents. Any businessperson worth their salt would know that this is a horrendous trade. 'But it's too late to go back...[1]'
She'd been formulating rebuttal to Astrid's promise, but lost it, supposing that her acceptance of Veliky's plight is progress enough for now. So for now, she just lets out a sigh.
She's thankful for the change in subject. At the very least, it gives her time to cool, and allow the redness to fade from her face. More stuff -- Veliky's quick to infer what Astrid's referring to. Those two little packages that'd been on the table, alongside the experiments. 'Gifts,' she supposes; Veliky never understands why people bother to give her gifts when they know that she could buy just about anything she wants, but it's happened frequently enough that she's become used to it. Cheche, Cyran and even Kamille have all left the strangest things with her, from embroidered robes to illegal weaponry. But it does strike her as odd that Astrid would wait until after this whole ordeal to present her gifts; Veliky would assume that any attempt to cloy would've been done before, in order to increase Astrid's odds (a tactic that would've been woefully ineffective). Instead, Astrid waited until after the whole test, and until after she coerced Veliky into being... family...
'Wait... Had she been planning this?!'
It had come out of the blue, and yet with such intent. 'She said that it was 'easier than she thought it'd be...' Could she have actually been waiting to do this? She could've been saving those other packages to use as a damn bribe!'
Her eyes are wide at the realization of Astrid's cunning plan, even if it'd hadn't gone as either of them had expected. She turns to voice her accusation, but Astrid's already gone back into the workshop, leaving Veliky astounded (and slightly aggravated at the fact that she'd been deceived by a recently former ragamuffin). She suddenly feels exhausted; the ride here had been so quiet, only for her first hour upon arrival to be a mental onslaught of revelation. This's left her more weary than the Ziev ordeal, and it's only her first day of being... family...
'What is it she wants me to be, anyway? A sister? A mom?' The latter's implications lead her to immediately reject the idea. But, in truth, it matters little what Astrid wants her to be. Whether she wants a mother, a sister, a grandmother, an aunt, a godmother or even a cousin, Veliky wouldn't have a shred of experience to aid her. She'd be just as clueless, and just as without worth. The feeling reminds her of when she first went to Thunderhoof on her own, without Pon. She felt so ill-prepared...
But it doesn't matter. Because while Veliky has so little knowledge of how to be part of a family, she need only do what she's done for decades now -- what she's become so skilled at, and what's allowed her to rise so swiftly and so high. She need only pretend. She'll pretend to love, pretend to care, pretend to cherish Astrid and protect her. And in time, she may even convince herself that she is pretending.
A little package and a little box, both wrapped in twine. Sitting in the cooled haze of the forge. It's cooler, and darker, than they'd left it, as was to be expected. And the waning heat seems to reflect the lack of tension in the air, another stark difference from when Veliky first walked in. Little expectation from either side.
Not to mention that Veliky, compared to her formal appearance before, is like a nervous wreck. Instead of her arms being clasped behind her back, they're crossed in front of her chest, and she makes it a point to keep her eyes as averted from Astrid as is possible. Just before, she'd been a smothering presence in the room; now, it's as if she's trying to turn invisible by will alone (ironic, seeing as she *could* do that if she wanted).
When Astrid gives Veliky permission to open the packages, it seems that she either purposefully or unpurposefully misinterpreted the meaning. "The package. Show me." Words not unlike those she spoke before, but now carrying so little of the authority and sounding rather more like a plea.
1. Smooth Talking
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 10, 2023 22:24:39 GMT -5
With the air cleared between them (or at least it is from Astrid’s perspective), her energy has returned. Things feel lighter, and she feels exactly as ready for Veliky’s reaction as she could possibly be. The gifts are different – where she wanted Veliky to be excited and surprised by the things she made as part of the challenge the businesswoman issued months ago and that didn’t go as planned, she fully expects the opposite to the gifts she has now.
Especially when Veliky picks the soft package first. There’s visible pause while Astrid processes that choice. Why did she offer Veliky a choice? Actually, just rip the bandage off. This is better.
“Alright!” Astrid offers it to Veliky, but Veliky doesn’t take it, instead commanding Astrid to show her. “I know gift givin’ ain’t exactly what yer used ta, but I'm not openin' yer gift fer ya,” she says with a doubtful smile, shaking the package a little. “Here, open it yerself. That's how giftin' works, ain't it?"
Veliky studies the package for a moment before she lets out an irritable groan and snatches it out of Astrid’s hand. “Fine,” she says curtly. All she wants is to get this over with, and it’s visible in her face, tone, and motions. Pulling the end of the twine unravels the neat bow tied in the middle of the package, and she peels back the fabric to reveal extremely soft orange fabric. Fully opening the package, its contents become obvious: some sort of orange, stripey pajamas with a fluffy, stuffed tail and a hood complete with ears and a cartoony cat face.
Astrid looks about ready to shit herself for nervousness.
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Post by Veliky on Apr 11, 2023 14:58:19 GMT -5
'What am I holding...?' Veliky's held all manner of esoteric artifacts; from tablets that supposedly predicted the end of the world, to discarded needles. And while many of those items were dubious at best, this apparent article of clothing(?) carries a specific peculiarity, as its creator is standing right in front of her. As she holds it aloft by the shoulders, allowing its pawed feet to just graze the ground and staring into its creepily stylized eyes, Veliky can't help but feel perplexed. Even when Yoci presents her with the strangest of devices, Veliky can appreciate that (while sometimes impractical) they are always simple and reserved in their design, usually sporting the steel-sheen that Veliky favours. But this? Its sheen is more like a tabby's. And yet it's very obviously sized for her. Is she supposed to wear this...? That's ridiculous. The colours, the waggly tail, the pawed feet, the cat-faced hood; it's far, far, far too cutesy for her to ever even consider wearing. It reeks of some sort of mana, but whatever magical effect it may possess is simply not worth the absolute indignity that would come with wearing it. It just isn't fitting for someone like her; it'd be far more suited to...
...
"Astrid?" Veliky regards calmly, still not removing her eyes from the speckled fabrics. "Who made this?"
There's a long pause while Astrid slowly considers how exactly she's going to answer this. Cantio made it at her request, of course, though she left some details about who it's for out. "Erm... I asked someone ta make it." Vague enough, but Veliky's going to see right through it, isn't she?
"Who?" she presses blankly, but relentlessly.
Astrid stares at Veliky for a long moment. "If I tell ya, ya can't do nothin' ta 'em. They didn't know, I just asked 'em ta make it cause they made me an' Bl- Wolfe one."
...
'She's worried that I'm going to do something...?' The realization comes strangely to her. That hadn't been what she meant, and yet Astrid seems so sure of it. Is this really the sort of image that Veliky projects...? How can she change it?
Closing her eyes for a moment and lowering the costume, she opens them to look softly -- or, at least, softer -- upon Astrid.
"I'm not going to do anything. I just wanted to know. It's well-made, and I could use someone to make an outfit or two for me."
...Not technically a lie.
The half-dwarf blinks in surprise. "Wait, d'ya like it?" Her face perks up excitedly, and suddenly all reservations fade away. "I asked da ta make it!"
An easy answer, plain and simple. And all it took was a slightly, slightly softer touch. 'So it does work...'
Regardless, now she knows; it's something to consider for later. She briefly calls in a bot, and hands the costume off to be brought back to the wagon. Now, it's time for the second gift, and Veliky is just as apprehensive. It's for several that she holds the little box in her hand.
She hates not knowing things. She hates surprises. Inside this box could be, truly, anything; without any way of knowing, Veliky's discovery is a matter of a chance over which she has no sway... It feels silly, to be so concerned over something so very little. It surprises even her.
But that's enough. Steeling herself at last, she undoes the twine and opens the box to reveal something truly special.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 11, 2023 19:21:13 GMT -5
No matter how much Astrid prepared herself for giving these gifts to Veliky, she still feels anxious and apprehensive. It’s a different kind of tension. Will Veliky like it? Will she pretend? How will Astrid feel regardless of the result? She’s not sure, so when Veliky’s reaction is… Well, this time it’s about what she expects. Somewhat. The caution is unexpected, actually.
While Astrid ponders over whether or not she’ll give Cantio away, it quickly becomes apparent that she can’t keep a secret. As hard as she tried to keep it a secret from Cantio, she’s pretty sure he knows exactly who it’s for even if Veliky’s name went unsaid. As with all things, Cantio worked quite hard on it, so Astrid beams a bit when Veliky says as much. Though, she doesn’t actually say that she likes it, merely hands it off for later.
Astrid feels the need to explain herself. “Um, like I said, da made one fer me an’ Wolfe both. Mine’s an owl, an’ Wolfe’s is a wolf – I mean, obviously it’s gonna be their namesake, ya know.” She lets out a nervous chuckle. “I really like mine, it’s real comfy, an’ I wear it around the house all the time. I know it ain’t really the type of thin’ you’d pick fer yerself, but I hope ya give it a try. Makes fer good pajamas.”
When Veliky takes the final gift, the small wooden box, Astrid watches the quarterling with a different kind of apprehension. She fully expected Veliky to scoff at the catsuit, but Astrid hopes she at least can appreciate this gift. What’s inside the box isn’t gaudy or bright orange, but rather small and metallic, somewhat flat in nature, yet polished to a near-perfect sheen. Set in the box is a coin-sized cog – or rather a series of tiny cogs and gears all layered upon each other. Two matching large gears create a bite-sized sandwich of hidden mechanisms, all of which move in succession with their various gear ratios upon turning the large cog at the front, though with some careful motions, some gears can be turned individually and affect others in new and interesting ways. When it’s all turning, the movements seen through the open space of the largest cog in the front are mesmerizing.
The cog on the back is immobile and is fastened to a durable ribbon with a pin. From afar, the piece looks to be a simple military-style medal, but up close one can see the intricacies of the mechanisms. On even closer investigation, one might notice that what appears to be a blemish in the platinum sheen is actually a series of impossibly tiny, etched runes in a language unintelligible to the businesswoman. Their size alone makes them hard to make out.
Nothing within the box reveals what the runes say, but the box does seem uncharacteristically large for a piece so small. This isn’t uncommon for jewelry boxes or display boxes, though.
Astrid sheepishly explains, “I tried a lotta different gears when I was makin’ the mouse an’ figured I could do somethin’ neat with what was leftover. It ended up bein’ a bit fun ta fidget around with.” Something about the way she says it implies there might be something to gain from “fidgeting” around with this pin, but she doesn’t plainly state what it is. As vague as she leaves it, she might never.
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Post by Veliky on Apr 12, 2023 17:01:35 GMT -5
For all its eccentricities, this second gift is far more in-line with what Veliky was expecting. She gives it a few degrees of a turn, and watches the mechanisms all turn in tandem. It's clearly designed by Astrid's hand; nobody else could replicate the complexity, save for Yoci herself. It has that metallic sheen, it has the compactness and the forthrightness. The technical ingenuity is, if nothing else, a testament -- a monument, to what can be achieved with metal (and the mind to piece it together). Gear, turning and turning for as long as there is someone to turn them; it could serve as the very banner of Platinum Corp, if something so intricate could be manufactured unto cloth. But maybe not even then, as the most important detail would still be lost -- the feeling of cold, smooth metal beneath her finger as she glides it along the surface. Perfect, heatless gloss -- save for one blemish.
"What do these letters mean?" Veliky asks plainly. But then she realizes, as she looks to see the apprehension in Astrid's face, that she's making the same mistake -- and that she should correct it. "Oh, um... It's good." She's bad at this. "It's as complex as most of the things that Platinum Corp produces. It isn't as impressive as the construct, but it's still an accomplishment."
The smith beams softly, with pride. The sight sparks a warmth in Veliky, which she her best not to think about.
"It's a bit of a mystery I s'pose ya'll hafta solve. I'll give ya a hint though: it's a dwarven sayin' I heard before."
That definitely sours Veliky's perception of the device, though she hides the change in her attitude well. To her, the feeling of not knowing something is a frustration above all else; it gnaws at her, even when she isn't thinking about it. And Astrid just handed that feeling to her, wrapped in twine and kept in an oversized box. But as much as it's a frustration, it's also a challenge, and Veliky isn't one to back down from such a thing (even if she's willing to stoop low to defeat them).
She places the device back in the box, thinking that the box itself may be a part of the puzzle. But as she closes the lid, she feels as if she's forgetting something -- or rather, that something's missing... That's right. She glances to Astrid.
"Thank you." she practically whispers, just loud enough for the foundling to hear her. The words feel so strange to speak, and stranger to hear in her own voice. But it's what you're supposed to say when receiving a gift, isn't it?
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 15, 2023 22:24:41 GMT -5
The words of thanks might be the first ones Astrid has ever heard from Veliky, as sheepish as they may be. To Astrid, it’s a step forward. It shows her that Veliky not just heard her but she listened and she’s trying. That’s important to the kid. That means a lot to her. It’s obvious she wants to throw her arms around Veliky again in an embrace, but she restrains herself and offers a beaming smile instead.
“Glad ya like it,” Astrid says. “I promise the puzzle ain’t that bad. I think. I mean, it’s only as complicated as I could think ta make it, which ain’t as complicated as sendin’ someone on a trek through the Lightnin’ Fields ta escort some cargo meant fer the person who’s escortin’ it.” She pokes fun at Veliky about as gently as she can. “Did I ever tell ya I got struck by lightnin’ on that trip? I tell ya what smarts is a good ol’ shock from the sky itself.” The way she so casually mentions it means she’s not hung up about it at all. In fact, there’s a bit of a chuckle in Astrid’s voice as she says it. Of all the probably-near-death experiences the girl has had, that one is probably her favorite.
Astrid’s eyes trail out to look out the window of the workshop toward the bots that took the onesie. “Um, yer not gonna like… burn the cat costume, are ya?”
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Post by Veliky on Apr 17, 2023 18:21:40 GMT -5
...
'Burning it *would* be a good way to dispose of it...' Truly, Veliky has no clue what she would do with this overtly cute attire, and just having it in her possession feels somehow incriminating. Since it's made entirely of fabric, it'd burn finely enough; the only thing to worry about would be the residual mana, which is typically untraceable...
But then she shakes her head.
"No." She decides. "I'll keep it. If ever I need a cat costume, I'll have you to thank." She may as well. If she destroyed it and Astrid found out, she'd be heartbroken-
'Woah.' Veliky's momentarily surprised by her own thoughts. '...Is this what sympathy feels like?'
It's not the *first* time she's felt this, per se; interactions with Cheche, Astrid and Yoci have provoked similar feelings in the past. But she never precisely identified it... It's a strange, and slightly uncomfortable feeling.
She'll keep the puzzle as well, of course. Astrid's right; it isn't as complex as travelling through the Lightning Fields and... getting struck by the titular lightning. There isn't much surprise there; Astrid's affinity for lightning has been shown on more than one occasion, rivalling even someone like Ulrich's. As well, statistically speaking, surviving a lightning bolt is less likely than surviving an encounter with a Buffalo-Series Blixtbot™. That in mind, it almost seems to create a hierarchy of lighting-based threats: Astrid at the top, Buffalos below, and actual lightning directly below that. Veliky considers drawing a chart when she has the time.
...What else is left? The tests are done, the gifts have been given, and Veliky's become far closer to Astrid than she ever intended (and still closer than she thinks is responsible). Veliky already feels exhausted enough to collapse, but there are still a few things tha need doing. And the first of these, she can do in this very room.
She takes a long breath, feeling the air still crackle in her nostrils with the static of the forge. She likes the smell. It smells like progress, and few things are so soothing to her. Even when she's unsure of where she came from, and even when she's unsure of where she's going, the electrifying feeling of progress puts her mind at precious ease.
It's been a long time coming.
"Astrid." Her voice is clear, and her stance is straight and dignified. "Stand in front of me."
She can see the surprise in the half-dwarf's face. It's a sudden command, to be certain. But, perhaps because of the air of militant triumph that Veliky's voice exudes, Astrid obeys. But it's an awkward shuffle, and an awkward stance with which Astrid faces her, and Veliky isn't oblivious to it.
"Chin up, and back straight." she orders.
Confusion. The half-dwarf clearly isn't sure just what Veliky's plotting. It's fair; Veliky has been somewhat cryptic, and Astrid's almost certainly never done anything like this before (from Veliky's understanding, the Fighter's Guild is barely as formal and the Consortium is practically a club). But, as dutifully as Veliky had hoped, Astrid stands straight, though the awkwardness is obvious in her freckled face.
It's almost humorous. But there's no room for humour here.
"Conscript Astrid Stormstone. You have proven your value in the eyes of Platinum Corp, and in the eyes of order: by surviving missions of overwhelming odds and defeating enemies of catastrophic power, you have proven your martial, arcane and tactical prowess; by creating inventions far beyond the complexity of any mundane smith or tinkerer, you have proven your ingenuity; and by adhering to these tasks even in the face of adversity, you have, most importantly, proven your loyalty. Your accomplishments mark you as an extraordinary individual, and qualify you to join Platinum Corp among the ranks of the Inzhener corps -- those whose ideas will shape the future of society. Do you accept?"
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 26, 2023 19:48:58 GMT -5
Seeing Veliky look a bit puzzled, Astrid takes that as her pondering over the fact that she’d been struck by lightning. It’s a little funny, but to her surprise, Veliky doesn’t show much concern about it the way that Cantio did. Maybe the bots reported it back to her. That would explain it.
Veliky’s voice breaks the silence, though not in a sharp way, just somewhat commanding. Following her directions, Astrid stands in front of her, adjusting her posture as Veliky instructs her. All the while, confusion is blatantly strewn across the girl’s face. This seems a bit odd. Is she about to get smacked for presenting Veliky such an odd amalgam of gifts?
What the heck is about to happen?
…
Oh, this is… Well, it isn’t praise, it’s just what Veliky would probably say stating facts. It’s praise enough, Astrid decides. She quite likes hearing what she takes as compliments. After all, she worked hard to catch and keep Veliky’s attention. Sure this whole exchange today hasn’t gone exactly as she planned, but things seem to be on the up and up now. So while Astrid listens to Veliky’s spiel, she starts thinking about what exactly it all means.
And then she realizes she really doesn’t know what it means. There’s a moment of silence and then Astrid’s eyes quickly show panic. What??
“Erm, Miss Veliky? What… What’s the Inz-heffner corps?”
Shit, she butchered that, didn’t she?
Veliky sighs. Yes, she did.
"The Inzhener Corps. It's the engineering and magic division of Platinum Corp." she explains, dropping the dignified air for a brief moment.
Astrid’s face lights up. Oh, why didn’t she just say that? It’s not like Astrid’s been totally engrossed in the inner machinations of Platinum Corp. In fact, she really barely knows anything about it except that it makes BlixtbotsTM and BlixtTM, both of which are technological achievements.
Wait, she didn’t mess up her chances at getting the job! Focus, Astrid! In some attempt to be formal or militaristic, Astrid salutes Veliky even though it’s really obvious she wants to drop down and hug the quarterling.
“Aye! I accept yer offer, Miss Veliky!”
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Post by Veliky on Apr 26, 2023 20:59:53 GMT -5
...At long last. How long has it been? A few months, bare minimum -- a few months of rigorous tests, gruelling trials, and demonstrations of more talent than anyone Astrid's age has any right to possess, all culminating in this moment. Astrid's acceptance is like a cool wind in the summer: refreshing, hopeful and long-overdue. And the energy it carries seems to ring out for the future.
It's almost enough to make Veliky smile. Almost.
Still, they aren't quite done. And so Veliky remains in that militant stance.
"Conscript Astrid Stormstone, your accomplishments also qualify you to join the ranks of the Silovik corps -- those whose honour and determination will carve the path to the future of society. Do you accept."
Only this time, she's learned. Without leaving Astrid in the dark, Veliky once again abandons that bravado and lowers her voice to a more rustic tone. "That's our adventuring division."
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Apr 28, 2023 22:48:02 GMT -5
Did her lip almost twitch? Almost? Almost, yes. Don’t grin like an idiot too much, Astrid. Veliky hasn’t made a move, so wait for it. As expected, Veliky speaks again. This time, she offers an explanation for the second group.
Wait, Veliky wants Astrid to be part of two divisions of Platinum Corp? Nope, she can’t contain her excitement.
“Aye, ‘course I do!” she says, adjusting her salute to be even more proper, standing as straight as a board as she possibly can. Then her shoulders relax, and the girl grins. “Adventurin’s kinda the thin’ that I like second best ta smithin’.” Her eyes trail up as she considers if that’s completely accurate, and she murmurs about being part of a family as her first favorite thing, smithing being the second, and adventuring being the third. Yup, that’s all correct.
Astrid only lets her stance fully relax when there’s a silence or if Veliky relaxes – the latter isn’t likely. “So… What now? Do… ya want some tea or somethin’?”
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Post by Veliky on May 16, 2023 23:46:42 GMT -5
And there it is. Months of lead-up, concluded with a slightly formal initiation. It was a gruelling process, for none moreso than Astrid herself. The missions, the helmet, the tests... Astrid may be a child, and she may come with many of the associated inefficiencies, but she's proven that she has the talent and drive to be a part of Platinum Corp. To dedicate such a prodigal genius to the development of a better future is a real achievement for Astrid and Platinum Corp both. Even here, in the still-hot forge and immersed in static, Veliky can close her eyes and bask in the cool relief of progress. And this time, she does smile; it's slight, but it's true... even if that word does still chime in her head like a massive, distant bell. 'Family...' Veliky supposes that her and Astrid, both, will have a lot to learn in the next few months.
In a succinct half-second, she readjusts her expression, and then she's that blank-faced businesswoman again.
"Now you're a member of Platinum Corp[1]." That's something of a white lie. The actual process will involve a lot more paperwork. But, for now, Veliky can grant a temporary position. Either way, it's the same concept. "And that means several things. Firstly, it means you need a badge to designate your station. Show me the back of your dominant hand."
Veliky doesn't typically get along with children. In fact, she typically hates them. But if there's anything that can she appreciate about them, it's their sheer earnesty (even when they attempt to lie). Astrid's plain bemusement, simple as it is, is something she can be grateful for.
"Why?"
What she doesn't always appreciate is the difficulty in explaining things to them... But a simple demonstration should suffice. Veliky raises her own right hand, balled into a fist, turning it so the back of her hand is visible to Astrid. It's a simple, but professional gesture, owing to two things: that it's been practiced many times, and that professionalism is simply something that Veliky bleeds. With her other hand, she raises two fingers and taps them to the back of her hand. In doing this, she almost seems to bend light as sigils of arcane blue manifest where she taps. But this sigil isn't any eldritch language; it's the familiar logo of Platinum Corp: a cog over a feather and sword, all shining proudly. Although their glow is slightly eerie, glinting on Veliky's frosted irises in the forge's dimness.
"Platinum Corp uses these illusory badges for identification. We call them Ephemeral Identification, or EID for short." She unclenches her hand, and the sigil disappears. "Now you'll have one, too, if you could show me your hand."
Astrid looks on with great interest, her eyes lighting up as she watches the illusion appear and disappear. Suddenly, the effort she put into her silly puzzle seems way less cool. "Well, that's spiffy, ain't it?" And then, with far more energy and far less professionalism, she holds her hand outward for Veliky to see.
This next step, Veliky wants to say that she's also done and trained a hundred times. But, in truth, this is only the seventh. Platinum Corp employees -- real ones that're inducted into the trichotomy, not interns or conscripts or bots -- are a sparse elite. But she still knows the process. Once again, she holds a balled right fist in front of her; but, this time, she speaks.
"Initiate."
Sigils form again, bringing a new air of finality with them. But it isn't the company's logo; instead, coglike runes surround a radiant emblem of three pillars holding aloft a burning brazier.
"Astrid Stormstone: Inzhener and Silovik."
The coglike sigils turn like a cosmic machine. Veliky raises her fist upward in a mirror (albeit a tilted one and far more dignified) of Astrid. Mana pulses in both of their extended hands, burning only slightly. The light of Veliky's hand grows brighter, and brighter...!
But then it's done. The burning fades.
It'd be easy to think that nothing happened. Suddenly, simply, Veliky lowers her hand and begins tapping at the arcane machinery on her glove. Business as usual, by all appearances. It wouldn't be until Astrid turns her own hand over, seeing where she felt the magical tingling, that she'd see what was done. As now, on the back of her right hand, is the logo of Platinum Corp, tattooed in that same arcane blue. A cog, a feather, and a sword; though, strangely, the feather doesn't glow as brightly. And then, more strangely, the whole sigil vanishes.
"Ball that hand into a fist and tap it whenever you need the badge to appear." she idly speaks with a casualness that's so unbefitting as to be awkward, still tapping away at mechanical runes that twist and change at her touch. There's a brief pause, and then she speaks again with just as much gravity. "That concludes the initiation."
1. Smooth Talking
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Jun 15, 2023 20:17:48 GMT -5
EID, Ephemeral… Identification… Where’s the word that starts with D? Things move quickly, and Astrid doesn’t have time to continue to consider where the heck the third word disappeared to. Oh, maybe the D sounds for Disappearication. Wait, is that a word? Maybe it’s Ephemeral Identification Disappearance?
It’s better off standing for Distracted.
If only Astrid were aware of how elite the corps she’s being inducted into are. As Veliky makes her motions and sigils appear, Astrid watches with great interest. Whatever this process is, however this magic manifests, she’s enraptured with it. Their light reflected in her eyes, the coglike runes spin in the air like the thoughts working their way through Astrid’s synapses. Somehow she never stops trying to figure things out.
The burning sensation barely draws her attention as she watches the ceremony conclude. Then the mark fades, and Veliky explains how to make it reappear. Of course, she immediately tests it. “Whoaaaa…” she breathes. And then she tests it a few more times, and her head tilts when she realizes that it wasn’t a trick. The feather isn’t as bright. Her brow furrows as she tries to consider what they could mean. Two icons glow brightly – those must represent the Inz… the engineers and the adventurers.
“What’s the feather represent?” she asks bluntly.
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