Daybreak:Volume 1 Chapter 3 - Revision history

Aorii at 18:47, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T18:47:42Z

Aorii at 16:24, 26 June 2021

2021-06-26T16:24:40Z

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Aorii at 18:27, 1 June 2021

2021-06-01T18:27:44Z

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Aorii at 15:51, 22 May 2021

2021-05-22T15:51:37Z

Aorii at 17:02, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T17:02:58Z

Aorii at 14:45, 19 December 2020

2020-12-19T14:45:31Z

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Aorii: REDUX PROJECT START, FULL RESET OF CONTENTS

2020-12-19T14:45:21Z

REDUX PROJECT START, FULL RESET OF CONTENTS

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Aorii at 15:20, 15 April 2017

2017-04-15T15:20:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:20, 15 April 2017
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	Her third shot bounced off the wrong stone block with a resounding denial.		Her third shot bounced off the wrong stone block with a resounding denial.

	''What about college? After working so hard and finally getting accepted to ~~my first-choice school~~.''		''What about college? After working so hard and finally getting accepted to the University of Tokyo.''

	The fifth arrow overshot the battlements altogether, its momentum wasted as it fell through thin air towards the grounds below.		The fifth arrow overshot the battlements altogether, its momentum wasted as it fell through thin air towards the grounds below.

Aorii: P-D edit

2016-02-12T16:59:33Z

P-D edit

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Aorii at 05:37, 1 December 2015

2015-12-01T05:37:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 27 February 2022
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	Sighing, Kaede decided to let the matter go, for now.		Sighing, Kaede decided to let the matter go, for now.

	"As I was saying, a familiar also serves as an eldritch proxy for the master. The arcane conduit between us allows me to cast spells on you, as well as through you, as long as you are within a kilopace of me, give or take depending on the ether saturation of the region. Being supplied by my mana also grants you some of the basic resistance mages have against foreign mana --so any alchemy or enchantment, spells that shape either the physical or the mind-- as long as they do not come from me."		"As I was saying, a familiar also serves as an eldritch proxy for the master. The arcane conduit between us allows me to cast spells on you, as well as through you, as long as you are within a kilopace of me, give or take depending on the ether saturation of the region. Being supplied by my mana also grants you some of the basic resistance mages have against foreign mana -- so any alchemy or enchantment, spells that shape either the physical or the mind -- as long as they do not come from me."

	"Terrific, so I'm a water hose now," her response was deadpan. Then more seriously: "Does that at least mean I can learn to cast spells using your ether... mana... whatever?"		"Terrific, so I'm a water hose now," her response was deadpan. Then more seriously: "Does that at least mean I can learn to cast spells using your ether... mana... whatever?"
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	"<You can use this also. Just concentrate.>"		"<You can use this also. Just concentrate.>"

	Kaede closed her eyes and ~~imaged~~ a microphone: "<You're an idiot.>"		Kaede closed her eyes and imagined a microphone: "<You're an idiot.>"

	"And so are you, if you do not see the value in such a reliable form of private communications."		"And so are you, if you do not see the value in such a reliable form of private communications."
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	Too tired to worry or even contemplate for once, Kaede simply sat there, dazed. Realization began to seep in that she had completely lost control of her emotions.		Too tired to worry or even contemplate for once, Kaede simply sat there, dazed. Realization began to seep in that she had completely lost control of her emotions.

	Kaede had always considered herself a levelheaded person, who used communication to solve problems rather than forceful action. After all, even professional crisis negotiators, who dealt with hostage-taking terrorists --the least reasonable people possible-- still found that showing empathy and sincerity results in a ''five times'' higher rate of success as the application of brute force. Diplomacy was almost always the best option, while violence was the last resort of the incompetent.		Kaede had always considered herself a levelheaded person, who used communication to solve problems rather than forceful action. After all, even professional crisis negotiators, who dealt with hostage-taking terrorists -- the least reasonable people possible -- still found that showing empathy and sincerity results in a ''five times'' higher rate of success as the application of brute force. Diplomacy was almost always the best option, while violence was the last resort of the incompetent.

	Yet, what she had just done was the ''exact opposite'' of 'being diplomatic'.		Yet, what she had just done was the ''exact opposite'' of 'being diplomatic'.
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	''I'll freeze or starve to death as a homeless girl!''		''I'll freeze or starve to death as a homeless girl!''

	Plus, even if Kaede could find shelter, what then? She was a girl now, and one of weak build at that. Even on ''modern Earth'' there were plenty of people who preyed on girls like her. If she ~~didn~~'t be careful, she'd find herself being trafficked and sold off to a brothel!		Plus, even if Kaede could find shelter, what then? She was a girl now, and one of weak build at that. Even on ''modern Earth'' there were plenty of people who preyed on girls like her. If she wasn't careful, she'd find herself being trafficked and sold off to a brothel!

	Kaede lost any sense of time as she sat there, dreading what would happen to her. However her stomach eventually broke the silence with a growl of anger.		Kaede lost any sense of time as she sat there, dreading what would happen to her. However her stomach eventually broke the silence with a growl of anger.
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	Ariadne turned back around and strode off, while the hall seemed to burst back into chatter. As the lady crossed paths with the maid returning to deliver Pascal's meal, she also gave the petite girl a smiling nod as she went along.		Ariadne turned back around and strode off, while the hall seemed to burst back into chatter. As the lady crossed paths with the maid returning to deliver Pascal's meal, she also gave the petite girl a smiling nod as she went along.

	Pascal however, didn't even acknowledge the maid as she served him his food. Feeling improper, Kaede told ~~the~~ the girl "thank you, miss", and received a surprised, almost gaping nod in return.		Pascal however, didn't even acknowledge the maid as she served him his food. Feeling improper, Kaede told the girl "thank you, miss", and received a surprised, almost gaping nod in return.

	As Kaede bit into a sumptuous slice of pork, she decided to prod Pascal's moodiness a bit to annoy him. She might have gone a little overboard back on the roof. But that didn't mean there wasn't other ways to get back at him.		As Kaede bit into a sumptuous slice of pork, she decided to prod Pascal's moodiness a bit to annoy him. She might have gone a little overboard back on the roof. But that didn't mean there wasn't other ways to get back at him.
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	''Perhaps he's not completely hopeless after all,'' the girl thought.		''Perhaps he's not completely hopeless after all,'' the girl thought.

	It certainly could have been far worse. At least Pascal seemed to have ''some'' integrity in upholding his personal values. If nothing else, Kaede rather doubted that most nobles in Earth's middle ages --no matter how much 'in the wrong' they were-- would let her off so easily after she broke several of their ribs.		It certainly could have been far worse. At least Pascal seemed to have ''some'' integrity in upholding his personal values. If nothing else, Kaede rather doubted that most nobles in Earth's middle ages -- no matter how much 'in the wrong' they were -- would let her off so easily after she broke several of their ribs.

	''Maybe he might at least treat me better, not to mention help me get back, if he simply acknowledged how badly he screwed up my life.''		''Maybe he might at least treat me better, not to mention help me get back, if he simply acknowledged how badly he screwed up my life.''

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:51, 22 May 2021
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	Part of Kaede felt relieved. Most of her thought it was a shame.		Part of Kaede felt relieved. Most of her thought it was a shame.

	But what really bothered Kaede was why Pascal kept everything bottled, instead of lashing out her ~~way~~. For a moment on the roof she thought he was going to just ignore her and leave. However he ended up waiting at the door, with neither a word nor a glance, until she grabbed the bow and arrows and caught up to him.		But what really bothered Kaede was why Pascal kept everything bottled, instead of lashing out at her. For a moment on the roof she thought he was going to just ignore her and leave. However he ended up waiting at the door, with neither a word nor a glance, until she grabbed the bow and arrows and caught up to him.

	Now, as he looked through the drawers and pulled out a fresh uniform, she felt like she had to say... something. In hindsight, beating him to an inch of his life really was too extreme. Certainly, he was responsible for turning her life upside down, but it wasn't like he had planned it with malicious intent. The summoning just sort of happened that way, and the result was mostly a side effect of the old saying 'be careful what you wish for'.		Now, as he looked through the drawers and pulled out a fresh uniform, she felt like she had to say... something. In hindsight, beating him to an inch of his life really was too extreme. Certainly, he was responsible for turning her life upside down, but it wasn't like he had planned it with malicious intent. The summoning just sort of happened that way, and the result was mostly a side effect of the old saying 'be careful what you wish for'.
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	"Here, this is perfect."		"Here, this is perfect."

	It was a white-on-black dress clearly made to resemble a maid uniform, except with far more frills, laces, layers of petticoats, and a huge ribbon in the back.		It was a modest, white-on-black dress clearly made to resemble a maid uniform, except with far more frills, laces, layers of petticoats, and a huge ribbon in the back.

	"I can't wear this!" She objected almost on reflex.		"I can't wear this!" She objected almost on reflex.
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	"Do you want me to forgive you for what happened earlier?"		"Do you want me to forgive you for what happened earlier?"

	''He's ~~doing this to~~ me ~~on purpose to punish me.~~''		''He's purposefully treating me like I'm some dress-up doll!''

	For a moment Kaede wrestled with the urge to give him another ~~bruise~~.		For a moment Kaede wrestled with the urge to give him another broken rib. Pascal might find this funny but to her it was utterly demeaning!


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	Pascal however, didn't even acknowledge the maid as she served him his food. Feeling improper, Kaede told the the girl "thank you, miss", and received a surprised, almost gaping nod in return.		Pascal however, didn't even acknowledge the maid as she served him his food. Feeling improper, Kaede told the the girl "thank you, miss", and received a surprised, almost gaping nod in return.

	As Kaede bit into a sumptuous slice of pork, she decided to prod Pascal's moodiness a ~~bit:~~		As Kaede bit into a sumptuous slice of pork, she decided to prod Pascal's moodiness and annoy him. She might have gone a little overboard back on the roof. But that didn't mean there wasn't other ways to get back at him.

	"So, what's your problem with her? She's from your country... Weichsel... isn't she?"		"So, what's your problem with her? She's from your country... Weichsel... isn't she?"
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	"You regret it, don't you?"		"You regret it, don't you?"

	Kaede admitted that at least part of her ~~intrigue~~ lay from a desire to hear him finally concede: that he was once an inconsiderate bastard to someone else, ~~one~~ who clearly deserved respect.		Kaede admitted that at least part of her motives lay from a desire to hear him finally concede: that he was once an inconsiderate bastard to someone else as well, someone who clearly deserved respect from him.

	But no words left him at all. Pascal kept on eating as if she had never said anything.		But no words left him at all. Pascal kept on eating as if she had never said anything.
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	Contemplative, Kaede thought back to some of the less-than-stellar people choices she made during her own years. Shortsighted, hasty, and hurtful decision-making often came as a rite of adolescence. The important part was that Pascal had awareness of it.		Contemplative, Kaede thought back to some of the less-than-stellar people choices she made during her own years. Shortsighted, hasty, and hurtful decision-making often came as a rite of adolescence. The important part was that Pascal had awareness of it.

	''~~He might~~ not be the worst person to get dragged into this whole mess by...''		''Maybe he's not the worst person to get dragged into this whole mess by...''

	It certainly could have been far worse. At least Pascal seemed to have some half-decency.		It certainly could have been far worse. At least Pascal seemed to have ''some'' half-decency. If nothing else, Kaede rather doubted that most nobles --no matter how much 'in the wrong' they were-- would let her off so easily after she broke several of their ribs.

	"You know..." Kaede advised, sincerely: "While it's not always enough, it's never too late to apologize."		"You know..." Kaede advised, sincerely: "While it's not always enough, it's never too late to apologize."

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 10 April 2021
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	By the time the first rays of light cracked through the curtains, she was tired of lying about. Taking care not to wake Pascal up, she pulled on the jacket from last night and grabbed the longbow on his wall. There was a quiver in the corner which she took as well. Then, after she quietly slipped out of the room, she made her way towards the rooftop.		By the time the first rays of light cracked through the curtains, she was tired of lying about. Taking care not to wake Pascal up, she pulled on the jacket from last night and grabbed the longbow on his wall. There was a quiver in the corner which she took as well. Then, after she quietly slipped out of the room, she made her way towards the rooftop.

	The Academy's 'dormitory' turned out to be more of an opulently furnished keep. Intricate rugs of rich wool lined the stone hallways, while bright crystal chandeliers lit every intersection. Gold-framed portraits and ornate medieval weapons decorated the spiraling tower staircase. Even the heating and insulation of its stone construction proved superior to Earth equivalents, as Kaede opened the thick wooden door to the roof and was promptly chilled to the bone by the cold air of ~~an early winter~~ morning.		The Academy's 'dormitory' turned out to be more of an opulently furnished keep. Intricate rugs of rich wool lined the stone hallways, while bright crystal chandeliers lit every intersection. Gold-framed portraits and ornate medieval weapons decorated the spiraling tower staircase. Even the heating and insulation of its stone construction proved superior to Earth equivalents, as Kaede opened the thick wooden door to the roof and was promptly chilled to the bone by the cold air of a late autumn morning.

	In hindsight, she should have taken a pair of Pascal's pants. Though given the differences in build between them, there was no way they would have stayed up. The wind on top of the roof wasn't much, barely a breeze by most standards. However the biting cold kept her keenly aware that she wore nothing more than a flimsy skirt and satin stockings underneath the oversized wool-and-cashmere jacket.		In hindsight, she should have taken a pair of Pascal's pants. Though given the differences in build between them, there was no way they would have stayed up. The wind on top of the roof wasn't much, barely a breeze by most standards. However the biting cold kept her keenly aware that she wore nothing more than a flimsy skirt and satin stockings underneath the oversized wool-and-cashmere jacket.
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	"Not yet. That one is a passive link. It takes longer to connect."		"Not yet. That one is a passive link. It takes longer to connect."

	Standing proudly in his immaculate crimson-on-black military uniform, Pascal wore his black Knight's Cross medal under the stiff folded collars that held his silver insignias. His perfectly groomed soft golden curls hung just long enough to drape over both ears, framing lean cheeks colored a healthy pink by the cold air. ~~Above a thoughtful smile, his~~ clear aqua-blue gaze shone with admiring intrigue, before they quickly changed into one of concerned examination.		Standing proudly in his immaculate crimson-on-black military uniform, Pascal wore his black Knight's Cross medal under the stiff folded collars that held his silver insignias. His perfectly groomed soft golden curls hung just long enough to drape over both ears, framing lean cheeks colored a healthy pink by the cold air. His clear aqua-blue gaze shone with admiring intrigue above a thoughtful smile, before they quickly changed into one of concerned examination.

	"You look terrible," he noted her pale countenance while taking a step forward to touch her cheek with warm fingers.		"You look terrible," he noted her pale countenance while taking a step forward to touch her cheek with warm fingers.
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	"Then, how do you enforce the loyalty of familiars?"		"Then, how do you enforce the loyalty of familiars?"

	"While the summoning compels the familiar to go through the ceremony, familiar bonds do not rely on compulsion magic. Instead, it links two beings through the arcane conduit. Obedience is achieved through a contest of will. It is why familiars are usually a good measure of the master's ~~capabilities~~."		"While the summoning compels the familiar to go through the ceremony, familiar bonds do not rely on compulsion magic. Instead, it links two beings through the arcane conduit. Obedience is achieved through a contest of will. It is why familiars are usually a good measure of the master's strength of character and mind."

	"Okay," Kaede relaxed, suppressing the urge to poke out those increasingly downcast eyes. "What else?"		"Okay," Kaede relaxed, suppressing the urge to poke out those increasingly downcast eyes. "What else?"
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	"I am getting there... Since I am born of high nobility, we can never know if there may be treachery underfoot. So I thought ahead and specified the contract to give you a magic reservoir, in the form of a permanent set of spell-storing glyphs on your forearms."		"I am getting there... Since I am born of high nobility, we can never know if there may be treachery underfoot. So I thought ahead and specified the contract to give you a magic reservoir, in the form of a permanent set of spell-storing glyphs on your forearms."

	~~After setting~~ the longbow down in a rush~~, Kaede~~ quickly stripped the white satin glove off her right arm. It was just as he said. There were now eight runes etched in a row on the underside of her forearm. Each rune shed a faint, turquoise-blue glow, and together they gave off a subtle warmth, which spread evenly in her still-gloved left arm.		Kaede set the longbow down in a rush. She quickly stripped the white satin glove off her right arm. It was just as he said. There were now eight runes etched in a row on the underside of her forearm. Each rune shed a faint, turquoise-blue glow, and together they gave off a subtle warmth, which spread evenly in her still-gloved left arm.

	"I'm not a battery!" She stared back at him with incensed eyes. Never a fan of tattoos to begin with, she couldn't believe he already had her permanently marked.		"I'm not a battery!" She stared back at him with incensed eyes. Never a fan of tattoos to begin with, she couldn't believe he already had her permanently marked.
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	Only then did she realize that the pain in her knees was fading away.		Only then did she realize that the pain in her knees was fading away.

	~~Then silence~~ fell between the two of them once more.		Silence fell between the two of them once more.

	Too tired to worry or even contemplate for once, Kaede simply sat there, dazed. The last thought that went through her head was an unfeeling conviction:		Too tired to worry or even contemplate for once, Kaede simply sat there, dazed. The last thought that went through her head was an unfeeling conviction:
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	The dining hall was located on the first floor of a massive central keep. It was large enough to fit a small church and they certainly weren't frugal on furnishing. Lit by chandeliers and massive stained-glass windows, it was lined with long, intricately-carved dining tables. Over a hundred students and teachers filled the individual chairs, gathered mostly in small clusters. Meanwhile servants in maid and butler outfits traversed up and down the aisles, taking orders and delivering food to the upper-class students.		The dining hall was located on the first floor of a massive central keep. It was large enough to fit a small church and they certainly weren't frugal on furnishing. Lit by chandeliers and massive stained-glass windows, it was lined with long, intricately-carved dining tables. Over a hundred students and teachers filled the individual chairs, gathered mostly in small clusters. Meanwhile servants in maid and butler outfits traversed up and down the aisles, taking orders and delivering food to the upper-class students.

	"Hey ''Runelord''," a jeering call came from the far side as a short boy with flaming-red hair stood up. "I heard your familiar ~~girl~~ gave you a thrashing on the roof this morning! How does it feel to take yet another first -- the first to receive a beatdown from a loyal familiar? Honestly, was your performance in bed that abysmal last night?"		"Hey ''Runelord''," a jeering call came from the far side as a short boy with flaming-red hair stood up. "I heard your familiar gave you a thrashing on the roof this morning! How does it feel to take yet another first -- the first to receive a beatdown from a loyal familiar? Honestly, was your performance in bed that abysmal last night?"

	About a third of the hall either chuckled or laughed as the boy sat back down.		About a third of the hall either chuckled or laughed as the boy sat back down.
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	"You can have dinner."		"You can have dinner."

	"Gee, thanks. How generous of you, ''Sir''!"		"Gee, thanks. How generous of you, ''Sir!''"

	His attitude made any sense of prior sympathy evaporate. It left her with only biting sarcasm.		His attitude made any sense of prior sympathy evaporate. It left her with only biting sarcasm.
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	The hall seemed to hush as the lady walked up to a stop directly behind Pascal. She ignored him entirely, just as he turned his back to her. However the lady then locked gazes with Kaede as she gave a short but smiling nod:		The hall seemed to hush as the lady walked up to a stop directly behind Pascal. She ignored him entirely, just as he turned his back to her. However the lady then locked gazes with Kaede as she gave a short but smiling nod:

	"Good afternoon, Miss Familiar. My name is Ariadne Charlotte von Zimmer-Manteuffel, daughter to the Margrave of Saale-Holzland. I apologize for the impropriety, but the last time we met, you were still unconscious."		"Good afternoon, Miss Familiar. My name is Ariadne Charlotte von Zimmer-Manteuffel, daughter to the Margrave of Saale-Holzland of Weichsel. I apologize for the impropriety, but the last time we met, you were still unconscious."

	Kaede felt stunned by the presence of true nobility and grace before her eyes. However, she did not miss the fact that even though Ariadne came from the same country as Pascal, the two of them clearly weren't on speaking terms.		Kaede felt stunned by the presence of true nobility and grace before her eyes. However, she did not miss the fact that even though Ariadne came from the same country as Pascal, the two of them clearly weren't on speaking terms.
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	"Not at all. Well then, good luck, have a pleasant day, and I will see you around!"		"Not at all. Well then, good luck, have a pleasant day, and I will see you around!"

	Ariadne turned back around and strode off, while the hall seemed to burst back into chatter. ~~Crossing~~ paths with the maid returning to deliver Pascal's meal, ~~Ariadne~~ also gave the petite girl a smiling nod as she went along.		Ariadne turned back around and strode off, while the hall seemed to burst back into chatter. As the lady crossed paths with the maid returning to deliver Pascal's meal, she also gave the petite girl a smiling nod as she went along.

	Pascal however, didn't even acknowledge the maid as she served him his food. Feeling improper, Kaede told the the girl "thank you, miss", and received a surprised, almost gaping nod in return.		Pascal however, didn't even acknowledge the maid as she served him his food. Feeling improper, Kaede told the the girl "thank you, miss", and received a surprised, almost gaping nod in return.
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	Kaede had almost given up on an answer before he sighed deeply and began with a faraway gaze:		Kaede had almost given up on an answer before he sighed deeply and began with a faraway gaze:

	"I courted Ariadne once, back in Weichsel when we both attended the ~~Konigsfeld~~ Academy. It lasted little more than a week. She couldn't stop complaining about every little detail about her performance that bothered her back then. I ran out of patience quickly and broke off the relationship. She has barely talked to me and only referred to me as a 'self-centered prick' ever since."		"I courted Ariadne once, back in Weichsel when we both attended the Königsfeld Academy. It lasted little more than a week. She couldn't stop complaining about every little detail about her performance that bothered her back then. I ran out of patience quickly and broke off the relationship. She has barely talked to me and only referred to me as a 'self-centered prick' ever since."

	"Well... you kinda--"		"Well... you kinda--"

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:37, 1 December 2015
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	Her third shot bounced off the wrong stone block with a resounding denial.		Her third shot bounced off the wrong stone block with a resounding denial.

	''What about college? After working so hard and finally receiving my first-choice acceptance ~~letter~~.''		''What about college? After working so hard and finally receiving my first-choice acceptance.''

	The fifth arrow overshot the battlements altogether, its momentum wasted as it fell through thin air towards the grounds below.		The fifth arrow overshot the battlements altogether, its momentum wasted as it fell through thin air towards the grounds below.
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	Standing proudly in his immaculate crimson-on-black military uniform, Pascal wore his black Knight's Cross medal under the stiff folded collars that held his silver insignias. His perfectly groomed soft golden curls hanged just long enough to drape over both ears, framing lean cheeks colored a healthy pink by the cold air. With a thoughtful smile, his clear aqua-blue eyes shone with admiring intrigue before changing into one of concerned examination.		Standing proudly in his immaculate crimson-on-black military uniform, Pascal wore his black Knight's Cross medal under the stiff folded collars that held his silver insignias. His perfectly groomed soft golden curls hanged just long enough to drape over both ears, framing lean cheeks colored a healthy pink by the cold air. With a thoughtful smile, his clear aqua-blue eyes shone with admiring intrigue before changing into one of concerned examination.

	"You look terrible," he noted her countenance while taking a step forward to touch her cheek with ~~his~~ fingers.		"You look terrible," he noted her pale countenance while taking a step forward to touch her cheek with warm fingers.

	"Gee, thanks, I wonder whose fault it is," she retorted.		"Gee, thanks, I wonder whose fault it is," she retorted.
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	Only then did he notice that the girl who stood over him, arms hanging in dejection, was also crying.		Only then did he notice that the girl who stood over him, arms hanging in dejection, was also crying.

	"You!... You!... You pulled me out of a perfectly good life, forced me to ~~abandoned~~ my family and friends, cut short all my effort and dreams, took away everything I know, dragged me into this fucking world, turned me into a girl out of your selfish whims, destroyed any hopes of me ever going back, treats my entire existence like property, and, and, AND YOU DON'T EVEN THINK YOU DESERVED A BEATING!!!?"		"You!... You!... You pulled me out of a perfectly good life, forced me to abandon my family and friends, cut short all my effort and dreams, took away everything I know, dragged me into this fucking world, turned me into a girl out of your selfish whims, destroyed any hopes of me ever going back, treats my entire existence like property, and, and, AND YOU DON'T EVEN THINK YOU DESERVED A BEATING!!!?"

	Having drained her of what little energy she had, Kaede's violent outburst had opened up the floodgates. All of her doubts, fears, worries, anger, frustrations, and anxieties which escalated over the past twelve hours that changed her life forever poured out like a deluge. As though her strings were suddenly cut, she fell to the ground, slamming her knees into the stone roof before toppling over to one side. Lying parallel to him and on her side, she curled up her legs and began to wail and sob uncontrollably.		Having drained her of what little energy she had, Kaede's violent outburst had opened up the floodgates. All of her doubts, fears, worries, anger, frustrations, and anxieties which escalated over the past twelve hours that changed her life forever poured out like a deluge. As though her strings were suddenly cut, she fell to the ground, slamming her knees into the stone roof before toppling over to one side. Lying parallel to him and on her side, she curled up her legs and began to wail and sob uncontrollably.
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	For obvious reasons, Kaede was not used to wearing heels, not even ~~two~~-~~inch~~-tall chunky heels with ankle straps. The smooth satin stockings also did not offer the same grip as the cotton socks she was used to. Trying to keep up with Pascal's full stride as he crossed the grounds towards the dining hall only made both worse.		For obvious reasons, Kaede was not used to wearing heels, not even five-centimeter-tall (2") chunky heels with ankle straps. The smooth satin stockings also did not offer the same grip as the cotton socks she was used to. Trying to keep up with Pascal's full stride as he crossed the grounds towards the dining hall only made both worse.

	She was also keenly aware that almost every person they came across was staring at her.		She was also keenly aware that almost every person they came across was staring at her.