Daybreak:Volume 1 Chapter 5 - Revision history

Aorii at 18:48, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T18:48:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:48, 27 February 2022
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	It was Pascal's familiar, shooting arrows across the roof again with a longbow. Her archery style was ''odd'', to say the least. Her ability to pull the bow also clearly relied on magic, as there was no way a small, thin girl like her could exert the arm strength.		It was Pascal's familiar, shooting arrows across the roof again with a longbow. Her archery style was ''odd'', to say the least. Her ability to pull the bow also clearly relied on magic, as there was no way a small, thin girl like her could exert the arm strength.

	"Good morning, Miss Suvorsky!" Ariadne called out as she guided Edelweiss into a flawless landing atop the dormitory keep. Having only spoken to the familiar girl once before, Ariadne had to tap her memory necklace --which she used as a diary-- for a reminder on the other girl's name.		"Good morning, Miss Suvorsky!" Ariadne called out as she guided Edelweiss into a flawless landing atop the dormitory keep. Having only spoken to the familiar girl once before, Ariadne had to tap her memory necklace -- which she used as a diary -- for a reminder on the other girl's name.

	"Good morning, uh, milady." The same could not be said for the other girl as she stood uncertain.		"Good morning, uh, milady." The same could not be said for the other girl as she stood uncertain.
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	"You're writing a new military doctrine?" She asked, her mind barely grasping the reality of the parchment in her hands. ''He's only twenty!''		"You're writing a new military doctrine?" She asked, her mind barely grasping the reality of the parchment in her hands. ''He's only twenty!''

	"Many of the basic concepts were already employed by my father during the War of Imperial Succession ten years ago, the same war that earned him a hero's fame and the title Landgrave of Nordkreuz."		"Many of the basic concepts were already employed by my father during the War of Imperial Succession ten years ago, the same war that earned him a hero's fame and the title Landgrave of Nordkreuz." Pascal actually had enough humility for a faint blush for once. "But I need as many field examples as possible. Since you are into reading all those boring history books, finding the right battle records for me to examine will be your task!"

	Pascal actually had enough humility for a faint blush for once.

	"But I need as many field examples as possible. Since you are into reading all those boring history books, finding the right battle records for me to examine will be your task!"

	Kaede didn't mind studying. If anything, she ''enjoyed'' learning. But, as her gaze swept across the table and saw the dozens of dusty tomes piled up in thick columns, she could feel her eyelids tiring already.		Kaede didn't mind studying. If anything, she ''enjoyed'' learning. But, as her gaze swept across the table and saw the dozens of dusty tomes piled up in thick columns, she could feel her eyelids tiring already.
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	"I understand, Sir. But I can do that myself." His tone was on the verge of protesting.		"I understand, Sir. But I can do that myself." His tone was on the verge of protesting.

	Kaede ''loved'' how they were talking about her --not just in third person, but as though an experimental specimen-- when she stood within this very room.		Kaede ''loved'' how they were talking about her -- not just in third person, but as though an experimental specimen -- when she stood within this very room.

	"Headmaster, Sir, don't I have rights as a human being for any say in this?"		"Headmaster, Sir, don't I have rights as a human being for any say in this?"
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	"What does the headmaster mean by history not repeating itself?"		"What does the headmaster mean by history not repeating itself?"

	"See, if you had done your research in human-to-human binding, you would have known that there is an unspoken taboo on pact magic between us and the Samarans," began the Professor. "Five hundred years ago, a Prince of the Polisian Federation --the Grand Republic's predecessor state-- sealed a binding magical contract with his Samaran love. According to some Inner Sea historians, this was the event that unleashed the Great Plague, which killed a third of the population across Western Hyperion before a Samaran alchemist eventually synthesized a cure."		"See, if you had done your research in human-to-human binding, you would have known that there is an unspoken taboo on pact magic between us and the Samarans," began the Professor. "Five hundred years ago, a Prince of the Polisian Federation -- the Grand Republic's predecessor state -- sealed a binding magical contract with his Samaran love. According to some Inner Sea historians, this was the event that unleashed the Great Plague, which killed a third of the population across Western Hyperion before a Samaran alchemist eventually synthesized a cure."

	"But..."		"But..."

Aorii at 18:44, 1 July 2021

2021-07-01T18:44:33Z

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	The two continued to make comparisons between their worlds for a good hour, until Ariadne saw Perceval on his daily run around the grounds and left to join him. Though even as she left, she still had trouble believing that another realm, one without the aid of magic, could advance to a more technological level of civilization.		The two continued to make comparisons between their worlds for a good hour, until Ariadne saw Perceval on his daily run around the grounds and left to join him. Though even as she left, she still had trouble believing that another realm, one without the aid of magic, could advance to a more technological level of civilization.

	Ariadne had heard that the Samarans often claimed to have 'memories of past lives'. It was part of why they had a unique relationship with the Trinitian Church, and were considered 'tolerated heathens' as they were impossible to convert. Official Church scripture declared that the Samarans were undergoing a form of mortal purgatory. However there were many whom believed what the Samarans' memories were tainted by whispers of the devil.		Ariadne had heard that the Samarans often claimed to have 'memories of past lives', including from other worlds. It was part of why they had a unique relationship with the Trinitian Church, and were considered 'tolerated heathens' as they were impossible to convert. Official Church scripture declared that the Samarans were undergoing a form of mortal purgatory. However there were many whom believed what the Samarans' memories were tainted by whispers of the devil.

	Nevertheless, the Samarans' unique biology not only gave them longevity rivaling the healthiest of mages, but also allowed them to provide a substance that the rest of the world badly needed. Ariadne wasn't sure where exactly the religious differences ended and politics began, but she did know that anything a Samaran claimed about their 'other lives' should be considered with a healthy heaping of salt.		Nevertheless, the Samarans' unique biology not only gave them longevity rivaling the healthiest of mages, but also allowed them to provide a substance that the rest of the world badly needed. Ariadne wasn't sure where exactly the religious differences ended and politics began, but she did know that anything a Samaran claimed about their 'other lives' should be considered with a healthy heaping of salt.

Aorii at 16:31, 26 June 2021

2021-06-26T16:31:40Z

Aorii at 18:31, 1 June 2021

2021-06-01T18:31:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:31, 1 June 2021
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	For a second Kaede's expression grew sympathetic yet nostalgic. It was as though she could tell the same tale about her homeland.		For a second Kaede's expression grew sympathetic yet nostalgic. It was as though she could tell the same tale about her homeland.

	"I take it the Lotharins don't get along with the Imperium?" The familiar ~~girl~~ asked next, even though she clearly knew the answer. "Probably quite difficult when the Inner Sea Imperium is the premier superpower of the west?"		"I take it the Lotharins don't get along with the Imperium?" The familiar asked next, even though she clearly knew the answer. "Probably quite difficult when the Inner Sea Imperium is the premier superpower of the west?"

	"Yes, on both accounts," Ariadne replied, feeling quite impressed by how quickly the ~~small~~ girl was learning about their world. "The Inner Sea Imperium may be in decline, but they still dominate the politics of Western Hyperion. Thanks to their influence, most people see Rhin-Lotharingie as little more than a huge frontier full of half-civilized barbarians. I certainly did before I came here," she admitted.		"Yes, on both accounts," Ariadne replied, feeling quite impressed by how quickly the girl was learning about their world. "The Inner Sea Imperium may be in decline, but they still dominate the politics of Western Hyperion. Thanks to their influence, most people see Rhin-Lotharingie as little more than a huge frontier full of half-civilized barbarians. I certainly did before I came here," she admitted.

	Kaede sighed as she bore that expression again. It was as though she understood exactly what it meant to belong to a group constantly being vilified by a hegemonic imperial state.		Kaede sighed as she bore that expression again. It was as though she understood exactly what it meant to belong to a group constantly being vilified by a hegemonic imperial state.
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	"I can see that you're very interested in our world."		"I can see that you're very interested in our world."

	"''Interest'' is an understatement," the ~~small~~ girl chuckled. "I study history and culture. Your world is absolutely ''fascinating''."		"''Interest'' is an understatement," the Samaran girl chuckled. "I study history and culture. Your world is absolutely ''fascinating''."

	''Well that's unexpected,'' Ariadne thought to herself even as she kept up her charming smile. ''I never took her for a bookworm.''		''Well that's unexpected,'' Ariadne thought to herself even as she kept up her charming smile. ''I never took her for a bookworm.''
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	"No, no, not at all," Kaede frantically waved her hands. "I'm sorry for asking. I didn't realize there were rules on it in this world."		"No, no, not at all," Kaede frantically waved her hands. "I'm sorry for asking. I didn't realize there were rules on it in this world."

	The ~~small~~ girl eyed Ariadne's hi-low skirt. It had mid-thigh front hem, exposing the tight leggings underneath that hugged her beautiful long legs.		The Samaran girl eyed Ariadne's hi-low skirt. It had mid-thigh front hem, exposing the tight leggings underneath that hugged her beautiful long legs.

	"What about a shorter skirt then?"		"What about a shorter skirt then?"
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	"Yes Sir. Thank you, Sir." Pascal answered, followed by a still-overwhelmed Kaede mirroring his gratitude.		"Yes Sir. Thank you, Sir." Pascal answered, followed by a still-overwhelmed Kaede mirroring his gratitude.

	The professor, however, never so much looked at her. After a nod of acknowledgment to Pascal, he walked off:		The professor, however, never so much as looked at her. After a nod of acknowledgment to Pascal, he walked off:

	"I expect your preliminary report by tomorrow morning, Sir Pascal. Assume nothing, confirm! And don't forget your next research project milestone!"		"I expect your preliminary report by tomorrow morning, Sir Pascal. Assume nothing, confirm! And don't forget your next research project milestone!"
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	Dinner included a gourmet shepherd's pie and chicken soup, which Kaede desperately ate to warm her soul back up.		Dinner included a gourmet shepherd's pie and chicken soup, which Kaede desperately ate to warm her soul back up.

	It wasn't until after they returned to his dorms when she regained the energy to breach the topic ~~again~~:		In hindsight, she should have anticipated the news. Even on modern Earth, many illegal immigrants were denied their basic rights due to the fact they fell outside the legal system. Here in Hyperion, Kaede had no history, no identification, not even a hometown where she'd be recognized. It would not be an exaggeration to say that she could be 'vanished' and nobody would even miss her!

			-- Nobody except Pascal. The same man who had caused all of her misery was also the only person who stood up for her.

			''How am I supposed to even think about this?'' Kaede found herself struggling to untangle it all.

			It wasn't until after they returned to his dorms when she regained the energy to breach the topic with him:

	"Was that your first time meeting the headmaster?"		"Was that your first time meeting the headmaster?"
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	"Yes?" He asked without looking at Kaede. His attention continued to rush about the room, either collecting or setting up various pieces of equipment.		"Yes?" He asked without looking at Kaede. His attention continued to rush about the room, either collecting or setting up various pieces of equipment.

	"Thank you for what you did. I really mean it... even if the whole thing was your fault to begin with." ~~Her~~ wispy voice ~~rose into~~ a ~~huff~~ as she ~~continued:~~ "~~Seriously~~, ~~what~~ the heck were you thinking, forging a familiar contract with another person without even doing your homework properly?"		"Thank you for what you did. I really mean it... even if the whole thing was your fault to begin with." Kaede spoke out in her wispy voice.

			She had decided to thank him after all. Not because she had lost perspective, but because she wanted to make the best of a situation. Professor Albert was right in that good behavior should be encouraged. And it became clear after meeting the Headmaster that as long as Kaede lived in this world, she also ''needed'' Pascal.

			"Though seriously," she then added in a huff. "What the heck were you thinking, forging a familiar contract with another person without even doing your homework properly?"

	"I figured nobody else had ever tried making another person a familiar..."		"I figured nobody else had ever tried making another person a familiar..."
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	''That can't be... no!''		''That can't be... no!''

	Kaede could only shake her head slowly~~, her~~ mind overwhelmed by torrents of denial, her eyes pointing but not seeing.		Kaede could only shake her head slowly. Her mind felt overwhelmed by torrents of denial, her eyes pointing but not seeing.

	"I am sorry to tell you this, Kaede. But it is a truth that we must face. It would certainly explain why your soul was naturalized anew in our world, rather than coming here in an alien body. Perhaps it was part of the Holy Father's plans all along. Perhaps you were meant to live as a girl."		"I am sorry to tell you this, Kaede. But it is a truth that we must face. It would certainly explain why your soul was naturalized anew in our world, rather than coming here in an alien body. Perhaps it was part of the Holy Father's plans all along. Perhaps you were meant to live as a girl."
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	By that point, her gaping expression had already stilled into a delicate statue.		By that point, her gaping expression had already stilled into a delicate statue.

	Pascal figured this was as good a time to begin as any ~~to begin~~, even as a faint grin tugged at his lips.		Pascal figured this was as good a time to begin as any, even as a faint grin tugged at his lips.


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	If looks could kill, the one Pascal received wouldn't have left even a speck of dust. Instead the only damage he took was from a flying pillow, which splashed the vial's contents across his cheeks, now magically dyed a glowing blue.		If looks could kill, the one Pascal received wouldn't have left even a speck of dust. Instead the only damage he took was from a flying pillow, which splashed the vial's contents across his cheeks, now magically dyed a glowing blue.

	Kaede realized that perhaps the greatest struggle of her new life was wrestling with the daily urge to beat ~~him~~ senseless.		Kaede realized that perhaps the greatest struggle of her new life was wrestling with the daily urge to beat the very person whom she depended on senseless.

Aorii at 11:52, 15 April 2021

2021-04-15T11:52:03Z

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	"Yes, on both accounts," Ariadne replied, feeling quite impressed by how quickly the small girl was learning about their world. "The Inner Sea Imperium may be in decline, but they still dominate the politics of Western Hyperion. Thanks to their influence, most people see Rhin-Lotharingie as little more than a huge frontier full of half-civilized barbarians. I certainly did before I came here," she admitted.		"Yes, on both accounts," Ariadne replied, feeling quite impressed by how quickly the small girl was learning about their world. "The Inner Sea Imperium may be in decline, but they still dominate the politics of Western Hyperion. Thanks to their influence, most people see Rhin-Lotharingie as little more than a huge frontier full of half-civilized barbarians. I certainly did before I came here," she admitted.

	Kaede sighed as she bore that expression again. It was as though she understood exactly what it meant to belong to a group constantly ~~bullied and reviled~~ by a hegemonic imperial state.		Kaede sighed as she bore that expression again. It was as though she understood exactly what it meant to belong to a group constantly being vilified by a hegemonic imperial state.

	"Just like Russia and America," the familiar girl muttered in a barely audible voice.		"Just like Russia and America," the familiar girl muttered in a barely audible voice.

Aorii at 17:06, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T17:06:06Z

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Aorii at 17:37, 21 February 2021

2021-02-21T17:37:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:37, 21 February 2021
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	After that was a full set of warm-ups, from squats to sit-ups, while she watched the dawning light permeate the horizon in grapefruit red. It was followed by an hour of sword practice, slashing away at illusory opponents provided by the academy's drill hall.		After that was a full set of warm-ups, from squats to sit-ups, while she watched the dawning light permeate the horizon in grapefruit red. It was followed by an hour of sword practice, slashing away at illusory opponents provided by the academy's drill hall.

	The Manteuffel clan used a signature weapon that was a variant of the Weichsel swordstaff. It featured a blade the length of one's forearm, attached to the tip of a quarterstaff. A second, shorter blade was concealed in the shaft's bottom, and could be ejected from the rear end. The weapon could be interchangeably used as a sword, a polearm, or even a double-tipped spear. Furthermore, it could magically grow into a heavy lance over ~~fifteen~~ paces long, tipped by a frightful blade.		The Manteuffel clan used a signature weapon that was a variant of the Weichsel swordstaff. It featured a blade the length of one's forearm, attached to the tip of a quarterstaff. A second, shorter blade was concealed in the shaft's bottom, and could be ejected from the rear end. The weapon could be interchangeably used as a sword, a polearm, or even a double-tipped spear. Furthermore, it could magically grow into a heavy lance over six paces long, tipped by a frightful blade.

	These swords symbolized the family's customs and pride: adaptive to circumstance, creative in its use, mastered only through diligence, and deadly beyond all doubt in combat.		These swords symbolized the family's customs and pride: adaptive to circumstance, creative in its use, mastered only through diligence, and deadly beyond all doubt in combat.

Aorii at 14:46, 19 December 2020

2020-12-19T14:46:55Z

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Aorii: REDUX PROJECT START, FULL RESET OF CONTENTS

2020-12-19T14:46:44Z

REDUX PROJECT START, FULL RESET OF CONTENTS

Show changes

Aorii at 18:32, 14 April 2017

2017-04-14T18:32:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:32, 14 April 2017
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	"You're writing a new military doctrine?" She asked, her mind barely grasping the reality of the parchment in her hands. ''He's only nineteen!''		"You're writing a new military doctrine?" She asked, her mind barely grasping the reality of the parchment in her hands. ''He's only nineteen!''

	"Many of the basic concepts my father already employed during the War of Imperial Succession years ago, the same war that earned him a hero's fame and the title Landgrave of Nordkreuz."		"Many of the basic concepts my father already employed during the War of Imperial Succession ten years ago, the same war that earned him a hero's fame and the title Landgrave of Nordkreuz."

	Pascal actually had enough humility for a faint blush for once.		Pascal actually had enough humility for a faint blush for once.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:31, 26 June 2021
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	"Well, if he gives you any trouble, please feel free to confide in me about it." Ariadne left the other half of her thoughts unsaid: ''I'll give him a real scandal -- one that will send enough evil glares his way that even he'll flinch.''		"Well, if he gives you any trouble, please feel free to confide in me about it." Ariadne left the other half of her thoughts unsaid: ''I'll give him a real scandal -- one that will send enough evil glares his way that even he'll flinch.''

	For a moment, Kaede seemed eager to take up ~~her~~ offer as her lips parted to speak. However all that eventually came out was: "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."		For a moment, Kaede seemed eager to take up the offer as her lips parted to speak. However the Samaran girl soon stopped as a cautious look filled her gaze. It felt as though she had prior experience in the politics of nobles and was therefore hesitant to become involved. As a result, all that eventually came out was: "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

	Ariadne shrugged off her rising disappointment. ''Don't be greedy'', she silently scolded herself.		Ariadne shrugged off her rising disappointment. ''Don't be greedy'', she silently scolded herself. ''It takes time to build trust.''

	If there was one thing Ariadne enjoyed more than riding, and wanted more than a renowned career in the Knights Phantom, it was the trust, recognition, and admiration of everyone around her. This went doubly so for the closest person to one of her few enemies -- that self-centered prick who had dared to scorn her. And based on how the younger girl's gaze had been rooted on her this entire time, she held no doubts that Kaede's trust and respect were steadily growing.		If there was one thing Ariadne enjoyed more than riding, and wanted more than a renowned career in the Knights Phantom, it was the trust, recognition, and admiration of everyone around her. This went doubly so for the closest person to one of her few enemies -- that self-centered prick who had dared to scorn her. And based on how the younger girl's gaze had been rooted on her this entire time, she held no doubts that Kaede's trust and respect were steadily growing.
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	Kaede didn't mind studying. If anything, she ''enjoyed'' learning. But, as her gaze swept across the table and saw the dozens of dusty tomes piled up in thick columns, she could feel her eyelids tiring already.		Kaede didn't mind studying. If anything, she ''enjoyed'' learning. But, as her gaze swept across the table and saw the dozens of dusty tomes piled up in thick columns, she could feel her eyelids tiring already.

	''Where is Wikipedia when you need it? Or at least a library index?''		''Where is Wikipedia when you need its shorthand summaries? Or at least a library index?''


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	-- Nobody except Pascal. The same man who had caused all of her misery was also the only person who stood up for her.		-- Nobody except Pascal. The same man who had caused all of her misery was also the only person who stood up for her.

	''How am I supposed to even think about this?'' Kaede found herself struggling to untangle it all.		''How am I supposed to even think about this!?'' Kaede found herself struggling to untangle it all.

	It wasn't until after they returned to his dorms when she regained the energy to breach the topic with him:		It wasn't until after they returned to his dorms when she regained the energy to breach the topic with him:
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	What came out was a crystal clear liquid, tinged only by a shade of pink.		What came out was a crystal clear liquid, tinged only by a shade of pink.

	Unlike her, Pascal calmly finished the procedure and pulled out the needle before he froze.		Unlike her, Pascal calmly finished the procedure and pulled out the needle before he froze. Both of them stared at the syringe that held translucent blood the color of cotton candy.

	Both of them stared at the syringe that held translucent blood the color of cotton candy.

	"W-what does this mean?" Kaede heard her own voice from far away.		"W-what does this mean?" Kaede heard her own voice from far away.
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	Pascal shrugged as he stirred a potion vial that included several strands of her hair.		Pascal shrugged as he stirred a potion vial that included several strands of her hair.

	"Don't jump to a conclusion just because it removes blame from you!" Kaede glared, seething. Being told that she had died was another shock she could have gone without this day.		"Don't jump to a conclusion just because it removes blame from you!" Kaede glared, seething. Being told that she had died was another shock she could have gone without this day.

	After piling so much weight in the past few hours onto an already overburdened mind, ~~annoyance and anger remained as her only barriers against~~ another ~~teary~~ outburst.		After piling so much weight in the past few hours onto an already overburdened mind, she found herself already on the verge of yet another stressful outburst.

	"I did not say that is what happened. I merely said it was a likely scenario." His focus was still concentrated on the vial. His poker face was impenetrable.		"I did not say that is what happened. I merely said it was a likely scenario." His focus was still concentrated on the vial. His poker face was impenetrable.
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	Yet despite her comment, she held no doubt that many sleepless hours would be spent precisely over this 'useless worrying'. It was impossible not to, perhaps even inhuman. That was an odd thought because Kaede wasn't even sure if she was still considered 'human' at this point.		Yet despite her comment, she held no doubt that many sleepless hours would be spent precisely over this 'useless worrying'. It was impossible not to, perhaps even inhuman. That was an odd thought because Kaede wasn't even sure if she was still considered 'human' at this point.

			She was now a Samaran without even understanding what 'being a Samaran' meant. How did this affect her body? Or more importantly, her mind? Did Samaran psychology even work the same way as normal humans? She wasn't sure about any of this!

	"Do not bother getting too comfortable. I need a urine sample from you soon," Pascal noted, only to receive a groan in response.		"Do not bother getting too comfortable. I need a urine sample from you soon," Pascal noted, only to receive a groan in response.

	~~After sitting back up and chasing~~ the evil thoughts away, Kaede pouted towards the corner closet door that held the heavy chamber pot. Leaning against the wall next to it, there was now a pile of treated wood, packed cotton, and velvet fabrics.		Nevertheless, Kaede took her opportunity to do a quick, 'square breathing' exercise. She might not have the time to do proper meditation now, but at least she could chase the evil thoughts away to a corner of her mind. Then, after sitting back up, Kaede pouted towards the corner closet door that held the heavy chamber pot. Leaning against the wall next to it, there was now a pile of treated wood, packed cotton, and velvet fabrics.

	"Is that..."		"Is that..."