Daybreak:Volume 1 Chapter 13 - Revision history

Aorii at 18:57, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T18:57:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:57, 27 February 2022
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	''Not that you'd share with me even if you did.'' Kaede thought.		''Not that you'd share with me even if you did.'' Kaede thought.

	She knew what it was like to work with those in intelligence. She had a brother-in-law who did so ~~for the Russians~~. He was the only man Kaede knew who never touched a drop of alcohol, and who was so tight-tipped one could barely get a word about work out of him.		She knew what it was like to work with those in intelligence. She had a brother-in-law who did so. He was the only man Kaede knew who never touched a drop of alcohol, and who was so tight-tipped one could barely get a word about work out of him.

	"It's still more than I have," she then shrugged.		"It's still more than I have," she then shrugged.

Aorii at 18:52, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T18:52:34Z

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Aorii at 18:52, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T18:52:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 27 February 2022
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	\| Back to [[Daybreak:~~Volume_1_Chapter_13~~\|Chapter 13]]		\| Back to [[Daybreak:Volume_1_Chapter_12\|Chapter 12]]
	\| Return to [[Daybreak_on_Hyperion\|Main Page]]		\| Return to [[Daybreak_on_Hyperion\|Main Page]]
	\| Forward to [[Daybreak:Volume_1_Epilogue\|Epilogue]]		\| Forward to [[Daybreak:Volume_1_Epilogue\|Epilogue]]

Aorii at 18:51, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T18:51:27Z

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Aorii at 18:51, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T18:51:17Z

Aorii at 18:42, 1 June 2021

2021-06-01T18:42:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:42, 1 June 2021
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	"The pleasure is mine," she tried her best to curtsy in return.		"The pleasure is mine," she tried her best to curtsy in return.

	Cecylia was slightly taller than Kaede. She had fine, glossy black hair, trimmed short and pulled back by a white ribbon. Standing next to the mature and elegant Ariadne, she seemed almost fragile with her petite and thin figure, which only enhanced her undeniably cute appearance. Her small nose and lips lay under a pair of vibrant, dark-ruby eyes that held something odd about them, giving off a mysteriously alluring light. Her skin was fair to the point of bearing nearly a translucent silky sheen, which was accentuated by a black uniform similar ~~that~~ Pascal wore. Except hers had no crimson stripes and came with a long, wide skirt instead of trousers.		Cecylia was slightly taller than Kaede. She had fine, glossy black hair, trimmed short and pulled back by a white ribbon. Standing next to the mature and elegant Ariadne, she seemed almost fragile with her petite and thin figure, which only enhanced her undeniably cute appearance. Her small nose and lips lay under a pair of vibrant, dark-ruby eyes that held something odd about them, giving off a mysteriously alluring light. Her skin was fair to the point of bearing nearly a translucent silky sheen, which was accentuated by a black uniform similar to what Pascal wore. Except hers had no crimson stripes and came with a long, wide skirt instead of trousers.

	As Kaede neared the doorway, she gasped and nearly tripped into a tray of wiener schnitzel and a steaming bowl of vegetable soup. She had just realized what that 'something odd' about Cecylia was:		As Kaede neared the doorway, she gasped and nearly tripped into a tray of wiener schnitzel and a steaming bowl of vegetable soup. She had just realized what that 'something odd' about Cecylia was:
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	She knelt down to pet and stroke its wonderfully soft coat.		She knelt down to pet and stroke its wonderfully soft coat.

	"Kaede you might want to finish your dinner before getting too friendly with Ania," Ariadne suggested as she took the tray to the writing desk by the window. "She loves to steal food, and it's hard to keep watch on all of them."		"Kaede, you might want to finish your dinner before getting too friendly with Ania," Ariadne suggested as she took the tray to the writing desk by the window. "She loves to steal food, and it's hard to keep watch on all of them."

	"All of them?"		"All of them?"
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	"Ania is a matryoshka cat from Samara." Cecylia watched with an amused grin. "She's also my familiar."		"Ania is a matryoshka cat from Samara." Cecylia watched with an amused grin. "She's also my familiar."

	Kaede stood back up, puzzled:		Kaede stood back up, puzzled.

	"Matryoshka?"		"Matryoshka?"
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	"Are they... separate...?" she struggled to find the right words.		"Are they... separate...?" she struggled to find the right words.

	"They share the same psyche, as far as we know," Cecylia explained. "Matryoshka cats use shadow magic to make duplicates of themselves to scout for predators and trap prey. The largest one is always the main body, even though tapping its senses always feel like the smallest one is the primary."		"They share the same psyche, as far as we know," Cecylia explained. "Matryoshka cats use shadow magic to make duplicates of themselves to scout for predators and trap prey. The largest one is always the main body, even though tapping its senses always feel like the smallest one is the primary.

	"Speaking of eyes and ears, are you..."		"Speaking of eyes and ears, are you..."
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	"S-stop!"		"S-stop!"

	She turned towards Ariadne, her ~~glassy~~ eyes pleading. The noble lady then tilted her head with a ~~'darn it' look~~ before she walked over and pulled the overenthusiastic Cecylia off by the ~~wrist~~.		She turned towards Ariadne with her eyes pleading. The noble lady then tilted her head with a scowl before she walked over and pulled the overenthusiastic Cecylia off by the wrists.

	"At least ~~give Kaede some room~~ before you drive ~~her~~ off~~. She's already getting tears in her eyes.~~"		"At least get to know someone properly before you start being forceful. You're going to drive Kaede off with this kind of behavior!"

	"Awww but I wanna see! Pascal has pretty good tastes you know!"		"Awww but I wanna see! Pascal has pretty good tastes you know!"
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	''Girls by themselves are way too scary...''		''Girls by themselves are way too scary...''

	"Oh Sylv is going to have ''so much fun'' with her!"		"Oh, Sylv is going to have ''so much fun'' with her!"

	Cecylia kept her brightly lit eyes fixated on Kaede, as though savoring an alluring piece of artwork.		Cecylia kept her brightly lit eyes fixated on Kaede, as though savoring an alluring piece of artwork.
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	Cecylia then leaned back with the broad smile of a joke well played.		Cecylia then leaned back with the broad smile of a joke well played.

	"Y-you're horrible." Kaede muttered in her wispy, shaky voice as she wiped the tears from her glaring eyes.		"Y-you're horrible." Kaede muttered in her wispy, shaky voice as she wiped the tears from her glaring eyes. She genuinely felt scared for a moment as it felt like her whole body had been paralyzed.

	"Hehe sorry. You're just so cute that I couldn't resist teasing a teeny bit extra."		"Hehe sorry. You're just so cute that I couldn't resist teasing a teeny bit extra." Cecylia responded. Her playful words didn't harbor the slightest drop of apology.

	Her playful words didn't harbor the slightest drop of apology.

	Meanwhile, her nine cats returned to the center of the bed, forming a full circle around her while each playfully chased the swaying tail of the kitten before them.		Meanwhile, her nine cats returned to the center of the bed, forming a full circle around her while each playfully chased the swaying tail of the kitten before them.
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	Kaede struggled to find a better word. However Cecylia wasn't the slightest bit shy about what she did.		Kaede struggled to find a better word. However Cecylia wasn't the slightest bit shy about what she did.

	"I'm a spy. Yep!" She declared with a grin. "It's not all cloak and dagger, you know. In fact, the Lotharins know exactly what I do: I analyze the information we see and hear from them, and then send it back to Weichsel for the King. I think my ultimate goal can be either spymaster or ambassador. One gets to know all the juicy bits and help nudge the country along the right path. Meanwhile the other gets to enjoy the high life while receiving all sorts of benefits."		"I'm a spy. Yep!" She declared with a grin. "It's not all cloak and dagger, you know. In fact, the Lotharins know exactly what I do. I analyze the information we see and hear from them, and then send it back to Weichsel for the King. I think my ultimate goal can be either spymaster or ambassador. One gets to know all the juicy bits and help nudge the country along the right path. Meanwhile the other gets to enjoy the high life while receiving all sorts of benefits."

	''A counter-propagandist then.'' Kaede fixed her initial impression. She had a feeling that she and Cecylia would get along just fine, despite the latter's more... eccentric tendencies.		''A counter-propagandist then.'' Kaede fixed her initial impression. She had a feeling that she and Cecylia would get along just fine, despite the latter's more... eccentric tendencies.
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	"Well, they're certainly not limited to myths or legends here," Cecylia grinned. "The legacy of the dragonlords is well researched and documented, from battlefield remains to the artifacts they've left behind."		"Well, they're certainly not limited to myths or legends here," Cecylia grinned. "The legacy of the dragonlords is well researched and documented, from battlefield remains to the artifacts they've left behind."

	''Clearly, I should pay more attention to the 'prehistory' of this world.'' Kaede made a mental note to herself before returning on topic:		''Clearly, I should pay more attention to the 'prehistory' of this world.'' Kaede made a mental note to herself before returning to topic.

	"But aside from magic, I'd say this world and mine are extremely similar? In fact, Hyperion feels like what my world might have been if neither the Roman Empire --who conquered most of the Western World just like your Inner Sea Imperium-- nor the Catholic Church underwent schism. So instead of a long, slow decline, our version of the Imperium collapsed within a few centuries and lead to the 'Dark Ages' on the European continent."		"But aside from magic, I'd say this world and mine are extremely similar? In fact, Hyperion feels like what my world might have been if neither the Roman Empire --who conquered most of the Western World just like your Inner Sea Imperium-- nor the Catholic Church underwent schism. So instead of a long, slow decline, our version of the Imperium collapsed within a few centuries and lead to the 'Dark Ages' on the European continent."

Aorii at 17:25, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T17:25:58Z

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Aorii at 14:51, 19 December 2020

2020-12-19T14:51:37Z

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Aorii: REDUX PROJECT START, FULL RESET OF CONTENTS

2020-12-19T14:51:29Z

REDUX PROJECT START, FULL RESET OF CONTENTS

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Aorii at 21:10, 5 August 2016

2016-08-05T21:10:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 27 February 2022
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Back to [[Daybreak:~~Volume_1_Chapter_13~~\|Chapter 13]]		\| Back to [[Daybreak:Volume_1_Chapter_12\|Chapter 12]]
	\| Return to [[Daybreak_on_Hyperion\|Main Page]]		\| Return to [[Daybreak_on_Hyperion\|Main Page]]
	\| Forward to [[Daybreak:Volume_1_Epilogue\|Epilogue]]		\| Forward to [[Daybreak:Volume_1_Epilogue\|Epilogue]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:51, 27 February 2022
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	By Wednesday afternoon however, her menstrual cramps had lessened enough for her to effectively concentrate on other things. Kaede only missed dinner due to being completely engrossed in her book on Rhin-Lotharingie history:		By Wednesday afternoon however, her menstrual cramps had lessened enough for her to effectively concentrate on other things. Kaede only missed dinner due to being completely engrossed in her book on Rhin-Lotharingie history:

	The Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie was forged only ~~236~~ years ago, making it the youngest nation in Western Hyperion by far. It was created after Charles the Bold united the twelve Oriflamme Paladins and led the first successful Lotharin revolt against the Holy Imperium of the Inner Sea. The rebellion culminated in the Fifth Alisia Campaign, where Charles outmaneuvered the Imperium's northern field army and destroyed a total of twelve Imperial Legions. After that, the rebellion grew like wildfire as the various Lotharin tribes, long discontent over the Imperium's efforts to impose their cultural and religious values, united under Charles' banner in the Rhin-Lotharingie Independence War.		The Empire of Rhin-Lotharingie was forged only 256 years ago, making it the youngest nation in Western Hyperion by far. It was created after Charles the Bold united the twelve Oriflamme Paladins and led the first successful Lotharin revolt against the Holy Imperium of the Inner Sea. The rebellion culminated in the Fifth Alisia Campaign, where Charles outmaneuvered the Imperium's northern field army and destroyed a total of twelve Imperial Legions. After that, the rebellion grew like wildfire as the various Lotharin tribes, long discontent over the Imperium's efforts to impose their cultural and religious values, united under Charles' banner in the Rhin-Lotharingie Independence War.

	''If first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try again,'' Kaede thought with a wry smile.		''If first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try again,'' Kaede thought with a wry smile.
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	"<You should get dressed properly first.>"		"<You should get dressed properly first.>"

	According to Pascal, Ariadne had mostly put away their past after her epic --and publicly humiliating-- slap. But not hating his guts wasn't the same as being on good terms.		According to Pascal, Ariadne had mostly put away their past after her epic -- and publicly humiliating -- slap. But not hating his guts wasn't the same as being on good terms.

	Kaede nodded back and rushed to put on her white pseudo-uniform, a task far simpler than with any of those dresses. She also stuffed two hot water pads into its belt pouches.		Kaede nodded back and rushed to put on her white pseudo-uniform, a task far simpler than with any of those dresses. She also stuffed two hot water pads into its belt pouches.
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	Cecylia's scarlet-cross eyes grew fascinated as a mischievous grin lit up her face. She held up the smallest kitty and twiddled its paw towards Kaede while launching into a lively explanation that totally contrasted with its contents:		Cecylia's scarlet-cross eyes grew fascinated as a mischievous grin lit up her face. She held up the smallest kitty and twiddled its paw towards Kaede while launching into a lively explanation that totally contrasted with its contents:

	"The vampire clans were wiped out centuries ago by the not-yet-Holy Imperium, although not before their curses destroyed sixteen whole legions and left the Dead Mountains perpetually filled with murderous mist. Dhampir are the descendants of vampires, still carrying the core of the fiendish blood curse that first created them during the Demonic Invasion. But the magic have at least diluted enough that the church could seal its effects, which..." she pointed to her pupils, "is what this cross is. I've had it since my baptism, dyed by my own magic over the years in the same way Ariadne's rosy ~~ether~~ colors her hair."		"The vampire clans were wiped out centuries ago by the not-yet-Holy Imperium, although not before their curses destroyed sixteen whole legions and left the Dead Mountains perpetually filled with murderous mist. Dhampir are the descendants of vampires, still carrying the core of the fiendish blood curse that first created them during the Demonic Invasion. But the magic have at least diluted enough that the church could seal its effects, which..." she pointed to her pupils, "is what this cross is. I've had it since my baptism, dyed by my own magic over the years in the same way Ariadne's rosy mana colors her hair."

	"So... you don't drink blood anymore then?"		"So... you don't drink blood anymore then?"
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	Kaede was still trying to calm down her heartbeat. Nevertheless she sent a note to her future self that the next time a dhampir threatens to bite her, she should just warn them of syphilis.		Kaede was still trying to calm down her heartbeat. Nevertheless she sent a note to her future self that the next time a dhampir threatens to bite her, she should just warn them of syphilis.

	"Although we no longer need it, consuming fresh human blood does make us appear younger." Cecylia added. "You should see my father, ~~one~~-~~sixty~~-eight years old and still drawing the attention of every lady across the hall like a stud beefcake. Mother gets jealous all the time, even though he's never cheated on her once after a century of marriage. We dhampirs tend to be rather devoted in matrimony, blood of our cherished mate flowing through us and all."		"Although we no longer need it, consuming fresh human blood does make us appear younger." Cecylia added. "You should see my father, hundred-fifty-eight years old and still drawing the attention of every lady across the hall like a stud beefcake. Mother gets jealous all the time, even though he's never cheated on her once after a century of marriage. We dhampirs tend to be rather devoted in matrimony, blood of our cherished mate flowing through us and all."

	Ariadne had watched the entire exchange with a serene smile, completely unperturbed, while her hands continued to brush her long, flowing pink hair. Now, she finally reentered the conversation:		Ariadne had watched the entire exchange with a serene smile, completely unperturbed, while her hands continued to brush her long, flowing pink hair. Now, she finally reentered the conversation:
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	''Clearly, I should pay more attention to the 'prehistory' of this world.'' Kaede made a mental note to herself before returning to topic.		''Clearly, I should pay more attention to the 'prehistory' of this world.'' Kaede made a mental note to herself before returning to topic.

	"But aside from magic, I'd say this world and mine are extremely similar? In fact, Hyperion feels like what my world might have been if neither the Roman Empire --who conquered most of the Western World just like your Inner Sea Imperium-- nor the Catholic Church underwent schism. So instead of a long, slow decline, our version of the Imperium collapsed within a few centuries and lead to the 'Dark Ages' on the European continent."		"But aside from magic, I'd say this world and mine are extremely similar? In fact, Hyperion feels like what my world might have been if neither the Roman Empire -- who conquered most of the Western World just like your Inner Sea Imperium -- nor the Catholic Church underwent schism. So instead of a long, slow decline, our version of the Imperium collapsed within a few centuries and lead to the 'Dark Ages' on the European continent."

	In later hindsight, Kaede was surprised by how easily her words rushed out, even though this was their first meeting. But after being nearly stripped and bitten by Cecylia, delving into deep discussions felt almost... casual.		In later hindsight, Kaede was surprised by how easily her words rushed out, even though this was their first meeting. But after being nearly stripped and bitten by Cecylia, delving into deep discussions felt almost... casual.
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	Regardless, the same patterns of conversation kept up for the next two days. The only difference was that Pascal began to draft his idea for a 'scholarship examination' system. He solicited suggestions from those around him, and sent an evil eye to any noble who scoffed at the proposal. Both Kaede and Gerard were only too happy to pitch in, and soon Pascal had what he considered his 'initial draft'.		Regardless, the same patterns of conversation kept up for the next two days. The only difference was that Pascal began to draft his idea for a 'scholarship examination' system. He solicited suggestions from those around him, and sent an evil eye to any noble who scoffed at the proposal. Both Kaede and Gerard were only too happy to pitch in, and soon Pascal had what he considered his 'initial draft'.

	When Kaede asked how many drafts he usually ~~goes~~ through, Pascal answered: "as many as it takes until I am satisfied."		When Kaede asked how many drafts he usually went through, Pascal answered: "as many as it takes until I am satisfied."

	She couldn't decide if this was due to his perfectionist tendencies or his father's strictness. Probably some of both.		She couldn't decide if this was due to his perfectionist tendencies or his father's strictness. Probably some of both.

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 5 August 2016
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	===Chapter 13 - Scarlet Cultural Exchange===		===Chapter 13 - Scarlet Cultural Exchange===

	Kaede spent most of the next two days in bed, skipping even mealtime trips to the dining hall. Thankfully, Pascal brought a tray of aristocratic food back ~~for her~~ every time. Even better, he told her that Parzifal started inviting him over to join Ariadne, Reynald, and others during meals, so she didn't even have to feel bad about leaving him to eat alone again.		Kaede spent most of the next two days in bed, skipping even mealtime trips to the dining hall. Thankfully, Pascal brought her a tray of aristocratic food back every time. Even better, he told her that Parzifal started inviting him over to join Ariadne, Reynald, and others during meals, so she didn't even have to feel bad about leaving him to eat alone again.

	Although he would have deserved it, as all of her discomfort for the past days could be explained as 'his fault'.		Although he would have deserved it, as all of her discomfort for the past days could be explained as 'his fault'.
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	By Monday afternoon however, her menstrual cramps had lessened enough for her to effectively concentrate on other things. Kaede only missed dinner due to being completely engrossed in her book on Weichsel's history:		By Monday afternoon however, her menstrual cramps had lessened enough for her to effectively concentrate on other things. Kaede only missed dinner due to being completely engrossed in her book on Weichsel's history:

	Today's National Day was actually the 505th year anniversary of Weichsel's founding, declared the night after the Battle of Königsfeld in 61:Faith. The previous Kingdom of Amudaria -- a legacy name of their nomadic past -- had always been a loyal protectorate of the Imperium of the Inner Sea, which declared its 'Holiness' only sixty-one years prior, beginning the Age of Faith. But when religious unrest turned into the War of Cataliyan Independence and drew all available legions south, the Holy Imperium could spare nothing as a fresh Northmen invasion shattered Amudaria.		Today's National Day was actually the 505th year anniversary of Weichsel's founding, declared the night after the Battle of Königsfeld in 61:Faith. The previous Kingdom of Amudaria -- a legacy name of their nomadic past -- had always been a loyal protectorate of the Imperium of the Inner Sea, which declared its 'Holiness' only sixty-one years prior, marking the beginning for the Age of Faith. But when religious unrest turned into the War of Cataliyan Independence and drew all available legions south, the Holy Imperium could spare nothing as a fresh Northmen invasion shattered Amudaria.

	With the king dead and the capital burned, it was House von Drachenlanzen who took up the banner, rallying nobles and commoners alike by enacting the Writ of Universal Conscription. In a single decisive engagement, the future King Ferdinand I, the Great, the Crusader, the Saint, etcetera etcetera, crushed the invaders and founded a new realm. It also established Weichsel's tradition of military aristocracy, ever vigilant and periodically tested by raids and invasions from the North Sea.		With the king dead and the capital burned, it was House von Drachenlanzen who took up the banner, rallying nobles and commoners alike by enacting the Writ of Universal Conscription. In a single decisive engagement, the future King Ferdinand I, the Great, the Crusader, the Saint, etcetera etcetera, crushed the invaders and founded a new realm. It also established Weichsel's tradition of military aristocracy, ever vigilant and periodically tested by raids and invasions from the North Sea.
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	"Pleased to meet your acquaintance," the petite girl who stood beside Ariadne's pink cascade beamed and waved energetically.		"Pleased to meet your acquaintance," the petite girl who stood beside Ariadne's pink cascade beamed and waved energetically.

	Kaede wasn't exactly in ~~the~~ mood to meet new people tonight, but this wasn't an offer she could refuse politely.		Kaede wasn't exactly in a mood to meet new people tonight, but this wasn't an offer she could refuse politely.

	"The pleasure is mine," she curtsied in return.		"The pleasure is mine," she curtsied in return.
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	"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare."		"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare."

	"Hehe, don't worry about it," Cecylia giggled in her ~~soft~~ soprano. "I'll explain when we get back to my room."		"Hehe, don't worry about it," Cecylia giggled in her schoolgirl soprano. "I'll explain when we get back to my room."

	She then turned towards Pascal while reaching for the doorknob:		She then turned towards Pascal while reaching for the doorknob:

	"See you later Pascal! Don't worry we'll take good care of her!"		"See you later Pascal! Don't worry, we'll take good care of her!"

	Her cheery voice gave Kaede bit of a surprise, who mentally asked in curiosity:		Her cheery voice gave Kaede bit of a surprise, who mentally asked in curiosity:
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	The delicious food -- veal especially -- always made her feel better about things.		The delicious food -- veal especially -- always made her feel better about things.

	She even stopped obsessing over the fact that she wore nothing more than white lingerie as the three of them sat on Cecylia's king-sized four-poster bed ~~in-~~between 'nine' furry cats. Although it would take a while before she could grow accustomed to it, if that were possible at all.		She even stopped obsessing over the fact that she wore nothing more than white lingerie as the three of them sat on Cecylia's king-sized four-poster bed between 'nine' furry cats. Although it would take a while before she could grow accustomed to it, if that were possible at all.

	"Hehe, I do still owe an explanation don't I?" Cecylia replied cheerily. "I take it's your first time meeting a ~~Dhampir~~?"		"Hehe, I do still owe an explanation don't I?" Cecylia replied cheerily. "I take it's your first time meeting a dhampir?"

	Kaede nearly choked. 'Dhampir' of slavic folklore was the child between a human and...		Kaede nearly choked. 'Dhampir' of slavic folklore was the child between a human and...
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	Cecylia's scarlet-cross eyes grew fascinated as a mischievous grin lit up her face. She held up the smallest kitty and twiddled its paw towards Kaede while launching into a lively explanation that totally contrasted with its contents:		Cecylia's scarlet-cross eyes grew fascinated as a mischievous grin lit up her face. She held up the smallest kitty and twiddled its paw towards Kaede while launching into a lively explanation that totally contrasted with its contents:

	"The vampire clans were wiped out centuries ago by the not-yet-Holy Imperium, although not before their curses destroyed ~~six entire~~ legions and left the Dead Mountains perpetually filled with murderous mist. Dhampir are the descendants of vampires, still carrying the core of the fiendish blood curse that first created them during the Demonic Invasion. But the magic have at least diluted enough that the church could seal its effects, which..." she pointed to her pupils, "is what this cross is. I've had it since my baptism, dyed by my own magic over the years in the same way Ariadne's rosy ether colors her hair."		"The vampire clans were wiped out centuries ago by the not-yet-Holy Imperium, although not before their curses destroyed sixteen whole legions and left the Dead Mountains perpetually filled with murderous mist. Dhampir are the descendants of vampires, still carrying the core of the fiendish blood curse that first created them during the Demonic Invasion. But the magic have at least diluted enough that the church could seal its effects, which..." she pointed to her pupils, "is what this cross is. I've had it since my baptism, dyed by my own magic over the years in the same way Ariadne's rosy ether colors her hair."

	"So... you don't drink blood anymore then?"		"So... you don't drink blood anymore then?"
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	''So... Dhampir are dead afraid of STDs.''		''So... Dhampir are dead afraid of STDs.''

	Still trying to calm down her heartbeat, Kaede sent a note to her future self that the next time a ~~Dhampir~~ threatens to bite her, she should just warn them of syphilis.		Still trying to calm down her heartbeat, Kaede sent a note to her future self that the next time a dhampir threatens to bite her, she should just warn them of syphilis.

	"Although we no longer need it, consuming fresh human blood does make us appear younger. You should see my father, one-sixty-eight years old and still drawing the attention of every lady across the hall like a stud beefcake. Mother gets jealous all the time, even though he's never cheated on her once after a century of marriage. We Dhampirs tend to be rather devoted in matrimony, blood of our cherished mate flowing through us and all."		"Although we no longer need it, consuming fresh human blood does make us appear younger. You should see my father, one-sixty-eight years old and still drawing the attention of every lady across the hall like a stud beefcake. Mother gets jealous all the time, even though he's never cheated on her once after a century of marriage. We Dhampirs tend to be rather devoted in matrimony, blood of our cherished mate flowing through us and all."
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	"That's pretty rare among us. Most noble lords have at least one affair during their youth. It's almost something of a 'proud' achievement among them. The Trinitian church may require monogamy, but aristocratic culture always tend to turn a blind eye toward mistresses."		"That's pretty rare among us. Most noble lords have at least one affair during their youth. It's almost something of a 'proud' achievement among them. The Trinitian church may require monogamy, but aristocratic culture always tend to turn a blind eye toward mistresses."

	"Well, neither us or Rhin-Lotharingie completely shrugged off the old pagan traditions of concubines equaling prestige. But here complains the girl whose beloved suitor has eyes only for her."		"Well, neither us nor Rhin-Lotharingie completely shrugged off the old pagan traditions of concubines equaling prestige. But here complains the girl whose beloved suitor has eyes only for her."

	Cecylia's sigh was almost longing, but Ariadne had no intention of playing into it:		Cecylia's sigh was almost longing, but Ariadne had no intention of playing into it:
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	Parzifal's friendly call brought her back to her thoughts.		Parzifal's friendly call brought her back to her thoughts.

	"Hello Parzifal. Clearly, I must have missed something ~~BIG~~ if the Runelord is sitting next to you."		"Hello Parzifal. Clearly, I must have missed something ''big'' if the Runelord is sitting next to you."

	"The Holy Father does his work in mysterious ways," Parzifal smiled back. "Pascal I don't need to introduce. This is Kaede..."		"The Holy Father does his work in mysterious ways," Parzifal smiled back. "Pascal I don't need to introduce. This is Kaede..."
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	"Assuming you don't get yourself killed," Parzifal added wistfully.		"Assuming you don't get yourself killed," Parzifal added wistfully.

	Gerd seemed like he wanted to retort, only to hold back at the last moment and look away, as though he just couldn't say it ~~towards~~ Parzifal.		Gerd seemed like he wanted to retort, only to hold back at the last moment and look away, as though he just couldn't say it to Parzifal.

	Meanwhile, Pascal was examining Reynald with an odd stare:		Meanwhile, Pascal was examining Reynald with an odd stare: