The Rose Flowers
The two men stared at each other in obstinate silence. Finally, Ulyssian spoke. "Sir. I believe it would be extremely unfair for me to betray her, at this critical juncture, in this manner. Moon has supported me tirelessly, risking her social position and expending much of her free time. She has never asked for anything in exchange. If Creation is to be saved, that is one matter. But if the Solars of Creation learn lessons such as these - if they rise, and turn Creation into a place not worth living - then the war to cast them down may well destroy our world anyway."
Zao frowned, very slightly raising an eyebrow. Ulyssian got the distinct impression that the Headmaster thought the latter portion of his argument was rather a stretch.
The core steel of Odyssial supported him where the younger Ulyssian may have gulped. "The risks you've elucidated are apparent to me now, but I believe the most dangerous of them can be reduced or eliminated. Headmaster, most of the danger comes from my being publicly associated with Moon. If we were to have a falling-out, perhaps over this very subject, not so dramatic that it seems staged, but credible enough to spread rumors, and afterwards avoid each other, I think that could deflect the majority of attention, especially adverse, onto me. Nilul is extremely good at managing the student base. If I am exposed, Moon will have already publicly dissociated herself, and as the years pass and her own capacity becomes apparent, she will become too valuable to prosecute for a claim on such dubious evidence."
"So, you tell her the truth and then stay away from her." Zao gave a short, abrupt nod. "That would keep her safe. It could be acceptable."
"Publicly, yes," Ulyssian confirmed. "But we'd still arrange some meetings in private, perhaps in areas that are unlikely to have foot traffic. Moon is an exceptional student in every regard, a genius in many fields, and it would benefit us both to study together, as we have in the past. The results for that speak for themselves, I believe."
"Unnecessary," Zao retorted, voice clipped. "I'm far more experienced in such fields. And Professor Ivory's strategic ability is acceptable as well. There's no benefit to that arrangement."
His logic was sound, but Odyssial frowned anyway. Something didn't seem right. That didn't fit his expectation of what Zao would say. After all, both Zao and Ivory were extremely busy; the value of their time was high. Creation would be better served if they could take some time to work in the field, or attend to other matters, rather than spending all their days training with him.
Efficient operation under scarce resources was a hallmark of Zao's plans. He had previously been treating the Solar Ulyssian as the central piece of his plan. Why would he hesitate to marginally risk Empty Moon, who was supposedly far less central, in order to free up an asset on the level of Professor Ivory?
Indeed, why had Zao been on the cusp of killing Flame, who had threatened Moon?
"Sir," Ulyssian said carefully, "Is Moon more important to your plans than you're telling me?"
"Yes," Zao said unhesitatingly, "her bloodline is unique, and possibly irreplaceable. But, I suppose that is a concern for later years, relevant if Creation survives the decades to come. I will relent on this, but I will expect you to devise the security. And on the matter of our plans for Creation, I'll expect you to listen."
"Understood," said Ulyssian, "you have my word."
---
One to three days.
Moon would not awaken for one to three days. In the meantime, then, Odyssial had to occupy himself. It was the Calibration feast, and in his life past that would have meant a gathering of all the greatest sorcerers to ensure that none called up the Greater Souls of the Yozis that year. As if such a measure could stop a determined sorcerer.
Odyssial had never had much interest in feasts, or in celebration, but he knew that his presence would be expected. That did not mean, however, that he had to humor such expectations. No, this would be a great time to train in peace and solitude. At last the techniques he'd devised in his mind would be unleashed for empirical survey. He had been Exalted for hours already, and yet had made no progress on growing his personal power, having been drawn into prolonged conversation with Zao and then Ivory. Well, that changed now. Once and for all, he would-
"Hello~"
Tepet Nilul. The scarlet-clad empress of the school social order stalked towards him, blood-red hair shifting in light of the moon. Her improbably over-adorned dress, slit high on her legs, fluttered like a standard in the breeze. From her limbs and face, one would think she was a slender and fragile Dragon-Blooded princess, a precocious ingenue whose genuine demeanor and self-effacing kindness had won over countless hot-blooded Dynast hearts. But Ulyssian knew better.
He was sure he'd left no trace. So...
"How did you find me?" he growled brusquely, sheathing Ambition into his anima once more.
Nilul stepped forward, smirking cheekily. "Everyone's looking for you, you know. You should count yourself lucky that I was I who found you."
"No one should have been able to find me," he sulked, wondering if he could practice his sword techniques on Nilul instead. But she was such a terrible sparring partner, always trying to lose...
"My fellow Anathema!" She whispered dramatically, "You wound me. My specialty is piercing deception, you know. When I couldn't find you at Moon's bedside, I knew you had to be atop one of the towers, looking for someplace to train where no-one would bother you."
"Ah, so you know I didn't wish to be bothered," he replied, standing his ground levelly. "And yet here you are."
"And yet here I am," she agreed, pirouetting as if to display herself.
"I'm training," Odyssial declared, "you can talk at me if you want."
Ambition was in his hands once more. He took a stance and inhaled, gazing down at Seacrown below them, the torches and sorcerous lights, the abodes of the great and the small, and around them all the great dark ocean, like a titan unquiet in its slumber. He had fought an ocean once, who had been the Sea that Marched Against the Flame...
Scarce had he launched into the first exercise when Nilul spoke. "As enjoyable as this is to watch, Ulyssian, you really should participate in the revelry. You need to see your family and patch up holes. Did you know they were going to marry you to Saery?"
No. He would not stop training. Not even in the face of this provocation.
"As a mortal, you mean," he replied between strikes, unwilling to interrupt even a moment's practice. His mouth moved almost of its own accord, with little enough input from his mind. A violinist could speak, and play automatically. He could practice, and speak automatically. "Before I was revealed to be an Exalt."
"You're no fun," Nilul huffed. "Exalting has made you less fun. I didn't know that was possible."
"I specialize in the impossible," he rejoined, shifting to a secondary technique. This one branched into so many paths, it was important to judge the enemy's anticipated movements well. Here, in the shadow of the greater towers, where no light would flash off Ambition's scything edge, his blade sliced in crescents too fast for even Nilul's darkly Exalted eyes to follow.
"This is irresponsible, you know," she said, wagging a finger at him. "I'm something of a party girl, I know irresponsible. But I would never neglect family."
"I'm too much fun for them to handle," Ulyssian deadpanned. "contrary to your claims. It wouldn't be right, inflicting myself upon them. They might die in an honor duel, from an excess of fun."
"That's their choice to make," Nilul said, crocodile tears swelling in her eyes. She bunched up tiny fists in a pleading gesture. Despite her total insincerity, it was a genuinely moving image. "They're your family, Uly. They, they knew the risks!"
"Don't call me Uly. As a mortal, I could defeat you. As I am now..."
"Aww, but Ulyssian, you're so fun to tease!" She pouted, tears close to bursting. "I'm your friend! I knew the risks!"
"I thought I became less fun."
"I changed my mind," Nilul said airily, with a flippant arm-wave, dropping all traces of her previous demeanor. "You've convinced me, Uly. Good job!"
He was having a surprisingly easy time keeping up with her. Normally, dealing with Nilul in a playful mood, without Moon to moderate her, left him so flustered and annoyed that he couldn't train for whole minutes. But this was nothing compared to Lea in a playful mood, he was sure of that, though he couldn't remember much of his Lunar Mate, or specifics of any kind, after the War. They had been close, as close or closer than he and Pearl, he knew that much. Perhaps those memories would surface again, as they had with Pearl, when they met.
If she was still alive. No, Lealope was alive, suddenly he knew that for certain. With one hundred percent ironclad confidence.
"So..." Nilul walked slowly around him, swaying to one side to avoid an errant stroke. "I let you convince me of something, will you let me convince you of something?"
"Don't call me Uly."
"Ulyssian, you really should come see your family. And your friends too, Hero and Saery have been looking for you. Even the Aust twins! This is the Calibration Feast! They can think a mortal is weird, no harm done, but you're Zao's successor now. I know your training is serious. But this is important too. Despite your best efforts, we do all care for you." She looked at him pleadingly, this time genuine. Of course, she'd used her earlier facetious attempt to calibrate it.
"If I train," he replied, "I can check up on Moon every hour or two. I can switch to tactical planning or something that can be done by a bedside once things look promising. Likely I'll be there when she wakes up. She would do no less for me."
"Ulyssian, Moon wouldn't-" Nilul paused. "Okay, maybe she would neglect all her other friends just for you, but! One, that's a weird social expectation she picked up from reading too fantasy books, and two, the stakes are much higher now. If you insult your family like this, even with a perceived snub, they could disown you!"
---
Wild revelry with his family. It wasn't something he was looking forward to. He didn't think they'd disown him, but it certainly wouldn't help his chances of advancing in the household. However, he felt that this time was critical. Calibration was the one time of year where nothing was expected of him but social interaction. If he dodged that, he could potentially enter into a maximally productive training trance, especially with the light of recent Exaltation still fresh within him. His skill was mutable, now, his thoughts not set yet into comfortable, difficult-to-dislodge patterns. Either way, this was a crucial opportunity. But which should he choose?
[ ] Raw Power - Before his Exaltation finishes 'settling,' he will eke out every last bit of performance he can. He will enter a moving meditation of training such as this world has not seen since Odyssial last strode the earth! Also, he will check up on Moon! Training AND Moon, how can this option lose!? [+80,000 XP, you may train up to 240,000 XP worth of Titles in 3 days]
[ ] Wild Revelry - Nilul has a point. Maybe this won't be so bad. His other friends must be concerned, and there is a bridge to mend with his family, before the Sesus burn it. Hero's loyalty, Saery's genuine worry - he shouldn't forget about them, as well. He is better at this than he used to be, and maybe he can get some honor-duels out of the thing. It won't be as productive as training, but he'll take what he can get. And... it might be a little bit fun, as well. Though not as fun as training. However, the rampage of riotous celebration that is a full-on Dynastic Calibration Feast with Dragon-Blooded constitutions means he will almost inevitably miss Moon's awakening, as well as several hours of memories. Hopefully Zao will be there to explain things to her. [Chance to earn Background Merits, including potentially Artifacts, Deepen friendships]
[ ] Write-In. Perhaps the Accursed should return, this Calibration feast?
