[scene : Raymond is leading Colt and Luna through the mansion]
Based on how they treated us so far it seems Luc is not different from his father... they seem to treat people as humans instead of cattle. I'm barely optimistic but this place seems like a good one.
*They reach the garden*
[scene : Turns out the mansion is on a hill overlooking the ocean, the garden is filled with beautiful flowers, they find a table, the kind they use for teatime ,sitting around it were four people: Luc, Lea and a man with violet eyes and blond hair, his eyes are sharp, the eyes of someone who fought tooth and nail to get where he is, he seems to have real life combat experience. Next to him was a woman with long, silky blonde hair, everything about her screams nobility, her elegant posture, her fancy clothes, yet her blue eyes are free of arrogance]
Luc : "Dolion you're here!"
*Colt and Luna do a proper greeting*
Colt : "Count Starlea, it's an honor and a pleasure to be in your presence *turns to the woman, does a slight bow*My Lady"
The Count [smiling] : "Please, the honor is all ours. I am Victor Starlea, and this is my wife, Violet. You seem quite familiar with noble customs."
Colt : "I'm honored to hear such words, I was a merchant apprentice once, sir"
Victor : "That explains it, there is no need for such formalities, please, take a seat, my son speaks highly of you both, you saved my children on multiple occasions yes?"
*Colt and Luna take a seat*
WILL THEY . EVER. DROP IT??!!
Luna : "We owe a lot to your children as well."
Thank you.
Victor : "So, how did you all become such good friends?"
Colt : "Luc and Lea saved me from being picked on, I was helpless at the time, so I am grateful."
Luc [smiling] : "Don't listen to him father, Dolion is one of the strongest mages I've ever seen, he's just too humble to admit it."
Uh, huh, huh, humble, yeah…
Violet [smiling] : "I can tell, it's not every day we see a married couple at such a young age, and strong mages no less, you two must've worked hard for a long time."
Why do they keep asking that? I thought Mark said that this was normal.
Colt : "Honestly, without Laverna by my side, I wouldn't have made it as far as I did"
[internal nervous laughter]
This world would've probably been destroyed.
Violet : "I'd love to hear the story."
Getting awkward fast here.
Colt [smile] : "We met when we were 9"
Luna : "I was lost and Dolion helped me go home."
I love how smart she is.
Colt : "It took us about 5 years to realize we were in love with each other."
Luna : "Through it all we kept supporting one another no matter what."
Colt : "And we got married at 15."
Violet : "You got married as soon as you were adults? Must've been hard work making a living."
Colt : "You could say that."
[A maid comes with tea and snacks and starts serving tea for the six of them]
Violet [taking a cookie] : "Please, help yourselves."
*Each of the five take one*
Interesting… they used oats instead of wheat to make these.. the flavor is very distinct. Guess wheat is scarce…
Victor [holding his cup, looking Colt in the eyes] : "So, how did you manage to escape an orc and kill another?"
He's asking questions I can't answer.
Colt : "It was mostly luck sir."
Victor [getting a bit suspicious] : "I don't believe a first-year student can escape an orc on luck alone, besides…*puts his cup on the table, speaks slowly* your eyes aren't like the eyes of other students, you've overcome death before, haven't you?"
*Luc and Lea stare at Colt, Violet remains reactionless, Luna gives Colt a side look, tensions build up*
Damn it, he's very shrewd, he's too dangerous… and I thought I was perfectly acting. I need to diffuse the situation fast, based on my experiences and Luna's advice telling a bit of truth here might be the best solution.
Colt : "I apologize if not telling about it seemed rude or suspicious, yes, even as a merchant apprentice, I was in a few battles, though it's nothing worth mentioning in my humble opinion."
Can't tell him I actually died once.
Victor [getting even more suspicious] : "That line of thinking isn't typical for a first-year student, you actually seem like an experienced veteran."
Colt[getting a bit nervous] : "Thank you, I am filled with honor to get such praise from someone such as yourself."
This guy is paranoid, though at least I know house Starlea is safe with him as its head.
Victor [suddenly deciding to back down, smiles] : "I hope I wasn't too forward with my questions, please enjoy your stay here, Luc , Lea, please take care of them."
And the rest of it was spent on pleasantries
What I don't understand is why did he suddenly back down? He doesn't seem the type.
*Later that night, in their room, Luna is back to her original form*
Soundproof barrier
Colt [hugging Luna from behind] : "You were lost and I helped you home, brilliant my dear."
Luna [with concern and a bit of sadness] : "I know we had to.. but, I'm not comfortable lying to our friends like that."
Colt [turns her around, looks her in the eyes] : "You, are a very kind and gentle person, that's why I love you…how about we tell them everything after we graduate, sound good?"
Luna : "But, there are still 2 years?!"
Colt [throwing himself on the bed] : "We do what we must, so tell me, what's with Victor?"
Luna : "You dodging his questions made him suspicious, like I said telling the truth is best, and why do you refuse to admit you saved them?"
Colt : "I'm many things, but I won't stoop so low as to claim I actually "saved" them."
Luna : "But you did though."
Colt : "No, you did, I was about to leave Luc with broken ribs, you saved them, besides, it wasn't that dangerous."
Luna [dim smile, a bit sarcastic] : "That's something only you can say."
Colt[laughing] : "Yeah... so , how do we deal with him?"
Luna : "Just act normal, he has no ill will toward us*sits next to him* he's only trying to protect his children, you can appreciate that right?"
Colt : "I can."
*The next day*
[scene : Luc, Lea, Colt and Luna are touring the domain]
*They reach a square where there are some people gathered around a big oven, working to make bread, they get noticed*
Lady1 (the baker) : "Everyone! It's master Luc!"
*They get a bit swarmed, they're surrounded by people, they share their obvious joy to see Luc and that they all look well and happy despite the lack of wheat.*
Man1 : "How was your journey master Luc?"
Man2 : "Welcome back master Luc."
Luc : "Hello everyone, I'm glad to be back, the magic academy was wonderful, I became stronger, I'm still in my first year though, please bear with it."
Lady2 : "Please, master Luc, we're grateful for all you're doing, all of us are willing to do what it takes to help you."
Man3 [enthusiasm] : "Should you need anything just ask, we're all under your command."
*Colt and Luna quickly and subtly exchange glances while silently observing all of this*
Luc : "Thank you everyone, I'll do my best."
Lady1 : "We're counting on you*hands him some bread* here, fresh out of the oven, for Master Victor as well."
Luc : "But, that's-"
Lady1 : "We all wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, please take it."
Luc [touched, clutching the bread tightly] : "Thank you."
*As they leave*
Lady 2 : "We're counting on you."
*They continue the tour*
*They walk along the seashore, Colt notices abandoned boats and spear like tools, abandoned, and in bad shape, the boats have practically decayed, the tools have rusted*
Colt [In a bit of disbelief and confusion] : "Are those… boats??!"
Luc [in a sad tone] : "Yes, these boats were used for fishing a long time ago."
Colt [In utter disbelief] : "What ??!"
Luc [getting even more sad, and stressed] : "You wouldn't know… under the sea there are giant creatures, *flash backs show as he talks*15 years ago my grandfather, who created this domain, the seamaster, used to go on a boat, he would create a giant pillar of water, and throw the sea creatures onto the shore, then the rest of the villagers would spear them, those were good times, everyone would eat their fill, the fish from the sea were on every table, there was plenty of food and smiles ,until… grandfather died, there was no one as strong or as good as he was, fishing stopped, we had to try to rely on farming instead, people learned to adapt*back to Luc, the stress becomes apparent in his voice* but now.. I have a responsibility to become as strong as my grandfather and restore this domain to its former glory."
Lea [trying to comfort her brother, pulls him to keep moving forward] : "Everyone knows you're doing your best, let's go brother,*faking enthusiasm* we still have a lot to show them."
*Luc and Lea walk in silence, Colt and Luna are a few steps behind*
Guess even Luc has his problems, I wouldn't have really cared before but..
*Holds Luna's hand tightly, Luna tightens her grip*
*Colt and Luna whisper to each other*
Luna [touched] : "That was hard to see… did you see the villagers?"
Colt : "Yeah, the bread was too small to fill an adult."
Luna : "And they gave some of it."
Colt : "That was not out of fear, hypocrisy or convenience they genuinely love and respect him, am I right?"
*Luna nods*
*They stay silent for a while*
Luna : "So, what will you do?"
*Before Colt can answer, Luc turns around*
Luc [smiling] : "We're here."
*Looks forward*
Luc [his smile fading fast, his tone lowering] : "The... wheat … fields."
*They see a wheat field with wilting plants and halted growth*
Luc [In shock] : "What happened here?"
*A farmer appears from behind them*
The farmer : "It was like this for the last year."
Luc [In utter shock and disbelief] : "But the people had bread??!"
The farmer : "It was imported from the Blackwood domain, we harvested what little good crops remained, but now the situation is dire."
Did he say Blackwood?? Isn't that Robert's family??!
Luc : "Why?"
The farmer : "The Blackwoods refuse to send us anymore wheat, it's been at least a month now."
Oooohh shit, that's probably my fault.
Luc : "Did they give a reason? Did they say anything?"
*Colt uses this chance and quickly touches the soil without anyone noticing except Luna, stands up again*
The farmer : "I don't know, master, but at this rate… We're all going to starve."