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- So, Guiyosh, what's the plan?
- Well... Moon Park, tournament, Upgrade, Ideal, Rabbit, just the park...
- And what's in the regular park?
- They say they're giving away cats.
- C-cats? Guiyosh...
- Aren't you ready yet?
- I don't know. Maybe...
- And let's go to the Burrow too? I really want to learn more about myself.
- Okay... But let's do everything in order.
A couple is walking to Moon Park.
—Now that we're here, would you like me to grab something for you to read from the library? —he remarked, gaining 2 OD. —We could continue the story of the royal dynasty, or maybe read about their wives. And today, a new book "arrived" about the beginning of the journey of the founder of the Baldur's Gate school...
- Hmm... Do you remember what part I stopped at? Although, it would also be interesting to learn more about the founder of your school.
Added 2 minutes ago Fragment
—By the way, Kalina. —Garrett suddenly became more serious. —Can I ask for your spiritual advice? If, of course, you have some time. I don't really want to go to the church officials with this, because, well... you understand... The outcome might be predictable. He waved his hand in a gesture that could be interpreted as a sudden erasure from the plane of existence. —But I can trust you. Only this... —he hesitated, glancing at the other people present. —I would like it to be just us, you, me, and Harold. Yes, that includes you. —he looked at his brother. —If something happens to me, you will be the only one left to ponder this question.
Kalina nodded silently, gestured for her brothers to follow, and soon they found themselves in a room secluded from prying eyes and ears. - Ask, Garrett. No one will overhear us here.
Added 12 minutes ago Author
- Well, look - you're already under the wing of a pillar, and this is only your first meaningful day on the surface, - 😉. - So I'm sure everything will be fine if you give people and events a chance.
- Listen, maybe you could ask the Empress to adopt me too? - ... - ... - It was just a joke, in case you thought otherwise. Author
- What kind of... "special" one?
- In the sense, involving non-professional models who are not part of our agency... What did you think I meant?Author
- Unfortunately, this is impossible. Even Arselia wouldn't be able to persuade her. But let's not talk about that. Penelope-san, I can't help but ask - what's going on here today, green-starry?
- Lua Saint-Luna! - the school's founder introduced herself in response, extending a palm for a handshake to the potential student. - To begin with, tell me about your previous experience with the Baldr school.
The Knight shakes the teacher's hand with great pleasure, and with her usual precision, involuntarily noting to herself which stats this warrior and philosopher (?) had leveled up.
-- Allow me to note that you have an interesting family name, -- it seems that the veneration of Arseidia among Lua's ancestors was not absent; this is the first time Erephir has encountered such a clear sign.
-- Regarding previous experience... I am not sure how much detail you require, but I assume the more the better? After all, if you agree to teach me, you might need every scrap of information. If I have misunderstood something, please stop me.
Ensuring she was being listened to, the nozenrot continued.
-- My previous experience is connected to practically this very place; here, in the center of Margel, was the Imperial Archive, and within it — information about the Baldr schools along with the entire backstory. Having just begun to acquaint myself with these records, I realized that my heart lay with this unusual family, with the orphaned children who learn to be warriors for the sake of the future that awaits them. Most of all, from the first pages, Calentia made an impression on me. A serious, intelligent, purposeful warrior, she defined a strict moral compass for herself from the very beginning, which, I believe, she followed to the end. She constantly thought of the well-being of the people around her, especially the other children. At the same time, she strove to fulfill military objectives. It also seemed to me that this person was the strictest follower among all of their common benefactor, Baron Gungnir, inheriting his martial prowess, his faith in Arteria, and even some doubts of the soul, which, however, never shackled any of them.
-- In my view, they both were what I am accustomed to seeing as metal. In the source, it is called something else, "matter," but I hope that my small substitution through the prism of my own experience is permissible in this case, for as a blacksmith and a knight, I have been accustomed to studying metal since childhood. Yes, strictly speaking, I am interested in various matter, but the denser it is, the better; and steel, copper, silver, gold... have always been the objects of my closest attention. I forged them, melted them, dressed in them, used them for war and peace... but more often for war. And they always reciprocated with love; through them I achieved many victories, and even in defeats they saved me, absorbing the blow. Later, I began to study mechanics to understand the same things even more deeply, and I learned; I honestly earned my watchmaker's certificate.
-- When I felt a kindred spirit there, in the books, through whom I could better learn the element native to me, I did not hesitate: I see the goal, I see no obstacles. Thus passed my first week of study, a wonderful first week full of emotions.
-- Then a dragon flew in and destroyed our precious books, and took many lives with it... But metal is a resilient matter, and the force of action in such cases is equal to the force of reaction. I learned this from my master in the smithy almost immediately, when my childhood hands ached from the recoil of the hammer against the workpiece. Thus, my squad and I (you already know two people from there, Beata and Gillon) gathered to kill the dragon—not out of revenge, no, but by the law of causality. Yes, the Universe had already determined that this creature, having crossed the line, must die for the evil it caused; for this, the creation merely needed hands to do it. We prepared, we prepared wisely, for metal is an element that utilizes many physical principles at once, cladding itself in layers of different strength, undergoing tempering, using a special form... And during our preparation, everyone was kind to us and helped willingly; if we had obstacles, we overcame them with the indestructibility of our intentions, for sometimes a sword must pass through resistance in order to strike. And in the end, we won, and we won loudly.
-- Why am I telling you this? It seems very providential to me that now, on the day our victory was announced, here, in this very place where everything began, I have met you, and if everything goes according to my aspirations, then now a step will be taken toward a new, but far from the last, stage of this path, which I tie into a single whole, for much points to this connection. I came here prepared, having accumulated as many red stars as possible, because who knows, maybe it is not as simple to study as I was told? Preparation is part of victory. In any case, -- a nod of the head. -- I hope I have not weary you and now you see my level, the reasons for my choice, and my determination. And I ask you to take me as your student.Author
After this, he goes to Baldr, where he crosses paths with Erephir.
- Hmm... I've seen you somewhere before, - he says to her, - well, no matter, Pion Sinarz, perhaps I will be glad to make your acquaintance - that depends on you.
-- Erephir Linel Darwening, very pleased, -- perhaps Sonata's student managed to catch part of the spoken speech, who knows. It looks like they will be studying together?
In order to receive ✹, you must vote for the best model from among each month's selected models strictly in order from best to worst (i.e., the best model receives 11 points, and the worst gets 1). At that, the agency's management strongly urges avoiding bias if, for example, any of the models are personally known to you.
- Well, something like that, - Penelope finished explaining, - by the way, some of our clients have expressed disappointment with the new cover designs, and what do you think — was the previous format with minimal text better or worse? As you can see, ever since I took over managing the agency we've been trying to diversify them somehow, but it seems not everyone has been pleased about that.
"I wonder if that piece of cake from yesterday is still good..."
Author
- Hmm... And do you remember which part I stopped at? Although, it would be interesting to learn more about the founder of your school.
—I remember: the third one! Technically, you can spend the last OD on the founder... Well, let me bring both, and you can see which cover appeals to you more.
"Is the romance over, and the tomatoes have withered?" Guyon raised an eyebrow.
Beata looked at the musician with an assessing gaze. Although the performance had been saved, she was still angry with this man. It was very irresponsible of him to say nasty things and then run away. However, she wasn't going to sort things out; instead, before he left, she walked over to the tree, where, to her surprise, she noticed an envelope with her name on it.
"Guyosh...? When did you have time?"
"It wasn't me! We were together almost the whole time!"
"Well, listen, I'm not surprised by anything you do anymore."
"No, no, no... It wasn't me. But, judging by everything, I should have done it!"
"What if I mix up the envelopes?"
"Well, surely you recognize my handwriting?"
"What if, in the chaos..."
"Then remember not only the handwriting but also the place where I hung it," Guyon snorted and began to prepare the invitation.
"Guyosh, seriously, you don't have to worry, we've known each other for a long time."
"Ah, I don't have to worry? Okay."
"You already know everything. Your Guyosh, always <3"
He aggressively seals the envelope and hangs it on the tree, pretending to be mortally offended, but in the end, he can't help but laugh, as does Beata.
- Listen, maybe you could ask the Empress to adopt me too?.. - ... - ... - It was just a joke, in case you thought otherwise.
- Ha-ha, alright, alright. But it reminded me of something. It might not be entirely relevant to today or this location, but I think it's worth considering... - the question was directed to Sonata and Cleone in a private chat. - Do you know exactly whose "grace" brought you to Risser? After all, it requires quite specific conditions... If it was "her," then now you are, uh... on your own? Is that right?Author
- I mean, involving non-professional models who aren't part of our agency... What did you think I was going to say?
- No, nothing, I was just asking...Author
- That's how it is, - Penelope finished explaining, - by the way, some of our clients have expressed disappointment with the new cover designs, and what do you think - was the previous format with minimal text better or worse? As you can see, since I took over as head of the agency, we've been trying to diversify them, but it seems not everyone is happy about it.
- I think... that the amount of text could be reduced... - Ayano said with difficulty, turning her face away and hiding the pain in her palm. "Okamisama... What have we become?... How embarrassing." With great effort, she regained her composure after a brief session of Japanese breathing exercises, and disappointedly shakes her head: - Too bad... This is already the umpteenth "event" that I won't be able to get the ✹ for... It's not that it's so important, but... oh well.
-- Erephir Linell Darvening, nice to meet you, -- perhaps Sonata's student managed to catch part of the spoken speech, who knows. Looks like they'll be studying together?
- This is what a lack of faith does to people, - Sonata's student commented on Erephir's previously heard monologue, - life is much simpler and more beautiful if you don't invent meanings where there are none. For me, for example, Darkness is the most appealing. Why, you ask? Everything is simply conveyed through three elements that converged like a parade of planets: - In our world, darkness is a masculine element, and it just so happened that I am a man. Although, considering there are only two genders, this cannot be called unusual. - Beauty is the foundation of culture, the foundation of love. Look at your equipment, your clothes and accessories - without a striving for the beautiful, they would look completely different. - This path is patronized by the True Goddess, so do I need to doubt it?
- What curious students I have today. Be it known to you, Erephir, that in the world where this philosophy and combat practice originated, this direction was called precisely the path of metal, so you are fully entitled to call it exactly that. I merely adapted it to the categories generally accepted on Anuzish, that's all. Do you know that categorization lies at the heart of our understanding of the world? For example, if you observe a blue sky above your head, but do not have the corresponding word in your lexicon, you will not be able to comprehend its color. Or one can look at the example of beauty mentioned by Pion; without the corresponding term at your disposal, the most you would be capable of when seeing something beautiful is to feel it on a sensory level, but the concept itself would be foreign to you. Therefore, for a better understanding of this path and its place in our world, it is more effective to be guided by the categories of elements known to us. Be that as it may, I will have to disappoint you - mastering these concepts and embodying them in life is not at all the same as studying traditional sciences and combat training. Having once stepped onto the path of matter, metal, Kalentia, and abandoned it, you have misled your spirit and body, and returning to the original state will be far more difficult than mastering the other seven options, and that is the only thing I can offer you. - In exchange for ✹.
Added after 17 minutes Author
"I wonder if yesterday's piece of cake has already gone bad at home?..."
It didn't go bad because she already ate it 😎Author
—I remember: on the third! Technically, the last OD can be spent on the founder... Well, let me bring the first, second, and third, and you see which cover your soul leans towards more.
After thinking a bit about the options available to her, Sanexa settles her choice on SMM and Air. - It seems that even for noble people, life can be difficult, - she concluded, finishing reading SMM, - is it just me, or were there more tragic stories here than otherwise?.. But for some reason, Bertali's fate touched me deeply. From his reaction first to the betrayal, and then to the murder of his wife, it's clear that he loved her very much. Author
He aggressively seals the envelope and hangs it on a tree, pretending to be mortally offended, but in the end, he cannot stop himself from laughing, just as Beata herself does.
- Ah, it's you, - the musician finally noticed the couple, - lanky, beanpole, and skyscraper, - he recalled the three women he had met in the morning, - so how's the party, having fun?Author
- Ha-ha, yeah, alright, alright. But that reminded me of one question. A bit out of place for today and this location, but it seems to make sense... uh... - the question was addressed in a private chat to Sonata and Cleone. - Do you know by whose specific "mercy" you were thrown into Risser? There are quite specific conditions required there... If it was "her", then now you're, uh... on your own? Is that how it is?
The toxic greenery and the alien dog shook their heads from side to side, demonstrating their ignorance.Author
- No, nothing, just asked...
- Really?.. - The beauty took Ayano in the viewfinder of her camera. - Or maybe our innocent and pure princess has a dirtier mind than might appear at first glance, hmm?? Author
- I think... that the amount of text could have been cut... - Ayano said with difficulty, turning her face away and hiding the expression of pain on it with her palm.
- So you hold that opinion too, I see. We'll have to go back to the old format. Author
- Ayano said with difficulty, turning her face away and hiding the expression of pain on it with her palm. "Okamisama... What has become of us?.. What a shame"
Noticing her friend's confusion, Sonata placed her palm on her back. - Are you okay?Author
- Too bad... This is already which "event" in a row that I won't be able to get ✹ for?.. Not that it's that important, but... sigh.
- Why won't you be able to? Everything will work out.
- This is what the lack of faith does to people,” commented Sonata’s student, reflecting on Erephir’s earlier monologue. “Life is much simpler and more beautiful if you don’t invent meanings where there are none. For example, I am most drawn to Darkness. Why, you ask? It’s all playfully simple, conveyed by three elements that converge like a planetary parade: - In our world, darkness is a masculine element, and as it happens, I am a man. Although, considering there are only two genders, this can hardly be called something unusual. - Beauty is the foundation of culture, the foundation of love. Look at your equipment, your clothes, and accessories – without the pursuit of beauty, they would look completely different. - This path is patronized by the True Goddess, so do I need to doubt it?
Erephir nodded, ignoring the hints about the True Goddess.
-- Without a doubt, this is the best way of thinking; you have clearly understood what you want and are following it. We are not so different.
Author
- What interesting students I have today. Let it be known to you, Erephir, that in the world where this philosophy and combat practice originated, this direction was specifically called the path of metal, so you are perfectly right to call it that. I only adapted it to the generally accepted categories of Anush. Do you know that categorization is the basis of our understanding of the world? For example, if you look at the blue sky above you and do not have the corresponding word in your lexicon, you will not be able to comprehend its color. Or, consider the beauty mentioned by Pion; without the appropriate term at your disposal, at most, you will be able to feel it on a sensory level when you see something beautiful, but the concept itself will be alien to you. Therefore, for a better understanding of this path and its place in our world, it is more effective to be guided by the categories of the elements we know. However, I will have to disappoint you – mastering these concepts and embodying them in life is not the same as learning traditional sciences and combat training. Once you step onto the path of matter, metal, Kalentia, and abandon it, you will mislead your spirit and body, and it will be much more difficult to return to the original state than to master the other seven options, and that is all I can offer you. - In exchange for ✹.
The redhead listened to every word, although the ending surprised her.
-- Hmm, is this a test of my resolve? No? -- she pondered. -- But can one betray what the soul strives for? If this entails additional difficulties, then I am ready, but if you say that you will not be able to return my spirit and body to their original state in order to learn, perhaps I should find another way to break down this barrier? Forgive me for asking, but perhaps you can advise me?
- Ah, it's you, - the musician finally noticed the couple, - dilda, ogloblia, and kalancha, - he remembered the three women he had met that morning, - well, how is the celebration going, are you having fun?
- Ugh, how low, - Beata sniffed, but it was clear that she was more amused than angry. - Yes, the celebration is going wonderfully! And the performance was a great success!
– Hmm, is this a test of my resolve? No? – she pondered. – But can one betray what the soul strives for? If it brings additional difficulties, then I am ready, but if you say that you will not be able to restore my spirit and body to their original state so that I can learn, perhaps I should find another way to break down this barrier? Sorry for asking, but maybe you can advise me?
– No, this is not a test – I find such methods ineffective and do not practice them. As for the barrier that stands in the way of your aspirations, you can only answer this question yourself. Perhaps you will be able to find a way back to the old path on your own, or perhaps you will have to forget about this philosophy forever. In any case, we all inevitably coexist with all eight elements, regardless of our understanding of them, so focusing only on one is a childish approach.Author
– Ugh, how low, – Beata snorted, but it was clear that she was more amused than angry. – Yes, the holiday is going wonderfully! And the performance was a great success!
- Really? - The beauty aimed Ayano with the viewfinder of her camera. - Or maybe our innocent and pure princess has a dirtier mind than it seems at first glance, hmm?
- My mind is a mountain Fortress, with watchtowers and patrols walking around it.Author
- So you also hold that opinion, I see. I'll have to go back to the old format.
- It might be good in the most minimal format, let's say, at the August level. But doesn't it force the viewer's perception of the scene into a certain template? Even if it's done for a specific image, isn't it more interesting for the viewer to find and formulate their own?Author
Noticing her friend's confusion, Sonata placed her hand on her back. - Are you okay?
- No... but there's nothing I can do about it.Author
- Why wouldn't it work? Everything will work out.
- To distribute votes among colleagues? It's not very supportive. To evaluate yourself? That's also wrong. Besides, there may be a conflict of interest here, and everyone has different images.
A couple watches Gnilomud walk away, then they look at each other and shrug.
"Strange guy," Gillon concludes.
"Yeah... Okay, let's stop by the Playful Hare, since we're close."
"I've never really been there."
"Me neither. They say you need a club card... But since they're letting girls into XXX today, and there's something to do near the Dryad, maybe there will be something interesting here too."
"Makes sense."
They head to the Playful Hare.
Hmm... Did I deduct 1k from Beate and Guion for Baldur? 🤔
Added 3 minutes ago Author
- My mind is a mountain Fortress, with watchtowers and patrols walking around it.
- We should add this quote to one of the issues.Author
- It might be good in the most minimal format, say, at the August level. But doesn't it force the viewer's perception of the scene into a certain template? Even if it's done for a specific image, wouldn't it be more interesting for the viewer to find and formulate their own?
- Hmm... Perhaps, but I'm thinking of starting to publish magazines next year that include not only photos but also interesting information for buyers, so the free space on the cover could also be used for these purposes.Author
- No... but there's nothing we can do about it now.
- Well, well, don't be upset, I'm with you.Author
- Distribute votes among colleagues? That's not very supportive. Evaluate yourself? That's also wrong. Besides, there may be a conflict of interest here, and everyone has different images.
- Well, look. Technically, you can vote, but whether it's right is up to you.