shockingblue | IC Inbox: Daybreak

The others all went out of their way to avoid the both of us for quite some time before she came to the academy, and they still largely avoid me even now. They're concerned—no, bothered by the mistakes I made and what she appears to be, and they won't care if she distances herself even more, nor do I think they would if I did so myself.

As far as I'm concerned, she's made the right choice.

[Desidera had initially looked mildly surprised at how easily Marise had accepted that news, but that awkwardness shifted into something else—a bit of discomfort at the thought that most of her family wanted nothing to do with her—before showing a bit of obvious relief when she heard it said that her decision was the correct one.]

A-ah. ... Grazie.

You don't need to say much more about that now, so why don't you go on? You did say you had multiple things to talk about.

Well, another of the more-important things is... [Desi hadn't figured out how exactly to start this off, so she just went for it. Awkwardly.] Ah, we're not just roommates?

[Marise was silent for a moment. She already understood from what Gunvolt said that they were friends, so hearing her daughter say that (and furthermore: indicate that it was important) clearly meant something else.]

Oh, well, isn't this a surprise! [Judging by the tone, it's a good surprise.]

[....Well, that wasn't uh. Remotely subtle. Not that he really knew how to be subtle with that sort of thing either. ...And frankly, he'd have no idea how to bring that up, so he was glad she did.

Though he was still a little... not quite embarrassed or unsure, but... perhaps, very green to the whole thing still. He laughed, a little awkwardly.]

...Yeah. That was... recent. But it's true, ma'am.

[Monarch's eyes widened, and her head turned to look at the two of them, back and forth, like she was watching a tennis match. She then stopped, her hologram visibly pouting.]

Wait a minute! How am I just now finding out about this?! It's not fair that you kept it a secret from me too, you know!!

Ah, sorry, Monarch. ...There just... wasn't really a good time.

[It may sound like an excuse, but... at least everyone in the room there very much understood the actual gravity of things they'd all been dealing with.

Monarch did seem satisfied with that answer, though. She knew. But just because they kept it quiet, a mischievous grin took hold on her face as her hologram reclined back, like she was tilting backward in a chair.]

...Bout time, though. I swear, you two were looking doe-eyed at each other for awhile.

[Desi sputtered at that.] M-Monarch! [She would have reached over the desk and onto her bed for a pillow to throw, if there was anything for that pillow to actually hit; the core was resting on its own pillow, the lens angled toward Desi's side of the room, and she wasn't about to take a chance at knocking anything down and onto the floor.

..... Was she being obvious before now?

It probably didn't help that Marise laughed a bit at that, but only briefly before falling silent, thinking to herself before going ahead and voicing those thoughts.] Recent or not, it doesn't matter! I would have been happy enough knowing you found some friends while you were there, but this?

[There was a pause. What came next was in a calmer, more-subdued tone.]

It sounds to me like I've finally done something right, having you brought here.

[Desi's attention, which had been partially taken by Monarch in that moment just earlier, was very suddenly back on her phone again.]

Edited 2019-12-20 05:56 (UTC)

Oh come on, Monarch...

[Gunvolt himself was over in his chair, blushing somewhat brightly. And it wasn't helping that Marise seemed to find it so funny too. Ah... well. Could be worse. Honestly, he was happy to have his world back together, including Monarch and her teasing.

Of course... once Marise started talking again, he tried to turn his focus back to the call, so he didn't give Monarch the stink-eye. Not that she would've cared, anyway, what with that smug look she was carrying.

...At least, until Marise made that second statement. Even Monarch seemed to calm down and look on in awe. Gunvolt found himself struck dumb, at a loss for words; though fortunately, Monarch proved to be somewhat more eloquent.]

...We're very glad you did.

[There was a hum of acknowledgement before she spoke again. There was something she was curious about.] Speaking of here, Desi, how have things gone with the professor they had recommended for you?

Ah— Well, he's actually been rather hands-off.

Oh?

I've been going to him for advice or to let him know how I've been doing, but the matter of, ah, keeping my power under control has largely been left up to me; what I do, when I do it. He's only stepped in when he felt it necessary.

It's been going well.

Aah, well, if that is what works, then that is what works.

[Though the knowledge that Desi had actually been using that power would be relevant, she wasn't sure if she should bring up any of the incidents she had found herself involved in. Certainly not any of the more-recent ones, unless Gunvolt and Monarch indicated it was okay.]

Professor Valvatorez seems like he's pretty popular with the students because of that style. Based on what Desi's told me, he's the tough, but fair sort that really likes to let people try to grow as they will. Sounds like he's there whenever you need him too.

I think that's what makes him so well liked? ...And feared. ...He does sound a bit weird, though.

[Like anyone in this room had any room to talk about being weird. but that's not the spirit it was really meant in.]

Desi and I have trained together, too. I can back it up. She's been doing great at keeping control.

[Even that's an understatement. Hell, catching him in the shadow-net during the fight with Viper was tantamount to how much raw control she's picked up.]

[Desi's response was directed toward Monarch:] I think the feared part comes from being what he is? Maybe partially? I mean, I wouldn't be terribly surprised to hear anyone was afraid of me.

Liking fish is not weird, though.

[And then separately, Marise's response to Gunvolt:] Oh, she has? I suppose I've got nothing to worry about then.

...But sardines? That's a little weird. ...I think. I don't actually have taste buds...

It's also because apparently his tests are really hard. Supposedly.

[Gunvolt quipped in there, before turning back to Marise.]

You don't. There's not anyone else I trust in this school more when I'm in a jam.

Well, alright, maybe he obsesses over them just a little. [A little.]

And the tests aren't that hard— [Desi was arguably at a slight advantage in his classes, though, since she could occasionally apply knowledge of what she knows would work against herself.] —he's just a bit unforgiving when it comes to mistakes. [...and wasn't that basically the same thing?]

And wait— More than Professor Kiske? [Or anyone else that had joined GV these past weeks?

Marise hummed.] Partners in just about every sense of the word, are we?

We, ah— Well, he was one of the first people I met here, we got along fine even then, and it turns out that we work really well together. I make it easier for him to do his thing, he makes it possible for me to do mine. [A Candle with lightning powers and knowledge of runecrafting, and a mage with a repertoire of elemental magic and daemonic shadow manipulation, they probably sounded like a rather strange combination, but things really did work out better than expected.

She still wasn't going to go into detail on any of the things they were involved in, since it still wasn't known if the others would be alright with it or not.]

Mmm, out of curiosity, GV, what is it that you do? [Since 'GV' had been mentioned as his preferred name, that was what Marise would use for him as well.]

Sure sounds like it, doesn't it? My, you two really did become lovebirds while I was away...

[Gunvolt blushed, a little more furiously, when he realizes what he really said there. Which was more than he really meant to, though it wasn't like it was *bad* either.]

Monarch, knock it off.

[There's not really any bite to the statement, just as there's no malice in the AI's teasing. She's actually very happily bemused.]

Me? I wear a couple of hats. I started out with runic inscription work and engineering, but... mainly, I'm a Candle. My Radiance is lightning based.

[And lightning has quite a history of the hardest element to actually control in the elemental sphere, so that might actually be pretty remarkable.]

[The shadow beneath Monarch's pillow popped up by about two inches very suddenly, making the AI core jump a bit with the inertia, before that shadow immediately sank back down and put the pillow back exactly where it was. It was basically like a playful shove of sorts, albeit indirect, as the motion resulted in the hologram visibly stumbling a bit as the core had to use its hover capability to keep itself from basically faceplanting upon landing.

It was also without any warning whatsoever, so Monarch would probably faux-complain about it, but she knew that Desidera wouldn't take anything far enough that it would risk causing damage to her.]

Lightning, you said? That certainly explains how you could help her. It isn't without its own slew of issues when it comes to control, though, but I'm sure you already know that.

Plenty well. It's taken a lot of practice and some ingenuity to get as far as I have. Still got a long way to go though.

[He's not really going to divulge any of his secrets just yet, other than one thing.]

...Do have a really good teacher, though, in Professor Kiske.

[Indeed, Monarch's hologram even stumbles, and then pouts a bit at Desi, silently. She's not really mad or anything, but she will just give Desi the biggest cheek-inflating pout, followed by blowing a silent raspberry at her.

Yes. This was an artificial intelligence built by an evil corporation with mal-intent. Was she mature? Yes. When she wanted to be. Which was not now.]

[Whatever response Monarch might have been expecting, she just got a small wave instead.]

Ah, so you both have your own help aside from each other. I have to wonder, though, how does Desi help you? I wouldn't think that those shadows of hers would be terribly conductive.

They kind of are, actually? [Having to avoid being shocked after blocking Asimov's lightning rounds had been proof enough of that.] They don't act as lightning rods or anything of the sort, though, so it's not as though I simply mark targets for him or anything like that...

Getting me out of trouble, for one.

[The shadow net came to mind. And helping deal with Asimov for another.]

Beyond that, we're working on finding new ways to see how our powers and magic interact. That's still a work in progress, and might take some more out-of-the-box thinking. But figuring this stuff out is part of the fun.

GV's... rather enthusiastic about his training and work, if you couldn't tell.

That does sound rather risky, I have to admit. Using Radiance and fell power together rather than separately? That's quite a combination to be attempting. Though, if the academy itself hasn't tried to stop you...

Mother, I'm certain that the professors know what we're doing, and that they've known for awhile. He might largely leave me to do things myself, but Professor Valvatorez made it clear not long ago that he does keep an eye on me quite a bit. If he saw a problem, he would tell one or both of us.

Well, if they see no problem, then I'll trust their judgment.

Now, what about you, Monarch? Taking a hiatus to be their personal cheerleader?

We've been very careful about not crossing the streams too. The danger's not lost on us. And in the end, we might come up empty. But that's okay. Right now it's worth pursuing any lead we can to be more effective together, as long as it's not reckless.

[GV actually arches an eyebrow though, when Marise makes a comment about a "hiatus." ...Had she actually heard of Monarch?? Now that was something he was more surprised about than he probably should be.

For her part though, Monarch straightened up, and also briefly looked taken aback. But she quickly preened a little, and answered back.]

Ah, so you've heard of me before! ...Something like that. It's more that... my career as it was is on permanent hold. I had some... disputes, with my former employers, we'll call it, and a team at Daybreak was kind enough to arbitrate and get me out of a bad contract.

...If you catch my meaning. GV and Desi were both very sympathetic to my plight, so... this is where I feel I belong now.

[For her part, Desidera seemed a bit surprised as well.] When did you—

I can't say I expected to learn she was an AI, but her name and voice are both quite recognizable, dear; with you away from home, I've needed a little something to break the silence here. [In other words, Marise had actually picked up an album or two at some point over the past four months.

She was also good at reading between the lines, so when Monarch answered the question...]

Aah, I understand. I assume, then, that your enrollment at the academy needs to be kept secret. [Spoken with the same sort of emphasis to indicate that yes, she did get it.] Don't any of you worry, I'm very good with secrets.

I'd appreciate that, thank you. I know it's not in the best form to leave my fans hanging without explanation, but... the truth of the matter is. Complicated. Maybe I'll be able to discuss it more at length some other time.

[Well, that was a relief, for certain.]

I'm just glad it means we won't have more of Monarch's fans trying to beat down our door. [Did he mean people who wanted to use her, or Monarch's actually rabid fanbase? Answer: Yes.] Things have been crazy enough lately, and I'm glad they might finally slow down a little.

Maybe, though I wouldn't count myself among those who would need to know. [Or in other words, telling her is entirely optional.]

It certainly sounds as though you've been busy, though. I know there might be more to talk about, but perhaps I should go for now so you have some more time to rest. We can talk again sometime later, if that's alright?

[There's a brief pause before Desi answered, but it was less of one than there had been when she first saw the phone ringing:] That would be fine.

Mmm, I'll leave it up to you when that is; it would be easier than my trying to find a time when you can answer. Until then, addio?

It was nice talking to you, ma'am. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

[He was still doing his best to make a good impression, so... being polite was still something he wanted to do.]

Happy to meet you, Mrs. Neroni! Hope to talk to you again sometime!

A-addio, Madre.

[And with that, the call ended. Desidera continued looking at the phone for a few moments before turning back toward the others.]

I'm...not sure how I had expected things to go, but. That. It went well, I think.

...All things considered? Yeah. I think it did too.

[Honestly... that went way better than he dared hope.]

She sounded.... pretty understanding about quite a lot of what's happened.

And there was a lot that happened. Speaking of... Desi, I wanted to ask you something, if that's okay?

What do you mean, 'if that's okay'? Of course it's okay. Do you think I'm going to keep things from you at this point?

Stupid question, then.

[He just shakes his head at that. She had a point, after all. Though, his initial smile fades away to something a little more serious, more reluctant, but he's still going to go through with it.]

It's... just something you said while we were fighting Asimov. [She probably knows the moment... but...] It was right before you slapped him. [Which... he thought was pretty cool, but frankly, now wasn't the time to say that.] You really... turned that around on him.

Oh, so when I called him a monster. You know I'm not going to take that back, he earned it. [And just about everything else that came before—and after.]

Unless your question is something else?

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