Academy of Lunaria: Cursed Changes (SaphireTsuki and Anafal)

[SaphireTsuki]

Her eyes danced with the urge to learn. "Really? That sounds like an interesting limitation. Do you have any clue why? Any ways to work around it? If you're interested in commissions then you'll make a LOT of money, as individualized Artifacts are at best rare...." And she could go places with this. "Is it always the same artifact that's made? Or does it change, even for the same person? Oh, the experiments...."

 

[Ananfal]

"I think it's because when I use Llosgi to allow my magic to flow, it always flows the same way and thus another Llosgi is created. But when I'm touching someone else, Llosgi can draw on their magic (not as well obviously) and create a new artifact with that magic." Agnes shrugged slightly. "At least that's what I've been able to judge through my own experiments. You can conduct your own, if you want. I am always willing to learn." Hopefully the girl would gain some confidence from these experiments. She had already perked up at the thought of learning something bew, which was a good sign. There was hope for Saph yet.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

She wanted to DANCE! AH, but no. Then she'd miss lunch, and the chime rang to warn them that it was time to eat. She grabbed Agnes' hand, heading for the door and thinking about possible ways to test this. the first would be to see if it was always the same object that came out due to magic, so she'd try that, but first... "Our first experiment will be to see if there's any difference between the original Llosgi and the new one you make. Then we'll move on to tests on people's magic other than yourself..."

 

[Ananfal]

Agnes nodded, a small smile hovering on her face as she watched the young girl tug her down the stairs towards the place they were going to eat (she assumed). Already Saph seemed more confident. She wasn't hesitating to touch her or even forcefully drag her, and was dictating the types of experiments needed... Now if only this personality came out more often, then the blue haired girl would never have problems with bullies and the like. And Agnes could tell that the girl had been bullied, Saph had been all but trembling when Agnes had first walked in.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

Once she'd ekked out a temporary plan of experimentation she looked down, noticed her dragging Agnes, and let go, inching backwards. "I-i'm sorry. Um, the lunchroom's this way." And she was back to being timid again, crossing the hallway with quiet but swift movements, cloak still billowing behind her, and head low. The door she'd reached was opened, revealing what to her looked like mostly-grey area, but was actually white marble with swirling blue in it, a few long tables, and an open buffet that was half-eaten already. The entire opposite side was one large magical window, revealing the grounds for all to see.

 

[Ananfal]

Agnes frowned as Saph retreated into her timid persona once more, but said nothing. She couldn't expect radical change in such short a time, after all. All she could do was keep trying. Looking at the buffet, Agnes bit her lip softly. "Do... Do you have to pay for food?" She asked in a small voice, dreading the answer. She foresaw many empty stomachs in the future... And if she needed books for her classes...

 

[SaphireTsuki]

"That's part of the boarding costs, so... no." Saphire shrugged, walking over to it and grabbing the first clean plate. "We always get second meal..." so over half the time the good stuff was already gone. Today was lucky, there was still enough for them to get a good meal out of it. Or, better than usual anyway. Everything would be cold, though, so she tried to stay away from things like spaghetti which needed heat to taste right.

 

[Ananfal]

Agnes sighed in relief, taking a plate and looking over the selection. "Is there anything healthy here?" She frowned that the buffet, a bit disappointed. Actually, a lot disappointed. Finaly she simply picked out some fruit and went with that, deciding that she would simply have to make do with what she had. Maybe some extra hard training to burn off the calories... A new workout regime...

 

[SaphireTsuki]

Saphire shook her head no, looking down... "M-mages claim that they need the extra energy for their magic generation. It's a load of... well, not true, but..." And she just got a plate of beans, rice, and bread. She'd make a sandwich out of it. Not healthy, but better than some of the rest of the food. "I try to get them to buy more healthy ingredients, but it's usually gone."

 

[Ananfal]

"Its alright, not blaming you." Agnes had to resist the urge to call the young girl sweetie. She was just so... Innocent? No, that wasn't the right word. Hopeful. Saphy was hopeful, and it made her seem younger then she was. Agnes was definitely feeling the big-sister vibes coming on strong. She wanted to protect this girl from the horrors of the world. Saphy reminded her too much like a younger version of herself. She didn't want her to turn out like Agnes did...


Wait, did She just give the young girl a nickname?

 

[SaphireTsuki]

"O-oh, umm... thanks." There was a hint of relief in her eyes, and then a group of three walked up. She took in a deep breath, and her eyes glazed over in the same creepy look they usually held when facing a group she didn't know. The sneers on the three's faces, a man and two women, were nearly enough to make her tremble, but she held back. "Have you some need of me?" Oh yes, that look in their eyes... this was not going to be pleasant. Takeuchi, the guy, walked a bit closer... so that he was almost too close. He wouldn't do anything out here.... not when the entire school was watching. Well, half of it anyway... she told herself that over and over, keeping that same emotionless look on her face.

 

[Ananfal]

Agnes couldn't help her instinctive reaction to Saphy cowering, however she did manage to not draw Llosgi. Instead she simply stood up and walked around the table, placing a comforting hand on Saphy's shoulder as she glared at the male. "Please take a step back from Ms. Tsuki." She said, trying to be as polite as she could so as to not offend anyone. "I'm afraid that I am duty bound to protect her, and so I must insist. Take a step back." The last words were delivered in a low voice, her tension rising as a hand swept back her cloak to reveal the hilt of Llosgi standing ready at her side. She was not afraid.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

He glared at her, gaze dropping down momentarily to see the sword at her waist. A small gulp, but he showed little to no fear. "I want the Cursed Mage to make me a new artifact, if you must ask." Still, he stepped back. His goal had been accomplished, she was 'under his power'. And then he smirked again, "I'm sure you, as a Null, don't need one."


Saphire had sucked in a sharp breath, one hand reaching to hold onto Agnes' cloak. She cleared her throat, "Mr. Takeuchi, I see your previous Artifact on hand." It was a small thing, a wristband she'd made for him not a month ago. "Are you telling me that it has already run out of magic... when I can clearly still sense it from here? Or was there something else unsatisfactory about it?"


"This is not nearly powerful enough, Cursed." He said it dismissively, waving one hand, ironically the one with the offending artifact. "I had a duel the other day, and the thing couldn't handle my signature move: The Lunar Bolt." It was actually a rather high-end spell, and she'd never seen him cast it with any artifact, and so she was determined to say no.... until he fixed her with his glare. "You will make me another one, right?"

 

[Ananfal]

"Unfortunately, on the behalf of Ms. Tsuki, I must decline." Her eyes were cold and her mouth firm. "I have not yet heard the payment Ms. Tsuki will receive for her work. Until I have a written contract, signed by both you and her with two witnesses, I cannot allow this deal to go through." Her diplomacy failed her and she almost snarled. Her hand dropped to Llosgi's hilt and she took a threatening step forward. "Get out of my sight..." She growled softly.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

Takeuchi snorted, even as he turned around. "Pay her? I'm not some superstitious Mage afraid of the curse rubbing off on me! You want payment I'll go somewhere else!" And he turned around, leading the two girls, who stuck their tongues out with a 'biii' noise, back to their table. WHich was full of people. Saphire let out a breath of relief... it was hard to make an artifact for someone she didn't like, or when scared. Well, hard if she didn't want the magic to come out twisted.


"T-thank you." She'd protected Saphire, so Agnes deserved at least that much... even as Saphire kinda stepped to the side and behind her, using Agnes' cloak to keep partially out of sight. There were more, she knew, who wanted money free artifacts made. They expected hers to be more powerful just because she was a genius and a Mage, not realizing that she made the artifacts to match the skill level of the owner....

 

[Ananfal]

A soft pat on her shoulder and Agnes dropped down into the seat next to Saphy, sending the young girl a gentle and reassuring smile. "I will protect you, Saphire, for you are someone who deserves and needs protecting. I will be your protector for as long as I'm needed." She gave the girl another smile before returning to her fruit selection. At least it was fresh.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

Saphire blinked at the slightly older woman, nodded, and looked down. Oh thank goodness, she had an ally... and this meal wasn't half bad, today. Cold, but still good. For just a second there was a flicker, bright colors quickly replaced with their muted forms, and she shook her head slightly. There was a sense of warmth, of trust.... and an almost-there connection to... someone.

 

[Ananfal]

Agnes felt... something, a connection of some kind... to the girl sitting beside her? With a sigh, she admitted that it wasn't exactly a surprise to her. Saphy had reminded her of a younger Agnes since the moment they had truly gotten to know each other and it was only natural that she have protective feelings for the young girl. Her fists clenched at the thought of that Takeuchi guy. How dare he treat a woman that way, regardless of Mage status or not! She would have to teach him a lesson... Two actually. One, don't mess with people under her protection. Two, Agnes was more then just a Null with a sword. And with Llosgi's copying properties, every Null could be.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

The time passed in silence, on Saphire's part, as she ate with her small, measured bites until it was gone. And then she sat up, turned to Agnes, and asked in typical fashion, "W-w-well.... I-I'm finished, a-a-and we have the p-p-paperwork, w-we can get Llosgi registered as y-your Artifact." Her hands reached up, pulling her hood over her face again. It was a small smile, but she'd found herself doing so when she turned her attention to the elder woman.

 

[Ananfal]

Agnes smiled reassuringly at the younger woman, one hand reaching up to gently tug down her hood. "You shouldn't hide from others. They see it as a sign of weakness. Besides, you shouldn't be scared while I'm here. I'll protect you, remember?" She spoke softly and gently, not wanting to seem like she was yelling at Saphy. She kept one hand on her shoulder as they walked, glaring at anyone who even looked at Saphy wrong. "Where are we going, by the way?" Agnes asked, trying to get the young girl to open up a bit more.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

N-n-not have her hood up?! B-b-but... but... then everyone would stare at her! Even here blue hair was strange. Still, Agnes was at least kind enough not to get mad about it, and... oh, she was asking a question. Right, the Artifact. And paperwork. Where did they... oh, right... "D-d-dorm master. S-she's in charge of filing Artifact paperwork. A-and rooms." She was also... just the slightest bit scary. To be expected from someone Nightmare sent to watch over her... which was still weird. Why would she be worthy of the Empress' attention.

 

[Ananfal]

With a small sigh Agnes stopped Saphy and gathered the younger girl into a tight hug. "You don't have to be scared anymore." She said gently. "I'm here." Those were the words she wished someone had said to her as a child, and so she would tell them to this child and hopefully things would turn out better then they had for her. A reassuring smile and they were in their way again, towards the dorm master. "Alright, and who is the dorm master? Why is she called a dorm 'master' when she's a woman? Wouldn't it be mistress?" Agnes questioned with a slight chuckle, trying to make Saphy laugh or at least smile.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

"T-the title. It's from back when they used to only have men working in the staff." Still, it was funny, so a half smirk found it's way to her face. Yes, she could imagine Agnes as an older sister, if only she had the courage to ask.... n-not that she wanted a family. To want a family would be to be ungrateful for what she had at the moment. Or so she told herself, but she found herself slowing down so she was moving at the same speed as Agnes.

 

[Ananfal]

Agnes was very observant, it came after years of living out on the streets. So she noticed the fact that Saphy stuck close to her, even matched her pace. Oh dear... And she just wanted to give the child another hug. It was a miracle that Agnes had gotten here when she did, another year and Saphy would have been beyond help. Like herself. But she could see the spark of hope in the younger woman, and she was going to do her best to make sure that spark never went out.

 

[SaphireTsuki]

Down the halls, up a set of steps, and then Saphire took in a deep breath. The door in front of her was heavy, wooden, and looked like it hadn't been repainted in a long time. She knocked, letting out a timid "M-miss Dorm Master? I..uhh... b-brought my roommate to get some paperwork filed."