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From the cutting-room floor: Teran story, Chapter 2
On Patreon for £6+ subscribers, we have the second chapter of my unfinished story set in Teran! Chapter 1 and more details about this partial novel are over here.
In Chapter 2, Mihai starts poking around in politics, learns some unsettling things about Silviano, and meets a character who turns up in Creme de la Creme!
Played the Choice of Games Text RPG "Honor Bound" by Harris Powell-Smith and drew my MC (the one hiding his face) and his RO Denario Vecoli. Denarios stubble turned into more of a beard during inking, but it doesn't bother me enough to redow the whole thing.
Thoughts about Game and Playthrough under the cut.
To start this of, I really enjoyed the game. HPS has quickly become one of my favourite CoG authors. I don't usually care for romance or dark academia at all, but I like every single entry of the Westerlind and neighboring countries verse.
Now to the actual game. My MC started of being pretty callous and rebellious. Making it clear to Catarina and Fiore that he will not be their butler and also internally being furious that he got punished for not risking a hostages life.
That changed a bit over the course of the game. He still made it clear to Catarina that he is her bodyguard not her servant, but he also cared for her and wanted her to do well in life and school. They had a great relationship that I enjoyed. Catarina ended up admiring my MC. He also ended up befriending Fiore and got a lot more humane over the course of the game by simply caring about these two.
Initally, I was not sure who I wanted to romance. I thought maybe Korzha. I like emotionally repressed men, being one myself. Or Savarel, since my MC was not religious and I thought there might be some cool interactions with an atheist MC and a Priest RO.
That all flew out the window when Denario unexpectedly showed up. From the first paragraph, I knew this man would have my MC acting unwise. I selected that they had a thing in the past and this lead to a dynamic where my stoic and repressed character would turn into a different person when Denario was around. I'd say mostly for the better. He would burn down the world to keep Denario save and happy, but luckily that was never needed or wanted by Denario. It felt like they were making each other better, which was nice.
Korzha went from not being very impressed with my MC, to being his biggest supporter right behind Denario and Catarina. I helped him do the research and generally was quite loyal to the military. A little too loyal, because in the end he and Korzha stayed true to the mission, which cost him Fiores friendship, Savarel doesn't talk to him anymore and he doesn't even know where Catarina is.
When he got bribed by being made an Elite, I would have liked the option to say "I feel awful and this is clearly a bribe to shut me up, but I'd rather cry in a house with unconditional basic income, than crying in small rented room and no income."
So career wise, my MC hit the jackpot, but emotionally he feels awful about how things went down. But he is too repressed to know what to do about it. So he stayed with the military, because he didn't know what else to do with himself. He didn't want to stay in Ozera because that would have reminded him of Catarina and his guilt.
I actually think I had a bug at the end of the game. Because I asked Denario if he would move with me and he enthusiastically said yes, but in the end he somehow just wasn't and only wrote a letter. He still showed up to the Elite Promotion Party at least.
My thoughts for the future of my MC is, that he will probably work through his guilt at some point. Most likely trying to find out what happened to Fiore and Catarina as the way Avla talked about it made it sound like they were disappeared by the military and that is definatly something that would break the spell of military conditioning on my MC.
I also think Denario would help with that. He understandably doesn't seem to be a fan of the military and how he and my MC got treated. So my HC is that, once my MC got his house for being an Elite, he would have Denario move in and then Denario works on removing the military way of thinking from my MCs mind that makes him think that it's his duty to follow all orders.
I hope in the future he can reconcile with Fiore or at least make it up to Catarina. She was so excited about the school and even won the science competition and she didn't even get to be at the graduation ceremony.
I ended up replaying the ending a few different ways, but I think for my personal canon I will stick with my first one. It is not the best ending for him, but part of the fun is that not everything is perfect. Sometimes you make mistakes and then you have to keep on living with those mistakes.
As a finale note, I liked how this game allowed me to play the multible facettes of repressed emotions, mixed with anger, guilt and not knowhing how to deal with that, because you are used to having to function. Especially when my MC finally got hospitalized, even after doing all his physiotherapy. I can see him doing that a lot in the future. It would seem like he keeps pushing himself to hard out of pride to being seen weak, but I think it would be more out of fear of being seen as lazy and maybe self punishment. Denario should yell at him for it.
The Princess and The Thorne, Chapter Eight-point-Five: Just Desserts.
It was late in the afternoon, just a bit after the Festival of the Birds. Ras had returned to the common rooms in time to see Max standing there, chattering away with Delacroix and Hartmann. Hartmann was scolding Max about something, and Delacroix looked bored.
As Ras stepped closer, Max’s back facing her, she heard what they were going on about.
“Really, Max,” Hartmann huffed, “it was inappropriate for you to spread that faked newspaper clip around. What if Ras had asked Rosario to walk out with her, but Rosario declined? Huh?”
Max waved it off with a flippant air. “Please! You didn’t see those two during the Winter Ball. It’s clear the two of them are hilariously in love. I daresay they’ve got one-up on you and Freddie~” She teased.
Delacroix caught Ras’ eye, and raised an eyebrow as she witnessed the other stalk up behind Max. Ras lifted a finger to her lips, silently shushing Delacroix. She obliged, curious to see what was going to happen.
Hartmann, meanwhile, failed to spot Ras behind Max, despite the other girl being a head or two taller than Max, and she just sighed. “Max you can’t—”
Hartmann was interrupted as Ras swept up beside Max and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Hey Max~” She spoke in a sing-song voice. Without waiting for the other to respond, Ras put her weight into shifting backwards, her arm firmly wrapped around Max’s waist. With a swift motion, Ras put all of her strength into lifting Max upwards.
With a grunt of effort, Ras proceeded to flip Max backwards, performing a suplex on her best friend and sending her crashing into the couch in the commons room.
Ras got to her feet, dusting herself off and straightening her capelet. She turned to Max, who was staring up at Ras, stunned, from her position upside down and across the back of the couch.
“For the record? She said yes, and we shared cake.”
It was then that Delacroix, of all people, burst into laughter, cackling as she realized what she’d just witnessed between the two best friends.
Hartmann herself couldn’t suppress the smile on her face, and after the initial shock, Max also broke out into a large, good-natured grin.
The Princess and The Thorne, Chapter Fourteen: The Princess and The Thorne.
A week had passed since the Gallatin graduation, and in all the chaos Ras barely had any time to speak with anybody properly, even her closest friends.
She was whisked away to the Thorne Family estate, riding in a carriage alone through the districts of Fenburg. Despite her protestations, she didn’t really have anywhere else to go, and Inspector Burgin was insistent that Ras remain in Westerlind until things came to a close.
The air was full of pollen and was unpleasantly muggy compared to the clean air of the mountains. Ras despised how heavy it felt.
She hauled her luggage up the drive and let herself in. Matilda wasn’t here; she had business to deal with on the coast, and after a fortnight or so she’d travel to a summer home in the Hanwells, awaiting Ras if she wished to go. The only person on estate grounds was Ras, with a note to lock up if she decided to spend the summer holidays elsewhere.
The manor was clean and neat, and in the dining room a vase of flowers on the table. Bellflowers, tucked neatly into the vase and in various shades of blue and purple.
Beside the vase, letters were stacked neatly. One was in an official, embossed envelope from the Inspection Board. Ras grabbed it and tore it open, peeking at the contents inside.
Inside was a beautifully-handwritten letter from Inspector Burgin;
‘Master Thorne,
First off, I would like to personally thank you for your part in bringing Lady Renaldt’s misdeeds to light. Her passing remains an unfortunate byproduct of her sins, and criminal though she was, she will be missed by a few.
The criminal known as Schroeder has been apprehended and jailed, to serve a sentence for many years. In addition, you will be pleased to know that Blaise Marechal and Cezara Dalca are safe as well, thanks to your timely intervention.
I would like to formally apologize to you on Gallatin’s behalf for the trouble you have been caused.
As you already have plans to teach at Gallatin, I would like to invite you to speak with me personally at your earliest convenience in regards to your input on what happens to Gallatin next. Should you accept, do not hesitate to find me at the Westerlind Educational Inspection Board headquarters, address below.
Beyond that, rest assured that the investigation is nearing it’s conclusion, and barring any hiccups, you are free to leave Westerlind for the Summer Holidays.
Respectfully,
Inspector Kathrili Burgin, Westerlind Educational Inspection Board.
PS. Give my regards to Mistress Thorne, would you?’
Ras looked at the clock. It was only mid-afternoon. Perhaps a talk with Inspector Burgin wouldn’t be a bad idea before she let loose for the festival.
She tucked the letter into her pocket, and made her way outside. She hailed a taxi, and as she got in she gave the address to the driver. With a nod in response, the cab lurched forward and Ras was on her way.
In a matter of minutes, she reached her destination. Exiting the cab with a thank you, she made her way inside. When the secretary stopped her, she showed the letter from Inspector Burgin, and she was directed where to go.
Inspector Burgin’s office wasn’t nearly as lavish as Lady Renaldt’s, somehow a surprise to Ras in the moment, but after a bit of thinking she realized it fit the rather simple woman.
A few chairs, some bookshelves, and a desk stacked with paperwork and a large book opened with both pages facing upwards. Inspector Burgin was in her chair, and when she saw Ras, she stood up, offering a hand to her.
“Master Thorne. I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”
Ras took Inspector Burgin’s hand, shaking it before she sat down. “I had some time to kill, figured I might as well get this out of the way, you know? And, please, you can call me Ras.”
Inspector Burgin nodded, sitting back down in her chair. “Of course, of course. Regardless, thank you for accepting the invitation, Ras. As you know, I wanted to talk to you about Gallatin’s future.”
A pause, as if she waited for Ras to respond.
“Me, personally, I wouldn’t want anything more to do with the place, teaching job or otherwise. But seeing as you haven’t put in a resignation before even beginning, I can tell you’re still interested in working there, no?”
“That’s right. It wasn’t Gallatin that wronged me, it was Lady Renaldt. Now that she’s gone, I have no doubts the college will retain it’s repute with more savory means available to them.”
Inspector Burgin nodded again, steepling her fingers. “It’s that sort of attitude that interests me, Ras. You seem particularly invested in the place, despite everything.”
“Gallatin is where I got my second chance, Inspector Burgin. If it weren’t for the college taking me in…well, I try not to think too much about it.”
“Right, well, that brings me to my offer, then. As the one who ousted Lady Renaldt, and one invested heavily in it’s future, I feel you’d be a perfect fit. That said, I’m only going to make this offer once, so if you refuse now, you cannot go back on it.”
“Well, I can hardly refuse or accept with such cryptic statements, now can I? Care to tell me exactly what you’re offering?”
Inspector Burgin’s eyes gleamed, and she offered a smile. “Of course. Ras Thorne, I would like you to take over as Headmistress of Gallatin College, provided you remain interested in the affairs and well-being of the college after two years of teaching.”
There was no hesitation for Ras. “Absolutely.”
Inspector Burgin nodded, as if she’d expected this answer. “Good. After two years of teaching, you shall be reviewed by the Inspection Board. Provided you pass that, I shall reach out to you to confirm whether or not you still hold interest in the position.”
A pause.
“Until then, Mr. Griffith shall take over as Headmaster, and he shall oversee your progress both as a teacher and as a potential successor. A written agreement and contract will be drafted after the Summer Holidays, to be signed by all parties.”
“Sounds good to me. I look forward to it.”
Inspector Burgin nodded again, this time putting on another smile. “Well! With that out of the way, is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”
Ras took a moment to think. “...As it happens, yes. I would like Gallatin to make official reparations to the families of Blaise Marechal, Cezara Dalca, Emily Karson, and Gaspard Breiner.”
“Certainly. The Inspection Board, as well as the Renaldt Estate, will offer monetary recompense to the families of those who suffered. I’m sure they appreciate your concern.”
Ras nodded at that, standing up with a sigh. “Right, well, that’s everything. I shall see you again later.”
“Enjoy your Summer Holidays, Master Thorne.”
With that, Ras exited the building and made her way back home. Back in her dining room, she decided to write to Rosario, requesting to spend the holidays together, as well as the prospect of moving in.
After receiving a return letter that evening, with Rosario declaring that she’d love to see Ras again, she made plans to go to The Hanwells, to meet Rosario.
On the train that next morning, Ras had gathered the letters left by the vase and began to sift through them, reading one-by-one.
The first was a letter from her Uncle Gerald. He spent the first paragraph delighting about Ras’ romantic connection to Princess Rosario, expressing a desire to attend her wedding if she would have him. As if she’d exclude him.
He went on to congratulate her for her teaching post at Gallatin, as well as her role in exposing Lady Renaldt. He mourned her death, recalling one summer he and Irwin had spent with her before suddenly she cut contact with them.
In addition to all that, he excitedly told of how Matilda was seeking help to improve herself, and how wonderful it was to see glimpses of the lovely woman she once was yet again. He was far more forgiving than Ras was.
Ras smiled, tucking the letter into her bag. At least he was happy. With that, she turned her attention to the next letter. It was from Gonzalez.
She sounded cheerful enough, if a little bored about summer. She requested Ras write back soon, as she needed to know everything about what happened at Graduation.
Her next letter was from Hartmann and Freddie both. They were having a wonderful time spending the summer with Freddie’s family, with Hartmann declaring that she’s cut her family off until they accepted that she was capable of her own decisions and could learn to be happy for her. They ended it with a desire to meet up again, and demanded Ras tell the whole story to them.
Next, a letter from Max and Delacroix. They were enjoying themselves at the beach, with Max declaring that Ras make Gallatin a fun place in case any of her children ever attended. Like the others, they asked Ras to write back.
A letter from Karson. She didn’t mention the events of graduation, but she did offer many thanks to Ras, the situation clearly on her mind.
Apparently her family’s house in Fenburg was ridiculously busy at the moment; she was staying with her fathers, her grandfathers, and her sisters. It was a tight squeeze indeed. “But I got a letter saying I’ve come into a substantial amount of money,” her letter stated. “That’s interesting. It means I can move back to Fenburg permanently, though—where I was suddenly offered a job by a Mister Gerald. I guess that means, if you ever go back home, you’ll not be rid of me anytime soon.”
Karson finished her letter off promising to write Ras, as well as offering her more thanks.
A letter from Auguste caught Ras’ eye next, and she raised an eyebrow. Certainly unexpected.
The letter opened with a harried tone and ramblings about how the reports of her mother were surely lies and that this was all slander on Ras’ part, but even her accusations were baseless and filled with uncertainty.
Eventually, she ended it with an apology, and asked Ras to write back with the hope that they could possibly be friends.
Another letter caught her eye, and this one was from Florin of all people. She opened it with a declaration of love for Ras, followed by a ‘just kidding!’ and a heart drawn in the ink.
She detailed about her trip in the Hanwells, and then went on to say that she was being sent away to the military by her Fathers. She was afraid, and told Ras that much, ending the letter off with a request to keep in contact.
Next, a letter from Blaise. The writing was messy and rushed. She explained that she was catching up with her parents. “They were able to buy a place in Fenburg,” she wrote. “Apparently it was an unexpected windfall. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you? Anyway, I’m going to be doing my final year back at Gallatin. If you end up being my teacher…go easy on me?”
At the end of it, she demanded that Ras keep in touch with her, and Ras had a feeling that she was a bit lonelier than she’d care to admit.
Letters from her teachers, Miss Dalca, Mr. Griffith, and Mr. Blanchard all wrote in to thank Ras for her efforts in exposing Lady Renaldt, as well as her assistance in bringing the three of them together. They expressed joy at Ras’ decision to become a teacher at Gallatin, and looked forward to working with her in the future.
And finally, an official letter from Mr. Griffith on behalf of Gallatin College. He confirmed her placement as a teacher, as well as a reminder that she is to succeed him in taking over the college in two years time, should she still be interested in the position.
He ended the letter with a heartfelt thank you.
The train slowed to a halt, and the whistle blew. “All change for South Hanwell!” a guard bellowed. Doors slammed open, luggage carts were hauled, and Ras made to disembarked.
A cluster of people stood on the wide, spacious platform; in the center was Rosario, her hand up against the glare of the sunshine. She was wearing a pale blue tea dress, and she looked entirely at ease.
One of Rosario’s entourage whisked Ras’ luggage away, and Rosario kissed her girlfriend on both cheeks before leading her away to a private cab. “You arrived just at the right time,” she said. “There was a thunderstorm last night, but it’s lovely now!”
She beamed at Ras the entire ride.
The royals’ summer estate sat a little way inland, amidst woods and farmland. Rosario explained that her immediate family weren’t there yet—they were due in a couple of days—but her cousin was eager to meet Ras. As the cab drew up the long drive, Ras spotted the cousin sitting beneath a parasol on an immaculately-kept lawn. He looked older than Ras, and when Rosario called out to him, he hurried over with a pinprick-frown between his brows.
“The Honorable Leandro del Quiros,” he said, shaking Ras’ hand. He spoke Westerlind with the same faint Zaledoan accent as Rosario, and the same cut-glass pronunciation.
He turned to Rosario straightaway, blocking Ras with his shoulder, speaking to her in Zaledoan too quickly for Ras to grasp. Not that she spoke it anyway. Rosario rolled her eyes, punched Leandro lightly on the shoulder, and said, “Come on, Ras, I’ll show you where you’ll sleep.”
As Ras was led into the towering main house, Rosario let out a ‘tsk’.
“Ignore him,” she said, “He’s just worried about people gossipping.”
“Ah, please,” Ras grinned. “If he’s anything like Ibarra, he’ll warm up to me in time.”
Rosario giggled. “He’s like that with everyone, don’t worry about him.”
Inside, the mansion was palatial. The ceilings soared, sculptures stood beside every door, and portraits of former Zaledoan monarchs and aristocracy were everywhere. The bright, colorful tiles making up the floor were exquisitely patterned; it almost felt wrong for Ras to walk across them.
Rosario strolled through the luxury without heed, leading Ras upstairs to a suite filled with expensive ornaments and lush plants. The four-poster bed was set above the floor, and was larger than anything Ras had seen. “Here’s your room,” she said. “But we can meet up and talk in the night, if you want. I’m only in the next suite.”
She glanced at the wall beside the window, where a haphazard, but bright, mural of swirling colors had been painted. She laughed ruefully.
“I did that when I was fourteen,” she said. “I said that to my father that he should paint over it, but he said he likes it. Sorry.”
Ras shook her head, smiling. “Naw. I think it’s sweet.”
Rosario ran a hand over her hair. “You’re adorable. Thank you, Ras.”
Rosario went to the window-seat and beckoned Ras to sit beside her. The view out was gorgeous: the garden was in full bloom, and the ocean sparkled in the distance.
“I wanted to say,” she said, “that it was incredibly brave of you to confront Lady Renaldt the way you did…”
Ras shook her head. “Nah, it wasn’t anything like that. I just did what any woman would do in my position.”
Rosario smiled. “You’re just like a fairytale Hero. It’s kind of cute, the way you go on as you do.”
A pause, and then she shifted her seat, looking to change the topic. “...I haven’t walked out with someone long-distance before,” she said. “Do you…think we can stay in touch?”
Ras took a seat next to Rosario, wrapping her arm around her shoulder and smiling. “Course we will, my love. Have no worries, yeah?”
Rosario sighed, leaning against Ras. “It’s going to be so different when I go home,” she said, “More ceremony. More formality. Much less freedom.” She looked embarrassed. “Sorry. I know how lucky I am.”
“It does sound difficult. But don’t worry, yeah? We’ll figure something out.”
Rosario nodded. “Thank you, Ras,” she said. “Some would say I should shut up ‘cause of what I have. Many of the Archambault people would have, anyway…”
Ras rolled her eyes. “Yeah and those people are losers. You know what you are?”
Rosario raised an eyebrow as Ras turned her head to look down at her. “What am I?”
“You’re a Thorne now,” she whispered, tilting Rosario’s head upwards so that she could kiss her. Rosario made a pleased noise against Ras’ mouth, her fingers pulling through Ras’ hair and sending tingles down the back of her neck.
Leandro’s voice called up from the garden. “Rosario! Master Thorne! We’re serving afternoon tea.”
Rosario drew back, giving Ras a smile. “We could…wait a bit longer,” she murmured.
After a moment, Leandro called down, as if he’d heard her. “Rosario! Come down!”
Rosario groaned, nudging the window open with a comical roll of her eyes. “Coming!” She shouted.
Ras chuckled at the display, taking a moment to think as Rosario gathered herself. It was dizzying to think how much had happened. Could it have gone differently? If she’d known everything from the start, would she have made the same choices she did?
She liked to think she would.
For now, however, she had to disregard the past. She had Rosario’s company, and a packed calendar. Talking to do, and a wedding to plan; formal dinners, royal parties, and dancing until dawn. So much to look forward to, so much to do.
Rosario rose, taking Ras’ hand, and the pair walked downstairs for tea.
Outside, the birds trilled in the trees, and the summer flowers made the warm air heavy with scent. A faint smell of salt drifted in on the breeze.
Ras pulled something from her pocket, presenting it to Rosario with a smile.
She held out a flower. It was a dark blue color with curved petals to form the shape of a small bell. Inside, a pistil long and slender, with a nub at the end, mimicking the clapper of the bell.
She tucked it into Rosario’s hair, still smiling. “...my favorite flower.”
With that little show of affection out of the way, Ras and Rosario sat down for tea, and their summer holiday had officially begun.
