REASONS
“We will discuss your Affinities and Gates, we will discuss the roles you want to fill in your party and your reasons for wanting the roles and the reasons you want to delve. If need be, some of you will have a private session to go over your mental state. From there recommendations will be made for followup therapy and or counseling. You can show your status sheet if you would like, just remember it is not required. Okay?” She goes around the table and gets agreements with each person. “Now I see each of you has an Epic ranked Affinity and a Rare ranked Gate. This is the most powerful Tier zero, Level zero party I have ever seen. Who has the Body Gate open?”
Jackson, Mick, Lilli, and Karnna raise their hands. She points at Jackson and asks, “Please give your full name, a bit about yourself, your Affinity, what role in the party, and why you want to delve.”
Jackson stands and says, “Jackson William Utian. Second son of Grand Duke Utian of the second district. My Affinity is Psyche. My desires are for a mage class that uses Psionics to control and damage enemies from a distance. Everyone looks at me as the Grand Duke’s stupid second son. I am more than that, and I want the world to know it. I want to add that my talent is what I used to bring us all together. It is called Pick your friends.”
“Thank you, your Affinity is considered a Prime in case you did not know. Jackson I would like to see you in private.”
“Yes ma’am.” Pointing to Lilli, she says, “Let’s hear from you.”
Lilli stands and says, “Lillianne Jhaeros first-born daughter of Ehlarkan Jhaeros the Master smith. My affinity is Physique. My desire is for the Sword Saint class or a similar option. I want the front line, a main front line support. I wish to protect the Empire from monster incursions.”
“Also a Prime Affinity.” The cleric smiles at Lilli. Pointing to Karnna, Karnna stands.
“My name is Karnnadosandra Chainbreaker, formally of the Anvilhand Clan. My Affinity is also Physique. I also want to fill in on the front line. My short term goal is to find healing for Dylan’s mother. Then I wish to make a name for us and rub it into my former clan.”
“I will need to see you in private also Karnnadosandra.”
“Yes, ma’am, I have some anger towards the Anvilhands.”
“The fact that you acknowledge this is healthy.” Pointing to Mick, “how about the big man? Tell us about yourself.” Mick stands.
“I am Mikhail Rasumun. My sister and I are the first Attuned of our family. I too have the Physique Affinity, I wish the bulwark, position. Sword and board for me. My family leveraged everything they could to get Milly and me into Darton. We need to pay them back as soon as we can. Our merchant house is not wealthy. I hope to pay them back and invest in the family business to strengthen it.”
“That the four of you have Prime Affinities is remarkable. Most parties have one, maybe two. You will be a party to shake up this academy. The rest of you are all Mind Gates and all at Rare rank. Ten Gates at Rare ranking is unheard of in one party. Amazing. Now let's see what the rest of you have. Which of you ladies would like to go first?”
Milly stands and says, “Milena Rasumun, Little Micky’s my younger brother. My Affinity is Tempest, I wish to be a mage I don’t know enough to say more than that, except I am not afraid to get in close and mix it up.”
“Wise of you to admit your limitations. Tempest is a Prime Affinity, dealing with weather. Your role will most likely be a ranged damage sort. Who wants to go next?”
Iris stands, “I am Irisonalkillian Jhaeros. Lilli is my twin sister. My Affinity is Nature. I wish to be a healer. I love gardening and animals.”
“Nature is also a Prime, and one of the most well rounded Affinities, offense, defense, control, and most important healing. So far, you are the only healer position. A ten person party is an enormous responsibility. If you need help, ask for it.”
Claire speaks up, “Rhys Brightstar will tutor you.”
Cleric Watson looks at her and says, “That is a bold statement to offer someone else’s time.”
Claire stands. “I guess it is my turn. I am Imperial Princes Claire Penelope Contigo. My Affinity is Primal. I wish for a mid to long range damage role. At this time, we do not know what shape my powers will take. I may fill more roles within the party. The Imps include my mother and father, the rest are my extended family, aunts, and uncles.”
“So you are one of them. For those that do not understand, Claire is an Origin Holder. We have just rediscovered the Origin Essences. There are Basic, Sub-prime, Prime, and we now know Origin Essences. This has been rediscovered in the last few weeks. Connie, you are next,” Connie stands.
“My name is Constance Vandine. My Affinity is called Celestial, only no one knows what it is. I want to heal. I hope I can heal. As a farmer's daughter, I have a background in agriculture, but not much else. My family has had no one Attune before me. I was offered a scholarship to Darton because my starting Attributes are double the average. I have grown up with monster attacks and other dangers, and I have seen too many lives lost because healing was not available.”
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“It was probably your unfamiliar Affinity, besides your high starting attributes I would wager. The title hints at an unknown Prime for your Affinity, so I cannot provide any answers, but healing may play a role.”
Tanner, deep in thought, motions for Dylan to go next. With a head nod, he stands. “My name is Dylando Chainbreaker. Affinity Elemental. I wish for a damage role short to medium range would suit me I believe, but I am not afraid of melee. I too share my sisters wish to heal my mother and show the Anvilhand clan the error of their ways.”
“Dylan you will see me in private.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Claire gives Tanner a nudge. “Your turn.”
Tanner collects his thoughts and stands. “First off I have some questions to ask then I will give my information.” He looks at the pretty redhead and asks. “Do you prefer Constance or Connie?”
“Connie please, Constance make me sound like an old lady.” she says with a shy blush from all the attention.
“Connie it is then, Do you feel drawn to me and Claire?” Tanner waits for her answer.
After a minute, she nods her head and pulls in a deep breath. “For you, yes, I have never been into girls, but there is something about Claire I find attractive and I don’t know why.” Hanging her head flushed.
Claire reaches over and rubs her back, “It is okay there is no shame. Remember this.” Connie nods, unconsciously, leaning into Claire.
Tanner smiles and announces, “Connie I would bet Jackson’s life you have an Origin Affinity.” Laughter surrounds the table at Jackson’s expense. While the Cleric looks at Tanner in astonishment.
“Well, I should have put that together. I apologize Origin Essences are so new I never thought of that.”
“I am Imperial Baron Tanner James Wilson-Alexander, Prince of the Alexander House. The titles are recent additions. Before that, I was a common street rat. I lived in an orphanage. My Affinity is Arcane, it is an Origin Essence, we don’t know what my capabilities will be. However, I want a damage position any range, including melee. I am going to delve to prevent Dungeon outbreaks and splits.”
“Well, if you men would leave us girls to talk for a few minutes, then the ladies can leave. I will then have a brief sit down with the guys. I have a few things to go over that are personal with all of you on sex and sexuality. The ladies do not need you listening in, and you do not need them listening in on your talk. So shoo, go get something to eat from the food carts outside.”
Tanner and the guys leave the conference room. Jackson heads to the food vendor, exclaiming he is starving. Mick and Dylan hang back and say they are not hungry.
Tanner recognizes they may not have any money for food and says, “My treat guys, your money is no good here. Get as much as you want.” Dylan hesitates, Tanner whispers, “Street rat remember? I know hungry.”
Dylan nods gratefully and whispers back to him. “I’ll pay you back with interest.”
Tanner hears “Hey Slugger,” in his ear as a small pair of arms hug him from behind. With a smile, Tanner turns and hugs Penny back, then lets go and reaches out to shake Rhys’s hand.
Rhys says, “We got the message from Claire she needs us?”
“A lot is going on we may have a party already. The girls are inside right now, then we need to go in.”
With a naughty grin, Penny nods wisely, “Ahh the privacy, hygiene, and don’t perv on the boys speech.”
Tanner, shaking his head, says, “Somehow I think you are the only one to ever get that last part.”
“I will have you know there is only one man I have ever perved on.”
“Ahh, does Rhys know about this guy?”
“You sir, have impinged my honor. We will duel when we get back to the palace.”
“Why? are you looking to get your butt kicked?”
Rhys clears his throat and interrupts, “Before one of you gets in over their head maybe we can move on to the reason we are here?”
Tanner laughs, “Sorry, this is Jackson Utian. He wants us to form a party. This is Dylan Chainbreaker. He and his sister have agreed to join the party. His mother needs you, Rhys. This is Mikhail Rasumun. He has not decided yet. Both Mick and Dylan plus their sisters all need sponsored, though.”
Claire and the rest of the young ladies walk out. Tanner waves them over then tells the vendor their food is on him as well. As the girls walk up, Tanner announces, “Your meal is on me get as much as you want.”
Karnna glances at her brother, who nods his head. Karnna walks to Tanner and whispers quietly, “Thanks we will pay you back.”
“No rush, whenever you get the funds. Claire, can you fill Rhys and the pip squeak in about the party?”
Laughing at the outraged look on Penny’s face. Tanner runs into the building. The rest follow, not daring to smile until they are out of Penny’s sight. The cleric gives the boys’ advice on how to deal with the privacy issues while in a dungeon, and a frank discussion about sex and sexual behavior follows. She instructs those needing individual follow-ups to stay and directed the boys to send in the girls who needed them as well.
After everyone reunites, Tanner says, “It is only just past lunch, plenty of time to do what we need. We have three more things to complete today. Register our status sheets, see Lilli and Iris’s father, if they are interested in joining, that is. Milly, Mick, how about you two? Not pressuring you, just wondering?”
Mick nods his head at Milly. Milly smiles and says, “We are in.”
Lilli speaks up, “We want to but we do have to ask father.”
Tanner nods his head, “No problem do you want us all to go? Penny can tag along and answer his questions if need be.”
“He will want to meet everyone so yes that is probably best.”
Penny says, “You will not be getting your status sheets registered here today, Eunice wants to see Claire and Tanner tomorrow in her office she can do it for all of you then. Also do not worry about your storage measurements we will take care of that at the palace.”
Tanner explains, “Then we need to swing by the Combat Center. I have to meet with Grand Master Rialto today. Then visit with Lilli and Iris’s dad, and see about healing Dylan’s mom. Dylan’s mom first, though.”
Claire asks, “Dylan where is your mother now? We can follow you.” The large group follows Dylan to his home. Karnna becomes nervous and a little embarrassed by the poor surroundings in her neighborhood. Tanner moves up by her and elbows her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. At least you have a home. None of us are going to judge.”
