A/N Ello! so I'm finally back and unfortunately didn't get to right the full life chapter like i wanted, but I figured that I needed to get back into writing and posting, otherwise I would just stay at a standstill here. I still have all of the planning I did for the chapters, but because of life changes that significantly alter my schedule, I will be trying to write in a different format. Here goes! Until I get used to the new schedule I will be trying to write when I can.


(Schnee) Arc:

Ch. 20: frigus collatio

cold comparison

Enough. One way or another… this ends here...let's get started.


1

Mr. Clutch's Pov

It had been a week since lessons had officially started. It had gone as expected. Though some complications had reared there head, the tutors had wanted to talk about it, but I had refused to alter the timetable for when we would have the meeting. I said one week.

I grabbed a cup off coffee off the tray near the table as I sat in the well lit conference room, closing the folder I had as I then took a moment to savor the beverage and wait. My left hand stayed near my scroll on the table.

It was dry, almost a liquid fire. It wasn't wild, rather a warm hearth in Atlas, something that would have had people gather around back when Atlas was Mantle. Not quite my pace, but it wasn't a second class coffee.

Mr. Brennen should be on shift right now in the kitchen, following Hellens instruction. He doesn't have a full mastery of the kitchen, but his coffee is good, something I'll miss when-

Riiiii-

I snap the scroll off the table.

"Mr. Clutch speaking."

"Sorry... to disturb you sir, but.. Mr. Schnee is on the line." I didn't recognize the trembling voice of a girl on the other end, but it seemed like a new hire. I could hear a slight hesitation of unease in their voice that served as a give away.

Must be training a shift. A new one at that. Not my immediate concern…

Though I questioned the previous management's decision to let new hires come through the Winter Retreat. Then again that decision was made before we separated the young miss from the family estate.

I'll have to reconsider having this place serve as a training center, it is also underused so… perhaps we can cut down on staff.

"Put him through"

"Y-Yes sir.!" Definitely a training shift. I frowned. They better be new.

"Alfred." I detect the slight alteration in his voice. Having cared for him for as long as I had, the coffee energized directness in his voice was something I would never miss.

"Yes sir?" I waited for him to speak his mind as I looked at my own caffeinated beverage.

"It's been a week, how goes the new education cycle?"

A weak and one day to be precise.

He didn't specify either child. "The Schedules are fine. Your daughter has adapted to the new timeline, though she objected to the release of Mrs. Dion initially."

"Did she?" I could hear the unconcealed surprise and contempt in his voice.

"Yes, she was quite disturbed about turned out that she was the sole teacher, aside Mr. Laufer. who had stayed here for several years, normally they would get rotated out much earlier.

"Mr. Laufer?"

"The fitness instructor" I corrected. "He was the assistant instructor until your eldest left for Altas."

"Who he was doesn't concern he taught concerns me less. Is he good?"

"Well after we left the Winter retreat to its own devices, in this last year the young miss had abstained from her lessons, we were getting reports about that."

"You mean from the management staff that was assigned to her, is this the same staff that I fired?"

The same staff whose shortcomings were resulting in me picking up their considerable slack. The teaching of the young miss is not a 'comfortable job' if they wanted that they could go to one of the prep schools. There was also the serious transgression of not following instruction.

"The one and the same."

"I don't hire those instructors to be lenient, is she behaving now? … is the fitness instructor worth keeping?

I debated Mr. Laufers recent trip to Flachland, and his lack of resistance to Weiss not working. Though forcing the young miss physically would have been a catch 22. He wouldn't be needed soon once the matter of the Aura based combatives instructor was taken care of. Though the boy might need him for part of the coming year,depending on how successful Mr. Laufers program was.

I took a sip of the fiery coffee, the chilled cup still radiating cold into my hand as i held it by the handle. I had considered this before.

Dr. Aquarius was not qualified for being a fitness use of an aura and semblance did make him more desirable than the Atlesian Vet.

"To answer the second question he is in his current capacity, for now."

"A severance package for early termination of his contract would not be an issue."

"Oh I know." He had shown good work in the last week, he was firm about following instruction, likely what resulted in him not enforcing the previous schedule on the young miss.

If a strong leader was around though, he would perform to the best of his ability, even sometimes questioning instruction just to do a better job. Once the order was clarified he did follow through. In a way he was almost perfect for...

"I was considering a transfer once his services are no longer required here at the Winter Retreat."

"Oh? And where would he go?

"Let me worry about that."

"Very well. now the about my daughter…"

I set down the cold cup of coffee, savoring the warmth as it slides down ,warming my chest that pumps a little harder. I shudder briefly then answer at a faster pace as the caffeine is hitting me.

"She is behaving. I dare to say that she may have matured a little as she isn't-"

"Whining about useless things for weeks on end?" Jacques fires back.

"Yes and it didn't take her the whole week, the matter resolved itself after I talked to her about it last Tuesday." I begin to settle into the usual rapid fire exchange I have with Jacques.

"You went and talked to her yourself?" A doubtful barb flew from Jacques, directed not at me, but his daughter.

"No. She came to me." I clarify, as I should.

"While you were working?" That did dispease him even more.

"She was direct-"

"Loud,abrasive,self-centered,confrontational.. the usual?" Jacques presses.

-Concerned? That would be my word of choice however… Jacques wasn't wrong. "The usual. She's doing surprisingly well for her-" age? No that won't work. "-,considering her normal behavior. She may finally be responding positively.

"I see, perhaps she is finally seeing that doing things my way is for the best,keep an eye on the matter" I could hear jacques gloat through the line

"Yes sir."

"Anything else?"

I pour another cup of coffee for myself , using a nearby pot that was left on the tray.

"Yes. The boy isn't taking well to the schedule."

"Is he objecting to them?" He didn't sound nearly as disturbed or irritated about the boy as his own. Then again , what was there to expect from the boy. He was a windfall, nothing more. Though at present he was deadweight.

"That's just it, we can't tell what works for him as he can't communicate with us, or read and write. Every one of the teachers is trying to find a method that will work for him, I even had to assign my own assistant to him.I had her under my direct supervision for less than 2 hours."

"..."

Well that's new… give him a momen-

" [Long Sigh] ...How bad is it?"

"I have never worked with a mute before"

"You mean nobody hires them."

"Yes… I'm beginning to see why, but he has taken to the mathematics well.

"We expected this.I did see the report. Anything else?"

"physically he is suffering from long term atrophy of several muscles."

"Is he inept?

"The opposite, he is doing well, in bursts. He works really hard, then collapses."

"So this 'will' fix itself in time?"

"Yes."

"You said he works really hard, hard work doesn't equate to performance, how is he?"

"He is well according to the fitness instructor, considering his aura isn't unlocked."

"this is the same instructor from before?

"this is."

"And this is because?" He asks, giving off a slight interest, hinting at the fact that the man has an idea.

"He is performing at beginner levels of those who have unlocked their aura."

"I see, and is he doing this in the company of my heir? Tell me Alfred."

"No? You requested that they be seperated."

"And I'm now 'requesting' that you put them together. She needs something to frustrate her."

"That can be arranged. Anything else?"

"Take 'good' care of the boy, make sure he is learns his way around the retreat, perhaps… you may know of something that you used to do. I want him to be more confident, but keep him… obedient. I recall you mentioned he was good at listening to instruction, except when told to stop working.

"I did."

"Encourage that, anything else?"

That aside… I don't think any of his other classes will do him any good until he can read. "

I grab a folder marked for this meeting 'Wednesday, 20th January 73 PCR: 6am' on the boy's schedule from within a drawer and open it to the front page. Gleaming the major points on it, various signatures aside. Inside a copy of the boy's present schedule is included.

I make a few marks on it. I put down an additional adjustment.


Mon/Wed/Fri Tues/Thu Sat/Sun***

7am -Self Study-*/ -Self Study-*

8am Reading Comp/ Word Study

9am Dance/ Art

10am History /Political Science

11am Economics /Mathematics

12mp Lunch Break Cleaning/Lunch Break Cleaning

1pm Lunch Break**/ Lunch Break

2pm Lunch break /Lunch Break

3pm PE /Drills

4pm PE /Drills

5pm PE**** Drills****

6pm Cleaning /Cleaning

7pm Break Dinner /Break Dinner

8pm Break Dinner /Break Dinner

9pm Language arts /Language Arts

10pm Sciences /Dust trials

11pm -Self Study- /-Self Study-

12am Sleep /Sleep

*have a light breakfast consisting of drink and appetizer

** Teach that this is also a study period

*** leave open for miscellaneous events and weekend work

**** Discuss with Mr. Laufer making changes so that the children compete more.

Savon Dryman: reading comp, language arts.

Margarita Pisets: Political science, word study

Cake Genie: dance and art

Gregory Zimmer: piano ,singing, and history

Schwarz schuster: Math and Sciences

Saphir schuster: Economics and Dust trails

Robert Laufer: Pe, Drills


"..Looking back on it now there was a clear problem, the boy wasn't ready yet for this. Perhaps in a month or two once he finally had the language down,but for now… It may be best that we either solely focus on teaching him written english."

"I don't see how that limitation would keep him from assisting in the cleaning, and his drills. Infact! Why don't we have him sit in on my daughters lessons while he works on his english. He only needs some books? That way he can also be 'motivated' "

"I can see where your going with that, but unfortunately his condition is such that he doesn't know the letters to begin with."

"..."

That makes twice.

"He really doesn't have an understanding on how the english language is written, we may as well be showing him runes, until he remembers them all-"

"He has a near photographic memory though right?"

"Yes. Near. There is the problem. I tried to call about it, but the towers were down for extended maintenance. We don't understand it yet, but he seems to need to take his time and will sometimes get distracted. This isn't working with the timeframes we had set for his classes. Work is being left incomplete, misunderstood and no amount of eagerness on his part is helping that. His overseer-

"Correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't my daughter request that position?"

"She did."

"And she is failing at that, despite my commands to let her education remain undisturbed.?"

"No. She is not the one with the position. My brief assistant now has the job."

"she needed to be replaced by a member of the staff? That I'm paying to do their menial, but necessary tasks? See Alfred, this is exactly what I'm talking about. She tries to assert herself, and then fails, only to retreat and shift the responsibility. Spectacular! If only she would listen instead of flounder as she seems to prefer to."

"she will in time, so long as this plan pans out"

" staff member, did they say offer commentary?"

"They said that it may be best to focus on just english, another staff member suggested that we should decide on what his job is, Similar to how your daughters will be to promote the Schnee name and brand."

"Well I was under the impression you wanted him for helping White"

"I do, which is why i believe that some of his courses would be unnecessary, infact I was contacted back by White."

"They returned the call so soon? Do tell."

I closed the lid on the pot of coffee.

"They do approve of the basics, the rest they said they can take care of as he would be perfect for their field. They specifically mentioned that they would want us to adhere to a few conditions regarding him."

"I see, very well, I will leave the matter to you."

"I will take care of it."

My gloved hand ends the call and I get up and stretch. I look to my left and pick up my folder.

With a folder in hand I walk to the door. I open it and look.

I can spot several of the teachers waiting outside the room,none the wizer to what had transpired behind closed doors,waiting on me as they talk amongst themselves. They get quiet as I arrive. Mr. Zimmers begins to speak.

"Right then, Are we ready Mr. Clutch?!

"Gregory, we are all in the same room." it was professor Dryman that spoke my mind"

He beat me to the punch in clean fashion. "Yes everyone come in, and yes, there is no need to shout."

Yet.

I turn around and head back to the head seat of the conference table.

"Oh Schwarz there's Cof.-"

"After work brother."

New voices, similar, whoever spoke second was in the right. The floor was not to be stained and unless they brought coasters, they weren't taking the tray I was using.

The teachers quickly filed in.


2

While they did that I opened the folder I had and consulted some notes, before looking up and familiarizing myself with the teachers according to what I had written down. I organize the information top to bottom as they sit left to right around the conference table.

Possibly the first thing for my eyes to light upon is the blond person who sits to my left near the head of the table. For a moment I can't discern much due to the shine of a… very clean white suit, almost as white as the man is pale. He had removed his coat, but as he sat down the man briefly offered a greeting as he made eye contact with his blue eyes. "Mr. Clutch."

"Professor Dryman" That was all that needed saying, He set about preparing his folder and made room for some notes as he had a white pen out. I looked at the one who sat next to him.

This time it was a blonde as well. One who quickly took quick, dignified steps. The years had gone by for the elder ,the hair lightened in coloration only a little. I believe a natural Hair Dye was used. It belonged to a woman in a blue coat who had styled it in a bouffant and framed her face with pearl earrings, something I hadn't seen in the size they must have been acquired wild, or old. This time words aren't used, possibly because the older women views them as a waste. Ms. Pisets quickly begins to work her way through a series of folders that she brought.

The next one to sit is also a woman... though I hesitate to use the word due to just how much younger she is, she looks like someone who should be in an academy.

She wore a pink dress, with touches of red and white that looked like strawberry on a Vale dessert.

I could tell that this one was physically much more should be, considering he youth. She lacked the 'Altesian upper class' appeal of the previous two, but she made up for it by being fit and healthy, very lithe.

There was also the way she walked to her chair. Everything was deliberate, as if walking onto a stage. The red hair bounced in waves to a rythme unknown to me. she pulled back the chair with one hand, her other hand, empty of any folder, waved with a small energetic motion to me. I would have disapproved, but Mr. Schnee had insisted we have this teenager on board, as she was apparently quite well known in both the dance and art associations. Apparently Mrs. Dion had approved as well so there was nothing I could do about this. I returned the gesture with an open palm and then watched as pink eyes looked around before turning my own set of reds elsewhere.

Next was Gregory Zimmer, I was familiar with the round man with an equally heavy face , a lack of hair that had relocated to a very bushy mustache that curled upwards. His farmers Farmers tan still stayed with him,unlike his balding hair,which was red ,of Minstral decent. He also had solid Altesian blue eyes. he was a long standing employee here. He was in a black suit, though not his conductors attire. He returned a wave from the redhead who sat next to him, smiling so that is raised the corners of his mustache. Unlike her, he had his folders with him. Good, as expected.

I turn my gaze to the two newest instructors here. Both men had dark blue briefcases to match their suits. They mirrored each other, with Blue eyes, short black hair that went well with their thin, sharp features. I was still not familiar enough with these two men to know one from the other, all i knew is that their hair mirrored the other and that the younger one wore a watch on the left hand, and used a journal. He should also have multiple pens in his breast pocket… ah it was the second of the two to sit he also wore glasses, that will make things easier. They both opened their briefcases and began to remove the contents.

Robert Laufer sat down closest to my right, The man was out of his element ,but it didn't show, time spent in the military had taken care of that. His lack of hair gave him a hard look as he scrutinized the fellow educators.

No point waiting.

"let's get started."

Savon Dryman and Margarita Pisets already had silently made eye contact with me, finished with their own setup, waiting. Cake Genie and Gregory Zimmer ended their conversation, Ms. Genie, with a flutter, opened one of two folders provided by Mr. Zimmer's and set it on top the other before looking over to me with a merry smiled, evidently pleased by something said earlier. Mr. Zimmers seemed to be in a similar mood, but had already taken care of his papers since the moment he sat down. For a moment I wondered if he would respond with something, but I moved my attention. Schwarz and Saphir Schuster had actually been reviewing and discussing some points in their documents. Their folders were actually the largest and I think I saw a small photo of Mr. Laufer and… the rest of those gathered perhaps? They shuffled those papers to the back and left the folder open. Either they felt my gaze or had finished what they were saying, as they looked my way. It truly felt like I was looking at two copies of the same person, perhaps a sign of… persistent genetics. Altesian Eugenics , not unlike the Schnee's Semblance based Eugenics that supposedly resulted in the Schnees Runes.

Enough of that. I don't need to look at the glaring reflection of light to my right to know that Mr. Laufer is always prepared.

"The first point I would like to touch on concerns the what can you tell me?"

With a topic presented the mood changed. I kept my hands clasped as I waited for someone to take the initiative.

"He lacks basic comprehension skills." The dame spoke first and I turned my attention to the second from the left and made eye contact with clear green eyes. Her face had all the inclinations of a Mistral, but the upbringing of a refined atlesian, hopefully I would age as gracefully.

"Ms. Pisets?"

"My course requires literacy." She states in a matter-of-fact tone. "A lack of this will impact the academic courses."

I unclasp my hands and form a triangle, letting the tips of my fingers touch. I then point at Ms. Pisets.

"Has he improved?"

"I'm teaching him." she started as if the answer was obvious.

"your thoughts?"

"the curriculum I have is different from what he should be receiving."

"That's your professional opinion?"

"It is."

"Hmm." I leaned back in my chair as everyone remained silent. My eyes bore into the edge of the table as I reviewed the matter. My expertise was getting the schnees affairs taken care of, not educating them so this was necessary.

"I suppose we all overlooked something so simple after that basic test we ran by him at the white rose, does anyone have a differing opinion?" I asked.

No one moved, initially at least. Mr. Zimmer talked to the new girl briefly, answering something. I glanced at the sheet to check the name again. Cake Genie.

"Ms. Genie, do you have something to say?"

She finished her conversation, ignoring me till Mr. Zimmer pointed. Her whole body twisted, letting Her wavy red hair almost bounce.

"I do. I have had no problems for the last week with him. He clearly understands what I say and- Yes Mr?"

"Dryman dear, I believe that you and…" He turns his gaze to face the drill instructor across from him. "Mr. Laufer have different conditions from the majority of us as your courses are more on the physical side, often involving bodily instruction and experience. I believe Ms. Pisets was referring to the academic challenge presented by his inability to speak and read or write. What do you think Mr. Schuster?"

They had been following the conversation, but when spoken to they paused for a moment

As they both righted their backs. The one without glasses spoke up first.

"I can speak for my brother when I say that it is a challenge different from what we have previously experienced. Usually we are teaching advanced subjects for their age group. From what I have gathered, it seems that the academic courses have all reverted to teaching him the alphabet. On that note however. Mr. Zimmers I thought your handling of it was most amusing, setting up piano keys with the alphabet, then singing the note out like a baritone for him."

Everyone turned to face Mr. Zimmer as he puffed his chest. "OH! You heard that?!"

"Mr. Zimmers." He turned to me. "Can we go from Forte to Piano?"

"Oh of course I can."

"Thank you, Now I must ask, did the piano method seem to work?"

"Partially, the boy did have fun, but as I was experimenting during piano lessons. I haven't seen it work as he would often jump around."

"He is a child Mr. Zimmers." came a cheery reply from the redhead to the left.

"that he is ms. Genie. He can be quite energetic "

"he is only a child mentally Ms. Genie."

"oh your getting involved Ms. Pisets?" came the response from mr. Zimmer.

"[sigh] only to correct any illusions you have about why we are here"

"I think it was a good attempt!" Cake spoke up again. "It seems like something a child would learn academically."

"Miss Genie I think your missing Ms. Pisets point." Saphir was taking a more active role now. "She means that his mental attitude as well as his academical background are like a half filled balloon. No matter how much we attempt to make it work, it will just fall back down to the ground, forcing us to juggle it till we can get a new balloon."

"Couldn't we just refill the balloon?"

"The boy isn't the balloon in this instance, its his half filled alphabetical background. In this situation he would be the one handing out sad balloons."

Everyone seemed to pause, as Saphirs metaphor evoked the image of a smiling child at a circus. The boy handed out sad, half filled balloons, like half shrunken and deformed faces, not quite sure if they were sad, or weeping in anguish as they fell into the arms of twisted customers.

"...I see, so what are you suggesting?"

"That we restock the balloons he has. Place an order, get the balloons and the helium, fill it till its bursting at the seams , then pass possession over to him"

"And what if you pop him by taking it too fast?"

Ms. Pisets spoke before saphir responded." Mr. Schuster. I said he is a child, not a balloon. He 'needs' to reflect the level of maturity a schnee would expect from one who wishes to serve in a capable capacity. He 'needs' to have knowledge

Of the basics so that we can move to the subjects the young miss is being taught. He 'needs' to learn more than her so she can count on his competency. Everyone here 'needs' to understand that fact."

"Indeed" I spoke again. "He only needs to have the basics for now, the rest will come later. Anything else?"

It was actually both of the Schusters that lifted their palms off the conference table, doing so in a similar fashion, before realizing they had both wanted to speak. I glanced down at my sheet , chose a name and made a choice, remembering that this one was responsible for his lessons.

"Schwarz?" I beckoned to him, not so much asking, as indicating that he would be the one to speak.

"Thank you Mr. Clutch. I think everyone has touched on this, but I would like to add that Heiter's ability to speak should not influence our ability to teach." He looked at the others, excluding and Mr. Laufer. "I imagine we can be a little more flexible as we aren't teaching at Atlas, but in a residence belonging to the Schnee's. Now I know that you have been hired for some time now, and you taught the genius that is Winter Schnee."

I ignored that he went from subtly insulting them to complimenting them as he was speaking his mind. Or building them up. He would just have to deal with the fact that Ms. Pisets would likely hold a grudge, but her professionalism would trump any misgivings plus he didn't call anyone out. Results is what mattered, respect for anyone excluding a schnee was not required.

"And when he is expected to conform? Representing The education available to a schnee?"

"He will, but I ask do we want to pave a road for him or set up a hurdle. As you said Ms. pisets he has the mental education of a means he is malleable right Mr. Clutch?"

I nod. "Yes, it is part of why we wanted the two to get similar lessons. Though this first week was also to highlight the problems. That way you can draft up a response so we don't waste everyone's time."

"Ah that explains much" Said Schuster. "You made a schedule with both of them in mind." Genie and his brother Saphir tilted their heads forward in agreement."

"I think the problem at hand for most of us is that we are used to dealing with people like the young miss. I made the mistake first, then everyone else did…"

"Who taught academics." Reminded Schwarz and Genie.

"Yes, I remember. In that case I assume Ms. Genie and Laufer could continue, but the consensus is to alter it again. Now how is the young miss performing?"

I flip to a page I had in the folder for reference against Heiter's schedule, the one for the young miss


Mon/Wed/Fri Tues/Thu Sat/Sun***

7am -Self Study*/ -Self Study-*/

8am Word Study/ Word Study/

9am Singing /Art****/

10am Political Science /History/

11am Mathematics /Economics/

12mp Lunch Break /Lunch Break/

1pm Lunch Break /Lunch Break/

2pm Lunch break /Lunch Break/

3pm Weapon Drills**/ PE/

4pm Weapon Drills /PE/

5pm Weapon Drills/ PE/

6pm Break Dinner /Break Dinner/

7pm Break Dinner /Break Dinner/

8pm Break Dinner /Break Dinner/

9pm Language arts/ Language Arts/

10pm Sciences /Dust trials/

11pm -Self Study- /-Self Study-/

12am Sleep /Sleep/

*have a light breakfast consisting of drink and appetizer.

** Leave the young miss with supervision, don't let the boy distract her

**2 allow young miss some time to help the boy, it helps reinforce her education as well as serves our purpose for educating him, but make sure he does his work on his own.

*** leave open for miscellaneous events and weekend work

**** Have Mr. Zimmers Teach her for now. Mr. Schnee~

Savon Dryman: reading comp, language arts.

Margarita Pisets: Political science, word study

Cake Genie: dance and art

Gregory Zimmer: piano ,singing, and history

Schwarz schuster: Math and Sciences

Saphir schuster: Economics and Dust trails

Robert Laufer: Pe, Drills


"She is working harder than usual, did you offer something, or has she grown up?" Responded Mr. Zimmers.

"Was she not working as hard earlier?" I asked, intrigued to see if our social experiment was working.

"I would say she is is more motivated. Discipline has never been an issue with her during my sessions." Ms. Pisets then turned to her left, looking past . "Gregory, if you would control yourself more, perhaps she would calm down. Your usual volume would be disruptive when taking notes."

Perhaps we don't need to have her compete with the boy… perhaps.

Gregory Zimmer turned to her. "She should be alive and have a larger than life presence while performing. This is why I have her take the majority of her notes out of class after reviewing the lesson, I assure you she got my points over this last week since the new schedule. Oh and Savon, I must thank you for having her read the beginning and end of paragraphs. It has simplified her notes and made them more… articulate, not quite as verbatim as they have been.

"Your welcome Gregory, She has was putting to much into her answers and I finally decided since we had graduated beyond that to teach her. now I think… you had something to say?" professor Dryman beckoned to Saphir Schuster.

"There was a slight error in the beginning concerning Weiss's sensitivity to price change, so I had to explain on a scale where it mattered on a corporate level,other than that I can't complain… Yes Ms. Genie?

"I have to ask, why is it that I don't have any classes with her?"

A blunt, but straightforward question…

It visibly stumped the other instructors as they had no idea about the others lesson plan, the idea of a teacher being hired and not teaching the young miss was foreign to them.

"Do you need to be here if your not teaching the young miss?" Ms. Pisets suggested.

I could think of several thoughts Jaques might think of,before putting it through a filter, ranging from comments of her free spirit giving the young miss ideas, to her being just another 'title' where he could say she taught the young miss, but didn't give her enough to stand on her own in the industry without her family name like Ms. Genie had, or that he had been forced to humor Ms. Dions request to have her and was considering having her leave after the first contract period… that or any of the other ideas he had about this such as art being a useful waste, given that it kept her in the family, but let others peer into her mind through art.

"She's here because I called for a meeting on 'both' students. Now ms. Genie. I believe that we are focusing on her weapon drills for now, Mr. Laufer?" I deflect the question to the man on my right. He calmly turns to the Dance and art instructor, keeping his left hand in his lap and the other grasps a pen. He waves it and a chart begins to float in front of everyone.

"For now yes, the young miss has a far more… fragile physical health than the boy"

There we several digital charts, but the girl had a consistent line that was substandard, while the boy was explosive, somehow maintaining absurd levels for his age…

"your certain he hasn't unlocked his aura?"

"unless his aura is undetectable because of his semblance, you may have noticed, but he doesn't stop until we force him to."

" of I'm reading this right. Right after that he collapses as he gets sleepy. His tiredness is compiling from previous days. His muscle's will tear at this rate. His atrophy is something we really need to consider." responded Mr. Saphir.

"Yes… I'm working on teaching him to pace himself like the young miss, not explode his heart like a rabbit. He's stubborn and I can't say no to him giving his full effort, as it hasn't negatively affected his health."

"yet"

"He's and it may lead to new results from him." The man seemed to have hit an odd crossroad where his charge wasn't underperforming, or performing as instructed, but over performing. However…

It's better that Mr. Laufer push the boy. If we were going to make an investment him, then we wanted to increase the payoff. Mr. Schnee didn't become successful by being timid.

"That is why we pay Dr. Aquarius to tend to them. If he gets damaged, the doctor will take care of it."

"Yes he will...He may have a healthy competitive streak Mr. Laufer, the question is what is he competing with, and why?" Asked Schwarz.

"Yes I- yes Mr. Schwarz?" Mr. Laufer paused mid answer to address the blue suited instructor who wasn't finished.

"On the topic of Winter. I thought she had listened to your instruction, she turned out well yes?" Mr. Zimmer had taken an interest in the topic matter as I noticed him lean forward like an egg.

"Yes, but there is the matter that I then handed her off to her martial instructor, I'm in charge of physical fitness and happen to have a training manual left for the foundation of the schnee style. It consists of Aura based fencing and since the young miss can't use aura properly yet." Mr. Laufer turned to face me. "Due to certain delays, which I assume have been dealt with this time?"

"It looks like that." I say ambiguously. "It depends on her."

"Good, we stand to refine her martial practice to the point where it was when we stopped, but I can sense her hesitation as we get closer to the limit of regular fencing as she isn't training for that, but aura based combatives. If we hit that limit again and don't unlock her aura-"

" ?"

"Yes Ms. genie?" Mr. Laufer sighed.

"I know I'm new here, and that I don't know as much about aura… but isn't unlocking that something significant? Why would that be… delayed?" She was struggling with the idea as you could read it all over her face, the furrowed eyebrows in deep thought, the narrowing of the eyes, the pursed lips. She was also leaning forward, waiting for an answer from Mr. Laufer.

The Vet looked my way, as did a set of pink eyes that wanted an answer.

It comes back to this.

I maintained my posture and began. "Ms. Genie, are you familiar with the work of Gin Frieden?

She paused , clearly thought about it.

"No…?"

Well she was a dancer and artist, not a huntsman, a specialist, a ranger, or any other aura based occupation.

"He is a writer from the Glenns. You tend to not see his works outside of the region as writers are usually regional, but a guest who was visiting happened to have a few copies to spare."

"I see, what did you learn from them?"

"His points are elementary, but to the point, once you get your head around it. One of his points is about talk of body and mind. This relates to its effect on aura and is one of the more modern takes on aura. Given that the glenns have the highest percentage of aura users, I imagine he has plenty of source material."

I said that last bit to cover the process of vetting, but it seems that some aren't buying it.

"I heard the quality of their aura users is the most diverse?" Ms. Pisets inquired.

"Reportedly yes. Public information on their abilities are limited to what we see in the Glenn drills."

"those exaggerated competitions can't be used to represent their population ."

"Oh I know. They still do have the largest amount of aura based combative users and a few that are similar to Altesian specialists. Then there are the Rangers.

"those aren't true huntsmen"

"My point being that, Frieden and other writers."

"those who came before him."

"yes, they cleared the way from the more ritualistic and archaic method we used. It worked, but the new method has resulted in a resurgence of aura users, that are of a lower quality. But if institutions and laws change, then we may see more aura users in the civilian population, until then the Glenns are likely to remain as two militarized city states."

I look back to Ms. Genie.

"Getting back on topic, I believe that his observations on mind and body were correct in his primer. Everyone else is allowed their opinions, but for the young miss we will be using his method, which consists of several other tests at a younger age, since the young miss was 10 at the time we acquired a copy of the book, it was impossible to adjust for the copy of the book that was provided. THUS! I have seen it fit to try and bring over this writer, but he has been incredibly hard to track down, even with our resources."

The precise description Frieden gave indicated prior combat experience and a level of understanding not available to a civilian academic.

He could assist in helping increase the SDC's productivity, a generous pay incentive could do the job. The Glenn quarry was owned by their government, which utilized it for the government, not the civilian population. If only..

Mr. Laufer, Dryman, the Schusters, Zimmer, and Ms. Pisets raised their hand simultaneously.

"Yes?"

It was Mr. Laufer that spoke first.

"You haven't mentioned this before Mr. Clutch."

"I didn't think it necessary as I had been failing to contact him."

"What of the young miss's combatives?"

"She still needs the basics for her lessons, and will need some lessons , unfortunately I also have bad news on that front. The instructors we had wanted, the ones who taught Winter, have died."

"They died?" Asked Ms. Genie.

"Yes, even aura instructors aren't invincible. We don't know how they died, but we got word from one of our branch organizations that something had happened, they are still investigating the matter."

"Wait wait, doesn't that mean that the Young miss lacks an instructor? Isn't that a problem for… actually that is a problem for both Winter and the young miss?" asked Mr. Laufer. He was clearly contemplating something now, the other instructors didn't seem to understand the significance of this.

"It is, however we received a letter from them that was part of their will saying someone would contact us"

"Did they?"

"Unfortunately, not immediately, the Towers were down for maintenance at the time. We did however receive a letter, stating someone would be arriving to discuss the matter of teaching both Winter and the young miss. Till then we are going to just have to be patient and trust the word of their instructors.

"Couldn't we hire someone?" Schwarz asked? A simple solution, however...

"They were the only person outside of the Schnees that knew the full style that we have adopted, They were also the only people capable of teaching it, given their unique characteristics. I would like to also ask do you want just anyone teaching the young miss? Would you be comfortable with some wild animal just because it was good? Most huntsman are fighters, not teachers."

A problem because few survived long enough to quit field work. In light of the fact that fewer huntsmen were being produced by the academies, despite their higher quality, they can only be in so many places. Atlas had solved this with drone technology. The Glenn's oiled the gears with blood. The other more passive kingdoms actually maintained their population.

"No, but isn't it the same if we wait for an unknown to arrive?"

"No, They were referred. So we will wait. NOW I would like to . . I don't think anyone here received a degree in Aura Combatives."

Everyone lowered their hands, and leaned back into their seats.

"Mr. Frieden stated that aura depends on body and mind, there are some matters we can influence, Mr. Laufer, I need you to continue her training, just get her ready, we don't know what our mystery instructor will start with.

"Yes sir."

"Everyone else, continue her education if she has had no problems. Then we should be fine. The reason I had originally brought this up was because the body has additive effect and the mind a multiplicative, but the timing of aura unlock is something that matters and No Ms. Genie we don't just unlock a person's aura. Either a significant life experience that stimulates aura in the correct manner is required, or an other trained individual needs to unlock it. To attempt it without training leaves room for contamination, even with training, the experience is personal enough that it will influence the aura and semblance. If done correctly it can augment it."

"Mr. Clutch may I remind you that Glenn publishings aren't taken as fact in the worlds academic community?

"I'm aware Professor."

"good to know."

"that is only for now."

Now where was I? Oh yes.

"There is the small chance it aura unlocks naturally, yes?"

"we know you unlock it unlocks naturally, how else would someone unlock it?"

"Yes, however that is an extremely rare case."

"according to the Aura health organization it is not a rare occurrence, rather fewer people are choosing to become huntsmen or any other aura based occupation."

"I'm aware of that source, and because the glenn's have the highest unlocked population, I chose them to reference for the specifics."

"Now...

It also states… theorizes in the primer that the mental state upon unlocking influences the semblance. That the very thoughts and emotions we feel in that infinitesimal moment creates our semblance. "

"It theorized that our semblance is not in fact, random, or a reflection of our soul. If that is true, then it is merely chance and correct conditions that have allowed the schnees their perpetuating semblance due to the assumption that they gain it, in fact Frieden mentioned this as well, stating that semblances that did perpetuate themselves could sometimes only give a fraction of their abilities to the next generation. "

"With the Schnees glyphs for instance let's say we have ability 1,2 and 3. Generation A could have ability 1, generation 2 could have 2,3 and be a completely different semblance, but then Generation 3 could have 1 again and by that time its likely the original user of one had died so it wasn't recorded. We only started recording this information recently and only with specific users. Generation 4 could in fact suddenly have 1,2,3 and possibly a 4."

"That four could be a completely new semblance and on its own, or incorporated into the perpetuating semblance, that is of course if unique conditions allow for it and a new semblance isn't born. The only reason the Schnees perpetuates as it does is because we have been constant and consistent about it. If we skip a generation then it may break the cycle. You need to remember that not every hunstmen lives to have children, that those children decide to become hunstmen…. I'm done for now. Point being I'm being careful Mr. Laufer as I'm aware of new variables."

There was also the unconfirmed rumor that was being studied by the SDC… That the amount of new aura users were declining… We couldn't have the young miss… or the boy be unable to. It was a rumor, but it came from a reliable source, which then retracted the statement. If true, then someone didn't want the world to know, or a leak. There were several reasons why, but it would also explain why Atlas was investing in drones, and didn't seem concerned with Glenn's gains.

There was also the matter of how this would effect prices going forward if there were going to be less customers.

I exited my thoughts and turned to face everyone.

"Now then, what can you tell me. Mr. Schuster-Schwars, I believe you had hinted at something for the boy?"

"Yes, I had something i wanted to bring up with Mr. Laufer. Would it be possible for us to suspend his current schedule till he knows the alphabet, Minus his time with Mr. Laufer and Ms. Genie. Mr. Laufer I only recently discovered the room when I was given a tour by one of the maids, by the way Mr. Clutch, I forgot the name, but whoever did it that had brown hair and… I think their name had a C in it, but they did an excellent job."

I nodded in thanks, but motioned for him to get to the point.

"It was during that tour that I came across a room in the White Rose Called the Dynamics room. Would it be possible to include the alphabet into an exercise in there?"

I don't think that was the purpose of the room, however…

"It could be done" Responded Mr. Laufer. "What of Ms. Genies dance and art lessons?"

"Oh I can make something work for him… I have just the thing in mind." she gave a relaxed smile as she looked to her left. Mr. Zimmers raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Yes?" I did want to know what she had in mind.

"Ms. Genie looked to me. "The art one is simple, so it won't need explaining, if you want.."

"Please do"

"Fill-in-the-letters. For dance I can just mark spots for him to travel to as he makes movements. And work on choreography as I break it down into letters. That would leave me with 26 movements, but I can make it work." She seemed eager to try this method.

"Very well, make it work. Everyone else prepare for him, We have a little bit of time so we will switch the schedule In the meantime… I will instruct the boy on a few things. If I bring him to you, be prepared to teach, if I don't..."

Ms. Genie gave an unconcerned nod. Ms. Pisets had begun to write with her pen. It was Mr. Laufer who gave me a questioning look.

"Nothing you need to be concerned with, that's all for now so if everyone can disperse…"

I was about to get up when I realized I hadn't heard much from someone.

"But first, professor Dryman, do you have anything to add?"

The clean blonde lightly dusted off their folder as he closed it. "No ."

"...Very well then, everyone if you would. Get ready for classes. I will go get the boy"

This time everyone stood, not freezing like I had to question Savon, and made their way out, Ms. Genie resumed talking with Mr. Zimmer, then went past the schusters to talk to Robert.

The brothers went to talk to Margarita. They asked questions of their senior, observing proper etiquette.

It seemed that they would have a little time to get to know each other..

I opened the double doors and made a right and walked down the hallway, I slowed a little to make sure the portraits frames were dusted, nodded in satisfaction. The staff was at least capable of keeping appearances. There were some worth keeping.

I then continued down to the corner where I made a left. The boys room would be on the left… Should I pay a surprise visit to young miss?

I check the time. 5… she would be getting up on her own. Sometime during this hour as she liked her baths, now that renovations had been taken care of, ever since last week there was a negligible increase in the utilities.

...it has been a week since I paid either of them any attention. Honestly it feels like its been much longer with all the preparations.


A/N Ello again! The other reason I chose to switch to this smaller writing style is that i hope to write more compact chapters so it doesn't just go on, while I was away I had thought about large chapters versus many smaller ones and had tested that in the last one with the numbers I placed to serve as a marker. I have been out of practice so it may take me some time to get back in gear, but I think I'll work my way up to a more modest word count and just write chapters as I have plenty of ideas. looking forward continuing the evolution of my writing style and to being my first reader, take care!