"Good afternoon, Mister Smith," Maria said, nodding amiably as she visited the Medicinal Magic Department .
"Good afternoon, Miss Campbell," Rafael said with a smile as he came the other way.
Their hands dropped down, their fingers brushing against each other, even as their stride didn't falter.
The moment passed and they continued on their way, even if Rafael now had to take the long way back to his department.
The Medicinal Magic Department was trying to identify what the texts meant by the 8 types of blood, and had asked Maria to assist, if only to have another Light Magic wielder to save the life of anyone doing something foolish. Again. In truth, Maria herself was uncertain, as she knew of only 6 kinds: Thin, Thick, Kin, Frenzied, Old, and Beast. Of them, only Thin seemed to apply, unless they had any madmen–
Maria considered where she was, then amended that thought.
– any extremely mad, raving, absolutely disjointed from reality lunatics willing to provide their blood for testing. Unfortunately, all department heads were either busy or, probably more truthfully, absent, and thus were unable to provide samples of Frenzied blood.
This would have been much easier if blood formed Coldblood, since the physical structure of the coldblood could easily be used to identify their type, but sadly that route was unavailable. Some had suggested that the blood between men and women were somehow distinct enough to make a difference, but the ancient Friedonian books disproved that, having an at least one anecdote of a woman giving blood to a man. Maria had found the passage salaciously erotic despite how clinical the description was and had to resist the urge to continually reread it, lest her arousal be too obvious. Grown woman she might be, her body was unfortunately still that of a teenager. Stupid teenaged blood.
In truth, the texts had included a lot of information about the types of blood, including what appeared to be a chart that could be used to identify the type of blood a child would have depending on what blood the parents had. It was merely unhelpful as to how to identify types of blood, speaking casually of some kind of 'test' that seemed so common its specifics need not be mentioned. What it DID have was a vivid set of the many different dangers and horribly painful ways to die should one erroneously minister blood that was incompatible with the blood that flowed in one's veins. Maria had been as morbidly fascinated as the rest of them as NONE of those symptoms occurred with the Healing Church's blood ministrations.
They'd had to work frantically to counter those same as some fool had experimented on himself. His blood had seemed to clot in his veins for a time, and he developed a brain fever that had required almost constant Light Magic to keep his brain from ceasing to function, followed by his kidney almost failing. It had been tiring, stressful, and even for Maria the sight of a man's own blood seeming to turn against him had been horrifying.
No one had objected to her punching the man when he had cheerfully said, "All right, let's try that again to see if the same thing happens!"
He had been the first person to do something foolish that had moved the Ministry to ask for Maria's assistance. This assistance officially involving healing with Light Magic, and unofficially dangling any idiots who looked about to do similar by their ankles over the banister of the atrium.
This had apparently raised Medicinal Magic into the Fifth Safest Department To Work In, bumping down the Accounting Department. Maria had been disquieted to discover the safest department to work in was Security. Not because no one ever tried to intrude into the Ministry (she had done so for weeks), but because it was the only department who knew not to actually make trouble.
How so like the Choir.
"Good afternoon again, Mister Smith," Maria said, nodding amiably as she left to return to the Academy .
"Good afternoon again, Miss Campbell," Rafael said with a smile as he came the other way.
Their hands dropped down, their fingers brushing against each other, even as their stride–
Maria stopped, grabbed his hand, spun him into a wall as gently as she could, slammed one hand onto the wall next to his head ("Eep!"), and with a growl pulled his head down to hers.
Some indeterminate time later, Maria finally said, "I'm sorry for delaying you, Mister Smith," she said primly as she stepped back, bowed in apology, and continued to make her way to the Academy. Her rapid pace was surely due to make up for lost time and not anything else.
Stupid erotic Friedonian texts! Why not show the Queen taking in Blood Dregs, or bestowing blood from her very fingers while they were at it! Honestly, who puts such smut in a book meant for the honorable practice of medicine!?
A passing Ministry worker, looking amused and vaguely impressed, helpfully covered Rafael's face with a handkerchief to hide the stupid look on his face.
Days passed, and for all their activity, they were pleasant, carefree days. Had fear of Lady Claes seducing her really made her early days of school so difficult? Maria wanted to wring the foolish neck of herself from a year ago, wondering how she could possibly have feared the cheerful child in the form of a woman that was Katarina Claes. True, the woman was remarkably carefree about many things, but in the way of a puppy too small to be held back by such silly things like gates and bars, frolicking where it will. Some mornings she found herself at Lady Claes' alleged garden, assisting her and her lustful retinue in tending them, a fact that seemed to make Lady Claes very happy and her retinue mildly suspicious (tough. Someone had to keep them from molesting the girl in her own tool shed, and Miss Shelley could not be everywhere). Some afternoons too, although that was mostly to check she was properly wearing a hat.
She had even dared making herself known on the mornings that Lady Claes practiced the sword, smoothing her welcome with a small selection of muffins. Lady Claes had seemed embarrassed upon seeing her, seeming to be self-conscious of her skill.
"I mean, I not as good as you were," Lady Claes said. "I mean you were all 'whoosh' and 'Wha-wha-wham!' and 'whump-whump POW'! I don't think I'll ever be able to do any of that."
Not many could. Even many hunters couldn't. Her master had been one of the few she had met that could keep up with her. "A solid foundation, excellent footing, proper posture and poise, and correct judgement of when to parry and when to strike will carry you much farther than any amount of acrobatics," Maria assured her. "You are a pillar of stability, Lady Claes. Do not become overeager, and I am sure than anyone number of hotheaded fools will break themselves on your defense without ever drawing blood."
"Not drawing blood is good," Lady Claes nodded. "I'd like to keep all of mine on the inside."
"Where it properly belongs," Maria agreed.
The next time, Maria had come earlier, and Lady Claes had invited her, not to spar, for she clearly thought herself outmatched (which she was, but Maria didn't say so), but to simply enjoy each other's company as they performed their drills. Lady Claes had seemed utterly fascinated at the dancelike, repetitive steps Maria had flowed through, but to her credit, her eyes had only flicked occasionally, and she devoted her attention to her own movements with commendable focus.
Maria wondered what sort of sword Lady Claes preferred. She had used her fiancée's blade competently enough, but it did not seem to be her weapon of choice…
They parted to refresh themselves for morning classes, the thought nestling itself among many others in a place formerly filled with discomfort and watchfulness.
Yes, Maria truly wished she could wring the neck of herself from a year ago…
The academic and magical evaluation tests finally came, the student council finally acquiring six more members.
"Welcome to the Student Council," Maria greeted the six, who were standing before the President's desk, around the table that last year had mostly been used by Lady Claes. "You have been chosen because you are the six ranked highest in the evaluation tests. To be chosen for the student council is considered an honor, a privilege and a point of prestige."
The six of them stood straighter as pride stiffened their spines.
"That is a terrible lie," Maria continued. "You have been sentenced to two years of suffering because you are the most capable of having your workload doubled without it significantly affecting your academic output."
All six blinked at her. Prince Alan started laughing. His brother had turned away, but the way the blond shook was unmistakable mirth.
"You likely rejoiced when you saw your names highest above all," Maria said. "but no there is no reason to delight, for you have fallen into the blackest gulch of the Bed of Chaos, and there will be no escape, no reprieve, no Chosen Lord of the Hallowed to paint a new world for you to escape to. As your President, I welcome you to damnation. Know that blood you spill will be used to paint a new tomorrow."
So saying, she stood and bowed.
At their desks to either side, the other members of the student council were ironically applauding, even Lady Hunt.
"Beautiful," Sophia sniffed, spreading her hands in the ancient gesture of confusion and mockery at the new students.
"A much more honest welcoming speech than we got, Miss President," the third prince said dryly.
Maria nodded in acknowledgement. "Are there any questions?" she said.
Lady Diana Cavendish, daughter of Marquis Cavendish of the southern tropical fruit plantations, gestured at Lady Claes, who was sitting at the table enjoying a small plate of sweets. "Why is Lady Claes here? I did not think she was a member of the Student Council."
"She is here because of the realpolitik of practical applied partisanism," Maria said, causing Prince Alan to laugh all over again. "There is a world beyond this school, after all, and it is inevitable powers of great ones beyond ourselves overshadow the trifling order we have made in this little island of lamplight. She is also here to eat sweets and do her schoolwork. Fret not, however, as she will generously share her sweets if asked. Or even if not."
"Hi, I'm Katarina," said manifestation of the realpolitik of practical applied partisanism said, holding out the still half-full dish of sweets. "Would you like a cookie? They're very tasty! Miss Campbell makes the best sweet ever!"
"Um, I'll have some your ladyship," Ginger Tucker, the daughter of a baron near the frontier said. She blushed slightly as she took one, eyes not wavering from Lady Claes.
Maria sighed. Damn it, another one. Hopefully she could keep Lady Hunt from killing this one and making the body disappear…
And thus the business of the student council continued on.
"Why is my paperwork stack still bigger than everyone else's?" the Third Prince asked.
"This wouldn't happen if you weren't so enormously capable," Maria said. "Truly, only the most talented of princes can accomplish this task."
And thus the business of the student council continued on.