[Kishka Burzanova]

KISHKA BURZANOVA

Sept. 12th, 25 AV It was a good day. The first good day in a while, actually. It was a Saturday, and specifically, an even-number Saturday, which meant it was Kishka's allotted day off from her training. Training that had been damn near non-stop since her Exhibition fiasco. She'd hardly spoken to anyone, outside of classes, and frankly, she'd been skipping a few of those lately. It was shameful, losing to Aegle. Even if she had let it happen. It was a defeat that would never be repeated; she'd learned her lesson. Pride was a cruel bitch. Ever since then, though, nearly a month ago, she had been training hard. Harder than anyone else at Haven, she figured, to harden her body into a weapon for the Vytal Festival. She'd put Argent to work too- they trained together, as often as they could, so if her training regimen was tripled, so was his, to an extent. That extent being the breaking point where he had to sit her down and explain to her that training nonstop without rest would only destroy her in the end; mind, body, and spirit. Nobody could handle an endless barrage of intense training. Nobody human. And she was, after all, only human, no matter how much she tried to pretend otherwise. Hence her day of rest. A compromise. Argent still didn't approve of her training schedule, but it was showing results, and importantly, it was keeping her sane. Or well. It was preventing her from falling way off the deep end, past the point of no return, anyways. Sanity was relative. But she wasn't concerned with those things; it was a good day. She had the run of her parents' estate for the weekend, as they were supposed to be in Vale on business. Which was well and good for her, as while she was often resentful of her family, she enjoyed the luxury that their home afforded. They weren't the wealthiest family in the Cloud District. Not by any means; in fact, if it weren't for the fact that her great-grandparents had bought the land before everything was so stratified, and that her parents' business had the patronage of some very wealthy distributors, it was very likely the Burzanov family would be living in the Wind District, or with her uncle's family, towards the countryside. She was fortunate. And she had chosen to treat herself, while Argent was off on a minor mission, Holly was busy with that strange club of hers, and Rose was off doing who knows what with Iron Man. First, a morning at her favorite spa, where she had her nails done, and her hair trimmed, re-dyed, and styled to perfection. Then, to one of her favorite clothing stores, where she bought a sleek black dress, elegant and stylish. And here she was, just leaving one of her favorite lunch spots; an Atlesian cafe, the Belle Vie. They had the most incredible marjolaine dacquoise, paired with the loveliest Chateau Lauferie. It was nice to be able to afford the finer things in life. She stepped out of the small cafe, and tipped down her sunglasses as she glanced across the street. Ahh, the Algol Temeria. The pinnacle of fine dining in Mistral's Cloud District, and a notoriously exclusive establishment- her father had a table for four reserved once a month, due to his role in stocking the restaurant's bar. So prestigious was the restaurant, though, that where anywhere else in the Cloud District, Burzanov liquors were considered top shelf, at Algol Temeria, they were among the cheapest options available. It was an honor to even be on the menu, truly, so her father took special care to maintain a cordial and gracious relationship with the owner. Which was perfect for Kishka- she could remember many evenings spent eating there, often as a treat, celebrating some major accomplishment or milestone in her family's lives. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was so sophisticated and classy, that it was by far her favorite restaurant. Were it this month's reservation day, she'd have perhaps eaten there instead of at the Belle Vie. Alas, it simply wasn't meant to be. She began to walk back towards her home. It wasn't a far walk, surprisingly- very close to the business sector, where all of the shops and restaurants were, down a little wooded trail, and behind an ornate gate, bearing a large decorative "B." She'd had her fun, and her lunch, and now she just wanted to go home, relax, maybe take a dip in the hot tub with a glass of her father's bourbon. Not like he would notice, anyways. But before she got too far, the door to the Algol Temeria opened, and a familiar face stepped out. Long, blonde hair, and those striking, infamously crimson red, eyes. It could be no other, than the Hellebore heiress herself. Come to think of it, Kishka couldn't remember the last time they'd had a proper conversation. Had to have been the Slumber Party, where Theia had proven to be more than what Kishka expected from someone of her lofty status- much as Kishka enjoyed the perks and privileges of wealth, she could frankly do without the wealthy people, for the most part, pretentious and haughty, but her fellow Sanctum graduate was nothing of that sort. At least, not from what she'd seen of her, anyways. "Erytheia!" She flashed a broad smile, as she waved the other girl down from across the street. She didn't have much better to do, after all, and it had been so long since she'd had the chance to talk to someone who wasn't either Argent, Holly, Rose, or a complete, useless, idiot. Plus, Argent had been stressing lately that she should focus on making new friends, as opposed to more enemies, of which she allegedly "had quite enough as it was." Bah. Whatever. She liked Theia well enough, and it was common courtesy to at least stop by and say hello before going on their separate ways. She crossed the street quickly, striding confidently towards Theia, suddenly very satisfied that she had gone ahead and changed into her new outfit, with the designer shades, and her clean, salon-fresh, hairdo. Quickly enough, she reached the blonde, and addressed her with a much friendlier tone than she paid most of her other classmates; degenerates and morons, the lot of them. Theia was different. And better. And, though they interacted little at Sanctum, she still recalled that they had both begun in the same year, and finished in the same year, which was quite a feat for the both of them- she wasn't entirely sure why Theia had been held back two years, though. Unusual, but not unheard of. "Good afternoon, Erytheia. How are you?" She smiled as her friend (they were definitely friends now) replied, before glancing at the restaurant beside them, and back to Theia. "I see you're also a fan of Algol. Special occasion?"

Notes// haha yes i am in fact a fellow aristocrat. i am indeed not a peasant. | Tagged// @honhonhon | Aura// 100% | WC// 1171 | TWC// 1171

✬

[Erytheia Hellebore]

The noble warrior stood, and the people looked to her.

For she was a beacon - hope given form, yet still only human.
Within that truth there was great promise.
If one could stand against the night, then so too could anyone - everyone.

In her hand the warrior held a Rose. And her aura burned bright.

❝

Unlike the cheerful young woman who left the restaurant most days, the Erytheia Hellebore who stepped through the expansive doors of the definitive best restaurant in Mistral was not smiling in the least. Crimson eyes stared blankly ahead, lost in thought, while the pale skin of her face had the barest hint of tensed muscle along her jaw.

The source of her troubled countenance, of course, was family. More specifically, it was the one member of her family who held the most power and sway over her life and the company with which the Hellebore family had grown much of its power. Alramadi Hellebore - Huntress, Veteran of the Great War and the Revan Field Massacre, and holding a host of other titles, as well as her predecessor to the lineage - her mother.

Alramadi had always wanted the best for her. That was something that Erytheia could never deny, and for the longest time, she had been the very image of the dutiful daughter, following her mother's will without thinking for herself. And yet, it was that very thing that had damned her, hadn't it? Unable to find the strength needed to forge through her graduation, unable to find the strength needed to go through with her marriage - in following her mother's will, she failed to cultivate her own, and when she needed it the most, she was found lacking. A shameful weakness, to be sure, and one she bore entirely on her own shoulders. In relying so much on her mother, she had become weak and frail, and if she was ever to become anything resembling a worthy heir, then that had to change.

It was a dangerous game, what she now played. Erytheia was fully aware that her mother had far more experience, had far more knowledge than she did, and knew exactly what she could and could not do. There was very little reason to risk it all as she did, seeking out her own path when there was one already laid out for her to walk from birth. And yet, that was exactly what she needed to do - to struggle, to fight, and to use her own strength in doing so. Not on the back of her mother's strength, but her own. Her own choices. Her own decisions. And her own failures, if that came to be.

It was part of the reason she had chosen to come to Haven when it was at its lowest. Of course, there were other considerations - the lingering guilt of being the only survivor of her class at Sanctum through no effort of her own, that Mistral was becoming severely understaffed as it was, that she needed to quickly get into a Huntsman Academy before she could falter on the matter, and that Haven didn't think to ask too many questions when one of the Hellebore family had applied to get in mere months after the Fall. But Alramadi had made it quite clear that she knew exactly what her daughter's newfound bid for independence was all about, even if she hadn't said as much in as many words, and had recently brought up the newfound capability to reach other kingdoms with the disbanding of the bandit siege as reason she no longer needed to stay in Mistral.

The fact of the matter was that Haven as a whole lacked the capability to teach. Only a few professors were present, and those were hastily assembled from whoever was available at the moment when the Fall took most of their staff. Erytheia would be much better served learning in another kingdom with a more extensive faculty list - perhaps in Atlas, where she had spent so long recuperating, with which the Hellebore family already had worked so well with for so long. Or even in Vale, where she could easily find others to flock to her banner - after all, if she was to be a leader of men, then where better to start than by forging her own team from similarly skilled aspiring Huntsmen and Huntresses?

These were all valid points from her mother, and it was hard to find a way to refute them in favor of staying in Mistral. Alramadi had obviously had other things on her mind which she needed to tend to at the moment, but Erytheia couldn't rely on that to keep her from inspecting her own daughter's affairs for long. It was with those thoughts clouding her countenance that she stepped out into the street, deep in consideration, before she registered that she had been greeted by name. Instantly, all trace of trouble was wiped clean from her expression, replaced by her usual small smile as she turned to face the other.

"Kishka," she greeted warmly in response, pressing her fingers together in front of her and dipping her head slightly. It was a slightly old fashioned way of saying hello to someone, but it was respectful and well mannered, and the Hellebore heiress had always been a stickler for those traits if nothing else.

"You could say that," she said, turning to look at the restaurant's entrance and its ever present maitre d'hotel. Thoughts of her mother still sitting within, discussing matters of import with business partners and clients, flocked to her mind, but she banished them with practiced ease, turning back to her fellow student without so much as a flicker in her crimson eyes.

"I meet my mother here on occasion when she has the time to speak with me, but I do step in now and again when the mood takes me. Are you planning to dine here today, Kishka?"

AIRTAFAE (SEMBLANCE): [RANK E]

PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: RADIX GLORIA (DURABILITY) [RANK E]
PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: ARBOR IMPERIUM (STRENGTH) [RANK F]
PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: RAMIS MILIA (MARTIAL ARTS) [RANK F]
PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: LAMINAE CHORUS (AGILITY) [RANK E]
PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: VIRGA AUGMEN (SPEED) [RANK E]
IRKALLA ARALI (WEAPON): [RANK F]

@ ● 937 words ● 937 total words

MADE BY MIZO

[Kishka Burzanova]

KISHKA BURZANOVA

Returning the slight bow offered to her by the Hellebore heiress, Kishka smiled pleasantly as she returned her greeting. It was a delightfully welcome surprise seeing her there, especially on this day in particular. A good day to maybe get to know Erytheia a little better, perhaps. Of course, it was hardly likely that the blonde would have the day off, the same day as Kishka. That would be an entirely improbable coincidence, given her undoubtedly busy schedule. It was definitely admirable, Theia's devotion to her many responsibilities. She was somebody Kishka regarded highly, largely for those reasons. "Oh, no, not today- I was actually just leaving the Belle Vie when I saw you across the street." It was definitely not a surprise to hear the her classmate speak so casually of eating at the Algol, given her family's status, but that didn't make it any less impressive. It was crazy to think of how large the gap was between their respective financial capabilities... Even something as small as a standing reservation at an exclusive restaurant. "It's a beautiful day; are you busy at the moment? I hope that I'm not keeping you from anything important." She offered a small smile, cordially formal, but hiding a tiny, barely noticeable, hint of mischief- as if inviting her to play hooky and skip classes, back in grade school. "I was actually planning to go for a walk through the Cloud District; would you care to join me?"

Notes// might be my shortest short post yet lmao | Tagged// @princesstheia | Aura// 100% | WC// 245 | TWC// 1416

✬

[Erytheia Hellebore]

The noble warrior stood, and the people looked to her.

For she was a beacon - hope given form, yet still only human.
Within that truth there was great promise.
If one could stand against the night, then so too could anyone - everyone.

In her hand the warrior held a Rose. And her aura burned bright.

❝

Nodding in response to the Burzanova's explanation as to how fate had had their paths crossed, Erytheia glanced over to where the other eatery was. Unlike the Temeria, it was significantly more accessible to the general public - at least, with regards to appointments and bookings. While walking in was encouraged, the cafeteria was usually packed full and had a decent line at any given time of day, which was remarkable given the size of the place.

"A very respectable establishment, or so I am told. One of my managers mentioned her daughter celebrated her birthday there last week, I believe - though unfortunately I have never visited in person."

Taken slightly aback by the offer, the Hellebore heiress took a moment to consider the schedule ahead of her, flicking through her mental calendar. She had shifted her duties ahead of or before today in preparation for the arduous process that she knew speaking with her mother was going to be, and while she could return to the estate and get a head start on continuing her plans for the conversion of Site Seven into less military focused hardware, taking a break from all of that right now definitely seemed more appealing than it otherwise would have. Even if she did return now, the feeling of being so physically drained was not something that would go away so quickly.

Time enough for that tomorrow, she supposed.

"I do not see why not," she smiled in response, tilting her head ever slightly to the side as she did so. She had never had the chance to speak with Kishka in great depth in their shared time at Sanctum, and the time between then and now had been spent mostly apart. Erytheia had to admit that she was curious about the sudden change of heart that the other young woman was exhibiting today - it had been clear to all and sundry that Kishka had not been happy about her treatment in the drafts for class sorting, and even more dissatisfied with her own performance in the subsequent grudge match against Aegle, seeking to rectify that with a grueling training regimen atop of their regular classes. To see her out and about was more than a little surprising, but she supposed that even the other woman's legendary temper couldn't hold onto her dislike for that long.

"Lead the way, Kishka. What did you have in mind?"

AIRTAFAE (SEMBLANCE): [RANK E]

PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: RADIX GLORIA (DURABILITY) [RANK E]
PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: ARBOR IMPERIUM (STRENGTH) [RANK F]
PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: RAMIS MILIA (MARTIAL ARTS) [RANK F]
PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: LAMINAE CHORUS (AGILITY) [RANK E]
PRAETORIAN ET ROSA: VIRGA AUGMEN (SPEED) [RANK E]
IRKALLA ARALI (WEAPON): [RANK F]

@ ● 401 words ● 1338 total words

MADE BY MIZO

[Kishka Burzanova]

KISHKA BURZANOVA

She smiled. "Ahh, I see. It's a charming little café for a nice lunch. One of my favorites; we'll have to go together sometime." It wasn't especially surprising that Erytheia had never been to the Belle Vie- with her family's wealth and connections, she could surely afford to eat anywhere she pleased, and there were admittedly much fancier venues than the little Atlesian restaurant. But it was nice to see that Erytheia had heard good reviews of the place. It was a nice eatery, despite its more public appeal, and it would have been a shame if there had been some reason unknown to Kishka that she chose to avoid it. It was also nice to see that the blonde was, in fact, free, at least for a little while, and accepting of the invitation to spend some time together. To which Kishka's face lit up. She had been so angry lately, that this little spark of joy managed to improve her entire day. "Excellent!" This was really a little exciting. She hadn't had much time to really get to know Erytheia before, but now they finally had a good opportunity. Which was nice, considering they were of relatively like mind, and shared a few social circles that none of their fellow classmates could stake the same claims to. And, of course, Argent was still quite persistent in pressuring her to make friends. This, however, was one friend that she would have been ecstatic to make on her own, regardless of her boyfriend's pushing. They really did have a bit in common that she couldn't share with most, if not all, of her other classmates, aside from maybe Evangeline and Deraine. Except Deraine was too much of a self-centered ass, and Evangeline, while definitely hailing from high society, wasn't Mistrallian like Erytheia, so while outwardly, their backgrounds seemed similar, they were different enough that she couldn't relate to many of Evangeline's experiences, and she doubted the smaller blonde could relate to hers. But the Hellebore heiress understood. Although Kishka did wonder how much she understood- there was a significant gap in the net worths of their respective families, and with it, a certain amount of additional prestige and power afforded to the premier weapons manufacturers. But more than any of that, she could see that Erytheia was a good person- better person than she was, anyways- and someone she figured didn't have a lot of close friends. Hard to make strong connections with people when so many of them were too intimidated to approach. Kishka knew that firsthand, though for... Slightly different reasons. Hmm. Theia's question was a very good one, though. In her haste to see if Theia was open to spending some time with her, she had neglected to think of what exactly they might do. Her initial plan had simply been a leisurely promenade through the Cloud District, but she felt like they should actually do something. She wasn't exactly sure what Theia liked, exactly, though, so maybe just walking around for a bit would give her some time to think of an activity they would both enjoy. "Hm... How about a stroll through the park? Beautiful weather today." She smiled, and began heading that way; there was a lovely park towards the center of this part of the Cloud District, with a number of elegant fountains, and a nice unobstructed view of some of the many waterfalls, higher up on the mountain. She liked going there to get away from everything for a while, sometimes. And with rows and rows of colorful flowers, it looked like something out of a fairytale. If nothing else, it was as inoffensive a suggestion as anything could be- she couldn't think of a single person who didn't enjoy the park. And it gave the two of them time to chat, and gave her time to think, which was a nice added bonus. "You know, I'm glad we ran into each other today. It feels like ages since the last time we had the chance to spend time together. Evangeline's slumber party, I believe, was the most recent, yes?"

WC// 688 | TWC// 2104

✬

[Jay]

XP Distribution:

Erytheia Hellebore: 13
14 + 13 = 27 XP

Kishka Burzanova: 21
190 + 21 = 211 XP