Lighting the Wick (cont.)
It's probably been about a month since our new maid Embers had joined our little loft. Alexei had been aggressively congenial as always, and had already trained her to call him without any titles. But I hadn't bothered to so she still calls me "Master Nicholas" and Alexei sighs at that from time to time, but it seems to work out just fine between us. Not to be biased or anything, but she seems a lot more comfortable without the over-familiarity. It's not an overly large space so it's hard to maintain our proper social boundaries. Especially since she has yet to master the art of cooking, so we always order something for her too when we come back from the school. (How do they even communicate? They just pre-plan everything that morning I suppose.)
I've been enjoying the lack of chores that her presence has afforded me. Though now I am with less excuses to avoid my schoolwork. My brother has been studying business and law concurrently ever since his enrollment. Just as our mother desired, Alexei has been pursuing the path of a politician. He ardently hopes to succeed in becoming our Duke's personal adviser. Since he's incredibly witty, intelligent, well-humored, handsome, well-loved, and myriad of other amiable qualities, he quite suited for being a politician in the city. He's made friends with many of the prestigious sons and daughters and has even become on decent terms with their parents.
As for me, I chose the route of (science) though I have no particular passion for it. I decided that it would afford me the best education to be of support to my talented brother. Of course that's what I said to my mother, by explaining that as an urban-duchy a technical grasp of the developing industries would be incredibly critical to make sound judgments for the city. Yes the truth is rather obvious so I'd rather not delve deeper into it. The maid eventually caught on, much to my relief after some irritating attempts on her part to pry into my business. At first, I amused her queries into my subject, hoping to impress her. Much to my chagrin, she did not exhibit as much excitement as she did the first day we had shown her around the city. The country girl probably hasn't developed a proper understanding or awe of the technologies that are being researched at the University. Granted, theater and the street performances that are a favorite pastime of all city folks must certainly be much more fascinating than theories about gizmos that may or may not work.
However she still seems to linger about my study space, thumbing through my books idly as she organized my things. It makes me incredibly curious as to her motives for she was not fascinated by my amateur lecture on Sekyr-stones, though that's what all my books were on. I questioned her and she answered hastily and awkwardly that she loved books. I supposed that since her mother was a talented pianist, she must have had regular access to some and had gained some education thusly. Indeed she has surprised me with how good a head is on those tiny shoulders of hers.
Frustrated by my assignments, I had flung all my notes, papers, and books aside on the floor beside the couch were I preferred to do my work. It surprised Embers from a history book Alexei had lent her. "Should I get you snack or something for you, Master Nicholas?" she asked already slipping a ribbon of hers to mark her place.
"No need to get up," I quickly replied as I stood and stretched. I needed a change of pace, or at least place. Staring at the same exact walls tends to get stiffling, so I wanted to at least break free in one aspect. I paused for a moment, debating between making something simple in the kitchen or if I wanted to go down to the street to buy something from the nearby cafe.
My eyes happened to fall on Embers, who was sitting on one of the larger, more comfortable plush-chairs. It came to me as a strange observation that she was sitting in a very proper manner; her ankles were crossed and her skirts were arranged neatly. She must have noticed that I had not yet moved and she sat up from reclining; a properly straight back again.
"Is something the matter, Master Nicholas?" she asked suspiciously, this time closing the book firmly and placing it on the stand beside it. [She smiled patronizingly, "why don't you get some fresh air and I'll fix up a nice snack for you when you come back. Mind you, you can't stay out for more than 10 or 15 minutes alright?"
"Better yet, why don't I grab us both something from the cafe?"]
"Are you contemplating whether or not you'd like to search out your classmates for assistance? If you'd like, I could phone the other residences to find them for you," Embers offered politely, stepping forward to pick up the things I had just thrown to the ground in frustrated fury.
"No," I shook my head, not feeling particularly inclined to follow her suggestion. "that's not necessary. I'd like to have another go at it before I go asking for help."
"Then perhaps it would help to get some fresh air and sunlight. It'll free up your mind and emotions for you to tackle the the problem anew," Embers said earnestly as she placed my things neatly the foot of the couch.
I chuckled, at least amused by her worrying over my daily and quite ordinary tribulations. (Well daily if I ever got to the properly as I should.) "I think I will do that," I accepted, grabbing my coat and things that I had thrown over the back of the coach when I returned from classes this morning. "I'll grab us a quick snack while I'm down. Would you like anything from the cafe?" I offered.
Embers smiled cheerily, "perhaps some pastries or sweets to go with tea." Liking the idea, I agreed and was seen to the door by the young maid. Since I was not particularly inclined rush back home, I took my time gazing through the windows of the familiar shops of my street and picking which sweets I'd be bringing back to share. I chose a few eclairs, a -dozen ginger-snaps and sugar cookies, and a few other things that had caught my fancy.
When I returned with my box of spoils from my little adventure out, I found the tea set already out on the short coffee table beside my couch. Engrossed in a book as usual, Embers was sitting on the polished wood floor beside my couch, perhaps she felt it improper to commandeer my seat even when I was not around.
"Oh!" she said with embarrassed surprise, quickly hiding the book from sight. "Welcome back Master Nicholas," she smiled. Then much more shyly, she pointed at the teapot, "could you please...?" I nodded as I handed her the box and threw my coat back on its usual spot. I placed a hand on the Sekyr-stone embedded into the design of the teapot, pouring a little energy into it so that the tea would remain hot while we enjoyed it slowly.
As she placed the sweets out prettily on a large plate she brought ahead of time, I flipped the china cups right-side up and poured out our tea. I grabbed an eclair as I lazily reclined in the couch once more. I watched her grab a cookie and slip back into her book again as she nibbled on it. Her book looked oddly familiar, especially with all the technical drawings. I was truly surprised, and I blurted out, "which one is that?"
She was caught off-guard, abruptly turning to look at me behind her, the cookie still in her mouth. I laughed at all her wasted attempts at being mature and proper. She laughed t, infected by my mirth. "It's your Introduction to Sekyr Energy," she said, flipping the cover closed for me to see. I certainly recognized the cover, since I probably spent more time staring at it than its contents. "It's quite fascinating, especially when reading it with the context that this may be a scientific explanation on how our present social class structure arose."
Sekyrians can channel stronger and more reliable energy into Sekyr-stones. The weaker your blood is, the defective the energy can be. Impressive chapter on geneologies and blood's effect. But there's also affinity for the element and aptitude for usage. Intelligence also seems to factor in, though it's rather dodgey as to whether it might simply be that the more intelligent learn faster or if a grasp and understanding of the physical world amplifies the strength of the Sekyr-stone in relation to the application it's being used for.
I zoned her out a little. This all stuff you learn intuitively from repeated use of the Sekyr-stone," I said carelessly as I reached over to grab another pastry. I saw it happen in thte side of my vision as I reached past her. Her expression closed, turning stoic. And she turned ever so slightly away from me, just enough that her profile looked different to me.
(I think Nicholas reacts coldly to this.)
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