New Acquintances

Mary walked with hesitation, she looks back to see Michael already deep in conversation.

She breathes deeply as she walks to a table, only to be intercepted by a woman in her forties.

"Why, hello there." The woman spoke as she offers her hand, one which Mary reluctantly shakes.

The woman introduces herself with a gesture, "My name is Elaine, the lady of this household."

Mary nods, "Nice to meet you, Lady Elaine." She gestures to herself with a smile, "My name is Mary."

Elaine smiles softly as she takes her arm, "Then would it be okay for a dashing young lady, to accompany this old crone."

Mary glances back at Michael in hesitation, trying to see his reaction. Only to see him still focused on his conversation.

She hesitantly nods before Elaine pulls her to her table, "Well, come on then. I have friends, I'll be glad for you to meet them."

Mary then smiles as she realigns herself, her discomfort coming from the fact that the only female friend she ever had was Madelaine "I'll be more than happy to do so."

Elaine then stops at a table, the chatter of women stopping as they look at her.

Mary dryly swallows as she shyly smiles, the women giggle as they gesture her to her seat.

Mary takes her seat as she pats down the crumpled parts of her clothing, she nods her head "Hello Ladies,"

She clears her throat, "My name is Mary and I'm part of the-" She was cut off by Elaine, "Kindly drop the formality, deary. We're all here friends here, yes?"

The other women nod as Mary smiles brightly, "Then, I guess it's nice to meet all of you." The other woman replies with a smile, acknowledging their feeling to be the same.

"Then I'll start, The name is Adel" A brown-haired girl close to Mary's age speaks as she leans from Mary's right, "Such clothes are quite a quality, a quality which I've only seen Golden Wear produce."

Mary leans away, Adel leaning closer as she inspects her clothing "Ah yes, they're a gift from a friend."

Adel looks up as she raises an eyebrow, "Yet they don't seem to be part of any clothing line I've seen them released."

Mary sheepishly smiles, "They're custom made,"

Adel leans closer and grabs her hand as she inspects the cuffs, "They truly are something els-"

Adel stops as she was pulled back, by a black-haired girl with a glare, She bows her head, "Apologies for my friend, she tends to be excitable."

"But Jane," Adel childishly spoke, Jane shushes her as she shakes her head and mutters, "She's like this with new things."

Jane though inspects her clothing, "Though I can understand where she's coming from." She moves closer, "The workmanship is even cut above that of what Golden Wear sells."

Jane taps her chin in thought, "Is it also possible to have one made for us?"

She pulls up her gown, "This clothing tends to be limiting."

Mary nods her head, "I can ask him, but I think it would be best if you went there yourself."

Adel nods in agreement as she spoke up, "Me too, me too, though id rather have one which is more feminine."

Jane elbows her, "I apologise for her rudeness."

Mary waves with away a smile, "It's fine, I can understand her aversion to this."

She looks down her coat, the golden buttons along with the trousers, "It isn't exactly made for women."

Jane fidgets in hesitation, "I see, then could I ask as to why you chose such clothing."

Mary shyly looks down as she spoke, "I've never been a fan of dresses, they are kinda limiting."

Adel excitedly smiles, "I'm sure it is, especially on the battlefield."

Mary looks to her in shock, a bit shocked that the girl was already aware of her profession "I.."

Adel looks to her in confusion, "Arent you the one leading the men training outside the city?"

Mary fidgets before replying, "Yes, but how could you know?"

Adel shrugs, "I just saw you fighting out there," She points to her head, "The red hair is very noticeable."

Adel gestures to the clothing, "And the way you are dressed, I assumed that you were high in command."

Mary plays with her hair as she mutters, "Huh, I guess I'm the only one that has it there."

Jane then exclaims, starry-eyed, "You're a mercenary!?"

Mary leans back as she looks to Adel for help, who only smugly shrugs, "She tends to be excited when her dreams are discussed."

Jane then blushes as she mutters, "It always been my dream," She looks up dreamily, "To fight in battle,"

She scratches her cheek in embarrassment as she explained, "My brothers always talk about their adventures and bloody battles, So I kind of wanted to follow in their footsteps. "

Mary giggles as she replies, "I see, then I'll make you my adjutant once you decide to join"

Jane looks to her in shock, "Really!?"

Adel watches all this with a smug smile, she pushes Jane away, "Oh I'm so sorry for my friend's behaviour."

Mary giggles at the obvious teasing as the three of them chatted. Then the topic of battle came to a halt as.

A loud scoff then stops the three girls from discussing it further, "Pathetic, girls wanting to play soldier."

The three look to an aging woman, her hair white and expression stuck in a grimace.

Elaine exclaims as she chided the old woman, "Arient, that is uncalled for."

Arient only looks back to Elaine, "Why? Isn't it the truth? They're just children stuck in fantasies."

Mary glares at her, "With all due respect Madam, but I am more than aware as to what world I am entering."

Arient glares back with intensity, "Are you really? Are you ready for the scent of blood and smoke?"

She clenches her fist, "The barbarism in war? Are you ready to accept your fate of death or chains?"

Mary and Jane look down, the intensity in her voice choking any rebuttal they might have had.

Elaine spoke up, hoping to mediate, "Arient, isn't that a bit much. They're still child-"

Arient cuts her off, "There are no children in war, only casualties."

Arient glances at them before she shakes her head and stood up, "It doesn't matter anyway, I'll be taking my leave."

"Don't let her get to you, she's always been like this when the discussion turns to battle." Another aging woman spoke as she held to her cane, a soft smile gracing her features.

Elaine shakes her head as she glances at the woman, "She's always like this Jean, I get that's she's annoyed but she can't just grumble then leave."

Jean shakes her head, "You know how she is," She looks to the three girls, "Don't mind her, she's just an old lady a bit grumpy."

Mary nods as she looks to Arient walking to a table, "Why?"

Elaine shakes her head, "It's not my story to tell."

Jean snorts as she waves her hand in dismissal, "Oh screw her," She looks to the three girls, "Arient was actually a mercenary of great renown."

She glances at Arient busy talking to another, "She participated in every in the Iridian Principalities,"

She takes out a coin, "She got so rich from it that she was able to retire as one of the richest women."

Jean's expression then turns sombre, "Unfortunately for her, her only daughter loved every story of her glory."

She shrugs, "And knowing what awaits him, she stopped her." She shakes her head, "And it only made her journey harder and it ended with her death."

Elaine sighs, "It is the unfortunate state of affairs within the Iridian Principalities." She shrugs, "Though there is peace, the demons are just preparing for the next war."

Mary nods as she takes in the new information, 'Maybe I underestimated the world I'm coming into." She thinks to herself before she stood up.

"I'll be taking a break," Jane and Adel nod as she leaves, both girls just as shaken.

Mary walks to the mansion's balcony before glancing in Michael's direction.

Seeing him deep in conversation, she sighs as she looks down to her hand as she mutters to herself "Am I really ready?"

A voice replied, "No one ever was."

Mary looks at the voice, It was Arient whose expression turns sombre as she held a glass of wine.

Arient takes a step as she walks to her side, spinning the wine in her glass, "I don't know what made you think of stepping into war, but it isn't an easy step."

Her eyes shine as she looks to her, "I hope you know what you're fighting for because war doesn't take kindly to those who go in halfheartedly."

Mary nods as she takes in the word, the meaning behind, 'What am I fighting for? Is it revenge? Is it glory? or is it for me?"

Arient looks at her contemplation before she shouts, "HERE!" She raises her glass for a toast, "For your continuous victory battle." She gulps it whole before shouting, "May war be your friend!"

Mary shouts back with a smile, Arients speech acts as if acknowledged, "May war be my friend!"

Arient smirks as the two women stood side by side, a veteran scarred by war and a newbie about to take on the world.

They stood there in silence, enjoying each other's company before Arient walks back to the hall, ready to leave the mansion altogether.

But before she could leave, Mary shouts as she bows, "Thank you for your guidance!"

Arient waves back as she speaks, never looking back.

"Good luck, and may war be your friend."