~Is it decent to play in the rain?~

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"Good day, my dear Mrs Cecil!" It was midday in the small, grey bank that sat on the grounds of the town centre when the young Sir from the Veracity household came to visit that particular 'Fortune of Veracity' bank.

"Ah, greetings, Mr Andrew Veracity." The mentioned lady began, returning the smile the male sent her from the other side of the desk. However, at the sight of his appearance at her bank in particular, it was strange, as she knew that the main Veracity family home was many yards away. "What can I do for you today?"

The male briskly turned to both of his sides before making his request. "I would like to deposit 84 pounds." Anne Cecil, in response, asked him to sign some papers for the transaction before going round the back counter to get the money. Once she returned, she saw the male speaking with another. The new commer was a green eyed school boy dressed in uniform with his black wavy hair styled into a neat man-bun with only his fringe left out.

Taking him to be nothing more than a friend of the Veracity, Mrs Cecil simply looked over the signatures and then placed the money on the desk. Although, as she was about to gain the attention of the boy, the name of 'Baldward' was brought up between them.

Anne Cecil, only hearing of the name when she went to visit Mr and Mrs Veracity, recognised him as an emerging 'business man', wanting the help of the Veracity's to make his brand. She was curious if the parents had brought the topic to their children, but as discovered at the banquet, they probably had not.

"So the message was already sent?" The other male spoke as Andrew smiled.

"Without many problems." He replied. "Baldward doesn't have the brain for a business, yet alone money."

"Is everything else already prepared then?"

"Nearly, but I need to take a quick trip to the pharmacist before returning back to the estate." Veracity said as his companion nodded.

"I must head back now. Otherwise, I would be late for lessons." As the boy began to approach the door, he briefly turned to his side. "Also, don't let your adoration for your sister make you slip up any information. I would much prefer not having to use plan 'B'."

"Benedict... I understand."

A few seconds later, the ring of the bell was heard, bringing Mrs Cecil's attention back to the Veracity across from her.

"Mr Andrew Veracity, your deposit." The said male turned to her with a fresh grin upon his lips as he walked up to the desk.

"Ah, thank you." Once he had opened and checked the contents of the envelope, he bid his farewell and then left the bank.

Strange, Anne Cecil thought, but it was a 'strange' that didn't concern her. A 'strange' that likely didn't include any harm. He spoke about Mr Edward Baldward not knowing of 'business', so perhaps he only planned to correct him. Yes. When she looked at it like that, it didn't seem so 'strange' anymore.

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How wrong she unfortunately was.

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As silence overtook the bakery, the only noise being the clanging of dishes and packing of pastries from the back of the shop, the Veracity thought and considered her new facts. She now learnt that her brother had indeed gone out to find Mrs Cecil and made a deposit of 84 pounds. He spoke with Benedict about Baldward, suggesting that they both had plans with the man from before the banquet.

"Thank you, Mrs Cecil. What you have told me has greatly helped me with my investigation. I am also grateful for your trust in me." Quinn looked about her again. "Miss Hughes and I should be leaving now. Please, have a pleasant day."

"I hope you find everything you need, Miss Veracity, to officially prove your innocence."

Once the two girls had left the shop, Quinn grasped the hand of Lavitica and began to sprint down the lane in the direction of their school. However, they both still had half an hour before their first class.

"I apologise for my sudden hold on your hand," spoke the Veracity, as they both made a turn at a corner. "but we were being watched."

Alarm overtook the Hughes for a moment before picking up her pace to match Quinn's. "When did you notice them?"

"When we first arrived." She answered. "I didn't stop them then, as I was curious to find out what it was they were after." The Veracity began to explain. "In addition to that, I knew they could easily lie their way out if it without having solid evidence of their intentions to spy."

Lavitica, now understanding the situation, nodded. "Also, how do you know where they are?" The streets were filled with people and carriages, so it was already difficult enough to manoeuvre through the crowd.

"I can see them." She answered, causing her friend to look at her confused. "Behind us."

The two females suddenly came to a halt as they spun to see who it was that was following them. The small group, giving away their identities, also stopped, throwing shocked and worried faces to each other. There were three of them, two girls and a boy.

They seemed to be siblings as they all shared a resemblance of one another; the same shade of blonde hair - one in a ponytail, the other in a plait, and the male's cut short - similar brown eyes and other undistinguished features. The trio also wore identical uniforms to Veracity's current school, so she had already begun to create ideas in her head.

"What business do you have and who with?" Quinn immediately asked them whilst they attempted to run off, but that proved a challenge due to the busy area.

"W-we're not s-speaking!" The girl with the plait boldly announced.

"Y-yeah! We've been promised a hefty reward for this task!" The boy added.

"I will pay you three double the amount you have been promised if you answer my questions honestly."

The three of them stood flabbergasted before trying to resist the offer. They looked to each other before turning back to the other two.

"We'll tell you everything if you stick to the payment." The sibling with the ponytail spoke.

"That would be determined by how truthful you three decide to be with me."

"We'll be honest, and that's a promise!" Jeered the three as Quinn and Lavitica looked to one another.

A few minutes had passed of the five walking to the academy. The Hughes showed them to a room that would be safe from the eyes and ears of others.

"Now, let us begin." There was a table and conveniently four seats in the room. Lavitica stood gaurd at the door as Quinn propped three of the chairs on one side of the desk and one on the other side for herself. "Who are you three?"

"I'm Ada!" The one with the plait introduced first with bright enthusiasm.

"I'm Adeline." Spoke the other female with a genuine grin, pushing her spectacles up her nose.

"And I'm Albert!" The male smiled before the three of them simultaneously cheered -

"And we're all Beaumonts!"

"Well, I suppose you all already know Miss Hughes's and my name?" The siblings nodded. "Alright then. What was the purpose of you three following us?"

"We were told by your brother that if we followed you and reported back to him about everything we find out, he would pay us a pound each!" Ada informed, confirmed by the bobbing heads of the other Beaumonts.

"He also mentioned adding to the payment if we continued being loyal to him, but since you brought about your offer..." Albert began.

"We're now willing to be your new honest informants, Miss Veracity!" Adeline stated, her and the other siblings smiling and nodding in agreement.

Lavitica stood slightly shocked by this, whilst Quinn sat with a small grin on her face. "If that is the case, I certainly won't decline your offer." The Veracity reached into her pocket and took out six pounds, dividing it equally between the group. "Here is your first payment. From now on, I want you all to continue working for my brother, but don't give him any details on my investigation.

"Of course, you would still run errands for me, getting three pounds each for every job, but it would be a shame if Andrew discovered this, so be sure to stick to what I told you three. Understood?" The siblings nodded in unison, followed by a salut.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Good. Now, if I am not mistaken, it is time for lessons, so you are all now dismissed."

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As Veracity and Hughes walked down the halls to their first class, the brown-haired girl decided to finally ask her question.

"Miss Veracity, if you don't mind me asking, what do you think their view of you is?"

"Based on what has happened, what do you think the answer to that is?" Quinn asked her companion.

"Well, from that, I can tell that it certainly isn't anything negative, and their motivation seems to be heavily on their payment."

"Yes, also, the Beaumonts must have already known about the sentencing from before as they never asked any questions to do with what they had heard back at the bakery." The silver-haired female began. "And from that, they would be inclined to believe that I am somewhat innocent of that crime."

As the two finished their conversation on the matter, Quinn opened the door to the classroom. Many looks were thrown towards the pair as a dominant scoff was heard.

"It appears that the slug and the worm have finally made their appearance." Two girls beside the Albrecht chuckled. "Or should I be calling you a snail?"

Lavitica stood in place for a moment before stepping forward towards her seat. Quinn also stayed silent and instead simply observed the room. She took note that almost every chair was taken except for one in the far back corner. The Veracity, maintaining her stoic expression, quietly made her way to the desk.

As she sat, Lavitica turned to her friend, and instantly, a horrified expression filled her face. The Hughes swiftly got up from her seat to go to Quinn, but by the time she got there, it was too late.

"M-miss Veracity, you mustn't sit there -!"

Suddenly, all the attention of the room was turned towards the slam of the poor wooden door being opened so wide and with so much force that it hit against the inside of the wall.

As the Veracity averted her eyes to the tall, hunched figure at the doorway, whose incredibly long black hair hung over her pale face, only leaving her glaring green eyes to penetrate the head of the new student. No one's eyes left the girl as she walked over to the back table, causing Lavitica to squeak as she moved from the path of the female.

"Hey, move." Quinn did nothing but stare up at the figure with her blank expression. "This seat's mine."

"Hmm?" At an alarming pace, the newcomer's hand slammed against the desk.

"Move, now." In response to the girl, Veracity smiled a little before getting up from the chair.

"Altight, I will move." She said. "However, please tell me this." Out of nowhere, Quinn lifted her hand to the female's hair, causing the girl to flinch and her eyes to stare at the hand. "Your hair is so long and healthy. What products do you use?"

"H-Huh- ?!"

"Oh, and your skin has such a gentle glow to it, and the softness is that of a baby's." Veracity now held the hand of the once seeming aggressive female.

The girl just stared at Quinn with wide eyes, not knowing why her demeanour had easened, when suddenly, the silver-haired female let go of her. "You must pardon my lack of manners. I am Quinn Veracity. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Ha! I assumed that even someone of high intellect like yourself, slug, would know not to speak to and touch the blackwood so leisurely!" Patricia cackled as her minions smirked. "She is one of my dogs anyways, so what's the use in exchanging pleasantries with her?"

Quinn briefly gazed at the female before returning her attention to the one opposite her. She observed how the glow in her eyes had dismissed once the Albrecht began to speak.

"Miss Blackwood, was it? What do you say you are?" The classroom's attention went back to the female, who simply hung her head over her desk.

"What does it matter."

With that final statement, the room was left silent until a new figure appeared at the door.

"Good morning, everyone." Due to the woman's lack of uniform, but still professional attire, it was easy to tell who the lady was. At her appearance, the Hughes quickly returned to her seat. As the lady looked over at Quinn Veracity, she gazed at the rest of the room. "Ah, so you must be the new one. Veracity, was it? Blackwood! Get a chair and desk from the storage room next door and set it up for Miss Veracity here." She called, sending the said girl out of the class.

"I'm Mrs Chamberlain, your form teacher." The lady introduced. "If you ever have any problems, bring them to me."

"Thank you, Mrs Chamberlain, pleasure to meet you."

And from there, the class continued as any ordinary one, only with the occasional glares from the Blackwood towards the girl who now sat beside her.

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