Before the Ceremony
Author's Note: Hey everyone! It's been a little bit, huh? I can't promise to ever post with any sort frequency like I did before, but I really don't want to let this fic die just yet. So for now I'm just going to write what I can write and upload when I can. Thanks for sticking through all the breaks, and I hope to be able to finish this fic.
Also thinking of starting a fic for fun on the side, this one has kinda became serious in the way that I want it to seem like it's actually a part of the TBATE world. Trying to make everything fit within the confines of what we know about TBATE, not too many intrusions from other story things. If that makes sense. You may say wouldn't writing another fic when you're already struggling to update one, increase the toll? That's a yes and a no. Yes, because obviously it's more writing. But also no because it will take my mind off this fic a little and let me enjoy writing a new story.
If it does become too much of a strain I can always drop the new fic, since I won't be as invested in it. Anyways into the story.
Hope you enjoy.
-SocioPhobia
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[Jaron POV]
Today was the day of the Opening Ceremony for the new year of Xyrus academy. As Student Council President I had to be there much earlier than the students that would be seated in the audience of the orientation, so me and Lilia left before Arthur and Elijah had even woke up from their sleep.
"Are you nervous?" I asked Lilia across from me in the carriage that was heading to the academy. She shook her head before looking towards me.
"No.. I feel strangely at ease. Though shouldn't I be asking you that? I don't have to give any speeches, but you are going to be giving arguably the most important one." I just smile and gaze out the window to see the passing of pedestrians and the orange glow of the rising sun beginning to seep through.
"Have you ever known me to be nervous about anything?" Out of the corner of my eye I could see her adopt a thinking face before shaking her head.
"Now that you mention it, I don't think I have. You always seem to be so sure, no matter what position you find yourself in. How is that?" She asks as looks at me curiously and I turn from the window to stare back at her.
Tears begin falling down my cheeks and face begins to contort into an ugly crying mess. Sniffles break out as I rub at my eyes. Lilia's face is frozen in shock having never seen me like this before, and she quickly hops over to sit next to me.
"Jaron! What happened? What did I say?" She started to rub my back and look at me with a face every bit as similar to Mother's whenever she is concerned. That's when I started laughing and used wind mana to get rid of the tears. She looks at me confused when I start laughing, causing me to laugh a little harder.
"Hahaha, sorry Lilly. I really shouldn't tease you like that. Acting… Acting is the answer to your question." She smacked my arm hard and slumped back into her seat on the other side of the carriage.
"I see what you mean, but that was a dirty trick. I really believed you, you know?" I chuckle a little again.
"I know, I know. Sorry. But now you can see that while I may not show it all the time, even I can get nervous. Alright stop slouching, you know mother will somehow find out and you'll have to sit through another round of etiquette training." She quickly straightened up and smoothed out her uniform and took the position of a noble lady befitting of her heritage.
I nodded to her, and peeked out the window again to see that we had arrived at the gates of the academy. The carriage stopped and the door was opened by Gerald, I stepped out first and offered a hand from one side while Gerald offered from the other. Lilia took both and stepped down out of the carriage, and Gerald bowed to us.
"I shall be returning back to the manor so that I can bring Master Arthur and Master Elijah later, take care Master Jaron and Mistress Lilia."
"Get back safe Gerald, and thanks for the ride." I replied and Lilia echoed her appreciation as well before Gerald retook his seat in the front and ambled back to the manor. Me and Lilia turned back towards the academy and began our walk to the auditorium that the ceremony would be held in.
Once inside we were met with the pristine and slightly extravagant room where multiple helpers from various class years were bustling about getting everything ready. I could see Tessia and Clive, our Vice President and Secretary respectively, giving directions to various people. The current student council was made up of: Me, Tessia, Clive, Lilia who was the treasurer. Jarrod Redner was the Student Council Speaker, meaning he would give most announcements and speeches that didn't require me or Tessia. Claire Bladeheart was the Disciplinary Committee Representative.
Though unofficial at the moment, her position was mainly to keep us up to date on the things that they came across. Lastly there was Fable Kristwood, he was the event planner/coordinator. He's the one who planned how this ceremony would go, the order of the speakers and the decorations etc. He will also plan any future events, such as festivals and the like.
Overall the council hadn't changed much from the way it was in the story, just adding myself and Claire and shifting peoples positions around. Truthfully I had hoped to add a dwarf to the council as well, but that wasn't really possible considering this is the first year elves and dwarves will even be attending the school. Maybe later down the line, something will come up and I can add another position to the student council and have a dwarf member be chosen for it.
Thoughts for another time though as I see Fable coming this way with a notebook in hand.
"Jaron, Lilia! Glad you both got here promptly. Now I'm sure you remember everything, if only everyone else were easy as you 2 to deal with, so please grabs Tessia and Clive and get ready in the back." I pat him on the shoulder with a smile.
"Deep breaths, Fable. Everything is going smoothly, just like I knew it would with you at the helm." He seemed to pause from looking at his planner for the hundredth time and let out a deep breath.
"You're right, Jaron. Thanks." Walking past him I call out over my shoulder.
"No worries, Fable. Keep up the good work." Lilia followed close behind as we made our way to the stage where Clive and Tessia were still talking. I could only smirk inwardly as I saw the looks Clive would send Tessia when she wasn't looking. He's a pretty annoying guy, but he does his job well. So he's Arthur and Tess's problem to deal with, not mine.
They notice our approach and both turn to face us with waves. A smile was on Tessia's face, but Clive's remained impassive as they greeted us.
"Jaron, Lilia. It's good to see you 2." Tessia stepped forward and she exchanged hugs with me and Lilia.
"You as well, though it hasn't been long since you were over for my and Arthur's birthday." I see Clive grimace slightly at hearing that Tessia was not only at my house for my birthday but for this mysterious Arthur he has yet to meet.
"How come I wasn't invited?" Clive asked trying to seem nonchalant. I stared at him strangely before smiling.
"I didn't think you would want to meet Tessia's super cool and hot bo—-…" my mouth was quickly covered by a blushing Tessia who also had a scowl on her face. Clive tried to show indifference and to anyone else I doubt they would have noticed, but being able to see his aura I could see the anger coming off him. Maybe I shouldn't tease him too much, but it will annoy Arthur and embarrass Tessia all in one fell swoop. How could I pass up such a thing?"
"Don't be so loud Jaron, it's embarrassing!" Tessia squealed and I along with Lilia laughed.
"You're the one being loud Tessia." She looks over my shoulder to see all the helpers looking at us and her faces colors red again before Fable unknowingly saves her.
"What are you all doing?! We have only an hour before the new students arrive!" Everyone quickly got back to what they were doing as we just all stared at Fable. Feeling our gazes he turns towards and in exasperation.
"What? Was it something I said?" We all shared a laugh which served to further confuse him.
"No not all Fable. Just impeccable timing as always." I called out to him, and he frowned slightly before shaking his head and disappeared around a corner looking at his planner. I turn back to our group and smile.
"Well, lets head to the back and get ready." They all nodded and followed me to the back where we ran into Claire. She froze when she spotted us as well and I could tell the smile on her face was strained as we approached. It only caused me to deepen my own.
"Red, it's good to see you!" My smile forms into a grin as I see her freeze from the nickname.
"I told you not to call me that anymore." She said in annoyance and Tess looked to me.
"Why do you call her Red?" I looked back at her in confusion and laughed.
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed but her hair is red." Tessia huffs at me and punches my arm.
"You know what I meant." I turn to Claire.
"Do you want to tell them?" She looks at me unsure before sighing in defeat.
"Ugh, they'll find out one way or another." I adopt a mischievous grin.
"Red here has a crush on me." I had to instantly dodge a punch that came flying in from the blushing Claire.
"That's not what I meant, asshole!" She went to throw another punch, but I just caught it and then held back her other arm with a mana string.
"Fine, fine. You people really don't know how to take a joke." I see a brief flash of hurt cross her face. Sorry Claire, but I'm taken.
"The real reason is because I was trained by her uncle in swordsmanship and we sparred frequently. Well one day she made a bet during our spar and the bet was if she won I had to do whatever she said for a week. And I chose to give her nickname if I won. As you can see I won and she has been 'Red' ever since." She groaned loudly at the memory as she shook her head.
"I didn't think you would actually call me by that nickname for so long though!" Everyone looked at her sympathetically as they had all been the victims of my teasing at one time or another.
I felt the tingle of mana and turned to where the swirling of mana began coalescing into the form of Cynthia. Everyone turned when I did and were slightly shocked when the Director appeared there.
"Morning everyone, you're all ready for the ceremony I hope?" She said with a warm smile that everyone returned.
""Yes Director Goodsky"" We all chorused in response.
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Author's Note #2:
Well I hope my first chapter back wasn't too bad. I hadn't planned for it to be like this, I had actually planned to completely finish the opening ceremony. But we made it to 2k words before i even got to that point.
I also tried to focus on the conversations and interactions and I hope I did a good job making them seem realistic to an extent. Next chapter will be the actual opening ceremony, and I'll probably copy at least Cynthia's speech directly from the novel and then everything else will be my own for the most part.
Thanks for reading.
-SocioPhobia