Party pt 1

In a black dress I stood awkwardly alone. Enna was parking the car. I hope she hurries, despite everything I had a very minimal amount of social skills. Parties I went to usually ended with me stabbing someone and fleeing. I also never actually had an invite.

I don't think I've ever been nervous like this before. Not to mention the guests were all had eyes on me. Likely due to my attire and attendance. Dionysus never showed up for parties and such. As i walked into the building the main hall was impressive. It was certainly built for events. Even more eyes were on me. 

I kept a dynamic frown on my face. When people met gazes with me my frown would get worse and they looked away. I wasn't influential and people didn't believe me to be powerful. However one of my unique skills Loss of Humanity was a type of intimation skill. it only worked on creatures with moral codes though and I triggered it whenever I frowned more at a person.

Eventually though, I was met by the oldest and Franzice is lap dog. I greeted them without the skill. "Thing 1 and Thing 2 what do you want."

Alexander gave a forced smile and Franzice looked pissed. Franzice shouted, "Do you know how much shit the guild is in?"

I picked at my ear a little and gave a shrug. "I wouldn't care anyway, so why are you asking?"

Alexander's eyes sparked. He was somewhat normal, but ambitious guy. Though that didn't mean I wanted to be near him. He spoke, "You've changed. You used to just hide away, always scared we pick on you again."

I raised an eyebrow, I lied through my teeth using stolen memories. "I grew up as the only girl in a family of boys. With how disrespectful father treats women it isn't surprising that he failed us as a father figure."

Franzice looked up to our father and Alexander. Seeing me speak about them made him red in the face. Just before he snapped Alexander patted his shoulder, "I'm glad. Maybe we can talk about it more someday."

I rolled my eyes and walked away without saying anything else. Like hell I was gonna willingly talk to some people I may or may not kill in the future. Looking over the area I found some familiar faces from memory. However no one I wanted to talk to. They were all small names in the Aegean area.

It made sense, the Athea family was only big in the Aegan area. So bigger named families were unlikely. At least I found someone I somewhat found interesting. Unbrem Yvett, I met her at the mall. She was sitting on a couch alone. With no sign of my grandfather I chose to scoop up a puppy.

I checked her status before with my appraisal skill, but I checked her over once more. 

<Name:Unbrem Yvett>

<Species: 1 2 Human(Type ---type is unevolved---)>

<Class: Sorceress>

<Level:33 Age:19>

<Titles: Young Sorceress, New Blood, Awakener>

<Health 110 Points:110>

<Mana: 50>

<Vitality: 55>

<Endurance: 55>

<Spirit: 35>

<Intelligence: 40>

<SP-Charisma: 35>

<Blessings: Blessing of the Luminary>

<Conditions: None>

<Leveled Skills:, Sorcery, Spell Chant, Mage skin, Luminary Mind, Personal Ego>

<Magic: Magic Missile, Fire Wind Mana Grenade, Skill Target, Spellbound Bolt, Lance, Lennart, Frenzy, Firega, Thunderiga, Cryotiriga, Esuna, Cure, Sliprain, Grease, Hoarfrost, Call Wind.>

Her status was impressive, for her level it was pretty above most. This girl or her family got their hands on a treasure of some kind. Some things like the miden moss and stuff I ate could give you stat points. The problem was if you hit the cap of your level you you'd lose stat points over all.

I sat down next to her and smiled. "We meet again. I know why I would sit alone at a party, but you don't seem the type."

The look of grief on her face faded, but it was replaced with one of false anger. "Tch, like you would care."

I rolled my eyes, this girl was the classic case of not saying what she meant. I think there was a word for it. I gave her a smile and put a hand on her knee. The look of surprise from my actions made her flinch slightly. However it was still effective on making her open up. "Ube, you were the closet thing to a best friend my niece had. Why would I not care."

I lied through my fucking teeth as I had no clue how close they actually were. Except this girl didn't need to know that. Besides Artem called her Ube so they had to have some connection. Ube's ace flushed as I stroked her thigh a bit, but she nodded. 

With some hesitation she spoke, "I-I guess you are right. It is my family, you see they want me to get married to someone from the Athens region. Supposedly they are at this party, but..."

I gave a smile, "You don't want to meet them? or Don't want to be married?"

She fumbled with her hands and removed my hands from her leg and leaned back. For her part, she talked. "I just wanna have fun, not that I don't want to settle down at some point in my life.... Just Artem always talked about cataloguing and learning about the stuff beyond the tower and dungeons and stuff."

A gave a light smirk. Of course she's the type to take other's dreams. Makes sense with her personality. With her opening up like this, it was time to cut it off. I patted her hair, and spoke. "Perhaps one day I can help you achieve that dream, I'm glad you opened up."

She stuttered, "Th-Thank you?"

with her response I walked away. Not telling her what I was gonna do, but leaving room to talk more. Should be easy to come back to her later and recruit her into my little scheme. I had to leave her anyway since I finally spotted my grandfather. I would've preferred my mother, but my grandfather would do.

---------

Convincing Dionysus's grandfather to speak in private was easier than I imagined, but his face. It was free of all emotion, I don't think I could ever achieve his level of poker face. However that poker face soon melted away into mock excitement.

"Dionysus! How are you doing? Oh wait, Artem was assassinated wasn't she? So I suppose the obvious answer is bad. Though to be honest I thought you would die too. I'm glad that wasn't the case, you despite never talking to me are my favorite grandchild. Well, besides Arthur, that boy just wants to start a farm. So cute right?"

I processed what he said, but I couldn't formulate a response. Since I didn't respond he just, continued talking surprising me even more. "I imagine you are here for help? Revenge perhaps? Sorry to say I can't help. I have a self policy about interfering. Since, ya know, you all are awakeners. Can't give to shits about what awakeners do and all that. Though their seems to be less and less normal folk like me now a days!"

His tone shifted and his eyes darkened, "So many turning to the tower and its power. Much like how fools of the past believed in gods to water their crops. Which leads me to you Dionysus, What are you truly here for?"

I shook off the chaotic feelings that this man gave me. "Money, want to start a guild, sell skills, continue Artem's legacy."

Impero Athea's face twisted in a smile. "Cute about that legacy thing. I assume its more about that unique skill of hers. I won't ask you about it though. Self policies as I just told you. I thought you would have the money though?"

I nodded, "For the required paperwork. The facilities are the problem." I paused, and decided to ask. "Wouldn't a few rotten branches being clipped from the familial tree be fine?"

He gave a shrug, "I don't know, not like I'm the one doing. Though your Grandmother might appreciated it. The Reigh family might as well, though I don't know your mother or her family that well."

This man was an odd fellow. I checked his status and the whole thing was empty. It only listed his name and age. I knew what that meant. He had rejected the call from the tower. I brushed my hair away from my face. "So, you don't care if I kill them?"

Impero's twisted smile returned. "If they aren't an awakener, your grandmother, or too young to hear the call of the tower. Go ahead, I won't tell anyone. Just don't get caught kiddo."

Truly an old fellow, "Grandfather, why did you reject the tower?"

He gave a shrug, "In time groups of people will always reject something. I believe everyone should find their place in life. Whether let's say that is something simple like a farmer, or something a little more complex. For myself, when the towers rose and the old world's magics and technology changed. I chose to stay in the past to sustain the knowledge. Is that an apt answer?"

I gave a short nod, "I asked my questions. I will go try to... enjoy the party."

Impero Athea laughed, "Go ahead, I'll send you money. Do me a favor though."

I turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "If you gain more power, take care of the things you build with it. If you do that, then your grandmother will come to you, and she will be far more helpful than I."

An old fellow indeed.