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>>1074390
“Parati Sumus.”

The Headmaster skirted across the edge of the stage before returning to the podium as everyone quietly sat at varying degrees of awareness. The late morning sun shone brightly through the cloudy sky upon the open fields.

“It means, ‘We are Ready’”, lightly tapping his finger against the podium’s surface for emphasis, “Those are the words of the Scintillan Knights, and they shall be your words today!”

--

You are Nemo, former mercenary, and you are currently sitting in the audience of around thirty to fifty other initiates watching the Grandmaster make his introduction. Flanking him are three others, a man and two women, scanning everyone before them. While the two women quickly look over the audience, the man briefly makes eye contact with you before continuing to assess the rest.

“You may be from different lands, races, creeds, backgrounds, but you must abandon those old ties… For here in Scintilla, you are to be treated as equals. I am Grandmaster Luther Ordonec, and I welcome you to Scintilla!”

Mild applause erupts from the assembly as Headmaster Ordonec exits the stage, and the three figures behind him start ushering the initiates to their temporary housings in the old barracks.

“Hmph, can you believe this?” The young man beside you scoffs, “They want us to be equals when more than half of these people are dropouts, failures, and low lives.”

>“So what does that make you?”
>“And how would you know that?”
>“What crawled up your ass?”
>Stay Silent
>Other

>>1074408
>“And how would you know that?”

>>1074408
>>“So what does that make you?”
>>“And how would you know that?”

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>>1074408
“So what does that make you, and how would you know that?” For some reason, it’s always the arrogant ones causing shit.

The proud expression on his face doesn’t move an inch as he goes about explaining himself. “Simple. It makes me an elite, and if you can’t clearly tell from the trip here, these sorry recruits are completely ill disciplined.”

He may have had a point there, considering the whole ‘gunplay in the mess hall’ incident earlier this morning.

Passing through the gilded autumn trees dotting the paths, the blonde boy continues on, “the Scintillan Knights used to be a proud order, and it’s a damn shame to see it be sullied by mud just to keep their numbers.” His proud expression quickly sours in his glowering, perhaps of the very real possibility of being in a team of the scum he dislikes so much.

>“You’re always free to leave.”
>“Maybe you’re the problem?”
>“So what does that make me?”
>Other

>>1074590
>“So what does that make me?”

>>1074590
>>“You’re always free to leave.”

>>1074590

>“You’re always free to leave.”

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>>1074590
“You’re always free to leave if you don’t like getting dirty.”

“As a better, I cannot afford to lower the quality of the Order.”

All you can do glare, “And, so what does that make me?”

If he was going to tell you off, then he better cut to the chase.

His gaze quickly shifts towards you, looking at you from head to toe, “That all depends on you.”

“It’s Nemo.”

“Flanagan.” He fires back.

The group eventually finds itself in front of the old barracks where everyone starts to unpack and file into the building. Flanagan man pulls up his rucksack over his shoulder before quickly disappearing into the crowd like a ghost before you can give your answer. After finding a small unoccupied room, you’re left alone with your thoughts as you unpack.

Just as you’re about to start, one of the female Knights that was flanking Grandmaster Ordonec, a dark haired woman with a sabre, walks up to you.

“The Grandmaster would like to speak to you in his office once you’re finished unpacking, Nemo.”

And just as suddenly she appeared, she quickly vanishes into the hallway without a sound leaving you with the only question: What does he want with you?

--

Luckily, you never really did pack too much for the trip, leaving you with plenty of free time before you had your meeting with the Grandmaster.

>Visit Bailout
>Meet the other initiates
>Explore the Fortress
>Other

>>1074805
>>Other
We're finished unpacking, let's go meet the Grandmaster.

>>1074805
Agreed >>1074822

Also, Ven, it'd be nice if you'd say something like 'Votes called, writing', instead of just dropping a new post on us.

>>1074822
>>1074832
>>1074853
Alright, writing.

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>>1074805
Making your way to the Grandmaster’s office in the Keep, you navigate through the old halls and passageways of the fortress. The walls and floors transitioned from new to old, and back to new again as you head deeper, the telltale signs of modernization attempts.

Finally reaching the top of the keep, you knock upon the heavy oak door to the Grandmaster’s office.

Once. Twice.

And a low voice responds, “You may enter.”

Opening the door, you wince as your vision is filled with sunlight. As your eyes accustom themselves, the Grandmaster at his desk motions for you to take a seat with that two female knights beside him. Once you take a seat, you see that the room is filled with a myriad of objects, nick-knacks, and displays ranging from a plain silver mask, a large Dust Crystal on display, and a variety of weapons mounted upon the walls.

With skin wrinkled with age, a slight smile formed on Grandmaster Ordonec’s face before he began speaking.

“So how are you finding Scintilla, Nemo? I hope your trip didn’t affect you too badly.”

>“Let’s cut to the chase. Why did you call me?
>“Sort of surreal to be back here.”
>“Feels just like home.”
>Other

>>1074991
>“Sort of surreal to be back here.”

>>1074991
>>“Feels just like home.”

>>1075004
>>1075005
Writing

>>1074991
>>“Sort of surreal to be back here.”

>>1074991
Feels just like home.

>>1074991
“Sorta surreal to be back here after these years,” rubbing the back of your head, “But it oddly feels like home.”

“Very good, very good.” He says as he briskly gets out of his leather backed chair, strolling to his shelves full of display pieces to examine them, “I must apologize for Knight Commander Henrietta’s sudden appearance. Do you know why I summoned you here?”

“No, I don’t believe I do, sir.”

Turning towards you, a serious expression falls over his face, “Nemo, I’ll be honest with you. For the past two years under our administration, the people Lumeneth and Luxburg haven’t been the most cooperative with our management. So we decided to bring representatives from both nations into our ranks as a show of good will. A good majority of us here had objections to bringing you here considering your background. But right now, we need everyone we can get to help us maintain the peace.”

Returning to his seat, he extends his hand, “Can I count on you for your aid?”

>“So I’m here just to be a political puppet?”
>“You can count on me.”
>“I need some time to think about it.”
>Other

>>1075210
What would my duties entail? Not much for sitting around, or politics.

>>1075236
I can get behind this.

>>1075210
Supporting >>1075236

>>1075236
this

i just don't want to be an eager yes man

>>1075210
Writing now

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>>1075210
“So what am I exactly doing? I don’t want to be sitting on my ass all day, and talking about politics.”

If there was one thing you could learned from your experience during the Scintillan War, or just about any war in history, was that pretty much every soldier absolutely HATES politicians.

Grandmaster Ordonec lowers his hand before calmly collecting himself, “Nemo, I can at least promise you that your experience on the field will not be put to waste when fulfilling the Order’s duty of defending the people from Grimm, and worse, but there will be a time when we need you and the other representatives to attend political events to show that we can prosper together.”

While it was reassuring that you won’t just be kept away from the frontlines to be a politician’s puppet, the idea of you kissing a politician’s ass still doesn’t sit well for you.

Ordonec pulls out a small notebook from his breast pocket, flipping through the pages, “I can try to pull some strings to minimize the events you have to attend, so I ask you once more, will you help to us in hour of need?”

>“I’m a soldier, not a puppet.” (Attend No Events)
>“I choose which events I go to.” (Ability to Choose)
>“I’ll learn to cope.” (Attend Mandatory Events)
>Other

>>1075422
“I’ll learn to cope.” (Attend Mandatory Events)
I reserve my soldier's right to complain every step of the way.

>>1075422
>>“I choose which events I go to.” (Ability to Choose)

>>1075422
>>“I choose which events I go to.” (Ability to Choose)

>>1075422
>“I choose which events I go to.” (Ability to Choose)

>>1075422
>>“I choose which events I go to.” (Ability to Choose)

>>1075422
Writing

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>>1075422
“Alright then, I’ll help you out, but on the condition that I get to choose which ones I go to.” You extend you hand to Headmaster Ordonec.

The Grandmaster firmly grasps, and shakes your hand, “Thank you, Nemo. I’ll try to get you assignments where your presence is just enough to make an impact, and if fortune favours us, our cooperation will quickly mend the wounds inflicted by that pointless war. Good luck on your initiation tomorrow, Lady Miyuki will escort you out.”

“Alright then, I’ll help you out, but on the condition that I get to choose which ones I go to.” You extend you hand to Headmaster Ordonec.

The Grandmaster firmly grasps, and shakes your hand, “Thank you, Nemo. I’ll try to get you assignments where your presence is just enough to make an impact, and if fortune favours us, our cooperation will quickly mend the wounds inflicted by that pointless war. Good luck on your initiation tomorrow, you may take your leave.”

The other knight, a silver haired woman takes the lead and quickly escorts you outside of the Keep.

And with that, you signed up for whatever the Grandmaster had in store for you and the other representatives. As long as you had the soldier’s right to complain every step of the way, it couldn’t be too bad, could it?

Now with that business out of the way, you still had a few hours left to kill before sundown.

>Go visit Bailout.
>Explore the Fort.

>>1075617
>>Explore the Fort.

>>1075617
>Go visit Bailout.

>>1075617
>Go visit Bailout.

>>1075617
Writing

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>>1075617
Heading back to the Barracks, you fish through your knapsack, and find the nice bottle of whisky that you’ve been saving. Placing it in a paper bag as you leave the barracks, you make a few steps on your way to the old chapel when a familiar voice is heard behind you.

“Mr. Nemo!”

Turning around, you’re greeted with the sight of the fully armoured Miralda running towards you.

“Mr. Nemo, where are you going?” She inquires, “Everyone’s going on a tour around the fortress. There’s just so much history in these walls!”

“Sorry, Miralda, but I plan on meeting an old friend at the chapel.” You tell her.

“Well….do you mind if I tag along?” Her face piques with interest, “I heard that it was one of the oldest buildings on the island.”

>“Sorry, this is more of a private meeting.”
>“I don’t see why not.”
>Other

>>1075830
>“I don’t see why not.”

>>1075830
>“I don’t see why not.”

>>1075830
>>“I don’t see why not.”

>>1075830
>>“I don’t see why not.”

>>1075830
Writing

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>>1075830
“I don’t see why not,” leading the way along the stone pathway, “It’s one thing to read about history, it’s another thing to see it.”

Miralda eagerly follows behind you, the staccato of her sabatons rhythmically clicks and clacks against stone like a snare drum. It almost makes you feel like you’re on parade.

---

Soon enough, you see the old chapel in the distance on the outskirts of the still battle-scarred groundworks surrounding the fortress. Out in the open, emblazoned like a badge, you see it.

It was a simple marble statue of an angel resting upon a podium of the same material. The exterior bore visible cracks, chips, bullet holes, and a missing head.

Miralda slowly stops a few feet away from the imposing statue while you move forward, pulling out the bottle of whiskey.

“Hey, Bailout, it’s me Nemo.” To which Bailout could only return a cold, stony gaze.

“I’m sorry, I haven’t visited as often as I should, but I’m sure you’ll be glad to know that everyone else is doing well.”


“I got you something I think you’d like,” You unscrew the cap from the bottle, and begin to pour it over the marble podium.

Putting the bottle away, you give him a salute before giving him a moment of silence.

Turning around, Miralda can only give you a sombre look.

“Mr. Nemo, um, we’re you and your friend in the Scintillan Wa-s-sorry, I shouldn’t have asked,” quickly catching herself before glancing away.

>“We were mercenaries” (Truth)
>“We did contract work” (Half-Truth)
>“Just a good friend” (Avoid)
>Other

>>1076081
>“We were mercenaries” (Truth)

>>1076081
>"We were mercenaries” (Truth)

>>1076081
>>“We were mercenaries” (Truth)

>>1076081
>>“We were mercenaries” (Truth)

>>1076081
Writing

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>>1076081
“We were mercenaries hired by the Duchy during the war.” There wasn’t really any shame in admitting it, but it was going to come out of the bag eventually.

“I-I see,” Miralda simply states before falling silent. You take a moment to look back at the fortress from where you stood, and could still juxtapose the scenes from the war with the present day. Craters blanketing the earth becoming lush with flora, broken brickwork replaced with new masonry, and shells flying through the skies where birds now sing.

The peace was then shattered by a single question:

“Mr. Nemo…what was the war like?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPqgSw7WWc4

>“It’s getting late. We should head back.”
>“Humanity’s Peaks and Pits”
>“Hell.”
>“I lack the vocabulary to describe it.”
>Other

>>1076241
>>“I lack the vocabulary to describe it.”

>>1076241
>“Humanity’s Peaks and Pits”

>>1076241
>“I lack the vocabulary to describe it.”

>>1076241
Writing

>>1076241
“It was-,” you stop. “It w-,” you stammer.

Why can’t you finish a damn sentence?!?

Odd….you try to complete your sentence, but for some reason, you just can’t seem to talk about what it was like. For the next few minutes, you struggle to even give out the most basic idea of what you went through, but in the end, you couldn’t.

“I’m sorry, but I seem to lack the vocabulary to describe it.” You chuckle morbidly to yourself as you could feel your eyes tearing up a bit.

Placing a warm hand on your shoulder, “It’s alright, Mr. Nemo. You don’t have to tell me right now.”

“Thanks,” you simply reply, collecting yourself.

Perking her head up with a bright smile on her face, “I think we should head back for dinner.” And she leads the way back, “I may not be able to understand what you went through, but I can try.”

Walking into the sunset with brightened spirits, you reply, "Maybe I'll tell you a story when we get the chance?"

---

Finding your way back to the barracks, you pull out a small piece of paper, and begin writing about the events of the day. Your pen flows across the paper like water in a stream as you detail everything you’ve experienced ranging from meeting a few of the initiates, how breakfast was as wild and chaotic as breakfasts with Aegis Shroud, and how you met Bailout again.

You write for the better part of the night, illuminated by the light from a small lamp. Putting your pen down, you review the contents before neatly folding it and sealing the letter into an envelope.

Flipping over to the front of the envelope, your eyes scan longingly over the name of the recipient.

>Gwyn Llywelyn.

Delicately putting the letter into your knapsack for later, you crawl into your cot and drift into deep sleep, old memories gripping your slumber.


>And that's it!
>Stay tuned for next session at the same time and place!

>>1076364
Thanks for the run, Ven!