In the Berg household in the City of Silver.
Derrick looked at his familiar surroundings and glanced outside at the dark sky that had flashes of lightning. He was momentarily thrown into a trance.
But he soon jolted to his senses. He searched for goatskin and a quill before writing down the Bard formula he memorized.
He looked at it several times and was finally certain that there was nothing wrong with it.
Derrick wasn't worried that possessing the Bard formula and becoming a different Beyonder would gain the suspicion of the upper echelons of the City of Silver. This was because in past exploratory expeditions, members of those elite troops would often collect some formulas, ingredients, and strange artifacts from the monsters in the abandoned and destroyed cities.
During this process, it was normal that people kept some of the loot privately. As long as it didn't involve anything too important, the captains and higher-ups would tacitly overlook it.
Over time, some formulas started going around through non-official channels within the City of Silver. Some became the foundation of strong families from generation to generation. The Things of the Dark surrounding the City of Silver were relatively fixed. Some ingredients could be obtained easily while some could only be encountered if one went far into the cursed land.
Putting aside the goatskin, Derrick recalled the mysterious Fool's instructions. Hence, in his simple bedroom, he lowered his head and simply prayed,
"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era."
"The mysterious ruler above the gray fog."
"The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck."
...
Jotun was a very ancient language. It came equipped with the mystical properties demanded by rituals, prayers, and spell casting; therefore, Derrick didn't need to change the incantations into ancient Hermes.
...
"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era."
...
Klein, who was seated at the seat of honor at the long bronze table, suddenly heard prayers reverberating in his ears. He then saw the crimson star that corresponded to Sun blinking.
He didn't try to touch it, but planned to reply to him ten minutes before the next Gathering so that the City of Silver youth would make preparations to be alone.
The most important part was for him to evade the conversion of time and date, to decrease the possibility of damaging Fool's mighty image.
After he confirmed that, Klein wrapped himself up with spirituality and stimulated a descent.
Returning to the room he rented next to the Saint Selena Cathedral, Klein instantly felt regret.
Sigh... he failed to solicit Ms. Lovers regarding bestowment rituals and Mrs. White.
It's fine, I can still ask Selina... But damn do I really need a smurf account...
As he briefly fell into thought. He stride toward the rack, picked up his windbreaker as well as his silver-inlaid cane and top hat.
He had deliberately asked for a chance to properly take a nap, to which turned into a full break considering he still had the Tarot Club gathering earlier and Daxter Guderian waiting for him at the shooting club.
Klein was pleased of himself. He took out his pocket watch and thought of how he adjusted the meeting to four, reserving the noon in looking for a restaurant to bring Selina and siblings to.
However, despite that, he felt half-hearted, the exchange was that he couldn't properly arrange his plans.
"I'll quickly buy a pocket-watch along the way..." Klein muttered, reaching for the ground level and walking out after returning the keys.
In the roadside, he raised a hand and looked up. Small drops did he felt landing on his right palm.
"Raining... hopefully it does not worsen because I don't have an umbrella with me. I wonder if Selina, Melissa and Benson had theirs." Then, Klein's mind changed on a whim.
"Hmm, about the pocket watch, maybe after meeting up with Daxter do I visit the market. That way I can properly scout for an affordable and durable one."
But just as he resumes. His right hand suddenly clenched when he retracted it.
"I should apologize to her in person..." he muttered.
With his plans set in stone. Klein tipped his top hat and strode into the currents of the crowd.
...
It has been over four hours since Selina had left. In her company, Seeka replaced Klein in escorting her home, under a guise of quick street barbecue invite.
Selina had ate a little. Considering Klein's invitation for dinner, she deliberately only took nibbles of what Seeka offered.
Pausing right onto the living room's window, her gaze lingered at the light rain outside.
Selina held a notebook on her hands, opened with letters of Mandarin language, she ought to burn the pages once she's done reviewing.
It was slightly chilly, the muffled patters of the raindrops continued to accumulate onto the oriel window. Soothing hum resounded in the room where Benson and Melissa is currently at, learning adequacy and reviewing class materials respectively.
Shifting her gaze to glance at the wall clock. A slow sigh escaped her breath,
Klein likely didn't brought his umbrella with him. He didn't went home first after returning, that's why!
Controlling her concerns, Selina went back to face the page of her notebook.
Ideally, she would have used the time to recount the events of the day to her feline companion. But as of the moment, it had not yet appeared by her window sill, and lazing around would deteriorate her proficiency.
At least, in her perception, once she becomes fluent in Mandarin, can she recline a little, not adding the agency of concocting new medicines to help in combat, minimize health issues, and aid overall.
Old Neil's condition will have to wait until tomorrow... And the vessel Orola and Jean are in, it was destroyed, I hoped they're alright... Today's gathering is also very peculiar... the latter made Selina pause briefly.
For over decades, the folktale about the island was fading, only to be brought up again weeks ago? Does it have anything to do with the meteorite?
Being brought to light... it certainly is like that... while in deep brooding thought. Selina suddenly heard the frantic turning of a doorknob from across the hall.
Oh, it seems Klein's here...
She didn't quickly came forward to greet him. First, she tore the page out of the notebook, walked toward a kerosine lamp, and burned it to ashes.
Walking over at the door, pushing it open. Klein, his hair soggy and drenched, scanned Benson, Melissa and Selina.
Clad in a linen shirt and dark-blue trousers is his humble brother, Melissa was also readied with her outwear of blue dress. As for the latter, Selina had yet to change and she's in her casual clothes, a plain-white dress.
He smiled at them, taking off his tie and slicking his hair back to avoid droplets on his face. "I'll freshen up first before we head out."
Melissa slowly placed down her notes and looked at her soaked brother, "You'll catch a cold if we continue. Remind me why suddenly picking a restaurant for dinner anyway?"
"Like I said, it's for my raise." Klein took off his cold socks and quickly headed for the bathroom in a swift.
"Is it that fast getting a raise?" Benson lowered his dictionary.
Sounds of footstep arrived at the door, Selina held her notebook close and was the one to reply, "His service is being paid off. Klein is a very diligent man, just like his brother."
Benson was utterly taken. He smiled and awkwardly said, "Heh, glad my influence led him this far."
"I'll get ready too." Melissa propped herself and with her notes, walked toward Selina, who seems to also heading upstairs.
After an exchange of words, they arrived at the stairs and ascended. Running water was muffling from across another door, leading to the washroom.
Then, a couple of steps later. Selina closed the door to the guest room and opened the gas lamps.
Though the pallid glow. She lowered her body on the bed and slid out her luggage from underneath. Taking out a girdle, a dark-green dress, and a capelet, but afterwards returned them.
It's raining, and she couldn't be bothered with the laundry that will come if her attire was splattered by dirt waters. Instead, she lifted up her trench coat, one she got from the Orianna, and a pair of dark trousers and linen shirt.
Under the guise of the moonlight, her silhouette pictured her slender hands moving up, coiling her hair. Accentuating her waist, hips, and overall figure.
Once her braided-bun was done, she bent her leg up and put on her black boots.
"There..." Selina muttered. "Hmm... usually I would put on a make-up. But after being here, I stopped caring about vanities...
"Not that I do in the past..." she chuckled at herself.
It's true that as a secretary, one who is always placed as the reliable one, her most maintained appearance is merely a bun. Other than that, it is the usual office attire that would tip someone as a mundane person.
Regardless, that label didn't fazed her a little. She's more concerned of the projects and interns than socializing.
"Sigh, it's only now did I started thinking of these things..." Subconsciously, her gaze went toward the direction of Klein's room.
After a few moment, her mind changed on a whim, "Maybe a little powder would be nice?"
...
The pouring droplets made a stark contrast to the bright lights of the road. Reflected on the puddles was the buildings who are yet to close.
Patter Patter Patter
There was only three umbrellas. Selina and Melissa held the two whilst the boys Benson and Klein had to stick close.
"It's been awhile since I held you like this Klein." Benson started laughing. "Back then, when the sun dried up from the horizon, you would run to my side for comfort."
Klein's face twitched and mimicked his brother's glee dryly.
"We should've stayed and rescheduled it. Now we're walking in the rain..." Melissa remained fixed ahead while her eyebrow are furrowed.
I suggested we take carriage but you insisted on walking... Sis, I know I don't usually do this but I have a reason demanding me to... Klein sighed at the bottom of his heart as he replied,
"Because throughout the rest of the week, I'll be busy."
He had to finish two variants of charms, construct The Fool's version of the bestowment sacrificial rituals, look for the red chimney, compile the cases that Selina shared with him to investigate her destiny, finish their mysticism lesson, and file for the Sequence 8: Clown potion.
Sigh. I've heard that the big timers are all quite busy... I still have to make time for the Tingen Family Servant Assistance Association with Benson and Melissa to look for a good maidservant... Klein forced himself to set his plans aside for tonight.
Amidst the ambient drops, Selina noticed Klein's expression beside his smiling brother, praising and complementing him.
Yes... busy...
"So, where's this restaurant you had in mind?" She shook the dreadful emotion and asked Klein.
Klein snapped, glanced at her right away before pulling his face back.
"It should be around this district." He said with a controlled voice.
Once they took a turn at a intersection. Klein finally saw the building from a mile, the Macadamian East Well.
Eh? Isn't this the place I used to go to? Selina was torn and doesn't know what emotion she should display.
However, she quickly realized that it's best option Klein could have opted for. She somewhat knew the staffs, their services are delightful and their cuisines varied to different dishes across North Continent. They also serve Desi Pie at a low price.
You have quite the good taste in selecting a diner Klein... She added in her heart and smiled when Klein glanced at her.
"I doesn't look bad, and I could already smell their dishes from here." Melissa carried up her nose slightly and taking a whiff of the fragrant scent.
Benson also had a look of eagerness as he closed his eyes. "It's appetizing."
Sis, why do you think I would pick something bad? Klein muttered inwardly, but revealed a faint smile as he said,
"Then let's head there."