04/05/2016, 03:39 PM #156 Haven Airspace | Balefire Airship
A girl had attempted to speak to Ashlewi, but the manner in which she spoke made it seem like she wasn't even talking to Ashlewi. It wasn't as if Ashlewi had never met such people before, but the mannerism was silly, to say the least. Ashlewi was about to unleash the torrent of lecture that was her disdain toward the situation, but she was too quickly intercepted by a far more interesting distraction.
"You know that the others that fled the ship already left right?" A female voice started. It was vaugely familiar to Ashlewi, but at the same time, she couldn't make out the voice. It was liken to the feeling you get when you meet or see someone like a family member after several years. However Ashlewi knew she didn't have any such person in her life, so she dismissed the feeling. Regardless of Ashlewi's feelings, the girl continued. "I mean, look at yourself, you look like you're going to some official meeting or something, not a battlefield. Sure you need dress for the occasion, but this is NOT how to dress for the occasion."
Was she really so concerned with how Ashlewi, of all people, dressed? There were literal whores(By their mode of dress) walking around them making groups and she was concerned with Ashlewi's clothing? It was almost too peculiar, and the oddity of being singled out definitely caught Ashlewi's interest. Ashlewi's body was turned slightly toward Koishi, who she was about to reply to but her head was directed toward Cecilia, giving Cecilia an intimidatingly regal profile. One of the drones swooped by, catching Ashlewi's attention for a moment before it buzzed away, allowing Ashlewi to impart her attention to Cecilia once more.
"If you're looking for a team, just don't. They're a bad idea...." She started, commenting on the idea of teamwork being "bad". While Ashlewi certainly wanted to do everything herself, she wasn't pompous enough to assume she had to skill to do so. She knew her skill at fighting was sub-par at best. It also seemed entirely foolish to Ashlewi that the academy would want their soldiers, let alone potential students, being alone. It just wasn't effective training. But how could Ashlewi expect a simple girl to know that? Afterall, everyone here was just a bunch of children compared to Ashlewi and her understanding of the situation (insert obnoxious laughter here). With Ashlewi's understanding though came the fear that Cecilia outlined with her words....
"I will not lie to you in saying that I am capable on my own so much as to fight both Kishin and people, either separately or simultaneously. I came to this academy to learn such, not display my self-proclaimed ability to do so. That is why we are all here, is it not? Is that not the point of any place of learning? I can fight, yes, but I am better at directing a better fighter to swing their blade or use their aura more effectively. If I can coordinate an idiot to become something more valuable than they otherwise would be later-on, then have I not done my job as a Huntress in protecting the people?" Ashlewi spoke calmly and firmly, without a trace of uncertainly.
Yes. Ashlewi was perfectly aware that she was out of place. If anything, being out of place made her feel more comfortable. At home, she could lord over servants, the puppet friends that her parents introduced her to, and even the adults who assumed her to be a simple little girl born to the rich life. Ashlewi could simply stagnate and rot away if she wanted to. But here was a world full of new things to learn, and even harder challenges than before. That is what propelled Ashlewi, not some sense of self preservation.
I gazed up at the sable-haired maiden with eyes so full of warmth it appeared she was crying silently. My trecherous mouth opened, "Why do you look so troubled, Princess?"
Slowly, she moved her eyes from the moon to me. She studied my imperfections before her for what seemed to be a blissful eternity before gracing me with her voice, "I've slain this land's only prince. What use, now, is a princess?"
As the maiden left my presence, so too did my heart.