Dungeons and Dalliances Ch. 017-026

"And last comment, though it might not even be necessary. The divergent guild. If you've got a class that doesn't fit into any of the guilds—it happens, surprisingly—then that's the one you'll be slotted in. For those of you that applies to ... well, you know who you are. Hard to not." Harper scanned the crowd, as if seeing if anyone would give themselves away.

Natalie was intrigued, also looking around. She'd never heard of a 'divergent' guild. Someone who fell outside all five roles? How would that happen? Wouldn't that just be a ... craftsman class, or something? How could someone be neither a fighter, thief, mage, healer, or tank? Not even in a peripheral way?

Natalie brainstormed. She realized she could think of a few. An explorer class, maybe, with no combat specialties, but useful in delving, or adventuring in general. Someone who could navigate the dungeon, disarming traps, leading the party to treasure ... even if they didn't have any combat prowess.

Though, why be trained at Tenet, in that case? To operate functionally in a team?

She didn't get a chance to think too hard about it, because Harper was moving on. Like for the rest of orientation, she kept an expeditious pace.

"Last item of business. Extracurriculars. The fun stuff."

For a few minutes, Harper went over the options available to them. Dueling was the most popular extracurricular, with a close second being the harvesting disciplines. Besides that, there were more mundane options, like drama or band. Natalie hadn't entirely made her mind up on which she'd pick, since everyone was required to be in at least one. As Harper went on, Natalie's eyes glazed over. Extracurriculars were one of the things she already had a good idea of, coming to Tenet.

Harper breathed in, clapping her hands together, bringing Natalie's attention back. "That's it! We've made it through. Just one last quick thing, before I get to questions ... it's time for your generic words of encouragement."

Natalie's lips quirked at the continued irreverence.

"Remember, not everyone can be the Dimming Herald," Harper said. "That's fine. It's what Tenet wants you to be, but that doesn't mean they want to get half the school killed trying for an impossibility. The one percent might provide a third of all monster cores—by energy—but the other two thirds ... that still comes from us mortals. We aren't wholly expendable, and Tenet doesn't want you to get yourself killed trying to be something you aren't. You have to realize—some of us are playing different games from each other, and that's the reality of ... well, reality."

Natalie frowned. She didn't like that perspective. Anyone could be the Dimming Herald if they worked hard enough. She didn't believe a special set of people were simply born into fates like that. They earned them.

"So," Harper said. "Work hard and have fun. Be the best you can be, but avoid croaking it. That's it! Any questions?"

1.19 - Lunch

Tenet's cafeteria—one of three scattered across the expansive campus—was a wide open space with tall windows that stretched from floor nearly to ceiling, flooding the hall with natural light.

Like much of the campus, Natalie wouldn't outright call the space opulent, but wealth showed in less obvious ways: the enormous windows and perfect cleanliness, to name one, but also in the array of choices available, all of it appetizing. Various stations packed the hall, offering every sort of food Natalie could imagine. All of it free. Tenet like to grind its students down in all manners of way, but they ate well. Which had a practical purpose; it took a good diet to stay in fighting shape.

Natalie scanned the cafeteria for Jordan. The first-year students had been dispersed by the lecturers and were responsible for making it to their next appointment—uniform fittings—on their own. A delving student who couldn't handle something that simple was useless to Tenet; the academy expected, and encouraged, autonomy. Because of course they did. What use was a delver who needed to be hand-held? The trust given to even a first-year was another thing setting the combat school apart from a typical military academy, despite the similarities.

Jordan was off in the corner, as Natalie instinctively searched first, knowing her dark-haired friend preferred to stay on the outskirts, away from attention. Jordan didn't see her looking; she was already eating.

Her soon-to-be table located, Natalie's attention turned back to the various food stations. She picked the first few few things that seemed appetizing. She'd explore the cafeteria—and its surprisingly enticing options—later. She didn't have the mental wherewithal to be caring about food, at the moment.

Salad made, and a few heavier options piled onto her plate, Natalie slid her tray onto the table, settling into the chair across from Jordan. Jordan looked up and nodded in greeting.

"How'd yours go?" Natalie asked.

Orientation had been split into several classes, and Jordan hadn't been in Natalie's. Which was a shame for a few reasons—first, because hanging out with Jordan would've made the morning pass faster, and second, because Harper had been a delight. As far as orientations went. It still hadn't been the most engaging event of her life.

"Fine," Jordan said. "You?"

"Better than expected, actually. Got this snarky fourth year, Harper. She was ... funny. And I learned a lot."

"Like?"

Natalie shrugged. "Tenet stuff. And insight. Perspective of a fourth year." Not that Harper's views would be monolithic. Hers was just one of many, at a guess. "Sucks we didn't get the same barracks. Think we could trade?"

"With someone else?"

"So we're together, yeah."

"I ... don't think that's allowed." Though Jordan seemed tempted to try. She'd wanted to be put into Natalie's barracks, too.

Eventually, once they'd earned some of Tenet's proprietary 'tokens', they'd be able to buy their way into a shared dormitory. But that was a ways off.

"And?" Natalie asked.

Amused, Jordan said, "It's the first day. Let's hold off on pushing boundaries yet. Get a feel for things."

Jordan knew better than to suggest something as ridiculous as 'follow the rules entirely'.

"It's not like they assigned beds," Natalie argued. "You think they check? Let's just swap."

Jordan hesitated, but held firm. "Better to play it safe."

"Boring."

"Besides," she said. "It's only where we'll be sleeping. So what's it matter? Not gonna be spending any more time there than I have to." Her nose wrinkled. "It's loud. And crowded."

Natalie had had similar thoughts, and she was more sociable than Jordan. Who would spend their free time in the barracks? Better to head to the library, the guilds, explore campus, or whatever else.

A student of Tenet shouldn't have much free time, anyway. Not one who wanted to excel. Which, presumably, would be every student who'd made it into the prestigious academy.

"Where's Sofia?" Jordan asked.

"Ugh. You know I got the bed next to hers?" Natalie realized she hadn't answered the question, but Sofia's name had dragged the response out instantly. The way a hand on a stove snapped back ... or sour milk made someone gag. Natalie liked the second one. Much better for Sofia. "How would I know? She'll show up."

"You two got the same barracks?"

"Unfortunately."

Jordan seemed amused by the development. "You two should work out your ..." she paused. "Rivalry."

"What was the pause for?"

"I was going to say hate-crush," Jordan said, "but decided I didn't want to start anything."

Natalie stared at her.

Jordan laughed. She picked at her food, chewing then swallowing, before finally quirking an eyebrow at Natalie's continued stare. "What?"

"You've ruined my appetite," Natalie said. "Even as a joke."

"Who said it was a joke?"

Natalie faked nausea, pretending to heave onto her plate.

"You're such a drama queen," Jordan said. "And, heads up, here she comes."

Sofia slipped into the spot left of Natalie. Jordan had picked a four-seat table in the corner of the expansive cafeteria, so Sofia was between both of them. She unfolded a napkin and put it on her lap.

"Jordan. Natalie," she said in introduction, nodding her head politely. "How's your morning going?"

Natalie raised an eyebrow at Jordan, as if to emphasize, 'See? This is the problem.'

Who did Sofia think she was? Why did she always act like this? So prim and proper. She was just some girl from the backwaters, same as Jordan and Natalie. Who the hell folded a napkin on their lap for cafeteria food? Gods, she was so pretentious.

'Hate-crush'. Jordan's previous words sent a shiver down her spine. As if. When it came to Sofia's feigned royalty, the way she carried herself like a noblewoman with perfect assured confidence, Natalie was one thing: annoyed. It didn't do anything for Natalie. Definitely not in that way, even in a rivalrous manner.

And why did she always wear so much perfume? The fresh floral scent was distracting; she could barely think straight when Sofia was close. Gods, this girl was aggravating. Natalie was fidgeting just being near her.

Really, Natalie could only stand Sofia when they were in a sparring ring together. She wasn't as annoying, or as much of a distraction—the aggravating kind—then. Though, losing to Sofia was a headache of its own. Why was she so good at fighting, when she was so perfect and dainty? Like some delicate piece of art?

Er, that was too flattering of a comparison. Unfortunately, she couldn't find a better one.

"Oh, fine enough," Jordan said, answering Sofia's question. "It was the same stuff for everyone, right? Tokens, guilds, extracurriculars?"

"And a lecture on abstinence," Sofia said, lips quirking. "Did you all get that?" She picked up her knife and fork and began to eat, cutting into the slice of pork roast she'd picked out.

"Abstinence?" Natalie asked, amused. "Mine told us to use condoms."

Sofia paused, the first chunk of food raised to her mouth. She finished placing it in her mouth, then chewed and swallowed. "Hm. Mine as well. I was avoiding being crude." She brushed forward: "So, have you two chosen?"

"Chosen what?" Natalie asked.

"Your extracurriculars."

1.20 - Party Talks

"Herb gathering, probably," Jordan offered first.

Sofia's eyebrows went up, but Natalie's didn't. Natalie and Jordan had, of course, talked this over before coming to Tenet, so where Sofia hadn't heard Jordan's logic for the choice, Natalie had. Herb gathering initially seemed like an odd harvesting skill for Jordan to pursue, but it made sense with context.

Back at Tinford, Sofia had run in different circles than Natalie and Jordan. They rubbed shoulders often enough, being from the same town, and had done plenty of sparring together, as up-and-coming delvers, but they'd never been friends.

Maybe if Jordan and Natalie hadn't been, then Jordan and Sofia would've spent more time around each other. The two of them had never seemed to clash like Sofia and Natalie did. Though, Natalie hadn't a clue why. Sofia was just a generally irritating person, so Natalie didn't know how Jordan tolerated her. Natalie's skin grew hot whenever Sofia was close—that was how annoying she was.

"Herb gathering?" Sofia prompted.

"To help with my class," Jordan said. "One of my first level skills is 'Poison-Coat'. So, you know."

Sofia, an aspirant delver, didn't need Jordan's logic spelled out in detail. "Ah," she said. "Then, to gather your own poisons. That makes sense."

"Synergies are important," Jordan said with a nod. "If I'm going to pick a harvesting skill, it might as well be one that fits with my class. Can always change it. Hardly a permanent decision."

"And you?" Natalie asked Sofia.

"Dueling."

Natalie snorted, though she wasn't sure why. It was a fine extracurricular, the most popular in the academy as Harper had said, and perfectly fitting to Sofia. Sofia literally referred to her class as a 'duelist' class, though that probably wasn't its proper name.

Natalie knew first hand how impossible beating Sofia in a one-on-one was. She'd do great in the dueling club. Natalie wondered how great, honestly. Tenet was filled with the best of the best. How did Sofia stack up on the national stage? Or international?

But even if the choice was reasonable, Natalie had needed to show some derision. Even when the situation didn't call for it ... or it didn't make sense to do so. That was their dynamic. She and Sofia were always poking at each other. Natalie couldn't help herself. Sofia's presence, like it always did, had something boiling in Natalie, a pressure that needed to be vented. Hence, the gibes.

"And you?" Sofia asked politely.

Like right there. Natalie could see past Sofia's ostensibly polite tone; she was making fun of Natalie. Probably. Somehow. She couldn't figure out how, but she knew it was happening.

"I dunno," Natalie said sourly, poking at her food. "I'm thinking about it, still. I guess dueling wouldn't be the worst. But now that I know you're in it, I'm having second thoughts."

Sofia hummed. Natalie's barbs never did seem to get to her.

"But picking a harvesting skill could be good, too," Natalie added. "The funds would be nice."

"You can do both. That's what I plan on."

"Yeah, but it's a time commitment. Might be better to focus on one thing." Time was the most limiting resource on the planet; one skill refined was another neglected. "Might focus on being down in the dungeon as much as possible."

Sofia glanced at her. If Natalie didn't know better, she'd say there'd been a flicker of concern. "Solo?"

Natalie shrugged. "Or duo—whoever I can find. Maybe. Some people do that. Too difficult to always have a full squad."

"Just pace yourself," Sofia said mildly. "You tend to rush headlong into things."

There it was again—Sofia goading her. Implying Natalie couldn't handle it. Well, she wouldn't rise up to the bait, obvious as it was. Sofia would have to work harder than that to get a reaction out of her.

"How are we working getting our fourth and fifth?" Jordan asked.

"For the party?" Sofia asked. "Have you two met anyone?"

Natalie had intended to do some socializing, but she hadn't gotten the chance. "Too busy," she said. They'd arrived late to Tenet, and had to play catch up on the administrative tasks expected on intake day. "It might be smarter to wait until classes start, anyway."

Sofia pursed her lips as she considered that. "That's too limiting, I think. Classes are only sixteen students, and while it'd be convenient being in the same class, better to cast the net wider."

"Then cast away," Natalie said. She didn't disagree; she'd probably try to get some names and faces from the different girls back at the barracks.

"Better to work quick," Jordan added. "Before everyone settles down. I'd figure a decent portion already have parties, made before Tenet. It seems like everyone here knows each other."

Natalie had noticed that too. Though, 'everyone' was going too far. A good portion of Tenet's students were nobility ... and nobility mingled with each other, obviously. Several likely had their adventuring parties structured before arriving to Tenet, or even being accepted. Many had grown up together, like she, Sofia, and Jordan.

Not that it was a problem how many of the nobility-based students were already teamed up. She'd rather not deal with those stuffy types, so it didn't matter to her. A fake princess—Sofia—was enough of a headache, much less a real one.

"We'll have some time," Sofia said. "There's no rush. I doubt people will move that quickly. They'll want to get a feel for everyone. Where the talent is, and what everyone's classes are. The dungeon isn't open to first-weekers, and I doubt even when it is, parties will be cemented." She hummed. "The best thing we can do is prove ourselves, tomorrow morning. Draw attention from other talent. And, we should focus on finding personalities we can mesh with, too. That's as important as functional compatibility."

Natalie found the statement a bit amusing, seeing how she and Sofia had tentatively grouped up. Obviously, they weren't 'compatible'. Though, their partying up was more out of necessity and familiarity than anything. Sofia—or Natalie and Jordan—could very well split apart in the future, for a team that better fit them. These were just loose plans.

"But still best to get a move on," Jordan repeated. "We can't expect things to fall into place."

"Exactly," Sofia said.

1.21 - Uniform

Uniform fitting went smoother than Natalie had feared they would, to her relief. A young woman went about taking Natalie's measurements, and while some of the adjustments involved tugging and inspecting that invaded her personal space, Natalie never needed to be overly paranoid about her secret revealing itself. She was given a room to change, when necessary.

Tenet's colors—and the uniform's—were blue and gold. Uniforms were expected to be worn throughout the academic day, from eight in the morning to five in the evening, but beyond those hours, students were permitted to wear what they wanted.

The fabrics themselves were quality, a consistent theme when it came to Tenet and its supplies, buildings, and materials. The clothing was breathable, designed for comfort and flexibility. They were, after all, intended to be used during combat training as well as the rest of their daily schedule.

Equipment, like armor and other gear—specifically, the magical sort collected from the dungeon, or made by artificers, that enhanced stats—were supposed to be worn on delves only, not on campus. Tenet discouraged relying on equipment, at least during training, which was another fortunate aspect to student life that evened the playing field, same as the token system.

Because obviously Natalie had no powerful heirlooms to inherit, as some students here would. However disadvantaged Natalie, Sofia, and Jordan were when it came to connections, they at least wouldn't lag in the more mundane ways. The playing grounds were even in many regards ... though admittedly not all.

Weapons, on the other hand, were allowed—the exception to the equipment policy, because of how critical they were to general combat styles. However, following the theme of Tenet wanting students to prove themselves, only weapons collected from the dungeon, or purchased through the token system, could be used.

Natalie was sure some people cheated to get around that rule; obviously, it could be hard or impossible to prove a student hadn't received a particular item from a dungeon run. So in some regards, the well-connected and wealthy could find ways to excel using their money. But Natalie knew faculty were watching for that, and perhaps had ways of sussing out those sorts of infractions. In the end, it didn't matter. It was what it was.

The Tenet uniform was layered: the first was the combat uniform, a tighter-fitting, more utilitarian layer, and the stuffier, showier jacket, and glossy black shoes, were required to be worn while attending classes—the regular academic sort—as well as when out and about during school hours. Even the more complex outer layer wasn't horrible, though. A comfortable uniform all around, if a bit flashier than Natalie liked.

But she'd admit she looked impressive in them, from the glances she'd stolen in mirrors at the uniform-fitting building. Well-made uniforms tended to have that effect, and Natalie'd never much cared for fashion, so it was even more noticeable in her case. She looked sharp. Professional.

Natalie chose the skirt bottoms rather than the pants. The roomier, pleated article of clothing would make her secret easier to hide ... though Sofia was sure to give her odd looks, because Natalie otherwise would have chosen the pants, and Sofia knew it—Natalie wasn't a skirt girl. Just, the pants were too tight fitting. Natalie hadn't had a choice.