[14th of June 2064, Sunday, 7 PM, Berendin Manor.]

[Lucas escorts Tavia O’Connell to the entrance of the Berendin Manor.]

LUCAS
And here we are, the magical manor on top of a tower.

TAVIA
Wow… It looks like something straight out of a fantasy book.

LUCAS
Right? They even have a garden here. Mind you, they don’t employ any servants.

TAVIA
Huh?!? How do they maintain anything??? Keeping a mansion clean is no joke.

LUCAS
Aunt Lucidia said the place is maintained by a mix of external workers, robots, and the owners occasionally doing their own chores. House Berendin phased out in-house servants shortly before my aunt was adopted. Security concerns, so was the claim.

TAVIA
I don’t get it. How would it be safer to use third-party contractors instead of in-house workers? Wouldn’t it be the reverse? A spy can just join a random cleaning crew and sneak inside.

LUCAS
A competent spy would have either impersonated staff or put in the effort to become an in-house member anyway. Besides, genuine employees are not immune to bribery or blackmail either. All it takes is one desperate person to put my Aunt’s safety at risk.

TAVIA
Hmmm, you know what? I think you’re right. I heard the Magus Association almost collapsed from internal corruption at one point. That’s why The Supreme Judge hired Mom and Dad’s firm to cross-check their bookkeeping.

LUCAS
So, nowadays Aunt Lucidia would arrange a date in advance for any maintenance work. She’d try to stay out of sight most of the time. But, if she needed to interact with anyone, it’d be with her mask on.

[Tavia gasps with excitement.]

TAVIA
Are you talking about the rumoured ‘masked ones’ from the Magus Association? The mysterious high-rankers? Faces: Top Secret?? Your Aunt is one of them?

LUCAS
I-I guess? Just like her father. She’s been masked since childhood. I think it runs in the family. Uncle Mezil is their in-law so that didn’t count, I guess.

TAVIA
Ooooooooh~ If that’s the case, did they hire a chef to make our dinner? I don’t imagine the school cafeteria cooks will be able to fulfil a noble’s request…

LUCAS
Maybe. I don’t know the specifics other than the fact we’ll have a delicious meal.

[The young man glances around, nervous.]

TAVIA
What’s wrong? Did your sixth sense kick in?

LUCAS
Probably just a passing security guard watching us from far away.

TAVIA
Hehehe. You sure inherited some of your grandfather’s awesome detective instincts.

LUCAS
I suppose. The false alarms can get rather annoying, though.

TAVIA
Don’t think of it that way! I feel safe with you around, because I know you’d detect any danger before it can even reach us.

LUCAS
Aww Tavia… thanks for being a sweetheart.

Anyways, do you have the gifts prepared?

TAVIA
Yup! I nicely packed them all up in the largest tote bag I could find.

LUCAS
Let’s go meet them then.

[The young couple enters the manor, meeting the husband and wife of House Berendin.]

MEZIL
Welcome. I’m Supreme Judge Mezil Thyme. And this is my wife, Lucidia of House Berendin.

LUCIDIA
Good evening.

TAVIA
Good evening to you too, Lady Lucidia.

[Tavia performs a curtsy to the lady of the house.]

LUCIDIA
Oh, it appears you have some knowledge of court etiquette. I thought the ways have become virtually unknown beyond the circle of old noble houses.

TAVIA
I’ve done my research to the best of my abilities, my lady. Good manners are good manners, no matter the era.

LUCIDIA
Hmmm… Interesting. I appreciate the gesture.

MEZIL
We may be a noble house, but in the end this is still a private family dinner. Feel free to relax and be more casual with us.

As promised in the letter of invitation, I will give you a personal tour of the manor. Though, be warned: these do not include bedrooms or other areas of privacy.

TAVIA
I understand, sir! Public guest spaces only.

[While Tavia enjoys the tour given by The Supreme Judge, Lucas remains vigilant and on guard. He keeps catching faint movements in the corner of his eyes, as his peripheral vision had been trained from his hobbies. For his girlfriend’s sake, though, he remains quiet throughout the tour.]

MEZIL
…Here is the last stop. This ornate decorative lamp marked the old borders between the Grandmaster’s living quarters and the Seven Sages’ first Magus school.

TAVIA
Oh wow… so this was where The Magus Association was born.

MEZIL
Both the interior and exteriors updated over the marches of time. But, any renovations made were still based on its founding floor plan.

[With the tour completed, the group returns to the lounge of the mansion. Lucas remains completely distracted.]

LUCIDIA
Excuse me, Miss Tavia. Do you need to put that bag somewhere? It seems to be on the heavy side.

TAVIA
O-oh! These are gifts for you. Is it alright if I give them out now?

MEZIL
That’s very kind of you. Of course, you’re more than welcome.

TAVIA
Thank you! Alright… The O’Connell family presents a humble gift to House Berendin. Luccie Sweetie, could you help me?

[The young man does not respond to his girlfriend’s request.]

TAVIA
…Luccie Sweetieeeeee? Earth to my man!

LUCAS
Huh? Uh, sure. Yes, ma’am. Right on it.

[Lucas pulls out a wrapped box from the tote bag and passes it to Tavia’s hand. She presents the gift to the Berendin couple. Mezil unwraps the gift before Lucidia.]

MEZIL
Hm? I recognise the label.

LUCIDIA
This is a cheese set sourced from House Berendin’s farmlands. Their wax casing makes them perfect for transport. Come to think of it, we haven’t enjoyed the fruits of our land for some time.

TAVIA
With our current system of taxes, the tenants must sell the wares first before paying their dues. That meant that House Berendin would have to buy their own products.

LUCIDIA
That’s true. The produce we receive for free would be closer to a gift instead of a birthright. We understand that those who work the land have their own bills to pay and families to raise. Therefore, we prioritise our mutual profit first.

Thank you for the thoughtful gift. Our lands may not grow the best of the best, but it’s close to the heart.

TAVIA
You’re most welcome. As for The Evergreen Court…

[Tavia takes out another wrapped package from the bag. This piece is much flatter than the previous box.]

TAVIA
Please accept this art print as our peace offering to Mezil’s Number One Fan!

[Unwrapping the gift reveals a framed painting of Mezil Thyme, done in a contemporary painterly style. He’s shown putting on his coat in a suave manner.]

[Lucidia remains silent for a while.]

LUCAS
Aunty…?

TAVIA
D-do you not like it?

MEZIL
The opposite, actually. She’s brimming with joy beneath her mask. I can tell.

LUCIDIA
…This is beautiful.

TAVIA
I’m so glad--

[Startled, Lucas points towards a window.]

LUCAS
W-what was that?! I saw a purple light! It’s been stalking us!

MEZIL
Please remain calm. If it is truly a malicious entity, House Berendin will respond accordingly.

LUCIDIA
We should proceed with our dinner plans in the meantime. The food will get cold if we delay for too long.

[The dinner commences. Hired waiters bring out the food and serve them to the guests. Tavia, Lucas, and Mezil receive their own portion.]

TAVIA
Um… I think the waiter forgot Lady Lucidia’s plate.

MEZIL
Actually, she already had her dinner. The masked members of House Berendin are forbidden to eat in front of guests, except for special occasions.

LUCAS
It’s true. I’ve never seen my aunt eat at the same table as me. Can’t exactly shove food into a porcelain mask, I suppose.

TAVIA
I-I’m sorry if I had embarrassed you, Lady Lucidia.

LUCIDIA
No offence is taken. Please relax and enjoy the meal. Oh, also, please feel free to address us as relatives instead of our formal titles. It’s more homely that way.

TAVIA
T-thank you!

LUCAS
Talk about a successful plan, eh? I’m glad it’s all smoothed out.

[Lucas occasionally pauses to discreetly glance around, knowing that he’s being watched from afar.]

[After the meal, Tavia, Lucas, Lucidia, and Mezil adjourned to the comfort of the living room to resume their chat.]

TAVIA
That rumour was true?!

MEZIL
Yes. I was indeed The Harbinger in my youth, from the age of 15 to 25.

LUCAS
I never thought you’d be the type to pick up a video game, let alone have been a pro!

MEZIL
Hmm. Considering Art’s sense of pride, I’m not surprised that he never told you how he used to beg me to help him beat ‘impossible’ bosses.

LUCAS
DAD played video games?! Okay, I wouldn’t have imagined that in a million years!

[The family enjoys a good laugh together.]

TAVIA
I-I’m so used to having rumours debunked, it’s shocking to have anything confirmed as true. Why did you quit? Was it because your main pitch was to be a ‘hardcore mode player’? One life, one run?

MEZIL
Not quite. I was given the option to have my colleagues stage a revival ritual as an event. But, I decided to fully retire instead. A part of it was due to the influence of Lucas’ father.

LUCAS
Really? Dad again?

MEZIL
Remember I once mentioned that Art could be rather persuasive? He did a fine job convincing me that I wasn’t suited to be an entertainer for the long term. I was perhaps the least outgoing person of the group, and the darker aspects of parasocialism had embittered me.

Accountancy was a much more ‘stable’ line of work, so I was told. There would be no shortage of people needing help with their taxes. Therefore, I tried to switch into that field.

TAVIA
What about your fans? They had supported you for so long, yet…

MEZIL
…I’m aware of the resentment I had caused. Perhaps I was being too callous.

TAVIA
No. It’s not your fault, sir! A performer’s life is not beholden to the public. A REAL fan would have put your happiness first and foremost! Are you happy now?

MEZIL
Yes. I wouldn’t have met my wife had I stayed put.

TAVIA
Then that’s all that matters.

…It would be nice if your old fans knew you’re doing well.

MEZIL
They already do. I had someone reputable pass a message: ‘The Harbinger’s offline persona is alive and well. Please don’t worry about him’.

TAVIA
That’s sweet of you, Uncle Thyme.

LUCIDIA
Query: what prompted you to create The Evergreen Court fanclub? You’ve kept your identity a secret, and many of the participants are anonymous as well.

[Tavia chuckles nervously.]

TAVIA
Hahaha… I guess I have to explain that sooner or later.

Five years ago, when Uncle Thyme was hospitalised, I joined my parents to deliver him some get-well flowers. I noticed… that there were not many bouquets. I expected more, especially after taking down a dangerous cult leader by himself.

Yet, there was almost no celebration for Uncle Thyme’s efforts. The office was no better. A fight would start whenever someone brought up his name. It would escalate until someone had to break the fight up.

…It felt… wrong. Somehow. I still can’t really put into words why. I just wanted a place where people can speak their appreciation without fear. And so, The Evergreen Court was born! Haters get moderated into non-existence, of course.

LUCIDIA
I’m… I’m touched by your kindness. I thought that I was the only one on my husband’s side.

TAVIA
It’s not completely selfless, though. I want to fangirl about a living legend without getting cancelled too!

[The lady of House Berendin giggles.]

LUCIDIA
Mezzy? Lucas? Would you mind leaving us girls alone for a little while?

MEZIL
Certainly. I’ll take Lucas to the garden to get some fresh air.

TAVIA
E-eh?

LUCAS
Go ahead, Tavi. There are things that can only be discussed between fangirls.

MEZIL
Lucas and I will excuse ourselves for the time being. We’ll return before it’s time to send you home.

TAVIA
Okay! Thank you for the golden chance!

LUCAS
Have fun.

[The men leave to give the ladies some privacy. En route, they have a talk.]

LUCAS
I’m glad to see Tavia and Aunty getting along.

MEZIL
Their meeting proceeded smoother than I had expected. I was ready for the worst, yet found myself pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

By the way, does Tavia know anything about what happened last week?

LUCAS
Nope.

MEZIL
Good. Keep it that way. That incident was not something an innocent civilian should know of.

LUCAS
Agreed.

…Man, it’s so awkward and weird, having secrets that you can’t tell anyone, including your closest family. Was it the same for you?

MEZIL
More or less. You’ll get used to it eventually.

[The Supreme Judge grunts in sudden pain.]

MEZIL
Nnngh… As expected. I’ll need to excuse myself to the restroom for a moment. You should go on ahead without me.

LUCAS
Sure, Uncle. See you in five?

MEZIL
Perhaps. If all goes well.

LUCAS
In thirty then?

MEZIL
You jest. I’ll be back as soon as possible.

[Mezil parts ways with Lucas. A little later, Lucas arrives at the garden proper.]

LUCAS
Hmmm… What should I do now? Maybe go online for a bit? Catch up with the latest gaming news?…

…Something tells me that I won’t be able to play much with my friends in the future. It’s a bit sad. At the same time, I feel like I have a ton more purpose.

[He whips out his phone to start browsing online. Five minutes pass, then Lucas spots movements in the corner of his eyes.]

LUCAS
Uncle Mezil? Is that you?

[The flower bushes rustle. A purple light darts around with the swiftness of a mouse, catching the young man’s full attention. The dimming twilight makes it difficult for him to discern the entity and its exact location.]

LUCAS
W-what the…? That’s the weird light I saw earlier.

[The light stops darting around. Instead, it hovers deeper inside of the mansion’s garden.]

LUCAS
…Whoever you are, looks like you have the decency not to ambush me when I’m alone.

I know you’ve been stalking me from the beginning. Since there was no security action taken against you, that means you’re not a threat. How about we talk things out instead?

[The light pulses brightly, beckoning Lucas to approach. As he does so, the light goes dark. The young man then realises he arrived at the very place where he once confronted his father, Art. There, a man in a dark grey snake themed motorcycle helmet squats on the top frame of the impromptu replacement swing.]

LUCAS
What the hell. How are you balancing on THAT?! And, for that matter, who even ARE you???

GAELIC
Not fer ya to know, lad. Not if yer uncle dinnae tell ya.

LUCAS
Uh… okay? I really don’t get what's going on, y’know.

GAELIC
Guilt be weighing upon yer shoulders, ah see. ‘Tis obvious from the way ya walk and talk!

LUCAS
Me? Guilty? Of what? I did nothing wrong!

GAELIC
Nothing wrong, ya say?! Ya came out o’ fooking nowhere, that be the wrong!

One night yer just an ordinary lad. The next day M’lord suddenly took ya in. An estranged nephew twice-removed with daddy issues? A Red, untrained in the ways o’ magic, yet destined to be a successor? Before ah know it, ya won the heart o’ everyone in House Berendin in a SNAP!

Could ya be any more blatant with yer buttering? How DARE ya and yer fangirl girlfriend woo M’lady with such a scrumptious depiction o’ M’lord! Truly despicable, taking advantage of her pining fer family bonds. Ne’er before had ah seen a civilian step foot onto the manor’s grounds so easily!

Moreover, Cenna be singing ya a thousand praises. Trusted ya like a fellow soldier, before ya even be a soldier at all. Must ya flirt around with her too? Yer two-timing arse has no business being chummy with another woman behind yer girlfriend’s back!

Confess! What be yer goals? Be they fame? Power? And are ya friend? Or are ya foe?

LUCAS
G-gimme a moment. Your speech is pretty non-standard, so I’m finding it hard to process all that in one go. Let’s see…

First off. You’re getting this totally wrong. Cenna is just a normal friend. Totally platonic. Only Tavia is my romantic partner.

Second. Fame and power? If I wanted any of that, I would’ve just stayed in my Dad’s company.

Third. Why do I have to tell you anything anyway? We’re total strangers.

GAELIC
That be the game ya wanna play, eh? To wall me off and feign ignorance?

Ye ask me, ah think ya just lying to save face.

LUCAS
Look, I really, REALLY don’t get you. Why are you even going off the rails like this?

GAELIC
Hisssss, calling me crazy? That shows how little ya know!

LUCAS
No surprises there, stranger. It’s not like you told me your name. Or anything at all.

GAELIC
Ah’right. Ah’right. The name be Gaelic Blanc: M’lord’s hunting dog, and Knight o’ Berendin.

LUCAS
…Knight of Berendin? I thought they disbanded, with the last former knight passing away fifty years ago.

GAELIC
Well-read, ain’t ya? ‘Tis true. But the history books dinnae say yer uncle hired a ‘masked one’ as his new knight.

Do ya know what me duty be? To deal with ‘special troubles’ beyond the scope o’ the Vanquishers. The questionable. The heretical. The dangerous. The unknown. Aye, ah speak o’ folks like ye!

[Gaelic slaps the garden swing repeatedly. The iron resonates with every impact.]

LUCAS
You… you know what happened…?

GAELIC
Aye, aye, aye! Ah know everything. About ye and yer Spiral Mark.

[Gaelic leaps off from the swing and lands right in front of Lucas. He presses his helmet up-close against the young one, flaring a purple-orange light beneath the tinted screen. Startled and alarmed, Lucas staggers back.]

LUCAS
Get away from me, you weird stalker!

[Lucas conjures his Mark in his palm, filled with the intent to push Gaelic away. Before he could do anything else, however, Gaelic grabs Lucas and slams the lad down face first onto the grass.]

LUCAS
ARGH!

[The Mark of the Spiral flares up from the sense of danger. In response, Gaelic twists and locks Lucas’ arm behind his back.]

GAELIC
This power… So wild. So unstable. So proud. A storm churning the waves as if it rules the sea.

[The young man struggles under the hold, accompanied with frustrated breaths. With every passing second, his Mark grows more and more out of control.]

GAELIC
Think ya can win against me, do ya? If ya keep on fighting above yer level, self-destruction be yer sorry end. ‘Tis the hubris o’ the Determined.

[Gaelic takes a deep, long breath close to Lucas’ skin.]

GAELIC
Aye! Ya really do reek o’ a man born with a silver spoon in yer mouth. A heart this conceited will NE’ER pass The Trial o’ The Crimson Hall!

A question ah be asking ya in full offence: do ya think yer the main character o’ this story? Do ya?

LUCAS
Do I?...

[Thinking, Lucas stops struggling. The spiral starts slowing down until he’s lost the will to fight entirely, causing his Mark to then dissipate.]

LUCAS
Sometimes, I do… Like, when I defeated the big bad last week. I really did think that way. But….

…If I’m the main character of my story, why the fuck do I keep needing to get saved by EVERYONE ELSE???

GAELIC
Saved?

LUCAS
Yeah! Saved! Rescued! Whatever the heck you wanna call it!

GAELIC
Mind elaborating?

LUCAS
L-look, Mister Knight. Whenever I screw something up, someone else swoops in to the rescue. If it’s not Aunty Lucy, it’s Uncle Mezil. If it’s not Uncle Mezil, it’s Cenna Caraway herself! Heck, I’m only here because my Grandpa saved me to begin with!

I… I’m way more of the ‘damsel in distress’ than a ‘protagonist’. Even now, I can’t do anything against you. Not on my own, at least.

GAELIC
So, that guilt… It be from self-pity?...

Aye, we be two peas o’ the same pod.

[Gaelic lets go, setting the young man free. Lucas gets up and brushes the dirt and grass off. The two stare at each other in an awkward manner.]

LUCAS
Uhh… Did you really have to Judo throw me? That bloody hurt, you know. It’s not like I was trying to kill you or anything.

GAELIC
‘Tis instinct. In me line o’ work, a single move spells life or death. More so with a dangerous power like Red Magic. Ah take no chances with a Mark.

LUCAS
Good point there…

Okay. That puts your reaction into perspective. I don’t blame you. I’m still trying to grasp all of this too.

GAELIC
Pray tell, lad, do ya even know what be The Trial o’ The Crimson Hall?

LUCAS
Honestly… Nobody really told me anything yet. I was supposed to undergo that trial thing when my powers first activated. But, Uncle Mezil decided to train me instead.

GAELIC
Fer how long?

LUCAS
The whole summer, give or take three months.

GAELIC
That be so? Yer a lil’ green fruit, lad. M’lord thinks ya need a bit more ripening.

LUCAS
Ripening, huh? I do admit, I need more knowledge and experience.

Well, Gramps always taught me to listen to my elders. So… what’s your story? I’d like to hear it.

GAELIC
W-what? Me tale?

That… Um… Cor Blimey, what should ah say?…

[The man in the helmet paces around for a moment. Then, he stops.]

GAELIC
About two decades ago, when ah was a lad about yer age, that was when yer uncle turned me life around. Me circumstances… dismal. ‘An unpredictable, wild, violent beast’, that be what others called me. A mutual banishment happened. Ah was cast out by society, and ah fled from them too.

But yer uncle -- dressed darkly, yet sublime in soul -- he dinnae call me a beast, but a person. Despite how ah acted, despite what ah believed, he… he granted me dignity. Soon after that, ah pledged me life to serve him ‘til the end o’ time.

As Knight o’ Berendin, M’lord and M’lady rebuilt me from the ground up. Taught me. Refined me. Mind, body, and spirit, all included. As a result, ah truly became a person, no longer a beast.

…Exceptions there be, sometimes. Though, ‘tis not fer our topic.

LUCAS
Wow. You had it rough, man. I guess my uncle has a real knack for helping people out of tough spots.

GAELIC
No truer words had been spoken!

See here, lad. In me eyes, yer a possible threat to M’lord. Yer success could mean his end. Many a times ah had seen stories with a new cast replacing the old. Ya think ah would dawdle me thumbs and let that happen in real life? Nay!

But… yer actually not half-bad. Many be too frightened to look at me, let alone ask about me past.

Ah think ah shall tell ya more about the Trial o’ the Crimson Hall. The general gist o’ things, at least.

Deep down under The Spire, there be a special chamber reserved fer those born o’ Red. Those who wish to seal their power enter there fer a nice chat and a Claim on their souls. Yer grandpa took this path.

However, those who wish to keep it must undergo a test. An ordeal, one might say. That be yer future if ya choose so.

The shape o’ the trial shifts according to the person. Yet, a single point be the same: it pushes ya to yer absolute limits. Ah speak about the possibility o’ death!

LUCAS
Wait, what? D-death?! For real?!

GAELIC
Aye, aye. Fer real, fer real. ‘Tis why none should take the Crimson Hall lightly. Fool around and it may spell an early grave.

[Hearing that, Lucas breathes a huge sigh of relief.]

GAELIC
Huh? Dinnae that frighten ya?

LUCAS
It’s scary. But… It tells me that this trial is not without rhyme or reason. As long as I don’t faff or loaf around, I might just have a chance.

GAELIC
Ya sure? Surrender be always on the table, lad. Ya could give up anytime.

LUCAS
Yeah. I know. Still, it’s something I gotta do if I want to be a Magus.

GAELIC
Hmmm… So be it. Those o’ Red rarely quit while they be ahead.

By the way, it not only be yer uncle there acting as Judge. There be jurors too. Seven o’ them. Accountability be the name o’ the game. That goes fer M’lord too. Even his judgement can be disputed. Aye, the Crimson Hall may even be suspended midway if the jury cries foul.

Should fortune be on yer side, ah may be the one in a jury seat, evaluating ya.

LUCAS
Huh?! Isn’t that a conflict of interest?

GAELIC
Nay! Nay! It be me duty to assist M’lord in every way possible. He desires the utmost honesty from me and others, even if it means calling him out fer his faults.

LUCAS
Huh… interesting. Thanks for the info. It helps a lot, I think.

Say, I think we got off the wrong foot. Should we, uhm, redo our introductions?

GAELIC
Aye. Would… would ya accept a handshake? Ah not be ready to call ya a friend just yet, but this be me sign o’ respect, at least.

LUCAS
Sure thing.

[Lucas extends his hand towards Gaelic.]

LUCAS
I’m Lucas Moriarty. Pleasure to meet you.

GAELIC
Gaelic be me name. Sir Gaelic Blanc ‘o Berendin.

[Gaelic accepts the young man’s hand.]

LUCAS
Wow. You’re surprisingly skinny.

GAELIC
Ya felt that even under these thick, sturdy gloves?

LUCAS
The underlying texture felt different, somehow. I thought you would be pretty muscular from the way you threw me to the ground, but I guess not.

GAELIC
Yer perception, ‘tis sharp. Good, good. Make it sharper still. Ya be needing it, lil’ green fruit.

[At long last, Mezil arrives at the garden area, fashionably late.]

MEZIL
Hmm. It appears that my worries were unfounded. The two of you have come to amicable terms without my intervention.

LUCAS
…I got flipped upside down.

MEZIL
Apologies for not arriving sooner to spare you the trouble.

GAELIC
M’lord, why dinnae ya tell the lad about the ways o’ the Trial?

MEZIL
Lucas was not yet in the right frame of mind. Though for you to ask this question, you must have already given him an explanation of your own.

GAELIC
D-did ah make a blunder?

MEZIL
No. I would have informed him tonight had you not met with him first.

We should return to Lucidia and Tavia. It’s almost time for her to return home.

LUCAS
Oh, is Sir Gaelic joining us?

MEZIL
Unfortunately, no. Tavia has yet to be granted the necessary clearance to be introduced to him.

GAELIC
‘Tis fine, ah have other duties to attend to.

LUCAS
Alright. Hey, Gael, thanks for everything! Maybe I’ll see you around?

GAELIC
If The Almighty wills it, aye. A good evening to ya.

[Gaelic disappears into the bushes as swiftly as he came. Lucas and Mezil then head inside. On the way back to the living room, they continue to talk.]

MEZIL
What’s your impression of him? Of Gaelic, I mean.

LUCAS
He’s, uhm, a little rough around the edges, but I can tell that he cares about you. A ton. Who is he to you, though? You’ve never mentioned him before. Not even in passing.

MEZIL
Gaelic, he’s more than a mere employee. I’d say he’s a friend. A partner. A guardian. A brother-in-arms. All those words describe him, yet none of them are sufficient on their own.

…………………

One of my greatest regrets was that I could never clear Gaelic’s name. His life was ruined over a crime he did not commit. At the time, I had grown overconfident from helping Victor Fitzroy, your grandfather’s current assistant… And thus, I failed.

[Mezil breathes in deep, calming his emotions.]

MEZIL
Some Living Victory, I am.

[At that point, Mezil and Lucas reach the space where the ladies chatted.]

MEZIL
We’re here. Go ahead.

LUCAS
Hey Tavi, how did things go?

TAVIA
L-L-LUCAS! This is MAJOR news! Our fanclub has gone OFFICIAL!

Wait, why are your clothes so dirty? Did something happen in the garden? You have stains here, here, here, and there.

[Tavia taps Lucas on the nose. The young man quickly wipes off the spotted spots.]

LUCAS
Uuuuuuuuuuuh… What was that about the fanclub again?

TAVIA
Oh! YES! WE’VE GONE OFFICIAL!!!

LUCIDIA
To be more accurate, House Berendin has agreed to endorse the existence of The Evergreen Court in a ‘semi’-official capacity to prevent the rampant spread of blatant misinformation.

TAVIA
Any-official is still official! Do you know what this means, Luccie Sweetie???

LUCAS
Uh, actually… no?

TAVIA
It means Aunt Lucidia herself will be our personal insider source~~~

For example: did you know Uncle Thyme is not a fashionista at all? He may dress fancily, but in reality he finds it a chore to mix and match separate pieces of clothing.

LUCAS
Huh, so that’s why he seems to wear a really limited range.

TAVIA
Yup!

MEZIL
My day-to-day Supreme Judge outfit is custom-made by Lucidia, down to the most minute specifications. My dear wife not only has the graceful finesse needed for the most intricate of tailorings, she also has the keenest eyes for detail in the world.

[Though it remains hidden behind her mask, Lucidia blushes from her husband’s praise.]

LUCAS
Can confirm. Got scanned once and had my privacy invaded.

[In turn, Mezil discretely coughs a few times.]

TAVIA
…I can’t believe this is happening. I’m not dreaming, am I? And it’s all because of this one picture.

LUCIDIA
As a good friend of mine would say, your picture was quite the ‘scrumptious depiction’ of my husband. That, along with your fine manners and cheerful demeanour, have warmed my matronly heart.

In the coming week, you will get the letter of approval stamped with House Berendin’s seal.

MEZIL
I’m glad to see that everything turned out well.

Miss Tavia -- on behalf of Lucidia and myself -- thank you for gracing us with your presence today.

TAVIA
I should be thanking House Berendin instead. You have both been so genuinely wonderful to me. It’s so much more than I deserve! I would love to come visit again someday. The magical manor has truly been magical.

LUCIDIA
And we would be glad to have you.

MEZIL
Lucas, it’s getting late. Please escort Tavia to her vehicle, then return for your training. The night is still young.

LUCAS
Yes, sir!

TAVIA
Have a good evening, everyone. Hope to see you again~

MEZIL
Have a good evening.

LUCIDIA
Rest well, and sleep tight.

[END TRANSCRIPT]

[Attached file: a digital recreation of Tavia’s gift. Artist: TarableArt]