Star found herself sitting beside Zane and across from the prince with his not-dog, Duckie. The prince sat up straight hands folded in his lap, a bright blush flush across his cheeks.

  “Sooooo,” The prince fidgeted while his not-dog lounged beside him, belly in the air without a care in the world. “How are doing!”

  Zane sighed, “I am doing well, I recently found someone willing and capable of helping me further my magics.”

  “Really!” The prince’s voice squeaked slightly, “Was it the person with the… giant dog?”

  “I’m not sure what Opal is either.” Zane confessed.

  “A mutt.” Came Star’s kneejerk response.

  “Oh, uh, who are you?” The prince jumped slightly, snapping his head in her direction as he blinked in surprise, having just noticed her.

  “I’m Star.”

  “It’s nice to meet you than, Star.” The prince offered his hand to shake, which Star took without hesitance.

  “And what’s your name?”

  The prince gave her another surprised look, “I’m the third prince, Prince Mason.”

  “Ah. By the way, what kind of dog is that?” She pointed to Duckie.

  “Oh, him? He’s a forest hound. I found him a little while ago in the woods with a hurt paw when he was just a wee baby pup. The poor thing had stepped into a jaw trap, his whole leg had been cut to ribbons.” His expression fell as he recalled the events, “After I’d gotten him free from the trap, I helped him heal up. Ever since then he’s refused to leave my side! So here we are.” The prince’s expression brightened as he ended his tale, gently scratching the top of the forest hound’s head. “He’s such a sweetheart.”

  “Forest hounds are wild species of dog. They typically have an affinity or two as well, classifying them as a monster rather than mundane.” Zane added, all of this is rather common knowledge around here and the neighboring countries and kingdoms so she must be from further away. Perhaps Munkuna or Spadia?

  “I see,” Star’s voice pulled Zane from his pondering, “So he has a spacial affinity?”

  “Yes!” The prince smiled brightly, “He’s troublesome that way, really good at getting into place he’s not supposed to be.”

  “Huh, that’s interesting.”

  “Yes, it’s not often you find a creature spacial affinity. I’m lucky to have him.” Prince Mason pulled his dog onto his lap, rubbing its belly. “Aren’t I?” He cooed as the hound gave a delighted ‘woof!’

  The carriage pulled to a stop before Star or Zane could comment.

  “It seems we’ve made it.” Zane uncrossed his arms and stood. Just as the guards opened the door for him, allowing him to exit the carriage smoothly.

  The prince paled slightly before standing, Duckie cradled in his arms, “Eh heh, right!” He shuffled out behind Zane, Star not far behind him.

  Just as Star’s feet hit the ground, Salem appeared beside her, “Do you still have those wigs in your bag?”

  Star blinked twice before registering what she was saying. “Oh, yes, hang on,” She quickly began digging through her bag in search of the aforementioned item, “Here it is!”

  Salem snatched it before putting it on her head, getting her hair up and out of the way. “Great, do you have a contacts as well? Also put on a disguise.”

  “Uh, yes? Also, why?”

  “We do need to be perceived for this.”

  Star gave a confused look, “We do?”

  Salem gave her a glare.

  “Oh right! we do…” Star quickly got back to digging in her bag, pulling out her own contacts, mask and wig. “It’ll have to do.”

  “… This is going to raise so many questions.” Salem murmured beneath her breath, pressing the colored contacts to her eye concealing the vibrate rings of color in them.

  “Oh yeah for sure.”

  “…Fuck.”

  “Fuck.” Star nodded sagely dawning on the last of her disguise.

  “Salem, Star!” Zane called from a little ahead, stopping to let them catch back up. He stood before two towering iron gates with ornate spirals and spikes decorating the top.

  “Welp, best to just face the music I suppose.” Salem muttered, walking to Zane.

  “This was a bad plan…” Star whispered beneath her breath before she followed, Opal trailing right behind her, occasionally shoving her head in her hand for pets.

  Once the two caught up Zane pushed the gates open, allowing them to enter the property. Star fell into step behind Zane as they walked past the iron gates, down the cobblestone path to the manor straight ahead. Around them lining both sides of the path were bushes and flowers, each clearly well taken care of with bright green leaves and colorful flowers, not a weed to be found among them.

  Star couldn’t help but note the greenery seemed familiar but slightly off. It was as if everything she knew was one degree to the left, leaving her with an unsettling feeling in her gut. Despite knowing this was a new world it was incredible familiar and yet not, it was giving her deja vu.

  “So, Salem, yes?” The prince spoke up his voice light, conversational. “What kinds of magic do you specialize in?”

  Salem turned her head to look at the prince walking beside her, “I have space, time, and summoning affinities.”

  Both the prince and Zane sputtered at the declaration. Perhaps that wasn’t the right thing to say…

  “Summoning, space and time?!” The prince’s mouth was agape as he stared at her with shock.

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  “Well… yes.” Might as well commit, “Is that rare?” Were they not options open to everyone?

  “Are they rare she asks.” Zane scoffed under his breath, “Quite so—”

  “Where have you been living that those aren’t rare?” Prince Mason quickly interrupted.

  “If I’m being honest, I’ve never met a mage before Zane.” Salem said with a hum.

  Zane stiffened further, paling drastically, “What?” His jaw opened and closed a few times before he found the words he was looking for, “How-- I mean mages relatively rare but not that rare. Not like alchemist and monks are. Even then most people have met at least one.”

  So, my class is rare? Neat. Star thought to herself as a little skip got added to her step. She listened to the conversation as her focus drifted back to the plants.

  Salem shrugged, “Small town.”

  “O-ok, moving on then.” The prince coughed into his fist, “What about you Star? What’s your class?” A weary, lopsided smile crept onto his face.

  “Oh, I’m an alchemist.”

  The prince made a chocking sound.

  Zane wasn’t any better as he stopped in his tracks. A look of realization on his face as he turned to face Star and Salem. “I’m sorry, you both came from a ‘small town’ but you,” He points to Star, “Have an exceptionally rare classes, and you,” He turns to Salem, “Have some of the rarest affinities. How? Where are you from? Do you know how improbable that is!?” Zane looked like he was three seconds away from losing his mind, his usual decorum nowhere to be found.

  Both Star and Salem stared at him with poker faces.

  “… Kansas.” Salem stated.

  “…Kansas?”

  “Kansas.” Star nodded, solemn.

  Zane looked ready to scream.

  “A-anyways!” The prince cut in, stepping between the three, “Why don’t we just…go inside ha-ha! Don’t you agree…?”

  Zane took a breath, “Yes, I suppose so.” He lifted his chin and turned leading the way to the front doors of the manor.

  “So, like, how rare is being an alchemist?” Star questioned walking in step beside Zane, her curiosity piqued.

  “Well, it’s approximated that around 2% of the population are alchemist. But that’s just accounting for Fishica and neighboring countries.” Prince Mason begins to explain, “Which! Interesting fact, is the same percentage of monsters that have spacial affinities.”

  Duckie gave what Star was assuming was an agreeing woof from Prince Mason’s side. He must have put him down while she wasn’t paying attention.

  “Duckie's pretty rare to then huh?” Star couldn’t resist reaching down to pat the hound’s head. Opal promptly pushed her head under her arm with an indignant huff, forcing her to pet her instead of the dog like the jealous wyvern she was.

  The group came to a stop before the double doors to the manor. Zane glanced over his shoulder to ensure everyone was still with him before pushing the wooden door open to reveal a long hall lined with fancy paintings and vases.

  “It’s nearly dinner time, so we best be—“

  CRASH!

  Zane was cut off by the sound of shattering porcelain. Star nearly jumped out of her skin as the sound echoed through the hall. She turned to see Opal had knocked down a vase with her tail sending it crashing to the ground where it had shattered.

  “Opal!” Salem scolded.

  Opal gave a sad, sad look and pitiful rumble.

  With an exasperated sigh Salem turned to Zane, “I’m sorry, I’ll take Opal back outside before she breaks anything else.”

  “No need,” A lithe voice echoed carried by the shitty sound proofing and high ceilings. “You’re doing me a favor there; I always hated that vase.”

  Star and Salem turned to see an elegant figure standing at the top of the stairs. She wore a floor length blue dress with her brown hair down into a braid looking like the epitome of high class. Star died inside.

  “Mother.” Zane greeted, to which the woman gave a stern look, causing him to let out a small sigh, “Mom.”

  The woman beamed as she walked down the stairs, opening her arms wide.

  “Wait mom not in front of—”

  His protest was cut off when he was pulled into a bear hug by his mother, “Oh hush, give your mother a hug. I haven’t seen you in weeks!”

  “Mom!” Came Zanes muffled protest.

  She let go of him after a moment longer, “Well introduce me to your friends.” She all but demands.

  Zane cleared his throat, his face from his cheeks to his ears red, “This is my teacher, Salem and her girlfriend Star—”

  “Girlfriend—” Star nearly chocked on air; Salem patted her back with more force than necessary as she coughed.

  “Are you…not dating?” Zane paled rapidly. “I’m sorry, I just had assumed—I mean with how close you two were--” He waved his hands in a rather frantic manner, stumbling over his words.

  “It’s fine.” Salem reassured very unreassuringly, a blank look on her face.

  Before Zane could get another word out and dig his grave deeper his mother cut in, “Oh how delightful! I’m Rebecca, Zane’s mother. You know he’s been looking for someone to help him improve his magic for ages now! Ever since he reached the upper level 80s, he’s just been stuck. Nearly inconsolable I tell you. Burying himself in work and research. I swear every time I try to get him to let up a little, he mopes around—”

  “Mom!” Zane’s face had turned beat red.

  Star had a hunch his family liked to overshare.

  “Oh yes, yes, I suppose I shouldn’t tease you in front of your new friends!” She sounded absolutely ecstatic and not in the least bit apologetic. “By the by, I couldn’t help but notice your face coverings—”

  “Culture thing.” Salem cut in.

  “Really well, I suppose, I mean I heard in some places like Spadia people wear veils to cover their heads to protect against malicious spirits. Though I personally can’t confirm the validity of that practice—”

  “Mother please.” Zane all but begged.

  “Oh, you must forgive me. I’ve been told I tend to go on tangents!” Rebecca let out a dignified laugh, obviously practiced to perfection.

  “Their ri—OW!” Star hopped on one foot with a whine, Salem stepping on her foot hadn’t hurt that much but Star was nothing if not dramatic. “This is abuse!”

  Salem didn’t even spare her a glance. “It’s quite alright, so long as you excuse my friends lack of a filter.”

  “Oh, you both are delightful!” Zane’s mom clapped her hands together with a bright smile, “What family are you from?”

  “Family?” Star blinked, stopping her dramatic hopping.

  “Yes, what noble family do you come from?”

  “Lady I was raised middle class.”

  “Oh, I see…” Her demeanor seemed to shift, her tone turning slightly condescending, “Well it’s always wonderful to meet your kind of people.”

  Salem suddenly had the urge to deck Zane’s mother. Zane looked mortified.

  “Excuse me—” Star straightened up with a slight glare on her face.

  “Mother…”

  “Oh, I don’t mean to be rude, it’s just I don’t interact much with you common folk! You must understand, nobles and commoners simply don’t have many to—” She was cut off by the sound of another shattering vase before she could dig her grave any further.

  Star’s fist unclenched slightly as she turned to see Opal growling at the broken vase, the fur around her mussel askew in a way that suggested it’d gotten stuck in said vase. Her tail flicked back and forth in clear agitation. Duckie was right beside her ears up as he to inspected the broken vase, at least they were getting along.

  “Now I did like that vase.” Rebecca’s expression was of someone who’d just eaten something sour.

  Star couldn’t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction, wasn’t that just karma. “Why, it was gaudy.”

  She added fuel to the fire; Salem made no move to stop her.

  “W-well!” The prince clapped his hands cutting through the rising tension and reminding Star that he was, in fact, still in the room. “Why don’t we all…uhm…” He fumbled for words to defuse the situation before it could spiral any further.

  “Head to the dinning room,” Zane covered, “It’s nearly time for dinner is it not?”

  Rebecca seemed to regain some of her composure, “Well yes, I suppose it is. Come along, someone will be in to clean up this mess shortly.” She gave a dismissive wave of her hand and headed down a corridor.

  Prince Mason followed shortly behind, calling Duckie to his heel. Star, Salem, and Zane trailed a small distance, just out of earshot if they were quiet. Opal not far behind them.

  “I apologize for my mother’s behavior, I hadn’t thought she’d react this way.” His gaze was stuck to the floor, glaring at it. “I’d thought she’d have more respect for my teacher.”

  “Is your mother usually like this, overbearing with a holier-then-thou attitude?”

  “I, well,” He sighed, shoulder sagging. “Well yes, she means well I swear, but well…my family has been aristocrats for generations. Old money, old power. My mother was raised to believe bloodlines trump all else.”

  “You were also raised that way.” Star had meant to say it more as a question.

  Zane seemed to freeze up for a moment, “Yes, I was, but I don’t believe that to be true anymore.” He raised his gaze to look her and Salem in the eye, “I do not share my mothers prejudice.”

  Salem looked him up and down once before patting his shoulder, “Good.”

  A silence hung heavily in the air.