Alden surveyed the hall for a second before pointing to the far wall. “Let’s start with the obstacle course.” Frank grinned at him. “Good choice. And after that I can show you a true Tunari meal.”

  Alden convulsed on the ground, laughing, as Frank attempted to scale the wall before him. Frank’s muscles quivered and strained to pull him over- and failed, spilling him into the mud below. He sputtered as he came to his feet, glaring at Alden, who had started laughing tears. “You don’t have to be quite so vigorous in your amusement.” Alen held up a hand as his breath wheezed from him, the air in his lungs beginning to run out. He looked at Frank and tried to speak- and immediately burst into another round of laughter.

  He sucked in another breath, crushing his smile as he began to speak. “Y-you…didn’t have to make it…. So, ha-ard.” Peals of laughter interrupted his words as Alden sat up and flipped onto his feet. Frank sighed, although a small smile was on his lips. He shrugged and heaved himself off the side of the course, joining Alden on the side of the wall. Alden successfully scaled it and had come back to help Frank- and only stopped when the man insisted he could do it by himself. As such, Alden thought he was entitled to some laughter.

  Frank took a small towel and wiped off the sweat beading on his forehead, ignoring the oozing layer of mud that covered the rest of his body. “You hungry?” Alden grinned back at him. “Of course.” He looked Frank up and down pointedly, raising an eyebrow. “Are you ready?” Frank tapped a finger onto his head. “Have no fear youngster, for with age comes wisdom. Come, let me show you the privilege of age.” With that Frank spun around and swiftly marched off, Alden scrambling to catch up.

  They passed several others, all moving through the various courses- there a young man training with some weights. Here an older man creating swirling forms out of some type of dust of small rock. Beyond another man manipulated a small pool of water. Alden frowned as his gaze wandered around the hall. “Where are all the Elders? Women? Children?” Frank threw a glance over his shoulder, pounding a fist onto his chest. “I am an Elder, am I not? Show some respect youngling.” Alden quirked an eyebrow at Frank’s serious face- and watched as the mask cracked, revealing the smile underneath.

  “Nothing slips by your masterful senses I see.” Alden flushed red slightly, a hand scratching his head. It wasn’t his fault the pillar had hit him. He had been distracted by one of the courses mechanisms and got lulled into a false sense of security. “In answer to your question, we are in a single male section. Children and women are in another area of the city, and most Elders are married.” Alden nodded, speaking as soon as Frank finished. “True, but there must be some who are not. And what of widowed fathers, who still have their children?” Frank studied Alden for a moment, stroking his beard. “Such people have their own areas. For many reasons, but for the Elders in particular it ensures our safety.” Alden cocked his head at that. “What do you mean?” Frank waved his hand at the hall around them.

  “Look around you. Look at this place, what it offers. It may have been many years since I’ve seen the surface, but I imagine things haven’t changed much. Not many other powers offer such places, do they? And in such a common area?” Alden took a moment, racking his brain- before slowly shaking his head. Frank nodded and continued, hands moving expansively at the area around them. “These halls provide something so few have on the outside world. Training in magic. Even if a child only trains semi-seriously from their tenth year, by the time they have reached my age they are a formidable mage.” He paused for a minute and cocked his hand.

  “In fact, I would go so far as to say they are more than a match for the average mage in any other kingdom. As for those who take such training and instruction seriously? Those families and households that see it as their duty to protect our home?” Frank shrugged. “There’s a point at which them practicing with us becomes impractical at minimum. More than that its dangerous.” Frank’s rapidly moving hands cut through the air in a blur. “But that is beyond the extend of your question. Let me show you what Tunk’lan has to offer you.” Alden smiled and followed him out the door. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  After they made it back to the apartment, Frank headed over to the kitchen and began cooking up a storm. Alden stood behind him, passing the time with casual conversation. They talked about the little things- where the best restaurants were, what Frank did, that kind of thing.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  It was roughly an hour later that Frank emerged from the kitchen, a metal plan clutched between thick swathes of cloth. He gently set it on the table, a small raise piece of metal protecting it from the wooden table. Alden smiled as he laid out two sets of plates and utensils. He had just finished placing the tulip shaped cups when Frank walked in with a steaming kettle in his hands. He gestured for Alden to sit and waited for him to be fully seated to fill his cup. Alden inhaled- and blinked at the powerful flavor that sucker punched his nose.

  Frank watched him carefully, grinning at his blinking expression. “You’ve never had yeniden before, correct?” Alden nodded as Frank poured himself some of the same liquid and took a seat. “Excellent. It is a traditional Tunari drink that is most excellent for revitalizing the body.” Alden hummed and reached out to pick it up- before hesitating and glancing to his right. “I may need to have a meal with someone who isn’t family. Would you mind walking through some of the more basic etiquette for meals?” Frank smiled at him, eyes lighting up.

  “That would be my pleasure! Properly performed etiquette is another language you can use to communicate with whomever you wish. To start with your positioning is correct for this occasion. As you are family you would be considered an honored guest, and as such sit to my- the hosts- right hand side. You will wait to drink until the oldest man, whoever that shall be, drinks first and you shall not eat until they oldest man has eaten first.” Frank gestured towards the food. “You will serve me the food after I have poured your drink- which has already happened. Do not touch it with your left hand, for that hand is considered unclean. Instead, you will hand over the food with your right hand onto my plate and wait for me to eat.” He paused. Alden waited for a second before realizing what he wanted. He turned over to the plan and- with his right hand- carefully scooped out what appeared to be some type of flat bread with cheese and meat on it. Sliding it onto Frank’s plate he turned to look at Frank.

  Frank slowly inspected the slab of bread before reaching out and picking it up. He pinched the bread together and took a bite, chewing slowly. Alden waited until he had swallowed before reaching out and grabbing his own flat bread-thingy. Frank nodded. “Good. Those are the most basic of basics. Complexities such as plate rotation, drink placement, and toasts can be covered later. In the meantime, following my previous suggestions should see you through. The main thing is to just be upfront and gracious with your host.” Alden nodded before taking a bite of food, and nearly collapsed as its heavenly flavor exploded on his tongue. He stared at Frank, mouth flapping at him. The man chuckled. “Is it good? Its called Pide, the first dish I ever learned to cook. My amumor hated it.” That wistful smile was back- before he shook it off. “Eat, eat, there is plenty there for you to enjoy.” Alden didn’t hesitate to dive into the meal.

  Around an hour later, Alden was settling into his bedroom. He was leaning across the bed, a small notebook in his hands. On his shoulders Bob briefly stirred, hopping down onto the bed. He circled it a few times before laying down. He stared at Alden for a second before letting out a low coo. Alden grinned and rubbed Bob’s head. “I know buddy. I haven’t forgotten about you, I promise. Here, check this out.” Alden pulled out a small book and showed Bob the cover. It was a simple leather front branded with the title Derived Affinity Construction and Mastery. Alden flipped open to the middle of the book and pointed to the image that it revealed.

  It was a small deer-like creature that had every muscle and vein diagramed out. On the side were detailed blocks of notes surrounding what appeared to be vague shadows of blue-green Aether. Alden pointed at the pictures, voice coming out in a furious whisper, a grin pulling at his lips. “You know that my affinity right now is just a Chicken affinity- or a Thai Chicken affinity to be specific. I want to develop a Bob affinity.” Alden flipped the page to show an additional channel growing from the main shadow that had now developed like a pool. “Now creating an affinity that’s just a more specific version of what you already have is easier. Still though, it’s very difficult. Now the most effective method seems to be completely submerging yourself in whatever aspect you want to derive.” Alden grinned excitedly at Bob. “So, for us, that means we need to spend a lot of time bonding. And I’ve been thinking- what better way to bond than life defying circumstances?”

  Bob clucked-cooed and Alden nodded, his smile growing larger on his face. “Your right, that was always the plan. I just wanted to make sure you were on board.” Alden clucked once more and flapped his wings slightly. Alden finished stripping off his clothes and began to snuggle into the sheets, smiling. “You’re the best Bob. We’re in this together. Just you and me.” With that, Alden’s eyes closed, and darkness quickly consumed him.