The Realms

A blanket of grey clouds had covered the entirety of the city, not permitting an ounce of golden sunlight through its opaque shroud. A young woman of eighteen began to awaken from her slumber. Her disheveled auburn hair fell down the small of her back. A pair of brown eyes fluttered open to gaze into the darkness of an extravagant room. After a brief wake up stretch, the woman walked over to her window and drew the curtains to the side to peek outside.

“Grey skies again….” The girl mumbled to herself.

She walked towards her bathroom to begin tidying herself up for the daily ritual of body cleansing. As she entered the bathroom, she flicked on a light to revealing a sprawling rustic looking bathroom that resembled in great detail, an ancient Japanese bathing house. Intent on getting her daily ritual out of her way, she moved towards the mirror on the wall and grabbed the needed tools to begin. The ritual began with her combing and brushing out the chinks in her thick hair, followed by a vigorous scrubbing of the pores on her face. After which, she partook in the brushing of her teeth. Brushing in tiny circles and quick strokes, the session came to an end. Admiring her handiwork in the mirror, she smiled fondly at her charming smile.  A knock was heard upon the door leading into her bedroom.

“Mistress, it is time for you to awaken. Shall I send one of the maids to assist you in preparing yourself?” An elderly gentleman with a deep voice said from the opposite side of the door.

“No thank you Memphis, I can manage on my own.”

“As you wish mistress. Breakfast shall soon be ready. ” He said before leaving.

The girl looked to the clock that hung against the wall of her bathroom. The clock read a time of 6:58. She sighed as she walked over to her partially opened curtains and threw them aside, revealing the dismal grey skies to the light lavender coloring of her room, and herself to the city that rested below. The girl let out a disappointed sigh at having to deal with such weather and went to get dressed in an outfit that was a bit more publicly sound. She strolled over to closet to pick out an outfit for her daily affairs. After a brief scan of her closet, she chose to put on a pair of black dress pants along with a white button down shirt. She also chose a black sweater vest and bow tie to top it off her look. Before leaving her room for the day, the girl grabs a grey Flat Cap from the hat rack next to her bedroom door.

After leaving her bedroom, she began walking down one of the many hallways of her estate. The floors were a beautifully crafted marble that gave off a vibrant sheen when in the proper light. On many of the walls hung paintings of famous individuals, followed by decorative mantle pieces lined with bouquets of flowers. Several conservatively dressed maids came from the opposite direction and gave a nod before continuing off to work. After several minutes of walking, the girl arrived in the main dining area, a large open room with an elongated table that could hold 20 odd people. The marble flooring gave way to a soft red carpeting that spanned the entirety of the room. The girl went over to an unoccupied seat at the table and prepared herself for the meal by tucking a napkin into her shirt and placing another on her lap. She looked to grandfather clock against the wall; 7:20. With some time to spare breakfast, the girl pulled out her cellphone and began to scroll through her messages, hoping for something new.

“Mom, mom, Alex, mom, mom…” the girl began reading off names of the senders, completely oblivious to the figure approaching her from behind. Suddenly, a pale hand gave her a light smack on the back of her head, bringing the girl out of her reprieve.

“Honestly Terri, you know it’s rude to text at the table.” A girl with black hair that resembled a rather bad case of bed head. This new girl wore a pair of black bike shorts, a black sports bra with blue highlights along the bottom and along the straps, and blue and black running shoes.

“Well hello to you as well, Alex. It’s always a pleasure to see you invited yourself in.” Terri said sarcastically.

“Yeah, just got done with a morning jog and thought to myself “Hey, why not pay Terri a visit?”

“Right…Well while you’re here, you might as well help yourself to some breakfast. Terri said, looking to the clock again showing that it was 7:30. Suddenly, two maids came from behind a pair of double doors to the right of the main dining hall, each pushing a cart of assorted breakfast items.

“Aw Sweet, I’m starved! Jogging does that ya know.” Alex said as she moved to the seat across from Terri and grabbed a fork and knife, prepared to enjoy the feast that was soon to be upon her.

The maids came over and placed covered platters in front of Terri and Alex before removing the lids. The platter that was placed in front of Alex consisted of a handful of Sausage Patties, a bowl of Sausage Links, a pile of Scrambled Eggs and Over-Easy Eggs, and a stack of Bacon. Triple wrapped in more Bacon. The platter in front of Terri was a bit tame. Two slices of bacon, an egg over easy, three sausage links, and a bowl of Golden Crisps along with a mug of Raspberry Tea. Tears began to form in Alex’s eyes as she stared at the meaty feast that lay before her.

“So, Alex, how has your day been thus far?” Terri asked as she took a sip from her tea.

“Huh?” Alex said, clearly not paying attention.

“I asked how your day has been.”

“Oh, right! My days been pretty good so far. Just got done with my jog before I came over.” She explained while grabbing several pieces of varying meats from the platters. “What about your day though? Surely something interesting has to have happened.”

“Not quite. It’s been rather uneventful thus far. Same old same old.” Terri said as she looked down into her cup of tea. Most of my days have uneventful now that I think about it…

“Hmm? You alright Terri?” Alex asked with a mouth half full of chewed Sausage Link.

“Hm? Oh yes, I’m fine. Just have something on my mind is all.” Terri said, taking a bite of her own Sausage Links. The two friends ate most of their respective meals in relative silence until Terri spoke up. “Alex, could I ask a question?”

“You kinda  just did.” Alex joked.

“Alex…”

“Aw ease up some Terri I was just yanking your chain some. What’s up?” Alex asked.

“I was going to ask what you have planned for the remainder of this day.”

“Eh, not much else. Head home and take a shower, check to see if I got a new mission or something, then take it easy. Nothing really planned though.” Alex said as she nibbled on her triple wrapped bacon. “Why? Bored?”

“Perhaps. Would you care for some company as you complete your daily routine?” Terri asked as she sipped her tea.

“I don’t see why not. Just hope you don’t mind doing a bit of walking today.” Alex said as she began to leave the table, but not before grabbing a handful of bacon and two more Sausage Patties then headed out of the dining area. Terri sighed at her friends’ unorthodox methods and stood from the table, folding her napkins on the plate of eaten food and began to follow her friend for the door. She moved through the extravagant halls with ease, due to the many years spent memorizing which halls went where. She soon caught up to Alex who was strolling through the halls with no particular rhyme or rhythm. As they approached the main entrance, they saw that Memphis stood by the door with a small stack of envelopes. The elderly man looked from the envelopes to the girls and gave them both a slight bow, after that, he did a quick scan through the envelopes and handed Terri a lavender envelope with black writing that had been addressed to her.

“You’ve a letter mistress Blanche.” He said as he passed her the envelope.

“Thank you Memphis.” Terri said, thanking her butler. With another slight bow, he was off to begin his own daily tasks. The two friends exited the sprawling manor through the front door and began down the sidewalk towards the town. The manor sat at the top of an incline that lead to a cul-de-sac below. On this sidewalk several multi story houses were placed side by side.

“So, what’s with the envelope?” Alex asked as she peered over her friends shoulder to get a better look at it. “Who’s it from anyway? One of your parents?” Alex asked.

“There’s no name on this other than mine...” Terri flipped the envelope all about in an attempt to find any other information as to where it came from “There isn’t even a return address anywhere on here.”

“Huh…weird.” Alex said.

“Quite…”

Terri began to open the envelope, opening it slowly as if it were a bomb about to explode. Inside the envelope was a single folded piece of paper. Terri pulled the paper out and unfolded it to read its contents...

“What’s it say?” Alex asked curiously.

“Oh, it’s a letter from Mrs. Sylicia.”

“Oooh~ starting an affair with Syli are we? I don’t think Mari would take to kindly to you moving in on her action while she’s gone~.” Alex joked.

“No thank you. I rather enjoy not being ripped to pieces.” Terri said. “Also, that sounds more like something you would do if I’m not mistaken.”

“Feelin’ the love here Terri, really I am.” Alex said. “Ok, enough of that. Whats the letter say?”

“Oh right, I haven’t read it yet. Let’s see…”

Dearest Theresa,

I must apologize for sending such an unorthodox letter in this manner, but I cannot afford for this to be found out by prying eyes. I request that you allow me access to your butler for several days. Since Marianne left for the Mage’s Meeting in the Gildergreen, I’ve found it hard to give this place the tender love and care it deserves. I promise that he shall be well taken care of.

Warmest regards,

Sylicia Evergreen, Dragoness of the Inlands

P.S. Maanii said hello.

Alex let out an over the top gasp as she covered her mouth. “An affair with a butler!? You’re butler at that!? Oh My, how scandalous~!” she exclaimed theatrically. Terri sighed, but couldn’t help finding herself smiling at the general bubbliness of her friend’s antics. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Memphis, telling him to report to Sylicia for three days. After receiving a conformation from Memphis, she returned her phone to her pocket and continued down the road, lost in her thoughts. Mrs. Sylicia… Terri thought to herself.

Sylicia Evergreen was, as mentioned prior, a Dragoness from the Inlands, a surprisingly technologically advanced group of Beastskin and Dragonesses, located high along the varying peaks of several mountains that lay along the border. Sylicia was a woman in every sense of the word. Curvy in all the right places, having a perfect hourglass figure and hair that reached well past her shoulders. In these mountains live several “tribes” as many people below have taken to calling them. These tribes are far more advanced than even the Magi’s, having knowledge of any magic or medicine for any ailments. Sylicia Evergreen is the “official ruler” of these tribes, a figure-head if you will. She has ruled over the Inlands for several years, alongside her life partner Marianne Evergreen, after taking the throne from the former ruler (Dictator). The Alterach Regime, a collaboration of the Royal Alchemist Court and Magi Court, have long since made allies out of these tribes.

Terri was bought from her thoughts as Alex asked her a question, a question that she paid no attention to at all.

“So, what do you think I should do?” Alex asked.

“Umm…yes…?”

“You didn’t listen to a single thing I said, did you.”

“I’m terribly sorry…I promise to listen intently this time.” Terri said, making a cross gesture with her hands, the gesture for trust. Alex sighed and began her story again.

“So, as I was saying. I’m thinking about getting a new gun, but I’m stuck between models at the moment.” She raised one hand up as if an object rested there “On the one hand, I could get the Colt Peacemaker and have the power I need to handle most things, but I would lose speed in between shots.” She raised her other hand, also pretending an object laid there “Or I could just get a Beretta and have a decent speed that could help and just fire off more than enough shots, even though they aren’t as powerful. So which one would you do?”

“Uh….” Was all Terri could say to not sound like she had no idea what was being said…even though she had no idea what was being said.

“Why not just get both so you don’t have to choose?” Terri asked.

“Huh…I never actually thought to do that.” Alex said as she rested a finger to her lips as she normally did when deep in thought.

Terri sighed in relief as the subject of guns was dropped. Man, that was close… she thought to herself as they approached Alex’s home.

Alex’s home was larger than a normal three story home, but not as large as Terri’s estate. Her home consisted of a basement, two floors; one floor, for Living room, kitchen, foyer, and two bathrooms. And the other floor, for three bedrooms; Alex’s room, her mother’s room, and the guest room. The basement had been converted from a man cave to a gun storage unit and mech launch deck and repair room.

`They entered through the front door and were instantly greeted by the sound of screaming.

“Oh great…” Alex said to herself. “Hey Terri, I hope you don’t mind my mom’s new hobby. She tends to get a bit too into things like this…”

Alex apologized on her mother’s behalf.

“Oh, is she angry at someone? Should I come back later until it gets sorted out?” She turned around and was about to head out the door until two words could be heard.

“BOOM! HEADSHOT!” the voice of Alex’s mother shouted from the living room. “How ya like it now nerds!?” the older woman laughed triumphantly. Several painfully high voices echoed their disdain for the older woman.

After a final guffaw at their reactions to being reduced to shrieking entities of unknown origin, she switched off her headset and walked into the kitchen to grab some orange juice, drinking it straight from the carton. She looked to see her daughter had bought over company and gave a wave.

“Honestly mom.” Alex sighed “I thought you promised not to antagonize anyone anymore.”

“What? They started it, I just finished it.” She said indignantly.

Unlike many other parents her age, that age being 30, Alex’s mother was something of an otaku. Morgan Rhineholt, Alex’s mother, lacked curves of any kind, and had roughly the same style her daughter sported, only in a ponytail instead of left to hang free. Morgan is a woman who is very enthusiastic in her interests, those interests being playing video games, reading manga, watching anime, sharpshooting, and sleeping. Alex was the spitting image of her mother, to the point the two could be mistaken for sisters. The only difference between the two was, while Alex was a good sharpshooter and amazing robotics engineer, her mother was the best person to ever hold a gun. She could take the wings off a fruit fly from two miles away, without killing it, or without using a scope. She uses this “trick” to get extra drinks in bars, or just to show off to the new recruits in her team.

“Well, whatever. I’m going to take a shower.” Alex said, heading back towards the foyer and up the stairs. Terri followed suit as her mother gave them another wave off the stairs, before heading back to her console to switch games.

“Your mother seems to be in good spirits.” Terri said as they climbed the stairs towards Alex’s room.

“Yeah, I just wish she could tone it down some. You know, not be so over the top all the time.” The sound of a men’s choir filled the house as they made it to the top of the stairs, followed by chanting in some unknown language.

As they entered Alex’s room, Terri sat down on her bed and waited for her friend to join her.

“Hey, I’m going to head off and take a quick shower. Make yourself at home I guess.” Alex said as she grabbed a towel and a change of clothes before heading to the bathroom.

Terri laid down on Alex’s bed and stared at the ceiling, before closing her eyes to think. Somehow she thought to herself today might just be pretty interesting.