Maid with Necromancy

Hyacinth pulled Harmony through a patch of shadow cast by bushes in the bit of manicured green outside her dorm complex. The room’s magical wards kept her from teleporting back into it, as the defenses were more advanced than anything she’d encountered in Hazeldown. Even with [style and Grace], a bit of her jacket got caught on a twig, and [Beautician] took some time and effort to get it off unmarried. While she could flex into [Manipulate Dead] if needed the mutli-fiber weave wasn’t fully under that skill's influence, and Von Trell’s warning echoed in her mind. This bigger size limited the number of shady corners she could pop out of, but it was too late to change her wardrobe now. 

“Oh my galloping guardians! Another user of the gloom paths, and living in my  dorms.” squealed a new arrival, whose sudden appearance nearly had Harmony jumping back into the bush she’d spent so much time getting out of.  

[Poise and Bearing] strained to keep calm, but Hyacinth's growing anxiety through [Familiar Bond] wasn’t helping. Assessing the threat, [Keen Investigative Awareness] locked onto the short student, who might only be an inch or two taller than Harmony's  natural size. The academy’s standard uniform was marred by a rows of badges, signifying what could only be achievements. And despite her small stature she had years on the other students making her closer to Harmony’s unmasked age. first year student she was not. An inky black ‘bird?’ flew down and landed on her shoulder. It wasn’t just the familiar shading, but Hyacinth's reaction to the creature as well. 

Hate. He hissed silently at the arrival of the creature. It was like a raven, but with four eyes and instead of a tail or legs to go with the wings it was a mass of black tentacles, not unlike an octopus. 

Be Polite.  Harmony sent back. “I’m Harmony White. You’re the first other person I’ve met with a shadow guide. Probably a result of the small provincial town I was raised in. I fear much of this will be new to me.“ Harmony said with the deliberate choice to use guide rather than familiar, due to the type of beings that spoke of Hyacinth with that language. 

“And don’t they grow you big where you’re from? Wait, have I forgotten my manners? You’re Hunter Dorm’s newest resident. I only got notification about you this morning. I’m Becca Riley, inquisitor forty-six, your Residence Associate, to make sure all students adjust to the transition of living in communal housing and follow the rules. But don’t worry I’ll show you all the good shady spots to access the paths. I know the wards here can be a mite frustrating.”

Level not age. Hyacinth’s irrational hate was making it hard to get an accurate estimation of the dorm resource. I didn’t take you for one to immediately go this direction without getting to know the person first!

Not person, frackling.

He’d have to explain more than that to get a better response. Harmony used [Familiar Bond] to point that out and he lowered his annoyance to a low grumpling in the background.  

“A tour of the best place to access the gloom paths would be ideal. I’d also love to get a copy of the dorm rules. This has all been a tad overwhelming. I just got back from seeing my advisor, who is signing me up for the dungeon seminars. Do you know what other important activities are scheduled today?”

“Ah, one of those. They’ll be trying to scare you out of going solo or without a proper team. It is best to listen to them. A handful of students are lost every year. Expect forthcoming memorial services. I’d hate to lose you after we’ve only just met.”

Was this Becca already making assumptions about her? A seminar talking about exactly how dangerous the dungeon was is exactly what she needed. Anything to convince her that Maekus’s suggestion about going into the dungeon was economically unfeasible sounded delightful. Inquiring about other possible jobs to earn money should also be a priority. 

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I’m a revalist. Healing is my strong suit. I think my advisor is more concerned that someone will convince me to join their team to support them. So the earlier I can get that scary information the better.” There. She’s establishing herself as a mild minored healer. Night, even with the new scale is close enough to her skin she could easily hide it with the right set of clothing. 

Becca nodded acceptingly but Harmony caught the slight narrowing of her eyes that was washed away by a social skill, revealing she’d picked up on some of the deception mixed into truth. Nobody expects an inquisitor as your dorm mother, but it made sense if this was a route for them leveling their skills up to graduation. It’s not like she had any life-threatening secrets like being a necromancer. [Poise and Bearing] suppressed a sigh.Lie detection skill could be a dangerous thing and Harmony let soul sight edge into place to confirm that.. The subtle self crafted skill that wouldn’t show up on any skill assessment. Becca became much more interesting under its gaze.

“I did notice your coloring choice. I can’t say that's an unreasonable risk. If you got ranked anything in the top thousand as a healer expect even those from the last few classes to come calling once they arrive back on campus. As for first day events and gloom paths that you should know, follow me and I can show you both!” 

Hyacinth grumbled from her pocket as Harmony did that while keeping her eyes open and watchful of the resident associate. Becca explained that the shadows around all the dorms made for great exit and entry points as long as the sun was high or low enough to cast shadows. It was around campus, particularly the school buildings where transport could be difficult, as well as statues since they got warded due to school pranks or getting targeted by opposing schools during competitions. On the other side of the building it was still early enough for the morning shadow to have enough space for the pair to slip into. 

Entering someone else's shadow traveling, or gloom paths was different. Chronosasis slowed time so she could get a better glimpse at this process. Hyacinth always dragged her quickly through, touching on the shadowy wilds of another plane when they entered. Becca’s Frackling got her actual paved paths in the dark landscape that allowed her to choose the direction, rather than be dragged about by her familiar’s whim.  The time inside was longer, so not a quick jump, but still only a couple of seconds as every stride had you moving far down a path toward an exit. 

 Becca had to push through against a resistance. 

It was not too dissimilar to some of the blockages she’d fought against in Nae’s Garden to get past the tree or move any further than a short distance, so Harmony threw her will in as well, allowing them to stumble out past the barrier.. 

“The wards here are a little thin, so with some practice you should be abel to use this as an exit point.” Becca informed her once they were out. 

The shadow she’d pulled them through was the access point to a man sized storm drain, one Harmony had to crouch a little, so as not to hit her head.  How hard was fast travelling going to be on campus?  

They climbed up, and out of the trench and onto the far side of campus she hadn’t been to yet.  In the distance another green area was decorated with tables manned by people and had a few students milling around. “This will give you your first chance to look at club life. These are only the official ones who got permission to be here for welcome week. These ones welcome everyone. There are plenty of private groups who will be on campus once school being, everything from the losers club for those in the bottom one percent, to the chosen as the top rankers, as a healer you’ll have that professional organization call on you to join, the class based one s partner with professional organizations allowing for opportunities to gain experience outside of the college system. Check on attendance requirements, because a little secret for you is that many of their meeting spaces and houses are not warded against gloom travel.” 

As they walked Becca talked about her experience as a first year, trying out several clubs before settling on four. Harmony tried to note any details to use [Recall] on, and wished she’d swung by her dorm room to pick up one of the three blank notebooks packed by Bates to take notes in. “I suppose you won’t find it much different than any of the preparatory or nation run school clubs?”  Becca asked.

The inquisitor was fishing. There was no outright lying against the skills Becca had.  “Clubs were not a part of my education. I’m grateful for all the experiences you wish to share with me.”

Watching that lack of skill reaction through soul sight, reminded Harmony her spot for [Claim the Remains of Power] was empty. It saw and wanted to take.  If she couldn’t be a necromancer here, how would she ever get access to the bodies she needed for that. She had big plans for that skill even before she left the Ascendant Games. The next visit with her  “advisor” really needed to focus on hiding what she was. 

Having arrived at filed with the tables that got pushed to the edge furthest away from the entrance attracting most of the students, where these ones displayed fascinating club like, Debate : Prove Me Wrong, Fishing : Never Go Hungry, and Botany: Grow Stuff. Becca non-verbally signaled this was a pause in her tour.

“It’s my job to make sure my dorm building is prepared for everything. I do have other first years to check in on, but I’ll meet you after lunch at the cafeteria and show you another good shadow. I am a hugger, may I give you one?”

Harmony wasn’t. She reserved cuddling for Hyacinth, Ambrosia, and sometimes Adric when she could get him to sit still. [Keen Investigative Awareness] suggested she go in anyway. Harmony wrapped her arms around the smaller woman until their heads were next to each other. 

“I know you have a secret, but it is safe with me.”  Becca whispered. 

Harmony wished she could believe that. There was an honest aspect to the show the woman put on. Soul sight painted a different picture with foreign skills sewed into the woman’s soul. Something different from necromantic magic. Harmony had inspected herself in the mirror enough times to know even if someone had the equivalent of soul sight or even true sight she wouldn’t look much different from a normal person. Becca was something else entirely. “Who doesn’t have secrets? See you after lunch.”

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