The day fades away as the lanterns shine dazzlingly, illuminating the gray stone path. I still lie in the same bush, trying my best to read the ecology book, but it’s far too cramped. A partially melted bit of snow falls from a leaf onto the book. Shaking my head, I tilt the book, watching the snow slide leaving a line of water before falling from the page into the brush below.

‘Why is it Earl asked me to find this book? I can only assume it is important if he wished for me to acquire it. Now that I recall, I could have chosen an ‘ecologist’ skill but selected the naturalist skill… A mistake perhaps.’

Placing the book aside, I wipe away the straw, snow, peddles, and other brush beneath me. With my efforts to read displaying evident futility, I instead move onto my next problem: the monstrosities I likely created in the lake’s depths. The only way I could think to warn the people that frequent the area are signs or a town crier. I neither know, could afford, nor speak to a town crier, so the signs are my only choice. Manipulating the cattail, it loops down my back and then arcs over my head, like a scorpion’s tail.

I unwind the threads at the end and bend all but a single thread upward and away. Using my hand, I grip it like a quill, press it against the earth, and do my best to guide it with my hand.

An hour passes, and the café closes.

Gazing at the ground, I look over my simplistic writing.

‘Beware all that may find thyselves near these treacherous waters. It looks fine, I suppose. I might need something more descriptive, but this was good practice.’

I poke my head from the bushes, glancing around to ensure I am alone. Once I have confirmed that I indeed am, I depart the tall bushes with the book in hand. Holding the books in my arm only reminds me of how weak my arms are for some reason. I could make a valiant effort of knocking a door down with my cattail, yet opening a door with my arms is a hurdle. Rather inconvenient.

Following the edge of the lake, I run from the bushes toward the Terrace. I will not be going to the Terrace, but instead, I will stop at the area I met the gentlewoman a couple of days prior.

‘The young gentlewoman will return tonight. Mayhaps, I may ask her where I may find materials for the sign? Nay, I cannot ask her that; she would want to know why a spirit would wish to know something like that. I could just warn her, and then simply suggest the signs.’

Hoisting the book to eye level, I stare at it and then bounce my gaze around the area. ‘I should put this somewhere where it will not get damaged. One of the brown or blue bins, under the smooth black bag filled with rubbish, should keep it hidden. Aye. Should be well enough there.’

Finding a blue bin labeled “recycling,” just off the edge of a gray path, I pull the smooth black material away from the bin and place the book at the bottom of the bin. With difficulty due to heavy snow and rubbish, I manage to pull the unknown smooth black material back over the bin.

‘I believe I have seen this material quite a lot; so smooth and flexible. I shall have to ask that gentlewoman what it is named.’

Locating some bushes somewhat near where we met previously, I move into them and lie down. This is not exactly where we met, which was the patio of The Boathouse, but around thirty yards from there. It is an area where two paths cross, making an ‘X.’ This forms four triangular patches of ground, and between each of these paths, all have their own set of hedges. The topmost set of hedges has been trimmed to allow a place for a lantern that illuminates the whole area; under this lantern, a single bench sits facing the lake. I am in the hedges farthest from the light but closest to the lake. If someone was on the bench, they would be looking right at me.

‘I pray she comes to the same place if she appears once more. It would be better for me to move onto the lake, but after that wretched rat, I am not interested in attracting the attention of anything that has eaten the paste.’

The sun sets as I organize some grasses to sample with the cattail. As time passes, I start considering if I should retire to the Terrance for the night, but the sounds of footsteps and crinkling snow stops those thoughts. They move closer, halting near the bench or around three yards from my hiding spot.

An elderly voice with a formal temper speaks, “Miss, I can’t let you just stand out here alone.”

“It’ll be fine,” an elegant and gentle voice answers. “Just wait in the car for a moment. I just want to sit out here and enjoy the night air for a while.”

“The night air? Miss, it’s past ten at night! I can’t just let you stay out here alone. Please, just let me take you home,” the elderly man pleads.

“I’m always in that house, and the three of you are always following me everywhere when I am not. I just want to enjoy some fresh air alone for a while. Besides, I’m an adult; if I want to sit in Central Park in the middle of the night, I can.”

“That’s fine, Miss, but I can’t let you sit out her alone. Not to mention your father would certainly not approve.”

‘This will be the closest I have been to the gentlewoman; I am curious what she looks like up close.’

Poking my head ever so slightly from the bush, I can see an elderly man with white hair wearing a lavish suit speaking to a gentlewoman with a familiar voice. Behind the elderly man stands two intimidatingly muscular men with their arms crossed. They each have a pistol, reminiscent of the one the fopdoodle had, attached to the waist of their blue trousers. With frowns, they move their eyes from left to right, surveying the area.

My attention turns to the gentlewoman. She is wearing a lovely sparkling blue dress that runs to her ankles. The dress sleeves move down both her arms while the collar runs up her neck, seemingly covering as much skin as possible. She also wears blue gloves and boots with heels that match her dress. Like last time, a veil covers her face, but now that I am close, I can see the veil is relatively thin, and today it is blue to match her dress. Looking closer, I notice the veil is fastened to a hairband that allows it to then flow over her face. Through the cover, I can see that her skin is flawless and soft. Her cheeks show a slight blush, and the tip of her dainty nose shows a dab of red from the cold night air.

Shifting a bit more, I notice she has eyes that are so green that they remind me of the spring’s first leaves. Her silver hair blows in the cold wind, exposing delicate ears, as she stares at the elderly man as if reading him like a book.

‘If I had to speculate, I would say she is around twenty-one-years-old, the same age I was in Roanoke, or perhaps a couple of years younger. With skin such as hers, she must be someone from a wealthy family without question… Prithee, do not be noble.’

Small puffs of hot air exit the gentlewoman’s nostrils as she puts on a stern voice, “Caldwell, he won’t find out as long as none of you say anything. It’s not like he is ever around to notice anyhow.”

‘Caldwell must be the elderly man’s name, and why is she so worried about her father? Is he a bad man… a nobleman?’

Caldwell ponders for a moment before coming to a resolution, “That doesn’t matter. If something happened to you,” Caldwell bites his tongue, “W-well, let’s not speculate on hypotheticals.”

A voice speaks in my head. “Is it fine if others are around while we speak?”

‘She has noticed me…’

Like Caldwell, I pause. My gaze moves to the two huge, dangerous-looking men and their pistols.

“Actually, I prefer we were alone,” I respond.

She squints her eyes in silence; meanwhile, Caldwell’s face turns red afraid of her next words.

“Fine. You win. Just take me home,” she says with a huff.

Caldwell stifles a sigh, placing his wrinkly hand upon his chest. “Excellent, Miss. Let us be on our way then,” he says with a tiny bow.

A voice speaks in my head, “Wait for me.”

The sounds of four pairs of footsteps fade into the night. ‘She has guards and a servant that are required to follow her everywhere… I suspected she was a wealthy gentlewoman, but perhaps she is even wealthier than I thought? This is not the sort of person I would prefer to associate with.’

My gaze shifts toward the Terrace, and my thoughts turn to one’s of fleeing. Yet, after some more thinking, I cannot bring myself to run, knowing that this may be the only person in the whole city I can communicate with. Therefore, I resolve to practice my skills while also counting to relax my mind.

‘One. Two. Three.’

Engulfing the various plants nearby and using Earl’s wall to study their names and value, a welcomed blue wall appears.

Achieved Interim Naturalist [Grade 5]

You Have Shown Enough Ability to Rank A Interim Skill to the Novice Rank

Please Select One Below

[Novice Naturalist II]

Understand nature in more of a traditional manner through study and observation. Gain access to the System’s database and summon a screen with elementary information on studied plants, animals, and environments.

[Novice Gluttonous Naturalist]

For one with more of a culinary interest in nature. If it is organic, it can be eaten; if not, then maybe try anyway. Gain access to the System’s database to obtain basic details on devoured and absorbed organic material. Note: For Kiln, it will appear in their Kiln interface.

[Novice Massacring Naturalist]

Built for one who studies nature because they wish to learn the optimal way to kill it. Plant or animal, as long as it is organic in nature, it can be utterly annihilated. Gain access to the System’s database to obtain simple combat attributes on destroyed plants or animals.

‘Aye, I have achieved greatness!’

Seeing the Cosmic Systems blue wall, I clap my hands together, producing nary a sound. I begin reading the choices carefully.

‘I can only assume culinary refers to food.’ Having read through the options, I can only shake my head. ‘As much as I hate its name, “Gluttonous Naturalist” seems as if it exists for me. Also, the last option seems a bit dramatic. I assume it was because of my use of the animals to practice. The animals had already perished before I used them for study. I do not know if I would say I “massacred” anything. Though, this is actually important knowledge. It seems what is offered must surely have something to do with what one has done to achieve the Novice rank.’

Pondering this for a moment longer, I inform the Cosmic System of my choice.

Congratulations!

You have earned the “Novice Gluttonous Naturalist” skill.

Additional Information Will Appear In Your Kiln Interface

Having made my selections, I again commence counting and prepare to test out what I have received. Just before I engulf something, I hear someone’s heels clicking against the stone path.

“I’m back,” the gentle voice speaks in my head.

With the sound of her voice, I again cease counting. “I was able to count to three thousand four hundred seventy-seven since the time of thy leaving.”

She clicks her tongue with a small laugh. “Are you saying I took too long? You are the one that wanted to be alone; otherwise, I could have sat and spoken inconspicuously. Besides, I took the time to pack a few things to bring with me.”

My head tilts. ‘She brought some things? Now I’m curious, but I should apologize first.’

“Nay, my apologies. I did not intend to imply that too much has passed. It is merely a habit of mine.”

“That is an interesting habit,” she pauses for a moment, seemingly pondering something, “Now that I think about it, it seems unusual for someone of your era to have such a habit, especially a woman.”

My chest pokes out with a bit of pride. “Aye, it was quite troublesome for me to learn how to count such numbers, but I managed to do it myself. I even learned how to read.”

“Were you perhaps a part of an influential family or something? You must have been to get such an education, right?“

“Uhm, nay, far from it. I acquired my education by spying on classes; normally, someone like me would have never been able to get an education.”

“How did you manage something like that?” she questions with a curious tone.

“Simple, when I was young, four or five times a week, I would crawl into the schoolyard from my secret spot and hide near a window to listen in on lessons. The noble boys would sometimes figure out I was there and pour whatever they had nearby over my head, but it was a small price to pay. Besides, it relieved me of guilt when I stole all the books from one boy who poured sour milk onto me.”

“That’s awful!” She takes a few steps closer to the bush. “Kids can sometimes be so cruel. What happened after that? Did they keep bullying you?”

‘...Did she just step closer to me?’ My hand fidgets with a leaf that sat beneath me. ‘Nay, that is impossible; I am as invisible as the wind itself.’

Reluctantly and with caution, I continue, “Others kept bullying me, but he stopped after I tricked him into giving me his books.”

She laughs. “Well, maybe I need to be more cautious around you. Were you not worried he would seek revenge? You said he was a child of a nobleman, wasn’t he?”

“Aye, he was, but he was too embarrassed to seek revenge since he did not want to admit he was tricked by a little girl, so nothing ever came of it luckily.”

“Is there more to this? What happened next?”

“After that, I taught myself to read; the hardest part was learning the alphabet. Later, I even managed to pull something similar at one of the colleges for a year or two before they caught me and nearly imprisoned me.”

‘Why am I even telling her all these things? ...Perhaps, it is because I feel like the world has forgotten the girl who called the streets of London her home. I imagine there is not a single word written about how that girl ever existed. That I ever existed.’

My thoughts are interrupted when she speaks, “That’s incredible. Out of curiosity, what drove you to do such things? I imagined most women back then would have been more interested in...” She hesitates for a moment. “Well, back then, most women wouldn’t have had many options beyond raising a family, I assume.”

“What drove me to do such things?”

Her question causes me to place my hand on my chin and stare off into space. ‘In the beginning, I was just a confused child and thought that the “smart teacher” would know how to cure my condition, but that was just my initial reason for attempting it.’

I make an effort to answer her question, “Hmm, well, I did such things mostly for myself, because I wanted to. I had other intentions at first, but I realized my efforts would be fruitless, so I kept going because I enjoyed learning.”

“For yourself?” She pauses as if digesting those words. “That is all very interesting. Thank you for sharing, but can I ask you one more question?”

‘Surely she does not know I am in the bush? That would be unbelievably embarrassing!”

I nod despite my building nervousness at her suspicious movements. “...Aye, that’s fine; feel free to ask whatever, but it is my turn to ask questions next.”

“That’s fine.” I hear her footsteps move closer to my bush before stopping. “Tell me, why are you in a bush?”

“Geh!” Flinching in surprise, the bush sways under the combined influence of my kiln and cattail. “I am not in a bush! What is being spoken of!? Is there something in a bush!?”

“Yeah, for some reason, I don’t believe that with the bush shivering and all. Besides, you’re leaking so much Mana it is basically impossible to ignore by anyone capable of detecting it. I can feel yours from dozens of yards away. It’s how I discovered you on The Lake and was able to establish a Telepathic link.”

‘Leaking Mana? Felt? Those two children mentioned something about feeling my Mana as well!’

She continues to explain her reasoning, “Not to mention at the right angle I can see a purple tint coming for this bush. The same color I saw on The Lake a few nights ago. You should be more careful if you’re going to spy on someone’s conversation like you did earlier. I thought someone who acquired an education the way you did would be more careful.”

‘How was she able to discern such a thing!? I was decently far away; I assumed I could only see so well because of my Perception! Also, spying?”

“I was not spying; I was simply minding my own business! If anything, I was the one being spied upon!” I freeze, realizing I have been tricked. “...I mean, I do not know what is being spoken of. Pay nary any attention to the thing in the bush...”

‘Good lord. I must sound so ridiculous right now. I am mortified! I am someone frequently called a hedge-born literally hiding in a hedge!’

She laughs. “But it was mostly the Mana leakage. Still, I already knew your Mana would be a problem, and that’s why one of the things I brought will help you.”

‘Something to help me?’

A hand reaches into the bushes. “Wait, nay! Stay away; it’s dangerous!” I yell into my mind. The hand hesitates, and I resume, “Do not come any closer; for thy own protection.”

“My own protection?” she asks dubiously.

“Aye, if touched, my body can seriously injure a person.”

“Touch your body? Aren’t you a spirit? You shouldn’t have a body to touch. Having purple eyes is already extremely unusual, from what I’ve read anyway.”

“I am merely similar to a spirit. Wait? If a spirit has nothing to touch, then why attempt to touch me?”

“Curiosity? I wanted to see if the air felt different or not. Like if the air would be cold, or if your eyes would be comparably hot… I wasn’t going to try to touch your eyes, but I was still curious.”

“I am curious, how much doth thee actually know about spirits?”

“H-how much do I know about spirits?” She laughs awkwardly and then sighs. “Not much at all. They’ve only started to become active again recently.” She shakes the bush a bit. “Now, why don’t you come out of the bush?”

As if a challenge, I shake the hedge even harder. “I would rather not!”

“Are you self-conscious or shy?” I notice her silver hair swaying back and forth as she tries to look between the leaves. “Can’t I see your body?”

“See my body? That’s a very inappropriate question to ask. We have only just become acquainted.”

“I just meant whether or not it is visible to the naked eye, but don’t try to deflect,” she says with a muffled giggle.

Shifting my hazy body, I use my hazy hand to push some leaves, fully exposing my eyes to her. Startled by the sudden radiance, she takes a step back.

Shaking my head, I move away somewhat. “This is why I do not wish to come out.”

“I’m sorry! I just didn’t expect them to be so bright.” She moves close, moving the brush herself, and looks into my eyes. “It’s not every day a pair of shining purple eyes is staring at you through a bush.”

I stare back into her green eyes. Her friendliness makes me internally squint. “Art thee not frightened by my eyes?”

‘The two children did not seem to mind them, but they are children; what is scary to them is different than what is scary to an adult. Besides, that was during the day time.’

“No, just surprised. They are quite beautiful, honestly.”

‘Did she say beautiful? My eyes are not scary but beautiful. Is she attempting to butter me up?’

“Please come out, so I can stop looking like a crazy lady talking to a bush in the middle of the night.”

I cross my arms, peering into her big green eyes. She stares at me firmly without blinking. “Thee art not going to mock me, call me a hedge-born, or be afraid of my appearance?”

“A hedge-born? No. I won’t mock you nor call you whatever that is.” The edges of her lips turn upward into a half-smile. “I swear I won’t be frightened by your appearance.”

“I do not know if I believe thee.”

Raising an eyebrow, her expression changes as she glances about with wide, fearful eyes. “P-please, come out, it’s so dark here, and I’m scared.”

“Afraid?” I reply.

“Yes,” she says, nodding pitifully, “Standing in the middle of a big park in the dark.”

I hesitate, knowing full well this gentlewoman is putting on an act. My shoulders slump. “I suppose I should just come out.”

After confirming I shall exit, she instantly returns to her earlier demeanor. “Now come on out. I won’t bite.”

‘What an odd thing to say. Her biting me was never my concern.’

I check my cattail to ensure it is wrapped around my chest and then reply, “I am coming out.”

The bush shakes as I emerge from the shrubbery.