Paradise

With the party in full swing and the room full of energetic conversations, Roko was standing next to the dining table with a glass of cider. Occasionally he would awkwardly move around the room before returning to refill his glass and eat another appetizer.

"This is fine." Roko muttered as he munched on a mini sandwich.

Nobody really seemed to pay much attention to him which allowed Roko to eavesdrop on random conversations. None of which seemed to address the concerns he had surrounding the party but Roko couldn't shake this feeling of discomfort that had never steered him wrong before. But if he was going to figure anything out, he would need to do more than eavesdrop but that meant...chatter. Roko prepared to take the mental preparation in order to converse until he heard another conversation drift by.

"Hey, hey! You're really cute."

"Seriously, are you a princess?"

"Hey, I'm the prince of the Agrandia kingdom. Have you heard of us?"

"And I'm a cardinal from the Holy City of Mythalogia. Surely you know of us."

Turning his head to the side, he could see Corissa standing there with two male party goers hanging around her. With a scoff, Roko made his way to disperse them until something unexpected happened.

"Oh my, I've never been to either of those places." Corissa replied with a pleasant smile, "I'm from a small city named Cordis and have never really been outside my home much. If I ever do visit your wonderful cities, would you be so kind and show me around?"

"O-Of course!" The two of them cried enthusiastically, "I'd be happy to show you around my hometown!"

"Oh wonderful!" Corissa's smile brightened, "Now I simply must visit your cities one day! I hope you'll remember me when that time comes!"

"Of course!" The men looked quite charmed, "We'll see you there!"

"Yes! It'll be my pleasure!"

The two nobles walked away with a triumphant grin on their faces and began whispering excitedly about how they did so well. Meanwhile, Corissa let out a relieved sigh before she noticed Roko staring at her from not too far off.

"Roko!" Corissa smiled as she waved at him.

"I'm impressed." Roko said as he walked up to her, "You handled that situation better than I thought you would."

"Oh, you mean the two nobles just now?" Corissa said, "They seem pretty nice. I don't know if I'll ever actually visit them but now I have their help assured if I do."

"I'm sure those two think they have a chance too." Roko smirked, "Pretty devilish of you."

"Whatever could you mean?" Corissa said with an amused smile on her face.

"Now if only you could be like that with normal people."

"Eh?" What do you mean?" She said, now confused.

"How do you wrap nobles around your finger so easily like that but then hide behind Varis when a random pickup artist comes to chat you up on the street?"

"T-That's completely different!" Corissa yelped, "This is a place for gathering information and collecting favors! People here can request the craziest things with the most pleasant smile on their faces! If you're not prepared you'll end up in all sorts of trouble!"

"I'm aware of that but then why can't you act like this with the normal people who come to flirt with you? Sure would save me all sorts of trouble."

"Because!" Corissa protested, "Normal people aren't trying to use you like the people here are! I couldn't possibly answer their genuine feelings with something as cold as what I did just now!"

"That's admirable of you but you're also always too scared to properly reject them so they keep coming back."

"I-I just feel bad okay?! Besides, rejecting them doesn't always mean they're going to leave you alone anyway!"

"Only when it comes to you, I'm sure."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Nothing." Roko sipped his cider, "Well, I'm starting to see just how troublesome this party actually is going to be."

"Yeah." Corissa nodded, "On the surface it sounds lovely to be invited to a fancy party like this but in reality you have to be ready to exchange promises and information for any advantage you can get. You can say that this is a battlefield for people like us."

"Battlefield?" Roko raised an eyebrow, "I've never thought of it like that. I guess that explains why everyone wasn't exactly jumping on the chance to be at a big party."

"Well, at least the food's good." Corissa smiled smugly, "I've seen you snacking on several of the sandwiches already."

"I've been eavesdropping and stuff." Roko grumbled.

"If only we all could be wallflowers and just eat all night." Corissa giggled, "If you eat too much, you'll start to gain weight you know."

"I know!" Roko snapped, "But I don't know anybody else here and I've got nothing to bargain with that anybody would be interested in!"

"That's true." Corissa smiled, "If only they knew how useful you were."

"I'm not peddling my services like I'm a mercenary." Roko growled, "This isn't the place for that anyway."

"I'm sure you can figure something out." Corissa patted him on the shoulder, "Well, I'll see you around! Got more socializing to do. If I ever do need help though, I'm sure you'll come to save me."

"When you say it like that, I kinda don't want to."

Corissa just giggled and walked off.

Roko wandered a bit more before returning to the dining table again to refill on cider. He had allowed himself to get distracted for a moment with Corissa but now he was even more aware of how passive he was. He had to commit to some sort of action. Even if he couldn't bring up the courage to talk to any other people at this party, he knew he had one person he absolutely had to question. And that was Distol Oarbine. Whatever questions he had would best be addressed by the host himself. Even if he was told lies, the answers would still be plenty revealing. And Roko was prepared to do it too. All he had to do was go and-

"Hey there!"

Roko turned around, shocked that two random nobles would come to talk to him.

"Haven't seen you before." One of them said with a gentle smile, "What's your name, stranger?"

"...Roko."

"Nice to meet you." The more gentlemanly of the duo offered a small, stiff bow, "I am Sir Albert Walheart of the Thespian family. Pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Maximus. Maximus Dogma." The other, more snide, arrogant man introduced himself, "Surely you've heard of me."

"Let's say I have." Roko replied, "What do you two...what can I do for two dignified princes such as yourselves?"

"Just a bit curious about you is all." Albert smiled warmly, "From what kind of background do you hail, Mister Roko?"

"From another world entirely." Roko muttered.

"What was that?"

"Let's just say I was given the opportunity to...work at the esteemed Memoria Auspice and had the pleasure of meeting friends of much greater standing that I could ever imagine."

"Fascinating." Albert nodded, "To be working at Memoria Auspice at such a young age is a real accomplishment in its own right. You're undoubtedly talented. Tell me, what is it that you teach?"

"My main field of study is magic."

"Ah, an academic mage I see! I'd love to hear your opinions on various aspects of magical theory."

"You know a lot of spells then?" Maximus asked.

"Just two."

"Ha! Some mage you are!"

"Now now, Maximus." Albert said gently, "The number of spells one has learned hardly matter in this day and age. This isn't the age of the gods where people were cooking with fire spells all the time."

"Says you!" Maximus smirked, "I don't hire mages who don't have at least three spells under their belt! If I'm paying for your expertise, you'd better be an expert!"

"Out of curiosity." Roko said, "What are you thoughts on intentional casting?"

"Intentional casting?" Albert said, amused, "Bit of an odd part of magical practice. It sounds very important and something everyone would want but in practice it's really easy to simply avoid."

"Yeah, if you got that intentional casting down then sure, good for you." Maximus shrugged, "But silent casting is where it's at. No one cares if you can intentional cast your spells."

"I see." Roko sighed, "Edea's quest is an uphill one I see."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing you have to be concerned about."

The conversation carried on for a while longer, much longer than Roko expected. Once these two started carrying the conversation on by themselves, Roko was left to give small remarks as the two nobles jumped from topic to topic. The longer this went on, the more Roko became conscious of the time he was losing that could be spent interrogating Distol. But his more socially awkward side wouldn't allow him to just excuse himself. The prospect of ignoring two big nobles could lead to unfortunate consequences down the line. At the same time, Roko couldn't just keep wasting time here.

"I have to say, the selection of notable party goers tonight is pretty slim." Albert sighed.

"I'll say." Maximus scoffed, "Barely anybody worth talking to around here. Ragnum's parties used to be of much higher scale."

"Well, you can't blame little Distrol if the big names didn't bother to show up. Say, who do you think is the Plus Zero tonight?"

"Good question. Roko, what do you think?"

"I'm sorry the what?" Roko said, utterly confused by the term.

"Oh, you know, the 'Plus Zero'." Albert explained, "You know how parties allow a 'plus one' for any invite to extend to any other person the invitee feels like bringing along? Well, the 'Plus Zero' is the plus one guest that is utterly out of their place here."

"Guests that look bewildered, scared or otherwise unbefitting of being among noblemen such as ourselves." Maximus sneered, "You can recognize them by their dumb looking faces or awkward body language. They're a hoot to watch. Idiots who don't even know why they're here. Trying to fit in like they're one of us."

"Some of us like to invite someone specifically for this purpose." Albert smiled, "Like Adin. Who did Adin invite tonight, Maximus?"

"Some new hire maid it seems." Maximus said as the two turned their heads to look at a young, mildly well dressed girl standing around the middle of the room, excitedly looking at everything around her. Her dress wasn't quite as unique as any of the party goers. Honestly it looked like a casual black dress that had been modified to be sleeveless and backless. Closer scrutiny suggested that it might have originally been a normal maid dress. She was also the first guest that didn't seem to have an eye mask. One noble gently bumped shoulders with the girl and she immediately began bowing and offering apologies to the smug looking noble.

"This one seems like a complete country bumpkin, she's been looking around at everything with this stupid look on her face. Like some sort of wide-eyed tourists and we're the art pieces."

"Not a shred of dignity or awareness in her body." Robert shook his head, "Adin has truly outdid himself. But there are a few other options. What do you think, Roko? Who do you think is the Plus Zero tonight?"

"It's me." Roko replied coldly, "I'm the Plus Zero."

And with that, Roko turned and walked away from Albert and Maximus towards the maid girl who seemed to finally be done getting an exaggerated lecture from the noble she just bumped into.

"You okay?" Roko asked.

"Oh! Hello!" The girl looked surprised and nervous to see Roko approach her, "Yes! I've been enjoying myself greatly! It's truly an honor to be here!"

"No need to put up airs with me." Roko sighed, "I'm not quite a good fit at this party either."

"Eh? But I could have sworn you were a great noble or scholar from a foreign land!"

"I'm neither of those things. I just have some really nice friends."

"Oh." The girl looked confused, "...You're not trying to trick me or anything am I?"

"Why would I do that?"

"To tease me."

"Is that what's been happening to you all night?"

"Err...no, I've been having fun talking to all the kind men and women in this party!"

"You've said something to someone with anything other than an apology tonight?"

"Well...now I have." The girl nodded encouragingly.

"Look, I'm just here to tell you to be careful." Roko sighed, "You're being gawked at just as muck as you are gawking at others."

"Oh dear, have I been bothering people?" The maid asked, worried.

"They're not so much worried as they are mocking you."

"Oh...why?"

"Short answer is they're interested in you as you are in them. The difference is they're more willing to poke fun at you than you are of them."

"They wouldn't do that...would they?"

"Do you want to find out?"

The maid looked down, concerned.

"Anyway, I've got my own things to do at this party. It's up to you if you want to do anything about what I said."

Roko turned around and left. Heading right for the food table again. But this time, he was only going to refill on cider. Then he was definitely going to head to the main event.

Distol Oarbine hadn't left from the platform he had introduced himself from. He had been standing there this entire time, looking down at the party below him with a stoic expression.

"Am I allowed up here?"

Distol turned his head as Roko walked up the stairs to the platform where he had been standing.

"The atelier in the back is restricted." Distol replied, "But you're welcome to come up here."

"Atelier huh?" Roko looked up at the stairs that continued behind him, wrapping around the big central wall, "Are you an artist then?"

"Oh no." Distol said with a stiff smile, "I'm not an artist myself. This room has served many purposes. From an observatory to atelier to just a simple storage room. It's a versatile little room."

"Seems like a very storied history."

"Indeed. It is my hope to preserve the traditions of my family and father into the prosperous future ahead of us."

"I look forward to seeing your future endeavors." Roko bowed politely, "This party is truly one of a kind, I can't say I've been to one like it."

"Then you must not have been to a lot of our parties." Distol smirked, "I'm afraid my little magnum opus is nothing compared to what my father usually has on display. It seems I'm still quite lacking when you compare me to my late father."

"Indeed? Might I offer some advice then?"

"By all means, I'm always willing to learn."

"I notice you don't have a lot of staff on the floor tonight." Roko began, "Are you understaffed?"

"Yes, I'm afraid a lot of my staff left following the death of my father. I plan on recruiting some more once the finances from my father's funeral are settled."

"But to hold a party in such a condition? Would it not be better to have resolved everything before jumping into a big party like this?"

"Traditions are traditions and I have no desire to break from the good work my father has been upholding. If it makes you any more comfortable, I do have a good number of staff reserved for any trouble that may occur. In fact, you might see them once they bring out some new dishes for the food table. I know you've been enjoying the food quite a bit yourself."

"Goddammit." Roko muttered to himself.

"Hm?"

"I mean, yes! Quite! I'm sure." Roko replied quickly, "Have you partaken of the food yourself? You don't seem to be a part of your own party."

"Heh. I'm afraid I'm a bit introverted myself." Distol rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "This isn't really something I'm quite comfortable with but I'm sure I'll grow into it given time. Plus, I've got a lot on my mind after the death of my father."

"Mmhmm." Roko said, not quite satisfied with the answer, "Well, I can see you're doing your best given your circumstances. I do have a few more questions though?"

"Are you a reporter?" Distol laughed, "You have to tell me if you are!"

"No, I'm just a researcher." Roko said, "This one is in regards to my studies. I hope you will indulge my questions."

"Fair enough. Let's hear your questions then."

"Have you come across any monsters?"

Roko studied Distol's reaction for any sort of tell but Distol simply stared back at him with his winning smile as he replied, "Yes."

"You have?!" Roko cried, surprised that he would admit it so readily.

"Goblins, trolls, orcs. Monsters are pretty commonplace the closer you get to their territory."

Roko let out a small sigh, "How about any unnatural monsters?"

"Well, some might consider these monsters unnatural." Distol shrugged, "But I can't imagine what else you might mean."

"...Well, that's fine." Roko said, "If you haven't seen any, that's good."

"Haha, now I'm curious about your research." Distol smiled slyly, "Perhaps you can tell me about it sometime."

"Perhaps." Roko sighed as he turned around, "I'll leave you to your overseeing then. Maybe you'll feel like joining us soon before any more guests comes to drag you onto the party floor. I know some people wouldn't be satisfied if the host kept to himself all night."

"Perhaps I will." Distol smirked, "It did take a lot of work to prepare this party. Your companions especially."

"Us?" Roko turned around, alerted by this information, "What do you mean?"

"You're on your little trip to the elven lands aren't you? I couldn't reach you from any of the respective kingdoms you're related to nor from Memoria Auspice so I had to find an appropriate location to have the invitation arrive."

Roko thought over this small revelation quietly, "So you were the one who directed us off path to the petting ranch?"

"Yes. I hope it wasn't too much of a bother."

It wasn't a bother but it did bring us suspiciously closer to your castle. Roko thought but didn't dare say out loud. Instead, he said, "Why would you go so far just to invite us?"

"I was keen on inviting the princesses around you in particular." Distol explained, "Their families were usual guests in my father's parties so I wanted to extend an invitation to the next generation. Call it a bit of...compulsion to match my dear father."

Roko stared daggers at the amused noble who simply watched back with his usual smile. In the end, Roko simply turned around and left without another word and without looking back.

When he returned to the party below, Roko noticed a small stir around the partyfolk who all seemed to be subtly observing some sort of amusing event. And following their gaze, Roko noticed the maid he had been talking to earlier nervously searching around, looking behind pillars and under tables for something. Roko sighed and walked up to the scavenging maid, "What are you doing?"

"Oh it's you!" The maid stood up, her face in a panic, "I've...um...lost my corsage."

"Your corsage?" Roko said, "The one that they gave everyone at the start of the party?"

"Yes!"

"Is that such a big deal?"

"Yes! Apparently if I can't find it, I'll be forced to leave the party!"

"That serious?" Roko frowned, "Why?"

"I don't know, they just said I'd have to leave if I can't find it!"

"...I see." Roko sighed, "Hold out your hand for me for one moment?"

"Huh? Like this?"

As the maid extended her hand, Roko removed the corsage he had on his wrist and attached it to hers.

"What?!" She exclaimed, "B-But if you give me yours-"

"What did I tell you about keeping a low profile?" Roko replied, "You don't even know you're being observed, no, bullied."

"I am?!" The maid cried, shocked, "But still, I couldn't possibly take your corsage! I-"

"It's fine." Roko sighed again, "Just don't lose it again, got it?"

"But..."

"Excuse me."

A stern voice cleared its throat as Roko turned around to see an old looking butler and a pair of maids looking at him. The first time Roko had seen anyone from the staff since entering the ballroom.

"If you do not have a corsage, we're going to have to ask you to leave the party." The butler said sternly, "The Paradisea flower was a key theme to the old master, Sir Ragnum's funeral. This party is, as such, a small imitation of the old master's funeral. Therefore, if you cannot pay proper tribute to the deceased, we'll have to ask you to leave the party."

"That's fine." Roko replied as he handed his drink to the butler, "I was just about to leave anyway. Tell my friends I'll be leaving early for me then."

"But..." The maid said meekly.

"You take care okay?" Roko said as he turned to leave, "Don't let anything anyone says or do bother you. Including me."

And with that, Roko left the party. Or...he left the ballroom at least. Nobody was around to guide him out of the castle, forcibly or otherwise. And he didn't know the way back himself.

"Well, that was a waste of effort." Roko sighed as he walked the stairs down back to the lower floors, "All that questioning and speculating and I'm kicked out before I can do anything. Well, I'm sure it'll give the princesses a good laugh at least. And maybe I am just being paranoid."

As Roko stepped back into the mansion, he spotted a quick humanoid shadow rounding the corner into one of the sections of the complex that they were not permitted through.

"...Or perhaps not..." Roko muttered as he began to follow this new suspicious person.

"Oh dear." The maid mumbled anxiously to herself as she stood by the food table, nibbling on sandwiches and sipping on some wine, "I really messed up this time...I got someone thrown out of the party for my sake. Master's not going to like this..."

The maid sighed as she turned to throw away a paper coaster into the trash before she noticed something lying in the garbage.

"My corsage!" The maid cried as she pulled the Paradisea flower she had been given from the trash, "I found it! I swear this wasn't there when I looked before."

The maid looked down at her wrist where the flower that Roko had given her rested, "...I'd better find someway to give this back to the gentleman once this party is over. I never even caught his name..."