Lunch With Awareness

We sit down in the cafeteria shortly after meeting Callie. She gives me better time of day than she offers Daniel. Daniel is getting a reputation. I wonder what others would say about him.

After a while of just random chatter, Callie focuses on me. "Why are they calling you Just Thomas?"

"That's his name." Daniel smirks at me. "Right, Just Thomas?"

Jessica side eyes Daniel. "Thomas joined without allowance, so he refused to put his name on his form."

"You know who he is, though, don't you?" Callie eyes Jessica then scans me. "I can't recall him in any of the noble circles I've visited."

"Duh. Crown prince has to hide away." Daniel blurts out. "I mean..."

"Everyone is going to know before sunset at this rate." I cover my face.

Callie gives me another scan. "You look nothing like your picture."

"Why does everyone have a picture of him anyway?" Jessica scoffs. "Artists always make someone look exceptional. Must've been hard work given what they have to work with."

"Harsh." I glower at her. Not that I really don't agree, but friends shouldn't say that about one another, right? A subject shouldn't say that about their royal either if she doesn't think we're friends yet. That's possible.

"Isn't it supposed to be somewhat accurate, though?" Callie focuses on me. I fidget. I know how far from my actual looks my portrait is. "Or has he changed hair colors?"

Ryan eyes Callie. "What do you mean? He has black hair like the portrait. He doesn't have high cheek bones though, so there is no way it's an accurate portrayal."

"But he does...?" Callie now focuses on Ryan.

It takes moment for everyone to turn to me calling out what they see I look like. I raise my hand. "The mirror shows off dirty blond...?"

"How?" Callie growls out. "What absurdity is this? Everyone sees a different person?"

I blink. "It's a curse then. To protect me." I think of the portraits. Did they not look like me from my view because... "What am I supposed to look like?"

"Subpar, I'd bet. To not give you proper credit." Daniel stands up. "To be stuck with a long list of curses. Such a long list, you can't even recall all of them."

I have no idea what I look like?! Or do I see the truth? Why does that feel not accurate? "I... I always saw myself as scrawny. But..." How can I be? My muscles react as if they're capable. I could be lean musclar or just bulky. I don't know. "It doesn't feel..." Wrong.

Jessica squeezes my arm. "Yeah. This doesn't suggest you'd manage what you did with swords."

"And the well you handled the horse. You don't look capable of that." Ryan adds. "Now as I think it over..."

"You don't match your looks at all." Jessica says. She looks to Callie. "You have magic... Can you dispell illusion? Maybe that would work."

"No. I can see if Ingrid would be open to helping though." Callie stands up. "But first I have a sparring match. Have you shown them the arena, Daniel?"

"Yup. Gave them a quick review of everything... I think." Daniel weighs things.

"Good. You should sign up for guided tours. Learn the nuances. We have people visit enough to keep the chore open." Callie really knows things. Just like Jessica offered knowledge up front. These two were always knights. "You'll want to get allowance for all the 'easy jobs'. The only real spells I know are healing. I have a talent for it luckily and it puts me on call for first aid. If I put in my hours there, I'm denied entering the horse stables." She sticks her tongue out. "I hate cleaning the horse stables."

"But we're on cycles-" Jessica says.

"Yup. Until you are red striped. Then you pick whatever you want whenever you want. Most just pick trainer. It's the easiest job." Callie chuckles. She scans the table. "Are you watching my duel or not?"

We're quick into action.

Callie sighs as we head out. "Can't believe I don't know what you actually look like. Those curses create trouble." She looks to Jessica. "He hasn't changed for you, though, right?"

"Same disappointing looks since we met." Jessica frowns. "It did seem a little strange that Her Majesty could give birth to such a..." She looks to me. "Sorry."

"You're right. I felt the same. Mom's like... Everything an artist dreams of for a model. I'm like... Is the picture even of me?"

Ryan laughs for my comment. "They probably did you justice from their perspective."

Maybe. "I should ask for a full list of my curses. Odin made sure to have that and he has come up with a reversal for all of them."

"Yeah. Ask for that assistance." Callie stops before the arena. "Or just assume you'll be on route for him after you pass into white stripe."

"Might need four, but I'm not rushing." Well... Not exactly anyway.

"Even I know that's a lie." Callie opens the door to the large arena space. We head for the stands while she seeks her opponent.

"All duels must be consented to. Can you be poorly marked for refusing the sparring matches the trainers line up for you? Yes." Daniel explains. Again, actually. In case we didn't listen before. "The magic you feel in the air will auto heal anyone before serious injury. Limbs can be reattached as long as the person doesn't leave this room. You will be marked with a glowing red if you needed healing though. Just to let everyone know you failed."

"Thanks for the reminder." Ryan settles in next to Daniel. I'm on his other side. Jessica is on a lower bench. Alone for now. I don't know if more will show. A few others are expecting something, but they're no where near where we are. "I'm looking forward to seeing Callie show off a little. I'm also looking forward to be allowed to join. The healing spells here will give me the push to fight."

"You were always a battler." Daniel elbows Ryan. I chortle at Ryan's scowl. "You could hit with those books too."

"You were gawking at Priscilla." Ryan growls. "You only were hit because you were focused on her." Daniel shrugs.

"Quiet." Jessica reaches back to slap our legs. "She's readying."

Standing in the middle of the ring is Callie. The other person, I don't know. Given the full covering, I have no idea anything about the person. No wait. Based on how they're holding their sword, they're leftie. That should bring them an advantage.

"Rich isn't easy to manage, but Callie does. He's good for a trainee. He's not much compared to white stripes. Mostly because he picked up the sword only after joining six months ago." Daniel explains. I'm glad he's offering useful information. "Sit back and enjoy. It'll be a show. It always is."

Jessica glares at Daniel. "Sh!" We're meant to focus. I think I'll agree to that.