Grim sighed "I know, I was just trying to stay positive. He's a good kid, but he has no patience" he couldn't help but chuckle "Kind of reminds me of myself when i was younger"

Richard saw Vxal approaching him as Vxal stated "Sire,"

Richard said "Oh, Commadner Vxal, what a surprise. I'm trying to find Amelia...do you know where she is?"

"Yes, but if I may sir..." Vxal stated calmly. "Right now might not be the time for family. How about I go instead? Thne you and her can speak later"

Richard sighed "I would rather speak to her now, I have wonderful news"

"Yes but..." Vxal sighed "You know that Eric was trying to help young William Jr...don't you?"

"Of course..." Richard stated "but his father and I talked and the boy has proven himself to me as someone I can trust Amelia to. I think I should arrange for thes two to be married"

Vxal sighed and said "Sire, if I may, that news is joyous...but her brother tricked her. She's a smart kid, she'll figure that part out. While Prince Eric or Lady Kira would be worse...I say family is the last thing she needs. I'd send Emily but I have her doing another task at the moment"

"I disagree" Richard said pointedly "Your concern is noted, but I'll be fine" heading into the library to make his way to through the tower

Kira paled as she ran out of library as Eric sat next to her. "I don't want to talk to you"

"Fascinating," Hypha said. "You know if you wanted him to cooperate better you could try actually training with him instead of watching him run himself into the ground. I can't imagine he's thrilled to run in circles all day. Doesn't really feed the "heroic" mantra you keep spouting."

Amelia heard feet on the stairs and quickly hid the journal away under some tarp, before standing at the door and crossing her arms. It was still locked, so she'd tell whoever it was to go away.

(I have nothing to post for the moment)

Richard simply said "Amelia...it's your father"

Kira looked at him as Eric said "I just thought..."

"Eric, what if Amelia just wanted Will as a friend? Hmm?" Kira stated calmly "Will's a good guy, and any woman would be blessed to date him. However, Amelia might just see him as a friend. She's already nervous as it is about an arranged marriage. Don't you think you could have made this worse?"

Grim let out a sigh "Nor do I...at least not this soon with him" Grim leaned back a bit. "However, the trade off is worth it. If he breaks that barrier, that means he'll be ready. This Morgan girl, if she ever attacked again, Bair would be able to help far better."

Grim sighed "I just wish it wasn't this soon. However, I'm relying on something I learned about him recently. That kid's got a steel will. He took several compressed air shots to the face and still got up. I had put a lot of oomph into it to finally knock him out. I'm hoping, and praying, that will be enough."

"Yeah, well, beating the shit out of your apprentices isn't exactly considered good practice," Hypha said, not appeased by Grim's statements.

Amelia faltered, not expecting her father to be the one to come find her. She stepped forward and slowly unlocked the door, opening it slightly to look up at him. "Dad...?"

(That's right, sonic booms aren't dangerous AT ALL, scientists even proved it by standing right near a jet as it broke the sound barrier and it did nothing to them. If some nerds with glasses and lab coats can take the hit, you can too.)

Richard sat next to her and said "I take it that, you found out what I had to figure out myself too." he let out a sigh "About Will and your brother's little plan"

Grim said "Take a break" to Bair as Bair wobbled over.

Eric asked "How so?"

Kira said "Eric, if I figured it out. Amelia has too."

Amelia looked away, staring at the floor instead. "It was pretty obvious when you thought about it, they didn't hide it well. It was only Eric's plan though," she said quietly.

(Yeah I'm pretty sure it was established prior that she already knew)

(Doooo bop still waiting)

Eric said "But Kira..."

"But Kira nothing!" Kira amost screamed at him controlling her volume barely. "This was a stupid stunt."

Richard sighed "I know, and young William did impress me, and his father, a lot." He took a deep breath and said "So much so that, I think you and I need to have word about something. Despite all of this, do you still consider him your friend?"

(RIP Arcana)

Amelia looked to the ground, the scene that had just occurred replaying in her mind. “I..” Surely he was just confused, right? He didn’t…he hadn’t faked their friendship. He was her only friend, that had to still be. “I do,” she said.

“And that concludes the history of Arcana,” Suzanne finished. “I encourage you all to try the steps of the mountain, it can be quite entertaining to see how far you can get before the pressure overwhelms you. Just don’t get yourself hurt, and if you do, I will deny everything. Any questions before I let you all go?”