Linky's Fics

Killing Time

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Donning her finest attire, a suit made for any high level alchemist, Shiori sipped her champagne with a sigh. Resting her head on her hand at the table. Watching the other alchemists mingle and dance across the hall as the band continued to play.

This party was so boring.

She didn’t want to be here. But for the sake of staying on the good side of her superiors she dragged herself over. It wouldn’t be worth dealing with all of the nagging from them if she skipped this year. Especially since they directly invited her.

Quietly, she cursed them for such a gesture.

Any alchemist worth their salt would normally be excited to attend the yearly gala. It was a high-class affair, and seen as a highlight of the year for any Alchemist Union members. The décor would take from the history of the craft. Transporting its guests to a time that had long since passed.

Decorated curtains, pillars styled after Greek architecture, luxurious tiles paved across the floor. Hidden deep within an already fancy building. With winding halls and secret doors that only alchemists could open.

Even though the reason it was so highly praised was because it felt like the only time the council actually got off their asses, and did some real organizing for once…

It’s moments like this that reminded her of why she began to slowly take the path she did. One that would get her scolded. Or likely much, much worse, if anyone else was aware of it.

Shiori looked up to the windows. This room was deep underground, so the art of image projection from various constructs was used to simulate a view of the night sky. Fittingly as fake as the image her higher ups tried to present themselves with.

Her eyes went back to watching the people walk by. People watching was the only activity she could really do to pass the time. Shiori was not in the mood to socialize. Nor continue the cycle of required formalities, unless she absolutely had to.

Keeping up with office politics was annoying at the best of times. Playing this mental game of chess, making moves solely to please those up at the top of the alchemist food chain.

This party was only a further reminder of why she hated everything about the alchemist world as it stood. Those up top were foolish and irresponsible. Only coming together to get work done when it would benefit them.

Not to mention the art of alchemy itself felt like it had begun to grow stagnant. Its forbidden side had caught Shiori’s eye a long time ago. There was a certain draw to it. If those techniques could be brought back into the world, the art form could become even greater than before.

Whenever she as so much implied as such, she would be swiftly shut down. Yelled at, and forced to reflect on her words. Instead Shiori would only silently simmer within her own rage and hatred. It would become more potent, motivating her further.

Things needed to change.

She would make sure that it would be brought forth by those she had swore her undying loyalty to. One who measured the threads of fate, one who spun said thread, and the final one who would cut it.

The ones who would soon control the fate of this pathetic world were still deep in the Ouroboros Realm. Preparing for their eventual return.

Hopefully that time would come soon. Shiori could hardly wait. She smirked to herself as she took another sip.

At least the drinks here were good. She’d take solace in that.

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