VoC: B1 — 10. Price of Privilege
Added 2025-08-29 08:21:15 +0000 UTCPoV:
1. Aria (Our Sassy, 17-Year-Old Lich Sis!)
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Stepping out of The Silver Chalice, Aria spun in a small circle, letting the gentle wind flow around her. She noticed her reflection in a nearby window as the morning sun caught her crimson hair like liquid fire, causing a smile to bloom across her face. Her new blue dress swished upon twirling around to continue on her way, each stride confident.
The simple act of walking down the cobblestone street felt like a victory lap—every head turned, every conversation paused, every pair of eyes followed her movements with the kind of reverence typically reserved for actual royalty.
I can’t believe Damon let me go by myself, she mused, adjusting the new ribbon in her hair while taking note of every person who watched her every action. Maybe he thinks I’m growing up more. About time.
He better crush it and get us a high adventurer rank… If they have that sort of system. Ugh! Now I’m getting anxious that I didn’t go with him. He’s in my world now! I’ve already got a fancy ribbon just for talking with a lady—he should take notes.
A merchant dropped the apple he’d been examining as she passed. Two city guards straightened their postures and offered respectful nods. A group of young men who’d been laughing loudly fell silent, their gazes following her with dumbfounded expressions.
Triple the steel? Please. I can probably quintuple it without breaking a sweat.
On Earth, the attention would have felt overwhelming, but here it filled her with a warm satisfaction that had nothing to do with vanity and everything to do with power. She’d been pretty and a genius in New York, but also the weird girl who skipped grades and got picked on for knowing too much. She didn’t tell Damon that, though. He had enough trouble worrying about her. And girl-bullies weren’t his specialty.
There, she was pretty and smart, so the only thing they could attack her on was fashion or her ‘weeb’ hobbies. Here, though? It wasn’t just her element. Here, she was practically divine.
[Sun Elf Pride] stirred in the back of her mind like a contented cat, purring approval at the recognition she was receiving. She didn’t need to fight it all the time. Damon just worried too much. It was his thing. He loved her and wanted to protect her like the amazing older brother he was, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew how far she could go.
Now, let’s get to shopping, she internally cheered with a giggle, because this is what I was born for! Well, not ‘born’ for shopping, but kind of shopping.
The first shop—Mirabel’s Fine Footwear—set the tone for what would become the most successful and overjoyed she’d ever been, feeling the independence break through her like a dam rupturing.
“Oh my stars!” The elderly proprietor, a kind-faced halfling woman, dropped the boot she’d been polishing and rushed forward. “A sun elf! In my humble shop!”
Aria offered her most radiant smile. “I was hoping you might have something suitable for travel? I’m afraid mine got destroyed when I was performing some spells for…reasons I’d rather not say. Do you have anything suitable?” she asked while innocently presenting her slightly dirty feet.
“Oh, by the Holy Emperor! Look at you. Suitable? Suitable?!” Mirabel’s eyes went wide. “My lady, I wouldn’t dream of letting you settle for ‘suitable.’ Please, please, sit!”
Within minutes, Aria found herself trying on soft leather boots that probably cost more than most people’s monthly wages, while Mirabel fluttered around her like an excited butterfly. She was peppered with questions about sun elf culture, and rumors she’d heard, which she was more than happy to answer…or gaslight if she didn’t know the answer.
Once it came time to pay, Aria forced a smile and held out her single steel coin. “Unfortunately, I lost my coin pouch with my belt during that… incident that left me shoeless, so perhaps I could get some change. This is all I have left.”
“What? I wouldn’t dream of charging you!” the halfling insisted, looking as if Aria had made her year. “The honor of serving a sun elf is payment enough—that you would wear my footwear is a gift enough. Please, take these gloves as well, and this bag for your coin—no, in fact, I’ll give you a hundred iron, the leather matches perfectly!”
“Oh, are you sure?” she asked with a grateful smile, accepting the gloves to slip them on and show off as the women clapped and jogged over to grab a belt next.
“Absolutely! And you’ll need a belt that matches that lovely dress to put the pouch on… Here! You will look gorgeous—n-not that you already don’t!”
“Are all Bluerise citizens so kind? My heart is swelling. I won’t forget this act of generosity.”
The woman almost looked like she was about to burst into tears, unable to compose a response for several seconds with the belt trembling in her hands. Other patrons were now getting involved, mumbling to one another about what other products in the store would look beautiful on her or commenting on her stunning appearance.
“It is…my pleasure, my lady. Completely my pleasure to serve you.”
It isn’t like I’m lying… I really lost everything: all my toys, my home…my mother. I have to do everything I can…because Damon can’t anymore. I have to step up and take care of us! The problem is…I don’t know Damon’s size, which is a problem. Maybe…a slave excuse? That could work… Hmm. But how to make him agree…
Accepting them, Aria welcomed every gift.
The pattern repeated at every shop.
The jeweler—a distinguished dwarf named Thorek—insisted she accept a set of silver hair ornaments that caught the light like captured starfire. “For one who brings the sun’s blessing to my establishment,” he declared, his gruff voice thick with emotion.
At the clothing boutique, the human proprietress nearly fainted when Aria complimented the shop’s selection. Within moments, she was being fitted for a complete traveling outfit—a practical but elegant ensemble in deep blues and silvers that somehow made her crimson hair look even more vibrant.
“I’ve never had such an honor,” the woman whispered, adjusting the fit of a beautifully crafted cloak to the enraptured audience. “My grandmother always said sun elves were the most blessed of all the fair folk. She would always ask why you isolate yourselves on your radiant isles? I mean no disrespect! I truly think I am blessed to have lived to serve one…”
Okay, this is getting a little intense, Aria thought, watching the woman’s hands tremble slightly as she worked. But also…kind of amazing? I don’t know that answer, though. Why do we isolate ourselves? Huh.
The only moment of tension came when a young wood elf entered the boutique, and the proprietress’ attitude immediately cooled.
“From the Garden District? I’ll be with you in a moment,” she said dismissively to the newcomer, her tone completely different from the reverence she’d shown Aria.
The wood elf—a girl who looked to be around her age—her vision widening and breath freezing in her lungs. Her green eyes lingered on Aria’s ears, hair, and then the rest of her frame, shame and envy crossing her face as she stepped to the side, grasping her elbow. It all happened in mere moments, yet Aria felt every second.
“I see… I can come back later if you’re busy with a customer. I was just asked to pick up an order—”
“A customer?” The proprietress laughed. “This isn’t the dryads you serve but a sun elf, dear. Hardly the same thing at all.”
Aria felt her [Sun Elf Pride] flare hot and immediate. The casual dismissal of the wood elf, the clear implication that she was somehow superior simply by accident of birth—it should have appalled her. Instead, it felt…right, natural, even.
We explore the stars and the system’s limits. Wait, do we explore the stars? It…sounds right. Yeah. And what of them? Wood elves are primitive forest dwellers, socially skittish and difficult to pair bond with. Naturally, they’d be inferior. The thought rose unbidden. They live in dirty trees. Hunt with bows, like common Rangers, while we—
“Actually,” Aria interrupted herself, forcing a bright smile, “I think we’re quite finished here. Thank you so much for your kindness. I hope you can assist this young lady in collecting her order. I am due to study at the Grand Library.”
“Oh…of course! Of course,” the woman mumbled, clearly looking disappointed.
She made her escape before her pride could reassert itself, but not before catching the uncertain look in the wood elf’s eyes.
I didn’t…really defend her, did I? I just sort of ran… Damn. That sucks. Note to self: my pride is dangerous. Really dangerous. Was it…downloading facts into my head…or lies? I don’t know, and that isn’t good.
By the time she’d visited six shops, Aria had acquired a complete wardrobe, jewelry, accessories, and enough compliments to fuel her ego for the next decade. However, the face of that wood elf kept reasserting itself into her brain: the self-judgment, the guilt, the envy.
I’m not just privileged here… I’m practically untouchable. Did I just change that girl’s whole self-image by existing? How…should I feel about that?
She paused to look at herself in a window, adoring and envious eyes hounding her from every angle. Not one felt uncomfortable. It felt natural. Mentally, though, questions surfaced.
I don’t know. I was born into this…and if they knew I was really a lich, then all of it would collapse. But I’m also a sun elf. This is me. How can I be mad at my own beauty? Life isn’t fair. That’s reality. It still feels… It just sucks… It sucks.
Vision falling to the gleaming necklace around her throat—her true body—she brushed her fingers against it, breathing out a long stream of air. Shaking her head, she turned and wandered for a time, getting directions as she went on how to get to the Grand Library.
No answers came by the time she reached the magnificent building.
I can’t just refuse to accept the privileges that help us… Damon is persecuted. I have to use everything we have to our advantage… My big brother brought me back to life. He’s bled and died for me so many times…sacrificing his life for mine. I can’t let him down. This also doesn’t feel good…but there’s nothing I can do…
Determination settling into her gut, she held her head high and looked up at her destination. I’ll do anything to help Damon… Anything.
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[ Next POV: Damon]
[ Theme: After that show of privilege, how is our lich’s big bro fairing at the Adventurer’s Guild? ]
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