Filthy Casual for Life

EPISODE 10: A SWEETLY FRAGRANT CIGARETTE IS LIT

Prince Kyle has returned to his room after the disappointing conversation with Prince Arnold. Awaiting his return is Michel. Prince Kyle tells Michel that Prince Arnold disclosed that he is more apt to invade than become allies. Michel is intrigued. Later in the evening, smoking a cigarette, Michel thinks he finally found the one.

Lucius (Rishe) is practicing his/her sword swings. Lord Lawvine shows up and states he sees hesitation in his/her sword. They have a conversation about going to war. Lucius (Rishe) expresses his/her hesitation to go to war. Lawvine discloses he lost his son in a war and that he/she should face his/her fears to move forward. Later in the day, Prince Arnold comes to observe the new recruits. Rishe fears that her identity did not fool Prince Arnold.

Confronting her in a secluded spot, it is obvious Prince Arnold did not fall for her disguise. She still tries to play the role of Lucius, but Prince Arnold is not biting. He grabs her face and tells her that if she is Lucius, she wouldn’t have a problem with him touching Lucius. Lucius/Rishe suddenly remembers the last time he “touched” her and the kiss.

Rishe tries her hardest to keep character, but as Prince Arnold pries, she finally breaks. She apologizes. Prince Arnold gives her a few conditions. She must not let anyone find out her gender, and that she should get plenty rest. Rishe discloses that she overheard the conversation with Prince Kyle. Prince Arnold already deduced she heard the conversation and that she would try to convince him to not invade.

Rishe remembers the first time she met Prince Kyle. She was a trader. She recalls that he was kind and grateful for their services. She then met him as a herbalist. Then, when she was a researcher. Each life, he treated her with kindness and support. She resolved to help him. In a later conversation with Prince Kyle, she discloses that she overheard their conversation. Prince Kyle expresses that he has no choice but to continue trying despite the reputation of Prince Arnold. Rishe is bold and asks Prince Kyle to become her ally because she needs his strength to convince Prince Arnold that invasion isn’t the only option.

In a meeting with Michel, she thanks him for allowing her to read his notes. He solicits her to become his true student because of her thirst for knowledge. She turns him down. Michel relays that he is also interested in Prince Arnold. Michel begins to tell Rishe about the “black powder” he has created. Rishe instantly knows what the “black powder” is from her previous life. Meanwhile, Michel is reveling in the fact that he finally found the person that might actually use it. Rishe tries to convince Michel that Prince Arnold is actually a kind and benevolent person. Michel excitedly asks Rishe if she could arrange an audience. Uncomfortable, Rishe agrees, but it is obvious she has her reservations.

Michel sees through her farce and deduces that she doesn’t want him to see the Prince. Rishe recalls her conversation with Michel about the black powder in her precious life. Michel wants the world to be destroyed with his black powder. Obviously, Michel has discovered gunpowder and has been searching for someone willing to use it. Rishe is more determined to find a way to find peace.

On her way back to her room, she runs into Prince Theodore who already knows she was discovered by his brother. Theodore is proud of his information network. Rishe asks a favor of Prince Theodore. She wants to borrow his information network. When Theodore asks her if it is for the benefit of his brother, she replies that it is a rebellion against him.

Michel stands on a balcony recalling his life. His father blamed him for the death of his mother. His father said he must atone for being a harbinger of death. Turning to books, studying satisfied his loneliness. The laboratory became his sanctuary. He discovered the black powder as a child. War broke out and his research was destroyed along with all the other alchemists and his father. Michel feels he must fulfill his destiny as a harbinger of death.

Rishe runs into Michel on the balcony. She asks Michel if he really plans on giving Prince Arnold the black powder. It is obvious that Michel is disillusioned that his purpose is to bring death to the world.

THOUGHTS

Rishe is in a tough bind! How is she going to manage bringing about a change of heart in Prince Arnold with Michel nipping at his heels? I am still trying to figure out how Rishe’s training fits into the big picture. Is she eventually going to have to spar with Prince Arnold for higher stakes? I’ve been patiently waiting for the wedding, but it is seeming like that isn’t going to happen. Let’s see what happens!

PREVIOUS EPISODES

Episode 1: The Fiancée That Killed Me
Episode 2: The Golden Imperial Capital
Episode 3: A Thinly Veiled Sword Dance (Rondo)
Episode 4: Turning a Knave Into a Secret Spice
Episode 5: Another Kind of Trade
Episode 6: The Only One in the World
Episode 7: A Lullaby Like the Beat of a Heart
Episode 8: The Color of the Sea Beyond the Horizon
Episode 9: Visitor from the North