Spirits and Learning

Lorelei did not know what to make of the man.

Though Nico appeared trustworthy, he spoke of rather odd things. A moving portrait? Shooting without a bow? Even odder was his attire. Dressed in strange fabrics, Lorelei had no way of telling his status though, if Nico was telling the truth, that did not even matter in this place.

It was intriguing that he promptly assumed that magic was the source of this predicament, though. "Do the people here not follow the spirits?"

This seemed to confuse Nico. "The spirits? What, like spirit animals? Zodiacs? I mean, some people do, but not much here."

"Ah," Lorelei said. "That may explain it. Anything that is magic is considered myth. Extraordinary events are the results of spirits. Though we do not have spirit animals, whatever that is, we do have animals with special spirits."

"Wait," Nico said. "It's not just every animal with a spirit?"

"No," Lorelei said. "Though our culture has us respecting the souls of regular creatures, the spirits we celebrate are not the same. These spirits have something that sets them apart, and they have special abilities."

"Something that sets them apart," Nico said thoughtfully. "So, are they completely different creatures, then?"

Lorelei shook her head. "Actually, the spirits look quite similar to their normal counterparts," she said. "Take the Traveler's Bird, for instance. It looks quite a bit like a common black bird but, when you pick up one of their feathers, glimmers of color fall off. Further, their eyes are said to hold a kaleidoscope of colors, expressing the vibrancy of the worlds they have visited." Of course, Lorelei personally knew that last part to be true, but she chose to keep that to herself.

Nico frowned as if something about this bothered him. "Then they're magical versions of animals?"

"If that is what helps you understand them," Lorelei said. "Though, to be fair, animals are not the only one with these versions. Plants also have them."

"Woah," Nico said. "Which ones?"

Lorelei tensed. "I would rather not speak of this further."

Nico put his hands up in surrender. "Sorry," he said. "No offense, but why do you talk like that, by the way? Is it a noble thing?"

"None taken," Lorelei said. "I assume you are referring to my lack of contractions?"

"I think so?"

"Using contractions is considered improper for the nobility," Lorelei stated. "They are only allowed when alone with someone who has chosen to drop said formalities with you. Typically, this list is limited to family and close friends."

Well," Nico said. "Since we're going to be spending a lot of time together, why don't we start dropping those formalities now?"

Lorelei considered the offer. It would not hurt to drop them, given that it would only be the two of them. "Alright," Lorelei said. "I do not see why not."

"You're still not using them."

"It is," Lorelei began. "It's a hard habit to break."

"Awesome," Nico said. "Next, do you know of anyone who could help Lydia?"

"Why would she need help?"

"Apparently, she almost got busted last night," Nico said, then saw her confused expression. "When someone is busted, they get caught doing something. Lydia almost got caught pretending to be you." If Lydia got caught, then Lorelei would have to answer for it.

Lorelei ran through the mental list of options. She could ask Jason, but he was often busy. Her parents were older and, if Lydia spoke anything like Nico did, they would not like Lydia. Though most of her brothers were more trickster than anything, Ezra was quite kind. Unfortunately, he lived quite far. Most of the maids were inadequate. Although, there was one maid who might do.

"Sara can help," Lorelei said finally. "She is reliable, knowledgeable, and connected. She could tell Lydia what she needs to know to pass as me. She could also inform Lydia if anyone gets suspicious. I will have a word with her tomorrow."

"Great," Nico said. "Now, what do you want to learn about first?"

"I beg your pardon," Lorelei said. "Are you not the teacher?"

"Yeah," Nico said. "But you're also the only student. It makes sense that you'd get a say on what you learn."

"In that case, I have one request." Lorelei rose from her chair. She then walked back into Lydia's bedroom, with Nico trailing behind. "I would like to learn about that box."

The TV?"

"Is that what that is?"

""Yeah," Nico said. "Guess we're starting with technology."

By the end of the night, Lorelei had learned about the television. She also had a better knowledge of the phone. Most importantly, she now understood how to operate the phone's flashlight.

Upon waking up the next morning, she immediately summoned Sara to her room. "I have a job for you."

"Yes, my lady," Sara said without hesitation. She was quite reliable.

"I am sure you caught on to the fact that I act a bit different at night," Lorelei said.

"Yes, my lady."

"The woman inhabiting my body at night is not me," Lorelei said. "She is someone from another world."

"My lady," Sara said. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, Sara," Lorelei responded. "I want you to guide the woman, Lydia, while she is in my body. Help her pretend to be me."

Sara stared at Lorelei for a full minute. Realizing that Lorelei was serious, she nodded. "As you wish, my lady. Would you like your breakfast now?"

"Yes," Lorelei said. "And bring me a ribbon, as well."

A few minutes later, Sara returned with the food and the ribbon. Grabbing the purple silk ribbon, she twirled it around her fingers for a bit. Though it was not particularly lady-like, Lorelei often found herself fiddling with one when she wain private. Unfortunately, the material in Lydia's ribbon had made it aggravating to use for such a thing.

Appreciating the silk, Lorelei considered her meal. Bland and healthy for the sake of her figure, just as it always was. Putting down her ribbon, she grabbed her utensils to eat. As she did, she heard two maids talking from beyond the door.

"Spirits, I'm so tired of serving the lady."

"She's so shameless, using her family connections to get the count. Not to mention a bit pathetic."

"Seriously, what kind of noblewoman is scared of the dark?"

Sighing, Lorelei returned to her meal. Confronting them would only make her the villain. Even so, it was sad that this had gone on for so long. Some things never changed.