^^ Alba Marie Polintavich ^^

(Help me with SHIPS 'please.')
(Mei+F👩‍👧?, M👪?+M👩‍👦?)

--- Wren's POV ---

I stepped off of my ship, and blinked. The roof of my shop was on fire, blazing with Magical Flames...

I rushed over, as my men abandoned unpacking our wares, and helped me put the fire out quickly. I looked at Mei. "Mei, Tojo, go make sure our house is intact. I'll find out more here."

They nodded, and sprinted off. I looked around, and simply roared. I was completely and utterly pissed off, and for once I wasn't plotting, so showing it wouldn't harm me. So instead of channeling it like usual, I just let it out.

I gripped the nearest person by the throat, and lifted him, gripping tightly. "Bring forward the arsonist, RIGHT NOW, OR I SNAP HIS NECK!" I spat.

Five smirking boys came forward, and I tossed the man away. "You did this?" I asked.

"Ha! Well, it could be said-" the middle one started to speak arrogantly.

I nodded, interrupting him. "I see. You need to learn to fear me. That can be arranged... it's Sunday. Let's take this to the Arena, hmm? No one wants to be sent to the Hel Islands, am I right?" I grinned savagely.

They shrugged, and muttered comments about my lack of chances to win, and I laughed, walking towards the arena patiently.

My anger cooled into a form of icy rage, and I arrived at the arena before I truly calmed down. I located a Referee, and smiled at the woman in the black robe with flaming orange hair. "Hello. If you'd referee this match, professor?" I asked, and then disarmed myself, and stripped down to my body suit.

The similarities between our clothing hadn't made itself clear to me, but I looked at the boys. Their emblems marked them as Initiates, with gold feathers, though the middle boy, the brave one, was a Tin and Copper, making him an Acolyte. "Alright. Begin the match, professor." I said.

"Between... who?" She asked.

"All of them versus me." I grinned. "I have a death wish. Humor me." I shrugged.

"Alright... it's your funeral." She raised a hand, and dropped it.

I stood still as the boys rushed me, the Acolyte showing decent speed... until I activated my Sikh, and then my sigil. They simply stopped moving, and I danced between them, using my claws to savagely crack open their Runes, but other than that, let them attack the air where I'd been, letting my runes grind to a halt.

They slammed into a pile, shouting in pain and confusion, and I whistled. "Over here, boys." I smirked.

The referee chuckled. "A death wish, huh?" She muttered, and sat down, simply watching.

They attacked again, and the cycle repeated several times. They tried surrounding me, fighting me one on one, but never laid a hand on me.

Finally, I got bored. "Alright. So. I hope I've made it clear that I am simply stronger and faster, boys? Oh, and my emblem should really clear all this up..." I pinned it to my chest, and it changed to a Tin/Platinum, marking me as a Platinum Acolyte, just one step away from a real Squire.

They paled, and I smiled. "Now. Unless you want to spend the next month in a hospital, get down on your knees, and apologize for trying to burn down my Store." I said simply.

They sneered at me. "As if we'd ever kneel to a bastard commoner like you!" The main boy spoke for the group again, standing up.

"I'm not a Bastard, nor a Commoner." I said calmly. "My mother and Father were married. My father was a Grand Knight Candidate for the Tinker Clan. Who was yours? By what right do you speak to me this way?" I asked, smiling.

He blinked. "What? Impossible-"

"Not impossible, I'm afraid." The Referee smiled. "I am Alba Marie Polintavich, a Noble from the Tinker Clan, and I can tell you he speaks truth. He's not a Commoner, Fallen Knight Father or not." She shrugged.

I blinked at her. "Excuse me?"

"Hello, little Cousin." She smiled, and hugged me to her ample bosom, before releasing me, all before I could react. She stepped back, and looked at the boys. "Now I'd either apologize or fight, but I'm getting bored." The air shivered around her words, telling me all I needed to know about her. This woman was dangerous.

One of the cowardly ones slowly went to kneel, but his friends picked him up, and ousted him towards me.

I smirked and then simply laid my fist across his cheek, launching him into the wall of the arena, and cracking the stones. Then I activated my Sigil, and began beating them all to a bloody pulp, breaking past their weak wards in a split second. I broke their arms, all of them, and their legs, and finally used fire to maim them between their legs, and prevent them from ever creating children, if an insanely good healer didn't take care of them soon.

I stepped back, dusting my hands off, and looked at the woman. "So... you're my cousin?" I asked.

She grinned. "I am indeed, your fathers second Cousin, so your Third! It's thin blood, but there it is! I'm so glad to meet you!" She grabbed at me again, but I slipped away from her grabby fingers.

"Uhm... same, I suppose." I hummed.

She smiled. "You'll get used to my hugs. It's simply what I like to do when I'm excited! Now, I was informed you had a beautiful domicile here? Take me there, and we can drink!" She ordered me cheerfully.

I blinked slowly, and raised an eyebrow. She huffed. "An Older, Mature, Beautiful woman is telling to to take her home to drink! Your reply?"

"Politely decline?" I smirked.

She laughed. "Okay, fine. But take me home anyway."

I shrugged and started walking, before leaving the arena. Then I activated my runes and sigil, picked the woman up, and simply launched myself at the Sky.

The Sky threw me towards my goal, my Shop, and I landed after a few minutes of gliding, running a bit to break the fall.

Alba grinned as I put her down, and hugged me tightly. "You really are a full-blooded Polisavich! I wasn't sure, when I saw your hair was brown, but that cinches it!"

"Hm." I nodded, stepping away, and examined my shop for damage. Luckily, the Urn Runes carved into the stones of the outside stopped the fire from getting in at all, but the heat inside did spoil some of my goods.

I made a note to replace them, and nodded to Günter. "All's well." I said. "Start bringing in the Spices we purchased, and deliver the ones we were just trafficking, if you haven't already."

He grinned. "Sure, thing, boss... but who's the beautiful dame ya got wit' ya?" He blushed, removing his bandana.

She raised an eyebrow. "Alba Marie Polintavich, Cousin to your 'Boss', and particularly fond of Gelding Sailors." She said coldly.

He grinned some more. "So a challenge, then?"

She blinked, and then laughed. "I like him. Keep him around!"

"No, he's got business to handle. And Günther... she's a Knight. Pissing her off would likely end in your very painful death."

"Ahhh, but it'd be so worth it!" He laughed, and danced away from my half-hearted swat. He bowed his head sarcastically to Alba, and made his way out, suddenly barking orders to his crew.

She flinched, and pressed a hand to her heart. "Oh m~y..." she smiled.

"Don't get any funny ideas. He's my best Captain, and Ocean Blessed." I said simply, and started walking towards the Dorms.

She hummed and followed. "So. I noticed the Sikh Runes?"

"Observant. Good for you." I smiled.

"So...?" She asked.

"What? So... What?" I asked exasperatedly.

"Well, you're clearly a Tinker, from your sigil. So, where are your Urn Runes?" She asked, sighing. I activated them, and she gasped. "Oh M~y what HAVE we he~re..." she purred.

"Yeah. Well, there you go. My Urn Rune. I've only been a Student here for a few months, since the end of December, but Father gave me this and my Ankh when I was only 4, so they've been maturing for 16 years. As for the Sikh... I am in an arranged marriage with Shinzo Tojo, and his mother trained me over the break, and gave me her best Sikh Runes." I explained.

She smiled. "I like you already..."

"You've said that. Öffnen." I spoke to the wall in front of us.

Before she could ask who I was talking to, it slipped open with a quiet hiss, and we stepped in. I let the doors close, and we darted upwards, making Alba stumble.

I dodged her grabbing hands, and let her hit the wall, making her glare at me. "Rude."

"I don't know you, and I don't like people touching me. I have an Air Affinity. I like freedom. Hugs aren't free, they're restricting and uncomfortable." I shrugged.

She nodded. "I'm actually an Earth Affinity, so I don't really know much about that."

"I know." I shrugged, as the elevator hissed to a halt, and the doors opened.

I walked out, and she followed me through the window primly, grabbing my shoulder as a balance so she didn't touch the windowsill.

I touched the door of the house, and unfroze the air inside. "Добро пожаловать на мой дом." (Welcome to my home.)

"Я счастлив быть Добро пожаловать." She said, and stepped in after me. Mei and Tojo hopped down from the roof, and joined us. (I'm happy to be welcome.)

I sat down next to my table, and gestured at the seat across from mine. "пить со мной, двоюродный брат." (Drink with me,Cousin.)

She nodded and sat, while Mei and Tony sat next to us. I poured four shots of vodka, (making Mei and Tony's halfers,) and held mine up. "хорошее здоровье." (Good health.)

Alba smiled. "хорошее здоровье и благословения на вашем доме." (Good health and blessings on your home.)

I tossed back my shot after Mei and Tojo mumbled 'ура', (cheers,) their best toast. They sipped theirs, coughing, and both Alba and I laughed, pounding their backs.

"Good, good. Vodka is very good for you. Now. Tojo, Mei, this woman is my cousin, Alba Marie Polintavich, from the Main Tinker Clan. Alba, this is Shinzo Mei-Fan, and Shinzo Tojo, my roommate and my fiancé, respectively." I said simply.

She bowed her head. "Hello! Am much please meet you!" She spoke in patchy Japanese.

They smiled and bowed back, before I poured another shot for Alba and I. "Now, cousin. Why have you come here?" I asked, placing her shot in front of her.

She smiled. "Because I wanted to see if you had survived. I'm the one who asked Ira to recruit in your city. I hoped he would find you, and get you into the Academy, so I could acknowledge you, and bring you into the family as my son." She said simply.

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Well, after your parents died, a lot of Tinker Nobles wanted to adopt you, after all, you're the son of Robin Adamja, he's a legend in our clan... but our Patriarch denied us. He said until you got accepted into the Academy, and became an Acolyte, you were dead to our family. Now you're an Acolyte, and I'm free to adopt you." She nodded.

Mei gripped my shoulder. "I understand exactly the feeling you're experiencing right now, but don't snap. She means no harm, and she will be a powerful ally in your quest." She said in perfect Japanese.

I grunted. "I know... you underestimate me. I have to decline. No one can replace my mother." I said simply.

She laughed. "I see. Well, I never meant to replace her, but I understand the feeling... and it's possible to adopt you as a brother. Is that favorable?"

I smiled. "As long as I get to keep my fathers name."

"Wouldn't change it for the world." She nodded.

"Just so we're clear, we're both using each other to further our own goals, right?" I asked.

She blinked slowly. "Yes. My goal is to become Matriarch of the Tinker Clan. I am close... I'm a Vice-Captain, and close to becoming a Captain." She grinned.

I blinked, and Tojo spoke in Japanese. "She's a Grand Knight Candidate, and close to becoming one of the 12 Grand Knights of the Tinker Clans."

I nodded. "Ahhh... I see. Our Clan still remains much of a mystery to me. You want to become one of the 12 Captains, Like my Father. He was in your position."

"Correct. I'm not quite as strong as he was, but yes."

"Can I ask why there's 12 Captains, whereas we have one?" I asked Mei.

"Because we only have one Grand Knight, but several Silver Platinum Knights, which is what she is. They create a veritable army of Knights and Grands and Squires, and only one Paladin, their 'Captain-Commander' and Patriarch. They are organized into twelve 'Squads', each controlled by a 'Captain', and the 'Vice-Captain', his second in command, and the Ranks are filled with 'Guards'. The lesser members, 'Soldiers' mostly train to be stronger 24/7, and do menial tasks. Once they achieve Guard Rank, they are allowed formally into a Squad, but they are already in a squad before hand, in all but title. It's very tightly organized. The Lu-Kong also have something similar, though there's only one Grand Knight, my mother, and one Paladin." Tojo nodded.

I hummed. "I don't like it. Sounds too rigid." I tsk'ed.

Alba laughed. "Don't worry. We're all descended from Air Sigils and affinities. We're not too rigid. Anyway. If I adopt you, you'll be part of my Clan, but still be allowed to study here. This Academy is one of the best, and we don't really use an academy like this, except to teach actual knowledge and magic. Strength is something you gain on your own in the Tinker Islands."

I laughed. "And if I adopt you?"

She hummed. "It's possible, and would have the same affect, but you'd be the Patriarch of a Clan."

"Good. My long term plan is to mix all three Great Houses into one Clan under my rule, mix all the best Sigils, imbibe them into myself somehow, and take over the world." I smiled.

She raised both eyebrows and whistled gently. "And I thought I was ambitious... but that's not a bad thing." She smiled indulgently.

I grinned. "You say that now. Moving forward. What comes with creating a Clan?" I asked.

She smiled again. "Well... you'd have to Conquer an Island, and make it your Home... and then you'd have to have at least three people that are third Class or above, so Uruk Squires or up, and they have to swear fealty to you. Then, once you've met all the requirements, you send someone to Represent you on the Council, and you're done."

I hummed. "Can that be done at a later date? Like, can you adopt me, disown me, and me adopt you, later on? Because it's too soon for me to have three allies that are Squire-Level to swear fealty..."

She nodded. "If that's what you want. But if you're considering breaking it later, you don't need to adopt me to create a clan, you just need to have at least one Blood relative with you. You can still have a clan, if I adopt you, it won't stop you."

I hummed. "Then it's no big deal. What do you gain by adopting me?" I asked.

"Simple. If I can reach Captain Status, and have enough power, I can eventually challenge the Head-Captain, and take his place." She shrugged.

I blinked. "Uhm... how does adopting me give you power?"

"Many different kinds of power, child. Names have power. If you join my clan, I will have the Polisavich name, as well as several others I already possess, but yours... Polisavich is a time-honored and incredibly rich name, that you are only person left on the planet that owns it." She said simply.

"One of the Two, actually." I muttered, and sighed.

"Excuse me?" She asked.

"My Sister. Gale Elena Polisavich. She owns my name, as well, though she uses a different one, obviously." I said.

She frowned. "We didn't know about... another?"

"Exactly. Father managed to keep it secret. She lives somewhere in the Arielle Islands with a nice French woman. I speak to her through letters sometimes, maybe once a year, to avoid suspicion. She turns 18 in a few weeks, and was going to come live with me when that happened. I planned on Renovating the Library. Instead..." I gestured around.

"Well... okay..." she blinked slowly, confusion painted across her beautiful features.

"Indeed." I tossed back my shot, and smiled. "She's not a Knight. She was born with a Sigil, my Sigil, but she was never given Runes, that I know of. Perhaps an Urn Rune, but I'm not sure."

Alba smiled. "Then she can live with me! My Island-"

"Not happening. I've already arranged to have her live with Masa, the Grand Knight of the Lu-Kong Clans. She'll train her well." I nodded.

She blinked, and then pouted. "But-"

"The only Good Butts are plump ones." I said absently, thinking about something else entirely.

--- A week ago ---

I sipped the rice wine that Masa was pouring me, and smiled suddenly, having a Thought. "Oi... Shinzo-Sensei?" I asked.

"Hmm?" She looked at me.

"I'd like to ask a favor." I said slowly.

She grinned. "Anything, Boy! 'Ask and ye shall receive', yeah?" She laughed, quoting me.

"Mm... would you consider training someone for me? My sister. She's 17, and she's been in the French Isles since birth. No one knows she exists. Everyone on the planet except me and three others thinks I'm the last Polisavich. She'll be my secret weapon... but she needs to be strong." I said softly.

She blinked at me, and then laughed loudly. "You just always come up with things to make me laugh, huh? Sure, I'll train your girl! I'll make her my Protege!! Is she pretty?"

I glared at her. "You're not bedding her, what's it matter?!"

She held up her hands defensively. "If she's pretty, I can make her a Kunoichi, and teach her how to seduce people. If she's dull, I can teach her how to blend in and be a spy. Pretty people can't be spies. People notice them." She shrugged.

--- Present ---

Alba's shocked laughter startled me out of the memory, and I looked at Mei for explanation. She was blushing furiously. "That's why I call you a Pervert." She grumbled.

"Why, because he likes plump asses?" Tojo smirked.

"Oh, is that what I said? Oh. Okay. Her reaction makes sense now." I nodded. "Anyway. She's my secret weapon. So keep it quiet. Moving on. What do I gain from your adoption? I imagine it's not the support of the Tinker Clans." I said dryly.

She smiled. "No. It's my support. And also you get to be around family. And if you become a Noble, you can join the 12 Squads."

"Why would I want to Join the Twelve Squads?" I asked. "What do I get from that? I'm a very goal oriented person, as well as having a healthy amount of greed, so if there's no reason for it..."

She laughed. "I understand. Members of the Tinker Nobility are allowed to have their own Clans. People with their own Clans are much more likely to make business contracts, and... are allowed to make bids at becoming the next King." She grinned.

I blinked. "Interesting... and are these bids Duels?"

"Correct."

"To the death?" I smiled.

"Unless you want to embarrass your opponent... then you can strip them of all wealth and power, and banish them. Truly humiliating, honestly. That's what King Romani did to his predecessor, Emperor Rhone." She grinned.

I grinned. "Rhone died alone. Hungry and scared, pale and weak, and no one cared."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why did you say that like it's a goal of yours?"

"A certain Noble who ordered the dead of my father, mother, and I... I want to do that to him. Marcus Gala." I hummed.

She laughed uproariously. "Wow, you really are interesting... I will help you on your path, child. I like the way you think. Nobility and Court are a snake pit. And I think you're a little snake yourself, aren't you?" She grinned.

I smirked. "No... more of a Cat. I play with my Prey... I prefer to simply harm my enemies, and let them drag themselves to safety... over and over... until they give up, and I have broken their spirits. Then, my fun is done, and I leave them, broken and hopeless, to either make their way to safety one last time, or simply die."

My grin was savaged and possibly evil, but she just laughed as Mei and Tojo stared at me, afraid. "Don't worry. You're not targets for my rage. You're my allies. You're safe as mice." I smirked, simultaneously assuring them of their safety, and letting them understand how futile safety was.

I looked back at Alba. "Alright. How do we begin?"