Quoted By:
"Come on. Everyone in the dynasty has a vice or two. You're not gonna convince me you became a devote immaculate while I was gone. Now scoot over."
Kaya climbed in and sat down next to Jet as he got up. She pulled the cork of the bottle out with her teeth, then took a swig of it before passing it to her brother. Jet gave it a smell, frowned, then took one sip before almost choking on it.
"Holy shit. You really haven't drunk before, have you? What do you do then? Tobacco? Qat? Opium? No... don't tell me you're like that degenerate Ledaal Kes!"
"Shut up or I'm gonna throw up again."
"How did a little goodie two shoes like you get balls big enough to talk down to an elder Dynast like that?"
The two continued their exchange, swapping the bottle back and forth.
"I'm only trying to live up to expectations and be a good dynast."
"Yeah. Maybe you shouldn't. I mean look at me. I never gave two shits about any of that and just did what came naturally and look where I got. Maybe just once you should stop focusing on what others want of you and just do what you can or want and do it as well as possible."
"What do you think I was doing until now? Anyway... that "test". Did you really do it?"
"Yeap. They mix together all five elements in a jade pestle, along some green goop. Then you draw a single drop of blood from your fingers. Mine exploded in frost and lightning. Lady Catala apparently only produces strong wind. And hers is the biggest reaction in the house."
"No surprise there. Mnemons blood is the strongest after all."
"Yeah, well, some started to badmouth us, saying House V'neef produces even more exalted than we do. Some think in a century or so they'll overtake us."
"Well, they are still a relatively young house and haven't had the chance to royally mess up. Once they do we'll see what else they have beside a supposed purity that matches ours."
"Hehe. Yeah. I bet Mnemon will go for the blood the moment they slip up. She really fucking hates her little sister. Anyway how are things at the academy-"
The two of them kept talking and drinking until the bottle was emptied. Jet had not built up any tolerance for alcohol yet so he was pretty much knocked out from that. And while Kaya was an Exalt and could drink enough that'd kill two mortal men she was content laying down as well. She curled up next to her brother and fell asleep embracing him the same way they did when they were little.
