Machinist of Mana

While I liked my paternal grandparents I really just didn't get them. They were both talkative, and both far less obsessed with propriety than my maternal grandmother seemed to be. I wondered why that was, if there was something I was missing, but I'd not found it yet. Overall I liked grandma and grandpa Shadestone.

These thoughts were going through my mind as I met with the grandparents I seldom saw. While they were only around for one season they were still beating out my Earth ones though, who I saw very little indeed. What I did know though was that these two cared for me, and they cared for my little sister, which put them up in my book.

Today they were joining us for lunch, a rather less formal affair than dinner tended towards, though little food was served.

“What will you be doing for the season?” I asked grandpa.

“Nothing special Percival, few parties here and there. No hunting right now for reasonable men.” That surprised me, I'd never known he was a hunter.

“What do you hunt? There aren't many animals around here.” That was true enough, since I'd never seen anything like deer on this island. Of course I'd only seen the city itself, but I doubted that large game was a thing.

“Oh birds mostly,” he answered with a smile.

“He uses guns of all things,” my grandma said with rolled eyes, as if that were exasperating.

“That's interesting,” I said in response, thinking back to my old world.

“Oh they're nothing special, but they make the whole thing sporting. Most nobles can take down flocks if they so choose, but that's hardly fun, or fair for the animals. Giving them a chance, taking only those you choose if you can. It's much better isn't it lad?” There was a slight sparkle in his eye as he leaned in.

“Actually I think guns are interesting,” I answered.

There was a BOOM as my mother's hand slammed down onto the table with enough force to make the whole thing shake.

“You are too young to have one Percival, and they are too dangerous. I may let you get away with a lot, but you will not be having one so get the ideas I can already see spinning around in your head out now.” There was a finality in her statement that spoke hard on how she felt about this.

“I'm not planning on getting one right now mother, I just think they're neat.” I'd in fact owned, and made, several in my previous life, but not had any chance to see up close what this world had.

“They are dangerous Percival,” mother said, still looking irritated. She knew me well, and that I tended to get ideas in my head, even if I really didn't intend much now.

“Please calm down dear,” grandma Shadestone said, reaching out a hand to mother.

“This is me being calm. The boy needs to understand that there are things he cannot play with.”

Grandpa Shadestone looked thoughtful for a bit before speaking.

“Your mother is right, you're far too young for a firearm lad,” he said, getting my mother to nod. “But if he is interested we should at least show him how they work, and teach him about safety.” His bushy mustache twitched as he looked at me.

“He is...” mother began.

“Old enough to understand. I taught his father the same at about his age, and I'll tan his hide should he act a fool. Teaching him to be safe will be better Lucille,” grandpa said, cutting her off.

“Fine, when you get a day free then will you handle it?” mother finally acquiesced, though I could see from her eyes that I'd be getting more later.

“Of course,” he answered, patting her shoulder.

The next day I found that I had a new outfit. Today would be the first of the tourneys that mother had entered me in and as I left the dressing room at the small arena I felt excitement pulsing through me. Around me there were men and women in kit with foils of various sizes and shapes. The youth rounds weren't the only ones happening today, with a number for physical magic users and those without that advantage.

The small hall we'd be using was still in use, two adults bouncing around it at speed pulling off moves that were like a mix of kung fu movie and anime. Physical reality still held some sway, so the more insane things were not really possible, but their speed and the power in the blows was something to behold. Either of these men could have wiped the floor with me with ease.

As the match ended mother once more found me and this time she wasn't alone. Along with her was another woman who was familiar, one of her sometimes visitors Lady Starshine, or well, one of them, it was a rather large family. This particular woman had in tow what could only be her daughter, who was perhaps a year or two younger than myself.

“Percival, there you are,” mother said as she approached. “You remember my friend yes?”

“Greetings young man,” the woman said, taking quite a bit of the pressure off of my end.

“Lady Starshine, you visited us last year correct?” I asked with a smile. “But I don't think I recognize your companion.”

It was considered rude to address a woman you didn't know publicly without some invitation, one of many rules. While I could have said hello to the girl herself since we'd never been formally introduced it would be a major faux pas. On the other hand I did in fact know the mother from a previous meeting, so speaking to her was fine.

“Oh you do remember, how lovely. This is my daughter Rowena,” she offered with a small motion.

I nodded politely and now we were at an impasse as the girl looked at me and I at her. She had to be the first to speak here, like her mother had. She could of course refuse to, and I would then be disallowed from speaking to her, such were the expectations.

After a few long moments, clearly designed to make me wonder if she would she smiled. “Greetings sir I'm Rowena Starshine, may I inquire as to your name?”

“Of course, I'm Percival Shadestone, a pleasure to meet you.”

“And you as well.”

Now that the societally mandated pleasantries were done our mothers retreated a bit to their seats. They were still in view, and I knew for a fact that at least mine could still hear our conversation, but it did give a bit of 'privacy' to us.

“Do you fence?” I asked Rowena, a bit lost on what to say to a girl this young.

“No, my brother does, we're here to watch him. He's participating in this tourney too.” There was a brief lull before she spoke again. “Do you mind if I ask a favor of you?”

“What would that be?” I asked without committing.

“Beat him, he's been a bit insufferable lately and I'd love to see him humbled.” I wanted to snort at her request, but there was probably more to it. She sounded coached, almost like she was reading a script, even if the last part did seem a bit ad-libed.

“Well, I was planning on winning anyway,” I answered with a smile.

Behind her I could see our parents smirking. Those two were trying at playing matchmaker. I wanted to yell, tell my mother that I was eight and this girl was maybe seven, but I had other things on my mind, as the announcer had begun to call the participants.

“Ah, I must go, please excuse me.”

I got a smile and a little wave, she seemed like a nice kid.