In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
“I am tired of all this walking. You would have thought that Varen would have gotten his hands on a broom by now…” She paused as her hands parsed the silver locks. “Or the bastard has been holding out on me the entire time…” The words felt bitter in her mouth but she knew them to be fact. Varen was too concerned with the end result for himself to realize that he could increase his returns by helping her. But that was neither here nor there for the moment. The job was simple enough, or at least appeared simple enough to handle. The flyer was straight forward, show up and to Kikka. Seek out the broom maker and get wood for him. After that you pick up the reward.
As the warm winds swept by her ear Insajj brought her gait to a halt, her gaze felt upon the well fortified city of Kikka. Its wall looming like golems linked arm and arm. The inner keeps little different than layering shield upon shield upon shield. To attack this place would be a fool’s errand, made even more so by the fact that the Purple Orcas called this city their home. Off in the distance, perched upon the horizon, the silhouette of the capital city lingered against the overcast skies. Markedly there was one more looming shadow even within the silhouette. The towers and spires of the royal palace pierced at the cloud vale in a futile war against one another.
Tongue pressed against her teeth a strange thought tingled at the back of her mind. ‘What would happen if the King were to fall? Would the rest of the noble cast be plunged into chaos?’ Lingering for a moment more, vivid eyes locked on the horizon, she dismissed the thought with a shake of her head. It was not worth the trouble, not yet at least.
Pressing on down the cobblestoned road she found the meeting spot for the job. The road marker at the edge of the forest. Peering to her left and then to her right Insajj let out a heavy sigh. Brushing the dirt from her brown pants, her white blouse billowed in the wind. Whatever attire worked for the moment, that is what she was taught growing up. Her fingers traced over her grimoire that sat latched to her side. There should be no reason for her to free it from its shackles today. “The old man should be around here somewhere. I swear, if this is another bogus job request that turns into a trap, I am going to…” Words trailing off as she spoke. Better to not introduce that power to the world.
Post by Yua Zhongli on Jul 4, 2022 18:01:13 GMT -5
The day had barely begun and she could tell just by the gloom in the clouds it was not going to get any better, in fact, the dark-haired woman was starting to wonder if the Clover Kingdom saw the sun, as more often than not it was dull. She honestly didn't mind walking as it gave her time to reflect on several different topics, still, she wasn't foolish enough to believe that she was on her own. She learned from a young age that walls had eyes and ears and that forgetting such a thing could end up with a person becoming very dead. There were additional issues in her family, as it was believed that some of those eyes and ears were siblings and if you did anything they deemed not in the family's best interest, well, no one ever wanted to think about that or the time they'd spend in the Lěnggōng.
Even in her absence from Clover she had heard of what had happened in regards to the Royal Capital, Raque and Kikka... especially Kikka. She, like the rest of her family, was raised in the shadows, to put their own needs, wants and desires second to their family's and she was content with this, well, for the most part. Still, her heart went out to those who had to face such a trial, she found herself praying that none of her siblings were caught within Kikka's borders when it fell the moment she found out. She still didn't know as she had yet to return to her family's estate since returning. She wasn't yet ready to face her mother as she knew she would end up saying a few choice words at her mother that would land her in the Lěnggōng and feeling the touch of her mother's magic.
Out of curiosity, she had wandered toward the city in the hopes to find out some more information that way, she knew that if she ended up having to talk to those in the criminal world the information could and would be obtainable for a price, however, it was what the price would be and if she would be willing to pay the piper's price. On her way she noticed a piece of paper flying almost by her, normally she would have just let it continue going down the road but given where she had been living and how such things could end up with someone dying she picked it up out of habit. Seeing some writing she uncrumpled it to find out what it was and to her surprise it was someone asking for aid to collect a specific wood for brooms, even offering one for those who help.
"Not what I'd normally do but it may help me get the information I want." she said thoughtfully to herself and so walked towards her destination. She didn't look like a commoner given her silk clothing but as it was off the shoulders it was anyone's guess if she was a noble. By her appearance it would be easy to assume that she wasn't a native to Clover, then again her accent would just add to that assumption. She followed the directions that were on the flyer not paying any mind to those looking at her, she got accustomed to that when she was in the east and learned to blend in quickly, she was refusing to revert back so they could continue to gok and stare for all she cared.
It was then she saw another person in the distance and walked up to them naturally though she was very much on guard. "Excuse me, but would you happen to know this street?" she would enquire holding out the flyer and pointing to the direction that she was pretending to have trouble with but it was easily believable. "I'm not a native and... well... I'm having trouble finding my way around." she looked embarrassed about the whole situation, it was times like these that she was good at her job and could play the parts required of her without arousing the suspicions of other.
Insajj felt her guest long before she saw her. A warm embrace bathed over her, something akin to that of a long lost friend arriving to greet you. Turning her face remained neutral even if her eyes did narrow slightly. The woman was different than most of the people that Insajj ever had the joy of coming across. Her skin was that of a porcelain doll and her hair the direct reciprocal of Insajj’s own. A deep dark jet black mane cascaded down the back of her neck, tumbling over her exposed shoulders before disappearing from view. The two bit criminal not entirely sure what to do with hat was in front of her. Even more so when the woman began to speak.
Her voice carried an accent that she had yet to ever hear before. Words flared in strange spots and vowels drawn in fascinating ways. As she finished the question the woman extended her hand forward showing a flyer in hand. Reaching forward Insajj would take the flyer from her hand, if allowed, to read it. Even if she didn’t Insajj would straighten the flyer just enough to comprehend the words that had been printed on the page.
“No worries. You are on Julian Ave.” The words kind in tone even if her natural suspicions lay just beyond the surface. “You are in luck. I was actually attempting to help with the same job, we could head there together, if you wanted to of course.” Her guard still raised by the woman’s speech pattern, her appearance, the strange feeling that radiated off of her…pretty much everything if we are being honest. Tracing her tongue along the insides of her lower teeth Insajj carefully weighed the options before her. The woman clearly had money based on the exquisite silks that clung to her frame, a frame that would incite many with the flames of ecstasy and flawless skin.
“I haven’t been to Kikka in a very long time so I am glad I am not the only one lost at the moment.” Insajj laughed off with a smile. Provided that this new stranger accepted her offer to join Insajj on the journey she would begin to lead the tall woman towards the woods. Naturally, not something someone would do without raising at least a few alarm bells but given the circumstance hopefully this was something that the woman would be able to set aside.
“I love your clothing by the way. It must have cost you a pretty penny to get clothes like that made.” Peering down at her own clothing which themselves had been used and worn by the time they came into her possession. It spoke volumes to the current situation that she found herself constantly in. On one level she really didn’t mind it, kept the amount of money she spent on clothing low. On the other hand, there were times she desperately missed having higher end brand new clothing that was tailor made to fit just her at the time. Her mother and her enjoyed those days when her father and Rhianon were away for one reason or another. They would spend hours dressing up and just enjoying themselves with games or tea parties.
“My name is Insajj by the way. Yours?” Given the accent and the appearance she was ready for a ‘strange’ name to come forth. But that really only made the mystery that much deeper.
It was at this point that Yua fully took in the person she was asking for aid, they were stark opposites in almost every way from hair colour to dress code and fabrics worn. In honesty, she was no longer used to seeing people wearing such clothing given where she had just spent the last four years. She had seen commoners wearing run-down clothing even in the east but that just meant their clothing was far more resistant to the work they did and could be passed to others to keep costs down. Silk wasn't so easily repaired if damaged nor was it nearly as durable as cotton but it was lighter and cooler she had to admit. Still, she didn't look down upon the woman, to her there was no reason to given the story that she had been sticking to since she returned back to the Clover kingdom.
She allowed the leaflet to be taken and smiled a little nodding as the other looked and spoke to her "Julian Avenue..." she repeated looking around as if hoping to find a street sign or some other notable marker. While she was doing this she couldn't help but feel an odd familiarity with the other woman. It was quite strange as she knew for a fact they had never met before, she would remember someone with such strange eye. She had made a point not to stare or enquire about them as she was quite sure she got enough of that from other people and wanted to stop being treated as if she was some kind of freak show subject. "Oh, you are doing this too?" she said seemingly surprised biting her bottom lip almost disappointed at the chance to do the job as it had been taken by another.
It was then the offer of doing it together came up and she seemed to brighten up a bit "Are you sure? I wouldn't wish to slow you down or get in the way." she commented, her tone was polite and completely respectful the entire time she spoke to the other. "I would truly enjoy it, I don't really interact with a lot of people." this was a half-truth as she didn't really care one way or the other but she didn't really interact with people it was a habit that she had picked up while in the east and since being back in the west she had no wish to change it even though she was quite sure her family wanted to see her again after so long. That was on their mother as if she hadn't sent her away then she would still be with them instead of remaining somewhat independent.
"I heard this town has had a troubled recent history." she whispered she didn't want to upset anyone near them, she guessed those scars and wounds were far from being healed and so didn't want to cause any unneeded distress to them or any anger targeted towards herself. She paused for a moment knowing hesitation would be expected but then followed but didn't remain too close. She could defend herself if required but she was hoping not to get to that stage. It was then that her clothing was commented on, she brought up her sleeved hand to cover her light blush "Thank you, my lord will be so pleased that the clothing he had designed for me is being admired." her voice did show happiness within it, perhaps a note of excitement could be heard too. "I don't know how much it cost him though, but, he says his consort deserves the finest." she blushed a little more as if not knowing if such things were spoken about in the open in Clover.
It was then a name was given to her and she bowed politely "It is nice to meet you Insajj, your name is quite unusual but beautiful." she said her tone warm "Jiao is the name I was given." this again wasn't exactly a complete lie as where it wasn't the name her mother gave her it was the name still the name that she had been given from the man she had loved. It was a strange thing as she had been part of a teahouse that entertained people to tend to tasks for her family as it was the easiest way without suspicion, however, her 'lord' had become enamoured by her and so bought her contract at the teahouse due to the new life he had given her a new name to go with it. It made doing family work harder but she had managed it.
“No worries. You can definitely join me for the day if you would have me. Many hands make for light work as they say. I think. Sayings and whatnot were never my strong suit. Education was…suddenly cut off when I was young.” Insajj laughed. This woman was intriguing. If for nothing else for the day she would provide some company on what was a menial task. However, if things proved fruitful, who knows, maybe she would lead to something that would be beneficial for Insajj down the line. A new family or estate to rob was something that Varen always paid good money for. When he wanted to actually pay you that is…which was almost never.
“Most of Clover is troubled if you look for it hard enough.” Insajj replied to the comment about the town being troubled. “Whether it be threats from foreign wars, to ancient artifacts running amuck, to great beasts rampaging that are stuff of legends. If you look hard enough, you will find what you are looking for. And that is just the extraordinary shit, we haven’t even touch on the more mundane stuff.” She had seen a great deal of the mundane as she was growing up. Crime, bandits, nobility, lack of magic knights being around, magic knights being around. You name it and she had probably been exposed to it one way or the other. Fact was, in her opinion, a good chunk of the core infrastructure was rotten to the core. Wasn’t her problem to deal with though. She had her own ledger to clear before she went to forming any grand plan.
At the mention of designer clothing Insajj simply let out a cheeky impressed whistle. “Designer clothes and everything. This lord of yours must be quite fond of you to bestow such things. Definitely helps accent any underlying beauty that’s for sure.” Definitely some information to sell to Varen. Designer clothes, especially ones as fine as these, were not cheap meaning that this lord of hers definitely had money. Meaning, if a couple of items went missing at some point, no one was going to really miss them, were they? “Jiao…I like it. Not a name you hear very often. Seems we have that both in common.” She let out a slight snort. “My own name was supposedly an ancestral name that was passed down through my mother’s side. I don’t really know the exact origins of it but it definitely doesn’t feel like something you would find in Clover. Maybe it is more common in the other kingdoms.” She offered a half hearted shrug. “Maybe one day I will go on a grand adventure to find such a thing. Sounds a bit romantic if I really think about it.” Such adventures had long been dashed for any possibility of being completed. She had a larger calling.
As the two dipped further and further away from Kikka, the forest grew in size and scope. Its leaves forming a canopy above their heads. The sounds of the bustle of civilization were further removed and replaced in kind with the songs of birds and the chirping of bugs. Crunching of leaves echoed out as the animals in the forest perused about. “The job said just some branches that the broom maker could use…gotta assume that he was looking for something substantial, I guess. Keep your eye out for anything that you think might be of use.” Insajj commented as her ominous eyes scanned the forest floor. “So, what brought you out to Kikka? With an attire like yours I would expect to find you walking the cobblestone streets of the capital or some grand estate. Not this ‘backwater’.”
