Iskra Macneary's Links
What a distraction...
Iskra is one of Zhang Tian's favorite students. She's totally dedicated to her training, which makes her way more fun to pull away from it! She's a princess but she has nooooooo taste, which is super unforgivable to Zhang Tian. She's slowly wearing down Iskra's defenses to begging in hopes of taking her on a princess-worthy shopping spree.
Iskra doesn't know much about the other student, especially since they don't cross paths in class. She hopes to see his combat prowess sometime, even if it comes in the form of a mock battle between their classes.
Lucian admires Iskra quite a bit. Like him, she isn't exactly the royalty she's supposed to act like. Lucian, too, is nothing like the rest of his family. On that level he feels he has a bit deeper of an understanding of what she's going through than his peers. Perhaps someday they could be good friends, should Lucian finally find the right words.
It makes it even harder to face her engagement in person. At home, she could dream about running off and leaving behind some filthy, piglike noble from a foreign land. At the cathedral, she has to face the person she'll be affecting if she forsakes her duty. Eric is... Nice. He's a genuinely non-offensive fine looking man. Iskra is sure that if she wanted to be married, it would be an amazing match. She just doesn't. She tries her best to avoid him and awkwardly sidesteps his attempts to get to know her. They have a very awkward relationship currently.
Eric is obviously willing to marry for the Empire, but Iskra is a cold person. He's quite unsure about what to do with her or what she personally wants... For now, he's giving her space and hoping things will become clearer later.
Madan is respectable. It's nice to spend time with someone who proves their ability without needless chatter. Iskra would consider them to be close friends, despite not actually speaking much - the bond between warriors doesn't need any explanation. She's happy to fight alongside him or against him.
Great sparring partner. She uses her axe like no way he's ever seen before... nobody has ever toppled him within the first minute of combat except for her. It lights a fire in him and his eyes gleam whenever he spots her entering the training grounds. Though he was quite reserved and quiet around her... the first time he was defeated he actually laughed, like he was having fun.
He's such a hassle to deal with... What fork to use here, what introduction is appropriate for which guest, and a hundred other insipid little noble rules. Iskra faced enough of this at home... If she can get away with pretending it's some foreign custom, then of course she'll keep acting the way she does. She respects his tactical knowledge, though. Strategy is a worthwhile pursuit.
Goodness! The princess of Brigid herself... he's heard of her engagement to the Empire's very own heir, how astonishing... the things that go on in the upper echelons of aristocracy, it's like staring at the blinding white peak of a domineering mountain... he can't even imagine what happens there. He hesitates to comment on her personality with fears of being offensive... perhaps it is expected of a princess of Brigid to be so cold and reserved? Even still, as the future Empress, he IS obligated to give her lessons on manners. Sorry, your highness, do not think badly of him for this...!