Grizt laughed at the question as she smiled viciously," Well, that's something Rudy! Now if you got less rude, I might actually like ya!"
Karita's distaste was very clear as she frown and leveled a glare at Grizt," My name is Karita and I'll have you know-"
"Look, Rita, I don't care. You don't deserve respect. Honestly no one does. You either share or get none. Seeing as you don't share with us, we're not gonna bother sharing with you. We'll keep all the respects!" Grizt cut off Rita with her odd retort that she punctuated with a dance," Anyways, it's a little hard to say on this. We deserve to be free. However, I can't say this job isn't nice. We just got to do some work and earn our keep and we get a nice place like this to hangout? Yeah, that's pretty fun, but I still think I don't deserve this annoying tattoo."
"So you intend to take your freedom at all costs?" Karita asked with a smirk as Grace finally caught on to what she was doing. It was a trap. If she spoke out loud of deadly intent toward a noble, the tattoo would punish her with greater severity the higher ranked they were. The only time they could act against nobility was during the master defense clause.Grace was about to warn Grizt, but she ignored her attempt to break into their little discussion.
"Well, no. We deserve freedom, but that cost is another matter. A couple years? Sure. Our deaths? Nu uh. Killing others? Not unless they deserve it. I feel you should only give people what they deserve and share a few common things," Grizt answered as if it were simple and obvious," Not that hard to understand."
"Somehow I doubt that. Also, you're lying. What did I do to deserve the hell you girls gave me!" Karita demanded angrily as she realized Grizt had somehow dodged the trap of saying she intended to kill a member of the Imperial family. Grace sighed at this. After all, the only way Karita could use that answer against Grizt would be if she stated that Grace did in fact deserve death. Not exactly a good argument to make.
"Really? You think we deserve to be treated like crap? Guess what? We can think the same of you," Grizt shot back with a level glare of her own," Think about how ya been treating me and mine and you'll know why we don't care about you too much."
Upon saying this, Grizt turned to leave before stopping and coming to collect the dishes. Karita muttered the entire time. Not in a bad way, but more in a way that spoke of deep thought.
"Oh, and a couple more things before I go. Used to not give a shit about you until you started to actually clean up. Also," She then turned to the Princess and gave a wink before bowing," Have a good night milady!"
Grace was left speechless as she waved goodbye. She was in thought about what the wink could have meant. She had to wonder if it meant that the goblin had seen the trap all along. It seemed odd though as she was certain no one had gone over all of the intricacies of the Mark. She tossed that idea out and was left wondering what it could be.
Grizt was snickering to herself as she made her way to her room with the others after taking care of the dishes. It was night out and they would have to get up early again tomorrow. The look on both Rita and the Princess's faces were priceless. Grizt thought about what that sage wannabe was likely to do next. She had decided to go talk to them so she could get a better grasp of the two of them. In her opinion, Grace was definitely a kind person who actually cared. Which is why she felt she deserved some respect and possibly more. She honestly liked her.
As for Karita, she had a completely different opinion of her in multiple ways. The obvious being she didn't like her at all. Though that may change in time. That was the oddity. The woman was completely unlikable when they first met. Her attitude and need to make herself self important really rubbed everyone the wrong way. Not to mention, Grizt suspected a few things in regards to her actions that day. The thing was that she already got what she deserved when she lost her old job. Her continued attitude only made sure they'd make her miserable since she kept earning their ire. The thing was though, she had actually started to clean up her shit attitude. Even more, she was actually patient with Oaguz that afternoon. She almost felt bad for her. The training can help, but without the aptitude, she would never reach her goal. She giggled at the thought of how she'd react when she found out.
As for the Princess, she wondered what conclusion she'd jump to. A little trick she learned from Weye a while back was that certain random gestures can pay off down the road. Giving a false impression can often give you a new road. She was curious where this path would lead. She was still smiling.
"Clear your mind!" Oaguz yelled once more and smacked Karita on the back of the head.
It had been a couple days now and Karita was starting to get very frustrated with the training that... Oaguz was putting her through. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Across the yard, Grizt was at it again and had managed to force the princess into her violent training method. It was clear the poor girl was getting exhausted by this and it had affected their planning. She was going to have to have a word with those two. That would have to wait as right now she had to focus on learning these odd methods. She began trying to clear her mind as she had been told. It just wasn't going right. The very idea of emptying your mind of everything is just odd. After all, how was she supposed to be able to rid herself of desire when she WANTED to-
Her thoughts were cut off as yet again she was struck. This time on the forehead.
"Ok, let's stop for a moment. I was going easy on ya to get your posture right when we started. That and to make sure you didn't fall asleep. So let's get to the problem. You think too much." Oaguz lectured sternly before breaking into a smirk," So why don't ya tell little ol' me about it."
"It's a paradox! How can you clear your mind when you need to WANT it clear!" Karita demanded to which the blue haired goblin just laughed for a moment.
"Ah, sorry about that, it's just nostalgic hearing that," Oaguz apologized as she held her stomach. Karita was none too pleased with the reaction but nodded in acceptance at the apology. She was interested in what she'd say," So you made the same, silly mistake. Well, I got a way to make it clear... Maybe. Anyway go get some sticks."
Not long after, Karita was back and Oaguz was ready to continue," Ok, now I want you to take one and put it up your sleeve or something. And then let the others go."
"I don't see the point in this," the wannabe sage now in training grumbled. All the same she followed the directions.
"Now I want you to imagine that stick as the desire you used to let go and that the moment you try to get rid of it you end up picking them all up. That's because you're focusing on a desire and making it part of your action."
"So this just proves the point!"
"Uh-uh, just something to help you think about it. Now take it back out and pick 'em up again," Oaguz waited until she did so," Ok, now what's the easiest way to get rid of them?"
Karita raised a brow as she just dropped them," Just let go?"
"Exactly! Don't focus on wanting it cleared. You just stop. Of course, you can come up with certain practices that help you do it. I hear some like to treat it like feed each thing that pops up like kindling for a fire or dust in the wind. Just remember not to focus on wanting and just do it!"
As it turned out, it was still easier said than done. Though she actually thought she might have finally made some progress when something happened.
It had taken Andrea and her knights a little longer than expected to arrive. As it had turned out, the cover team had been delayed. They had to wait for them to arrive for several reasons. First was the fact that she had the trace stone on her. This stone had a spell on it that allowed others to know her location if they were the ones to cast the spell or had the tool that did so. Yes, she could have left it there, but then it would have left another problem. There was a remote chance someone might show up before and make a conflicting report. While the source would likely be someone of low station and thus not important to most nobility, she knew for certain that the Empress would grow suspicious of such a thing. There were to be no witnesses until after the cover team had brought in the additional elements they needed for the operation. After all, someone had to be held responsible for the deaths of so many knights and the threat to the Imperial Princess.
They would soon arrive. In fact, she could already make out the Manor in the distance. ~Soon.~ She thought to herself with a twisted smile. ~I can't wait for our little fairy tale.~