Page 52 of The Art of Exiley

“You’re a Sire. You’ll get invitations,” he says dismissively, focusing back on whatever is under his microscope. I assume he means to ignore my question entirely, but after a moment he says, “At Avant, I was part of the BloodScience guild. I had to relinquish that when I came here.” He momentarily rubs his bare middle finger, where I assume he used to wear his old guildstone. “I chose to reguild into Bioscience as it’s the most similar.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. Bioscience is a natural choice for a Sire, given our innate healing abilities.” He keeps talking, eyes concentrating on the incisions he’s making. “Once I master, I’ll probably go on to the Artisan guild to pursue music.” This surprises me, but not as much as his volunteering the information in the first place. “I’d also consider Alchemy or Mysticism. I have little interest in the Ciphers, and we both know I have no business messing with the ethics of Sophistry. So Bioscience made the most sense as a starting point.”

He’s never spoken so many sentences in a row to me. He’s actually telling me about himself. The experience of him acknowledging me as human is a nice change.

“Well, what about me? Do you think Bioscience would be a good choice?”

He scrunches his brow for a moment, and I’m sure he’s about to say no, but then he shrugs and says, “As I said, it’s a good choice for most Sires.”

Back in the common room of my apartment later in the evening, I recall the conversation and wonder why Rafe doesn’t think Bioscience is a good fit for me. He probably just assumes I’m not good enough for his guild. But it’s not one of the guilds Michael’s been nudging me toward either. However, Kor thinks it’s best, and I agree. For Grandfather if nothing else.

I’ve been using every spare moment I have searching for a way to help Grandfather, but I haven’t found anything specific about cures for cancer. I searched the library, tried asking questions to the snooty Bio journeys, and even snuck into the Bio lab after following Kaylie to find out where it is. The only consistent response I get is, “There’s information about it in theBioscience Guild Testaments.” Joining the Bio guild is my best bet at ever seeing those.

So Bioscience is my first choice… right? But if I don’t get in, I need a backup option.

I wish Georgie were here so I could pick her brain more. As if I haven’t been doing that for days. I’m glad for her sake that she’s been busy in her Couture Studio sewing pieces to barter at the Quorum faire. She must be sick of my constant spiraling.

All this worrying is fruitless when I could be doing something practical like actively enhancing my gallerie. Ishouldbe practicing my song.

With help from Michael and from my apprentice classes, my gallerie has come a long way. Madam Adelina, my pitch instructor, has really helped me improve my singing voice. In Apprentice Art Studio, I’ve made some decent drawings and discovered that, in addition to my plant dyes, I really enjoy both egg tempera and pastels. I’ve prepared an original recipe in culinary science and, with Kaylie’s help, completed a life-size anatomically accurate sketch of a human circulatory system. Through it all, I’ve gathered a fair number of pieces worth showing. However, my song is still a mess.

But there’s no way I can be productive with my brain this preoccupied.

Izzy has talked me through many overthinking tornadoes. If she were here, she would tell me to approach things logically and make a list.

I grab a paper and pen and write down each guild starting with Bioscience.

Bioscience

PROS:

– Medical stuff

– Sire sharing thing??

– Good fit for Sires

– Great hoverjoust team

The negatives for the Bioscience guild write themselves:

CONS:

– Snobby/competitive journeys

– RAFE

I move on to the Artisans next.

Artisans

PROS:

– Georgie

– Music + art = yay!

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