Here's the next installment of our Metallum Nocturne story. If you need to catch up on any of the previous episodes, click here.
Episode Fifty-Four
Two weeks after the trial, the paparazzi outside of Metallum Nocturne had given up under the assumption that everyone had gone home for the summer. That was true for everyone but Claire and a few professors who hadn't left on their vacations. She kept up her preparations for the night metal ring, which would be her final project in the Hall. It was a bittersweet ending to five years of hard work and learning.
The urges from Nocturna had yet to hit, which she was thankful for. She had enough to worry about without that murderous goddess demanding to taste new flesh.
Claire was in the foundry setting out the gear for the following day. She had pulled the heavy metal table near the safety fence and set out all her reagents and tools in order of use during the long day. She expected it to take fifteen hours and had already started prehydrating.
"Even the best casting can't be made without some spillage," said Professor Wolfe, entering the foundry from the office side.
"Hey, professor," said Claire, looking up from her schedule with a smile. "I thought you were headed to Alaska."
"I leave tomorrow morning, bright and early, but I wanted to say goodbye. We missed you at the ceremony."
"Oh, yeah. I guess that happened, didn't it?"
Professor Wolfe clasped his hands in front. "He should have made an exception. After everything that happened it was unfair of him to kick you out."
"No, professor. He was right to do so. I broke the rules and technically I never finished my fifth-year project."
"To have the most brilliant student of the last fifty years not graduate seems criminal." He looked over her table. "Is that the...?"
He was staring at the lump of night metal. She nodded.
"How did you get more?"
"It was a gift in return for services rendered."
The professor tilted his head. "I understand. Better left unsaid. What will you do after?"
"Canterbury got me a job. There's a little trinket foundry right on the edge of the eleventh ward. Another block and it'd be outside the city. They do some really innovating and interesting work. I'm excited to join them."
"Innovative and interesting? That sounds like code for pays like shit."
Claire chuckled. "It pays enough and I enjoy the work."
"But you won't be able to, you know."
He waggled his fingers.
Claire raised an eyebrow. "There are work-arounds."
The professor nodded sagely. "I should have guessed. A resourceful young woman who can acquire night metal, twice, and survive civil cases and attempted assassinations shouldn't be stopped by a little thing like lacking a patron."
He checked his watch. "I should go. I have to pack for a month away. Stay in touch."
Claire gave the old professor a long hug. "Thank you, Professor Wolfe."
After he left, Claire finished setting up. Then she went to the gym and worked out for three hours until she was drenched with sweat. She had no idea if she needed to maintain her muscles or the night metal would provide that for her, but she enjoyed the exercise.
It was strange wandering around Metallum Nocturne with almost no one left in the Hall. After the workout, Claire showered, changed, and headed out to a nearby sandwich place to meet Dawn, who'd completed her first few days of work.
"It's criminal that you won't be working in a foundry," said Claire as she sat down with her tray across from Dawn.
Her friend was wearing a brown pantsuit with her hair pulled back with a colorful headband. With the freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks like a galaxy, she looked like autumn incarnate.
Dawn held a chip before her mouth. "D'Agastine Industries made the best offer. It sounds like I'll be working with their packaging group. Some of their more exotic products need enhanced protections. The good news is that I get to stay in the city and the pay means I can afford a decent apartment. I've been checking around the ninth. There's a flat with an extra room I think I might pick, but it'd be better with a roommate."
"Are you sure?" asked Claire, setting down her wrap. "I don't want you to get mixed up in anything I have to do for Nocturna."
"You didn't kill your greatest enemy when you had the opportunity, I don't think you'll kill your best friend. Besides, you can't afford shit on your salary."
"Salary? I get paid salary?"
Dawn recoiled. "Hourly?"
"Sort of. Job rate, plus a floor of hourly. Not great, but I don't have to worry about benefits," said Claire, laughing. "But if you're okay with my side jobs, I'd love to share a flat with you."
"Side jobs," said Dawn, rolling her eyes. "Try not to bring any work home with you."
"Noted," said Claire, saluting.
"Have you had any...?"
"Thoughts? Not yet. Maybe Nocturna's giving me a little break based on everything that happened."
"Speaking of, did you see the latest polls?"
"I've tried not to look, given how often my face was in the paper."
"Fair, but get this. Annette is back down to single digits and there are calls for her to drop out of the race. The primary is next week. She's toast."
"Dodged one bullet."
"By my recollection, you dodged exactly zero bullets," said Dawn, throwing a chip in her mouth. "Are the paps still outside the Hall?"
"Thankfully, no. I'm hoping by the end of the summer the world has forgotten about me and I can return to blissful anonymity."
"Yeah, given your new profession, that's going to be important. Have you, you know, picked anyone out yet?"
Claire shook her head. "I'll burn that bridge when I get to it. For now I'm worried about the pour."
"Oh yeah! Tomorrow, right? I'd almost forgot."
"Tomorrow," said Claire with a heavy sigh. "I'm nervous."
"You shouldn't be. You're a badass, Claire. If anyone can do this, it's you, especially since you're practically explosion-proof now."
Claire threw a chip at her. "You're not helping."
Dawn reached over and stole a chip from her plate. "Then let's talk about something more important than night metal and murderous demigods from shadow realms."
"What's that?"
Dawn leaned over conspiratorially. "What kind of vibe are we going for in the flat?"
