Wren grew up without notable tragedies in her life. As a teenager she was scouted by a professor at the local academy, who recognized her potential, or so they told her. Professor Gallagher paid for her tuition to attend said academy.

Just as Lucien set out to complete their thesis to earn their masters, however, a letter arrived, indicating that the payments had stopped. Without tuition paid for, Lucien faces the fact that the support she had previously been granted has been revoked, leaving her with little options. Go home and figure out why the professor stopped, or why she was not included in their will, and risk the idea of not being sent back out, or figure out the money here, whilst completing her thesis. Lucien chooses option two. She is directed, either through rumours or recommendations, or her own recklessness, to the party.

Wren, armed with a truly lackadaisical sense of self preservation and less money than she’s ever had in her life, sets off to make the party like her–or, more realistically, put up with her. A truly harrowing job considering her reputation back at the academy.

If you asked Lucien, people avoided her because they couldn’t handle her wit. She didn’t bother to ask anyone else.