--North Gelmorra, 60 years past.--
The arranged marriage of Octavel Lundevidenoir and Yuliette Grandeterre goes off without a hitch, despite the now-wife's best efforts. Septavel Lundevidenoir is proud to see his son's wedding, and impresses upon the newlyweds the importance of carrying on the family line.
--North Gelmorra, 54 years past.--
Yuliette gives birth to hers and Octavel's child, a boy with golden eyes and blue hair, perfect to carry on the Lundevidenoir legacy. After a long argument over what to name their son, they compromise on Nonavel Percevain Lundevidenoir. Nicknamed Percy by his mother, though his father and grandfather insist on addressing him as Nonavel.
--North Gelmorra, 44 years past.--
A trio of boys call out to their friend as they see him wandering about. "Hey, Percy! Wanna come play with us?" Percy checks his wristwatch, 12:27. Still plenty of time before he needs to meet with his tutor at 14th bell. "Sure, I can join, what're we playing?"
After a heated series of handball matches, Percy checks his watch again. 12:27, still plenty of time before... hang on a tick. "Hey, I think I forgot to wind my watch, does one of you have the time?" He asks, and a friend responds. "It's quarter after 15, why?" Percy bolts home without a word.
When he arrives, his father is waiting for him at the door. "Nonavel, it's good to see you. I do hope you have a good reason as to why you wasted Mr. Quimperin's time?"
"Father, my watch stopped working, I didn't realize what time it was!"
"And you just happened not to notice the bells tolling through the city while off doing whatever it was?"
"Please, Father, I really didn't hear it, I-"
"Silence, boy. You are free to go this time, but do not make such a mistake again."
--North Shroud, 40 years past.--
A group of boys sneak their way out of the underground city, riding the rush of adrenaline from being somewhere they shouldn't be. When Percy's watch rings to alert him that it's 13:45, he's already too far from home to make it back for his lectures. He shrugs it off, he never learned much from Mr. Quimperin anyroad. What good does magic do for a guy like him? He'll just tell Father he's quitting.
"Nonavel, you don't seem to understand. Our family has a reputation to uphold, and I am not letting my own son break the chain of magical prowess that has defined our name for generations! I don't know if your mother has been putting these thoughts in your head, or if you're just that big a fool, but you will become a great mage whether it takes a year or the rest of your life!"
"So I don't get a say in the matter? I'm just supposed to do the same thing you do, because its the same thing grandfather did, because it's the same thing his father did?"
"Precisely, my son."
"What a load of shite."
"Watch your tongue with me, boy. Now go to your room, you'll be lucky if you get supper tonight."
"Fine, whatever..."
--South-Central Gelmorra, 40 years past.--
Percy spends what should be his lecture time paying another visit to the cute girl he met after one of his surface trips.
"H-hi again Marionne, are you busy?"
"Hm? Oh, hi Percy! I just put the youngest to sleep, and my other sister is out with friends, so this is good timing! Come in!"
"Oh, that's great! Uhm, here, I got this for you... I know you like flowers, so..."
"For me? Oh, you shouldn't have! They're beautiful! I don't recognize this species, where did you get these?"
"Heh, you'll never believe this! They're from the surface! Heard tell there were some great flowers up there, and I knew I had to pick some for you."
"You went up to the surface? For me? You're so brave~!" She plants a small kiss on his cheek and grabs his hand, excitedly pulling him inside.
--North Gelmorra, 34 years past.--
The Lundevidenoir family mourns the tragic passing of Yuliette, taken before her time by illness. The funeral proceeds quickly, her body interred in the Deepcroft alongside other Lundevidenoir family members.
Mere weeks later, Percy is ousted onto the streets of Gelmorra with barely a scrap to his name.
"I've tried my best with you, boy, but this is the last straw! Don't come back unless you're committed to being a proper Lundevidenoir!"
Percy swears under his breath. "Fine, I don't need you! I'll become a better Lundevidenoir than you'll ever be! And I'll do it my way!"
"Farewell and good riddance, you impetuous child!"
--North Shroud, 33 years past.--
Foraging things from the surface has paid well enough for Percy to get by, though he has to rely on the kindness of friends for housing.
On a trip above that's starting to become routine, Percy stumbles across a rare sight in the Shroud underbrush - a coinpurse, and a heavy one at that.
As he picks it up, a well-dressed Wildwood spots him and calls out. "Ah, young man, you've found it! I can't thank you enough, could you please hand that over?"
Percy looks at the coinpurse in his hand, then at the gentleman, then back to the coinpurse. A moment of contemplation, and Percy bolts the other way as fast as he can.
He doesn't quite hear what the Wildwood yells at him over his heart beating at lightspeed, not slowing down until he's well into the tunnels of Gelmorra.
He collapses against a wall to catch his breath and cracks open his prize, in disbelief over the riches inside. This will keep him fed for weeks! Do all surface-dwellers have this kind of money?
He supposes there's only one way to find out.
--Gévaudan, 28 years past.--
"Well, Marionne, what do you think? Not the fanciest neighborhood, but seems like as good a place as any to start a family."
"It's lovely, Percy. It won't be easy, moving out here, but I think it's the right step to take."
"I know you're worried about your siblings, love, but they're grown with their own jobs now! They can take care of themselves, give big sis Marionne a break."
"You're right, of course, dear. Guess it's just my caretaker's instinct, not wanting to let them go."
"Don't you worry there, I'm sure you'll have a new target for those instincts soon enough."
"Hehe, don't be too hasty! Maybe it wouldn't be so bad with just the two of us for a while."
"Hah, spose I can't argue there! Anyroad, are we agreed this is the place?"
"Mhm, let's go for it!"
--Gévaudan, 24 years past.--
"Have you thought about any names yet, my love?"
"Mmm, a little bit. I'm hoping it's a girl. I was thinking... 'Dianne'."
"Beautiful. And if the little tyke's a boy?"
"Well, I figured you should pick for that, Percy. It's only fair, isn't it?"
"You sure? Sheesh, talk about pressure... I'll do what I can. I'm assuming Percevain Junior's off the table?"
The two soon-to-be-parents laugh, eager to start a new chapter of their life together.