Grace, Charm, Beauty…Kartik?
"We've got a…mission, if you will, for you, Kartik."
I was thrilled. It had to mean something, didn't it?
"Of course," I replied eagerly. "What is it that I get to do?" I could see it already…I just knew it was going to be something manly, something dangerous and possibly even life-threatening, and I'd finally get the chance to prove myself a worthy die-hard member of the Rakshana.
"Kartik."
My brief daydream of myself valiantly slaying some creature of ridiculously large size was interrupted by my leader's voice. He sounded impatient.
"I'm listening," I said hastily. I didn't want to ruin my golden opportunity. "I'm ready for anything you set me to."
There was a slight hesitation on his part.
"Anything?" he sounded almost amused.
"Yes, yes, of course."
"Well…that's very good to hear. Because yours is a special assignment." He paused. "We need someone on the inside."
"I…pardon?"
"Someone on the inside. I need you to be able to survey the girl at all times. Get to know her…find her weaknesses. It will make it that much easier to get what we're after."
"But—I—sir, not to contradict you, but—…"
"But…what?"
"Your Rakshana-ness, how am I to successfully do as you ask…at an all-girls' establishment? It would not make sense to have a man loitering about that place at all times and all hours. Someone would get suspicious."
"Ah." I didn't like the sound of his voice right then. I could hear the sinister smile playing on his lips as he replied, "I've done some thinking. And I believe there is a way."
The audacity! The very nerve! I could not believe what I had just gotten myself into; and yet, I realized, I should have seen it coming from a mile away. I sighed resignedly and glanced over at my escort. He set my trunk down for a moment to ring the bell. The elderly woman; Nightwing, I believe it was, answered the door and gave us both a quick once-over.
"You must be the new student," she said finally, face lighting up in recognition.
"Yes." My escort cleared his throat. "This is Karina."
"Why, hello, Karina! Such a lovely name!" Mrs. Nightwing moved to the side and motioned for us to come in. I literally left my remaining dignity at the door as we entered. My companion lowered my baggage once more and with a brisk 'I'll just be going now', he was out of sight…but not before giving me a strange sort of wink, which I could only assume meant 'get the job done, lackey.' I let out a whoosh of air, earning me a hard look from the headmistress.
"I'll show you to your sleeping quarters," she said after a moment's silence. I was left to haul my trunk upwards and down the hall until we reached a room almost identical to that of Gemma and her homely companion.
"Yes. This will do quite nicely." Mrs. Nightwing decided. She smoothed her skirts and nodded at me. "We'll have to get you a uniform…now let's see." She threw open the closet doors and pulled out one of many indistinguishable white outfits. "This should do adequately." Aghast, I realized she expected me to put it on right then. I prayed she'd give me some privacy—yes! She left the room for a moment to let me change. For a moment, I thought my cover would be blown for sure. I wrestled my way out of the pink gown I was wearing and sighed heavily, holding the uniform in front of me. I slipped my legs into the skirt with ease, but I had to squeeze my thighs in a bit. They were so muscular, you know, that it made the skirt a tad tight. I forced my rippling biceps in through the sleeves of the blouse, taking care not to flex too hard in case I tore the fabric. Upon actually buttoning the shirt, I remembered that I wasn't used to having much…up there. Pectoral muscles can only do so much. I'd been given some…oh, I can hardly bring myself to say it…inserts. They were good-sized balls of silk stuffed with cotton and who knows what else. Grudgingly, I admitted, upon checking the mirror, the effect was quite nice. All that was left to do was sweep on a handsome blue velvet cape and put on the shoes provided.
After shoving my feet into those narrow pointed boots, I lazily flung open the door. Mrs. Nightwing glanced at me and nodded approvingly.
"That will do," she said. "Now, I've other matters to attend to. Supper will be served at six. I expect to see you there."
"Yes, Mrs. Nightwing," I replied as softly as I could. She ambled away, and I sank onto the bed. How was I going to be able to do this? For one thing, the confounded corset was strangling me already. My companion had made sure to lace it up extra tightly, and it didn't help that it was made with whalebone.
That uniform was another story altogether. There was that feeling of air rushing up through the skirt. After wearing pants for so long, well, I didn't like it.
I had to laugh upon seeing myself in the mirror. I'd been provided, as well as those accursed inserts, a special wig. It was elbow-length and black, full of silky ringlets. I did, admittedly, look almost girly, especially with the false eyelashes and excessive rouge.
I decided that maybe I could pull this off. I glanced at my watch. It was time to put my newfound femininity to the test.