Caretaker
Chapter one – The last first school day partyTwo years passed since I got here, and I could say that it was better than I expected, somehow. I met lots of friends, a life-long rival and a… girlfriend. Yeah, yeah, I haven't told you anything for like… three years, and maybe it seems weird, but when you see someone that is, like, perfect, you eventually fall in love with that perso-
- Shall I know what are you doing? – A head appeared next to Akko.
- I was writing in my old diary, waiting for you.
A small kiss was the way to say "good morning" when they sleep together, and those days were the best for them. Usually it happened during a holiday, or when they were able to do sleepovers with the other girls. Now, they are enjoying the summer holidays which ends in 2 days, starting the last school day.
- Hey Diana, have you thought about going to the Last First School Day party?
Diana sighed. Of course she thought about that, but it was a hard question. The party was allowed until midnight, and afterwards, there was a rumor to do it in a dorm. She really thought about it, because it was going to be the first time that she disobeys the rules, and in such a big way.
But… Akko really wanted to go; she knew that despite the fact that she didn't say anything (because she knew if she did, Diana was going to feel obligated… not like she felt otherwise).
- I apologize for this, Akko, but I am going to take the decision when the "official" party ends.
Akko wasn't sad for that, neither did a pout. Diana has to be the perfect student for the school, and maintain that image is hard. Akko would accept any decision Diana makes, anyway.
- Do you want come with me to the library? – Diana asked, and she knew the following answer…
- Of course I want, silly girl! – Akko happily got up, locking with magic the book – What are you studying?
- As my girlfriend, I will trust the secret. I am studying about the magic mirrors, and other universes.
That was new. That kind of magic is strictly forbidden, even to prestigious witches, because they can cause problems between the two universes, the timelines, other species or living groups and, the most important thing, they could get exiled forever if their magic doesn't work.
Akko gave a weird look at Diana, and she continued talking.
- I know what you're thinking, and I know the trouble I could get practicing that kind of magic. I'm not, however, doing anything strange. I'm just studying what is known… for now.
That was weird. Diana, the best student in Luna Nova, saying that maybe she will do forbidden stuff… that was really weird.
⁂
In the library, Diana grabbed a book in the "Cosmos" section, and started reading it. Akko wandered what was the difference between magic and technology, and asked the question aloud.
- Your mind wanders loudly, lady. The main difference with technology is that technology does what is told. Until now, it cannot think by itself, nor do things without the human help. Technology is made by humans as a tool, to search, to save, to invent, to create. Magic, could be used like that in the same way, but I think that is more… "fun" to do stuff that technology did not catch up yet, "stuff" involving nursing, light-related creations, potions… it is like, the magic uses us as a tool, and such, magic does the best for that user, in the case of white magic that is.
- I kinda understand that, I guess… Wait, white magic?
- With white magic, I mean magic that we are able to control and it is linked with our soul, our desires, and our energy. There is magic that you invoke and it is controlled by itself, like life-creating magic. Reviving someone, creating life, gave magic attributes to objects… That magic, you think about that as "forbidden magic", because it escapes your control, your will.
- Wait a minute, magic mirrors are all over the place!
- And for good reasons they are in a single room locked up, they are old, they cannot be controlled by any means and they will to exist is stronger that most living objects. If you destroy them, they will try to repair themselves, or possess people to do it. It is forbidden, strictly forbidden, to even think about making a "magic mirror".
Akko thought about those words while Diana was reading "Parallel Universes – Part XV". Magic was stronger than technology in that way, in doing the unthinkable, while technology was better at doing exact things. They could co-exist if they tried, really.
⁂
Diana almost finished the reading, and with that, the entire saga of Parallel Universes. She thought of maybe six or seven interesting worlds, which were kind of identical to their universe with magic-like beings. The universes that she had in mind were 4752415646 and 5356544645. She had to remember, however, that they universe is the 4541525448. She wrote those numbers in a handbook, with every single note in case of emergency. She was going to do something wild, but in name of… magic.
- You know, Akko. I have one condition to assist to the party.
Akko stopped her train of thought to listen again those words.
- What, what?
- I am going to assist, if after the party, you do something with me.
Akko cheeks turned red, and instead of asking what the heck was Diana asking anything near that, she answered with a simple
- Of course!
Amanda's voice was heard in the hallways, and they went with their group of friends in a nice day with friends.
⁂
Ursula was having a big, enormous problem. Well, not herself only, the whole school. An incoming war was going to hit the magic world. Some witches from another region want to conquest every magic place, to make a reign. And the levels of those witches were far more superior to anybody. Ursula thought that even the teachers can fight that war; they need to protect the creatures and students from the attack. The only way was that the soon-to-be-graduated students get into the war; the troublemaking group, Amanda, Suzy, Constanze, Jasminka, Lotte, and the couples, Diana, Akko, Hannah and Barbara.
The principals were informed that Diana was studying about black magic and alternatives universes lately. They knew that Diana was allowed to investigate those topics; nevertheless, she still was guarded.
Ursula though about talking to her about the consequences, maybe they could train over there…
But, until something certain happen, they would not take actions.
⁂
It was the last night together, because the next day was the grand party. They were drinking tea, and talking about the event.
- Mhm, what are you using tomorrow? – Akko asked, while she drank the tea.
- Well, for your surprise, something casual, a violet t-shirt, a black skirt and a nice pair of shoes.
That was EXTRA weird for Diana.
- Do not give me that look, girl. An important casual event needs casual clothes too, r-right? – Diana looked away.
Something extra weird was happening with Diana, but Akko thought about the "favor" and she understood her.
- I think that too, and hey, if you aren't feeling comfortable, you could always summon the school uniform too.
Diana left the cup over the table and kissed Akko's cheek.
- You know, I thought about how I am with you, and well… I am not like the others, giving you kisses or doing romantic stuff… but, I love you girl.
- I love you too, weird Diana's clone that is romantic for some reason – and before Diana could say anything to that joke, a kiss was her interruption.
⁂
Sunday arrived and the two girls were waked up by the sun. They saw each one faces, shared a cute moment together and decided to get up, they have a lot of things to do.
- Welly well well, I'm going to my dorm – Akko said
- I am going to buy some things, and then I go to your room.
- Farewell, my love – said the red-eyed girl before she leaves.
Diana read the things that she had to do. First: get a haircut.
⁂
Akko joins their roommates with the cleaning, and then she studied a little bit for the classes. Suzy was practicing with some ingredients, and Akko was her test subject. It was like a normal weekend, until around 4 PM. In that time, the girls started to get ready, well; the exception was Suzy that was going to stay practicing with potions all night.
While Akko was preparing her clothes, Lotte was preparing her hair. Both of them were looking nice, and they helped each other. Akko ended wearing a light black dress, with some comfortable shoes for the dancing part and a bohemian-style braid, and Lotte wore a blue shirt with a black with white stripes skirt. Both looked awesome.
The party was going to start at 9 PM, but they have to be ready before 7, as their friend meet up sooner.
It was 6:45 and Lotte was going to the meet-up, Akko preferred to stay and wait for Diana, and girl she was late. She came nearly one hour later.
A knocking in the door was the thing that brought Akko back to the world, and she was thinking what was going to say to her late girlfriend until she opened the door. A short hair, a violet ripped off shirtsleeves shirt, a black skirt with a red belt and black dancing shoes girl appeared, and it was Diana. It was an outfit that could never been seen in her.
- Hey, watch carefully your girlfriend or maybe I could take care of her – said Suzy, laughing loud.
- S-shut up girl – Akko said turning her head to Suzy – You look… different!
- I know that it is completely different style than what I would normally wear, but… I wanna spice it a lil bit girl
What the… Diana? Using contractions?! And wearing something like that?!
Akko pushed her softly and closed the door.
- Diana, you know that you don't have to do this because of me, I love you the way you are, and I've neve— she was interrupted by Diana.
- Listen, being someone important in an institution, in your family and in the magic world in general is not easy, okay?, I just want to enjoy a night being a normal girl… and, well, I think of myself this way when I say "enjoy a night being a normal girl". If you want, I could summon the school uniform and with that—
- It's okay Diana, I just wanted to be clear… and escape from that crazy girl.
- I could hear everything girls – said Suzy, behind Akko.
- Well, good bye Miss Manbavaran, we'll heading to the meeting with the girls.
- Good luck girls – Suzy shouted from behind the door.
And like that, they started walking to the cafeteria talking about how nice the short haircut looked on Diana, and what was going to be the reactions of their friends… and they were totally impressed. The moment they saw the two girls, they stopped whatever conversation they were having, and they couldn't say any word for a couple of minutes. The first one to talk was Amanda.
- Tonight is going to be a good night, isn't it?
⁂
Normally Diana didn't really cared about parties, because everyone she assisted she was the organizer or the special invited, but this was different. She was a normal girl that night. She was going to enjoy it.
They stayed trying drinks in the bar, but Diana chose the non-alcoholic ones. She needed to be sober for the later part of the night. Amanda took her by the arm and they went dancing together.
On the other hand, Akko was already dancing with Lotte, and when they saw Diana dancing with Amanda, they went near them and start talking.
- This is good music heh? – Akko teased Diana, since she only listen to classic music all the time.
- I don't dislike it, actually – she said happily.
- What are you gonna do, girl? There is karaoke with the girls in my dorm after this – Amanda remembered to ask the question.
Diana looked back to Akko, and answer with a "Hell yeah!" followed by a laugh, by her and by her friends too.
The time arrived and everybody was going to sleep, except the karaoke girls that went into Amanda's room. Lotte, Akko and Diana were the only ones sober.
It was a long night, but they weren't tired or anything. After singing each one two or three songs, they stopped to talk while in the background instrumental music was being played. They were talking about haircuts, after Lotte mentioned how good Diana's was. She said that she was going to think about keeping it seeing that it was so good, and complimented the braid from her girlfriend to Lotte, who made it. They could talk for hours and they did, until 5 PM.
- Hey girls, I don't wanna sound like Diana, but it's going to be half-past five and maybe we should sleep a little bit – said Amanda, more sober than before.
- I agree with that – said Lotte, getting up. All the girls one by one were leaving the room, and when the couple got up, Diana whispered something to Akko.
- Hey, I'm not done with you girl.
Akko cheeks went as red as it could get, and with a "See you later!" to Amanda, they left together.
⁂
- Where are we going? – asked innocently Akko
- You have never opposed to any idea of mine – Diana stopped walking – and you know that I would never let something bad happen to you, but I need you to go with me to a place.
- Wher… - Akko asked too quickly, and before Diana could say anything, she thought the answer alone – Are you going to the magic mirror room? To go to another universe or something like that?
- Just to research for an hour. I know that I am on a watch list, but everybody is sleeping right now, it is my opportunity.
- This is a really bad idea Diana – Akko stepped back. For the first time, she was really uncomfortable following Diana steps.
- Please Akko, nothing bad is going to happen.
- And how do you plan to come back?
- There is always a host wherever you go; they could bring us back safely.
- And how do you know that is going to be like that?
- Why are you acting like that?
- Because you don't feel like Diana anymore!
The fact that Akko was acting like she would in any other occasion hitted her hard, Akko was scared of forbidden magic and Diana knew why. The school taught that it was the worst kind of magic, and in any instance it could be used. It was a scare thing to prevent accidents, but they overdid the "scaring" part.
- Well, I understand your fear, but can you take care of me?
- How?
- Stay in the room for five minutes, if I don't return, call the nearest professor you found.
- Diana, why are you so confident that is going to work? Why you want to do it, anyways?
- If you follow me, I'm going to tell the truth eventually, I promise.
Akko hesitated for a moment. Diana would never do anything without thinking like 30 times before, so the way she was so confident pushed her to answer positively.
- Okay, but if anything happens it's going to be your fault!
And with that, the girls went to the mirror room.
⁂
Ursulla was in charge of the girls, because the school knew that something after the party was going to be made, but she didn't expected what Diana said. She casted an invisible spell in herself, and followed the girls.
She knew that, if in a couple of seconds, Diana didn't come back, she had to intervene.
Why she didn't stop her? Because it was better that way. She preferred that Diana studied the other universes on her own, and maybe she could even make some friendships. It was going to be good for the upcoming war.
⁂
- Okay, which mirror is the special one? – Akko said gently, and Diana pointed a golden mirror.
When they approached the mirror, they couldn't saw their reflections on it.
- First, you have to indicate where you want to go, in Latin, like this.
"quattuor, septem, quinque, duo, quattuor, unus, quinque, sex, quattuor, sex" was said by Diana, before the mirror started to become chrome painted, and it was like watery too.
- Before I go, I am going to tell you why I want to do this. I am tired of studying here all day, not that I am ungrateful of everything that the endless possibilities that doing that brought to me, but… I want to do things outside of the school. Being a "big deal" as a witch, and as a person, is something that, if you comprehend that is hard, you could also understand that sometimes I want time to myself, and to meet people that won't judge because of my last name. I want to be normal, like I tried today, but everyone was looking at me like I was crazy and… I want to try new things, and I think that I researched enough to do this.
- Well… I can't argue with you girl, you always are smarter than me… - said Akko, with her head down.
- Until I am not – she picked up her girlfriend head with both hands – I love you Akko, and everything is going to be okay, okay?
- Yes… everything is going to be okay.
Diana double-checked her stuff, and she headed into the portal to another universe… but how it was going to be?
Next chapter: Are you going to…?