Summary: Akko and Diana have a nice conversation under the stars.


Author's Notes:

Wow would you look at that. I'm trying to participate in fandom? Who am I?

I started these prompts as practice. Something different from Heart of Iron and Heart of Steel. It's a good change I guess.

Anyway, happy Dianakko week! This is Day 1: Stars/Astrology. Barring Day 4 (which somehow got out of hand), none of these prompts will be too long. So I apologize.


Approval of the Stars

The revival of the Yggdrasil brings many adjustments toward new changes. On the large scale, there is the sudden abundance and overflow of magic which fills the world anew. No longer do witches, wizards, and other spellcasters have to rely on philosopher's stones to perform their miracles. And it is all thanks to the efforts of a few little witches and the everyone's believing hearts. The new influx of magic brings both positive and negative consequences, ones that will have to be dealt with as they come.

On the smaller scale, there is the parting between a certain witch and a magical staff that has been with her throughout her entire magic career up until the point of the Yggdrasil's revival. Although Akko has accepted the Shiny Rod's departure, she can't escape the inevitable bittersweet nostalgia whenever she recalls the adventures and memories with the Shiny Rod.

The Shiny Rod was an artifact that started off as something that belonged to Shiny Chariot. At first, all Akko wanted to do was return it and meet her idol. Over the course of the year at Luna Nova, it started to become something more. Before she knew it, it wasn't Chariot's Shiny Rod, but now Akko's Shiny Rod. It certainly becomes that way after she decides to pave her own path, using Chariot as inspiration but ultimately distinguishing herself.

But there's a sense of loneliness without the Shiny Rod by her side. A wand is a sacred partner to a witch; it is the conductor between the witch and magic. In Akko's case, she used the Shiny Rod almost as often as her own wand. Losing a partner like that creates an empty hole in her life without her volition.

Akko has found that observing the night sky helps abate some of that loneliness. Luna Nova has a great view of the clear night, unobstructed by smog and other manmade pollutants especially present in the past few centuries. She's also located the observatory as an accessible perch high enough for her to get the best view of the stars.

And so on nights like this one, when she's feeling particularly nostalgic, Akko will sneak out of her room after Lotte and Sucy have gone to sleep to just… look at the sky.

"The Big Dipper looks bright today."

"Indeed. It appears to shine brighter than the stars surrounding it."

Akko whirls around. "Diana! Why are you out so late?"

The Cavendish heiress steers her broom above the platform and jumps off the broom. She's wearing Luna Nova's standard uniform for practical classes and school functions. It does its job to protect her from the winds and climate during flight.

"One of the usual sentry monitors has come down with the common cold," Diana answers. "She could not find a substitute in time, so I offered to take her duties for the night. However, I should be asking you the same question. It is past curfew. Students are not allowed out at this time."

Akko swings her dangling legs over the platform. "I wanted to think."

Akko pouts at Diana's raised eyebrow. Why is it so hard for people to consider Akko and logic in the same context?

"It's just… have you ever felt kind of lonely for the weirdest reasons? Even though you have a lot of people right by your side but you still feel like you're missing something?"

For Diana, not in particular. But the reason is because she doesn't quite recall what it feels to have more than two people beside her at a time in the first place. Loneliness is something that integrated itself into Diana's life. And it is something she has simply learned to take in stride.

However, Diana recognizes the signs that Akko wishes to speak of something weighing on her mind. So Diana puts her broom down and sits on the edge of the platform next to her. Instead of dangling her legs like Akko does, Diana pulls her knees up to her chest and encloses them with her arms.

Once she is situated, Diana responds, "It… is a feeling I have come across once or twice. Normally, I take the time to indulge myself in my studies to forget the feeling."

"I guess I'm kind of doing that too. I just like to look at the stars instead of…" Akko shudders. "...studying."

"It is rather comforting, isn't it?" Diana tilts her head up. "To think how small we are in comparison. The expectations of family, peers, yourself. Nothing to that light."

"Were you reading a philosophy textbook for fun before this?"

Diana frowns. "Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, no. Just something I expected." Akko leans back with her arms propped up behind her. "Of all the stars, I like to look at the Big Dipper the most. It's the easiest to find. Sometimes I feel like I'm still connected to it even though we've revived magic and everything is done."

"Perhaps. You proved to be a worthy wielder of the Shiny Rod."

Akko turns to look at Diana in astonishment. "You really think so?"

"In the end, it was you who brought magic back to our world. Not Chariot, not any of us, but you, Akko. You have done what many have sought to accomplish for centuries. That feat in itself speaks for itself. That would not have been possible if the Shiny Rod did not acknowledge you as worthy witch."

Akko turns her head the other way so Diana doesn't notice the slight flush of her cheeks. "Th-Thanks. I guess that means a lot coming from you."

"Did you think I would believe otherwise?"

"It's just, you're Diana. And I'm just Akko. It's kind of unbelievable to hear praise from you when you've accomplished so much more."

"I do not see how you can belittle yourself after reviving all of magic."

Akko wants to slap herself.

(Does she not know how much everyone relies on her?! I can't tell if she's that conceited or just dense!)

"You're arguably the best student at Luna Nova, even compared to the older students. You're way ahead of the curriculum. You're the fastest flyer at Luna Nova. You lost your magic and regained it through sheer hard work…"

"You did as well."

Akko continues to check off her list with her fingers. "Everyone comes to you for help, even the professors. You organized the Samhain Festival. You're going through all that stuff with your family on top of school. You can summon a unicorn. Heck, even that sentry girl asked you to replace her tonight! Not any of the teachers, she asked you!" Akko whips her head around. "I can list more if you want. And I've only known you for a year. I can go get Hannah and Barbara too. I bet they know a lot more than I do. Or even Professor Finneran."

Diana sighs. "I understand your point. However, I believe you are looking at this from the wrong perspective."

Akko huffs. "I'm pretty sure I didn't say anything wrong."

"It is not the number of accomplishments that defines a person. It is not even the weight of each of these accomplishments. The significance lies in the accomplishment itself."

Akko frowns. "How's that different from what you just said doesn't matter?"

"Make no mistake; they are all essential. However, it is important to remember the existence of your achievements. To accomplish anything requires effort and determination. There is always the choice to give up or continue despite the odds. To succeed means you fought through all obstacles to reach your end goal. Therefore, every achievement counts. No matter how small."

"So something like getting out of bed every day is a good thing?"

"Seek to improve yourself from there. Remaining stagnant does not amount to anything either. Nevertheless, your accomplishments are not the only defining features of a person. It is also their characters."

Diana faces Akko with such intensity it reminds Akko why so many people respect her. Fierce blue eyes pierce adamant red as Diana conveys part of her meaning through this nonverbal gesture.

"The determination to defy expectations, no matter how impossible. I believe that is what gained the Shiny Rod's approval. It recognized that you had the potential to achieve what all others cannot based on your persistence."

"You have that too, you know."

"Perhaps. But not in the same way." Diana looks up at the sky once more. "By the time I arrived at Luna Nova, my capabilities were already above average. In my case, it was to maintain expectations, not defy. Your circumstance was the opposite. Your arrival was already unconventional. I do not believe I have heard of any student appear in the opening ceremony from the Arcturus Forest as you and your teammates did."

Akko scratches her head. "It isn't like I did that on purpose. We got lost on the way here. And how was I supposed to know at that time that you needed a broom to get to Luna Nova?"

Diana shakes her head fondly. "And from there, it was one mishap over the other. Despite your lack of talent, you continued to persevere through adversary. Whether it be the coursework itself, the professors, or your peers. You overcame challenges to reach your current point, to accomplish what you have."

"Thanks to everyone! I couldn't have done it without everyone's support. Professor Ursula, who stood up for me. Lotte and Sucy stayed by my side! Amanda and the others too!" Akko grabs Diana's hands. "Yeah I wanted to be a outstanding witch like Chariot, but I also wanted to get better considering you're so good at everything! I couldn't have done it without my rival!"

Diana sighs. "As I have stated before, I did not see our relationship in such a manner."

"Doesn't matter! You're still my rival even if you don't think I can match you!"

"That is not what I meant. The connotations to a rivalry are rather antagonistic, is it not? Perhaps that was how our relationship began. However, over time I have come to view you with a different… respect, I suppose. As I mentioned before, I admired your tenacity and freedom. No, perhaps envy is a better description. You were able to love magic in a way that I could not. Yet, you insisted I could as well. You have affected me in ways no one else has. I cannot express my gratitude for that."

"So… if you don't see us as rivals, then what?"

"I suppose you are a… close friend." This time it is Diana who turns her head away to hide her expression. "Yes, that sounds fitting."

Akko giggles. "I like you too. Thanks for talking to me. I think I feel a little less lonely when I'm with you."

Diana nods. She leans on her legs and stands up. "I am glad to be of help. Now, I should return to my patrol-"

Before Diana can fully stand, Akko maintains her hold on Diana's hands and keeps her from getting up.

"Can you stay with me for a bit?" Akko asks. "Just for now?"

"Akko, I cannot make exceptions for students who break curfew. I am willing to withhold punishment just for tonight. However, I cannot ignore my duties."

Akko pouts. "It's not even yours to begin with. Just for tonight. Sit with me for a bit and then I'll go back to my room and sleep. The stars are nice out tonight."

Diana tries her best - and utterly fails - to resist the Akko frown. Months ago she might have been able to. But recently she has found it harder to disregard anything related to Akko.

Diana shakes her head but complies with Akko's demand just for tonight. She sits back down and places her broom by her side. This time, she allows her legs to hang over the platform just as Akko's is.

Side by side, they revel in the vast night sky; alone with nothing but a cool breeze as company. The two hardly notice that their hands are still connected all throughout the night.


Author's Notes:

And that's it for Day 1!

I thought this was going to turn out as a straight up romantic Diakko, but I guess this is more platonic, huh?

There's considerably more talking than anything else, but eh. I wanted to indulge in this idea that Diana acknowledges Akko's achievements and improvements just as the Shiny Rod did. And also they're friendly rivals, if Diana views them as rivals at all.


Fun Fact:

Diana's line about the stars being comforting follows closely to what Carmilla Karnstein says from the Carmilla YouTube web series. Carmilla's full dialogue goes something like, "It's comforting… to think how small we are in comparison. All the lives we've led, the people we've been. Nothing to that light."

In which Laura replies, "You are definitely a philosophy major."

Had to change it up a bit because Carmilla is referring to her long lifespan. Diana is human; she hasn't lived for more than three hundred years XD