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Lapsus ex Caelum
Fall from Heaven
-I-
The classroom was eerily silent, each pair of eyes were trained on the two figures standing at the front of the room.
"We regret to inform you…"
Long elegant fingers clenched the parchment causing the letter to crinkle around the edges. Pale blonde hair fell across deep green eyes as the fifteen year old girl continued looking at the elegant script scrawled across the parchment in her hands…those same emerald pools started to glaze over welling up with tears that threatened to fall at any second.
"Sorry for your loss…"
"Class Rep-san?" A young boy made a step toward the tall blonde teenager his tone hesitant and unsure if it was proper to voice his growing concern.
The sensei's words fell on deaf ears, all she could hear was the sound of blood drumming in her ears as she frantically looked over the script again. Her grip on the flimsy but expensive piece of paper increased until a faint ripping sound echoed throughout the room.
Not again…please God, not again…I don't-I can't-!
The text in her hands started to blur. The teen tried to swallow the quickly forming lump in her throat but her stomach churned unpleasantly causing bile to rise up into her esophagus. Realization started to set in and Ayaka's deep green eyes widened as she moved a hand to cover her mouth; she was going to be sick. She released her hold on the torn letter and ran out of the classroom as if hellhounds were nipping at her heels.
"We offer our condolences…"
Long blond hair whipped to the side as the class president made a sharp turn around a corner. The acid burned in her throat as her stomach continued churning. Racing toward the end of the hall, she barreled into the bathroom and shoved aside the nearest stall door quickly emptying the contents of her stomach into the toilet. Ayaka gripped the sides of the porcelain bowl tighter with each heave. After retching a few more times the tall blond fell back against the metal partition of the stall, shaking and quivering in a half sitting half lying position. Tears prickled at her eyes and she didn't bother holding them at back any longer.
"Nothing we could do…"
Salty liquid trailed down her cheeks as her hands balled into fists. "Why…?" Her voice cracked.
Nothing…they never do anything…NEVER…
Tightly shutting her eyes Ayaka clenched her fists until manicured nails cut deep into the palms of her hands. Hunching over, she raised her left fist slowly before quickly slamming it against the cold tile on the floor, then her right…again and again…again.
"Your parents request that you leave immediately…expect your presence at the funeral…"
"Why!? Why her??" Her voice was anguished and horse. "Why again?...why. why! WHY!?"
"STOP IT!" A gruff yet feminine voice commanded.
Deep green eyes opened suddenly as fists stoped pummeling the tiled ground. Ayaka blinked once, twice. Who had..? Ignoring the sharp throbbing in her hands the blonde girl peered out into the bathroom however her view was blocked by a red-headed girl kneeling down by the stall she currently occupied.
"Asu…na?" The blonde girl croaked. Ayaka blinked and rubbed at her eyes as if the other girl was some sort of figment of her delusional mind.
The smaller red-headed girl inhaled sharply at the sight of the blonde's hands. Her palms and knuckles were split and bleeding, the elegant fingers starting to swell and bruise.
"Ayaka…are you…what…what happened?" Unsure of how to proceed, the red-head bit at her lower lip as she scooted over to the grieving blonde and gently wiped away the tears with her thumb. They weren't children anymore. Asuna frowned. This couldn't be something that could be forgotten by the red-head irritating and distracting the other girl into chasing after her to forget the pain…
Ayaka's deep green eyes stared deeply into mismatched blue before turning away to look at the tiled wall. She was grateful it was Asuna who had followed her into the bathroom and not one of the other students or Negi. The blonde let out a short humorless laugh as her face contorted into a pained half-smile. "You know…I find it rather ironic that it is you of all people to come and comfort me when my older sister dies…" The taller girl tried to speak with her normal bravado her voice carried a tremble, instead of the underlining authority and superiority she usually spoke with.
Asuna bit her bottom lip again knowing the blonde would never willingly seek comfort from another. "Ayaka…I'm…I have no idea what you must be feeling…" The smaller girl gripped the blonde's shoulders and with surprising strength pulled the taller girl toward her and into a comforting embrace.
The taller girl allowed herself to be hugged by the smaller girl even going so far as to put her arms tightly around the other's waist. The contact and warmth of Asuna's body was oddly comforting for the Class Representative, and the blonde slowly closed her eyes and let out a chocked sigh as she buried her face against the side of the red-head's neck.
"But you should know…you don't have to face it alone, I-well…" The smaller girl felt her cheeks heat up as she stumbled over her own words. With her arms around the blonde she knew the other girl wouldn't see the dark blush across her cheeks but it was embarrassing non-the-less. The red-head gently stroked Ayaka's long flaxen locks to calm herself more-so than to comfort the other girl. "Negi-sensei and the rest of the class…and me too…we'll help you out any way we can Ayaka." Her voice was soft.
"Thank you Asuna…"
A tall girl looking to be in her late teens with flaxen hair and deep forest green eyes stared up at the rapidly darkening sky from inside one of her room's windows. No doubt it would start to rain soon. It was the winter season, and although they did not receive snow in the south of France, that did not mean they were free from any kind of precipitation during the cold months.
A faint chiming sound could be heard originating from down the hallway from her rooms.
Ding…Ding…Ding…Ding…
"Hmn, four already…" Lessons would start today at fifteen past the hour. The girl smiled a sad smile as she turned toward her desk. Countless old leather-bound books and ancient scrolls were stacked haphazardly across the polished cherry wood surface with a curiously out of place manila folder peeking out from the bottom of the pile. Delicately tucking an errant lock of fine blonde hair behind her left ear, the tall girl made her way across the rather large and richly decorated room to the desk. Picking up a couple of the old leather-bound tomes the girl left her chambers. It wouldn't do to be late.
The blonde made her way down the wide hallway and down a rather expansive and elegant set of centralized stairs in the foyer of the chateau. The late renaissance styled French mansion was rather huge and sprawling. Built in the mid 1600's, the chateau boasted over 120 rooms of varying shapes, sizes and amenities and at least three stories tall in most places, not including the cellar. High ceilings with gold leafed molding, a steeply pitched roof, shiny Italian marble floors and banisters, heavy hardwood doors, an exterior of finely cut stone, large beautiful French windows with thin wrought iron mullions…it was like living right out of a fairy tale.
The girl continued her way down to the first floor and then took a right toward her instructor's favorite sitting room located at the end of the western wing in the main building of the complex. Her mentor generally liked to start afternoon lessons with a bit of tea, he was British after all and tea-time was of the upmost importance. The blonde smiled faintly remembering another English gentleman whom she had over many times for afternoon tea. Two friendly roommates who put up with her spoiled attitude and the little home-wrecker who barged into their lives by accident. A particular, loudmouthed, red-headed rival…Ah, but those times were best to be forgotten, it wasn't likely she'd see any of them again, not after…
Red smeared across white walls and tiled floor... Glassy green eyes staring into the distance at some unseen focal point… Ripped and torn flesh. More red… Pale bone jutting out at unnatural angels…
The blonde shook her head. No, it wouldn't do to think of that. Shifting the heavy books in her arms the tall girl took a glance at her surroundings and realized she had been standing outside of her destination. When had she gotten here? The young woman looked at the set of dark walnut doors in front of her face dumbly. Oh that was right! She had lessons today. Adjusting the books around again the girl quickly opened and closed the heavy doors behind her the before making her way into the softy lit room.
"Ah, good evening Master Wynn," Her English was perfect with almost no hint of an accent.
"Ayaka, come sit, the maid just brought in some tea." An old man with a slight frame, thick grey mustache and trim beard beckoned the girl over with a wave of his wrinkled hand. His words were clipped but friendly.
The girl in question smiled warmly making her way over to a large comfortable looking couch. Ayaka set down the heavy volumes she was carrying on the highly polished inlayed table next to the tea tray before sitting down herself. Usually this room was much brighter during this time of day due to tall French windows penetrating most of the western facing wall, as well as some of the northern and southern ones as well, but since dark rainclouds blocked out any and all sunlight there would be little to no natural light in this room today.
Ayaka leaned over and picked up the porcelain teapot pouring herself a cup of the hot steaming liquid. She allowed the scent of citrus and spice to invade her senses before sitting back into the plush cushions of the couch and taking a sip.
"It is a combined black and orange blossom tea today, very good brew if I do say so myself," Wynn smiled over at the girl across the table. "Shame the weather's not better though…it's beginning to look as drab as my home!" He chuckled a bit before replacing his cup back on the saucer. "So my dear, we should probably get down to it, hmn?"
The blonde girl nodded, "Yes of course." Setting her own cup aside she opened one of thick tomes on the table and removed a few sheets of parchment handing them to the old man. Ayaka bit her lower lip feeling somewhat apprehensive for what her teacher would say about the progress she had made while he was away.
"Very good then." The old man pulled a pair of spectacles from his blazer pocket before deftly pacing them over his nose. Looking down at the sheets in his hands Wynn quickly skimmed over the list of phrases. His thick eyebrows rose ever so slightly when he would pass over something that looked far more advanced or obscure than he thought the girl capable of performing or even knowing in the first place.
"Instructor Teagan has been pushing me to work harder since you left on your trip…" A slight hesitation and then a blush, "She says that I was excelling far too well at my current level and needed more of a challenge so we've been delving into far more advanced principles these last few months…"
"Well you don't say…" Carefully looking over the list in front of him again, the old man 'hmn'-ed to himself before setting the parchment down and looking up at the intricate patterning on the lofty ceiling. He was clearly thinking about something very carefully.
Ayaka brow creased as she nervously wrung her hands together unsure if her teacher was upset with her extra efforts.
The old man rubbed the bridge of his nose thoughtfully before looking at Ayaka fully, a serious expression on his wrinkled face. Muddy hazel eyes met forest green and the blonde girl gulped hoping that being a perfectionist hadn't gotten her in trouble.
"I am very pleased with this indeed! You're far surpassing my expectations. In fact you may be the fastest learning pupil I've had in all my time teaching!"
The old man cracked a smile and Ayaka let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"Actually, you are doing so well in fact, I think I might invite one of my old students here for some sparring matches between you both!" Wynn crossed his arms and grinned even wider. "It'll make for an excellent final test."
Deep green eyes widened in shock, "Final…test?" The young woman gripped the hem of her skirt. "Do you really men that?"
"Aye, final test Ayaka." His expression grew serious again, "You are quite adapt which shouldn't be surprising considering your heritage." He paused momentarily and rubbed his chin, "But you've picked up everything far faster than your sister, and your execution has always been perfect. I never expected that, Hikari was an extremely quick study in her own right, but her speed can't match your own. After only a year or two of you being out in the field, I am confidant you will be able to pick up your sister's post…if you so wish of course."
Ayaka twisted the green fabric in her hands nervously at the mention of her sister. Everything seemed to be coming ahead so quickly. Thoughts of that incident flashed in her mind.
The rope…the chains…the charred floor…the red…
"Of course Wynn-sensei…I want nothing more…" Soon she would have the means, she would find them and they would...desperately wish she hadn't.
-Finis I-
Alright! The first chapter is up! First off I just wanted to say thank you for those who reviewed, I really enjoy reading what you guys have to say, and they have a tendency to spur on my writing. Secondly, this is my first story not using a beta so I'm editing as best I can, but I can't help it if there are still some errors…I always sucked in English, never could pull an A. If you think I'm getting too comma happy let me know, I'll do my best to cut down…what can I say? I'm an addict; it's hard to kick the habit.
On to other matters! By now some of you are probably like WTF! This is listed as KonoSetsu, so why the hell is she writing about Ayaka? Worry not dear readers! This will be a KonoSetsu, because quite frankly, they are destined to be together! And Setsuna will be coming back next chapter, and will be in every chapter here after because she's my favorite, Ayaka just happens to be my second favorite…I really don't know why. So the plot will be centered around both of my favorites. As to how? Well you'll just have to wait for the next couple chapters to fine out! Dundundun…
Also as a side-note, the formatting for chapters henceforth will a flashback that I feel is important to the story in some way written in italics followed by what is happening in the present in normal text. The exception to this rule is the prologue and epilogue. This is the format that I write all my serious fics in.
