Chapter 02: Nightly Wandering
Two weeks had passed by since the gazebo incident. At this point, Natsuki was still in disbelief. How had this happened? Why on Earl was she still nervous around Shizuru? She had absolutely no idea. Within this space of only fourteen days, Natsuki's curiosity for the elder woman had skyrocketed. Fortunately, this was a positive outcome, since she was feeling a tad confident. Instead of the persistent overthinking, she could at least complete her paperwork. But how Miss Maria expected her to finish a whole month's supply was beyond her. Then again, the Epitome of Grace was a supernatural workaholic. It wasn't a surprise that the veteran was perfection itself.
With the final signature scribbled, Natsuki unceremoniously dropped her pen upon the desk, the workload having finally been completed. Exhaling in relief, she leant back into her cushioned seat, cupping her head as she did so. Finally, it was at last completed. Sliding her hands down her face, she then ran her fingers through her hair, attempting to untangle any knots.
"Shizuru?" She called out, pushing the chair out from under the desk in order to stand. She knew that the Archmeister was close by. After all, she could hear faint rattling being produced from her quarters. She honestly found it endearing that the elder was so insistent on making her tea.
"Yes?" The Archmeister replied, appearing from behind the quarters by Natsuki's far left. With a tray in hand, she ventured closer to the Headmistress, setting it atop the desk away from the papers. "Would you like tea?" The question was more of a command as she placed a full glass down, sliding it towards Natsuki. "You have not drunk anything for hours. Drink."
"Thank you, Shizuru. What would I do without you?" She wasn't sure. Those weeks previously had proven to Natsuki enough that the Wind native was a cause of insanity. But losing her? She didn't want to find out. Not to mention, the years of her feeling mad was due to Shizuru not saying a thing about her feelings.
"Is there something on your mind, Natsuki? The Archmeister smiled, knowing fully well there was. She could read Natsuki awfully well. It was like reading several chapters of a book all at once. "With your frowning, I am surprised you did not burn holes into your paperwork." She shot the woman an amused glance, standing before her.
Frowning? Natsuki responded with just this, further delighting the Archmeister. She stared briefly at her in confusion, blinking. "Oh." She murmured, releasing a breath she shook her head. "Stop teasing me. You know Miss Maria gave me a whole month's worth of paperwork this weekend."
"That I do. But I must lighten Natsuki's mood up some, hm?" A comfortable silence filtered amongst them. Smiling at the Headmistress, Shizuru glanced out of the windows. It was night outside, and the moonlight illuminated the room nicely. It worried Shizuru just how much Natsuki worked. For the past year she had been watching the younger Meister work from the early morning to the late afternoon. Sometimes, Natsuki worked so much she slept the moment she completed the work-no matter the hour or occassion. Her train of thought was broken when she heard the sliding of glass. Turning her attention back to Natsuki, she was already drinking the tea, deep in thought as she stood beside Shizuru.
"The final sanctions have been deployed across the Artai Principality. But I worry civil war is about to hit the country." Natsuki mumbled suddenly, breaking their silence. Peering into the light liquid of her tea, Natsuki mused quietly. Nothing so dramatic had occurred for Garderobe in years-decades, even. Remus, and Romulus were a somewhat similar situation, but they didn't have the Otome numbers which Artai has. The latter was also incredibly dangerous due to their dictatoring powerhouse. Even with the sanctions which were out of their control, Natsuki worried it would cause unnecessary strife amongst civilians, and Otome alike. But she was powerless; she couldn't do anything if Otome weren't involved.
Shizuru meanwhile, contently regarded her, standing prone as Natsuki ventured towards the windows. Setting her tea down on the desk, she looped a hand around her own wrist, merely listening.
"A civil war to this magnitude hasn't been experienced since the Twelve Nation War." Natsuki murmured, holding her glass by the handle, Natsuki brushed her knuckles against her lips. "Would it be possible to force them into democracy? No, no… a dictatorship without its leader is bound to crumble… there are always power hungry nobles hiding in the shadows.." Away with the fairies, her quiet mumbling became almost incoherent. "... Should I contact President Chrysant?"
"Natsuki." The Archmeister's accent drifted into Natsuki ears, dragging her back into reality. Once the Headmistress caught her eye, and blinked, Shizuru floated closer to her. Enclosing her hand around Natsuki's glass, she set it down onto the desk beside hers. Finally, she then clasped her hand onto her shoulder. "You are overthinking again. Please, since you have finished your paperwork, let us go for a walk?" She suggested quietly. Never did she break their eye contact, her crimson eyes remaining determined. Catching the younger Meister's eyes drift to her lips, she smiled, "Natsuki, come."
"Sure. If you want." A little stunned, Natsuki levelled their gaze once she realised what she had done. Edging away from the elder, she brushed her clothing down-straightening, and ridding them of invisible dirt. "The garden? Or do you want to go elsewhere?" She asked, quickly taking her tea to drink the rest of it.
"Oh? It depends. How about y-" Shizuru teased softly, cracking another smile as the Headmistress eyed her suspiciously. Picking her own glass back up, she brushed her lips against it.
"...What are you getting at?" Placing her empty glass down upon the desk, Natsuki cocked a brow. 'How about your…? Your what…-' "-Shizuru!" She bit.
"Yes? I know you are unsure where you want to go, Natsuki. What did you think I am implying?" Shizuru's smile widened, observing the Column inhale a sharp breath to merely sigh in response. Instead, Natsuki turned on her heel, heading towards the office's exit.
"To the garden then…" Natsuki muttered under her breath.
Happily trailing behind the younger Meister, Shizuru closed the office doors after them. Natsuki was walking quickly, a habit the Archmeister knew too well. "If you go any faster, we will finish our walk in only a few minutes." She called after her, causing Natsuki to come to an abrupt standstill. Halting swiftly, Shizuru deftly avoided bumping into her. "...My."
"Stop teasing me, Shizuru." Gesturing the older woman to her side, Natsuki glanced towards her. "Are you happy now?" She grumbled receiving a nod. Natsuki couldn't believe this woman. Within the space of two weeks, the Archmeister had been teasing her relentlessly. Even publicly-and every time, Natsuki took the bait.
They took their time to head down the hillside towards the centre of Garderobe. Personally, Shizuru felt at peace, although as she contently studied Natsuki, she discovered the opposite beside her. The Ariesian was continually eyeing her; most notably zooming in on her hand.
Bewilderedly, Natsuki's mentally kicked herself. Why was she being so childish about this? It was Shizuru's hand! Why was she making this such a big deal? Unaware of their location, Natsuki almost bumped into the elder. Veering her gaze up to Shizuru's face, she realised the Archmeister was staring up into the tree canopy. It was as if she was searching for something. "Shizuru?"
"Hm?" Humming distantly, the Archmeister's crimson eyes narrowed in her continued search. "I heard something in the trees." Perhaps it had been a small bird? Unable to suss out the creature's location, Shizuru transferred her attention back to Natsuki. "I lost it." She smiled. "Shall we continue?"
Silently, Natsuki stared at her for a brief few seconds. "Of course." She also looked around in an attempt to find whatever Shizuru might've heard. Failing to do so, they restarted their walk. After a while, Natsuki felt the woman hooking their arms together. Caught off guard by the somewhat awkward position, she stopped in her tracks. Rolling her stiff shoulder, she awkwardly regarded the woman whom could only laugh in delight.
Was this what it was like to love somebody, and have your feelings returned? She indeed thought so. Suddenly, Natsuki felt confident. Building up the courage, she unhooked their arms. Naturally, Shizuru contently watched her in ponderment as Natsuki slid her palm downwards to capture hers. "I was going to say something, but I'm afraid I forgot what it was." Natsuki commented lamely, feeling embarrassed to even admit it. Nervously she smiled up to the elder, slipping her fingers between Shizuru's. Staring at the woman, her eyes drifted down to their interlaced hands. What was Shizuru thinking, she wondered? Peering back up to the woman, Natsuki noticed her expression change into curiosity.
"Natsuki seems braver tonight." Shizuru whispered, rolling her thumb against Natsuki's hand. "Did something happen?"
"I love you." Natsuki blathered, her face immediately heating in embarrassment. "I mean- well, yeah; I do, but the way you look right now reminded m-"
The Archmeister's expression softened, and she eased closer towards her. "Natsuki, I understand." She wooed, lifting her free hand to slip strands of brunette hair around her ear. "I love you too." She murmured, pressing the hand to the woman's collarbone. Tugging her captured hand from Natsuki's, she then brought it to her right shoulder. Peacefully, she watched her, gazing deeply into the woman's eyes.
"...I know." Natsuki breathed. Her heart was in a rush like she was in the heat of battle. Without realising it, their lips were millimetres apart from brushing. Inhaling a sharp breath of surprise, her mind halted at the sensation of the Archmeister's hot breath. Nervously, she swallowed. Feeling as if she was on fire, Natsuki prized herself closer to Shizuru, wishing to seek more of this body heat. The moment their lips connected, a rush of electricity bolted through her form, causing Natsuki to shiver.
It was an intensity which she hadn't expected, and she felt powerless to stop Shizuru-not that she wanted to. Shizuru's hand rubbed along her collarbone, until gradually it slithered up, and onto Natsuki's other shoulder. Subsequently, the other hand rose to cup the Natsuki's cheek. Who immediately melted into the touch.
"...Shizuru." Natsuki muffled into her lips, clumsily meshing their lips together. Wrapping her arm around the brunette's shoulders, her forearm looped the small of Shizuru's back. Luring the woman closer to herself, an inexplicable sensation washed over her body. She felt lighter than the clouds, but heavier than Earl itself. The moment she thought about it, the faster it vanished-her attention entirely upon Shizuru's body pressed against hers.
The feelings, intensity, scent; it was all too much for Natsuki to comprehend. All at once, a pent up feeling entered her body, and she pressed her mouth against Shizuru's firmly. A fiery tingle boiled inside of her gut, urging her on until suddenly, she gasped. Jumping, she was aware Shizuru had nipped her bottom lip, playfully tugging on it.
"I am glad you are an exceptional kisser, Natsuki." The Archmeister teased softly, leisurely remaining as close as possible to the Headmistress. Staring into Natsuki's eyes in absolute adoration, she latched their lips together lovingly. She wanted Natsuki to get accustomed to this so desperately, but she was also aware of a lingering lust. Just as quickly as the kisses begun, she ended it, gently pressing a kiss into the corner of the woman's mouth.
"W-wow…" Natsuki breathed, flushing hotly. Leaning into the elder woman's arms, she felt utterly defenceless yet somehow entirely protected. Her insides were on fire, rooting her to the spot firmly.
"I take it you enjoyed yourself?" Shizuru hushed, sliding her fingers against Natsuki's cheek. Lowering her hand south, she followed the curve of Natsuki's throat. "You have much to learn." She mischievously grinned, hooking her fingers into the woman's crosstie, and tugging it gently.
"Y-yeah…" Natsuki sharply breathed from the light tug. Stunned in place as the Archmeister pulled away, she realised her mouth had gone utterly dry. Watching the elder slink away, her eyes remained on her body feverously.
"Is Natsuki coming?" Shizuru asked her, their eyes meeting once more. She studied the younger woman with an intense intrigue. Her eyes lit up as the Headmistress jolted after her, eagerly approaching, and capturing her hand."Mind the tree roots."
"Who do you think I am? An infatuated schoolgirl?"
The Archmeister laughed softly. "You were, once."
For the rest of that night, the two remained in peaceful company. It was a time they would take for granted. Especially now that war was drawing in closely.