Here is chapter 2~ I made sure this time to write out another chapter and a detailed plan so this story should go on for awhile (hopefully around 10 chapters). I'll also be writing a few other stories at the same time so I won't be as fast but I'll try hard anyways. The characters become more in depth later and Palladium's full past will be revealled in later chapters :D Please review~ ^^
Palladium led River down the enormous, light purple-coloured hallways of Alfea. He pointed out each classroom and their function, showed her the main office and visited the ballroom. He also showed her the library and the reality chamber, which Palladium happily explained in extreme detail. Lastly, Palladium led River through the vast gardens outside.
"And over there is the main dormitories," he pointed to a shiny, tower-like building on the left of the school grounds. "I'm sure the staff in there can lead you to your room," he turned to face River, but she had disappeared. Palladium quickly scanned the area and noticed her in the near distance next the large fishpond.
He walked off the smoothed stone path onto the damp, soft grass towards the new student. As he neared her, he saw that she staring out across the dark pond. Her face suddenly solemn and her eyes were focused on nothingness. Palladium opened his mouth to inquire what she was doing, but she spoke before he could.
"So I guess your acquainted with my sister Scarlet?" she spun around quickly to face the Professor with a smile. Palladium was startled at her quick movement, then registered what she just said.
"S-Scarlet is your…sister?" he asked, seeking confirmation. River laughed kindly as she looked over the pond again.
"Yeah she is. We have very different personalities but she's still my sister," she smiled at the thought of Scarlet back in a distant home. Palladium felt sympathetic, wondering if River missed her and her family. He laughed nervously.
"Yes, I did notice you are very different from your sister, but you do look very alike," Palladium commented. River looked at palladium in surprise.
"We don't really look anything alike. She's five years older than me, you know," River informed Palladium, smiling polietly.
"Oh, I see…" palladium replied, deciding not to argue. 'I could've sworn River looked exactly the same as Scarlet… minus the blue streaks,' he thought to himself. 'I guess it really has been a long time.'
"So," River started, sitting down on the short, lush grass below her. "How did you meet my sister?" Palladium's heart skipped a beat as his body tensed. He slowly moved down to sit beside her, trying not to look awkward.
"Well, we went to the same high school…" Palladium hesitantly said. 'Should I really be this personal with a student? Should I even be telling anyone my personal story? Well, she is her sister… wait, doesn't that make it worse?!' Palladium cleared his internal conflict when he saw River eagerly waiting, and decided to continue. 'Just miss out on a few details and it'll be fine' he mentally told himself.
"Scarlet was two grades above me. She was a well known at school for being strong and merciless, rumoured to destroy anyone who looked at her wrong. Many people admired her strength and most people, like me, tried not to draw her attention," Palladium watched the ripples in the pond. He was slightly amazed he could talk so easily about his past. It's not that he really hid it from anyone, just that no one asked. His face turned grim.
"But one day after school, I was confronted by her outside the school gates. I remembered all the rumours I heard and started to panic. Everyone around me had disappeared, even the teachers queitly walked back into the school. Scarlet was standing directly in front of me with her hands behind her back. Her face was twisted strangely and her stance looked like she was ready to attack. Her eyes looked fiery and she had an aura of an angry tiger. My body froze and my mind went numb. I was completely convinced she was going to start a fight with me. When she began to move her hand from behind her, fear and adrenaline filled my head and I ran away as fast as I could. Ever since then, she has hated me and repeatedly made life difficult for me," Palladium's head sunk in shame. "I'm sorry to say such awful things about your sister," he faced River apologetically.
The blonde girl leant backwards and laughed light-heartedly.
"Don't be sorry. Scarlet's usually like that, but," she looked up at the sky. "I don't think she hated you, she doesn't normally hate people without a good reason."
River's optimistic view and the calming atmosphere made Palladium relax slightly. He stared up at the purple and orange streaks in the sky, observing the peaceful, thin clouds reflecting the sun's last rays. The evening star shone brightly above, filling Palladium with familiar, warmth.
'Wait! The sun!' Palladium gasped and stood up quickly.
"You're supposed to be in the dining hall now! Quick we're late," Palladium turned urgently to River. The blue-streaked blonde stood up and followed the fast-paced professor. They entered the main building and rushed down the brightly lit hallway. River had to jog to keep up with stressed elf.
Palladium scanned each door they passed until they heard chatter and laughter come from one of the open rooms ahead. They stopped next to the opened doors and try to catch their breath.
"I guess I'll leave you now," he said, breathing heavily. River nodded and walked towards the doors.
"Oh River," Palladium called to River before she entered the dining hall. "Welcome to Alfea." The professor smiled warmly. River smiled back.
"Thank you," she waved to Palladium as she disappeared into the crowded dining hall.