Magilou fiddled with her phone, paying less attention to the lecture. Just another day before the end of the week and finally a break from doing anything. Well, that's a lie in and out of itself. Magilou didn't do much at all.
The goalie of the Women's team lazily scribbled in her notes, turning her attention to the next thing that caught her mind. All these notes were online anyways, even worse when he posted his full lecture too!
But alas, such worries can flutter away.
Her face betrayed her boredom, turning to her fellow classmate and Centermen, Velvet Crowe. Velvet the Vicious. Velvet the Victorious. Contradictions and all, yet right now, it was Velvet the Aggravated. Jotting down all the words she could, she turned to the clock and saw the professor sigh and end class.
Getting up, Magilou walked right over to her and spun.
"'Sup?"
"Don't 'sup' me. We heading out to lunch or what?"
"So rude! But yes. Wanna grab our fleeting white dove?"
"You mean – ? No, forget it. She's got another class after this."
"Ooooh, figured her schedule, have we?"
"Best way to keep out of our hair."
Magilou rolled her eyes. "So come-on, let's go, let's go!" She dragged Velvet up, her friend grabbing everything before heading off. Down the hall and out the building, she breathed the cooler air. Fall was settling in and soon the snow will fall.
Both of which suited them just fine.
Walking along, they spotted the few students from Islegand and Westgand walking around in thicker jackets. Oh those sweet summer children… Magilou thought as she ribbed Velvet.
"Ya know, I bet they fixed the ice cream machine."
"I doubt it. Damn thing keeps breaking."
"Ahaha, is that a challenge?"
"Only if you want it to be."
"Fine. Two gald."
"It's hardly worth one gald." Velvet stuffed her hands in her hoodie pocket. "But alright."
The campus cafeteria was packed as usual. Tables filling and emptying at a constant rate as people came and went. Stacks of plates and table wear trailed down a conveyer belt for the cleaning. Round the lines, Magilou's beaming smile deflated. The ice cream had a new sign on it.
'Replacing with a newer machine. We apologize for our inconvenience'
"See? What I tell you?" Velvet shrugged, wandering off to another line. "You're in debt for… twenty gald now?"
"Curses!"
Minutes later, the two met again, snagging a table amid the chaos. Settled in, Magilou spoke up again.
"Planning to go for the Men's home opening?"
"I promised Rokurou. And I've got a few posters I wanna hang."
"Oh? Whatcha make this time?"
"A giant number six sign with his face on it."
"Classy." Magilou bit into her fish and rice. "You planning on taking Eleanor too?"
"Yeah, maybe she'll hook up with one of the players. Gets her off my back."
"Or maybe Rokurou?" Magilou's grin grew wider.
"Good for him. He'll be understanding to my plight better."
"So beyond her honorary student attitude, what don't you like about her?"
"She's has…" Velvet's face cringed. "A bubble helmet. That's grounds enough!"
"Goes with her bubble butt, so…"
"Why are you staring at her ass?"
"She's my D-man, if her back isn't facing me, then something's gone wrong! Besides, it's not like you can really stare at somebody's butt behind all those pads."
"Hmph." Velvet chewed on her apple. Her lips frowned and set it aside.
"Not to your liking?"
"We had an apple farm not too far where we lived. It's not the same."
"So picky. If you're not having it, then I will." She snagged the apple and bit into it.
Velvet rolled her eyes. At least Magilou was tolerable.
-.-.-
"Was this a part of your plans, Velvet?" Eleanor asked, walking behind her roommate. Heading off to the Elis Dormitories. "The Men's game not until later"
"Yeah, but I wanted you meet somebody I've been playing with." She entered, keeping the door just open enough for her.
The Elis Dorms were the first dorms of the University of Telliesin. Carrying an old rustic feeling of old wood aged by the trampling of feet, it was surprisingly well-kept. Lighting fixtures all brand new and carpets fresh and clean. It almost seemed so idyllic compared to the city. Like an island among the sea.
Passed through doors, Velvet entered a dorm corridor, walked four doors down and knocked. Seconds later, a man opened it.
Tall and rugged. Handsome and built. A carefree smile that could easily hide the deadliest blade. Behind him, posters of professional hockey players. Some of them even signed. While hair obscured the right side of his face, his features were clear. Born of the far continent.
But oddly in his hand was a big cup filled with chocolate milkshake.
"This your pregame ritual Rokurou?" Velvet chuckled.
"Yup! This shit's good Velvet. You should try some!" He looked at Eleanor, to the side and clapped his hands together with the shake.
"Oh! You must that chick that got into a fight with Vel-here! Good job!"
Eleanor turned to Velvet, slapping her shoulder. "Is that how you've been introducing me?"
"He videoed the fight. Calm down." She groaned.
Her face instantly turned red. "You better have deleted it!"
"Naah, it's for memories right? And welcome to the University."
The man's grin widened. He was absolutely enjoying this!
"Anyways, Rangetsu Rokurou. Nice to meet you!"
Eleanor stopped, mouth ajar. "Did you say, Rangetsu?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"As in Ichirou Rangetsu? The goalie of the Midgand Silver Knights?!"
Rokurou looked to the side, scratching the back of his head. "He's my older brother."
"W-wow! I can't believe it! Ichiro never talks about his siblings ever but I know he's not the only one! Ichirou, Futako, Saburou, Shirou and –"
Eleanor cut herself off. Rokurou looked more and more irritated as she brought up his siblings.
"A-ahem. Eleanor Hume, pleased to meet you!" She held out her hand.
The two shook hands as Velvet rose an eyebrow.
"The fuck did I just watch?"
-.-.-
Where the hell am I?!
Eleanor felt out-of-place in the stands. Surrounding her, Velvet, and Magilou were members of Sigma Epsilon and Kappa Delta Iota. Fraternities weren't something new that she encountered. But when Velvet dubbed it 'the hockey fraternity' she wasn't kidding. For a school that didn't have a varsity team, their pride in their school's club team was unmatched.
Banners, posters, and booze, these people were singing, laughing, and playing even during the warm-ups.
At her side, Velvet opened a can and drank some. Oddly enough, it wasn't a beer can at all. Some local brand soda. Despite this, she passed a beer can over to Magilou, who chugged a bit down.
"Come-on, Elle, try some~" The goalie chided, holding an unopened one.
"N-no, thank you…"
"She's no fun, Magilou." She looked over. "Hey, where'd your fries go?"
The petite woman looked around herself. "Mhmm, must've ate it all. Need more." She stood up, heading off to the snack bar. Velvet rolled her eyes, taking another sip.
"Damned witch doesn't share her food."
"Why do you call her a 'witch'?" Eleanor asked.
"Why?" Velvet whipped out a small chocolate bar and took a bite out. "First few days of practice, she kept setting traps for the rest of us. You know, the usual. Milk in the water bottles, clear tape on the stakes, heavy bags and more. But she's a damn good goalie and for whatever reason, she always finds a way to do it, even after we double and triple check."
"That's… a very elaborate reason."
"I'd call her fucked in the head, but she's a goalie."
Eleanor stifled a chuckle. The referees took the ice following the opposing team. Music blared on the older stereo system as the Telliesin Pirates wooted and hollered as they charged right on. Velvet held a giant number six sign.
Even behind his caged mask, Eleanor spotted Rokurou. The older man knocked his stick against the glass as he passed around.
"I'm back!" Magilou returned with a new basket of fries, drizzled with vinegar and ketchup. Shaking it in front of Eleanor, she chuckled. "Try some~ It's good."
The redhead turned to Velvet, already taking a long one. "It's good. Trust me." Cautiously, she dragged a fry up and bit. The soggy taste of vinegar assaulted her mouth, mixed with the crunch of arena fries. Ketchup soon followed, tart tastes complementing the salt.
"Ugh… A bit much."
"Your loss!"
Buzzers rang, and skating stopped. Warm-ups were over and it looked like they weren't going to clean the ice. As the teams lined up, the PA system cracked to life. "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the First Opening game for your Telliesin Pirrates!"
The crowd cheered, shaking popcorn and food as they roared.
"Now, we ask that you'll all rise for the playing of the national anthem."
-.-.-
"A damn good spanking if you ask me."
"Rokurou got a hat-trick. I wish I had one to toss."
Velvet and Eleanor walked back to the dorms. Even inside an ice arena, they sweat. Cheers, chants, celebrations, and more kept them on their feet for the entire game. The one time they were getting on each other's nerves.
"Oh yeah, it's a long weekend." Velvet looked over before opening their room door. "You staying?"
"Yes. You're not heading back home?"
"No reason."
Velvet took a seat in her desk chair. The only way to keep out of each other's way was if one of them was always out. Her cellphone rang, playing some song she heard once in a game.
"Hello? O-oh, hi! How are you?" She exited the room.
This was her chance. Eleanor pulled her phone out and searched. All of this seemed far to convenient. It was already unbelievable that she met rookie star Oscar Dragonia's beloved in Meirchio, but this place. This academy.
Too many pieces seemed to fall together.
She knew. She knew that Magilou's last name was familiar. It wasn't just any name.
Mayvin.
As in Melchior Mayvin, the General Manager of the Loegres Silver Knights.
Colbrande, Rangetsu, Mayvin.
All three of these people here, chosen of their known sport and yet nobody seems to say anything about to them!
What she got from Velvet and Rokurou, there was something. Something that ate away at them, consoling their feelings against Artorius and Ichirou.
As for Magilou, Eleanor searched a picture of the man during the draft picks. He and Magilou looked nothing alike. Their attitudes couldn't be any more apart.
Was she really related? She thought, setting her phone down.
Eleanor couldn't wrap her head around it. They were family. Wholesome true family. Even with her own accidents, arguments, and worries with her mother, she just couldn't understand it.
"Why are they so against them?" She repeated.
Her lingering thoughts brought her back. Home. It still stung. As much as her mom told her it was already, it could never be. To go back and rethink her emotions that day. To go back and reflect.
"You aren't dying over there are you?" Velvet knocked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm fine. Just lost in thought."
"By the way, my family's coming up tomorrow to say hello."
"Th-they… what?"
"My sister, her son and my brother are coming up. That won't trouble you, will it?"
"N-not at all!"
"Good." Velvet climbed into her bed and turned away. "Night."
"G-good night Velvet…"
-.-.-
After eating breakfast, Velvet already had her plans set. She wasn't going to see that redhead for most of the day and the long weekend, which was all fine by her.
"This sister, is it Celica?" Eleanor asked, trailing behind.
"You'll see when you see her." She answered, "… Why are you following me?"
"I wanted to – Er, I mean, I'm curious."
She shrugged, couldn't hurt. And maybe she'll understand where she was going. After all, she was there for the game.
Passed the main dorm doors, the two looped around, heading to the roads and parking lots. Besides the usual line-up of professors and researchers, the occasional student car was parked. And promptly lined with tickets. But with the weekend, the parking was free.
To Velvet's surprise, she already saw three people walking towards them. A young woman with dark black hair held in a tight tail with flowing edges. Hidden behind sporty black sunglasses with a golden trim, her face looked stoic. Controlled. Demanding.
At her right side, a younger boy. Long blonde hair almost floated at his shoulders, despite a frail looking body. Yet, there was an air of familiarity about him, whether it was his growing smile at Velvet or the laxing attitude.
Finally, a young boy, probably no older than ten held the woman's hand. Caramel-shaded hair flew about the wind, yet he kept a tight composure. When he saw Velvet, his eyes glowed, an apple shade of bright green.
"Auntie!" The young boy called out, waving as they came to a stop. The other boy smirked, winking.
"Sis, we're here!"
What Eleanor saw before her was beyond words. The stoic, mono-minded Velvet Crowe she knew vanished. Her shoulders laxed, her composure changed, her voice, higher and brighter. Had she never met her, Eleanor would have sworn this was somebody else. She embraced the two boys, hugging them closely.
"Phi! Laphi! You're here!" She cried,
"H-hey, you're squishing me!" The oldest one struggled while the younger giggled. Velvet let them go, smiling at the woman.
"Seres. How was the trip?"
"A bit long, but that's what we expected." She pulled the little one, 'Phi', to her side. Her voice was almost as deep as Velvet's 'usual' one. "Who's this?"
And bringing Eleanor up ruined her mood again. "This is my roommate. Eleanor. This is Laphicet, Modred and Seres."
"Pleased to meet you." Laphicet nodded his head.
"Nice to meet you." Modred waved again.
"Wasn't she the other girl you fought last year?" Seres raised an eyebrow.
Eleanor cupped her face. "Why is this the thing that everybody remembers?"
"I was there. If you didn't see me, you were focused on the game. A good thing too." Seres smirked. "It was embarrassing for you both."
Velvet sighed, letting Modred hug her arm. "Your new friend is pretty." He giggled.
"If you want to call her pretty."
"H-hey!"
Seres turned to Velvet again, "Well, if that's all, Velvet, aren't we heading off for a little sighting?"
"Eyup. See ya, Eleanor."
As they were walking away, Eleanor stumbled forward. "W-wait a moment, isn't Modred Artorius's son?"
Seres stopped in her tracks, turning around. "Indeed he is. What of it?"
"Doesn't that mean you're… Celica Colbrande?"
She held her hand on her hip. "I am not Celica Colbrande. I am not the wife of Silver Knights star Artorius Colbrande, and I am not owner of Aball's Quizzical Quiche's."
"So why don't you remove those sunglasses?"
Seres mused over it. "Hmph. Very well, know the face…
She pulled her sunglasses off…
"of Seres Crowe!"
.
.
Eleanor stared in half-awe and half-befuddlement.
The unnecessarily drawn out bravado. Even with that frown and half-irritated look, she was still undoubtedly Celica Colbrande.
They stood stared at one another for what seemed like minutes on end.
Behind them, Velvet sighed, hanging her head. Laphicet did the same.
'Phi' Modred clapped, laughing and cheering. "Yay! Go mom!"