Elsa looked through the window, standing on a chair due to her now short stature, watching the other students apparently, go about their daily business with their 'familiars'. Those strange words and more, namely having to stand on a box to see through a window that as just out of her head range, served to remind her how far away from home she was.
The creatures themselves were certainly exotic. While most of them looked normal to her others were completely exotic. A floating eyeball and a dragon, the latter of which was a legendary and ferocious beast of legend back home, seemed little more than an impressive catch by the magic users outside. For just a moment, Elsa wondered if her powers came back from the intense chill that traveled down her spine at the thought.
They tamed such a beast so easily? How many more where there? Did they use them for beasts of war? If so, how effective where they? Against Arendell's simple wooden ships, she suspected greatly.
Sadly, part of being a leader was to analyze potential threats and so far, these people seemed exceedingly dangerous. Magic abilities, beasts they can tame with ease, and who knows what else. There was going to be a vast amount of political upheaval already with this incident, even if she herself understood it was a complete accident. She didn't hold a grudge towards the people here, or even the girl who she had replaced, but the fact remained, they had taken a queen. That knowledge alone would cause problems with relations between their kingdoms, and that wasn't even getting into their magic. These people were dangerous, simple as that. Elsa herself had to hide her own magic for that fact alone and now there was an entire civilization based on it.
With all those thoughts nagging away at her she sighed. She really hated politics sometimes. Sometimes being all times really. A part of her just wanted to enjoy the exotic sights before being on her way back home, but she wasn't blind to any of the consequences of their two peoples meeting.
However as she gazed upon the courtyard, she did remember hearing reports about dragons back home amid a vast fog covered stretch of sea. Along with people whom were claimed to have tamed the beasts as well. She didn't know if they were true or not, but the creature in the courtyard, being looked after by a girl with blue hair and staff was undeniable. The large blue reptile dwarfed her considerably, but the girl showed no fear or hesitation. She stroked the side of the large beast's head affectionately and she could hear the equally affectionate vibrations the beast made in its throat from where she was. Maybe those reports had some truth to them after all. Even with everything, Elsa felt a bit of awe at the sight of all the creatures outside.
She shook her head at her wandering thoughts. Now wasn't the time for that, she needed to focus on the task at hand. She steeped back from the window and off the stool she was standing on as she began to try and discern her next move.
She closed her eyes, clearing her head of everything but what she wanted to accomplish: Getting back home and into her own body. And minimizing the political fallout from this encounter. She knew the best was to do that was to reverse this situation as quietly as possible. No one but them knowing what really happened. Of course this was assuming Valliere had reacted as well ash Elsa had to this situation... she had right?
Once again, Elsa felt her palms tighten on the ledge at the thought before she put a stopper on that.
Conceal don't feel. She internally chanted again. She couldn't dwell on that. She just couldn't. It was out of her control, and she was well versed with situations like that. She had to focus and what she could control. Trust in Valliere was forced at this point.
She still couldn't tell people the truth about her, she knew that. At least not right away. So soon after the event would doubtless lead into questions regarding her mental state and that was something she really wanted to avoid as long as possible. She should try to find out who Vallière's friends were and try to get to know them. They were the one's who would probably listen to her. But who were she wondered...
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening, jolting her to attention. She felt herself hug the wall as a new person entered the room.
In walked a women wearing... oh... well, that outfit certainly wasn't family friendly. Family friendly where had that come from? Regardless, it was immodest. The girls chest was barely contained by her blouse, it giving off the feeling of being suffocated by her ample busom. Her legs had long brown zip up boots on them and her skin tone was of a darker shade, and an oddity among the students she noted. It was darker than anything she had seen personally. The girls red vibrant hair called just as much attention to her as did her… outfit. Honestly a walking scandal was more like it. Only one eye was visible as her hair covered up her left one.
She spoke with odd accent as well. It sounded deep and husky. "Ah Louise, up and walking after your little failure hm? I'm glad to see you took my advice and didn't blow yourself up too bad." An expression of haughtiness spread through the redhead's face, but there was something else as well. Almost sounded like relief. Elsa shifted on her feet uncomfortably. She had no idea how to react. Was this one of Vallière's, or rather Louise's friends? For all she knew she was. Perhaps this was just some good natured ribbing between them? Elsa wouldn't know. And thankfully her excuse was precisely that: She didn't know.
"Uh… I guess?" She replied modestly. She really hoped she didn't come closer though. Without her gloves on, Elsa resorted to putting them behind her as if she were a soldier standing at attention. Thankfully she seemed to keep her distance.
The redhead raised an eyebrow. "Huh, you are taking this well. Well little Vallière, I Kirche von Anahalt Zerbst, have summoned an absolutely amazing familiar. Oh Flame!" She called out, raising an arm dramatically while puffing out her chest, every movement giving of a wave of confidence.
This girl was the most showy and expressive person she had ever met. Granted that really wasn't saying much, but everything about her in the one minute she had met her gave Elsa the impression of a vibrant personality. And her blouse, a vibrant lifestyle.
Another one of the strange creatures came into view, with all the showy flair it's owner passed. It was a red lizard looking thing, red as fire and with an actual fire at the end of its tale. It seemed to puff out it's chest, something which Elsa felt could be traced back to its owner as well.
"This is a fire salamander from the Fire Dragon Mountains. Collectors can't put a price tag on these babies. Why Flame here is the most magnificent an. Well, except for Tabitha of course. Not much really beats a dragon after all. But at least I got something more than just hot air... or a snowstorm." Elsa flinched.
The redhead didn't notice and simply looked at her expectantly. Ah, it has her turn to respond now... start off nice she supposed. It was a good as answer as she could think of in this situation. She tried her best to keep the nervousness out of her voice.
"That's very nice Kirche. I'm happy for you."
It was the nicest thing Elsa could think to say, but as soon as the sentence hit the redhead's ears both she, and the lizard as well, seemed utterly taken aback by it, her arms going limp by her side and the lizard seemingly gaping at her.
"W-what? What do you mean 'that's very nice Kirche?"
"Just what I said. I'm happy that summoned something this impressive." She wasn't sure of this thing being that impressive. It was to her to be honest, but she wasn't trying to provoke anything here.
"Oh… uh... well then, I'm glad when you know who's won. The Zerbsts have... prevailed over the Valliere's this day." She finished, her words becoming more unsure with every one spoken.
Hm, some sort of family feud then? The nobles back home had occasionally done something like this. Though thankfully it never really became violent. And neither did this one. Just a petty squabble then. Elsa had no interest in continuing it.
"Yes. I do. It is a very interesting creature."
Something seemed to shift in the girl. She suddenly raised her voice.. "Stop that!"
"Stop what?"
"Complementing me! Like, genuinely complementing me! It's weird coming from you! Are you sure you are all right? This isn't normal for you. And you sound so... flat. Reserved. Not the little pipsqueak that you usually are." She said, her body posture suddenly void of all confidence, her only visible eye locking in on her in concern.
Though Elsa did learn that these two were apparently not on good terms, that didn't explain her sudden shift to one of concern. If these two were enemies, then shouldn't she be reveling in her misfortune?. She had attempted before, but she didn't seem particularly interested in now which was odd. This was getting a bit confusing."Well… actually…" She began but was interrupted by someone once again entering the room.
At that moment Colbert walked in, holding a pair of gloves as well which Elsa eyed.
"Miss Zerbst? What are you doing here?"
She glanced between them as she answered. "I came here to see the Zero." Zero?
Colbert frowned."Do not call her that. I have told you that many times miss Zerbst that I will not tolerate any teasing, especially to someone who was in an accident."
She paused. And then looked to the ground. "I'm sorry…"
Colbert, looking actually surprised at the reaction adjusted his glasses in nervousness.
"…very well. In any case, Miss Vallière here seems to have suffered an unfortunate case of amnesia. She doesn't remember anything from her life. Though thankfully her sense of self is intact. Small mercies… uh, no offense." He said.
"None taken. He's right, miss Zerbest was it? I don't know what you dislike about me, but now that we have a chance to start over, perhaps we can become friends." She said, cordially as she could.
She stared at Elsa for a while. The her eye narrowed."… founder you're talking weird Vallière. I always knew you would mess up this badly one day. Not like I care or anything though. It just proves how incapable of making any magic you are." She replied, sticking her nose up at her.
Where on earth did that come from? Elsa's perception of this woman kept changing with every sentence that came out of her mouth. One minute she was concerned for hr, the next she was hurling insults.
"Miss Zerbtst, if you cannot refrain from your usual commentary I would suggest you leave us in peace. And I will see to it that if your actions toward her continue, you will be reprimanded for it. Understood?"
Despite the harsh tone, Kirche continued to look at Elsa unflinching. She wordlessly turned around and walked out, her lizard following her out the door.
"I do apologize for her. Her family and yours have some history and some hard feelings between her family and yours. Rather childish if you ask me. Sadly, she is not one to care too strongly about what other people think of her."
"Sir Colbert, as interesting as this is, would you mind setting the gloves on the bed so i may put them on?" She asked. She felt her cheeks turn red slightly. Her habits sadly, were not to be easily discarded. They were the one thing that she would probably never lose.
Mercifully he simply nodded and did as she asked. She quickly walked over and slipped them, a feeling of security coming over her at last.
"She's an exchange student from Germania, a kingdom neighboring ours. She's one of the first since the Border Battle about twenty years ago. She was meant to be a sign of warming relations between our kingdoms, but alas, due to her... personality interfering with her schoolwork, she was held back a year. Honestly, I wondered if she cared about anything at ll. Though… it would seem she finally has." Colbert said.
Elsa paused. "I will try to give to her chance. I will reserve my judgement on her until we have talked some more."
He nodded approvingly. "Very mature of you Miss Vallière. Now, I have informed headmaster Osmond of your predicament and he has sent a rider to your estate to inform your family. They will be here at their earliest convenience."
"There's no possibility of me staying?"
"I'm afraid not. The Summoning Rite is a necessity. And your history with spells was never that impressive to begin with. That being said, I do not agree with this. You have proven yourself an astute learner and have dedicated so much to bettering yourself. It does not sit well with me that you are to be discarded so easily." He lowered his head in sympathy.
"I am sorry. I still feel this was my fault. I should stopped you from walking towards the portal."
Elsa bit her lip. This was going to be a setback. Here she was right in the middle of a magic academy, the one place where she had the best chance for finding out how this kingdom operated, and she was soon to be kicked out. But she knew it would be pointless to argue. Her fate was sealed her and all she could do was minimize the would just have to get started then. What else could she do?
"… Am I confined to this area, or am I allowed to walk freely?"
"Well, while there is no medical reason to keep you here, with you having lost your memory I do not think it would be convenient for you to walk the building with no idea where to go."
Very true she supposed."Is there someone who can guide me perhaps? A student or maid who knows their way around perhaps?"
"I could do so, but I still have afternoon classes to attend to soon as well all the other students. With the exception of you, of course. Though you can ask any of the servants around and I'm sure they will help you. Is there any place in particular you would like to visit?"
She already had her answer. "I would like to visit the library."
"The Library? What for, If I may ask?"
"Well, that would be a good place to start getting my knowledge back right? Filled to the brim with knowledge that it is unknown to me now. I can hardly think of a place that would be more beneficial to me."
He nodded. "Yes, valid points. Feel free to ask me anything on the way there as well. I can answer many questions you might have."
"... Would it be too much to ask of there was some distance between us?"
"Of course not. I still cannot fathom why you would develop hapeaphobia, but I will accommodate it. "
"Thank you." Elsa replied.
With that, Colbert began leading the pink haired girl towards the library, eager for her first steps to return home. And she would have to make this count. She was going off to yet another unknown place, and probably with less resources with her to work with.
Honestly Elsa wanted nothing more than to remain here for she felt it was her best chance to return home... but that wasn't happening was it?
She wished it wasn't the case. She wished it so very much. While it wasn't a mortal blow, so to speak, it was undoubtedly a critical one. She was surrounded by people who's profession it was to teach magic and likely had readily available numerous other things she would likely need, all to be traded away for some domestic life. Her options would plummet and it would take her that much longer to get back. Longer leaving Valliere in her body.
With the coronation only three weeks away.
Conceal don't feel.
She promptly swallowed all of her feelings, all of her fears, all her uncertainties and buried them. She was used to this she told herself. She would manage. She didn't have a choice.
She followed Colbert out the door in silence.
Outside the Academy walls, the snow from the summoning still lay there, neglected by all. It was reasond it was just snow and thus not worth anyone's time. It would melt soon enough on it's own. No one had bothered to check up on it in the time since it's arrival.
The snow glowed slightly and began to shift.
So, what do you think of a slightly Tsundere!Kirche? Always thought she kind of was one towards Louise canonically.
So, can anyone guess what Elsa is getting for a familiar?
