Good news! I present chapter four, thankfully the last one before Lovino. I've only ever read stories with Lovino as the lead, so Feliciano and Marcello are new territory for me. I hope it doesn't show too terribly bad. I'd say something about how chapter five is halfway done, but something tells me that doesn't mean much
*Now with twenty percent more Asia* (Which is to say the classroom presented is composed mostly of Asian countries with a few exceptions. Like Canada)
As usual, the characters belong to Himapapa but the ideas are mine. Enjoy!
"Do you even know where this class is?"
"Of course I do. It should be right here"
"Ludwig, it's just a blank wall."
"I know that!"
Feliciano leaned closer to inspect the brick, placing a little pressure here and there as if to humor his companion. After a minute of this though, he became bored and resolved to just sit along the floor. Ludwig frowned. "The entrance is around here somewhere"
Feliciano just hummed, silently disagreeing. It wasn't that he didn't believe him per say, but they had been wandering around the school in search of the alleged Stealth classroom for an hour now. It had begun to get boring.
"Can't we just skip this one?" He whined, pulling at Ludwig's pant leg. Ludwig only seemed more determined however as he snapped a quick, "Nien" and continued along the wall.
Oh well. It seemed he was going to be stuck waiting for a while. He gazed around the hall as Ludwig tried tactic after tactic to open the nonexistent door, eventually giving up in frustration.
"Kiku! I know you're there"
Feliciano looked up, startled, as Ludwig seemed to crack. Oh no, he was talking to himself. Wasn't that the first sign of madness? Perhaps he should get him back to the nurse. Ms. Katyusha seemed like she would know a thing or two about dealing with tall, crazy men.
Why that thought occurred to him, Feliciano himself did not know.
"Who's Kiku? Is it an imaginary person you just made up?" Ludwig looked down as Feliciano asked the question with complete sincerity.
"No" Ludwig growled. "I did not just make him up. Kiku is my partner."
"I didn't know you had a partner!"
"Of course I do. He happens to belong to the Stealth branch and as far as I'm concerned, should be in class right now. Kiku!" Ludwig knocked onto the bricks for emphasis.
"Kiku!" Feliciano called.
"Kiku!" Ludwig tried again.
For a moment, nothing happened. Just now both companions seemed crazy to any and all bystanders. Suddenly though, the wall began to move.
"Ah!" Feliciano shouted, backing away quickly. Ludwig did not budge. Slowly but surely the wall gave way completely.
The smoke cleared, revealing a rather irritated man. Hands on his hips, hair in a pony tail, and scowl on his face, he sized up the two who dared to interrupt his class. "I expect a very good reason for this intrusion aru"
"I apologize for the interruption" Ludwig began. Mr. Yao raised an eyebrow but he only continued on. "I was hoping to show Feliciano here-" Feliciano in question waved as he was gestured to. "-the Stealth class. Dr. Belishment's orders."
Mr. Yao narrowed his eyes. He turned to view Feliciano, acting as if he was a prized cow brought to market. Slowly, he softened. "Fine. But he is not a Stealthen. You are simply wasting your time" He added, "Come in before you waste my time. Mei Ling, close the door."
Once Mr. Yao had given the order, the wall began slide close. "Wait!" Ludwig shouted. He grabbed Feliciano -who had moved to get away from Mr. Yao's scrutinizing gaze- and pulled them both inside before the wall slide shut on the two.
There was no one in the room. "Hello?" Feliciano called tentatively.
"Up here"
Both he and Ludwig looked up to see a brown eyed boy watching them from the ceiling. Actually, to see the entirety of the stealth class watching them from above. The teacher hung there as well, looking impatient.
"Well?" He asked. Two blank looks was the only reply. "Are you planning to join in this class or to just stand there, aru?"
"Uh"
"Uh" Feliciano chorused.
"I think I will stand here" Ludwig finally said. He pushed Feliciano toward to rope ladder dangling in the corner. Feliciano cast him a helpless looked, but Ludwig payed him no heed. Taking a tentative step closer and closer, he eventually reached to ladder and began his accent.
Everyone in the room got to watch the brunette as he lost his grip halfway up and became tangled, coming to a stop upside down.
"Gah! Ludwig, help!" He cried, flailing uselessly. Ludwig quickly came to his aid, attempting to pull his friend down. The end result was a panicking boy tied up into a bow. Some observing students cringed.
One of the students who winced as Feliciano's cries grew louder and louder began his descent from the ceiling, swinging from bar to bar carefully before finally shimming down the ladder.
He stopped right above the tangled mess, locking eyes with Ludwig.
"There you are Kiku!" Ludwig exclaimed, released Feliciano for a moment.
Kiku nodded, uttering a quick apology. "Let me help" He said. He waited patiently for permission before tackling the rope.
"Please do" Feliciano wailed.
Wasting no more time, Kiku sprung off the ladder, drawing a sword (Katana as he would later inform Feliciano) and cutting the entire rope free.
Feliciano landed with a short cry, mirrored by a much more devastated one from Mr. Yao as the way down was sliced to shreds.
"What did you just do, Kiku?!" He yelled, waving a fist in anger. "We haven't any money to replace the ladder in the budget, aru! You are going to pay for that out of pocket!"
Kiku looked up at his instructor. "Oh course." He said, no sympathy displayed on his features. Mr. Yao's eye twitched as he turned to introduce himself to Feliciano.
"Konnichiwa (Hello), I am Kiku Honda, Ludwig's partner and a third year student of the Stealth branch. It is an interesting pleasure to meet you"
Feliciano (who had recovered at the speed of light) jumped up and launched toward Kiku with a hug. "Oh thankyou thank- omph!"
Kiku shoved him away. Feliciano stumbled, tripping over the cords and falling once more
The sparse giggles from the watching pupils (who seemed to really enjoy laughing at him) were explained shortly by Ludwig. "Kiku does not like to be touched"
Feliciano considered this a moment. "Ah, I'm sorry Kiku!" He amended from his place on the ground. "I had no idea you didn't enjoy hugs. But I mean, who doesn't enjoy hugs? No matter, let me try again!"
Jumping back to his feet, he stuck out his hand in greeting. "Hi! I'm Feliciano! Thank you for saving me!"
Kiku glanced at the thrust out appendage carefully. He bowed his head in response. "It was no trouble" Feliciano smiled, dropping his ignored hand.
Mr. Yao narrowed his eyes. Irritated, he dropped down until he was only hanging from the ceiling by his hands. He began to swing back and forth, finally gaining enough momentum to launch into the air and land gracefully on the floor. He stood in front of the trio dismissively.
"No trouble?" He demanded. "That was very expensive rope! And even more than that, it clearly shows you are not one for the Stealth class and I demand you leave before I call the headmaster in, aru!"
The redhead didn't look as rejected as Mr. Yao had thought he would. "Oh well!" Feliciano chirped. "It was nice meeting you Kiku, and you too Mr. Yao!"
Ludwig was already at the door, gesturing for Feliciano to get a move on. "How does this blasted think open?" He mumbled under his breath, feeling the wall for a small indent.
"I've got it!"
A girl with a pink flower in her hair dropped down next to him. Ludwig jerked back, not realizing until she said something she was there at all. She pressed a certain stone twice and moved away as the wall opened.
"Danke" He muttered, exiting with Feliciano on his heels.
[=]
Feliciano hummed as he tried to match Ludwig's brisk pace. "To the headmaster's already? I thought I had to try out that one other class first"
"Well I had rather we not make a fool out of ourselves in front of another class today" Ludwig said, turning a corner. Feliciano stayed close behind. "Besides, it might be easier to have you sorted into a team before we mess up anyone else's day."
Nodding, Feliciano had to agree. "But what about the Mr. Bondevik? He told me to come to his third year class"
Ludwig shrugged curtly. "You can still show up for his class. In fact that would be advised. But do know that somewhere else might be better suited." They came to a stop outside a large oak door. Ludwig carefully knocked before a deep voice told him to enter.
"Come in"
Doing so, Ludwig quickly stood in a rigid position beside the door. He stood no less relaxed around family than he did in the other teachers' classrooms. Feliciano was just the opposite, breezing inside with practiced familiarity despite never meeting the man.
"Ciao!" He started, waving in a friendly manner.
Dr. Belishment nodded and gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. "Please sit"
Both students did as they were requested. Feliciano reached for a trinket sitting on the headmaster's desk. Ludwig knocked his hand away.
Clearing his throat, Dr. Belishment prepared his speech. "I understand you have come to test for a class and a team, correct?" Feliciano nodded. "Then you must know that this school prides it's self on smooth running and acceptance. Ludwig, I trust, has shown you to the different classrooms. Have you chosen one?"
Speaking up, the red head in question quickly said, "I wish to be a magician." He added "sir" as an after thought.
The headmaster nodded. "Let me see your hands." Feliciano did as requested, letting his hyperactive hands be examined. Dr. Belishment turned the appendage this way and that way, spreading the fingers and closing them to his palm once more.
"A healer" He announced.
"What?" Feliciano asked. He drew his hands away, examining them himself.
His question was mirrored by Ludwig. "A healer?! But sir, I haven't shown him that classroom yet! Are you not going to test him?"
"There is no need, he belongs as a Healer. I expect you, Feliciano, to be in class Monday morning. Mr. Tino room 158. You may register as a member of team AXIS."
Ludwig dropped his jaw, flabbergasted. "Team AXIS? That is my team sir." He turned to Feliciano. "Not as if I mind, but why? Kiku and I had not needed a team change for three years"
Dr. Belishment's face was unreadable, but his eyes sparkled as if he was having fun. "Perhaps it is high time then. Please close the door on your way out"
Ludwig stumbled out of his chair before gaining composure. He left the room, carefully closing the door behind him. He realized as he walked down the hall he had left Feliciano behind.
"Don't mind him" Dr. Belishment said, straightening up. "He is one for very orderly transitions"
Feliciano refrained from commenting on how the headmaster seemed to be that type too. He made his leave quick, dashing to catch up with Ludwig. It seemed he had a long week ahead of him.