It's nothing short of shocking as to how long it's been since I've updated this story. Literally, seven years have passed since I last posted a new chapter to this thing: no exaggeration. (Geez, even the stated fact sounds like a fairy tale now orz ) Way, way too much has happened between then and now, so I'll keep it short - indeed, while I never officially quit on this fanfic, I pretty much came to a grinding halt on it for years while my life did stomach-lurching backflips and somersaults that left progress on fanfic writing the least of my worries.
Nonetheless, this is a story that I've been wanting to finish telling from the first time I seriously began writing it down, and in the more recent past few years, despite any difficulties I might've been having at the time, I've tried to get down the entire story in concept (aka outline) so that it would no longer be a nebulous destination and instead be something that I would be resolutely building toward all throughout the chapters. After that was done, I finally began cranking the fanfic back to life ever so excruciatingly. I have Mangaka-chan to deeply thank for aiding the development of this fanfic in its most sickly days, and a large part of the reason you're even seeing this revival now.
I'm a bit flabbergasted at this point, because besides what I have for you today, I have two more episodes (aka four chapter pairs) that I have waiting in the wings, just about ready to post. In other words, you're pretty much guaranteed to have updates coming soon after this one, because I've already written them. Quite a flip from what it was before, huh?
Finally, I'm hoping that having had so much time pass between the previous chapters and the following ones, that I've improved on my writing skills at least slightly. While I have a much clearer idea of what is going to happen in the future episodes than when I was writing the first three, it is all still supposed to be contiguous from the beginning, so if you remember what happened, you can continue right on from here, as no major changes were made. Though I would totally get it if you had to go back and refresh your memory, lol. XD
Okay, rambling over. It's (FINALLY) time for the story!
Once upon a time, there was a town surrounded by an impenetrable wall. The wall made the people of the town feel assured – they needed not to worry about anything that lay behind the wall, because the wall could not be broken. Nothing could disturb their blissful peace. Everything was always how they expected them to be.
What the people did not know was that the wall was made up of nothing but the illusions planted within their own minds…
Princess Tutu
~Kapitel des Vogel~
~鳥の章~
(Chapter of the Bird)
30. AKT "Wall of Deceptions"
~ Für Elise ~
A little girl dressed in black stood timidly in the darkness. The stifling air was cold as ice, yet encompassing her was an eerie heat. "Father, I've come back."
A booming voice scolded, "You didn't bring me what I asked you."
"I-I'm sorry, Father…"
"You say that you're sorry?"
"I couldn't find it, Father…I didn't—"
A low grumble resounded from the darkness. "Do you realize how much I suffer here, trapped by the Prince's seal, while you run free in the town, in the open air? Are you not grateful that, despite my hardships, I would care for even a hideously human crow daughter like you?"
"No!" the little girl exclaimed with dismay. "You're so kind, Father, so kind! Please forgive me!"
"You'll have to do much better next time. Much, much better. Otherwise, you risk losing my love."
"No, don't, please! I will do much better! Please still love me, Father!"
The Raven paused. "You know… that no one could ever love you, other than me."
Rue looked back up at the eyes in the darkness. "Why… why is that?"
"…Because in the end, you are my daughter. My one and only beloved daughter."
You liar! I was never your daughter! You never loved me; all you ever wanted was the prince's heart!
"You always were a foolish girl to the end," he said before he swallowed her whole.
As she danced in the barren wasteland that was inside the Raven, she looked at herself. She was Kraehe again. But this time, it didn't hurt. In fact, she didn't feel anything at all.
Rue's eyes opened wide. Her right hand was clutched on her chest, over her heart. She brought it back over to her pillow, but the fretful tightness still remained.
It hadn't been just a dream. Partially it had been a memory, one that she hadn't recalled since she had gone with Mytho into his world. And Mytho's world, a fairy tale world, was like living a dream itself… yet, now here she was, back in the real world where she had grown up, where there was a line between dreams and reality, and where she had suffered. It was times like these that she wondered whether she had been crazy to want to leave that place to once again come here, the town she had first met her beloved…
Knock knock. "Rue-san? Are you awake? I was thinking we should go soon…"
Rue sighed. The waking world comes knocking quite swiftly in the morning, sweeping away any silly dreams that might distract her. She was quite grateful for it.
"Of course, Trutho. Are you ready yet?"
o-o-o-o-o
Traveling from the student dormitories, being some distance from the main campus, afforded Ahiru some time to speak with Fakir before they set off to their separate lessons for the day.
Fakir had raised his eyebrows when Ahiru appeared alone out of the girls' dormitories. He had gotten used to seeing Sagi and Ahiru together ever since Ahiru returned to human form. Wondering if something was going on, he asked after her absent roommate as they walked side by side in the light morning fog.
"I didn't see Sagi this morning, so I figured she went to school early again," Ahiru answered him. "She likes to do that a lot; I guess she's much more of an early bird than me…" She looked at Fakir. "Was Autor already gone too?"
"He was," Fakir said shortly. Which is perfectly fine with me.
They passed through the academy's front gates and past the archway entrance into campus when Ahiru looked off to the left.
"…Huh?"
"What?" Fakir followed Ahiru's glance, towards the music building, where he saw a young male student with dark curled hair slip inside.
"Caras…" Fakir scowled. Unless he had some other artistic talent they didn't know about, there was no good reason for him to be there, especially at this time of day.
The pair followed him inside. They heard footsteps up to the second floor, so Fakir and Ahiru waited until he was out of earshot before they went up the stairs as quietly as they could.
"Fakir? Ahiru?"
Ahiru blinked, somewhat startled at the person standing at the top of the stairs. "Autor? What are you doing here?"
Autor cocked a brow at them. "What am I doing here? I'm in the music department, aren't I? What are you two doing here is more of an appropriate question!"
"…Didn't you see someone coming up the stairs just now?" Fakir finally asked him, after getting over his irritation at coming across Autor again so soon.
"Other than you two? I can't say I have," he replied, somewhat tentatively. "…You're looking for someone, then?"
Fakir and Ahiru looked at each other dubiously. Had it been Autor all along…?
Seeing the troubled look on their faces, and curious about the matter, Autor added, "I'm going to meet someone, but I can help you look for him on the way; I know this floor much better than either of you two."
Fakir and Ahiru walked along with Autor in the front, as the three peeked into the empty rooms they passed. "Everybody around here is over at the orchestra rehearsal by now," Autor remarked. "Who exactly is it you're looking for? If they're in the music department, then it's probable I've at least heard of them and can tell you where they are."
"Umm…his name is Caras," Ahiru replied, "but I don't think he's in the music department…"
Autor frowned. "No, that name doesn't sound familiar…"
He stopped in front of a pair of doors to what seemed like a large room. "I wanted to stop by and talk with a friend of mine here. Perhaps this Caras you saw was coming here."
He knocked. No one answered. He knocked again louder for a moment before Autor sighed and remarked to himself, "Well, not that he'd really hear it anyway."
Fakir and Ahiru glanced at each other with puzzlement before Autor carefully opened the door a crack, enough to poke his head in. Behind Autor, Fakir and Ahiru peered into the room.
"Beethoven-senpai?" Autor ventured hesitantly.
Suddenly, four thunderous notes made Autor flinch and Ahiru nearly quack before she muffled it just in time.
The music had burst from an orchestra conducted by a wild-haired young man with an intense scowl of concentration on his face. Ahiru watched as his baton wove and whipped ahead of the ensemble's crescendos and fortes. It was as if he was etching the music alternately softly or fiercely into the air.
She happened to glance at Fakir and the amazement on his face was apparent. The music seemed to move him with a fervor that she rarely saw from him.
Then, just as suddenly, an infuriated grunt erupted from the conductor and he bellowed, "Stop! Stop!"
There was dead silence except for the sound of the young man in front hyperventilating anxiously. Then the storm struck.
"Violas, your melody is still too soft; put more power into it! Timpani, your entrance is too fast! And concertmistress," he glared at the musician on the far left, and the violinist balked. "You're not taking this piece with enough gravity at all! This isn't some kind of cheerful lark! This is a dire struggle! A battle against all odds!" His arms were waving madly with frustration.
"…Beethoven-senpai?" A contrabass waved his hand to get his conductor's attention. His voice was elevated to be sure that Beethoven could hear him properly. "You've… been up all night again looking over the piece, haven't you?" He frowned worriedly. "Are you sure you don't need to take a break sometime…?"
Beethoven looked insulted. "Our exhibition concert for the Autumn Arts Festival is coming in less than a week! Do you think we have time to just—"
"Also…" The second violin pointed behind Beethoven. "I think someone is waiting to talk to you."
"What?" Beethoven turned around and he looked shocked. "Autor! So you did decide to come meet me after all. When did you get in here? Why didn't you knock when you came in?"
Autor frowned. "But I did knock."
Beethoven blinked a moment. "Oh." He exhaled, scratching his head for a moment before turning to the orchestra. "Fine, if you want me to take a break, this'll be it. I must meet with someone now, so consider this your time to think over what I've told you."
Knowing better than to argue, the rest of the gathering stretched and looked over their music. In the meanwhile Beethoven walked over to Autor and greeted him. "It's been a very long time since I've talked with you last."
"You've been very busy with your concert I can see, so that's quite logical."
Fakir and Ahiru took the chance to look surreptitiously around the room for Caras, whether within the orchestra or in the room somewhere, but he was nowhere to be found.
Beethoven was avid. "Again, Autor, I still cannot understand why you quit the orchestra. At one point your presence made the symphonies we played sound as if… life itself was resonating in the hall; ech, I can't even explain it properly!"
Autor looked embarrassed. "I'm always flattered by your compliments, but really my technique isn't much compared to your—"
"I'm not talking about your technique," Beethoven sounded impatient, "That would be something entirely different. What it is…it's…" His hands grasped at the air, as if trying to find the right words. "Sometimes, when you were at your best, you… made your feelings real with the music." For some reason those words caught Fakir's attention. "I think that's the closest to it. Something in your playing; I couldn't quite pinpoint it, which is why I must hear it again, to uncover what it is!"
Autor sighed. "Why don't you come to my piano practice session later? I would be happy to play for you if that's what you wish."
"I shall, but I wish to hear your other instruments as well," Beethoven said. "I hope you still practice the cello? That one seemed to be your best."
"Y-yes, I still do, sometimes…"
An orchestra member's head perked up at a ringing in the distance. "Well, looks like school is officially starting. Not that it matters to us since we've been up all hours preparing anyhow…"
Ahiru started. "Wait…the school bell?!" She dashed for the exit. "Oh no, now I'm really, really—"
She slammed head-on into the doors, but that only delayed her a moment as she peeled herself off them and she went on, "—late! I'm sorry Fakir, I have to get to class!" She whipped the door open and veered around it towards the stairs.
With confusion, Fakir peered outside the door at Ahiru. But the general assembly for the other ballet classes is soon, so wouldn't the apprentice class not be meeting today because of the time conflict…?
Around the other corner, Caras leaned on the wall as Ahiru sped past him. He had been listening to the music that drifted from the room where Beethoven practiced. Glancing outside, he saw that the ravens didn't sense anything of interest here, even though this was the same human around which they had once sensed a shard when the conductor was rehearsing piano in the main ballet practice room. Still, Caras couldn't shake the feeling that there was something in that human's music that seemed familiar to him. He must have a heart shard. That has to be the reason I sense this connection…
Caras looked outside, where the crows were gathering toward the school's dance studio. Yet, they are finding one elsewhere, for certain… I suppose I must wait on this one for now.
o-o-o-o-o
Ahiru scrambled through the doors seconds after changing into her leotard. She looked around for a teacher, but she only saw students standing still at the barre. With a sigh of relief, she walked towards the barre to warm up.
Abruptly the doors behind her slammed shut. Ahiru jumped and turned around to see a wiry little old woman with her light gray hair pressed into a prim bun. Her lips pursed as tightly as her hair. "I see that you are late."
"Uh, umm…y-yes?" Ahiru stammered, not sure how to respond to that terse, authoritative statement.
"As tardiness is not acceptable, you will mop the entire practice floor after class," she commanded. "And there will not be a spot left afterward. Understood?"
"Wh-wh-wha?" Ahiru said with dismayed confusion.
Irritated at this student's ostensible inattentiveness, the teacher exclaimed, "Did you not hear me? I asked you, do you understand?"
Ahiru blanched. "Ahhh…yes! I mean, no! Umm, uh, no, yes!"
The old woman stared at her. "What is your name?"
"Ummmm…Ahiru! It's Ahiru!"
"Ahiru-san, get in line. Quickly now!"
Ahiru scampered to the barre straightaway. Behind her, Sagi smiled at her gently before turning immediately back to the teacher, who cleared her throat.
"Now, we may continue. As I have said, I am Mujiname-sensei, and as this school hasn't yet found fit to equip this class with consistent instruction, I will be leading the class from today."
Silently the class wondered how long that would be, seeing as how their class seemed to have a poor record on teacher retention.
"First, we shall stretch and limber up. Everyone into first position and relevé. Stand up straight so that you're balanced on your toes."
As the class complied and the teacher counted the time to hold the position, Ahiru's thoughts drifted to that morning's events. Beethoven-senpai's music was really incredible. Even Fakir… I hardly have ever seen him react so strongly to something like that. But we couldn't find Caras, even though we saw him going in… why would he go to the music department? We know he's after the Raven's heart shards… Her eyes widened. Wait! Maybe someone in the music department—
"You! The tardy student!"
"QUA—!" Hastily, Ahiru had to cover her mouth from the shock of the loud spank the instructor had brazenly administered.
"Your bottom is sticking out like an overripe carrot! What is this unsightly form you are displaying?"
"I'm… I'm sorry!" Ahiru stammered.
"Clearly you were not focusing on your stretching," Mujiname-sensei scowled. "Do you know how important it is to put your absolute best into your dancing? Or are you so sure of yourself that you don't think you need to even prepare yourself to be able to do that?"
Ahiru shook her head vehemently. "N-No! Umm… warm up is really, really important!"
"Then start behaving as such!" She looked around at the rest of the students. "Class, second position, now!"
Sagi slipped Ahiru another encouraging smile before turning her head back into position. I feel a little bad hearing Ahiru get told off repeatedly, but I'm not in the position of authority here, so this is the best I can do…
"Phew, with this teacher… the last thing we need is for Femio to show up," one of the girls told one of her friends, who nodded apprehensively.
"You two! Concentrate on your stretching!" Mujiname-sensei ordered as the two jumped nervously back into position. "What I said to Ahiru-san goes for everyone!"
Ahiru pursed her lips as she separated her feet and shakily raised herself on her toes again.
o-o-o-o-o
As Trutho and Rue walked to their next visit, the plain-clothed princess noticed that her companion was still intent on scrutinizing the storybook The Prince and the Raven that he hadn't put down for several days. She decided he could try thinking about something else for a change.
"Trutho, I have a question for you."
Distracted by the book, he glanced up after a few moments. "…Hmm?"
"What was all that about, that time after lunch when you were talking to those girls and you suddenly ran over to me?"
"That? Uh…" Trutho frowned uncomfortably. "How do I put this…? I think they were trying to, uh, get my attention…"
"No, I knew that they were trying to get their hands on you when I'm not around," she replied with a casualness that took Trutho a bit by surprise. "What I am still wondering about is why that would suddenly make you willingly stay around me when that was hardly the case before."
"You mean… besides me just getting used to you?"
Rue stared at him. "So suddenly?"
"Oh. Well…" Trutho said hesitantly, "If you really want to know, it seems simple enough to me… whose company would I rather keep? Those really iffy obsessive schoolgirls, or one young woman who's levelheaded and well-behaved?" He shrugged. "No question, don't you think?"
"That almost seems too straightforward," Rue remarked.
Trutho smiled. "But that's the way I'd rather think. And besides, Rue-san, I meant it when I said I'm getting used to you."
She sighed. Despite Trutho's rather blunt choice of words, his naïve honesty reminded Rue strongly of his brother. For that, Rue was willing to drop the matter and move onto something a little more pressing. "And that reminds me: at least when other people are around, try to address me as 'Rue'. It's improper, I know, but unless you want to create even more trouble by making people more suspicious than they already are, you'll have to put up with it. I've already adjusted to it, Mytho."
"Yeah, all right…Rue." After a pause, he relaxed. "It feels better just calling you Rue, anyway. I guess it makes you less scary, somehow."
Rue's head snapped back in his direction. "Why? How do I frighten you? Have I done anything bad to you?"
Trutho blinked, taken aback. "N-no, of course you haven't! What makes you think—?"
"Do I seem like some kind of monster?"
He shook his head vehemently. "No, definitely, absolutely not! You're…you're actually a really nice person, really! It's just been me, you know, acting weird because I'm weird like that…"
"Liar," Rue scowled. "You've always been afraid of me."
Trutho wilted. "I-I, well…" His eyes glanced back up at her worriedly for a moment before dropping back down. "…You seemed really upset about it this time, so I felt bad…"
Rue blinked. Strange that she hadn't been aware of herself until then. Maybe it had been that morning's dream messing with her sleep and her feelings. "You know what, don't mind me. Forget that I asked. I… wasn't really upset."
Trutho looked at her with a half-grin. "Now you're the one that's lying."
"I'll not talk about it anymore. Let's go." Rue sighed. "I'm sorry."
Trutho looked up at her curiously. She sure was acting strange… and honestly, Rue, apologizing to him like this? But she was looking resolutely ahead, so he figured he should do the same.
Still, on the way he glanced at her worriedly.
o-o-o-o-o
"All right, class. So far, not bad. Many improvements can still be made, but that is always the case. Now, we'll continue on with—"
The double doors to the big practice floor opened and in walked the beginner, advanced and special classes along with Yagiko-sensei. Ahiru glimpsed Fakir, Trutho, and Rue among them, along with Lilie and Pike in the beginner's class.
But practically everyone was whispering about the very shocking additional presence of the ever-absent Caras, who stood impassively at a distance from the rest.
Mujiname-sensei went over to Yagiko-sensei with considerable irritation. "Yagiko-sensei, what is the meaning of this?" she frowned. "Why are you intruding on my class time?"
"Your class—I hadn't expected you to be starting already!" Yagiko-sensei replied, still surprised to see her and the apprentice class.
"It seems the rest of the students still thought that there was class. Most of them showed up, whether early or late," she said. "Also, you told me that I was to start whenever I was ready."
"That was yesterday!" Yagiko-sensei exclaimed, flabbergasted.
"And I was ready today," the short elderly lady replied evenly. "If you weren't prepared, why didn't you simply tell me when you were ready to have me come?"
As the two teachers argued, Caras leaned on one of the barres in the corner and surveyed the group of student dancers. I sensed it. Someone that just walked in this room has the same heart shard that the others had discovered some days ago. Then why is the composer related to this? He scowled. Either way, it could be anywhere in this room… there's no way I'll find it unless I get a chance to examine these humans very carefully and draw it out.
"Well, then. Since it appears we both are teaching this session now, we'll have to coordinate. What were you planning to do first?" Mujiname-sensei asked authoritatively.
Yagiko-sensei sighed tersely. "I was going to pick someone to do a male solo demonstration. But since you like being in charge so much, why don't you pick?"
"Then I shall."
Yagiko-sensei fumed as Mujiname-sensei took seriously what she meant as a half-hearted pout.
"Hmmm…" That one in the corner almost looks like he's hiding himself away, despite his so intensely resolute expression. I wonder…? "You there, in the black shirt. Would you be willing to show the students an example of a danseur solo?"
Ahiru stood around with the others as Yagiko-sensei whispered into Mujiname's ear, while looking doubtfully towards Caras (who hadn't moved from his spot). Ahiru had seen firsthand that Yagiko-sensei was well acquainted with his utter disdain for authority or anyone that dared give him orders, much less those asking him to perform.
Then, Caras stood up from the wall and walked towards the front of the dance floor where the instructors stood watching him, and spoke only two words: "Very well."
The entire hall went dead quiet. Then, whispers around Ahiru erupted, all to the tune of how incredible his sudden enthusiasm seemed. She glanced toward Fakir and saw that his eyes were narrowed suspiciously.
Ahiru watched Caras get into position and stop to gaze carefully around at his stunned audience. Then, he began to dance.
Even though Ahiru had anything but a skilled eye, she could sense immediately that he danced very well (and from Yagiko-sensei's face, extremely well considering he was almost never seen in class). But there was something unsettling about it. His movements were harsh, threatening, yet eerily enticing. It seemed painfully restrained, like a chained beast, reminiscent of Mytho fighting a losing battle between himself and the Raven's blood, but reversed; it was not a fight against possession. Instead, it was the Raven himself struggling to triumph.
Suddenly his eyes seemed to catch on something, and in mid-dance his eyes flitted sharply towards someone in particular in the audience for just a fleeting moment – but the dance was so intense that no one failed to notice.
The audience looked towards where his attention had fallen, and there sat the special class. It wasn't clear from just the glance where it had landed, but from the distraught expression on Rue's face, the answer seemed evident.
Then she stood up and rushed out of the room, startling everyone for a second time. "Rue-chan!" Ahiru exclaimed.
"Rue!" Trutho stood up and hesitated for just an instant as everyone's attention focused on him before he anxiously tailed her out the doors.
While everyone else's attention was on Rue and Trutho's departures as the doors closed behind them, Fakir noticed that behind where Rue had been sitting was another girl who seemed equally disturbed, although instead of recognition on her face, there was confusion, suspicion, and pain.
Ahiru glimpsed a flash of darkness below her and saw that the pendant had blackened again, and looking back up she saw the special class girl who wore a bun clasp her chest nervously. That couldn't be…!
As all this was occurring, Caras smirked. Perfect. Now I know exactly where it is. I only need to get an opening to leave and wait for the class to let out to—
Suddenly the doors flew open again. Everyone looked back again, wondering if the royal pair had swiftly returned, but…
A flurry of petals fluttered from a butler's basket as a young man dressed like a spotted faun posed rapturously in the doorway. He gingerly placed one foot in front of the other. "Sweet young ladies, and gracious gentlemen, allow me to present… the blossoming flower of the dance field!"
The shocked silence in the hall was deafening. The new instructor was nonplussed, but dread was painted on Yagiko-sensei's face.
Caras had stopped dancing by this point and at first was among the rest staring at the costumed danseur in disbelief. Then, he chuckled derisively and strolled towards the doors.
The apprentice student Femio saw Caras coming towards him and blinked with puzzlement. As the dark-haired young man drew close, the one in faun garb glanced at him and in an unnerving moment, their gazes met.
The blood red eyes stabbed through the pair of oblivious lavender ones as Caras glared at the one who dared meet him eye-to-eye so thoughtlessly. Then, Caras smirked, and walked straight past him. "You're so hopelessly pitiful that it's rather amusing."
Femio stood twitchingly frozen in his pose for several moments after the dark-haired dancer had long left. At last, just after his butler's timely floor blanketing of red rose petals, he collapsed in place.
"Ohhhhh…! This sinful body… has done it again!" He grasped his cheeks grievingly. "This horrible, cursed, beauteous face—he has so strong of a love for me that his eyes sear into mine like scorching irons! Yet, even he realizes, that I am so pitiful, as to not have enough love for others as they have for me, not nearly enough!"
He kneeled on the (rose petal covered) ground and beckoned to the ceiling, "Oh, Heaven, pour judgment down upon this—"
"OH NO YOU DON'T!" Yagiko-sensei stormed over to Femio and literally kicked him through the doors, his petals sputtering behind him as he slid out. "You are NOT getting those bulls into this studio again!"
Montand hurriedly swept up the remaining petals and made his getaway following his master, and as Mujiname-sensei observed her colleague with somewhat amazed approval, Yagiko-sensei fumingly slammed the doors shut behind them.
The overwhelmed students were now absolutely speechless.
o-o-o-o-o
"Rue! Rue, wait up!"
Trutho, who had fumbled to get his school uniform back on before exiting, finally caught up to Rue, who had just exited after having changed into hers. She stopped at his voice, but didn't turn around to look at him at first.
He lowered his head uneasily. "You felt it too, huh?"
"What do you mean?!" Rue whipped her head around, with interrogative eyes.
More prepared this time for her defensiveness, he wavered for only a moment before continuing, "…That person. Something about him feels like trouble, real bad trouble, and you don't know exactly what it is but you feel it, somehow…"
"I wish it were that vague," Rue replied, flustered. "I know exactly what he reminded me of… even though it shouldn't bother me at all," she shook her head vehemently.
"Really?" Trutho looked at her inscrutably. Looking away for a moment, he said, "It's actually a lot more frustrating when you don't even know what you're dealing with. But you seem to know, and it's probably the same thing that I—"
"I highly doubt it," Rue replied hastily. "And, anyway, it-it's not…" She tried to think of a plausible excuse but found she was too upset to do so.
Trutho sighed. "Sorry, Rue. I was just thinking you could help me figure out something. But if it's that hard to say…then it's not worth hurting you more just to tell me about it."
"…" Rue thought a moment. "I want to take a walk around, alone. Is there somewhere you could stay for a while without needing me to be there?"
Trutho nodded. "If you think that'll make you calm down, I'll be in the library when you're done, okay?"
"…Fine," she assented. "I will look for you there, then. I won't be long."
As she left, Trutho had second thoughts if it was all right leaving her by herself like this. But she seems like the type to be able to take care of herself, and she doesn't like my company very much either.
Besides, aren't I supposed to be the one that needs supervision? He shook his head dryly. So, I'll try to keep myself out of trouble, for her sake, too.
o-o-o-o-o
It had taken some time for Uzura to get down from the tower and out onto the street. From there, she had to orient herself and remember where the school was from there. Then she had to get through the busy traffic at that time of day. Even for an energetic child like her, it was tiring.
Now she was wandering about the academy's courtyard, scouting around trying to locate two people that she concluded had to be on this campus. "Where are Fakir and Ahiru-zura? They've got to be around here somewhere-zura!"
As she tapped her drum, marching along the courtyard pathway, she noticed a dark-haired young man in a Kinkan school uniform walking away from the dance studio ahead. Thinking for a moment, she hurried over towards him. "Do you know where they might be-zura?"
Caras stopped and turned around. The tiny pale child blinked back up at him as he looked her over. "What? Are you asking me where someone is?"
Uzura nodded. "Fakir and Ahiru-zura?"
He cocked an eyebrow. "I have no idea who those people are. Why are you asking me?"
"Oh." Uzura tilted her head. "I kinda thought I knew you from somewhere. Guess not-zura."
With determination, she plodded onward out of sight. "Gotta find Fakir and Ahiru-zura, before Drosselmeyer-zura finds out where I am-zura…"
Caras stopped and surreptitiously watched the toddler veer around the corner. Did that little one say what I thought she said? Even though he supposedly left this town after my heart was shattered…
His eyes narrowed. Or maybe this in truth explains much of what's happened of late… The young man's crimson eyes gazed inscrutably beyond the sky.
Drosselmeyer.
o-o-o-o-o
In front of a gear framing the dark-haired young man, an old man sporting a multi-feathered hat and a big red cloak stood pouting. "Curse that troublesome Uzura, making a mess of my carefully crafted suspense! It would be quite troublesome if the characters were again made aware of their author's presence, and so soon! And they're already on their guard, so they're not about to be as dense as the rest of the town…"
He sighed theatrically. "I suppose I'll just have to take her back out when I can catch her. But I can't divert too much of my attention, otherwise I won't be able to maintain the tenuous hold I have on this situation. I must say, that despite being freed by it, losing that machine does make it much harder to control a story, now that I only have my remaining characters and sheer quill power to do the trick…"
o-o-o-o-o
That day, Mytho and Komaro had set off from their room a little more wary. For some reason, in the morning Mytho couldn't shake off a tense feeling that he just couldn't put a finger on. Komaro suggested that perhaps their heightened awareness of the dubious circumstances caused him to be on edge, which sounded plausible enough.
Still, they rode out that day prepared for any surprise attacks. Anytime the two saw a crow overhead, they tensed for a moment. Again, they also noticed that people were not generally out and about very much.
"Unlike back in my homeland, or in Kinkan Town, there are no children playing in the streets, nor merchants proclaiming their wares," Mytho noted forlornly. "One would almost wonder if a tragedy had occurred of late, if one didn't know anything about this town…"
"Come to think of it, that's right; your homeland isn't actually Kinkan, is it?" Komaro said. "It's somewhere else, a kingdom that's far away but somehow close by. Which direction might it be from here?"
"Y-yes, it's somewhat difficult to get to from where we are…" Mytho replied vaguely. "I… am unsure of the answer to your question," The prince smiled wanly.
"Oh…" Komaro said. "Then, I am glad it is indeed so peaceful and happy. It is well and good that you have grown up in such a place."
Mytho grew pensive. That's right; the people from this world don't know of my world as real. It's only a story to them, like the wise fairy I had visited said… even though, she also said the connection between my world and this one still remains …
Komaro glanced at the prince, who had fallen strangely silent all of a sudden. After a moment, Komaro looked ahead. "All right, then; we were considering how we might confer with the Ginkan Council without making them too suspicious."
Mytho was roused out of his thoughts, realizing that Komaro had changed the subject.
"We'll have to approach this very delicately, as in addition, you are undercover. If they find out who you are, then your presence here is sure to be discovered by both the people here and back in Kinkan."
"Perhaps it might be necessary to reveal my identity if I am to seek a timely audience," Mytho replied. "I'm already here; I doubt that anyone will send an entourage to fetch me even if there is much ado about my absence."
"That's not the point anymore, your Highn—my Lord," Komaro whispered. "Now it is a matter of your own safety that you do not get targeted for an attack. Even in disguise we are still in danger; I am loath to imagine how much that danger might increase if your presence was made public here, where you indeed have no other entourage to protect you."
Abruptly, a crow cawed loudly in the air, and Komaro and Mytho glanced up quickly to see a small flock of crows circling above them. The two immediately braced themselves for a conflict.
"My Lord, this way!" Komaro turned toward an empty intersection. "We might be able to escape!"
As they approached it, suddenly from around the corner a regiment of patrol knights came swiftly towards them. "You two there, halt!"
A bit taken aback, Mytho responded, "Knights! There are crows gathering here. We may have to fight them!"
"Don't mind them," the Ginkan knight who seemed the head of them said. "They will not be a problem right now. Instead, you shall come with us. We will escort you without force if you come willingly."
"Where will you be taking us?" Komaro asked them warily.
"The Ginkan High Council wishes to speak with you," the head knight replied. "We are taking you to them."
"We shall speak with them, then," Mytho replied, before Komaro could speak. "Please lead the way."
As the regiment shifted to an enclosing formation around them, Komaro glanced at Mytho uneasily. "Is this all right, my Lord…?"
"This… is the best way anyway, isn't it?" Mytho replied carefully.
Komaro frowned, but after thinking it over for a few moments, he bit his lips and looked ahead silently.
o-o-o-o-o
Ahiru waited nervously in the dance practice room with Mujiname-sensei after all the rest (including Yagiko-sensei) had left. The diminutive, aged instructor stood on the other side of the studio, facing the opposite window. Then, after what seemed like a long time, she cleared her throat.
"Ahiru-san, come here!"
Ahiru hesitated, and then waddled slowly up to the woman.
When she got there, the instructor turned around and looked her straight in the eyes. "What is your reason for dancing, Ahiru-san?"
Ahiru was startled. "Wh-what? Umm, umm, because… I really want to dance."
"You can dance anywhere if you wished," she replied. "Why do you come to this school to dance?"
"I-I…" Ahiru struggled to answer, "I… want to become better at dancing." Seeing the instructor looking at her, expecting more, she added, "I sometimes imagine I could become a prima donna one day, but I know I can't be as good as that. I like trying, though."
"Trying? Without succeeding? Just that is good enough?" her eyes narrowed. "You think that your abilities are so low you can't possibly improve much on what you are now?"
Ahiru started. "N-no, that's not what I meant to say…"
Mujiname-sensei shook her head briskly. "No, you didn't need to say anything. You have no confidence in your talents, so no wonder you haven't let them grow."
Ahiru was mystified now. "Talents?" She looked down. "I'm just a clumsy little duck, and I'm only myself in the end…" Ahiru said quietly to herself.
"You use that as an excuse?" Mujiname-sensei overheard her. "Or have people told you that so often you started to believe it and stop truly trying?"
Ahiru looked at her with confusion. "But…"
Mujiname pursed her lips with something that seemed like disappointment. "Let me tell you a story. There was once a young girl who wanted to dance like anything. But her instructors told her, she simply didn't have the talent or the physique to be a great ballet dancer. She kept training anyway, on her own. Then, after years of practice, she tried out for a renowned ballet company. Can you guess what happened?"
Ahiru scratched her head. "…She got in?"
"It was an outright rejection," the teacher said. "They told her, 'You seem to be well rehearsed, but we're afraid that you simply wouldn't fit with the rest of our dancers. Your body type doesn't match, and your style differs too much."
Ahiru's face fell. "So, then… she—"
"But here I am, nonetheless," Mujiname-sensei proclaimed, looking up at Ahiru straight in the eyes a second time. Even though the teacher was actually even shorter than her in height, in that moment, Ahiru felt as if both of them were much taller. "That girl was rejected for the same reasons, time and again. Those were the times she felt she was going to quit dancing for good. But then she realized she wanted to dance too much for anyone else to tell her what to do. So, she just kept going."
She stopped. "That's all there is to it. That's all I've done until this day. I have my own dance company now. I got to where I am with my own strength, even when others blocked my way. Now, when I thought I might try my hand at training upcoming talent elsewhere and I found an opening, one look at my qualifications and I was let here straightaway. Nothing about lacking 'talent' or 'physique' or any of that nonsense."
The lady narrowed her eyes resolutely at Ahiru. "If you truly must have something, no matter what, you must be willing to confront anyone that bars your ultimate goal. Because the only one you can truly rely on is yourself."
Ahiru hesitated. "I don't know if that's true."
"Really?" Mujiname stared at her, somewhat surprised. "Why do you say that?"
"What I mean is that, I know that you can't be discouraged by other people. But I think if we have the same dreams, we can help each other reach them."
The old lady scowled. "You can say that now, when no one sees you as a threat, but once you become competition, others would like nothing more than to have one less rival in their way."
"Maybe…" Ahiru frowned. "But, I think if they really wanted to be the best dancers, instead of just winning the best spot, they'd want to compete with the best, too. If not, then…then they're… they're just cheaters!" she blurted out fervently. "Cheating everyone else, and most of all, cheating themselves! And…and who cares about cheaters?"
Mujiname's eyebrows rose. "Oh, is that so?" Ahiru flinched nervously, but the teacher suddenly beamed zealously. "It looks like I had the right idea about you after all."
It wasn't the reaction Ahiru was expecting. The redhead stood there a little stunned as the lady clapped her on the shoulder and said, "On your journey to become a great dancer, I can see you'll end up taking different paths than I have." She looked into the distance. "I'm not the best one to help you get there, so you should seek guidance from another, if you should so find a suitable mentor.
"However!" Mujiname-sensei whipped her head back at Ahiru, who jumped. "Even I can tell you that you must not be late for your trainings! That's something that even the most inexperienced amateur knows is crucial for advancement! It is a horrible habit that must be nipped in the bud, so as I told you this morning, I demand that as a penalty, you mop this entire studio floor by yourself."
"Wh-what?!"
"You heard me," Mujiname-sensei said. "Even though I'm leaving after today, I will be back to check that you've done it."
"Wait a minute…" Ahiru thought a moment, "Does that mean… you're not going to teach us anymore?" she asked, saddened. "Why?"
The lady sighed. "I should have realized it from the beginning, but… I couldn't work with that overbearing woman if my life depended on it. Again, our styles were too different," she smirked. "It seems that my paths always lead me back to blazing my own, so that is what I'll continue to do."
As she was about to leave, she turned back around and smiled. "We'll just have to wait and see how you turn out before I consider you for my productions. Work hard!"
Ahiru blinked, and then smiled back. "I will!"
o-o-o-o-o
Caras lingered on campus, waiting for the ballet student to exit the studio, and alone. The rest of them already have left, so I don't understand why she hasn't come out yet.
As he passed by the culinary building, something flitted into his field of view. He grabbed the object and examined it. A piece of scratch paper, apparently, that had some kind of note written on it.
Taking a look at it, the message was almost unreadable and otherwise seemed inconsequential. Seeing no use in holding onto it, he released it back into the wind.
Then, he sensed someone else's presence. He peered over his shoulder and realized the failed-knight-turned-writer had snuck up some distance behind him.
Fakir noticed Caras just a moment before a small piece of paper glided toward him from Caras's direction. He snatched it out of the air and glanced between it and Caras dubiously. Is he…giving me this?
The note was scrawled messily in what presumably was still German, as the grammar was also considerably afflicted. Is Caras really this illiterate? Then again, I never see him write anything in class… Fakir studied it closer to decipher it.
"I have got it now! I assure you, it is indeed primz. Get it quickly now, before it is gone."One word was particularly afflicted from the bad handwriting, making it nigh illegible.
What…? What the heck does this mean…? Presumably, "primz" meant "prinz". 'It's indeed the prince…?'
Fakir's eyes widened in horror. No, that Caras couldn't have—he hasn't kidnapped Trutho?!
But when Fakir had looked back up, Caras had already disappeared.
Fakir scowled. Damn it! He took off at a run.
o-o-o-o-o
As Sagi walked through the school's library after class to return the book she had borrowed previously, her thoughts began revolving back around the book she seemed to be hearing more about lately. Now she remembered the title: The Prince and the Raven. It was what Trutho had been reading the other day, hadn't it? If it was so important, maybe it might explain some of the strange things that were going on.
Unfortunately, she wasn't having much luck finding it. She tried all the obvious places, but she couldn't seem to find a copy of it around.
She approached the student librarian's help desk. "Batson-san? I'm looking for a book called The Prince and the Raven…"
"You as well?" he furrowed a brow. "That sure seems to be a popular book recently…"
Sagi blinked. "Popular?"
"Lots of people have been asking for it, ever since the Prince first asked for it and has been carrying it everywhere he goes," he explained. "And if he likes it, well, I guess that means that whatever extra copies we have are snatched up in an instant. My apologies."
Afterwards, Sagi gave to the librarian the book she had meant to return in the first place, and then she proceeded to meander a bit through the library. I suppose there's no helping it; I'll just have to wait until it's a bit less in demand if I want to take a look at it.
Attracted to the quiet side corners of the library, Sagi came across a row of study desks where only a few people sat in absorbed silence. Among them Sagi found, to her slight surprise, Trutho concentrating intently on the book he was reading.
Suddenly, the boy grimaced, exhaled sharply, and slammed the book shut with frustration. Trutho cradled his head in his hands as Sagi noticed that it was still that storybook he had had last time at the bridge.
Trutho looked up and saw Sagi sitting near him. "Oh… hi there. Name's Sagi, right?"
She nodded. "That book seems to trouble you very much. Is it such an upsetting story?"
"It's…sad, and kind of disturbing at times, but that's not really why I…" Trutho pursed his lips. "More like, is all this supposed to have actually happened to Mytho-san? This guy," he pointed to the line reading 'Drosselmeyer' on the front, "is supposed to have made this all up?
"And…this might sound kind of self-centered, but…" He thumbed through the book, frowning. "Another thing that bothers me is that after that beginning part—I mean, the prince's little brother, just disappears, like he died or no longer existed or something." He throws his hands out, studying himself with disbelief. "But obviously I'm not…"
"Hmm…" Sagi said pensively. "I suppose I can't really comment on it, as I haven't read it yet myself."
"You haven't?" he said. "Then here, have the copy I borrowed."
Sagi blinked. "You don't have to do that. If you're still reading it, then I'll wait—"
"Look, just—just take it from me," Trutho insisted, shoving it in her direction. "Please. I have to stop obsessing over it. I practically have the whole thing memorized now, I've read the book over so many times," he sighed, shaking his head. "But I'm not going to get any more answers from it."
Sagi hesitated for a moment before grasping the book. "If it's really all right with you, then I'll take it. Thank you for your generosity; it's apparently hard to find right now."
"Not a problem, I was looking for an excuse to let go of it." He stood up. "I think I'll wait at the entrance for Rue. I told her I'd be here, but it's been a little while. I hope I don't have to be the one looking for her this time," he remarked, grinning.
"All right. Goodbye for now, then."
After Trutho had left, Sagi sat for a while, holding the book. For some odd reason, she couldn't get herself to start reading it just yet. How strange, she thought, considering she had been pining for it only moments before. The thought of Trutho bent over the book in frustration kept lingering in Sagi's mind and she wondered if that was the source of her current hesitation.
Sighing quietly, and deciding maybe a change in setting would reignite her interest, she stood up and made her way back to the dorm.
o-o-o-o-o
Inside one of the music building practice rooms, as Beethoven sat listening nearby, Autor played the piano.
Music was, obviously, considered an art. But it was a discipline in which even the greatest aesthetic sense alone would not get you far. Music was, ultimately, all about numbers. One didn't play each note without knowing beforehand if it was a quarter note or an eighth; if it was B flat or G sharp; if the song was in 3 counts or 4. Those were the numbers that determined whether one played a waltz or an elegy. Making music was taking the inert symbols on paper and translating them into the flow of sounds that could be understood beyond words.
It was like all the research he had been doing thus far. Performing was much easier in that way since at least all the symbols were there on one page. For all that he knew about Drosselmeyer and his family, he had to bring together the numerous and ostensibly meaningless bits of fact, and synthesize them into an elegant, melodious equation that no one would have even imagined from the jumble. In comparison, music for him was a soothing interlude.
He finished playing the song and paused a moment.
"Autor?"
He looked up at his upperclassman, who had a pensive expression on his face. "What is it, Beethoven-senpai?"
"I don't have much time left before I must meet someone, so I should leave soon. Why don't you play some of your cello? You said you were still working on it."
"Yes, but not so much these days, mainly because it's not as fitting an instrument to play solo."
"Then I'll take the piano and you get on the cello. Let's play a duet, shall we?"
Autor was vaguely puzzled at Beethoven's eagerness. Honestly, what is he looking for? He doesn't seem to be impressed with my skill level anyway; even I don't detect anything particularly special in my performance either.
Still, if Beethoven wanted to hear him play, he didn't see any reason not to oblige. Besides, as his pragmatist side chimed in, getting on the good side of a senior classmate was always a plus. "All right."
Across the hall, Rue was walking through the corridor, her thoughts going around in a dead but upsetting loop.
That young man… how could he have danced in a way that was so utterly full of that creature's essence? Just thinking of it brought her back to the days when she called that now-dead monster "Father"…when she was Princess Kraehe…when she only caused pain to those she loved, just as the curse of that foul blood entailed, when she herself tainted her prince so that he danced almost the same as this…
She grimaced in anguish. Never would she admit it to Trutho or anyone, but what she feared was that Trutho's fright resulted from the taint of monstrosity that she dreaded still remained in her somewhere, and perhaps even Mytho as well…
A song began in one of the rooms she walked past. Thankful for the interruption, she paused and surreptitiously peeked in. Inside sat an older music student at the piano, and to her amazement, the bespectacled young man she had encountered not so long ago, sitting down with a cello.
Beethoven began the piano introduction. As Autor prepared to come in from his part, he realized how long it had actually been since he'd played the cello in earnest. It's really not an instrument meant to be played alone, and I can't be troubled to find other musicians all the time while having to follow someone else's lead. Sure, he'd done exercises and warm-ups to make sure he didn't forget how to play. Still, he was a little surprised when it came back to him fairly easily, just a few measures into the song. He supposed it probably was his best instrument next to the piano, if not better, considering how much more he'd practiced the piano.
Autor looked towards the doorway and was startled to notice Rue glancing inside. She seemed to sense his gaze and immediately she disappeared from view. Still, seeing that exquisite face again lifted his spirits, and he played just a little harder, if only for her.
In the hallway, Rue could still hear the music playing. This time, it brought her back to that time when she and Autor first met, face-to-face, eye-to-eye; his heart had been beating fast, and he was taken by her instantly, was willing to do anything for her sake…
Rue shook her head vehemently. Why was she recalling such things all of a sudden? It wasn't as if she had thought much about him before then…
Promptly she decided that she'd continue walking and find Trutho at the library, where hopefully he had kept his word. It seemed better than dwelling on painful memories.
o-o-o-o-o
Shades of warm pink and velvety purple appeared in the sky as evening approached. Outside the windowpanes, the moon was just visible above the horizon, and the golden orb shone down on Ahiru as she walked through the silent hallway to the ballet studio building.
After she had retrieved a mop and bucket and headed back to the main dance studio, she noticed that the door to the studio was still open. As she approached, voices drifted out from inside.
"So… how is the orchestra doing?" an older girl's voice asked.
"I'd have to say, not bad. We're still working out the many kinks, but they're catching on quickly," a voice familiar to Ahiru said. "But tell me about your dancing. How are the practices for the arts festival going on your end?"
Ahiru opened the door a little more and saw two upperclassmen standing next to the practice piano. One was Beethoven, the conductor she had heard that morning, and the other was to Ahiru's surprise the special class girl who wore her hair in a bun, the ballerina who had sat behind Rue that morning.
"It's going…fine," the girl said uneasily. "Everyone's been working hard. We all want to show our best routines and stand out among the rest…"
"That's how it always is, isn't it?" Beethoven said, waving a hand lightly. "Just with a little added risk, like a spice. Rather than be a burden, it can bring out some electrifying performances."
"Or it could destroy them," the girl muttered, her eyes narrowing as she looked away warily.
Beethoven frowned. "Elise…this atmosphere is really strange coming from you. I don't ever recall you ever being this uptight about a show before. What's all this about?"
Elise exhaled. "You're right that I haven't really felt like myself the past few weeks. It wasn't enough to keep me from practicing, though; I just…don't feel like anyone's on my side anymore."
"No one?" Beethoven cocked an eyebrow. "Surely your other colleagues are always there for you during practice?"
Elise's eyes narrowed again. "But we're really all competitors, anyway, so I…can't really trust…"
Ahiru, who had been leaning farther and farther through the doorway, lost her grip on the doorknob, and she wailed as she flapped her arms to keep her balance, finally failing with a loud thud.
"Wha—who's there?" Elise's head whipped towards the doorway. "Oh…"
"Hmm? What is it? What's going on?" Beethoven looked around, confused. When he saw Ahiru on the ground, he blinked, as if she had just appeared there out of nowhere.
Ahiru scrambled up in a flash and attempted to explain everything in a flurry. "Um, well, you see, I was sent up here to clean up the floor here, and I thought this room was empty, but then I heard people in here, and, well, I…"
Beethoven studied Ahiru for a moment. "Wait…you're that red-head from before. One of Autor's acquaintances, I believe?"
"Oh! Autor, um, sort of, but Fakir knows him, and I know Fakir, so…" Ahiru's face fell. "I-I'm really sorry to interrupt you like this, but if I don't clean the room, I'll get in even bigger trouble…"
Elise shook her head. "That won't do. Just tend to your washing; we won't stay much longer. We'll keep out of the way."
"Is that all right with you?" Beethoven whispered to Elise.
"We're not supposed to be in here, anyway," Elise replied pointedly. "We've just been going in and borrowing it after class without asking anyone. We should get out of her way soon and leave."
Beethoven glanced over at Ahiru. She was already busy skidding across the room with her mop, stopping every so often to dunk it back into the bucket of moist foam before dashing off again.
"I suppose you're right. But just one song before we leave, please. I would hate to leave here without seeing you dance, especially today."
Elise blinked. "Why today?"
Beethoven smiled secretively. "You'll see."
With a bow, Beethoven wordlessly stepped over and sat at the piano to prepare his music as Elise stretched briefly before getting into position. Then, the melody began, and Elise danced along to it.
As Ahiru wiped away at the floor, she caught some glimpses of the special class girl's dancing. Even though she was clearly very skilled and adept at ballet, Ahiru sensed that Elise seemed very distracted, and was hesitant in her movements. In her eyes it looked as if she were fighting back something, even though she was acting as if nothing were wrong.
"…Ludwig, what is this song?"
Beethoven saw Elise's mouth moving but couldn't quite make out her words. "Sorry, what was that?"
"I don't recognize this song," Elise repeated loudly, moving her lips carefully as she looked up at him. "What is it? Is it a new song of yours?"
"Yes," Beethoven nodded, still smiling as he continued to play, looking at Elise. "It's one I've been working on for a little while."
"What's it called?"
"It doesn't really have a name, but a dedication," he said, looking back down at his notes. "It's simply called 'For Elise'."
At this, she lost her concentration entirely and in the middle of a turn, toppled to the floor.
Ahiru gasped. "Elise-chan!" She dropped the mop and ran over to her. "Are you all right?"
Elise grimaced. She quickly looked up at Beethoven. Upon seeing that his head was still lowered towards the piano, his music uninterrupted, Elise's eyes narrowed.
"Beethoven-senpai! Elise-chan fell!" Ahiru shouted.
He immediately looked up as his hands crashed discordantly onto the piano. Upon seeing Elise on the floor he almost fell off the seat in horror and hurried to her. "Wh-what happened?!"
Elise looked sidelong. "…I lost my focus. Sorry, I really can't dance today it seems…"
"It's all right," Beethoven said. "You know how much you've been practicing. Perhaps this was the wrong day to play you that song; I should have waited until you had more energy for such diversions."
"No," Elise's brows creased, "I…I really did want to hear it." It looked as if she meant it, yet was fighting against herself. Only when Ahiru looked for it did she notice the fluctuating crimson tinge in her eyes. For a moment those eyes met Beethoven's.
Somehow, Elise couldn't stand it and had to close her eyes, almost painfully. "I'm…I'm fine, really." She stood up quickly but stumbled again.
"You're not fine! Are you sure you didn't twist your ankle? You didn't injure anything, did you?"
"No, I'm fine, I'm just…I've just been tired recently. Practice must be getting to me; that must be it. We've been rehearsing even more for the next performance, after all."
She tried to stand up slowly. Beethoven stepped back, but kept his hands ready in case she wavered. She was able to stand, however, and she made her way for the door. "Sorry that I…couldn't hear the rest of your song. I'll just go back to my room and rest, now."
"Yes, do that." Beethoven walked after her. "I'll walk you to the dormitories—"
"No, it's all right. I'll manage. I'm…I apologize for the trouble." She looked back at him, smiled halfheartedly, and looked away, striding carefully towards the door. "I'll see you later."
"Elise…" Beethoven reached out a hand as if to follow her, then paused and let it drop back down. His expression became darkly inscrutable. He attempted to compose himself and said firmly, "Don't blame yourself. This is not your fault," and then tread determinedly out the door, with Ahiru gazing after him.
Now left alone in the room, Ahiru picked up the dropped mop, but instead of continuing to clean the floors, she looked at the piano, deep in thought.
The fleeting shadow she'd seen in Elise's eyes really worried her. Earlier, her pendant had responded to someone who possessed a heart shard, and after this incident, she was sure that the person had been Elise. Furthermore, Ahiru was certain that Caras knew about Elise at this point.
Touching her pendant, Ahiru couldn't comprehend why Caras would want to resurrect the Raven after they'd worked so hard to break free from the story's control. Ahiru knew she had to help Elise, and prevent Caras from gaining another shard.
Yet, she couldn't very well leave without having completed her assignment; after all, Mujiname-sensei had faith in Ahiru that she would do what she promised. Nodding resolutely, Ahiru rolled up her sleeves and dunked the mop with a loud splash into the bucket. "As soon as I have the floors clean, I'll go find Elise-chan!" Ahiru said to herself as she worked at double pace, hoping that if she mopped and cleaned as fast as she could, she could find Elise before Caras did.