When it comes down to it, the intention of the training camps being the way they are has not only been to build a spirit of camaraderie amongst the girls, but also to build real relationships. Having them see each other as comrades is fine for soldiers, but magical girls are literally powered by emotions. Having a wide spread of emotional experiences will only increase one's power, we've confirmed that time and time again.
Therefore, changing the format would really be pointless. There's no need to make them stricter or focus on molding the girls in a certain way. The intention is to give each one the power and skills she needs to survive and fight effectively. This process must be natural, and forced as little as possible. That's why we do what we do.
-Lifewardens Planning Meeting, Librarium Training Division Head Alymatia Ungird
Our friendship was gone. I could see that clearly enough. Whatever bond that had been so quickly established had been just as quickly torn apart. The sensations that coursed through my heart and mind was an alien one. I didn't quite understand how something could be created and destroyed in such a short order.
The most unfortunate part is what we must work as partners, I thought to myself of that avoidable truth. Nevertheless, I wasn't going to give up just because of that. If she'd just apologize and stop acting so selfish, it'd all be fine. But no, it's probably my fault.
If it weren't for Germana's lecturing, I'd have gotten Aurelia to see the light by now. But we'd been lined up once again for some unknown purpose. It was hard to stand up, my fatigue from the fighting and the amount of time spent without food was starting to get to me. But I didn't dare fall down. At least not when nobody else has.
The sun had been covered up by a growing number of clouds. I accepted the respite, but my hopes were somewhat dashed when I noticed the darkness of those clouds. If it were to rain when we're just standing here…I just focused on Germana pacing back and forth. The moment was better than the future.
"I'm happy that all of you were actually capable of doing that, and without seriously injuring other, save for a couple of you. I won't say that I'm going to make you hurt what you will come to know as friends ever again, but it will certainly not be every day." Germana smiled. "Good job at your first task."
She paced back and forth in front of us, hands clasped behind her back. "It seems that most of you haven't actually transformed yet. How about you go and do that now." I got ahead to doing that immediately. Fingers wrapped around my ring, I willed myself to change.
A white flash stripped me of the clothes I wore, replacing them with clothes not too dissimilar from the ones I was wearing. First, I felt my high-heeled shoes, expensive and delicate, disappear. They were replaced by shoes that felt as if they were made of glass, but with similar shape and design.
The torn dress was replaced by a multi-layered skirt that reached to my knees. Each layer of the skirt was a different color and length. The topmost was iron-colored, and barely reached down my thighs. The next went half-way down, and was of a silver coloration. The next layer traveled the rest of the journey to my knees, and was a pale white color.
A white and silver coat covered my torso. It looked like the suit of a prince. Buttons ran up the middle of it, and the coat appeared with each of them already buttoned up. The collar was folded down around my neck, and the sleeves covered my entire arm. My blue gem was located in the middle of the chest of the coat, and was secured neatly in a slot cut out for it. My hands were covered with white gloves, with the same paleness as other parts of the uniform. My hair and head were left untouched, my hair in the same place as it was before.
Despite my intent on avoiding her, I glanced to the side. To my surprise, I saw Aurelia glancing at me as well. Not meeting each other's eyes, we looked at each other for a few seconds, then turned back.
On her torso she wore a long-sleeved blouse, colored in the same shade as her hair. The clothing was tight around her body, and frilled at the neck and wrists. A burnt orange scarf was around her neck, tied off so as to trail down the middle of her body. A long orange skirt went down to the knees, covering the tops of brownish stockings. Her feet wore short black boots, while her hands were bare.
Pretending to not be impressed, I blew my cheeks out as I put on an air of superiority. Meanwhile, Germana waited as we finished ogling each other. "We can continue anytime," She dryly commented. That got everyone to pay attention.
"Good," Germana commented. "Now, we're going to see what weapons you can summon. I already know what each of you can do in terms of magic, but I'd like to see what your weapon is. Just think about it, and it will happen."
I held my right hand out. All it took was a single thought, and there was a blue flash that stretched the entire length of the newly-formed weapon. My hand grasped around a scabbard. Checking the weapon quickly revealed it to be a curved blade. I didn't recognize it in the slightest.
Once again, Aurelia and I instantly turned our heads to the side. And once again, we both pretended that we didn't really care. She was holding a pair of pistols in her hands. Germana instantly walked forwards, down at the left end of my row, and started looking. It was clear immediately that this was going to take some time. I merely hoped that my legs would hold out that long.
The first girl she spoke to was holding a double-bladed sword. Apparently if she willed it a certain way, it'd somehow fold out into a bow. I didn't come close to understanding the sense or physics behind that, but given that this was magic I didn't think it mattered.
The next one had a huge bow, taller than her. It looked like it could fire an arrow the width of my arm. Yet she held it upright like a child might hold up a stick.
One girl could summon huge swords, about as wide as her body, while the one next to her wielded a long halberd. My heart was for some reason in my throat as I waited. Finally Germana came to Aurelia and me, in the middle of the line.
"Interesting," the sergeant commented, taking one the pistols and spinning it around one finger. "Seem to be multiple summon, have to see about fire rate and actual power, but it'll be effective given your partner's weapon." She then looked to me. I handed her the blade.
The sergeant withdrew the curved sword from its scabbard. "Very nice," She commented, "A bit contrasting with your telepathy, but you'll learn. A katana, by the way, if you didn't know the name." She then stepped aside. I shut my eyes, exhaling a long pent-up breath. The slightest bit of attention from her always made my heart race.
But it was over, at least for now. She went down the rest of the row, and then it was time for the second one. The highlights of the other four included Mariana's weapon, which was some ancient energy rifle from the Golden Age, the sniper rifle of her companion, whose name I heard to be Priscilla, and the fact that one girl had no weapon at all. She was a pyromancer, manipulating fire instead of having a specific weapon.
Despite the interesting knowledge I gleaned, the standing was taking its toll. The potential rain also made me uncomfortable, and made me hope that this would somehow end in us going somewhere that would provide at least some shelter. Instead, the minutes dragged on and on. The sky darkened more and more in that time, but that was mainly because of the passing hours. I realized that we had gotten here slightly after noon, given the time spent flying around and the change in time zones.
It had been perhaps an hour so far, so I imagined that there was plenty of time left before the night. And even then, who says we'll stop to rest? I shuddered at the thought. The reality of this place had come crashing in quite quickly. Better sooner rather than later.
It was a little bit more before Germana was standing in front of us all once again. "Well ladies, that was interesting. But, it's been a while since you all got here, and you've been through a lot already. Therefore, I shall give you something of a respite. If you'd turn around and face the building behind you." The first to realize it was a command led the rest in doing so. "I shall give you thirty minutes to rest, you'll find food in there. After that, it's back outside. Don't make me be forceful."
We hurried off at those words. Pushing through the glass doors, we found a simple rectangular room, with ten long tables around a large central square-shaped one, five to the left and right of the center. On the central table was an abundance of bread and water, with glasses and plates for all.
I at first winced at what was available, but soon realized that such an attitude would get me nowhere, and conceded to eating. With my plate and glass, I soon realized that there wasn't anyone I knew, or wanted to sit with. Aurelia had went off to a corner, and I figured I'd just find a similar spot, but as I walked, I heard a voice calling me.
"Vergiana, was it?" A gentle voice asked. I turned my head, and saw the silver-haired girl calling me. Priscilla, if I remembered correctly. Mariana was right beside her. They sat at their own table entirely alone. Not surprising given the harsh stare Mariana gave me even as I was beckoned by Priscilla.
"Please sit," she indicated across from her. Unsure of her motives, I sat nonetheless and started picking at the bread. The water was welcomed, but I wasn't used to something as bland as the bread.
I looked over the two. Mariana blond hair was short. It reached halfway down her neck. A red hairband was in her hair. The strands curled inwards, practically framing her face perfectly.
She had brown eyes, and her magical girl uniform was also a pretty sight. She had a yellow, sleeveless blouse on, her arms being covered by a pair of long yellow gloves, like the ones Priscilla wore, but of a different color. A green ribbon was tied at the collar of the blouse, and in the center of the ribbon sat Mariana's green soul gem. Her legs were covered by yellow leggings, while a green skirt went down to her knees.
Priscilla had a particularly interesting outfit. She wore a dress, which was surprising, given that no one else had anything like that. It was a grand ball gown, stretching past her feet and onto the dusty ground. It reminded me of my mother.
The whole thing was of a deep blue hue, and never deviated from this coloration. The gown also covered her entire chest, leaving no skin exposed. Not even her shoulders exposed anything. But this was a guess, given that a short, formal cape, attached at the neck, was covering her shoulders. The cloth reached halfway down Pricilla's torso, and was also of a deep blue color.
Her hands and forearms were covered by a pair of opera gloves of the same shade of blue. The rest of her arms was covered by the cape, but I suspected that the dress had sleeves which also covered the arms.
Her hair was less interesting, but still rather pretty. Her man was tied into a large bun on the back of her head, to which her blue soul gem, was attached. The gem was in the middle of a gold, star-shaped hairpin. It gave a look which rounded out the rest of the outfit rather well.
A part of me instantly regretted taking this seat. Mariana's steady gaze ran over the entire room, assessing everything within it as though it were a threat, but I was clearly the biggest threat of them all, being just across the table from Priscilla.
"So why me?" I asked. Mariana stayed silent. I was happy, as I didn't want to hear the harshness of her voice.
Priscilla took a breath, saying quietly, "You were the most interesting person. The other option was your partner, but Mariana…" She took a breath, "Didn't like her." Upon looking to her for explanation, I was immediately met with a fierce tirade.
"Whatever her story is, anyone who does something like that is not going to be allowed near Priscilla." I wondered why she joined the Mage Knights in the first place. Priscilla would be hard to protect on the battlefield.
Pausing to consider Mariana's words, I continued shortly afterwards. "So you just want someone interesting to talk to?" I asked.
Priscilla nodded, mouth full of bread. She swallowed, "Mariana's trying to get me to…find a friend. Open myself up." She explained meekly. Even as she spoke, she was pressing herself closer to Mariana.
"Oh…" I said, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. A weight started to press down on my shoulders as I realized that I wasn't sure what to say. "Well…so you're a bit antisocial then?" My mind at the time didn't comprehend the rudeness of the comment.
Mariana intensified her glare, and I nearly jumped away in fright. "Yes-" Mariana held an arm out and pulled Priscilla close to herself.
"You don't need to say anything," Mariana whispered quietly, "If this is scaring you, then it doesn't have to continue." Prisiclla shook her head, laying a hand on Mariana's shoulder.
"No, please." The silver-haired girl insisted, "I want to do this. I need to…" Her voice trailed away. I shifted in my seat, feeling myself becoming hot. Suddenly the desire to get out into that increasingly cold air rose. But just leaving would have been rude.
The blonde's stare made me flinch again. "Say something like that again and you'll regret it."
Her determination made me not doubt for a second her ability to make me regret the action. I nodded. "I apologize, I'll be more careful in the future."
Priscilla's quiet words interrupted the standoff. "So, Vergiana, what happened between you and Aurelia?" I opened my mouth, but another thought got there first. I wondered how these two, so tightly bound together, were able to fight against one another.
That concern was almost voiced, then I remembered Mariana's warning. "She lost control of herself after I attacked her in a rather violent manner that apparently reminded her of some bad times." I explained, "Well, we both lost control." I shook my head, "But that doesn't excuse her almost killing me."
"But she looks as if she feels bad about it." Priscilla gestured to the girl sitting by herself. "You'd think that she really does want to apologize." Annoyed by her defense, I nevertheless kept my calm.
"I don't want to be with someone violent like that. It's like she enjoys hurting people." I said with a slightly raised voice. Another stare from the blonde sent shivers down my spine.
Quietly, Priscilla pleaded Aurelia's case. "Perhaps she did remember something scary, and I think that's why you should forgive her." Her eyes went wide. She shrunk towards Mariana, falling entirely into her grip. Right then, I knew it was time to leave.
Mariana's voice was barely out of her mouth before I was standing up and apologizing. "Get away now!" I hurried away from the table, nearly running off in fright at the harshness of Mariana's voice. Suddenly realizing the eyes of everyone in the room were on Mariana and me, it was only a short dash to the door and the outside from there.
The sky was dark with clouds, but the rain hadn't started falling yet. Footsteps in the dirt near me made me cry out in fright. Auburn hair framed an emotionless face. "Vergiana," Aurelia said quietly, "We need to talk."
"About what?" I immediately said, wondering when the girl had slipped outside. She stepped towards me, pushing me backwards. Suddenly I realized that I was plastered against the glass walls of the building.
Frowning, I slipped to the side and strode forwards. "We need to come to some kind of resolution." Aurelia explained, walking after me. "We can't keep bickering like this forever." Her voice was calm, logical. What she said made sense.
Reaching the end of the u-shaped structure, I slammed my foot down and turned around. "I don't care. I don't want to speak to you." I spat fiercely.
"We're partners, Vergiana. We have to work together. If we don't handle this ourselves, then Germana will force us to. I'm not a fan of that outcome, so unless you'd rather just leave, this is what we need to do." Aurelia said sternly.
I gritted my teeth while my fingers were clenched together. "We were friends, Aurelia. Then you tore that apart. You think you can just come back and magically put it back together?"
Aurelia looked genuinely surprised as she scoffed, "Friends? We were never friends, Vergiana. What do you think a friend is? Because we were at best acquaintances, nothing more than that!"
"Acquaintances?" I echoed, "What are you talking about?"
She raised her voice in anger. "A friend is someone you can trust! Could you truly trust me? I couldn't trust you in the slightest. We knew each better than we knew the rest, but that was barely anything at all." Aurelia stepped towards me, driving me back a step. "Have you ever even had a friend?" She asked.
I immediately opened my mouth to reply, but stopped myself. Because there wasn't an answer but 'no'. All my life had been spent cooped up, spending time with my sister. We were incredibly close, but that closeness had robbed me of anyone else.
Swaying about in confusion, I almost fell down. Managing to keep my balance, I just shook my head silently, eyes wide. "Really?" Aurelia asked. Then she chuckled. "That's petty. And you think you're all that. Coming here for the sake of knowledge. What a stupid reason to put your life on the line. Just go back home and read some book." She spat. Physically spat, that is, the globule landing on my face.
I felt anger swell up inside me. "But you're the one who attacked me. You're the one who seems to not be able to let go of the past. Did you come here to run away from your fear? You act all aloof and cold and practical, but on the inside you're just a fragile little girl, aren't you?"
"You are too." Aurelia pointed out.
Both of us came to the same conclusion at the same time. "We all are…" We remarked at the same time. Together, we relaxed, breathing slowly and deeply.
"You're still a fool." Aurelia said.
"As are you." I made clear. But we walked towards one another. Tentatively, we reached our hands out towards each other. Begrudgingly, we shook each other's hands.
At the same time, the first drops of rain started to drop down from the clouds above. Even as we stood there staring at one another, the downpour intensified till sheets poured down.
End Chapter 5 of Record
The door opened. There was a loud clang of metal on metal as a body hit the ground. Columbine slammed the door shut, flicking the light switch for her room as Ushio got to her feet. "Damned Astikai," She muttered, "Ruining everything."
She slammed her fist against the door. "It was Cherepia, wasn't it? She reacted too rationally. Cherepia had to have told her beforehand. She didn't question anything about Ciuatl and what she said. Either they're working together, or she already knew." Columbine turned around, glaring at Ushio.
The girl yelped, shrinking up. "By the False Goddess!" Columbine shouted, slamming her foot down, "You're forty-three years old, act your age!"
Ushio stood her ground. "I'm just worried about what's going to happen."
"A diviner worried about the future, how-" Columbine cut herself off. Rather typical, she reminded herself, that a diviner is scared of what they can't see. "I apologize for that rudeness." She said, pushing Ushio aside and walking across the room, "Take your armor off, it ruins the air of the room." She also gestured to the small shrine in one corner.
Ushio nodded, a flash removing the plate from her body. Underneath the armor was her standard uniform. Colored the same as her hair was a coat over her torso, a tie tucked underneath. A tight skirt went to her knees, the same shade of brownish-orange as the rest. Her hands were bare, while the black sheen of tights was visible on her legs. Neat dress shoes were on her feet.
The girl adjusted her glasses, despite them being perfectly in order. Columbine reached into a cabinet, removing a glass of wine. "What's the problem?" Ushio asked, "Did you have some plan?"
"I was hoping Astikai would ask about what I asked Ciuatl. If she did, it would confirm Cherepia works for her. But she didn't. That means either Cherepia isn't, or she's just as smart as I am." Columbine smirked as she poured the wine into a pair of glasses. "Of course, the latter is the answer."
"What did you ask Ciuatl about?" Ushio questioned. Then she frowned. "Why tell me all this?"
"I'm to keep you under surveillance." Columbine explained. "Which effectively means that you won't be talking to anyone else." She handed a glass to the girl. Staring at it, Ushio took a sip, but instantly recoiled at the bitter taste. She looked sad, as if she rejected the kindness.
"It's fine," Columbine waved her hand, striding to her bed and sitting on the edge. "I could care less." She took a deep breath, swirling the liquid around in its glass. "Ciuatl implied the importance of some notes you kept." The glass fell from Columbine's hands.
She scooped it up effortlessly before she hit the floor, but the shock was still clear. Almost tearing the glass from Ushio's hands, she placed both down, before running to the door. "Ciuatl will be going for those the moment she finds out. Come on!" Columbine shouted, Ushio dutifully following.
Ripping the vox from her pocket, the blonde shouted, "Books converge fog!" Then she was sprinting through the ship, merely hoping Ushio followed. She briefly considered something, before dropping the idea.
Barely a couple minutes passed before she stood before the entrance to the Tzeentchian's quarters. Ushio came up right behind her, trembling. "What's the importance of those notes?" Columbine asked, "Before we go in?" Ushio hesitated. "If we're going to get along, you need to be forthcoming." The blonde explained. That got her to speak.
Tapping her foot on the ground, adjusting her glasses, Ushio said quietly, "Very important. Perhaps the most important thing to me." Columbine was already opening the door. As it slid open, pounding boots signaled Ingwe.
The girl's guns were in her hands, but Columbine lead the way without a weapon. A couple of the girls stared uncomfortably, seeing Ushio cowering behind Columbine. That told Columbine all she needed to know.
"Another interruption?" The contempt-filled voice of Ciuatl spat out from the hallway. Her arms carried a few stacks of papers. The timing was impeccable. Too impeccable. Columbine thought. She wished Cherepia was there to counter the girl.
"Am I late?" that very girl called. Columbine spun around as the girl slipped through the still-open door. What? She thought, looking to Ingwe for an answer. That platinum-haired girl shook her head. So it was Astikai that told her. She's probably there to get the notes. What is it they want?
"May I see those papers?" Columbine asked, realizing that she had to move fast before Astikai intervened directly. Ciuatl hesitated, till Ushio spoke.
"I would like to have all my papers. I have been transferred to Columbine's custody, and would like to bring at least my notes." She held her hand out. She's willing to stand up for this. Columbine observed.
Ciuatl reached out, transferring the documents. Ushio flipped open the folders, rifling through them quickly. She looked through almost every paper in the huge stack, before she nodded. The girl looked at Columbine. "Everything is here."
"Then we're done." Columbine said, waving for Ingwe to lead the way out. Then Ushio suddenly stepped back, her papers smoothly taken from her hands.
"Ah, but we're not." Ciuatl said. Her eyes bored into Columbine. "I do believe that you promised to hand Ushio back to me. She's not coming back, instead she's in your custody. Therefore, I am forced to assume that you did not defend her. As such, you don't get those notes."
"They're in Ushio's head, if she wrote them down." Columbine shrugged. A sigh from behind her made her look over her shoulder, worried.
"They aren't. I was worried that leaving them in my head would leave me open. Those are the only copy that exist. I deleted all records from my memories." Ushio explained.
She buried them, Columbine extrapolated from that, knowing memories could only be destroyed by a distinct few. Otherwise, they were just trapped deep in the mind. "You see," Ciuatl said, "You're outnumbered here. Ushio won't lift a finger, and there's five of us against three of you."
"Try m-" Columbine couldn't even finish the single syllable. Ciuatl cut her off, making it very clear that she was perfectly willing to 'try' Columbine and her comrades.
"Give them back." Ciuatl ordered.
"Excuse me," Ingwe interjected, "But should we not be giving these to Lady Astikai? She is our commander, and there's no reason for her to be left in the dark about such important secrets." She holstered her guns.
Columbine realized the fruits in such an endeavor, and also adopted a more neutral posture. "I have to agree," She said, "The Lady deserves to know. If you wish, you can accompany us to hand them over."
Ciuatl ruminated on that for a few seconds. She looked at her subordinates, especially focusing her glances on Ushio. The air was tense, everyone clearly ready for hostilities to commence. "Enough," Cherepia cut in, "Ciuatl, make a decision. If you don't want to hand them over, we'll gladly inform her of that, and wait for her thoughts on the matter."
The girls went silent. Ciuatl was slowly lowering the stack of notes. Ushio backed away as Columbine, Ingwe, and Cherepia advanced to form a line. The other Tzeentchians all started to move inwards. Silently, the battle was already commencing.
"Ohoho," A laugh nearly set them all off before their minds instantly recognized the source. They all looked down the corridor approaching the quarters, seeing Astikai happily walking along. "Ready for a fight, it seems." She observed, stopping a few feet away from Ushio, the furthest away from the nexus of the confrontation.
The short-haired brunette reached out to lay a hand on the girl's shoulder. Grinning momentarily, she flung the girl down face-first effortlessly. As Ushio tried to rise on all-fours, Astikai's foot drove into her back. "Let's talk about what's going on here." She suggested. The direction of her eyes indicated Ciuatl ought to start.
"Columbine demands I hand over the notes of Ushio, which I agreed to do only if Ushio was given back." Ciuatl explained, "She wasn't, therefore…"
"Ah, but why would this promise be made in the first place? Did Columbine believe Ushio would be freed?" Astikai asked. A trap, Columbine saw it immediately. She's getting Ciuatl to confirm that I lied about Ushio. If Ushio is given back to Ciuatl, then I lose the one chance I have at figuring out what this all is. It wasn't pretty, the current situation, but Columbine wasn't going to give up.
"She seemed to," Ciuatl nodded, "Cherepia accompanied her as well. Why, was Ushio given to Columbine because she was explained to be guilty?"
"Oh, there's that, and there's also the fact that I'm angry at her." Astikai explained. "So you won't be getting her back anytime soon. So keep those notes to yourself." She looked at the others. Her hands clapped together, "Come on now, settle down."
Columbine's eyes widened, though she quickly turned away to hide the fact. She's not escalating it. She's forcing a stalemate. Columbine couldn't blame her, given the wider situation we're in, there's no chance at us getting out of here if we're fighting amongst each other.
The girls dispersed quickly. Astikai stayed to speak with Ciuatl, but Columbine quickly left with Ushio in tow. Against her side, Columbine's finger tapped exactly five times in quick succession. "Say Columbine, you look to need some time alone. Want Cherepia and I to get out of your way?"
Columbine smiled and nodded, halting her quick pace. "Thank you very much." A look of contempt scared Ushio, "I wish you could take her too, but unfortunately a duty's a duty. At least she'll stay quiet." Cherepia nodded, and Ingwe and her went off.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Columbine was walking again. Not a single word was said till they were back in Columbine's room. At that point, she asked, "Cherepia was playing along, wasn't she?"
Ushio shrugged. "Perhaps." Columbine went back to the drink she'd left behind, and drunk the entire glass in a single swig. Placing it back, she then took the other glass meant for Ushio.
"So tell me, what are those notes on?" It was more of a demand than a question.
Ushio took a deep breath. Suddenly she reached out for the drink Columbine held. Grabbing it from the girl's hands, she stared at it for a few seconds. Then she put it down on a table beside her, not drinking a drop. "I wish I could tell you. However…I don't remember either. Their importance was obviously such to the point where I couldn't bear the risk of keeping them in my mind. Honestly, I never expected people-my own comrades, to end up like this. All I know is that they exist, and that what they contain is something I have worked on for years."
"Do they relate to the reason we came here?" Columbine asked. "Did you lie about what you told Ciuatl? Is she working with you?" The blonde strode over to the bed, sitting down. She shifted uncomfortably, her mind racing to find a solution to the problem.
"I'm not sure. I do remember that I did not lie. I did see that something good would come of going here, but I can't say what." Ushio sighed, shame showing on her face. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess."
"Nonsense." Columbine grinned, standing up now. The magical girl brimmed with confidence as she took a long breath, coming to a conclusion. "Ushio, I think there's an opportunity here. To do something truly exciting."
"Exciting?" Ushio asked, not having expected that being what Columbine sought.
Columbine strode up just in front of Ushio. Her hand landed on the girl's shoulder with a loud smack. "This is obviously important, incredibly important. Far more than just running around, causing problems, trying to assert power. We need to get at those notes."
"You just want to have fun?" Ushio was astounded. Columbine shook her head.
"I want my name to be in the history books. If I wasn't what I am, my name would be known by at least a few for hundreds of years to come, as long as I was immortalized in the Imperium's records. As I am now, I'll never be known." Columbine's tone dropped to a sad one. She turned away from the girl. "I just want to exist. So if I do something big, even the Imperium will write my name down."
Ushio searched for words, but found none. She shrank back into the corner of the room, almost bumping into the shrine before she remembered its presence. Quickly remembering who it was, she whispered a few words. "Worried?" Columbine asked, suddenly appearing behind the girl.
"Ah-no, I guess. Just superstitious. You can never know in a world like this one." Ushio explained, backing away from the small statue, depicting a shattered heart, pierced by an arrow. "Perhaps I never really understood why."
"Why we worship Her?" Columbine asked. "She is as much of a Goddess as the Imperium purports the false one to be. More, truthfully." A content grin spread across her face, "Her beliefs are more meaningful than what the Goddess says. Why save people when you yourself can ascend? By attaining such power, you can then lead those who need leading." Columbine turned around, walking back across the room, "Makes sense to me. More so than worshipping any mad deity."
Ushio tensed at that, but didn't bite at the bait. "Everybody has their own beliefs," She offered up as explanation. Suddenly, like it fell from a cliff, the room dropped into silence. Ushio turned around, looking at Columbine with questioning eyes. "Well, I guess I'm living here now."
Columbine nodded. She was obviously uncomfortable with it. "You can take the bed. The floor is fine."
"Don't, not for-"
"It's fine." Columbine snapped. "Just shut up, and don't annoy me. I'll see what I can about changing the layout around over the next few days. In fact, I'll do it now." She stood up, storming over to the door. "I'm going to the quartermaster, stay-no, I suppose you ought to come." Columbine signaled with her hand, and Ushio quickly came after her.
It really could have been called the corner of the ship. Properly, the vessel didn't have corners, the actual interior having a rather uneven shape, but this place was isolated from the rest to the point where it was about as lonely as a corner. Columbine strode along at her usual pace, turning every corner as if she'd done a million times before.
From the way she uneasily glanced around at the environment, Ushio only moved at the same speed because of the person in front of her. They passed down a tight corridor, a small door at the end of it. Columbine gently rapped her knuckles against the metal. "Badayie?" She called.
"Come in," A cheerful voice echoed. Columbine reached down to the doorknob. The rusty metal creaked as it was turned, before the hinges squealed as the door was practically forced open. "Sorry, still need to get this place fixed up." A girl sat in what seemed to be a solitary island amidst a sea of mess.
The swivel chair was neat and well-maintained, while the room around it was filled up by piles of assorted objects. Everything from bolters to blankets could be observed amidst the chaos. "Have you heard what's going on?" Columbine asked, ignoring the door. "With Ushio, that is?"
Badayie shrugged, relaxing back in the chair. "Haven't heard a thing. But since you're here, it must be important." She pointed out at Columbine, grinning happily.
"Astikai's handed her over to me. Ushio brought us to Nibelung, so she's in trouble. I just need another bed," Columbine said, then glanced around the room. Less a quartermaster, more a social recluse. She remarked.
"Ah-ha!" Badayie spun the chair in a full circle, before stopping herself and pointing to a certain spot in the mess. "Gotcha!" She leapt up, and reached out. A simple tug removed the bed from the pile. Columbine winced as an entire stack came crashing down as Badayie happily maneuvered the large wooden frame as if it were a small plank.
Ushio was rocking back and forth on her feet in the corner, but carefully slid to the side as Badayie tossed the bed at Columbine. "Where did you even get this?" The blonde sighed at the 'quartermaster'.
"I don't know," Badayie said, sitting back down in her chair. She flicked her short dark hair out of her eyes, waving goodbye. "See you later?"
"It's just a frame." Columbine gritted her teeth, "Have you anything else, or is this all I get?"
"Oh yeah!" Badayie shot up from her chair once more. "That too!"
Columbine stamped her foot on the ground. "Hurry up!" she shouted. Out of the corner of her eyes, she glanced at Ushio. Uncomfortably, she was standing just beside the door. Eyes stared down at the ground as she played pointlessly with her fingers.
Of course, that is the real recluse. Columbine thought as Badayie got around to making an even bigger mess.
It'd take some time, but Columbine managed to satisfactorily restructure her small room to accommodate both beds. One was still pushed against the left wall, with a small space separating it and the other, leaving some space between the right bed and the right wall.
Standing before them both, Columbine asked the sitting girl. "Is there anything you'd like from your old quarters? Provided that Ciuatl hasn't taken it already?"
Hands on her knees as they hung off the edge of the bed, Ushio shrugged. "There were a few books, but-"
"Then we can go get them." Columbine said. She turned to the door. Ushio didn't move. "What's wrong?"
Ushio looked indecisive for a moment. "Do you really care about me? Or are you just playing me? Before this, you barely even knew I existed, now my concern is your concern. It's just because I'm a path to power for you, isn't it?" She asked. Columbine spun around, trying to find the right words. Ushio shook her head, "I don't want your fake kindness. Or your false explanations."
Columbine didn't have any way to respond. Mainly because she couldn't find some other lie to tell. She almost turned around and walked out. Then she choose to not tell a lie, "That's right. I am using you. But that's the only choice you have right now. I could probably kill you off and Astikai wouldn't care. Savor the kindness you get, because it's what's keeping you alive right now."
"If what I have is so important, Astikai wouldn't want me dead. That's why she gave me to you, because I need to be watched by a loyal puppy." Ushio explained. She stood up, facing down an awestruck Columbine.
The defiance only made Columbine fight back harder. "Loyal puppy I may be, but at least I'm not such a weakling that I stumble upon such an amazing secret, and cannot even guard it! You do nothing with the power you have, you merely sit in your little room and write about irrelevant things when you could be changing the world!" She shouted, breathing hard.
Ushio's jaw dropped open. "Change…the world…" She echoed quietly. Then she cowered away, looking aside from Columbine. "I can't do that." She said, "I'm-I'm not strong enough!" She shouted. Then meekly, she whispered "But I'm trying to be."
"Then you're going to accept my kindness," Columbine stormed forwards. She grabbed the girl by the collar, hoisting her into the air. "You're going to do what I say when I say it. Your work can do great things, but only if you listen to me!" She tossed the girl to the side, onto the left of the two beds.
Ushio pushed herself back against the wall, looking in fright at Columbine. "I will use you like the tool you make yourself out to be, no matter how much you fight against it." Columbine explained, "And if you resist, I'm happy to break you into listening to me."
Still, the girl on the bed glared back with some amount of defiance. "I don't care," Ushio declared, "I'm still my own self. I'll be strong one day, and then we'll see who is ordering who."
"That may be true." Columbine remarked. She glanced to the shrine, still in the rightmost corner of the room. "But for now, I am the stronger one."
The Athena Disappearance was the name given to the apparent vanishing of the planet Athena from the Nibelung Sector, near the turn of the 5th century of the 41st Millennium. It is believed by many that the Inquisition was conducting secret experiments on the world, perhaps involving xenos or heretic technology.
No matter what the cause, the fact is that the entire planet disappeared from the system, and has never been seen again. All ships surrounding the world were taken along with. Not the slightest bit of data regarding the incident was gained. The Grand Inquisitor never spoke a word regarding the causes behind it, refusing to give even the slightest hint of involvement.
Ever since, the sector was seen as cursed. The Disappearance was a major factor in inciting the civil war that would set the stage for the Incident, as the scattered governors believed that it was the result of the sector governor and some imagined consorting with xenos or heretics.
-The Nibelung Incident
