Chapter 09: Abrupt Realisation
"Now that we're alone, I should write that letter to An Nam." Natsuki murmured, sitting down heavily, and then leaning back. She crossed a leg atop the other, sliding a hand down her face. The day had been strenuous, a large portion of it having been travelling. Luckily today Yukino had simply showed them around the grounds, making small talk along the way.
"Natsuki." The Archmeister uttered, standing by her side. "Do you need help with the letter? Anh can be rather drastic."
"Ah… you know her better than me, Shizuru." Glancing up to the elder, the Headmistress smiled. "I'm glad Yukino had the thought to include a desk." Though their sleeping conditions were another thing entirely. Thinking back to that situation, Natsuki stood quickly.
"You're restless." The Archmeister pointed out, following after her.
"Wouldn't I be?" Natsuki looked for the blank letters, rummaging inside the desk drawers. "We're in Aries on a state visit. There was also the letter bomb, um…" Finding the letters, she grasped a nearby pen. "There's one bed." Why did this bother her exactly? It was Shizuru. It wasn't like she'd sneak a feel? Natsuki had shared a bed with the elder before, so why was she so nervous?
Because they both knew their feelings. Obviously, was she seriously that dumb?
"It will be fine." Shizuru soothed. "We will work it out as we go, like we always do?" Shizuru watched her carefully, attempting to find any negativity. She could still see uncertainty in Otome's eye. "Natsuki." She spoke more quietly in concern.
Abandoning the letter, Natsuki turned towards her reluctantly. "I'm sorry, there's just a lot to handle right now." Not minding how close the elder woman stood, Natsuki mused once more. "I trust you, Shizuru. It's just I feel nervous."
"I am glad I'm not the only one then." Shizuru confirmed. Getting straight to the point, she continued. "Anh prefers a short, concise letter. She will want to know precisely what has happened."
Nodding, Natsuki walked around the desk then sat down. She gestured Shizuru to follow her, the Archmeister doing just that. "How do I greet her? Her Highness?"
"Though she dislikes the title that should be for the best." Shizuru murmured, smiling softly. That Anh, really. She wondered what Princess was up to these days. Due to the two of them being so busy, they hadn't spoken in months. She just felt a little disappointed that this would be their first interaction after so long.
Staring at the letter for a moment, Natsuki took another piece of paper. She scribbled notes upon it, frowning. She had never been very good at this sort of thing. "Dear Your Highness. I am writing to you because of a matter of great importance?" She read aloud, glancing at the Archmeister.
"That should do." Reading over what the Headmistress had put, Shizuru crossed her arms loosely in a thoughtful manner. Wondering over the different scenarios, she brushed her fingers to her lips mindlessly. After a moment, the words came to her. "Due to confidential circumstances, is it possible you have any leads relating to An Nam postal services?" Sliding a hand against her cheek, Shizuru paused. Was this for the best? They could trust Anh with this, but even so.
"I think we should risk telling her about the bomb. I would like to see where this leads." Natsuki said. She leaned her jaw against her palm, thinking, but also listening.
"I trust Anh, though An Nam's recent alliance with Artai is unsettling."
"That's what I thought. It could be a trap? Maybe this ADA is hoping we go for the An Nam lead?" It all felt suspicious, but they had no choice. Humming, Natsuki set the pen down. "Tomorrow I will speak to the President. Aries may have better intel."
"A good idea." Shizuru eased closer, settling a hand against Natsuki's back. "It would also be sensible to leave this letter for tomorrow. We're overworked, and it has been a long day."
"You're right." Not to mention tonight was humid still. "Shall we try, and sleep?" She suggested, looking up to Shizuru. Would they be able to sleep in this heat though? Not to mention their body heat wouldn't help. Natsuki's face twisted in thought, staring through the elder woman.
"Natsuki, your forehead is wrinkled." Shizuru piped, smiling as the woman's expression relaxed. "Come, let us get ready."
The minutes sluggishly passed them by. Half an hour or so later, Natsuki was by the window, looking outside. Having a cup of tea guided into her hands, she looked to Shizuru, nodding to the woman. "Thank you." She murmured, readjusting her gaze to the nightlife.
Though Garderobe was in Wind City, it was on the outskirts meaning they weren't affected by the heavy urbanisation. The Hexagon meanwhile was an entirely different story. It was located right inside Central Aries, and only a few acres protected them from the noise, and lights. Having grown up in this environment, Natsuki couldn't help but be glad she no longer lived in the city.
"It reminds me of home." She uttered absently, the Archmeister making a stand next to her. "It was always noisy at night like this." Leaning her shoulder against Shizuru's, she took no mind of it. "You grew up in rural Windbloom, didn't you? How was it?"
"The nights were always incredibly quiet. So much you could hear the insects." Thinking back to that time, the brunette smiled faintly. "My father died when I was young, but I always remember him sitting outside at night."
"I remember you telling me about him."
"Hm. You remind me of him sometimes." The Archmeister confessed, taking a slow sip of her tea. It was dark out, and she followed the lights of traffic. There didn't appear to be any jams anymore, at least. Had the Aries Otome managed to fix everything? "He spent a lot of time reading."
"We both lost our fathers, just in different ways." Natsuki murmured. "But you also lost your mother, Shizuru. Are you still alright?" She passed the elder Otome a concerned glance, drinking the rest of her tea. She placed the cup on the windowsill, and took Shizuru's empty cup gently. "Shizuru?"
"I have you." The brunette said after a long moment, having her hands held within Natsuki's. The fellow Column's hands were always so cold. Clasping her hands around Natsuki's, she attempted to bring warmth to them. "You're my family, Natsuki."
"Really?" Natsuki watched the Archmeister warm her hands in vain. "You know that won't work." She chuckled loosely. Sliding her hands from Shizuru's, she edged closer to her. "I love you." She spoke more quietly this time, hooking her arms around the elder's shoulders.
It felt like the right moment to do this. Recently they had been so wrapped up due to Artai that they hadn't had a spare moment alone. Infuriatingly, they were behaving more like coworkers than newly made lovers. They had always been much more than that, Natsuki knew this.
"I love you too, Natsuki." Pressing her palms to the younger woman's hips, Shizuru lent into her. She eased down slightly to meet Natsuki's slightly shorter height. Tilting her head, she gently brushed their lips together.
It was a calm night to match the mood. They felt no urge to move, let alone lose body contact.
"Do you want to go to bed?" Natsuki uttered against her mouth. She stared into half-lidded crimsons, and started guiding her back.
"Of course." There was a mischievous glint in Shizuru's eye again. She took in Natsuki's appearance entirely, bringing the woman's hands from around her neck. She delicately held them, smoothing her thumbs against Natsuki's wrist bones. "I thought you'd never suggest it." Tea forgotten, she followed after Natsuki.
Much alike to the rest of these quarters, the bedroom was small. In fact, it appeared more alike to a typical bedroom. It wasn't like a dorm in Garderobe, nor any of the staff's personal quarters.
"Which side would you prefer?" Shizuru asked, switching the room's lamp on.
"You always ask, and you get the same answer." Natsuki arched a brow slightly. "Left. Unless you want that side this time?"
"Of course not. It's the utmost importance that I know Natsuki is comfortable."
Another pleasant silence filtered between them as they got into bed. The blankets were only thin to ward unneeded heat, they found.
Natsuki stretched over the elder for a moment, reaching for the lamp. This felt a little surreal, she couldn't help but realise. Though she had known she had loved Shizuru, she had never expected this. If she had told herself this would happen some years ago, what would she have done? She'd have probably have laughed in spite of this all, probably. 'As if'.
"I could have done that." Shizuru commented, wrapping her arms around the small of Natsuki's waist once the lamp was off. Guiding Natsuki's body down atop hers, she pressed her nose into the woman's throat, smiling.
It wasn't unknown to Shizuru that she adored the younger Meister's scent. If she went blind, she was sure she would fall further in love with that scent. Wasn't she already blindly in love anyhow? Yet she found she couldn't care less.
"Shizuru! I don't think I can sleep like this." Natsuki tried to stop herself, but laughed softly. Finding herself slot between Shizuru's legs, she paused, glancing down to her. Shizuru's body had always been larger than hers. Not just in height, but muscle mass as well. Whenever she had caught glimpses of Shizuru's body, she had admired from a distance. Natsuki would've never allowed her to know this, of course.
She much preferred not being teased to death. Though... her eyes half-lidded, and she only just realised she had been staring. Shizuru was doing much the same. A tense atmosphere boiled in between them before Natsuki cut the ice. "I don't feel like sleeping anymore." She quietly mused, scanning her eyes further across Shizuru's body. There was a fiery feeling present inside her gut. An urge was quickly entering her mind, and she was starting to give in to reason.
They weren't in Garderobe right now, but she soon shoved the thought aside. Natsuki carefully straddled the elder's hips, and then held onto the hands that cupped her waist. The larger hands strayed until they came to rest against her thighs. Natsuki covered them with her own, studying Shizuru.
What did Shizuru want?
"Neither do I." Shizuru responded at last, having taken amusement from Natsuki's actions. Trailing her eyes across Natsuki's night shirt, she slid her hands from under Natsuki's. "You're sure?" She asked, receiving an instantaneous nod. Surprise skimmed across her face, but only for a moment. Wetting her lips, she glided her hands over the woman's shorts. "Then?"
"Then what?" Natsuki murmured quietly, getting closer to her lover. Her heart was racing, she felt like she had just finished a dance duel. Yet all she was doing was sitting on top of Shizuru. But this person was her lover.
"Hm." The Archmeister simply smiled, her fingers quivering up Natsuki's legs. Staring at the younger woman, she paused. Time, and time again she had imagined this. But to think? Sneaking her hands up into the shorter Meister's shirt, she kept a watchful eye upon Natsuki. She shivered, Shizuru noticed. Her skin was also incredibly warm, and smooth. By mere touch she was awfully aware of muscle tone. It made Shizuru want to see more of Natsuki.
"S-Shizuru." Natsuki stuttered, feeling a little useless. What was she supposed to do with her hands? With every skittering touch from Shizuru's fingertips, a wave of electric trailed her body. Ah. "You're being mean, Shizuru." She accused, lowering down against the elder woman.
"I am?" The brunette grinned against Natsuki's lips. Between them she sluggishly cupped Natsuki's breasts. "I thought you like this?" A laugh leapt from her throat upon the Column's hitched breath. Tilting her head, she kissed Natsuki against the corner of her mouth. For several moments she did this again, finding Natsuki's hand tangling into her hair.
Looking into Natsuki's eyes after the kiss, she noticed she was anxious. Shizuru eased from her slightly, a quizzical expression being passed. "Natsuki?"
"No, I'm-" Sighing, Natsuki sat upwards again. "Shizuru, we shouldn't."
Was she not ready, the Archmeister pondered? She slipped her hands from out of Natsuki's shirt, and then captured her hands. "I won't pressure you." She promised, kissing the Headmistresses knuckles. Nevertheless, a disappointment still etched itself inside Shizuru's chest, and the feeling sank. She wanted more, truly. But could she ever forgive herself if she was to pressure Natsuki?
"Ah, I'm sorry." Natsuki mumbled, watching her for a moment. "It just feels awkward not being in Garderobe. I feel… out of place." She struggled to find the right wording. The genuine look Shizuru passed her put her at ease, but she still frowned. "Shizuru."
"Don't apologise." They kissed again slowly, and the Archmeister rolled them onto their sides. "It is fine, we don't have to rush into anything."
"Thank you." Natsuki murmured, hugging her closer to her own body. Even so, she felt utterly comfortable against Shizuru. They had been so close to leaping into the deep end, but the timing felt off. She just hoped Shizuru didn't feel frustrated.
After a while in the darkness, Natsuki slid her fingertips along Shizuru's back. She couldn't sleep, that much was obvious. Feeling the soft fabric of the elder's nightgown, she sighed. Their position had altered slightly, and Natsuki had been shuffled downwards. Her nose was touching against Shizuru's, throat, and the notion calmed her.
It seemed that Shizuru had long since fallen asleep. To lift Natsuki's suspicions, Shizuru's breathing had relaxed. She was almost jealous of her; the Archmeister always seemed to fall asleep so easily. Meanwhile Natsuki always spent a good portion of an hour just trying to get comfortable, nevermind actually sleeping.
She'd make it up to Shizuru once they returned to Garderobe. She suddenly decided, squeezing her eyes shut.
"I was targeted by an unknown suspect. We believe they're from Artai, but we have no solid evidence." Natsuki explained to the President. For the past few days they had been conducting their meetings inside Yukino's living quarters. It was far better to be semi informal, and also allowed them to be somewhat transparent with their information. "The parcel bomb was traced back to An Nam. We were discussing whether to contact Anh Lu, the country's royal Otome."
"An Nam recently made a treaty with Artai, didn't it?" Yukino mused. "Personally I wouldn't risk it. An Nam could easily turn its back on Garderobe."
"That is true." Natsuki murmured, cupping her chin. She stared at the coffee table which was between them that had drinks upon it. "Anh Lu might be a friend, but even so I feel I should risk it. If she was to betray Garderobe, we would know which side they're on."
Natsuki had the papers with her, and had been scribbling notes on the sheet from yesterday. She looked between Shizuru, Haruka, and Yukino, observing them. "I tried reasoning with Queen Mashiro to take action against Artai, but she wouldn't even hear me out."
"Isn't that pointless anyway?" Haruka questioned. "She's a selfish bra-"
"Ah, Haruka!" Yukino piped up worryingly, waving her hands in front of herself, as if it'd stop the blonde. "We can't say-"
"It isn't like she can hear us! Yukino, what's gotten into you? You're always so android.
"I think you mean paranoid, Haru-"
Looking to Shizuru hopelessly, Natsuki sighed in frustration. She leant back in her seat, trying to massage the tension out her neck. These two were still their old selves, at least. "They certainly never change." She whispered in an annoyed tone.
"That's what I said, Yukino!"
"Of course." Shizuru chuckled softly, then stood. She floated over to the settee which Natsuki sat upon, and did so also. "I believe we should test Anh, and see what her reaction is. The intel from Artai isn't enough."
"Will we ever have enough?" That was doubtful. Though the Artai Principality was a poor country, it had endless "backdoors". It was also full of corruption, not to mention it was a dictatorship. They had thought Nagi had been taken down, but it appeared he hadn't. What was Artai up to? "Even if Nagi Dai Artai is assassinated, another will replaced him."
"The Artai house is large. What if we take out all their heirs?" Shizuru suggested.
"Of course, Haruka. Now, back to the meeting." The President interjected the blonde, refocusing upon the situation. "I'm sorry for that." She said to the two Columns.
"That would cause outrage." Natsuki whispered her reply. "Ah, yes." She changed to Yukino, nodding. "It's fine. What do you think our next steps against Artai should be?" Scribbling more notes down about their whisperings, Natsuki again relaxed her pen.
"The Artai Principality is a poor country, but it's a political powerhouse. I've heard they're wanting more Otome?"
"That's correct." Natsuki said. "We have two Artain students. Both have show high potential." Natsuki eased to the coffee table, handedly taking her coffee. "We don't know what they want after training."
"Finding out could be significant." The President piped, glancing to Shizuru. She knew far too well of the Archmeister's ability to find the truth. "Archmeister." She uttered, gaining the brunette's full attention. "Would you find this out for us? What do these two students want?"
"Yes, President." Beside her, Shizuru checked on Natsuki. "Headmistress, are you alright with this decision?"
"Ah, it's a sensible one." Natsuki nodded, quickly sipping her drink. "Be careful, both are sharp. They will probably warn each other if they suspect anything."
"Back to the letter bomb, were there any other clues?" Yukino said suddenly. "You said the suspect was unknown, did they hint anything?"
Of course, Natsuki had almost forgotten! "ADA is what they called themselves."
"ADA?" Haruka muttered, furrowing her brows. She crossed her arms loosely, staring at the floor.
"Do you recognise the name?" The President pondered, looking over to the Brigadier.
"It sounds familiar." Where had she heard this name? The blonde became lost in thought. "It sounds like initials?"
"I had thought the same." The Headmistress commented. What are they missing here? Natsuki felt they were so close to a break through. Brushing her fingers to her lips, sheand the others fell into a musing silence. ADA, what did it mean?
Adah? A da? A Dai- "Dai Artai." Natsuki froze, all eyes on her. Darting her head up, her voice lifted. "Do we have the Artai family tree available to us? Is there a family member with their forename beginning with A?"
"Dai Artai?" Haruka stood. "That's it! I knew I had heard that name before!" Shouting, she jogged out of the room, and then slammed the door shut.
"Are you sure, Natsuki?" Shizuru asked her quietly, easing closer to her.
"I am sure." She said instantaneously. "And I suspect they have Erstin Ho in their clutches."
But was this possible discovery too easy, and convenient?
