I smile broadly as they approach me, Rem looking a little angry. Yup, smell still there. I swing my legs off the bed "How's it going, girls?"
The look of confusion is beautiful! They share a look, Ram speaking first "We are very well, thank you. How are you?"
I stand and smile at them both "I'm fuckin great! Looking forward to the day, y'know. I gotta ask, could I have some privacy while I change?"
They nod in unison and leave. Right. Time to plan, sort of. I already know what I'm gonna do this time. I'm gonna do the same as first time, only keeping an eye out. Roswaal mentioned a curse and I need to find out the cause.
I'm pulling on a top when the door knocks. I open it and let Emilia in. "Good morning, Takara. I did not expect to see you up and about. I hope you are well, after yesterday."
I grin "Totally fine. You and Puck?"
She smiles as Puck appears "We are well, thanks to you. You saved my 'Lias life and for that I cannot thank you enough."
I nod "No thanks needed dude. I did what anyone should do, y'know. Couldn't just leave 'Lia here to get hurt." The last bit with a wink in her direction.
She speaks as a light blush spreads on her cheeks. "Be that as it may, I still thank you."
Time for me ta follow my footsteps, starting with "Anyways, I was planning on a jog round the mansion grounds. Care to join me? Everyone could use a little more exercise."
She frowns for a second "Are you sure you should be doing that?"
As I start to slip on my shoes I reply "Yeah! I honestly feel fine. And I do this often. What do you say?"
She nods "Alright. I shall join you."
Awesome "Lead the way, darlin." I follow her out, we go through some stretches and we run.
I can feel Rem watching me. I need to find a way to gain her trust. After this curse business, that's my main concern. As for the curse, however, I think Beatrice might be able to help.
We curcuit the mansion and both head inside, Emilia going for a change of clothes. I go back to my room and open the door cautiously, surprising Ram. Thank Gods it wasn't like the first time! As she takes her leave she tells me that she'll collect me when lunch is ready. I sit and relax, remembering my first week. I'm gonna need to prove myself to Rem. I'm gonna work my damn ass off.
A couple hours later Ram comes for me. I sit in the same chair, have the same conversation and ask for the same thing. I notice Rem stiffen slightly when I ask to work there. This is gonna be interesting. The rest of the day flies. Uniform, tour and work. I impress Ram with my cleaning and cooking, still sucking at gardening. After dinner I'm dismissed and I don't bother with going to my room. I'm heading to the library.
I find it near Roswaals office. I knock and enter, Beatrice glaring at me. "What?"
I chuckle "I doubt you're ever gonna be happy to see me. I won't bother you for too long, I just have a question. Well, two."
She sighs "What are they?"
My face turns serious "Can you detect curses?"
She frowns "I can. Why? Are you cursed?"
I shake my head "No. At least not yet. Can you remove them?"
She nods "Yes. Before they activate though, I suppose."
Fucking awesome! "Thanks Beatrice. I'll leave you to your night." I turn and leave. I can get through this. As I'm heading back to my room I run into Ram. "Hey, darlin'. Got a question for ya."
An eyebrow raises "Go ahead." I grin "Would I be able to bring something with me to work tomorrow? I'd like to listen to music as I go."
A frown "Music? How?"
Oh, yeah, I forgot. She's not seen my phone this time round. "I can show you, if you want. It's in my room. I could go get it or you could come with me."
She thinks for a moment "I shall come with you." I lead the way.
As soon as we get there I head to the desk, pick my phone up and show it to Ram. "This is a Metia. I'm guessing you know what that is?"
She nods "I do. How did you come to have one?"
I turn it on and snap a quick picture as I answer "I was given it by my uncle. This one is one of a kind. As well as communication, I can take pictures." I show her the one I just took "And I can play music." I choose Master of Puppets. Hell, she liked it the first time.
Her eyes widen as the track plays "That is amazing!"
I laugh at her reaction "Yeah, it ain't bad. Would I be able to bring it? You'd get to hear some songs from my land."
She's still gazing at it in awe "Of course. I think that would be fine."
I stop the song and put my phone back down "Awesome. In that case I'll let you get back to your night. I'm gonna take a quick walk on the grounds, have a bath and get my head down." We exchange goodnights and Ram leaves. Grabbing my blade, I head outside. Time for some more training.
The night passes quickly and I sleep pretty well, apart from a nightmare about Rem. Damn, that fucked me up. On the upside it meant I was awake early. I'm just finishing dressing when I hear a knock
"I'll be out in a sec!" Quick check! Uniform, phone, sanity? That last one is questionable. All present! I open my door to see Ram waiting "Mornin' darlin'. Sleep well?"
She nods "I did, thank you. Did you?"
A grin "Yup! What's first on the agenda? Breakfast, right?"
As she turns, she replies "It is. Then we have the bathrooms to clean. After that is lunch and working in the gardens."
We arrive at the kitchen where I have an idea. "How bout you leave the bathrooms to me? You can take care of the gardens at the same time. Split the workload, y'know. Morning Rem."
Rem nods "Good morning. I trust you slept well." Still with that mild glare.
I nod as Ram comes to a decision "That sounds like a fair idea. However, it is only your second day here and I would like to oversee your progress."
Can't argue there "That's fair. Maybe tomorrow, right? Now, lets get started."
Breakfast is over faster than usual. Turns out that three good pairs of hands make it a piece of cake. Ram and I head to the bathrooms where she lets me get on with it, her watching. I get to it as quick as possible. I need to show her and Rem that I can do this. That they can trust me. Make them see I ain't here to hurt them. My music echoes around the room, making me relax. Master starts and Rams eyes light up again. She really does like this song!
I finish at the same time as the track does, Ram moving over to me "So, how'd I do?"
She looks around the room "Very well. You were commendibly fast." Sweet!
Now if I can just get her on my side, maybe she can talk to Rem and convince her I'm not a threat. "How much time we got before lunch?" She looks to a nearby crystal "A fair amount. We can do a little work outside, get a headstart."
I nod "Lead the way!" As she walks she asks a few questions about my music, which I answer as best I can.
We get outside and see Emilia with Puck. I turn to Ram "Mind if I say hello?"
She shakes her head "Not at all. We are ahead on our main duties."
I walk over "Hey 'Lia, how ya doin'?"
She smiles broadly "Hello Takara. We are doing well. How is your day, so far?"
Huh, I thought she'd object to anyone other than Puck calling her Lia. Cool. "Ahh, not bad. Got a full day but after it I plan to take a walk around the gardens before sleep. Relax, y'know."
She nods "I like to walk around the grounds at night. The moonlight makes the gardens look more beautiful."
I grin "That's true. Want the company later? I could join ya."
Again, she smiles "That is a fine idea. I shall look forward to it."
I throw a thumb up "Awesome! I gotta get back to work. Catch ya later." I head back to Ram and continue, almost immediately ripping my fingers open on the first plant. Gods I hate gardening.
The day goes faster than I'd like and, before I know it, it's time to meet Emilia. I find her outside, sat on a bench "Hey 'Lia. Been here long?"
She smiles as I approach "Only a very short time. How has your day been?"
I take a seat next to her "Not too bad. Gardening can fuck right off though." I show her the bandages on my hands.
Her reactions is obvious, the same offer to heal me. I decline again and change the topic "What are your plans after you win this election?"
She sighs "You mean if I win."
I chuckle "Nope. I mean when. Move forward with the mindset that you will succeed and you normally do. So. What ya gonna do?"
She mulls this over for a couple of minutes "I want to make Lugnica a haven for people of all species. I do not want others to go through the predjudices I have. I want people to live freely."
Wow, that's an awesome vision "Sounds like a plan. Wish it was the same back home. Everyone wants that but it'll probably never be actually achieved."
She looks at me "That must be awful."
A wry chuckle "Yeah, it ain't too great. Hell, I still get shit from time to time for being gay. Even my uncle still has a little trouble with it, on occasion."
Frowning, she asks "Should he not be supportive? What do your parents think?"
Oh yeah, this conversation. Might as well. I told her the first time, after all. I go through the story and by the time I finish Emilia is almost crying. I pull her into a hug "Hey ya dork. Stop that. Tells ya what. If I need a shoulder while I'm here, I'll come right to you. If you need one, ya know where I am. Deal?"
She pulls away, nodding as she wipes her eyes. Surprisingly, mine are dry. She takes a moment to compose herself "What do you plan to do while you are here? Apart from work?"
That is a good question. I've been worrying about Rem for so long now, I'd almost forgotten. "Y'know what, I plan to get to know Ram better. Maybe take her out sometime."
Her eyes open wide in surprise "You like Ram? As in... romantically?"
I nod "You could say that. You could also say that I fell madly in love at first glance." Yeah, I might wait til this problem is over first, though
"Does she know? Have you told her? Oh, does Rem know?"
Damn! "Hold on there, girl! How d'you think someone would react if you told 'em that you loved 'em after a day? I need to get to know her better. And she need to get to know me."
Emilia nods "Very true. I apologise for my outburst."
I put a hand on her arm "No need. You got excited, y'know. Happens. Now, you like anyone?"
On cue, she goes bright red. With her hands over her face, I can barely hear her reply "I do. But I do not think she would see me the same way."
SHE? I knew she liked someone but I'd never have guessed it'd be a girl! Wait, this isn't how it happened the first time. Maybe she's a little more comfortable with me, seeing as I wanted to spend time with her.
My voice soft, I ask "Why? What's she like?"
Emilia moves her hands, face still bright "She is beautiful. Pleasant to talk to, funny and smart. A very hard worker and driven to always do better. I like to spend time with her. I have not known her for very long but whenever I see her I feel happy."
Someone at the mansion, maybe? Wait. Please don't let this be me. I CANNOT be dealing with that situation!
I take a breath "Have you tried just... telling her? I'm not planning to with Ram cause I haven't known her that long." I damn well have but not in her eyes. "The worst that could happen is you get rejected, right?"
Emilia sighs "You are right. I think I will wait a while first. To... build up the courage."
I smile softly "Not a bad idea." She suddenly yawns, making me laugh "I think we should both be getting some rest. C'mon ya dork. Let's go in."
She nods and stands with me, us heading back into the mansion.
We say our goodnights and part. I get to my room, undress and lay down. I'm gonna go for broke tomorrow. Push myself as hard as I can. I need to.
