The dinners continue. What will we learn? What will go down between Olivia and Alcea? Will Olivia help? Will Alcea make it out with her dignity intact? What does Ayame think of all this? We'll have to see for ourselves.
Rosealine gold: That's a way to think about it. But I don't think Maddi needs to be that well tied-into the Children of the Oracles. There are other story avenues to explore.
KedharS: Oh yeah. Head over heels, girl's got it bad.
Aquahaze675: Who can say? We'll have to find out. Hopefully he'll be okay with what happened and won't feel too bad, and if not, well… Ayame might have to "cheer him up" as it were.
Pokemon Academy: Beginning of Beginnings
Chapter 457
"So what are you guys' schedules looking like?" Blake asked out of curiosity as he set his tray down on the table, giving Nikita an acknowledging nod. "I know that we have part two of the Introductory Caretaking, Pokemon Capturing, and Battle Basics Classes-"
Sango made "fllbthtb" noise with her tongue to express her dislike on THAT topic. The freshmen schedules were pretty tightly wound. Three of their four classes in the first two semesters were set in stone. That only left room for one elective per semester.
"Kitty and I signed up for Introductory Typing Basics," Julia volunteered. "It's a pretty standard course, and from there we can sign up for other electives like Type Specialization and Type Advantage next year."
"Oh, wow, so Kitty, you're aiming to be a gym leader, too?" Sango said, surprised.
"Uh… yes?" Kitty said, not willing to admit that the reason she'd signed up for the class was because Julia was taking it, and she wanted to match their schedules as closely as possible.
"I'm in that class, too," Reiner volunteered, though he clearly wasn't as enthusiastic about it as Julia was. "My parents said I had to take it. If I didn't, well…"
Reiner sighed. Nikita reached out and placed her hand on his arm to comfort him. Reiner smiled back at her.
"I took that one for my elective last semester," Cynthia said, trying to lighten the mood after that bit of seriousness. "As long as you know the basics behind type advantages, you should do fine, it's the easiest class in the world then."
"…So you failed it?" Blake asked. Cynthia shot him a dirty look while the rest of the table laughed.
"Oh, really, mister 'thinks-he's-so-funny', so what elective did you sign up for, huh?" Cynthia demanded, turning on Blake with a glare.
"Uh…" Blake's voice caught in his throat, and he was suddenly very eager to bite into his hamburger, taking slow, controlled bites. Now everyone was interested.
"Professor Reinhart is on sabbatical," Reiner said, "so no classes on pokemon archaeology."
He and Nikita both looked a little glum about that.
"Still, 'Pokemon Myths & Legends' is the only freshman-level course in that field anyway, so it's not that big a deal," Nikita reminded him.
"Still, you should spill, Blake!" Sango laughed. "But anyway, I'm finally able to take Introductory Rangering, so that's where I went."
"Kind of putting the cart before the horse, Miss Probationary License," Cynthia teased. Sango giggled and swatted her in the arm.
"So anyway, come on, Blake, talk!" Sango said, not letting the issue drop so readily.
"Um… I'm taking Pokemon Fitness Fundamentals," Blake replied casually. Sango blinked. Well that wasn't a very big deal.
"Well that wasn't a very big deal," Cynthia scowled. "I was hoping for something juicy."
"Oh, I'm taking that class, too," Nick said. "…Callie told me I should, to build up my pokemon's stamina for training."
"Huh, so it's like, what, an aerobics class or something?" Cynthia asked. "Just building up your pokemon's physical shape? Sounds pretty boring."
"Y-Yeah, real boring," Blake agreed, nodding. "Just thought it would be an interesting class to check out, something to take it easy with, not a big deal… ha…"
"Wait, isn't Ayame the TA for that class?" Nick remembered. Blake twitched, his smile freezing on his face.
"…OH. OH!" Cynthia resisted the urge to break out laughing for all of half a second. "OH, that is just PERFECT!"
Cynthia nearly fell out of her chair, holding her stomach as she shook in peals of laughter. Sango held her hands over her mouth, doubling over laughing too. While Blake turned redder and redder, the table continued getting a good laugh at his expense.
"I think it's sweet," Kitty said, beaming at him. "You want to take the class your girlfriend is assistant teaching? Adorable."
Kitty could sympathize. She had chosen her class for the sake of being with the girl she liked, too, her best friend.
Blake's face only grew more and more red. Kitty, of all people, had called him adorable. He really had it bad.
"Hey, Nikita, what about you?" Nick asked, glancing at the studious girl. She was the only one who hadn't shared her schedule for the upcoming term. "What class are you taking for your elective? I don't think I heard."
Nikita's face brightened.
"Oh!" She gasped. "It's a class I'm actually really excited for! Advanced Pokemon Genealogy and Evolution! It's a special elective class on pokemon genes."
"Oh! Yeah, Maddi's taking that for an elective, too," Cynthia remembered. "But wait, I thought that was restricted to third years and up? It's in the Research Course, right? I mean, you don't have to be IN the Research Course to take it, but I thought… isn't it an advanced class, for juniors and seniors? You could take it as an elective?"
Nikita smiled proudly.
"Not normally," she said, shaking her head, "I had to get special permission. See, normally, I would have waited until my junior year, maaaaybe try and stretch and get in during sophomore year, but this semester the class is going to be a little different, so I just couldn't wait. It's being taught by an actual professor in genealogy!"
"Oh?" Reiner asked, leaning in. "So there's a special lecturer?"
"Yes!" Nikita said, nodding. "Professor Johanes Decker! He's an expert in the field of Pokemon Genealogy, my dad worked with him quite closely! And he's actually coming here! To teach a class! Even though he's retired, he's lending his expertise! When I heard that, I just HAD to sign up for his class, who knows if I'd ever get the chance again?"
The name "Johanes Decker" sounded vaguely familiar to Cynthia and Sango, but neither girl could place it. He was far from the most memorable of the guests they'd met over winter break, and it had been weeks.
"So they just let you take a junior-level course?" Sango scowled. That wasn't fair! There were lots of higher-level classes in the Pokemon Ranger Course that she would like to take, and the fact that Nikita got to take a Research Course and she didn't was irritating.
"It's not what you think," Nikita said, shaking her head. "They let me in on a provisional level. I had to sign up for another elective course as well, and then I had to write a research paper on Pokemon Genealogy in order to demonstrate that I would be able to keep up with the content! And then they still were only willing to waitlist me… But I got in!"
Nikita seemed so bright and cheery, Sango couldn't spoil her fun with her sour attitude, and put on a smile instead.
The rest of their meal continued without incident.
Across campus, Olivia was sitting high, enjoying watching Alcea squirm. The redhead needed something from her, finally. She finally, finally, came to Olivia with an request for assistance that Olivia could grant her.
And Olivia was willing to grant it…
For a price, anyway.
Oh, yes, this was absolutely NOT going to be easy. She couldn't wait to see Alcea bow and scrape and beg for every last scrap of information that Olivia had to offer, that would make the perfect dessert for a delicious meal like the one they'd just shared.
"Now, tell me, Alcea Vermeil, what information can I give you?" Olivia purred, her silky voice betraying just how happy she was to "help" Alcea. Or more accurately, how happy she was to make Alcea beg for her "help".
"I want… to know what you know about the other members of the Four Holy Swords, is it?" Alcea explained. "I believe… that this conflict will only escalate. And I want to keep Elaina from being swept up in it as a weapon to harm those around her. Not… not just Elaina. Everyone on campus, is it? So any information you can give me… would help."
"I see…" Olivia tapped her finger against her lip like she was thinking.
"And… I am planning to speak with the other three members as well," Alcea replied. "To see what help I can get from them… to protect Elaina, is it? Maybe… ease off these hostilities, if possible. You will… you will be able to help me, oui? Tell me what I wish to know?"
Olivia took a deep breath and let out a sigh, acting like this was a difficult position to be placed in, when really she was resisting the urge to break out laughing.
"This is not as easy as you might think," Olivia said. "Right now, Alden and Valon… they have only been getting more tense. I don't know if it is my place to tell you anything on the matter."
"Please," Alcea said, staring deeply into Olivia's eyes. That just pissed her off. Alcea's eyes were filled with passion and light, and that look… she hated the look in Alcea's eyes. They weren't looking up to her. They were staring into hers directly.
Like they were equals.
That simply wouldn't do. Olivia hated the fact that Alcea was looking at her without the proper courtesy. It was that haughty arrogance that made Olivia unable to even stand being in the same room as the girl, let alone talk with her.
"This means a lot to you, doesn't it?" Olivia asked, already knowing that it did. "And you really think that if you can get all of the Four Holy Swords to sit down at the table and work together, you might be able to somehow find a way to separate Elaina from Gerard?"
"Gerard only cares for himself," Alcea bitterly replied. "I don't even want to know what he's planning for her. How long she'll be on his hook. Olivia, you have to-"
"Empress," Olivia corrected her sharply, startling Alcea.
"H-Huh?" Alcea asked, blinking, confused. She hadn't expected that.
"Have you forgotten my title?" Olivia replied. Her polite tone had slipped away, and menace oozed in in its place. "I am the Empress of the Four Holy Swords. Until now, I have allowed you to converse with me as though it weren't so, out of respect for your position, Alcea, and your…" Olivia reached a hand out, leaning in closer, running her fingers through Alcea's hair, stroking a lock of it tenderly. Her tone of voice dropped into a seductive whisper, "astounding beauty…"
Kate and Ayame stared dumbfoundedly at the two girls, sharing a look. Alcea froze, her face incredulous. For a moment, the look of electricity in Olivia's eye made Alcea think that the other girl was going to kiss her!
Olivia snapped her hand away and leaned back in her chair, the nearly-erotic atmosphere completely evaporating as she seemed to calm down, whatever she had just been feeling disappearing like an illusionary flash.
"…But I can't allow you to continue to treat me with that disrespect," Olivia said softly. "That was why I asked you to dinner. Because I wanted to treat you with a meal that suited your… tastes. To show you some respect and class. And now, I am only asking for you to return the courtesy. Surely the Vermeil Family understands that?"
"…Oui," Alcea said, nodding.
Olivia's face brightened, and her jovial tone returned. "Excellent! Then with that in mind, before we begin discussing next steps, I'm sure you'll refer to me with my title, yes?"
"The Empress, is it?" Alcea said, nodding again. "Oui."
Olivia's smile grew wider, her eyes shining with a predatory glint. "Marvelous."
"Please, Empress. I need your help," Alcea said. "I need you to tell me everything you know about the other Daevas, and help me out if and when things get worse between Elaina and Gerard, and the rest of campus."
"And is that all you need from me?" Olivia asked.
"Oui," Alcea nodded. "Unsure… what else I may need, is it?"
"…I see," Olivia said. She tapped her finger against her lip, staring straight into Alcea's eyes as she pretended to think about what she was going to do, whether or not she was going to listen to Alcea's request. "It seems this is important to you, Alcea."
"Incredibly," Alcea said, nodding. "You can't imagine how important it is to me, to protect our student body from danger!"
"How important?" Olivia asked sharply, startling Alcea. The intensity in the blonde woman's eyes completely threw her off.
"How… how important?" Alcea stuttered, not sure what Olivia was asking.
Olivia let out a long sigh, slumping down in her seat in mock-exhaustion.
"Look, Alcea, I understand that this important," Olivia said. "Clearly, you wouldn't be here if it wasn't important to you. But what you're asking me is to stick my nose into this war between the Commander and the Phantom."
"No, that's not what-"
"No, it is," Olivia interrupted, shooting Alcea a look that said 'don't interrupt me again'. "You might not be asking to pick a side, but you're telling me to give you information on them? Things that you might be able to use against them, or ways to convince them to see your side of things? That right there is asking me to get involved, are you saying you didn't realize that?"
Alcea looked down sheepishly. When the Empress put it like that, it was hard for her to disagree with her.
"If you want me to put myself out there, then I need to know that you're sincere," Olivia said. "And when I say sincere, I do not want to be mistaken. I need to know that you have my back, understood? That you will go all the way with this."
She straightened up and leaned in close again, her eyes flashing dangerously at Alcea. "So are you willing, Alcea? To go all the way?"
The tone of her voice would almost be seductive, if it didn't sound so menacing. Either way, it was enough to make Alcea squirm in her seat.
Alcea swallowed. It was clear that this offer was less of a "light favor" and more… well, just more. She didn't know what Olivia wanted, but she knew that she would probably need the help of one of the Daevas if she wanted to have a chance at preventing the school from spiraling completely out of control, and almost as important, protect Elaina Bishop from Gerard and prevent Gerard from doing whatever it was he was planning to do after the Daevas graduated.
Alcea studied Olivia. They weren't close. And she knew full well that Olivia… she was not even close to what Alcea would call a friend. There was animosity between the two of them, and Alcea didn't know the reason for it, but knew it existed.
Knowing that, the Empress was probably not the best choice to start an alliance with, if she had to choose one of the Daevas. From what she had heard and observed in her time at the school, the one who would probably be the best partner would be Marion Rivers, the Mermaid. But while Marion Rivers was influential in her own way, Alcea doubted that the girl would have the ambition to really set out to help her. Furthermore, she would be gone for the majority of this last semester on an extended trip to the Hoenn Region, working with the Pokemon Conservation Organization. She couldn't speak to her right now.
So that left Olivia.
"I am sincere," Alcea said. "I'm willing to go all the way."
"How do I know that?" Olivia asked. "How do I know you're sincere? I want you to prove it to me. Show me that you mean what you say. That I can count on you, that you'll put your all into this, that you'll work with me, instead of just get me to do your dirty work."
"How?" Alcea asked.
"…Ask me for help," Olivia said. "Show me that this is something important to you, something that you would give your all for."
Olivia scooted her chair away from the table and leaned back, pointing at the floor, a cold, haughty smile passing her face.
"Kneel before me, please."
Alcea was so stunned she wasn't sure if she had heard properly.
"Wh-what?" No, there was no way she had just been asked to…
"You heard me," Olivia said, her eyes shining with excitement. "Kneel before me. Beg me for your help, Lady Alcea Vermeil."
"You-!" Kate exclaimed, her jaw dropping open, shock and outrage twisting across her face. She stormed over towards the table, but Ayame stopped her, stepping in front of Kate and holding her hand up, shaking her head. Her expression was inscrutable, much to Kate's frustration.
"You want me to…" Alcea's words were slow, because she was still trying to come down from what she'd just heard. That couldn't be real.
"Milady, you don't have to-!"
"Oh, yes you do," Olivia said, her tone getting even more insistent, more menacing.
"Milady!" Kate tried to go grab Alcea and drag her away, but Ayame was very insistent. Kate looked at the taller girl, her face stained with horror at Ayame's betrayal.
"Kate, just… just stop," Ayame said, looking down, unable to make eye contact. Truthfully, this made her feel sick to her stomach. She knew that Olivia had it out for Alcea, and as much as she loved her friend, she didn't agree with this. It was vindictive, petty, and above all, cruel. But Ayame was used to it. It wasn't the first time Olivia had strong-armed people into getting her way. And Alcea, well, she was the crown jewel as far as her boss was concerned, even Ayame knew that much.
"Why?" Alcea asked, trying hard not to sound like she was desperate. "You wish me… to debase myself, is it?"
"You're asking a big favor," Olivia said. "I need you to convince me. And if you want to convince me that you're serious? Then I want you to show me that this is something important enough to you that you're willing to throw away your pride."
Alcea gave the older girl a stony-eyed glare that made Olivia feel tingly in all the right places. She had to resist the smirk threatening to tug itself up her lips.
Olivia shrugged her shoulders.
"It's as simple as this. Is the pride of the Vermeil Family worth the chance of escalation in conflicts? That poor girl's mental wellbeing?" Olivia asked. "I'm not such a nice woman, Alcea. I won't lend my help for nothing. If you can show me that you're serious about this, I'll be happy to help you. I'll give you… mm, so much. And all it will cost is your pride."
Her eyes flashed, and she gave into the smirk this time.
"Me? If it was my dear Aya at risk, I would even be willing to kiss your shoes."
Ayame liked to think that Olivia was telling the truth about that. But somehow, a part of her believed that not even she would be enough of a reason for Olivia to humble herself and sacrifice her pride like what she was demanding of Alcea.
"Milady…" Kate understood how important this was, but she still didn't want to see her dear friend and idol lower herself like this. She was a queen, and Olivia was asking her to-!
"It's fine, Kate," Alcea assured her friend, rising to her feet. The look of resignation on her face told Olivia everything she needed to know. She smiled from ear to ear, she had won.
Alcea walked around the table and faced Olivia, who turned in her seat and crossed her legs, resting her cheek on her hand as she leaned back, putting on the perfect air of pomposity as she watched Alcea capitulate.
Alcea lowered herself to her knees, grateful for the comforting rug. She bowed as low as she could, forehead on the floor and legs tucked under her stomach in a dogeza.
"Empress… I humbly beg for your assistance with the Four Holy Swords," she begged, "please, do me the honor of lending your strength and influence to helping not only myself, but Elaina Bishop and all the other students at this school."
Olivia clenched her thighs together, her cheeks flushing with excitement. She resisted the urge to lick her lips, her fingers twitching as they rested on her lap. That damned, impertinent girl who named herself "queen" was now kneeling in front of her, and it was the most glorious feeling of power in the world.
Oof. Olivia might need some alone time after this. Sad to see her doing such shady stuff, but that's the kind of girl she is. We've seen the good sides of her a lot. But that's just one side, I'm sorry to say.