Cloud Nine Dispenser, a mai hime fanfic

CLOUD NINE DISPENSER | CHAPTER I: MORROW'S DEBUT

"Hey, Natsuki. Don't you think Viola radiates an 'ara ara' energy?" Mai quizzed over their dinner within the hall. "Look at her, she even carries that fan everywhere with her!" Pointing an idle index finger towards the Pearl, the Zipangese Princess tilted her head. "Didn't you become her mentee today too?"

"Huh?" Natsuki glanced over her shoulder towards the opposite table. Sure enough, the NO.1 Pearl sat with a fan folded by her plate. She was utterly surrounded by the Corals—even some Pearls. Natsuki couldn't help but stare, not quite understanding what she was feeling. "Earl to Natsuki?" Mai's voice interjected her quickly distracted demeanor. Blinking hard at the hand waving in front of her face, Natsuki's face scrunched up. "What? Ara ara is…?"

"An 'ara ara' type is a woman—sometimes an elder sister—who is elegant, gentle but also firm. She gives you a sense of apprehension, like you always need to keep your guard up around her." Explanation concluding, Mai's lips twitched into an amused smile. "You like her, don't you?"

"W-what?! I don't!" Natsuki nearly squawked as a blush smeared her face. This embarrassment only persisted as her roommate burst out laughing. "S-shut it, Tokiha!" Angling herself away from the redhead, Natsuki turned her nose up.

Having witnessed everything, Shizuru's interest immediately piqued. What were they talking about? Her gaze shifted between the Princess and Aries Republican. Though the latter intrigued her greatly. That's… Kruger, yes? Wasn't that the Coral she would be mentoring?

"You never answered my question, Natsuki!"

Brushing her fingertips to her lips, Shizuru's attention slowly returned to her fanbase. These students were the most vocal ones. Though evidently cute, they were rather tiresome. "Girls, you should finish your meals before break ends." She shooed them off successfully, the students clearly disappointed. Left to her own devices, Shizuru's gaze scoped along Tokiha and Kruger once again. Actually, every time she saw these two, they were arguing like an old couple. Fascinating indeed. Her lips quirked into a smile.

Dinner finished, Shizuru rose to her feet and placed her folded fan atop her tray. Lifting everything, she strode towards the bickering Corals'. "Good afternoon." She introduced herself. Tokiha looked to her instantly. Curiously, a highly amused smirk crossed the royal's features. Raising an eyebrow faintly, Shizuru's attention lowered to Natsuki who eyed her warily. "Is something the matter, Kruger?"

"N-nothing."

"Hm." Shizuru smiled charmingly, disarming the underclasswoman swiftly. "Tokiha." She picked her gaze up to regard the redhead. "I heard that the NO.2 Pearl is your mentor. Congratulations."

"Thanks. Aren't you Natsuki's too?" Mai placed her knife and fork down upon her plate, having just finished. "She's been so exci—Tokiha!—ted to meet you." Her grin widened as she transferred her attention to Natsuki. Sticking her tongue out at the older student playfully, she asked: "Could you please tell me about Armitage? Like Natsuki I only found out this morning that she's my mentor."

"Of course." These two were something else. Not to mention, Kruger's blush was cute. "Haruka Armitage is the second ranking Pearl and like myself, a Trias member. She hails from the Aries Republic and deems herself my rival." Though, Shizuru didn't believe she was. "She shall tell you more, I am sure." In fact… her gaze swept towards the crowd amassing by the hall's entrance.

"Haruka! Do you have a minute?" — "It's the second Trias!" — "C-can you explain this?"

"Maybe later!" The blonde pushed through the crowd before turning her back on the hall. "Does anyone know where Tokiha is?"

"Tokiha?" — "The Princess?"

All eyes within the hall locked upon Mai who glanced at Natsuki in response. W-what was this burning stare she was receiving?

"There you are!" Haruka Armitage marched towards their table. Making a face at Shizuru, she grumbled before sitting herself down beside Mai. "Oi, you." She caught Shizuru's attention. "Yeah, you. Tea woman, shove off."

"But Haruka, I am also with my Coral mentee." The Windbloomer chuckled in spite of her 'rival's' annoyance. "Kruger, may I sit beside you?" Receiving an apprehensive nod, she placed down her tray and sat down. "I am sure it will be better like this, no?" The NO.1 Pearl was unfazed by their unwanted attention. If anything, she revelled within it. "Your name is Natsuki, yes?"

"Er—yeah." Natsuki was taken aback.

"As you very likely know already, my name is Shizuru Viola." The Windbloomer introduced herself flawlessly. Resting her forearms atop the table, she interlocked her fingers. "The Grandmeister chose you as my mentee this morning."

"Ah. It's good—to meet you, I mean." The Republican smiled stiffly. Natsuki had always been awful with social situations. Nevermind with people completely out of her league. She was uncertain about her mentor, but excited as well. Ever since learning about Shizuru Viola, she had admired her. Up until now, it had been impossible to speak with her properly. That fanbase of Shizuru's annoyed the hell out of her. "What happens now?"

"During the afternoon yourself and Tokiha shall be called to the Trias office. Grosse is yet to receive her mentee, but we expect the appointed Coral to join us.

Grosse. Natsuki visibly winced. She was a scary one; Gods' help whoever ended up being mentored by her. At that moment, the nearby clocktower rang out, declaring that break was over. "I'll see you after class?" Natsuki stood up and gathered everything onto her tray.

"Absolutely." Shizuru smiled before rising herself.

"...Also." Haruka leaned close to Mai to whisper into her ear. "Don't trust that tea woman!"

"Oh, really?" Mai wasn't sure whether to take her mentor half seriously. Nevertheless, she also stood. "I've heard that your sponsor is the Chrysant family." They were a powerhouse who for generations had ruled over Windbloom's metropolitan police.

"Yeah." The blonde crossed her arms proudly. "The Armitage and Chrysant family actually have close connections." It was only natural she would become their newest Meister Otome. "You're from Zipang, right?" Tapping a knuckle along her lips thoughtfully, Haruka's face scrunched up. "A Princess. Aren't you the next in line?"

"Who me?" Mai laughed. "Even if I became Empress, I'd only be temporary until a male relative replaced me."

"What?" They lined up within the queue where the trays would be left. "That's a load of crap." Haruka muttered.

"Maybe?" The Princess shrugged. "I accepted it years ago. I doubt I'd make a good Empress anyway."

"Have some pride in yourself!" Haruka interjected, surprising the redhead. "We'll have to work on that."

Later, once afternoon classes had finished, Natsuki stretched within her chair. Releasing a relieved groan, she dropped her pen atop her textbook. Today was certainly weird. Propping an elbow to her armrest, she allowed her arm to limp. Sweeping her gaze along the classroom, she caught stares of jealousy. Shaking her head, she moved her attention to Mai. "What's up with you, anyway? You've been quiet ever since Armitage started whispering at you." What had she told her?

"Nothing much." The Princess smiled, causing Natsuki to quirk a brow. "She seems to dislike Viola for some reason."

Weren't those two notorious for their rivalry—or well, Armitage? Whenever Natsuki heard about Armitage, she was causing a stir because of Shizuru. "Well, whatever." Closing her textbook, she crammed it inside her briefcase with the pen. Rising to her feet, she then swung it over a shoulder. "You drive me insane most of the time, Tokiha." She ignored the odd look Mai shot her. Steinberg was heading their way.

"Ah. Tokiha, Kruger." The rookie instructor smiled. "You should both head upstairs to the Trias office. Congratulations on your mentorship." Yukariko Steinberg was the newest edition to the administration staff. She had been a year above Viola and Armitage. "Bianchi, you are to head there too."

Laura is Grosse's mentee? Oh sweet Fumi, Natsuki wasn't jealous in the faintest. "Bianchi." She nodded to the faintly taller woman.

"Kruger."

The three Coral mentees exited the classroom and made their way towards the stairs. Here, the corridor was crammed with students. "Does anyone know you were chosen yet?" Natsuki inquired Laura.

"Not yet, no." She had kept it to herself to avoid the spite. It was exhausting how hateful and jealous girls could get. "How's Armitage and Viola?"

"Armitage's surprisingly erratic." Mai remarked, not surprising Laura in the faintest. "She explained the whole Trias system and then warned me to stay away from Viola. In two minutes, no less!" She sighed. Mai feared her head would continually spin around Haruka.

"I had no idea." Laura quirked a brow. "Kruger?" She turned her attention to Natsuki as they climbed the stairs.

"She's nice?" Natsuki shrugged. Other than knowing about Viola, she didn't actually know her. Climbing the final step, she yelped when her back was slapped. "T-Tokiha!" She accused, the Princess merely laughing in response. "What was that for?!"

"You love her to bits, Natsuki! You've admired her since we met!"

"Ugh." Natsuki ignored her, marching towards the Trias office. Sometimes, Mai was absolutely insufferable. Founder, help her. Rapping her knuckles against the door, she opened it the moment she heard a voice.

"Come in."

"I still think the survival hike should be earlier." Armitage grumbled beside Grosse by the central, oval table. Paperwork cluttered this table entirely; it was clear these related to the hike. "By the time we had ours, it was easy!"

"That's because you weren't a bottom-achieving Coral, Armitage." Grosse pointedly stared at her before her attention moved to the door Viola had opened. Resting an arm against the back of her seat, she observed their freshly appointed mentees.

"Ah, Tokiha!" Haruka waltzed over to Mai and dragged her towards the table. "Sit down! We are talking about the survival hike."

"Er, right?" The Princess could only muster a reply as she was shoved down by the shoulder.

"Do not push the poor girl so hard." Shizuru rebuked softly, but nevertheless chuckled. Closing the door, she addressed Natsuki fully. "Did your lessons run smoothly?"

"I guess?" Natsuki shrugged, aware that the Pearl's hand hovered beside her arm. It turns out that Shizuru was guiding her towards the table. Obeying the social cue, she sat herself down beside Mai. "What is this?" She blinked down at the multitude of papers scattering the workplace. There were charts, risk assessments, reports and even questionnaires littered before her.

"Haphazard planning, I am afraid." Shizuru stood beside Natsuki, floating a hand before a particular document. It mapped out the survival hike's location—wherever that was, anyway. "Haruka, I suggest that we concentrate on the Foundering Ceremony. It is the upcoming festival, after all."

"I agree." Grosse nodded firmly, flicking her fingers towards Laura. "Don't just stand there, come on over." The third Trias gestured to the empty chair beside her which was hesitantly taken.

No one ever went along with her plans! Haruka could only grumble, crossing her arms as she remained standing too. "Whatever. But I still think the survival hike should start earlier!"

Were these meetings always like this? Natsuki glanced between the two whose stare was affixed. After a moment, Haruka relented and headed for a nearby cupboard, muttering along the way. "Stupid tea woman." She mumbled almost incoherently. Natsuki glanced Shizuru's way, noticing that the elder was immensely amused.

"As you are Corals—" Shizuru motioned at Laura, Mai and Natsuki. "—I will brief you about the festival." The second Pearl had returned, and unceremoniously dumped a pile of documentation against the table. Unfazed, she sifted through these papers until she found leaflets. Handing them out to the Corals, she continued: "The Founding Ceremony is a celebration of Garderobe's history, triumph and memory. During this time, Garderobe is open to the public and offers students excellent work experience. Many of my upperclasswomen found suitable Masters this way."

That sounded like an absolute drag. Natsuki flipped the paper around absently. It looked like a typical advertisement for an event or location. There were pictures of Garderobe's landmarks such as the Grandmeister's Memorial. A map was even included, though none of the underground was visible, which made sense. The public weren't supposed to know it existed.

"What will we be doing during this?" Laura asked, indicating to herself, Mai and Natsuki. "Since we're your mentees, does that mean we'll be with you?"

"Correct." Shizuru smiled. "We shall discuss the details at a later date. For now, we can relax and become better acquainted."

A/N: This is a community driven story I'm writing with the Mai-HiME & Mai-Otome Discord (the invite link is on my profile). You're completely welcome to throw around ideas for this one. Currently an antagonist is being planned, however a few characters are restricted from being chosen. PS. This story takes heavily from the anime and manga.

Restricted Antagonists

Tomoe Marguerite
Yukariko Steinberg
Natsuki Kruger
Shizuru Viola
Nagi Dai Altai
Arashi Dai Altai

Considered Antagonists

Sergei August Taiki
Reito Minagi.

Admin/Naming Conventions

Founder: Grandmeister
A Column: Ambassador
II Column: Headmaster
III Column: Archmeister
IV Column: Spymaster
V Column: Police Chief

Mentor/Mentee List