Chapter 6 - Tea Time

London - Year 2014

Anyone assigned to sick leave was not allowed to return to the workplace for the duration of their recovery. She was supposed to stay home to recuperate. However, compliance with rules and discipline had never been Adelaide's strong suit. In this case, she still had a pile of papers to return to the students, and even if she couldn't return them personally, the professor could give them to her colleagues so that they could pass them on. In addition, she still had some things to get back, which, given the situation, she would not leave in her locker in the teacher's lounge.

Her knee was still sore from the previous day's events, but she could walk.

Her tension eased as she walked the familiar corridors of the London Academy of Magic. While it wasn't as well known as Oxford or Eton, the building had the same ancient nobility in its architecture, being one of the miracles of the World War II bombings. It was a lively place, teeming with students who came to study there, a true melting pot of future researchers from countless countries around the world.

It was already a bit quieter in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon, when students and teachers were busy with their classes or rooted to the library for their research.

By this second half of the day, Adelaide had judged the place to be uncrowded enough that she could move around without fear of a crowd. While her sprained knee was not too serious, the tearing she had endured from that mysterious Servant the day before had reignited the pain and inflammation, so she had to wear a knee brace and crutch for the day. She had to wait for her spiritual powers to return enough to channel them into her magic crystals to complete her healing. Being a mage had its advantages.

The teacher of earth magic had chosen to put on a large pair of beige pants with pockets, a shirt with red three-quarter sleeves, good walking shoes and a short jacket with many pockets, filled with her usual tools. She wore a backpack as light as possible, distributing the weight on her shoulders and her back.

Its plan had proceeded without encumbers until then. No incident had been reported, no suspicious presence, no student to slow down her progress and risk affecting her discretion.

The doors of the teacher's room, located on the second floor, were open to him. At this hour, there was very little chance that any of her colleagues would be there, having to be in class.

Leaning on her crutch, she managed with her free arm to open one of the doors, which were always so heavy and particularly recalcitrant to be used, especially without noise.

The room was, as she had hoped, quite deserted at this hour. Satisfied, the Frenchwoman moved to her locker and took out her keys to unlock it, also removing the security seal. She was transferring several files and materials when a confident voice called out to her from behind.

- Well, we don't even say hello anymore?

Not being able to hold back a startle, Adelaide let slip some files, which spread out on the table, while turning over with the vivacity which she did not have any more currently. The short beats in her chest subsided as she recognized her interlocutor, reassuring her support on her crutch. Running a hand through her hair, she smiled and replied cheerfully.

- Rin! By all the gods, warn me next time. You almost gave me a stroke!

- Oh sorry, I didn't know you had a heart condition.

Rin Tohsaka, one of the most feared, demanding, and respected teachers at the academy, stood a few feet away from the doors, her hands resting on her hips. Dressed in a dark red trench coat, a white top, black pants close to her figure and high brown boots with wide heels, her younger sister of almost ten years was giving her a sharp look. Her elegant features framed by long black hair left free were frowned by annoyance.

- Let's just say I've had my share of thrills lately. How have you been?

- Fine, although I would have liked my first choice of best man to be at my wedding.

A grimace escaped the teacher for a brief moment. Ouch, with everything that had happened, she had totally forgotten about this clumsiness on her part. Rin had married Shirou almost a month and a half ago, which had hardly surprised their close friends. Many acquaintances had wondered how Emiya had managed to get the hand of one of the most talented and courted ladies in the English mages. In her eyes, Shirou's perseverance had finally paid off. She had laughed out loud when Rin had told her about the circumstances of her proposal: a firework display of magic in the middle of a trip to Scotland. Of course, Rin had grumbled about the imprudence of his initiative, about the risks he had taken, but had accepted her proposal.

Adelaide's smile softened as she sat down on the nearest chair before resuming.

- Waver told me about the ceremony, I'm sorry I had the unexpected expedition to Italy. I was so honored that you chose me and I really wanted to be there for you. I will make up for the birth and baptism of your children, I imagine that is in your plans.

- It is indeed possible that this is part of it.

- My sincerest congratulations and my deepest apologies Rin. I will be there for the next time.

- I hope so! If you miss the birth of my first child, I'm afraid I'll have to remove you from my list of friends permanently. It would be a shame if you had me as an enemy, wouldn't it?

- Yes, it would be a shame. I won't let you down. Anyway, you look great. What's been going on for the past two months? How are Shirou and Sakura doing?

- Oh you know them, they're fine. I take care of them of course, without me they would be lost. How about you? Are you able to take care of your Waver between two escapades?

- You know him, he's the same. We've been taking time to reconnect these past few days. It's amazing how being near the reaper tends to make you realize what and who you care about most.

- Better late than never. It's nice if a big scare might have changed your mind a little.

- Aha, I admit that I can be a bit hard-headed and slow on the uptake.

- Just a little. Let's go have a chat at a coffee shop. After all you're not supposed to be here.

- I'd love to! I thought you had a class this afternoon though, did the schedule change?

- Yes, we rearranged our class schedule. You would have known that if you'd been to the teachers' meetings for the past five months.

- I would have paid more attention if Robert wasn't so sleepy. I'll leave the coffee choice to you, you always had a nose for a good place to eat. We'll go at my own pace, though, I won't be able to keep up with you with this gear," Adelaide commented, pointing to her crutch.

- Very well. We will take all the time that it will be necessary for you to advance.

Confirming their agreement with a nod, Professor Fleury placed the folder of her papers in the internal mailbox of one of her classmates, with an explanatory note, before rising with difficulty. Saying "no" to Rin Tohsaka was both a feat and a folly.

And then, it had indeed been a while since they had had a girls' night out.

These old-fashioned teahouses and bars were becoming more and more rare, in the era of multinational chains such as Starbucks or Mac Do Café. They became less and less numerous as the clientele sought to combine the quality of the products, the comfort of the place and an appropriate quality/price ratio. The woodwork of the tea room chosen by her young colleague reflected her taste for refinement and the high quality of the pastries, hot chocolate, tea and coffee.

The seats and benches were not uncomfortable, covered with a soft leather surface.

Two steaming teapots had been placed on the table, along with two cups of delicate tea service and a plate of delicious scones, one of the few dishes worthy of being enjoyed by Adelaide. As soon as they were served, waiting for their teas to brew, the French mage spoke again.

- Come on, tell me about it. What about Sakura, how is she doing?

- Oh she's doing well. She's done what I thought was impossible: she's turned the disgusting magic of the Matou into something... positive.

- Positive? It seems hard to imagine from what I've heard about their magic, but I believe you! So what has she accomplished?" Professor Fleury commented curiously.

- She is beginning to cure more and more complicated diseases. At this rate, in a few years, I think she'll have cured cancer," Rin told her without hiding her pride.

- It's a tough job, but it's a noble cause, to her credit. Give her my regards when you get a chance. What about your intrepid loved one? Still in Greece?

- Still, I'm afraid. You know how he is.

- Too selfless and generous for his own good. Humanitarian missions still appeal to him, it seems. I hope he'll visit us soon. You must admit that you wouldn't mind.

- No, I don't mind admitting it.

- Time flies! Sometimes it seems like yesterday was your graduation day from the Academy. And now here you are, a professor emeritus and you two are happily married.

Adelaide had known Rin and Shirou when they had studied at the London Academy of Magic, after Waver had introduced them to her. Shirou's friendly nature had naturally endeared her to the Franco-British woman, and despite or because of Rin's more fiery temperament, the two women had become very good friends over time. Her former young protégé had become an exceptional lady, full of promise.

- Like what, we can still surprise you, commented Rin while sipping a mouthful of tea.

- Still happy! Life would be very sad without surprises and other twists and turns.

Checking his watch to see how much time had passed, the archaeologist carefully removed the tea ball from his teapot and placed it on a nearby bowl, watching Rin do the same out of the corner of his eye. Taking her cup in one hand, she enjoyed the sweet flowery scent of the blue tea she had chosen, before turning her attention back to Rin when she resumed their discussion.

- Now that you're home, are you going to think about settling down and maybe starting a family?

- We've been thinking about it for years. Between my overseas assignments, our respective classes and students, his responsibilities to the Academy and the Council... it's been a little tricky. As soon as we get our schedules and plans and agendas in line, we'll give it serious consideration. We should already put our marriage project back on the agenda, before anything else...

- Well, what are you waiting for? It's not as if you lack passion.

- No, I don't. Just time to get down to the business of planning and setting a date. I guess we both haven't taken enough time to settle down in the last few years. Workholics, it seems.

- Not to change.

- What can I say, we are passionate. At least that puts some animation in the household.

- Of course, but this passion has to be transformed, to make it produce fruits!

- Of course, of course. I will see with him if he is still motivated. You will be the first to know if anything changes, as much on the subject of "marriage" as on the subject of "children".

- I still hope you'll have something new soon. After all, I might be a grandmother before you become a mother at this rate.

- Aha, let's not overdo it. I'm not sure his patience will last until then.

- Oh you think so?

- I hope so. If not, it means we'll have missed out on something important.

- Which would be a shame, wouldn't it?

- Yes, it would.

Adelaide's expression became more pensive as she took a few sips of her oolong tea. Uruk had at least the benefit of making her rethink her priorities, in order of importance according to her personal criteria. Her professional career had nothing left to prove, and neither did her reputation as a mage. She had never aimed for excellence in all areas, and was more than satisfied to excel in the specialties she had chosen to pursue over the years.

- And so, even if you did your Egyptian campaign like Napoleon, what did you bring back as obelisks and other plundered treasures... sorry, saved?

A light burst of frank laughter escaped Adelaide, who was not annoyed by this old Rin-like joke.

- You will find some of it in the Academy, the British Museum, the Baghdad Museum and the Louvre Museum. Some furniture, parchments, wax tablets, pottery... what could be exfiltrated in ten days of excavation. Alas, the major part of the pieces had to be destroyed by the terrorists at this time. I console myself at least by saying that the most dangerous artifacts and magical items could be put in safety, the time that calm returns to Baghdad. Of course, the pieces will be restored to Iraq once peace returns, the curators are sure of the national conservation facilities and expertise, or agreements are signed.

- You have time to get grey hair. By then, you'll have time to study them.

- It's the least I can do for my colleagues who didn't make it back.

Rin's expression darkened as her own features became more serious.

- I'm sorry for the friends and colleagues you lost.

- We were aware of the risks, and willing to take them to protect this unique heritage. At least there will be some traces and remnants of it left when the war is over, maybe one day.

- One day, maybe.

- That being said, the ruins were fascinating!" exclaimed Adelaide with renewed enthusiasm.

For long minutes, the archaeologist described to her the architectural splendors and the bare magnificence of the ancient citadel plunged into the desert. Even thus ravaged, the vestiges kept a certain majesty to which were sensitive the connoisseur eyes. Adelaide told her about the beauty of the city as it was depicted in the ancient texts and clay tablets that she had studied during her dissertation, thesis and university work. She described to her the refinement of the ancient objects that she had seen dating from this period, both on the excavation site, in her own cabinet and in museums around the world.

- It is revolting to think that such a jewel will be reduced to pieces, but it was rich in lessons. We may be able to get a more accurate mapping of the plans for Uruk, or rather Warka now. This could significantly advance our research and fight against the oblivion willed by these fanatics, concluded the professor in a more measured voice.

- Ah, if only. I sincerely hope so, but you know as well as I do that human stupidity has no limits, Rin commented in a rather disillusioned voice.

- I know it. Hence the importance of our role with the young people to make them aware of these issues and to involve them in the safeguarding of their heritage. I am not worried about the future of the Academy's chair, the doctoral and post-doctoral students are very promising and we have good, motivated researchers who bring enough results to justify our existence to the administration. To educate, to fight against human madness, replied Adelaide with passion.

- Do you think we can really do anything about human folly?

- After what I saw there? No, not really. I'm not going to give up though.

- Very brave.

- No, not really. I just don't want to give in to the uneducated.

After the disgusting spectacle she had witnessed, Adelaide was all the more determined despite the latent trauma of the incident. After a short silence, Rin commented in a calm voice.

- Well, I understand you.

- I just need some time. To rest, to take care of my couple and my relatives. I'm thinking of following the advice of the occupational health department for once and taking a few days off.

- Good! Did you get sick by any chance?

- I have worried parents to reassure and it's been a long time since Waver and I took a vacation. It won't hurt us to see other landscapes besides the desert and the smog.

They also talked for several long minutes about the places they could visit, the French gastronomy and their good wines. The discussion turned for a while around the daily life of the Academy, the turpitude of their students and the news of the teachers. The exchange was so lively that if she had not been attentive by nature, Adélaïde would not have realized the discreet enchantment of sound isolation woven by her younger colleague. The latter's features regained all their seriousness when she replied on another subject.

- Adelaide, you who travel a lot. Have you seen or heard anything strange during your travels?

- Strange? Define what you mean by "strange", it's too broad otherwise. I am surrounded by "strange" on my expeditions, especially to the ruins of ancient mage civilizations.

- Indeed, it is notable to say the least. Did you see any unusual magical activity there? Anything that caught your eye?

- mm... I didn't see anything unusual in Ireland, Italy or Iraq. I mean, outside of the usual unusual. However, I have heard French friends talk about suspicious disappearances near Paris.

- And what do you think could be the cause?

- I haven't looked into it. You know, it's not that uncommon for bad things to happen in Paris. It's the capital. You should ask Parisian colleagues like Professor Renoir, he's well informed about these things. If he hadn't already been into philosophy and alchemy, I wouldn't have been surprised if this curious fellow had done a master's in criminology.

- What do you take me for? I've already thought about it and he hasn't taught me anything new.

- You should insist more. I know the animal well, having shared his den for a few years. He likes to do the difficult, the unattainable, it gives him a certain air. Try to teach him something interesting in return, I'm sure he'll be much more talkative. If he's really reluctant, you send him to me. He has rarely been able to refuse me for long.

- We all know he's never been able to say no to you. You've always had a hold on him.

Adelaide didn't miss the amused glint in Rin's eye, which made her frown before she let out a slight laugh and then replied after a sip of tea.

- I wouldn't go that far! We were mostly roommates for a long time. We had a fling before I came to London to study, but that's all in the past.

- Come on. I thought you liked your old French roommate.

- As a friend, yes, but not more. There's no ambiguity about that. You know how I am.

- Oh I know that today, things are platonic between you. By the way, you didn't wear gloves before. Have you become vain?

Although she tried to keep an affable and warm air, the remark had intrigued her as much as it had alerted her. The attack a few hours earlier had been a wake-up call, and while she trusted Rin, she could not open up to her, not in these places, not under these circumstances. Fortunately, Adelaide had anticipated this question and planned an appropriate response.

- The gloves? Oh, no! It's medical. I bruised them in Uruk while trying to make my way through the rocks after the rocket collapsed the palace I was in.

- That's clever. We can get Sakura to fix that for you if you want. It would take a moment.

- Don't worry, I've got it covered at home. With my mother being an herbalist and my knowledge of magic crystals, I can handle it. With all my travels, I had better have some basic knowledge of healing anyway. I think Sakura has enough patients who need her healing skills more than I do.

- Stay with your bad temper, if you want to keep a wounded hand that could have satisfied your future husband.

- Aha, he wouldn't have to wait long! We'll see what time the Council of Mages releases him... I doubt he'll last long tonight.

- I trust you to take good care of him, but you are a fool not to let yourself be helped by this wound, this mark that is surely eating away at you.

This discussion was becoming uncomfortable, but she had to put on a brave face and pretend she wasn't making the potential report. Her poker face had often been a great help during her travels. Adelaide didn't like having to use it against a friend, but she wouldn't hesitate. Without losing any of her enthusiastic and warm smile, the archaeologist answered in a good-natured tone.

- I have my French dignity, what do you want. Proud as a rooster and stubborn as a mule. I will first try by my own means. Thank you however for your offer, I will not forget it.

- I hope you will be able to take this extended hand one day.

- I don't doubt it Rin. Sooner or later, you always get your way.

The two women looked at each other calmly, both aware that they were not as ignorant as they made themselves out to be. Rin never spoke idle words, Adelaide knew her younger sister well enough to know that. The archaeologist waited patiently for her young colleague to speak again, which she did after a weary sigh.

- Not always, otherwise you would have already answered my simple proposal.

- Well, you have to resist a little sometimes. Isn't that what made you melt with Shirou?

- I can neither confirm nor deny this statement.

Adelaide didn't answer her, but gave her her usual wide, warm and amused smile that implied what she wasn't saying. Grabbing the last remaining scone, she slowly ate it between sips of tea as the two women watched each other. There was no real hostility, just a great deal of attention to each other's reactions.

When it was time to go home, Adelaide put a friendly hand on her shoulder.

- Take care of yourself and yours, Rin. It's the most important thing for both of us.

- And don't forget that you're not alone.

Nodding her head in agreement, Adelaide waved her hand before walking away, one step at a time, in the direction of the bus leading to the mage town where they lived. Her crutch didn't allow her to go as fast as she wanted. Yes, she would take care of her wounds first tonight as soon as she finished making the magic crystals. The discussion with Rin had been as entertaining as it had been intriguing, reinforcing her concerns.

She looked up at the sky, darkened by heavy, inky gray clouds. The weather was stormy.

The professor did, however, take a detour to do some last-minute shopping. With their two new residents, whose appetites were as ferocious as their eagerness to fight video games or exercise, replenishing their pantry would certainly not be superfluous. Waver probably wouldn't be back at the mansion early, so she was in no hurry in terms of time.

It was with relief that she temporarily deactivated the estate's reinforced security to enter the mansion, making sure to reinstall it as soon as the door was closed. No sooner had she put down her shopping bags for a moment to catch her breath than she heard a voice calling out to her.

- Hi!

Adelaide then noticed Archer standing in the doorway of a nearby room. Smiling despite her preoccupation with Rin, she replied.

- Hi Godric! I hope you had a good day. Our friend is not with you tonight?

- He's trying to make that poor fiancé of yours smile a little, bored as he is in a seemingly endless meeting.

- He will probably be the best to cheer him up a little. You didn't get too bored?

- No, I continued my Zelda after I made sure you were on your way home.

- Good for you. I was able to do some shopping so we'll have something to do for several days. I was surprised to see you on the first floor when I got home. Were you waiting for me or for someone?

Gil followed her into the kitchen as she carried the bags to put the food in their place. She was just finishing emptying the bag when he casually replied.

- I thought it was the brunette coming back. You know, your red-clad friend.

- Ah, you must be talking about Rin. I didn't think she would come to the mansion. What did she want?

- She told me you had a hand injury, apparently. You didn't tell me that.

- I'm not, it was my only plausible explanation for wearing the gloves.

- Ah, it's just that you lied to your best friend.

- I don't like it Gil, but you can't be too careful. Especially after the latest incident. At best I wouldn't want to involve her, at worst I just want to be careful.

- Oh, you don't trust your best friend? Unless of course she's not your best friend.

- I trust her, and yes she is my best friend. And that's why I can't wait to get away from the Academy and my surroundings before things get serious.

She was trying to think about it, her hands busy in the kitchen for many, many minutes.

The attack of this mysterious Servant haunted her thoughts, especially the ease with which she had broken into the estate and defeated the security they had carefully crafted with Waver. Such ease was uncommon, except for someone very skilled in magic, very powerful, or very familiar with the estate. This Servant had managed to block her before she could call upon her magic crystals, as if she knew her magical specialties and their prerequisites perfectly. She couldn't figure out the exact intentions of this unknown Servant. She had not sought to kill them initially, she had only been aggressive when she had been spotted and when Archer and then Assassin had revealed their presence to repel her intrusion.

If they were being watched and suspected to this extent, Adelaide feared that someone might attack their surroundings, just as she feared that someone might be well informed about them. She didn't know who to fully trust, other than Waver, Dorian and their own Servants.

Who could she really trust in these circumstances, with these troubling elements?

- It's a shame, though. You know why," Gil said, following her with his piercing gaze.

- Tell me," replied Professor Fleury.

- The servant who accompanied her seemed devilishly terrifying.

- It's rare to hear you say that. Does she intimidate you that much?

- She brings back bad memories, but I couldn't tell you which ones.

- Could you tell me what she looked like? Adelaide asked.

- She looked a lot like your friend without the red eyes, the pink-red flowered kimono and the purple parasol. One could even say a twin sister, only much more demonic.

So that was what Adelaide feared. Rin was involved in this Grail War, hence her insistence on her mark. The teacher let her gaze rest on Archer, concerned.

Gil had stopped. His eyebrows were furrowed and his features darkened, devoid of the slightest smile. Running a hand through his blond hair, the Servant looked both concerned and annoyed. Adelaide noticed that the boy's other hand had closed into a fist and was shaking for some reason. Was it fear or anger? The archaeologist did not know.

Sketching a reassuring smile, the professor briefly put a hand on the Servant's shoulder.

- Whoever it is, we'll deal with it. I have confidence in you and I have several cards up my sleeve.

- I don't know if my chains alone will be enough, but together we'll get somewhere.

Despite his worried look, Archer's expression became more resolute. Adelaide nodded briefly with a confident smile. They would do their best and decide when the time was right. Professor Fleury took advantage of the silence to reflect for a few moments on recent events.

The Servant he was referring to must not be the pink-haired woman they had faced before. Although formidable, she had not frightened him. To leave such an impression on him... this one had to be much more formidable. This must be especially true since Rin was an exceptional mage. The question of memories intrigued the teacher, however.

Gil was not in full possession of his memories. Was this a normal consequence of his unusual appearance or was it partial amnesia?

Adelaide didn't insist, however, since Archer didn't seem inclined to talk about it. He immediately turned the subject away when he spoke again, coming back to stand at her level.

- At least your friend does not seem to hold it against you. It is your French side, you are modest.

- We'll talk about it with the others when we've had a chance. It's ready, you'll just have to heat it up. I will go to sleep for my part, I am not very hungry. You can wait for them if you want.

- You shouldn't go to bed on an empty stomach, especially if you're... hurt.

- Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'll make it up to you at breakfast. Good game and good night.

- Good night, early bird!

Taking off her apron, she washed the dishes and prepared the table, leaving the meal in a proper storage box in the refrigerator. She had been sleeping poorly the last few nights, feeling tired from the day and longing only for a good night's sleep, aided by sleeping pills and far removed from the horror visions of the butchery of Uruk and the ruins collapsing on her head.

Things were becoming more and more complex with each passing day.

More than ever, Adelaide could hear the thunder of the approaching storm on the horizon.