you are a storm in transition (even as these words are being written)
Mairimashita! Iruma-kun
Original Female Character
Summary:
"Doesn't she come from a family of librarians? Always reading books, that's so dull."
Ridicule is no stranger to Paulina, and the feeling of inadequacy is an old companion of hers. The Ars Clan do not have the best of reputation due to their livelihood. But Paulina can't imagine herself being born in a different family. Caretaker of books, protector of secrets, keeper of memories. That is the role her family takes up in this harsh world. Theirs is not less important than the warriors and silver tongued diplomats. But it does wear one's spirit down to be told repeatedly that they are not enough. So a girl with braided hair and freckles folded into herself and stayed in place. Paulina believed she was content with being another librarian in a family full of them, until a chance encounter at Devillum made her realise that perhaps she desire for more.
(In which a girl finds her ambition, consults perhaps too many books, and learns to stand on her own two feet, while the darkness from the deepest crevices of the Netherworld slowly creeps in.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Mairimashita Iruma-kun
Title Nikita Gill
Warning: Typos, grammatical error. English is not my first language
Chapter 2
Paulina woke up bright and early the following morning, yet she didn't feel tired at all. It was almost as if her body was still too excited from last night's events. A couple more hours remained before breakfast, so Paulina decides that this is as good a time as any to write down her strategy plan.
She grabs an unused notebook and her favourite quill pen. Sitting down in front of her desk, Paulina stares at the blank page for a moment before writing down the first words that come into mind.
How can I be a dignified and graceful person?
As soon as she wrote down those words, Asmodeus-sama's face pops into her mind. He is the very embodiment of nobility, that much is true. Lineage, appearance, class, skill. He has everything. But if all Paulina does is copy him then she is no better than an Evidol fan who changes their looks to mimic their favourite celebrity. Making Lady Amaryllis her ideal is even more futile. There's simply no way Paulina can compete with such a great woman. Not even close. Maybe she should ask a different question?
What is a dignified and graceful person?
Dignified. Great Aunt Minnie believes that a noble must wear their dignity like a crown. To give it up is the same as offering their wings to the blade. For demon nobility? It is no different than butchery. Great Aunt Minnie has her share of battles in the courtroom, and she doesn't always come out as the winner, but she always holds her head high as if she is wearing an invisible crown.
Graceful. Mother thinks that a noble must look the part. They will follow the established rules, and they will make it look good. A noble must set an example after all. Paulina doesn't think she makes a good role model, though her teachers always write well behaved on her report cards. That's only because she doesn't cause mischief, unlike her classmates.
Dignified and graceful. Paulina can try to look the part. They can afford new gowns and jewelry. But it's not the same. Lady Amaryllis could wear a potato sack and it wouldn't chip away her elegance. If Paulina is the one who wears it instead it will be social death. No matter what one's wear, it can't disguise incompetence. Paulina can't even walk in high heels for Hell's sake!
Paulina ran a hand over her face. Femininity is not her strongest suit. She doesn't have many strong suits, really. Mother and Great Aunt Minnie tried to mold her into the perfect Lady/Belmont/Demoness her entire life. Her childhood was an endless cycle of lessons. Etiquette, music, dancing, academics, magic, martial arts, and so on. All the things a lady from a noble background should know. She still has those lessons even now. After all, they don't want her to be out of practice. That's how you get caught unaware, Mother once said.
It's a wonder that she even has time for her books and hobbies at all. And she's not perfect. She never gets the perfect mark. But they never call her useless either. They keep challenging her again and again and again until Paulina gets the hang of it.
And now? When she finally found her ambition? There is no way Paulina will let anything stop her.
Maybe she is looking at this the wrong way.
It's not like Lady Amaryllis came out of the womb already mature and elegant like she is now. You can't expect a baby to know the correct order of tableware and how to use every single one of them. Lady Amaryllis must have spent a lot of time polishing herself to be the woman she is at the present. Likewise, books don't appear from the air in an instant. Authors spend an unbelievable amount of time putting their thoughts on paper. They haven't factor in revising, editing, proofreading, and getting them published in the first place.
Behind every great work, there is no small amount of hard work. Hard work accumulates over time. Hours. Days. Weeks. Months. Years. It's slow, hard, and boring. What it is not is lies. It is not given freely, so there is value attached to it.
So what if Paulina can't walk in high heels well now? Why not practice wearing them when nobody can see until she can walk just like Lady Amaryllis does?
As for ranks…
Well, Paulina is an Aleph. Can one even get demoted from Aleph? Her conduct in school guarantees her that she is seen as 'safe' by teachers and faculty members. It is a student's duty to raise their ranking. To raise her rank to Daleth within a year sounds far fetched… Not that it's impossible… But it is better to set up her sights on something she can actually achieve with her current ability.
Authors makes an outline first and then breaks them down into parts. Paulina shall do the same as well.
Raise rank to Bet. Master high heels.
Paulina reads those two sentences over and over again. It's barebone, missing steps, and laughably simple.
It's a plan all the same.
No time like the present. Paulina fishes out a pair of Mary Janes with kitten heels from her wardrobe. Start from the basics. She does like the feeling of being taller, even if it's only an inch.
Grandfather Goetia is already seated at the head of the table when Paulina enters the dining room. He lowered the newspaper he's currently holding to look at her. "Good morning, Paulina."
"Good morning," Paulina replies as she takes her seat. "Anything interesting on the paper?"
"Let's see… Investigation of the Walter Park case is still ongoing," Grandfather flipped a page. "The siege on the northern front is still holding out. Concert tickets for Dande Group Orchestra are sold out this week. Luckily I bought it in time." He folded the newspaper before handing it over to her.
"The guests at last night's Devillum can't stop talking about Walter Park,"" Paulina tells him. "Especially when two people who were involved in the incident attended."
The maid set down her breakfast in front of her. The teapot floats towards her direction. Paulina lifts her cup without looking at it.
"To build a theme park right above a prison center… I don't know if the head of the Ronove clan is a fool or actually clever." Grandfather shakes his head in disgust.
"It's not like he has a choice," Paulina says. "He couldn't find a suitable place to build that theme park of his. All good spots are either taken or under strict restrictions. Since he can't get access to any leylines, he turns to demon power instead."
It is increasingly difficult to get a good land deal these days. Ley lines are the first to be targeted during wars in ancient times for the same reason they are coveted in the first place: they are precious power spots. The last time a leyline exploded it shook the entire continent. As a result they crack down hard on leylines use and safety precautions. Modern conflicts such as the Great Valley War try to avoid these places because it's not worth the risk. Had Walter Park been built near a leyline… They would be reading a different headline today.
Grandfather frowns disapprovingly. "And they say his son is no different from him… At least Rosebelt knows enough to not build a theme park near his ancestral home. The land wouldn't be able to handle the magical load it would take to support both places… A prison breakout would be like a walk in the park compared to that."
"What's this about Ronove Rosebelt?" Great Aunt Minnie appears next to Paulina. "Why are we talking about that gaudy man this early in the morning? Did that man contact you again, Goetia? Tell him that the Ars Clan will not sell any of our property to him."
Before he resorted to making deals with Wlavoras Prison, the Ronove patriarch tried to buy property from other noble families. One of them is Paulina's own family. Great Aunt Minnie had been the one who dealt with him, being the family's solicitor. She can't stand the Ronove patriarch ever since.
"And good morning to you too, Minnie," Grandfather Goetia looked totally nonplussed. "Paulina and I are in the middle of discussing the Walter Park case. And no, Rosebelt hasn't contacted me again."
"Good," Great Aunt Minne takes the seat on Grandfather's left. "That man looked me in the eye and had the nerve to say that libraries fell out of style a long time ago. He said we'll be better off converting them to something else. Like theme parks." She said the last two words with such strong derision Paulina believe that if Ronove Rosebelt is in the room right now he would get a tongue lashing from her great aunt. She could hardly blame her. To tell an Ars to their face that libraries are unimportant. Had they been the short-tempered sort, her clan would have declared a blood feud with the Ronoves already.
Breakfast continues without any mention of Walter Park or Ronove. Father, Mother, Nova and Great Aunt Alma eventually join them. Father asked Great Aunt Minne why the long face. Grandfather answered for her. "Ronove Rosebelt," He simply said. Father made a sympathetic noise and returned to his devilled eggs.
Paulina zeroed in on the purple bags underneath her brother's eyes. "Nova… Did you stay up all night reading again?"
"I'm not a child." Nova makes a valiant attempt to look mature by raising his chin like Mother does sometimes and fixes her a glare, but it's hard to take him seriously when his legs don't even touch the floor. "A child wouldn't be reading the complete work of Dr. Muir Cheartaigh. It's impossible to put down."
"Bold words coming from someone who fell asleep hugging a book," Father teases him.
Nova pouts. "You did that when you were my age too."
"Yes, I did. And then I stopped when I was around your age too."
Nova spluttered while Paulina tittered. The adults around the table let out chuckles.
Her little brother tries to redirect their attention to someone else. "W-Well. Great Aunt Alma has it worse than me."
He's not far off. Great Aunt Alma looks no better than Nova. Paulina knows that she returned to the Ars Estate awfully late last night- or just before cockcrow- that's one way to look at it. The exhaustion is clearly visible on Great Aunt Alma's face. Possibly magical exhaustion too?
She takes a sip of her espresso before turning to address her brother. Nova visibly gulped when he noticed her gaze. "Now, now, great nephew. That's a rude thing to say to a lady. You wouldn't be popular with them if you keep that up."
Nova rolls his eyes. "I don't care about being popular. I have my books."
Ah, to be young and ignorant. Paulina was like that too, once upon a time. She hopes that her brother won't have to learn the same lessons the way she did. By becoming the target for young demons who wanted to test out their sharpened cruelty.
Mother puts down her teacup with an audible 'clink'. "Clearly you need a refresher," She looks on her youngest. "How about an extra hour for today's etiquette lesson?"
Nova's jaw dropped in shock. "Mother."
"It's only fair," Great Aunt Minnie nods. "Since you have shown us that you can afford all those extra hours reading, you are more than able to handle a longer studying session."
Her brother glares at her as if it's Paulina's fault that he got punished. She was the one who pointed out that he had been up past his bedtime, but Nova dug his hole all on his own.
"I almost forgot," Mother said when breakfast was about to end. "We haven't told you, didn't we, Aunt Alma? Paulina danced with Lady Amaryllis' son at the Devillum last night." She and Great Aunt Minnie wear an identical smug look even though it was Paulina who did all the work.
"What!?" Great Aunt Alma spun her head so fast causing her earrings to swing. "Tell me everything. Don't skip any details!"
Paulina fights the urge to rest her head on the table as her elders begin to gossip.
Grandfather Goetia has relieved her from morning duties today, so Paulina has some time to kill. She decided to go up to the attic. They mainly use it to put away furniture they no longer used until an Ars decided to make it their hiding spot. Since then numerous Ars after them go to the attic if they want to be alone. Some wanted to hide from the world for a bit. Others conduct secret experiments there. Half a dozen murder cases occured in this place in the past. (The ones they know of at least.) The truly wild ones would take their lovers to the attic to fool around. At least one Ars was conceived up here, which she unfortunately knew personally from perusing Great-Great-Great Aunt Hélose's diary .
As for Paulina herself, she uses the space for something less dramatic. The attic is dark, dry and has good circulation. Perfect for drying flowers, which she would later press them to make bookmarks. In a clan full of bookworms, bookmarks are always on demand. Paulina made sure they never ran out. It was Great Aunt Beatrix, who liked to dry plants herself, the one who taught her. She likes working with plants. Paulina doesn't have Mother's talent when it comes to gardening, but at least she can do this.
Mignonettes, purple columbines and hellebores hang upside down above the work station. There's also rosemary, thyme and valerian. Paulina inspected each and every single one of them, lightly brushing her finger against the petals and leaves. Almost done. A few more days and then they can be taken down.
She wonders, what plants should she use for her next project? Paulina already completed the alphabet series ages ago. Should she do another one? But with different flowers?
'Let's see… What flower starts with an A?'
Naturally, the first name that pops into her mind is Amaryllis.
Pride. Strength. Determination. Radiant Beauty. Those are the meanings of the flower. They also perfectly describe the great demoness. Not to mention, Lady Amaryllis's hair is the same shade of certain amaryllis species. Though, Paulina imagines she's probably got sick of being compared to those flowers she is named after. If Paulina compared her son to pink sapphire, then Lady Amaryllis is the brilliant pink diamond. The blush of morn. A Lilithian beauty. Paulina couldn't help but wonder what she is like on the battlefield. Is she the incarnation of hellfire? Whisper madness into her enemies' ears? She can very well start wars as well as end them with equal facileness. Ever the embodiment of both virtue and destruction, those of Asmodeus blood.
Come to think of it, Paulina hasn't made any bookmarks from pink amaryllises yet. Maybe she'll do them after all.
Drying flowers is not all Paulina does when she is in the attic. Years ago, she would come up here whenever things got too much. Once she has a good crying session, she can think clearer after that. Paulina still does that now. Sometimes.
How to break it to her family that she has found her ambition without getting scolded at? Mother and Great Aunt Minnie believe that dignity and grace are the bare minimum for a member of nobility. Father will tell her not to take it too seriously. He will then add that Paulina doesn't have to prove herself. She is already perfect in his eyes. Both her great aunts Alma and Beatrix aren't exactly concerned with the whole aristocracy business either, but they are respected in their field of work. Most Arses share the same sentiment. Does that make Paulina an outlier? Too much of a Belmont instead of Ars?
She can handle scorn from her classmates and everyone else, but not from her own family. Her Belmont relatives might be the haughtiest lot she has the misfortune to ever meet, let alone related to, but Paulina does care for their opinion. Even when she shouldn't. As for her real family, their disappointment could send Paulina on her knees.
Still, she must tell them something. If she wants to get promoted, Paulina will need all the help she can get. Books can only help her so far. Mother is the most skilled combatant in their house. Her great aunts each have their own expertise. Father has his fair share of tricks under his belt. And then there's Grandfather Goetia, who glimpsed the dark recesses of the Netherworld and beyond and whose mind didn't crack.
Even though she didn't have her morning duties today, Paulina still faces a full schedule ahead of her. After this she has piano practise, assisting the adults with paperwork, calitechnics, followed by a session with Mother, and library duties after dinner. Meal times and teatime will be her only chance to take a breather. It doesn't have to be today. Paulina can tell them tomorrow. Yet she has this feeling that she will lose nerve the longer she puts this off.
Running away is not an option. Delaying the inevitable will only hurt her chances in the future. If she wants to avoid that scenario, Paulina must tell them today.
Paulina looked at the flowers once more.
Mignonettes means 'Your qualities exceed your charms'. Purple coloured columbines mean 'Resolution to win'. Hellebores have the dual meaning of 'to overcome' and 'calumny'.
What a funny coincidence. Great Aunt Alma would call it a sign. Great Aunt Beatrix would tell her to take inspiration from the flowers. Mother will counter that by saying no daughters of hers will be hung upside down and left to dry.
Paula doesn't put much stock in fortune telling (much to Great Aunt Alma's disappointment), but she is a romantic at heart. She is raised to pay attention. If this is a sign from the universe to go for it, Paulina will heed it.
Tea time, as long Paulina can remember, is always more than just tea and finger food.
When she was still too young she would sit with her stuffed animals, drink imaginary tea from toy cups and dream up issues and solutions. A child royal holding court with her silent subjects. Paulina distinctly remembers addressing herself as 'We'. She believed she could be anything then.
Then tea time became less of playtime and actual tea got involved. The first time the adults included her in their teatime, they handed Paulina a real cup made from porcelain. It made her feel like a grownup. Like someone important. Her hands shook from the weight the whole time.
The day Paulina's hands no longer shook and she adjusted to the bitter taste of black tea on her tongue, Grandfather Goetia didn't say a single thing throughout the tea party. He set down his cup, took her hand and showed her The Library. The crown jewel of the Ars Family. A cornerstone of the Netherworld. Her final resting place.
The Thirteen Crowns hold their meetings over dinner. A Demon's true color reveals itself when a meal is placed in front of them. That is where they cajole, pose, strike. Dinner is when you bare your fangs. But teatime with the Arses goes a bit differently. Paulina received instruction on how to sit still, lie in wait, endure. Teatime is when you show that you showcase your mastery over yourself.
Arses must always be in control over themselves. That is how they survive in this harsh, harsh world they live in.
Paulina let the warmth from the porcelain seep into her skin. She poured honey into her rooibos tea. The blood red liquid is stirred clockwise. Her hands don't shake. Paulina waits for her family to have their first sip before opening her mouth.
"I am aiming for a promotion this semester."
Her family raised their eyes from their teacups.
"Is that so?" Great Aunt Minnie gives her a measuring look.
She resisted the urge to turn her cup in the saucer. "It's the second semester already. Once the year turns there won't be any opportunities to raise my rank anymore."
Well, that's not necessarily true. One can raise their rank in Battra activity. However, the Library Battra in which Paulina is a member of doesn't exactly provide an environment with opportunities to stand out, so promotions within the Library Battler seldom occurred .
"Time flies," Mother set down the teacup. "What do you have this semester?"
"The Dungeon Games and the school play. The latter is done in groups, so the one I should be focusing on is the Dungeon Games," Paulina said.
The Dungeon Games is exactly what it says. First year students will spend a total of 6666 minutes in a special area known as the 'Dungeon'. Every year the structure is built differently but the principle remains the same. Participants must traverse a maze of gigantic scale. The winners are the first three to reach the finish line. First place will be crowned as the 'Young King.' Trust an establishment like Jackapo Underground Institute to come up with this idea of promotion in the form of games.
"It will be difficult," Paulina continues when her audience falls silent. "They put obstacles all over the place. Beasts, plants, enchantments, traps… One needs to be prepared in order to survive four whole days in a place like that." Let alone winning. Paulina will need to give it her all, and then some, if she wants to raise her rank at the Dungeon Games. With her current ability, she won't be able to last a single day.
"With the way I am now, I will be eliminated within the first 12 hours," The admission tasted bitter on her tongue. The truth often is. "Regardless, I don't want to throw in the towel before the game. Not even once. I want to win."
Getting those words out is as difficult as reciting a Tongue Twisting spell. Maybe even more. Paulina never asked her family for a favor this big before. They have every right to refuse. The adults already have their hands full with work and books...
Well, Paulina told them at least. The first hurdle is cleared. Next, she will put together a plan-
"All right," Grandfather Goetia says, interrupting Paulina's train of thought. "I'll write to your great aunt. Beatrix will help with Diabotany. Junior can help with the spells. And Lucy-"
"The training will be harder from now on," Mother says, chin high. "I will not tolerate slacking."
"I know," Paulina smiles, heart swelling with relief and joy.
"I suppose you will be too tired for the evening shifts. You can take leave until the games is over-"
Paulina blinks. "Wha-? No. I can handle it. Please don't take me off the roster." She already skipped one shift. If she doesn't help for an entire month, the backlog will be a nightmare to sort out. Not to mention she will lose her touch. There is an old tome in the library waiting for her to repair it.
Paulina lifts her teacup to her lips once more. The sweetness washed over the bitter taste. She ran her tongue over her fangs behind closed mouth. She will have her toast of victory in time, with a crown on her head and ambition on her shoulders, and Paulina will bare her fangs proudly.
1. No, Paulina is not a Babyls student. Otherwise she might have said something or we'll hear about it from her POV in canon. It is too much work to create a whole new demon school from scratch so I'll use the one already mentioned in canon; Jackapo.
2. Muir Cheartaigh is the original Irish version of the name Moriarty. It's actually Muircheartaigh but I split it into two. I thought it would be fitting that the Netherworld will have their own version of Sherlock Holmes with Moriarty as the main character.
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