Author's Notes:
Important announcement: I have been drawing a lot lately due to the pandemic forcing me home. You can go to my Twitter AccurateSpino to see all my LWA fanarts. Its 85% Croix and 15 % Chariot, though (I do occasionally draw ancient and medieval military stuff too since last week).
And very recently I uploaded my imagining of what Jericho should look. You'll know when you see it. That's not the final design or anything but my attempt at tweaking his look. It's been a while since I give his appearance any thought, and I judged his old look is pretty difficult to draw, so I decided to revisit his design. Maybe someday soon I'll make a poll with options of how he looks and you can vote on it, and the winning design becomes Jericho's official design and the fanfic's cover photo. I also plan on drawing scenes from this fanfic if I could. I'm telling you all this in this opening author's notes so that if by chance you like the new design, you can use that in your head as you read this chapter.
In any case, show me your support of this idea through reviews here or comments on my Twitter (I don't have a lot of followers there so more activity would be nice). Just like my fanfics, it hypes me up when I get feedback on anything I made ^^
Alright, that's enough about me. Now's the time for the chapter. I just finished reading Iliad so if you find such romantic and rosy choice of words, now you have an explanation.
And this chapter and the next still takes place in Chariot's perspective. I find it better to make this clear right here right now. But the general rule with this is if the narration addresses Jericho as 'Conan', then it's not his perspective.
For the best reading experience, make the fanfic look like a proper e-book; narrow the paragraphs to 3/4, larger the fonts to your preference, turn the background to paper grey mode, and keep your precious baby eyes a safe distance from the screen ;)
A bright burning green light splits the air, revealing the Ley Line in its green expanse, a contrast to the bright blue sky that the light split from. Chariot steers her broom out of the portal, Conan as her passenger. He squints and shields his eyes as the sun assaults his eyes. The academy is still far in the distance, and he peers at it with difficulty.
"Why did you exit the Ley Line so early?" protests the boy, leaning closer to the pilot. "We could've continued till we reach the school".
"Well, we could, but where's the fun in that?" argues Chariot. She couldn't suppress herself from smiling. "Flying's all about the rush of the wind against your ears and the taste of the sun on your skin! You can't make me stay in that Ley Line when I could enjoy my flight this way".
"And that's worth taking a longer route?" retorts the young wizard. To which Chariot replies with a carefree shrug.
"I need something to take my mind off the hectic days lately".
"Well, considering I'm part of the reason for your troubles, I don't feel like arguing about that. Besides, I always heard it's not smart to argue against a pilot while you're up on the air"
"True. I can drop you here if you disagree". Conan chuckles at that.
Still in good spirit, he asks, "Now about the book, you were saying it's in an archive only available to the school and select students?"
"You heard right. Students like Cavendish or Meridies got the key in their first years. Can you imagine that? Impressing the school so much so quickly?"
They achieved so much at my age, Chariot thinks morosely. Meanwhile, I can't remember anything I did so far that's worth writing home about.
I don't blame the headmistress for thinking I'm not as trustworthy as them.
Conan perks up at the mention of Cavendish. "Hold on, Chariot. Did you say Cavendish?"
"Yeah, Cavendish. Bernadette Cavendish. She used to be a student here", replies Chariot. She turns to face him, surprised to find recognition in his face. "What's the matter, Conan?"
For a moment, Conan refuses to answer. His emerald eyes dart away before he forces them back onto Chariot.
"Well… Diana is— I'm familiar with Bernadette because… she's famous, Chariot! Her family can trace their ancestry very far back. And since long ago they're famed for their white magic. That's saying very little about their true worth, but that alone already won my admiration, and I find it's enough of an explanation".
He looks inquisitively at Chariot. "I'm actually surprised I know this and you don't".
Chariot's face ripples between embarrassment and offence. "Hey! I told you I'm bad with history".
"Yes, but still, aren't you an odd case? This is common knowledge, not something you learn by spending time with books but rather with people. It's like how famous scientists or athletes become household names or referred to casually".
"Well, I…" Chariot purses her lips into a thin line and turns, facing the front again. "I don't get out much", she admits through an embarrassed whisper.
She holds her breath in anticipation for Conan's response.
Agh, that's such a lame excuse.
I hope he doesn't laugh at it.
Or see through it...
Betraying her expectation, Conan shakes his head and smiles faintly. "Ah, what am I saying? When I first heard of Bernadette and the Cavendish family name, I was as clueless as you. I'm in no place to act surprised".
Chariot's heart eases hearing this.
"Really? So… well, we're both odd cases?"
The tables suddenly turned, and Conan was not unaware of this. Smiling meekly, he says, "Well, looks like both of us don't get out much".
Hearing each other's excuses, it becomes clear for Chariot and Conan how lacklustre they are (but for a good reason none of them willingly explains). So, without even a glance or a word, the two seemingly strike a silent deal not to talk about their excuses for too long.
One thing still piques Chariot's interest, however.
"But you still know Cavendish a lot. And you sound like you recognize Bernadette. Tell me the story".
Reluctance crosses Conan's eyes for a mere second, though Chariot fails to notice this. He begins his tale after due consideration.
"It was her loyal fans. It took a lengthy explanation from her loyal fans for me to finally see Bernadette's importance".
Chariot tries to picture him as he described, and finds herself entertained by the thought. Through giggles, she says, "I get you. It could be overwhelming and annoying at times, seeing someone that good hogging all the love from others".
Conan shrugs. "It doesn't annoy me as much as I thought it would. After all, I later grew to admire Bernadette more on my own volition once I understood her and her family better".
A fond look visits Conan's eyes. It was brief, and he's quick to hide it, but Chariot caught notice of it. It gave Chariot an idea which she too quickly made her conclusion.
"Huh, that makes sense now", she says, more to herself with how inaudible it was. She says nothing after that, consumed by thought.
Seeing thought consume the loud-mouthed girl (a rare sight to see), Conan's brows arch.
"Chariot?"
"Yes, I get it now", she suddenly says. "I only saw pictures but Bernadette is very pretty, so boys line up for her. I heard this one story from my seniors. There's this school in town called Appleton. My seniors didn't need to explain to me about them, I know by experience how the boys there are jerks! They're so mean to us even though we've never done anything to them. So it tickles me silly when my seniors tell me how those boys drool and gawk at Bernadette once when they accidentally meet. They weren't reluctant to swallow all their pride and take back the things they said about witches and fawn over Bernadette".
"I… see?"
Conan waits with confused attentiveness. But he'd wait for an eternity, as Chariot was done with her point then and there. She wouldn't continue had Conan doesn't inquire further.
"And… what was the point of your story, Chariot?"
Chariot shrugs stiffly. Her eyes search around as if she'll find the correct words in the blowing wind.
"Well, I'm just saying everyone has a crush on Bernadette, so I get yours".
Colour rushes in force exclusively to Conan's cheeks and his brows tighten to a confused frown.
"What?" he squawks. "How'd you get that idea? I don't have a crush on her, Chariot!"
But Conan's question falls on deaf ears, as Chariot continues to emphasize her point.
"It's fine, you know? I get it. No need to be embarrassed about it. As I said, she has a lot of admirers so you're not really special".
"Chariot, when I said 'I'm starting to admire Bernadette more', I didn't mean that way. It was platonic, scholarly admiration! Just like how a kid would fan over his favourite athlete or famed scientist".
"Well, kids also have silly crushes on their idols" Chariot chuckles, silently hoping he doesn't find it as awkward as she finds it. "You don't need to make excuses. I get it, I get it. It's normal to have a crush on her".
Seeing his attempts fail frustrates Conan. He folds his arms in front of his chest as a black scowl descends on his face (all an attempt from him to cover his reddening face).
"What do you take me for? I'm very serious about my studies. I don't have time to think about girls".
Oh?
Instead of feeling intimidated, Chariot finds it scandalous that she wants to listen more.
"You're not interested how?"
To her surprise, a smug lopsided grin tugs Conan's lips. Arms still folded, he waves one hand dismissively.
"I'm not interested in hindering my studies. My parents always told me not to waste my time finding girlfriends. When you grow up big and smart and rich, girls will flock to you naturally".
Chariot bursts into giggles hearing his answer. The way he said it, with uncharacteristically smug confidence in his own words, amuses Chariot deeply.
Oh, that's so cute!
What to her is humour is horror and confusion to the young wizard, who finds this a great puncture to his pride.
"W-why are you laughing?".
"Nothing", Chariot replies between her fits of giggles. "Nothing, seriously".
Conan, previously confident in his own answer, returns to his flustered state. Conan forces his shame away by scowling and shaking his head.
"Very mature", Conan grunts (but then again, it's him who's flustering over this silly thing).
Conan's narrowed emerald eyes dart to his surroundings, trying to figure out a way out of this pressure game.
"W-well anyway, what about the other girl, Meridies? Compared to Cavendish, I've never heard of her", he says.
Chariot turns around and looks at Conan with puppy eyes.
"Whaaat? Why do you want to talk about her now? We're not done talking about Cavendish yet", she whines.
Conan, in response to her leaning closer, pulls himself away and refuses to look into her eyes.
"S-shut up, Chariot. You're just reaping joy from my tears".
"What are you talking about?" Chariot leans even closer and grins from ear to ear. "I want to hear all about your personal life!"
"Y-you… insufferable!" Conan clicks his tongue and once again turns away from Chariot's frustrating grin. But then, his eyes glint with mischief and his confidence surge back into him as an idea strikes him. He looks at Chariot again and says, "oh, I'd tell you, but only if you tell me the same thing. So, Chariot, you don't happen to have a—"
But Chariot, instantly knowing where the conversation is heading, turns away from Conan and faces ahead again, smiling as nothing happened.
"So, about Meridies! I don't know much about Meridies as well, to be honest. Then again, she— Ouch!"
His benevolence and patience lost, Conan furiously pinches at Chariot's cheek and pulls, eliciting a distressed cry from the girl. The broom dangerously sways to the left, following where he pulls, and Chariot struggles to choose between holding the broom steady or giving up a hand or two to fend off the young wizard's righteous fury. Conan was willing to give up his one good hand to do the attack, but Chariot remains indecisive.
Struggling to resist him without her hands, she cries brokenly, "Owh! Chonan, shtop it hurts!"
The broom sways to and fro but Conan doesn't seem to care. Blinded by soul-devouring rage, he cries, "Stop trying to make me mad!"
"Ywou're gonna mhake ush crash!"
"Then apologize!"
"I'm shoorrrryyy!"
It takes a great amount of apologizing and time to pass for Conan to calm down and check his wrath. By that time, Chariot's cheek is red with stinging pain.
That huurt.
With one hand, she rubs it repeatedly. One might think she was hurt so bad her cheek started swelling, but it was merely Chariot's pouting.
I'm pretty sure this will stay hurting till I'm old. I guess this is what I get for pinching him the other day.
"Now, let's hear everything about Meridies", Conan says. Chariot feels a shudder climb up her spine, as it sounds more like a command than a question.
Chariot tries to speak, but they come out as sniffles instead. A single tear pools at the corner of her eye. "S-she's the smartest student in our school. B-but people say Meridies is scary. I don't know what they mean by that, though. I never met her".
"I've never heard of her either".
Fearing he'll be upset with lacklustre descriptions, Chariot makes sure to tell him everything she knows as quickly and as descriptive as possible.
"That's because she's different from Cavendish, who's very active outside of classes! Cavendish was class president, student body representative, an organizer for her year's Samhain Festival, and so much more. Croix, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. She's even better than Cavendish in classes, but she's nearly nonexistent outside of it. It's like if she didn't have such good grades, no one in school would've known she existed!"
Chariot ends her story. She receives no response from Conan. She grows wary.
Huh? Is it not enough?
Or maybe he's still mad or something...
She swallows and turns around. But far from finding an upset or emotional wizard, Chariot finds Conan with a far off but calculating look in his dark green eyes. His brows knit tightly together as he sets his mind to work, and his good hand covers his mouth which runs in silent discourse.
Ah… he's doing that again, locked in his own little world.
Deep in thought, Conan doesn't seem to notice Chariot staring at him. His focus wins both Chariot's admiration and levity at the same time. She thinks if she turns the broom upside-down, Conan wouldn't realize what happened until he's halfway in his fall.
However, the thought didn't stay long to entertain Chariot, as Conan eventually breaks his silence.
"Well... this tells us something interesting".
"Heh, it does?"
He folds his arms in front of him. "The school gave access to both these girls. At first, I thought you had to be someone both book smart and street smart like Bernadette to gain such responsibility. But apparently, a book smart and invisible person also got it. That means the school only cares about in-class performances".
Chariot nods attentively, piqued by this new clue. "Huh, I didn't think of it that way!"
Her lips purse into a thin line as a thought visits her.
But that means getting the key would be a boring and long process of just studying and studying and studying and…
Her head turns hot and dizzy just imagining the amount of studying needed to get the key. She can't imagine how hot her head will be when she's actually doing the studying. Conan apparently shares the same thought, though he seems to come to terms with it quickly and swiftly makes his conclusion heard.
He shakes his head disapprovingly and says, "I'm not going to ask you to study just so you can fetch me a book. Let's drop this whole idea! I found the idea charming at first, but now it's just too much for you. Let your mind rest easy—I can find other places to look for books about the Grand Triskellion".
But Chariot meets his decision with nothing but utter refusal. She gasps loudly, turns around, and sets her teeth.
"Conan! You shouldn't give up like this! We shouldn't give up".
Calmly, he says, "Oh? Are you saying you have an idea that doesn't involve studying for the key?"
Chariot stops on her track. Her face turns to a mixture of embarrassment and frustration.
"Well, I don't", she confesses indignantly after a thoughtful yet fruitless pause. "But that doesn't mean we should give up!"
Seeing how she's equally out of ideas only reinforces Conan's decision.
"You don't have any plans. Not to mention, you've done so much already that it's hurting my conscience. If you do anything more then I won't know how I'll ever repay you".
But the heavy hand of responsibility clung to Chariot's heart firmly. That combined with her spirit, indomitable and as fiery as her eyes now (like points of flame they are), deafens her from Conan's cowardice.
"I feel guilty! I made you believe for nothing. I won't stop until you're rewarded for believing! This will work!"
Conan is taken aback by Chariot's zeal and honesty. Sensing her stubbornness will make things complicated, he tries to fight back with a matching spirit. But Conan, not used to arguing with others or being assertive like Chariot, fails spectacularly in his delivery.
"I-I wasn't lying when I said you've done enough, nor is there disappointment hidden there! Y-you offering me help that day made me happy inside... and I think that's already the best help you could've given me".
While he's telling the truth, Chariot takes his sputtering and nervousness as a clue that he's lying.
Ahah! He's just trying to cover up his disappointment politely!
Your honeyed words will not conquer this girl, Conan!
You might feel bad for me, but I won't stop helping you because I want to!
Grinning, Chariot points at Conan's face and declares, "I'll stop helping you when I say so. You don't have a say in this!"
Her sunlike bravado takes Conan by surprise. For a few seconds, he could only stare and process what she declared with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. Seeing no way to victory, Conan hangs his head in defeat and sighs in frustration, muttering, "Chariot, you're awful".
Chariot grins and nods—victory is hers.
Following Conan's request, Chariot lands her broom on the back of the school, near the backdoor. Conan stretches his body the moment he touches the ground, his body yearning for motion from all the time being idle in the air. He scans the area with wary eyes but calms down once he notes there's no one but a few fairies around.
"I guessed right. No one here to give me odd looks", Conan says.
He turns to Chariot to say something, but his eyes dart from hers at the last second. Running a hand through his hair, he says,
"Thank you… I guess".
Chariot shrugs and says, "I promised, silly. But are you sure you don't want me to take you to the infirmary?"
"I know the way, Chariot. You don't need to waste your time on me. Don't you have other things you'd rather do?".
Chariot blinks a few times, then nods eagerly with a grin. "Right! Like finding other ways to get you your book".
Conan sighs tiredly and massages his temple. He turns and gestures to the entire field around them.
"Look around. School just finished for the day and the weather's very lovely, but you already wasted some of your afternoon flying me here. Not to mention, all the other times you spend searching for the book I wanted".
He rests his hand on his hip and faces Chariot.
"What I'm trying to say is you already helped me a lot, looking for the books and taking me here. I know we can't agree on whether you stop helping me or not, but please take a break or something, just for this day. It'll help my conscience if you use this time for yourself. So please, enjoy your afternoon".
Chariot takes his proposal to heart and seriously thinks it through. Her brows knit together and her temple creases as she sets her mind to work. Then, a sly smirk tugs at her lips. Chariot looks up to Conan and nods, beaming as brightly as she could.
"Alright. I'm in the mood for a few rounds around the school" she says, holding her broom in front of her.
Conan says nothing for a few seconds, no doubt surprised that she didn't try to disagree. Suspicion wafts in the air like a spoiled fish, and Conan is quick to catch the scent. His eyes narrow as he studies Chariot and the grin she wears closely.
"You're... not lying are you?"
Feigning an offended and hurt look, Chariot pouts, folds her arms in front of her, and grunts indignantly. Ironically, it does nothing but makes her unbelievably cuter.
Conan's brows twitch into a frown. He forces a black look so it'd suppress the blush in his cheeks from showing. Instead of saying something, he clicks his tongue, turns, and starts climbing the stairs leading to the building. Chariot thinks he's going to turn around and throw a few threatening remarks, but Conan refuses to look at or say a word to Chariot and vanishes behind the double doors quickly.
The moment the door closes behind his back, Chariot brings a hand to her mouth to cover the mischievous grin that now replaces her pouting face.
"I'm sorry, Conan", she speaks to no one but herself. "But all's fair in love and war. This is for your own good!"
Chariot quickly rounds the academy until she arrives at the front yard, where the sports field stretches as far as her eyes could see. Conan was correct, as usual; the weather is perfect for an outing. Students tired from their daily routines fill the area in separate clusters from big to small. Some are flying their brooms, some are playing games, while the rest are content to just sit under the open sky, with friends to accompany them or none to those who chose to study peacefully under the warm sun.
Chariot's eyes are drawn to the broom fliers up high, testing their skills as they race one another. They fly with no restrictions—no roofs or walls or cage—aside from their daring and skills. They're like seahawks racing across seaside cliffs, wetting their feathered wings with the ocean's waves whenever they daringly swoop low and touching the clouds whenever they stubbornly climb high, never failing to capture the suspense and admiration of those who look. Chariot is no exception. The wind that blows following the racers as they pass by, strong on Chariot's skin, pulls Chariot's imagination to life and makes her body feel light.
That move! she cheers internally, transfixed at the acrobatics. How did they do it? Maybe it's like that one time I flew in...
But Chariot ends her daydreaming abruptly. Hastily, she tears her gaze away from the fliers, shuts her eyes, and starts shaking her head fervently.
No! No! No! Go away distractions!
Usually, she'd waste no time idling by daydreaming and instead take her broom to act, racing to the sky to join the racers to show how she could do all those moves better. But she isn't here to enjoy herself—she rounded the academy just so she can enter from a different door from Conan so he won't see her.
Chariot retreats into the academy with a hurried gait. No one in the field even noticed she was there. She runs through the dirt path, then stone stairs, and finally the carpeted floor of the hallway, where the warm sunlight is replaced by man-made, emotionless cold lights.
That was dangerous!
I have work to do!
Now's not the time for fun!
But Chariot isn't famed for her self-control. Even when she's already inside, she can't resist stealing a few glances at the fliers through the windows, chewing her lip all the while.
Chariot's drive to get the book clashes with her unchecked childlike impulses. It's as if there's a cage made of cold iron, and all her sense of responsibility and desire to work like the bolts that pin the structure to its shape. The cage traps Chariot's heart, stopping it from breaking free to follow her childlike impulses. The cage and the heart come to grips, and though it hurts Chariot, she has to favour the cage and keep her heart in check.
I have to do this. I can't laze around.
I hate how useless I was yesterday, and how quickly I feel down then.
So I mustn't give up now! I have to do it right this time.
But how will I do this?
Chariot absently climbs the stairs leading up to the dormitory area. Her heart is like a battlefield and her mind runs thick with thoughts, it's a miracle she didn't trip and fall. And she nearly fails to notice the headmistress going down the same stairs. Thankfully, the headmistress makes her presence heard, and Chariot stops herself from running into her.
"Ah, Chariot. Retiring indoors so early? That's unlike you to miss the sun".
"Headmistress Holbrooke!" exclaims Chariot.
She quickly straightens her back, an instinct Miss Finnelan has successfully drilled into her, and smiles politely. Though Chariot is not in the mood for it, a conversation is inevitable.
"I just, um... decided to go to the observatory tower, miss".
That's the quickest believable lie she could think of. It's not unknown to people that Chariot likes that place. While she's not necessarily good at magic astronomy, it's one of the few subjects Chariot enjoys alongside broom riding.
The headmistress smiles warmly. Her brows arch in amusement. "Oh, you really like that place, don't you? You sound quite eager for magic astronomy".
It's not hard to discern the pride in Holbrooke's voice. Her smile, too, radiates the same energy. Chariot can't deny how fulfilling it feels to be the reason for such pride (which is quite rare). Unfortunately, this time, the headmistress' pride only serves to make Chariot feel bad for her lie.
Chuckling embarrassedly, Chariot replies, "To be honest, I just like the quietness up there, headmistress. It helps me think things through. But yes, the stars are an added bonus".
The headmistress' eyes widen with joy. "Ah, are you perhaps going up there to study? Still fighting for the key?"
Chariot pauses hesitantly, pondering her lie.
"I guess so. You said it yourself, to get the key, I need to improve myself in class, right?"
The headmistress' smile grows wider. "That's the spirit, Chariot! You mustn't give up hope on the secret archive! If you truly wish for this book you're searching for, then—knowing you—I'm sure you'll succeed. Improve yourself, and one day, one day when you make the school proud, you will find yourself holding the key".
Chariot nods along with the headmistress' words all while maintaining her polite smile.
Yikes. I feel worse now.
And I'm so sorry, headmistress.
I don't have time to do it that way.
It's too slow! I need to think of other ways...
"...Who knows, Chariot, if you keep it up, maybe you might surpass Cavendish or Meridies one day!"
The absurdity pulls Chariot's attention back into the conversation. Scratching the back of her head, she replies, "Come on, miss, you're just speaking nonsense now".
"But I mean it!" Headmistress Holbrooke protests. Indeed, even as Chariot searches her wrinkled face, she could only find genuine belief. It leaves Chariot guessing just what good does the Headmistress see in her that no one else could.
"Thank you", Chariot whispers her reply, all flustered and eyes darting around.
And sorry for lying, she says internally.
The headmistress smiles and nods. Her feelings expressed, she begins walking again, her staff knocking on the floor in a rhythm as she rounds the thought-consumed Chariot.
Halfway around the girl, she remarks offhandedly, "A lot of surprises, this week, not just from you. Meridies, too, came to me yesterday and asked for something that fascinated me…"
Chariot's eyes widen at the mention of that name. Breaking from her passivity, she rushes and puts herself in front of the headmistress, blocking her from continuing down the stairs.
"Headmistress? Meridies visited you?"
The headmistress blinks repeatedly, taken aback by the girl's sudden speed after being as quiet as a pond for the better half of their conversation.
"Well, she didn't visit me directly—Miss Finnelan came on her behalf. And she came in right before you did yesterday".
"I-Is this Meridies girl the one with thick glasses, lavender hair, pretty but scary look?"
The headmistress couldn't answer immediately, trying to process Chariot's rapid words.
"...yes? She's exactly the way you described her. What's the matter?"
But instead of giving an answer, Chariot grins and throws her arms in the air as a brilliant idea suddenly strikes her.
"That's it!"
Once again, the headmistress could only stare with wide-eyed confusion. She's further shocked when Chariot takes her hand with both of hers and starts shaking them vigorously.
"Thank you, headmistress! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'll totally listen to your advice and study!"
Without another word, Chariot rounds past the headmistress and races down the stairs, her grin never leaving her. She did all this before the headmistress could even budge. Chariot's sudden departure makes the stairway extremely quiet, and the headmistress could only shake her head after witnessing the girl's eccentric behaviour.
"That girl", she says to no one but herself. "So quick at everything it worries me to no end".
Despite herself, the headmistress couldn't help but smile. It never fails to entertain her seeing Chariot being herself. The headmistress holds her sceptre close to her chest and means to resume her journey when she stops and turns around, looking downstairs, at the direction Chariot went with dumbfounded eyes.
"But isn't the observatory tower upstairs?"
Chariot's whole body begs her to break to a run despite all rules forbidding it, and she willfully complies. Grinning, she swiftly sits and slides across the stairs' smooth wooden handles, sticking her landing perfectly before continuing her run across the hallway. All while one name rings in her head.
Croix! That girl was Croix Meridies! And now I got an idea!
I don't need to wait until I'm granted the key, I could just borrow it from her!
I'm sure she'll remember me.
I didn't know why Conan and I didn't think of this sooner!
If we did, I'm sure even he would agree!
Well.. maybe not! Because I'm pretty sure this is going to break some rules!
But I can't wait to see the surprise in his face when I show up with the book!
With a good heart, Chariot dedicates the rest of her afternoon searching for Croix. Unsurprisingly, the reclusive prodigy is hard to find, and Chariot has to rely on her seniors' generosity. Most of the seniors she talks to shake their heads, unable or refusing to help due to the impossibility of the task. But just as the sun is about to set, Chariot finds a senior—a classmate of Croix—who in addition to knowing where Croix is, is willing to relay her message to Croix. Upon her return, Croix's classmate wears a sympathetic smile, bearing with her ill news.
"She said 'no'. Sorry".
Chariot gapes.
"What?! How could she say that when I haven't even told her exactly what I want from her?"
"About that, she already has a good guess. You want her to tutor you or help you study for an exam, right?"
Infuriated and offended, Chariot balls her fists and rebukes harshly. "That's not it! Just tell me where Croix is, and I'll clear this misunderstanding myself!"
The senior holds up her hands, wary at the attention Chariot is garnering from passersby.
"Woah, now. She told me specifically not to tell you where she is. She's in the middle of something important".
Chariot folds her arms in front of her and starts tapping her feet furiously, her mouth running a silent discourse as she thinks her options through. She stops tapping her feet once she finds an idea.
"Fine! Then please, can you tell her that I'm not there to bother her asking something as troublesome as tutoring me?"
The senior folds her arms in front of her and shakes her head. "No way. Not ever. I'm not going to walk all the way to the botanical garden again!"
Realizing her mistake too late, the senior clasps her mouth shut as if it'll stop what has been said. The colour drains from the senior's face, and she looks at Chariot's slowly grinning face with horror.
"Oh! That was kind of you!"
Without another word, Chariot spins on her heels and hurries to the botanical garden, leaving the white-faced senior to bite her dust and lament in regret.
"Wait! I mean the library! Croix is definitely not in the garden! She's—" she plucks at her hair in despair. "Aaagh Croix is so going to kill me for this!"
The sun begins its long dip into the horizon. Its furthest light touches the edge of the threshold, spilling saffron red light halfway across the sky, painting it in a myriad of gradually shifting colours from red to blue. Everything below them has the same colour as if someone hung a giant colourful cloth to shroud any onlookers' eyes. The retreating daylight signals the end of any outdoor activities, making the outside of the school seem abandoned. So it's peculiar that one girl, instead of rushing back into the academy before dinner starts, rushes out instead.
From afar, Chariot sees a solitary figure standing still on the small stone bridge connecting the botanical garden to the academy, with water running under it. The figure has her hands resting on the stone fence of the bridge, gazing peacefully at the myriad sky, accompanied only by her thoughts. Croix's dishevelled lavender hair is the first recognizable thing. It looks darker under the reddening sky. However, Croix's rare, serenely thoughtful look can only be enjoyed momentarily. The moment Chariot stops at the foot of the bridge, her ragged breath alarms Croix of her presence, and the last vestiges of Croix's serene face dies the moment she turns and recognizes Chariot. Replacing it is an unamused scowl. Croix mutters something under her breath in a language Chariot can't understand, but Chariot has a good guess what kind of colourful words Croix just used to vent her frustration.
Chariot hurriedly smiles reassuringly and holds her hands up, waving them around like a peace-making white flag. "Don't worry, don't worry! I'm not here to ask you to tutor me or any of those annoying things everybody does!"
"Oh? Then I'll admit, I was mistaken".
But Croix's expression betrays her words; her expression barely twitches to show amusement or attention even after Chariot clears the misunderstanding. In fact, she's not even facing Chariot anymore, preferring to look somewhere else while they continue to converse.
She doesn't like meeting eyes, huh. Just like last time.
This is not going to be easy.
Chariot gingerly joins Croix on the bridge. That proves to be a labour; her every step feels heavy as if her ankles are held down by a ball and chain. She tries to talk, but her tongue feels stiff like it's frozen solid. So she swallows, sets her jaw, and readies herself.
"Croix, you have access to the secret archives, right?"
That catches Croix's attention, enough to make her turn to Chariot. Her inquisitive green eyes—looking more severe under the reddening sky—pierces underneath Chariot's skin.
"How did you know that?" Croix curtly asks. But just as quickly as she rises to a temper, she turns her face away again and sighs his frustration out. "Actually, no, don't answer that. It must be the headmistress. So what if I do?"
Chariot sucks a deep breath through her teeth. From all the intel she gathered, Chariot understood that she shouldn't waste Croix's limited patience by mincing words. So she tells her, "There's something I really need from the secret archive. So, Croix, would it be alright if I borrow the key just long enough that I can get it?"
Reciprocally, Croix didn't waste time mincing words either.
"No. Not as long as I breath".
Chariot gapes at the response, her words stuck on her throat.
Instant rejection?!
She didn't even think about it!
She didn't even look at me either!
Does she even care?
There's a lot of things that make Croix scary, but for Chariot, it's her eyes. It's not that they're unpleasant to look at—Chariot thinks they're pretty—but it's the way Croix looks at people, or rather, her lack of doing that. Just as she's doing right now, Croix barely cares about the conversation to even spare a glance at Chariot. To some degree, Chariot could sympathize with Croix's feelings—sometimes and some people are unpleasant to talk to. But this is too far. Chariot made careful measures not to be unpleasant, but Croix still seems like she's not even listening, and Chariot hates that.
Undeterred, Chariot sets out to fix that. She rounds Croix and puts herself where Croix is glancing off to to force the reclusive prodigy to face her.
"Please, Croix? Won't you reconsider? I promise I'll return it to you!"
"That's convincing".
Reciprocally, whenever Chariot steps in front of her to forcefully make their eyes meet, Croix would just turn and look somewhere new.
"Pretty please?" she asks, rounding Croix once again to look her deep in her eyes.
"You're not a wise investment", Croix replies, folding her arms in front of her as she turns away again. "It's as simple as that".
The process keeps repeating itself until Chariot tires herself from rounding Croix over and over again, whereas Croix needs only a turn of her head to gain what she wants.
Croix thought the charade was over and let her guard down, but she underestimated Chariot's indomitable spirit. The passionate witch leaps at Croix and holds her tightly by her arms. With no way to escape her gaze, Chariot stares deeply into Croix's eyes.
"Please!" begs Chariot. "I promise I'll return the key and pay you back! I'll do anything you ask me to, to top it off!"
True enough, Croix does meet Chariot in the eyes. Initially, the red sky hides her eyes in a reflection, but she shifts and Chariot sees a dangerous black look in her eyes, like dark points of flame.
"How about letting me go, then?" growls Croix.
The red-headed girl clings stubbornly. Shaking her head fervently, she cries, "No, no, no, no! I can't do that. Croix, I can't go back empty-handed!".
"Then work hard for the key".
"That'll take too long".
"Then learn to be patient".
"That takes too long too! I'm bad at being patient. Please, I need it now!"
"Well that's your problem, isn't it? Not mine". Speaking in a dangerously low growl, Croix yanks her arm away, freeing her from Chariot's grip.
Croix rubs a palm with her thumb—numb from Chariot's strong grip. Croix groans in annoyance when she notices Chariot has wrinkled her shirt.
Seeing as nothing works, Chariot pensively takes counsel with her indomitable soul.
She's not listening to me!
Oh no, I'm being too annoying aren't I?
Maybe I'm the one who should calm down.
Chariot takes a deep breath in an effort to calm herself. She squeezes her own arm, her fingernails digging into her skin. When she speaks again, she surprises Croix by speaking very softly and slowly, a clear contrast to her previous impatient outbursts.
"Look, I know I'm being annoying, bothering you out of the blue like this. I know I'm already lucky you're even willing to listen. But I just can't go back empty-handed. I promise I won't disappoint you; I'll return the key to you and I'll pay you back. Maybe you can even ask me to do something first. I'll do it. I promise I'll do".
Finding nothing else to say, Chariot chews her lip and goes silent. It's all on Croix now; Chariot has poured her heart out and if that doesn't move Croix, Chariot doesn't know what will, and will go back empty-handed.
Chariot hangs her head as she waits. Chariot understood this isn't easy for Croix to think about, but at the same time, the wait is excruciating for her. In the silence, Chariot could hear her own heart beating soundly against her chest. It feels as if it'll leap out her chest at any second out of sheer anxiousness. The only other audible thing is the pristine running water under the bridge, as Croix too is thoughtfully silent. Ironically, while Croix is now looking at Chariot attentively, Chariot can't seem to meet her eyes.
Croix draws a slow breath and sighs. To Chariot's surprise, when Croix speaks again, she no longer raises her voice.
Chariot takes note that if you talk to someone calmly, then they'll respond calmly in return.
Massaging her temple, Croix gives Chariot her answer. "You know, Chariot. Your promise doesn't really hold much value". Croix lets the words hang in the afternoon air for a second to let it drill deeply into the stubborn girl's memory. "Do you really think—after all the rules you break—people will just believe you when you say 'you promise'?"
Chariot feels her heart wrenched by Croix's answer. She desperately looks up at Croix. Finally seeing each other eye to eye, Chariot searches her face, and to her horror doesn't find a hint of jest or mockery in there. Croix didn't say that just to hurt Chariot—it was her most honest thought on Chariot.
"I…"
Chariot finds the words stuck in her throat. Her lips shakily thin into a line, and she hangs her head sadly.
Even Croix-a complete stranger-sees me that way.
Does everyone see me that way?
Am I that bad?
Then a dreadful realization follows, like an aftershock that shakes the earth and turns her legs to jelly.
Oh no… is this it? I'm going back empty-handed? No...
But before the sorrowful frown could ruin Chariot's comely face for too long, Croix continues, "That being said, you can do something for me. Something that, should you succeed, will convince me your promises aren't always hogwash".
Chariot couldn't believe what she's hearing. Hope flutters in Chariot's stomach. She looks up to Croix with eyes that lit up like embers.
"Really?! Are you serious?"
"Yes. I'm always serious— "
Before Croix could finish, Chariot tackles her into a tight hug, nearly knocking Croix off the bridge and to the river.
From her hugging position, Chariot looks up to Croix. "Then tell me, tell me, tell me!" she impatiently asks, all her passionate impulses making a comeback.
In complete contrast, Croix remains fixed, stiff, and awkward as she attempts to keep a patient face, suppressing an annoyed groan from coming out.
"I have three. First, you let go of me".
Chariot complies without a word. She releases Croix from her embrace but refuses to step back, grinning like a child all the while and looking at Croix's face very attentively.
"Second: don't come near me".
Chariot complies again, stepping back from on the bridge until she's near the foot of the bridge. But with anticipation drumming against her chest, Chariot finds it impossible to stand still and begins rocking on her heels repeatedly, still staring at the lavender-haired girl with quiet attentiveness.
Once all of her requests are fulfilled, Croix nods in satisfaction. She proceeds to take off her thick glasses and starts wiping it with a piece of cloth. She takes her time doing it, holding out on her answer, which only serves to put Chariot on the edge of her seat.
I think she's doing this intentionally!
Still preoccupied with her glasses, Croix says, "It's a quest, you might say. One that, should you complete, will give you the loot you're looking for".
Chariot says nothing and commits everything she hears to memory (even though she doesn't understand some of the words Croix is using).
"It's about something I've been looking for but found no luck every time I try".
Chariot clasps her hands together and interlocks her fingers. Her red eyes—only strengthened by the reddening sky—shine brightly, full of hope and believe, attentive at every gesture Croix makes and every word she says.
"And after that, you'll give me the key?" she asks, like a child to her mother.
"Of course". Croix fixes her thick glasses in place and finally looks straight at Chariot. But the red sun reflects from her spectacles, concealing from Chariot the severe look in her eyes and her sardonic grin. "I promise".
Author's Notes:
Finally, the best girl appears! This is my first time writing Croix ever. I've ran so much scenarios of her-related and unrelated to the story-but that still didn't prepare me for this moment. So feedback on whether I write her good or OOC is appreciated!
This chapter took way too long to make, considering the skeleton was ready long ago. But long-distance relationship with my college is pretty rough. I hate every second of it haha. Work from home might be swell if you have good internet, but with slow internet everything is awkward and difficult. So there's no promise when the next chapter will come.
However, its more likely the next update will be this original story, not my rewrite. As it stands, I try to stand by my rule of zigzag updates, but it ultimately depends on my mood and which one I want to write next. I also feel like there's going to be too much cliffhangers if I don't continue on the original story until two to three more chapters.
I have three things I'd like to promote, the first being my Twitter account mentioned before. The second, special thanks to RomanViking who beta read my fanfic's original chapters. And I bear a message from him. He's on his way revising Little Wizard Academia, and so far he's done good time finishing chapters 8, 10, 11, and 12. Expect more fresh LWA content in the form of new chapters, but also expect him to be busy—he's working on a new and exciting She Ra one shot that's definitely unique in many ways and a birthday gift story for a friend. And again special thanks to Muset who beta reads my rewrite chapters.
Second, if you enjoy my Chariot and Croix moments and thirst for more but update is slow, I suggest an interesting fanfic I stumbled across with those two characters in focus. It's called "A believing heart is our magic" by Tania Hylian. The story follows Chariot and her days with Croix. It's not a groundbreaking premise but the author certainly delivers some interesting stories around those lovable dorks. So check it out and show them your support if you do find it interesting and tell Tania I said hi. I myself was reading it because I need materials to study on Chariot and Croix's characters, which the show didn't provide too much. So I had to resort to well-written fanfics—the next best thing. Who knows, you guys can judge for yourself which, mine or Tania's, Croix and Chariot is the more canon-accurate one or entertaining to read ;)
Follow, favourite, and review! Thanks a lot to all of you who does that to both this fanfic and the rewrite!