Chapter 6: Fate # 1-1
Anastasia found herself inside the ballroom of the university's welcome center. The orchestra was playing a lovely tune and there were a handful of couples mingling on the dance floor, some locked in an embrace, swaying to the gentle music.
Others were busy socializing, making conversation with the new bloods who were indoctrinated into the folds of this prestigious educational institution. Anastasia was not naïve enough to think that discussions based on the social structures and other power dynamics would have no room on this occasion of celebration and revelry. She could see men and women networking, picking out the juniors who showed promise and taking them off the common herd, to have them join their respective social circles. In a similar manner she observed the younger students sticking close to their role models for seniors.
Even close to the buffet table, students were seen chatting and partaking in social necessities in between bites and drinks. There were tables for dinning in the border of the dance floor and most of them seemed to be occupied. It seems the modern generation of party goers first put food in their belly before taking their respective partners to the dance floor. Till then all they do is talk and talk some more.
"You can leave me to my own devices, Hikigaya-san. Now that I am in the ballroom, I can handle everything by myself."
He frowned at her words. "And what will you be doing your highness?"
She shrugged. "I am sure I can find something to keep myself occupied."
"I thought you would say something like that."
"What do you mean?"
He met her gaze and answered. "I'm afraid, Kadoc informed me about your penchant for pulling pranks. He also told me to keep you company for the evening till he arrives."
Anastasia looked at him coldly. "Are you here following orders? If so then you can follow mine. Leave me alone, Hachiman Hikigaya."
He didn't lose his composure. "Look, I know I'm not your first choice. But bear with me for a little while. I'm sure there is something I can do to put you in a better mood. Are you hungry?"
"What kind of an imbecile feasts on a buffet before dancing?" She leveled him with a stern look. "Do you know how to dance, Hikigaya-san?"
"Not really, no." He eyed the dance floor with something close to dread. "Are you sure you wouldn't care for a bite? I heard there is cake and pastries and other desserts."
Anastasia looked at the buffet table. Though she didn't need nourishment, the thought of having something to eat did sound rather appealing. Maybe like most human being he too would become somewhat bearable to listen to after he has caught up on his supplements.
"Very well." Humans, she would never understand them. "But keep in mind, as my escort for the evening, you shall ask me to dance before the night is over."
"Okay, as you wish."
Anastasia placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and he led her through the mass of people. She watched from time to time as others took notice of her. It was understandable. She was a beautiful girl, having long white hair with fringes, covering one of her icy blue eyes. While the other women wore evening dresses, she wore an ornate white gown and a fur cape with gold designs and blue lining.
It was her over all look which set her apart. It was spring and she was dressed for the winter. Then there was her companion. Though he was dressed in formal attire, a well tailored dinner jacket and formal dress pants, he very much sold the idea of why some called this apparel the monkey suit.
"Why is it called the monkey suit though?" she thought aloud.
He must have heard her because he cracked a smile. "I think you are referring to my suit. Well, according to one theory it's because back in the 19th century, children generally used to wear tuxedos."
She was confused. "I don't quite see the reason."
"Oh, right, sorry. Um, also during the 19th century a common slang for children was to refer to them as monkeys. Monkey suit, get it?" He asked pointedly.
She shook her head in disappointment. "Really, you have again proven to me why humanity has lost all its sense and purpose. Referring to your own offspring as monkeys. I am sure even normal monkeys don't do that."
"Normal moneys? You say that like there are a species of abnormal monkeys in this world."
She offered him her first true smile of the evening. "Of course there is. What else would you call humans?"
He shook his head and subdued a grin from splitting his face. "You are terrible."
"Calling an imperial princess terrible is a capital offense. If we were back in the old country you would have been killed." She said teasingly. "But because I find you somewhat tolerable to hold some kind of intellectual conversation, I may have spared your life."
"That's good to know." He tried his luck. "Could I also ask her imperial princess to forgo her wish to dance with me this evening?"
"Not on your life, Hachiman Hikigaya."
When the two of the reached the buffet table, Anastasia asked him to fix her a plate. Being an imperial princess, it was beneath her to pick her own food.
"Back in the old country, we had a waitstaff to take care of such needs." she said haughtily.
"Did you also have someone to feed you?" he asked jokingly.
He hadn't said it as an insult. Anastasia got the impressions he had a younger sibling. How nice. She watched him fix up her plate and saw that he was focusing more on the desserts. Guess he wasn't such an imbecile after all. He knew what she liked. Ice cream and pastries and other such treats.
"Why do they have salads in a buffet?" he asked.
"The person you thought about this should be hanged." she found herself agreeing.
The two of them started eating in companionable silence. Soon, in between bites conversation decided to break the ice. Hachiman Hikigaya was curious about why she wasn't sweating bullets while wearing her woolen attire.
"The weather doesn't have any effect on heroic spirits."
"I see." He then looked at her plate. She had almost devoured her scoop of ice cream. "How about food? Do heroic spirits need nourishment?"
Anastasia blushed and then faked a cough. Her icy blue eyes met his rotten gaze and she found herself smiling. "Tell me, Hikigaya-san, what is your favourite food in the world?"
He replied instantly. "Ramen."
Her smile didn't waver. "But you can continue to live without consuming ramen can't you?"
He looked shaken to the core. "Heaven forbid, I hope that never happens."
Anastasia took another scoop of ice-cream. "Me too. I quite like the food of this era."
After finishing their light meal, he did as he was previously ordered.
Hachiman Hikigaya gave her a bow worthy of a knight. "Would her holyship honour me with a dance?"
Anastasia took his proffered hand. "I thought you didn't know how to dance."
"I still don't." He said while leading her to the dance floor. "But I have faith in your skills. Though fair warning, I might accidentally step on your toes, once or twice."
Anastasia looked up at him as she took his hand and placed it on her waist.
"Don't worry. I will be sure to return the favour. Every time you step on my feet, I will step on yours times quadruple."
"That's -"
"- the only way you will ever learn. Now pay attention to your partner. An imperial princess doesn't like to be ignored."
"...As you wish, hime-sama."
Anastasia liked how that word sounded, or rather she liked how he said that word. She was also starting to like his company, somewhat. Gradually, the two of them gently started to sway to the music of the orchestra. Though either of them didn't say it out loud, it was clear they were having a bit of fun.
All in all, Anastasia could say with certainty that she had taught, Hachiman Hikigaya how to dance by the time the evening was over. As to the state of his foot and shin, she took no guarantees.
He complained about it only once.
"Ouch! I thought you were a better dancer than this."
"I am. Didn't you see me kick you in the shins when you were distracted. I did that without missing a step."
"Then why do you keep stepping on my foot."
"How else am I supposed to correct your form?"
"I don't know. How about using your hands?"
She smiled teasingly. "You can't expect a princess to sully her hands, can you."
Like she said, Anastasia enjoyed her evening and it was all because of a self professed, rotten dead fish eyed loner named, Hachiman Hikigaya.
A/N: Okay, I wrote two chapters for Anastasia x Hachiman. Now it's time for someone else to shine. The next chapter will be the final one of the Fate Franchise for the time being, so pick wisely.
Option 1: Mordred Pendragon.
Option 2: Rin Tohsaka.
Please pick any of the above.
And those of you who want to suggest other girls, please leave their names in the review.
Hope everyone enjoyed reading this chapter.
Leave lots and lots of reviews, follow and fave.
Won't betray your dreams.