Renascence 2010 | Chapter 02: Intercept Reality
Seated upon the settee, relief washed through Natsuki, sinking into the surprisingly puffy fabric of the seat.
"Be careful, it is still quite hot." Shizuru murmured in warning.
She held the plate out to her, the bowl of the steaming soup atop it with a towel underneath to absorb the heat. "Do you want a spoon or are you fine without it?"
"Spoon, please." Natsuki smiled up to her, lifting her hands to carefully accept the plate. "Ah, I should eat this at the table... I don't want to drop it and stain your floor."
"..." Crimson orbs became thoughtful, slender fingers covering Shizuru's mouth as she pondered. "One moment," she uttered smoothly, gently taking the bowl from the younger woman, she placed it onto the table. "I will be back, Miss Maria might have something to help." Grabbing the key and unlocking the door."
"Shizuru, wait! Ah... I can't move." Natsuki murmured softly, wondering where the elder had gone. She sat against the settee, thankful it was at least more comfortable than the wheelchair.
For how many times that day, she peered around curiously.
These new buildings... The last building to be built—the Gakuenchou's quarters—had been around a century ago. Now that she thought about it... it did seem rather odd it took so long for expanding to occur.
Minutes passed, and just when she was beginning to get worried Shizuru returned, shutting and relocking the door – a tray under her arm.
'Oh... so that's what she went for'.
"Oh." Natsuki seemed to perk up at the elder's return. She certainly did not want to be lost in her own head for too long... "I thought you were going to be gone for longer."
"Miss Maria has taken a liking to filing her paperwork here."
In the comfort of her own living space? She had always thought Miss Maria was far too dutiful to even consider working outside her office...
Gliding over towards the shorter Meister, the older woman adjusted the tray, clipping the sides of the tray to rest either side of Natsuki. "You are lucky, she just finished using it."
Giving a face at that, Natsuki shook her head minutely, raven locks brushing her cheeks as her hair swayed behind her. "I must be due for a trim by now..." She murmured, absent-mindedly before she looked up to Shizuru again.
"Are you alright with this?" She spoke seriously. It had to be discussed sooner rather than later.
Saying nothing, Shizuru tilted her head, holding the plate with the soup on top. 'Whatever does she m-ah...' She stood straight, placing the soup onto the tray before sitting next to the fellow Column. "... As long as you are alright with this." Shizuru said carefully, pausing. "Recovering will take time, but I believe Natsuki has more than enough potential to gather her memories back together. I will wait for however long it takes." The Archmeister smiled, capturing the younger Otome's hand between her own.
Unable to hide a smile, Natsuki's hand tightened just a bit onto Shizuru's own. "Thank you... I know you are not as weak-willed as others who would not dare to invest repeated time if their... partner were to forget as I have." The younger woman focused on the task at hand once more, looking at the tray. "I'm really hungry..."
"Then eat," the brunette laughed softly. "I am not about to stop you."
Besides, that little wait would've cooled the soup down a little.
Flushing, the Gakuenchou grasped onto her spoon, pleased that the soup was cool as she heartily dug in. Manners would be for after, right now, she was far too hungry to care. Chewing was a major task, as was keeping her face clean.
It took her a long while to finish it, and by around midway Shizuru had gone to reading and signing the paperwork she had piled. And yet even when she sat down in such a relaxed manner with the papers on her lap, she somehow managed to appear so graceful.
Grasping a napkin, Natsuki splayed it out and wiped her face, a bit of mess on the tray as well. "That was good..." She murmured softly, flushing as she looked towards the elder once she was finished cleaning. "Kind of... exhausted me." Shy to admit, the Gakuenchou sighed; Emerald glancing over to a clock. It was definitely not late, barely a few hours after lunch, but she was so tired...
"Then would Natsuki like to sleep?" Shizuru pondered out aloud to her, pressing the papers and pen down onto her lap, glancing over towards her, offering to take the tray away.
"Yes, please..." She felt ages younger, and flushed, inwardly cursing as it didn't depart from her features. "Ah... I don't want to take your bed, though."
"Do not be silly now. Remember who you are speaking to." The Archmeister piped, shuffling the paperwork onto the coffee table, rising to move it away from the seat. "Now," she uttered softly, "Hold onto me tightly." She lowered her arms down either side of Natsuki, leaning herself closer to the Gakuenchou's level.
"Ah, right... We are... together." Natsuki murmured with another blush, reaching up to wrap her arms around Shizuru's neck. She had entertained the idea of dating the Archmeister, but to garner the courage to actually do it... from what memories were stored within her mind, that is.
Or well, if they were, who had been the one to ask?
She could remember their years together as students, but her as the Gakuenchou? That was out of the question altogether... had she forgotten something from earlier? She didn't know.
With a sharp yelp, she felt her stomach flip, the Archmeister hooking her arms around her shoulders and the underside of her knees, easily picking her up with absolutely no flaw.
"What has Natsuki so distracted?" Shizuru hid a smirk at the yelp, cradling the younger woman closer to herself in case she had really frightened her. "There, there..."
"S-Shizuru! Stop teasing!"
"Ara? Teasing? How so?" If the third Column had been given the freedom with her arms, she would've pressed her fingers to her lips, partially covering them. But unable to do so she merely walked them across the settee and through the open doorway.
"Cradling me like a baby..." Natsuki fussed a little, cheeks flush as she held tight. If she had freedom, she would have crossed her arms... "Ah, will you be doing paperwork for longer...?"
Halted, Shizuru peered at her, blinking once. "No. It is almost ready to be sent to Miss Maria."
"A-aa..."
The click of the clock atop the bedside table autonomously worked away steadily, and Shizuru slowly placed the Gakuenchou against the foot of the bed before gathering the blankets of the bed back, helping to adjust Natsuki towards the other end.
"Thank you for doing this, Shizuru." Natsuki flushed again, clearing her throat. To get through this, she should try not to feel like a child. The sheets were much softer against her than the ones in the infirmary, but a faint whimper passed her lips when her head met the pillow. A dull ache still prevalent, her features contorted into nausea.
She hadn't known when it had happened nor what time it was. The clock within the darkened room was on the other side of the bed and the window which she was faced had the blinds pulled together.
There was the presence of the older woman behind her which she had come to realise just a few minutes ago, Natsuki's brain clogging, disallowing her to think of anything to do about it.
She had felt so sick as soon as her head touched the pillow, and the dull ache that had come with it was gone now. Hopefully, it will stay away... "Shizuru, are you sleeping?" She kept her voice low, rubbing a bleary emerald eye. She didn't feel ill any longer, and hoped it was the nanomachines at work.
From what she could make out, Shizuru was on her side, her back facing her.
The Archmeister's left arm lay sprawled against the mattress, her opposite resting against the curves of her side, her head resting near on the edge of her pillow.
The Otome never made a noise, her breathing slow, calm and quiet.
So she was sleeping... Natsuki attempted to get a bit closer, rolling around in the process, but paused. She wasn't cold, so why would she be wanting to get closer...? Maybe she was starting to remember...
Staring at Shizuru's back, the younger woman mapped her out as well as she could see in the dark. The elder had always been there for her, even if when she was younger, she was far more immature than she would have liked...
Maybe she could make this coma her turning point to become more confident and mature? Hang on – so how old were they?
Stronger as well, not kept inside of her own head... Natsuki smiled faintly, reaching out to touch Shizuru's shoulder. It was a year when it happened. She was... Founder, she had no idea.
The darkness became sharper, more clear, and gradually Natsuki could make out Shizuru's appearance properly. She was wearing a... nightdress? It looked to be a light violet, the thin straps a darker hue, possibly black.
Cheeks flushing darkly, Natsuki looked down to make sure she wasn't changed in her sleep. Thankfully, not. Relieved, the restless woman took another look around the room. The bed smelled like Shizuru, but there was another scent; Reminding her a bit of the ocean shores... It smelled like something she would wear.
Planting her head further into the pillow, Natsuki frowned, staring dead-on at Shizuru's shoulder-blades.
Tomorrow... or later in this case. She wanted to find out more about her GEM; sure she had been told a fragment or two, but she wanted to see images of it, perhaps there was even footage of her using it?
Maybe footage of herself would bring back memories...
Did Shizuru have pictures of them both? Dare she ask for footage... She did not need to see if they had an 'adult tape'...
Then again she had a feeling she wouldn't be caught dead in such a tape.
The brunette shifted suddenly and Natsuki watched her curiously. The elder wrapped her right arm around her head, pressing the side of her face into the soft pillow beneath her, exhaling.
That was cute... Natsuki's lips twitched, and she shuffled as close as she could. Sliding her arm along the blankets, she rested her hand between Shizuru's shoulder-blades, feeling tawny hair and body warmth under her palm. It was... comforting.
Her palm was cold, and it seemed to make the Archmeister react to it, grumbling into the soft fabric of the pillow. The slender but toned arm which had hooked around her head moved, Shizuru wrapping her hand against the back of her neck, rubbing it.
"Sorry." Natsuki softly apologized, taking her hand from Shizuru's back. She curled the blankets a bit higher on the elder, watching her. Did they always sleep together? Did Shizuru hesitate before sleeping beside her, or was it natural, even after a year?
"Hmm...?" The brunette turned her head to look at her, propping herself up slowly with her left arm.
"I didn't mean to wake you." Natsuki softly murmured, flushing as she watched her.
"If you blush anymore you will erupt like a volcano, Natsuki." TheMeister laughed quietly, her voice huskier and lower from sleep. She rolled onto her back, pinching an index finger and thumb to the bridge of her nose, stretching her free arm above herself.
"How old am I?" Natsuki asked lowly in the late night, watching her. The reactions to being woken up seemed familiar...
This was definitely a natural thing they had done, wasn't it?
Shizuru's expression was intelligible for a moment, the elder's features frozen.
"Twenty-six. You will be twenty-seven on the 15th August. Whilst I am already twenty-seven, my birthday is on the 19th December."
"Did I miss my birthday last year?" Natsuki murmured, rubbing her cheek again. It left a small red spot, the skin irritated by constant touching.
"You did, yes. By just a month."
It was odd. To say the conversation was pretty morbid, it just felt so... natural.
"Oh..." The younger woman went quiet, watching her. "I'm sorry I woke you up." She repeated her apology, looking a faint bit sheepish.
"And that." The Archmeister silenced her with a simple index finger to the lips. "One of these days Natsuki will turn into an apology letter." Still on her back and with her digit to the younger Otome's mouth, Shizuru drifted a hand towards the clock, bringing it up to her eyes studying the illuminating hands.
...5:12am.
Flushing darkly, Natsuki watched her, quite unsure of what to say now. No apologizing or thanking... "You are pretty..." She blurted against her finger, bringing the blankets to her chin.
Crimson irises gazed at her away from the contraption, sliding the uncharacteristically toughened palm against Natsuki's cheek, the padding of her thumb lightly brushing along the Gakuenchou's jawline.
Wetting her lips nervously, Natsuki stared back as she pressed a bit into her hand. "Why is your hand rougher than I remember...?"
Releasing a hum from the back of her throat, Shizuru closed her eyes momentarily, popping the clock back onto the side-table and rolling onto her side to fully face her, allowing the younger Otome to keep her hand to herself. "Garderobe has intensive training and heavy tactics, mainly planned by myself and Miss Maria. The students are now required to be much more physically fit, agile and active."
"Ah." Natsuki rubbed her eye next, shifting a bit closer to her. "I can somewhat remember your touch..."
"I am glad you are beginning to remember." Shizuru smiled. Behind her eyes her imagination might've gotten the better of her, but she relented from teasing the Gakuenchou any further. "But how are you feeling, Natsuki?" She asked more seriously, her eyes faintly narrowing, analysing the younger woman carefully.
"I was feeling a bit sick when you laid me down, when my head met the pillow. Even the softest pressure seemed to hurt so much... But, I feel a bit better now. Just... confused."
"Perhaps being awake for a while will help?" The elder suggested. She glanced over her shoulder to the clock again, checking the time. "But Natsuki," she turned back, removing her hand from the younger woman's cheek at last, placing it to Natsuki's collarbone instead. "I must begin preparing, I have students to train, after all."
An after-thought attached to Shizuru's mind, and she continued. "Perhaps it would do you some good to come also?"
Natsuki reddened to the placement but kept quiet, swallowing a bit hard. "Maybe... I do need to become more active." She murmured, shuffling a bit to try and push herself to sit up.
"And a bath."
It was a simple statement, Shizuru removing the blankets from them both, bringing her legs over the bed, her back once more facing the Gakuenchou.
She had bed hair which somehow felt a surprising feat, the tufty hair of her fringe/bangs angled awkwardly to one side.
"And breakfast." Natsuki mumbled softly to herself, slowly managing to sit herself up. "Ah-" She braced herself back against the headboard, swaying a little.
The larger hand belonging to the Archmeister steadied her by the shoulder, and Natsuki slowly regained herself.
Refraining from thanking the elder, Natsuki gave her a soft smile instead. "Do you... have pictures of us together?"
"Of course." The elder murmured softly, rolling the padding of her thumb along her temple, massaging the skin tenderly.
To Natsuki's surprise, the Meister opened the drawer of the night-stand on her side of the bed, pulling out a particularly large looking album.
"Oh. Wow." Natsuki stared, gawking a bit. Her head hurt just faintly, and she leaned back to be utterly braced against the headboard. "I'll try not to make you late, but... I want to see a few."
Humming, Shizuru calculated the time once more. "Alright, I can spare until 5:30am. So which do you take interest in?" She wandered back over to Natsuki's side, leaning her own back onto the headboard, arms loosely curved atop her legs.
"Any, I suppose..." Natsuki looked towards her, feeling a bit better than earlier. "Ah... Early in the relationship?
"Alright then." The tawny Column murmured, leaning over the younger female slightly, opening the album fully towards the back.
These photos were no less degraded than the newer ones, all in perfect condition with vibrant colouring.
Rubbing at an eye yet again, the younger woman stared down at the photos as if one would burst forward with its sharp detail and give her memories back. Sadly, she felt as though she was looking at photos of a stranger in her clothing and outfits she herself might wear; A winter coat and comical mittens being her favorite.
"When was this?" She pointed to the one in particular, it being in the lower left corner of the page.
"This was shortly after you became the Gakuenchou, if I remember... " The pair of them were close to the stairs of the Founder's Chamber, the pale white of the steep steps and covering of snow contrasting nicely with the clothes which they wore.
Funnily Natsuki wore her typical blue jacket and leather-like trousers underneath a large coat, making her look ridiculous, the mittens not helping in the situation.
Shizuru herself, Natsuki noticed, also wore her classic uniform underneath a coat of her own, a white with an outlining of red which strangely fit well with her personality.
"You look really nice here." She pointed out, tapping the photo again. Natsuki smiled; She looked happy… They both did. A flush falling across her cheeks, it made her nervous to sit beside Shizuru.
"Ah, we can look at more when we have the time. I know you have a lot of preparation to do, especially since now you have to take care of me as well." When would she be strong enough to stand on her own? She already greatly disliked that wheelchair…
That wheelchair was way too awkward, it pressed into her spine and hips, making her want to stand up, which would merely frustrate her further, considering the fact she couldn't support her own weight without the Archmeister's aid.
The Windbloom native smiled momentarily and stood. "You are welcome to continue looking through it, if you would like."
"Mm, alright…" Natsuki smiled at her, eyes flicking back down to the pictures. Shizuru really did look happy around her…
Turning the page, she noticed one that triggered a memory, and she fought an outburst of laughter at it. It was a solitary photo of her, trousers around her ankles with a cheeky looking redhead in the background, holding a nail file. "What in the hell…?"
"Who is this?" She prodded towards the fiery redhead.
The Archmeister, having covered her lips lightly with a hand, redirected her gaze towards the image. "Ara… it is her. Nao Juliet Zhang."
"Nao?" The name sounded familiar but distant at the same time. Although she was surprised, seeing as just through this image Natsuki expected to have many more memories such as these of her.
"I remember this…" Natsuki smiled faintly, though her brows knit together. "She's a trickster, isn't she?" Her voice carried a faint tone of disdain, and she sneered towards the photo.
"Don't let her push me around in my wheelchair, please."
"I am sure many teachers shall agree with you." The Archmeister manoeuvred over towards the wardrobe which was situated within the far side of the room next to the window, flipping the switch of the light on, a blush instantaneously gracing the Gakuenchou's features.
"I am about to have a shower…" Shizuru trailed, glancing over her shoulder. She pondered inside her mind, absorbing the information which lay upon the younger female's face. "Should I even suggest this?"
"How would Natsuki take the idea of having a shower with me?"
Staring at the elder, Natsuki's lips parted halfway through the sentence before her jaw snapped shut, crimson slowly filtering into the gauntness of her cheeks and across her nose. "I… I suppose that would be alright. We have done it before… right?"
"Whenever I managed to even drag Natsuki in with me." The Archmeister chuckled, picking out clothes—which were ironically near the same as the ones she wore last night. "What would you want to wear?" She questioned her, shutting the doors to the wardrobe.
She of course did have that new uniform of Natsuki's for when the younger Otome would awaken… but… she was unsure Natsuki would want to wear them immediately.
"Well… I am actually eager to see what you changed in uniform too. Seeing as my last one seemed very… impractical." Natsuki ruffled her hair out a bit, touching against a rough seam at the back of her skull and giving a faint yelp to the sensation of it against her fingertips, and the faint sickness it spurred in her stomach.
"Yeugh… That was a bad idea."
"Do not touch it," the taller woman lightly scolded, opening the side door of the wardrobe this time, her hand drifting across and onto the coat-hanger of a particular set of clothing which was covered in protective sheeting.
"It will have a negative impact on you."
That was obvious, Natsuki cringed. This was soon wiped off from her current wave of thought however, curiosity setting in upon the Archmeister returning with the clothing.
"Do I get to keep my coat? I do like it…" She murmured, trying to catch a glimpse past the protective cover, hands holding the album. Finding herself tracing a photo, Natsuki looked down at it.
This one had a more intimate feel, even though the most they were doing was an embrace; Their hands clasped together in front of them and the look she was giving Shizuru sent a fluttery anxiousness through her stomach, as well as nervousness.
And now she was about to see the elder in the shower… Uh oh.
She wondered whether she'd get out of this alive. She may only remember her years with her as a student, but… Natsuki knew far too well how this woman could flip the situation, no matter the case.
"Or you can wait and I will help you afterwards?" Shizuru suggested.
"No… I want to. It will go faster for both of us." Natsuki gave a shy smile, bashful still but wanting to… Explore? Perhaps not that, but…
She did want to see if she still felt the way she did in that photo, and the nervousness was key that it was a big possibility that she did.
Would she doubt their relationship though? She didn't think so; how could that even be possible to even consider?
"So, you want to?" The Archmeister's voice made her jump, and she anxiously nodded.
Dropping the clothing neatly onto the foot of the bed, Shizuru once more removed the covers of the bed, holding her arms out for the Gakuenchou. "You are lucky, we have seats in the baths here."
Flushing, Natsuki reached her arms up for the elder, noting again that she had thankfully not been changed in her sleep. She didn't think she would have appreciated that…
"Today is the hike for the…" The extra years were still taking a while for her to remember. "...Amethysts?" She curled a brow up in an inquisitive expression, winding her arms around Shizuru's neck.
"No, no." Shizuru shook her head. "We have a couple of months until that." She confirmed, hooking her arms around Natsuki and lifting her deftly.
The younger Meister could feel her stomach flipping multiple times in sheer anxiety, unconsciously looping her arms around the elder's neck more sharply. Shizuru didn't seem to react to this, turning around so her back was against the door to the bathroom, leaning down so her elbow latched atop the door-handle, opening the door.
"You're pretty adept at carrying me." She blurted out, eyes catching a mirror as soon as the door was open wide enough. She flushed, looking away as the position she was in was a bit odd to watch.
"Ah, I do remember you having to do it a few times before… Especially after that match with Mai… Oh. I just remembered Mai is here."
"I feel sorry for Mai, you forgot her." She peered down to the shorter woman, Natsuki just making out a smirk settling along the brunette's lips, the tease reaching her eyes.
"Shizuru," the Gakuenchou grumbled.
"Ara? What is it?" Popping Natsuki atop the closed toilet lid, she arched a brow at her.
"W-what, don't sit me here…" Natsuki puffed her cheeks out a bit, gaunt cheeks barely looking exaggerated. "Ah… Is it something to be concerned about that I forgot about her?" She asked a bit more seriously, rubbing her hands together nervously.
The tiles beneath her feet were cold, lips twitching into a faint frown.
"It is not. But if it persists, then perhaps. And what is wrong, Natsuki?" The elder purposely altered her tone of voice once sounding her name, the Meister's name rolling off her tongue like water.
Spinning on the heel of her foot, Shizuru hid the deeper smile which lured against her features. "So which would you prefer? A shower, or a bath?"
"Ah, a shower. Something quick." She blushed, darting her eyes up to meet crimson. "N-not that I don't want to see you- I mean! Ah…" Bringing her hands up, she buried her face into them with an embarrassed hiccup.
"Shower. Please." She mumbled into her palms, tips of her ears flaming red and bright.
"Anymore of that and you will explode, Natsuki." There was that laugh again, Shizuru adjusting the tap/faucet, her hand hovering over the water as she slowly adjusted the temperature.
"Hot, cold or just right?" She questioned this time.
"Ah, a little hotter, I think. Be careful with my-" She cut herself off, chuckling softly to herself. "Nevermind. You're more careful with my head than I am…" She murmured, watching the elder adjust the temperature.
That sounded characteristic for Natsuki, Shizuru noted mentally. Happy once the temperature was just right.
She turned to Natsuki. "Now…"
Natsuki gulped, she wasn't sure if she liked the sound of this.
"Oh. Right. Um… Can you undress last?" Natsuki felt a bit childish in asking that, but she didn't want the elder to be uncomfortable. "Wait, no. Uhm… Undress me then set me in and then undress?" She blurted out rapidly, looking down towards the tiles.
Contently the tawny brunette watched as the different emotions passed along the younger Otome's face, sitting herself upon the edge of the bath. "You are rambling again, Natsuki." Reaching over into the bath, Shizuru grasped hold of the base of the seat which was securely attached to either side of the bath. She pulled it, sliding the white seating into the centre of the bath so it was within the spray of water.
"I know… At least I remember that I rambled a lot. Will I get to see Mai today?" She asked, tilting her head and causing the ends of dark strands to brush over her neck. She didn't quite like that feeling…
"I think I need a haircut…" She murmured, touching the black strands. They were longer than in the photos, falling towards her stomach and the lower end of her back.
"I can trim it, but Mai is the stylist." Shizuru murmured.
Standing she headed towards Natsuki and halted, leaning onto one leg, a toe almost brushing against the Gakuenchou's own. "Do not worry Natsuki. I have seen all your interesting bits and pieces before."
"Shizuru!" Natsuki barked out, blood rushing to her face so quickly she physically reeled from the odd pulsing it caused in her head. "Oh, ow… Ow…" She murmured softly, moving her hands up to her temples.
"Shizuru…" She pouted once the pain subsided, lowering her hands as she gazed up to her. "I know that… I assumed we did have sex…"
"Kannin-na, Natsuki, but I am afraid I can not help teasing you." Poking the padding of her index finger against Natsuki's nose, she leaned down, lowering herself down to Natsuki's level who stared at her awkwardly from on the toilet lid.
"Now come, the water is still running."
"R-right." Natsuki raised her arms for her shirt to be dealt with, fidgeting a little bit as she looked at Shizuru. "I feel like a little kid…" She admitted, chuckling softly. "But, I can't do this by myself…"
"I am sure you will eventually." The tawny Otome helped her, her heart leaping as the lack of muscle and weight greeted her. The Gakuenchou's skin was also much paler than how she once remembered, ribs and the collarbone lightly poking against the skin of her body.
"C-can I keep it on, actually?"
Shizuru paused, crimsons locking onto the younger Meister's chest and stomach for a few given moments before trailing back up to greet emeralds, bringing the fabric back down along the Meister's form. "How do you want to take off your trousers then?"
"I do need to gain back my weight…" Natsuki fidgeted again, now a bit self-conscious. Shizuru would see her naked, yes, but at this physical state in her life? Gaunt, skinny with barely a muscle to her name?
She felt sick. Crossing her arms over her chest, she gazed up to Shizuru with a faint fear. "Ah… Just take them off, I suppose…"
Those rough hands clasped onto her shoulders, the Archmeister nearing her. "Alright," she spoke quietly, squeezing her shoulders gently.
"I need your help," she continued, moving Natsuki's arm so it curved around her own slender waist, lifting the post-coma Gakuenchou up slowly and steadily, fingertips hooking into the waistband, delicately sliding it down enough so the younger woman would be able to sit down whilst taking off the trousers.
Holding a bit tightly around Shizuru's neck, Natsuki gave a faint wince and grimace as she felt the fabric slip from her skin. "Sorry for… How I look. I guess. I'm sure this is just as startling for you as it was for me." Natsuki nuzzled into her throat a bit, finding it to feel almost natural.
"Never apologise for your situation, it is not your fault." Shizuru uttered, smoothing the heel of her palm into the small of Natsuki's back, the trousers finally slipping off entirely.
"Thank you." Natsuki murmured into her skin, closing her eyes. "You smell really nice…" Not just like the tea either, but that hint of something headier…
"Are you wearing my perfume?"
"Perfume?" The Archmeister murmured down, the nails of her fingers tickling against the Gakuenchou's skin, guiding her towards the bath. "If so, then perhaps." 'Even though it should have worn off long ago'.
Natsuki could hear the smile of amusement cast onto the elder's features.
"Well, you smell a little like… Something I would wear." Natsuki's fingers brushed over a bar in the wall, wrapping around it to hold on and guide herself onto the seat and into the water, free hand pulling up on her shirt to keep it from getting wet.
"Ah, this goes as well." She murmured aloud, gently trying to slip it over her head.
Natsuki didn't quite dare to look over to see what the Archmeister was doing, knowing too well the elder was stripping off what clothing she was wearing. She felt the presence of the older Column close to her and then shifted behind her.
Letting the article fall towards the floor from the side of the bath, Natsuki returned her hand to her lap and fell quiet. She could feel the difference of her body in weight and muscle, she really did not feel like seeing it…
She kept her eyes from the reflection in the water, either hers or Shizuru's, and finally clapped a hand softly to the surface to disrupt and destroy it.
"I will wash your hair, I am unsure if it will sting however." Shizuru warned lightly, clasping the fellow Meister's shoulder, leaning behind her but not close enough to touch, clutching hold of the bottles on the bottom side of the bath.
The breath within the Gakuenchou's throat stopped, Natsuki holding her breath at Shizuru's distance.
"Okay…" She softly murmured after a moment, teeth digging into her bottom lip. "Do you…" This was a stupid thing to ask, especially with her memories foggy to herself.
"Do you still think I am… attractive?"
Shizuru was silent, but her mind wasn't. A jumble of uncharacteristic thoughts poured into her mind as she stayed still behind Natsuki, still clutching hold of the bottles of shampoo and conditioner. "...Of course I do. Natsuki is Natsuki," she murmured softly, brushing her nose against the Gakuenchou's temple.
"Thank you…" Natsuki flushed, turning her head a bit to meet Shizuru's cheek with her own and giving a soft nuzzle. "I do love you, you know." She murmured, the confession slipping out easier than she thought possible.
"I know you do Natsuki," Shizuru mumbled, her heavy accent deepening. "I do too, I love you."
They fell into a peaceful silence, the brunette placing the conditioner underneath the char which Natsuki sat, uncapping the bottle of shampoo into a hand. The pink liquid was naturally cold to the touch and she allowed it to soak into the Gakuenchou's scalp, moving the chair back—with the younger woman still atop—further away from the water.
Letting out a soft sigh at the contact, Natsuki closed her eyes. This was nice… She hoped when she got her strength back, that she could treat Shizuru as well as the elder had been treating her. One step at a time, she supposed.
The water felt nice, but also a bit strange. Almost like a phantom feeling as it brushed against her and surrounded her legs. So odd..
There was a pressure of small and constant tapping from the liquid hitting her, but it didn't hurt. She remembered the sensation, but having her body not experienced it for so long was an oddity in itself.
Although the Meister's hands felt so rough, they still felt soothing against her stuffy head, the older woman bringing the overgrown hair up closer to her scalp, washing it softly in a relaxed motion; all the more avoiding the seam along the younger Otome's head.
"Thank you for doing this for me, Shizuru." Natsuki broke the silence, and her promise to stop thanking the elder with a soft chuckle. She hummed happily, enjoying the bath so far.
Rolling her shoulders as a bit of tightness began to set in, Natsuki tried to stay still again. "Mm, Mai should cut my hair…"
"We shall make sure of that." Was the brunette's only answer for the time being, crimson orbs floating across the woman's shoulder-blades until coming to rest upon the back of Natsuki's head. "You can go back into the water, Natsuki."
"That didn't even hurt." Natsuki commented softly, lowering her hands into the water first. The temperature was still soothing, and she closed her eyes to rinse out her hair.
As the Gakuenchou did this, the Archmeister behind her got to work on her own bed-ridden tresses. Her form was beginning to feel the effects of the cold, but she ignored it, focusing on the younger Meister before her.
Natsuki felt like a young child, splashing in the water while her mother was focusing on the actual cleaning. Well, maybe she should actually stop splashing herself… It was fun, though. "Ah, what are we doing today?" Has she been told? Brows furrowing, Natsuki looked over her shoulder for Shizuru.
Remembering their situation the Gakuenchou tore her eyes back in front of her, tensing her arms and pressing her hands onto her lap.
She wondered if she'd explode if she was to blush one more time...
"I shall be training the Amethysts, but Natsuki is welcome to come along."
The information sank in gradually and Natsuki nodded. "I want to but… urgh, I don't like that wheelchair, it digs into my spine." She grumbled.
Shizuru frowned at the complaint, having caught the lapse of judgement from Natsuki as those eyes had begun to wander. She will comment later… "Does the pillow not help Natsuki?" She asked, a brow lifting as she tended to her own hair.
"Not much." Came the blunt reply, a bit of dryness in her voice. "Maybe it's more restlessness than lack of comfort…" That had to be it, right?
The Meister hummed in response. "Perhaps… Natsuki never was one to like staying seated for long." But either way the Column would keep an eye on that little complaint.
Eventually the shower ended and Shizuru was the first to leave the bath; the Gakuenchou not even prying a glance over towards her in fear of becoming far too embarrassed for her own good.
Wrapping herself in a towel, Shizuru made sure not to reveal herself as she turned for Natsuki, giving a soft smile to her to reassure that once again, the radical change in her appearance didn't bother her. "I will help Natsuki with her uniform, as I am sure she is eager to see it…"
Of course she was bothered with Natsuki's health, but it wasn't the Gakuenchou's fault nor should she feel bad about it. The main concern was getting the younger woman's health back up mentally and physically.
"I am…" Natsuki murmured, wondering about it. She hoped it wasn't as… Odd as Shizuru's. Not that it looked bad, but… Not her style.
Or was it her style? She pondered.
She supposed after so long of knowing the Archmeister wearing that dress she had simply got used to it.
"And to answer your earlier question about your coat, yes. I tailored your uniform to be sure to include it…"
Natsuki perked up a bit, giving a faint smile. She liked that coat… "Thank you…"
"Ah." Shizuru lifted a finger. "What did I say, Natsuki?" She waggled it as if to accuse the younger woman, sliding the other towel from off the wooden railing beside her, offering it over to her.
"Sorry- Damn it." Natsuki huffed softly, taking the towel and wrapping it around her chest tightly. Shizuru wasn't being inappropriate, but it made her feel better… Perhaps she would gain her confidence once she gained her weight back.
The older woman would never be inappropriate to her when it came to serious matters. Least from what she remembered.
The morning air of the academy grounds was pleasantly cool this morning, the gentle breeze combing through the branches and leaves of the surrounding forest which had always enshrouded Garderobe, both protecting and endangering the grounds.
The wheels of her chair crushed small twigs and the still crunchy leaves under their wake, Natsuki enjoying the fresh air. The coat helped the chair not feel so uncomfortable, or hurt so much.
Inhaling a bit sharply, the Gakuenchou blinked a bit, looking up to Shizuru. "I like this uniform…"
"I am glad." They were almost to their location where the Amethysts and Diamonds were located which was close to the back of the academy grounds at the foot of the forest where the training areas were. The location was perfect for an array of different activities from running, sparring, climbing, swimming, you name it.
Reading a colourfully named book, jadeite eyes scanned each page with a quirky enjoyment; More so pretending to read as she waited for the Gakuenchou and Archmeister. This would definitely wake up Kruger…
"Nao, what are you reading?" Nina's eyes narrowed on the cover, trying to determine what sort of book it was.
The fiery redhead had propped herself against the trunk of a tree, a leg crossed against the other as she stood, flicking through the pages at a steady pace.
The cover of the book was entirely made of a light orange, a white border along the inside by a few centimetres. Although Nina was right beside the older student, Nao had angled it in such a way where it made it impossible to see its contents nor title.
"A book," the redhead grinned, sharp teeth revealing themselves as she smiled widely. "A book, Nina." She repeated it slowly, trailing it along her tongue, "Would you like to hear some of it?"
"No thanks," the NO.2 Amethyst grumbled, eyeing her with suspicion as she leaned down, brushing down the front of her uniform. "Your reading always grosses me out anyway."
"Burn." Nao mumbled, her expression softening; this was quickly altered back into a grin however, the lime-eyed student pin-pointing an incoming Zipang Meister. "Bingo!"
"What are they doing…?" Natsuki mumbled to herself, an expression akin to a troubled child's coming to her features. A few of them were bundled together, and she noticed Nao immediately; Eyes darting to the book with immediate suspicion. Remembering the photo album, the Gakuenchou's hands darted to the belt for her slacks.
"Natsuki is being paranoid." Shizuru sang softly down to her, hands tightening on the handles for the wheelchair only slightly. That book… Natsuki would throw a fit for sure. It would be cute to watch, but not healthy for her current state. She would tell Nao to put it away…
"Am not." Natsuki muttered, peering up to the older woman only for a brief moment until she gathered her attention back to the student, pressing her knees lightly together, hands tensely against them.
"Meister Mai! Heyo!" Nao lifted a hand towards the approaching vermilion redhead, utterly blanking the Gakuenchou and Archmeister. "I have a present! Do you want to hear this tale of love, romance and adventure?"
"Eh?" Mai, who was neatly dressed in her iconic orange uniform tilted her head in curiosity, glancing between Nao, Nina, Natsuki and Shizuru.
The Zipang royal actually looked confused with who she should give her full attention to. Should it be the student or her old friend?
"I'll give you time with the mutt, dear Tragic Meister." Closing the book, Nina managed to finally spot the title—who at that widened her eyes—Nao bent slightly forward and leaned on the weight of one leg. "Then you'll give me attention after, right, Nina?"
Shaking out of it, Nina blinked at her, shifting her head away. "..."
"Keep her away from me. I don't like her." Natsuki whispered softly up to Shizuru, a bit wary of the students even disregarding Nao. She was nervous to be viewed as weak, especially with her stance at the academy.
"You should say she looks nice." Irina blurted towards Nina, nudging the girl softly. Huffing a bit, ocher eyes looked towards the elder in the wheelchair. "I don't think she needs to hear lies."
"Be nice, you two." Erstin shoved them forward, innocently smiling when Natsuki noticed the movement and looked towards them. Lifting a brow at that, the Gakuenchou looked up to Shizuru again, drawing her coat over the starch dress shirt.
"I already do not like this."
"Aa… Shizuru?" She called again, the Archmeister tilting her head down in regards. "If I need to know their names… Could you tell me?"
"Of course."
"Mai…" Natsuki called, ushering her over.
The Amethysts and Diamonds watched silently, Nao rolling her eyes as they pair communicated silently with one another. "Oi, Marge." She wafted a hand at Tomoe who slowly turned to gaze at her sharply, narrowing her eyes.
"Don't call me Ma-"
"Marge."
"Girls… You know you cannot fight amongst yourselves, especially in these times." Shizuru called out once they were close, a serene smile hiding the true emotion she felt, scaling ruby eyes Nao. "Book. Away."
Natsuki gave a faint smirk to the tone, happy at least that Shizuru was strict when needed; As she couldn't be, not like this. She could not exactly command respect in this wheelchair… Ugh, her sour attitude would only make her more dejected.
When Nao had dumped the book none of them knew, but as their lesson began to proceed which consisted of sparring, it became evident that the redhead was up to something, attempting to pry herself closer to the Tragic Meister.
The Gakuenchou and Archmeister were some way off from them, covered by the shade of the tree which Nina and Nao had accompanied those few minutes ago.
To her luck Nao was paired into a 1v1 with the Tragic Meister.
"So you're my partner, are you?" Nao practically purred over towards the unfazed Zipang woman. "I heard you punched Mutt across the face and almost dislocated her collarbone."
"Excuse me?" Mai narrowed her gaze, eyeing the younger redhead as she readied a stance. "It wasn't that devastating of a win, I'm afraid."
Natsuki felt restless, shuffling against her wheelchair as she watched those paired up begin. She was hoping to spend time with Mai, but it seemed that trouble-making girl was going to make that quite a task to accomplish.
"You see, Meister Mai, I've been reading a story about you."
"Nani?"
Natsuki tried to think of what the girl's name was. Hadn't that redhead called her… Marge…? She narrowed her eyes, staring at the steel-eyed girl who fiddled with her sleeve for a moment or two.
"The Zipang Princess, the Tragic Meister. Not too tall nor too short." Nao lifted her hands, guarding her torso and head, calculating the older woman's movements and emotions silently. "With tresses of vermilion and eyes of royal violet the Otome stalked the corridors."
"What are you talking about?" The Meister made no move to head towards Nao, her own fists rising for protection.
"Dear, Mai. The Meister who stalked me, a lonely student."
Ginger eyebrows shot up. "You're what? Seventeen? Stop it."
"In the dead of night she ventured forth," the prankster's lips curled into pure amusement, jolting forward, Mai merely vaulting backwards.
"Me she wanted, and I wanted her all the same. Her presence dwarfed mine; and I am nineteen!"
"Zhang!" Mai barked firmly, frowning.
Why the hell was Nao doing this? And now of all times?! She already knew this was well within the Altai student's characteristics but she had to do something. She was a teacher getting chatted up by a student.
"The smouldering tension of Meister Mai was before me, oh, but I, a mere student! Whisked away like an ember upon coal! But oh! Behold!"
Nao had somehow, Mai didn't even know how, but had literally prowled herself forward, and before she knew it was almost out of the others' line of sight.
"And did you know what the Meister did?"
Actually at this point Nao had no clue, she had cited from the book utterly up until this point. "Time to make it up."
"Alas, the Meister broke Garderobe's rules! Alas, she tortured me with her…?"
"Nao. Seriously."
"What? Mai?"
Natsuki had watched them until she could no longer see where that troublesome girl had prowled Mai to. She strained even, leaning a bit too far forward and wavering; Teetering and in danger of falling from her seated and safe position.
"Natsuki certainly is nosy." She heard Shizuru bite back a giggle, feeling an arm loosely cross down from her shoulder towards her hip to pull her back like a safety belt, fixing her position. The Archmeister lingered, lips a hair away from the Gakuenchou's ear.
"Perhaps Natsuki would like to read that book? I would feel so jealous if she took it up instead of me."
"Shizuru, stop that." Natsuki huffed softly, though had to admit that the hold was comforting. The aforementioned book, however, seemed anything but. What was Nao doing to Mai…? Fidgeting, she wished they had stayed within sight, but now she could survey the others without that tomfoolery abound...
"Mai knows what she is doing, I am surprised you are complaining."
Opening her mouth, Natsuki soon closed it, crossing her arms, tearing her gaze away from Shizuru and back towards the masses of Amethyst and Diamond instead.
...It appeared that the weirdly hair-styled girl had paired with two others… one with brown hair and a strangely large forehead and… Nina, was it?
"I was not complaining." She finally spoke, clearing her throat softly. "I just want to make sure that girl does not do anything to-" To what? To make Mai leave?
It hadn't been Mai's choice to leave those years ago… She needed to get out of her head.
Focusing on the students again, the wheelchair-bound woman noticed something a bit odd about the trio. One seemed far more familiar than the other two, and it was not the one that could pass for a younger, albeit a bit odder version of herself.
The one with the large forehead, she had no clue about her.
It was definitely the one who she had noticed was on her own a few moments ago.
"Shizuru… who are those three together…?" She pointed into their direction, looking up to the Archmeister.
"Mm?" Shizuru looked to where Natsuki pointed, wondering why she had taken an interest. "Let me see… Tomoe Marguerite, the teal hair. Nina Wang; She was in the infirmary when you had just woken, if you remember… The third… Miya Clochette." The Archmeister hummed.
"Now my students," Shizuru manoeuvred between the Amethysts and Diamonds, raising a hand, halting the younger women. "I would like you to gather into teams of two with your closest ranking class-mate. For instance, the NO.4 and NO.3."
Natsuki was still very confused, mostly about the classes. Shizuru had added two extra years to the curriculum, in the one year that she was in a coma. How did she choose who had been separated into those years? Did she add new students?
She would never be able to tell, if she did not remember the students to begin with. Natsuki stayed quiet, observing as best she could as she smoothed her hands down over her slacks. "I like my new uniform…" She repeated again, mostly to herself as Shizuru was busy.
The trousers were a little loose but comfortable, giving her that extra room which her others hadn't done. The white shirt which had long sleeves was also a nice change from that… well, whatever it had been covering her torso. And the little collar with the cross-cravat?
Honestly, she could barely remember her Gakuenchou years and she found it remarkable that somehow she was able to clearly remember the old uniforms which she had Shizuru had worn.
Instead of the black cross-cravat which she had worn, although she did wear another, it was instead a dark shade of blue. It blended into her old Gakuenchou jacket but not so much that you couldn't see it.
She toyed with the gem at the throat of it; Instead of emerald it seemed Shizuru saw fit to keep her claim, a ruby as dark as blood sitting prominently along the silk of it. She liked that aspect too… Liked the idea of Shizuru keeping her claim. It made the promise of the elder never leaving her that much more real.
Nina stood across from Tomoe, staring her down as she tried to remember exactly where not to strike. The teal-haired girl had a lot of triggers… She had learned that the hard way.
Never towards the head, back or sides. Tomoe hated it when people directed their attacks in those places, and the angrier the Windbloom student became, the more difficult she became to take down. Then again she also had an advantage. She was naturally hard to read during battles, so this aspect would help in keeping the older student calm, and essentially less destructive and reckless.
She just had to make sure to prove her mettle in front of the newly-awakened Gakuenchou and the Archmeister, and not make a fool of herself.
Natsuki seemed particularly interested in the stare-down between them, cocking a brow when the first move was not directly made. Was that girl… Nina, trying to psyche out the other? Tomoe, was it? Something about them seemed familiar…
Had she known them more than just simple details before? It would seem odd to ask Shizuru… Looking up to the elder, Natsuki fiddled with her hands, noticing she had a bit more motion with her legs. The nanomachines must be making their way towards the muscles… Good.
"You aren't stealing my top spot this time, Wang." It was a taunt from Tomoe, steel-grey eyes scanning Nina quickly, pinpointing every area of interest which she remembered or believed were weak.
"It is the back."
Tomoe knew. Nina could see it in her eyes… Narrowing ocher, the younger woman stalked forward before darting to the side at a rebuttal; A sort of dance between the two starting up.
Perking up in her chair, Natsuki watched them with great interest. These two… They seemed to be part of the top tier, and she looked up to Shizuru for confirmation.
The Archmeister confirmed her pondering, not even batting an eyelid, knowing full well the Gakuenchou was taking a profound interest in the two students. "Marguerite is the NO.1 Amethyst currently, Wang is the NO.2 Amethyst in response. It is not uncommon to see them shifting between these numbers."
Tearing her crimson eyes away from the pair, Shizuru glanced over to Natsuki.
"Marguerite has managed to keep her title for five days as of now."
"Five days?" Natsuki blurted softly, watching them trade blows that didn't seem to land and grapples that were met with thin air instead of flesh. "I want to see their dossiers… All the dossiers, actually. I have to catch up…"
"Ah ah, Natsuki… I cannot have Natsuki straining herself when she is not even at full health." Shizuru clicked her tongue softly, though trailed her fingertips along the Gakuenchou's shoulder. "Perhaps I will let Natsuki have Wang's dossier…"
Natsuki blinked. "Really?"
The Archmeister nodded.
Well, that was… That was definitely a surprise she hadn't been expecting.
As her emerald eyes retreated back towards the two students, she instantly cringed, the Altai slamming the heel of her boot directly against the taller student's shin.
That seemed like a cheap shot.
"Wang!" Tomoe scolded with a fierce glare, hopping back and bringing her leg up.
"Aren't we fighting?" The younger girl furrowed her brows, taking this as seriously as Natsuki herself would have.
That was far too familiar an expression.
But that sure had hurt.
"Oh, we sure are." Tomoe snickered over to her, leaping forward after Nina who merely pranced backwards, the two continuing to do this until the teal-haired student abruptly halted, swerving to her far left, reaching out to latch onto Nina's arm.
"Ack!" What a funny reaction to being grabbed. Natsuki covered her mouth to not be heard snorting, though she heard Shizuru bite back a laugh at the noise she made.
Nina tried to put force into her shoulder to slam into Tomoe's chest, but the teal-haired student used her force to pull her and fell back to slam her own body into the grass, efficiently flipping the younger student over herself, and into the ground with a harsher impact.
By now all the students except the high ranking Diamonds were watching their display. Funnily enough it appeared to look more alike to a proper match now, some of the students even hooting or laughing in response to the outcry Nina had produced.
The Altain growled and was winded, scrambling herself off the floor, wobbling about the place slightly.
"Does your back getting touched turn you on or something? You creep." Tomoe laughed at her, taking a couple of steps away from the younger student.
Tomoe's achievement had rewarded her with a confidence boost and a jump in adrenaline and she continued. "You gross me out."
Nina flushed brightly, brushing herself off as she glared. "Shut it, Marguerite. Least I'm not a momma's girl." She shot back, using the faint bit of shock she saw on Tomoe's face to strike; Wrapping the crook of her arm around the back of the elder girl's neck and swinging herself to corkscrew Tomoe.
Landing on her face, she recovered more slowly than before, angry that Nina got a good shot in.
The ocher-eyed student was still against her, pinning down, and Tomoe mentally cursed, that confidence which she had previously gathered amongst herself vanishing. Luckily for her however, her dominant right arm was free, Nina's arms curved around her neck and the underside of her left arm, so she shot the heel of her palm against the joint of the Altain's throat and jaw.
The resounding faint snap from the action caused several to flinch, including Natsuki. She certainly hadn't expected that…
Nina collapsed atop of Tomoe, brow pressed against the grass to the left of the elder's face. She was out cold, and pinned the teal-haired victor beneath her.
"U-ugh." Tomoe breathed out, struggling a bit to no avail. Now she was stuck. Fantastic.
The Archmeister stared for a good moment, an unseen brow without training barely visible for those seconds of thought. "...Tie."
Although the NO.1 Amethyst had knocked the younger student out cold, she believed it'd be best to contact Yohko. Steadily reaching up to her GEM, the violet of the gemstone shined lightly, pressing a tiny button into the jewel.
Instantly the alarm was activated inside the lab deep underground, the GEM buzzing softly for at least a minute before becoming silent.
"Students, please move." She uttered, leaving a staring Natsuki's side who gawked, the Gakuenchou realising and shutting her mouth.
"Can someone get her off me…?" Tomoe mumbled, the dead-weight of the younger girl beginning to take its toll on her torso.
"...Heh… Hehehe!" Natsuki began to laugh, softly at first until it was an outright raucous echo across the courtyard. It hadn't seemed so comical at first, but now with the younger woman trapped beneath an unconscious opponent…!
Shizuru's eyes widened to the laughter, looking Natsuki over as the Gakuenchou soon became breathless though laughed still. "Natsuki, that is highly inappropriate." She never thought she would have to say that, but her lips twitched at the infectious laughter. Shizuru had to admit, it was pretty humorous.
Irina stared at the laughing Gakuenchou, happy that she seemed to be on the mend from being so weak.
Still underneath the unconscious Nina, Tomoe narrowed her eyes at the Gakuenchou, arching a brow as the Meister began to catch her breath. "What was that about?"
Had that hit to the head turned the Gakuenchou psycho or something?
Wiping a few tears from her eyes, Natsuki slowly calmed down, noting that everyone except for the unconscious Nina was staring at her.
"A-ah… it was funny." She blurted in her defense, skin turning red as she composed herself. She cleared her throat, now certain that this sort of behaviour was very unusual.
Quickly becoming annoyed, Tomoe snapped. "Will someone help me already?!"
Cracking out of the confusion of the situation, Irina lent down quickly, placing her fingertips against the back of Nina's neck carefully.
Nothing seemed damaged, but still… This was the doing of Tomoe and it honestly wouldn't surprise Irina if one day Tomoe did manage to kill someone, whether it was by accident or on purpose.
At any rate, Nina was breathing and seemed alright if just out cold. Eliciting the help of Erstin, Irina and the blonde managed to carefully lift Nina enough for Tomoe to scramble out.
"Set her back down, she may have a neck injury." Natsuki remembered, now less amused by the situation.
Brushing her uniform down as she stood, Tomoe peered down to the knocked out Altain, her brow furrowing.
Maybe hitting her that hard had been a bad idea… she mused, twitching at the faint throbbing which still protruded from her shin. Still… that sure had hurt.
A lot.
Emerging with a hovering table at her side, the medical doctor peered down to Nina. "Mm, a very hard hit." She commended Tomoe, kneeling to do a physical vital check. The younger girl was breathing, and seemed to react to a soft prick of a needle at her fingertip and thigh, proving she was not paralysed.
"Well done, Tomoe." Yohko carefully gathered the girl into her arms and set her onto the table.
Natsuki watched, eyeing the downed girl. That corkscrew move was impressive, however…
To have broken out of it was another impressive feat in itself. She could see why these two were constantly moving between one another's ranks so frequently.
The teal-haired student… Tomoe(?) had kept her top rank for five days at the most, which was considered pretty ground-breaking.
Curiously Natsuki wondered what her life would've been like if Garderobe had this structure when she had been a student.
Nina was carted off, and the Gakuenchou studied Tomoe a bit before she directed her attention to Shizuru.
"My, that was exciting." The elder clasped her hands together as if she had clapped, no sound louder than a brush of skin.
"Exciting…" She supposed it had been, though she was more amused to have watched the ending of the sparring between them. "Ah… I'm hungry." She pointed out to Shizuru, noticing the elder's lips twitched into an amused smile again.
Fortunately for everyone that session was going to end soon. Maybe if Natsuki was lucky Shizuru would end it a little earlier.
For her sake, obviously.
Wait a moment though. Where was Mai and that redhead? Natsuki had only just remembered the pair, wondering where the hell they could've got to. A worry invaded her stomach, but she forced it away for the time being, sighing as the Archmeister continued to communicate with the Amethysts and Diamonds.
Still, this was still so baffling. It felt weird that there were two more years now. Amethysts and Diamonds? Of course they were named after the Archmeister herself and the Founder, but the idea was still taking its time to digest within the Gakuenchou's gut.
Worried over Mai, Natsuki subtly raised a hand to her own GEM, feeling the earring out and rubbing the pad of her thumb over the stone. It didn't react to her touch, as perhaps a precursor fail-safe so she would not be able to activate her Robe and hurt herself further.
"Robe?" She mumbled softly to herself, fingers meeting at her temple for a rub instead. That seemed to spur a bit of memory…
She wasn't entirely sure what the memory was however. It felt as if it was one which was more of a trained instinct. The colour of her GEM was a light azure so she assumed that her Robe was made of cold colours. Natsuki could've also sworn that Shizuru had said the name of her GEM as well…
Puzzling over it she jabbed at her brain, muttering to herself. She would require more hints for her mind to jolt at more of those precious memories…
In the time she was stuck in her head, it seemed that Shizuru had dismissed everyone. Where was Mai? She was about to panic; The faint pull of her brows towards one another was a clue to that.
"My, what has Natsuki all worked up?" Shizuru knelt a bit to meet her eyes with a smile, putting a finger to her own lips in a mock-inquisitive expression. "Perhaps she needs to use the restroom?"
"Shizuru!" Natsuki barked, face flushing as she grumbled softly to herself. "No… I am hungry, though, but I want to know where Mai is."
Something sparked upon the Archmeister's expression and she straightened to her full height, waving off the last of the students who headed towards the dining hall.
Actually Shizuru wasn't sure whether it was safe to say. She had a pretty good idea what was happening. The student loved to flirt and tease, whether that had gone across the line however…
Mai would never allow that, surely?
"I am unsure, she may have gone to the dining hall, however."
"Alright… I need something with a bit more protein for lunch, I think." Natsuki rubbed at her jaw, pondering. "I am really hungry…"
"Poor Natsuki… I've noticed she's been shuffling her legs a bit more. Is Natsuki gaining more mobility?"
"Huh? Have I been shuffling?" She hadn't noticed. Looking towards her hands on her knees, the Gakuenchou smiled a bit wide as she managed to lift a loafer from the bar and then the other, setting them both down.
"I am…"
Maybe she won't be shoved into this chair for much longer than she was led to believe? She hoped so.
"Um… Shizuru? Can I ask something?" She peered up to the older woman who strode behind her, rough hands grasping the handles of her chair, pushing her towards the path which would guide them to the dining hall.
"Yes?"
"What does my Robe look like?"
"Hm…" How to describe that? "Well… Natsuki usually wears a silver hairpin, which might explain why her long hair has been bothering her. When her Robe activates, it elongates… I admit I am not sure as to why…"
Why did Shizuru prefer to refer to Natsuki in the third person? She didn't do it to herself…
The Gakuenchou shook that thought away, focusing on the answer to her question.
Thinking on the silver hairpin she looked up behind her shoulder at the brunette suspiciously; she opened her mouth but decided against it, shifting back around.
"Accusing her of being perverted will only motivate her to tease me."
She could feel the crimson eyes staring into the back of her head, knowing fully well there was a wicked smile gracing the Archmeister's lips and eyes.
Hopefully she wouldn't react out-loud.
"Well… How does the rest of it look?"
"Mm… It is dark blue, and silver. Ah, I do have a photo…" Shizuru brightened up, humming as she strode with Natsuki towards the dining hall. "I'm sure Natsuki would love to see footage of herself using it."
"I would." Natsuki smiled, hearing a low rumble of her stomach.
"My, my, I should feed the bear living in Natsuki's tummy…"
"Shizuru!"
The dining hall had been just as she had remembered it. There were tables scattered into different areas, mostly into four groups along each corner of the hall.
Students and staff alike were littered across the large room, chattering amongst one another which merged together messily, making it difficult to focus on someone speaking if they weren't close enough.
"It is so busy now…" Natsuki murmured, absorbing in her surroundings inquisitively.
"Does it bother Natsuki?" Shizuru asked, finding the table that was reserved for the Gakuenchou, pristine and void of any crowd. She waited for an answer, tilting her head as she started to push the wheelchair over.
"...No." Natsuki lied, but it was quite annoying. However… Mai might be here.
Emeralds traced over the crowds as Shizuru seated her in front of the table, rounding to be seen.
"I will get Natsuki her lunch." The Archmeister smiled, giving a wave of her fingers before she vanished, the younger woman having trouble following her with her gaze.
Feeling eyes on her again, Natsuki shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Of course the students were staring at her.
She looked over towards the gatherings which they made here and there, some flickering their eyes away quickly whilst some spoke in hushed tones.
It was only natural for rumours and flashy stories to circulate around the academy, but still… Natsuki had never liked the idea of being the centre of attention.
Or had she?
"Natsuki!"
"Ack!" Natsuki jumped a faint bit in the chair to the sudden call of her name bringing her out of her head, looking where it had come from.
"Oh, Mai!" She was pleased to see her again, having been worried since she and that other redhead had disappeared…
"I… What is that?" The Gakuenchou pointed down, looking at the little girl accompanying her friend.
"That has a name, and her name is Ribbon." The vermilion-redhead crossed her arms and gave the elder woman an accusing, pointed look. Feeling a tug against her skirt she peered downwards to the small girl, the cloaked toddler pushing her hood back, revealing short blonde hair and emerald eyes.
Natsuki stared at the girl, blinking.
"I want to be an Otome!"
"Not until you are sixteen," Mai chuckled, leaning down and bringing the small girl into her arms, lifting her easily.
"W-w-w-when…" Natsuki pointed to the two females, eyes widening. "When did you have that?! And where did you go ear-"
"Natsuki, don't be rude." Shizuru chided upon her return, setting a tray down onto the table. She smiled over to Ribbon, easing the toddler into her arms as Mai offered the girl over, propping the toddler onto her hip. The redhead caught Natsuki's eye to press an index finger to her own lips, almost as if telling her she'd "tell her what happened later".
"Natsuki does not even remember gracing me with this precious bundle of life-" Barely able to finish her tease, Shizuru covered her mouth as Natsuki gave a reeling glare.
"Shizuru, don't do that."
"Kannin-na," the Archmeister uttered behind her hand. A faint smile was still present however.
What was she going to do about this woman? Natsuki sighed, leaning back into the chair, attempting to get more comfortable.
Carefully Shizuru handed Ribbon back over to the Zipang Princess, the redhead gathering her into her arms and then sitting on one of the chairs which sat idle around the Gakuenchou's table.
"Nor is she mine, Natsuki. I adopted her."
"Wha-"
Adoption? "When did you adopt her?" Natsuki's brow furrowed, thoroughly confused. Hadn't Shizuru said Mai only came back months ago?
"Hmm…" The redhead paused, stretching her arms out so her forearms lay against the surface of the table. "We bumped into each other by chance, didn't we?" Mai peered down to Ribbon and the girl smiled, nodding up to her in response. "It was two years ago. Schwartz had been in the area at the time and had left her in the Black Valley, close to the Cat God Mountain."
Schwartz did…? Natsuki frowned at her. "The Cat God Mountain again…" How significant was that within that scorching place? For such a ridiculous sounding location it sure held… a mysterious importance.
What of that cat-girl, as well?
Shizuru placed a bowl of hearty porridge and meat in front of the Gakuenchou, adding a spoon as a last minute thought. If she could feed herself, then she wouldn't assist.
She felt she had already embarrassed the Gakuenchou enough for the day.
It wasn't even the afternoon yet, either.
"Thanks, Shizuru." Natsuki murmured, grasping hold of the spoon and bringing the bowl closer to her. She had been up for a while so… luckily she wouldn't embarrass herself too much with her motor skills.
"By the way Natsuki. What did you do about your hair clip, it is a family heirloom, isn't it" Mai pondered over to her, leaning backwards slightly as Ribbon shuffled in her lap, sitting herself forward and placing her tiny hands onto the table, curiosity sparking in her eyes as she watched Natsuki.
Pausing mid-chew of a bite, the older woman slowly swallowed and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. Family heirloom…? She didn't even remember it until she had asked Shizuru about her Robe.
"I… I am not sure. Shizuru?" Natsuki darted emerald to the elder, taking another bite of her porridge.
"Mm, I have kept it safe for Natsuki. Thankfully it was not damaged at all from the blow from that awful woman." The steel in her voice towards the end of her sentence chilled the Gakuenchou.
The Zipang Princess of the group stayed silent. Personally, she didn't know what to think of the Brigadier General. Haruka had been her senior and had never once behaved violently… surely something had gone wrong? Even during the years of the blonde's... almost odd behaviour?
"A-aa…" Mumbling Natsuki listened to the Archmeister, using the elder's voice as a focus to concentrate on eating.
"I still cannot believe it myself, Mai." Shizuru bowed her head to the younger woman. "Haruka was my friend. The behaviour was highly irregular, but she was always a hothead."
"Bite." Ribbon spoke as soon as Natsuki stuffed the spoon into her mouth again, a raven brow quirking. "There you go!"
Although, she had personally never had much of an interest with children, this one was quite… oddly cute. Natsuki's brow furrowed, the array of expressions immediately amusing the blonde child.
She thought she understood a little why Mai took her in...
"She knows all about you, Natsuki." Mai smiled warmly, holding Ribbon to her chest. "I talk about you all the time, she even knew who you were before that."
That was a little strange, but she figured her status as Gakuenchou was quite renowned.
"She's been wanting to meet Natsuki for a while." Shizuru smiled, watching the younger woman.
"W-well. I'm here I guess." She said lamely, cursing mentally.
Unsure with what else to say Natsuki sat there self-consciously, shoulders tensing. "Um…"
Slowly she brought her hand over to the small child, offering two fingers over, the blonde instantly grabbing them, shaking her hand.
"Mm, you are here…" Shizuru whispered softly, Natsuki withdrawing her hand back and cocking a brow in surprise at the different way of speaking.
The Archmeister was staring at her with an undeniable amount of love and affection, but she quickly reeled it in, standing to softly kiss Natsuki's head.
"I am very glad Natsuki finally woke up."
"B-but, I am," Natsuki mumbled, "I have been all day." She felt eyes burn into them and she softly whimpered.
"You are back, silly. You"
The Gakuenchou wasn't too sure what Shizuru was on about, grabbing the Archmeister's forearms.
"Out of your coma." Shizuru clarified, chuckling softly as she wound her arms around the Gakuenchou's head, holding her close to her chest.
Natsuki's fingers curled a bit tighter to hold her arms back, brows furrowing a bit.
"I missed you…"
Her ears twitched sharply under the abrupt disturbance from the students, all eyes and attention on them and she attempted to hide away, sinking into the Archmeister. "But I already woke up?" She muffled against the Windbloom native's chest.
If she had been confused before, she was utterly baffled now.
"I know, Natsuki." Shizuru chuckled again, kissing her head once more. "I am thankful you woke up… Because there was a very large chance you would not. You could have died, and I do not know what I would have done without you."
Natsuki peered at Mai from between the Archmeister's arms, face red and burning as she held on a bit tighter. "Oh… Right…"
"Don't look at me." Mai grinned over.
Emeralds flickered away, staring at the white silk of Shizuru's dress shirt, blinking. "What a friend!"
Here she was in the middle of the dining hall with students surrounding them, and Shizuru had decided to have a heart-to-heart conversation now? Natsuki was simply completely and utterly lost in what to do and say.
"Shizuru… do you mean that the version of me I don't remember is… back?"
"Bits and pieces, yes. But I mostly mean… I am just so overwhelmed with happiness that you are awake, talking, and able to be by my side again." Shizuru composed herself, slowly letting Natsuki go and giving a soft smile.
Natsuki nodded slowly, realizing the reaction was based off when she had announced she was here for the child. "Oh."
"I just… said it instinctively, I guess," Natsuki mumbled, her deep, viridian eyes scanning between Shizuru, Mai and Ribbon.
The atmosphere within the hall eventually settled, and the group and large number of curious students piped down, the Gakuenchou at last managing to eat her meal in peace without interruption.
Shizuru ate and dabbed her lips with a napkin, conversing with Mai about new-found motherhood. It was still very odd to see Mai, with a child…
Blinking when a paper ball landed next to her, Natsuki cocked a brow at it and stared. Where had that come from?
"Kruger..."
Twisting around emeralds instantly widened slightly, taking in the sight of the dark-skinned, turquoise-haired woman who was standing behind her wheelchair.
They continued their silence, Natsuki opening and closing her mouth multiple times but unable to say anything. Her ex-class-mate was even clothed in the new uniform which had been given to her. It was similar to the students' own, the differences being it was blue, with padding atop the shoulders and a thicker collar which was shaded in a black.
The trousers and combat boots were the same… but she wore a simple white shirt underneath the blue one.
"...Laura?" Natsuki stared, brows furrowing tightly as she scanned the other woman again.