The Dining Hall was fairly vacant apart from kitchen staff of gracious monks and nuns who seem a little too happy for Kira's taste. But then again, its no secret that her boss's name is renown throughout the Knights and the Church of Seiros.
Something Kira definitely wishes Jeralt was honest about this secret. Two years of working for him, and his Lieutenant at that! At least a hint would have been sufficient enough for her!
Its the delicious bounty of succulent golden trout along with juicy crab meat and divine garlic cheese bread that keeps the blue-haired girl blissfully placated from blowing off much needed steam with her fists to his chiseled face.
Even Leonie takes note of Kira's adorable expression as her puffy cheeks overflowing with food make her look like something of a puffer fish.
"Hmmm... I'm in Nirvana..." Kira hums dreamily with her eyes closed.
Leonie chuckles amused by her delinquent of a partner. "Its been awhile since I've seen you smile like that. Assuming your smiling underneath that thing. Sometimes I forget you have a cute side."
Jeralt gasps at Leonie's careless words. He glances over at Kira and tenses up, fearing that both of them will be facing Kira's wrath as they both have been countless times before. He still remembers seeing her barely containing her anger after leaving the audience chamber, and after just calming her down with a nice meal, his act of goodwill, albeit out of ulterior motives, will be for naught for Leonie.
Thankfully Kira stuffs the creamy bread into her mouth and grunts as she chews.
"Oh, chill, Chief! By the grace of Lord Liu Bei, and his benevolent bounty, nothin' matters right now but grub. Awww maaaaaannn... is it wrong to fall in love with food such as this?" Kira looks distraught as a dramatic heartbroken expression is visible. "Why'zit gotta be a one time thing only? It knows it's gonna break my heart once its down the hatch! And yet, its pluckin' my heartstrings, and I just can't help myself!"
Kira then bursts into melodramatic 'tears' and smashes her masked face against the table, 'sobbing' over the food.
Leonie sighs. "I still don't understand how you're able to eat with that creepy mouse mask on."
"Its a Kitsune!" Kira sharply corrects her. "And maaaybeee if we ate our grub where they're are no bystanders, you wouldn't be creeped out."
"Maybe if you wouldn't be causing such a scene they wouldn't be giving us weird looks at all!" Leonie harshly whispers glancing at the kitchen staff casting strange gazes at the mercenaries.
Leonie's cheeks flush in embarrassment at her comrade's conduct and looks back at the kitchen knowing something was off about it. "Is it me, or does it look like the kitchen had some sort of magical accident not too long ago?"
Evidence of a few staff member thoroughly cleaning the counters of black stains further proves her point.
Jeralt reintroduces himself into the talks with a weary sigh. "I can't believe it. Forced back into the Knights of Seiros."
Both girls turn to Jeralt, Leonie curious to see what will happen now.
"I take it our contract in Faeghus is put on hold, sir?"
Jeralt grimly nods. "Its also safe to say that the Blade Breakers are officially disbanded." He turns to his subordinates. "I'm sorry I dragged you two into this. Looks like I'll be stuck here for awhile." He shifts his attention to Kira. "And... it looks like your services are required as well."
The silverware from Kira's hands slip from her hands as the news sinks into her like tiny particles of sand ripping up her chest.
Hold up... mean'da tell me I hafta work here?!
It takes a great deal to keep Kira's composure but she does vent her frustration through snarky words. "They runnin' low in the nun department?" Kira lets out a bitter laugh. "Hate to break it to ya, but I'd rather take my chances slashin' my way outta here."
"Don't jest about matters like that!" Sothis chastises, sounding somewhat concern behind her condescending tone.
Ugh... I thought Candy Cane would still be zonked out!
But Jeralt lets out an amused chuckle. This sort of behavior is something he's grown accustomed to.
"Nothing like that. They want you to teach from the sound of it."
Kira nearly chokes on her own saliva hacks out a nasty cough. Leonie aids Kira by patting her back, and a few staff members rush over to see if the masked girl is alright. As Kira quickly recovers from her mishap she expresses her shock in a raspy voice.
"You friggin' kiddin'?! With what credentials?!"
Jeralt simply shakes his head and explains, "You remember those brats earlier talking about the Officers Academy, right? Well... The Academy happens to be short of a Professor." His eyes narrow in frustration. "And... it seems that damned Alois went ahead and recommended you to Lady Rhea."
Kira's teeth grind against each other in anger.
That friggin' big mouth amateur... knew I shoulda hazed him back there...
Kira draws an unpleasant hum out. "Guess this the price of bein' top dog in the major leagues huh?" She bows her head and mutters. "Guess I shoulda just left'em to get marked 'stead of playin' Captain Save-a-how on 'em."
Leonie smites Kira across the head. "Oh, stop whining! You're making it sound like its a punishment!"
Kira glances over at Leonie.
The pragmatic girl continues. "Do you even know what that means?! You just got yourself a job that a lot of knights and mercenaries would kill to have!" Leonie frowns. "If the Knights recommended you and Lady Rhea gave you approval, that means you earned it!"
"Guess that means I'll just hafta be more mediocre, then..." Kira mumbles.
Leonie grows increasingly frustrated by Kira's attitude. "Alright, listen here you ungrateful-"
"That's enough, Leonie..." Jeralt scolds her in a lackluster manner. "Should be obvious that you can't squeeze reason into that thick skull of hers."
Kira feigns a beaming grin that stretches to the edges of her cheeks with a tilted head and closed eyes. "My colleagues ALWAYS say the nicest things to me!" Kira's voice shifts into a squeaky high-pitch tone, similar to those adorable chibis she saw on TV.
Leonie inhales sharply through her gritted teeth and begrudgingly drops it before rising from her seat and begins marching towards the exit.
"Huh? Where are you going?" Jeralt asks.
Leonie turns to him with a determined look. "You'll find out soon enough, Captain." She flashes a proud smirk.
Jeralt can't help but grin feeling that quiet sense of pride in his pupil.
As Leonie departs the dining hall into the fresh outdoors, Kira and Jeralt are left in bleak silence, contemplating on how things changed for them so quickly.
What did they do to deserve this?
What did I do to deserve this?
Their solemn meal in silence does not last long as the constant bickering fills the dining hall. Kira can make out the two voice clearly, easily identifying an older man's voice mixing with a woman with a smooth yet vindictive mood.
Both mercenaries turn to see two new arrivals near the kitchen collecting their food while in the throes of what looks like a tense argument. Kira casts an annoyed frown knowing the unpleasant fact that this dining hall has two new imbeciles they have to serve.
Least those amateurs won't be botherin' us for the- Oh, you gotta be friggin' kidding me!
"Oh, so you're the new Professor we've heard about!" The alluring woman, blessed with long slender legs, sharp neck length light brown hair, and dazzling light mud eyes, addresses Jeralt honeyed words. "Mmmyyyyy how stern and handsome you are."
Woah... Beppin-san ya na! (Damn, girl you're smokin!)
Jeralt uncomfortably shifts in his seat and stammers, "Uh n-no!" He lets out an awkward chuckle. "I'm not the one you're looking for."
Kira's chest tightens with dread, already knowing why these newcomers have come.
Oh, no... don't tell me these idiots are here for me!
Without warning, Jeralt abruptly excuses himself from the table, but not before offering Kira these departing words. "You can handle things from here. Good luck."
Kira is steaming underneath her mask.
Oh you mother...
Her vulgar train of thought is dislodged when her boss leans in and whispers, "And watch out for Lady Rhea. I don't know what she's thinking. Making you a Professor like this. She may be on to something. Be on your guard."
What the- and I'm just gettin' fed this info now?! You for real?! Okay, like, how much should I be worried?! Ya tryin' to tell me this chick is some sorta crazy psycho chick? Or is she just gonna force me to get tenure? 'Preciate it if I'm not kept in the dark here, Otchan!
Before Kira could even voice a single syllable, Jeralt hastily makes himself scarce leaving her alone with these two.
"Oh, its you then?" The woman is quickly taken aback before she begins casting a strange face. "So... mysterious."
Look who's talkin' lady, I can see AAAALLLLLL up in your biz!
Kira is quick to take note of the daring dark green dress revealing a great deal of her legs. Though, Kira has to admit that stylish white coat is doing wonders for her wardrobe.
The older man with well-groomed grey hair and mustache and chin beard lets scowls at his 'colleague'. As Kira eyes him, she can concludes he's pulling off the studious academic vibe with that prim and proper dress suit, and that singular spectacle on his right silver blue eye seals the deal.
"Don't be so coy, Manuela! Its quite unbecoming, especially for our new colleague." The man chastises her before greeting Kira. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Hanneman, a Crest scholar, and professor of the Officers Academy." He casts a curious glare that is starting to make Kira unsettled. "I wonder if you bear a crest of your own. When next you have a moment to spare, I insist that you pay me a visit so we can delve into the subject further."
Huh... think I heard about Crests a coupl'a times. Some magic mumbo jumpo popular with the nobility. Well hate to burst your bubble, gramps, but I highly doubt a Kansai punk like me has one of those things on her.
"Hmph! As he just gave away, I'm Manuela," Her sharp tone quickly blends into a more flirtatious tune. "A professor, a physician, a songstress, and available." She emphasizes her alluring voice on that last part, as if she's extending an invitation. "Its nice to meet you."
Uhhh... I need AT LEAST a date and dinner first!
"A pleasure." Kira keeps up her ruse with a curt bow. "I am known as the Konpeki Katana. I look forward to working with the both of you." She then turns to Manuela. "Forgive me, but you stated that you are the Monastery's physician. Am I correct?"
Cuz that's, like every dude's fantasy right there!
Manuela expels a laugh that feels staged. Kira has been in this line of work to know that type of laugh translates to, 'That's your takeaway from me?!'
"I look too pretty for that line of work, do I?" Her sweet chirpy words only feed her annoyance before continuing more serious like, "But yes, when I'm not teaching, I can be found in the infirmary."
Pfft... I can see patients linin' up to see ya, if ya know what I mean."
"I hope you are not thinking any degenerate thoughts." Sothis warns him.
"If you're ever lonely, please come and pay me a visit." Manuela's invitation makes Kira's cheeks flush.
DATE AND DINNER!
Hanneman intervenes with a weary shake of his head. "Spare our colleague the needless chatter, Manuela."
Uh... I think she was WAY more than chattin' it up with me, pal. But please keep talkin'!
"Now then," Hanneman continues, standing on ceremony as he feasts upon his meal. "As you already know, you will be a Professor of one of the academy's three houses. I expect you haven't been brief on the nature of each, have you?"
Kira shakes her head and replies, "I am sorry, but I have not. However, I have come to the conclusion that these three houses are representatives of their three respective nations? Am I correct?"
Hanneman hums in approval and nods. "Very preceptive of you. And that is correct. The Black Eagles, Blue Lions, and Golden Deer are the houses of their respective homelands."
"Still, never hurts to have a quick run down of all three houses, right?" Manuela says devouring a large chunk of what looks like some juicy tuna sandwich that makes Kira's mouth water. She continues with her mouth full, much to Hanneman's dismay. "Mow fen... Mi'll dwoo woo a mafor man mefwain."
Kira allows the two seasoned professor's to go into detail of these three houses, like a protagonist from a video game being given the exposition every story driven plot loves to throw in.
Think its safe to say that Black Eagles are Adrestia, Golden Deer is Alliance and Blue Lions are Faer- Pffftttt... I just can't! Still, if I hafta be stuck with a class, hope this joint at least gives me the option to choose my victims... Huh... now that I think 'bout it, s'kinda a big deal havin' three heirs landing up here, right?
"To think that the next emperor, king and sovereign duke are all here!" Hanneman whimsically states, meticulously twirling up noodles from what appears to be a pasta salad. "I must admit, its bound to be an exciting year for the academy!"
Woah talk abouda record breaking jinx!
Manuela plunges the food down her throat before speaking. "I'll say, I just hope none of those little... treasures cause any trouble." Something ominous was absorbed in her words.
You have tuna and mayo all over that face!
"Hmm, quite." Hanneman's response is curt before turning to Kira. "In the mean time, Miss... uhh..."
Kira is quick to supply him with assistance. "Just refer to me as 'Professor'."
If no isekai amateur idiot can land my title right, doubt you barbarians will either. Soooooo I'll make it easy for ya. Huh... yeah... y'know, 'Professor' may just work!
"Right then. Professor it is." Hanneman nods. "Given that this is your first time at the monastery, an escort will arrive to tour you around the monastery."
Oh great, I get stuck with a babysitter?
"And when you have a moment," He continues without missing a beat. "Please stop by my research laboratory."
Huh, sounds like a piece a cake. 'cept where the frick is this lab o'yours at?
"Your escort will be there once Lady Rhea summons you. But that won't be for while though." Manuela adds. "Oh, and keep in mind that we only notified the house leaders that you're our new professor." She flashes an amused smile. "It'll be more fun that way, trust me."
Lady, ya try'na make my life difficult? Surprises aren't really my favorite pass time! For real though, why just the house leaders? Feel like it would be better to let ALL the students in on this!
"I suggest try spending time with the students." Manuela tells Kira. "Some odd ducks in that bunch, but they're good kids."
Translation: Repress everything and think of a happy place.
"Anyways," The messy woman rises from her seat with crumbs surrounding her plate. "I'm sure Lady Rhea will have more information for about that guide and everything. Good luck!" Her tone drops at, "You'll need it."
Kira watches as Manuela takes her leave, abandoning her plate with leftover tuna and bread pieces, much to Hanneman's horror. Kira can see the man fuming inside and is trying his best to hold it in. He then turns to her with a morbid expression.
"Terribly sorry for her... sloppy conduct." He says before gathering both his and her dishes before being on his way with a gracious. "Thank you for your time, Professor. And again, welcome to Garreg Mach. I look forward to working with you as well!"
With both professors vanishing from Kira's line of vision, the mopey girl slams herself onto the table and lets out a mumble of very low spirits.
"I don't wanna be a church hoe..."
Sothis wearily exhales at Kira's obnoxiousness.
*FE*
The Advisory Room of Garreg Mach is thoroughly reserved for the Archbishop and her advisor.
"Have you no intention of changing your mind, Rhea?" Seteth shows no reserve in his disapproval. "Appointing a stranger- a mercenary no less!- as a professor at our esteemed academy is-"
"I have already made my decision, Seteth." Rhea's interruption is curt, but shows no disdain or hostility for her advisor's bold attitude. She curves a warm smile before continuing. "I know worrying comes natural to you, but there is truly no need. That 'stranger' is Jeralt's flesh and blood, after all."
"Has he already established that both of those two were not his daughters?" Seteth reminds her. "How can you be certain?"
"Believe me when I say that she is Jeralt's daughter. Even if she does not know of her origins, there is no doubt that they are kin."
Seteth does not look assured. "If that's true, I cannot say I find it comforting." He affirms, sternly crossing his arms. "How trustworthy is this Jeralt character, then? This is the same individual who went missing during the great fire 21 years ago, is he not?" His sharp brows press down on his stark eyes. "And even if that woman- that child-, is no doubt Jeralt's kin, her reputation as the 'Konpeki Katana' has been... controversial at best.
"Although I cannot confirm this, there has been talk of her... victories against the rebels in Brigid. Imperial casualties were staggering. I cannot help but feel that any student under her guidance would feel... not at ease.
"And I would do well to remind you that Flayn is now here with us as well!" Seteth is quick to realize the tension in his voice and shifts to a subtle plea. "I beg you... Rhea, please consider whether this is an unnecessary risk... please!"
"Seteth, She has my trust. Let that be enough for you as well." Rhea's voice as well as her peaceful aura has a powerful soothing effect impacting the office, as well as her reluctant advisor. She fluidly changes the direction of the conversation with more grave concerns. "More importantly, I have received a report from Shamir. I am increasingly concerned about a matter regarding our suspicious individual.
"We cannot ignore those who harbor ill will toward the church, especially if they are frequenting Garreg Mach."
Seteth's eyes close as he processes this news. As much as he opposes this new appointment of the mercenary, he cannot allow this to be his sole concern and look to the big picture.
After all, the peace and security of Fodlan depends on it.
Seteth's gaze returns to the Archbishop, begrudgingly conceding. "Yes that matter is of great importance as well. I shall continue this investigation." He offers a gracious bow before turning to depart. He stops at the door and barely turns to face the leader of the Church. "Rhea... as always, know that you have my full trust with the decision you have made. I merely hope that nothing is done to shake that trust."
Rhea does not hide her wounded expression. Seteth's words subtly hint that he does not fully trust her despite his vocal assurances. She forces a hurt smile and nods acknowledges his counsel, and treasures it as always.
If only she can truly soothe Seteth's worries on her choice.
The advisor of the Archbishop lets out a soft gasp as he opens the door, nearly startling at the audacious sight. The rugged peach haired girl under Captain Jeralt's command is standing shamelessly outside the door.
"Oh, hey there." Her friendly introduction is utterly devoid of any protocol, or etiquette. "I'm looking for the Archbishop. Is it alright if I speak with her?"
Seteth's brow twitches, his grim-looking face intensifies at the audacity of the girl. Even if she means no disrespect... the nerve of her!
Heavy huffing is heard from behind Leonie as the outgoing Alois appears behind Leonie.
"Deepest apologies!" The captain pleads for forgiveness, bowing profusely. "So sorry, Lady Rhea... but... this girl... insisted that she speaks with you." He heavily pants between breaths and sweating from the morbid embarrassment. "And... she seemed adamant about it."
Leonie turns back to Alois, looking puzzled at his bewilderment. "Just wanted to talk to her about something important." She shrugs.
An amused laughter cuts through the tense air, loosening the tension of the two men present.
"Such brusque manners!" Rhea muses. "You must get that from your Captain."
Leonie chuckles and shrugs, quietly admitting it.
Rhea, intrigued by the girl's presence, gently motions the girl to enter. "Please, come in."
Leonie complies and stops in front of the Archbishop, standing tall with her head held high. Despite her proud and fearless composure, the butterflies in her stomach are running rampant. To be here, alone, in the presence of the Archbishop of all of Fodlan, is very nerve wrecking.
Calm down! Remember what Kira taught you, okay?
Rule one: you're the boss, not them! So act like it!
Leonie steels herself and presses her chest out to display confidence.
"I appreciate your time, Lady Rhea!"
Unfortunately Leonie seems to be off to an awkward start as though as if she is shouting. Her arched posture betrays her nervousness.
Rule two: Don't beat around the bush!
"I'll beat around the bush!" Leonie internally panics foolishly mixing up her words. "I-I mean I'll get straight to the point! I'd like to become an officer at the- Uh- I'd wish to enroll in the Officer's Academy!"
Rule three: Don't be shy about showin' off, but tell'em why you're best suited for the job!
"Not only am I Captain Jeralt's greatest apprentice, but I've taken up jobs from Brigid to Faerghus that would have been turn down by others! B-But it never hurts to learn more and I know that the Officers Academy trains to be the best there is!"
As Leonie finishes crying out her qualifications, the heavy gazes from Seteth and Alois send a chill to her blood. She feels herself sinking into her shoulders, fearing that she may have ruined the greatest opportunity she would ever have. As she looks down to the floor in shame, as the adrenaline leaves her body she can already tell that she made a spectacle of herself.
The whole audience hall may have heard her!
Leonie opens her mouth ready to apologize for her-
Rule four: You're a merc! You don't ever EVER apologize! They either give you the job or they don't!
Yeah you're 'rules' got me into this mess! Oh, why did I even listen to you?!
A low chuckle, genuinely amused and high-spirited full the room, coming from the Archbishop of all of Fodlan.
"My goodness!" Rhea seems to struggle keeping her laughter under control. "Please excuse me, I mean no disrespect! Its just I find you so darling right now."
Leonie expels as sigh a relief and can't help but smile with flushed cheeks. "Thank you, Your Grace." Her forced brashness is reduced to a more docile state.
Rhea's smile grows. "Come to think of it, it would be wonderful if we could converse for a while. Given that you Jeralt's greatest apprentice, I'm eager to hear of your adventures."
"S-Sure!" Leonie cries. "It's noproblem!"
"And please relax." Rhea's honeyed words put Leonie to ease. "Normally, certain protocols would be required for one to enter our Officers Academy, but given that you are a close ally with Jeralt, I am willing to bypass such trivialities and formally accept you."
Leonie could barely contain her excitement! Now she's starting to wonder if her blunder of an introduction actually benefitted her. Or maybe its because of Jeralt.
Or maybe its both.
"But first." Rhea motions her hand over to the two lavish sofas staring at each other. "Please take a seat. I'm sure we have much to discuss."
Leonie lets out a gasp of disbelief but accepts Rhea's invitation.
"Seteth, please prepare us some tea. And please inform our new professor that I wish to speak to her at the first quarter bells."
Seteth is still reeling at the reality that a complete stranger is granted an esteemed position. However, he has not forgotten that he has given Rhea his full trust.
"Consider it done." He curtly responds and departs.
Alois excuses himself, leaving Rhea and Leonie alone.
"I hope you do not mind our refreshments." Rhea says.
Leonie shakes her head. "Not at all, Your Grace. I'm actually a fan of the Angelica scented one if we're being honest."
Rhea lets out a gleeful gasp. "Is that a fact?" She sounds amazed. "Well it seems we have something in common!"
Leonie's spirits grow feeling that this meeting with the Archbishop will be a pleasant one.
"Now then, may I ask how you have come to met Jeralt?" Rhea queries before bowing her head solemnly. "To be honest, it has been far too long since we last spoke and yet... I still consider him a dear friend."
Her question makes Leonie's mind be full of whimsical nostalgia. She cannot wait to tell Rhea the full story.
*FE*
As the dining hall is becoming more packed with men and women close to her age, if not younger, Kira dedicates keeping to herself as best as she can by indulging in book she acquired from a merchant on her travels.
Its a simple plot, and there are some moments where Kira finds them cheesy, but overall she finds it an entertaining read. Besides, she's grown rather fond of the protagonist, despite being something close to a Mary Sue.
Wish he had reflexes to dodge those cliche knock outs, or at least figure out that the Count was the bad guy! I figured that out long 'fore he turncoated!
"Hey, is it true that he's here?"
"No way! Jeralt! THE Jeralt?! You can't be serious!
"No, really! He's here! Does this mean-"
"We get to work under him, right! Oh, man! To be working the legend himself!"
Kira glances over at a group of elated knights blaring praises and excitement about her boss.
Correction: my old boss from the sound of it...
"I can tell you are pouting underneath that mask." Sothis tells her. "If you wish to brighten your spirits, why not find another place? Preferably a more solitary one?"
Still doesn't solve my problem? But I guess its a good start as any.
"Argh! Who'd left this stupid barrel here?!"
Kira's senses sharped by the sound of a girl crying out as well as that loud clashing sound coming from the kitchen. Turns out its only a student who was clumsy and tripped over one of the barrels stocked in the kitchen.
Nawww... kawaii!
Kira finds the tiny thing cute with her bright orange hair wrapped into small twin curls, short stature and cute doe eyes. That fancy black uniform with golden ornaments and shining dark blue breeches gives Kira the impression that she's a student.
However, a new arrival quickly captures her eyes as the man approaching her is the exact opposite of the clumsy girl in every way. Tall and imposing, broad shouldered, dark tan skin, sharp ashen hair that reminiscent of a seasoned military veteran, a chiseled face with intense green eyes.
Huh, guy reminds me of that character from that yakuza game. Definitely has that vibe to him.
At first glance, Kira assumes the man might deck the girl for being the klutz she is, or maybe because he just gives off that vibe. But, to her surprised, as well as the girl's, he helps her to her feet offers to help her.
After the initial shock and possibly being frightened by the man's appearance alone, she graciously accepts and skips over to the stove ready to cook.
"BWAAAH! Nononono!"
Without warning, a large boom shakes the dining hall. Instinct takes over as Kira rises to her feet and...
Ahh hell...
She clearly forgotten that the Knights have confiscated all of her weapons before seeing the Archbishop. It is not the most comforting fact given that large cloud of black smoke swirling and expanding from the kitchen.
Kira's nostrils can smell an intense scent of charred meat mixed with pepper. Its almost enough to make the mask girl sneeze.
Before Kira could wonder the fate of the girl and the man in the kitchen, she hears loud fits of coughing from the smoke as the girl, now coated with ash, staggers out with a morbid look on her face.
How'ja manage THAT?!
"I'm so sorry, everyone! But can we have the dining hall cleared please?"
Kira almost frowns at the girl's plea. She looks absolutely mortified at the situation and continues to profusely apologize as disgruntled diners are evicted outside.
Kira manages to be one of the first to flee the chaos to the outside world where a paved path lays before her.
Huh... wonder where this leads.
Kira makes a turn and discovers there is a yard with a gazebo erected in the center. With nary a soul in sight.
"Ahh... good as place as any."
Kira clutches her book close and takes her seat within the gazebo, ready to lose herself in the realm of knights and adventure.
"Excuse me! Miss!"
Kira growls softly, annoyed that some man had the gall to disrupt her place of Zen. As she looks up, she sees its a familiar face.
That the guy who got laid out back in the forest? He looks better I guess?
Kira snaps the book close and springs from her seat as the armored man approaches her with a friendly smile.
"Uh... pardon. My name is Damien, a lieutenant of the Knights, and... the unfortunate captive of those brigands." He forces out a chuckle. "Its nice to officially meet you under better circumstances."
"Is there you something you need?" Kira is quick to cut to the chase.
Following her blunt query, Damien clears her throat and straightens himself out, appearing to look more professional. "Lady Rhea requests to speak with you. Given that you're new here, I thought I would show you the way there."
I prefer you showin' me the exit, but I guess that's not an option, huh?
Kira simply nods not saying a word.
"Ahh, well then. If you'll follow me."
Kira couldn't help but feel somewhat regretful coming off as a little rude. The man is simply doing his job after all, but she wished she would have enjoyed some peace and quiet before being summoned by the Archbishop.
I get why Queen Bee would want Otchan back in her crew, but why'd she hafta pass on this pencil pushin' job onda me? An application process ring a bell? Venting process? Stuff like that?
As Kira mentally thinks through every potential protocol to have the Church hire actual professors for the job she'll have, Damien guided across section of the monastery with two symmetrical simple, yet well-build structures capable of housing several people. Damien explains that these are the dormitories normally reserved for commoners. Students of noble birth reside on the second floor where they are heading to right now.
As Kira strolls across the dormitory grounds, the gossip among the students is not subtle in the slightest, and are aimed directly at her.
"Hey, is that her? The one who massacred an entire mercenary company?"
"The one in Leicester? What were they called?"
"Berling's Mercenaries. But did she really kill them all herself?"
"No! That can't be! She must have had help!"
"Either way, I hear she's going to be student here!"
"Tch... I feel sorry for the House has to deal with her."
"What if she's ends up being with us! Oh man, that would be scary!"
"No way, she might work with the knights instead! She certainly looks the part!
"What's with that creepy mask?"
"Maybe she's just unpleasant to look at underneath."
"Quiet! Here she comes! Just don't make eye contact!"
"It seems your reputation proceeds you, even here. And it seems that have no clue that you will be an instructor to these miscreants."
Naaaawwww... they do love me!
As they reach the second floor, Kira has to give the architects of Garreg Mach props for the natural lighting touch they added to this narrow corridor. Damien went on to explain that she'll also find Professor Hanneman's and Manuela's rooms on this floor, as well as a well-stocked library with a wide range of books on various types of subjects and literature.
That last piece of information definitely grabs Kira's attention.
Damien leads Kira to the two large doors that lead into the audience hall and the knight staggers back, somewhat spooked when he finds the doors creaking open.
Kira silently chuckles seeing her colleague Leonie peek out and departed into the hall. She waltzes over to Kira and playfully jabs her in the arm. A habit she picked up on from the blue-haired girl as a sign of camaraderie.
"Behave yourself!"
Kira sighs but returns the gesture, earning a chuckle from Leonie.
Huh... guess she wanted to ask Queen Bee if she could apply here, huh? Thought she needed some noble to help her with payment? Ahh well, guess she wanted special permission.
With her comrade's departure, Kira turns to Damien, sternly reminding her that she must knock before entering, demonstrating with two sharp clicks on the door.
"You may enter." The tranquil voice belonging to Rhea is clear and immediate.
At her word, Damien opens the door for Kira to enter. The mercenary enters chamber and stops from afar to gaze upon the Archbishop looking divine and untouchable by all with her presence enhanced by the lighting from the colorful stained windows.
As Rhea faintly tilts her head to the side and curves a small yet inviting smile, one adamant thought rings throughout Kira's mind.
I REALLY don't wanna be a church hoe...
*FE*
I've had this idea for awhile now that 'what if Byleth doesn't even want this job? Wonder what that would look like?' Hope you guys like this little quirk of our Byleth!
As well as other quirks lol.
Minor Three Hopes Reference.
I hope you guys are enjoying this story.
Thank you.