Chapter 16: The Otome Ceremony P3

"How are you feeling?"

Once Natsuki had recovered from the strenuous nanomachine injection, Shizuru had returned her to her quarters. They sat outside on the balcony, taking in the fresh air of the night. It would be far better to share this privacy than congregate within the Hexagon's central garden. That, and they were far from prying eyes.

"Better than earlier." Shivering from the chill, Natsuki froze when warm fingertips brushed against her cheek. Jumping, she turned her attention to her Meister. What's… she doing? Shizuru had eased closer to inspect her. She leaned in so closely that Natsuki unconsciously turned her head to the side away from her.

"That is good. Though you're cold, no?"

"What are you doing?" Natsuki could only watch her from the corner of her eye.

"Natsuki is my Master, I care for you."

Maybe her Meister didn't realise what she was implying? Or rather, was Natsuki simply well over her head? No. Shizuru Viola knew precisely what she was doing. Truly, what is happening between them? Pulling away from the touch, Natsuki's cheek mildly tingled. Unsure what to make of the feeling, she stiffly stared at her Meister. It wasn't until Shizuru smiled that Natsuki managed to pull out of it.

"I'd hope that my bodyguard would care."Natsuki grinned after a pause. Sobering, she glanced down to her lap which contained an old book. Fiddling with its leather cover, she mused whether she would find anything interesting within. She had found it a long while ago but hadn't the heart to read it. After today though, she felt up to the task. "Does Garderobe usually publish books like this?" She opened it, noticing the book was a century old. Huh, well. Perhaps a little outdated, but it was better than nothing.

"Garderobe has numerous collections of books. Many have several editions, such as this one." Brushing the back of her fingers to her lips, Shizuru leaned closer to study the book. Lifting her gaze upwards, crimson met viridian. "A bodyguard would certainly be useless if she allowed her charge to be in danger, no?"

Natsuki scoffed. "Hardly." Checking her wristwatch, Natsuki wafted her hand Shizuru's way. "Go shower, I'll be fine here."

As the Meister departed for her shower, Natsuki was uncertain what to think. That had been…? Touching her cheek, the skin prickled oddly. It was a nice feeling? Pulling her gaze down to the book, she tried to force her focus upon it. But—ugh! Why would an Otome be interested in her? She's disabled! Perhaps Shizuru's mad? Rubbing her cheek, the feeling didn't relent, nor could she remove the vague feeling in her gut. She had never loved. Whenever there had been someone, the feeling had been incredibly… blurred? It was like her ability to feel attraction was being constricted. What even was that? Natsuki didn't know. Though… she sighed. Whatever, she'd figure it out another day, she guessed.

Though the book had sustained a little damage throughout its life, it was fortunately legible. Skimming through the pages carefully to examine the harm, she found nothing had been lost: Although there was some minor ink staining from the images. Had this book been left untouched for a while? Seemed the case as she studied the flawless contents page. Now, for the reason she had picked this book up long ago: Sliding an index finger down the list, Natsuki found what had interested her in the first place. SeaRRS. "...There we are." At the time even reading mere mention of this defunct group depressed her. SeaRRS was a squad of disabled and retired Otome whose Master was Fumi Himeno. For whatever reason, Garderobe had deemed them unnecessary. Why this was, Natsuki wanted to find out.

Turning the book almost entirely onto its other side, Natsuki jumped to SeaRRS' section.

'The 'Search & Rescue Rangers Service', or 'SeaRRS' as it's better known, is an organisation that was developed by Fumi Himeno. Comprised of disabled persons, veterans and semi-retired Otome, this branched-off group cooperates with Garderobe during times of crisis.'

Has time been the main factor for the bygone SeaRRS? That could likely be the case. There were a lot more Meisters these days. Perhaps Garderobe had simply merged SeaRRS into their own workings? Natsuki's suspicions seemed to be answered as she found another tidbit of information:

'Because SeaRRS is a charity and is partially funded by Garderobe, it is an international organisation with no political ties. This has resulted in stigma as SeaRRS aids all no matter the faction during war, disaster or otherwise.'

Had SeaRRS gone bankrupt or had something more sinister happened here? Finding nothing else apart from old Otome records, Natsuki closed the book. She was glad she had finally dared to look into this. Because honestly? This was something she believed she could create herself. The disabled had so little these days. So many were worse off than Natsuki: Seeing no hope for their futures, many others had decided to cut it short. But with hope now on the horizon, Natsuki genuinely felt like she could do something.

Putting the book aside on the small table beside her, Natsuki also reached for her drink located there. She eyed its contents rather apprehensively, still unused to the tea which Shizuru had been offering her recently. Rather stereotypical for their nationalities, Natsuki preferred coffee, whilst Shizuru drank tea. She had promised her Meister that she would drink less of the stuff as it gave her terrible headaches. But still, Natsuki couldn't help herself, she adored coffee far too much to give it up. She was sure she'd get used to tea, but still. Natsuki was unsure whether it'd be able to replace her love completely.

Lifting her gaze into the night sky, she looked upon the Administar and Moon. The azure glow would forever remind her just how crucial Shizuru's link was to Garderobe. If absolutely anything happened to that satellite, they would be sitting ducks.

Minutes passed by as Natsuki calmly listened to the traffic. Upon that moment of wondering when Shizuru would return, she heard the balcony door open quietly. "Shizuru? You're f-" She cut herself off as she twisted around, freezing.

"I am fast, yes." The Meister smiled as she covered Natsuki with a blanket she had brought. Sitting herself down beside her afterwards, she only received a stare as she started drying her hair with her towel.

Shizuru was dressed in nothing but a violet nighty! "Y-you aren't bothered at all by me seeing you like that?" She gestured to her state of wear curiously.

"Of course not, Natsuki." Shizuru chuckled heartily. She had to admit that she was perfectly used to this, having lived in Garderobe. Natsuki, not so much? "You need not worry. I do not bite."

"Don't bite, says the Meister." Natsuki muttered under her breath. Remembering a moment later she still had her coffee, she quickly removed her stare from the older woman. It really is like being married. Should she mention anything to Shi—no. It was far too early to be sure of anything. Besides, her Meister is a tease. Peering into the dark liquid of her drink, she knocked it back in one gulp. Bitter, just as she preferred it. "S-Say, do you know anything about SeaRRS? They used to be part of Garderobe, or something." She changed the subject quickly.

"SeaRRS? That is a name I have not heard in a long while." Shizuru paused in her drying, pointedly looking at Natsuki for chugging the coffee. "Natsuki, you will get another migraine." Sighing, she could only smile in response as Natsuki cocked a brow at her. Instead, she pointed to the book with lax motion. "I take it that the book mentioned them?"

"Yeah. Do you know what happened to them?"

"Hm. SeaRRS were defunct long before I enroled. I have only heard bits and pieces about this group. They were dissolved sometime during the Dragon King War, over forty years ago."

That's quite a while, then. Putting her empty mug aside, Natsuki hummed in response. "It makes me hopeful knowing there were disabled people in a group like that. You understand, right?"

"Fully." Shizuru couldn't even begin to imagine what it felt like to find some form of representation like that. It was clear that Natsuki wished she could have been part of a group like SeaRRS. "Is joining an organisation similar to SeaRRS what you had in mind?"

"One hundred percent." Natsuki nodded. "Before my paralysis I had planned that if I couldn't get into Garderobe, I'd join a search and rescue organisation. But—yeah, you know how that turned out." Seriously though, imagine if they could create an organisation like SeaRRS? That would be her dream. But, one step at a time, she guessed.

"You never cease to amaze me, Natsuki."

"Huh, why?"

"All of your career choices have involved helping people. Soldier, Otome, rescue ranger. Many would not consider it."

Natsuki shrugged. "I guess? I didn't know what else I could do though. I'm decent with my hands, but military careers always spoke to me." That and she really disliked the idea of moving into politics like her mother. That wasn't a route she would like to take at all.

"Understandable." Restarting the drying of her hair, Shizuru mused thoughtfully. She should contact Garderobe and ask about SeaRRS.

Arc I finished.

A/N: Next chapter is the State Visit! Empyrean's main groundwork is done, so we can now move onto what I've had planned for this story.