Kurt: (stares quietly)

Gusurg: (stares quietly)

KS: Gusurg, I didn't bring you over here just to have a staring contest with the guy. Now hurry up and bury the hatchet or Lydia gets no alluring... (glances at Riela and Imca) equipment.

Imca: No need for discretion.

Riela: We know what you mean.

KS: Of course you do.

Kurt: So... how are you?

Gusurg: It's... it's good. And you?

Kurt: Good.

Lydia: (glares at KS) I still can't believe you dragged me out of bed for this train wreck.

KS: You weren't doing anything in- scratch that.

Riela: (gasps) Wait... you and Gusurg were...?

Lydia: Whenever we had the time.

Imca: (coughs) Trollop.

Lydia: What was that?

Imca: (smug) Sorry. I had something in my throat.

Lydia: Do something like that again and my fist will be in there.

KS: Hey, retract those claws, both of you.

Riela: Can we get on with the chapter? They'll probably make up by then.

KS: (sighs) Sure, why not.

It was a real shock to Avan, Cosette, Zeri an the rest of Class G. Baldren and Audrey Gassenarl, the former commanders of the Gallian Revolutionary Army, were in their classroom. Wearing Lanseal uniforms. How many times are these two going to keep surprising people?

"You may take whichever seat you wish," Brixham instructed. Baldren and Audrey nodded and walked over to where the three aformentioned students were. Baldren took a seat beside Avan and behind Zeri, while Audrey took a seat in front of Cosette. After they sat down, the atmosphere was more palpable than normal.

"So…" Cosette started, wanting to break the uncomfortable silence. "What brings you to Lanseal?"

Avan and Zeri dropped their jaws when Cosette asked that.

"Well, after you pawned us off to the military, they brought us over to Castle Randgriz to see the archduchess," Audrey explained simply. "She gave us two options. The first was to be imprisoned for life."

"And the second option?" Zeri asked, despite knowing very well what the answer would be.

"Well, we're sitting in your classroom, wearing academy uniforms," Baldren answered dryly. "I believe that speaks for itself."

"Yeah, pretty much," Avan said. "Well, there's nothing much to say except… welcome to Lanseal."

Baldren and Audrey looked at each other, then scoffed.

"Welcome? After what we've done, I doubt we'll feel anything of the sort," Audrey deadpanned.

"Oh, that attitude's not going to get you anywhere," Cosette chided lightly.

"What do you mean?" Baldren asked.

"Well, sure, folks around here will hate your guts, but if you try to get on their good side, they just might come around," Avan said with his usual enthusiasm. "Besides, people can't hold a grudge forever."

Audrey smiled, finding Avan's enthusiasm amusing. "When you put it like that, it seems like it can be done. What do you think, Baldren?"

"I think that he is to optimistic for his own good," Baldren groaned, pointing to Avan. "But, he does have a point. Maybe we should try and get in good with these people. We should be making allies instead of enemies."

"Honestly, as if your class couldn't be anymore pitiful. Have you all decided to pick up trash and pass it off as your classmates?" a pompous voice called out. The entire class moaned in frustration as they recognized the voice, apart from Baldren and Audrey, who had just arrived.

"Who was that?" Baldren asked.

"The last person in the academy you want to run into," Zeri answered while taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. The siblings turned to the door to see a young woman with long, pink hair, blue eyes and a noticably large bust strut towards them with a confident smirk on her face.

"You two, stand up," she ordered. Baldren and Audrey looked at each other, then shrugged, complying with her demand.

"To whom do we have the pleasure of speaking?" Audrey asked with an bored expression.

"I will be asking the questions around here," the woman hissed. "Now, your names, please."

Audrey opened her mouth to speak, but Baldren beat her to it. Although, his introduction was less than polite.

"I'm Baldren Gassenarl, and this is my sister, Audrey. Who in the hell are you?" he said venomously.

The woman was taken aback by his rude tone, but quickly calmed herself down, not wanting to cause a scene.

"Well, not that it matters to you, I am Juliana Everheart, chair of Class A, the most prestigious class in Lanseal.

"We just wanted your name, Julia," Audrey interjected dryly. "We didn't ask for your background."

Juliana's eye began to twitch, due to both Audrey's quip and the fact that she shortened her name.

"Listen here, both of you," she growled through grit teeth. "Do you have any idea of who you're speaking to?"

"Actually, we don't," Baldren said.

"And we couldn't care less if we did," Audrey added.

Juliana was practically fuming at that point. She was being told off by two new students who recently enrolled in Lanseal. No way would she let this slide.

"You best watch your tone, you scum. I hope you realize that you are at the bottom of the barrel."

"What do you mean?" Baldren asked.

"You are currently in Class G, the most abysmal class Lanseal has ever known. If you two were normal students, you would've been in a better class, much like mine. But, seeing how were affiliated with the rebel army, no one else had the time or patience to deal with the likes of you."

"Is that supposed to mean something?"

"What?!"

"So what if we're in the worst class? That doesn't change a damn thing. If this is how we have to atone, so be it. Now do everyone in here a favor and get out. Some of us are trying to learn here."

It took every nerve in Juliana's body not to lunge at Baldren and claw his throat out. Turning around, she stomped out of the classroom and slammed the door behind her, leaving everyone in shock.

"I don't believe it," Franca whispered in awe. "He just told off Juliana."

"He's got guts, I'll give him that," Reiner added.

"Unbelievable," Morris breathed out.

The whole class whispered amongst themselves about Baldren's sudden show of bravery towards Juliana. Maybe there was hope for him after all.

"Well, I would say that class was very enlightening," Audrey said, leaning on the desk.

Avan looked at her in disbelief. "Enlightening? In what way was that enlightening for you?"

"Well, I found the part where the Empire's Valkyria and tank commander defected and joined the Militia very interesting," Baldren put in. "Quite the plot twist, in my opinion."

Avan scratched his head. "Really? I must've missed that last part."

"As well as the other parts that you missed while you dozed off," Zeri said.

"Back off, dude. I'm not in the mood for your quips right now."

"That wasn't a quip, that was an observation."

And once again, the two began their usual quarrel, not paying any mind to the people around them.

"Do they do this often?" Audrey asked, turning to Cosette.

"As if their lives depended on it," she sighed. "Well, since classes are over for the day, you two should walk around the campus and get to know everyone."

"Why should we do that?" Baldren groaned. "I don't know if you're aware, but we're still treated like enemies here. Not that I blame them."

Cosette giggled. "I don't mean the entire school. Just people from our class."

"I'm sure they hate us as well," Audrey pointed out.

"Oh, come now. They might be cold towards you at first, but they'll get used to your company."

"Really?"

Cosette smiled. "Really."

"Why did I even bother with this?" Baldren muttered to himself, standing by himself on the training grounds. He thought about honing his skills when the time he was assigned a mission would come, but given his history of being affiliated with the rebel army, he couldn't get a training partner. So there he was, wearing an armored tech uniform, warpick in hand, standing alone. Sighing in resignation, he began to walk from the grounds, until…

"Are you looking for a partner?"

He turned around to see who was speaking to him. He saw a young man with a bowl cut and gray eyes wearing an arm tech uniform as well. He also appeared to have a charm hanging off his left ear.

"Um, yes, I am looking for a partner," Baldren answered, walking towards the man. "My name is-"

"Baldren Gassenarl, I know," the man interrupted, extending his hand. "My name is Alexis Hilden. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Baldren took his hand shook it. "Likewise, Alexis."

"If you want, I can be your training partner. That is, if you will let me."

Baldren smiled. "Seeing how there is no one else around here, I don't see why not."

Audrey walked around the library looking for a good book to read. She needed one to get her mind off of what happened during class. Honestly, Juliana was so rude to her and Baldren. What right did she have to speak to him like that?

"Ah, this looks satisifying enough," she said, reaching out for a book, only to see a hand reach for it as well. She turned to her left and saw a girl with dark eyes and brown hair that was covered with a beret who smiled towards her.

"You're Audrey, right?" the girl asked.

"Yes, I am."

"I'm Noel Wiloch. Nice to meet you!"

Audrey couldn't help but find her enthusiasm to be overwhelming.

"Were you going to take this book?" Noel asked.

"I was going to, but I saw your hand and thought, 'she probably needs it more than I do.' You can take it if you want," Audrey said.

Noel waved her hand dismissively. "Oh no, it's alright. You look like you need it after what happened earlier in class. By the way, could you tell your brother that most of the girls thank him?"

"I'll be sure to notify him. And what do you mean by most of the girls?"

"Well, some don't like-slash-trust him for obvious reasons, and others think he's… cute."

Audrey's eyes widened. "Cute? They think my brother is cute?"

"They said it, not me."

"I see. You still want this book?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll find another one. See ya!"

Noel winked at Audrey and walked off, leaving the bewildered woman alone.

"How in the name of the Valkyrur is my brother cute?!" she hissed.

KS: Okay, seeing how Kurt and Gusurg aren't patching things up anytime soon, we'll wrap it up here. Also, for those of you who didn't notice earlier, there was reference in Audrey's dialogue involving defects from the Imperial Army. That was from 'A Valkyria's Redemption' by Dark-Warrior-100. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued, and it's a shame 'cuz I really wanted to know what happens next.

Riela: I read it too.

Imca: Me too.

Lydia: Can't believe it's been discontinued.

KS: Me neither. Anyway, have a nice day everyone.

Riela, Imca & Lydia: Don't forget to follow, fave and review! (winks)

KS: Wow... I should do that more often.