A/N
Ello all! got some updates here, one my computer is almost fixed. I might be stuck on the workstation now though as i have everything on it. In regards to me poofing for a few days. I moved locations first and am having to set things up again for my studies.I Don't know how that will effect my ability to write, but this doesn't mean that i wasn't thinking about this! I've been doing plenty of planning for future developments! Whohoo! gonna jump to the story now so everyone please enjoy your stay!
-Merra
(Schnee) Arc:
Ch. 8:reditum ad negotium
-Now we need to wait and let time show her hand-
Heiters Pov-
I follow the girl name Cereza as we make our way across the hallway to the wooden door. I remember what Wiess requested that I do for her. I probably need to do that for everyone right?
Ugh this place has so many rules. I do want to stay however so… I skip around the right side of girl and grab the large handle on the brown door, which I proceed to pull until my back is touching the wall.
I then move around the door as I hold it against the wall with my back and look towards Cereza. In response to this the girl smiles, but shakes her head.
"thank you, but you don't need to do that."
Wait why? I was told to open the door by Wiess and now im being told not to?
"you're a guest here. I should be the one doing that for you."
What does me being a guest have to do with it, wouldn't that mean that Wiess should get the door for me?
Wiess was alright with me doing it, but not Cereza isn't.
What the difference. Why- You know it doesn't matter i'll figure out the "why"s later.
Wiess said I should get the doors. I also like the feeling of being thanked.
I grin defiantly at the redhead and meet her gaze. Hmm.. she has red eyes like Mr. Clutch .
She looks back and stares me down.
"..."
is it that wrong? I felt good, but now...
"Well I will insist that you let me get the doors for you."
I nod,stare at the floor. trying to come up with a way out of this the silence that follows I hear a clicking sound as an idea comes to me.I straighten myself and then tap my wrist a few times as I raise an eyebrow.
"Ah Yes we do need to be on our way." My eyes watch her as she passes me and I follow her out as I close the large door.
I walk along the polished stone that leads to the arch. It has the emblem that I've noticed scattered around the house. I skip across the floor as I try to remember what this stone material is…..marble if my memory is correct.
Well at least I'm getting better at recalling things. It would have been embarrassing to refer to grass as greenery. Then again its not like anyone will hear me make that mistake. The closest thing that could occur will only be possible once i have learned how to read and write, something i'm uncertain how long it will take. Speaking of which i wonder how long it will take me to recollect something about my family.
I start paying attention again as we are passing the fountain. I look back to make sure Cereza is still with me.
"…."
I have noticed something about the people that live here, they walk the same way. This girl is no exception to this that some other rule I don't know? I stop skipping for a moment, but I feel wrong shortly after. I mean the weather slightly chilly, but its so nice! If i could stay out here i would for sure.
I would then probably proceed to fall asleep as the … umm.. oh dear I know it has another word…. Well the big ball would probably be able to move through the sky as I napped. Then again Cereza probably wouldn't let me right now as we need to be somewhere. I'll just need to come back when i have alone time. That's something to look forward to! Then again... i would probably need to ask? I'll get out here at some point. It's not like i've had any trouble talking with- I sigh at myself. I'll probably be communicating with myself a lot. Otherwise I'm stuck with trying to signal my thoughts to others. Not like i've had any problems with... No just... no. i'm not repeating myself. I quietly laugh to myself a few times then clear my thoughts about my problems as i skip down past a stone bench.
I can't help but skip like this. I hear a hear a quiet chuckle and turn to the right so that i may see the girl. I raise an eyebrow at her and point to my thumb left and bop my head in that direction few times. "Yes we are heading back to the main building." I nod my head and wait for her to catch up. I then proceed to skip to a pace that matches the speed she is setting.
I tuck my arms behind my back as I just enjoy the moment and catch the nice smell in the air. The bridge is not that far ahead in the bend. I decide to skip ahead to it and wait at the top of the it. I walk off to the right side of the bridge and lean my back against the railing.I look off to the left and see that Cereza is roughly here, I clip my shoes together and almost make another move ahead, but spot something green and white out of the corner of my eye.
Is that Wiess?
I stop moving and turn to the left and find that Wiess is a little bit behind us, she stopped near a rectangular stone chair supported by two small square pillars. She stared down at it and smiled , but then looked out to the inner portion of the must be enjoying the view. move over to her , but then stop and face Cereza who is walking away.
I clap twice quickly. The redhead turns around to see me and, by extension where I am now pointing my finger.
Her eyebrows go up briefly in recognition of what I'm pointing , but then settle as she walks toward Wiess.
"Lets see what the young miss needs, and please don't run this time"
skipping is running?
I shrug, but obey her. I walk behind her as we.. you know what. I can still do that. I pass the girl as I walk quickly, almost skipping. I see Wiess in the distance slowly walking toward us, but looking out to appreciate the view. It is a good view after all, if I didn't have to follow Cereza around I would be out here for sure. The smells could lull me to sleep well enough. scratch that they are.
I approach Wiess from in front as I stretch. I wait for her to finish taking the view, before she turns to face me and almost walks into me.I avoid this by reaching up to stop her and grab her shoulders. Why the look of surprise? I tilt my head to the side why keeping an eye on her. She seems alright. I pat her shoulder and let her go as I put my hands in my pockets.
"Hello Heiter, I didn't expect to see you again so soon... please tell me when your going to stop in front of me." I pull up my right hand and wave it briefly,but in response to her request my waving hand suddenly is on my face. really? I lower it slightly so i can see her through my fingers. "I didn't mean to-" I silently laugh a little as i wave my hand downward. Its not big treated me nicely thus far. I straighten myself and then point my thumb towards Cereza who is approaching us. The white haired girl narrows her eyes.
"Did something happen?"
I shake my head and point my thumb at myself. I proceed to direct my hand towards my eye then her. To add to my message I Point my thumb at myself again and then my mouth as I whip my hand away from it a few times. I finish by pointing at the Redhead,and then put both hands behind my back as I wait.
"hmm , so you saw me, then informed her?" I give a thumbs up.
"so then the question is… oh…"
A look of enlightenment crosses my partners face as she looks at the one who is now here.
"Cereza, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're here because you assume I'm supposed to be reviewing my materials?"
The older girl nods.
"yes young miss, has there been a change to your schedule or are you… "she almost stops talking right then, but then continues "being absent in attending to your duties?"
Wiess raises her hand and looks at it as she continues.
" has seen it appropriate that I be given the rest of today off, you may contact him if you have any questions."
She finishes and then redirects her gaze toward the girl.
"Speaking of which you have a delivery to make to him."
"that I do, but the young miss takes precedence over guests, you know this rule."
Ah more rules. I nod a few times to this. It's something about guests and young miss, however I'm not happy with the way this conversation is going.
"I'm well aware, but you should know by now that if I did have a lesson I would be attending it."
"Protocol dictates tha-
I clap,successfully getting their attention. I point to them and then the bend that leads back to the bridge. I begin to make my way towards it, hopefully giving the message.
It's quiet behind me for a few moments, but then I hear Wiess speak up.
"Lets not keep Mr. Clutch waiting longer than necessary."
"and as for you young miss?"
"I will go where I please."
I hear a clicking sound behind me as somebody approaches on my left. I turn my head to the left slightly as I see Wiess slow down beside me.
Out of the corner of my eye I see that Cereza is following us as she pulls out the block similar to the one that Mr. Clutch had and taps it a few so important about that block? Another mystery.
I glance forward and once again realize I'm crossing the bridge, but I don't stop this time as I'm keeping pace with Wiess.
For her part she seems to be happy. This is a nice place to walk- Oh right there was that other pathway I could take, I'll need to see where it leads sometime. Wait didn't I promise Wiess that…. I… did. I sigh, but smile.
A promise is a promise.
I'll need to be patient. Ah there's the door. Hmm lets see. Tri-ple-step. Ah wait no lunges. I arrive but shake my head.
"I'll assume you remembered what I told you, but A for applying it outside of the lesson."
I look over to my partner and sheepishly grin and beckon her through as I open the door. She passes on through and then Cereza looks like she's about to say something to me but then glances beyond the door and closes her mouth as she enters.
I follow behind her and see Mr. Clutch walking down the end of the hallway.
He probably just rounded it, otherwise Wiess would have done something. Speaking of which-"hello Mr. Clutch, I trust I didn't keep you waiting too long?"
"That you did not young miss. I trust you have some plans for today? Is it something I could help with?"
Wiess puts both hands behind her back.
"I appreciate the offer sir, but I should be fine today. I need to head to my room to pick up my weapon, if you have need of me you can always contact me via scroll."
Scroll? Like the thing you read? How would that work?
"I trust Cereza has conducted herself correctly?
"sir I believe that she will always conduct herself as you have taught her."
"I See, well then Cereza you may return to your duties.
"yes sir"
the redhead bows to us as a group and then continues down the hallway and takes a left. Everyone had been watching her as if waiting for her to leave.
"Well then, I believe that you have a name that I can use Heiter? I nod, wondering how he knew despite nobody telling him, only Wiess and Mrs. Dion knew my name so far…. And I'm pretty sure Mrs. Dion didn't pass me so how?
My confusion must have been noticed as answered my question.
"I was contacted by Mrs. Dion child." He then looks to Wiess " truly interesting that you two would come up with a name because you ran into this issue, but it fits."
Ok I get that the name fits, don't know why, but how did she contact him? I raise my hand until they both look at me.
I point at myself with the thumb, do the X then tap my eye as I imitate someone singing by holding my hands on my chest as I gently sway.I finish by taping my mouth then pointing to Mr. Clutch.
Everyone is staring at me with a strange expression, I then hear a question from them at the same time.
"Heiter. Are you familiar with what a scroll is?"
! Why the looks? It's a perfectly normal question. I pout as I shake my head and then place my hands on my hip as I wait for them to tell me.
I see and Wiess pull out those blocks and understand before they tell me that this is the "scroll" ,but I still don't get how a block allows you to inform someone.
"This scroll allows one to access a large range of technology that is used, additionally this device can be used for leaving messages or speaking with another who also has a scroll.
Soo.. it just simple does that?
I will arrange for you to get one, but perhaps I can arrange for the technician to teach you about them as everyone else is busy."
I see Wiess perk up at this.
" If I may."
"go ahead young miss"
Wiess calmly begins to speak.
"I believe I'm best suited for teaching him as functions that I know are more applicable.. "
"I'm going to need more than a belief young miss."
"Firstly I can correct his mistakes as he learns , rather than leave him wondering the answer between sessions, Even if he had the technician on call they won't be available as frequently as I would be.
"And this wouldn't get in the way of lessons?"
"Would him trying to call the technician not get in the way? For that matter Heiter can't speak so he would need to text both the question, possibly the context of his situation, and what he wants the scroll to do."
Oh right that's a thing.I deflate and I see Wiess looking at me then back to Mr. Clutch .
"Its much easier to have someone who is in regular contact with him assist. I do believe that a technician is incapable of this. Finally your forgetting that I'm his study partner. Matters that concern my partner must also involve me as partners are part of one unit."
It seems like an alright argument, but I can't read Mr. Clutch's face
"…. Alright then, I'll make some further adjustments to the schedule"
Wiess tilts her head in response to this and raises an eyebrow" Is it not complete?"
"not at this time. The adjustments are on rather short notice, thus planning and implementing them will take time. This has left the schedule as a possible draft."
"For how long is it just a draft?"
"Until tonight is over the draft cannot be completed given that it is pending the decisions made in board meeting."
"The board shouldn't have any influence on my schedule"
"That would be if you weren't Heiter's partner. The board will be deciding what to do with him." The atmosphere chilled right then. Wiess lowered her hands and seemed relaxed despite the sudden chill. Ok not my imagination my partner actually can make it colder, perhaps the teleporting thing is also true? if so that's awesome!
"I believe you told me that he would be my partner for a few years …. was that information false?"
i suddenly feel colder at this revelation and something tightens in my chest.
Wait I'm being kicked out!He said that I-
"Young miss the boys schedule is being partly influenced by the board, but he will be staying here for the foreseeable future."
A sigh escapes my lips. I then suck in a breath and pump my fists upward. I feel a gaze and look back down at the two in front of me….. Its slight, but they are grinning at me.
What! I can only express myself this way! Can't talk ,for that matter if I could I probably wouldn't stop talking. I reflect on that thought for a moment until I hear Wiess again.
"Well is there a way for me to influence the schedule?" The man looks at Wiess for a long time and then reaches for his scroll and taps it a few times.
Bring
I hear my partners scroll make a sound in her pocket as she begins to pull it out.
"I would recommend sitting down to read . I sent you the current iteration of the schedule and the document format used to make it. If you can satisfy the conditions of the document and create one I may… include it among the rough drafts, however you have until tomorrow night to finish this.
I would like to also add that your schedule for tomorrow is still unknown so I would recommend making the best use of any free time you may have. Am I understood you miss?"
"Crystal"
Umm.
"Good now I will be on my way. Heiter if you would follow me. I believe the young miss has other matters to tend to."
never mind… Well I need to get going. I clap and count my blessings. I get to stay! I wave to Wiess, who nods and returns her attention to the scroll that she is carrying.
I look to my right and begin to follow after Mr. Clutch whom is waiting at the intersection. He spins around and makes his way back to where I first met Wiess. I note the sunflower picture on the wall again and make my way past Mr. Clutch as I slowly get the door for him while glancing at him. He nods approvingly at the gesture and makes his way in. So i can open doors? When I tail behind him I see that he is already at the table with the papers we had on the table sorted.
He pulls out the two chairs " take a seat Heiter" He beckons to the one on the left as he sits in the other.
I make my way over and mimic his action.
"Now I did tell you that there would be important people you needed to meet.
I nod and lightly clench my fists.
"That will be occurring shortly, however we still have time to get some additional information. I also need to brief you on who they are. Firstly the math assignment you finished"
Mr. Clutch reaches over to the table and hands a paper to me. I look over it and realize that this is my assignment and then look back at him.
"is just an elementary test to get you started. Since you did manage to get all the questions correctly We can step it to the next test to see if your ready for higher order math."
I nod at this as it makes sense. Math is one of my few strongpoints that I can demonstrate right now, before they teach me "their" English.
Wait but couldn't I still "read" it. I think on that and raise my hand.
"yes?"
I close my hand to only have one finger up as I stand up. I grab the journal that had my math assignment and flip through the pages as I see questions and some word problems that I can't decipher right I find the formulas and spend more time on them as I note the numbers, likely chapters that are associated with the formulas I continue flipping until I have gotten a good grasp of the contents of the folder.
I then set it down and look back at Mr. Clutch as I sit down once more. I look around and find something I had missed earlier when I came in the first time. Another door is in front of me. Its between two of the bookshelves on the right wall. I point behind the black haired man, whom doesn't even look before answering my question.
" That is the main library, where additional information is stored, normally the staff changes out the books on the bookshelves in relation to what assignments the young miss will be taking.
Given that the next lesson isn't known they have generalized the studies books for now."
Mr. clutch puts both hands together as he leans slightly forward. I catch the seriousness in his face and mimic him.
"I digress however from our original purpose in coming here. Just know that the older man is Mr. Baud the younger one is Ms. Jude. They are both members of the Board that Wiess's father owns." Oh so they help with... things... I wonder what they are like…..
Well the only people I have met here are..one…two…three. oh wait four.
All of them have been good to me and three of them work for Wiess's father so the rest must be as nice right? I smile at the idea of meeting more people. To think I was scared yesterday about if I would ever meet people….. I quietly dwell on that, however my thoughts return to the man sitting across from me as I hear him call my name.
"The purpose of this meeting is to just introduce you,and depending on how this influences the board they will make adjustments to your future schedule. The primary part of this that you will be involved with is introducing yourself as your… limited in how you can contribute to the meeting."
I lift my arms into an X and look at him as I alternate between a thumbs up and the X.
"I'm aware you can do yes or no questions, however only board members are in attendance so some of the details they speak of will be things you will need additional time to understand.I have yet to review your understanding of history, thus you may be lacking a key understanding of what the SDC and Schnee family once you can read, this will change. I do hope your up to the task."
I meet his red eyes and break out into a grin as I give a thumbs. I then hop out of the chair and walk towards the door, before looking over my left shoulder and at the man behind me. "The advice I offer is the same as last time. Lets wait here unti-" bring…
Mr. Clutch reaches for his scroll and glances at it before walking to the door as he puts it back in its pocket. "It is time"
A/N
Ello! I'm considering renaming the Schnee arc to something else. I know it does the job, but i might shift it for other reasons. So if there is a change in arc in the future know we didn't shift to another arc. Till then see you next time and have a pleasant day!
