Chapter 18. Tea for Two.

The bright, early morning sun peeked through the large window, kissing the soft skin on her cheeks to the color of amber. The girl stretched her arms out above her head, digging her hands into the plethora of down pillows that crested the top of the massive bed where she lay. As she slowly began to wake, enjoying relaxing with her eyes closed, she marveled at how comfortable her bed was, even more so than usual. The cheery summer weather warming the linens lulled her like a sweet temptress, and she curled up with the plush white comforters around her, determined not to get up. It seemed as if she was resting upon a cloud within the heavens, and it was not something she wished to leave.

The hours crept on and the sun danced across the room as she slumbered within the white, fluffy paradise. Faraway noises outside began to pull her from the relaxation and into the real world. Peeping a single, fluttering lid open, she took notice of the blankets – they were definitely not hers. Flopping an arm down onto the comforters to expose her face to the room about her, she sleepily examined her surroundings while rubbing a heavy sleep from her eyes with a yawn.

The room was spacious, with some sort of polished stone floor, like marble, reflected the light that came through the massive window on the opposite wall of the bed. The walls themselves were deep red in color, with dark rich wood paneling that was popular amongst the elites hundreds of years ago. Two sets of French doors were on the left and right – one, leading down into an expansive corridor, and one opening up to what she could see was a rather large bath clad in the same gleaming stone.

The approaching sounds of feet tapping on the tile from outside drew her attention to the hall, only to see a man in a black suit begin to walk past the open doors, lock eyes with her, and dart back off to where he had come from. She went back to examining her surrounds, gawking at the massive, plush bed she was on. The intricate headboard was like a piece of art, integrated into the woodwork of the walls, and sprouting from each corner were four large pillar posts adorned with more elaborate carving, finished with a linen canopy. Outside the sprawling window, from where she sat up on the mattress, she could only see the skyline, birds, and the tops of a few trees. The setting was peaceful; beautiful. Almost dream-like. She had never known such luxury before in her entire life.

Suddenly, there came a sound of footsteps very close to the door, and when she turned to look, she saw headmaster Faust by the doorframe, buttoning a white waistcoat while the ends of his pink cravat hung loosely down his chest.

"So, you're awake," he said as he entered the room. "I was beginning to worry about you."

She eyed him innocently as he walked around the bed to the off side, where she sat. "What happened?"

"You were attacked in the dormitories; do you remember?" He asked, resting his exposed wrist upon her forehead to assess her temperature.

She rubbed the sleep from her eye once more, wracking her brain over that night in the training camp. "It was some kind of demon. A ghoul? It appeared out of nowhere."

"Correct," he answered as he sat beside her, the down comforter puffing out around him. "However, it wasn't at random. I had the demon attack."

"Why?!" she winced as she raised her own voice.

"The Order was testing the page's abilities. There were multiple ghouls sent to attack the students to see how they would do in a combat situation," he said plainly, flipping the collar on his burgundy shirt up and taking the ends of his necktie within his gloved hands. "We were watching very closely, and treated the injured after the test was concluded. That was when I brought you here."

A feeling of dismay wrapped around her as he spoke. If they were testing the students, then they saw her fail, she thought. "Where are we, exactly?" she questioned.

Peering down at her from his peripherals while he knotted his pink necktie, he spoke coolly: "My mansion. You've been unconscious for a couple of days now. It seems you hit your head pretty hard."

Her gaze drifted down to her lap. "So, I didn't pass then?"

A silence fell between the two as he looked over her sweet, unfortunate expression. Finally the director stood to his feet and held out a lavender hand for the girl. She took his hand in hers, only to be pulled to her feet and into his arms. "I'm not supposed to tell you so soon, as I'm on my way to break it to the class - but it appears all of you have passed your exam, and are certified ExWire's from here on out," he said as he brought her chin up with his index finger.

Stunned by this news, it took her a few seconds to register exactly what her headmaster was telling her. She passed? "Why—how?!" she shouted, confusion and excitement balled into one.

"The little flower has an exceptional will to survive. I was quite impressed with your defense skills. And witnessing you summon Fenrir—" He briefly replayed the events of that night, watching the girl fixedly as she fought for her life against the beat, only to have it end with the demon wolf appearing. "—was spectacular, to say the least."

A faint strip of rose graced itself across her cheeks and nose, and he took in the enchanting image readily.

"Come with me, dear," he said, pulling her to the French doors and down the massive hallway.

She watched her bare feet stick to the smooth, cold flooring with every stride, her hand wrapped tightly in Faust's. It was then that she realized that she was in a loose babydoll nightgown, and her whole body seared with the thought of the ever-so-friendly headmaster changing her unconscious body into it. The two of them then entered a large room, and when she looked up her eyes were graced by the most state-of-the-art kitchen she had ever seen in her life. He pulled out a chair and offered for her to take a seat along the counter.

"You must be hungry," he said, walking towards the cabinets. "I remembered a few of your favorites, so I had the help pick some up for when you awoke."

A few of the items were served cold, as they should be, but she couldn't help but to giggle as she watched the man struggle to locate certain items within his own kitchen, tussle with the stove, and thrash about as he attempted to sort of cook some of the other things. As the great culinary battle came to a close, he placed the dishes in front of her, defeated. At least, it appeared his staff had done most of the prep work for him – all of the cutting, measuring, and seasoning. The only thing left with which he had to do was actually heat it and cook it, and he seemed to strain to even do that. How on earth could someone not know how to cook, she wondered, shaking her head with a passive smile across her lips.

"You wouldn't happen to have any tea?" she asked before he came back around the island. He stopped dead in his tracks and stared at her wildly, which freaked her out a little bit; it was definitely not the reaction she was expecting.

"Of course I have tea," he stressed. "What kind would you like?" he then asked, sliding the kettle over the stove and throwing it back on to heat the water.

"Whatever you have, I'm not picky. I practically live off of tea," she laughed as she started to eat, realizing how hungry she had been.

He continued to stare at her with a severe intensity that was quite awkward to assess. "What kind would you like?" he reiterated, pulling open the two doors of a very large cabinet – only to expose it was completely full of loose-tea canisters, containing all sorts flavors.

She sat astonished, before breaking out into laughter. "Surprise me with your favorite, then come join me."

They sat next to each other as they ate their meal, exchanging laughs as they joked and messed around, getting more in touch with one another's silly senses of humor. The near-constant snickering might have caused a slight headache, but the girl didn't have a care in the world. The food was decent; good because it was all her favorites, even though the cooking could have been done better. The tea was splendid, and she admitted she hadn't ever had such fresh, expensive tea before, which she immediately noticed a difference in quality and fell in love with the flavors. And the company was exquisite. Something seemed different about the chancellor, as if he was beginning to truly open up to her, even if just in the slightest, and she soaked it up entirely. After they finished their meal, he asked her if she would enjoy a short tour of his home, to which she accepted the offer gratefully. He showed her around the living area, some of the bedrooms, his private office; they passed by another kitchen, another living space, a music room, more rooms, until he took her to his own bedroom, where she marveled at the size, and the excessive posters upon the cathedral ceilings. There was a massive flatscreen television, bookcases full of books and manga, and video games from every system imaginable. However, she was a little disappointed in how reserved he acted about his own interests.

Walking over to the bookcases, she eyed the collection enthusiastically. "Don't apologize, Johann," she spoke sweetly. "I've read the whole series of these," she said as she pointed to a few different manga on the shelf. "And I'm quite impressed with your video game collection. It's almost as great as mine at home, but not quite," she teased with a grin.

His green orbs were wide in amazement. Surely she was pulling his leg, he thought. No human could be so intellectual and logical, so driven, so philosophical, empathetic, attractive, devious, love tea as much as he did, AND enjoy similar entertainment as he did. There was absolutely no possible way. He eyed her in silence as she, in her short, flowing nightgown, pulled a few games down from the shelf. She was talking to herself as she did, excited over the games he had that she didn't. The sun came in through his window and shined brightly on her as if she were some sort of angel that had graced his presence, and then she turned around to face him, holding a game up to her face.

"Can we play sometime? Pretty please?"

Stunned, he could only muster up a slow nod in reply.

(Author: Mah hart. Mah Sol.)