Chapter 3: Looking Around, Looking Good and Looking Suspicious

Ahiru sighed. Their plan to find any more of Drosselmeyer's writing devices went rather sour. They'd asked the dress maker, and while it was clear that there were cogs hidden too at the back of that store, behind the large clock in the room where she made the leotards and costumes, there wasn't a writing device anymore. Most places hadn't seemed to have any seemingly obvious place and she was almost completely clueless of it's existence. Basically all they had left for there was a white bodysuit that they had been more or less convinced to buy for Ahiru.

Fakir on the other hand wasn't sure why Ahiru seemed so down about not finding a story telling device. Clearly if Drosselmeyer hadn't created another story telling device then they had less to worry about…either that or he'd hid it well. It did weigh on the mind but they'd signed up for this when they'd decided to stay.

They left for class that day quite early. Ahiru had hoped to mention Sleeping Beauty to Ms. Setsuna, while Fakir…well for Ahiru's sake would say it as well. To be honest he was quite sick of the theme of fairy tales, but Ahiru liked them. Appart from everything he wondered if it was because she wanted to have a fairy tale ending too. They were damn close to it. He walked behind her as she knew he mind was probably practicing the duet in her mind…she'd been hard on herself to live up to her legacy as Princess Tutu.

He'd begun to think that he should have a stronger mind to be closer to a Knight…but then again his Princess was safe. It really sounded corny, but he'd been much happier having Ahiru around, human too…knowing that his feelings weren't one sided, or at least not supposed to be. Finding out that his character had feelings for Tutu hadn't made him fall for Ahiru's cute and clumsy charm...those feelings had already been present, but maybe made him feel a little more comfortable with those feelings.

She was better than him in a lot of ways though. If she was really Princess Tutu on the inside, it was for certain she had the kindest heart he'd ever know.

"Fakir?"

He shook his head, and found his own cheeks a little warm from his thoughts. "Yea?"

"We're here." Ahiru said as she took the handle to the studio door.

"Oh." He'd really zoned out this time. It really wasn't like him, mechanically walking and not thinking about where he'd been going. He nodded and followed her in.

Pike and Lillie were already there. So was Autor and some of the other students all stretching for class talking about their choices, while some remained to keep theirs hidden. Ahiru walked over to them and Fakir followed behind.

"So what did you think of Nesumir? Or what did he tell him to call you Nesu?" Lillie said with an overzealous laugh.

"Oh it was nothing. He's kind of strange and-" Pike said before they noticed the room go silent. Ahiru wondered what it was, or if it was Director Setsuna's arrival? They looked up to see most of the class was stairing at a boy.

Nesumir had arrived.

This time he had no glasses on at all. Rather his longer tosseled strands of mousy brown hair lightly hit his eyes, his particularly greyish eyes which lacked a pair of rather large glasses, as he walked in with an smug content-ness, seemingly oblivious to the stares. His chiseled features looked less …

"Did I say strange? Because I meant to say dreamy." Pike continued correcting herself.

Ahiru was surprised at Pike. It was true though…Nesumir looked…different. Better.

Fakir looked at him hard. Something struck him as off. Even without the glasses. Nesumir caught Fakir's staring, and gave him a small smile, his eyes cool and relaxed.

Fakir turned his head and stood a little closer to Ahiru. Ahiru looked to Fakir, feeling his shoulder brush against hers. She wondered what had come over him to feel so protective; maybe she just wasn't used to the concept of them being boyfriend and girlfriend completely yet?

Setsuna walked in, her hair up in a bun of her purple-black curls in a straight typical bodysuit.

They soon took up a barre, and warm up exercises as well as some standard practice.

"Alright class, I hope to hear some interesting brainstorming ideas about what ballet to focus on. We'll definitely make a list and pick three."

"I prefer Romeo and Julliet." Autor said.

"Tragic and romantic I like it." Setsuna nodded.

"Cinderella is nice!" Pike suggested.

Setsuna nodded again. " A classic and beautiful choice."

"Sleeping beauty." Fakir said for Ahiru, who agreed.

"Ah, a lifelong dedication to the one you love; I've always loved that one." Setsuna smiled.

"The Nutcracker." Nesumir said, which took people off guard a little.

"Hmm…doused in both romance and action." Setsuna thought for a moment. "How about Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker. We'll cover all three romantic genres, and you can take on any character's dance you'd like, each week. I'd prefer to see duets, but I'll merit your ability equally."

The others looked around content with that. Ahiru was happy that her choice got picked, thanks to Fakir's support. Nesumir merely shrugged contently at his own success.

"Now…next week I hope to have the pas-de-deux of Romeo and Juliet quite practised. Fourth year students should be able to handle such a task.

"Can we practice more tonight Fakir?" Ahiru asked.

"I don't see a problem in it." Fakir gave her a content smile.

"We should practice too…don't you think? Nesumir?" Pike said suggestively.

"Well maybe you…but I'm quite sure I don't need it." Nesumir said and shrugged off.

Ahiru walked up behind Pike as Fakir followed.

"Don't you think that was a little harsh?" Fakir asked.

"Nah, it's fine." Pike said. "I do need a little more practice."

"Well…you used to have a thing for Fakir too and he had a mean charm before too…" Lillie blurted out, as if oblivious to Fakir's presence.

Fakir gave them all an eyebrow as Pike looked away blushing and Ahiru gave a little laugh.

"He used to but not so much anymore!" Ahiru defended him, clinging a little to his arm.

Fakir's eyes watched the doorway as he saw Nesumir leave. He couldn't shake off a suspicious feeling. "Why don't you meet me back at the house later? I've got a few chores I need to talk care of."

"So we can practice still right? I don't know if I know Romeo and Juliet by heart?"

"Yea because your love story is really tragic and everything too." Pike rolled her eyes. "Thanks for letting us have her for a while!" Pike looked to her.

"Don't worry, go have fun with them and I'll see you later." He poked his finger on her forehead teasingly.

"Good! Let's go out on the town for a bit and get some tea and cheesecake. I'll do my practicing for Nesu later!" Pike took Ahiru's hand and they left.

Fakir followed and saw a shadow slip past the side of the academic building towards the fountain and followed it.

"So are those just contacts or did we all witness a miracle today in class?" Fakir said stopping behind the person.

"Oh those old things…does it matter? I don't really need them anyway." Nesu stared back at him lamely and shrugged. "Is this the kind of welcome you always give to the new student?"

"We haven't had a new student in years. As long as I can remember." Fakir cut in.

"I heard that Ahiru girl was relatively new…or is there something I'm missing?" Nesu raised a brow.

"…well no. I mean I knew her from before she came here…" Fakir tried to cover his tracks.

"Oh so that's why she lives with you. Lucky guy." Nesu turned away.

"What did you say?" Fakir asked.

"Nothing really. I just thought you would have realized she's really the only girl in the class that catches the eye...talented or something…but you know it's just an observation." Nesu gave him a side look before walking off.

Fakir watched him leave. Maybe he wasn't completely suspicious, but he didn't like that he'd noticed Ahiru. As far as he was concerned, it was quite possible Drosselmeyer didn't have anything to do with it. Maybe they were opening up to the world around them, and maybe Drosselmeyer was becoming defeated by their consistent evade of his tragedy. But if these were the kind of shady character's the outside world held for them…was it worth the two of them hanging around, or finding a way to return to their actual story ?