Chapter 4

A few weeks had passed until Natasha saw Tala again. She had settled into the routines of the school quite happily, having being given a uniform and getting food that was well cooked on a regular basis. Natasha was enjoying herself, back in the world of academia; she could understand books and equations easily, which made her teachers like her and most of her classmates respect her. There were a few who disliked her for her natural ability, but they were too afraid of what might happen if they started causing trouble for her. The teachers were strict with their punishments, and if they were to attack the pet they would undoubtedly feel the wrath of a cane. Tala was still a puzzle to Natasha though.

After their first meeting Natasha was unsure of how she should regard him. Would he be a friend or an enemy? Yet this time she saw him in the refectory getting dinner. He didn't eat much, but once when he caught her looking at him he smiled, what seemed to be a genuine smile, at her. Natasha felt her pulse quicken when her eyes met his and quickly looked away, down to her own meal. She had been so close to thinking that Tala was going to hate her for some unknown reason, but now she was really uncertain. He might be nice if she gave him a chance, she criticised herself.

Later on that same night, Natasha got her opportunity to find out what side Tala stood on. It was in the East Common Room, a quiet and secluded place that was fitted out much like a cabin, but much bigger and filled with books, ranging from fictional tales about heroes and villains to factual textbooks and theses. Yet despite what wonders it held on its shelves, Natasha often found herself there as very few people ever visited it, and so it was much more peaceful than the other boisterous rooms available for her to study in.

She had been sitting revising her Russian grammar when she heard the old wooden door creak open and someone walk in leisurely. Not caring too much, as it was only a single person, most likely only there to do the same as she, study in peace and quiet, Natasha continued reading her notes and filling out the exercise workbook her teacher had given her. It was about 15 minutes later when she heard a polite cough that she looked up from her work.

Tala stood, leaning lazily against a bookshelf, his face almost expressionless, save for a wry smile on his lips. Natasha was startled slightly, and dropped her pen on the floor. She felt very strange and awkward realising that Tala had been standing watching her, with his cold eyes. It made her want to shiver, but at the same time it made her feel warm inside. He bent down and picked up Natasha's pen, handing it back to her chivalrously. Surprisingly, Natasha could feel a blush creeping up her face. Yet, for the life of her, could she figure out why seeing this boy that she hardly knew had such an effect on her.

Casually, he slid into a chair opposite from Natasha, and continued to watch her, saying nothing. This unnerved Natasha a great deal.

"Is there something you want Tala? I can't imagine you would come all the way out here just to watch me study Russian" Natasha said finally, but not rudely.

"Au contraire, I find you most fascinating. You look so peaceful when you work; you make everywhere feel calmer, more at ease. Forgive me, but my life has not always been such a happy one, and to be around someone so...settled, it is nice."

It was the longest Natasha had ever heard Tala speak. His voice was like his eyes, clear and pure, yet with a hint of coldness, a harshness that Natasha realised only occurred when someone was not a native speaker of that language. Taking a gamble Natasha asked him where he was from originally. Surprisingly enough he answered, he was born in France, but has spent most of his life in Russia, at another school of which Boris was governor of. Tala was older than Natasha had thought to begin with, his being 19 and her being 17, but was so reclusive at times that she wondered how he had survived that long by himself.

Tala began to be around more after that initial conversation, and between studying together and meal times the two soon became what Natasha thought of as friends. Neither of them talked much about their pasts, their childhoods. It was as though there was an unspoken understanding that it was not a pleasant topic of conversation for either of them.

By the time winter came Tala and Natasha were spending all their extra time together, talking about their subjects, and their Beyblades. Natasha was surprised to learn that Tala had found out from Boris that she was to be put up into his grade, a whole 2 years ahead of her current peers, and would finally get to use her Beyblade to battle. Up until the grade that Tala was in, only the basics of Beyblade theory are taught and memorised, academic learning first, putting theory to practise second. The school wanted its future champions to be smart and cunning as well as talented.