Their Nexus point established, the Protoss began their scouring of the moon for Zerg. Within the first rotation, they were surprised to find but less than a handful wherever they searched, even with their observers covering almost its entire surface in visibility and detection. The Protoss surmised that perhaps the infestation ran deep into the heart of the moon, where their detection could not penetrate. Another issue of their deployment was also the dearth of resources available.
We are so used to minerals and vespene being abundant in their presence that it is strange to be in a place where they have not yet formed in such amounts, Artanis commented after joining their brethren on the moon.
Either this place lacks these resources, or they have long since been harvested, Zeratul posited.
That would be a much more sinister thought, my friend, Artanis responded.
Hierarch, we have found many caves upon this moon that lead much deeper. We will not be able to establish bases within them, but we do believe these may be where the majority of the brood nests, a Zealot returning from scouting informed.
We may have no choice but to meet them on their terms, Vorazun proposed.
The confined space means they will have nowhere to run, it will be a glorious slaughter, Alarak stated confidently.
Or it may be a slaughter upon us, Artanis retorted. After some contemplation, he came up with a plan. We will engage and destroy the primary Hive cluster that we have detected on the surface. Zeratul? Vorazun? You will lead the charge against the Cerebrate itself. Alarak-
Ugh, do not tell me I am to hold the defensive line while you get to do the slaughtering, Alarak interrupted, annoyed.
That is what you shall do. Should the brood become more hostile, I believe there will be plenty of slaughter for you, Artanis said.
Very well, 'Hierarch', Alarak replied with a sigh, which a Protoss, not needing to breathe, would need to exert extra effort to communicate to other Protoss.
Hierarch, I am afraid the Spear of Adun's systems appear to be malfunctioning and will require calibration, Karax's voice, from the giant, golden ship above, informed Artanis and the others through their psionic connection. I recommend delaying the attack until the systems are operational, to ensure maximum chance for success.
I see, Phase-Smith, and how long do you estimate it will take to repair? Artanis inquired.
I would say seven solar days, Karax answered. Artanis was silent as he considered his course of action.
We will wait, then, Phase-Smith, Artanis answered.
I do not see why we need the assistance of the ship. Our forces should be more than sufficient to crush these beasts, Alarak asked, irritated.
It is not for a lack of faith in our forces, it is to ensure we have the swiftest victory possible. There is always wisdom in patience, 'Highlord', Artanis made sure to stress sarcasm on Alarak's moniker.
Oh but of course. But one should be mindful of the difference between patience… and sloth, Alarak jabbed as he turned to gather his forces.
What is sloth? Artanis wondered aloud.
I believe it is a Terran creature of some sort, Zeratul answered. Artanis now felt more confused.
How does he know what one is and how to use it as a descriptor? Artanis asked, perplexed.
Perhaps it will be yet another of the great unknowns of our lives, Zeratul answered.
Siesta awoke, alone, in her own, old quarters from when she was a maid. Louise and her had both agreed it was best after the revelation relating to Wardes. It had been a week since then, and Siesta could feel the pain of loneliness acutely. She could also feel the pain in her wrist and the rest of her arm acutely as she got up to once again don her sling. She had never had a broken bone before, and she had to admit the feeling was less than pleasant. She eyed the bottle of a substance she was given by the nurse who had assessed and treated her. Her gaze was almost lustful as she reached for it, but, at the last moment before her fingers gripped it, she heard a knock on her door and snapped out of her trance-like actions.
"Siesta," she heard the familiar voice of her friend, Melody, on the other side of the door, "I'm coming in." The door opened to reveal a woman adorned in the same maid outfit she used to wear, with brown eyes that betrayed a weariness for the world far beyond her years and straight auburn hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. This maid stepped in, and closed the door behind as almost as soon as she did. "How are you doing today?" She asked, concerned.
"About the same," Siesta answered plainly, reaching to rub her bandaged left arm. Melody gave a sigh at that.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Melody replied with a tone meant to comfort as she approached Siesta. "Have you talked to her?" Siesta seemed visibly stung by the statement, which Melody noticed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
"It's okay, you didn't mean anything by it," Siesta interrupted her with a solemn reassurance not just in her tone but on her face. Melody, instinctually, gave her a comforting, warm, small smile as she pulled her friend, whom she was slightly taller than, in close to embrace her.
"I'm sure she'll come around," Melody reassured her. "When we all heard the rumors, and then had it confirmed for us, we were a little surprised, but we were always rooting for you." Siesta self-consciously scoffed at this. "It's true! Ever since that one day. Where she stood up for you. We could feel there was something more destined for you two. I'll have you know I had my money on you two getting together since that day!"
"Wait, was there a betting pool?" Siesta asked, slightly disbelieving and shocked at the implication of one.
"I mean…" Melody looked away bashfully as she giggled. Siesta was unsure if she should be flattered or violated with this information. The lack of a confirmation or denial was all she needed to know, but she had also noticed Melody was sporting some quite nicer boots than she used to when they worked together. "By the way!" Melody piped up, obviously trying to steer the conversation in a different direction, which Siesta had no will to argue against, "Marteau wished to see you! He said he has some new sweets he wants you to try." SIesta visibly perked up at this information, which caused Melody to give a satisfied laugh. "You are so led by your sweet-tooth, Siesta." Siesta laughed at her playfully smug friend's statement before the two left the servant quarters and made their way to the kitchens. It was still early in the morning, and a light mist hung over the grass as the sunlight had not yet come to dispel it. No nobles were out at this time, and she felt a certain nostalgia for it. Remembering the abuses and disrespect she received from some of the more bratty and entitled nobles, however, quickly dispelled those thoughts.
Once within the kitchens, they were excitedly greeted by the Chef Marteau himself in his usual exuberant and cheerful demeanor. The sheer mountain of this burly, muscled, middle-aged man with his distended belly, huge, hairy arms the size of small logs, blue eyes, massive eyebrows whose color matched his full head of short brown hair marched over to them as Siesta braced her body for what was to come. Sure as she predicted, she was scooped up by the man, who immediately began to crush her in his arms as he never knew his own strength. Siesta did her best not to yelp, but found it impossible as the acute pain from her arm shot through her. At that sound, the Chef immediately set her down with a profusely apologetic look on his face.
"I'm so sorry, Siesta, I just got too excited to see you," Marteau apologized as he looked at her with concern.
"I-it's alright," Siesta struggled to reassure him as the pain in her arm throbbed. "I missed you, too." The two gave each other a warm smile that could only be shared between those with deep friendship before Marteau snapped his fingers in remembrance of why he had asked her here.
"Here, have these," Marteau offered as he turned to grab what looked like a cloth handkerchief tied with a bit of string on top to form a bag. "I've been working on my macaron recipe and I wanted you to be among the first to try!" Siesta smiled with gratitude as she took them. The two once again stared at each other as excitement gave way to a kind of melancholic mood. "Siesta," Marteau began as he kneeled to meet Siesta's gaze. "We all miss you very much. But we are also very happy for you." He paused for a moment as he took a shaky breath, "I am very proud of you," he said as he took her into a gentle embrace and Siesta returned with her one good arm. She had not known Marteau to cry, but she could feel a gathering moisture on her shoulder.
Once she had finished catching up with her old crew, Siesta stepped out into the academy grounds. As the sun had now made its presence known, she observed what appeared to be a commotion as students were gathered around and looking fearful. As she approached, she learned that what the male students of the Tristain academy had feared had come to pass.
"No! Please don't go!"
"I have to, I don't have a choice…"
The draft had come, and the student mages were being pressed into service. Everywhere across the academy grounds, the male students were seeing their female friends and girlfriends off with teary goodbyes. As usual, Guiche decided to use this opportunity to win the affections of his estranged girlfriend.
"Montmorency, my love, I'm headed off to join the army now," Guiche declared dramatically as he placed his hand on her shoulder while she faced away from him. "Please, won't you see me off with a smile?" Guiche implored.
"A smile?" Montmorency replied, still facing away from him. "Considering you may die out there?"
"Death in the service of one's country is a most honorable fate," Guiche declared with pride.
"To hell with honor!" Montmorency shouted as she turned to face him, her eyes filled with tears. "What if I never see you again…" This turn of events was surprising, even for Guiche, as he was so used to failure in his advances.
"Do you… really care that much about me?" Guiche asked, his face softening to be genuinely full of affection, and not over-the-top flirtation.
"Of course, you fool," Montmorency replied, her voice breaking. Guiche took her in his arms and the two shared their most genuine display of affection in what felt like an eternity. Louise looked at the two of them, giving a small smile as to their tender moment, but as she remembered the circumstances surrounding it, her face fell.
"I guess the invasion of Albion is really happening," Louise surmised.
"I'm surprised," Siesta replied, approaching. Louise, in response, let out a small gasp and quickly turned herself from her. Siesta looked at her with disappointment. "Please, Louise, I think we need to talk about this."
"How do I know you won't lie to me? Like you did about Wardes?" Louise accused.
"I'm sorry…" Siesta said, quietly as some of the other students became distracted by their goodbyes and turned to the estranged couple. "I know I should have told you… I just felt so guilty. I'd never killed someone before. And for it to be someone so close to you… I just didn't know what to do."
"Obviously not lie," Louise retorted. Siesta, with each word from Louise's mouth, felt herself cut down little by little.
"I know…" Siesta replied, sheepishly, letting awkward silence fall between them as she had no further retorts.
"Aw, c'mon this is ridiculous!" Derflinger shouted from his sheath on Siesta's back. Both girls jumped and looked at him in response. "Pinky, I was there when it happened, if she didn't do that, he would've absolutely come back and done more damage to you and who knows how many others."
"Shut up, you rusty knife!" Louise yelled, finally turning to face Siesta, whose left arm had been in a sling since the events with the Prince almost a week ago, so she could yell at Derflinger. "That's not what this is about!"
"Yeah? And what is it about?" Derflinger asked, sneering.
"It's about the fact that she should have told me! Maybe I would have been upset, maybe I would have pushed her away, but maybe I would have understood! But that doesn't matter… the choice was taken from me by Siesta deciding what was best for me and for herself," Louise admitted.
"Ah, there it is…" Derflinger mused as he silenced himself in the sheath once more. Siesta moved to approach Louise, who recoiled, causing Siesta to stop.
"Will you ever forgive me for lying to you?" Siesta pleaded, trying hard not to cry as she felt it might manipulate the situation at hand. Louise sighed, still facing away from Siesta.
"I don't know… maybe…" Louise began, her body language relaxing slightly, "I just need time, okay?"
"I understand. I don't expect you to say it back, but, I love you," Siesta said as she turned to leave.
"I love you, too…" Louise answered in a voice that was too low for Siesta to hear.
"Hey what's that?" someone in the crowd announced as there appeared to be something on approach to the academy from the sky. Louise, Siesta, and the rest of the students looked up to see an approaching form of a brilliant white dragon. With a great beating of its wings, the dragon landed among the students. From atop the dragon, a young man dismounted. This man had beautiful, sideswept golden hair and was adorned in a white soldier's uniform with gold trim and a brilliant blue cape. Once he stepped in front of his dragon to fully reveal himself, he tossed his hair with one of his white-gloved hands. Immediately as he did, he gave a sultry look to all the girls he could see with his heterochromatic red and blue eyes. Every girl who saw this display immediately swooned over this beautiful new man in their presence. The boys, who were being sent off to war, looked unamused as this figure stole their attention. Beside Siesta and Louise, they could see Montmorency break from her tender moment with Guiche and walk closer to this wondrously handsome new man.
"O-oh my…" Montmorency declared, positively infatuated with this new arrival.
"Montmorency?" Guiche asked after his blonde, curly-haired girlfriend.
"Oh? You're still here?" Montmorency replied, irritated at his presence, which made Guiche look as though he had been run through. The new young man, not much taller than Siesta, walked forward, past Siesta, and directly to Louise, who looked confused as to what was happening.
"My name is Julio Chesare," the man announced with a smile to the small, pink-haired noble before him. "I am a transfer student from the Holy Romalian Empire. Pleased to meet you," he greeted with a wide smile to Louise and Louise alone. Siesta felt that old familiar feeling of jealousy hit her as she watched this play out, and was partially tempted to use her psionics to embarrass him.
Following the battle at Tarbes, Osmond saw fit to reopen the academy for lessons. It was one of these lessons that Louise (who did not need to attend, but chose to anyway for lack of anything else to do) found herself with this new Julio, listening to Colbert teach about chemistry. The lesson was unimportant, what was important was the presence of this new young man and the information that Louise was learning of him from the whispers of the other students, most notably the ever-chatty Kirche.
"They say he's a flamen from Romalia, so he doesn't have to join the military," Kirche said adoringly as she stared at this new arrival.
"Flamen?" Tabitha asked. "Why come here?" Tabitha's tone betrayed suspicion, on her part.
"Dunno," Kirche answered, with a longing sigh, ignoring her friend's tone. "Who cares? As long as he's handsome." The girls' fawning was interrupted as the door was thrown open and a familiar figure stepped inside.
Agnes? This can't be good… Lousie thought as she saw the surly, dirty blonde enter the room, flanked by additional musketeers.
"Everyone, out to the field, now," Agnes ordered.
"Who are you people?" Colbert demanded, angry that his lesson had been interrupted.
"We are her Highness' Musketeer Force," Agnes announced, "We have been stationed at this school to give you all military training should the war ever come here. Therefore, class is hereby canceled."
"C-canceled?! But we've only just restarted-" Colbert sputtered.
"Teacher, we are in the midst of war. This is not the time to be holding classes," Agnes admonished. Colbert, steeling himself, furrowed his brow at her.
"This is precisely why we must carry on with classes. So we may all learn the foolishness of war. All those boys, actual boys, not men, have been forced into service. So it feels reasonable to ask that you at least not bring war onto this campus! Class? Take your seats," Colbert stated, confidently, as the students stood still, unsure of what to do. Their uncertainty was soon abolished as Agnes drew her sword, pointing it directly at a stunned Colbert's throat. It took all Siesta had not to draw Derflinger right there and cut her down. As the class looked on at this threatening display, Agnes' face contorted with anger.
"I hate mages…" she declared, as she looked over Colbert. Seeing the hot metal in his hand, but no open flame, her teeth gritted in increased anger, "Especially fire mages." The tension of the situation caused the entire classroom to hold their collective breath. Following an eternal moment of silence, Agnes smirked and sheathed her sword, causing Colbert to nearly collapse from relief. "Do not interfere with my duties, teacher," Agnes stated, making sure to put sarcastic emphasis on her last word. "Lieutenant Michelle?" Agnes addressed to her always-present second-in-command.
"Move! Out to the field!" Agnes' always-accompanying teal-haired musketeer, Michelle, ordered to the class. Without hesitation, the students began making their way out of the classroom.
On the field, the girls were formed up as if they were a military unit, standing at attention and all given long staves with cushioned ends. Agnes stood before them, examining the group with disdain. Kirche yawned as she leaned against her staff, not feeling enthusiastic about this. Her indifference was easily noticed by Agnes, who shot her a glare that sent shivers down Kirche's spine.
"We will now begin," Agnes announced.
"Hold on," Montmorency protested, raising a hand as she stepped forward. Agnes looked at her with irritation and amusement. "We're mages!" Montmorency continued, "we don't need these! We should be practicing practical offensive or defensive magic!" At that, Montmorency made a big show of throwing her staff to the ground and drawing her wand. The other girls looked at her with anxiety at what they feared may become of her, following this outburst.
"Magic, eh?" Agnes raised an eyebrow and smirked as she approached the haughty blonde noble. In a flash, she snatched the wand and twisted Montmorency's arm behind her back. "Go ahead. Defeat me using magic." Montmorency whimpered in pain in response. "Oh? What's the matter? Can't cast any spells?"
"Please… you're hurting me!" Montmorency struggled to cry out.
"Can't do anything once you lose your wand, huh?" Agnes declared smugly. It was not long before her expression changed from one of self-satisfacted superiority to irritance once more. "If I were an enemy? You'd be dead."
"L-let go of me!" Montmorency begged. The other girls looked at this display with concern and fear. They already felt no desire to disobey the surly musketeer Captain before them, but this example that was made of their peer instilled even greater compliance. Nevertheless, Agnes released the whining noble, tossing her to the ground. Montmorency rubbed her shoulder and groaned in pain as Agnes threw her wand down beside her and turned to face the rest of the terrified girls.
"You never know what might happen in a real battle," Agnes began, eyeing each of the girls. "Even with your wand in hand, there may not be enough time for a spell, and then?" Agnes saw Montmorency reaching for her wand, which Agnes kicked slightly further away. "What will you do?" The girls looked at her in terrified silence, as Montmorency, out of shame, struggled to raise herself. "Get up, get your staff, and fall in line," Agnes ordered, which caused Montmorency to scramble back into position with the rest of the girls. "Listen up!" Agnes announced, now knowing she had their full attention and cooperation. "What I will teach is nothing but the very basics of self-defense! Begin!"
Siesta watched everything from her place leaned against the wall of the academy, Derflinger, in his sheath, beside her. The bitter disgust in her soul that she felt for Agnes and her brutal methods could not be understated, as she looked at the training with disapproval.
"The Queen really knows how to pick 'em," Derflinger said, sarcastically. Siesta smirked in response. "Wow, if only we could capture this moment. The one time I said something that amused you."
"Don't push it, Derflinger," Siesta replied, shaking her head as she watched the students pair up and begin their training exercises. She felt a pinch in her left shoulder, which she instinctively reached for.
"Still bothering you, huh?" Derflinger asked.
"Yeah. My first broken bone. I had no idea it was so painful," Siesta answered as she rubbed her shoulder.
"Think you need some more-?"
"I'm fine," Siesta cut Derflinger off, knowing what he was about to suggest. Once Louise and Siesta had returned to the academy, on the day of the incident with the Prince, Siesta could no longer ignore the acute pain in her shoulder and went to see the nurse on hand for the servants. She was informed that it had been broken, and had it set into a makeshift cast of rags. Shortly after, upon seeing her, Tabitha and Montmorency worked together to use their magic to heal her enough to only require a sling. Still, however, they were unable to take the pain completely away and they all agreed it would just take time.
As Siesta began to relax against the wall, she saw the girls become distracted over the arrival of the new young man, Julio. Abandoning their training positions, they swarmed him, with Kirche pushing herself before the others, flaunting her ample chest at him. Julio ignored them all and walked straight to Louise. Siesta frowned at this development, but did her best to push down her jealous feelings.
Louise, meanwhile, looked confused as the handsome, blonde noble stepped before her.
"Miss Valliere, or, may I call you Louise?" Julio asked her, flirtatiously. Louise did not respond, simply staring at him in confusion. "Would you care to partner with me?" Louise, not seeing an issue with it, nodded. "Very well, come at me." Julio invited.
Louise readied herself, holding the staff like a spear, and charged at the blonde knight, who effortlessly dodged and caught her in one of his arms, holding her gently by the shoulder. Louise, feeling this sudden contact, looked into his dreamy blue and red eyes and blushed.
"No, no, not like that," Julio gently admonished.
"O-okay," Louise stuttered, feeling flustered as she looked into Julio's eyes. All the girls watching looked on in various states of unhappiness. Some forlorn, some bewildered, and some angry. Kirche was especially vocal about her disappointment at not being picked. Siesta, watching this play out, nearly rose to her feet to blast him off his, seeing him touch her so suddenly. Her thoughts were interrupted, however, when she felt a presence about to strike her from the side, and used her psionics to push herself up and out of the way. Now standing, she looked at her potential attacker, Michelle. She tossed a wooden sword at Siesta's feet.
"Show me what you got," Michelle implored, demandingly. Siesta gave her an unamused scowl in response.
"I'm not a student here, and as you can see," Siesta looked to her left arm, still within its sling. "I'm in no condition to fight."
"If the enemy came, would you not still have to?" Michelle interrogated, "And would the enemy care that you were injured already? No. They would take you for easy prey. Show me they're wrong. Show me I'm wrong. Show me what you've got." She struck a ready stance with the wooden sword in her hands and swung at Siesta once more. This time, Siesta, feeling her opponent with her psionics, merely predicted her path, and calmly stepped aside. The attacks, however, persisted, and grew ever more aggressive, causing Siesta to wonder if she was in real danger. Deciding not to prolong this, on her next dodge, she grabbed the Michelle's wooden sword and swiftly disarmed her, tossing it far out of reach.
"Boring fight," Siesta commented as she went to return to her spot beside Derflinger while her attacker heaved laboured breaths from her efforts to land any blow on Siesta.
"Siesta!" Louise called out, suddenly. Siesta turned to see Louise running to her, concern in her eyes. Once she had gotten to Siesta's side, she gave the woman who tried to attack her a dirty look. "Why are you attacking my partner?" Michelle was still out of breath, but Agnes soon approached, looking amused at the situation.
"I saw her fight the other day… surely if she wanted she could have destroyed my subordinate, or even me, in terms of raw swordsmanship," Agnes remarked.
"When she holds a real weapon, her skills are next to none, but even without it…" Louise informed with a frown.
"Oh, so you don't actually possess real skill as a swordswoman?" Agnes inquired, raising an eyebrow. Siesta, who felt she had nothing to prove, simply chose to remain silent. "Interesting…" Agnes' voice trailed off.
"I am curious, myself, now," Julio suddenly interrupted as he had approached the group unnoticed. "May I ask you, Siesta, to spar with me?" Julio asked.
"Don't you see she's injured? It wouldn't be a fair fight!" Louise responded.
"You can use a real weapon, if you like," Julio smirked at her. Siesta wanted nothing more than to take him down a peg. However, this situation felt all too familiar to her, and she readied herself to decline. "Perhaps we make it more interesting?" Julio asked, interrupting her attempt at premature concession, "What if the winner gets to kiss Louise?" Siesta felt true anger within her now.
"Wait, kiss?!" Louise interjected, turning bright red, "Who do you think you are?! What do you think I am?! I'm not just some prize and you can't just speak for me!" Louise shouted angrily at the cocky noble before her. "Besides, aren't you a flamen?"
"Well, in order to transfer here, I had to temporarily return to secular life, which is why I can wield my sword," Julio informed as he fondled the hilt of his weapon. "And, of course, indulge in relations…" Julio attempted to pull Louise in for a kiss, to which she froze in surprise. Siesta could feel her discomfort, and inability to act, and moved forward to gently push Julio back.
"She said she wasn't interested, please do not touch her," Siesta softly ordered with a threatening tone.
Siesta, Louise thought to herself, as her heart began to race for her girlfriend once more, reminding her why she fell for her in the first place. She then looked to the haughty new man who kept touching her suddenly, and scowled. "You know what?" Louise began, still scowling at Julio, "I change my mind, kick his ass, babe."
Siesta's eyes lit up and her heart buzzed with warmth upon hearing this. She smiled, blushing, at Louise before turning to give Julio, who had not faltered in his smug demeanor, a determined look. "I hope you're ready, ramen," Siesta declared as she held out her right hand, summoning Derflinger into it with a psionic pull. Agnes, her right-hand woman, Julio, and every other onlooker's eyes grew with shock and anticipation. Julio, registering what Siesta had just said, had his face drop into a frown as he drew his own sword.
"It's flamen, and an ex one at that," Julio corrected, with slight irritation in his voice as he took an aggressive ready stance. Siesta smirked at breaking through the handsome man's cocky front. The two stared each other down while the entire audience of left-behind female students held their collective breaths. Siesta, for her part, was calm, knowing she could sense his every move before he would make it. She sensed he had collected himself, and was waiting for her to make the first move. Then, she had a cheeky idea.
"Well, I'm waiting, mom-en," Siesta announced, mockingly. One of Julio's eyes twitched ever so slightly, in such a subtle way that no one but Siesta, who was looking directly at him, could notice. She knew she had provoked him, now. Julio dashed forward with the speed and swiftness that could be expected of any master swordsman. Siesta, however, already sensed this, and easily stepped aside. The next move, however, almost caught her as Julio thrust out his elbow, causing Siesta to have to quickly jump back.
"Not bad, commoner," Julio remarked with a smirk before slashing his sword at her. Siesta leapt over him, landing at his back, and reached forward to push him over. Julio seemed to anticipate this and tilted his body downwards while kicking back. Siesta once more only barely dodged, now becoming irritated.
"C'mon, Siesta! You can do it!" Louise cheered. Siesta, feeling a rush of confidence, decided to try something new.
"I hope you're ready, Derflinger," Siesta said in a low voice.
"Ready for WHAAAAAA-?!" Derflinger was sent screaming through the air toward Julio's back, Julio, alerted by Derflinger's screaming, ducked and turned to face Siesta once more, dashing forward. Siesta, this time, allowed him to come directly at her before waiting until the last possible moment to move her head to the side. She took this opportunity to grab the flamen by his shirt and lean into his ear.
"I win," Siesta whispered. Julio attempted to break free, in response.
"Stop! Siesta is the winner here," Agnes announced, much to Julio's surprise.
"May I ask how? She is disarmed, no pun intended, and I could easily attack her while she is holding my shirt," Julio asked, calmly. Agnes merely pointed behind him. Julio turned to see the point of Derflinger aimed squarely at his head. Siesta released the wide-eyed noble, as he stepped back. For a moment, there was yet more silence from everyone as they waited to see what happened next, until murmurs from the girls began. Siesta summoned Derflinger back into her hand and smirked at Julio. Julio, surprisingly, had not a trace of anger in his face. He merely gave her a warm smile borne of concession that Siesta could feel was genuine. "I'm a big enough man to admit when I've lost," Julio began as he calmly sheathed his sword and held out his hand to her, "Well fought." Siesta, perplexed at this, took his hand. At the moment their hands touched all the onlooking girls screamed in excitement as they swarmed the two.
"Wow, Siesta! You were so cool!"
"Hey… what was that magic you used?"
"I want YOU to be our teacher!"
Siesta did her best to reply to everyone as quickly and as politely as possible.
"Thank you!"
"Oh… that wasn't magic, that's just something I was born with."
"Thank you, but I can't really teach what I did."
Siesta was feeling a little overwhelmed by the attention. Thankfully, a hand took hers and pulled her away from the crowd. She was pleasantly surprised to see it was Louise who had taken her from the group. The two smiled at each other, affection shared in their eyes.
"Well, you won! Aren't you gonna kiss her?" one of the girls in the crowd suggested. Siesta and Louise both blushed, feeling very on-the-spot.
"W-well, maybe later… if you want to…" Siesta said, sheepishly, unable to keep eye contact with Louise. Louise, in response, grabbed her by her shirt, pulled her down to her height, and kissed her. A shockwave of joy shot through Siesta's body as she kissed her back, with the girls looking on squealing with delight.
"That's enough spectacle for one day! Everyone back to your positions!" Agnes ordered, the girls groaning in disappointment. Louise, still liplocked with her girlfriend, did not budge. "That means you, too, Valliere!" Agnes shouted. Louise reluctantly ended their kiss, giving Siesta a disappointed look.
"It's okay, I'll be right here," Siesta reassured her with a smile. Louise smiled back as she left to join the rest of the girls in more exercises. Kirche also lagged behind, looking longingly at the happy couple and sighing.
"I'm so jealous…" she whispered to herself. Kirche then did a double-take on her thoughts and her face contorted with confusion. "Wait, do I like girls, now?" She asked herself.
"Not surprising," Tabitha commented as she began to drag the confused Kirche back to the rest of the class.
Agnes stared daggers at Siesta, who returned her gaze with one of determination. As the two stared down, Agnes began to approach her. "What was that?" she asked, accusationally.
"It's not something I can teach you, Agnes," Siesta replied, coldly.
"Meet me later, I wish to discuss this with you," Agnes ordered.
"And why would I do that?" Siesta asked, raising an eyebrow. Agnes sighed, softening her expression to one of worry, which surprised Siesta.
"The threats we face are overwhelming and foreign to me, and I fear I do not have the strength to face them," Agnes began. "I feel training with you will help sharpen my skills, even if I cannot learn what you do. So, please," Agnes bowed her head to Siesta, "help me to become a better warrior and protector." For the first time, Siesta felt a small bit of pity for the woman, and relented.
"Alright, I'll meet you here at dusk," Siesta agreed. Agnes raised her head and gave her a nod of affirmation before returning to the other girls to resume their training. Siesta watched on, as Derflinger decided to pipe up.
"Hey, if you ever try that again, could you at least warn me, partner?" Derfligner requested.
"I did, didn't I?" Siesta asked, with slight mockery in her tone.
"Maybe a little more than the moment before you do it would be nice…" Derflinger replied.
"Look, if I announce my attacks, won't that harm my chances of winning against an opponent?" Siesta asked.
"Ugh… you make a good point. Fine, I'll just try to be ready for that, then," Derflinger ceded as he sheathed himself once more. Siesta could now barely notice the pain in her arm.
The girls trained until the sun was beginning to slip low in the sky, when Agnes finally called it off. All of them were sore and groaning. Louise walked up to Siesta, hoping to collapse onto her lap at her spot against the wall;. Unfortunately, as Siesta had a prior engagement, she had to delay their time together.
"Are you serious? After I just gave you a second chance?" Louise protested with a whiny voice.
"I'm sorry, but Agnes talked me into sparring with her to help her improve her skills," Siesta replied with a nervous smile. Louise looked at her in confusion.
"I'm surprised you'd agree to that," Louise remarked.
"Yeah," Siesta replied. "I sensed she just… didn't feel good enough. She's really concerned she's not good enough to protect others." Louise's eyes softened with compassion at that statement. She knew what it was like to feel inadequate, and could not begrudge her girlfriend taking pity on another dealing with the same issue.
"I understand," Louise replied with a small smile as she got up. "I'll go bathe and meet you in our room then, okay?" Siesta smiled up at her, her body abuzz with delight at being on good terms with her once more. Once the students had fully vacated the area, Siesta approached Agnes who had taken a small vial from a pouch at her waist, shook it until it glowed, and drank its contents, giving an audible sigh of relief once it had been done. It was only after she had done this that she noticed that Siesta had seen her, and she froze. Siesta could surmise why she was so fearful of her witnessing this.
"That's not-look, you don't understand, I-," Agnes sputtered before realizing, upon reading Sieta's expression, that she could not explain this away. She could only look away from Siesta in shame.
"You're in pain," Siesta said, approaching her. Agnes merely nodded in response. "I understand," Siesta continued, as she showed Agnes the bottle she was given for her own injury. At first, Agnes' face betrayed a soft sympathy, but it quickly steeled itself as she shook her head.
"No. You really don't," Agnes responded, finally making eye contact with Siesta. "That day, at Tarbes, while you were safe in your metal ship, I was on the ground, watching everyone I served with be butchered before my eyes," she began tears beginning to well up in her eyes, despite her best efforts. "I, myself was in the process of being ripped apart," Agnes gently grabbed her right arm. "Just when I thought the pain would end, I was saved by those otherworldly beings, the Protoss, who charged forward and cut those creatures down effortlessly. I had never felt like such a failure as I did in that moment." Agnes held her sword loosely at her side as she gave the ground a thousand-yard stare. "All my training, undone at the very first taste of real combat, by threats none of us could have predicted. Those threats, you included, I must now account for and prepare against." Siesta raised an eyebrow at Agnes' accusation. Agnes noticed this. "Yes. Even you, right now, are a threat. After having let that terrorist go when he murdered one of my musketeers and almost killed the Queen, how could I view you as anything but?"
"Then why am I here? Are you planning to kill me?" Siesta asked, tensing her muscles in case of the worst. Agnes tightened her grip on her sword as her face contorted with frustration.
"I'd certainly like to," Agnes growled through gritted teeth. Siesta could feel she meant it, and subtly shifted her stance to prepare herself. After a moment Agnes sighed, calming herself down, "However, even if I do not trust you, I do trust my Queen and would follow her to the death." Siesta felt the change in her demeanor and relaxed herself as well. "Someday, though, I will capture the terrorist who you let get away… and take you down as well," Agnes declared with a look of steeled determination.
"So why should I help you?" Siesta asked, bluntly.
"Even if I don't believe you can understand the depths of my pain borne of my insecurity and old wounds," Agnes began, as she stepped closer to Siesta, "I know you can sympathize with it. Besides, we both want the same thing: to protect the Queen. You know my loyalty to her is unwavering." Siesta did not need psionics to know she was telling the truth, and, after a small moment of consideration, nodded to Agnes, who nodded back. "I thank you, Siesta," Agnes said, as she held her sword at the ready, with Siesta readying Derflinger, as well. "And about what you saw me do earlier…" Agnes said, her voice trailing off. Siesta gave her a knowing look in response. "Now you know I, too, have something to hide," Agnes stated as she lunged at Siesta.
Siesta was unsure of the quality of the training, as she had merely dodged every attack and even disarmed Agnes several times. The training had lasted well until the day had given way to night, and Agnes could hardly stand. Multiple times Siesta tried to call it off, but Agnes always persisted. Siesta relented, knowing that she would never stop hounding her until she, herself, was satisfied. It only ended once Louise showed up, wondering what was taking so long.
"It's getting really late," Louise announced, approaching the two sweating, heaving sparring partners. Louise, looking over her girlfriend, drenched in sweat, recoiled slightly. "Maybe take a bath before coming up," Louise said with a look of slight disgust on her face. Siesta heeded the advice and went to the servants' shared bath, where she loosed her injured shoulder from its sling, wincing as she did. The pain seemed especially acute at this time, and she reached into the folds of her clothes to produce her own vial of painkiller.
Just a little is fine, Siesta thought to herself, remembering the words of the school's nurse regarding the concoction before her. She uncorked the vial and attempted to only take a single drop, as recommended, but the moment the sweet, cooling liquid touched her tongue, she could not stop herself from downing its entire contents. Not a moment later, the pain in her shoulder was relieved and she was able to move it freely, breathing a sigh of relief as she did. Her head also grew fuzzy and her body felt light and uncoordinated as she stepped into the bath, the warm water increasing her comfort. I hope I can get more, Siesta thought to herself, regarding the liquid she had just taken. I was told it's new, and rare, so I might not. She remembered what the nurse had told her, regarding if she did take the medicine, and tried to move her shoulder as much as she could, both in and out of the bath as she moved up to Louise's room, now their room once again. Once she had entered the room, Louise looked her over, a loving concern in her eyes.
"Is your shoulder okay?" Louise asked, worried as she looked at her slingless girlfriend.
"Yeah, the tension seems to have lessened," Siesta answered, instinctively reaching for her left shoulder, now once again in a sling, and rubbing it.
"I'm glad," Louise said with a smile as she opened up the covers and motioned for Siesta to join her. Siesta put Derflinger aside and placed herself beside her girlfriend, being careful of her left side as she did.
The girls received much needed rest after their respective gruelling training sessions. They were awoken by Michelle knocking upon their door, and, sadly, they were becoming accustomed to being awoken by visitors.
"Zero team, you're required," Michelle announced. The girls prepared themselves, Siesta wincing as she did as the pain returned to her shoulder and she attempted to push through it and forgo the sling, and followed her to a professor's office, whereupon they saw a hooded figure in a purple cloak and, as always, Agnes.
"Well done, Vice-Captain, please leave us," the figure ordered with a familiar voice, causing Michelle to bow and leave. Siesta, spotting another familiar figure in the room in the corner of her eye, turned to see Julio, leaning casually against the wall. Siesta scowled at this development, while Julio smirked.
"Good to see you again, Siesta," Julio greeted.
"Why are you here?" Siesta asked, incredulously. Julio chuckled at her attitude as he pushed himself off from the wall and stepped before Siesta.
"About the impromptu fight yesterday…" Julio began, "You should know I was holding back."
"Okay," Siesta replied, uncaring.
"I simply was trying to judge the strength of my teammate," Julio revealed, causing Siesta's face to be overcome with confusion.
"Teammate?" Siesta asked, even more incredulously.
"Indeed, he is your teammate," the hooded figure confirmed, as they turned and revealed Queen Henrietta. Recovered, but still with traces of scarring from the feedback spell that had ravaged her flesh. When Louise saw the scarred face of the Queen, she instinctively dropped to one knee and bowed her head while she looked away as guilt weighed heavy on her chest. Henrietta approached the two, a small smile on her face, and reached down to pull Louise up. "Louise, Siesta, I thank you for the other day." Henrietta's voice bore only genuine gratitude.
"B-but your face-!" Louise began before slapping her hands over her mouth. Henrietta gave her a solemn look in return.
"I know… it's alright…" Henrietta reassured the overwhelmingly guilty Louise. "It was thanks to that that I was saved." Henrietta paused as it seemed she was contemplating something painful, "I'm sure he was, as well." She then turned away from the two and placed herself behind the desk within the office.
"I heard what happened," Julio revealed as he stepped forward, his usual, cocky smirk gone from his face. "It was the work of Albion's conspiracy, was it not?" Siesta and Louise grew ever more distrustful of this new man who seemed to know all the goings ons of this land.
"Your Highness, forgive my rudeness, but why is he here?" Siesta asked, respectfully.
"Like I said," Julio began, the smirk creeping upon his face once more, "I am your teammate."
"You keep saying that, but I don't understand why," Siesta retorted, growing irritated.
"His holiness, the pope of the Holy Romalian Empire, senses danger from Albion as well," Julio explained, "so I have been sent to lend aid to the Queen."
"Both the pope and I wish to avoid further conflict," Henrietta announced, still facing away from the group and peering out the window at the pylon below. "But the situation has escalated." She then turned towards the four of them in the, "Louise, Siesta, Julio, Agnes. I trust you above all others in this kingdom. Can I count on you?" Everyone but Siesta nodded immediately, causing her to become the center of attention.
"Why concentrate so much military power here, at a school?" Siesta boldly asked. Louise looked to her with shock and fear, never once considering to question the wisdom of the Queen. Siesta, however, was thinking of the words of Colbert when he protested against the training of the students. Henrietta furrowed her brow at Siesta to form her expression into a steadfast one.
"I assure you, I have no intention of bringing the war here. As I have said, I wish for an end to the hostilities as quickly as possible," Henrietta reassured. After a moment's silence while Siesta considered, she eventually gave Henrietta an approving nod as well, causing her to give her a small smile.
"Well, then," Julio began as he stepped in front of Louise, "I look forward to working with you." Julio grabbed her hands and placed his lips upon them. Sensing Louise's discomfort, Siesta gently pushed him back, furrowing her brow at him as she did. The Queen, for her part turned away from them, once again looking to the pylon on the academy grounds.
If only we could have them end the war for us, Henrietta thought.