Chapter Eight

A Day In The Life Of A Saint

I stare at the words on the paper in front of me, my eyebrows twitching in frustration. My pencil tapping against the paper as I tried to will myself to continue writing. My eyes wandered around the desk where several pieces of paper and pencils sat, up in the corner of the desk was what the Doctor called a Dictionary. Doctor Roman went through the English alphabet with me before he instructed me to write down the alphabet several times at least for a few hours. He said I was going to spend the next few weeks writing the Alphabet at least for a few hours everyday until I finally nailed it down. Roman told me if I needed any help to drop by his office, and that he would check up on me at the end of when I was suppose to finish up writing. So far I had managed to get the first few letters down on the paper, even though my handwriting looked like chicken scrap. So I could hardly say that I was really being successful.

"Ugh…" I groaned as I dropped my pencil and laid my head back against my chair. After a moment I pushed myself back out from underneath my desk and stood up from my chair. Making my way around the chair I headed towards my bed, and leaping up I threw myself onto my bed and burrowed my face into my pillow. I squeezed my pillow tightly as I looked up at my headboard. "Learning how to write is harder than I originally thought…" I murmured. It was also different than my experiences before, because the Doctor was teaching me how to write English. It made sense however, since the only person who knew how to speak French, was Mashu. Christopher as far as I was aware could only speak English and German, so if I wanted to write to Chris or read any books I would need to learn to read and write English. "Speaking of Chris, I wish he was here teaching me." I murmured as I squeezed my pillow even tighter. It had only been a week since Chris, Mashu, and Lancer had departed for their home, yet I missed my friends dearly. The only person I've talked to has been Doctor Roman, my temporary Master, and I had talked a little bit with one of Chris's friend, Gerald, at my morning prayer. Gerald was a friendly and respectable man, and so were Chris's other friends. Yet I was hesitant to approach them or strike up a conversation with them as I was uncertain of what to talk about with them. Sure it was easy enough to talk to men in the War, but that was because you had to talk to them about battle plans and strategy. Too be honest everyone always told me I was quiet and reserved, It was because I was always a wreck when it came to socializing even when I was alive, the only people I talked too were my sisters and brothers and my friends. Anyway, what could I possibly talk about too anyone of the modern day, when I knew very little and I couldn't read yet to learn more about the Modern era? I could always ask them about things to learn more, but I did not want to be a nuisance. "Mmm….." I let out another groan in annoyance. Things were much easier when I was talking with Chris, everything was easier when it came to Chris. He made me eager to want to learn so I could understand more and talk to him about a larger range of subjects, and also so I wasn't so clueless about some of the things he talked about. Now with Chris gone, I felt less eager to want to learn, I still urged to understand things and be able to read the bible. It was just that Chris made things more exciting and understandable. I didn't understand why, but he just did. I really didn't understand these weird feelings I had whenever I was with Chris, or whenever I thought of him. Even now I was having these strange feelings, my chest would tighten up and my stomach would feel uneasy. I dug my face back into my pillow and kicked my feet up and down against my bed. I didn't understand why I was having these odd feelings, and I didn't like not knowing why…

Speaking of odd feelings, my stomach let out a low pitch growl and my hands went down to my stomach where I felt it grumble. I rose my head up from my pillow and glanced over towards the time telling device on my nightstand. It read 12 PM, which is usually when I had my lunch. Back home in France we usually had an hour long Lunch, here and now things seemed to be much different. I pushed myself up onto my knees and slid backwards off my bed where my feet touched the ground and I stood up. "I think I'll go have Lunch, yes that will help me get my mind off of Chris." I murmured to myself. "I could also use a break from writing." I thought to myself as I looked back at the desk where the unfinished paper sat. With my mind made up, I made my way over towards the door and slid my feet into my boots that sat next to the door. Reaching my hand out I tapped the panel next to the door and the door slid open in my face. I placed my hand on my chest and took a deep breath, even though I've been in the modern era for nearly a week, I was still not completely use to sliding doors. Stepping out of my room I felt the breeze on my back as the door slid shut behind me. Letting out a sigh I looked up and down the hall to see a few people walking down the hall. As they passed I raised my hand and greeted them softly.

"Bonjour!" I said with a friendly smile. The man and female returned my greeting with a smile and wave of the hand before continuing down the hallway. After the people passed me my shoulders drooped and I let out another sigh in annoyance with myself. Before I could wallow anymore however, my stomach let out another low pitch growl reminding me of what I had set out to do and I placed my hand on my stomach. Straightening myself out I headed out towards the Cafeteria.

A Few Minutes Later

As I made my way towards the Cafeteria, I crossed my arms across my chest as I walked there. Whilst on the way towards the Cafeteria I lost myself in thought thinking about what I would have for Lunch. It wasn't long before I arrived at the Cafeteria and examined what they were offering for Lunch. Upon choosing what I wanted I walked over to one of the tables and took a seat by myself. Looking around the Cafeteria I saw a few people seated and talking amongst themselves. While on the other hand I saw several others leaving as quickly as they came, food in hand or mouth. I let out a sigh. I did not understand why people here were always in such a rush to finish lunch, why did they not sit down and enjoy it? In my home country of France, Lunch time was something we enjoyed and valued. It was when we sat down and could socialize and make connections. Food was also something to savior, yes? Whilst here every food seemed made to eat on the go and was made in such little time. I remember sitting down at home with my brothers and sisters while we waited for Mère to bake us a loaf of bread, the house would become a bakery at lunchtime, the warm sensation would flood our nostrils and our mouths would water. However I could say that I never experienced such luxuries as I did now. I put my hands together and prayed to God, thanking him as I always did before I took a bite down into my sandwich and my mouth flooded with the delicious mouth watering taste that I had fallen in love with, here in modern day I was granted several options and large meals. If I was to compare it to when I was alive, this was something only the French Nobility would get to enjoy. I would say this was perhaps even better than what the French Nobility got to eat. Originally I was hesitant to take advantage of the Lord's Kindness, but Mashu and Chris convinced me that there was no need for me to restrain myself, as food was plentiful nowadays. Living conditions have improved greatly since I was alive for food was in abundance. For everyone to be able to enjoy such delicious food can only mean Humanity has prospered greatly. I could only pray to God and thank him for allowing Humanity to finally be allowed to prosper and grow. Still though…. even with food in such abundance, I felt a tad bit uneasy that some people took such things for granted….

Forty Minutes Later

I wiped my mouth with my napkin before setting it down next to my plate, my belly lay full and thus my lunch had reached its conclusion. I rested my hand on my stomach feeling satisfied with yet another delicious meal, the food here at Chaldea was really good. Well by my standards it was good at least, having only had food from the military and from my Mother. It made me wonder though if Chris's cooking was any good? Well that was assuming that Chris could cook, I had never seen my father cook before. However I saw that several of the cooks here at Chaldea were men and there had been some men who cooked in my time, so I don't think it was beyond the realm of possibility that Chris could cook. Whatever the case I was curious now about Chris's cooking and wanted to try something that he cooked…. I shook my head as I gave my cheeks a soft pat. "What does it even matter Jeanne! Why even eat in the first place, you're a servant so you don't even need to eat!" I thought to myself. "In fact I think it makes you seem more human!" Chris's words echoed inside my head and I was reminded why of why I ate. "Yes I enjoyed eating such delicious food and it did make me seem more human, so I don't see why I shouldn't eat!" I thought to myself as I curled my hands into fist and raised them determinedly. However a small frown formed on my face as I was reminded also that my friends were not here to talk with. I rested my head on top of my hands as I leaned forward in my chair, staring at the three empty seats at my table. Lunch was more enjoyable when you had people to talk to, and my lunches were always eerily silent as I ate by myself with the exception of those talking around me. I sat there with a sore look on my face as I imagined the seats in front of me occupied by Chris, Mashu, and Lancer as they talked amongst each other. "Ahhh get a hold of yourself Jeanne! Stop moping, they've only been gone for a week!" I exclaimed as I smacked my cheeks and shook my head. "Yes, there's still plenty of time to meet and make new friends here at Chaldea!" I exclaimed. As I said that, I realized that I had said that out loud to the entire cafeteria. Luckily very few people were present at the Cafeteria, and the people who were here, seemed to pay me little mind. I let out a sigh and reach over to grasp the handle of my cup, bringing the cup up to my lips I take a sip, warmth floods my mouth as I drink one of my favorite new found drinks, people call it the expresso. "I had really come to enjoy espressos, it had a strong flavor and I liked all the creamy foam that was put on top of it. Sometimes the foam would stick to my upper lips and I would have a white mustache. The expresso was delicious and rather amusing." I thought to myself as I placed the cup down on the table, leaving a smile on my face…

A Few Minutes later.

After I had turned my dirty dishes in and thanked the cook for the food, I turned around and faced the empty cafeteria. Everyone had cleared out by now as Lunch had come and gone. "I had better get going too; I still have to practice my writing for the day…." I said as I patted my cheeks. I'm sure Roman will be checking up on me soon, if he hasn't already. I don't want Doctor Roman to think that I'm slacking off… "However I think before I return to my room I'll walk about some bit and clear my head." I murmured to myself as I looked up. I turned and headed down the hallway with my hands at my side. After a few moments I had put some distance between myself and the cafeteria and was now walking down the bland white halls aimlessly. I wasn't exactly certain where I was suppose to be heading, but I figured I would keep wandering until I my feet brought me back to my room. As I wandered the halls I let my mind wander as well, and eventually it began to wander to Christopher and Mashu as I wondered what they were doing right now. Did they also finish having lunch or was it later where they were? I still did not know where this America was that Christopher had said that he lived at. America was not a place that people knew about while I was alive, well not that I really could speak much about knowing what countries existed in my time, the only countries I knew of was my home country of France and Britain. My entire life was embroiled in the Hundred Years War so I do not ever know of any of the other countries except for those involved. I let out a sigh as I once again realized how ignorant I was of the world I lived in…. But even still I loved the people of our world all the same. As I finished that thought, a bright light caught the corner of my eye and I stopped to face it. Tucked in the cutout of the wall next to a couch was an odd looking object, it was a tall boxy looking thing with the front painted red and a bright glow was emitting from it. I leaned forward and examined it further, there was writing across the red front, but I couldn't read it. Off to the side a small portion of this thing was black and there were several oddities that also emitted a smaller light. They looked like the buttons on the Cappuccino machine, I examined them as well only to find more writing I couldn't read, which annoyed me. With no other options I reached out and pressed my finger against one of the buttons, as my finger made contact with the button it pushed inward towards the machine. Nothing happened so I retracted my finger and watched as the button reverted to its original position. I decided to press all of the other clear buttons just to see what would happen, but the results were all the same. I let out a sigh as I cursed myself for not being able to read the writing on this thing, as it might have given me some clue what it was for. However I would not be easily deterred, I was going to find out what this thing was and what its purpose was…

Several minutes had passed by since I had discovered this thing and I still couldn't figure it out, and I was beginning to feel deterred as figuring it was beginning to feel impossible. I had seen all of the letters before, but I couldn't read what the letters said when put together. I slumped down on the couch next to the thing, with my arms crossed. I sat there still trying to wrack my brain around this strange device. It wasn't like the Cappuccino machine in the Cafeteria, there was no place for you to put a cup, there was an opening near the bottom of the thing. I had gotten down on my hands and knees to look down there, but it was just an opening. I tried sticking my hand in there to see if there was anything to it, but my hand didn't get very far inside. This device must have some significance, but not be important enough considering it was out in the open and anyone could access it. If Chris was here, perhaps he could tell me what it was…

"What's with the sour look on your face Jeanne?" A voice asked and my head shot up to see Gerald standing over me. I shot up out of my seat with my hands at my side and greeted him.

"O-Oh Gerald, I didn't even hear you coming!" I exclaimed and Gerald chuckled.

"To be able to sneak up on a Servant, I must have mastered the art of the stealth or you were really preoccupied." Gerald said with an amused smile on his face.

"I'm afraid it's the latter." I replied with an awkward smile. "I've been trying to figure out what this thing is, but I'm afraid I haven't had much luck." I said as I pointed at the thing next to the couch. Gerald turned to face where I was pointing and returned his attention back towards me.

"That? That's a vending machine." Gerald replied and I tilted my head.

"What's a vending machine?" I inquired.

"It's a machine that dispenses a food or beverage. In this case, it dispenses cold drinks from the Coca Cola line." Gerald explained.

"Coca Cola?" I murmured still confused as I looked at the words on the vending machine.

"They make several sodas." Gerald replied.

"I've never had a soda before." I said.

"That doesn't surprise me." Gerald said with a chuckle. "Here allow me to get you one." Gerald said over his shoulder as he walked up to the machine.

"You really don't have too! I appreciate you telling me what this is, but…!" I exclaimed waving my hands in front of me.

"I was going to get one for myself, so it's no biggie Jeanne." Gerald said. "You gotta at least try something once in your life, who knows you might like Soda. So no buts." Gerald said and I could only smile in response to his kindness.

"Thank you." I said and watched as Gerald pulled a black item out of his pants pocket. Unfolding the black item, he pulled out two green pieces of paper, no doubt the money of this time period. Gerald then proceeded to put the money into a black slot in the vending machine before pressing one of the buttons. There was a rattle and my eyes shot towards the opening at the bottom as a red metal can dropped into the slot. Gerald bent down and retrieved it from the opening before handing it to me. I nodded my head in thanks and watched Gerald repeat the process to get a second can.

"If I may inquire, I know you are not from this time period, but why did you have trouble figuring at what this machine was." Gerald inquired. I felt embarrassment overtake my face, but answered anyway.

"Well you see….. It is because I can not read." I replied and I expected to be laughed at, however no laughter came from Gerald as he had a look of understanding.

"It was ignorance on my part for forgetting that you could not read in your lifetime. I apologize." Gerald said in an apologetic tone.

"No, No. It's fine Gerald really! I wouldn't expect for most people to know." I said waving my hand dismissively once more.

"As always you are most humble Jeanne." Gerald said. "I understand though what it's like to have people who can't read. I have two little ones back at home who are still learning how to read." Gerald said with a chuckle.

"I am sure your children are probably already more proficient at reading than I am." I said with a laugh.

"You should have more faith in yourself Jeanne, anyone can learn how to read." Gerald said.

"I know, Chris keeps telling me the same." I said rubbing the back of my neck.

"Chris knows what he's talking about, you should listen to him." Gerald said.

"I know…. Chris said he would teach me how to read and write, but sadly he was not able to due to our separation." I said sadly and Gerald had a look of concern to him. I quickly waved my hand once more to reassure him. "Don't fret however, he asked Doctor Roman to teach me!" I exclaimed, I did not want Gerald to think poorly of Chris.

"That's just like him to keep his promise even if he is away." Gerald said with a smile as he pulled a piece on his Coca Cola and there was a pop as he did so, he then rose the can up to his lips and sipped from it.

"Gerald, if I may ask something of you?" I said as I pulled the same thing that Gerald did and there was a pop as it pushed a thing down that allowed an opening in the can for me to drink from. There was another loud pop and then it was followed by a sizzle.

"Of course, you may ask me anything." Gerald replied as he lowered the can from his lips. "I'll do my best to answer if I can." Gerald added.

"I have a question about Chris…." I said as I rubbed the can. "I was talking with Chris shortly after we first met and he was explaining to me how the Chaldea Security department operates." I said and Gerald nodded his head as he listened. "It was then when he was explaining that each section Commander has a second in command, however when I asked him who his second in command was, he seemed to freeze up for a few moments and then proceeded to tell me a lie." I explained as Gerald continued to listen. "It seemed like a painful lie, rather than an ill intended lie." I added and Gerald stood there rubbing his chin. "So I was wondering if you knew if he really did have a Second in Command and if he so, why would he lie about it?" I asked. There was a moment's pause from Gerald before he responded.

"Hmm, for as long as I've known the Commander he has never had a second in Command." Gerald said and I furrowed my eyebrows in disappointment. "Yet I've only been working here for a few years, so you might want to try and ask some of the guys or girls who have been here longer." Gerald suggested as he noticed my obvious disappointment.

"I see, Thank you." I said nodding my head.

"I'm sorry I couldn't have been of more help to you." Gerald said.

"No, No! I appreciate your help, I really do!" I said with a smile. "I'll just have to look elsewhere for answers." I said.

"Well I wish you the best of luck." Gerald said as he took another sip from his soda. "Now I must be going, I need to get back for my shift. I have guard duty on the outer walls." Gerald said as he looked at his watch.

"I understand." I replied with the nod of my head.

"I enjoyed chatting with you Jeanne, I'll see you around!" Gerald said before rushing off down the hall.

"Me too! Thank you for your help and I hope you have a pleasant day!" I said as I waved him goodbye, and Gerald threw a wave over his shoulder at me. After he disappeared I was left standing there rubbing my soda can. I let out a sigh as I looked down at my soda can and the dark liquid inside. While I didn't get the answers I was looking for, I did get the answers to what this machine was. Now I was curious as to how this Soda tasted like, I lifted the soda can up to my lips and tipped it upwards. The cold liquid went down my mouth and down my throat. I lowered the drink and took another sip from it before lowering it once more. Soda had a sweet and refreshing taste to. "This is actually pretty good." I murmured as I took another sip.

A few minutes had passed since my talk with Gerald and I took the last sip from the soda can before placing the can down in my lap. I now sat there on the couch rubbing the metal can as I thought some more on Christopher's elusive second in command. I hadn't learned much from Gerald so I would need to seek my answers elsewhere, perhaps Doctor Roman might know who Chris's second in command was and why he would lie about. I usually wouldn't look into other people's business, but for Christopher to lie down right about it to my face, that only made me all the more curious as to why he would lie about it. I didn't blame him for lying about this, but I still wanted to know nonetheless. Also he was my partner after all, and I wanted to learn more about him and his past. However if he wouldn't tell me about who his second in command was, I would have to learn about it from elsewhere. Christopher must have a good reason for lying about whether or not he had a Second in Command or not, I mean why else would he lie?

As I sat there having these thoughts, an unpleasant feeling jerked me away from my thoughts. I had the sudden urge to go to the bathroom, and I needed to go really badly. I jumped to my feet and I looked up and down the hallway. I hurried off down the hallway in search for a restroom to use, unsure of where one is. I jogged down the hallway frantically looking left and right as I kept an eye out for a bathroom. It wasn't until several minutes later of frantic searching before I came to a stop and scanned the hallway up and down. "Ah where is the bathroom? I usually use the bathroom in my room, but there's no way I can hold it in for that long…" I thought to myself as I felt my bladder about to explode. It was then when my face lit up at the sight of one of the Chaldea employees coming down the hall. As they approached me I put on a smile and greeted them.

"E-Excusez-moi." I said and the young woman came to a stop in front of me. "I hate to bother you, but if I may ask you: Where are the nearest restrooms?" I asked.

"It's no bother." The woman replied with a smile. "Just keep heading down the hallway and three doors down you will find two doors side by side of one another. Those are the men and women's restrooms." The woman said as she pointed down the hallway.

"Merci." I said sincerely with the nod of the head before I rushed down the hallway. It wasn't long before I found the two doors that the woman had mentioned and stood in front of them. I was about to enter through one of the doors before I stopped myself and took a step back. I glanced back and forth between the two doors. "Which one is the women's restroom…?" I murmured as I cupped my chin in confusion. I couldn't read the signs on the bathroom doors. "Mmm…" I groaned in irritation as I stared at the lettering on the doors, they just looked like gibberish to me. I could make out the letters, but I couldn't read them. I could wait for someone to pass by and ask them, but I don't think my bladder could take it any longer, but I didn't want to rush in one of the bathrooms and find out I had entered the men's restroom. I stood there pacing in place as I continued to look at the signs on the doors in irritation. "Ahh I can't hold it any longer! I'm just going to rush in and pray to god that it's the right one!" I thought to myself. I took a deep breath and charged through the right doorway and rounded the corner into the bathroom. As I entered the bathroom and rounded the corner my face immediately filled with dread as I found several men gathered in the bathroom at the stalls.

"A-Ah! Please forgive me! I seem to have entered the wrong Bathroom!" I exclaimed apologetically with a bow, I then proceeded to rush out of there in a heartbeat, leaving the surprised men behind me. As soon as I left the men's restroom I rushed into the other restroom and rounded the corner. The women's restroom was completely deserted, and I quickly entered one of the bathroom stalls. I slammed the door shut and placed my hand on my chest as I caught my breath, breathing in and out heavily. After I had finally caught my breath I faced the toilet. I tucked my fingers into my pants and pulled them down to my waist and turned around before sliding my underwear down as well. As I sat down on the toilet I sat there for a moment before I put my face down in my hands and groaned "That was so embarrassing…"

While I sat there I continued to hold my head in shame as I felt my cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. I curled my hand into a fist and tapped it against my forehead as my embarrassment turned into anger at myself. "If only I was able to read, this would have never have happened. Instead of working on my writing and reading, I've been off dilly dallying." I murmured. What would Chris think about this? He would probably be disappointed in me, that instead of doing what he had told me to do; I was shying away from my studies like a carefree little girl. "I'm going to end up failing him again…" I muttered to myself. Just then I heard the clicking of footsteps enter the bathroom and my gaze shifted to look under the stall. I saw a pair of black boots make their way across the sleek floors of the bathroom and then enter the stall next to mine. I returned my gaze to my hands in my lap and continued my thoughts where I had left off, but before I could even continue my thought process…

"To think this is where I would meet the Holy Saint of Orleans." A woman's voice came from over the other stall.

"Who are you?" I questioned as I looked up, it was then when I sensed the presence of another servant emitting from the other stall. "Oh darn it Jeanne, you were caught off guard again!" I thought to myself as I hit my forehead against my fist with an oomph.

"Just a curious individual, that's all." The voice replied and I narrowed my eyes. "Now to think I'd see Jeanne D'arc rushing out of the men's restroom in embarrassment, that was quite a sight to behold." The woman's voice snickered and I let out a groan as I put my face back in my hands as the voice reminded me of my embarrassment.

"You don't need to remind me." I moaned and the woman let out another snicker.

"You need not beat yourself up over it Holy Saint of Orleans." The woman said. "That was easy for her to say." I thought to myself. "It is expected of one who is not of this era, and it does not help that you are an illiterate peasant girl." The woman said with such bluntness that would get on a normal person's nerves.

"You need not call me a Saint, for I do not think of myself as one. Please just call me Jeanne." I said with a sigh.

"Well then, in that case you may call me Leonardo Da Vinci! The Genius of the Renaissance age, and beauty incarnate! " Leonardo Da Vinci said and my head shot up.

"But wait, Isn't Leonardo Da Vinci a ma…." I said before being cut off.

"Or you may call me Doctor Da Vinci as your Master, Christopher does." Doctor Da Vinci said. "I tried getting him to call me Da Vinci-Chan, but sadly it was to no avail. Only Mashu will call me such, and she's so adorable when she says it." Doctor Da Vinci said with a sigh.

"You have spoken with Christopher before?" I inquired.

"Yes I've spoken with your Master, however be it very few conversations we've had." Doctor Da Vinci said with a tone of annoyance. "He doesn't seem very interested in talking to me it would seem." Doctor Da Vinci said. "If Christopher doesn't want to talk to Doctor Da Vinci, he must have good reason to avoid talking to him. I should watch what I say to this servant." I thought to myself as I cupped my chin. "So Jeanne that was quite the ordeal you had to go through in the singularity. Having to fight yourself must have been pretty daunting." Doctor Da Vinci inquired.

"She was not me, she was a creation of Gilles as I am sure you are aware." I replied. "But yes you are correct it was no easy task in fighting a copy of myself, because I spent most of the singularity constantly asking myself I was truly capable of doing what Alter Jeanne did. It was not until I confronted her that I came to terms with myself." I said as I placed a hand on my chest and my mind wandered back to my battle with Alter Jeanne. Just then my head shot up and I placed my hand over my mouth as I remembered something from when Chris responded to Alter Jeanne's offer. "I understand the pain your feeling Alter Jeanne, the heartache, the loneliness, the betrayal, the anger. I understand all of it because I lost someone I held dear to my heart and I grew angry with not only myself, but my fellow man for taking that person I held so dear from me." Those were Chris's words. Chris said that he had lost someone that he had held dear to him, who could that possibly be? Could it be the Second in Command that he lied about? Possibly. There was still much that I did not know about Chris…

"Doctor Da Vinci, do you know much about my Master?" I asked and there was a moment pause before she answered.

"I'm afraid I know only what Chaldea will tell me." Doctor Da Vinci replied. "Why do you ask? Shouldn't you know more about your Master than I?" Doctor Da Vinci said and I scratched my chin.

"I'm afraid my Partner knows more about me than I know about him…." I murmured.

"I see, well I wish you the best of luck in getting closer to your Master." Doctor Da Vinci said and I felt my cheeks turn red once more.

"W-Wait No…" I stuttered, but once more was cut off.

"So what are you going to do now Jeanne? You don't want to repeat your foul up again, do you?" Doctor Da Vinci inquired. The redness left my cheeks and I put on a determined look on my face as I looked forward.

"No, I'm going to work twice as hard from now on in my studies." I said as I slammed my fist into my open palm. "I will learn to read and write for sure. I made a promise to Chris and I intend to keep it, not only for him, but for my sake as well. No longer will I allow myself to be illiterate!" I exclaimed with a determined expression. I heard an amused chuckle come from the stall next to me after I finished.

"I'm glad to hear it, so I assume that you have someone teaching you how to read and write?" Doctor Da Vinci inquired.

"Y-Yes Doctor Roman has been teaching me, Christopher asked him too." I replied

"Doctor Roman is teaching you? That's good." Doctor Da Vinci said. "I had heard that he has become your temporary Master, he hasn't done anything weird to you, has he?" Doctor Da Vinci asked.

"N-No not at all!" I exclaimed in Roman's defense. "He has been very kind and considerate, especially given how much trouble I must be causing him." I said as I fidgeted in my spot, I heard another amused chuckle come from Doctor Da Vinci.

"Good, let me know if he does do anything weird. I'll have a chat with him if he does." Doctor Da Vinci said.

"Th-Thank you. I will." I replied.

"And if you need any help, feel free to ask me. For I am a Genius after all and would be more than willing to part my wisdom onto you." Doctor Da Vinci said confidently.

"T-Thank you once again Doctor. I appreciate it." I said not sure how to respond to his/her's bravado. It had just occurred to me that I had been so embarrassed that I had forgotten that I had needed to use the bathroom. I released all of liquid that had been building up in my bladder and the feeling of relief washed over me as I did. Just then I heard another stream of liquid hitting inside the toilet bowl in the stall next to me. I leaned forward and twiddled my thumbs as I waited for body to finish its business.

"The female body is such an interesting thing, don't you think?" Doctor Da Vinci and I sat there with a confused expression, unsure of how to respond.

"U-Uh I guess?" I replied awkwardly as I fidgeted in my spot some more.

"Well I'm just saying Jeanne. I think it's interesting that there are three holes down here and it's pretty incredible how much you can stretch the walls out….." Doctor Da Vinci said before I cut him off.

"Ah S-Stop it!" I exclaimed as I put my hands up to ears. "Talking about such things is inappropriate!" I exclaimed as I felt my cheeks begin to grow red once more.

"Why? I'm only talking about female anatomy." Doctor Da Vinci said sounding carefree without a shred of embarrassment. "It's interesting to observe the female anatomy up close." Doctor Da Vinci went on. The levels of discomfort were beginning to grow a little too high for my liking. Luckily I had finished my business so I pulled my underwear and pants up and stood up before I stepped out of the stall.

"Well I won't keep you anyone longer… I'm going to head out now." I said. "Once again thank you for your help." I added.

"Addio, I wish you the best in your studies Jeanne." Doctor Da Vinci said in a friendly tone. I turned around and headed towards the sinks, I placed my hands underneath the faucet and I watched as the water automatically turned on and doused my hands. I was still a little bit surprised by this, but then again running water and plumbing were new to me period. I covered my hands in soap and washed my hands in the soapy water. As I finished cleaning my hands I lowered my face so that I may splash some water in my face to wake myself up a little. As I rubbed my cheeks I heard the voice of Doctor Da Vinci from behind me. "By the way Jeanne… I've heard that American men like women who shave down there." Doctor Da Vinci said in a mischievous tone, and I felt my cheeks once more turn red in embarrassment before I looked up at myself in the mirror.

"I-I'll keep that in mind." I stuttered as I quickly dried my hands. However before I could make a quick exit out of the bathroom Doctor Da Vinci spoke up once more.

"By the way Jeanne, you lost your flag at the end of the Orleans Singularity, when you hoisted it above Orleans, correct?" Doctor Da Vinci said and I paused for a moment before answering.

"Yes that is correct." I replied weary.

"Just curious." Doctor Da Vinci said with a hum. With that I made my way out of the bathroom, and as I reached the doorway, I paused to look back into the bathroom. "I think I know now, why Chris avoids talking to Doctor Da Vinci. He or she is quite the odd individual…" I thought to myself before I turned around and headed out…

A Few Minutes later.

I was met with the calmness and emptiness of my room as my door swooshed open. I stepped inside and felt the breeze on my back as the door swooshed closed. My gaze landed on the desk where my assignments were still waiting for me. I walked over to my desk and stood there looking down at my papers for a few moments, before I pulled the seat out from under the desk and took a seat. Just as I picked up my pencil and prepared to get back to work…

"Bonjour Jeanne!" A voice said from my side and I looked to see Doctor Roman standing in the entrance of my room, holding a platter with two teacups.

"Oh hello Doctor." I said as I placed my pencil down on my desk.

"I thought I'd just drop by and see how your studies were going." Roman said as he walked towards me with the door closing behind him as he entered. "I also brought you some tea." Roman said as he placed the platter down on my desk, Roman then picked up one of the cups and placed it in front of me.

"Thank you Roman, but I just had a soda a few moments ago." I said looking up at him innocently. Roman ruffled his eyebrows at me as he put his hand up to his head with a heavy sigh.

"Geez not you too. Chris already got Mashu addicted to Soda and now you're drinking soda. Do you know how much caffeine soda has?" Roman said.

"O-Oh I'm sorry Doctor." I replied as I placed my hands in my lap.

"Its fine, it's not like you'll die from drinking soda." Roman said as he rubbed his temples, before lowering his hand too his side. "You were already in love with Cappuccinos so it's no surprise you like Soda." Roman added.

"Well I only had one, but I did enjoy the taste of it." I said.

"I see… So is that why you've made very little progress in your studies." Roman said as he leaned down to look over my little work. I looked down at my mostly empty paper.

"Eh Heh…." I said feeling once again embarrassed. "Well you see I decided to take a break and go get Lunch, and then I kind of took a walk…" I said as I rubbed my shoulder. This earned me another sigh from the Doctor.

"Jeanne… I know it's difficult, but you must stay committed to studies." Roman scolded me. "Otherwise you'll never be able to read and write and what would Chris think?" Roman said sternly while wagging his finger at me. I looked up at him and nodded my head in understanding.

"Yes I understand. I realized that now after today. I know that I will need to work harder than others if I wish to learn." I said with a determined look in my eyes. Doctor Roman was taken aback for a moment, but then smiled at me as he patted me on the head.

"Good I'm glad to hear that Jeanne." Roman said as he crossed his arms. I looked back down at my paper and then back up at Roman. "If you need any help just let me know, I'll do my best to help you." Roman added and I nodded my head.

"No I don't think I need any help for now, but thank you Doctor." I said.

"Okay, just keep at it Jeanne. Once you get down the Alphabet, we can move on." Roman said. "If things go well, you can report on your progress to Chris yourself." Roman said and my face lit up in delight.

"Yes I would very like to do so!" I exclaimed and Roman smiled amusingly.

"Alright then, I'll leave you to your work then, Jeanne." Roman said. "If you do need any help you know where to find me." Roman said as he picked up his platter and headed towards the door, I wished the Doctor farewell before I returned my attention towards my paper.

"Yes Jeanne. You must learn how to read and write now more than ever, if you wish to talk to Chris once more!" I murmured as I patted my cheeks and picked up my pencil. "And I especially don't want to repeat today's blunders." I thought to myself as I continued where I had left off, more determined now than ever to want to learn how to read and write….

Thank you for reading and I apologize for the delay! I hope you enjoyed, and if you did please consider leaving a favorite/like and be sure to follow Book III to keep up to date when the next chapter comes out. Or better yet hop onto the official Fated Destiny Discord where we talk about all things Fate, Post Salty FGO Rolls, and even talk about Girls Frontline and Azur Lane. Feel free to leave constructive feedback and reviews in the comments below or tell me what you think I need to improve on. Just a reminder that new chapters of Book Three release every two weeks on Friday or Saturday. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed and look forward to seeing you next time.

The Fated Destiny Discord Invite Code is: 5F2T7H7

Just put that code into a Discord Invite Link and you should be good to go.