A Saga of Tanya the Evil/The Irregular at Magic High School crossover.
I do not in any way, shape, or form lay claim to either of these works.
This is just a work of admiration from one fan, to those others that share the same interest.
The only characters or places I lay claim to are those solely of my own creation.
The war on obliviousness, Reconnaissance in force
Sunday, June 22nd 6:30 PM
The apartment of Jane Donner, unofficial headquarters of the LLLL, or the Lx4. The acronym was still a work in progress.
Jane sighs as she looks at her co-conspirators, shaking her head. "Why, exactly, is it my apartment that is being used for our base of operations again?"
Lisa laughs and smirks. "Unless you want my whole family involved, I can't host us."
Willa clears her throat and looks down. "I'm sorry...I'd offer my dorm room but my roommate is...Loud, and I kind...of filled my half of the room with sketches and material…."
Jane sighs again and goes to check on the tea, laying out some of the cookies she kept for special occasions. "I guess my room works, then. So, what did we learn from our first sortie? It's obvious that Visha is head over heels for our dear Beast of Berlin, but how does Tanya feel? I think that we might have forgotten to really make sure that she is into her."
Lisa ponders that, then turns to Willa. "Well, you have observed them more when they are not keeping a public face up, since people tend to act normally around you, it's almost like they forget you are there or something…" She says with a smirk.
Willa pouts and sighs. "Just because it's the truth, doesn't mean you always have to point it out. Tanya tends to look at Viktoriya whenever she doesn't think people are watching her. It's pretty obvious that she is very aware of her at all times, and when she is unguarded, it's very easy to see. The thing is, I don't know if she KNOWS how she feels about her, even if it's obvious to others. I...Don't think she has the best grasp on her own emotions."
Jane laughs and hugs Willa tightly. "You are just too cute when you are like that. Seriously, though, I think that they are both interested in the other, but it's possible that Tanya had a similar secluded upbringing, so she might not really think that her feelings towards her friend are acceptable. She might not even really know what she is feeling, since I doubt she has had any relationships. Yes, she is adorable, but that attitude and those eyes will drive off all but the most dedicated suitors. Much less if they see her in action. She is a terror."
The other two girls nod, then look at each other before slowly turning to look at Jane.
"What? Why are you two looking at me like that…" Jane says as she starts to sweat.
"Well, it seems like we need someone that can talk to her without being scared off…." Lisa starts. "I'd do it, but I don't think I'm the right person." She turns to look at Willa, who starts to stammer and shake her head. Lisa sighs. "And let's face it, Willa would die of a heart attack. No, this is a job that is perfect for our loud mouthed foreigner."
"And what exactly do you expect me to do?" Jane asks as she rests her hands on her hips.
"Talk to her, feel her out. Maybe suggest that if she doesn't act, someone else might?" Lisa suggests as Willa nods along.
"Why do I get the feeling you WANT me to put my head in the lion's mouth and poke at it?" Jane says as she glares at Lisa.
"Because that might be what is necessary if we want those two idiots to realize that the other one is perfect for her?" Lisa states matter of factly.
Willa nods, fidgeting with her ever present sketchbook before looking at Jane. "Because everyone deserves to be happy, and...I don't think those two have had a lot of chances to BE happy."
Jane sighs and shakes her head "Okay, okay, you win! Jeeze, take advantage of the nice girl, why don't you!" Jane glares at them for about three seconds, then breaks out into giggles.
It takes only a moment or two for the giggle fit to spread among all of them.
Jane sighs again and reaches for her phone. "I guess I better invite Tanya out for a walk or something so I can talk to her, and ask her if I can ask her something kind of private, so I need to just talk to her, not the pair of them." She casts one more glare their way then hits send.
"I will let you know when I get a response. So, why don't you two pests shoo, while I get things ready for tomorrow." Jane says with a sigh and a shake of her head.
Monday, June 23rd 6:00 AM, the apartment of Tanya and Visha.
Tanya wakes slowly, casting a bleary look around and seeing that the bed across from the room is empty. The reason is evident as that delicious aroma of Visha's coffee reaches her nose and jumpstarts her tired brain. She stumbles out of bed, noticing that the light is flashing on her phone, and then remembering that she had set it to silent for the movie last night. At a thought of the movie, a shy little smile crosses her lips as she reaches for her phone and takes it off silent as she checks the message.
She reads it twice as she walks slowly towards the kitchen, head cocked to the side before she slowly taps out a response. It was always a good idea to work on networking with your peers, one never knows when they might come in handy, especially in a land that is still foreign to you. "I can do that, when and where did you want to meet? After classes, I would assume so that we have time for this talk?" she sends, then smiles as she sits down to her plate of sausage, toast, potato pancakes and blessed coffee.
"Did you sleep well, Tanya?" Visha asks as she sits down to her own meal, a look of bliss on her face as she inhales deeply, drawing a little snort of a laugh from Tanya.
"I did, thank you. I see you are anticipating your sausage as always. I swear, your ability to enjoy food is amazing. How far you have come from suffering through the rations on the front line, to enjoying them." Tanya says with a smirk as her phone buzzes.
"Is someone messaging you? I still haven't quite gotten the hang of them, such a horribly convenient device. So much better than the radios we used to use on the front." Visha says as she continues to eat.
"Yes, Jane says that she wants to speak to me, some advice of a personal nature she needs. Oddly, she wants to speak to me about it, one would think that you would be the obvious choice to reach out to." Tanya says as she takes another drink of the blessed elixir. "After all, your ability to listen and give good advice is just one of your many valuable skills."
Visha blushes bright at the compliment, her heart flopping almost painfully in her chest at the rare compliment from her reserved former commander. "It just means that she sees what I have seen all along, Tanya. Just how level headed, competent, and brilliant you are." Visha beams at her slightly blushing former commander.
"Well, that aside I told her that I would see her. Ah, here is her response." She checks the screen, nodding once before quickly tapping out a response. "She wants to talk to me after classes, but before we meet for practice. I hope you don't mind that I accepted? It might give you a good chance to take those training regimens we worked on to Lutz and Hans, so that we can see about getting them implemented. Plus, having them realize just how valuable of an asset you are is never a bad thing for either of us."
Visha tamps down the brief surge of disappointment and was that jealousy? She smiles and nods, taking a bit more of an aggressive bite out of her sausage. "I would be happy to help with that, Tanya. I do hope you have a good talk with Jane." She says as she turns her attention to her meal.
Tanya arches one eyebrow and then nods. "Thank you, Visha. What would I ever do without you?"
Needless to say, Visha's mood seems to improve for some reason.
That same day, 4:00PM near the Commons.
Tanya walks towards the waiting redhead, a guarded smile on her face. Being called out here like this for advice still seems odd to her. Yes, in her previous world she was accustomed to being asked for her advice over all manner of logistical and tactical problems. It was part of the job, after all. And the more efficiently any task is performed, the better it is. That even applied to war, as long as one could force it into a logical and efficient structure.
Jane waves to her, walking towards Tanya as she settles her back over her shoulder. "Thanks for coming out here, I just wanted to talk to you about a few things, and I figured that you would be the best one to talk to about this."
"Of course, I'm always happy to help where I can, Jane." Tanya replied, stopping a short distance from Jane. "How can I help you?"
Jane laughs awkwardly, causing Tanya to arch an eyebrow. "I was hoping to discuss Visha, actually." Jane starts, looking a bit nervous. "You know her better than anyone, so I figured there is no one better to ask, right?"
"Well, I have been with her longer than anyone else here, and we have traveled far together. What can I help you with?" Tanya asks, trying to place this odd feeling.
"Well, I was hoping to hear what you think of her, as a person. As a partner, even." Jane hedges.
"As a person? She is one of the most valuable people I have ever met. She is honest, forthright, and efficient. She learns quickly, and carries out duties without fault or fail. As a partner? There is no one better to have at your side. She handles tasks without complaint, and is reliable. I trust her completely." Tanya says, eyeing Jane speculatively.
Jane sighs and shakes her head. She really was going to have to spell it out to her, wasn't she?" "I mean as a romantic partner. As someone you are dating. If...Someone were to want to date Visha, what do you think they could expect? Would they be happy, do you think? Even if it was another girl?"
Tanya's back straightens as her ability to infallibly jump to conclusions kicks in. "I see. And would you be that person that would be wanting to date Visha?" Tanya says in a suddenly neutral and cold tone.
Jane, realizing that she just stuck her head IN the lion's mouth after rubbing herself in goats blood and catnip starts to wave her hands. "No! Oh, no no no. Down girl. I am not asking for myself. Let's say I know someone that I think would be perfect with her, but they are not sure how they feel about her. I just want to hedge my bets a bit, not that I am even certain that they feel that way for her, or think that a relationship with another woman could work. Even if it's perfectly acceptable in this nation."
Tanya relaxes margianaly, an almost sad look flitting across her eyes. "Visha is probably the most caring, loving person I have ever known. She gives without thought of reward, she doesn't hold anything back from those that she had dedicated herself to. She takes risks without hesitation. She would die for those that she is close to. She almost has, in fact. I...Had figured that this place might have a more accepting attitude towards such things, but I think that some of the issue would be with Visha herself. She grew up in a much more conservative environment, and I don't know if she would even think of such a relationship. That said, I think that to her, who the person is would matter more than what they happened to be born as."
"Isn't that the same environment that you grew up in, as well Tanya?" Jane asks cautiously.
"It would be, but I am a bit more of a free thinker than she is. A bit more pragmatic, as you will." Tanya says, slightly more relaxed.
"Have you ever thought about dating another woman, if she were agreeable?" Jane asks as she sits on one of the benches, patting the space next to her.
Tanya hesitates, then sits as well. "The thought...Might have crossed my mind."
"And what is stopping you, then?" Jane asks as she turns slightly to better face Tanya, tucking one long leg up under herself.
Tanya leans her head back and sighs. "Is the risk worth the reward? Is it worth risking a working, profitable relationship for so many unknowns?"
"Sometimes, it's worth the risk. How is so much potential left untested a good thing?" Jane asks softly.
"Better the hell you know, than the heaven that lies unexplored, Jane." Tanya says.
"Is it, though? I don't know about you, but if it's the right person, I would risk everything." Jane says, then looks directly at Tanya. "And if people don't risk the comfortable hell, then someone else might take away the potential heaven."
"Are you implying that there might be a time frame involved in things?" Tanya asks, her shoulders tightening.
"I might be stating that, if someone doesn't act soon, the opportunity is bound to pass. Visha is an amazing person, who gives completely of herself. It's only a matter of time until someone makes a move on her, and what then happens to those that pine for her in the dark?" Jane says as she stands up, stretching. "I think that I would rather take the risk and possibly face a resolution one way or the other, over knowing what I missed because I was afraid to act." She steps away, then turns back to look at Tanya, a sad smile on her face. "I don't want to think about living with that much regret, do you?"
Tanya slowly stands, looking at her with those piercing eyes of hers. "I think I get your meaning, Jane. And perhaps some risk is worth a reward."
Tanya watches Jane as she walks off, her mind a whirl of thoughts.