Uploaded On: 4th June 2023.
Woe is Me
Ardent Conferee
Excitement is enshrouding Garderobe Academy this sunny morning.
Minutes prior, Natsuki Kruger had returned to campus at last.
"I saw the limo." Laura hushes to Mai within the crowded corridor, their class having just concluded. "I think Saeko Kruger is here."
"Wait what, really?" Mai cuts past a gossiping group of Corals, approaching a sealed window. Opening the french doors, she partially leans outwards against the sill. On this level within the distance, she spots two figures exiting a limo. Sure enough, she recognises Nats—or is that her mother? Mai goes slack-jawed, unable to differentiate the pair.
Focusing harder, Mai soon realises that who she is looking at is indeed Saeko. It looks as though she is wearing a long jacket—or perhaps a coat.
"Can you see them?" The Trias Secretary lingers beside her, leaning against the wall. She ushers some nosy Corals away with a smile, before adding: "The car had already passed when I caught sight of it."
"...Only just, I think Miss Maria is taking them to the Founder's Memorial."
How strange. Laura drums her fingers along her own arm, musing. Why would they be going there? Visitors were generally taken to the Headmeister's Quarters up the hillside. Something abnormal is clearly occurring here. "Do you think something's happened? It's unheard of that a parent would arrive, unless…"
"Unless what?" The Number IV Pearl, Carla Bellini injects suddenly, having gotten curious over their whispering.
"Huh? Oh, hey Carla." Mai greets her distractedly, shutting the window shut. "Natsuki's back, we don't know anything other than that." The royal lies through her teeth flawlessly.
"It's about time!" The pigtailed Lutecian sighed, folding her arms loosely. "I was starting to think she had quit."
Perhaps all of them have.
Meanwhile, climbing the steep steps to the Founder's Memorial, Natsuki halts. "Mom, seriously…" She motions a supportive hand towards Saeko who is faltering behind. "You're struggling—I can fly us up there." She gives Miss Maria a look, seeking permission.
"This is true, Mrs. Kru—"
"—Oh, please!" Saeko wafts her hand at the temporary Headmeister. "I can manage this much, at least. Please, call me Saeko, I'm not as scary as people seem to think."
'She says…' Natsuki thinks, eyeing the elder Kruger. 'She's talking to Miss Maria, the Epitome of Grace.' The irony is far too much to take seriously.
"...Then Saeko." Maria pauses, clasping her hands together before herself, deftly spinning midstep to stop their hike. "As a visitor of our institution, you are under our safeguarding. As Headmeister, I cannot risk your health any further. I would advise that you follow your daughter's instructions."
"I—very well." Saeko relents, summoning Natsuki to her side. Looping an arm around her daughter's shoulder, she is instead caught unawares. Much to her absolute bafflement, Natsuki effortlessly picks her up. "N-Natsuki?!"
"Miss Maria, may I have your permission to materialise?"
Is this happening? Saeko astoundedly clings to Natsuki who's GEM receives a kiss. Getting entombed within argent light, Saeko can only slant to examine her daughter's new attire. "Is this the student Robe?"
"Y-yes, mom." Natsuki mumbles sheepishly, veering her gaze away, lest she crumbles with embarrassment. "Now hold on, else I'll drop you."
Thus, without a moment to spare, Saeko yelps as Natsuki fearlessly leaps skywards.
Though the Trias Representative is mindful to keep their progression steadfast, this isn't stopping Saeko's clutching. In fact, her mother's embrace is thoroughly suffocating. "M-mom, you're holding way too tight."
"I—huh… don't like heights…" The CEO mumbles into Natsuki's throat, not realising that they have already landed. Frightfully she tightens her hold onto Natsuki who guides her to her feet. "N-Natsuki what are you—?!"
Natsuki can only stare at her deadpanned.
"Ah…" Saeko bashfully cracks a smile at Natsuki. "Sorry, Natsuki." Lumbering away from her daughter, she steps towards Maria who has just joined them.
"Saeko, this way, please." The temporary Headmeister guides the elder Kruger through the Founder's Memorial entranceway.
It is a vast dome with only the Grandmeister's portrait above the doors. Within the chamber's centre, is an unusual cenotaph encompassed by faux poppies.
"What is that?" Saeko points to the central monument they're heading towards.
"This is the restricted area we spoke of during the signing of your confidentiality form. Maria murmurs, brushing her fingertips along the plaque. Engraved upon it were hundreds of names—all with dates of births and deaths. Beneath it however, is a terminal which Maria engages. "Sisters, I apologise for this sinful intrusion—"
Saeko glances Natsuki's way, her daughter catching her eye.
"—Despite this, we must trespass within your resting place to seek an audience with Our Lady." Thus, the Headmeister reveals a cartridge key and inserts it into the console.
This unit shimmers silver; veins of light scattering across the surrounding cenotaph. Behind this console, a rumble vibrates the chamber as a slab grinds horizontally, revealing steps.
"Natsuki, it is your duty to memorise this procedure in the future, do not fail me." Maria passes the cartridge to the Pearl who thumbles in surprise—its weight is heavier than she expected. "Saeko, please take care climbing these steps. They are eroded by centuries of use."
"They sure are." Saeko breathlessly declares, beholding the sight that now lies before them.
The steps—deformed with age—are embedded with lights which scale downwards like snakes. Within this subterranean tunnel, these lights continue unceasingly; another set nestled within the ceiling.
"I feel like I'm in some sort of spaceship." Saeko chuckles to herself as they descend into the incommodious tunnelway.
What feels like aeons transcends until eventually, they reach the Anteroom. Here there are two routes which can be taken left or right: The Catacombs or the Library.
Within these desolate halls, all but pristine silence greets them like the clinging chill.
Below the Catacomb's grand archway they go, passing countless pillars tinged with viridity. These gravestones belong to their cherished Otome—those who lost their lives during strife, duty and sacrifice: Forever resting and safeguarding this sacred sepulchre from undeserving eyes.
Then, the three women constituted whom they sought after. The veridical physique of Fumi Himeno welcomes them, her empty eyes glowing within the dimness.
"Headmeister Graceburt, state the meaning of your intrusion within my holy mausoleum."
Unto them, the florescent light that has followed them this entire time, encircles the Founder's sculpture. Within a bastion of light, Fumi Himeno is mantled in illumination from below.
"Natsuki Kruger—you shall also answer for yourself: Do you deem yourself fit to seek my presence?"
Today the sun scalds those who seek shade.
Violet — You can thank a person who I'll keep anonymous for Natsuki's dialogue. They recommended that I should explore Natsuki's anger, which from the looks of it, was a success. I hope you enjoy the character development I have planned for everyone.
