Uploaded On: 30h September 2024.

Woe is Me
Tranquillity Before Chaos

"Meister Shizuru returned earlier… Apparently famine and civil war is all over Chaldea."

The obnoxious rumour mill has already started grinding away. Quite frankly, Natsuki's sick of it. What gives these people the pleasure of potentially spreading misinformation? Why are they so excited about it? Are they afraid of the possibility Shizuru's time in Chaldea has been lacklustre? Are they truly that bored to seek outrageous gossip?

It hasn't been an hour since her conversation with Mai and next they're informed that Shizuru's returned. Natsuki supposes that she'll be having that duel tomorrow after all.

Heading up the steep hill towards the office, Natsuki ignores the eyes pinned on her. The student body has already caught on in where she's going. They probably did before her, in fact. Nevertheless, as Natsuki reaches the intercomed entrance, her body infuriatingly stalls.

Unable to do a thing, her thoughts race like that of a claxon. What if Chaldea genuinely is a dangerous place and Shizuru got injured? If that were to be the case, she would be a fool indeed. But her damned legs! They feel like lead!

"I will go and fetch her."

Shizuru's voice sounds directly behind the door, startling Natsuki. Before she can respond, it opens, and the two are left speechless.

"A-ah—" Natsuki takes a step back, feeling uncomfortable within the Archmeister's personal space.

"Natsuki?" Miss Maria is someway down the corridor, looking mildly surprised herself. "I returned only a few—" The Trias Representative leaps into her arms, shocking the older woman greatly. "I-it is fine." She unsurely presses her hand to the back of her head. Natsuki has quickly burrowed her face into her neck.

"I-I'm sorry." Natsuki mumbles, squeezing her eyes shut as she tries focusing on the Archmeister's scent. "I've been an idiotic fool. I was worried you had gotten hurt."

"Hurt?" Shizuru lowers her voice to match Natsuki's and eases her back. "Whyever for, Natsuki?" She props the Pearl's chin up, gazing into the eyes she instantly fell for.

"B-Because, I—" Smearing her hands against Shizuru's arms, she pushes away entirely. Veering her gaze away uncomfortably, she mumbles incoherently for a moment. It is then that Miss Maria enters the office, giving her the confidence to speak once more. "I—" She clears her throat. "Those fools are spreading rumours that Chaldea is going through a famine and civil war. One thing led to another, and well…"

"Oh, Natsuki." What on Earl has Natsuki's anxiety been doing to her while she was gone? Stepping beside her, Shizuru grasps her by the outer shoulder. "I think I understand what happened now." Squeezing Natsuki into her side, she forces an encouraging smile at her. Unfortunately, those rumours are true. She shall have to discuss the details with her later. "Why not tell me everything over tea later? I have an appointment with you regarding the Trias Duels tomorrow, after all. Come on in, Miss Maria and I would like to speak with you."

"Ah, yeah." Natsuki sheepishly steps inside the corridor with her. Soon she finds herself sitting beside Shizuru in front of Miss Maria's desk. Here she clenches her hands together in her lap, staring hard at the desk. The same furniture that will soon be hers. The sheer idea feels like insanity to her. How have things played out like this?

As well… Shizuru… She watches said woman out of the corner of her eye.

The Archmeister has a leg crossed atop the other with her hands relaxed in her lap. Tilting her head, her scarlet gaze aims towards her. Unconsciously, Natsuki catches her eye, but just as quickly, pulls her focus away. "Hm." Shizuru releases an amused noise, now focusing on the Epitome of Grace. "This is most fortuitous. There has not been a duel between an Archmeister and an upcoming Headmeister in so long."

"Yes." Miss Maria fixes a pair of reading glasses upon her nose as she picks up a paperclipped document. "The last time was a few years prior to the Dragon King War." Reading a paragraph of text, her scrutinising gaze transfers to the two women above the paper. "As such, Garderobe—as well as the world—are looking forward to your display. Please keep this in mind."

How couldn't she? Natsuki cringes at the very thought. She cannot even comprehend how stressful the pressure will be. Even as the daughter of an incredibly famous self-made CEO, she has never received this much attention. Tomorrow she will be on international television. Worse, her incoming duty as Headmeister will be revealed for all the world to hear.

Overnight she will literally have a target painted on her back. Not to mention… she shall become Buhne's head of state. That, and Shizuru will be her bodyguard. Natsuki's chest clenches at such a fact, making her wonder what this means. Is it conflict, or something else…? Oh, she has not a clue, and that infuriates her!

"Miss Maria—" Natsuki says abruptly, thinking back to her conversation earlier. "I think you should speak with Mai. I was talking to her earlier and she seems conflicted about becoming the Fourth Column."

"I will speak with her later." The "temporary" Headmeister confirms, quickly skimming over more of the document. "Archmeister, Kruger; this document explains the ceremony that will take place tomorrow. Please familiarise yourself with the details this afternoon." Sliding the papers towards the two women, she concludes their meeting: "You're dismissed."

As Natsuki stands from her chair and turns, Shizuru does so simultaneously. Almost bumping into her, Natsuki freezes for a moment as her brain tries catching up. "S-sorry." She mumbles, quickly circling the chair and exiting the office that will soon be hers.

She senses the Archmeister fast approaching on her heels. Feeling rather self-conscious, she pauses as she walks past the doorway. "Oh, I forgot the—"

"—do not worry, I have them here." Shizuru says amusedly, the paperclipped documentation resting within her arm. "Now, shall we eat then read this?"

Today, the scalding heat has lessened to an afterburn.