Chapter Twelve

1.

"Changing rooms?!" Hilda exclaims.

"Correct," Seteth – who obviously does not want to be the one telling them – does not blink twice at the echo. "Many students will be leaving after the first exams next week, however we have more than expected. Until numbers begin evening out, changes will need to be made to sleeping arrangements."

Seems like a hassle, but they're in charge. What Leonie doesn't get is, "Why me?"

Oh yes, Seteth is very good at hiding his discontentment, "You were requested specifically."

Hilda makes a choking noise, irritated, "It was that new girl, wasn't it? The crying one."

Leonie feels her hackles rising a bit, but it's Seteth who calmly and sternly utters, "Bernadetta von Varley did request Leonie, seeing as she knows no others here. Do any of you volunteer to go with her, as she'll be rooming with two Black Eagles?"

Leonie rolls her eyes at the implication she has no choice in the matter, but gets to pulling out her uniform box. There is a silence surrounding the room, and the urge to bite heads off grows. Can't trust anyone-

"I'll go," Lysithea snaps with such vitriol that everyone jerks. The young teen jumps off her bunk with ease, grunting when she pulls her crates out from under the bed. Books are stacked on clothes, a little stuffed golden deer carefully tucked in the corner.

Leonie feels her lips twitch into something that looks grateful as she stacks her uniform box on top. With one lift, she has the four boxes in her arms, nodding to her future maybe-classmates, "Hilda, Marianne, see you at dinner tomorrow, yah?"

Marianne nods a bit fearful. Hilda huffs, displeased as she lies down, "Sure."

On the way out, the wards crumble unnoticed under Leonie's feather light touch. In minutes, they'll be completely gone.

Seteth leads them out into the night, across the fields to where the Black/Red Eagle's are to stay. The Blue Lions are in a different section altogether, something about how the rooms are going to work out. As soon as they touch grass, the man's long stride slows.

Seteth sighs, "Ms. Varley has also requested you be her… support item, Leonie."

It's Lysithea who blurts, "Support item?!"

"For the obstacle course," he drawls. Aims Leonie a concerned yet stern look, "I told her you were not an object. Her reply was that the only way she would be leaving her room without you was if she died and someone carried her body out. While I do believe there are ways to get her out, I do not want to test them."

"So, what?" Lysithea snaps, "You're letting her get away with being treated like a child?"

"Lysithea," Leonie warns, and whatever shows from the parts on her face visible behind the boxes and crates is enough to make the smaller teen flinch, "if you're going to act like this, it would be better if you stayed with Hilda and Marianne."

It's always the worst of humanity that stick around her head. Children are cruel with thoughtless words. Teens are cruel with words like knifes. Adults are cruel with their power and emotions.

Psychology of her old world reminds her not everyone thinks the same. Leonie misses the science, as all she has are scattered old teachings. She had to learn body language more than an opponent's thoughts. Instinct rather than social niceties.

But psychology… behaviours and context, actions and reactions, and the reason and theories of why.

Experiments and naturally horrible things documented, though likely not by Fódlan's Church, from what Leonie's seen. Or, more accurately, not seen. Anything morally reprehensible has been scrubbed from books, all approvals must be signed by Lady Rhea. Anything without her signature can cause the death of all involved.

She would never let civilians play prison guard.

But experiments and a naturally horrible homelife are different things. One isn't in the purview of the Church.

It's hard to forget how awful people can be, remembering the case, about a child left in a room, tied to a chair.

Leonie's read through her notes, caught up on who the kidnapped child is. From the few things there, from the reaction of the tiny teenager who clung to her because her Crest couldn't feel Leonie, the young woman's to-kill list got another few people added to it.

It's almost scary; Leonie remembers what caring feels like and this isn't it. Yet, she's ready to throw down with the next person who makes Bernadetta feel worthless.

Maybe it's just the stress of it all.

And it isn't an accidental Crest bond. She's checked. Last she looked, Bernadetta only had three thin, fraying threads attached to her blood.

"I'd be happy to be her support item," Leonie tells Seteth from behind her the boxes. "I do appreciate you trying not to let her objectify me, though. Thanks, Seteth."

He sighs, "You are welcome, Leonie."

Lysithea grumbles, "We didn't get any support items."

Now he just sounds amused, "Yes, well, the new students took one look at the course and banded together to complain it was unfair to do it without assistance. I am sure they have their own magical items to help them through."

Leonie rolls her eyes unseen. Lysithea voices her thoughts, "What magical item could help them that they could help with each other? There's got to be, what, twenty people by now?"

"Eighteen, and you would be surprised at how many people do not work together. Why, only after your test have the Knights begun helping each other through their workouts. The Captain is only encouraging it," that last part said exasperated.

The good mood only lasts until they see the crowd on the second floor of the Black/Red Eagle's sleeping arrangements. About five people are outside, trying their best to get a door open.

Seteth, in a flurry of cape and directed Crest power that feels of freshly cut grass in the air, demands, "What is the meaning of this?"

A teen with blonde hair, maybe a bit taller than Lysithea strides forward, angry, "Bernadetta won't let me in our room again."

Seteth breathes in through his nose, but Leonie's already dropped the stuff and parting the crowd. She knocks lightly, calling, "Hey, Bernadetta? Can you hear me?"

Blonde huffs, "We tried that-"

"Yes," comes the muffled reply.

Leonie ignores the roommate who's name she's yet to learn and continues, "It's me, Leonie." That draws a start from the crowd. "I do need to drop off my stuff in the room, but if you want us three to sleep somewhere else tonight, we can."

Lysithea and blonde puff up, ready to disagree, but Leonie ignores their thoughts for the small, "N-n-n-n-n-o, don't leave. I'll just-"

Then scrapes come from the room as heavy things are shoved aside. There are a few deep breathes, mutters of, "it's okay, it's okay," before the door is opened by the skin-and-bones teen.

Who promptly catches sight of Seteth, screams bloody murder, and slams the door.

"I think that went better than expected," Leonie tells the wood. "You did very well opening this door, Bernadetta. Everything is okay." She stops blonde from trying to get in, a cold smile dripping from Leonie's lips that has people not needing to be here scrambling away. "You did great. Do you think you can open it again?"

"NO!"

"Not even for me? I promise Seteth isn't going to go in. None of us are until you give us permission."

Lysithea groans quietly about this taking forever, blonde scoots back to complain with her. It takes another few minutes to assure Bernadetta that all they want is for her to open the door. She doesn't need to leave, doesn't need to look, and none of them will come in without her say so. An hour of just the two of them talking before only Leonie is allowed in with the crates. Five minutes of the purplette trying to crush her while also using Leonie as a shield to talk with Seteth. Twenty minutes to make Bernadetta an Invisibility warded necklace that will last for as long as she sleeps.

Another five minutes, this time only Leonie talking with Seteth as she lies through her teeth about where she got the plain-looking invisibility-necklace Bernadetta now has. "I helped out a guy on the road and he gave it to me. It never did anything for me, so I guess it's Crest activated."

Maybe it's because he looks exhausted that Seteth doesn't fight it. Merely ascertains they will all be sleeping there until the next room change and leaves.

"I know we didn't have time before," Leonie says, taking the bunk below Bernadetta. The eldest in the room almost holds out a hand, but the blonde is obviously some kind of nobility, "but I'm Leonie. Nice to meet you."

"…Pleasure," is not-quite sneered her way. "My name is Aurora von Rand. Youngest of the House of Rand."

Leonie doesn't laugh. For some reason, she really, really wants to. Emotions missing their memories. "Guess I'm the only commoner in the room. Again."

"Pity to you."

Oh yes, this is going to be fun. Leonie almost wants to ink the wards and leave Ms. Rand out of it. But that would be cheating. "Ah well, you can all just teach me manners then. I hear there's a big difference between the way forks and spoons are used in the Alliance and Empire territories."

2.

Leonie drops into the seat across from Claude with a, "Good morning."

Always an early riser he greets her back, "How was your run?"

"Same old, same old. Apparently it's the Faith exam today, so I'm going to rope Raphael into coming with me to Fight Club. Have you been yet?"

"Not yet. Is it fun?"

"I enjoy it," she flashes a smile between a bite of her apple. "It's just fist fighting, but it's nice to finally have human opponents. Everyone in the village was either too old or too young to practice with. Oh, and just a heads up, Lysithea and I were moved to the Black-Red Eagles set-up last night."

Claude pretends he isn't bothered by the news, "Why's that?"

"Uneven numbers is the official word. Unofficially, I'm the only friendly face to that kidnapped girl. She's having a hard time adjusting, obviously."

"Obviously," he repeats in a tone too dry. Leonie narrows her eyes, hackles rising. "Hey, I'm glad she has someone. It's just… what about when school starts?"

"I'm hoping to get her a support system before that," Leonie admits a bit grimly. "If you can recommend any Eagles to start with…?"

He barks a laugh, "Not many are talking to me."

"Figures," she silently curses because it's got to be bigger than that. Claude is the next Golden Deer House Leader in all but blessing from the archbishop. Everyone knows it will happen, same with the two figureheads whose messengers arrived within days of each other. The fact no one is talking with him means she'll have to teach a few lessons if her theory is correct. "I'll see who's coming in the next few days to try and set her up with something. Hey, I can point you to some Blue Lions if you're tired of seeing us everyday."

"But you're all such great conversationalists."

Leonie snorts, thoughts breaking apart at his words. "Is this the part where I thank you for carrying most of the dinner conversations?"

It's his turn to cough, "…You're the only one who's noticed."

"I think we've all notice," at the very least how he makes sure to keep up-to-date on what they're doing for the day, "but at the very least, I appreciate it. Thanks, Claude."

His grin pulls into something a bit more real as he mock-bows against the table, "Why of course, Ms. Pinelli."

"Ugh," he's unfortunately learned how to get under her skin, "please stop that."

"Since you asked so nicely."

He'll throw it at her tomorrow. They both know, all she does is roll her eyes. Takes another bite of her apple.

"I've been meaning to ask," he dangles a spoon in his hand, leaning on the other, "where do you keep getting apples?"

Swallow. "Found them, stored them. Why? You want one?"

"Sure, why not?"

Claude leans over to try and catch a glimpse, but Leonie's done this for too long. She tosses a new fruit at him, picking up the tray of food for her roommates in a slight of hand. "Catch you later. I have to make sure Bernadetta is capable of eating sizeable meals."

"Isn't that Manuela's job?"

"Do you think I trust her?

He flashes a smirk, "Her class's Faith exam is tomorrow."

"Thanks for the heads-up."

3.

Unsurprisingly, Leonie cannot convince her roommates to join her in visiting Fight Club today. Aurora had made it clear the only reason she's here is to find a husband, which set Bernadetta off into another wail how she's unmarriageable. Leonie had to calm down both Bernadetta and Lysithea while Aurora had watched on in horror. The orange haired woman was almost too hesitant about leaving Bernadetta and Lysithea alone in a room together with no buffer between them, but Lysithea swore she'd try to be nice.

Leonie doesn't trust her, but she doesn't want to miss this event more.

A flash of peach-blonde has her changing trajectory, "Hey!"

The older young woman startles, though face as serene as always.

"Mercedes, right?" Leonie jogs to a halt.

"Yes. And you are Leonie?"

"Yah," grins, "How're you holding up?"

"Quite well, thank you," Mercedes' voice matches her blissed-out expression. A beautiful deception for one so intelligent. Why are all the main-class students so drop-dead gorgeous? "The Blue Lions have been very inclusive, and my schooling has been arranged. Oh, you have already done the obstacle course, correct? Would you mind sharing some tips?"

"Sure! I'm on my way to the training grounds – Fists Club's using it today – and I'm planning to participate if they need anyone. If you're not up for that, the Faith exam for Hanneman's class is happening there too. Come watch if you want to get some tips for the coming year. It's allowed."

"That sounds wonderful," Mercedes breathes, following along in her ankle-length dress. "I think I would enjoy watching."

"Great! Oh yah, about the obstacle course. I'll be there for it, so don't worry too much. Here's what happened when I went…"

4.

In order for the training grounds to allow non-registered individuals inside, there's a set of rules magically inscribed on it which must be followed. The first is that there must be a registered personal already inside, and currently the registry contains all professors, several of Rhea's personal guards, the Captain of the Knights of Seiros, the fighting instructor, and Seteth.

The second and last rule before other are allow in: there must be someone with B+ or higher rank healing on-site. With healing as her weakest skill, even if she could etch her name on there with magic, Leonie knows she wouldn't be able to sneak anyone else in. It's not worth the risk of expulsion yet.

"Pardon me!"

Leonie and Raphael break from their grappling, turning to the Captain of the Knights of Seiros. Without magic strengthening her, she's breathing as hard as her acquaintance for a reason. They both nod respectfully, Leonie greeting, "Hello, sir."

"Oh, none of that now," he's about her height, brown hair and proudly in the – what Leonie thinks is ridiculous – official warrior gear. It sums up to lots of armour and a giant spiky shoulder pad. "Call me Alois. You two were part of the first group to do the obstacle course set for students, correct?"

"Leonie was," Raphael booms. "I've gone through it a few times, but I've not gotten a time near her and Claude's."

Leonie blinks, "Time?"

"Excellent!" Captain Alois grins wider. "How would you two like to be part of the Faith exam for the students here? We're short a few people expected in Fists Club and need more injuries for the students to test on."

Leonie kind-of hates the thought but-

"Aw, yah!" Raphael cheers. "That sounds awesome! Come on, Leonie, let's head over!"

"Sure," she smiles as though she isn't thinking about killing them all. It would be so easy; the Death Knight isn't even paying attention to them. He'd be the first to go. "Just tell us what to do."

They're given training gauntlets and told to go until first blood. Raphael and herself trade sheepish looks, the few Fight Club members who know what they're capable of are quick to pair up away from them. Leonie and Raphael are on par with some of the club's middle-ranked students for strength. A few of the ignorant high-ranked take them for the thought of an easy win.

Since she's been at Garreg Mach, Leonie never attacks first without an invitation. The young woman across from her smirks and charges at the whistle. Leonie takes the blow, her feet sliding back as her forearms endure the pressure.

She hears a, "Heal!" and feels rejuvenated. Now this kind of practice she can get behind.

Leonie's stamina is a lot higher than most of the club members, fueled on by what would normally go towards her magic buffs. Heals turn into Recovers and, by the time fewer voices are shouting Psychics, Leonie's partner begins flagging. Someone casts a Ward on another fighter, there's even a Fortify near the end.

To make sure they're not the last ones fighting, Leonie twists a block in such a way it harmlessly draws blood. Her opponent backs off with a smirk, calling over that they're done. They shake and split, Leonie moving over to where Mercedes has drawn Raphael into a conversation about Faith spells.

Good, she thinks. Leonie would love a team full of healers. She catches sight of Jeritza watching closely and resigns to blipping on his radar. "Hey, how did look?"

Mercedes giggles, hand briefly covering her mouth, "You both did very well. Are all Golden Deer like yourselves?"

"Nah," there are eyes burning into the back of her white shirt. "I'm sure they could be one day, but Raphael and myself have been doing intense physical training for years."

"That's right!" Raphael puts his hands on his hips. It would be looming if he wasn't so sweet, leaning back and knowing how to light his face instead of shadowing it. "We've mostly been training by carrying supplies for the Monastery right now, since the weights room and here are reserved for the student's exam stuff. Leonie runs every morning, and I have an exercise routine I do in the morning and after dinner. If you want to join in sometime, offer's open."

"We get kind-of extreme with our workouts," Leonie quickly says. "So no pressure. But if you do want to run in the morning, I'll match your pace."

"Same with my workout!"

"Thank you both," Mercedes breathes, smile alight. Leonie can just pick out the gratefulness. "Maybe one day after, we've settled into our classrooms."

"Of course," Leonie winks, half turning as Captain Alois calls her name. "Don't hesitate to ask, okay?"

"I won't."

5.

"Ah, just," Captain Alois rubs the back of his head, "the way you moved reminded me of my old mentor."

"Captain Jeralt?" Leonie knows her eyes light up, a mix of relief she didn't have to bring it up herself and respect towards the man in question.

"Yes! How did you know?"

"He came by my village when I was younger," Leonie replies, practically giddy compared to her normal muted feelings. "Taught me practically everything I know. I still use drawings he left for stance practice."

"How did he seem? It's been ages since I last saw Captain Jeralt."

"He seemed well." Don't mention the unknown gender kid. "Got rid of the poachers in the area with his mercenary band. Drank a bit at night, but overall healthy."

"Didn't drink your tavern out of house and home, did he?"

Leonie makes a face. "My village doesn't have a tavern. Or a bar. We were pretty secluded, which is why we had to deal with poachers in the first place. Anyways, he's told me a lot about his travels. I think he's been all over Fódlan!"

Alois laughs, a deep gut chuckles, "That wouldn't surprise me. When he was at the Monastery, he travelled a lot too. I guess not even age would slow him down. Ah, but I do need to be going." He does look regretful. "If you'd like, I can tell you more stories about him sometime."

"I'd love that! Thank you, Captain Alois!"

"No, no," he shakes his head with another laugh, "can't have that. Any student of Jeralt's is a friend of mine. Just call me Alois."

There's a bit of fondness growing in Leonie's heart. He's much different than what she remembers. As honest and joyful as she expected. Real and open. "Thank you," sir.

He pats her shoulder and begins shouting orders to the knights who will judging Professor Maence's Reason exam. No magic tournament this year, seeing as not all students can even light a candle.

Leonie watches after him with a real, fond smile. Alois has a family, if she remembers correctly. He has a lot of great endings, as long as the main character recruits him. They had a nice ending, where he got to live peacefully with his family.

She paid off Jeralt's bar tabs for the rest of her life.

Well…

Sometimes you don't like the person you become.

It would be nice if he at least gets a happy ending.

6.

The risk of being late for dinner, in Leonie's mind, is worth indulging into this bit of curiosity. More students are to arrive tomorrow, and she's drawn a promise from Bernadetta that she'll be a weight while Leonie runs about. Until then, Bernadetta remains with five Crest bonds. Two new ones with Lysithea, two frayed and taunt ones stretched away from the Monastery, and one threadbare, dull bond stretching beneath the Monastery.

Aurora likely already has a bond with someone of Bernadetta's Crest. At least Bernadetta's pull is so weak, the conflicts between them are settling into a minimum.

Leonie pauses in the darkness of a tunnel's roof, head tilted back and watching as another person moves through the shadows below. Honestly, she's more surprised she hasn't seen thieves or rogues wandering around before. The person below her is in certified Church clothing for his class, albeit dirt encrusted and stained from age and overuse. Having lost sight of Bernadetta's weakest bond in the cloying blanket, Leonie carefully, silently, follows along after the person. She eventually picks the thread again, just as the person below her stops in a dimly lit area.

She hesitates, watching the bond move down in a way that cuts through lingering threads. It moves down, down, down, until her neck is as far back as possible. Leonie blinks.

Blinks again.

Stares in a bit of muted horror and awe at something most unexpected.

Blinks.

"-you find the prison?" asks the person Bernadetta is tied to. It is not an equal bond. The person – sounds male, looks feminine, but Leonie's not one to judge – is like Aurora in that sense. Only, Aurora does not have a Crest bond to give anyone. Not like this person.

"Yes boss," the rouge says, back straight and with obvious respect for the person. Could be their one-way bond. "And… your mother."

There is a long silence. "So, he was telling the truth… Fine. We will reconvene in an hour, the usual place. I will bring a few others. I expect you to show us the way."

A salute, "Yes, boss!"

"Thank you," the person nods. "Dismissed."

The rouge goes scurrying away, back into the shadows. With the subordinate truly gone, the person puts their hands over their face, light purple hair spilling forward, "What a mess."

When he pulls away, Leonie goes still in order to not fall off the roof. As the sparkling subsides, the person's face looks different. It spreads over the body, the hair, changing the look from a young adult noble to a bit older, green haired assassin.

As the person goes to leave, it becomes harder to focus on them. Leonie grits her teeth and watches from the corner of her eye, the Notice-Me-Not charm letting her see the Nabatean move away without registering and features.

Leonie blinks.

While the Crest Stone is protected by magic, the Crest bond isn't as it moves up, up, up.

7.

Claude mocks her as Leonie drops onto the bench across from him, "And where were you last night young lady?"

There's a tiny squeak beside Leonie. It startles Claude so bad he drops the fork he was pointing with.

"I lost track of time and only just caught the end of dinner," Leonie shrugs, opening an arm for her charge to hide under. Great big purple, watering eyes stare at Claude as the teen girl tries not to hyperventilate. "Claude von Riegan, this is Bernadetta von Varley. Bernadetta, this is the future house leader of the Golden Deer."

"Hey now," Claude protests, eyes struggling to stay focused on the girl wearing a literal Notice-Me-Not warded charm bracelet. Leonie has very quickly learned that, since it's spelled with her magic, she is the only one to properly see through it. The issue with a ward compared to a charm is that it is incomplete, unable to shift to hide whatever the user thinks. The only sense muffled for others is sight, meaning Claude can still feel Bernadetta with his Crest. "That's not for certain. It is very nice to meet you, Ms. von Varley."

Bernadetta lets out a dying noise that can probably be translated as, "And you as well."

"Bernadetta was kind enough to be add weight for my jog today," Leonie says, pushing the tray of food over to the girl. Bernadetta pauses long enough to hawk-eye the threats before delving in. "She and Lysithea are going to be reading for the rest of the day," Leonie is very careful to roll her eyes out of the girl's view. "I'm heading down to the lower village later if you want anything."

"Nah, I'm good for now. Hey, Bernadetta," the girl 'eep's and meets Claude's surprisingly soft, friendly glance, "if you want to eat with us at dinner, it's alright. I promise we don't bite."

But, of course, Bernadetta doesn't get the nicety from the sentence, "You don't want me here now?! I'm so sorry- stupid Bernie- I-"

"None of that," Leonie gently keeps Bernadetta from jumping and running out of the room. "Of course Claude wants you here right now. He's only extending the offer to eat with him or the other Golden Deer whenever you want."

"But he said-"

"Dinner, yes, but really, it's always dinner somewhere."

Bernadetta's panicked breathing takes up the sound for a moment, Claude wisely sitting back to watch and refrain from doing more damage, before she decides curiosity wins, "What do you mean?"

So Leonie spends the next half-hour explaining planet rotation and sunlight hitting the ground, though Claude does not seem as surprised as the Black/Red Eagle at their table. They only break from the topic when people begin sitting closer, in which Bernadetta then realizes the room if half-filled with people and promptly flees before Leonie can calm her down.

"I'm going after her," Leonie sighs and drops her apple core on the tray.

Claude stops her before she lifts, "I'll get it."

Leonie pauses, warring between the usual self-dependence she's acquired over the years or chasing down a hysterical teen, "…Are you sure?"

His smile is still surprisingly soft, "I've got it. Go help her."

"…Thanks," Leonie flashes a matching soft, grateful look before she takes off running. Something to think on when her plate's a little less full of things to do. If she remembers, that is.

8.

There are moments, when a person knows they are being the one addressed. It's in the air, in the tone and, if the addresser is in view, in the body language.

"Excuse me, sir."

Leonie is one fluid motion, knowing she's the person being addressed. The addresser is right behind her, standing while Leonie kneels to chat with the village children who aren't playing tag. They're in a lighter traffic area because of so few shops, meaning the children aren't much of a bother running around. Leonie also happens to be the only non-busy looking adult in the area.

She's vaguely amused when she stands and turns, seeing the blonde noble recoil a bit at the mistake. Leonie doesn't bother to correct, "Yes?"

"My apologies-"

"It's fine," she rolls a shoulder. "I've been called worse." Leonie honestly doesn't care. It might even be nice to be called that, if she ever scrapes together a mercenary band. She thinks boss and her smile grows a bit, though the sarcasm is hidden, "How can I help you?"

There's an orange-red haired teen further back, flirting with one of the few non-orphaned children's young mother.

The blonde squares her shoulders, green eyes wavering in her nerves, "My friends and I arrived at the Officer's Academy yesterday. We are currently exploring this village, and I noticed you are wearing the… er, lower half of the uniform."

"Oh, yah. I'm trying to get used to it. Work it in a bit. Seteth gives you a date to head to the tailors after you've been approved. Have you signed up for the obstacle course, or did you see Manuela?"

The blonde flushes, "Sylvain and I chose Manuela. Our other friends are participating in the obstacle course. We're supposed to be fitted… in an hour."

It clicks, Leonie looks over to the kids hesitantly talking and watching them, "Anyone want to go on a walk to the tailors with me?"

"Oh, you don't have to-" blonde cuts off at a few smiles and jumping kids.

Leonie winks, "We needed a walk anyways. Is, uh, that Sylvain?"

She already knows the answer.

Blonde goes completely red and makes a boiling kettle noise. She marches over, woman on a mission. Leonie rolls her eyes and smirks at the kids, "Remember all y'alls, no means no, and don't use or abuse. Communication is key in any relationship."

Probably-Ingrid begins scolding the teen, who quickly backpedals from the amused woman who was flirting back. Her child takes that moment to hurry over and hug his mother's leg, glaring daggers at the teen. Sylvain pales, hands up in surrender.

From behind Leonie, she hears a kid complain, "Adults are weird."

9.

Leonie doesn't think she's being particularly quiet, but all those years of practicing light footsteps and tracking game must be too low frequency for some people as she's startled a few Black/Red Eagles when she comes down the hall. The new arrival is no exception, "Hey, neighbor."

The new neighbor startles from her fidgeting, turning away from the door in a whirl of curls and crisp heel-toe. It's Leonie's turn to freeze as she's left staring at possibly the most beautiful person she's ever seen. Just for a moment, as her brain comprehends what's before her.

Softness, curls, a glowing skin that can happen from years on a stage. Confidence, grace, a figure many women would kill for. Jewels and dangles in all the right places, highlighting her in such a dreary hallway, and, most noticeably-

Very.

Familiar.

Green.

Eyes.

"Hello," greets the teenager with a charming smile. "How are you?"

"Quite well, thanks," Leonie's wondering how the f**k this is happening right now. "And yourself?"

Beauty Queen laughs tensely, "Do the nerves get better after the first day?"

"It takes a bit," Leonie admits, shifting the dinner tray on her hips. "But if you need any help, we're here for you. Well, I am at least. Name's Leonie. I'm officially a Golden Deer, but the way the rooms are I got shifted here."

"Oh," she looks both pleased and upset. "My name is Dorothea. Am I correct in assuming you are a commoner as well?"

"You got it. My roommates are all nobles- actually," Leonie feels her grin stretch conspiratorially, "one of my roommates, an Eagle, has been having trouble making friends recently. Would you mind having dinner with us in our room tonight?"

Dorothea relaxes, a bit uncertain but knowing this is a great opportunity, "I would be agreeable to it." Throws a wink, "As long as you're paying."

As Leonie looks into eyes so green and expressive, she knows this will be a great first step.

10.

Why didn't you tell me your daughter was going here?!

L

A/N: The first rule of Fight Club, it's actually named Fists Club.

Thanks for reading! A really big thank you to ShadowWolf223, xenocanaan, Greatest Guy, Math725e, guisniperman, HersheyBby, IReadNoNonsense, JoshuaFangurl, TheGiantRock, and Guest number 720 for reviewing! The support truly means a lot!

For those curious, this chapters take place nearly a week into March (Lone Moon). In Chapter 10, off-screen the Golden Deer class went shopping the day they were all set to be tailored, and when Lysithea was busy with measurements they got the things needed for her birthday. When Saint Indech Day came around, Chapter Eleven contains what Leonie got up to because, while she knows about the Four Saints, she doesn't remember having days to celebrate them (her village only went full-devote a long while after she began spending days in the woods). Then the next morning is traumatizing. Then Bernadetta shows up.

Also, Leonie thinks Aurora's name is funny because her mind is translating it to Dawn of Edge.

Thanks again for reading. I hope everyone is well. Please take care