(A/N: Last chapter we got pretty comfy with the Golden Deer. This time it's the Blue Lions's turn, but of course we here at Draconic Hero Studios won't forget about Clara and Rolo either)
11th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
Despite not being officially entered as a student to attend classes herself, Euphemia planned to spend time with both the members of the Violet Tigers and the Blue Lions whenever she felt compelled. Today, for example, she was on the training ground, showing off her magic prowess.
Holding up both of her hands, Euphemia aimed her palms towards a target and let loose a powerful fireball that blasted it to smithereens.
"Wow, Princess Euphemia!" Annette exclaimed, giggling. "You're really good at magic."
"Oh, why thank you, Annette. I learned a lot from my older sister," Euphemia said with a smile and a giggle of her own.
"From Cornelia?" Annette asked, surprised to hear Cornelia was good at everything.
"Oh, no. From my half-sister, Princess Guinevere, the crown princess. She's an exceptional mage. She was actually the leader of the Violet Tigers herself at one point. Thirteen years ago if I'm not mistaken."
"Wow!" Annette stated, wide-eyed. "Guess the royal family certainly has its mark here at Garreg Mach, huh?"
Euphemia nodded. "It was Rome itself that protected Britannia from persecution overseas into what's now known as the homeland. Back then, we were actually escaping from a Faerghusian dictator, Napoleon. I know relations between nations are still rather tense, but I don't see why that's a reason I can't get along with everyone."
Annette laughed happily. "You're so sweet, Princess Euphemia." She frowned. "I thought royalty was all stuffy and serious." She smiled again. "But you and Prince Dimitri are proof that royalty can be pretty down to Earth."
Euphemia laughed. "I wish more royals were as open with their feelings as I am. My sister, Cornelia, she's so…professional. And my brother, Schneizel, he's not exactly what I would call…open with his emotions."
"He's so handsome though. Heck, I don't think there's a single member of the royal family you could even call ugly," Annette said with a laugh.
Euphemia laughed more. "I don't think it's anything special. Like…what's the word for it…eugenics?" Euphemia asked, scratching her temple.
"Yeah. That's the term, I believe," Annette stated.
Euphemia nodded. "Oh! Excellent. I remembered. But, yes, eugenics. I don't believe Britannia's successor um…success has anything to do with eugenics. Honestly, for being a non-royal noble, I think you're pretty cute yourself Annette."
"What? Me? Oh, stop! You're making me blush!" Annette exclaimed, going red in the face, giggling uncontrollably.
Euphemia continued to laugh. "Let's be good friends, Annette."
"The best!" Annette exclaimed, pumping her fists.
Later that same afternoon, close to the evening, once classes had concluded, Edelgard decided to introduce to the Black Eagles her new adopted cousins. Monica made sure Bernadetta wouldn't leave the room until she had been formally introduced.
"Everyone, these are my new cousins Rolo and Clara Arundel, formerly Haliburton and Lafranc respectively. They were adopted by my uncle from the streets not that long ago. Please treat them with the same respect and dignity as you would any noble." She gestured her hand steadily to her fellow students. "But if they do cause a problem, do report any unruly behavior to myself, Hubert or Monica directly."
"Okay," Linhardt said and promptly took a nap at his desk.
Edelgard shook her head in dismay, but expected nothing less of the green-haired narcoleptic.
"I'm Caspar!" A short, blue-haired young man said, going up to the two young teens. "I'm the second son of the famous Leopold von Bergliez and I love me a good scrap! What about either of you? Can you fight?"
"I'm handy with a rifle and Clara is an adept mage," Rolo said politely.
"Rifle skills? We should be comparing notes," Petra said with a bow. "Ah, I am misplacing my manners. My name is being Petra Macneary. It is nice to have meeting you."
Clara looked to Hubert. "Is…something wrong with her brain?" she asked, concerned.
"Ah, I am having apologies," Petra said with dismay. "Seirosian language is hard. We are not having it as first language in my archipelago of Brighid."
"Oh, I see. Well, I think your funny way of talking makes you uniquely you," Clara said with a smile.
"I am liking being unique," Petra said with a polite smile.
I don't think that was entirely a compliment, Hubert thought.
Ferdinand pushed his way to the front. "Greetings to both of you, I am Ferdinand von Aegir of House Aegir. My father is the Prime Minister of Adrestia. If you need anything of me during your stay here at Garreg Mach, even if it is only a drink of water, you need only ask for it. It would be my honor to fulfill your requests as the noblest of nobles."
You could die, Clara thought, eyes narrowing in disgust.
Rolo, almost sensing Clara's animosity, lightly tapped two fingers against the back of her head. He held up one finger in front of his face while shaking his head.
This did not go unnoticed by Hubert in the slightest. But he kept his thoughts on the silent exchange between the two adopted siblings to himself.
"So, you two used to be orphans, huh?" Dorothea asked. "Guess that puts us in the same boat. I'm Dorothea Arnault, former songstress of the Mittlefrank Opera Company."
"Mittlefrank? Oh! I think I've seen a show there once," Rolo stated. "I don't think you were the star though."
"Oh, that must have been during Manuela's tenure when she was still in charge," Dorothea stated with a smile. "Did you like the performance?"
"Oh, I wasn't able to see the whole thing. I was…" Rolo recalled the reason he'd been to the opera was to sneak into a booth and kill a man and sneak out unnoticed, "…Performing a job."
"Oh, I see. Well, while I'm not the star anymore, I could still get you tickets if you'd like to see an opera sometime. I know all about how tough it is to go from nothing to money, so you can think of me as your big sister if you want," Dorothea said politely.
Clara eyed Dorothea suspiciously. I don't like her smile, she thought.
"Uh…sure," Rolo said, genuinely taken aback. Something about Dorothea was incredibly disarming to him.
Clara rolled her eyes up and then to the side. She appeared to be pouting silently.
Monica then brought a shivering, meek Bernadetta up to the front of the room. "Come on, Bernadetta. They're younger than you. They're not going to hurt you."
Bernadetta, however, went from merely shivering and shaking to one step away from fainting on her feet.
"Cousin Edel, who is this pathetic little mouse?" Clara asked with her usual cheerful demeanor, but it was clear she wasn't amused by Bernadetta's weakness in the slightest.
"This is Bernadetta von Varley of House Varley, the only daughter of the family," Edelgard said. "Bernadetta, please introduce yourself."
Edelgard got paralyzed drool from Bernadetta in response. Edelgard shook her head in dismay, not knowing how to coax Bernadetta out of her terrified state. Monica, however, knew exactly how to handle the frightened girl.
"Oh wow! What's all this chocolate cake doing here?" She exclaimed close to Bernadetta's ear.
"Cake?! Where?!" Bernadetta shouted, only to quickly realize she'd been tricked. "Heyyyy, come on," she complained, "That's no fair."
She then shrieked and clammed up when she saw Rolo and Clara standing in front of her. "I…um…uh…hi?"
Clara walked up to her and bent over, craning her head up at Bernadetta. She grinned, showing almost all her teeth. "You're funny. You make funny noises."
Bernadetta sounded positively terrified.
Rolo pushed Clara away by her face. "Apologies for her. She can be a bit much." He didn't even react when Clara chomped his finger, grinding the digit between her teeth as he continued to talk to Bernadetta undeterred. "I'm Rolo and this is Clara. We're adopted kin to Edelgard."
"Oh um…hi? I'm um…I'm Bernie…B-Bernadetta that is." She then let out a series of nervous laughs. "Okay! I did my introductions, can I go now?"
Clara relinquished Rolo's finger from her jaw. Wow, that's some lack of confidence.
"You can go, Bernadetta," Monica told her.
Bernadetta ran out of the lecture hall and to her dorm room, shrieking in fright the whole while.
"Boy, she sure can run," Clara remarked, running for the window that looked out to the courtyard, watching Bernadetta leg it like a frightened rabbit.
"You get used to it," Edelgard remarked, sounding like she had a headache. "Please don't sound so excited about it."
"Oh, sorry," Clara said, turning away from the window. She stepped onto one of the wooden desk benches and then onto the desk itself, walking across it like she was on a tightrope. "It's just I've never seen someone so easily terrified in my life before."
Clara, of course, was lying. She and Rolo both knew what it meant to be helpless and terrified and Rolo knew it. Clara always liked to stand as tall upon the world as possible as a front to make herself not feel so small.
"Clara, please get off the desk before you hurt yourself," Edelgard requested of her.
"Sorry, cousin Edel," Clara said and got down. She then trotted over to Edelgard.
Rolo walked over to the sleeping Linhardt. "So, when do we wake him up?" he asked, pointing to his sleeping head.
"Ah, let 'em sleep. Linhardt will wake himself up when he's ready," Caspar said with a laugh.
"Well, at least he's not sleeping in his food," Dorothea remarked in dismay, recalling that embarrassing incident.
Boy, Clara thought, Uncle Arundel and Papa sure stuck us with a bunch of losers. It's unfortunate I'm not supposed to kill anyone. This entire room is vulnerable. She glanced back where Hubert was gazing at her with his arms folded and eyes full of suspicion. Except the big, tall one though. He's sharp. To keep up her childish air about her, Clara stuck her tongue out at Hubert and then used Edelgard as a shield. But as long as I attach myself to Edelgard, he isn't going to do anything like a good little worker bee.
"Hey, cousin Edel can we go fishing later?" Clara asked, tugging on Edelgard's arm.
"For the last time, Clara, I don't like fishing," Edelgard responded, actually sweating bullets. "Ask someone else. I'm sure if you wait patiently, Linhardt will take you fishing."
Pfffft, lame. What kind of awesome noble is scared of a little water? Clara thought.
Rolo was now eyeing Clara suspiciously, believing her behavior to be too in line with her natural attitude. He could already see Hubert eyeing Clara suspiciously and didn't want their cover blown. He knew the score. He didn't need to be told to know that Edelgard was one good reason away from having Volkhard's neck meeting her energy axe.
"Clara, stop bullying Edelgard," he told her. "She's your older cousin, you should respect her.
"Boooooo, Rolo sucks, boooooo," Clara responded with puffed cheeks.
Hubert smirked. He and Rolo made eye contact. That one's sharp, Hubert thought of Rolo. Clara hides herself poorly and lives dangerously, but he hides himself well and that makes him more dangerous. What a handy bunch of troublemakers we've been assigned. Oh well, it matters not, if they so much as put one toe in Lady Edelgard's path…I'll kill them without hesitation.
Mutually, Rolo's thoughts were not much different. Hubert von Vestra. Monaca von Ochs. I have nothing personal against you, but I will carry out my mission and if either of you try to stop me, I won't hesitate to cut you down.
12th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
It was lunch time in the dining hall, Ingrid and Sylvain had their own spot at the small corner of the table. Today was chicken day so all manner of chicken dishes were being served: chicken parm, chicken pasta, chicken sandwiches, fried chicken, chicken pot pies, etc. And it was precisely because chicken was on the menu that Sylvain felt put off his own meal. Not because he didn't like chicken, but because Ingrid, a chicken devourer in her own right, was giving him a suspicious look.
Sylvain groaned. "I know that look. Ingrid, if you've got something to say, say it, preferably without your hands."
Ingrid took a deep breath. "Princess Euphemia has been around the Blue Lion house for about two days now, yet you've been…surprisingly well-behaved."
"And for that you're giving me stink eye?" he asked.
"This is you we're talking about, Sylvain. I'm just keeping my eye on you so that I can intervene as soon as you try anything," Ingrid said. "I know you too well. Or do I have to embarrass you in front of the whole lunch room again."
"Uh, no. No! Once was enough, thank you," Sylvain said, pleadingly. About a week ago, Ingrid had brought up his checkered past hitting on her grandmother, and the time he made flirted at a scarecrow in the dark. "Look, for once, you don't gotta worry about me and a girl, okay?"
"I'll believe that when I see it," Ingrid said, glaring at him.
"No. Really. I'm actually not going to invite Princess Euphemia out to…well…anything. Not because I don't think she's cute, I mean, she's way prettier than half the girls at the monastery, including you, Ingrid, no offense."
Ingrid growled.
"Buuuuuut," Sylvain said quickly, attempting to save himself. "I also happen to know exactly who her older sister is. Princess Cornelia is extremely protective of Euphemia. I'm not dumb, Ingrid. If I insincerely take the third princess out on a date and break her heart, the second princess is gonna have my head. I'll be dead before you get a chance to plead for my life."
"Ah, so it's self-preservation keeping your idiot brain in check, is it?" Ingrid asked, still keeping up the glare, but she did sound a bit relieved Sylvain wasn't completely stupid.
"So if you understand, why are you still giving me that look?" Sylvain asked.
"Remember that time you flirted with Count Rowe's daughter and took her out late only to bring her back at two in the morning? Remind me exactly how angry Lord Gwendal was again?" Ingrid asked. Lord Gwendal, the Gray Lion, was Count Rowe's vassal and one of the strongest men in Faerghus.
"Nnngh," Sylvain groaned. Ingrid had him there.
"So forgive me if I still don't trust you to be delicate," Ingrid said.
"All right, all right," Sylvain groaned. "Truth be told, I also happened to have noticed she's rather taken with his Highness as well. I'm no homewrecker Ingrid. I flirt with single ladies, not women who already have someone they might be pining for. Hey! Wanna make a bet? You think Dimitri can actually land this one?"
Ingrid's demeanor changed on a dime. Sylvain wasn't sure at first, given the noises coming out of her mouth, but her angry grunting started turning into giddy laughter. "Prince Dimitri? With Princess Euphemia?" She laughed more. "Okay. We all know his Highness has…trouble with women, but…hmmm…honestly, I don't know. Which side are you on?"
"Me? I think it's gonna blow up in his face given how last time went," Sylvain said, putting his hands up behind his head.
"Then I shall take the side that they shall be wedded happily ever after. What are we wagering, exactly?" Ingrid asked.
"Hmmmmm, good question. Can't exactly make it a monetary bet given Galatea territory's budget woes. Hmmmm. All right, how about the loser has to be the winner's servant for the day. All requests must be reasonable. Nothing that would be considered harassment, abuse, exploitation or a crime."
"All right, I'll take that bet. I hope you enjoy wearing a butler outfit for my amusement," Ingrid said with confidence.
"Well hey, if that's on the table, I'm going to make you wear a maid outfit," Sylvain shot back.
"What are the two of you on about?"
Ingrid and Sylvain looked up to see Felix passing by the table. "Oh. Hey, Felix. Don't see you very often these days."
"Are the Green Pheasants treating you well? I'm still quite surprised by your decision to switch houses for the year," Ingrid said to him.
"Japan is half my heritage," Felix said, taking a seat. "I might not know the culture very well, but for many generations gone past, the head of house Fraldarius has always married a Japanese woman."
"Fraldarius territory does have a lot of Japanese immigrants into Faerghus. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, it's the largest population of Japanese people outside of Japan itself," Ingrid stated.
"That is correct. I see history remains your strong suit," Felix commented.
"Meet any cute chicks in that class? That Inoue woman is pretty attractive, not to mention the Empress herself. Ooh! And Kallen! She is a spitfire!"
"The only thing I care about in a woman is how well she can fight," Felix hissed at Sylvain. "In that regard…I would have to say that Kallen is nothing short of my equal."
"Equal to you to the point that you're admitting it?" Ingrid asked. "That's high praise."
"She said she picked it up naturally, but I don't know if I believe that," Felix said. "She switched to Green Pheasant house before crest screenings were done. Since her Britannian heritage, the Stadtfelds, doesn't have crests going back three generations, she actually managed to skip out on crest screenings. And since Japan doesn't naturally possess crests, I think she's hiding something."
"You think she's got a crest?" Sylvain asked.
"It's unlikely, but she's very strong. Maybe a crest of Charon, or a crest of Cichol. Crests do skip generations. It's not unheard of," Felix stated. "And some people develop crests without having any noble blood in them whatsoever. Either way," he smirked, "She has my attention. In fact, I'm actually due to spar with her again later today."
"Sounds like you've found yourself a true rival, Felix," Ingrid said with a smile.
"Rival, hmm? Perhaps, but I'm not so sure," Felix commented.
"Well, hey, I heard her dad remarried so if you find out she's got a hot stepsister—"
Felix interrupted Sylvain not with words, but by getting up from the table and walking away, groaning.
"Wha—hey! I was just joking! Come on, don't be like that! Felix? Felix!"
On the training ground, an intense spar was taking place as, true to his word, Felix and Kallen were locked in one on one combat. Sparks flew from their energy weapons as they gave each other their toughest looks. Jumping back from the interlock of weapons, Felix flicked a switch on his energy blade, sending off arc of energy at Kallen from a distance. She deftly dodged the attacks and then flicked a switch on her energy axe. Swinging it with both hands towards the ground, a massive trail of energy flew forward from her axe along the ground.
Felix darted leapt out of the way and then darted forward towards her, sword glowing. Kallen noticed this and began to flank him. Felix was forced to abandon his sprint and decided to meet Kallen's challenge head on. He turned the blade and blocked with the blade portion of his weapon angled down towards his him, hands angled up in front of his face. He completely blocked Kallen's swing. Then, with a little fancy footwork, he managed to push Kallen off balance.
"Thunder!" He declared and tried to strike her with lightning magic.
"Fire!" Kallen shouted, releasing a single blast of flame from her palm.
The attacks collided with each other and destroyed each other. And then, the smoke was blown away. Both combatants had tried to take advantage of the dust cloud and ambush the other, only to find that their weapons had collided into each other yet again. A shockwave was sent rippling along the training ground. By now, both warriors were working up a sweat.
"What's say we take this up a notch?" Felix asked and activated his HLKMF the Immortal Ronin.
"All right. Let's go!" Kallen declared and released her own HLKMF. Painted pure red with no weapon to speak of and sharp, demonic looking claws. She resembled some kind of oni or demon. This was Kallen's current HLKMF model the Gekka 900.
As she charged forward swiftly, Kallen's speed and brutality would easily overwhelm most opponents, but not Felix. He was easily able to parry her initial strike, catching her energy claws on the blade of his sword. Then, sword to claw, Kallen and Felix began swiping at each other at close range. At first, Felix had little trouble taking both of Kallen's claws with just his single sword, but before long he had to adapt and generate a second one, despite not being used to fighting with two swords at once. Eventually, the sheer ferocity and tenacity of Kallen's attacks forced him to back off and get some distance.
"What's the matter? Running away?!" Kallen shouted as she sped towards Felix.
Felix couldn't help but smile. He'd never met an opponent that would charge headfirst into battle while having the audacity to call him a coward. Ceasing his retreat, he sped towards Kallen, once again intending to meet her challenge head on. The two once again engaged in a close quarters scrap, as energy blade met energy claw. In the midst of the attacks, Kallen impaled Felix in the chest while Felix slashed straight through her shoulder, destabilizing their frames at the same time. This led to a straight up martial arts showcasing between the two fighters.
Felix had trained martial arts since he was young and knew quite a lot, but Kallen had more than a few extra techniques up her sleeve to keep him on his toes. And, it was through their close quarters combat that Felix had to make an admission between him and Kallen. He was faster, but she was definitely stronger.
"Wipe that smirk off your face and take this seriously!" Kallen shouted and ended up decking Felix in the face.
Felix was caught off guard. He was smirking? In battle? Battle, to him, was a serious affair. It wasn't designed to be enjoyed the way one took pleasure in less strenuous activities. Sure, he loved a good scrap, but that was his passion. He wasn't the time of guy that found pleasure in a fight.
He forced himself to get serious and focus. Of course, by this point, he was already on the back foot and, before long, Kallen had him in a lariat by the throat and brought him to the ground.
"All right. All right. I yield. You win," Felix admitted.
Kallen helped him up.
"Seriously strong," he said, dusting himself off.
"What happened at the end of that? You normally don't smile. You told me a smile in battle is one step away from getting your head lopped off," she said, sounding rather irritated.
"Sorry, don't know what came over me," Felix said, admonishing himself. "But…I do have a worrying theory."
"And that is…?"
"I respect your strength and I like fighting you. You make a good opponent. Never met someone quite as brazen and reckless as you before," Felix said, intending that last part as praise.
"You're not bad yourself," Kallen said. "Before I started sparring with you, everyone in my class it felt like riding a bike with training wheels."
"You have…a fighter's certification attached to your Gekka 900, correct?" Felix asked.
"Yeah. I'm planning on upgrading it with the Shock Trooper certification next month when I qualify," Kallen told him. "What about you?"
"Mercenary for me. I will accept nothing less," Felix said.
"You really admire mercenaries, huh?" Kallen asked.
"Knights are overrated," Felix remarked. "My brother was a knight of Faerghus, and his own code of chivalry cost him his life."
Kallen went over to a vending machine and bought two wafer bars, tossing one to Felix. She then unwrapped hers. "Talk to me," she said.
"Not much to say, really. Glenn was the pride of the Fraldarius family. And, during the Tragedy of Duscur, he died in the line of duty. Rather than preserve his own life, he kept saving innocent civilians even when his superiors were telling him he'd saved enough and to take a rest," Felix told her.
"Failing to see the issue," Kallen said, shoving the food her in her mouth to one side of her cheek so that she could be comprehended.
"It's not the way my brother died," Felix explained, speaking contemptuously. "It was my father's attitude when we received Glenn's belongings from the Faerghusian military. Knighthood has such a pedestal attached to it that it feels like those who achieve the rank are dehumanized for their individuality and praised more for following some arbitrary code of honor. Makes me sick to my stomach."
"So, if you don't plan to become a Knight of Faerghus and you don't plan to become a Knight of Seiros, why Garreg Mach?" Kallen asked.
"Social obligations, mostly. My father went to school here with the late king," Felix said. "But…Garreg Mach attracts all kinds of strong, independent warriors like yourself, Oldrin Zevon, and Professor Byleth Eisner."
"But…Oldrin's a knight," Kallen said.
"I know she's a knight, but she's strong. I don't bemoan someone's strength just because of their life choices. But, I do admire a free thinker over someone who just follows their lord to their grave," Felix commented. "You came to the Green Pheasants from the Violet Tigers out of a sense of heritage, not loyalty. There was a woman on the battlefield at Magdred Way, a fellow Japanese woman. She encouraged me to join the rebellion Zero had started. But, despite my anger towards knighthood, I could never betray my country. However, I thought perhaps the Green Pheasants could provide me with greater insight of the path I want to follow. Because you're right, if not knighthood to Faerghus or Rome, why Garreg Mach? What's in my future? I'm hoping that my mother's heritage can teach me what it is I'm missing."
Kallen smiled. "You know, Felix. You're all right." She put an arm around him and slapped his shoulder. Felix grunted in surprise, mostly from Kallen smacking his shoulder too hard.
The redhead flanked around him and smiled. "I usually head down from Rome back to Japan after Saturday classes for the rest of the weekend. Would you care to join me this upcoming time?"
Felix smiled. "You know, I think I'd like that. I've…never actually had a chance to visit Japan. Having an escort and seeing the culture would be a nice change of pace. And I mean the real Japan, not the worthless religious heavy mockery the church has made of Neo-Japan."
Kallen smirked. "Don't worry, I know exactly where to go."
13th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
Ashe Ubert was far from what would call a "pub crawler", but he was slowly trying to fit in with his Green Pheasant classmates. Kallen had given him the incentive needed to find new footing, but his classmates weren't exactly…people he found it easy to blend in with.
So, here he was, playing designated taxi getter for Inoue, Tamaki, and Sugiyama. Tamaki was plastered drunk and Inoue was already giggling. Sugiyama, for his part, seemed to still be relatively sober. Ashe was only thankful that, in spite of his age, the mere scent of alcohol didn't make him dizzy. This was actually the third time he was out with these three members of his class. Kallen had encouraged Ashe to spend more time with the others since attaching himself to her at the hip wasn't exactly going to help him find himself. However, Inoue, Tamaki and Sugiyama were all older than Ashe and it made it harder to connect. It got even worse when they started talking in rapid fire Japanese, something Ashe could not keep up with.
However, as dinner rolled late into the night, Tamaki passed out on the table and Inoue slumped back and fell asleep. Sugiyama, for his part, was still picking through the plate of pretzel bites and pub cheese that still littered the appetizer tray the group had ordered. He then took a sip of the beverage in his mug.
The blue haired man looked at Ashe, who was munching away on carrot sticks from his side salad.
"Hey, Ashe," he said. "Thanks for always coming out with us."
"Huh? Uh, sure," Ashe said.
"I know you feel kinda out of place and Tamaki can be annoying, but don't think just cause you're from Faerghus that we don't appreciate you being one of us," he said. He put the mug down on the table. "Honestly, it was a little jarring for both you and Felix to suddenly want to be part of the Green Pheasant house."
"Why's that?" Ashe asked.
"I guess you wouldn't know this, but ever since it was established, it felt like the Green Pheasant house was established out of pity rather than out of a natural occurrence," Sugiyama told him. "I think the archbishop was just trying to make a token gesture to the nation she conquered."
"Er, maybe, so…what? Do you feel like the Green Pheasant house gets treated like a second-hand house? I didn't get that impression at all," Ashe said with a bewildered look on his face.
"Treated like? No. But it feels like we're seen as almost a nuisance, an afterthought. If it wasn't for Inoue we wouldn't even have high marks on many of the leaderboards on the training grounds. Sure, now you, Kallen, and Felix all are with us, but you weren't originally, and that's not even getting into years gone past." Sugiyama rubbed the back of his neck. "Did you know the Green Pheasant House has always gotten last place in what's known as the Battle of the Eagle and Lion?"
"That's the big mock battle taking place two moons from now, right?" Ashe asked. "Last place for the past few years? Really?" he asked.
Sugiyama nodded. "I don't know if it's because we're outgunned or if there's some racial desire to take us out and make it a spitting match between the Seirosian superpowers, but yeah, every time."
"Well that doesn't seem right at all," Ashe said, frowning. He then put on a tough look. "In fact, let's make that a goal this year. Whether we win or not, let's vow not to let the Green Pheasants get last place this year. We'll work hard to make it happen, Sugiyama!"
Sugiyama smiled. "Thanks, Ashe. And…you can call Kent if you want. I'd like to think I know you well enough now."
Ashe chuckled. "Fair enough. Thank you, Kent."
"Oh, and Ashe, if you could do me one more favor," Kent said.
"What's that?" Ashe asked.
Kent looked at Inoue. "Help me look after Inoue. She hasn't had it easy ever since she lost her family. I…I want to keep her safe."
"Got it. Count on me. I'll protect you, her and everyone in the Green Pheasants. As long as you're a team, the knight in me knows that it's the right thing to protect my friends," Ashe said with a smile.
Kent smiled. "You're a good kid, Ashe. Stay that way."
"I will!" Ashe exclaimed. I think I'm slowly starting to see the path forward. But…I'm going to stay with the Green Pheasants. I need to help the Japanese people find equal footing with the rest of the Seirosian Superpowers. Maybe that's why…things had to turn out this way. Maybe…that's my own destiny. Goddess, if this is your will…thank you.
14th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
It was tea time between classes for many at Garreg Mach. And when it came to tea time, fewer places could be better than a spot at the Monastery's luxurious tea garden. Of course, the tea garden was not designed to accommodate all of the students at Garreg Mach at once. But, when you were Princess Euphemia, 3rd Princess to the Britannian Royal Family, people made room. Not that Euphemia was aware that people were giving up their own spot to avoid beef with her family.
Instead, the young princess was having a spot of berry blend tea with some delicious pastries, accompanied by the sweet and gentle Mercedes von Martritz. "My, but isn't it a lovely day for tea?" Mercedes asked, gazing up at the cloudless sky.
Euphemia sipped her tea. "It is absolutely a gorgeous day out, Mercedes. Your tea is lovely by the way."
"Goodness, such high praise from you, Euphemia. Would you like the tea leaves I use? I have plenty," Mercedes offered.
"Oh! Yes! I'm sure my sister would enjoy a blend the next time I make it for her," Euphemia said with a smile.
Mercedes chuckled, smiling as radiant as the overhead sunshine. "I imagine tea time with your sister is a moment you truly cherish."
Euphemia nodded. "Yes. Cornelia is always busy with work or something or another, but whenever she makes time for me, I'm at my happiest."
"I'm sure Cornelia thinks the world of you, Euphemia. I remember how much I used to dote on my younger brother back in House Bartels," Mercedes said with a smile.
"House…Bartels?" Euphemia asked.
"Ohhhhh, that's right? I guess you wouldn't know," Mercedes said. "I may live in Faerghus now, but I'm adopted. I used to live in Adrestia's House Bartels."
"That's not a name I've heard of in the Empire," Euphemia responded. "I know the main noble houses like Hevring and Bergliez, but not Bartels."
"House Bartels crumbled a little less than four years ago. I hear the entire manor was razed to the ground by savage gang members," Mercedes stated.
"Oh my, that's terrible," Euphemia stated.
"Indeed. I'm a bit reminded of how Lady Marianne in Britannia was assassinated, but at least in her case, Ares Villa was still standing. As I understand it, there was nothing left of House Bartels come the morning. Apparently even my little brother, Emile…his whereabouts are still unknown. Officially, he's declared missing because his body was the only one not recovered in the attack," Mercedes said, frowning.
"We shouldn't talk about such awful things," Euphemia said, trying to change the subject. "We're having such magnificent tea time. Let's talk about something more exciting."
"Okay! What would you like to talk about?" Mercedes asked with a big smile.
"Well…what about knights?" Euphemia asked. "My sister brought me along hoping that I could find a knight that would suit my fancy. But…so far I don't know if anyone I've met could qualify."
"Oh dear, that's no good. We should find you a proper knight right away Princess Euphemia," Mercedes said politely, but there was a hint of sass to her voice. "Perhaps I should also locate a white horse and have you ride off into the sunset together." Now it was clear Mercedes was being polite, but joking openly.
Euphemia noticed this and laughed. "No, but seriously, I would like a knight. There's nothing more chivalrous than finding someone you want to spend the rest of your life with that swears their fealty to protect you."
Mercedes smiled. "Yes, I imagine most women want a knight to sweep them off their feet like in books, but today so many men just don't know how to treat a lady."
"Speaking from experience?" Euphemia asked.
"Well, sort of. My adoptive father is not a very nice man. He's looking to marry me off to whatever noble in Faerghus will grant him the most political clout."
"Arrrrgh!" Euphemia exclaimed, with a strained smile. "We're supposed to be talking about happy things, not making you more depressed."
Mercedes laughed. "You're such a sweet girl, Euphemia. Honestly, if your sister was okay with it, while I'm more of a mage and a healer, I wouldn't mind being your knight."
"Really?!" Euphemia asked.
Mercedes smiled. "I only have one condition if your sister were to accept."
"What's that?" Euphemia asked.
"We would have to open an orphanage together," Mercedes said sincerely and sweetly.
Euphemia laughed, almost snorting. "I love that idea. Let's talk to my sister when next she's free and ask if she'll let you be my knight, Mercedes."
Mercedes nodded. "I live to serve, Princess Euphi…Euphie."
Euphemia smiled. If someone like Mercedes ended up being her knight, Euphemia knew she would be in good hands.
15th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
There were many sights to see in Garreg Mach besides its massive cathedral, luxurious tea garden and beautiful fishing pond. There was also its bountiful greenhouse full of fruit and vegetable bearing plants. While gardening duty was assigned weekly, Dedue Molinaro often volunteered to water the plants grown by the Blue Lion house.
While sprinkling the appropriate plans for the day, a familiar face strode up next to him. "Oh, Lady Zevon," he said, bowing to Oldrin. "Can I help you with something?"
"Well yes, one, may I have that can when you're done," she said. "The other one in the greenhouse appears to be leaking, and two, I have a question for you."
"I will do my best to answer," Dedue said, standing tall and upright.
"While I understand Empress Kaguya's own vassals are too old to be attending Garreg Mach, hence why Inoue often fills that role, you are the only other retainer to a royal house leader of commoner blood. Sure, you couldn't exactly refer to Hilda as Claude's retainer, but Hubert is of noble blood, as am I. Yet…Prince Dimitri chose you. Er, that's not to say that I'm…against commoners retaining nobles, it's just…well it sticks out is all, especially for a year this important," Oldrin stated.
"Ah, that is an understandable question with a very simple answer," Dedue said and then bowed slightly. "I owe his highness my life. Therefore, it is his to do with as he sees fit."
Oldrin took a step back. "You…owe him your life?"
"Surely a woman of your caliber knows about the Tragedy of Duscur?" Dedue asked.
"I'm acutely aware of the details yes, even the non-official story that the Duscur people are believed to have been scapegoated by a third, yet unknown party hiding in the shadows," Oldrin stated. "I'm counterterrorism, so I'm forced to put stock in that kind of rumor."
"My appreciation," Dedue said. As a member of the Duscur people, he was often persecuted for his supposed role in the king's murder. He then continued. "During the tragedy itself, when everything was set ablaze, people butchered, and the smoke and chaos consuming all, his highness pulled me from the wreckage of a building and demanded I be nursed back to health. Even when many would accuse me of having something to do with the late king's fate, his highness would defend me, even catch stones thrown at me. As a result, I have sworn to follow him wherever destiny may take him."
"That's quite the burden Prince Dimitri has placed upon his shoulders," Oldrin said, wide eyed with awe.
"A burden I believe he needn't carry, yet he tells me every day not to be concerned about it," Dedue responded.
"Well of course not, you're his knight, or the closest thing to it," Oldrin told Dedue. "Instead of feeling humbled by or awkward towards Dimitri's faith in you, embrace it and own up to it." She said, making a fist by her chest.
Dedue smiled. "Lady Zevon, you are a credit to your station as a Knight of Britannia. I believe I shall endeavor to follow in your footsteps. Unless his highness deems it otherwise, if there is anything you need, do let me know."
"That goes both ways, Dedue," Oldrin said and offered her hand to shake. "Let us be comrades in arms in servitude to our lords."
Dedue hesitated at first, only to smile and shake Oldrin's hand.
16th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
As today was the day off for all students, Mercedes and Euphemia spent part of the day visiting Cornelia to discuss Mercedes proposal. Cornelia's knight, Guilford, was in attendance.
"A knight from a foreign land, Euphemia," Cornelia said. "I'm not actually sure what to say."
"If you're not comfortable with the idea, Princess Cornelia," Mercedes said. "I completely understand."
"It has nothing to do with your nationality," Cornelia told Mercedes. "Britannia is comprised of a much greater land mass than any other Seirosian superpower. Our culture is mixed with many, especially ones acquired from Southern Britannia when it was annexed into the Empire. Still, I'm more concerned with your capabilities. You've said you are a mage first and foremost and a healer second. And while having a medic following my sister around at all times is pragmatic, I prefer she not come to harm at all."
"Oh, I'm so much more than a field medic and mage," Mercedes said, trying to sell herself. "I'm quite capable in political matters if such things were necessary."
"Hmmmmm," Cornelia said, putting her thumb and forefinger to her chin. "At the very least, I will consider it, but I make no decisions today. If anything," she looked at her sister. "I can't help but think this was an impulsive decision with little forethought put into it."
Euphemia tried her best not to look several shades of guilty.
Cornelia sighed, pressing her fingertips to her temple. She then picked up her teacup and sipped its contents.
"Your highness, if I may," Guilford said, crossing a fist over his chest.
"Yes, Guilford, my knight?" Cornelia asked him.
"Knowing your sister, and knowing how much time we still have, perhaps we could indulge Princess Euphemia and make a determination after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion?" Guilford asked.
Cornelia thought about this idea seriously, putting a gloved hand over her lips and parting her fingers so that two of them reached up alongside her nose. After some time of silence, she stated, "I quite like this idea. Very well, Euphemia, continue to bring me members of the Officer's Academy that suit your fancy as a knight." She smiled, gripping the chair she was sitting in as she crossed her legs slightly. "In turn, I shall watch from the spectator's position during the Battle of Gronder and pick among those you deem worthy who is best suited to be your knight."
Euphemia blinked in astonishment. Cornelia…was willing to work with her on this? She half-expected her sister to throw this proposal in her face and tell her she'd find her the perfect knight from only the Violet Tigers.
"I am…sister," Euphemia bowed and almost prostrated herself onto the carpet. "Thank you so much!"
Cornelia smiled. "Anything for my darling and dearest little sister."
Mercedes smiled. "You are a good big sister, Princess Cornelia. I can see why Euphie thinks so highly of you."
Cornelia beamed more. "Euphemia means everything to me, Lady Martritz. I would kill thousands to see her happy."
"I would be happier if you didn't have to shed blood at all," Euphemia told her.
Cornelia frowned, but quickly turned it around. "Well, be that as it may, if business is concluded, I promised Catherine I would train with her. It's been far too long since she and I had a good go of the Monastery's training yard. Can't afford to go soft during this vacation."
"Oh, that's right. You and Catherine were rivals during your time here, weren't you?"
"Emphasis on were. She's flagrantly left me in the dust," Cornelia said. "Between Thunderbrand and White Lightning, my own Nimue Lancer can hardly keep up."
"You don't seem that bothered by it," Mercedes stated.
"There are more important things than being the absolute strongest," Cornelia said. "As long as I have strength enough to protect what's important to me and leadership to win battlefields, that's enough. If Catherine falls, the knights around her will crumble." She stood. "Were I to fall, every man, woman and newcomer under my command would fight to the last soldier through blood, sweat and tears to avenge me and make the enemy suffer for killing me."
"We would, truthfully, not want to have to avenge you at all, Princess, but you are correct," Guilford said.
"And loyalty like that is something strength will never be able to accomplish on its own. Leadership is one part strength, one part charisma, and one part intelligence. Having just two out of the three makes you a capable leader, but mastering them all, makes you one of the best."
At the fishing pond, not knowing why, Byleth Eisner sneezed.
17th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
With less than a week to go before the raid, Zero was busy kicking preparations for the attack on the Holy Mausoleum into high gear. Fortunately, Abyss had its own training grounds to practice on. With Balthus's help, Zero set up rows of sandbags to take the place of the sarcophagi that would be found down in the Mausoleum. He then split the wolves into varying compositions and put them on opposite teams, changing the objectives and continuously running drills.
Mostly, it was to get the wolves used to fighting under different circumstances. Some of them did not have experience fighting certain opponents and Zero wanted them to flesh out that experience. For instance, when comprising Hapi, Yuri, Yukiya, C.C., and Constance on one team, that only left the opposing team with Balthus as the only magic user, and he was more comfortable with healing magic than attack magic. Battle would never be set on an even playing field and Zero needed to make sure the wolves understood that.
As Kronya leapt over a sandbag and started to get into a bout of swordplay with Yuri, Zero watched on as Hapi came to Yuri's aid, sliding underneath an airborne Kronya, trying to blast her with a miasma bolt. As the young warriors continued to brawl, Zero was approached from behind.
"My, I've never seen the flock so lively," Aelfric said, smiling as he stood next to Zero. "Planning something important, are you?"
"Ah, Aelfric, so nice to see you," Zero stated. He then tilted his neck to avoid getting hit by a lightning bolt Constance threw out that nearly tagged him in the helmet. He was used to her failing to hit her target every now and again by now. He could hear her cackling as she began throwing out unfriendly spells in all directions, annoying even her teammates.
"Hey! Who's side are you on, you magic slinging freak?!" Zero and Aelfric heard Ryo shout at her.
"To be honest, I didn't know what would become of the Ashen Wolves when you came into their lives, but they seem to really respect you," Aelfric said to Zero.
"I'm not doing anything special," Zero said. "I simply motivated them to take back their lives."
"Take back their…" Aelfric was surprised at first, only to smile. "I see. You are a courageous man, Zero."
"No. Just a fool with an overreaching ambition," Zero commented, downplaying his antics.
"Excuse me."
Aelfric and Zero now turned to see a figure strolling up behind them decked out completely in a very well compressed HLKMF. It was jet black with a demonic looking helmet and glowing red eyes.
"Time-out!" Kronya shouted to everyone and darted over to Zero. "Heeeeeyyyy, there's the big guy. How ya doin' Death Knight?"
Death Knight, Lelouch thought.
"Hrrrrrmmmmnnn," The demonically armored figure uttered, their voice distorted and echoing inside their helmet.
"Ah, but who is this?" Constance asked, as she and the others came over to see what the commotion was. "Oh! And Aelfric too! My! Everyone is here!"
"Everyone, this is our secret weapon in our upcoming attack on the Holy Mausoleum. Meet the Death Knight, a gift from our benefactor the Flame Emperor."
Flame Emperor? I thought C.C. told me that Thales was in charge of Kronya's people. Perhaps that's simply his HLKMF name? No. Kronya always refers to Thales as Master, so who is this Flame Emperor?
"You are all weak," The Death Knight uttered.
"Weak?!" Balthus exclaimed, offended. "Hey, pal! You're talking to the Almighty King of Grappling here!"
The Death Knight did not respond.
Kronya chuckled. "If you think he's someone you can take lightly, then by all means, I'm sure he'd be happy to show you why you shouldn't."
"I have no interest," The Death Knight stated. "I have been instructed to aid in this upcoming attack, but I will not get any enjoyment in fighting those beneath me."
"Pretty high opinion of yourself, huh," Yuri remarked.
The Death Knight folded their arms and stared at Yuri.
Yukiya, for his part, was busier taking a look under the hood as it were with his hacking skills. "Uh…whoa, maaaaaaybe let's not provoke this guy." He showed the stats on his table to the other Ashen Wolves. The Death Knight HLKMF was no joke. It had a custom certification loaded into it called The Death Knight while also having KMF Specialist, Soldier, and Paladin certifications loaded into it as well. Additionally, its strength, speed and durability were all through the roof in terms of raw stats. Zero recalled only seeing remotely comparable stats on Byleth's Ashen Demon and the Death Knight's frame stats were far, far superior. That left only one question: could the pilot bring out the armor's full potential?
"Perhaps instead of a spar, you'd care to give us a demonstration of your power," Zero said. "I could set the training yard accordingly."
The Death Knight let out a breathing growl as if contemplating this proposition. The wielder then answered with a frank, "Very well."
With Yukiya's help, Zero had managed to replicate the training simulator on Garreg Mach's training ground down here in Abyss. However, since Abyss lacked a similar power supply, they needed to use it sparingly. But, for this, Zero could, at least, gear up an appropriate battle simulator for the Death Knight. He set the enemy AI to the highest difficulty, enemy count, and movement speed. Based on the stats he saw, Zero believed that such a task would prove difficult even for a skilled frame user.
Everyone watched the Death Knight make short work of the simulator. Its raw stats were not the only thing empowering the Death Knight, it had a special skill loaded into the frame that reflected damage received on the frame back onto the attacker. Sure, the damage was still received, but many frames could not withstand that kind of damage in return. And that was just those that managed to harm the Death Knight at all.
As members of the Ashen Wolves grew more and more disturbed, Zero's smile grew wider and wider under his helmet. He could see it now, a battlefield ablaze, the Death Knight strolling forward and nothing able to stop it, a juggernaut of unstoppable might crushing the opposition and with little they could do about it.
The sim was over before long, a record worthy of ranking among the students atop the surface of the Monastery. In fact, to date, no one among the students had completed that difficulty level.
"Mr. Death Knight," Zero said, offering his hand to shake. "I believe you and I are going to get along just fine."
The Death Knight gazed at Zero's outstretched hand, gazed at Zero's helmet, gazed back at his hand and then gripped it, shaking it firmly.
"Make sure I will have a worthy opponent, or I will only stand guard," The Death Knight stated.
"Oh don't worry," Zero said, thinking of Byleth. "I don't believe you will be disappointed at all."
18th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
Byleth Eisner was far from qualified to be a teacher. Despite this, she took the job that Rhea had assigned her very seriously and was actually quite enjoying it. Sure, it was a lot of hard work, but she still did it to the best of her ability. And while Seteth gave her side-eye for just having the job, even he couldn't fault the actual work she was doing.
The daughter of the Blade Breaker was hard at work with a night light on her desk, grading papers when a knock came to her door.
"Professor?"
Byleth had done her best to start recognizing everyone by their voice. She knew it was Shirley before she even opened the door.
"Sorry to bother you so late," the girl apologized, fidgeting with her fingers by her waist.
"It's fine. Do you want to come in?" Byleth offered, her voice as monotone as ever.
"Uh, sure, if that's all right," Shirley said and walked in, leaning against the wall, not wanting to sit on her Professor's bed or desk chair.
"How can I help?" Byleth asked.
"W-well…" Shirley thought about best to ask this. "Do…do you think it's okay for me to be part of this ambush we're planning?"
Byleth cocked her head to one side, confused by Shirley's behavior.
"Sorry…I know I haven't second guessed myself, but…this will be my first real, live combat. I know I've been gung ho about being a knight, but…the thought of taking someone's life, it…it…" Shirley slumped forward.
Byleth put her hands reassuringly on Shirley's shoulders. "It's never easy the first time."
"Even for you?" Shirley asked.
Byleth looked to one side. "…For most people."
"Why was it so easy for you?" Shirley asked.
"It was either me or them. I had no choice," Byleth replied.
"How old were you?" Shirley asked, wondering if it was normal for a knight to have blood on her hands at her age.
"I was nine," Byleth answered bluntly.
"You were—what the—WHAT?!" Shirley shrieked, shocked. She didn't know what she was expecting. 16 to not make her feel bad. 13 at the earliest. NINE?!
"Is…there a problem?"
"You killed a man when you were nine years old?!" Shirley asked.
"Yes."
"And you had no problem doing it?" Shirley asked, still flabbergasted.
"Correct," Byleth answered.
"I just…but…I…" Shirley tried to make heads or tails of this. That was not normal. "Where was your father when this was happening?"
"Stabbing people," Byleth said.
If there was a chair behind her, Shirley would have slumped to it. Instead she just covered her face with both her hands.
"Jeralt started me as a mercenary when I was five. He didn't know what else to do with me," Byleth explained.
Shirley's brain broke a little trying to process this. Byleth being on a battlefield for the first time when she was five. She killed a man when she was nine. Just…what? What?!
Byleth, seeing Shirley's confusion, followed up with, "I'm not exactly normal."
"I noticed!" Shirley exclaimed. She did her best to mentally process everything Byleth had just told her. "Why did your father think it was a good idea to bring you onto a battlefield when you were five?"
"I dunno. You'd have to ask him," Byleth stated matter-of-factly.
Shirley covered her face with her hand and shook her head briefly. She took a deep breath. "Well, if anything came out of this conversation, I know I have less to be concerned about. How many…people have you killed exactly?"
"I lost count," Byleth said.
Shirley took another deep breath. "Well, at least I have a goal never to turn out like you." She immediately realized how that sounded. "Oh. Wow. No. Not like you…you…but like I mean…um…I mean…you're very…um…beautiful professor, but like um…I don't want to kill so many people that…"
Byleth decided to spare Shirley further embarrassment. "It's fine, I get it." She spoke stoically in her default tone of voice.
"You sound annoyed."
"This is just how I am," Byleth said.
Shirley sighed. "Professor…" She felt awful and then she took a deep breath. "No. You know what? I can fix this. We're going to make you more like a normal girl. Next time you have free time, let's go to the mall and crawl the shops. Buy stuff you like."
"Okay," Byleth said with a head nod.
"Er, I mean…it's okay if we're friends, right? I mean, even though you're my teacher you're not even five years older than me so…"
Byleth actually smiled. "I'd like that."
"Oh, well…um…okay. …Good! I'll uh…I'll see you tomorrow for class."
"Bye," Byleth said.
Shirley then left.
"You sure let her walk all over you," Sothis taunted.
She wasn't exactly wrong, Byleth told her.
"You didn't sound proud of yourself though," Sothis responded.
Should I have been?
"Ugh! Never mind! It's like talking to a brick wall. No, it's worse than that. Brick walls can't form opinions!"
Byleth let Sothis rant for the next hour as she went back to grading papers.
19th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
As far as Linhardt von Hevring was concerned, his only reason for being at Garreg Mach was social obligations. If he graduated from his schooling or not, it was really of no concern to him. The young man only put himself towards hobbies that interested him. In that regard, unbeknownst to him, he was a lot like Lelouch. And, like Lelouch's time at Ashford, Linhardt would spend his time nodding off in class and barely completing his assignments. Of the five professors at the academy, Jeritza was the most hands off with this sort of thing, so Linhardt wasn't getting so much as a stern finger waggling for his misbehavior. For Linhardt, that just meant more time for napping.
However, not everyone was okay with Linhardt taking a nap whenever and wherever he pleased. Linhardt suddenly found himself being woken up with a book being placed on his stomach. Not hard, but not exactly gently either. He roused to wake. "Urgh, what the…?"
He suddenly had a bowl of soup shoved in his face.
"What is…?"
"Fish soup," a deep voice stated. "I boiled the broth myself. Eat."
Linhardt sat up to the visage of Lelouch glowering at him. "Lelouch?"
"Every time I tend to see you, you're usually fast asleep, or just about to fall asleep. But not this time. I know your sleep habits and your sleep schedule finally. You're just finishing your mid-afternoon nap pre-nap. Follow me to the tea garden. We're settling this."
"Settling what? You're not making any sense," Linhardt complained. He begrudgingly followed Lelouch to the tea garden where a chess set was already set up. "Oh no, here we go again. Lelouch, it was a single game."
"I'm not asking, Linhardt. I'm requesting a single game," Lelouch said.
"One game? You promise?" Linhardt asked.
"Yes," Lelouch replied.
Linhardt sighed. "All right. Here goes nothing."
Eight Minutes Later…
"Oh, would you look at that?" Linhardt questioned, surprised. He moved his knight into an open space. "Checkmate."
Linhardt yawned as he stretched his hands high above his head. He then began trying to talk with his mouth open while yawning. He used one hand to briefly cover his mouth as he tried to push his chair back with the other. Lelouch grabbed the wrist of the latter hand.
"Hold," he said. "How did you beat me? You're a lazy, unmotivated, narcoleptic with no social skills. I don't ever hold back in a game of chess."
"Do I have to?" Linhardt complained.
"It's either that or you play more games with me until I figure it out myself," Lelouch told him, knowing Linhardt would go for the path of least resistance. "Oh, very well. I can tell you're not going to let this go." He reset the board himself. "Although it's easier just to show you." Lelouch thought they were sitting down to another game, only to watch Linhardt play against himself. Now having no control over the board, Lelouch couldn't believe what he was seeing. No, he was believing it, but he was only now understanding it. Linhardt wasn't spending any time between moves at all. He didn't seem to be really consciously thinking about them.
"Do you get it now?" Linhardt asked. "I'm just playing for fun without really thinking about the game whatsoever. But since I'm not really thinking about it, I also don't pause between moves. Is it making sense now?"
Lelouch wanted to scream. Linhardt was a complete amateur! It was the equivalent of bluffing in poker with a hand consisting of a 2, a jack, an 8, a four and a king, with four of the cards in different suits. Linhardt had the appearance of someone who knew what they were doing and Lelouch overcomplicated everything by being himself.
"You are your own worst enemy. Sometimes a friendly game of chess is just a friendly game of chess. You became so convinced I was plotting something that you never considered that I was just having fun. You really ought to not second guess yourself, or adapt easier," Linhardt told him.
Lelouch palmed his face. "Thank you for this…oh so helpful revelation, Linhardt. I will be sure to keep it in mind for the future."
"I have angered you, haven't I?" Linhardt questioned rhetorically, shaking his head with a dismayed look. "All this over a game of chess. Honestly." He yawned. "Well, anyway, as you know my sleep schedule, you know I'm due for my mid-afternoon nap. I will see you later."
Linhardt left Lelouch to his own devices, Lelouch stewing in front of the chessboard.
Only one thought was crossing Lelouch's mind as he sat there like a mafia don in a kid's cartoon, tented fingers and all. The next time I play him in chess, I am going to crush him.
20th Day of the Blue Sea Moon
Clara Arundel was participating in her favorite activity whenever she was bored: walking on thin ledges like a tightrope. Right now she was walking along the top of the wall that ran parallel to the staircase that led to the Monastery green house an entire story down from her current altitude. Of course, she had begun at the edge of the dorm level and was walking towards the staircase where the different in height leveled off. She was humming a tune to herself and counting the rooms. She then stopped when one of them opened.
She saw Bernadetta poke her head out, only for her and Clara to meet gazes. Bernadetta then gasped and slammed the door shut tight. Clara rolled her eyes. While all of the Black Eagles had their quirks, Bernadetta was just so…pathetic. Yeah, nobody would care if a pathetic little girl like her died. If she died alone in her room, everyone would think it was just natural selection. Yeah, that would be fun. Cause a little disturbance within the Black Eagles.
But, first she had to get inside. "Oh, wow! What am I going to do with all this cake?! It's so heavy!" Clara exclaimed.
"Knock it off, Clara!" Bernadetta shouted through the door. "I know you're not holding any cake! Just leave me alone! I know you hate me!"
Hmm, the little mouse is sharper than I gave her credit for, Clara thought. Oh well, plan B then. Reaching into her purse, Clara pulled out a lockpick tool. With a toothy grin, Clara began to slowly pick her way into Bernadetta's room. Upon realizing this was happening, Bernadetta hid under the bed in absolute terror.
Clara strolled in. She needed only look at the disturbed patterning of the carpet to know where Bernadetta went. She shut the door behind her and made for the bed, arms out like the wings of an airplane. "Now then, I wonder oh I wonder where the little mouse could be hiding."
Bernadetta curled into a ball. If you stay still as a stone she'll leave and she won't hurt you! Bernadetta thought. All of her years of being paranoid and her paranoia had finally born fruit. Somebody had broken into her room, her last barrier of defense. Clara was going to kill her, she knew it! She could tell by her evil smile! That little brat was always up to no good!
Clara sat on the bed. Bernadetta could see the girl's shoes in her field of vision. "Now I wonder, oh I wonder where the little mouse could have gone?" she asked and began bouncing her backside on the bed, terrifying Bernadetta as though her springy bed was a collapsing cavern she was hiding in. Berndeatta whimpered, covering her ears. "I wonder oh I wonder where she is. She couldn't possibly be hiding under the bed, riiiiiiiight?"
She continued to bounce as Bernadetta started crying, covering her ears. The terrified mewls and sobs brought Clara to get off the bed and grab one of Bernadetta's arms. The purple haired girl was so terrified she couldn't even muster up a defense as Clara yanked her out from under the bed and pinned her to the floor.
A sobbing mess, too scared to fight back, Bernadetta could only gaze up at the younger Clara, smiling like a crocodile. "Now then, what kind of game should we play?" Clara asked.
"Please don't hurt me. I don't want…I don't want to dieeeeeeeee!" Bernadetta exclaimed.
In that moment, Clara didn't see Bernadetta. She had a hot flash of seeing a much younger version of herself in Bernadetta's place. She shook her head violently. No. No that wasn't her anymore. She wasn't weak or helpless anymore. She…
She looked at Bernadetta who had freed her arm and gone back to covering her ears in cowardice. She was crying and whimpering now where Clara could see it, instead of under the bed. The terrified, choking sobs coming out of the daughter of House Varley gave Clara pause she didn't know she could experience. More hot flashes appeared of Clara seeing herself where Bernadetta lay, a scalpel in her hand, clenched by a rubber glove.
No! Clara exclaimed. She held her wrist and now she too was starting to shake. Clara sat on her knees, holding her wrist, eyes growing as wide as her pupils would allow.
She looked at Bernadetta, but it wasn't Bernadetta she was seeing, and they weren't in Bernadetta's room anymore, but rather a laboratory. Suddenly, Clara wasn't the one staring at Bernadetta curled up on the floor, Clara was the one curled up on the floor and a scientist was looming over her with multiple sharp instruments of inhuman design. She could hear the whirring of a drill.
In desperate, Clara threw herself onto Bernadetta, clutching the fetal position curled girl. Bernadetta felt this and now heard Clara whimpering, shaking.
Realizing the danger had passed, she sat up. "Clara?"
Clara now had tears in her eyes. She and Bernadetta were now face to face. Uh oh, she'd shown her weak side. Bernadetta would surely turn the tables on her now. The weak were devoured by the strong. The moment had slipped passed. Bernadetta would…Bernadetta would…
"Hey, it's okay," Bernadetta said with a smile, recognizing real tears from experience. "Everyone gets scared sometimes, especially me. You're actually kind of cute when you're not trying to bully me."
Cute? I'm…no! This is a trick! It has to be!
But Clara was left speechless, nothing would come out of her throat other than a stifled sob.
"I guess…you know what it's like to be helpless too, huh?" Bernadetta asked, sounding sorrowful, empathetic even. "Sucks, doesn't it? Like the world is a big empty void and the only thing you can rely on is yourself."
Clara stared at Bernadetta. Her words were like an arrow to Clara's heart. How did this pathetic, whimpering girl…see right through her?
"I…still don't like the fact that you were bullying me, but…hey!" Bernadetta said with much more cheer to her voice. "M-Maybe we can put all that behind us. Since we both know what it's like to be helpless, maybe we can be helpless…together?"
Clara just stared blankly at Bernadetta. She walked in here with every intent to murder Bernadetta in cold blood, yet here Bernadetta was…what…what even was this? The tables had certainly turned, but Clara wasn't Bernadetta's bully victim.
"I don't understand," Clara said, finding her voice. "Why are you being nice to me? I was going to kill you."
"Yeah, I got that impression," Bernadetta said. "But…you didn't, right? And you're not going to. I can tell now. I…well I'm my own worst enemy, but…even I can recognize when someone's afraid. Hey, maybe we can look out for each other, you know? I mean, I'm not exactly the bravest person out there, but if you look out for me, I can—"
Thud.
Bernadetta felt a warm weight press itself against her body. Clara had collapsed her body weight on Bernadetta, holding her, no, not holding, hugging. Bernadetta reached up and clutched the side of Clara's head as the girl sniffed.
Family betrayed each other. Family tore itself apart. Those were mottos Clara believed in from the bottom of her heart. But…helplessness she could trust. Bernadetta was just as miserable as Clara herself. Clara nestled her head into Bernadetta's shoulder. Someone weak and pathetic like this…someone like this would never ever betray her.
Bernadetta heard Clara mumble into her chest.
"Huh? Sorry…I…didn't quite catch that."
Clara gazed up at Bernadetta. "I'll protect you, okay, Bernadetta? So…you don't…you don't have to be scared anymore, cause I'll protect you! I'll kill anyone who tries to hurt you, cause…cause you're my special friend, okay? And…and if you ever do betray me, I'll…I'll make you kill yourself!"
Bernadetta stroked the back of Clara's head. "I'll protect you too, okay, Clara? We can protect each other."
Clara nodded and hugged her new best friend. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," Bernadetta said.
Clara was now ultra confused. Why was Bernadetta apologizing?
"If I saw how much you were suffering right from the start, I probably wouldn't have been so scared of you. I…I just want friends, but I shut myself away and I'm scared of everything. But hey…I've got you now, so…so I know things will get better."
Clara blushed. Her heart thumped loudly enough for her to be conscious of it. Not really thinking about what she was doing. She put her hands on Bernadetta's cheeks, thumb tracing the girl's lower lip. When she walked in her, she was ready to kill her and now she…now she…
It took both girls a second to realize what was happening. Bernadetta had barely felt something slimy breech her lips when Clara realized what she was doing too.
They both gasped before Clara backed away, redder than a tomato. "I…I-I-I-I-I…" She fled the room, throwing the door open, "I'M SORRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" She ran across campus, covering her cheeks with her arm.
Bernadetta just sat there in a daze, still trying to process what had happened. She imagined that right? Like, there's no way another girl would kiss her, right? Yeah…yeah, she absolutely imagined that.
One thing was for certain though…
That night, Clara sat up in bed, poking her fingers together, cheeks puffed. Rolo was already snoring in the next bed over.
…Bernadetta and Clara had formed a bond the other thought unthinkable before today.
Stupid mouse, Clara thought, pouting, blushing. She lay down and stared at the ceiling, surrounded by a trio of plushies as she pulled the blanket up to her neck. But…she's my mouse. Her eyelids then felt heavy and she slowly went to sleep.
Meanwhile, burning the midnight oil, Bernadetta was busy working on a colored pencil drawing and a rather cute one at that. It was her and Clara posing for a picture. Bernadetta drew them both with a big smile and holding up peace signs. Satisfied with her work, Bernadetta thumbtacked the drawing to her wall above her bed. She smiled at it and then lady down and tried to get some sleep. Tomorrow would be another day. But…it would be better than today because tomorrow, she would wake up…knowing she had her first ever friend.
(A/N: We here at Draconic Hero Studios do not commit to yuri shipping simply because of impulsive first base contact. We will however continue to bring you teenage gay disaster ship fuel live because it's funny and dramatic.
When I said I wanted to do right by Clara this wasn't what I had in mind initially, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that no, given what she and Rolo went through and Clara's erm…philosophies, she and Bernadetta would absolutely get along. The extra bit was just a bit of trolling on the part of Mother Nature. I have no commitment to the ship myself, but well…we all know how Rolo gets when there's a hypotenuse involved so maybe I'm already locked in XD. Idk lemme know if you think I should keep options open for Bernie and Clara or if you'd like to see more of it.
Next chapter there should be a couple brief scenes and then it's Holy Mausoleum time. If you have suggestions for support conversations and scenes, feel free to leave them in your comments. And, as always, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)