Annam...Shizuru was in Annam.
Or at least that’s what Headmistress Oleander-sama had informed her as she ushered Natsuki into the Academy’s private limousine that would take her to Windbloom Station.
‘Don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything’ the woman had said, and the raven-haired soldier could only take the Column’s word for it as the door closed and the driver sped off.
After arriving at the station and retrieving her free ticket, which had apparently just been called in from the school moments before her arrival, Natsuki boarded the silver transit and was escorted to the private coach that was reserved for Garderobe Academy, and the individuals the school gave permission to, only.
Once she was alone, Natsuki allowed herself to ungracefully plop down onto the bench-style seat, drawing her legs up as she lied down on its maroon cushioning.
She was tired. Exhausted really. She had already endured an eight-hour plane ride from Vedel, and now it would be followed up with an even longer train ride to Annam. She wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow, so at least she could try to get some rest, Natsuki thought to herself as she released an unrestrained yawn. Sitting up, she carefully slipped her currently mechanized arm from its sling, carelessly tossing the thing on the opposite seat, before glaring down at the metal hand in her lap.
Simply put, she despised the piece of equipment, but as long as her arm was still in pieces, it was absolutely necessary for proper healing. Even so, the uneasiness that it caused her mind made her want to assure that there was still human flesh underneath, and so without hesitation, Natsuki unlocked the hand section of the gauntlet and removed the piece to see the pale skin that it hid.
What she saw both helped and didn’t help her cause. Sure, her hand was still there, very much attached and working, but at the same time her emerald eyes had to gaze upon the metal pins, and the deep bruising around them, that were inserted into that same hand holding the fixation rod, which kept her arm straight, in place. The damn thing made her wrist completely stationary and only allowed minimal, not to mention painful, movement of her fingers.
“What will Shizuru will think of this, I wonder...” she bleakly pondered.
Irksome frown sagging even more, Natsuki resentfully slipped her hand back into the metallic glove with a huff, the device making a small ‘click’ as she locked it into place, and reclining once again, the girl allowed her eyelids to drift shut as the constant clatter of the train wheels lulled her to sleep.
“You are…Natsuki Kruger, yes?”
“Ah, yes, ma’am.”
“So you’re the one…” the gray-eyed woman mumbled almost inaudibly to herself.
“I’m sorry?”
“Never mind me. Welcome to Annam, Natsuki-san, I’m Anh Lu, Meister Otome to King Nguyen Bao.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Anh Onee-sama. Shizuru has told me a lot about you.”
“Likewise.”
At the girl’s mystified expression, the older woman chuckled, “Do you have any luggage?”
“No, ma’am…This trip is sort of last minute.”
“Indeed it is.”
The soldier bowed, “I apologize for any inconveniences.”
“Nonsense,” Anh implored, “the Headmistress informed me of the situation, and I was more than willing to help, especially if it will make Shizuru-san happy.”
“I-Is she here?” Natsuki questioned, her words laced with more anticipation than she intended.
The woman shook her head, short golden-brown locks swaying from the movement, “No, she’s back at the palace. We haven’t informed her of your arrival yet…I thought I would give you the chance to surprise her.”
“R-Right...”
“Well then, shall we be on our way?”
From the stories that Anh told her, it seemed that this woman had been able to do the near impossible while still attending Garerobe…She had been able to make Shizuru blush. Or at least she was able to at first until the chestnut-haired beauty had deftly learned to fight fire with fire, and inevitably become immune to even Anh’s strongest attempts.
Natsuki was both amused and perturbed with the Meister. Shizuru’s teasing had been the dark-haired girl’s downfall on more than one occasion, but at times, although she would never admit it, she secretly enjoyed the attention that her Onee-sama gave to her. But then again, Natsuki wasn’t the only one that Shizuru played with. There were countless other girls whom the young Column had preyed upon over the years, and the number only continued to increase with time.
To sum it up, Shizuru flirted and teased with whomever she pleased, but despite her groping, wandering hands, and close calls, the woman had never dedicated herself fully to one person. Well, that was as far as Anh knew anyway.
Since she had been away though, she strongly emphasized, things might have changed.
When they reached the mansion, Anh was the first to enter the estate to “make sure the coast was clear” to which Natsuki just rolled her eyes and played along.
The Annam Palace was roughly about half the size of Windbloom Castle, and although it didn’t necessarily look old, it certainly felt that way, like generation after generation had taken shelter in this same structure. At least they seemed like a modest people these Annamians, the girl thought to herself, an admirable trait in her book for sure, especially when it came to nobility.
As Natsuki was taking in her surrounds, she noticed a maid approach Anh out of the corner of her eye. There was a small exchange of words before the woman bowed politely and took her leave, and once she had gone, the Otome walked over to the emerald-eyed girl’s side.
“She’s in the garden. Would you like me to show you the way?”
“Please.”
Walking through those few hallways, Natsuki’s pulse began to quicken, her heart beating faster and faster.
“What am I so nervous about? It’s not like I’ve never seen or talked to her before…” she questioned, wiping her sweaty palm on the side of her pants as they kept moving.
Eventually the two came to the final door, and Anh opened it for the girl and gave her a reassuring smile, “I’m sure you can manage from here, Natsuki-san.”
“Mmh. Thank you, Anh Onee-sama.”
Stepping out into the ever-darkening dusky atmosphere, Natsuki quietly proceeded along the cobbled pathway, taking in the sights of the exotic flowers and shrubbery as she walked.
And then she heard it. A soft humming coming from the direction of the pond that Natsuki could only partially see at the moment. She caught her breath, holding it in as she let the sweet melody soothe her anxiety. She crept closer, and when she finally got to the end of the tall hedges, peeked around the edge.
There she was, just mere yards away, casually leaning over a group of vividly lilac hibiscus flowers.
"Purple has always been her favorite color," Natsuki thought to herself with a smile before she stealthily slipped out of her sling and cautiously laid it down on the ground.
If there was one thing that Natsuki was secretly proud of, it was the fact that she was amongst the very few who could actually sneak up on the crimson-eyed woman from time to time. Whether this was because Shizuru merely let her or not, Natsuki wasn’t entirely sure, but this was certainly an ample time to test that theory.
Swiftly and soundlessly she positioned herself behind the woman, and as soon as Shizuru began to stand, the raven-haired girl took action.
Lacing her arms around her waist, Natsuki eased Shizuru back against her body, placing her chin on her shoulder as she whispered into her ear.
“I was hoping for a chance…to have you to myself…”
The body that had tensed at the initial touch immediately slackened at the sound of the rough voice, and Natsuki could feel it begin to tremble in her arms.
“Nat…suki…”
“Hey.”
“Are you…real? This…This isn’t a dream, is it? Tell me it isn’t another dream.”
“I’m here, Shizuru,” the younger girl assured before loosening her grip to turn her friend around.
Tear-filled russet orbs stared into sturdy jade ones for mere moments before the two embraced again, clinging tightly.
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