CAERA DENOIR POV:
It was a dream...
My mind replayed those words in repeat as the reality slowly settled in.
"Are you okay?", he asked as he knelt down in front of me. Sitting on his bed, I lifted my head up to meet his gaze. Suddenly, my dream—overlapped on his face, his form—making me turn red and my body warm at what I saw.
Oh stop it Caera! Calm yourself. I said to myself in desperation. It's just a dream...
I then felt his hand against my forehead, his warm touch scattering away the dream illusion. My body jerked back a little at his touch. Blinking in rapid successions I focused on Grey—the real—Grey, his face was full of concern.
"You're hot—" he said.
My eyes opened wide as my body shivered. "W-WHAT D-DID YOU SAY!?!?" I blurted out in a high-pitch tone, clearly caught off-guard by his sudden remark.
I-Is he finally opening up to me?! my heart started beating fast.
He slightly frowned while his eyes studied my face closely. "I said, you are hot. Are you not feeling well? You look red like a tomato..." he touched my forehead again and, moved down to my neck.
I sat there, just gazing at him like an unmoving maiden statue. It's just a dream, snap out of it! I repeated those words, hoping it would snap me out of my embarrassment.
"I-I'm okay. I was just tired." I said in a low tone, swatting his hands away, as if I didn't like being touched by him.
Getting up from his bed, I tried to get away from his sight; my face still burning.
I wanted to be anywhere, except in the same room as him now. "Where are you going?" his voice came from behind, as I crossed out of his bedroom door. Turning my head to the side, I responded stiffly. "I—am going to bath." My face blushed more as those words came out of my mouth, clearly still soaked in the dream illusion my mind had so skilfully conjured up for me to choke on.
C-Choke—on...
I gulped down at those words. Damn it, what's wrong with me? Shaking my head, I opened his bathroom door.
But, things seems to only get intense, as I froze on my tracks at the—not—so—unfamiliar—sight. Looking at his wash basin, I felt a tingle run down my spine. What in the name of Vritra is happening to me? Why did I dream of such a thing? I asked myself as my hands held my chest in exasperation.
I was starting to panic.
My knees felt weak, but it only brought me more of the dream memories—of me—kneeling in front of Grey—I shook my head. Stop it, Caera! Don't do something weird, that will only give the man a reason to push you away.
Taking in deep breaths, I took my time to calm down to the point: I wasn't turning red at every other second.
Once I took a refreshing bath, I exited his bathroom. My head clearer as the dream washed down—slowly fading away into the deep depths of my mind, where it will be locked away from my sight.
Yeah, right... I chuckled at my own declaration and how phony it sounded even inside my head.
"You seem to be okay now." Grey's voice rung out from his bedroom as soon as he saw me entering. He was sitting in a meditative position, his posture relaxed as ever.
I was internally happy that my mind didn't play any more memories of my—our—dream. Sucking in a soft breath, I calmly spoke. "Yeah, a good bath did the trick. You should try it too." He nodded thoughtfully before getting up. "I'll be back", he said as he passed me and closed himself in the bathroom.
My legs automatically walked to the only chair in the room; it has become more of—my—seat, inside Grey's room. After all, I was the only one to enter his suite. While Abby of Blood Redcliff does come often, Grey never let her enter—let alone sit inside. I felt a small smile appear on my face for some reason, but it froze when I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye.
"What are you so happy about?" the voice came, making my relaxed body to stiffen. My eyes opened wide in a mixture of surprise and embarrassment at the thought of getting caught, as I looked back at the wolf who was staring at me questioningly.
"R-Regis! Where did you come from?" I asked in confusion which subtly masked away my embarrassment.
His vulpine eyes studied me intently for a few seconds before he closed it back and laid down. "I was here from the beginning. But I guess you were pretty occupied with your mind to notice me." He responded casually.
"What are you talking about?" I asked in confusion.
He opened his eyes and looked at me blankly. "Was your dream—that good?" his face broke into a wolfish grin, as he eyed me with suspicion.
"I—don't know—what you're talking about." I replied while fighting to keep my face stoic and not blush.
"Right, so that's why you were moaning so loudly" he barked.
"Stop talking non-sense—Regis." I said with a flustered tone, my heart started beating faster.
"Tell that to your face—"
"Regis, stop teasing her." A voice suddenly cut in, making the shadow wolf stop.
I turned to look at Grey, who was wearing his academy uniform as he came out of his bathroom. "Let's go." He said, looking at me. "Regis, in." the shadow wolf groaned before leaping off the floor and vanishing inside Grey's sternum.
With a silent nod I stood up from my seat and walked out the main door, followed by Grey. He nodded back at me after locking his door—and took my hand in his. My body jerked back at his sudden touch as my mind was still recovering from the—dream.
His brows furrowed in confusion at my odd action. "What's wrong?" he asked in his deep voice. It has become a normal routine for both of us to hold arms and walk, over the other few things. But—the dream—had been weighing on my mind still, making my senses falter.
"N-Nothing is. Let's go." I stuttered out as I felt caught off-guard at his follow-up question.
It took me, all of my self-control to not turn red, as I got back closer to him and placed my arm inside his.
Taking a deep breath, I calmed my racing heart down, to not show any signs of my odd behaviour to the professor. Our walk was silent, with none of us speaking. But it wasn't awkward, at least not in the way one would feel with someone you barely knew.
I chuckled inwardly at that thought; the fact that I don't know much about Grey, yet I felt closer to him than anyone else I've met in my life.
Is it because he's the first person to not treat me as some sort of a 'fragile item'; and simply—as a 'person'? Or was it because he knew my deepest—no, one of my deepest secrets—and still consider me as a human, th-than some experiment or a weapon?
I took a peek at Grey, while I thought about my, other—deepest—secret: the fact that I love hi—no, I don't know! Not yet! Not until I know who he really is. I corrected myself.
Shaking my head to clear away that confusing thought, I turned to the professor and started a conversation. After all, he was in for a surprise, which I was looking forward to seeing his reaction.
A small smile appeared on my face as I spoke. "Are you excited to meet your students? I'm sure they will be...after having such a bestowment ceremony." I asked as my eyes glanced over his sharp features.
Grey's lips twitched, but his expression remained impassive. I shook his arms, which was interlocked in mine, making him snap his head at me. He slightly furrowed his eyebrows. "What? Yeah, I guess I am..." he said in a half-doubtful tone.
He then gave a bitter smile, that I knew, carried several emotions behind it.
I smiled at his face; a part of me feeling joy at, how Grey has been showing lot more emotions over the past few weeks than he had done ever since we met. I finally felt like the "mask" he was wearing...was slowly coming off. The memories of his behaviour at the Relictombs, and the fact that he had told me about his 'plan' had reinforced that fact, as my hold around his arm tightened.
It made me ecstatic, that my plan of being 'bold' had actually worked, while a new thought came into my joyful mind.
Maybe I should be bold as I was in my dreams—because that seemed to work out, so what if— I stopped as my face burned hot.
ARTHUR LEYWIN POV:
Ignoring the iron-grip that my companion had around my arm, I walked forward, heading into the halls where my classroom was. I suddenly stopped on my tracks as I turned to look at her. A look of confusion rose up my face. "Why are you following me? I'm going to my class. Isn't yours on the other side of the hall?"
She looked at me innocently and blinked, making her shiny ruby eyes to sparkle. My mind went back to our latest ascent and the memory of seeing her eyes, shining brilliantly, and the way it captivated all of my attention—suddenly made my body tingle.
Pushing back those thoughts, I kept staring at her, till she reacted to my question.
She gave a mischievous smile which I very well knew meant: trouble. "Oh, don't mind me. I'm just curious as to see how your students are doing. The students trained by the great professor Grey."
'It's more like 'grumpy' Grey.' Regis corrected mentally.
"Cut the crap. Since when did you start caring for the students?" I asked Caera with a smile of my own.
I didn't know why, but lately having Caera by my side and her mere presence seems to keep me at peace. Whether it was because of her opening up to me or...our latest ascent together, I felt closer to her more than ever. I was starting to trust her more, which was evident to even myself from the fact that a strong desire has been welling up inside me...to reveal my past. To tell her everything about me... But—I was also afraid if she would reject me. I wanted to believe that she wouldn't but, I wasn't sure if I wanted to risk it all.
Shaking away those thoughts for now, I looked back at Caera.
She looked shocked at my previous words. "Did you just say that? I feel offended. Such hurtful words, Professor Grey..." she said in a mocking tone which made me stifle a laugh.
I rolled my eyes at her. "Tell me something I don't know." I said smugly.
She looked thoughtful and slightly hesitant, that I thought she felt somehow offended. But her words were completely opposite to what I had expected.
"Maybe I just miss you." She said in a teasing tone, but her blushing face said otherwise.
"See I don't know if you're joking or being serious." I said in amusement while I felt—oddly, happy—at her words. "Besides, we spend most of our time together, isn't it enough?"
Caera stopped on her tracks.
I suddenly gulped down in nervousness, as I felt her intense gaze peering down at me from the side. 'Why am I feeling nervous? I didn't do anything. Did I say something wrong?' I panicked inside my mind.
'Beats me.' Regis replied, echoing my own confusion.
"Let's just go to your class, shall we" she said stiffly while I followed her like a student who had just been scolded by his headmaster.
'A hot one at that', Regis added as a matter of fact.
Ignoring the shadow wolf, I followed Caera—to my own classroom. As soon as we entered, she turned back to give a—radiant smile—completely contrast to her face only a few moments ago. 'What the—'
'You make the women go crazy in your life. And not in a good way.' Regis groused. I resisted the urge to throw the wolf out my body, while I looked around to see that almost all of the student's attention were on Caera—rather than me, their teacher.
My eyes shifted to Caera, who took a few steps towards me and stopped just as we were about to bump into each other. I was confused at why, but before I could question further, she leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear. "Good luck, Grey. I'll be watching you from the sides. Keke..." she giggled.
Just as I was about to retort, I felt two presences that were entering my classroom. Caera took a step back and stood next to me, as I turned to look at who the intruder was.
"Ah Professor Grey! Assistant Professor Caera is here too! That saves me time ha-ha." A middle-aged man with dark hair and eyes came in. but my eyes were drawn to the young woman next to him. Her orange hair tired in a stiff bun and her white battle robes fluttered against the wind, as she stood imposingly, unperturbed by the Director, Ramseyer who was standing next to her.
Turing my head towards the director, I spoke up. "What beings you to my class?"
He smiled ear-to-ear, as if he was waiting to hear this question. He then spoke up without missing a beat. "As I already informed you last time, to lessen your load and to make the students utilize their full potential, I have chosen two assistants for your melee class. The fact that your students had a fruitful bestowment ceremony, it was hard for me to choose assistants as many had volunteered. And it was odd that most of them were women."—he paused as his gaze looked thoughtful for a second, before he snapped out of it and continued—"ah! so, meet your new partners!"
I was momentarily confused at his words, 'partners', but I only see one—
Just as I was having that thought, the orange haired young woman stepped up and smiled at me. "I'm sure you've already met Briar here. She will be your assistant."—he paused and turned to...Caera, and that's when it clicked inside my mind—"and your other assistant is over there, Caera—"
While I was still dazed by the sudden change of events, Caera's voice interrupted the Director's. "No need for any introductions."—she said as she stepped forward to stand next to me. Her head turned towards me as she gave a smile before continuing—"we're—well acquainted—am I right, Professor Grey?" she asked in an almost teasing tone.
"Y-Yeah, we do." I said while fighting to keep a straight face.
"I see. Makes my job easier then." Director scoffed in amusement. "Please get along. And prepare the students. I'll take my leave, then." He added, as he turned and walked out of my classroom.
My eyes never left Caera's face, as I was still in a daze. 'Art, stop looking at her like that. The students are already starting to gossip about you two.' Regis said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Just as I shook my head, Briar walked close and stood in front of me. Her hands on her waist, chin held up high, she looked at me defiantly. 'What's with this weirdo? Does she want to fight you or something?' Regis wondered out loud in our mental link.
'No idea', I shook my head inwardly while I looked back at the orange haired woman. Just as I was about to ask what's with her, she let out a huff and turned—and walked away.
'What the—' before I could finish that thought, my partner-in-crime turned assistant, walked close to me with a toothy grin that said, "ha-ha I got you!"
Ignoring her smug look, I asked the more obvious question that was eating away my mind. "How did you do that? How did you become my assistant?"
"It's all thanks to you." She said—softly ruffling my hair—making me blush. We were still in public, mind you; and some students even started to murmur.
"Hey what are you doing?" I asked in a low tone while looking intently at her.
She chuckled. "It's because of you, I said. My parents made it possible for me to become...yours."
"Huh?" was all I could muster up, hearing her words.
"Assistant, I mean. Your assistant." She corrected herself.
Ignoring her tone, I asked back. "What about Kayden?"
She laughed as if I just told her a joke. "What about him?" she nudged my arms casually.
I frowned. "Isn't—he—going to have—no assistant?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Would you rather have me be, his? Or yours?" She asked with a straight face as her fingers twirled her navy-blue hair.
I coughed in response. She obviously must have meant it in an—appropriate way. But I don't know why—I stopped those thoughts.
"You don't want me?" She pushed, narrowing her ruby eyes at me.
"I-I do. Want you..." My soft voice spoke almost instantly, surprising even me.
She smirked. And...left the class.
"Hey where are you going? Class isn't over yet!" I shouted at her leaving figure. Damn it! Just as I was happy that I don't have to do any work!
She shrugged. "I have something I must do. So, I'll leave the class in your hands—my professor." She responded without turning back, as she vanished from my sight.
She—She is impossible. I chuckled.
***
SERIS VRITRA POV:
My fingers drummed against my desk, a habit that I couldn't get rid of when my mind is conflicted about making a decision. Pushing the papers away to the side, I sat back on the chair and closed my eyes in exasperation.
Why am I the one who needs to do all the work? I'm working double time. I complained inside, while I already knew that it was my own fault.
Just as I was about to take the papers back to read through them again...I heard a series of knocks at my door. I knew who it was, so I simply spoke from my chair without bothering to go and open it. "Come in."
Soon, a figure of a young woman appeared as the doors opened. She walked in with haste as she halted in front of my desk. My eyes leafed through the papers I had in my hand, as I heard her speak. "Scythe Seris." She said as she bowed. "Did you hear?" she asked cryptically.
Though, I knew what she was referring to—and the reason I'm working double-time, I thought as I grunted inwardly.
"I do." 'But, I have already made my decision' I thought again as I smiled inwardly.
I heard the young woman squeal, as if that's not what she was expecting to hear back from me.
"S-Should we send reinforcements—then?" she asked hesitantly. "'He's' in danger, and 'he' doesn't know!"
I stopped grazing through the papers and lifted my head to look at her for the first time since she entered the room. Although she was a young, classy woman, last few days has taken a heavy toll on her—and it was very evident from her sunken eyes.
Sighing, I replied in my usual silvery voice. "No."
Her gleaming eyes widened in what I inferred as shock, as she stuttered out her next words. "B-But Sc-Scythe Seris, what if 'he' dies? You said 'he's' important to our cause—to our freedom—our future!" she said in an angry tone that she could muster up in front of a Scythe.
I chuckled back at her, making her frown in confusion. "Dear, how will we find 'his' real worth if 'he's' kept hidden—unpolished?" I paused as I leaned forward on my desk; my fingers interlocked, under my chin—"let 'him' face this one—and shine. So, I'll know if 'he's' really worth all my time." I finished, making it clear that I wanted to see 'his' real potential.
She looked pale and clearly uncomfortable with what I had said. But I couldn't back out and I didn't want to. After a few seconds of hesitation, she spoke. "Should I—"
"Yes"—I cut her off—"keep spying on 'him'. Maybe you will catch him in action. That would be of help to gather more men."
She stiffly nodded and turned back to leave, while I sat back in my chair, feeling a little relaxed and anxious at the same time, at the crucial decision I had just made.
Show me what you're truly capable of, Grey. I thought, as a smile formed on my face.