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haflTitle: A Tale of Two Schools, Chapter One
Original work: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Pairing: Various
Rating: PG
Ephraim and Eirika’s first glance at their new schools was anything but pleasant. The town of Oxenham in remote Magvelshire seemed oppressed by those two looming, foreboding buildings that looked as if they were glaring at each other from opposite sides of the valley. The twins did not like to leave their old school to come here, but as their father had been given a new position in India, there was no one else to take care of them, so they had to be sent off to a boarding school. Fortunately, Mr. Hayden, father’s old friend was a teacher at Oxenham and could recommend the two local schools very eloquently.
So today, on a drizzly and dreary autumn morning, Eirika and Ephraim were to begin their education in a strange new environment. They said farewell to each other, promised to meet on Sunday after church and then started towards their respective schools, both dragging their trunk behind them as they ascended towards their destinations.
Jehanna Girl Institute was a bit closer to Oxenham than the Grado Boy Academy, but when Eirika arrived, it was nearly lunchtime and the school seemed deserted, apart from an older man, who was tending to the school’s garden. Eirika asked him where she could find Mr. Hayden and after hearing the answer, she was happy to leave her trunk in the man’s care and head into the school building.
That turned to be a mistake, since even with the gardener’s instructions, Eirika quickly became lost. She wandered the hallways, trying to at least find the place where she started, but without success. Finally, luck smiled at her, since she suddenly met one of the Institute’s students, a girl little older than Eirika, who seemed utterly unsurprised to see a strange girl wandering the corridors.
“Are you lost?” she asked with a smile, “I heard there would be a new girl coming today, is that you?”
Relieved, Eirika nodded. “Yes, can you please tell me, where can I find Mr. Hayden?”
“Better than that, I can take you there,” said the girl, “My name’s L’Arachel, what’s yours?”
“I’m Eirika. L’Arachel is quite an unusual name, are you French?”
L’Arachel laughed. “No, not at all. My parents just liked the sound of that name. Shall I take you to Mr. Hayden?”
“Yes, thank you very much,” said Eirika.
It turned out that Mr. Hayden’s office was actually very close. L’Arachel took Eirika inside and then excused herself.
“Hello, Eirika,” said Mr. Hayden, “I hope you will like it here. Did you have a good journey?”
“Yes, Mr. Hayden. Father sends his best wishes,” said Eirika, “Is Tana here? I would like to see her soon,” said Eirika.
Mr. Hayden frowned. “Tana is studying at another school,” he said, “I wouldn’t tell it to another student, but I’ve known your father since before you were even born. I am a fallible man, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to be impartial when teaching her. That’s why I sent her to a different school. Anyway, I should take you to meet Miss Ismaire, the Headmistress. She’ll be able to explain things much better than I.”
When they left Mr. Hayden’s office, Eirika thought she just saw someone disappear behind a corner. However, Mr. Hayden did not seem to notice and went a different way and Eirika had to follow him. They went up, almost to the top floor, where Mr. Hayden knocked on a solid oak door. After being invited in, he opened the door, entered and motioned for Eirika to follow him.
The office belonging to the Headmistress was certainly furnished in excellent taste and much more splendidly than Mr. Hayden’s. The Headmistress herself was still a young woman, certainly younger than Eirika would have expected. After hearing Mr. Hayden’s introduction, Miss Ismaire turned to Eirika. “Hello, young lady. It is nice to have you here, even if you are a bit late for the term’s beginning. My name is Ismaire and if you’re not in trouble, we won’t be seeing much of each other while you’re here, as sad as it is. I hope you will like your studies here, but it won’t be easy. I expect hard work from all students here, as we do not only want you to be a credit to the school and its honour, but also to grow up into fine women who can find their way in the world. All the teachers here will try to help you, but ultimately, the responsibility lies on you, we can only give you an opportunity. Now, do you have any questions?”
“No, Miss Ismaire,” said Eirika, thoroughly affected by the Headmistress’ speech.
“Very well,” said Miss Ismaire, “Mr. Hayden, could you please call Lute? Eirika, please wait here for a bit.”
It took hardly few minutes before there was a knock on the door and another girl slightly older than Eirika entered. Unlike L’Arachel, this one wore glasses and had a significantly less friendly expression on her face. “You asked for me, Miss Ismaire,” she said.
“Yes,” said Miss Ismaire, “This is Eirika, a new arrival. I would like you to first show her to the Fifth Form dormitory and then take her to take her trunk from Mr. Dozla. After that, introduce her to the other fifth formers. For this week, until she gets used to life here, she is your responsibility and you are to help her as much as possible. I trust Eirika will not abuse this privilege, but if something happens, tell Vanessa to sort it out.”
Miss Ismaire finished. Lute was silent for a moment and then spoke, “Very well, Miss Ismaire.” She turned to Eirika. “Come on then, we don’t have all day.”
When they left Miss Ismaire’s office Eirika tried to smile at Lute, but the girl just scowled. “At this school, I have the best grade in every subject. I put a lot of work into achieving that and I’m absolutely sure I do not need a distraction like you to follow me. Come, let’s get this over quickly,” said Lute.
She started to walk so briskly Eirika had a hard time keeping up with her. There was no time to learn the school’s layout; Eirika was barely able to keep up with Lute’s pace. Finally, they arrived at a door labelled “5th Form, Dormitory”. Lute opened the door without knocking and Eirika followed behind her.
The dormitory was a large room with twelve beds around the wall, each with curtains for privacy and a wardrobe and a nightstand next to it. Apart from that, there was a wooden bookshelf, a table with twelve chairs in the middle, and across the room was a door that probably led into a bathroom. Except for one girl reading at a table, there was nobody in the room.
“Oh, Marisa,” said Lute, “It is good that you’re here. This girl is new here. I need you to help her bring her things from Dozla’s, show her around the school and introduce her to everyone in this dormy. Thank you.”
“But…” started Marisa, but Lute was already turning to leave.
“I’m a prefect,” said Lute, “So if I say this girl is your responsibility, you do not argue, but listen and do as I say.” With this, she left.
Eirika looked apologetically at Marisa, who marked a page in her book, closed it and then walked over to Eirika. “Hello,” she said, “I’m Marisa.”
“I’m Eirika. Sorry for being dropped on you like that.”
“Oh no,” said Marisa, “Lute is just like that. I’d bet Miss Ismaire asked her to show you around. Whenever she is asked to do something, she just dumps the responsibility on someone else. It’s beastly, that’s what it is, but Vanessa spoils her frightfully.”
Marisa stopped talking and blushed, “I’m so sorry,” she said, “I’m a little overwrought. I shouldn’t be saying that. Let’s see about picking up your things, shall we?”
Eirika smiled. “Yes, let’s do that,” she said.
With this said, Eirika followed Marisa out of the room.
Original work: Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Pairing: Various
Rating: PG
Ephraim and Eirika’s first glance at their new schools was anything but pleasant. The town of Oxenham in remote Magvelshire seemed oppressed by those two looming, foreboding buildings that looked as if they were glaring at each other from opposite sides of the valley. The twins did not like to leave their old school to come here, but as their father had been given a new position in India, there was no one else to take care of them, so they had to be sent off to a boarding school. Fortunately, Mr. Hayden, father’s old friend was a teacher at Oxenham and could recommend the two local schools very eloquently.
So today, on a drizzly and dreary autumn morning, Eirika and Ephraim were to begin their education in a strange new environment. They said farewell to each other, promised to meet on Sunday after church and then started towards their respective schools, both dragging their trunk behind them as they ascended towards their destinations.
Jehanna Girl Institute was a bit closer to Oxenham than the Grado Boy Academy, but when Eirika arrived, it was nearly lunchtime and the school seemed deserted, apart from an older man, who was tending to the school’s garden. Eirika asked him where she could find Mr. Hayden and after hearing the answer, she was happy to leave her trunk in the man’s care and head into the school building.
That turned to be a mistake, since even with the gardener’s instructions, Eirika quickly became lost. She wandered the hallways, trying to at least find the place where she started, but without success. Finally, luck smiled at her, since she suddenly met one of the Institute’s students, a girl little older than Eirika, who seemed utterly unsurprised to see a strange girl wandering the corridors.
“Are you lost?” she asked with a smile, “I heard there would be a new girl coming today, is that you?”
Relieved, Eirika nodded. “Yes, can you please tell me, where can I find Mr. Hayden?”
“Better than that, I can take you there,” said the girl, “My name’s L’Arachel, what’s yours?”
“I’m Eirika. L’Arachel is quite an unusual name, are you French?”
L’Arachel laughed. “No, not at all. My parents just liked the sound of that name. Shall I take you to Mr. Hayden?”
“Yes, thank you very much,” said Eirika.
It turned out that Mr. Hayden’s office was actually very close. L’Arachel took Eirika inside and then excused herself.
“Hello, Eirika,” said Mr. Hayden, “I hope you will like it here. Did you have a good journey?”
“Yes, Mr. Hayden. Father sends his best wishes,” said Eirika, “Is Tana here? I would like to see her soon,” said Eirika.
Mr. Hayden frowned. “Tana is studying at another school,” he said, “I wouldn’t tell it to another student, but I’ve known your father since before you were even born. I am a fallible man, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to be impartial when teaching her. That’s why I sent her to a different school. Anyway, I should take you to meet Miss Ismaire, the Headmistress. She’ll be able to explain things much better than I.”
When they left Mr. Hayden’s office, Eirika thought she just saw someone disappear behind a corner. However, Mr. Hayden did not seem to notice and went a different way and Eirika had to follow him. They went up, almost to the top floor, where Mr. Hayden knocked on a solid oak door. After being invited in, he opened the door, entered and motioned for Eirika to follow him.
The office belonging to the Headmistress was certainly furnished in excellent taste and much more splendidly than Mr. Hayden’s. The Headmistress herself was still a young woman, certainly younger than Eirika would have expected. After hearing Mr. Hayden’s introduction, Miss Ismaire turned to Eirika. “Hello, young lady. It is nice to have you here, even if you are a bit late for the term’s beginning. My name is Ismaire and if you’re not in trouble, we won’t be seeing much of each other while you’re here, as sad as it is. I hope you will like your studies here, but it won’t be easy. I expect hard work from all students here, as we do not only want you to be a credit to the school and its honour, but also to grow up into fine women who can find their way in the world. All the teachers here will try to help you, but ultimately, the responsibility lies on you, we can only give you an opportunity. Now, do you have any questions?”
“No, Miss Ismaire,” said Eirika, thoroughly affected by the Headmistress’ speech.
“Very well,” said Miss Ismaire, “Mr. Hayden, could you please call Lute? Eirika, please wait here for a bit.”
It took hardly few minutes before there was a knock on the door and another girl slightly older than Eirika entered. Unlike L’Arachel, this one wore glasses and had a significantly less friendly expression on her face. “You asked for me, Miss Ismaire,” she said.
“Yes,” said Miss Ismaire, “This is Eirika, a new arrival. I would like you to first show her to the Fifth Form dormitory and then take her to take her trunk from Mr. Dozla. After that, introduce her to the other fifth formers. For this week, until she gets used to life here, she is your responsibility and you are to help her as much as possible. I trust Eirika will not abuse this privilege, but if something happens, tell Vanessa to sort it out.”
Miss Ismaire finished. Lute was silent for a moment and then spoke, “Very well, Miss Ismaire.” She turned to Eirika. “Come on then, we don’t have all day.”
When they left Miss Ismaire’s office Eirika tried to smile at Lute, but the girl just scowled. “At this school, I have the best grade in every subject. I put a lot of work into achieving that and I’m absolutely sure I do not need a distraction like you to follow me. Come, let’s get this over quickly,” said Lute.
She started to walk so briskly Eirika had a hard time keeping up with her. There was no time to learn the school’s layout; Eirika was barely able to keep up with Lute’s pace. Finally, they arrived at a door labelled “5th Form, Dormitory”. Lute opened the door without knocking and Eirika followed behind her.
The dormitory was a large room with twelve beds around the wall, each with curtains for privacy and a wardrobe and a nightstand next to it. Apart from that, there was a wooden bookshelf, a table with twelve chairs in the middle, and across the room was a door that probably led into a bathroom. Except for one girl reading at a table, there was nobody in the room.
“Oh, Marisa,” said Lute, “It is good that you’re here. This girl is new here. I need you to help her bring her things from Dozla’s, show her around the school and introduce her to everyone in this dormy. Thank you.”
“But…” started Marisa, but Lute was already turning to leave.
“I’m a prefect,” said Lute, “So if I say this girl is your responsibility, you do not argue, but listen and do as I say.” With this, she left.
Eirika looked apologetically at Marisa, who marked a page in her book, closed it and then walked over to Eirika. “Hello,” she said, “I’m Marisa.”
“I’m Eirika. Sorry for being dropped on you like that.”
“Oh no,” said Marisa, “Lute is just like that. I’d bet Miss Ismaire asked her to show you around. Whenever she is asked to do something, she just dumps the responsibility on someone else. It’s beastly, that’s what it is, but Vanessa spoils her frightfully.”
Marisa stopped talking and blushed, “I’m so sorry,” she said, “I’m a little overwrought. I shouldn’t be saying that. Let’s see about picking up your things, shall we?”
Eirika smiled. “Yes, let’s do that,” she said.
With this said, Eirika followed Marisa out of the room.
