Private Tales Homework and bloodshed.

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

The letter had been brief. It’s contents official. Heticate’s seal embossed at the bottom. It had been brought to Gilgamesh by a messenger from the school. His daughter was a fierce fighter but a kind and timid soul.

A servant.

The perfect mind to teach the least perfect mind for a warrior. Faustian her twin sister was the little warlord of the brood. She always had been.

Heticate had always taken after her mother. Her father scared her. She spent no time with him that wasn’t required. She was always kind, and respectful.

She loved her father deep down...but her passive nature repelled her from the man her father was. The letter simply held one sentence and yet its urgency was clear. “Father. I ask for your assistance. Bring mother.” Written neatly under the introduction and title.

Flawlessly perfect.

Eerily perfect.

Demonically perfect. “Forever yours. Forever in blood. Heticate.”

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

Vel Anir. It had been quite a few years since he'd gone himself, Alliria was his base, so he tended not to stray very far... But the letter he received from the timidest of his daughters spoke volumes, even for a demon this daughter created by Gwendolyn had an inordinate fear for him, more-so than other demons who gave him a wide berth and obeyed him.
Her nature coupled with her requested goaded him, something was amiss in Vel Anir and it required his personal attention, as well as Gwendolyn.

He'd sent word to Gwendolyn immediately and had made the arrangements by the time she received word. Trips over such long distances weren't inexpensive nor simple, it never was when it came to the Portal Stones.
He had his luggage packed and a carriage prepared for both him and her so they needn't be confined together, with arrangements to join up with a caravan heading to Vel Anir.
The Alanthis Trade Company was known for it's quality security and safe caravans, their brand is generally known across the common trade routes and it's banditry, the lowlifes know to leave them alone out of fear for their lives. Utilizing the strength and power of those whom people would call heroes, great adventurers and skilled monster hunters, really it was a clever business move.

Gilgamesh was not idle on the journey, there was always more paperwork to be done so he brought it with him to work on during the journey.
Altogether the journey passed uneventfully and Gilgamesh kept to himself. Aside from a few ranging monsters that were easily dealt with, they were not attacked.
Passing through the Portal Stone brought them to the desert, and from there to the bastion of humanity, the city of Vel Anir.

----------------------------------​

After their arrival Gilgamesh broke his solitude and stepped out of his carriage. The dust immediately covered his boots but he paid it no mind. He limped and clicked across the way with his cane directly to Gwendolyn's carriage and opened the door before the footman could.
"Welcome to Vel Anir, Miss Vollmund. Your daughter awaits."

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

“I would hope so..” Gwendolyn always hated carriage rides. She felt coupes up like a mother hen on eggs. A bird in a cage. By the time they had arrived she was in a foul mood indeed. Angry in a way that would soon fade as she walked to the schools entrance.

A small vent would blast a gust of powerful air as they entered triggering a pad. The air would blast the dust from their persons leaving them clean and slightly wind blown as they entered.

“Clever girl. She always did hate dust. Like her father.” Gwen said somewhat playfully. A small hint of good humor seeping through her grumpy mood.

A tall elegant woman stood waiting somewhat nervously.

She looked like Gilgamesh if he were a female and a couple of decades younger. They shared the same nose and sharp eyes. Hers were shielded somewhat behind her spectacles as she pushed them up her nose.

She wore casual teachers garb.

A simple skirt and button up shirt.

A quill was set in her bun and her cheek had a bit of ink still on it. She had undoubtedly just woken up and remembered her parents arrival after falling asleep working. her still wet ink on her page had smearing her cheek.

“Mother..Father..” She would say. Standing in front of them both and doing a small dignified turn for them.

An old habit.

These were thier oldest children. Raised at a different time. They had needed perfection to train thier army. They had never demanded less.

Their daughters were used to presenting themselves when greeted or summoned. Any wounds, imperfections, or weight gain from improper amounts of exercise and healthy diet were judged and punished. A life Ellirias and Charity would never know..

After pausing she would look to each of her parents for approval before moving forward and clasping her mother’s hands warmly and hesitating before taking her fathers hands in her own as well. While her mother’s was warm she handled her fathers hands like they might explode. Careful and calm.

“Thank you both for arriving so quickly. The school has been..Having difficulties. My security has been either stumped or outwitted at every step.” She held them until he decided to draw them away.

Taking her chance to give him a wider berth.

“I..I did not kn-know who e-else to turn to..” She said with her nervous stuttering returning to her voice. She had not stuttered for years. It was a stress induced tic.

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

“Mother... Father...”

Things were much the way he remembered them, and that included his "Daughter". The school seemed unchanged from the last time he was here, no doubt it was Gwendolyn's demonic creation that saw to this.
She turned for them to examine her, even after all this time she had not faltered in the discipline they instilled in both her and her sister, flawless and lethal, a perfect killer.

He signaled his approval with a tap of his cane against the stone floor. He would then let her hold his hand for a moment, but he didn't hold on for longer than necessary, he was patiently waiting to hear the reason they were called do far away from Alliria, but he didn't have an overwhelming quantity of it at the moment.

“Thank you both for arriving so quickly. The school has been... Having difficulties. My security has been either stumped or outwitted at every step.”

That was vague, but it was enough. If her security could not handle it then she would have attempted to deal with it herself. And she obviously failed, or else she would not have called for him specifically, if she thought Gwendolyn could handle it on her own, he knew his daughter would have done her best to keep him out of the loop.

She was humbling herself, overcoming her fear of him to ask him for help, and this alone implied the immense gravity of the situation.

“I... I did not kn-know who e-else to turn to..”

He put on a false smile, mostly for the benefit of whoever was watching them. If security has been compromised then they couldn't take any chances. His switch to a virtually non-existent side of himself should give Gwen and the teacher the hint.
"Don't worry, Miss Greywood. We're professionals. Shall we discuss your little vermin problem and the matter of our fee in your office?"
He switched his accent to that of a commoner, dropping some of his proper Allirian grammar to sell a story he invented on the spot

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

Gwen gave a slight sniff of disapproval at her masters actions. She did not approve of her daughters being treated unequally.

Charity had benefitted greatly from a kinder master. Holding some to the old ways and others to...more lax standards never ended well. However the slight inhale was the limit to her protest.

Where others loyalties lay and would lie were her business.

Her own loyalty was no such concern. He asked.

She obeyed. Even if he made her stomach turn at times. “Yes of course sir.” Heticate said with a nod. Taking them through the school.

Students milled about. Going to class, gossiping in groups, trading notes and texts for other classes and projects. As they passed an shadowy alcove Heticate stopped. “Dellina. Greta. That is not allowed.” She said with a wave of her hand as the shadows shoved to girls From the alcove. It then picked them up and straightened their uniforms before turning them each to their correct class and giving them a gentle push in the right direction.

“Yes head mistress.”

“Sorry head mistress. It won’t happen again.” They both said rushing off.

Finally coming to her office she would let them inside. It was a nice office. A balcony was behind a large glass door that offered amazing views of the scene around them.

“Mother if you could?” Heticate asked as Gwen simply nodded and something in the room shifted.

Silence.

No sound entered the room and none left it.
Her eyes closed.

“Nothing..for now.” She said reopening them. The hazy greys glancing at the balcony.

It was enchanted.

Reinforced.

Eight inches thick.

The broker hated the thing, just a big enough flaw to put her on edge, just safe enough for her to not demand it replaced.

“As you know this school is separated from those I usually over see.” She said calmly. “These students in particular are the ones chosen from the others. This is the cream of the crop.” She said somewhat proudly. A note of it entering her nervous tone.

“Though as of late there has been some..Rebellion..” She said the word like it was a kin to something like molestation. “It was innocent pranks to start. Some vandalism..but it has quickly escalated.” She straightened her papers along with her posture with a nervous look at her father.

Gwen sat quietly.

Absorbing every word like a sponge. She was in the presence of her master after all. A very different Gwen from who she usually was. Silent, morbid, and ready to kill anyone who even glanced at him improperly. She in other words....She was working.

“Students that have been speaking out against the schools goals have become more frequent. Those who are loyal are brawling with them in the hallways and dormitory’s...I’ve been trying to stay on top of it but last night..There was a trap set in my office.” She said slowly. Tears misting in her eyes.

She dropped the left shoulder of her gown to reveal bandages. Her entire rib cage up to her shoulder was wounded.

A blackish red substance blossoming in places where the bandages could not fully stem the flow.

“It killed 2 of my guard. And has put my head of security in the infirmary. I was the only one to walk away lightly injured.” She coughed into her handkerchief and pulled away to reveal more of her hybrid demon blood eating into the fabric. She folded it and put it away quickly.

Her father did not tolerate weakness. Gwens grumpy frown shifted as did her eyes. Empathy and the expression of a caring mother took over. She came around the desk and put her arm around Hericates shoulders.

“There now. Your not one for such fighting. We know this. Your father and I are here now.” She said gently patting her head. Heticates eyes never left her fathers. Tears welling up and streaming down her cheeks. A vision of a different time.....

“Daddy! I don’t like this!” She had cried. Pulling a man apart with her bare hands. Blood gushing over her head and covering her body.

“It’s squishy like bugs and mud!” She had pleaded over the mans screams for mercy. Faustian interrupted by pulling the half dismembered man from her sisters grasp and shoving her to the floor.

“Exactly just like bugs and mud!” She said covered in twice the gore of her sister and simply delighted with the state of herself. She swung the corpse into another attacker and pinned him to the ground.

“They all go under your feet!” She cackled slamming her foot into the screaming mans head silencing him with a wet, squelching crunch.

Heticate had simply stayed down black blood oozing from her nose from the hard landing her sister had forced upon her. She had looked at him the same way then. Asking for aid, mercy...kindness.

However unlike then it seemed now she just might be getting some.

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

(Sorry, I forgot to mark this unread to keep the notification on.)

As they walked through the school Gilgamesh cast his eyes about, taking in the familiar passages and halls. The building remained mostly the same, but the students, of course, had cycled.
Schools in Vel Anir were meant for the wealthy in general, such charities that existed would cater to the population who couldn't pay the steep tuitions. Thus the student body mostly consisted of nobility, merchant families or the otherwise wealthy of the city and it was generally a diverting exercise of deduction to discern which students belonged to which group.
School uniforms were enforced, but one could tell a merchant's daughter by how freely she walked, how relaxed she wore her uniform. While a noble's daughter might be more straight backed and proper, with their uniform worn in crisp adhesion to the school standards as befitted one with special breeding.

But he also noticed that there was a growing lack of discipline, as evidenced by the couple exploring each other in the shadows... No, not a lack of discipline, but a lack of ability to enforce discipline and command respect.
The students in question, he knew, were not outspoken delinquents themselves, but simply collateral benefactors of the efforts of others working to undermine the authority of the school... Authority that ultimately was his, commanded and maintained by his daughter.

He looked, but as of yet he saw no signs or evidence that Angelica was involved. Even Angelica didn't precede these hybrid daughters that Gwendolyn created, if Angelica somehow learned of them, Gilgamesh made sure that there would be no reason for her to suspect that they were any different from her or Charity... Angelica was biting off more than she could chew if she did have a hand in this.

They entered the office and Gwendolyn cast her silence over the room.
Now it was time to hear what was really going on.

“Though as of late there has been some..Rebellion..” She said the word like it was a kin to something like molestation. “It was innocent pranks to start. Some vandalism..but it has quickly escalated.” She straightened her papers along with her posture with a nervous look at her father.

“Students that have been speaking out against the schools goals have become more frequent. Those who are loyal are brawling with them in the hallways and dormitory’s...I’ve been trying to stay on top of it but last night..There was a trap set in my office.” She said slowly. Tears misting in her eyes.

When she revealed her wounds Gilgamesh stepped forward, he calmly examined what he could through the bandages. She had taken a lot of damage, but her discipline was solid, so long as she was under his gaze she would not let herself react to the pain she was in. Gilgamesh had come to accept human reactions in his human children, they were frail and limited in their tolerance to such things, but he raised these daughters differently for a different time, not as humans.
He would nod in satisfaction, seeing that these wounds, however severe, were not fatal.

But internally, deeper than all the webs and shields he put up around his heart of hearts; these wounds were an injury to him, an injustice. Internally he raged, because he was growing to suspect the true culprit, or rather, culprits.

“It killed 2 of my guard. And has put my head of security in the infirmary. I was the only one to walk away lightly injured.” She coughed into her handkerchief and pulled away to reveal more of her hybrid demon blood eating into the fabric. She folded it and put it away quickly.

He nodded and stepped away. She did not bring him here so he could reenergize her body and stimulate her natural healing, she brought him here to deal with a threat.

“There now. Your not one for such fighting. We know this. Your father and I are here now.” She said gently patting her head. Heticate's eyes never left her fathers. Tears welling up and streaming down her cheeks. A vision of a different time..... She had looked at him the same way then. Asking for aid, mercy... kindness. However unlike then it seemed now she just might be getting some.

Gilgamesh nodded in agreement, but he seemed distracted by his daughter's gaze.
She was begging him to pity her, she deserved it. She'd suffered in his name and she deserved his pity, his mercy, his kindness which he'd never truly shown to any creature without meaning to gain something in return... If he ever did show that he cared for someone... the consequences... No, nevermind, mustn't think about that.

Heticate was scared... Of all his children she must fear death the most, and it was enough to bring her to tears... And all he could do for her, to protect her and himself, was stare back impassively into her pleading eyes.
"Headmistress. I'm sure you've already taken steps to learn about the opposition. Tell me what you've learned thus far about the delinquent student body."

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

Her tears were gone.

Wiped away as she regained her composure.

Adjusting her dress to its usual perfect position. Her instinct and demon side taking full control. She was young then.

Older now.

“I know where they like to meet, but they’ve been changing it lately. Girls get brought into my office but they’re never the ring leaders..” She pulled two small sketches. Each was hand drawn but looked so real. Hetecate was always the gifted artist.

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t have my suspects..” She said passing sketches to her father.

“Marie Doubon Fontaine.” She said pointing to the first sketch. She was gorgeous and more than likely knew it. Her hair in a perfect ponytail.

Her makeup was applied liberally yet still stood out, and her nails carried a perfect pearly sheen. “Daughter of duke Santana Fontaine.” Heticate continued

“She’s head of the fencing, and trade study clubs as well as being our valedictorian...She hungers. There’s a look in her eye, and by most accounts my assessment is accurate. Her rivals find themselves either bested or unable to compete when it comes time due to accidents or misunderstandings. Nothing is ever linked to her...” Heticate let the point hang for a moment before sighing.

“She has also been to my office a few times for bullying. Making peoples lives generally hell or worse if they stand up to her and aren’t directly in her circle. Which is troubling enough to put her on the list” Heticate pulled out the next portrait. A well built girl with curves to make a man stare and a physique that would make him take a step back and consider the structural integrity of his pelvis.

A shock of long auburn hair was shaved all the way around leaving what was left on top to be braided rather lazily to the right. “Gina Breckensteig.” Heticate narrated.

“Daughter to warlord Dredgen “Iron hand.” Breckensteig. He sent her here as the first of his tribe to attend school of any kind. We accepted due to the fact that he is modernizing his tribe and opening trade routes. Goods and minerals his tribe used to guard with their lives are now for sale. Having him as a benefactor from the ground floor was deemed lucrative enough to accept the risks. She’s been..Problematic..” Heticate’s eyes glanced to a crack running down her door frame from the last time the angry warrior princess had slammed the door not but two weeks earlier.

“She fights any teacher or students that try and correct or insult her. Her temper has a hair trigger, and her venom like that of a sea snake.” Heticate paused a moment.

“She reminds me very much of Faustian..if I had to put a name to it..” She said with a thoughtful tilt of her head. “Because while her emotions are problematic enough for her to be placed in this list..She doesn’t seem like the back stabbing type. I would expect it to be quite apparent if she were the ring leader...” Heticate mused. "Finally.." She drew out the last portrait handing it to her father.

A timid looking girl was drawn there barely looking up the artist. "Bella Kina. Daughter to the fashion designer Velinca Kina. Not itself a valuable connection, but the money is appreciated and the influence of going to the right parties and seeing the right things is something that usually pays off.." She said with a breath.

"She sticks to walls. She stands out only in her grades. A handful of people have heard her say a handful of words. Never been in trouble. Our security did not even know she existed until I asked for her records. There were a few incidents..I..Kept to myself. I keep the records here..and I was the only one to notice she had taken a few books from the restricted section...She has a thirst for truth...I respect it, but in light of the recent events. I don't think anyone should be ruled out, and her low profile appears all the more sinister in retrospect." Heticate finished handing the files with further information to Gilgamesh.

"I have interviews with each prepared." She said simply. "Tell me which you would like to see first there will be a side room for you to observe. They know mother, so i thought she could speak with them." The demon finished finally. waiting for her fathers reaction and plans to move forward.

Gwen simply remained silent watching her master process and concoct a plan of action.

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

“I know where they like to meet, but they’ve been changing it lately. Girls get brought into my office but they’re never the ring leaders..” She pulled two small sketches. Each was hand drawn but looked so real. Heticate was always the gifted artist.

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t have my suspects..” She said passing sketches to her father.

He hooked his cane over his arm and took the sketches and files, looking them over as Heticate narrated each one.

“Marie Doubon Fontaine.” She said pointing to the first sketch. She was gorgeous and more than likely knew it. Her hair in a perfect ponytail.

Her makeup was applied conservatively yet still stood out, and her nails carried a perfect pearly sheen. “Daughter of duke Santana Fontaine.” Heticate continued

“She’s head of the fencing, and trade study clubs as well as being our valedictorian...She hungers. There’s a look in her eye, and by most accounts my assessment is accurate. Her rivals find themselves either bested or unable to compete when it comes time due to accidents or misunderstandings. Nothing is ever linked to her...” Heticate let the point hang for a moment before sighing.

“She has also been to my office a few times for bullying. Making peoples lives generally hell or worse if they stand up to her and aren’t directly in her circle. Which is troubling enough to put her on the list”

He nodded as he examined her. A noble if her family didn't give it away, she held herself like one.
"By this account she seems the perfect candidate for our program. She has cunning and guile to use others for her purposes, she keeps herself clean while letting the efforts of others elevate her to the top.

I assume Miss Vollmund has appraised you of our situation with Angelica? If she were to find a puppet, I'm sure she would use our miss Fontaine."

He looked at the next file.

Heticate pulled out the next portrait. A well built girl with curves to make a man stare and a physique that would make him take a step back and consider the structural integrity of his pelvis.

A shock of long auburn hair was shaved all the way around leaving what was left on top to be braided rather lazily to the right. “Gina Breckensteig.” Heticate narrated.

“Daughter to warlord Dredgen “Iron hand.” Breckensteig. He sent her here as the first of his tribe to attend school of any kind. We accepted due to the fact that he is modernizing his tribe and opening trade routes. Goods and minerals his tribe used to guard with their lives are now for sale. Having him as a benefactor from the ground floor was deemed lucrative enough to accept the risks. She’s been..Problematic..” Heticate’s eyes glanced to a crack running down her door frame from the last time the angry warrior princess had slammed the door not but two weeks earlier.

“She fights any teacher or students that try and correct or insult her. Her temper has a hair trigger, and her venom like that of a sea snake.” Heticate paused a moment.

“She reminds me very much of Faustian..if I had to put a name to it..” She said with a thoughtful tilt of her head. “Because while her emotions are problematic enough for her to be placed in this list..She doesn’t seem like the back stabbing type. I would expect it to be quite apparent if she were the ring leader...” Heticate mused.

"I would tend to agree." He intoned, "While she is obeying the wishes of her father she is not entirely happy with the decision. Perhaps she disagrees with the modernization of her tribe. From your description she lacks the tact or cunning to see beyond her misguided emotions, she might insight a rebellion on those emotions, but it will be a hot flame that burns out quickly."

He looked at the last suspect.

"Finally.." She drew out the last portrait handing it to her father.

A timid looking girl was drawn there barely looking up the artist. "Bella Kina. Daughter to the fashion designer Velinca Kina. Not itself a valuable connection, but the money is appreciated and the influence of going to the right parties and seeing the right things is something that usually pays off.." She said with a breath.

"She sticks to walls. She stands out only in her grades. A handful of people have heard her say a handful of words. Never been in trouble. Our security did not even know she existed until I asked for her records. There were a few incidents..I..Kept to myself. I keep the records here..and I was the only one to notice she had taken a few books from the restricted section...She has a thirst for truth...I respect it, but in light of the recent events. I don't think anyone should be ruled out, and her low profile appears all the more sinister in retrospect." Heticate finished handing the files with further information to Gilgamesh.

He was thoughtful about this one. A truth seeker? What truth did she seek? What did she hope to find?
"Miss Kina... Seemingly unattached, low profile, few and considerably minor transgressions..."
His brow furrowed.

There was unrest across the entire student body. This could be an attack orchestrated by Angelica, but it lacked some of the flair that Angelica simply couldn't resist. Graffiti, brawls, covert attacks... But the goal? Angelica wouldn't settle for anarchy, she'd be trying to unseat Heticate as the Headmistress of the school if she were trying to be cunning, and as of yet there have been no reports or complaints from parents or families against the school, these are all internal, things that the students don't want to complain to their influential families about.

"I have interviews with each prepared." She said simply. "Tell me which you would like to see first there will be a side room for you to observe. They know mother, so i thought she could speak with them." The demon finished finally. waiting for her fathers reaction and plans to move forward.

Gwen simply remained silent watching her master process and concoct a plan of action.

Gilgamesh looked to Gwendolyn, his eyes searching her face for her thoughts, but she admirably revealed nothing. He turned back to Heticate.
"Interview Miss Fontaine first, as in the order in which you have given them to me." He turned his attention back to Gwendolyn, "Ask her how she feels about her fellow students, about the school. I want to see her reactions and how she responds, I want to know how much she respects the wishes of her family. Catch her in a lie, confront her about her bullying, see what she does."

He handed the files back to Heticate as he went on.
"About Miss Breckensteig, be her friend, manipulate her with your words and then corner her, present her with a battle she cannot win with strength and power. Show her that she is outmatched and her only way out is to confess that she has dishonored her tribe with her behavior, then see if she will reveal anything about a third-party. Ask her if she knows Miss Fontaine or Miss Kina. If she is involved, she is our weak link."

"As for Miss Kina. I would like a list of the books she took.
Be exactly what she expects you to be, a stern proprietor of the school that is covering her basis. Do not reveal that you suspect her of anything, ask her what she knows about the student delinquency but do not mention Miss Fontaine or Miss Breckensteig, see if she will volunteer information about them or if she shows any relief that they are not among our suspects. I expect to learn much more from Miss Kina and her silence than anything she might have to say.

Once I know more I hope to formulate a plan of action."

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

Marie Fontaine sat with perfect posture in a way that seemed to come off just the right amount of sultry and yet dignified.

She was checking her nails as Gwendolyn entered. Her eyes widened at the sight of her but quickly regained her composure.

She was not haughty. That was for the sluts and their inflated egos. No she respected Gwendolyn but a tinge of jealousy and dislike tinted her other wise polite gaze and body language.

“M-Mrs. Vollmund. I..I..” She began as Gwendolyn calmly sat down. Her hazy grey gaze lazer focused on the girl before her.

“Was expecting Heticate? The headmistress is busy for the moment. Speaking to some other students about the recent...Stirrings..” Gwendolyn said with a slight yawn. Like it was much to boring to discuss further. Like it wasn’t the purpose of the interview.

“You mean the unrest?” The girl said plainly. Her tone turning to disgust and disapproval. “That’s a bit uncouth phrasing but..yes.” Gwen responded with a chuckle.

“Polite speech is only apt for polite actions if you will forgive my inclination to directness I believe bandying words for its own sake is wasteful.” She said some what flippantly but her tone was respectful.

“I see. So I take it you are not supportive of such actions being taken?” She said with an eyebrow raised. “Of course not. I have a perfect record to maintain as well as perfect marks and attendance as well as the head of two clubs. All of this disruption only adds to my work load.”

“Oh of course. A perfect record is impressive. When I saw it that was why I asked to interview you. I had to meet you, and thinking that you probably didn’t need the head mistresses third degree over something your not involved in.” Gwen said watching the girls defenses lower slightly..which meant they had been up.

.”Just a few more questions before you go. Regarding your record...Alisia Martin..Ring any bells?” Marie’s eyes went slightly wide fore a moment but she played it cool for her part.

“She’s a lazy layabout in one of the classes I attend. Subpar in most things she does when she even bothers attempting..” “oh yes of course..But she wasn’t always that way was she?” Gwen leaned forward tenting her fingers.

“She used to rival you in almost everything.. until pictures of her being humiliated and stripped were posted through out the school. It ruined her life didn’t it...” Gwen said with a sad sigh.

“I..I had nothing to do with that I believe-..”

“That Victoria Nugent took the blame..She was quite the fencer. Was challenging you for Head of the club a few weeks from then as well..Always easy to kill two birds with one stone...The only problem is..People will ask what brought them both to be so vulnerable at the same time..” Gwen said knowingly. “Well things like that..”

“Always seem to occur when your involved? I agree.” Gwen cut her off once more. Her teeth pulled into a snarl as she smacked her hands into the table.

Her cheeks reddening as her facade of cool calm was finally shattered. A volcano building under the surface not showing a single crack until it exploded.

“STOP INTERRUPTING ME!” She squeaked like an angry child.

“I..Um..I’m so sorry headmistress..” She said finally recomposing herself with a couple of deep breaths. “I have never been one to take joy in others down-.”

“Falls? No I don’t think you do either. You do more than take joy. You wallow in their failure. Revel in it.” Gwen spat. “Save your lies.” She had cut her off again.

“Bella was right about you. You think you know everything don’t you! Well if my record isn’t perfect mark it! I keep people in line so what!” She said not realizing her mistake until it was too late. Paling. “So What else has this

“Bella.” Told you about me? She a friend perhaps? Maybe a school mate?” Gwen asked casually. “A family..a friend..” She blurted.

“I mean a family friend ma’am. I see her on semester breaks at the manor...” She wouldn’t return Gwens eye contact.

“Very well. You may go..” Gwen said waving her off.

“Really?” The girl seemed keen to leave and who could blame her..

“Yes of course. I’m not here to interrogate you after all. That would only happen if I ever caught you lying. Which would never be an issue correct?” Gwen said with a friendly smile.

“R-right..” Marie said standing to leave and opening the door stepping back into the hallway and straightening her uniform. That woman was as scary as everyone said..Marie was rocked to her core from a simple polite conversation.

Luckily she made it through..

Imagine if Gwen had actually in-..

“Send in Mrs.Bella now please.” Gwen called over her shoulder before the door clicked shut.

Marie stiffened like someone had struck her with lightening for a full minute before she came to her senses enough to move away down the hall.

Her mind already racing... Gwen glanced to the painting at the right of the room. An illusion. Where the head mistress and master watched concealed.

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

Gilgamesh watched, observed and learned.
Marie Fontaine. Cunning, but not cunning enough. Heticate's report gave her far too much credit. She could fool the teachers, she could fool the students, but as soon as someone in authority was wise to her game her lies and disguises proved only skin deep and paper thin... A good start to begin her training in their special program, but amateurish at best.

Once she left Gilgamesh was satisfied.

"It is not her. She has no agenda beyond dominating and using the existing system for her own personal desires. Dismantle her support system, take away her underlings, isolate her and leave her vulnerable to her enemies for a time. After she has been humbled pick her up and give her a new place in our ranks, she'll fall in line in order to become something greater than she ever imagined."

He looked to Heticate, and to Gwendolyn when the illusion dropped "From my observation all I saw was a girl driven by her fragile ego to do what she did. But what did either of you discover?"

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

“She knows Bella. Whats a girl of her status doing knowing a wallflower like that?” Gwen commented dryly. “But it seems she adapts to any system. A humbling would do her good..” Gwen agreed with a nod.

“But I’m beginning to have a theory...She’s not the ring leader...But what if there isn’t a ring leader..Hmm..” Gwen mused clapping her hands for Heticate to send in Gina.

The girl entered and took a seat looking somewhat nervous. “I’m not here to interrogate you.

Relax.

The school has a special interest in you. I’m just wanting to understand why you keep ending up in this office..” Gwendolyn said gesturing around the room.

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

“She knows Bella. What's a girl of her status doing knowing a wallflower like that?” Gwen commented dryly. “But it seems she adapts to any system. A humbling would do her good..” Gwen agreed with a nod.

“But I’m beginning to have a theory...She’s not the ring leader...But what if there isn’t a ring leader..Hmm..”

Gilgamesh leaned back in his chair, considering this. If Heticate suspected these girls then she must have a reason, they had to have some level of involvement or tied together in some way...

“A family..a friend..” She blurted.

“I mean a family friend ma’am. I see her on semester breaks at the manor...”

This stood out to him. It was entirely possible that Miss Fontaine and Miss Kina were related in some way, perhaps an extended bastard branch of the Fontaine family... That sort of blood rarely tied such different socialites together, but it was possible if they found a way to grow together in their youth.

Gwendolyn could ply her connections to find out for sure, or if they are connected in another way. Now to learn how Miss Breckensteig was connected to all of this.

__________________________________​

Gina entered the office, her nervousness apparent as she did her best to imitate a proper and graceful manner as she took her seat. She kept mentally reminding herself to keep her back straight and chest out, when every instinct in her powerful body wanted to slouch in preparation to fight or flee.

“I’m not here to interrogate you.
Relax.
The school has a special interest in you. I’m just wanting to understand why you keep ending up in this office..” Gwendolyn said gesturing around the room.

She slightly relaxed at the soothing words. Gina took a deep breath and defiantly stuck her chin out.
"If you want to know why they keep sending me here to see the Headmistress, just ask her! I'm sure she'll tell you everything wrong with me!"
She scoffed haughtily.
"Put a lion among wolves and see how she's mocked! Nobody respects the traditions of my people, our tribe is strong but I won't let myself be turned into a little lamb and be eaten by wolves!"

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

“I did ask her. But I’m not asking her now.” Gwen said with a sigh. “I’m asking you because I want to know why YOU think you end up here.”

Gwen said placing her hand to the girls wrist in a comforting manner. This allowed her to pour some empathy magic into her words. Gina would feel much more relaxed, when she normally would pull away from such touch it felt good for some reason. Gwen pulled away after a moment.

“So I see your in fencing. Naturally you do well. How do you feel about the captain of the team. Maria I think her name is..” Gwen asked casually. Her eyes gathering every detail. Her sources had been asked to report the day she began her journey. Gina had been bested by Maria not three weeks ago.

They had been training together privately ever sense. Even grown fond of each others company. How romantic it was was yet to be seen, but regardless there had been a shift in their dynamic.

Gwen wanted to gauge how hidden they were trying to keep their new found friendship...

There might be more at play than a simple taboo relationship...

If it were only that Gwen doubted their shared egos would allow them to keep it quiet...

So there must be another reason..

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

“I did ask her. But I’m not asking her now.” Gwen said with a sigh. “I’m asking you because I want to know why YOU think you end up here.”

After Gwen touched her, Gina did indeed calm down significantly. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes for a moment.
When Gwen pulled away Gina seemed shocked for a moment before collecting herself.
"I... I suppose I don't really know."

“So I see your in fencing. Naturally you do well. How do you feel about the captain of the team. Maria I think her name is..

She nodded, unsure of how much she should say, "Yes, Maria. She's a good fighter with a sword. The fencing allows me to fight, but there are so many damned rules! Real combat has no rules!"
She pridefully drew herself up.
"I had killed a great lion by the time I was twelve! The lion did not care about rules and neither did I! We simply fought with our strength and cunning and I won!
And now my father sends me here to learn about rules and letters, that girls should be submissive, things that make us weak!"
She wasn't directing her anger at Gwendolyn anymore, but rather at the entire system.
But she was also trying to avoid talking about Maria.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

"I... I suppose I don't really know."

Gwen raised her eyebrow at this. “Surely you can guess...” Gwen said drawing out a file.

"Yes, Maria. She's a good fighter with a sword. The fencing allows me to fight, but there are so many damned rules! Real combat has no rules!"

“Rules ensure skill, it keeps footing equal allowing those who need to practice a way to do so, and allow others to refine skill where it’s lacking. It also keeps the fatalities down..” She added. “I mean..You would not believe how many bones this place sits on top of it’s...” Gwen said with a slight snort and a chuckle before blinking. She had been subconsciously sharing a joke with Gilgamesh and Heticate. The woman next to Gilgamesh held back a chuckle covering her mouth with her hand as her shoulders gave a slight shake. It was all she allowed her self so close to her father..Her master. “A joke..” Gwen said with another chuckle. “It’s a joke. Lighten the mood and such.” She said regaining her composure.

"I had killed a great lion by the time I was twelve! The lion did not care about rules and neither did I! We simply fought with our strength and cunning and I won!
And now my father sends me here to learn about rules and letters, that girls should be submissive, things that make us weak!"

Everything until now was acceptable Understandable even..But the last bit carried a bit more venom than Gwen could allow with out comment.

She drew herself up as well. Darkness pooling around her slowly. In noticeable at first as the room slowly cooled.

“I understand your pain..” Gwen said in Ginas tribes tongue with an understanding nod. Her tone was calm and kind.

Like a mother speaking to an angry teen.

She closed her eyes taking a deep breath.

Reopening them they were simple black pits. Her voice deadly serious.

“You honored your father and mother with the blood of such an honorable kill for one so young.” She continued in native tongue.

“But you misunderstand the lessons.” She began. Her tone deadly serious. Her pronunciation flawless.

“I am a product of the very system you have such dissatisfaction with. Every class and tedious training exercise I had done for decades before finding ways to effectively teach it and bringing it to you. I teach women HOW to submit. There will be times where this must be done. In delicate politics and in life. WHEN to submit is for your discretion. Though I have known many to die for their pride..” She spat bitterly.

“You do not have to enjoy my lessons. But you will respect my sacrifice.” She hissed..remembering those wasted lives. Great potentials wasted...

“But That’s why I asked to speak with you.” The room shifted to normal..Gwen sat in front of her looking as normal. Speaking common...had that happened?

Her hazy greys remained locked with Ginas. certainly not twin black pits..if not still slightly unnerving.. “Are you paying attention Princess?” Gwen asked snapping her fingers.

“As I was saying..I hope you will not be such a case.” She said genuinely. She wanted what was best for the girl like all of her indirect students, but this was also a game. She was on Ginas side. She was a powerful woman like Gina.

Gina could trust her...

”I only asked about Marie because it seems you had a spat a few weeks ago. She beat you pretty for the club head qualifier I do believe..” Gwen said casually.

Like this was all hum drum. Keeping to herself the fact that she knew they had become friends since then.

If there was a pressure point to press against on this issue it was around that time... the beginning of their connection..

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

“Surely you can guess...”

She shrugged at the stack of papers, "Weak complaints from weak people. Maria said..." She suddenly stopped herself and switched gears, hoping Gwendolyn didn't notice the slip. "Why should I tolerate their ignorance? I don't owe them anything. If anything I could be making them stronger if they didn't complain like mewling kittens all the time."
She huffed and crossed her arms.

“Rules ensure skill, it keeps footing equal allowing those who need to practice a way to do so, and allow others to refine skill where it’s lacking. It also keeps the fatalities down..” She added. “I mean..You would not believe how many bones this place sits on top of it’s... A joke"

She had no rebuttal for that, though she couldn't help but smile with her at the joke... But the moment of mirth was shortlived.

“I understand your pain..” Gwen said in Ginas tribes tongue with an understanding nod. Her tone was calm and kind.

Like a mother speaking to an angry teen.

She closed her eyes taking a deep breath.

Reopening them they were simple black pits. Her voice deadly serious.

“You honored your father and mother with the blood of such an honorable kill for one so young.” She continued in native tongue.

“But you misunderstand the lessons.” She began. Her tone deadly serious. Her pronunciation flawless.

“I am a product of the very system you have such dissatisfaction with. Every class and tedious training exercise I had done for decades before finding ways to effectively teach it and bringing it to you. I teach women HOW to submit. There will be times where this must be done. In delicate politics and in life. WHEN to submit is for your discretion. Though I have known many to die for their pride..” She spat bitterly.

“You do not have to enjoy my lessons. But you will respect my sacrifice.” She hissed..remembering those wasted lives. Great potentials wasted...

“But That’s why I asked to speak with you.”

Gina sat dumbfounded as Gwen spoke in her native tongue, when Gwendolyn's eyes changed she leaned back as if she were trying to blend in to her chair like a chameleon. By the end of it her shoulders had come up and she practically cowered in her seat.

The room shifted to normal..Gwen sat in front of her looking as normal. Speaking common...had that happened?

Her hazy greys remained locked with Ginas. certainly not twin black pits..if not still slightly unnerving.. “Are you paying attention Princess?” Gwen asked snapping her fingers.

She practically jumped in her seat when Gwen snapped. She blinked and glanced around... HAD that actually happened? She shook herself, she felt like she just came out of a bad dream.
"S-sorry, headmistress."

“As I was saying..I hope you will not be such a case.” She said genuinely. She wanted what was best for the girl like all of her indirect students, but this was also a game. She was on Ginas side. She was a powerful woman like Gina.

Gina could trust her...

”I only asked about Marie because it seems you had a spat a few weeks ago. She beat you pretty for the club head qualifier I do believe..” Gwen said casually.

Like this was all hum drum. Keeping to herself the fact that she knew they had become friends since then.

If there was a pressure point to press against on this issue it was around that time... the beginning of their connection..

Gina nodded, "Yes, Marie won. I see what you mean by skill with rules... I couldn't beat her while following the rules. She became the Captain. I tried to make her abdicate but she would not be intimidated..."
Gina seemed to be thinking of that time and reliving how impressed she was, she quickly hid her expressions but not before everyone saw the admiration in her eyes.
"Ahem... Anyways, we've stayed out of each other's way."

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

"Weak complaints from weak people. Maria said..."

Gwen’s face remained neutral and she revealed nothing. It seems she had been correct to pursue this line of questioning. She let her continue.

"Why should I tolerate their ignorance? I don't owe them anything. If anything I could be making them stronger if they didn't complain like mewling kittens all the time."

She had a small bit of satisfaction after her small mental game, but it was short lived when she saw the girl cowering in her seat. Gwen had a soft spot for her students.

Well most of them anyway..

"S-sorry, headmistress."

“It’s alright..” The broker said with a calm smile. Waiting for her to continue.

"Yes, Marie won. I see what you mean by skill with rules... I couldn't beat her while following the rules. She became the Captain. I tried to make her abdicate but she would not be intimidated..."

“My lessons were not lost on you then. You see that there are rivals and enemies that can not be removed by force and strength.” Gwen said with a slightly self righteous smirk.

"Ahem... Anyways, we've stayed out of each other's way."

“Right..That’s most times for the best..” Gwen said with a nod.

“Well. I think this was productive. I’ll be seeing you.” She said with a kind grin slowly forming on her lips. Watching the girls shoulders relax. Waiting for the exact moment she was most relieved. “Oh and one more thing.” The hand tightened like iron on the girls wrist.

“When you mentioned staying out of her way you forgot to mention the rooftop picnics and special practices you’ve been going to. I just wanted to make sure your memory is serving you correctly.” She said slowly. Her voice moving from the warm and relaxed to absolute zero.

“Because liars have guilt and guilt can lead to some nasty dreams.” She said as the room once more chilled as an icy draft in a room where there should not be one.

She smiled at her but there was no kindness in it. The way a shark naturally smiles before it eats. Had that dream really happened? Could it happen again? Seemingly reading her thoughts Gwen would slowly nod.

Her smile unwavering. It had really happened. And Gwen could make it happen again. Only a wordless promise and the look in her eye ensured it would be far far worse for her should it be required to be used again. Stone cold killers had nearly wet themselves at the sight of it, a girl barely trained..

The damage should be tenfold.

Good.

Gwen wanted this wrapped up quickly.

“So no more lies child.” She said as the feeling in the room hung. Like a man half way out of a door. Held back just enough. “Speak and set you guilt free.” She said kindly.

“Now!” She snapped suddenly smacking her hand on the table. “What is your relationship with Marie Fontaine?!” She hissed.

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

Gilgamesh watched all of this with the same impassivity he'd had as long as anyone ever knew him... But inwardly he admired Gwendolyn like this, she was almost in her true element, she was in control of the whole room and the child was completely at her mercy, practically eating out of her hands.
When Gwendolyn wanted her to be calm, she was calm. When she wanted her to be friendly, she was friendly... And when she wanted her to be afraid, she was afraid.

She drew on the shadows, his shadows, the most honest and raw part of himself that he ever shared with anyone.
Unbeknownst to Gilgamesh, the shadows called to her, but not as they normally did in such a way as to tempt her towards power... But as if they now called her... "Home"...

Gilgamesh was pleased by the information Gwendolyn had gathered this far, but this was child's play for her. Thus a disappointment also grew in his mind, Heticate should have been able to handle this no problem before they even arrived. He communicated silently to Heticate's mind.
<"Observe, daughter. You chose this field because it is where your talents excelled, your mother allowed it and I agreed to it. You did not wish to follow the path of your sister, you asked to become a manipulator instead. This information should have been easily within your reach. Did we make a mistake in allowing you this freedom?">

_______________________________​

“Well. I think this was productive. I’ll be seeing you.” She said with a kind grin slowly forming on her lips. Watching the girls shoulders relax. Waiting for the exact moment she was most relieved.

Gina was visibly relieved when it seemed like she would be released without further questions.
She smiled as she started to stand up.
"Thank you headmistress! I promise to work harder in my studie-"

“Oh and one more thing.” The hand tightened like iron on the girls wrist.

Her eyes widened in shock and she let out an exclamation of alarm when the hand clamped on her wrist like a vise.

“When you mentioned staying out of her way you forgot to mention the rooftop picnics and special practices you’ve been going to. I just wanted to make sure your memory is serving you correctly.” She said slowly. Her voice moving from the warm and relaxed to absolute zero.

“Because liars have guilt and guilt can lead to some nasty dreams.” She said as the room once more chilled as an icy draft in a room where there should not be one.

She smiled at her but there was no kindness in it. The way a shark naturally smiles before it eats. Had that dream really happened? Could it happen again? Seemingly reading her thoughts Gwen would slowly nod.

Her smile unwavering. It had really happened. And Gwen could make it happen again. Only a wordless promise and the look in her eye ensured it would be far far worse for her should it be required to be used again. Stone cold killers had nearly wet themselves at the sight of it, a girl barely trained..

The damage should be tenfold.

And it was... She screamed in terror as she struggled futilely against her grip. In a brief moment of lucidity she tried to leverage her wrist free, pushing the chair back with her legs to stand and brace herself on her own two feet, but the simple martial arts technique and her comparatively meagre strength failed, which further plunged her into a state of sheer horror.
She fell to her knees crying, trying to close her eyes to escape the horrible dream but it would not go away.
She too, would wet herself... She could not escape, she could not fight, and so she was reduced to base animal fear.

Good.

Gwen wanted this wrapped up quickly.

“So no more lies child.” She said as the feeling in the room hung. Like a man half way out of a door. Held back just enough. “Speak and set you guilt free.” She said kindly.

“Now!” She snapped suddenly smacking her hand on the table. “What is your relationship with Marie Fontaine?!” She hissed.

As the feeling faded she calmed down some, to a point of lucid thought so she could respond.
"Lovers! We are lovers! I respected her skill, so I went to her and we became lovers!"
She knew this wasn't enough. It was true, but it wasn't everything, she had to come completely clean to avoid those horrible dreams.
"We work together to advance our standing and popularity in the school, she sometimes asks me to take care of students that would cause us trouble. She says she has a sponsor that has big plans for this school and if we do well we can be on top!"

______________________________​

Gilgamesh leaned forward, the first sign of interest he'd shown. This practically proved Angelica's involvement, which flooded him with relief...

... Just Angelica...

Nothing more... Nothing worse... Or so he hoped.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

She drew on the shadows, his shadows, the most honest and raw part of himself that he ever shared with anyone.
Unbeknownst to Gilgamesh, the shadows called to her, but not as they normally did in such a way as to tempt her towards power... But as if they now called her... "Home"...

She felt it. The slight pain and resistance she always felt when calling on the shadows eased suddenly. The whispers were not tempting her. They whispered of comfort. They whispered of home. They whispered of her. "Home.."

As the feeling faded she calmed down some, to a point of lucid thought so she could respond.
"Lovers! We are lovers! I respected her skill, so I went to her and we became lovers!"

Oh...That wasnt what she was looking for.. but that tidbit was useful as well. "I said tell me the truth!" She exclaimed standing over the cowering girl. "Do not make me..."

"We work together to advance our standing and popularity in the school, she sometimes asks me to take care of students that would cause us trouble. She says she has a sponsor that has big plans for this school and if we do well we can be on top!"

Bingo. "Excellent. Thank you." She said with a smirk that carried no warmth in it. Friendly Gwen had vanished like water in the desert sand.

Eyes that regarded Gina as a friend now regarded her like a cockroach that had escaped a boot. She picked Gina up by the collar on her school uniform shoving her against the opposite wall. Not hard enough to truly hurt but enough for it to be felt.

"You are walking a very thin line between worlds you can never even begin to understand." She growled. Her face an inch from Ginas. "you will leave this office and you will be a model student. If not I can send you back to your father with a beautiful letter detailing your romantic exploits. You like women do you not?" She asked pressing against her pointedly.

A thumb tracing her cheek.

Her touch was cold as the steel of a blade. Her breath on Gina's cheek. "If I remember correctly the sentence for homosexuality is death or exile. We would hate to shame your father in such a way. It just might make way for a rival to put a blade in his ribs." She hissed. Opening the office door she would release her and allow her to move.

"Now get out before i rub your nose in the mess you made on my floor." She spat. The door shutting as Gina walked away still shell shocked. She walked the halls in a daze for a moment before a fist slammed into the side of her face flooring the poor girl.

"That was for last week Gina. You dirty animal." A girl said stepping into view. Deborah McDowell, and her cronies. "Whats that streak down your leg.." She asked curiously before realization entered her eyes and her evil grin only widened. "Did you piss yourself!" She crowed to her cronies laughter.

"How about we make you wet yourself again you little bitch!" She added as her cronies circled Gina. The red head would normally be tearing them limb from limb. The girl was a fighting machine, but here she was pissing herself and looking like someone had skinned her family in front of her very eyes. Deborah didnt understand why, but never look a gift horse in the mouth as the saying went.. "Leave her alone." Deborahs blood ran cold as Gina jumped to her feet and moved past into the arms of Marie.

"I thought i smelled slut in this hall. I thought it was just coming from piddle pants here." Debroah said pointedly pointing at the mess that was Gina. "So did I. Guess my sense of smell is off." She said placing a slender finger to her chin.

"But the only thing in this hallway is shit." She said taking Gina in her slender arms and leading her away. Finally once alone in the nearest wash room She would enter the stall with Gina and close it.

She would pull Gina into a tight hug.

"What happened to you darling?" She asked petting her hair and letting her love vent out whatever had left her in such a state into her shoulder....

<"Observe, daughter. You chose this field because it is where your talents excelled, your mother allowed it and I agreed to it. You did not wish to follow the path of your sister, you asked to become a manipulator instead. This information should have been easily within your reach. Did we make a mistake in allowing you this freedom?">

<"I was the one that wrote the files mother is using father."> She answered not meeting Gilgamesh's eyes. <"I called you here for a different reason."> She said slowly. Even mother could not know everything...Not until her father decided to allow it.

<"This is the list of books you requested. I did not give mother a copy just as you asked..."> She said pulling out a single sheet of parchment handing it to him obediently. <"I do not enjoy keeping things from mother.."> She did add as a small defiance.

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

"Excellent. Thank you." She said with a smirk that carried no warmth in it. Friendly Gwen had vanished like water in the desert sand.

Eyes that regarded Gina as a friend now regarded her like a cockroach that had escaped a boot. She picked Gina up by the collar on her school uniform shoving her against the opposite wall. Not hard enough to truly hurt but enough for it to be felt.

"You are walking a very thin line between worlds you can never even begin to understand." She growled. Her face an inch from Ginas. "you will leave this office and you will be a model student. If not I can send you back to your father with a beautiful letter detailing your romantic exploits. You like women do you not?" She asked pressing against her pointedly.

A thumb tracing her cheek.

Her touch was cold as the steel of a blade. Her breath on Gina's cheek. "If I remember correctly the sentence for homosexuality is death or exile. We would hate to shame your father in such a way. It just might make way for a rival to put a blade in his ribs." She hissed. Opening the office door she would release her and allow her to move.

"Now get out before i rub your nose in the mess you made on my floor."

Gina was thoroughly humiliated, terrified, threatened, hurt and altogether traumatized.
Once she was released she wasted no time exiting the office, a total wreck even if passersby didn't notice the streak down her inner thigh, tears made her eyes red and puffy, her hair was in shambles, her uniform in disarray.

Getting punched in the side of the face almost felt surreal, she didn't register pain immediately so all she noticed was a force against her face and suddenly she was off balance and falling like a sack of potatoes, the hallway turned sideways and she suddenly couldn't tell which way was up.
Even hitting the floor didn't register until a brief moment later when sensation suddenly came flooding back.

"That was for last week Gina. You dirty animal." A girl said stepping into view. Deborah McDowell, and her cronies. "Whats that streak down your leg.." She asked curiously before realization entered her eyes and her evil grin only widened. "Did you piss yourself!" She crowed to her cronies laughter.

"How about we make you wet yourself again you little bitch!" She added as her cronies circled Gina. The red head would normally be tearing them limb from limb. The girl was a fighting machine, but here she was pissing herself and looking like someone had skinned her family in front of her very eyes. Deborah didn't understand why, but never look a gift horse in the mouth as the saying went..

The pain brought her back to reality, but not back to herself. Normally one punch was all they would get before she was back on her feet giving back ten fold what she received.

"You will leave this office and you will be a model student. If not I can send you back to your father with a beautiful letter detailing your romantic exploits. You like women do you not?"

Her newfound terror and crippling sense of mortality froze her to the floor, unable to fight, unable to even curse them or intimidate them... The memory of that cold touch froze her blood and she would remember it forever every time she thought to break the rules.

"Leave her alone." Deborah's blood ran cold as Gina jumped to her feet and moved past into the arms of Marie.

"I thought i smelled slut in this hall. I thought it was just coming from piddle pants here." Debroah said pointedly pointing at the mess that was Gina. "So did I. Guess my sense of smell is off." She said placing a slender finger to her chin.

"But the only thing in this hallway is shit." She said taking Gina in her slender arms and leading her away. Finally once alone in the nearest wash room She would enter the stall with Gina and close it. She would pull Gina into a tight hug. "What happened to you darling?" She asked petting her hair and letting her love vent out whatever had left her in such a state into her shoulder....

Now in safety... Gina was safe in her lover's arms, Marie saved her... Helpless... she realized that she was helpless for the first time in her life... Not only helpless, a criminal in the eyes of her tribe if they ever found out that she fell in love with a woman.

With a sob she pressed her face to Marie's shoulder and let herself completely break down... She had been fooling herself, claiming to preserve the pride and honor of her tribe while tasting the forbidden fruit of her female lover.
"It's finished, we're finished! That Headmistress, she's a demon... We can't fight her! We can't win against her!"

_______________________________​

<"I was the one that wrote the files mother is using father."> She answered not meeting Gilgamesh's eyes. <"I called you here for a different reason.">

<"Yes, you did well in gathering the prerequisite information. I am more interested in what we just learned.">
Gilgamesh wasn't one to carry on about 'what ifs', 'could haves' and 'should haves'. The fact was that she didn't already confirm the enemy before they arrived when it was within her ability to do so and that displeased him. So he let his displeasure be known and left it at that.

<"This is the list of books you requested. I did not give mother a copy just as you asked..."> She said pulling out a single sheet of parchment handing it to him obediently. <"I do not enjoy keeping things from mother.."> She did add as a small defiance.

<"Then you and I are of the same mind. For now, trust that the deceptions I've crafted for her and for you are ultimately for your good...">
Some enemies could only harm you if you know that they exist... Hiding this enemy for his entire earthly existence from those he cared about had indeed protected them, partially, but he could sense that time was coming to an end...

... Soon...

He took the parchment and scanned it's contents.

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

<“I could not discuss the books in front of mother. This was the first we were alone. I do not understand why you are displeased with me.”> Heticate said some what defensively.

Bella was searching for the truth alright.

<“I did not know those books were in the restricted section of the library. It’s really simply powerful Magic’s to keep away from the newer students. The fatalities you know..”> Heticate continued.

<“Which means that either my knowledge of my books is incorrect...or they were placed there and hidden from me.”> she said with a shrug that seemed to say “Decide which for yourself.”

<“Either way. She’s kind, gifted, and quiet. I had not for seen an issue. Someone waited for her to gain access or granted access themselves and pointed her in the correct direction.”> She paused for a moment looking down at the plain stone floor.

<“Someone unknown to me.”> She coughed once more placing her frayed slightly more stained handkerchief to her mouth. A small black streak was left on her chin. She wiped her chin with a quick flick and stowed the cloth quickly.

<“I was not harmed by a bomb in my office and neither was my staff. And it was not the girl.”> She finished shortly straightening her posture.

<“I wrote you that night. I did not mean to displease you with my timing in delivering information father. Im just distracting mother with a little play so I could speak with you privately as you instructed. ”> She finished respectfully.

...............................

Gwen felt badly. It was always a nice feeling to get information but she didn’t feel right...Heticate should have broken this girl like a pane of glass shattering her defenses..What was going on here... The shadows had settled inside her soul like a warm embrace. She felt unwell even just feeling it churning around in her being getting acquainted in a way it had never seemed to before... She clutched at her chest as the shadow shifted and the pain spiked before it settled to nothing. "Send in the next student please Heticate." Gwen said with a slight wave glancing towards the two way mirror..

.....................................

Now in safety... Gina was safe in her lover's arms, Marie saved her... Helpless... she realized that she was helpless for the first time in her life... Not only helpless, a criminal in the eyes of her tribe if they ever found out that she fell in love with a woman.

With a sob she pressed her face to Marie's shoulder and let herself completely break down... She had been fooling herself, claiming to preserve the pride and honor of her tribe while tasting the forbidden fruit of her female lover.
"It's finished, we're finished! That Headmistress, she's a demon... We can't fight her! We can't win against her!"

"Gina..Neekai..Sweet heart.." Marie said speaking her pet name in Gina's tribes tongue as she had taught her. "Your ok." She whispered comfortingly allowing her love to vent into her shoulder. Petting her hair and combing her fingers through it subconsciously straightening it.

"Calm down..Tell me what hap.." She was cut off as the door to the restroom was opened. A group of girls. Marie's gang of hangers on.

"Oh good, Sara and the others are here.." Marie said opening the door only to have a kick meet her chest. "What the hell Sara! I asked you here be-" Sara wordlessly punched her right in the nose. Crimson flowing as it broke and threw her back into Gina.

"Word around the school is that you and your guard dog are on the outs. And I cant say I haven't been waiting for this for a while Marie." She spat literally as a glob of spit splashed into Marie's face as she stood to defend herself.

Turning to make sure Gina was ok was her only mistake. Another kick slammed into her knee fracturing it with a crack. She screamed in pain as she was spun around. A hand on her neck. She kept whimpering and pleading as her head was shoved into the chamber pot.

The beating that followed was no less disgusting... When she came to she pulled her soiled head from the pot flopping to the ground. Her right leg still useless she crawled towards Gina who was no better off.

"Neekai..Neekai.." She whimpered. Her broken nose giving her crystal like voice with a congested sound. She reached her and curled around her protectively from threats that were no longer pressing, but her mind had not registered that they were alone yet. "I'm so sorry Gina..I can make them pay..I..I can fix this.." She said with another groan. The door opened again.

"Fuck off Sara! I will hurt you I swear!" She said trying not to hear the pitiful catch in her throat. A blonde entered slowly. "Are you alright..?" She questioned rushing forward and kneeling next to them. "Oh.." Marie said relaxing immediately, but remained holding Gina like a security blanket.

"Its only you Angel. Yeah..Sara and Deborah and the bitches that follow them both around got to us. Its like the whole schools turned upside down.." She muttered as Angel knelt next to them both placing her hands on each of them one at a time. Their wounds and filth fading away leaving them clean and healthy if not still incredibly fatigued.

"There.." Angel said with a smile helping them both up. "So you two want to tell me what's going on or what?" She asked tilting her head to the side. Gina and Marie would both jump suddenly as they would realize how much the young girl looked like a younger version of the headmistress.

They had never noticed before given they hadnt known what Gwen looked like.

It was almost eerie..

But this was Angel.

A transfer student that had been with them for a year now.

Bella had introduced them, and she had been nothing but kind and helpful since.

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

<“I could not discuss the books in front of mother. This was the first we were alone. I do not understand why you are displeased with me.”> Heticate said some what defensively.

... Wait a moment... Did she...?

Bella was searching for the truth alright.

<“I did not know those books were in the restricted section of the library. It’s really simply powerful Magic’s to keep away from the newer students. The fatalities you know..”> Heticate continued.

<“Which means that either my knowledge of my books is incorrect...or they were placed there and hidden from me.”> she said with a shrug that seemed to say “Decide which for yourself.”

He scanned the list... Ice formed in his veins as his blood ran cold.
He knew which it was and he had hoped against hope that he was wrong... HE had hidden these books here. It was risky placing them within possible reach of others but he had been thorough in covering his tracks and making sure no one would find them, even Heticate couldn't find them unless she knew what she were looking for. Gwendolyn's archives wouldn't hide from her the information he kept in these books, and above all others she was not to even get a hint of their existence!

Bella... She was the dangerous one. Angelica was involved as well but she might as well be a mere annoyance at this point.
The enemy was closing in again...

... Like that murderous day on the cliff...

<“Either way. She’s kind, gifted, and quiet. I had not foreseen an issue. Someone waited for her to gain access or granted access themselves and pointed her in the correct direction.”> She paused for a moment looking down at the plain stone floor.

<“Someone unknown to me.”> She coughed once more placing her frayed slightly more stained handkerchief to her mouth. A small black streak was left on her chin. She wiped her chin with a quick flick and stowed the cloth quickly.

<“I was not harmed by a bomb in my office and neither was my staff. And it was not the girl.”> She finished shortly straightening her posture.

<“I wrote you that night. I did not mean to displease you with my timing in delivering information father. Im just distracting mother with a little play so I could speak with you privately as you instructed. ”> She finished respectfully.

Understanding finally dawned on him, why she hadn't already broken these students and put their covert rebellion to rest... He honestly didn't even suspect that it was her scheming at work and even Gwendolyn bought it, Heticate was actually very convincing to the point that he thought she might be becoming dulled by her care for these humans... It seems that he was the one who had dulled.

He looked at her, with a genuine expression of admiration. She crafted a lie that even he couldn't see through. She was a Greywood indeed and he placed an apologetic hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze. Maybe the years on this human form were finally catching up with him? It was a passing thought and he shook it off with an inward chuckle.

<"I have made two mistakes thus far... Firstly; I underestimated you. Secondly; I judged you too hastily. If you could forgive my failure that would do my heart good.">
He tentatively sent some of his energy into her, revitalizing her shadows slightly and quickening her healing. If she appreciates it he would continue.
This wasn't like him... But he knew why... The enemy was getting closer and he was getting excited! He wasn't going to play by their script, he was going to direct a different ending!
Finally he won't have to hide! Finally he could tell Gwendolyn everything!

He was terrified for sure! But also elated! He will either kill that great enemy that has plagued him for over five-hundred years... Or he will commit another act of betrayal.
He hid it all very well but he was almost anxious for the enemy to strike.

He collected himself and turned his attention back to Gwendolyn.
<"This confirms my fears, Heticate. I need you to be ready for anything. I know you already suspect something bigger at play here, treat that suspicion as absolute fact. I will need to rely on both of you when the time comes.">

"Send in the next student please Heticate." Gwen said with a slight wave glancing towards the two way mirror..

Gilgamesh stared back at her... He will need to prepare her as well, somehow, and without telling her... The more she knew the better all of their odds became, she is... was... His top assassin, she couldn't go into a situation blind.

____________________________​

Chaos... Even in Marie's arms she wasn't safe. What the hell was going on?!
Gina could only huddle as she was beaten and kicked.
This wasn't supposed to be happening, they were supposed to be the ones in charge, they were supposed to be at the top of the food chain... When did things get so out of hand?!

Gina could only lay on the floor, whimpering and crying through swollen eyes, she could hear them beating Marie... Her Marie... But even anger wasn't enough to move her to action.
Once it was over Marie crawled to her and put herself protectively over her, and thy just lay there, half alive.

It seemed like Gina passed out from the pain for hours, but she awoke moments later to both their injuries being healed.

"There.." Angel said with a smile helping them both up. "So you two want to tell me what's going on or what?"

Gina slowly got up with Angel's help, she felt like she could sleep for a week.
She looked up at the girl and froze, reaching the same realization that Marie must have come to.

... She looked like that demon woman...

She clutched Marie's arm tightly as she shuddered in terror, that cold voice echoed in her mind again, that steely touch...
"A-Angel... Who the fuck are you?!"

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

<"I have made two mistakes thus far... Firstly; I underestimated you. Secondly; I judged you too hastily. If you could forgive my failure that would do my heart good.">
He tentatively sent some of his energy into her, revitalizing her shadows slightly and quickening her healing. If she appreciates it he would continue.

“Father..” Heticate was caught completely off guard. Her father apologizing..

“Of course you are forgiven..I know you are not my father by any true sense. But your the only one I have ever known to fill that role. When I was a young demon you pulled me from the void and gave me a chance to be more in this realm..”

She flinched at his touch, but quickly relaxed as her knees grew weak and she bit back a gasp as a single tear ran down her cheek at the sheer relief her fathers power brought.

“Thank you..” She muttered still unable to meet his eyes.

<"This confirms my fears, Heticate. I need you to be ready for anything. I know you already suspect something bigger at play here, treat that suspicion as absolute fact. I will need to rely on both of you when the time comes.">

“Yes father.” She said her hands clenching into fists. A small pulse of activating energy coming from her.

A-Angel... Who the fuck are you?!"

Angels eyes narrowed. The kind expression she always wore vanishing being replaced by o e far colder and sinister if not more beautiful in an icy way.

“I’m a friend, and if your asking that question..” she grinned. “I’m your only hope..”

 

[Amadeus Greywood]

“Father..” Heticate was caught completely off guard. Her father apologizing..

“Of course you are forgiven..I know you are not my father by any true sense. But your the only one I have ever known to fill that role. When I was a young demon you pulled me from the void and gave me a chance to be more in this realm..”

She flinched at his touch, but quickly relaxed as her knees grew weak and she bit back a gasp as a single tear ran down her cheek at the sheer relief her fathers power brought.

“Thank you..” She muttered still unable to meet his eyes.

He poured more of his power into her, like topping off a water skin. There are few things that can cause this sort of damage to even a demon hybrid. Blessed weapons for one, but enchanted or magical weapons might be more accessible to nobility.

He watched in anticipation for Bella.
"Send her in... Let's see if miss Kina is more than she seems."

He removed his hand from Heticate's shoulder as her wound closed.
<"Tell me how you were actually wounded, what happened?">

______________________________​

“I’m a friend, and if your asking that question..” she grinned. “I’m your only hope..”

Gina looked to Marie, she didn't understand everything that was going on, she left the scheming to Marie and she was happy to smash in some heads, then she looked back at Angel... Was this their sponsor?
"Are you the daughter of the Headmistress?! Marie, what's going on?!"

 

[Gwendolyn Vollmund]

He watched in anticipation for Bella.
"Send her in... Let's see if miss Kina is more than she seems."
He removed his hand from Heticate's shoulder as her wound closed.
<"Tell me how you were actually wounded, what happened?">

Bella entered timidly. Gwens expression was stern.

“Sit.” She instructed and the girl did so. She seemed to hold a certain caution with Gwen even more so than her nature and history would suggest as a student not used to being in an office for anything but reviving award or praise.

Almost like she understood the danger..The extracurricular reading she had been looking at lately..

“Yes ma’am..” Bella said hesitantly..

"Are you the daughter of the Headmistress?! Marie, what's going on?!"

“What do you mean?” Angelica hissed. “I am no daughter to that demon. No..” Her grin returned. “I am something much worse.” She giggled.