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Intro

Chapter #2: The Doll

“Alright, I’ll go along,” I said calmly. It was only logical. If people attacked us, I could use her as a shield. She was the second head so people would either go straight for her or avoid attacking us all together. Plus, I bet she could kick anyone’s butt in this whole school.

“Great, meet me in front of the archery field. I’ll get something tasty for both of us. What’s your favorite flavor?” Ariva asked, clearly pleased that I accepted her request. But wait, shouldn’t I be getting my own food?

“Why are you offering to make me food?” I asked, confused. I wasn’t even her friend and she was willing to make food for me?

“Make? Who said anything about ‘make’? I’m just going to grab some stuff from the caf,” the red-head answered me, using slang I was pretty sure meant cafeteria. Wait a second… Was she going to buy me something, or possibly steal something? But she seemed to notice my concern and laughed. “I’m not going to steal anything, that sounds too much like Hau. All the food in the school is free as long as you get high enough grades, and trust I’m in the clear.”

“You really seem to hate this Hau kid, don’t you?” I asked calmly. But on the inside I was thinking, Can you go five minutes without saying something about her? Seriously, are you obsessed or something? Of course I didn’t say that out loud. It would have made me seem weird.

“Of course I hate her! She- she… Ah!” Of course, the universal answer, Ah! I hated when people used such a simple word to explain their emotions.

“I understand,” I lied in my most passive voice. By this point I had noticed she wasn’t the sharpest knife in the holster. So I could probably trick her. And she seemed to fall for it.

“Well, anyway you never answered by question. What’s your-“ Suddenly she was cut off by the sound of a ringing bell. “Oh crap, I have to get to practice. Hope you don’t mind whatever I pick out for you.”

“Anything will be fi-“ I began but she was long gone by the time I started. She needed to learn to pay attention. Oh well, I better just go find my room.

----

Seems this school really wants its students to succeed. I had a frigging book shelf in my room, and a huge bed, and a freaking jet tub. And apparently, this is the normal room! I understand why the school only has a hundred students…

But still, holy flying carp on a stick! They’re rich! Oh I better check the clock- Crap it almost lunch time! I ran down the stairs and – Oof!

Something knocked me backwards, but I knew at the same time that I knocked something backwards too. Whatever it was gave of a little moan and then I heard something that chilled my blood.

“Lady Hau! Are you okay?”

Crap! Crap! Crap! I just knocked over the other head of the student body. Crap! Those girls were going to tear me into pieces. Then put me back together and destroy me again. I’m doomed! Doomed1

“Hau’s okay! Hau’s okay!” came a cheerful voice. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. Instinctively I looked up, and peered into two pale blue eyes.

“Miss Namida, are you alright? I was just coming to look for you,” said the sweet voice again. I was a little stunned. This tiny pale girl was Hau, Ariva’s rival? That didn’t seem right… I had imagined she would be similar to the red head, with powerful muscles and tanned skin. But this girl, for all extensive purposes, was a doll.

“Namida? Nami? Da-Da? Mi-Mi? Mi-Nam-Nam?” That snapped me back. Mi-Nam-Nam? Where did she come up with that?

“Oh, yes, sorry. I’m fine, I just wasn’t expecting you to be so… nice,” I said honestly. Normally, I wouldn’t have been so open about this, but there was something about this girl, like I couldn’t lie to her. She was sort of scary.

“Oh, you’ve been listening to Riva-Iva, haven’t you?” Hau asked, spot on. “She’s so cruel to me, that kitty. But I never did anything to deserve her cruelty. You believe me don’t you?” My goddess, did she just give me the puppy dog eyes and bite her lip? Is she trying to make me pity her?

“I-I’m not sure. She seemed convinced of her-“

“I said, do you believe me?” Hau said, but not in the cheerful voice that she had used before. Her voice lowered, her body tensed, and gave me a look that seemed to burn me from the inside out.

“N-no, I don’t believe you,” I said. She was scaring me. I didn’t normally scare easily, but this girl was so two-faced. And now, she looked even angrier than before. She pulled back from me and then gestured for two of her lackies to come forward.

“You hurt me so, Namida. You’re not ever nice are you?” The childish voice was back and she looked at me with a little pout. I thought for a moment that I was safe, but her lackies were laughing. Then the pale girl pulled out something from her bag. She ran her fingers down the blade, and it gleamed in the slight light of the hall. Oh, crap, she had knife.

Walking over to me, she drew symbols into the sky with her blade. Oh, just lovely. She thought that this was a game. When she got over to me, she ran the knife down my arm, just enough to draw blood. It was quite clear she didn’t want to hurt me, she was just warning me. She had control here.

“Now, you have to make this up to me, mirror witch. You’re going to have a little picnic with me at lunch, okay?” whispered Hau in my ear. Creepy. She needed to learn personal space. Eww.

Then she got up and walked a few feet away. As soon as her eyes moved off me, I let out a little breath. It wasn’t really her that I couldn’t lie to, it was those eyes, that seems to peer into my soul, and to burn me.

“Hey! Answer Hau already! Answer Hau! You’ll come right? Unless, of course, you already have plans.”

Chapter #3: Uxah is Really Weird

"I don't have plans," I lied. I hated doing it like this, but I was scared of what would happen if told her the truth. She spoke of Ariva with such disdain that I was convinced that she would do something drastic if I told her I was going to lunch with Ariva.

"You don't lie very well," Hau said calmly, while I, on the other hand, was like 'What the Flying Carps?' How did she know about my plans? "I know everything about this school, down to everyone's underwear colours." One, can she read my mind? Two, gross. "No I can't read minds, no matter what everyone thinks, people are just too easy to read." I am not easy to read! "Yes you are." Damn it.

"Anyway, why did you ask me if I had plans if you already knew that I agreed to go to lunch with her?" I asked, my voice filled with naiveté. Uggg, I hate sounding like my big sister, Maya, with her, 'I'm so innocent' voice. I hate being her twin.

"I wanted to see how much she had corrupted you with her lies about me. I know everything that's going on, but allot of stuff is lot when it's relayed to me," Hau said, finally turning back to me and offering me a hand to help me up. Of course I accepted, it would be rude to do anything else, and I was raised to have manners.

But apparently Hau wasn't, because she dropped me half way up and yelled, "Your heavy!"

Thanks, Hau, thanks. Like I wasn't self conscious about my weight without her mentioning it. But I won't say that to her because I never hit the floor. Her guards are bloody fast. They hauled me to my feet and wiped the dirt off me. I feel like spoiled little princess… Scratch that, I NEVER said I felt like a princess. I am not a princess, I am just the daughter of the Grand Lady of the Mirrors, that does not make me a princess.

"Hey were you listening? Stop narrating your life and respond to my last comment!" said Hau, pounding my chest with her little fists. One, how did she know! Two… My goddess, she's weak! Those didn't even hurt when they hit me in the sensitive areas! But her guards look pretty pissy, so I'll answer her.

"She spreads rumors about you?" I asked, even though I wasn't that interested. But she seems like she has a short fuse.
"Of course, I'm just an innocent little girl," Hau said, clinging to my shirt and giving me these big doe eyes. I could almost believe her if it was for her guards giving me the evil eyes. I didn't think they liked me being within striking distance of their 'almighty' leader. It wasn't my fault that the pale kid was so touchy feely, but try and tell that to those she-zillias behind me.

"Are you sure there isn't any truth behind those rumors?" I asked even though I intended to say I believed her. Damn those eyes, which were now… Oh crap she's crying!. Those guards are going to kill me!

"You're a big meanie!" she said as she ran away. Instead of beating me up, the guards ran after her. Oh thank the goddess, I'm saved. But there was something I never noticed standing at the back of the crowd of guards. Wait didn't she just- What's going on? Wait, didn't they say she had a sister. Oh that explains everything.

The girl who was left standing there looked almost exactly like Hau, except that she was much taller, dressed in black and I wasn't sure what colour her eyes were since she keep staring at the ground. The taller twin looked like she was about to say something but couldn't get the words out. I would have to help her out.

"Is there something you wanted to say to me?" I said, walking closer to her.

"Y-yes," stuttered out, looking at the ground still and backing precariously close to the staircase behind her.

"Well," I said, coming even closer. That was a bad decision, since she backed up even further and started to fall back. Running forward, I pulled her back. That was kind of scary. If I had been a little slower she might have died, and Hau might have killed me. I didn't doubt that somewhere in that little doll's heart, she had the power to kill so one.

"Thank you, Miss Namida," she said. "I- I- I just wanted to tell you that my sister wouldn't be upset at you come lunch time. She still expects you to meet her, but if you don't want to, you can go to Ariva. She'll protect you from my sister, no matter what. People who stop following Hau often times go to Riva, and then they are safe. Except… Never mind. Just remember that you have a choice in which side to go to. Hau will meet you in the old boiler room."

"Thank you," I said, trying to remain calm. Why wouldn't I know this? I was starting to think that I didn't was to meet either girl. It wasn't like I wasn't like going to be in trouble if I 'had some unpacking to do'.

"Well, please just hurry and decide, it could change everything," the girl said, and I noticed a similarity between her and her twin. They both said extremely weird things. "Oh, I'm Uxah, if you had forgotten." Oh yeah, the psycho girl from before mentioned her name, but how did she know I knew her name? Another weird thing. But by the point I thought over all of this she was gone. Fast little thing.

----

The lunch bell rang out loudly as I finished unpacking my bags. My sister had packed me, and they apparently had very different opinions on what I would need. Maya packed me a gun, and Rosa packed me… How did she fit a plant in here, and if didn't get crushed. I really questioned the mind of my little sister. She also packed supplies to take care of said plant; a pair of garden shears, a watering can, and fertilizer. Eww, the bag broke open and got all over my clothes.

"My goddess, Rosa, what is wrong with you?" I said, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Rose just loved plants, and was sure that everyone else did to, but fertilizer in my bag? With my clothes? And the bloody garden shears shredded my favorite dress. Thanks Rosa, thanks.

If you're wondering why I went back to my room even though it's so close to lunch time, it's because I don't want to go back down there and choose it was a hard choice. Hau was a psycho, but Ariva seemed blinded by her hate, like she was about to rip this school in two. Well, I guess I would have to go down there and decide. Can't leave it up to fate.

Leaving my clothes behind, I headed down the twelve flights of stairs, that's right I live on the thirteenth, but stopped right before I hit the fork in the… hall. One route headed towards the boiler room, the other to the archery field. Then again, I could go back to the cafeteria and avoid them both.

Chapter #4: Don't call Ariva a fascist

I think I’ll go meet Ariva… Not that I’m scared of her or anything, but the white haired witch, I think I’ll refer to her as a witch now since she seems to give off a witchy aura, was a little creepy, and I would feel like I was running away if I went to the cafeteria. Besides, it felt like something bad was going to happen there.

It didn’t take me long to find the archery field, problem was that no one was there. Sighing, I assumed that she forgot, and went to sit down on the hill near there. Then I noticed her, or should I say, them. Like how Hau had a crowd, Ariva was surrounded by students, and to my shock, some were male. And I was starting to think this was an all girls school.

“So you decided to come,” I heard someone say, and looked down to see Ariva staring at me. “I heard Hau-Moron invited you to her little club meeting. I should have sent some of my girls to guard you. She can be very… forceful.” Something about the way she seemed at a loss for words creeped me out. How was it that at that moment she reminded me of Hau?

“Yes, but how did you know that?” I asked, trying not to think about that. The red haired girl, no, the red haired knight, let out a joy filled laugh. Like she got this question all the time.

“I don’t read minds like Hau, but I do have friends. Friend who have come realize that jumping into the fire wasn’t such a good idea, but a brave enough to help us put her out,” Ariva said, sticking out her arm and giving a thumbs down. The other students laughed, getting it like it was a joke. Then is dawned on me. This wasn’t a group of friends, it was her army. And she had spies in Hau’s army. This was her war. And I’d walked into it.

“Why do you need me?” I asked, quivering.

“A get something, you must lose something. I’m a specialist at physical magic, and putting magic into weapons. But I have no skill at the other types of magic, that’s why I need you. At the moment, you can do both, and we need to train both. This will be your last free lunch, from now on, you train with me until you are a great warrior, then I’ll call someone else in to train you,” Ariva explained, while my mouth dropped open.

“W-what, I never agreed to anything!” I yelled, a bit emotional for me. Normally I hid everything, but seriously, she was forcing me to become her star solider. I wasn’t going to lie down and let her walk all over me.

“You’ve got no choice anymore. It’s that or get killed by Hau-Moron. Everyone here does what they can do best, even if it’s just bringing food to the meetings, which reminds me, bring her food, “ the knight said, gesturing for someone to bring forward my food. A boy with black hair and a nervous looking posture came forward and dropped off a plate of French fries before turning back and returning to the back of the group.

I sat down and ate the food. It was good, but I still didn’t like it. Ariva was really pushy; she kept making my choices for me. But I couldn’t do anything about it. What a fascist…

“Don’t swing around terms like that,” another student whispered to me. Opps, I said it out loud. “The Head Huntress has bit of a short fuse.”

“Then why are all of you following her around like lost puppies,” I said, annoyed.

“Because she offered us protection from Hau,” another girl said. The darkness in her eyes told me that she had once been on Hau’s side. Another traitor, great.

“Why does she even hate Hau so much?” I asked, tired. I wasn’t really interested in this story, but I didn’t want to hear them praising the fascist anymore.

“Nobody knows… Except they were the best of friends one day, then she disappears for a month and she was so sad for a while. Then she started rebelling, and formed our groups. Up until two years ago, everyone followed Hau and Ariva together. “ What! I think even I looked surprised. Ariva seemed to hate Hau with all her soul. Then again, friends who split up tended to hate each other more than the regular type.

“Okay everyone, lunch is about to end. We need to head towards class!” Ariva yelled, standing up and clapping her hands. “Except you Nami, go and do what you want.” Sounded pretty nice, but it was rude to me. Felt like my last supper, like how it was the last bit of freedom I would get. Sighing, I headed back to my room.


I had finally put the last of my stuff where I wanted, and I pulled out my schedule. Okay… The classes it had on it were really weird… The first one was STR, which sounded kind of inappropriate, or I could pick physical magic, and if I felt really creative, I could got to familiars class…

Then next I could choose between potions or mental magic. What the Flying carp was mental magic… Oh and then I had Healing magic. At least once I didn’t have to choose between two weird classes. Btu then I saw the last one. Summoning and Furniture crafting. Okay, the first one was okay, but furniture crafting. I thought we were witches, not carpenters. Wait… Did carpenters even make furniture? Who cares.

Getting up, I went to the bathroom and took a shower. Did I even mention the shower? It’s amazing. The thing has a comfy seat for me and the water was full of scents. It even came in weird colours and I think it was enchanted because the moment it hit me, I felt great. After that, I got out, and went straight to bed. Yes, weird but I would rather sleep nude then in pink frilly night gowns that my mother bought for me. She didn’t get the fact I didn’t want to be a dainty little princess. When my older sister didn’t want the spot she turned to me, but for some reason she couldn’t just move on to Rosa.


The next morning, the peaked my eyes open, wincing at the new light. Why was it so bright so early in the morning...? Looking over to my clock, I-

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I’m late! I’m late! For a very- Hey I’m not a rabbit! I’m not gonna sing that! I ran out the door and then back into the room. I’m nude. Quickly getting changed, I ran make down, looking a the sheet. What class should I go to?

[Choice #4
STR
Familiars
Or
Physical Magic?]