My Death as a Villainess (OG Villainess Katarina Peggy Sue - Hamefura AU)
- Thread starter jadebenn
- Start date
- Fantasy
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
Here he was, thinking he'd gotten out from under her thumb after all the years of harassment and abuse, and was finally going to serve her a little payback. Yet not only did Katarina completely turn the tables on him with the help of almost the entire rest of the council, but his crush and only real friend chose her over him.
In that moment, he felt completely defenseless and alone, and that... well, it stirred up some bad memories.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
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- Location
- Tampere
Could be some slight Sirius Bad Mojo involved.
- Location
- Academy City
- Pronouns
- They
It's been a while since the last update, so I ahd to do a bit of a reread. How terrible a fate, to have to read more of this fic. Oh, the humanity!
romance friendship novel, huh? Why, a girl might get ideas here! Well, it's a bit of a dark horse contender, but keep the gay coming as far as I'm concerned.
Ooh, nice. Although all things considered, I suspect Katarina makes it easy for you not to try~
Oho!
And there's the classic Bakarina denseness we know and love. Well, on one hand I do wish she'd notice, but on the other hand, if she was better at noticing this kind of thing, that would give Gerald or Alan a better shot at it, so really I should be counting my blessings.
I get the feeling this wasn't exactly a friendship, per se. Or at least some subtle hinting
Coming onto Sofia with a quote from her favorite
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
A truly terrible fate. I hope you're holding up okay after such an ordeal!
Katarina's conscious mind: "No wonder Maria's lookalike could whip the boys into a frenzy! Even my purely aesthetic appreciation of her beauty has me weak in the knees!"
Katarina's subconscious mind: "She's so hot. She's so hot! I'm going to tease her even harder next time, just to make her pretty face blush!"
In all seriousness, I think Katarina has a type. It's probably not a coincidence that the two big-name love interests for Bakarina in the main series are both blonde-haired blue-eyed beauties!
Well, she is aware of Gerald's advances, she's just conflicted about them thanks to her lingering trust issues. Dying to someone you'd deluded yourself into thinking loved you back tends to give one those.
As for Alan, he's still not even aware of his own feelings! He got very close this chapter, but no dice. His density truly rivals her own!
Now what on Earth would give you that idea?
Sometime in the future (maybe):
Katarina: "Ah! I love the friendship Sophia has with Princess Emerald. Especially the scene where she declares her sisterly love!"
Sophia: "Friendship? Sisterly love? Lady Katarina, this is a romance novel."
Katarina: "Right. But friendship can be romantic! Why else would there be so many romance stories about two girls befriending each other?"
Sophia: "...There aren't."
Katarina: "Eh? I mean, pardon? I don't understand. These books perfectly describe how I feel when look at you and Maria!"
Sophia: "I-I feel the same way when I l-look at you, Lady Katarina!"
Katarina: "Aww! You're so sweet, Sophia! But that's just how you know we're good friends!"
Sophia: *headdesk*
Alternatively:
Katarina: "Wait, so you're telling me that not all girls get a light sensation in their chest when they look at other girls?"
Sophia: "Correct."
Katarina: "And that my feeling this way around other girls is actually indicative of a homosexual attraction toward them?"
Sophia: "Yes! Yes! You're getting it!"
Katarina: "Well that doesn't make any sense. I'm attracted to Gerald, after all!"
Sophia: *headdesk*
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Chapter 25: Outlier
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
Chapter 25: Outlier
Sienna sits in front of the vanity mirror, holding the jeweled earring to her head. The resemblance to Lady Claes that she'd once taken so much pride in now causes her chest to tighten. Still, unable to find any other suitable wear, she sighs and reaches to her ear. These had cost a fortune, after all. She may as well put them to good use.
She slips them on and examines her reflection before closing the drawer and glancing around her dorm room. An observer would be forgiven for thinking that the bare walls and furniture were solely the result of her packing, but truthfully, the dorm had not had much in the way of extra furnishings even before the academy servants had gotten to it. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. This is why her presence here is so important.
After a moment, she opens her eyes and continues going about the room, checking for anything she may have missed in her earlier sweep. Aside from the decision on the earrings she'd been putting off until now, she finds nothing of note. Nodding, she pushes open the door and exits into the hallway, closing it behind her and heading toward the entrance.
To her surprise, the door opens ahead of her. She scowls as she sees light blonde hair catch the evening sunset. The commoner's smile fades as the two of them lock eyes, and she very quickly dives into a neighboring hallway. Sienna knows from experience that's not where the cretin's room is located, but she's hardly going to complain. It's actually somewhat encouraging to know the upstart has some awareness of her social rank, even if only because Sienna's pounded it into her skull.
Her frown deepens as she exits the lower-class dormitories. She's actually somewhat insulted that the academy placed the two of them in the same building. Sure, a commoner attending the academy is rare enough that there are no quarters specifically set out for them, but could they not have given her a space in the servant's quarters instead of pretending they were on the same level? Of course, it was due to her light magic. It was all due to her light magic. The academy would bend over backwards to favor their precious wielder of light. Perhaps it's no wonder the peasant has grown such a large ego. It's certainly not helped by how many people seem to fawn over her.
She sighs again, dropping her head as she continues down the path. That girl has bewitched the whole student council. At first, just the boys, but now even Lady Claes. It's as baffling as it is infuriating. The last time they had spoken to one another on friendly terms, the lady seemed utterly terrified of Maria. She warned Sienna to not attack her, and claimed that it was somehow playing into her desires. Yet now they're friends? To the point that Lady Claes would defend her? Nothing about it makes sense. Nor does the lady's panicked warning that fateful night, where she accurately predicted the events of the following day, and then proceeded to halt them before they could come to pass.
Now, Sienna wonders if she shouldn't have dismissed Lady Claes' warnings of the commoner wanting to be attacked. Her research into mind-affecting magic has been stymied by a lack of available sources, but from what little she can scrounge together, she has noticed some disturbing trends. There are odd irregularities within the academy's library: missing books and references that seem to dead-end whenever she approaches the topic. There aren't many to begin with, so it's possible they've simply been lost, but she can't help but wonder if the absence is deliberate. Is it possible such magic truly does exist?
She tries to ignore the chill that runs down her spine at the thought.
Still, it seems unlikely that a peasant would have access to such spells, nor that the commoner would have the strength of will to be capable of performing them. Yet Lady Claes' warning vexes her. If the actions of that morning were not predetermined, how had she known they would happen? Has she truly gone back in time as she claimed? Time magic is another area the library seems entirely silent on. Yet how could Lady Claes pull off such a spell? Katarina's magic is no more potent than Sienna's own, after all. If anything, it might be less.
She shakes her head as she walks to the front gardens, dislodging the thoughts from her mind. There's no point dwelling on questions she can't answer.
Her heels clack against the cobblestones as she walks beside the main building, and she's suddenly aware of how quiet the campus has become. Her group has certainly shrunken since Lady Claes took her leave, but she can't quite remember the last time she was alone like this. She grips her arms as she continues, trying to shake the feeling.
As she nears the corner, she hears a voice ring out.
"L-Lady Claes!"
Her eyes widen, and she freezes in place.
There's a quiet reply, and while it's softer than normal and she cannot make out the words, the voice is unmistakably that of the duke's daughter.
Sienna glances away, feeling her chest twist with uncertainty. She really should go. She's not wanted here. Yet something drives her to step forward and peek around the corner of the building.
There, out on the white cobblestone, is the Claes' ornate carriage, with Katarina hanging out the doorway with a confused expression. At her feet, bowing – or actually, now that she looks more closely, panting – is a petite, white-haired girl. There is only one person it could be: Lady Ascart.
The cursed child lifts her head and presents the noblewoman with a red rose. Sienna's eyes widen. Lady Claes reaches over, examines the gift, and smiles, a hint of pink appearing on her cheeks as she examines the abnormal girl. Sienna grips the brick wall concealing her. She heard rumors of this, but did not think they could be true. These two are actually friends?
She closes her eyes and glances away, bringing her hand to her chest as she takes a shaky breath. To think that Lady Claes would spurn her company for that of a cursed child… is she truly that inferior? Were the noble lady's words just lies?
Her eyes fly open as she hears a commotion behind her. Is Lady Katarina hurt? She once again leans past the corner, gripping the brick wall as she surveys the area. She catches a glimpse of the elder Ascart standing a distance away with his arms crossed, and makes a mental note of his presence before turning to her main priority. Yet all she sees is Lady Claes frantically speaking as she waves her hands in front of her, face red with embarrassment.
Sienna's heart falls as the scene continues to unfold. The two chat happily about some meeting they have together, alternating between embarrassment and wide-eyed excitement.
Lady Katarina never spoke to her that way.
Sienna thought they'd shared a bond, and the lady had always seemed far more eager to spend time with her than her counterparts, but she's never seen this side of her before. Is it something she kept from her all this time? Has she overestimated their previous friendship?
She almost laughs. What is she thinking? She wouldn't be in this situation if she hadn't.
Eventually, the conversation comes to an end, and she watches Lady Claes disappear into the carriage. As the driver pulls on the reigns and the horses begin to trot forward, the white-haired girl waves excitedly as it trundles down the promenade and heads for the academy gates.
Sienna turns away from the corner and crosses her arms as she leans against the wall. Lady Claes looked so happy. Happier than she ever was around her.
She closes her eyes and clenches her teeth, pushing down the emotions that threaten to spill over. Why can't she move past this? She knows she shouldn't be so hung up on a single lost friendship, and yet it still feels like a red-hot poker is being stabbed through her chest whenever she sees her.
She's furious at her. She can't stand the idea that Lady Claes would throw her away after all she's done, just because of a single fight! Yet she misses her deeply. She wants to apologize for the things she said to her that night, and admit that she should've listened to her instead of lashing out.
"Disgusting, isn't it?"
Sienna's eyes fly open to see a noblewoman standing in front of her. She has a long black ponytail and purple dress even more ornate as Lady Claes'. Sienna recognizes her. Several of her former allies had gone to join her.
"You're that noblewoman from the sticks, aren't you?" She glances to the side as she taps a finger to her chin. "Miss Nelson, wasn't it?"
Sienna frowns. "Lady Nelson."
The noblewoman shrugs before continuing. "I am Noelia Flores, daughter and heir to Marquis Flores."
Sienna bites down her irritation and curtsies. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Flores."
Her smile seems to strain. "Yes. Quite."
Sienna arches a brow, but says nothing.
"It is dreadful, is it not?" Lady Flores continues. "Seeing such a high-ranking noble cavorting with the lower classes…"
Sienna's eyes narrow. "What do you want?"
Her smile turns into a scowl, and she crosses her arms. "How rude." She flips her hair before giving Sienna a sidelong glance. "If you must know, I have come to recruit you."
Sienna blinks, tension leaving her body. "Recruit me?"
A smile spreads across Lady Flores' lips, and she faces Sienna once more. "I hear that you and Lady Claes used to be quite close." She rests a hand on her hip. "That could be useful."
Sienna tilts her head. "What do you mean?"
"I take it you are no friend of our resident commoner, Miss Nelson."
Sienna looks down at the ground. "No. No I am not."
"Neither am I," Lady Flores replies. "We have a common interest."
She looks back up. "I did not see you taking action against her until recently."
The black-haired noble narrows her eyes at her. "Pardon me?"
"Forgive me for my skepticism," Sienna replies drolly.
Lady Flores' purple eyes bore into her. "I do not have to explain myself to you." A pause. "However, if you must know, I am simply upholding the social order."
Sienna narrows her eyes, but accepts the explanation. "What would you have me do?"
"It is quite simple, Miss Nelson. I wish for you to testify against Lady Claes."
Her eyes widen. "Pardon?"
Lady Flores' lips purse into a frown. "Are you dense? I wish for you to testify against Lady Claes!"
"How on Earth does that affect the commoner?" Sienna says quietly.
"With Lady Claes off the council, the risk of reprisal decreases significantly." Her frown deepens. "I'm sure you're aware of how she's been protecting her."
Sienna frowns. She is all too familiar with how hard it is to find the light mage travelling unescorted as of late. Yet there's something she doesn't understand. "What do you mean, off the council? Where would I be testifying?"
Lady Flores' face twists into mock condescension. "Oh, you poor thing. Have you not heard? Lady Claes is under investigation for destroying council documents." She raises a hand to her chin and smiles. "My sources tell me your name was included."
Sienna's blood runs cold. This is why her requests have gone unanswered? Lady Claes has been targeting her?
"Of course, no-one outside of the council and faculty is supposed to know the specifics yet," Lady Flores continues. "Due to the timing, most of the students will not even learn of the suspension until they return from break." She smiles. "Yet I am confident they will be asking for your testimony by the time you return."
"You want me to betray Lady Claes?" she whispers, not meeting her eyes.
"Betray?" Lady Flores echoes, sounding genuinely confused. "Miss Nelson, it sounds more like Lady Claes has betrayed you."
Sienna's hands ball into fists. If what Lady Flores says is true, that does seem to be the case. To end their partnership is one thing, but to sabotage her? She is well-aware that the brunette can hold a grudge, yet after she's done for her, this is her reward? To be stabbed in the back?
"It must be infuriating, Miss Nelson," Lady Flores says. "She has replaced you. She has even elevated a commoner above you. Elevated her above us all."
Sienna nods. It is infuriating. She had not realized she could ever hate something so much. How dare she hold herself above them? How dare she treat them as her inferiors, just because of the circumstances of her birth?
"So, Miss Nelson." She extends a hand. "Do we have an understanding?"
"I understand," Sienna says softly. She reaches out to the noblewoman.
Lady Flores' expression darkens as Sienna pushes her hand away.
When Sienna looks up at her, her caramel eyes are filled with anger. "I understand that the only one I can rely on is myself."
"What is the meaning of this?" Lady Flores hisses.
"Do you think me an idiot? Do you expect me to participate in such an obvious ploy?"
The noblewoman's violet eyes slide over to her, filled with rage.
Sienna's arms are taut with anger. "You don't want a partner. You want a patsy. When the dust has settled, you will allow the blame to fall on me. All you and Lady Claes have proven to me is that I cannot trust anyone who claims to be my benefactor."
The noblewoman's purple eyes bore into her. "You impudent brat." She takes a step toward Sienna, raising her arm and opening her palm. Her sharp features are filled with rage. "I am a daughter of the Flores family, and I will not allow a low-ranking noble to address me that way!"
The hairs on the back of Sienna's neck stand up as she senses the surge of mana. Her back presses against the wall, and she realizes she needs to move. As she dives to the side, heat brushes against her nape. Her eyes widen as she sees the source: a trail of flame soaring past her head.
She drops to the ground, rolling on her back to face her attacker.
Flames dance in Lady Flores' palms as she looms over her. "Perhaps your time by Lady Claes' side has caused you to forget your place, Miss Nelson. I will not tolerate you ignoring it any longer. You are not the daughter of a duke. Do you understand? You are different from Katarina Claes."
Sienna grimaces. "I already know that…"
The black-haired fire mage swirls her hands around her, the fire growing larger as she prepares another attack. "Then show it in your attitude!"
The blonde throws her arms in front of her, and the flames lick harmlessly against the transparent shield that appears before her in a flash of magic. Sienna grits her teeth as she feels it yank against her mana.
The flames in her attacker's palms go out as her eyes widen, then narrow. "A shield spell? So you have enough magic to protect yourself."
She tries to rise to her feet and attack, but her shaking hands aren't cooperating as she crouches behind her shield. Already, her vision is swimming.
"Yet both your magic power and lineage are second-rate. How pitiful." Lady Flores says, waving a finger as flames gather around her. Her voice drops low. "Oh well. Since I am so kind, I will thoroughly teach you where you stand compared to me."
Sienna cries out as the next attack shatters the shield to pieces. The resulting draw on her mana sends her falling onto her back as the flame arcs over her head. Her face stings as the flames lick past, and the bright flame leaves streaks in her already blurry vision. She instinctively raises her arms and closes her eyes as she prepares for the next attack.
"Yet even then, it appears I still overestimated you."
Sienna peeks an eye open, seeing the black-haired woman scowling at her, her vision still discolored from the bright light of the flames.
"What do you want?" she squeaks.
"For you to learn your place."
"You…" she shakes her head. "You wouldn't dare injure another noble…"
"Injure you? How barbaric do you think I am, Miss Nelson?" She brings her glowing palms together, a blaze growing between them. "No. This will simply be a very painful lesson."
Sienna cries out as fire fills her vision.
The streetlamps spark to life as returns to the dormitory building. She tries to ignore the flame dancing within each.
Her skin stings as a twilight gust blows through the abandoned path, patches of pink discoloration covering her arms and back. Tears drip from her left eye. She can't open her right; the lashes seem to have fused together.
She pushes open the door, gritting her teeth as her arm protests the movement. As it does, she comes face to face with the last person she wants to see.
The blonde's blue eyes widen. "You're injured."
She wipes a singed sleeve against her good eye, and pushes past her, ignoring her entirely. As she continues walking, there's a sudden tingling sensation in her chest. She pays it no mind until her right eye flies open, and the pain of her mangled skin fades away.
She stops and looks over her shoulder just in time to see the glow fade from the light mage's palms. An uncertain smile crosses her face. "There. Do you feel better?"
Sienna looks down at the floor, arms shaking. In that moment, she finally understands the truth of Lady Claes' parting words.
"I should not have expected anything different from a worthless person like you."
Lady Claes is right. She was a fool to believe otherwise. The only thing good about her is her title, and even that is second-rate.
She flinches as a hand lands on her shoulder, but the expected pain doesn't come. The skin is healthy now, after all.
"Are you okay?" the peasant asks. "I… know we're not on good terms, but—"
"Get your filthy hand off me."
The commoner's eyes widen, and her smile fades. "W-What?"
Sienna bats her hand away, turning to her with a snarl. "Do not touch me, peasant!"
The light mage clasps her hands together, averting her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, I just thought—"
"What? That we're friends now? I didn't ask to be healed, you know!"
Her eyes flit back to her. "I don't understand. I was just trying to help."
"I don't need the help of a commoner," Sienna spits, "and I most certainly do not need one's pity."
The blonde goes silent, averting her eyes.
"You are not special just because you were born with light magic, or because you stand by Lady Claes," she growls. "Learn your place!"
The light mage doesn't say a word.
Sienna walks away in a huff, heading to her dormitory room. She no longer needs the salve she'd returned for, but she continues on her former route simply to put as much distance between her and the commoner as possible.
She doesn't look back when she hears the door open and shut behind her. Nor does she acknowledge the tear running down her cheek.
They all have their place in life. She should learn hers.
Uh, Happy Valentine's day?
So yeah, those of you who keep up with Verge of Destruction (AKA: Bakarina: Hard Mode) may be familiar with Noelia Flores. She's a new character introduced about one or two weeks ago, and the chapter she appears in - to make a long story short - is the reason that you're getting a Sienna interlude today instead of something else. But yeah, she's not an OC. In fact, here's a picture of her. Her coloration is of my own invention, though. I actually found the official illustrator's twitter account to ask about her canon colors, but they replied (in Japanese) that they hadn't decided quite yet, so I went with a purple dress, black hair and purple eyes. I think the purple dress and black hair are good guesses, considering the color palette of the other characters. The purple eyes? Well... that was more of a stealth reference to Scarlet from The Holy Grail of Eris. If we ever get a canonical coloration of her, I'll probably have to go back and change them.
Anyway, I hope y'all enjoy!
So yeah, those of you who keep up with Verge of Destruction (AKA: Bakarina: Hard Mode) may be familiar with Noelia Flores. She's a new character introduced about one or two weeks ago, and the chapter she appears in - to make a long story short - is the reason that you're getting a Sienna interlude today instead of something else. But yeah, she's not an OC. In fact, here's a picture of her. Her coloration is of my own invention, though. I actually found the official illustrator's twitter account to ask about her canon colors, but they replied (in Japanese) that they hadn't decided quite yet, so I went with a purple dress, black hair and purple eyes. I think the purple dress and black hair are good guesses, considering the color palette of the other characters. The purple eyes? Well... that was more of a stealth reference to Scarlet from The Holy Grail of Eris. If we ever get a canonical coloration of her, I'll probably have to go back and change them.
Anyway, I hope y'all enjoy!
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Shanejayell
Yuri Fan without a Pause
- Pronouns
- He
Ooooh. Well, that was dark. Nice tho...
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
Sienna is not having a fun time.
Shanejayell
Yuri Fan without a Pause
- Pronouns
- He
As I noted in the other thread, it's amusing that she's RIGHT about the mind tampering... just not WHO.
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
It feels like the author's gotten a bit more confident about breaking away from canon in the last few chapters, and I'd say they've really shined because of it.
For instance, Sienna and Maria have a surprising amount of chemistry with each other as friends. I suppose it makes sense in retrospect, seeing as how they're both fairly bright, diligent, and studious girls, but they've still got a really nice dynamic.
I actually intended to include a minor difference in Noelia's fight scene because of this. In VOD, Maria shares a book she's borrowed with Sienna, and points out a section on spells that reduce one's mana consumption. Since no such encounter happened in this universe, and Sienna therefore doesn't know that technique, I meant to have Sienna's shield break in one hit instead of two. I just realized while writing this out that I forgot to do that, though. Whoops.
Anyway, getting back on topic: One moment I really enjoyed was VOD!Katarina's absolutely no bullshit attitude the second she saw Sienna in danger. She really codly tears Noelia down, calling out her bullshit and saying she won't stand to see her friend get hurt. It was the first time I really felt there was a difference between her and Bakarina; that I saw her life experiences as OG!Katarina shine through. It's not like Bakarina isn't protective of her friends, of course, but... I dunno, the way VOD!Katarina goes about it there just feels different from how Bakarina would approach the situation. It's kind of refreshing.
I actually intended to include a minor difference in Noelia's fight scene because of this. In VOD, Maria shares a book she's borrowed with Sienna, and points out a section on spells that reduce one's mana consumption. Since no such encounter happened in this universe, and Sienna therefore doesn't know that technique, I meant to have Sienna's shield break in one hit instead of two. I just realized while writing this out that I forgot to do that, though. Whoops.
Anyway, getting back on topic: One moment I really enjoyed was VOD!Katarina's absolutely no bullshit attitude the second she saw Sienna in danger. She really codly tears Noelia down, calling out her bullshit and saying she won't stand to see her friend get hurt. It was the first time I really felt there was a difference between her and Bakarina; that I saw her life experiences as OG!Katarina shine through. It's not like Bakarina isn't protective of her friends, of course, but... I dunno, the way VOD!Katarina goes about it there just feels different from how Bakarina would approach the situation. It's kind of refreshing.
Chapter 26: Correlation
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
Chapter 26: Correlation
"Welcome home, My Lady." The maid's long brown hair parts from her shoulders as she bows.
"Good evening, Joana," Katarina replies.
The servant rises to meet her, a smile crossing her lips. Though a small red necktie may adorn her neck now, Katarina can still remember when she was but a lowly scullery maid.
"I trust the journey found you well?" Joana asks, gesturing her forwards.
Katarina grimaces. Certainly, it has been nice to go without Keith staring daggers at her for several hours in a cramped carriage, but it's beyond obvious that some sort of threshold has been crossed at the council meeting for him to make his distaste so public and so clear.
Joana seems to recognize Katarina's discomfort, glancing out the still-open door before looking back at her with a forced smile. "Ah. Well, I hope your studies are going well, My Lady."
Katarina nods as she steps through the doorway into the marble entrance hall of Claes Manor, when another servant strides out of the hall with a platter in her hands. The maid glances at the two, to the shaking china in her hands, and then grinds to a halt, frantically spinning to face them.
"M-My Lady!" she yelps. The platter in her hands clatters to the ground as she dives into a bow, only to immediately jump back to attention at the sound of smashing china. "A-Apologies, My L-Lady."
Katarina's befuddlement quickly turns to anger. Of all the unprofessional…!
"Isabel!" another voice shouts.
"A-Ah! Duchess Claes!"
As Katarina looks past the head maid's shoulder, her mother comes into view, wearing an intimidating glare as she descends down the staircase at the center of the room. "Clean that up immediately."
"Y-Yes, Your Grace!" the maid nods, looking frantically around the hall.
"And the next time this happens, it will be coming out of your salary. Am I clear?"
"A-Absolutely, Your Grace!" the servant shouts, seeming to finally settle on a direction before quickly running off.
Mother sighs and grabs her head, pausing halfway down the stairway as she closes her eyes and massages her temples. "Joana, I am at my wit's end with that one."
"I'll have a talk with her, Your Grace," Joana replies. "I think she just needs more time to adjust."
The duchess opens a single eye, looking at the head maid skeptically. "She's not going the right way, is she?"
Joana grimaces, shaking her head. "I… do not believe so, Your Grace."
There's a long pause. "She's lucky you vouched for her." Shaking her head, she resumes her journey down the stairs, turning her gaze toward her daughter. "I apologize for that, Katarina. When did you arrive?"
Katarina dips her head in acknowledgement. "Just now, Mother. Anne is out fetching my items from the carriage."
"Shall I assist her, Your Grace?"
"You may, Joana," Mother states, her deep blue dress trailing across the red carpet as she reaches the landing.
The head maid nods, curtsies, and brushes past Katarina as she heads out the front door.
Mother sighs, high heels clicking against the marble floor as she approaches. "When Keith arrived before you…" She sighs, shaking her head. "Never-mind. What happened?"
Katarina clenches her teeth as the memory resurfaces. "Keith refused to take the same carriage as I. While I could have pressed the issue, Anne convinced me it was more expedient to rent another for him."
"That little upstart!" Mother gasps, halting just before her. "Treating my daughter like that…"
"He has been positively awful at the academy," Katarina frowns, crossing her arms. "I do not know what has gotten into him."
Mother sighs, shaking her head. "I would talk to your father, but I do not expect him to be any more willing to resolve this issue than in the past." Then, almost under her breath, she adds, "Not that I should expect anything else from him…"
For a moment, Katarina is tempted to ask what she means, but she holds back, recognizing the question as improper. "I have been limiting my interaction with him as much as possible, but it is difficult to do with my position on the council."
Mother looks up and blinks, as if suddenly remembering something. "So that is true, then? You are on the council?"
Katarina nods confidently. "Yes, Mother. It has been…" she hesitates for a moment "…interesting."
A small smile plays across her mother's red lips, blue eyes warming with pride. "That's my daughter! I knew you would blossom into a wonderful young noblewoman eventually!"
Katarina's lips tug downwards at her remark. Eventually? Is she not a wonderful noblewoman already? Has she not taken her mother's lessons to heart? Even if she had been more… flexible in their application as of late, she had not suffered through fifteen years of dull etiquette lessons out of sheer passion for being lectured and criticized for the tiniest deviations. Still, in response to the ostensible compliment, she bows her head slightly as decorum dictates. "Thank you, Mother."
"To be quite honest, I had heard the news much earlier, but I could not believe it. My Katarina? On the Council? Darling, I am so proud of you!"
"Thank you, Mother," she repeats, a harder edge to her voice this time.
"Oh, and Prince Gerald must be so pleased! I am certain he swept you off your feet upon hearing the news!"
Katarina looks back up at her, feeling the edges of her lips tug in amusement. "He was… taken aback when I placed higher than him, yes."
Mother's smile fades into confusion as she tilts her head. "Placed higher than… That was true as well?"
The Claes daughter can barely fight back the smirk tugging at her lips. "It appears he underestimated me."
Yet Mother's expression remains concerned as she leans in and lowers her voice slightly. "Katarina, you did not… cheat, did you?"
The smirk fades, instantly replaced by a scowl. "I did not cheat." There was no rule against what she'd done after all, and it's not like she'd had all the answers in her head. She'd just had more time to study, and knew what topics to concentrate on. It still wasn't easy, so obviously it was justified. Besides, what hope does she have against the genius prince otherwise?
Mother seems somewhat unsatisfied at Katarina's response as she pulls away, but doesn't press the matter further, instead bringing a finger to her chin as she glances to the side of the entrance hall. "With all the strange rumors I had heard, I had assumed most them to be unreliable, but…" she glances sideways at her daughter, eyes filled with questioning intent "…I believe we will need to talk more later."
Katarina freezes in place, eyes going wide as her heartbeat resounds in her ears. "O-Of course, Mother."
Katarina's steps echo through the luxurious halls of Claes Manor as morning sunlight filters through the windows.
She is home.
She is happy to be home.
She makes her way past the servants and maids, blue summer dress swishing with each stride. The feel is different. Unfamiliar. Part of her thinks she needs the change in routine, but another part of her wants to keep wearing her usual white-and-blue get-up. Not that it matters. The summer will be quiet. She knows she doesn't receive any visitors.
Not that she minds the quiet.
It's been a day or two since she arrived back at the manor, and she's quickly fallen back into old routine. Wake up, bathe, be dressed, eat breakfast, walk around the gardens, find something to pass the time, eat lunch, find something else to pass the time, eat dinner, be undressed, find a final thing to pass the time, go to sleep.
On a positive note, she finished Sophia and the Emerald Princess last night. On a negative note, she finished Sophia and the Emerald Princess last night. Now she's not quite sure what to do.
Her homework is an option. She will have to deal with it eventually. Yet after weeks upon weeks of studying so hard she fell asleep to dreams of spell-circles and magical theory… Well, can't she be forgiven for wanting to take a break? Whether it is memorizing the annals of Sorciéran history or learning the intricacies of channeling raw elemental magic into ever-more-complex spells, it is already a miracle she hasn't burnt out already. If not for her bet with Gerald, she probably would have.
She allows herself a smirk as she continues down the hall. Oh, it would be so rich to see that handsome face twisted in confusion again. Yet she can't help but frown the longer she dwells on it. She knows it won't happen. The fact she beat him the first time was as much due to his own complacency as her own preparation. Also, as much as she hates to admit it, a bit of luck. A repeat performance was vanishingly unlikely. And… If he really had been sincere…
She shakes her head and steps into the solarium, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin as she walks up to the glass and looks out at the garden. The intricate, vast landscapes are breathtaking as always. Always to be viewed. Always to be appreciated. Never to be interacted with. Not since she was a child.
She is happy.
She tries to ignore her reflection staring back at her.
She can't.
She closes her eyes and sighs, resting her forehead in the palm of her hand. To think she actually misses going to the place where she dies! It's beyond idiotic! Perhaps she deserves her fate, if this is any guide to her stunning lack of self-preservation!
Yet, it's only now, far away from them all, that she even thinks of it that way. In yet another condemnation of her chances of survival, it'd been surprisingly easy to forget her situation as the semester went on. True, things are different, but are they different enough? More importantly, is she willing to bet her life on it?
She hates being like this. She hates how quiet it is. How stiff it is. How it makes her spend so much time in her own head. It all used to be so much simpler. She was Katarina Claes! She had what was rightfully hers, and if anyone tried to take it from her, she ground them beneath her boot! She was confident, commanding, and…
…Unhappy. Even then.
Katarina clenches her teeth and throws down her arms in frustration. She has to get out of her head! She needs something, anything else to think about right now!
She rushes over to the door and throws it open, feeling a warm summer breeze as her sandals clack against the cobblestone and the door creaks shut behind her. She moves quickly, putting as much distance between the manor and herself as possible.
The grass is quite green today. Good, the groundskeeper is doing his job. The birds are chirping as well. Were they always so loud? Actually, did they chirp like that at all? Father has a bit of a fascination with the things, so maybe he'd know? She'll gladly listen to him explain the excruciating minutiae of each. In fact, she's suddenly decided that banal details are quite intriguing indeed! Say, that tree with the crooked trunk is peculiar! And the staff missed a branch trimming that hedge! And that stone in the pathway ahead is a brighter color than the ones around it! It must be… much… newer…
Katarina stops, eyes fixed on the mismatched stone. It's a dark gray compared to the stained brown of its brethren. She glances to her sides, taking in the delicately tended hedge garden. They're all so much shorter than she remembers.
Her chest twists. This feels wrong. She hasn't been here since…
Her breathing quickens. She reaches to her chest, pressing her hand to her heart. Yet the moment merely reminds of her of the gaping wound that should be there, the pain that should be screaming through her body.
She closes her eyes and clenches her teeth. No, no, no! That didn't happen here! That was later! The rational part of her brain screams in frustration, trying to remind her of the difference between the two experiences, but it's drowned out by her heart beating in her ears.
She clenches her fists, takes a shuddering breath, and waits for the feeling to pass.
In a way, she had died that day, hadn't she? Prince Gerald had not killed her there, but the scar she leveraged into an engagement… Well, she knows how that story ended. Or perhaps how it ends.
"My Lady?" says an unfamiliar voice. "Are you alright?"
She opens her eyes, revealing a man in a groundskeeper outfit. Mortified, she flushes. "Y-Yes, I'm fine," she lies. Why has she become so weak?
The groundskeeper seems unconvinced, and as he glances at the path beneath her feet, his eyes dawn with comprehension. "I see. My Lady, I 'ave quite the floral arrangement for you. Would you like to come and see it?"
She nods quickly, ready to leave this accursed place, and feels relieved as the hedge garden disappears behind her.
"What's your name?" Katarina eventually asks.
"Thomas, but people around 'ere just call me Tom."
There's a long period of quiet as she looks him over. He seems… familiar, somehow.
"Well… Thank you, Tom."
He looks at her, brown eyes wide.
"F-For showing me the flowers, I mean."
His expression morphs into a smile, and he pauses to bow. "It's no trouble at all, My Lady. I 'ope they'll relax your mind a bit."
Katarina frowns at his wide grin. He seems a little too happy. "You missed a hedge back there."
His eyes go wide once more. "I did?"
She can't suppress a smirk as he looks back over his shoulder.
The floral arrangement is indeed quite grand. It's a circle of intermixed colors, patterned into sections, made up of many different varieties of flower. Some tall, some small, some vibrant, some dull. Yet the composition was far more than the sum of its parts. Katarina found it absolutely breathtaking.
"I 'ave to replant them every year, 'cos they can't make it through winter," Tom explains. "Takes a couple weeks to see the sprouts and even know if I've done 'em right. If not, I 'ave to dig them up and start over again."
Katarina nods, unable to tear her eyes away from the mix of colors and varieties. She'd seen something like this before. "It reminds me of Lady Hunt's garden."
Tom turns to her, a confused expression on his face. "Oh, is that one of your noble friends?"
She grimaces, glancing at him as she continues to face the arrangement. "'Friends' is putting it… strongly. But I know of her."
Tom grins sheepishly, making a placating gesture. "Ah, apologies for presuming, My Lady."
Katarina nods, returning her focus to the display before her. "I had no idea so much work went into things like this. It's honestly quite impressive."
"You flatter me, My Lady."
She shakes her head. "I'm quite serious. You should take pride in it."
"Well, thank you kindly, Lady Claes."
They talk for a while longer. Tom explaining the intricacies of his work as Katarina sits quietly and takes it in. This is not at all the kind of diversion she'd been expecting, yet she finds the talk of different soil types and fertilizers strangely captivating. She would never deign to lower herself to working the soil like a commoner… but flowers are an acceptable hobby among noblewomen, aren't they?
Eventually, however, the groundskeeper is forced to return to his work, and she bids him farewell as she returns to her walk across the Manor grounds, this time keeping a good distance between her and the hedge gardens. She turns over the image of the floral display again and again in her mind.
Yet her thoughts are interrupted as she looks up from the path and realizes just how far she's wandered. Claes Manor is much smaller in the distance now, and she feels a strange sense of liberation as she looks back at it. Out here, it's just her and the earth.
Her eyes widen. Wait. That's an idea…
She glances down at her feet, smirking at the grass at the edge of the path. She closes her eyes and extends her hands, letting her palms face the earth below.
A warm wind blows past her summer dress. Her toes shift slightly in their sandals. She tunes those sensations out, focusing solely on her connection to the earth below. It pulls on her even now, keeping her tethered; grounded. All she needs to do is pull back. Yet the connection is weak; thin. If she pulls too hard, it'll snap.
Instead, she focuses on the strand, letting her energy flow into the connection. Her textbook called it 'communing with the earth.' She calls it 'terribly misleading.' It wasn't her fault she almost got the wrong idea when it was named that!
She sees the thread shrink in her mind's eye, and bites her lip. No. Focus. She feels the tug of the earth, the shift of the soil. Despite their seemingly-static nature, the rock and soil are in constant motion. The ground below thrums with energy, fueled by an endless cycle of destruction and rebirth. It moves slowly, but it moves with purpose. It cannot be stopped. It cannot be slowed. The earth moves where it wishes, and grinds down anything that stands in its way.
So, instead of tugging on the strand, she tries something different. She drives it deeper, going past the soil and reaching into the depths below. She feels the warmth of the rock, the imperceptible motion grinding beneath her feet, the immense energy stored within it all. Then, carefully, she coaxes a bit of it out, drawing the stream of energy up through the broadening thread until it reaches her, whereupon she wills it to burst forth from the ground as a pillar of stone and soil.
The ground before her groans as the energy flows through her palms, and Katarina grins as she opens her eyes to gaze upon her work.
There's a glowing bump of earth in the grass before her. It's no taller than an inch or two.
Katarina's eye twitches. She blinks to clear her vision. Surely, she is seeing things.
Yet when she opens her eyes, it's still there.
She throws down her arms, and screams in frustration. She kicks at the air, and a patch of dirt and grass flies from the ground and soars into the distance.
She blinks, freezing mid-tantrum as she watches the clod of dirt and grass sail through the air and disappear beneath the horizon. She can do that? Why can she do that, but not make a taller bump in the ground? She must be doing it wrong.
She closes her eyes and tries again, stretching the strand further and further into the earth, pulling harder and harder.
Then, the thread snaps, and Katarina's eyes fly open as she remembers what comes next. She tries to call out for help, but it comes out as little more than a hoarse whisper.
As the world begins to swim around her, Katarina feels one last bit of magic – beyond her reach - flare up within her. She doesn't have much time to muse on it before her vision is filled by the blue sky above.
And then nothing at all.
What is dead may never die...
I finally decided to pull the trigger on posting this chapter! I've been trying to build up a bit more of a backlog, but I figure this hiatus has gone on long enough! Bit of a slower-paced chapter this time, but I think it works. That, and if I keep second-guessing myself, I'm never going to move forward.
Hope y'all enjoy!
I finally decided to pull the trigger on posting this chapter! I've been trying to build up a bit more of a backlog, but I figure this hiatus has gone on long enough! Bit of a slower-paced chapter this time, but I think it works. That, and if I keep second-guessing myself, I'm never going to move forward.
Hope y'all enjoy!
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Shanejayell
Yuri Fan without a Pause
- Pronouns
- He
Oooh, nice! Thank you for updating.
serra2
Himouto! Sylvanas-chan
Yay, glad to see this back.
It's kind of funny how Katarina is feeling lonely now that she is back home, and has a hard time conceiving why she would be missing the place that has all of her friends.
That bit with her Mom was just, ouch. Like, the relationship is probably the strongest she has in the family and boy does that feel bad. That "I knew you would eventually do it" must have felt like a dagger.
That last bit with the magic does not sound pleasant. I can get the frustration from not having the ability to do something, even with all of that knowledge.
It's kind of funny how Katarina is feeling lonely now that she is back home, and has a hard time conceiving why she would be missing the place that has all of her friends.
That bit with her Mom was just, ouch. Like, the relationship is probably the strongest she has in the family and boy does that feel bad. That "I knew you would eventually do it" must have felt like a dagger.
That last bit with the magic does not sound pleasant. I can get the frustration from not having the ability to do something, even with all of that knowledge.
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
Minor spoilers:
Or how she still thinks she won't have any visitors over summer because she didn't last time.
- Location
- Portugal
- Pronouns
- Her Graciousness
What a fun chapter, thanks for the updates! I'll have to reread this tomorrow to try to refresh my memory on what exactly has happened, but I enjoyed the garden and the magic scenes a lot anyway. Hints of something cool with the earth magic? Who knows, but Tom is a cool guy for sure.
Wonder who we'll see when she wakes up.
Wonder who we'll see when she wakes up.
serra2
Himouto! Sylvanas-chan
Noticed this weird switch to first person for a second there
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
Thanks! I'll fix that.
Chapter 27: Charge
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
Chapter 27: Charge
The sunlight warms Anne's skin as she stands in the solarium.
"I've never seen her like this before," says a younger maid, a petite woman with black braided hair. She must be a recent hire, as Anne can only vaguely recall seeing her before. She continues watching her charge bound through the grass in her summer dress, chatting happily to the man beside her. To see Lady Katarina practically dancing across the greenery, a wide smile on her face…
Well, even she can't resist the tug pulling at the edge of her lips.
There are quiet footsteps behind her, as someone approaches the solarium. Anne doesn't look back. "It's good to see you, Joana."
The new hire jumps at that, green eyes flicking back in fear. "G-Good afternoon, Miss Head Maid."
"What are you two doing?" her voice booms. "I'd expect this from Isabel, but you as well, Anne?"
"M-My apologies, ma'am!" the new hire squeaks. "B-But—"
"That's enough. Let Anne explain, Isabel."
Anne takes a step back from the window, looks Joana in the eyes, and gestures her forward. The head maid's features immediately shift from frustration to curiosity. The new hire shrinks back as Joana fills out the space between them.
"Oh no," she sighs. "Has Tom done something to offend her?" Then, a pause as she leans closer to the glass. "Wait… What is she doing?"
"T-Talking, I t-think… um, ma'am."
Her jaw parts slightly, and her hazel eyes light up. "Oh my. It seems Anne is not the only one who's all smiles today."
There's a long pause as the three of them stare out through the glass, as if a single word will shatter the fragile, precious moment playing out before them.
Joana's voice is light and breathy. "I haven't seen her like this since…" She trails off, shaking her head. "Has she ever been like this? It feels unreal." She turns and looks at Anne skeptically. "What happened while you two were away?"
Anne frowns slightly. What to say? That her charge is convinced she's died and came back to life? That she has, in fact, accurately predicted multiple events before they occurred? She truly does believe Lady Katarina, yet it's so confusing and complicated that she doesn't even know where to start. So, she decides to tell the truth. "She grew up."
The head maid purses her lips as her gaze returns to the young noblewoman, now utterly entranced by a patch of colorful flowers. "You think so? It reminds me more of how she used to act around me, if I'm honest."
A scullery maid with a green sash. The sweet scent of cookie dough wafting through the air.
"More! More!" her young charge cries, crumbs lining her face.
The scullery maid laughs nervously. "Oh, Lady Claes, I don't think I should. Your mother would be upset with me."
The brunette pouts, crossing her arms. "I don't care! Make me more!"
The scullery maid looks to her for support.
Anne is silent.
"Well… if you say so, Lady Claes."
Anne shakes her head, brushing away the images. "You used to make her those cookies," Anne says softly. It is not a question. She'd forgotten what Katarina had said until now.
Joana chuckles softly. "She was so demanding, even back then. Tearing me away from my duties no matter what I was doing at the time…" Yet as Joana turns back to the scene playing out in the gardens, she smiles. "I guess I kind of miss it, though. Her eyes would always light up when she saw me…"
Anne recalls the enthusiasm with which Katarina had consumed the heart-shaped cookies that commoner girl had given Katarina before they left. Did Katarina always have a sweet tooth, or did her love of sweets stem from those memories? She frowns and shakes her head. Perhaps she's overthinking the matter.
Besides, she remembers something else from that day.
A woman in rags. Tears running from down her face as she hands away her maid uniform.
The moment she leaves the room, one of the other servants erupts in a fury. "How could you do this, Janice!? Christina needed this job more than any of us!"
The old head maid averts her eyes. Her voice shakes as she speaks. "Believe me, I take no pleasure in this."
"Then why!? You know it was an accident! She's worked her for years, and you fire her because she broke a single teacup!?"
The gray-haired woman finally looks up at her, sadness in her eyes. "The young mistress ordered it. I cannot defy her."
Anne, again, is silent.
Anne's chest tightens at that recollection. Not from the fear she'd felt that day, at the possibility of returning home to Father empty-handed, but… something else. An emotion she can't quite name.
"How is Lord Claes?" Joana says after a moment, perhaps sensing her discomfort. "I haven't seen him since he arrived."
Anne pushes down the sudden surge of emotion. "I believe he is in his room."
"Oh," she replies, disappointment evident in her voice. "I see."
Anne can't blame her. It was a hope she shared as well.
"A-Are they at least on b-better terms?"
This time, she can't push it down fully. "No." She shakes her head and sighs. "If anything, they're even more antagonistic than before."
There's a long pause after that.
"I… did not think that was p-possible," says Isabel, voice cracking.
Joana, in contrast, is stoic, a grim determination on her features. "If no-one sees him, I'll make sure to have someone bring him food," she sighs. "I don't know what we'll do if he stops eating again…"
"Please keep me informed as usual, Joana."
"Of course, Anne."
"P-Perhaps I should go c-check on the kitchen?" says Isabel. "M-Make sure they have something ready…"
"You may," Joana says, pursing her lips. "Please let me know if there is anything requiring my attention."
The black-haired mad bows. "O-Of course, ma'am." She walks off quickly, disappearing into the manor halls.
"I hadn't expected her to volunteer so readily," Anne states, more than a little surprised.
Joana turns to her, eyes narrowed in confusion. After a moment, she begins to laugh. "Right." She shakes her head, turning away. "I almost forgot how much of a consummate professional you are."
Anne cocks an eyebrow, but before she can say anything, notices Joana staring at something over her shoulder.
"Anne?" she says, voice straining. "Where did Lady Claes go?"
The morning sun filters through the curtains, illuminating the blue wallpaper in diffuse white light. Keith's quill scratches against paper, pausing briefly as he glances between the open spell book and his assignment. The work is a welcome distraction from his current location. He'll have to find some other way to pass the time once he completes it. But it's better than thinking about her. Better than thinking about what she did.
Something rips, and he glances down to see that the quill has torn a hole in the paper. Sighing, he leans forward, placing his elbows on the desk and cradling his head between his arms as he massages his temples. He hates knowing she has so much power over how he feels. When did it become so hard to keep himself in check? Why is it so much harder to ignore her now?
He raises his head, narrowing his eyes. No. He's not going to let her ruin this as well. He drops the quill on the desk, presses his palm into the page, closes his eyes as he lets a trickle of magic flow through it, and shapes the restoration spell with a muttered incantation. Lifting his hand, he reaches over to the discarded quill, picks it up, and returns to his work, letting the topic's minutia wash away the unpleasant thoughts. By the time his stomach groans, the long morning shadows have shortened. It must be noon.
He places the quill to the side, and presses against his desk, pushing out his chair with a grunt as he stretches his arms and legs. He takes a deep breath and sighs. Time to fetch lunch.
He walks toward the bedroom door, feeling a lurch in his chest as his fingers wrap around the cold metal key. He sighs before inhaling; closing his eyes as he twists the key and hears the lock mechanism click. Opening his eyes, he grabs the handle, and pulls the door open.
He shields his eyes as he walks into the hallway, eyes taking a moment to adjust to the bright sunlight streaming through the large, curtainless windows. The smell of food drifts through the air, making his hunger grow even more ravenous. He turns around, removing the key from the inside of the door before shutting it. A moment later, he inserts it in the front, and hears the mechanism lock once more. Pocketing the key, he begins down the hallway, avoiding eye contact with the various servants and maids as the smell of food grows even thicker in the air.
He can hear clinking silverware and low conversation as he nears the dining room. The delicious aroma begins to dissipate as he passes by the hallway leading down to it, not sparing a glance.
The activity surrounding him begins to dissipate as he walks further away. He's taking a circuitous route to the kitchen, and thus, these hallways are rather desolate at this time of day.
As he rounds the corner, loud conversation carries through the air, and Keith pauses as he turns toward their source.
Servants crowd the hall, dirt tracked through a nearby open door. A maid with short brown hair and a blue necktie – Katarina's personal maid, he realizes – and the head maid, Joana, are both carrying something with the assistance of several other servants.
It's the limp form of Katarina, covered in mud and dirt.
He watches. They're not panicking. Sure, there's conversation and yelling and shouting as several extraneous servants are shocked out of their stupor and take off running down the hallways to alert others, but there is no terror, no immediacy. This is a worrying event, but not one that requires immediate decisive action. After all, she appears to be unwounded, and he can see the subtle rise and fall of her chest. She's dirty, but unharmed.
He looks at her once more, turns around, and heads back to his room. This isn't his problem.
Facing the other way, he doesn't notice the golden-brown eyes of Katarina's personal maid widen in shock.
Katarina sits up in the sheets, looking around the room with bleary eyes. A faint glow emanates from behind the curtains, as birds chirp in the distance. She rubs the back of her head, still feeling dizzy. Is it still morning?
She rubs her eyes and looks to her left. Anne is there, eyes closed and head lopsided as her chest rises and falls. A book sits in her lap. Something about crime in Sorciér? She has to look twice to be certain.
Then, she settles back into the bed, and tries to gather her thoughts. The last thing she remembers was trying to…
She cautiously raises a hand. She can still feel the earth thrumming in her fingertips. She frowns a moment later, letting it drop onto the comforter. Of course. It happened again. She dove too deep, and burnt herself out. Why is it that Keith makes it look so easy?
…Well, she actually knows the answer to that question now. It has to do with a mage's core and the strength of their connection to their base element. The knowledge of her fundamental limitations doesn't make her any more pleased with them.
She grunts as she reaches over and pulls over the sheets. The bed creaks and shakes as she slides off the end, stumbling as her bare feet thump into the cool wooden floor. Her arms flail around as she regains her balance, and she has to brace herself on the bedframe until the world stops spinning.
She didn't have symptoms like this at all last time. Part of her wishes Maria were here to magic the discomfort away again, but she's not. After all, Katarina is home. Among her family.
So very far from her friends.
She starts to sigh, but it turns into a choke as two arms wrap around her and squeeze. She looks over her shoulder at her assailant, only to find Anne's contented face. In spite of herself, she can't help but mimic the expression.
Well, perhaps not far from all of them.
"Look, look, Anne! Look at my drawing!" The little girl proudly holds up a bunch of scribbled paper, droplets of ink messily spilled across its surface. "I drew me!"
"Lady Claes," she sighs, "you are supposed to be working on your handwriting."
The girl's smile falls. "But it's a drawing of you too!"
She blinks. "I… it is?" She should tell her to focus, like Duchess Claes does. To guide her back to her studies. "Can you explain it to me?" she says instead, stepping closer. The words come unbeckoned, but…
The noble girl's eyes light up at that. "That's you," she says, pointing at a mass of indeterminate scribbles, "and that's me!"
"I… see, Lady Claes." Something strange wells up in her chest. "And… Why am I in the picture?"
She rolls her eyes, as if that's the dumbest question she's ever heard. "You're always at my side, so you have to be!"
"I do?"
An uncharacteristically gentle smile plays across the young lady's face. "Yeah… I mean… it wouldn't be right, otherwise… Would it?"
As Anne looks at the scribbled mess between in front of her, there's no doubt in her mind that it's the most precious object in the whole world.
"No, Lady Claes. No, it wouldn't."
This chapter turned out pretty different from how I conceptualized it, but I think it worked out in the end. Happy Holidays!
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- Location
- Academy City
- Pronouns
- They
Clearly, you just don't farm as much as Keith does. Such a tragedy.
Aww, cute.
Zedman7054
Eternally 3rd
- Location
- United States
My greatest complaint is that there isn't enough of it. Like trying to go swimming only to find the water only reaches your knees, you can't help but want more.
Chapter 28: Pair
- Location
- A Certain Blue Marble
- Pronouns
- He
Chapter 28: Pair
Mother and Father both question her for some time after the incident. Katarina can't bear to admit how pitiful her magic ability is, so she simply tells them it was a spell gone wrong. It is not completely untrue, after all.
After that, things return to normal, and Katarina finds time dragging on even more slowly than before. At one point, she'd even grown so desperate for diversion that she'd stayed in her room all day to work on her summer assignments. The irony in regards to Keith does not escape her.
She stares up at the ceiling and sighs, feeling the bed creak beneath her as she lies on the comforter, fully-dressed.
If only something interesting would happen today.
Sophia tries to steady her breathing as she steps out of the carriage and finds herself standing in front of the imposing Claes Manor. The beautiful mansion is even larger than she'd imagined, and the imposing marble façade makes her feel even smaller than she already does.
She feels her brother's hand squeeze hers tightly as he disembarks after her, and she takes a deep breath, steadying her nerves. Though the guards at the gate had seemed confused, they'd let them in. That's already further than they made it with the other 'invitations.' It's too early to panic.
Turning to Nicol and nodding, the two of them begin the walk up the stone path and climb a few steps to the doorway. Hands already jittery and with height being… not her strong suit, Nicol reaches up and grabs the metal knocker, hitting it against the door twice A few moments later, the door creaks ajar and a woman with black braided hair pokes her head through the crack.
"C-Can I help you?" she stutters.
Even the jittering servant doesn't compare to the anxiety Sophia's feeling now, so thankfully Nicol takes care of that as well. "My sister and I are here to see Lady Katarina. She invited her for a book reading."
The maid glances side to side, biting her lip. "A-Are you sure it was today? I wasn't told she was expecting any visitors."
Sophia feels an all-too-familiar sinking feeling. Another prank? Or did the lady simply get cold feet? Both make her chest hurt, but she desperately wants to believe it's a misunderstanding.
Her brother's hand shakes slightly, and she squeezes it tightly to calm him.
"No, that's fine," he says smoothly, despite the anger she knows he's feeling. "We must've been mistaken."
The messy-haired servant locks eyes with them for a moment. "P-Perhaps she's simply forgotten? I can g-go check for you if—"
"That won't be necessary," Nicol states. "Come along, Sophia."
Yet as Nicol turns to descend back down the steps, something gives Sophia pause. Is this really another cruel prank?
"A-Actually," Sophia interjects, turning to lock eyes with the maid. "I'd appreciate it, Miss…?"
"D-Dean," the servant nods quickly. "I-Isabel Dean. P-Please wait here."
The door shuts a moment later, followed immediately by panicked footsteps.
Nicol looks at her, frowning slightly. She shakes her head and offers a weak smile in response, and he sighs before moving back into position, facing the door by her side. They wait there for a while, the anxiety buzzing in her chest even as birds chirp peacefully in the distance.
Suddenly, a muffled shout echoes from behind the door, causing Sophia's heart to leap from her chest. A moment later, there's the panicked clacking of boots against tiles.
She realizes what's happening a moment before the footsteps reach the door, and her heart sinks. The maid must have gone to Lady Katarina, and subsequently been informed in no uncertain terms that the cursed freak is not to be allowed inside under any circumstances. In a moment, a much paler Miss Dean will crack the door open and politely ask them to leave.
She closes her eyes as the door swings back, not wanting to see it come true.
"Sophia?" pants Lady Katarina.
Sophia's eyes fly open, seeing the very out-of-breath noble lady staring at her in the doorway.
"P-Pardon me…" she says, bracing herself against the door as she continues to breath rapidly. "I… forgot it was… today…"
The maid arrives behind her a moment later, none worse for wear. "L-Lady Katarina, are you alright?"
"Please… fetch me some water." she pants, nodding weakly.
The servant nods, before running off into the manor behind them.
"Come in," Lady Katarina says weakly, gesturing Nicol and Sophia through the open door.
Katarina greedily sips from the cup the maid hands to her, abandoning all manners as she enjoys the sensation of the cold water rushing down her throat.
The white-haired girl cautiously sits across from her. Despite her smile, her red eyes dart across the parlor room as she hugs the book to her chest.
"I will be in the study if you need me," Lord Ascart says, eyes trailing across the two before moving to the doorway.
For a moment, Katarina feels a bit guilty. Coming all this way just to read alone? Then she remembers the way he squeezed her shoulder, and the guilt immediately fades. At least he has the decency to know where he's not wanted.
Both maid and noble file out of the parlor, leaving the two ladies alone together as the wooden doors close. Having gotten her fill of water, Katarina places down her cup on the table between the two, suppressing a satisfied sigh as she smiles at Sophia. The younger Ascart smiles back, but says nothing.
An awkward feeling begins to pervade the interaction as the two continue to stare at each other, and Katarina's smile begins to strain as the silence drags on. Resolving to break the silence, she says the first thing that comes to mind.
"Your eyes are really pretty."
They go wide at the remark, and the girl leans back slightly, lips coming apart slightly.
Katarina grimaces as she once again curses her poor choice of words. This time she doesn't even have the excuse of getting mixed up with the book character. Such obvious flattery is a terrible way to start a conversation. It makes one look desperate and insincere. Mother taught her that.
"W-What I meant to say was that I hope the journey went well," Katarina stammers.
Sophia seems to relax slightly. "Our manor isn't too far from here. It was a short trip."
There is once again silence as Katarina struggles to keep the conversation going. "It is good to hear your trip was not too difficult. I hope you enjoy your visit here."
Sophia glances away, pulling the book closer to her chest. "Thank you, Lady Katarina."
The conversation once again sputters out.
Katarina struggles to keep up her smile as she begins to panic.
"I now call to order this meeting of the Katarina Claes death avoidance committee!"
The assembled Katarinas sit across from each other as the meeting begins.
"Aren't we the death avoidance committee?" says the glasses-wearing Katarina, glaring at Chairman Katarina. "I'm not seeing any death to be avoided."
"It is a social death!" cries out Haughty Katarina, clutching her chest and leaning back in her padded chair. "We must find a way to bring an end to this dreadful silence at once!"
"P-Plus, S-Sophia has been really nice to us…" mutters Timid Katarina, wringing her hands anxiously.
"Order! Order!" cries Chairman Katarina, slamming her gavel against the table.
"Oh, great! Who gave that back to her?" hisses Angry Katarina.
In response, Chairman Katarina leans in and lightly taps it against her head.
"Gah!" she yells, trying and failing to swipe it from her mustached adversary. "I want a new seat!"
"Your request for a transfer is heard and denied," replies Chairman Katarina, settling back into her seat. "Now then, please return to the topic at hand."
Angry Katarina rubs her head as she gestures to the other personality aspects. "Is this really necessary? How long has it been since we convened, anyway?"
Studious Katarina adjusts her glasses. "Well, technically, we've never convened at all. We're just a clever literary metaphor used to personify the abstract concept of thought."
She and the rest of the council blink at once as the room suddenly shudders.
"Whoa. Just got a weird sense of déjà vu. What were we talking about?"
"Our impending social death," mutters the Katarina slumped against the table. At least it's metaphorical this time…"
"Can anyone focus?" shouts Timid Katarina. "Sophia helped us feel better! Shouldn't we try and do the same?" The uncharacteristic outburst brings all eyes to the personality aspect, and her blue eyes widen as she slinks back into her chair. "I-I mean… I-If you want to."
There's a moment of silence as the other aspects bear down on her, eyes narrowed in thought. Even Depressed Katarina raises her head from the table to give a half-hearted stare.
"She does raise a good point," Haughty Katarina eventually says, flipping out her fan. "Sophia may be cursed, but she is undoubtedly our ally. What example would we be setting if we did not try and reach out to her in return?"
"Her hair is so pretty!" giggles Excitable Katarina. "I want to touch it!"
"She's going to think we're strange if you keep making us say things like that," grimaces Studious Katarina.
"She probably already does," whines Depressed Katarina. "No wonder she doesn't want to talk to us…"
"Why are we so bad at this?" growls Angry Katarina. "Didn't we see the harlot with her a few times in the previous life? If she can do this, so can we!"
"What's the point? We already know we can't stack up to her…"
"We can and we will," shouts Angry Katarina.
Studious Katarina glares at them both. "Can we please stay on topic?"
Excitable Katarina sticks out her tongue. "You're no fun!"
Depressed Katarina just groans.
Studious Katarina removes her glasses and closes her eyes as she massages her forehead. "This is going nowhere…"
"Just tell her what you think of the book!" replies Excitable Katarina.
Everyone at the table turns to the smiling aspect.
"You are all overthinking it. She came here to read with us, so let's read with her!"
"We are supposed to open with an unrelated topic," Haughty Katarina states, waving her fan. "It is rude to do otherwise."
"Do you actually like doing that, though? It bores me to tears."
Haughty Katarina glances away, hiding her scowl behind her fan.
"That might actually work," Studious Katarina says, sliding back on her glasses.
"Oh! Maybe we can also tell her how pretty her skin is!" smiles Excitable Katarina. "And her eyes!"
"We already said that," Angry Katarina mutters.
"Well… It's still true!"
Chairman Katarina rolls her eyes. "All those in favor of Excitable Katarina's original proposal?"
"Aye!"
Everyone at the table raises their hand. Even, begrudgingly, Haughty Katarina.
"The motion passes." Chairman Katarina brings down her gavel.
"Ow!" cries Angry Katarina.
Katarina takes a deep breath, and smiles. "Ah, the scene where Princess Emerald first meets Sophia is so beautiful!" Katarina swoons, holding the book to her chest.
The white-haired girl looks up in surprise, before the faintest wisp of smile plays out across her lips at Katarina's obvious enthusiasm. "I-I like it too," she murmurs.
"Hey, were you named after the Sophia in this book?" Katarina asks, suddenly leaning close.
Her red eyes widen as she shrinks away. "P-Pardon?"
The lady rocks back in her seat, making a dismissive gesture. "Well, your hair is a different color, but the way you style it…"
Sophia just continues to stare, a confused expression on her face.
Katarina's brows furrow, smile turning awkward. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
The white-haired girl hunches over, hiding her face behind her book. "I-it's nothing."
Katarina's heart falls. "It's because you're cursed, right?"
Sophia shifts nervously, glancing away.
"I don't get it, though," says Katarina, gently lifting a handful of the girl's soft white hair. Even through the glove, she's entranced by its gentle texture.
"N-Nicol says they're just mean rumors spread by those jealous of our family," the young Ascart stutters.
Katarina nods. "Makes sense. If I–" she says, pausing. "Er, I mean if someone were jealous of another, that's what I – I mean, they – would do." The Ascart's crimson eyes widen in surprise, and Katarina bites back a swear. Such a delicate slip of a girl surely would not approve. "B-Besides," Katarina stammers, quickly moving to change the subject, "that would be a pretty terrible curse." After all, what absolute moron's idea of punishment is gifting their enemy snowy hair, ruby eyes, and porcelain skin?
"Yes," Lady Ascart replies, a pained expression crossing her features as she nods. "I am… truly grateful you have been willing to spend time with me, Lady Katarina."
The brunette blinks, certain she just missed something. "I'm sorry…?"
Sophia just shakes her head before offering the noble lady a soft smile. "Please don't be. I'm… used to it. If anything, I hope my appearance isn't too distracting to you."
Katarina blinks again, jaw relaxing slightly. Distracting? Certainly, the young Ascart's appearance is eye-catching, but to phrase it that way… She laughs nervously, cheeks burning as she lets the soft strands of hair fall from her gloved hand. "I… don't quite follow, Lady Ascart."
Yet the young Ascart continues. "There's no need to be circumspect, Lady Claes. It's not like you haven't been staring,"
"Staring?" Her cheeks burn even hotter, and her throat goes dry. "I'm not… staring."
"It's alright." Her voice is a whisper as she looks at her with those deep red eyes. "I don't mind."
Katarina leans back slightly, one hand gripping the wooden frame of the couch as a shiver runs down her spine. What on Earth is happening right now?
"Please don't be frightened, Lady Katarina!" Lady Ascart pleads, clasping her hands together. "I won't think any less of you!"
A confusing whirlwind of emotions dance in her chest. Her heart beats faster for no apparent reason. What is she saying? It's almost like—
"It means a lot to me that you've put up with my grotesque appearance so far!"
Katarina's mind comes to a screeching halt. "What!?"
"I mean, ever since I saw you crying at the library, I've been forcing myself on you," Lady Ascart says, glancing down at the floor. "I keep telling myself that it's to keep you company, but really… it's the opposite."
Katarina just stares, eyes wide with shock, as the strange feelings melt away. That was… embarrassment. Yes. That is what she felt. "I… don't understand."
"It's hard for me to connect to people like you do, Lady Claes. You've made so many wonderful friends in such a short amount of time." She shifts again, looking down in her lap. "All I did was see you crying in a library. Then, I learned you liked my book, and I tried to force a connection." She shakes her head before looking up at Katarina, eyes now red in more ways than one. "Yet you haven't complained or treated me like a burden, even though my appearance clearly bothers you. So… thank you."
There's a long pause. It takes Katarina a moment to realize she's shaking. "Cursed, huh?" Her words come as a low growl. She feels guilty for even referring to the Ascart as such in the comfort of her own mind. She's angry. She doesn't quite understand why, but she's angry. At those who would say such horrid things, at herself for thinking them, but most of all…
"Have you no pride in yourself, Lady Ascart?!"
The white-haired girl shrinks backwards into the cushions as her crimson eyes widen in astonishment. "L-Lady Katarina?"
"Do you have no pride in your birthright? Your family?"
Sophia jolts up to face her. "O-Of course, I do, Lady Claes! I just—"
"Then do you think me blind?" She points at herself. "Do you believe I am not aware of your appearance?"
She looks back down again. "N-No…"
"Then why on Earth would you offer me such pointless gratitude?" Her voice rises. "Do you really believe I choose my associates so carelessly?"
Sophia continues staring into her lap. Several moments pass. A response is not forthcoming.
Katarina sighs as she falls back into the couch, suddenly feeling drained. The white-haired girl across from her is no longer meeting her eyes. A lump forms in her throat, and she looks away.
"I… apologize for that, Sophia," she says quietly. She tsks, shaking her head. "For what it's worth, I sincerely doubt you're cursed. Someone probably just spread that rumor because they were jealous."
"J-Jealous?" Sophia's voice is shaky.
She rolls her eyes, looking back toward the white-haired girl, now wiping her face. "Are you really going to make me spell out how beautiful you are, Sophia?"
The Ascart freezes, looking up at her in shock. "Beautiful?" Her tone is almost wistful. Then, she shakes her head. "T-That's not true, Lady Claes! Everyone stares at me in horror!"
"Or perhaps they're staring because you're absolutely gorgeous." She has to resist the urge to roll her eyes again. Seriously, how dense can one girl be?
Her crimson eyes dart down. "I… realize now that you're trying to make me feel better, Lady Katarina," she pauses, swallowing, "but… I know that can't be true…"
Katarina's eyes narrow. "Are you accusing me of lying?" Her tone is warning.
Sophia looks back up, holding up her hands in a placating gesture. "N-No, Lady Claes!"
"Good. Then you should not hesitate to believe me as I call out this absolute nonsense I am hearing." She tsks as she shakes her head. "Cursed… What kind of imbecile would cast a curse that gives their target such beautiful features?"
Sophia looks down at herself, clutching her chest. Her face softens, as she considers her words. "E-Even if you're not lying… I know there are many who find my appearance creepy."
"So?"
Sophia looks up, confused.
"Who cares what they think?" Katarina perks up her nose, feeling a wicked grin spread across her face as she rises from her seat. "If you're to follow me, you must always hold your head high with pride!"
For a moment, familiar golden eyes stare up at her. When she blinks, they're once again the Ascart's sparkling crimson.
"I… You really think I'm beautiful, Lady Claes?"
Katarina's smile almost falls, but she shakes off the sudden sadness before Sophia can notice the lapse. "Sophia, why would I lie to you? Are we not friends?"
The words leave her mouth without thinking. The moment she realizes, she opens her mouth to correct herself. Yet as she stares into Sophia's red eyes… Well, 'allies' doesn't feel right, does it?
And then she hears Sophia crying. As she snaps back to reality, she can see the Ascart hunched over in her seat, sobs wracking her body. Cold guilt surges through her as she nearly trips over herself rushing to her couch. "L-Lady Ascart, I—"
Sophia just holds out a hand, and lifts her head, trails of tears flanking a wide, happy, grin. "L-Lady Katarina," she sniffles, "D-didn't I tell you to call me Sophia?"
Before long, the two noblewomen are chatting happily again.
"She really does remind me of you. I actually kept imagining you while reading."
Sophia glances away, cheeks reddening as she smiles. "I actually used to pretend I was the Sophia in this story. I think that was part of why I liked it so much."
"Well, I can say why!" Katarina smiles. "The friendship she and Princess Emerald develop is so cute!"
Sophia nods rapidly. "And the kissing scene, where they declare their love—!"
Katarina squeals, hugging her own copy as she envisions it. "It's so romantic!"
"I'm really happy you like this sort of thing, Lady Katarina!" Sophia says, a wide smile on her face. "I really love how they develop Sophia as a love interest!"
"Yes! She's—" Katarina's nose scrunches up in confusion. "Wait, love interest?"
There's an awkward pause.
"Yes?" Sophia says, a bewildered smile on her face. "Lady Katarina, did you actually finish the book?"
"Of course I did!" Katarina replies, frowning. "I don't recall anything about a love interest!"
Sophia continues to smile, though it's now grown somewhat forced. "Well, what do you remember?"
"A beautiful story about a haughty princess befriending a gorgeous commoner!"
The tension in Sophia's expression evaporates as she leans forward and begins to giggle.
"What's so funny?" Katarina asks, crossing her arms as her voice pitches up in offense.
"Lady Katarina, this is a romance novel."
"Yes, and romance novels can be about friendships!" Katarina insists.
"I'm not sure that's true…"
The brunette shakes her head. "Friendship absolutely can be romantic! Why else would there be so many romance stories about two girls befriending each other?"
The young Ascart leans forward as she struggles to stifle her laughter. Then, suddenly, her eyes widen, and she looks up. "Wait, Lady Katarina, you've read other romance novels?"
Katarina blushes slightly. Once again, she'd spoken without thinking. "W-Well, I used to. When I was younger."
Sophia's crimson eyes seem to sparkle. "Do you remember any of them?"
The brunette chuckles nervously. "Well, it's a bit embarrassing…"
Somewhat thankfully, at that moment, the study doors open, and Nicol steps into the room. "Pardon me, Lady Claes, but it's getting rather late."
Katarina blinks. "Hm? It's not that late, is it?" She turns her head to the windows. An orange sky stares back. Her voice is a bit quieter. "Oh."
Sophia giggles from behind. "It appears we both lost track of time, Lady Katarina…"
Her cheeks burn. "Yes, that would appear to be the case." Where on Earth did the hours go? After taking a moment to let her embarrassment fade, she turns back to the Ascart siblings, rises from her seat, and curtsies. "It was an honor to have you over, Lady Sophia." Unlike when she usually recites it, she means every word.
Sophia rises from her seat, returning the gesture with a smile. "The honor is all mine, Lady Katarina." Then, she blinks, and her eyes widen in realization. "Oh! I'll have to bring you the next book by that author, next time!"
Katarina's heart leaps. "There's another!?"
Sophia shakes her head. "Yes! It's not as good as Sophia and the Emerald Princess, but it's really good! It's about a commoner falling in love with a prince, and rescuing him from his cruel fiancée—" She pauses, smile falling. "Uh, Katarina? You're making a scary face…"
"Perhaps we should skip that one," she states, voice clipped.
She swallows. "Right. W-Well… I'm sure I'll find something."
The genuine smile returns. "I look forward to it!"
She leads them out to the main hall and down the grand stairway, a servant opening the front door as she sees them approaching.
"A moment of your time, Lord Ascart?"
The black-haired Ascart turns around with a start, his sister stopping on the threshold of the stairway.
"What is it, Katarina?" Sophia asks.
"I need to talk to your brother about something. We won't be long."
She hesitates, but after a brief glance between them, nods and smiles. "Well… Okay, then. I'll be waiting at the carriage."
Katarina nods, smiling until the white-haired sibling is out of sight. The moment she's out of sight, the brunette's expression twists, and her voice drops to a hushed whisper. "I want names," she hisses.
"Pardon?" Lord Ascart replies, voice flat as usual.
"The people who spread these horrible lies about your sister," she growls, stepping closer to him. "I want their names."
For a brief moment, something akin to surprise flashes across his face. Then he's back to normal. "It's something Gerald and I took care of a long time ago. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done."
"Damn it," Katarina hisses, pacing back and forth with her arms taut. "It's not right."
"Why do you care?" he says flatly.
Katarina spins to face him. "What do you mean, 'why do I care?' Your sister – my friend – told me how grateful she is I'd spend time with her because she thinks she's a hideous monster! Why wouldn't I care?"
The elder Ascart sibling just stares at her for a while. "Regardless of your motives, your concern for Sophia is… noted," he eventually says, accompanied by an almost imperceptible softening of his features, "but there's nothing I haven't already tried."
She stares at him for a long moment. "Ugh. Never-mind." She shakes her head before turning back to the study. "Brothers..."
She's halfway down the hall when she hears a voice call out. "Lady Claes!" She stops and looks over her shoulder.
"I…" He sighs, and bows his head. "Thank you."
She nods curtly, before resuming her path. Not long after, she hears the door shut behind her.
"Fun" fact: The first draft of this chapter was written almost exactly a year ago (December 31st, 2020).
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- Location
- Academy City
- Pronouns
- They
Man, if only that worked in real life.
In an entirely platonic way, of course.
Disaster bisexual strikes again.
On the one hand, treating a mildly embarrasing social circumstance as equivalent to death is a gross exaggeration. On the other hand, mood.
Yes. The reason you keep thinking about how amazing Maria is is definitely because you feel jealousy. And no other emotions whatsoever.
My~ how forward-
Ah. Just low self esteem, rip.
"And trust me, I couldn't stop myself from checking you out."
I don't know, nobody has ever managed to measure your denseness Katarina.
In canon, Katarina can't imagine Sophia or Mary or Maria being attracted to her because she has no self esteem. Here, it's an entirely different form of mental blocker that leads to the same place. I can't say how common this kind of thing is objectively, but in an anecdotal sense this is definitely ringing bells. Heteronormativity is one hell of a drug.
I too can relate to taking immensely long to complete acheivable tasks for no apparent reason. Ganbarre, Jadebenn!