Mai Otome Fan Fiction ❯ Yearbook ❯ Chapter 11: Black Out ( Chapter 11 )

Black Out

 

(Principal's Office, Garderobe)

 

Several women sat around a table that was covered with papers. They looked like they had been there all day as there were quite a few empty cups and a few plates. “Elliot hand me the stack from the Star Coral class.” Kihomi said picking a stack of papers up and dropping them in a box on the floor.

 

“I hate midterms.” Elliot said picking up another stack and handing it to the other woman. As she spoke Miss Maria smoothed a sheet of paper then picked her stack up and dropped it into a box closing the lid and placed it onto a small stack off boxes. “Really Miss Maria how do you grade these so fast?”

 

“I've been doing this quite a bit longer then you, Miss Chandler.” Miss Maria said picking up another stack already starting to grade the exams not using the answer keys that each of them had.

 

“I don't know what is worse grading these tests or taking them.” Shizuru said trying to write a score on the sheet she had but her red marker was running out of ink. She grabbed another and wrote the score on top of it. “Second thought, I think I rather be taking it.”

 

“That can be arranged Miss Viola.” Miss Maria said with her normal serious face hardly looking up from her paperwork before looking back down.

 

Shizuru swallowed hard her hand jumping and leaving a red mark across the page. She quickly set the marker down and leaned over to Elliot whispering, “She's kidding right?”

 

“I don't know maybe…” Elliot said then looked up at Miss Maria hoping to se a glimmer of a smile but Maria's face was as solid as stone, “Or maybe not.”

 

“Miss Chandler isn't your yearly review due this month?” Miss Maria said looking up at both of them. “I believe your quarterly review is due as well Viola.”

 

“Quarterly reviews? I thought Otome only conducted reviews once a year.” Shizuru said.

 

“Miss Viola you even thought you aren't a probationary column anymore you are still required to…” Miss Maria said until the power in the room went out. If there wasn't a large picture window in the office and the music Principal Kruger was playing they wouldn't have known that the power went out.

 

“Kveta,” Kihomi said tapping her ear though nothing happened. “Elliot try your GEM.”

 

“Kveta? Chandler to Kveta, come in.” Elliot said tapping her GEM.

 

“Elliot your GEM isn't lighting up.” Shizuru said noticing that both Elliot and Kihomi's GEMs hadn't lit up.

 

The lights in the room briefly flickered then turned out again. Kihomi's GEM lit up again, “Principal Kruger.” Kveta said.

 

“Kruger here,” Kihomi said tapping her GEM twice signaling it to play loud enough for the others in the room to hear. “We've had a power outage in my office, and my GEM and Elliot's GEM went out.”

 

“The outage is spread far more then your office Principal.” Kveta said across the communication line. “Or just your GEMS.”

 

“How far director?” Kihomi asked dropping her head down and rubbing her forehead.

 

“The entire school as well as Fumi,” Kveta said then yelled at another person in the laboratory, “The back up generator took a minute and a half to start up. That is what caused the delay in your GEMs.”

 

“What caused the black out?” Kihomi asked.

 

“My new assistant seems to have trouble following directions.” Kveta said, “Youko you better be replacing the entire line of cable and not just the segment you fired.”

 

“Alright well how far spread is this and what is our time frame until it's repaired?” Kihomi said not noticing Elliot stand up and walk to her then started rubbing her shoulders.

 

“The lights I'm sorry to say are going to be off for a while.” Kveta said, “You're GEMs should be fully functional though only columns and senior faculty members are. All other access is restricted do to the strain on the back up generator. How long? I don't know how long do you think it will take to replace two thousand feet of cable?”

 

“Director Kveta are there any classes that were participating in flight drills?” Shizuru said remembering Natsuki talking about her classes today but she wasn't sure what period Natsuki was doing flight drills. This quarter the pearl class' schedule rotated to add an aspect to the training that simulated surprise. The pearls didn't know which class they were to attend until the end of the prior class. It often was called `Rush' due to the stressful nature. Several of the instructors enjoyed teaching one class on one side of the campus then another on the other side giving students only a few minutes to get to the next class.

 

“Yes, the Moon Pearl class was conducting touch and go training between third and forth chime.” Kveta said pausing.

 

“Third chime was nearly half an hour.” Miss Maria said already starting to stand up.

 

“Alright Elliot get down to the training grounds an assist with any injuries.” Kihomi said, “Shizuru go help as well. Miss Maria I'll need you make sure the faculty keep the students under control.”

 

“Especially the coral classes, we all know how rowdy they can get. Black outs are just as bad as snow days.” Miss Maria said walking to the door.

 

“Kveta get those systems back online as soon as possible and send a few people to the clinic, shouldn't be anything major perhaps a few broken bones and quite a few bruises.” Kihomi said.

 

(Training Grounds, Garderobe)

 

“Natsuki are you alright?” Shizuru said, they had arrived a short while before and like Kihomi predicted there were only three girls that had been injured more then a few bruises; two broken arms and an ankle.

 

“I'm fine Shizuru my group had already completed their rounds.” Natsuki said blushing that Shizuru was standing close to her and had her hands on Natsuki's hips.

 

“I was so worried that my Natsuki had fallen out of the sky.” Shizuru said leaning close to Natsuki blowing in her ear knowing that it turned an already blushing Natsuki three shades darker.

 

“I told you Shizuru I'm f-fine.” Natsuki said shivering and pulling away. “Really I am. With this power outage are we still able to go out tonight?”

 

“I don't think it will be a problem the repairs will be done by the technicians.” Shizuru said her GEM lighting up as did Natsuki's GEM and everyone on the grounds. “Tomorrow is a weekend so classes shouldn't be interrupted.

 

“This is Principal Kruger as of now all students are restricted to campus and all liberties for this weekend all canceled. Kruger out,” Kihomi said before the GEMs cut out.

 

“Shizuru, I'll make it up to you I promise.” Natsuki said fuming though she didn't show it. She had managed to get reservations at the Imperial Rose which had taken her four months. Sure Shizuru being a Meister Otome and Column could have gotten them by just walking in the restaurant she was proud that this was something she had done on her own.

 

“Natsuki doesn't have to worry I'm happy just spending time with her whether it's in my room or a fancy restaurant.” Shizuru said a smile on her face.

 

“You knew?” Natsuki asked having only told Shizuru she had something special planed for tonight.

 

“I had my suspicions.” Shizuru said, “But really just spending time with you is enough.”

 

Before Natsuki could say anything Shizuru's GEM lit up and buzzed in her ear. “Shizuru, I need you to head into Wind and meet with the Regent he's claiming to have something too important to wait until tomorrow.” Kihomi said.

 

“On my way,” Shizuru said with a frown on her face, she closed the line and let out a big sigh. “I guess I'll have to take a rain check on cuddling with you tonight. Don't wait up for me Natsuki; I don't know when I will be home.” The Regent was a man that often forgot that he was only a temporary ruler until the princess was old enough to take the throne and he had know idea that Garderobe and the Otome didn't report to him. He had been trying for years to get an Otome assigned to him and even told many times that his request had been denied mostly because he wanted his Otome to be the national Otome of Wind and that he wanted her to wear the Blue Sky Sapphire even though the GEM had been missing since Rena Sayers wore the GEM. He was convinced it was a Garderobe conspiracy. Poor Shizuru being the newest Column often found it her job to deal with the man.

 

“Shizuru,” Natsuki said taking Shizuru's hand as she turned to walk away. “I can talk to my aunt maybe get her to send Elliot or maybe Miss Maria.”

 

“Natsuki, I'm an Otome and an Otome never refuses an order.” Shizuru said pressing a kiss to Natsuki's cheek and walking off.

 

(Pearl Dormitories, Garderobe)

 

Natsuki had continued the rest of her classes that day though she couldn't focus. She had planed this night to be perfect and then everything had fallen apart. She had to admit that she didn't get having a girlfriend at first but she had learned and actually enjoyed doing things for Shizuru just to see that smile on her face. The smile Shizuru never gave anyone else. Bewitching Amethyst, Shizuru was true to her GEM's name she could charm anyone with a smile. But the smile she gave Natsuki was unlike any other smile she had. It was a real smile and not just part of the mask she kept. “Why did it have to happen like this?” Natsuki said pacing her room. She paused at a knock on the door and looked at it expecting Shizuru to walk through. When she didn't Natsuki sighed and called for whoever it was it enter.

 

“Natsuki-chan?” Mai said entering the room a bowl in her hands, “I didn't think you would be here. I thought for sure Shizuru-onee-sama would have busted you out.”

 

“She had to work.” Natsuki said sitting down in her chair surprising Mai usually one smell of her ramen had Natsuki drooling.

 

“Today of all days?” Mai asked part of her knowing an Otome's day was never over.

 

“Yeah,” Natsuki said slouching down in the chair, “Not to be rude but what's up Mai? I'm not really in the mood for company.”

 

“Unless that company had something to do with a certain Column,” Mai said getting an angry look, “I made a big pot of ramen those sandwiches the cafeteria is making are gross. I thought you would like a bowl.”

 

“Ramen how did you make it? The power is still out and you skillet is electric.” Natsuki asked.

 

“They have a fire burning in the kitchen mostly to keep it warm. I borrowed it.” Mai said, “I had to get a bigger pot my ramen is more popular then the sandwiches.”

 

“Thanks,” Natsuki said as Mai pushed the bowl in front of her though Natsuki just stared at it.

 

“Eat, I know you haven't since lunch.” Mai ordered putting the chop sticks in Natsuki's hand.

 

“I'm not hungry.” Natsuki said smelling the bowl and pausing, “Mai do you have more of this?”

 

“Uhmmm it's the last bowl.” Mai said looking away. “I should have charged it's gonna cost a lot to replace all that ramen.”

 

“Including the secret stash of noodles under your bed?” Natsuki asked perking up.

 

“I wouldn't dip into that unless it's an…” Mai said shooting up and turning away, “What stash under my bed?”

 

“You aren't fooling me Tokiha. It's only for emergencies right?” Natsuki asked while Mai turned around nodding. “Think you can make it up and boil some water for me? Please I'll buy enough ramen to replace what you used tonight.”

 

“Natsuki….” Mai said.

 

“Please? It's an emergency. Shizuru's been dealing with the Regent of Wind all night and knowing her she skipped lunch.” Natsuki said.

 

“Okay I suppose I can.” Mai said.

 

(Administration Building, Garderobe)

 

A tried brunette walked or rather staggered down the hall tracing her hand along the wall as the hall was still dark and the flashlight she had got was almost dead. Today had worn her out more then she had thought between the power going out and having to deal with the Regent of Wind. She turned the corner to her room and fumbled in her pocket for the key to her door wanting to fall into bed and go to sleep. She was starving but the sandwich she picked from the kitchen didn't sound good nor did it look good. She stopped looking for her keys when she heard what she thought was music coming from her room. “It must be coming from Iruma -sensei's room.” Shizuru thought listening again still sure it was coming from her room. She reached out and grabbed the door knob turning it the door opening which seemed strange she always locked the door and there was only one person that had a key. A smile crossed her face thinking Natsuki had come in here and fallen asleep in her bed it certainly wouldn't be the first time. As she stepped in she noticed the room was brighter then she thought it should be and saw candles lit all over the room. There was indeed music playing from a small portable radio sitting on her desk. She looked down feeling something under her feet and looking down seeing rose petals on the floor. Her eyes followed them to a low ceremonial tea table that she kept that had two bowls and a kettle of tea on it. She stepped further into the room and was surprised to feel two arms wrap around her and a voice whisper in her ear.

 

“Happy Birthday Shizuru,” Natsuki said placing a kiss on her neck.

 

Author Notes: I felt the need to write a story for Shizuru's birthday and it feels good to post something. We're still working on that Shiznat story I promised Ultima-Matrix and I would write. It's about a quarter of the way through and not quite far enough to where we want to post it. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll have another chapter sometime between now and the New Year.