Travellers Trinkets

Diantha sat in front of the Queen of Rosurnan. While her expeditions hadn't been funded or formally approved by Amaryllis it was still expected that she would file a report. Diantha almost always did the reports herself and in person just so that she could see her friend again. Amaryllis looked splendid as always bathed in the moonlight.

“Splendid work Diantha.” Amaryllis flipped through the long but concise document of Diantha's expedition to find stray wayfarers.

“Though there's one thing I'd like to talk about above all else.” Diantha knew exactly what Amy was talking about, the girl that went by Mikayla.

“She's a good girl, though if you read her page you'd see these… urges of hers.” As Diantha spoke Amy flipped through the stack of papers until she reached Mikayla's page.

“Partial transformation with arms elongating and gaining the strength to destroy a steel cage and throw it a hundred meters away. There's no doubt that Mikayla is a Wyrm.” Amy let out an exasperated sigh at the fact that of all the races that a wayfarer could transform into it was a Wyrm of all things.

After the near extinction of Wyrms only a handful remain, and now one more was added to their count, the very first in over a century. The closest Wyrm besides Mikayla would be the Earth Basilisk of Squall, a being half a millennia old. It didn't need to be said that hiding the identity of Mikayla was of the utmost importance. A young malleable Wyrm would be disastrous in the wrong hands and Diantha felt a need to protect her. Though that would likely have to involve lying to Mikayla about her true lineage. Her believing that she's a mere Steilae would be beneficial for her future safety.

“Of all cycles why did she have to appear in this cycle?” Amy gave another sigh before recuperating herself. “I'll admit her into the academy.”

Diantha brightened up, with proper education and care Mikayla could grow into a proper young woman. “Thank you Amy!”

However my celebration was cut short Amy kept speaking. “There is one caveat. You will become a teacher at Rosurnan Academy.”

Amy had been pestering Diantha and Kael to become teachers for her academy ever since its inception. Who better to teach than her former party members. A noble who is fascinated in the history of the world and quite the adept weaver along with Kael who in his prime surpassed even Diantha in combat prowess. Kael might not accept but tonight is likely the night Diantha caves in to Amy. With or without Diantha, Mikayla would be enrolled within the academy anyways, the inn’s not safe enough for a Wyrm.

“Amy, I've told you before. I don't want to teach any more than Kael does.” She and Amy have had a hundred conversations on the topic alone and the answer was always the same.

“It's not just about you Diantha, you're one of the foremost historians and weavers within Rosurnan and a skilled combatant. With a Wyrm inside of the academy I need people I can trust to be there.” Amy pleaded with Diantha utilizing words she knew couldn't be refused.

Amy had read the report and knew how much Diantha cared for the Wyrm child. She'd grown too attached to her to the fact that she wanted to keep her safe. In fact Diantha had avoided children ever since she and Kael had gotten divorced. It seems that this ‘Mikayla’ had forced her way into Diantha's heart whether she knew it or not.

“I'm still not sure Kael will concede as easily as I.” They both knew Kael was never the type to truly settle down. 

While he was weaker than Diantha and years out of his prime he still looked for adventure. A decade ago Kael would have even gotten scratched by the spider that fatally wounded him. Together as a party all three of them and Amy's late husband had retaken Rosurnan. It seemed to both of them that all Kael wanted to do now was try to relive his glory days by bringing talented youths with him into dangerous adventures. Judging by his last performance he was getting sloppy.

“I'll be able to convince him. With a Wyrm at stake and you there I'm sure he'll accept.” That last part surprised Diantha.

“Kael and I haven't been a thing for years, why would he care about me.” Diantha couldn't believe for a second that Kael would join for her.

“Well to leave that unpleasant topic I've conceived an ingenious idea for Mikayla's dormmate. You see Lily's old enough to enroll, although second youngest only to Mikayla. I propose that the two of them should be roommates.”

“Are you sure about this? You know of Mikayla's urges, your daughter could be in danger.” While Diantha liked Amy's proposal she had to play the devil's advocate, but Mikayla is a gentle child.

“Lily can protect herself just fine, I've even heard rumors that the Queen's been training her.” Amy chuckled as if the joke had any comedic merit.

“The two of them should do well with each other around. All the other students would be years older than the two of them, especially so for Mikayla.” Diantha noted. 

The academy usually had students enroll at sixteen at the earliest, but most were usually around eighteen. In fact most of the student body enrolled in their twenties or even thirties. The academy wasn't just some boarding school for the wealthy to throw their kids into so they could ignore them. It was more of a university. The mere fact that Rosurnan was a free city meant that education could be far more liberal with their profiles here. It's one of the foremost places to study weaving within Seluka or even the entire continent. At least for those that could afford it.

“Well I suppose that's everything for now, you'll have your place within the academy once next semester starts. Be sure to tell Kael of my proposal.” With that Amy gave Diantha a smile as she rose from her desk and left the office, likely to go do something just as important.

Diantha sat there a while wondering how Mikayla would fare within the academy. She was a talented girl especially with her Wyrm lineage but that didn't mean she was going to excel. That only meant Diantha had to help her excel.

–

It'd been a day since the tavern incident and I'd retreated to my room. Dust had piled onto my bed and wardrobe, thankfully everything inside it was still in mint condition. My revolver still shone as well as ever, the little me I'd made from earth stood next to it triumphantly. Along with the bag of wood and metal parts was the little robot I'd made that nearly got Kael killed because it made me tired. Inside the wardrobe I placed another trinket, a version of Diantha with the same size ratio as the Mikayla figure. I was too tired last night to actually check if my belongings were still there. Suddenly I heard a knocking at the door and a familiar voice rang through.

“I heard you're finally back. Can I come in? I have food.” Scarlet sounded genuine and I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

“Sure.” I didn't sound nearly as sincere or confident as Scarlet but I didn't hesitate to let her in.

Then as she entered with a platter of chicken on her plate I almost instantly regretted letting her in. “Actually um, I don't eat meat anymore.”

“Oh…” She put down the meat onto the dresser and locked eyes with me before giving me a wide smile.

“So Mikayla huh?” Scarlet said semi-teasingly to change subjects as she sat down onto my bed opposite of the pillow. 

She had seen the entire fiasco downstairs. But it was strange to be spoken to as if nothing had happened and I hadn't run away from the Silver Bell. Scarlet seemingly didn't seem to care at all about what had happened. I expected her to react like Kael or get mad at me for leaving without repaying her. Though I guess she had some time to think, especially since it took her a day to come see me again.

“I just blurted it out when Diantha asked me alright? It's a girl's name anyway.” I said hoping it would convince her as I sat down next to her.

“What's wrong with having a girl's name?” Scarlet asked as if that wasn't a weird thing to think.

“Because I'm not a girl!” In my annoyance I accidentally raised my voice at Scarlet.

“Lots of guys have feminine names, at least on the Earth I came from. It's perfectly fine to be called a different name if you like it.” Her reason was solid yet I still couldn't just accept the fact that I could just be called Mikayla.

“I guess my name doesn't really matter… call me whatever you want Scarlet.” What was I doing? I was lying to Scarlet's face hoping she'd continue to use the name Diantha used for me.

“Alright Mikayla.” She said cheerfully which caused me to blush. I knew it was obvious to her which name made me happier and she took advantage of that fact. “You're adorable when you blush like that.”

“I'm just not used to being called Mikayla. I- it's just a name.” I stammed the last few words making my entire argument null and void.

“Names are important. It's what people see you as, and right now I see you as Mikayla, the cute girl in front of me.” Scarlet teased me again causing my blush to flourish even more.

The teasing should have felt horrible. If I'd been back in my old body then I might have actually started yelling at Scarlet, but I'm not in that body. Right here, for this moment I'm Mikayla and that started to feel alright with me. Though since Scarlet was making jabs at me I should try to make me flustered I should make her flustered too.

“Well you're really pretty.” I said with as much confidence as I could muster. Once the words came out of my mouth I realized I'd just complimented Scarlet instead of insulting her.

“Why thank you Mikayla. I really needed the compliment.” She spoke so smugly while nonchalantly accepting my compliment.

Scarlet seemed so genuine and happy at my compliment that I couldn't muster up the energy to throw another insult at her. However there's another thing that needed to be said, something I should have said the moment she entered my room.

“I'm sorry for running away.” There were a million things for me to be sorry for but Scarlet just looked at me with a confused expression that quickly morphed into one of pity.

“Mikayla there's nothing to be sorry about, okay? From what I heard you were kidnapped and even then you were scared. It's okay to be scared.” Scarlet hugged me 

“Okay…” For a while we just sat there in silence letting her warmth transfer over to me.

Eventually Scarlet had to let go of me. But she held that same kind of smile that Diantha held which made me smile too. As I was about to say something to Scarlet a knock rang out through the room. There was a brief silence before another knock and a voice spoke through the door.

“Mikayla? Can I speak to you?” It was Diantha and it sounded important too.

“Uhm, sure Diantha.” I wasn't sure why she's here but I couldn't possibly deny her.

“I guess I should be going then.” Scarlet got up from the bed and exited the room, but not before giving me the briefest head pat and taking the plate with her.

Scarlet opened the door to reveal Diantha standing there before she shuffled past her and into the hallway. Diantha gave a cursory glance at the woman with a curious expression before entering my room. She took a seat next to me, still warm from Scarlet's body warmth. There was an eager look on her face accompanying the smile she always gave me. Strangely she was fidgeting, her hands ever so subtly tapping on her leg.

“Have you ever thought about your education Mikayla?” Diantha spoke as she normally did but her tone had this air of excitement to it.

“Not really, it shouldn't be that important right?” My father always told me that school was for pansies and that I should only go to them for sports programs.

“Well you see, I've already enrolled you in Rosurnan's academy. One of the academy's sponsors sees great potential within you.” How could anyone see potential in me besides Diantha?

“Isn't that where all the rich kids go?” I had only been there once right before I was kidnapped.

“It's more like a university than an actual academy, you would stay in a dorm room twice as good as the one we're in right now. And while there are teenagers who learn there, many adults have it as their choice of institution. ” Diantha tried to appeal to me but what got my attention was the room. If I could stay in a room with an actual bed I might accept just for a good rest.

“What if I refuse?” I probably wasn't going to refuse but I wanted to know more.

“Mikayla, this is a good opportunity for you. You're not even a teenager yet so you should take this gift while you can.” As Diantha spoke I came to a horrible realization that she didn't know my true age even after coming to Rosurnan.

How long had I been lying to Diantha about myself? My age, my gender, it was all a big lie that I hadn't told Diantha because she'd hate me. She thought I was just some little girl that she needed to help. If she ever found out about my real age and gender then she'd hate me for lying to her. It wasn't like I was a real girl anyways, everyone would think I'm some kind of pervert. A deep pit of guilt began forming within me but I couldn't tell her the truth. For now I'd just keep it a secret, find the right moment to tell her the truth.

“I'll go if you want me to Diantha. I trust you.” I genuinely wanted to go, but it felt like this opportunity was being wasted on me and not on someone like Scarlet who genuinely wanted to learn more about this world.

“You'll be happy there I promise. The next semester will begin in a few months but the wait will be over sooner than you think. You'll probably even be allowed to stay in your dorm early.” Diantha's enthusiasm couldn't hold down my own, soon the guilt was replaced with a smile.

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