“Here here, Kagura. We’ve been through a lot together, between our lessons, ups and downs of being teenagers, and the events of this school year, I can hardly think of any way for us to become closer friends.” Esmerelda cheerfully says, leaning against her brother gently while speaking. “Even with the world a bit chaotic right now, at least we’ll have each other through the next three years of school, and well beyond that as well.”
“Yeah, not even graduation is gonna keep us apart.” Malchion remarks, content to let his sister rests against him. “We’ll rock these next few years of school and graduate as mages, ready to take on the world and anything it has to throw as us. Here’s to the fast-approaching end of this term, and our next years of school!”
Chapter 17: Homecoming
“Good morning students and faculty. Before we all leave today, returning home for a no doubt relaxing and enjoyable summer break, I would like to give you all some parting words. I know this year has been different than most, far more chaotic than one might like at that, but I am proud of each and every one of you for your efforts shown this year.” As Amethyst speaks, she steps forward slowly, looking across the grand hall at all the students presently seated.
“From the first-year students learning the basics, to our more seasoned students, fighting a battle that shouldn’t have had to be fought. You all continue to show excellence in everything you do, and in doing so prove that you are on your way to becoming the next generation of mages, ready to take on the world and do your part. I couldn’t be prouder to be your headmistress than I am now, and I know your professors share the same sentiment. With that all said, I believe it is time to gather your belongings, please have a wonderful summer, all of you.”
With the headmistress’s traditional end of term speech out of the way the student populace begins gradually departing the grand hall, forming a mass of excitement and movement as they head to the dormitories. Seventh year students lingering around give their friends and teachers goodbyes as they prepare to depart for the last time, while all others go to gather their belongings and familiars, sure to give their dorms a thorough search lest anything be left behind.
“Excited, Kags?” Mer’ania hums out an idle question as she packs her suitcase, Fluff assisting her by scurrying about and gathering up anything she happens to notice. The brunette chuckles a little before nodding, her respective familiar taking a lazier role and merely watching while the two teens pack.
“Of course I am Mer, why wouldn’t I be? I survived another year of school, and this summer I get to visit you for the first time, that’s plenty of reason to be excited.” Kagura replies while zipping up her suitcase, clothes packed away with the rest of her belongings. “I know Seraphine is excited, getting to travel that far from home to somewhere other than school is gonna be great.”
“Mom and dad can’t wait to meet you, I’ve told them so much about you since we started school. Though… I can’t promise my sisters will be as kind as I’d like, knowing them they’ll likely tease me and you relentlessly.” Kagura groans when Mer’ania speaks of her sisters, eyes closing for a few moments while she huffs.
“Well, I suppose it can’t be avoided, visiting you does mean meeting your family, all of them, and… I don’t think I can get away with hiding from your sisters the whole time I’m visiting.” She says before sighing, backpack being dropped on the bed before she seats herself beside it and pulls her teddy bear into her arms.
“Don’t worry Kags, I promise they won’t go too far, they know if they did mom and dad would chew them out. Believe me, they teased me enough when I first revealed me and you are dating, they know how much is too much.” Mer’ania sets her own bags on her bed before crossing the room over to Kagura, the brunette looking up at her while she kneels down and leans in. Lips meet lips in a soft yet tender embrace, the two teens closing their eyes for a short while until they part from the kiss, nearly a minute after it began. Now sporting a crimson blush on her cheeks, Kagura glances off to the side, a goofy smile plainly visible on her face.
“I’m definitely gonna miss that…” She murmurs, giving Ruby a few gentle squeezes the whole time. The demoness chuckles before settling at her side and draping an arm across the diminutive teen’s shoulders, spurring Kagura into leaning against her side.
“Trust me, I will too, but this time around we won’t be apart for as long as usual. I’m sure we can both handle a short time apart before we get to be together again.” The two rest together in silence for a few minutes, savoring their final moments together for the time being, Mer’ania slowly rising to her feet before helping Kagura to hers.
“We should head down to the tracks, it’s probably not a good idea to miss our trains.” Nodding slowly, Kagura tugs on her backpack before extending an arm for Seraphine, the feline bounding up it and settling against her shoulders. Once her familiar is comfortable she grabs Ruby and her suitcase, giving the dorm one last look around before sighing softly.
“I’m gonna miss this dorm, lots of memories… Though, next year we’ll be one floor up, so we get a nicer view at least.” Kagura looks to Mer’ania before departing the dorm alongside her, suitcases being wheeled along while they make the trek downstairs to the train tracks.
With the hotter June weather the two dressed accordingly to better beat the heat, Kagura dressed in black denim shorts, a light blue tabby cat t-shirt, ankle socks and tennis shoes, and Mer’ania dressed in a short sleeved white blouse, pleated knee length red plaid skirt, and knee-high socks with tennis shoes as well. Most students are dressed in a similar fashion, even those used to the heat, shorter clothes often being the norm seen around Solenim in May and June. As students depart Solenim and step out onto the station platforms they converse with friends, say their goodbyes, and trek over to their train, all five trains idling at the ready.
“Have a good train ride home Kags, I’ll text you when my train reaches the station in Tal’vedan. It should be a relaxing ride, always is.” Mer’ania says before leaning forward and sharing one last kiss with Kagura, the brunette rising to her toes to meet her somewhat in the middle. A nod is given by her once she parts from Mer’ania, a sheepish smile forming before she looks off to the side.
“Y… Yeah… You too, Mer.” With one final glance shared, the two teens depart and board their respective trains, Kagura finding the cabin Demetri, Esmerelda, and Malchion are in before stepping inside and settling her bags accordingly.
“Hey there Grins, thought you’d never make it.” Demetri teases as Kagura settles beside him, a light, playful punch to the shoulder being given while Seraphine clambers down off her shoulders.
“I couldn’t leave without saying bye to Mer’ania, you know that.” She retorts, Ruby being squeezed as she speaks. “I know I’ll see her next month, but it would be rude of me to just leave without saying goodbye. I’m sure Malc says goodbye to his boyfriend whenever we leave school, right?” Malchion nods in acknowledgement as he’s addressed, looking to the elf with a sly smile.
“Yeah Demetri, our respective others would likely be upset with us if we just left and didn’t say goodbye.” He remarks, quickly being interrupted by Esmerelda before he can say much more.
“Malchion, please, I saw you two saying goodbye plenty this morning, or was all that kissing different?” Her teasing draws out a blush on the male angel’s cheeks, Kagura and Demetri chuckling at the siblings for a few moments.
“Lighten up you two, we’ve got a long train ride ahead of us and we don’t need to spend the whole trip teasing each other. We could, but I fear Grins would never stop blushing if I teased her that much.” Kagura immediately begins to pout as Demetri teases her, cheeks quickly reddening only to be partially hidden behind Ruby’s head as she slumps down in her seat.
“Quit it… It’s not funny…” She mutters before an arm drapes around her shoulders, Demetri giving her a light hug and an apologetic smile.
“I know, I know, it’s not nice to make you blush as red as
a tomato. I’ll ease up on the teasing, at least until next term.” Demetri chuckles softly when Kagura leans into the hug she’s given, his arm retreating away from her after a minute before he turns his gaze out the window. The five trains blow their whistles before beginning to crawl out of the station, gradually picking up speed as they depart from Solenim’s island for their respective nations.
The island begins to fade into the distance as the trains traverse the repaired tracks, one by one branching off as the tracks curve and lead towards the different nations, nothing but the water below and land far off in the distance able to be seen. With the trip home for the summer in full swing, students make use of their free time conversing with one another, playing on their tomes, tending to their familiars, anything they can think of to help pass the time while the train continues along.
~
“Ah, finally, home at last.” Esmerelda gleefully says, looking out the window as the train slows to a stop at Lunaria Central Station. With the high-speed train able to make the trip between Solenim and Lunaria in Northern Homenia in a mere twelve hours, night had taken over, darkness pierced only by the lights in the station and those outside in the city. Kagura helps Seraphine up onto her shoulders before gathering her bags, the two departing alongside Malchion, Esmerelda, and Demetri, all looking equal amounts of excited.
“I’ve always wondered why the train to Solenim departs in the afternoon the day before we arrive, and the train home departs the morning of.” Malchion questions, Demetri offering a light shrug in response while Kagura begins to hum in contemplation.
“I think… Getting to school, they want us to arrive in the morning, so that we can have time to settle, but leaving for breaks, students can arrive home whenever, given the difference in time it takes to reach each nation.” She muses, glancing around the station platform while the other students disembark the train, faculty members filing out soon after. As Rebecca comes into view, her own familiar peering about from atop her head, Kagura looks to her friends, idly rocking against her heels as she does.
“I’ll message you guys later, mama just left the train so we should get going home now.” The group share hugs with one another before going their separate ways, Kagura making her way over to Rebecca while Seraphine laps at her cheek lightly, the feline seeming to be in as good a mood as her owner.
“Hey there kiddo, ready to head home?” Rebecca asks once Kagura is near, the brunette nodding while her smile widens a little.
“Definitely, that train ride was long, but… It’s good to finally be back in Lunaria. I’m just glad it’s still warm out, I didn’t think to grab my sweatshirt from my bag before we left the train.” With Ruby still held to her chest in an arm, Kagura walks alongside Rebecca out of the station, the night air refreshing and inviting.
The trip home once more brings them towards the outer edge of the city, some distance away from the station, crowds of students and their families having faded into those few who reside in this particular residential area. Before long the two walk down the path to their home, Rebecca unlocking the house before slowly opening the door and peering in.
“Nev, we’re home!” She calls out after a cursory glance around reveals a distinct lack of activity, her and Kagura looking towards the top of the stairs when a voice echoes forth in reply.
“I’ll be down in a few minutes!” Hearing the demoness’s familiar voice Rebecca can hardly resist sighing fondly, glad to be home for the summer, Kagura sharing in this mood with a wider smile than she had prior.
“I’m gonna bring my stuff to my room mama, I’ll be back down in a little.” The brunette says before bounding up the stairs and into her bedroom, door being closed soon afterwards and belongings being deposited onto her bed in lieu of being unpacked just yet. Seraphine clambers down off her shoulders and kneads against the soft blankets lining the bed for a few moments, a happy feline yawn soon given while she gets comfortable.
“Silly girl… It’s good to be home.” Kagura scratches behind her familiar’s ears for a few moments, then looks around her room, a familiar sight yet foreign at the same time given how long she’d spent at Solenim. She takes off her shoes before stepping out into the hall, her gaze falling towards the stairs now that she can hear a pair of voices conversing downstairs. Slow, quiet steps carry her down the stairs, where she sees Rebecca and Nev’aran parting from an embrace, the demoness perking up within moments before looking towards the sneaky teen.
“Hey shortpuff!” Nev’aran glides over to Kagura before whisking her right off her feet, the lithe teen unable to resist giggling brightly and embracing her mother back while she’s twirled about as per usual.
“Mom!” She happily cries out while continuing to laugh, the twirling soon ending before she’s simply just held snugly against Nev’s chest. “I missed you so much…”
“I missed you too Kagura, you and your mother both. But hey, it’s summer break now, that means we’ll have more time together, just you, me, and Becca.” Carrying Kagura over to the couch to sit, Nev’aran peppers her face with many soft kisses, making her laugh even more, cheeks gaining a rosy shade of red in the process. The demoness settles onto the couch and drops Kagura onto her lap, then hugs her close once again and tenderly kisses the top of her head, drawing out a much redder blush joined by the happiest smile the teen can muster.
“It’s been awfully quiet here without you both, I know we video chat often but that isn’t as nice as getting to see you both in person, or hold you close, do things with you. I still have a few more days of work this week before I’m off on vacation, I already gave myself time off for the next few months, though I’ll pop in from time to time just to check on things.” Rebecca settles at Nev’s side while the demoness speaks, Kagura letting her eyes flutter closed while she listens to her mother, content to be in her embrace.
“It’s good that you’ve got time off coming up, we couldn’t really go on vacation if you were working.” Kagura muses, Nev chuckling before pecking the top of her head lightly.
“That’s right shortpuff, I bet you’re excited for next month, hmm?” A few nods are given by the brunette as she opens her eyes, Nev’aran gaining a slightly teasing expression moments before she speaks again. “Though, I know you aren’t excited for Friday, you never are.” She teases, Kagura immediately beginning to pout once she realizes just what Friday is.
“… Gah, I forgot… Why do I always forget when I have one of those appointments coming up…” Kagura groans softly before Nev’aran lightly squeezes her, a sigh escaping before she clenches her eyes shut. “… I don’t suppose there is any way I could… Get out of that appointment, maybe?”
“Afraid not shortpuff, you have to go, I couldn’t get you out of it even if I wanted to because your mom would take you if I didn’t.” Nev hums out, a finger pressing to Kagura’s chin before lightly tilting her head back, the teen reluctantly opening her eyes and looking up at her mother. “And don’t think about trying to hide or sneak out to avoid the appointment, it’ll only get rescheduled if you do and you know you’ll be in trouble.”
“… I know, I know…” Kagura sighs before lowering her head against Nev’aran’s shoulder, the demoness stroking along her side soothingly to help calm her.
“If you go through with your appointment with no fuss, we’ll go get ice cream afterwards, okay? I know you’ve been through a lot this year, what with all the Earthener nonsense, one would think you’d be okay with getting your braces tightened… But most don’t know how little tolerance you have for pain. Which reminds me…” Nev presses one last kiss to Kagura’s forehead before scooting the teen off her lap and rising to her feet, Kagura curiously watching her as she slips into the kitchen.
The demoness soon returns carrying a well decorated cake, Kagura’s eyes lighting up as she looks at it. Lavender and blue swirl frosting, elegant fondant roses, and a small fondant Seraphine resting in the middle of it all, the round cake expertly crafted.
“I hear
d what you did back at the academy, during the battle.” Nev gently sets the cake down on the coffee table while Kagura looks on in amazement, a soft grin visible the whole time. “To think, my daughter charged in and defended some first-year students when a bunch of Eartheners attacked. I had to be the proudest mother that day, and I still am. After everything you’ve been through, how afraid you are of them, yet you still charged in and fought… It takes real courage to do that, I know you’re going to turn out like your mother, and I’m glad for that.”
“Y… You… Knew, mom?” Kagura asks incredulously while looking towards her mother, Nev nodding before settling at her side.
“Of course I did, the news was abuzz with what happened, I was shaken when I heard, Eartheners attacking the academy, and later on when your mother called me, she knew the first thing I would ask was if you were okay. Hearing the pride in her voice as she spoke of your courage and bravery that morning, I knew you were okay, more than that even.” Nev proudly says while giving Kagura another, firmer hug, the teen clenching her eyes shut as they grow misty.
“I know you aren’t looking forward to attending therapy, Kagura, and I know why you lied to us about it, but it’s okay. I promised Becca I’d be with you and her the whole time, never leaving your side, and I’m confident you’ll be able to show improvement, if your bravery at Solenim is anything to go off of. Your first session isn’t for another few weeks though, for now it’s time to celebrate.”
Chapter 18: Closing Time
“Ready to go shortpuff?” Nev’aran calls out while glancing up the stairs, Kagura’s somewhat annoyed voice responding in kind before long.
“Yes, mom, I’m ready, I’ll be right down.” The brunette comes into view minutes later as she makes her way down the stairs, backpack and suitcase in tow. Halfway down she presses a hand to her left cheek, just as a wave of pain courses through her mouth, this gesture quickly followed by soft whining.
Embers of the Past Page 17