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TITLE: Intents and Purposes
SERIES: My Otome
AUTHOR: Dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com
YAHOO ID: dreiser7
MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/
CONTENT: F/F romance. F/F sex. Haruka/Yukino.
SUMMARY: Haruka Armitage and Yukino Chrysant have done everything in their lives for a common purpose with a shared intent.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my dislike of heat and humidity.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Because nothing ever turns out perfect and I lack subtly.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
Eleven
Throughout her four years at Garderobe, Haruka had never been summoned to the Principal's office. Actually, the only time that Haruka came near it was during Aries Senate election when she and Shizuru snuck into the administration building on multiple occasions so she could use the phone to call Yukino. Now just a week before graduation, Haruka had been called into the office and she stood outside it, shifting her weight from foot to foot and trying to ignore the slight smirk she was sure was on Miss Maria's face.
The room was large and circular with windows that went from the floor to the ceiling, giving an ample view of the Garderobe campus. Principal Vandeveld sat behind a large desk that was covered with paperwork and she looked up as Haruka entered with the room with Miss Maria at her side. "Thank you for delivering Miss Armitage to me, Meister Graceburt," Principal Vandeveld said, rising to her feet with a small smile. "I believe we'll be fine on our own."
"Principal," Miss Maria said with a nod, turning to Haruka who swore there was an encouraging look in her gaze.
"Miss Armitage," Vandeveld said her name smoothly, causing the blonde to jerk her attention back to the older woman who raised an eyebrow and wore an expression of quiet amusement on her dignified features. Gesturing to a comfortable looking chair, she murmured, "Have a seat?" Haruka nodded her head and immediately sat in the chair, contracting her fingers in a nervous gesture as she watched the Principal sit across from her. "I'm sure you're aware that we've been informing those in our graduating class of their Otome assignments."
"Yes, Principal," said Haruka, her voice slightly strangled, clearing her throat and her cheeks turning red. Just yesterday Shizuru had burst into her room, wearing an expression of excitement and happiness that Haruka could have never imagined her former roommate wearing. She barely had time to respond to it when Shizuru pounced on her for a hug, announcing that she had been chosen by Fumi-sama to replace Meister Zarganote as the 3rd Column for Garderobe. "I heard that from bub---" Halting suddenly, Haruka corrected herself, "Miss Viola."
"She'll make a fine Column, don't you think?" remarked Vandeveld with a smile, genuinely satisfied with the selection.
"Yes, she will," Haruka agreed and while she thought this small talk was meant to calm her nerves all it really did was increase them. This was about her own Otome assignment, she knew that, and all she wanted was to hear the confirmation that she would be Yukino's Otome so she could repeat the earlier scene with Shizuru except with her doing the celebrating. "Fumi-sama made a wise decision."
"The Founder always does," said Vandeveld knowingly. Observing Haruka with a lidded gaze, she continued, "Though I'm afraid she has very little to do with your own assignment, Miss Armitage." Haruka's heart was beating so fast she swore she could hear it and she swallowed the lump in her throat, shifting in her seat as she stared at the Principal. "You should be pleased to know it does come from a very distinguished source and you were chosen out of all the Otome candidates available in Aries. Including those already active in the field."
Violet eyes widened on hearing this. Yukino had access to that many Otome? Usually the lesser politicians were only given a small field to choose from by the Senate Otome committee. Perhaps the Chrysant name held more power than Haruka was aware. "Principal?" she said politely, hoping the leading way she said this was still respectful but hinted for the older woman to just say her assignment already.
"Meister Blomquist is retiring," stated Vandeveld plainly, keeping her gaze even with Haruka's. "As you're aware, the Continental Orb Topaz may only be granted to the Otome serving the President of Aries. It is the only GEM for which the Master changes more often than the Otome due to your political system. Because of this, the Meister granted the Continental Orb Topaz always selects her replacement and you are the one whom Meister Blomquist has deemed worthy to succeed her. The transfer of power between Meister Blomquist and yourself to President Xavier will occur during the graduation ceremony next week where you will officially become the new Continental Orb Topaz for Aries."
Her head felt strange, like it was filled with cotton, and Haruka couldn't think properly. The Principal couldn't have said what she thought she just said. Meister Blomquist couldn't be retiring, she couldn't be giving up the Continental Orb Topaz, she was the Continental Orb Topaz, she had been for decades and it was impossible to see anyone else in the role. Besides that, President Xavier was only two years into his six year term, it made no sense for her to choose such an odd time to retire. Why not wait for the elections and the transfer of power? Especially given Xavier's waning popularity as of late? No, no, none of this was right. Yukino told her she requested her as an Otome from the Senate committee so how could this be right? The Principal was wrong, she misheard, there was a mistake somehow.
"I don't understand," said Haruka finally, her voice a rough whisper that Vandeveld had to strain to hear.
"Miss Armitage," Vandeveld said her name with enough concern to jolt Haruka out of her daze, looking at the older woman with a lost expression on her features. "I realize this must be a shock for you. Meister Blomquist is something of a living legend for the people of Aries but I assure you, I'm speaking the truth." A faint grimace formed on the Principal's face as she continued, "I'm not sure how much I should honestly divulge but I can tell you her retirement is arriving sooner than she planned. Your current President apparently has certain endeavors on the horizon that Meister Blomquist feels she is ill suited for. When faced with them, she chose to travel the route of an early retirement so she might decide upon a replacement whom she thought would be able to flourish where she herself would have failed."
"But what can I do that Meister Blomquist couldn't?" asked Haruka, honestly perplexed.
"Provide a display of raw strength," said Vandeveld easily. "The Continental Orb Topaz is one of the most enduring GEMs in existence, it increases physical power far more than any other but one has to have the potential to channel that power. Meister Blomquist is more along the lines of your friend, Miss Viola, and fights her battles with stealth and speed. She hasn't been able to harness the full power of the GEM in that capacity but if your demonstrations in our school coliseum are of any merit, you just might have that ability, Miss Armitage." She paused to study Haruka carefully before she noted, "I must say that you don't seem to happy to hear this. You do realize it's a great honor?"
Blinking her eyes and jumping in her seat, Haruka flushed red and exclaimed, "I know! It's just…" Haruka trailed off, she didn't want to say too much, not to the Principal, not when she was positive she was being chastised, but this was such a shock, it wasn't what she had planned, what they planned, her and Yukino. Oh god, Yukino! How was she going to explain this? Or did Yukino already know? "I didn't think this was what you were going to tell me. I never thought I'd hear something like this, that's all."
"I suppose I can see how it would come as a shock," allowed Vandeveld. There was a moment of silence then she spoke again, her tone almost sharp and definitely holding reproach, "It is my understanding in Aries there is no greater honor for an Otome than to serve the President, not because they are the leader of your country but instead because they are chosen by the people. In protecting the President you are protecting the individual your fellow citizens have elevated to the role of their leader which is, in a way, like protecting them as well. I would have thought that despite the shock of this news the significance of being selected for such a position would be foremost in your mind."
"Principal, I--" Haruka began futilely, trying to find some excuse, some explanation for her behavior, but was soon cut off.
"No, Miss Armitage," interrupted Vandeveld, her voice steely and brooking no arguments. "I'm quite sure I don't want to hear whatever it was you were about to say. Whatever issue you have, resolve it before the ceremony occurs. I would advise you to recall your teachings at this academy and remember that we Otome do not have the luxury of choosing our Masters. They are the ones who choose us. You might have been selected by another Otome as her successor but the meaning remains the same. Our lives are to serve and protect, to devote our lives wholly to another, and our existence is not an easy one but it has purpose. I'd instruct you to reflect on that during this next week."
"Yes, Principal," mumbled Haruka, hanging her head, keeping her gaze fixed on her hands clenched into fists.
"Good," said Vandeveld and most of the animosity was gone from her voice. "You may go."
Doing as the Principal said, Haruka rose to her feet and walked out of the office but as she reached the door, she paused, unable to take another step. She had to know. Even if it risked further incurring the Principal's wrath, she just had to know. "Principal?" Haruka said hesitantly, the word just barely making it out of her throat, her body rigid and her eyes fixed forward, afraid to turn around because of what she might see. "Do you know if anybody else requested me as their Otome?"
The sound of a sigh and the shuffling of papers then Vandeveld replied, "I believe several people did. The most persistent being a Jr. Senator from the state of Sol, Ms. Yukino--"
"Chrysant," Haruka finished quietly, speaking with the Principal, her hand on the door and her head still lowered. "Thank you, Principal." The words they were stuck in her throat but she had to say them because despite her own disappointment, her own misery, she knew everything that the woman said earlier was true. This was part of being an Otome, you lived to serve, you didn't make the decisions, you followed those of your Master, and she was lucky to be chosen for such a position. It was a huge honor, an enormous one, the most important job an Otome could have in Aries was to serve the President and she knew this, she knew this all too well, but still… it wasn't what she wanted. "I'm sorry for my earlier rudeness. I was shocked by the news but I want you to know I'm aware of where my duty lies. I've always known."
"I'm pleased to hear that, Miss Armitage," Vandeveld responded and there was an approval there, Haruka could hear it, and somehow it soothed the pain a little as she made her way out of the office, her thoughts jumbled, trying to fathom what just happened.
Rarely did Haruka not have some sort of plan. She wasn't like Shizuru or Sara, a great mind, a tactician, but she didn't like to do anything without purpose and that being so, she wasn't the type to wander aimlessly through the campus but she was doing it now just because she didn't know what to do next. This wasn't what she expected to hear when she went to the Principal's office. Haruka had been sure, so incredibly sure, that once Yukino won the election, became a Senator, that everything else would fall into place but it hadn't and now she was assigned to President Xavier, she would become the Continental Orb Topaz, possess the legendary GEM of Aries, the one that protected the leader of their people and it was beyond comprehension, how great a responsibility this was.
Meister Blomquist had chosen her out of all those people, all the Otome already active in Aries, and all the candidates in Garderobe and Haruka was flattered, it made her proud, but in serving Xavier, she would never get to be with Yukino. The Otome of the President is always by their side, the only time they weren't was when they were sent on missions which was happening more and more frequently due to Xavier's stance against the terrorist attacks that have long plagued their country. Once she took the oath, once she became his Otome, that was it.
Haruka couldn't be with Yukino after that, not unless she was willing to risk her position as his Otome and Yukino's career in the Senate. Not only was the concept of having an affair with the Otome of the President an unwise proposition there was also the fact that Yukino was from the Egalitarian party while Xavier was a Referendum. Despite the Referendums being in power, having more representatives in the Senate and within the local state governments with the exception of Sol, the Egalitarians had been putting up a vocal resistance to Xavier's military shows of strength in the past months. Yukino had been a particularly loud voice and her stance against such measures was part of what helped her win office. Which meant on top of the limited time factor involved in maintaining their relationship there was the added bonus that it was sure to be seen as sleeping with the enemy on both sides of the party line. Despite the fact Haruka as an Otome was a member of the military and wasn't meant to be seen as a political figure. But she would be, all the same, because she'd be Xavier's Otome.
If she took this position, if she took this oath, she couldn't be with Yukino. It was as simple as that.
For the first time in her life, Haruka honestly felt like crying in despair, and she continued to wander throughout the campus, finally coming towards a large hill near the isolated grove where she trained with Shizuru and sat down, staring blankly into space. What should she do? All of her life she wanted to be an Otome, it was what she felt she was meant to do, and she wanted to be like Meister Blomquist, to have that power to save people like she saved her mother and all those people, and Meister Blomquist had selected her as her replacement. This was the tantamount of all her dreams but it would be without Yukino at her side. They would be apart and Haruka didn't know when they could be with each other again. Could they really survive that? She would wait for Yukino forever, she knew that, but Yukino…
During the election, Haruka had seen how the people looked at Yukino, the people their age. Hope and belief and admiration shining in their eyes and Haruka couldn’t blame them for looking at her that way, she represented so much good, so many wonderful things, but she knew those same people would want to be with Yukino and if she wasn't with her, if she couldn't be with her, would Yukino finally notice that they were looking at her that way? The brunette was currently oblivious but Haruka was certain that was because they were together, would that really stand true if they couldn't maintain their relationship, if they had to be apart because of her duty?
The idea of Yukino being with someone else hurt enough Haruka wanted to die from it. Rubbing at her eyes with her arm, Haruka faintly heard her name and she tried her best to get control of herself but she was certain she failed from the way Sara looked when she turned to look at the younger girl. "Haruka-oneesama," Sara said her name in a whisper. "What's wrong?"
"Sara Gallagher," Haruka muttered, drawing her gaze away from the Coral, staring into the grove, suddenly wanting to run into it but she remained where she was, all too aware of the other girl sitting next to her. "I've received my assignment. Meister Blomquist has selected me to be her successor for the Continental Orb Topaz." She looked to Sara and forced a smile. "It's a great honor."
"But what about your friend?" asked Sara carefully, unsure of how to respond, not used to see Haruka in such a subdued state.
"The request of the President's Otome and Meister of the people holds precedence over that of a Jr. Senator barely a few months into their first term," said Haruka sardonically though there was very little actual humor in her tone, just bitterness and disappointment.
"What are you going to do?" Sara questioned and when Haruka gave her that blank stare again, she repressed the urge to shiver, it disturbed her so because it was completely opposite of what she had come to know about the older blonde's personality. "Will you refuse?"
"Refuse?" repeated Haruka and this seemed to snap her out of her trance. Shaking her head, her jaw set in determination, and she said, "I worked all these years for this. Since I was five years old. I can't refuse, I don't want that. I just…" Haruka trailed off and she kept her gaze away from Sara as she mumbled, "Why couldn't it have been Yukino?"
No matter what she said, Sara suspected it would be a hollow comfort to Haruka at this point, and so she didn't say anything at all. She simply scooted closer to the Pearl and wrapped an arm around her waist, resting her head on Haruka's shoulder. They stayed like that for minutes that turned into hours and when they finally separated to head back to their dorms, Haruka gave Sara a smile that held a small splinter of her former confidence and bravado. "Don’t worry about me," Haruka instructed before she disappeared into her dorm.
Still, even though Haruka said that, Sara couldn't help but worry. Especially when Haruka looked completely and utterly unlike the girl that Sara had come to know during these past few months. Something that Sara couldn't help but find worrisome and upsetting as she liked that person, she liked them quite a lot and she didn't want to see them lost. Not to something like this.
---
Meister Blomquist was smaller in person, that was the first thing Haruka thought when she met her, and for the blonde it was such a strange moment because she was now the one in the green and white dress that had long been the chosen clothing of the President's Otome. While Meister Blomquist wore a simple blue dress that hung elegantly on her frame.
"Meister Armitage," Blomquist greeted her with a warm smile, shaking her hand in a firm grip. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," said Haruka, fighting her nerves but unable to help shifting her stance as she met the eyes of her childhood hero. She looked down, struggling with what she should say next, until eventually she fixed her gaze on Blomquist and said, "I want you to know I'll do my best to live up to the legacy you're leaving behind, Meister Blomquist. You're the reason that I decided to become an Otome."
"Really," murmured Blomquist, tilting her head and gazing at Haruka thoughtfully. Her eyes briefly flitted to the large hall filled with people, they were currently residing in a small private hallway, waiting for Principal Vandeveld to tell them it was time to begin the ceremony. Taking a step forward, she said in soft but solemn tones, "The Principal has told you the reason for my retirement?" When Haruka gave a brief nod, Blomquist sighed and kept her eyes fixed on that hallway. "I'm not meant for this campaign the President has planned."
"Meister Blomquist?" Haruka questioned, wondering what the other Otome could mean by this.
"Strength and power is what he needs," said Blomquist simply, turning back to Haruka. "I don't possess these things but you do. I've done this for too long, my reputation is known by our enemies, but you… you're an unknown factor that could be used for intimidation purposes and with the recent attacks on our soil, this is of immeasurable value."
"Yes," said Haruka strongly and she nodded her head, feeling a sense of purpose and pride. Thinking for the first time that perhaps this wasn't some cruel twist of fate, that there was a reason behind her being chosen for this position. Seeing the Principal approach, Haruka felt a sudden swell of panic and turned back to Blomquist, saying the words before she quite knew why. "Could you give me any advice?"
"Advice," Blomquist repeated and a smile curved on her lips as she reached out to clasp Haruka's shoulder. "The most important part of being an Otome is having bravery in the most horrible and difficult of times. Being able to obey your Master when they give even what seems like the most impossible of orders. Your robe doesn't make you an Otome, your attitude and your beliefs do. Even when you're without your powers, you are the President's Otome and you must always act accordingly."
Nodding her head again, Haruka swallowed hard and gave a nervous smile when the Principal approached, telling them it was time. Walking behind Meister Blomquist, she followed the older women out into the ceremonial hall, purposefully keeping her eyes forward, avoiding looking at people in the crowd. Part of her wanted to search for Yukino, to meet her eyes and apologize for what she was about to do, for pledging her life and loyalty to another but she couldn't, she just couldn't. If she looked at Yukino she would want to run to her, she would want to abandon everything she worked for and she knew Yukino wouldn’t want her to do that. They would find a solution to this, somehow, some way they would, they always did, didn't they? Haruka forced herself to believe this as she stepped onto the platform and looked at the figure of President Kenzo Xavier who dipped his head politely and gave a charming smile.
He was a tall and distinguished man, thick brown hair showing streaks of grey, and dark serious eyes. There was something strangely comforting about him, he produced an aura of the everyman, and his genial nature had aided his election two years ago. It was only in the last few months that his recent actions involving military force with Aries neighboring nations caused his popularity to take a downturn. Haruka knew her skills, her strengths, were what he wanted, needed, in an Otome, but she wasn't certain if he was a good leader, someone who truly had Aries best interests at heart like Yukino did and this made her wary more than anything else. Despite that, he was the President, the person their people had chosen as their leader and there was no more important job in Aries than guarding him because he represented that freedom they fought so hard to achieve in their war against Artai.
The ceremony went by like a sort of dream for Haruka, she followed the all steps, she kneeled, accepted the GEM, gave her oath, materialized her robe and followed Xavier down the aisle. Keeping her eyes focused on his broad shoulders and her expression bereft of emotion, she didn't want to look to the side, she didn't want to but all the same, she did and she saw Yukino, she saw the girl she loved more than life itself and she saw that aching look of disappointment, sadness, but there was pride and love in her gaze too. She saw it and Haruka wanted to run to her, she wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to tell her it would all be okay, that in the end they would find a way to fix this.
But she didn't do any of these things, instead she kept walking, following her President and doing her duty.
---
Yukino never thought things would turn out like this. She never thought she would be sitting here, in session with the other members of Senate, staring at the President with the figure of Haruka standing behind him, wearing the same dress that had been Meister Blomquist's uniform just weeks earlier. Haruka being chosen as her replacement wasn't a surprise to Yukino, certainly Haruka was worthy, the most worthy in her opinion, but Yukino had such belief, such conviction that once she won the election everything would fall into place. Her jaw clenched slightly as she listened to Xavier detail his reasons for wanting to invade the border of Cardair, knowing he was the reason that Haruka wasn't at her side right now. Blomquist would have never retired if it wasn't for his campaign of military action, a campaign that everyone in Aries knew was far from the former Meister's usual methods of espionage and stealth.
President Xavier wanted a show of power and with Haruka as his Otome, he had that.
"Argos XIV is shielding terrorists who have attacked our soil and killed our citizens," said Xavier in grim tones, his dark eyes moving across all the members of the Senate, fingers threaded together as he leaned on the oval table where they sat for all their sessions. "I have asked him repeatedly to allow us to search the borders where we know the Fidelus Altus to be hiding but he refuses. At this point, I feel we have little recourse but to take it upon ourselves to find them. If Cardair will not allow us to bring our enemies to justice then we must consider them an enemy as well. For far too long our neighbors have harbored those who wish to destroy our democracy and bring Aries back to the dark days of monarchy. I say it is time that we let them know this is something we will no longer tolerate and do this with a display of force."
"Fighting fire with fire is hardly the wisest decision," Yukino retorted, unable to keep silent any longer, and she felt her colleagues moving anxiously in their seats and was struck with a wave of annoyance upon realizing this. She was sick of the way her fellow Egalitarians tip toed around this issue. Proclaiming their stance against military action to their constituents and on the news but failing to do anything about it when in session with the President. Yukino was aware their protests here did little since the Referendums had the majority in the Senate and as such almost all of Xavier's wishes were passed but they could at least speak their minds when their opinions differed. "How are we any different than the terrorists if we attack Cardair to capture them and in the process kill innocents who have nothing to do with this conflict?"
No response from Xavier, just a flash in his eyes and then the other Referendums leapt to his defense, giving the reasons this attack on Cardair was necessary. Soon it descended into an all out argument and the Egalitarians were finally saying exactly why they wanted this campaign to stop, how the people were against it, how it created more enemies for them instead of destroying the ones which already existed. Sitting by her side, Senator Tarquin spoke of the amount of soldiers that had been lost so far in Xavier's campaign, the thousands of lives they could never get back and for what? Those who attacked them were still free and those against them had increased.
More voices arose at this point, agreeing with Tarquin, saying they couldn't risk more of their soldiers lives. That the public was against it and even a small number of Referendums were added to the chorus. Yukino kept her gaze on Xavier, the darkness on his face, and the anger in his gaze, for the first time since he took office his own party was against him and he didn't like it one bit.
It was then that Haruka spoke, her voice quiet but resolute, causing everyone to take pause. "President," Haruka said, her expression determined and her eyes meeting the President's who looked up at her. "Send me."
"Colonel?" Xavier questioned in tones which matched Haruka's and Yukino stiffened at the mention of the blonde's new military rank which had been awarded to her upon gaining the position as the President's Otome.
"No lives will be lost if you send me," said Haruka steadily. "Please," she said this so softly Yukino had to strain to hear it. "I won't fail you."
"Well, risking two lives is wiser than risking two thousand," murmured Xavier, turning in his seat to look at Yukino and she frowned as she watched a grim smile form on his features. "Isn't that right, Senator Chrysant?"
The words wouldn't come for Yukino but they did for her colleagues. One by one, they spoke up, agreeing with this plan of action, suddenly finding support for attacking Cardair if only Haruka and Xavier would be those putting their lives on the line. A litany of the Fidelus Altus sins were listed, the citizens they had killed, the damage they inflicted, the terror they wrought upon their people and their desire to bring Aries back to the days of the monarchy and with each one more Senators added support to Xavier's proposed attack on Cardair.
At the final vote, Yukino was one of three who were against the attack, and she couldn't tear her eyes away from Haruka's as a horrible sick feeling overtook her, a nausea of sorts, as she realized they could be sending the blonde to her death. Violet eyes met hers for the first time since the Senate session began and Yukino saw the apology lurking in their depths along with the resounding love.
---
There was such a feeling of strength and power when her robe was activated, it stunned Haruka, almost as much as seeing herself in the uniform that had been Meister Blomquist's for thirty four years. The look of the robe was basically the same but Haruka knew her own thoughts, how she imagined it should appear, would change its design slightly. This was why she kept the image of the small flag of Aries that Yukino had given her in her mind and when the robe materialized, Haruka smiled on seeing the flag appear over her heart, her own tribute to the love she felt for Yukino, a dedication to the bond they shared.
Cardair was one of five countries on Aries border and with the exception of Artai, it was the worst about blatantly harboring terrorists who were a frequent source of attacks. Haruka often wondered whenever she spent time in Wind City what it would be like to have been raised in a country where it wasn't common place to hear about suicide bombers on their buses and trains on the nightly news, where everyone wasn't almost numbed to the fact that their citizens were often killed for no other reason than they supported a democracy. That was a main issue she and Yukino had discussed endlessly over the years, how to get their neighboring countries, the rest of Earl, to understand and respect Aries the way its people did. The first step would be to get those countries to stop shielding the nobles who supported the groups that constantly attacked Aries and its people in some perverse hopes of bringing the country back to the days of monarchy.
In the Senate session, she could feel Yukino's disapproval. She didn't find any part of Xavier's plan acceptable and some parts of Haruka agreed, simply because she was so used to following along after Yukino, finding her truth in the older girl's beliefs but this time was different. President Xavier was her Master, she was his Otome, she was meant to follow his lead, learn from his example, and his words were law for her and even without that she understood the President's desire to catch these men, the people who invaded their land and killed their people. That's why she spoke up, Haruka understood and she wanted to help, and she wanted to keep those enlisted in the army safe, people like her mother and father, that was her job as an Otome, wasn't it? To serve and protect and Xavier seemed to understand that as well.
After he certified her, Xavier looked into her eyes and Haruka was struck by the realization of how haunted his gaze was, there was something sad there, something that she wouldn't ever forget. "Bring us Fidelus Altus and bring them to us alive, Colonel," he said in soft and solemn tones. "They need to face the families of those they killed at a federal trial."
"Yes sir," Haruka replied, bowing her head. "What should I do about Meister Grosse? She's sure to intervene."
"As you said, I don't want any lives to be lost. I only want to bring those who killed our citizens to justice," said Xavier. "If you can find some way of persuading her that wouldn't put her life or the life of Argos XIV at harm then I would amiable to it." A slight smile curved on his lips and he said, "In other words, you're the military officer, Colonel. I leave the decision in your hands."
Standing straighter, a great wave of pride washing through her on hearing her President speak to her in such a respectful and almost reverent manner, Haruka saluted him and said strongly, "Yes, President."
"Good luck," said Xavier and though he attempted to say this lightly, that solemnity was still in his voice, the one that told Haruka that he truly believed what he was doing was for the best, for Aries an its citizens, and it was then that Haruka knew she could serve him whole heartedly.
Handle it her way, that thought resonated in her mind through her flight towards the border they shared with Cardair. They knew that key members of Fidelus Altus were hiding in a small remote mountain town of Ziege's Pass and Haruka had the information stored in her GEM along with photographic and video evidence to show to Meister Grosse upon her arrival as she was sure the other Otome would meet her soon as her path was determined by the Cardair military. What was handling it her way exactly? If she was Shizuru she would come up a method of trickery, outwitting Grosse somehow, and if she was Sara it would have been strategy and tactics, finding some weak point in Cardair and exploiting it for the benefit of Aries but she wasn't Shizuru and she wasn't Sara. She didn't have these sorts of skills, she had bravery, strength, and her guts, that trait Meister Blomquist spoke of, knowing that being an Otome wasn't about having powers, it was the loyalty they swore upon taking their oath and their fearless obedience in their Masters.
Meister Fiar Grosse made for an intimidating figure, even Haruka would admit to that, with her flinty green eyes that held a dismissive regard to them and her large spear like black staff with its gold mantle that she was aware held more purpose than to simply look pretty. None of that mattered to Haruka though because she was on her mission and she had her orders and as intimidating as Meister Grosse liked to present herself she knew damn well she was physically stronger and she could win this. Materializing her mace and twirling it casually in a circle at her side, Haruka offered a crooked grin to the other Otome as they floated at the border between their two nations.
"Meister Grosse," Haruka drawled in a friendly greeting. "How polite of you to meet me here."
"Meister Armitage," said Grosse in far more chilly tones, holding her staff at the ready, waiting for any attack. "I realize you are a newly assigned Otome but you are aware that your presence in Cardair would be considered an act of war by my Master?"
"I'm not in Cardair," pointed out Haruka, smirking as she added, "yet."
"You wish to declare war?" Grosse questioned and though her tones were chilly as ever, her green eyes held surprise.
"I wish to capture the members of Fidelus Altus that I know are hiding in the town of Ziege's Pass like the cowards they are," Haruka retorted, touching her GEM and producing the video of the terrorists they had received just yesterday, proving Fidelus Altus' presence in Cardair. "You are aware that haranguing known terrorists who have killed citizens of Aries is seen as supporting their actions, right?"
"Haranguing?" Grosse repeated but Haruka continued to stare at her with an arrogant smirk, not recognizing her own verbal error, and seeing this the other Otome narrowed her green eyes. "I cannot allow you to pass that easily."
"We fight and one of us dies our Master dies with us," said Haruka derisively. "You want that?" Dematerializing her mace, Haruka grinned and cracked her knuckles as she continued, "How about we come up with a civilized way to settle this? With just our fists. I win and I get to collect the members of Fidelus Altus using your country as their personal hideout. You win and I go back the way I came with a promise to never try something like this again. What do you say?" Haruka tilted her head to one side, a challenge lurking in her gaze. "You up for it?"
Considering Haruka for a long moment, Grosse dematerialized her staff and crooked her finger at the blonde Otome. "Come then," she murmured, a dangerous light emerging in her green eyes. "We'll settle this for our Masters, the two of us."
Moving on instinct, Haruka flew at Meister Grosse, grinning when her fist connected with the other Meister's jaw, sending her spinning through the air. Grosse quickly regained her bearings and returned for her own attack. Soon it descended into a savage exchange of punches being thrown at a furious pace. Haruka didn't bother trying to dodge the attacks from Grosse, instead capturing her first in her grip whenever the older Meister telegraphed a punch, and using this advantage to press several attacks of her own. In the end, Haruka's strength and endurance outlasted Grosse and the battle concluded with one last punch to her jaw, knocking the other Otome unconscious.
Delivering Grosse to her colleagues in the Cardair military who waited at the border in a stand off with members of the Aries military which observed from some miles away, Haruka flew towards the town of Ziege's Pass, intent on completing her mission. Capturing the members of Fidelus Altus wasn't the easiest task, they were aware of her presence in Cardair and had already started to make their escape but with a bit of persuasion on the part of the townspeople, she found their route in the mountains, capturing all fifteen members handily. She wasn't to kill them, she had her orders, and Haruka wasn't blood thirsty, even with monsters like these, who killed innocent citizens over their own selfish desires. Still, she took great pleasure in beating their heads together until they were unconscious and tossing them into an oversized net as she hauled them back to the battalion she knew waited for her at the Aries border.
Later in the day, Haruka would be informed by one of the President's many advisors that her battle with Meister Grosse was televised across all of Aries. That the citizens watched her defeat the Otome of Argos XIV in a fight that lasted just under ten minutes, ending with the figure of Meister Grosse knocked unconscious and handed over to the Cardair military who observed her with fearful eyes. Haruka didn't give them any words of reassurance, her mission continued on, followed by those cameras she hadn't known were there, tracking her pursuit of Fidelus Altus into the town of Ziege's Pass, capturing them as they tried to make their escape into the mountains. Handing the terrorists over to the military waiting at the border, her expression solemn, knowing these men were responsible for countless deaths all because they felt they were entitled to Aries lands and resources because of the families they had been born into.
People like these, they needed to be brought to justice, Haruka knew this, she believed it, and despite how much she hated it, being apart from Yukino, not knowing when she could see her again, be with her again, she knew it was worth it if she could make this kind of difference. Capturing the men that killed their citizens, wanted to destroy their country, eradicate their democracy, it gave Haruka a purpose.
That purpose would keep her going, that and the love she felt, the belief that one day she would be with Yukino again.
---
Four months passed with Haruka as President Xavier's Otome, she had completed countless missions for him, capturing the people who attacked Aries and killed its citizens, defending their borders from the neighboring countries they angered in the process. With each of these missions her fame and popularity grew as did Xavier's trust in her and Haruka found solace in that. Knowing that what she was doing made both her President and her people proud, although it tore at her, realizing Yukino's disapproval of the conflict and sometimes she wondered if Yukino resented her for doing her duty, for following Xavier's orders and more than that, believing in his mission.
The President often worked late into the night and whenever he did, Haruka would remain at his side. It was tedious and boring, Haruka far preferred to be busy, to be moving, but this was part of her job and she did it without protest. Often Xavier would speak to her about whatever happened in the day and she frequently heard his droll humor in reference to those who stood against him, Yukino included.
They had just completed a successful invasion into Artai to capture Count Luther Weir who was responsible for several attacks on Aries, including an attempted assassination of their former President, Delun Cavanaugh, which was foiled by Meister Blomquist. The news was filled with a good deal of praise for President Xavier about this matter but also a large amount of criticism as they considered it a real possibility Artai would retaliate for the incident. Haruka herself thought Artai wouldn't have the guts to attack them, not with all they had against Weir, proof that he had done every last thing their federal court accused him of, and she couldn't see them wanting to save a condemned man.
"Colonel," Xavier said this distantly, in almost far off tones, but Haruka stood at attention on hearing her rank. Directing her attention to the President who formed a faint and almost sardonic smile. "They say I'm obsessed. Do you think it's true?"
"Obsessed, sir?" asked Haruka with a real confusion, not at all certain what he was speaking about.
"With capturing our enemies, finding all the terrorists who've ever attacked us and bringing them to justice," elaborated Xavier, leaning back in his chair and absently rubbing at his eyes. "They keep saying I'm obsessed, the Egalitarians. Senator Chrysant in particular doesn't think that I have enough perspective in my choices, that I'm only concerned with my own personal agenda, and not wishes of Aries as a whole."
How to answer this, Haruka didn't know, this wasn't something that they covered in Otome Etiquette, and honestly, part of her did agree that her President was perhaps a tad obsessed. She had seen his angry outbursts at those involved in gathering intel on their enemies, those that attacked their country, when they didn't provide enough evidence to capture them, when they couldn't produce their exact whereabouts, but at the same time she understood his anger when she thought about the thousands of innocents those people had killed. Xavier and Yukino were both right in their own ways and Haruka hated having to take sides between them. He was her Master and someone she now honestly believed to be a good man and Yukino was the person that Haruka loved above all others, who she knew always had the best at heart for everyone in Aries, and the idea of having to say one was right over the other tore at Haruka.
"It's all right, Colonel," Xavier said, chuckling and wearing a wry expression. "You don't have to answer. I know they're right. I probably am obsessed but wouldn't you be if you were in my shoes?" He turned in his chair, looking out the bullet proof glass of the windows, over the moat surrounding The Hexagon and out into the bright lights of Caeles. "The anniversary is coming up in two months, you know," he said in a murmur and Haruka watched his hands squeeze the arms of his chair in a merciless hold. "I captured Weir just in time to celebrate it." He released a bitter laugh and Haruka stepped closer, wanting to speak words of comfort but not knowing precisely what to say. "Maybe now Jun's nightmares will finally stop, she's had them since she was twelve, since that monster murdered her mother."
Tsukiko Xavier's death was well known to everyone in Aries and had garnered much sympathy for the President who was Governor of the state of Mar at the time. His wife had been traveling home after bringing their daughter to school and was one of four hundred and five citizens killed in Count Luther Weir's attack with the aid of the Schwartz and their slaves. Meister Blomquist eventually defeated the slaves but not before Tsukiko and her fellow citizens were killed in the attack. Xavier was inconsolable over the death of his wife of twenty seven years and had gotten a large amount of public support which helped aid in his recent election. Since taking office, his focus had remained on capturing terrorists who caused the deaths of innocent citizens like his wife and many who opposed his nonstop military campaign felt this had become more of a personal vendetta than something done to protect all of Aries.
"I think you're doing the right thing, sir," said Haruka finally, a sincere look on her features because she believed what she was saying. Maybe Yukino was right, maybe he was obsessed, maybe he was going about it the wrong way, maybe it was even true that he was using her strength and fighting ability to intimidate their neighboring countries that were harboring terrorists but what he intended was right. Having those men captured was right, having them brought to justice was right, and Haruka was glad to do that job. "They don't understand what you've been through. Nobody could, not until it happened to them."
"I don't want it to happen to anyone else, that's what all of this is about," Xavier said wearily. "I just wish I could make them see that."
"One day you will," said Haruka confidently, although she doubted Yukino would ever sway in her opinion. She could see the disappointment, the fear, and the barely repressed rage each time the Senate voted to send her on another mission. Sometimes she wondered if Yukino hated her for doing her duty, for following Xavier's orders that she was so against, and just the thought of it made Haruka want to burst into tears but she held that feeling back, buried it deep in her heart and prayed that Yukino knew she had no choice but to obey her Master in these matters. It wasn't her place to pick and choose which orders to obey. That wasn't how it worked for the Otome. "Have faith in that."
"Faith," echoed Xavier quietly and he turned to face Haruka, an almost fond look in his dark eyes as he observed her. "Colonel," he drew the title out slowly, a hint of a smile on his features. "Did you know I served under your father in the army?"
"No," said Haruka, her violet eyes going wide. "When was this, sir?"
"Years and years ago, when I was just a private," Xavier revealed with a chuckle. "I'd just married my wife and was stationed in Mar. I think that's when I fell in love with the state, how warm it was, with the ocean and the forests. I loved it there. I never got into any battles but he was a good leader, your father, he knew how to take the toughest of orders, the most impossible situation, and turn it around into a victory. When I heard from Meister Blomquist she chose you for her replacement, I was happy because I knew he would've raised you to be the same and you are, Colonel. You've taken every order I've given you and fulfilled it to the best of anyone's ability."
He paused, his eyes drifting to a framed photograph of himself and the former Otome on a shelf. "I liked Meister Blomquist quite a bit," Xavier continued. "She was wise beyond her years from serving for so long and under such different personalities but she didn't have it in her to be what I needed." Fixing a serious gaze on Haruka, he said, "I hate to seem like a bully but that seems to be what's required and I need an Otome who reflects that. Someone that our enemies can look at and tremble in fear at the thought of what would happen if they got hold of them. Blomquist, brilliant as she was, is restrained and is consummately in control. You fight as your father taught you, with your whole heart, with your soul even, and there's an almost wild ravenous look to you when you battle, Colonel." Xavier chuckled again and added, "It scares the shit out of some."
"I know," Haruka admitted and she formed a sheepish sort of smile. "I don't mean to be that way."
"It comes naturally," agreed Xavier, nodding his head. "And that was what I needed. An Otome that would create that sort of fear in our enemies and you can do that. I wish I had the strength to bring them in on my own, every last person who attacked our lands and killed our people but I can't. You have that power though, Colonel, and when you fight it's both of our lives on the line. I like to think in that way it's similar to me being able to fight with you. In a way, I see you as an extension of myself when I send you on those missions because what I ask you to do is nothing I wouldn't do with my own hands and heart if I had the capability."
"President," said Haruka softly and she didn't know what to say other than this. She knew on some level Xavier was happy to have her as his Otome, he always spoke to her kindly, treated her well, but she didn't think he felt this level of bond with her and something in Haruka felt so very fulfilled to know this, to know that she was able to help this man, the person their people had chosen as their leader, with such importance made her feel as if her presence truly mattered. It took away the sting of knowing her actions upset Yukino, that Yukino was against everything she did for him, and she could take consolation in this fact. "Thank you."
"When we're alone or just out of the nosy ears of the press and enemy Egalitarians, call me Kenzo," said Xavier absently, rising to his feet and stretching his back, sighing when it popped during one of his stretches. Haruka started to protest this, knowing this wasn't appropriate at all from her Otome Etiquette class, and Xavier interrupted with a smile, "If people share a relationship where if one dies, the other dies with them, I think that at the very least they should be able to call each other by their given names in private, don’t you?"
Everything she was taught in Garderobe told her otherwise but looking into his quietly humorous and earnest gaze, seeing those dark eyes reflect something other than severity and grim determination, Haruka couldn't find it in her to protest. Besides, she did think it was ridiculous, having so many rules attached to the Master and Otome relationship, and she was well aware if her Master was Yukino she'd be breaking all of those rules anyway. Why not do something of the same with Xavier? She was fond of the man beyond the fact he was her President.
"All right," said Haruka after several moments, forming a matching smile. "But only if you call me Haruka."
Chuckling at this, Xavier patted her shoulder as he walked past, heading out of his office and down the hall to the Presidential residence with Haruka on his tail. "It's a promise, Haruka," he murmured.
Following after Xavier, a smile still on her features, Haruka made sure he was secure inside his residence, alarms activated and guards at the door before heading to her own quarters just two doors down. Removing her uniform in a slow and methodical gesture, she set her alarm and climbed naked into the bed, clutching one of her pillows and holding it to her, pretending it was Yukino. It was a sad and empty gesture, she knew but Haruka couldn't help it, this was the only way she could get to sleep at night and she wondered how long this would last, how long she could go on without seeing Yukino in private, holding her, kissing her, and as much as her job filled some empty part of her she ached for Yukino's presence, she just didn't feel whole without the brunette by her side. Yukino had so many admirers, Haruka knew that, she saw them in the Senate and on the news, and Haruka burned with a barely controlled jealousy when she saw them able to spend time with Yukino in a manner she simply couldn't anymore and she hated herself for it but she couldn't help it.
Haruka never knew it was possible to be filled with such purpose and remain utterly miserable at the same time.
---
Seeing Yukino in public was something Haruka had grown accustomed to. Passing her in the halls of The Hexagon, in session with the Senate, sometimes even in the cafeteria when she went to retrieve a snack for herself or the President, but this was the first time she had seen the older girl in the privacy of the Presidential office. They had a particularly nasty session in the Senate today where Yukino managed to get a majority of the Senators to vote against Xavier's latest military action which involved an elaborate spy system set up on the border with Artai and Cardair, used to supposedly monitor their defenses. At first it sounded wise enough but the further you got into the details, which Yukino obviously did, the more it revealed invasive techniques that would be used on Aries citizens.
Throughout the session, Yukino lambasted Xavier, declaring that he was reinstating the methods that Artai used to repress them during the dark days of their control and soon other Senators followed. By the end of the session nearly everyone voted against this new action and Haruka watched her President quietly fuming and shooting daggers at Yukino who looked entirely pleased with herself. The walk back to his office was silent and it wasn't until they were behind closed doors did the ranting against her begin and the fury at being called a traitor, an oppressor to the Aries democracy, but once he was through, Xavier ordered his aides to bring Yukino to him for a private conference.
Which is where they were now, in the middle of that private conference, with Haruka trying her best to ignore the wild beat of her heart on being this close to Yukino. It was just the three of them in the room and it was all that she could do to keep the stoic mask on her face when all she wanted to do was gather the brunette into her arms. However, her impulse was easy to control amidst the heated argument between the two politicians as they tried to convince each other of the validity of their standpoint.
Nearly a half an hour had passed with neither giving an inch when one of Xavier's aides entered the room, whispering in his ear and the President excused himself and Haruka moved to follow after only to have him tell her to stay, insisting he would be fine. The soft click of the door shutting and after one year and seven months of separation, Haruka and Yukino were alone. Time seemed to slow down to a snail's pace as Haruka turned to face Yukino who was suddenly in front of her, holding her face in a forceful grasp, lips seeking hers out for a frantic embrace, a kiss that was emotional and messy and filled with such uncontrolled need that it simply couldn’t be nice and neat and sweet. Haruka groaned at the sensation, aggressively pulling Yukino to her, hands rough, slipping underneath her jacket and caressing her smooth skin. Their tongues met as the kiss deepened and Haruka was vaguely aware she was being pushed back into the small Presidential library, books tumbling to the ground and she couldn't find it in her to care, although she knew it would be the end of them both if they were caught. It had been too long, far too long since she held Yukino like this, tasted her like this, felt her like this, and Haruka wanted to sob from relief at finally having it again.
When they parted, they were breathing hard, and Yukino's face was buried in the crook of Haruka's neck and she smiled, oddly content despite her raging hormones and emotions, kissing the brunette's messy crown of hair. "Yukino," she muttered, smiling when the older girl looked up to meet their gaze. Touching her cheek gently, Haruka murmured, "I've missed you so much."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino breathed, her eyes welling up with tears. "I love you." Then just as suddenly as before, that ferocity returned, the same one Haruka had seen throughout her entire debate with Xavier during the past hour and she kissed Haruka hard, taking what she wanted, what she needed, and giving the blonde everything she desired right back in that same gesture. Sucking on her tongue, cupping her breast, teasing her nipple, and it was so much, having this feeling again, Haruka thought she might die from it, she wanted Yukino so very badly but they couldn't, they couldn't, not here, not now, not like this. That's what she said as she pulled away and Yukino stared at her, taking in the blush dusting Haruka's cheeks as she said quietly, "I'm going to beat him."
"Yukino?" questioned Haruka, her eyes going wide, perplexed as to what the brunette was speaking about.
"He's losing his popularity again," Yukino continued, not phased by Haruka's confusion, her face holding an almost obstinate anger that Haruka hadn't ever seen before. There was a resentment in the other girl's green eyes that Haruka didn't recognize and she wondered if just maybe Yukino had been feeling the same as she had, that she was jealous of Xavier for being Haruka's Master, for being able to spend time with her in a way that Yukino simply couldn't any longer. "There's only three years until the next election and that's more than enough time for me. I've already gotten my advisors working on it. That's why I'm always in the news, doing those speeches, the meetings around the country. I'm trying to round up early support and if I can get enough of it my running in the primary won't seem like a laughable prospect."
The Presidential election, that was what Yukino was talking about. Xavier only had three years left on his current term and then he would have to run for reelection and Yukino wanted to run against him for the Egalitarian party. In Aries, it was the Master that changed for the Otome possessing the Continental Orb Topaz, because they served whatever President was elected at the time. If Xavier lost the election to Yukino then Haruka would become her Otome, just like they always dreamed, had always planned before all this happened. But Yukino was just a Jr. Senator, brand new to the Senate, and Xavier had over twenty years experience and he remained somewhat popular, the election would be almost impossible, far worse than the one against Obrecht. How could Yukino possibly get the nomination and win?
"I can do it," said Yukino fiercely, holding Haruka's face in her hands again, locking their eyes. She tenderly stroked Haruka's cheek with one hand, moving in close to kiss the other cheek, and Haruka swore she could feel Yukino breathing her in. "I'll win for us and for Aries. He's not doing what's best for the country, Haruka-chan, no matter what he tells you. Xavier needs to be stopped before more people die."
Releasing a trembling sigh, Haruka rested her forehead against Yukino's and met their lips in a slow kiss, taking time to taste and explore, memorizing this moment in her mind because she didn't know when the next one would possibly come. They couldn't be together, not how they wanted to, not with Haruka serving Xavier, the sitting Referendum President. If anyone discovered their romance it would cause a massive scandal, ruining both of their careers and possibly resulting in Haruka's removal as an Otome and Yukino being kicked out of office. They both knew this but they wanted so badly to be together, they wanted it more than anything, almost more than serving their country, an ambition which had existed since they were small children along with the dream of holding the jobs they currently had.
The sound of footsteps caused Haruka to pull away and she stepped backwards, not before attempting to fix Yukino's hair but having better luck with her clothes, kissing her for one last fleeting moment as she murmured, "I love you."
Yukino was about to say the words in return but Xavier walked through the door, aides at his side, and a large amount of paperwork in their hands. Haruka recognized the look on his face, it was the one he got when the intel provided him with what he needed, and she was sure he had a mountain of evidence to present to Yukino which would help justify his need to spy on the citizens of Aries. Looking at the set of Yukino's jaw and the way her eyes narrowed on being given this information, Haruka didn't think it would do her President much good.
Watching Yukino battle Xavier at every turn, pointing out the flaws in his evidence, the faulty reasoning behind his actions, Haruka slowly began to have hope that maybe it wasn't so impossible. Yukino running for President, Yukino beating Xavier, Yukino becoming her Master. This thought was enough to sustain her, that and the memory of those kisses, the sensation of Yukino's touch, lingering in her mind, she could keep those with her on those lonely nights in The Hexagon along with the knowledge that Yukino still loved her.
Nothing could take that away.
To be continued...
SERIES: My Otome
AUTHOR: Dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com
YAHOO ID: dreiser7
MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/
CONTENT: F/F romance. F/F sex. Haruka/Yukino.
SUMMARY: Haruka Armitage and Yukino Chrysant have done everything in their lives for a common purpose with a shared intent.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my dislike of heat and humidity.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Because nothing ever turns out perfect and I lack subtly.
Intents and Purposes
By: Dreiser
Eleven
Throughout her four years at Garderobe, Haruka had never been summoned to the Principal's office. Actually, the only time that Haruka came near it was during Aries Senate election when she and Shizuru snuck into the administration building on multiple occasions so she could use the phone to call Yukino. Now just a week before graduation, Haruka had been called into the office and she stood outside it, shifting her weight from foot to foot and trying to ignore the slight smirk she was sure was on Miss Maria's face.
The room was large and circular with windows that went from the floor to the ceiling, giving an ample view of the Garderobe campus. Principal Vandeveld sat behind a large desk that was covered with paperwork and she looked up as Haruka entered with the room with Miss Maria at her side. "Thank you for delivering Miss Armitage to me, Meister Graceburt," Principal Vandeveld said, rising to her feet with a small smile. "I believe we'll be fine on our own."
"Principal," Miss Maria said with a nod, turning to Haruka who swore there was an encouraging look in her gaze.
"Miss Armitage," Vandeveld said her name smoothly, causing the blonde to jerk her attention back to the older woman who raised an eyebrow and wore an expression of quiet amusement on her dignified features. Gesturing to a comfortable looking chair, she murmured, "Have a seat?" Haruka nodded her head and immediately sat in the chair, contracting her fingers in a nervous gesture as she watched the Principal sit across from her. "I'm sure you're aware that we've been informing those in our graduating class of their Otome assignments."
"Yes, Principal," said Haruka, her voice slightly strangled, clearing her throat and her cheeks turning red. Just yesterday Shizuru had burst into her room, wearing an expression of excitement and happiness that Haruka could have never imagined her former roommate wearing. She barely had time to respond to it when Shizuru pounced on her for a hug, announcing that she had been chosen by Fumi-sama to replace Meister Zarganote as the 3rd Column for Garderobe. "I heard that from bub---" Halting suddenly, Haruka corrected herself, "Miss Viola."
"She'll make a fine Column, don't you think?" remarked Vandeveld with a smile, genuinely satisfied with the selection.
"Yes, she will," Haruka agreed and while she thought this small talk was meant to calm her nerves all it really did was increase them. This was about her own Otome assignment, she knew that, and all she wanted was to hear the confirmation that she would be Yukino's Otome so she could repeat the earlier scene with Shizuru except with her doing the celebrating. "Fumi-sama made a wise decision."
"The Founder always does," said Vandeveld knowingly. Observing Haruka with a lidded gaze, she continued, "Though I'm afraid she has very little to do with your own assignment, Miss Armitage." Haruka's heart was beating so fast she swore she could hear it and she swallowed the lump in her throat, shifting in her seat as she stared at the Principal. "You should be pleased to know it does come from a very distinguished source and you were chosen out of all the Otome candidates available in Aries. Including those already active in the field."
Violet eyes widened on hearing this. Yukino had access to that many Otome? Usually the lesser politicians were only given a small field to choose from by the Senate Otome committee. Perhaps the Chrysant name held more power than Haruka was aware. "Principal?" she said politely, hoping the leading way she said this was still respectful but hinted for the older woman to just say her assignment already.
"Meister Blomquist is retiring," stated Vandeveld plainly, keeping her gaze even with Haruka's. "As you're aware, the Continental Orb Topaz may only be granted to the Otome serving the President of Aries. It is the only GEM for which the Master changes more often than the Otome due to your political system. Because of this, the Meister granted the Continental Orb Topaz always selects her replacement and you are the one whom Meister Blomquist has deemed worthy to succeed her. The transfer of power between Meister Blomquist and yourself to President Xavier will occur during the graduation ceremony next week where you will officially become the new Continental Orb Topaz for Aries."
Her head felt strange, like it was filled with cotton, and Haruka couldn't think properly. The Principal couldn't have said what she thought she just said. Meister Blomquist couldn't be retiring, she couldn't be giving up the Continental Orb Topaz, she was the Continental Orb Topaz, she had been for decades and it was impossible to see anyone else in the role. Besides that, President Xavier was only two years into his six year term, it made no sense for her to choose such an odd time to retire. Why not wait for the elections and the transfer of power? Especially given Xavier's waning popularity as of late? No, no, none of this was right. Yukino told her she requested her as an Otome from the Senate committee so how could this be right? The Principal was wrong, she misheard, there was a mistake somehow.
"I don't understand," said Haruka finally, her voice a rough whisper that Vandeveld had to strain to hear.
"Miss Armitage," Vandeveld said her name with enough concern to jolt Haruka out of her daze, looking at the older woman with a lost expression on her features. "I realize this must be a shock for you. Meister Blomquist is something of a living legend for the people of Aries but I assure you, I'm speaking the truth." A faint grimace formed on the Principal's face as she continued, "I'm not sure how much I should honestly divulge but I can tell you her retirement is arriving sooner than she planned. Your current President apparently has certain endeavors on the horizon that Meister Blomquist feels she is ill suited for. When faced with them, she chose to travel the route of an early retirement so she might decide upon a replacement whom she thought would be able to flourish where she herself would have failed."
"But what can I do that Meister Blomquist couldn't?" asked Haruka, honestly perplexed.
"Provide a display of raw strength," said Vandeveld easily. "The Continental Orb Topaz is one of the most enduring GEMs in existence, it increases physical power far more than any other but one has to have the potential to channel that power. Meister Blomquist is more along the lines of your friend, Miss Viola, and fights her battles with stealth and speed. She hasn't been able to harness the full power of the GEM in that capacity but if your demonstrations in our school coliseum are of any merit, you just might have that ability, Miss Armitage." She paused to study Haruka carefully before she noted, "I must say that you don't seem to happy to hear this. You do realize it's a great honor?"
Blinking her eyes and jumping in her seat, Haruka flushed red and exclaimed, "I know! It's just…" Haruka trailed off, she didn't want to say too much, not to the Principal, not when she was positive she was being chastised, but this was such a shock, it wasn't what she had planned, what they planned, her and Yukino. Oh god, Yukino! How was she going to explain this? Or did Yukino already know? "I didn't think this was what you were going to tell me. I never thought I'd hear something like this, that's all."
"I suppose I can see how it would come as a shock," allowed Vandeveld. There was a moment of silence then she spoke again, her tone almost sharp and definitely holding reproach, "It is my understanding in Aries there is no greater honor for an Otome than to serve the President, not because they are the leader of your country but instead because they are chosen by the people. In protecting the President you are protecting the individual your fellow citizens have elevated to the role of their leader which is, in a way, like protecting them as well. I would have thought that despite the shock of this news the significance of being selected for such a position would be foremost in your mind."
"Principal, I--" Haruka began futilely, trying to find some excuse, some explanation for her behavior, but was soon cut off.
"No, Miss Armitage," interrupted Vandeveld, her voice steely and brooking no arguments. "I'm quite sure I don't want to hear whatever it was you were about to say. Whatever issue you have, resolve it before the ceremony occurs. I would advise you to recall your teachings at this academy and remember that we Otome do not have the luxury of choosing our Masters. They are the ones who choose us. You might have been selected by another Otome as her successor but the meaning remains the same. Our lives are to serve and protect, to devote our lives wholly to another, and our existence is not an easy one but it has purpose. I'd instruct you to reflect on that during this next week."
"Yes, Principal," mumbled Haruka, hanging her head, keeping her gaze fixed on her hands clenched into fists.
"Good," said Vandeveld and most of the animosity was gone from her voice. "You may go."
Doing as the Principal said, Haruka rose to her feet and walked out of the office but as she reached the door, she paused, unable to take another step. She had to know. Even if it risked further incurring the Principal's wrath, she just had to know. "Principal?" Haruka said hesitantly, the word just barely making it out of her throat, her body rigid and her eyes fixed forward, afraid to turn around because of what she might see. "Do you know if anybody else requested me as their Otome?"
The sound of a sigh and the shuffling of papers then Vandeveld replied, "I believe several people did. The most persistent being a Jr. Senator from the state of Sol, Ms. Yukino--"
"Chrysant," Haruka finished quietly, speaking with the Principal, her hand on the door and her head still lowered. "Thank you, Principal." The words they were stuck in her throat but she had to say them because despite her own disappointment, her own misery, she knew everything that the woman said earlier was true. This was part of being an Otome, you lived to serve, you didn't make the decisions, you followed those of your Master, and she was lucky to be chosen for such a position. It was a huge honor, an enormous one, the most important job an Otome could have in Aries was to serve the President and she knew this, she knew this all too well, but still… it wasn't what she wanted. "I'm sorry for my earlier rudeness. I was shocked by the news but I want you to know I'm aware of where my duty lies. I've always known."
"I'm pleased to hear that, Miss Armitage," Vandeveld responded and there was an approval there, Haruka could hear it, and somehow it soothed the pain a little as she made her way out of the office, her thoughts jumbled, trying to fathom what just happened.
Rarely did Haruka not have some sort of plan. She wasn't like Shizuru or Sara, a great mind, a tactician, but she didn't like to do anything without purpose and that being so, she wasn't the type to wander aimlessly through the campus but she was doing it now just because she didn't know what to do next. This wasn't what she expected to hear when she went to the Principal's office. Haruka had been sure, so incredibly sure, that once Yukino won the election, became a Senator, that everything else would fall into place but it hadn't and now she was assigned to President Xavier, she would become the Continental Orb Topaz, possess the legendary GEM of Aries, the one that protected the leader of their people and it was beyond comprehension, how great a responsibility this was.
Meister Blomquist had chosen her out of all those people, all the Otome already active in Aries, and all the candidates in Garderobe and Haruka was flattered, it made her proud, but in serving Xavier, she would never get to be with Yukino. The Otome of the President is always by their side, the only time they weren't was when they were sent on missions which was happening more and more frequently due to Xavier's stance against the terrorist attacks that have long plagued their country. Once she took the oath, once she became his Otome, that was it.
Haruka couldn't be with Yukino after that, not unless she was willing to risk her position as his Otome and Yukino's career in the Senate. Not only was the concept of having an affair with the Otome of the President an unwise proposition there was also the fact that Yukino was from the Egalitarian party while Xavier was a Referendum. Despite the Referendums being in power, having more representatives in the Senate and within the local state governments with the exception of Sol, the Egalitarians had been putting up a vocal resistance to Xavier's military shows of strength in the past months. Yukino had been a particularly loud voice and her stance against such measures was part of what helped her win office. Which meant on top of the limited time factor involved in maintaining their relationship there was the added bonus that it was sure to be seen as sleeping with the enemy on both sides of the party line. Despite the fact Haruka as an Otome was a member of the military and wasn't meant to be seen as a political figure. But she would be, all the same, because she'd be Xavier's Otome.
If she took this position, if she took this oath, she couldn't be with Yukino. It was as simple as that.
For the first time in her life, Haruka honestly felt like crying in despair, and she continued to wander throughout the campus, finally coming towards a large hill near the isolated grove where she trained with Shizuru and sat down, staring blankly into space. What should she do? All of her life she wanted to be an Otome, it was what she felt she was meant to do, and she wanted to be like Meister Blomquist, to have that power to save people like she saved her mother and all those people, and Meister Blomquist had selected her as her replacement. This was the tantamount of all her dreams but it would be without Yukino at her side. They would be apart and Haruka didn't know when they could be with each other again. Could they really survive that? She would wait for Yukino forever, she knew that, but Yukino…
During the election, Haruka had seen how the people looked at Yukino, the people their age. Hope and belief and admiration shining in their eyes and Haruka couldn’t blame them for looking at her that way, she represented so much good, so many wonderful things, but she knew those same people would want to be with Yukino and if she wasn't with her, if she couldn't be with her, would Yukino finally notice that they were looking at her that way? The brunette was currently oblivious but Haruka was certain that was because they were together, would that really stand true if they couldn't maintain their relationship, if they had to be apart because of her duty?
The idea of Yukino being with someone else hurt enough Haruka wanted to die from it. Rubbing at her eyes with her arm, Haruka faintly heard her name and she tried her best to get control of herself but she was certain she failed from the way Sara looked when she turned to look at the younger girl. "Haruka-oneesama," Sara said her name in a whisper. "What's wrong?"
"Sara Gallagher," Haruka muttered, drawing her gaze away from the Coral, staring into the grove, suddenly wanting to run into it but she remained where she was, all too aware of the other girl sitting next to her. "I've received my assignment. Meister Blomquist has selected me to be her successor for the Continental Orb Topaz." She looked to Sara and forced a smile. "It's a great honor."
"But what about your friend?" asked Sara carefully, unsure of how to respond, not used to see Haruka in such a subdued state.
"The request of the President's Otome and Meister of the people holds precedence over that of a Jr. Senator barely a few months into their first term," said Haruka sardonically though there was very little actual humor in her tone, just bitterness and disappointment.
"What are you going to do?" Sara questioned and when Haruka gave her that blank stare again, she repressed the urge to shiver, it disturbed her so because it was completely opposite of what she had come to know about the older blonde's personality. "Will you refuse?"
"Refuse?" repeated Haruka and this seemed to snap her out of her trance. Shaking her head, her jaw set in determination, and she said, "I worked all these years for this. Since I was five years old. I can't refuse, I don't want that. I just…" Haruka trailed off and she kept her gaze away from Sara as she mumbled, "Why couldn't it have been Yukino?"
No matter what she said, Sara suspected it would be a hollow comfort to Haruka at this point, and so she didn't say anything at all. She simply scooted closer to the Pearl and wrapped an arm around her waist, resting her head on Haruka's shoulder. They stayed like that for minutes that turned into hours and when they finally separated to head back to their dorms, Haruka gave Sara a smile that held a small splinter of her former confidence and bravado. "Don’t worry about me," Haruka instructed before she disappeared into her dorm.
Still, even though Haruka said that, Sara couldn't help but worry. Especially when Haruka looked completely and utterly unlike the girl that Sara had come to know during these past few months. Something that Sara couldn't help but find worrisome and upsetting as she liked that person, she liked them quite a lot and she didn't want to see them lost. Not to something like this.
---
Meister Blomquist was smaller in person, that was the first thing Haruka thought when she met her, and for the blonde it was such a strange moment because she was now the one in the green and white dress that had long been the chosen clothing of the President's Otome. While Meister Blomquist wore a simple blue dress that hung elegantly on her frame.
"Meister Armitage," Blomquist greeted her with a warm smile, shaking her hand in a firm grip. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," said Haruka, fighting her nerves but unable to help shifting her stance as she met the eyes of her childhood hero. She looked down, struggling with what she should say next, until eventually she fixed her gaze on Blomquist and said, "I want you to know I'll do my best to live up to the legacy you're leaving behind, Meister Blomquist. You're the reason that I decided to become an Otome."
"Really," murmured Blomquist, tilting her head and gazing at Haruka thoughtfully. Her eyes briefly flitted to the large hall filled with people, they were currently residing in a small private hallway, waiting for Principal Vandeveld to tell them it was time to begin the ceremony. Taking a step forward, she said in soft but solemn tones, "The Principal has told you the reason for my retirement?" When Haruka gave a brief nod, Blomquist sighed and kept her eyes fixed on that hallway. "I'm not meant for this campaign the President has planned."
"Meister Blomquist?" Haruka questioned, wondering what the other Otome could mean by this.
"Strength and power is what he needs," said Blomquist simply, turning back to Haruka. "I don't possess these things but you do. I've done this for too long, my reputation is known by our enemies, but you… you're an unknown factor that could be used for intimidation purposes and with the recent attacks on our soil, this is of immeasurable value."
"Yes," said Haruka strongly and she nodded her head, feeling a sense of purpose and pride. Thinking for the first time that perhaps this wasn't some cruel twist of fate, that there was a reason behind her being chosen for this position. Seeing the Principal approach, Haruka felt a sudden swell of panic and turned back to Blomquist, saying the words before she quite knew why. "Could you give me any advice?"
"Advice," Blomquist repeated and a smile curved on her lips as she reached out to clasp Haruka's shoulder. "The most important part of being an Otome is having bravery in the most horrible and difficult of times. Being able to obey your Master when they give even what seems like the most impossible of orders. Your robe doesn't make you an Otome, your attitude and your beliefs do. Even when you're without your powers, you are the President's Otome and you must always act accordingly."
Nodding her head again, Haruka swallowed hard and gave a nervous smile when the Principal approached, telling them it was time. Walking behind Meister Blomquist, she followed the older women out into the ceremonial hall, purposefully keeping her eyes forward, avoiding looking at people in the crowd. Part of her wanted to search for Yukino, to meet her eyes and apologize for what she was about to do, for pledging her life and loyalty to another but she couldn't, she just couldn't. If she looked at Yukino she would want to run to her, she would want to abandon everything she worked for and she knew Yukino wouldn’t want her to do that. They would find a solution to this, somehow, some way they would, they always did, didn't they? Haruka forced herself to believe this as she stepped onto the platform and looked at the figure of President Kenzo Xavier who dipped his head politely and gave a charming smile.
He was a tall and distinguished man, thick brown hair showing streaks of grey, and dark serious eyes. There was something strangely comforting about him, he produced an aura of the everyman, and his genial nature had aided his election two years ago. It was only in the last few months that his recent actions involving military force with Aries neighboring nations caused his popularity to take a downturn. Haruka knew her skills, her strengths, were what he wanted, needed, in an Otome, but she wasn't certain if he was a good leader, someone who truly had Aries best interests at heart like Yukino did and this made her wary more than anything else. Despite that, he was the President, the person their people had chosen as their leader and there was no more important job in Aries than guarding him because he represented that freedom they fought so hard to achieve in their war against Artai.
The ceremony went by like a sort of dream for Haruka, she followed the all steps, she kneeled, accepted the GEM, gave her oath, materialized her robe and followed Xavier down the aisle. Keeping her eyes focused on his broad shoulders and her expression bereft of emotion, she didn't want to look to the side, she didn't want to but all the same, she did and she saw Yukino, she saw the girl she loved more than life itself and she saw that aching look of disappointment, sadness, but there was pride and love in her gaze too. She saw it and Haruka wanted to run to her, she wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to tell her it would all be okay, that in the end they would find a way to fix this.
But she didn't do any of these things, instead she kept walking, following her President and doing her duty.
---
Yukino never thought things would turn out like this. She never thought she would be sitting here, in session with the other members of Senate, staring at the President with the figure of Haruka standing behind him, wearing the same dress that had been Meister Blomquist's uniform just weeks earlier. Haruka being chosen as her replacement wasn't a surprise to Yukino, certainly Haruka was worthy, the most worthy in her opinion, but Yukino had such belief, such conviction that once she won the election everything would fall into place. Her jaw clenched slightly as she listened to Xavier detail his reasons for wanting to invade the border of Cardair, knowing he was the reason that Haruka wasn't at her side right now. Blomquist would have never retired if it wasn't for his campaign of military action, a campaign that everyone in Aries knew was far from the former Meister's usual methods of espionage and stealth.
President Xavier wanted a show of power and with Haruka as his Otome, he had that.
"Argos XIV is shielding terrorists who have attacked our soil and killed our citizens," said Xavier in grim tones, his dark eyes moving across all the members of the Senate, fingers threaded together as he leaned on the oval table where they sat for all their sessions. "I have asked him repeatedly to allow us to search the borders where we know the Fidelus Altus to be hiding but he refuses. At this point, I feel we have little recourse but to take it upon ourselves to find them. If Cardair will not allow us to bring our enemies to justice then we must consider them an enemy as well. For far too long our neighbors have harbored those who wish to destroy our democracy and bring Aries back to the dark days of monarchy. I say it is time that we let them know this is something we will no longer tolerate and do this with a display of force."
"Fighting fire with fire is hardly the wisest decision," Yukino retorted, unable to keep silent any longer, and she felt her colleagues moving anxiously in their seats and was struck with a wave of annoyance upon realizing this. She was sick of the way her fellow Egalitarians tip toed around this issue. Proclaiming their stance against military action to their constituents and on the news but failing to do anything about it when in session with the President. Yukino was aware their protests here did little since the Referendums had the majority in the Senate and as such almost all of Xavier's wishes were passed but they could at least speak their minds when their opinions differed. "How are we any different than the terrorists if we attack Cardair to capture them and in the process kill innocents who have nothing to do with this conflict?"
No response from Xavier, just a flash in his eyes and then the other Referendums leapt to his defense, giving the reasons this attack on Cardair was necessary. Soon it descended into an all out argument and the Egalitarians were finally saying exactly why they wanted this campaign to stop, how the people were against it, how it created more enemies for them instead of destroying the ones which already existed. Sitting by her side, Senator Tarquin spoke of the amount of soldiers that had been lost so far in Xavier's campaign, the thousands of lives they could never get back and for what? Those who attacked them were still free and those against them had increased.
More voices arose at this point, agreeing with Tarquin, saying they couldn't risk more of their soldiers lives. That the public was against it and even a small number of Referendums were added to the chorus. Yukino kept her gaze on Xavier, the darkness on his face, and the anger in his gaze, for the first time since he took office his own party was against him and he didn't like it one bit.
It was then that Haruka spoke, her voice quiet but resolute, causing everyone to take pause. "President," Haruka said, her expression determined and her eyes meeting the President's who looked up at her. "Send me."
"Colonel?" Xavier questioned in tones which matched Haruka's and Yukino stiffened at the mention of the blonde's new military rank which had been awarded to her upon gaining the position as the President's Otome.
"No lives will be lost if you send me," said Haruka steadily. "Please," she said this so softly Yukino had to strain to hear it. "I won't fail you."
"Well, risking two lives is wiser than risking two thousand," murmured Xavier, turning in his seat to look at Yukino and she frowned as she watched a grim smile form on his features. "Isn't that right, Senator Chrysant?"
The words wouldn't come for Yukino but they did for her colleagues. One by one, they spoke up, agreeing with this plan of action, suddenly finding support for attacking Cardair if only Haruka and Xavier would be those putting their lives on the line. A litany of the Fidelus Altus sins were listed, the citizens they had killed, the damage they inflicted, the terror they wrought upon their people and their desire to bring Aries back to the days of the monarchy and with each one more Senators added support to Xavier's proposed attack on Cardair.
At the final vote, Yukino was one of three who were against the attack, and she couldn't tear her eyes away from Haruka's as a horrible sick feeling overtook her, a nausea of sorts, as she realized they could be sending the blonde to her death. Violet eyes met hers for the first time since the Senate session began and Yukino saw the apology lurking in their depths along with the resounding love.
---
There was such a feeling of strength and power when her robe was activated, it stunned Haruka, almost as much as seeing herself in the uniform that had been Meister Blomquist's for thirty four years. The look of the robe was basically the same but Haruka knew her own thoughts, how she imagined it should appear, would change its design slightly. This was why she kept the image of the small flag of Aries that Yukino had given her in her mind and when the robe materialized, Haruka smiled on seeing the flag appear over her heart, her own tribute to the love she felt for Yukino, a dedication to the bond they shared.
Cardair was one of five countries on Aries border and with the exception of Artai, it was the worst about blatantly harboring terrorists who were a frequent source of attacks. Haruka often wondered whenever she spent time in Wind City what it would be like to have been raised in a country where it wasn't common place to hear about suicide bombers on their buses and trains on the nightly news, where everyone wasn't almost numbed to the fact that their citizens were often killed for no other reason than they supported a democracy. That was a main issue she and Yukino had discussed endlessly over the years, how to get their neighboring countries, the rest of Earl, to understand and respect Aries the way its people did. The first step would be to get those countries to stop shielding the nobles who supported the groups that constantly attacked Aries and its people in some perverse hopes of bringing the country back to the days of monarchy.
In the Senate session, she could feel Yukino's disapproval. She didn't find any part of Xavier's plan acceptable and some parts of Haruka agreed, simply because she was so used to following along after Yukino, finding her truth in the older girl's beliefs but this time was different. President Xavier was her Master, she was his Otome, she was meant to follow his lead, learn from his example, and his words were law for her and even without that she understood the President's desire to catch these men, the people who invaded their land and killed their people. That's why she spoke up, Haruka understood and she wanted to help, and she wanted to keep those enlisted in the army safe, people like her mother and father, that was her job as an Otome, wasn't it? To serve and protect and Xavier seemed to understand that as well.
After he certified her, Xavier looked into her eyes and Haruka was struck by the realization of how haunted his gaze was, there was something sad there, something that she wouldn't ever forget. "Bring us Fidelus Altus and bring them to us alive, Colonel," he said in soft and solemn tones. "They need to face the families of those they killed at a federal trial."
"Yes sir," Haruka replied, bowing her head. "What should I do about Meister Grosse? She's sure to intervene."
"As you said, I don't want any lives to be lost. I only want to bring those who killed our citizens to justice," said Xavier. "If you can find some way of persuading her that wouldn't put her life or the life of Argos XIV at harm then I would amiable to it." A slight smile curved on his lips and he said, "In other words, you're the military officer, Colonel. I leave the decision in your hands."
Standing straighter, a great wave of pride washing through her on hearing her President speak to her in such a respectful and almost reverent manner, Haruka saluted him and said strongly, "Yes, President."
"Good luck," said Xavier and though he attempted to say this lightly, that solemnity was still in his voice, the one that told Haruka that he truly believed what he was doing was for the best, for Aries an its citizens, and it was then that Haruka knew she could serve him whole heartedly.
Handle it her way, that thought resonated in her mind through her flight towards the border they shared with Cardair. They knew that key members of Fidelus Altus were hiding in a small remote mountain town of Ziege's Pass and Haruka had the information stored in her GEM along with photographic and video evidence to show to Meister Grosse upon her arrival as she was sure the other Otome would meet her soon as her path was determined by the Cardair military. What was handling it her way exactly? If she was Shizuru she would come up a method of trickery, outwitting Grosse somehow, and if she was Sara it would have been strategy and tactics, finding some weak point in Cardair and exploiting it for the benefit of Aries but she wasn't Shizuru and she wasn't Sara. She didn't have these sorts of skills, she had bravery, strength, and her guts, that trait Meister Blomquist spoke of, knowing that being an Otome wasn't about having powers, it was the loyalty they swore upon taking their oath and their fearless obedience in their Masters.
Meister Fiar Grosse made for an intimidating figure, even Haruka would admit to that, with her flinty green eyes that held a dismissive regard to them and her large spear like black staff with its gold mantle that she was aware held more purpose than to simply look pretty. None of that mattered to Haruka though because she was on her mission and she had her orders and as intimidating as Meister Grosse liked to present herself she knew damn well she was physically stronger and she could win this. Materializing her mace and twirling it casually in a circle at her side, Haruka offered a crooked grin to the other Otome as they floated at the border between their two nations.
"Meister Grosse," Haruka drawled in a friendly greeting. "How polite of you to meet me here."
"Meister Armitage," said Grosse in far more chilly tones, holding her staff at the ready, waiting for any attack. "I realize you are a newly assigned Otome but you are aware that your presence in Cardair would be considered an act of war by my Master?"
"I'm not in Cardair," pointed out Haruka, smirking as she added, "yet."
"You wish to declare war?" Grosse questioned and though her tones were chilly as ever, her green eyes held surprise.
"I wish to capture the members of Fidelus Altus that I know are hiding in the town of Ziege's Pass like the cowards they are," Haruka retorted, touching her GEM and producing the video of the terrorists they had received just yesterday, proving Fidelus Altus' presence in Cardair. "You are aware that haranguing known terrorists who have killed citizens of Aries is seen as supporting their actions, right?"
"Haranguing?" Grosse repeated but Haruka continued to stare at her with an arrogant smirk, not recognizing her own verbal error, and seeing this the other Otome narrowed her green eyes. "I cannot allow you to pass that easily."
"We fight and one of us dies our Master dies with us," said Haruka derisively. "You want that?" Dematerializing her mace, Haruka grinned and cracked her knuckles as she continued, "How about we come up with a civilized way to settle this? With just our fists. I win and I get to collect the members of Fidelus Altus using your country as their personal hideout. You win and I go back the way I came with a promise to never try something like this again. What do you say?" Haruka tilted her head to one side, a challenge lurking in her gaze. "You up for it?"
Considering Haruka for a long moment, Grosse dematerialized her staff and crooked her finger at the blonde Otome. "Come then," she murmured, a dangerous light emerging in her green eyes. "We'll settle this for our Masters, the two of us."
Moving on instinct, Haruka flew at Meister Grosse, grinning when her fist connected with the other Meister's jaw, sending her spinning through the air. Grosse quickly regained her bearings and returned for her own attack. Soon it descended into a savage exchange of punches being thrown at a furious pace. Haruka didn't bother trying to dodge the attacks from Grosse, instead capturing her first in her grip whenever the older Meister telegraphed a punch, and using this advantage to press several attacks of her own. In the end, Haruka's strength and endurance outlasted Grosse and the battle concluded with one last punch to her jaw, knocking the other Otome unconscious.
Delivering Grosse to her colleagues in the Cardair military who waited at the border in a stand off with members of the Aries military which observed from some miles away, Haruka flew towards the town of Ziege's Pass, intent on completing her mission. Capturing the members of Fidelus Altus wasn't the easiest task, they were aware of her presence in Cardair and had already started to make their escape but with a bit of persuasion on the part of the townspeople, she found their route in the mountains, capturing all fifteen members handily. She wasn't to kill them, she had her orders, and Haruka wasn't blood thirsty, even with monsters like these, who killed innocent citizens over their own selfish desires. Still, she took great pleasure in beating their heads together until they were unconscious and tossing them into an oversized net as she hauled them back to the battalion she knew waited for her at the Aries border.
Later in the day, Haruka would be informed by one of the President's many advisors that her battle with Meister Grosse was televised across all of Aries. That the citizens watched her defeat the Otome of Argos XIV in a fight that lasted just under ten minutes, ending with the figure of Meister Grosse knocked unconscious and handed over to the Cardair military who observed her with fearful eyes. Haruka didn't give them any words of reassurance, her mission continued on, followed by those cameras she hadn't known were there, tracking her pursuit of Fidelus Altus into the town of Ziege's Pass, capturing them as they tried to make their escape into the mountains. Handing the terrorists over to the military waiting at the border, her expression solemn, knowing these men were responsible for countless deaths all because they felt they were entitled to Aries lands and resources because of the families they had been born into.
People like these, they needed to be brought to justice, Haruka knew this, she believed it, and despite how much she hated it, being apart from Yukino, not knowing when she could see her again, be with her again, she knew it was worth it if she could make this kind of difference. Capturing the men that killed their citizens, wanted to destroy their country, eradicate their democracy, it gave Haruka a purpose.
That purpose would keep her going, that and the love she felt, the belief that one day she would be with Yukino again.
---
Four months passed with Haruka as President Xavier's Otome, she had completed countless missions for him, capturing the people who attacked Aries and killed its citizens, defending their borders from the neighboring countries they angered in the process. With each of these missions her fame and popularity grew as did Xavier's trust in her and Haruka found solace in that. Knowing that what she was doing made both her President and her people proud, although it tore at her, realizing Yukino's disapproval of the conflict and sometimes she wondered if Yukino resented her for doing her duty, for following Xavier's orders and more than that, believing in his mission.
The President often worked late into the night and whenever he did, Haruka would remain at his side. It was tedious and boring, Haruka far preferred to be busy, to be moving, but this was part of her job and she did it without protest. Often Xavier would speak to her about whatever happened in the day and she frequently heard his droll humor in reference to those who stood against him, Yukino included.
They had just completed a successful invasion into Artai to capture Count Luther Weir who was responsible for several attacks on Aries, including an attempted assassination of their former President, Delun Cavanaugh, which was foiled by Meister Blomquist. The news was filled with a good deal of praise for President Xavier about this matter but also a large amount of criticism as they considered it a real possibility Artai would retaliate for the incident. Haruka herself thought Artai wouldn't have the guts to attack them, not with all they had against Weir, proof that he had done every last thing their federal court accused him of, and she couldn't see them wanting to save a condemned man.
"Colonel," Xavier said this distantly, in almost far off tones, but Haruka stood at attention on hearing her rank. Directing her attention to the President who formed a faint and almost sardonic smile. "They say I'm obsessed. Do you think it's true?"
"Obsessed, sir?" asked Haruka with a real confusion, not at all certain what he was speaking about.
"With capturing our enemies, finding all the terrorists who've ever attacked us and bringing them to justice," elaborated Xavier, leaning back in his chair and absently rubbing at his eyes. "They keep saying I'm obsessed, the Egalitarians. Senator Chrysant in particular doesn't think that I have enough perspective in my choices, that I'm only concerned with my own personal agenda, and not wishes of Aries as a whole."
How to answer this, Haruka didn't know, this wasn't something that they covered in Otome Etiquette, and honestly, part of her did agree that her President was perhaps a tad obsessed. She had seen his angry outbursts at those involved in gathering intel on their enemies, those that attacked their country, when they didn't provide enough evidence to capture them, when they couldn't produce their exact whereabouts, but at the same time she understood his anger when she thought about the thousands of innocents those people had killed. Xavier and Yukino were both right in their own ways and Haruka hated having to take sides between them. He was her Master and someone she now honestly believed to be a good man and Yukino was the person that Haruka loved above all others, who she knew always had the best at heart for everyone in Aries, and the idea of having to say one was right over the other tore at Haruka.
"It's all right, Colonel," Xavier said, chuckling and wearing a wry expression. "You don't have to answer. I know they're right. I probably am obsessed but wouldn't you be if you were in my shoes?" He turned in his chair, looking out the bullet proof glass of the windows, over the moat surrounding The Hexagon and out into the bright lights of Caeles. "The anniversary is coming up in two months, you know," he said in a murmur and Haruka watched his hands squeeze the arms of his chair in a merciless hold. "I captured Weir just in time to celebrate it." He released a bitter laugh and Haruka stepped closer, wanting to speak words of comfort but not knowing precisely what to say. "Maybe now Jun's nightmares will finally stop, she's had them since she was twelve, since that monster murdered her mother."
Tsukiko Xavier's death was well known to everyone in Aries and had garnered much sympathy for the President who was Governor of the state of Mar at the time. His wife had been traveling home after bringing their daughter to school and was one of four hundred and five citizens killed in Count Luther Weir's attack with the aid of the Schwartz and their slaves. Meister Blomquist eventually defeated the slaves but not before Tsukiko and her fellow citizens were killed in the attack. Xavier was inconsolable over the death of his wife of twenty seven years and had gotten a large amount of public support which helped aid in his recent election. Since taking office, his focus had remained on capturing terrorists who caused the deaths of innocent citizens like his wife and many who opposed his nonstop military campaign felt this had become more of a personal vendetta than something done to protect all of Aries.
"I think you're doing the right thing, sir," said Haruka finally, a sincere look on her features because she believed what she was saying. Maybe Yukino was right, maybe he was obsessed, maybe he was going about it the wrong way, maybe it was even true that he was using her strength and fighting ability to intimidate their neighboring countries that were harboring terrorists but what he intended was right. Having those men captured was right, having them brought to justice was right, and Haruka was glad to do that job. "They don't understand what you've been through. Nobody could, not until it happened to them."
"I don't want it to happen to anyone else, that's what all of this is about," Xavier said wearily. "I just wish I could make them see that."
"One day you will," said Haruka confidently, although she doubted Yukino would ever sway in her opinion. She could see the disappointment, the fear, and the barely repressed rage each time the Senate voted to send her on another mission. Sometimes she wondered if Yukino hated her for doing her duty, for following Xavier's orders that she was so against, and just the thought of it made Haruka want to burst into tears but she held that feeling back, buried it deep in her heart and prayed that Yukino knew she had no choice but to obey her Master in these matters. It wasn't her place to pick and choose which orders to obey. That wasn't how it worked for the Otome. "Have faith in that."
"Faith," echoed Xavier quietly and he turned to face Haruka, an almost fond look in his dark eyes as he observed her. "Colonel," he drew the title out slowly, a hint of a smile on his features. "Did you know I served under your father in the army?"
"No," said Haruka, her violet eyes going wide. "When was this, sir?"
"Years and years ago, when I was just a private," Xavier revealed with a chuckle. "I'd just married my wife and was stationed in Mar. I think that's when I fell in love with the state, how warm it was, with the ocean and the forests. I loved it there. I never got into any battles but he was a good leader, your father, he knew how to take the toughest of orders, the most impossible situation, and turn it around into a victory. When I heard from Meister Blomquist she chose you for her replacement, I was happy because I knew he would've raised you to be the same and you are, Colonel. You've taken every order I've given you and fulfilled it to the best of anyone's ability."
He paused, his eyes drifting to a framed photograph of himself and the former Otome on a shelf. "I liked Meister Blomquist quite a bit," Xavier continued. "She was wise beyond her years from serving for so long and under such different personalities but she didn't have it in her to be what I needed." Fixing a serious gaze on Haruka, he said, "I hate to seem like a bully but that seems to be what's required and I need an Otome who reflects that. Someone that our enemies can look at and tremble in fear at the thought of what would happen if they got hold of them. Blomquist, brilliant as she was, is restrained and is consummately in control. You fight as your father taught you, with your whole heart, with your soul even, and there's an almost wild ravenous look to you when you battle, Colonel." Xavier chuckled again and added, "It scares the shit out of some."
"I know," Haruka admitted and she formed a sheepish sort of smile. "I don't mean to be that way."
"It comes naturally," agreed Xavier, nodding his head. "And that was what I needed. An Otome that would create that sort of fear in our enemies and you can do that. I wish I had the strength to bring them in on my own, every last person who attacked our lands and killed our people but I can't. You have that power though, Colonel, and when you fight it's both of our lives on the line. I like to think in that way it's similar to me being able to fight with you. In a way, I see you as an extension of myself when I send you on those missions because what I ask you to do is nothing I wouldn't do with my own hands and heart if I had the capability."
"President," said Haruka softly and she didn't know what to say other than this. She knew on some level Xavier was happy to have her as his Otome, he always spoke to her kindly, treated her well, but she didn't think he felt this level of bond with her and something in Haruka felt so very fulfilled to know this, to know that she was able to help this man, the person their people had chosen as their leader, with such importance made her feel as if her presence truly mattered. It took away the sting of knowing her actions upset Yukino, that Yukino was against everything she did for him, and she could take consolation in this fact. "Thank you."
"When we're alone or just out of the nosy ears of the press and enemy Egalitarians, call me Kenzo," said Xavier absently, rising to his feet and stretching his back, sighing when it popped during one of his stretches. Haruka started to protest this, knowing this wasn't appropriate at all from her Otome Etiquette class, and Xavier interrupted with a smile, "If people share a relationship where if one dies, the other dies with them, I think that at the very least they should be able to call each other by their given names in private, don’t you?"
Everything she was taught in Garderobe told her otherwise but looking into his quietly humorous and earnest gaze, seeing those dark eyes reflect something other than severity and grim determination, Haruka couldn't find it in her to protest. Besides, she did think it was ridiculous, having so many rules attached to the Master and Otome relationship, and she was well aware if her Master was Yukino she'd be breaking all of those rules anyway. Why not do something of the same with Xavier? She was fond of the man beyond the fact he was her President.
"All right," said Haruka after several moments, forming a matching smile. "But only if you call me Haruka."
Chuckling at this, Xavier patted her shoulder as he walked past, heading out of his office and down the hall to the Presidential residence with Haruka on his tail. "It's a promise, Haruka," he murmured.
Following after Xavier, a smile still on her features, Haruka made sure he was secure inside his residence, alarms activated and guards at the door before heading to her own quarters just two doors down. Removing her uniform in a slow and methodical gesture, she set her alarm and climbed naked into the bed, clutching one of her pillows and holding it to her, pretending it was Yukino. It was a sad and empty gesture, she knew but Haruka couldn't help it, this was the only way she could get to sleep at night and she wondered how long this would last, how long she could go on without seeing Yukino in private, holding her, kissing her, and as much as her job filled some empty part of her she ached for Yukino's presence, she just didn't feel whole without the brunette by her side. Yukino had so many admirers, Haruka knew that, she saw them in the Senate and on the news, and Haruka burned with a barely controlled jealousy when she saw them able to spend time with Yukino in a manner she simply couldn't anymore and she hated herself for it but she couldn't help it.
Haruka never knew it was possible to be filled with such purpose and remain utterly miserable at the same time.
---
Seeing Yukino in public was something Haruka had grown accustomed to. Passing her in the halls of The Hexagon, in session with the Senate, sometimes even in the cafeteria when she went to retrieve a snack for herself or the President, but this was the first time she had seen the older girl in the privacy of the Presidential office. They had a particularly nasty session in the Senate today where Yukino managed to get a majority of the Senators to vote against Xavier's latest military action which involved an elaborate spy system set up on the border with Artai and Cardair, used to supposedly monitor their defenses. At first it sounded wise enough but the further you got into the details, which Yukino obviously did, the more it revealed invasive techniques that would be used on Aries citizens.
Throughout the session, Yukino lambasted Xavier, declaring that he was reinstating the methods that Artai used to repress them during the dark days of their control and soon other Senators followed. By the end of the session nearly everyone voted against this new action and Haruka watched her President quietly fuming and shooting daggers at Yukino who looked entirely pleased with herself. The walk back to his office was silent and it wasn't until they were behind closed doors did the ranting against her begin and the fury at being called a traitor, an oppressor to the Aries democracy, but once he was through, Xavier ordered his aides to bring Yukino to him for a private conference.
Which is where they were now, in the middle of that private conference, with Haruka trying her best to ignore the wild beat of her heart on being this close to Yukino. It was just the three of them in the room and it was all that she could do to keep the stoic mask on her face when all she wanted to do was gather the brunette into her arms. However, her impulse was easy to control amidst the heated argument between the two politicians as they tried to convince each other of the validity of their standpoint.
Nearly a half an hour had passed with neither giving an inch when one of Xavier's aides entered the room, whispering in his ear and the President excused himself and Haruka moved to follow after only to have him tell her to stay, insisting he would be fine. The soft click of the door shutting and after one year and seven months of separation, Haruka and Yukino were alone. Time seemed to slow down to a snail's pace as Haruka turned to face Yukino who was suddenly in front of her, holding her face in a forceful grasp, lips seeking hers out for a frantic embrace, a kiss that was emotional and messy and filled with such uncontrolled need that it simply couldn’t be nice and neat and sweet. Haruka groaned at the sensation, aggressively pulling Yukino to her, hands rough, slipping underneath her jacket and caressing her smooth skin. Their tongues met as the kiss deepened and Haruka was vaguely aware she was being pushed back into the small Presidential library, books tumbling to the ground and she couldn't find it in her to care, although she knew it would be the end of them both if they were caught. It had been too long, far too long since she held Yukino like this, tasted her like this, felt her like this, and Haruka wanted to sob from relief at finally having it again.
When they parted, they were breathing hard, and Yukino's face was buried in the crook of Haruka's neck and she smiled, oddly content despite her raging hormones and emotions, kissing the brunette's messy crown of hair. "Yukino," she muttered, smiling when the older girl looked up to meet their gaze. Touching her cheek gently, Haruka murmured, "I've missed you so much."
"Haruka-chan," Yukino breathed, her eyes welling up with tears. "I love you." Then just as suddenly as before, that ferocity returned, the same one Haruka had seen throughout her entire debate with Xavier during the past hour and she kissed Haruka hard, taking what she wanted, what she needed, and giving the blonde everything she desired right back in that same gesture. Sucking on her tongue, cupping her breast, teasing her nipple, and it was so much, having this feeling again, Haruka thought she might die from it, she wanted Yukino so very badly but they couldn't, they couldn't, not here, not now, not like this. That's what she said as she pulled away and Yukino stared at her, taking in the blush dusting Haruka's cheeks as she said quietly, "I'm going to beat him."
"Yukino?" questioned Haruka, her eyes going wide, perplexed as to what the brunette was speaking about.
"He's losing his popularity again," Yukino continued, not phased by Haruka's confusion, her face holding an almost obstinate anger that Haruka hadn't ever seen before. There was a resentment in the other girl's green eyes that Haruka didn't recognize and she wondered if just maybe Yukino had been feeling the same as she had, that she was jealous of Xavier for being Haruka's Master, for being able to spend time with her in a way that Yukino simply couldn't any longer. "There's only three years until the next election and that's more than enough time for me. I've already gotten my advisors working on it. That's why I'm always in the news, doing those speeches, the meetings around the country. I'm trying to round up early support and if I can get enough of it my running in the primary won't seem like a laughable prospect."
The Presidential election, that was what Yukino was talking about. Xavier only had three years left on his current term and then he would have to run for reelection and Yukino wanted to run against him for the Egalitarian party. In Aries, it was the Master that changed for the Otome possessing the Continental Orb Topaz, because they served whatever President was elected at the time. If Xavier lost the election to Yukino then Haruka would become her Otome, just like they always dreamed, had always planned before all this happened. But Yukino was just a Jr. Senator, brand new to the Senate, and Xavier had over twenty years experience and he remained somewhat popular, the election would be almost impossible, far worse than the one against Obrecht. How could Yukino possibly get the nomination and win?
"I can do it," said Yukino fiercely, holding Haruka's face in her hands again, locking their eyes. She tenderly stroked Haruka's cheek with one hand, moving in close to kiss the other cheek, and Haruka swore she could feel Yukino breathing her in. "I'll win for us and for Aries. He's not doing what's best for the country, Haruka-chan, no matter what he tells you. Xavier needs to be stopped before more people die."
Releasing a trembling sigh, Haruka rested her forehead against Yukino's and met their lips in a slow kiss, taking time to taste and explore, memorizing this moment in her mind because she didn't know when the next one would possibly come. They couldn't be together, not how they wanted to, not with Haruka serving Xavier, the sitting Referendum President. If anyone discovered their romance it would cause a massive scandal, ruining both of their careers and possibly resulting in Haruka's removal as an Otome and Yukino being kicked out of office. They both knew this but they wanted so badly to be together, they wanted it more than anything, almost more than serving their country, an ambition which had existed since they were small children along with the dream of holding the jobs they currently had.
The sound of footsteps caused Haruka to pull away and she stepped backwards, not before attempting to fix Yukino's hair but having better luck with her clothes, kissing her for one last fleeting moment as she murmured, "I love you."
Yukino was about to say the words in return but Xavier walked through the door, aides at his side, and a large amount of paperwork in their hands. Haruka recognized the look on his face, it was the one he got when the intel provided him with what he needed, and she was sure he had a mountain of evidence to present to Yukino which would help justify his need to spy on the citizens of Aries. Looking at the set of Yukino's jaw and the way her eyes narrowed on being given this information, Haruka didn't think it would do her President much good.
Watching Yukino battle Xavier at every turn, pointing out the flaws in his evidence, the faulty reasoning behind his actions, Haruka slowly began to have hope that maybe it wasn't so impossible. Yukino running for President, Yukino beating Xavier, Yukino becoming her Master. This thought was enough to sustain her, that and the memory of those kisses, the sensation of Yukino's touch, lingering in her mind, she could keep those with her on those lonely nights in The Hexagon along with the knowledge that Yukino still loved her.
Nothing could take that away.
To be continued...
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