Chapter 20: 16: New Normal

Deidre was worried. She was also pissed. Pissed at her mother for admitting what she had done. No matter how much she tried to apologize, Deidre knew that Lara wouldn't have accepted it at that moment and probably at all. She cared about her family, so knowing that Deidre's mom had hurt Brio's parents and baby brother was something that she couldn't just ignore. It had been a week now and Lara still refused to see her. Her cousin Brio, who was honestly too forgiving of it, tried to reassure her that his cousin was fine and she didn't hate her now, but it still hurt her heart to be treated like this. She had even missed her birthday party, she had to share he first dance as an adult with some ugly... boy.

Leannan patted her on the back. The younger girl had come a few years before Brio had been adopted into Lara's family. She was a genius magic user and to the shock of everyone a Rune User. Isolde had adopted her immediately, happy to have an apprentice with a strong base to sell herself to her fellow witches, especially those snobs in Feenruhe. Plus without Lyrica around, she was bored and Leannan was entertaining.

"Geez, you're still all glum? If I didn't like my head where it is, I'd say you care about Lara more than one does a friend."

"Oh. Am I that obvious?"

"Yes." Brio replied from behind his book. The older cousin slash brother of her crush was engrossed in a book of Runes again, studying so his uncle could retire from the High Defender position early.

"Like it matters now, I'm sure she hates me."

"Come now, you're being a child. And I'm the one still in school. She isn't going to hate you for a mistake of your mother during the old regime of the Guard. She'll hate your mother, yes, but you?"

"Yeah, my cousin loves you too much to stay mad at you for too long." Brio said turning a page in his book. He never referred to Lara in the terms he would a sibling despite the fact everyone assumed they were. She knew they were cousins- and that Lara was adopted as well, but still it seemed odd to people. Deidre had even asked once and he had just glared at her until she left.

Deidre blushed. "Stop teasing me."

Leannan shook her head. "Have you tried asking her yourself?"

"She won't see me."

"As in she won't come to see you?"

"Yes, I invite her and she refuses to come or even send a response."

"Have you tried going to her?"

"She'd never let me in."

"Brio would."

"The loser is never home these days." Deidre said. Brio nodded in affirmation.

"Just go see her. It wouldn't hurt to try."

"Fine. I'll go get my heart broken in person." Deidre stood up and walked out of the bedroom. The other two shook their heads. So dramatic. Perfect for Lara. 

Lord Galahad greeted her as she exited it into his office. "Deidre. Where are you off too?"

"To not see Lara."

"Oh, showing some initiative, are we? Well, good luck. I'm sure the missus will let you in to the mansion at least." He pulled a switch under his desk and a secret passageway opened on the wall. 

Deidre waved goodbye and scrunching her six foot three body, that if her father's side had any say would grow two more inches before she was twenty, as she walked down it and out to the back of the Academy.

The steep hill that once lead to the Estates had been terraformed into a series of steps for easier travel. The Knights used it for endurance training, so climbing it in her civilian clothes was a breeze, her long legs carrying her up it in only a minute or so. The guards outside the gate waved at her when she passed, which she returned in kind. She walked the streets, with a nervous and heavy step. She approached the row with her own house, the same ugly green as always. Her maids were cleaning inside, a few returning to work from a break when they looked outside the window and saw Deidre.

Deidre moved past her own house and walked up the steps to the Galahads. She knocked, and a minute of waiting later Professor Galahad opened the door. "Oh, hello, Deidre. What brings you here today?"

"I am here to see your daughter."

"She's in her room. She's been weird since last night. A bit confused, but that's passed. I'm not sure if she wants to see you though, when I asked about you she wouldn't speak."

"That's fine. I just need to be rejected personally by her."

Professor Galahad shook her, softly laughing and ushered the Kaga girl inside. Deidre climbed up the stairs and made her way down the hall to Lara's room. She knocked once. There was no reply. 

"Lara. It's me. Deidre. I just wanted to see you. I miss you. I know you're mad and I get it but... ah. Never mind, I know you don't want to see me anymore, I don't blame you." Deidre started to leave when the door opened and Lara, long dirty blonde- almost brown hair a mess, her nightgown wrinkled and slept in, pulled Deidre inside and shut the door.

"Deidre. I don't want to not see you." Lara smiled and yawned. "Why would you think that?"

"Because you haven't been to see me in a week. I had to dance with a boy at my birthday ball. A boy."

"Oh... that was this week, huh. Sorry."

"Sorry? You locked yourself in your room and avoided me and forgot my birthday and that's all you have to say?"

"No. I've re- I have been thinking while I've been in here, Deidei. I know you lied to me about knowing about what your mother did. What she did to my cousin and his family. To the tribes and other innocents in Aria."

Deidre looked down at the floor. "I..."

"Twins, Deidei. Let me continue. But I don't blame you for that. I don't think I could stand to be mad at you for too long. I wasn't able to process my feelings properly until last night. But I think something just clicked last night. And to be honest my lack of sleep might be influencing me to take a risk I shouldn't... but Deidre, I love you."

Deidre blinked and turned red, "Say that again."

"I love you."

Deidre pulled Lara onto her own bed and pinned her down. "I love you, I love you, I love you." She hugged Lara to her, the smaller Lara growing even redder than her girlfriend.

"Can you let me go. I should get ready. After all, I suppose I need to take you on a date now."

Deidre laughed, "I think you mean, I need to take you on a date."

"Don't try to act like you have any idea how to set up a date. You never had to set up every anniversary for your parents like me and Brio had to do for mom and dad."

"Fine, what should I expect?"

"Oh, just a regular lunch with our friends. But you know, as girlfriends."

"I do enjoy rubbing successes into your brother's face."

"I rather doubt that he'll care."

"Still fun regardless."

Lara laughed and left down the hall to bathe and get dressed. Deidre lay on Lara's bed, smiling like a fool. 

Lara had confessed to her. Her. She was dating her. That was so far beyond what she had expected coming here. She would have to thank Leannan for pushing her.

Lara emerged a half hour later, in a simple buttoned sweater and matching skirt, her hair tied into a ponytail. Deidre blushed, hyper aware of how cute Lara was to her now that she knew her feelings were reciprocated. 

"Well, are you ready? I asked my mom to call a carriage."

"Yes."

Lara smiled, "Well, let's go."

____________________________________________

Leannan shook her head, "Brio, in what world would combining those runes, create a tornado?"

"Gust and spinning? Seems obvious."

"Tornado's are more than that. And a gust would only last a second."

"No, the spin would trap it and other wind with in it as long as it lasts."

"But how does the spinning rune create a funnel?"

"Multiple Runes."

Leannan groaned, "Brio, I'm telling you, those runes don't work to create a tornado in practice."

Brio scoffed and returned to reading. He didn't have time to argue with Leannan if she was going to continue to say his obviously correct idea was wrong. The two often argued over runes like this, the two being the only Rune users in the Empire. He couldn't have such arguments with Deidre or Lara, who didn't understand the theory of Runes like he and Leannan understood them.

Leannan on the other hand was annoyed with the inane rune ideas he kept coming up with. He wasn't dumb, it was just with all his brain focused on becoming the High Defender, he tended to only think of things at surface level- which had lead to him failing many fighting exams because his new and unique runes would either not work or work in a way he didn't expect them too. And no matter how much advice she gave to him, he never learned his lesson. He was as bullheaded as his uncle, set in whatever path he chose to the bitter end, and usually failure.

Leannan kept glancing at the door, waiting for Deidre to return and break her boredom of the, as Deidre called him "annoying nerd." He heard Lord Galahad speak and laugh, before the door opened and Deidre and Lara walked in. 

Lara glanced at Leannan and mouthed something. Leannan nodded, and smiled. She drew a rune behind her back, to speak privately with her.

"Good to see you finally came out of the house. I assume you asked her out. I really hope you didn't make it to dramatic" Leannan thought.

"The fact you assume an actress like myself wouldn't be as dramatic as I could in a confession to a dork like Deidre who would eat that up offends me."

"I really regret getting you into acting. Of all the things I chose to get you into...Well, I suppose it is good to have multiple options for that. Are you sure you can keep up the level of brainless lover with her for the plan?"

"Far as I can tell. I do love her, it's the brainless part that might be hard."

"Okay, then we can get going. We need to get to work. After all this world only has less than a decade, if we are lucky until it resets. And to me that is a terrifyingly short amount of time, But until then, enjoy your time with Deidre."

"As you wish, Lady Cysgod."

Leannan gave a mischievous grin at Lara and Deidre as they sat down on the small couch together, Deidre laying her legs over Lara's lap, trapping her on the couch as long as Deidre wanted her. 

"Oh, you drug the princess out from her tower?"

Deidre laughed nervously, "Well, um, I guess."

Lara drummed on the legs of her girlfriend, as Deidre explained that the two were dating now, she guessed. Brio and Leannan congratulated them, Brio handing some coins over to Leannan while grumbling. 

"We should go and eat to celebrate."

Brio shook his head, "You girls can go ahead."

"Like I'd invite you anyways, you bore."

  "I can always not give you my Cysgod credit to pay for you lunch, Cousin."

Lara scowled and grabbed the paper from her brother. Deidre took it from her and folded it into her pocket. "Glad you joining that cult is useful for something."

"You realize you'll join it when you turn twenty as well."

"That's what you keep claiming. But I plan to explore the other kingdoms by then."

"That's what you keep claiming. Have fun." Brio drew a rune and opened the door. Deidre and Lara waved goodbye as they followed Leannan out to wherever she was planning to take them out to eat.

The three arrived at one of the fanciest restaurants in the upper levels, the combined pedigree of their names and rune user status allowing them a table without waiting in line.

Over drinks, non-alcoholic to not make Leannan feel left out- though only Deidre had a taste for it as her father had let her have some when she was below age, and now that she could drink legally she wasn't going to pass the chance up- they began to talk.

"You really thought she didn't like you back? The girl who instead of finding someone else for any of the Academy dances, always went with you?"

"I thought she was just being nice. Since no one else would ask me."

Lara laughed, "I mean they might have but I think most of the school thought we were dating anyways."

"Yeah, that was a popular rumor." 

Deidre sipped her water, "I never heard that. If I had I might've..."

"You managed to miss most rumors and gossip at the Academy."

"Excuse me for being focused on my training, unlike you."

"Hey, not my fault my field of study gave me more free time."

Leannan coughed, "So, since you two are dating this makes something I wanted to ask you both less awkward. I've been invited to attend the university in Feenruhe, and well... I'd like both of you to come along."

"As a body guard?" Asked Deidre.

"Because magic is repulsed by me?" Asked Lara.

"Yes and yes. I take it neither of you have issues?"

"I'll have to ask my mother."

"Father won't mind, so I guess I have nothing to do."

"I mean... you kind of still have to ask my mother for permission to date me."

"I am not going to follow an archaic custom like that."

"You just don't want to talk to her mother."

"Not at all."

"Just do it, for me." Deidre pleaded.

"For you. But you'll owe me."

"Thanks, Lara."

Lara turned to Leannan and thought, "Is this trip you plan on taking us on part of the plan my lady?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to elaborate?"

"No. I have me own plans, I'm only taking you two to have some people to talk to. You do not understand how much I regret not keeping a tighter leash on that one.”

The three ordered their food, eating it while chatting about less important things. Lara and Deidre left together back to the Estates to force Lara into asking for permission to date her girlfriend from her mother while Leannan went back to the Academy to study for a test she had.

Deidre held Lara's hand and basically dragged her into her mansion. Lord Kaga was still at work, so Deidre knew her mother would be in the sitting room, resting after a long day. Lara tried to plant her feet but he worn down heels only made her slide on the polished wood. As Deidre turned into the sitting room her mother looked up and asked:

"Deidre, dear, you're scuffing up the polish."

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"Apologizes mother, but I need Lara to ask you something."

"Oh, you two are on speaking terms again? Very well, speak."

Lara didn't look at Deirdre Kaga as she spoke, "Deidre's mother, since Deidre is being a stickler for tradition: I must ask your permission to date your daughter. But I'll still date her even if you say no, because honestly the only reason why I'm asking you this instead of trying to stab you with your own sword is because I don't want to hurt Deidre, you murderer."

Deidre panicked, "Lara, no- you can't say things like that."

Deirdre snorted, "I can see the Galahad in you. Blunt, loyal to family and to the point. I don't expect you to care about my opinion, after what I did. But I'll approve you to be with my daughter anyways, despite your rudeness. You'll be good for each other, and hopefully my daughter can teach you some manners."

"Many thanks, Sword Plague." Lara responded, before trying to leave- to which Deidre drug them up to her room- for a sleepover. Deirdre shook her head. She could have sworn the two were already dating.

________________________________________________________________________

The next morning Deidre had gotten up early to train with her mother leaving Lara to eat breakfast with Lord Kaga.

"How is your brother getting along?"

"In terms of what he wants or in terms of a social life?"

"Ha, I can guess he doesn't get out much. Galahad didn't much when he was studying either."

"I'd wager it was less severe for father, not being a rune user and all."

"Yes, that is probably true. Still your old man is a workaholic, even so close to retirement." He sipped his tea, "So, my wife tells me you're dating my daughter now. How long until the wedding?"

Lara choked on her water, "I think that's a little soon sir."

"Is it? Well, I expect it to be soon anyways. Not like either of you two have much restraint on your inhibitions."

"Hey, you can insult Deidre all you want, but I take offense to that."

"Shouldn't you be defending my daughter?"

"Against the truth?"

Baron Kaga chuckled, "Anyways, thanks for being her friend and putting up with her. And for not abandoning her because of that."

Lara stood up, having finished her meal, "As I told her mother, I love her too much to let my protective anger effect my view of her."

Lara walked out to the gardens, which were shared between the two mansions, and watched as Deidre, shirtless and drenched in sweat sparred against her mother. Her mother was putting little effort in as she blocked and parried the twin blades of her daughter. Deidre was struggling to stay out of the berserker mode that had given her the nickname the Bloody Knight at the Academy. She could feel her muscle burning as she fought through exhaustion to keep going. Her mother and her had been going non-stop since she had gotten up, the older knight not even seeming tired even after hours of fighting. Deidre was terrified of her her mother's energy when it came to fighting. There was a reason why she was considered legendary as a fighter, and it wasn't just her skills- but the apparently endless stamina of her as well. Deidre had the skills, but her mother's stamina was beyond her- clearly she had inherited her father's stamina instead.

"Come on, Deidre, your actions are predictable. I could parry and block with my eyes closed." Her mother chastised her while deflecting her daughters sluggish sword slashes.

"I'm trying, mother." Deidre said, slashing wildly in response. Each one was just as easily blocked and parried like before. In a final effort Deidre swung both her blades down in a chopping motion as hard as she could to which the parry from her  mother caused her to drop both her blades, ending the sparring then and there.

Deirdre went inside while Deidre lay down on the bench with Lara, laying her head in her girlfriends lap. Lara stroked her hair, "You smell."

"Get use to it, you'll be smelling it a lot. Especially if we..."

"You already made me like muscles on women, I so don't want you giving me a thing for sweat."

"Like you have a choice." Deidre leaned up and kissed Lara. "Can I sleep on you?"

"You don't have to ask. But I think we still need to go to the Academy so we can get a leave of absence."

"Ugh, can't Leannan?"

"Legally, no."

"Fine." Deidre stood up. "I'm taking a shower, you wait here." 

Lara smiled, "Oh? You don't want me to join you?"

"I want to actually get clean."

Deidre went inside and got ready while Lara relaxed and listened to the sounds of the morning, mind drifting to thoughts of the way Leannan had revealed to her that she was the Cysgod the adults seemed to worship. She hadn't actually believed her at first, but after she predicted things and a few times of her getting the adults to cancel school for no reasons and once when the council elected a random stray as the official dog of the Empire that Lara had joked about being made the same to Leannan a day before she really had no choice to believe her. It was weird to believe a girl younger than her was a cult leader and a Blessed, but it did make sense why both her and Brioche were able to use runes despite the fact that a kingdom usually couldn't have two overlap. Not like anyone outside the top families even knew. 

Besides that there was her insistence on acting like Lara knew more than she let on when they first met, which had ended with her cursing her inability to quote: “figure out the controls on Larases.” Whatever that meant. Besides that it wasn’t like they treated each other any differently.

It would be nice to be in Feenruhe. Not only because it was a country with only women, which wasn't as important to Lara now that she was no longer single, but all because it was farther than she had ever gone before. 

Deidre came down, in her armor and called Lara inside.

"You ready La?"

Lyrica nodded and the two made their way to the academy.

In the side entrance, was a single list that had the list for every staff member of the academy. They checked it to make sure Frederick Erickson was in before making their way to his office and asking for a leave, which the man who honestly could care less when people wanted to not be at the academy at all allowed it almost immediately after they finished asking it.

  As they were leaving, Isolde pulled Lara and Deidre into her office.

"Hello, lovebirds. I hear my little Leannan pulled you into accompanying her."

"Yes ma'am." Deidre replied.

"And both of you are fine with going with her all that way?

"Of course, Lady Isolde. There is nothing else we have to do."

"Very well. Just make sure she doesn't get in trouble. You know how she is."

"Of course, Lady Isolde."

Isolde stared intently at Lara for a moment, studying her face. "Right, if you meet a woman named Hazel, tell her hello for me."

"Does she have a last name?" Lara asked.

Isolde frowned a little, "Not that I know of. She's somewhat famous, you know. Though I wouldn't expect you two to know her."

The two stood up and bowed, "Well, we should get going. See you later, Lady Isolde."

"That was easy. I suppose I should inform my father of the plan. I'll catch you later." Lara leaned over and pecked Deidre on the lips before running down the hall. 

Deidre smiled, then walked towards her father's office. Her dad wasn't in so she laid down upon the desk and closed her eyes. 

She hadn't ever been outside of the Empire, let alone the general area of the Greater Capital Area. Leannan and Lara were the same in terms of the Empire- technically, though Leannan had been born in the village before the treaty had handed the border town over to the empire- though both had traveled around much more than she had within it's confines. Leannan with Isolde on witch business and Lara had been to a few of the larger metropolises in the Empire when she toured in the summer with the acting troupe she managed to form with the nepotism of money and names. Of course, Deidre was busy with bootcamps at the same time so she had never been able to see her in an actual proper theater- and Lara sure wasn't gonna be able to judge her own acting. 

She was glad the summit had been canceled due to the leaders just deciding to extend the current treaty instead. If she and Lara had been separated during their fight... no, that's stupid. After all absence makes the heart grow stronger. But still, she had to assume the fact she didn't also get mad and hide away like Lara helped her girlfriend's feelings be put into proper order. She smiled smugly.

The door opened and Brio walked in. He looked at Deidre for a moment before walking over and dropping a stack of papers near her head. "There are better spots to take a nap you know." He remarked before leaving.

A minute later the door opened again and her father entered. "I see you are enjoying my desk daughter, but I require it for work."

Deidre yawned and stretched and slid off the desk. "I've seen you work in worse situations."

"Yes but those situations neither snored nor were ticklish where I like to sign documents."

"I meant do it on the floor."

"Sleeping on my desk cannot be good for your back."

"I'm young."

"Which is why you shouldn't do it."

"By the way, I'm leaving with Leannan and Lara."

"To Feenruhe. Yes, I am aware."

"Oh, so you're good with me leaving."

"Yes, and I've already convinced your mother that Feenruhe's academy has an excellent training program."

"You're the best."

"Well, very well can't let you try and convince your mother."

"I can take back the compliment if you're gonna insult me."

Her father chuckled, "So when do you three depart exactly?"

"Tomorrow."

"Are you even packed?"

"I assume the maids will."

"No, they will not. You realize you'll be living in an apartment, likely with Lara as the only person to help you. Learn to fend for yourself."

"I can- it's just I'm bad at knowing how much and what to bring."

"Yes, a fault which I also had at your age- I got over it however by trying."

"Hey, Lara isn't much better."

"Lara under prepares- if it wasn't for her cute looks and impressive ability to bullshit her way through things I'd be more worried- but if you ever had a situation like she had in Heveston..."

"I am an adult."

"Legally yes, mentally... well, not a very mature one."

Deidre left at that comment and made her way to the High Defender's office. Inside Brio and Lara were engaged with the High Defender in a war game scenario. Lara as always was completely ignoring the country she was supposed to be's regular strategy and going buck wild, much to her father's annoyance. Brio didn't mind it much- even he got tired of the regular version of the exercise. Lord Galahad seemed relieved when Deidre entered and Lara jumped up from the board. 

"I take it your dad said yes?"

He nodded, "Look if theres a chance to learn how to control my daughter's magic issue- I'd prefer to take it."

Brio moved a unit on the board, "I mean she can control it, the issue is more the fact she can't turn on a light if the magic is too close and the switch doesn't use a vacuum to suck the magic into it."

Lara shook her head, "And what modern system uses that?"

"Regardless." Her father replied. "I suppose you would want to pack?"

"No need, I always have a trunk ready."

"If it's you, I'd suggest doubling it's contents." Brio remarked.

The other two nodded in agreement. Lara scowled, "Fine. Deidei, let's go check on Leannan first. She should be in the Professor's class now."

The two women left, once again traversing the halls, this time to the stretch of classrooms. Lara knocked on her mother's door. 

"Oh? Lara, Deidre. You need something?"

"Yes, Professor Morgan. Could you ask Leannan two things, what time and where to meet up tomorrow."

Professor Galahad nodded and entered back into her room. A short wait later she returned, "Noon and at the side entrance."

"Thanks, Professor Morgan."

"No problem dear. You can just call me mom, no one will care and no, I don't care it's embarrassing. And have fun in Feenruhe." The professor disappeared back into the classroom."

The two made their way out of the Academy and back up to the estates, where they split up to pack and relax until the next day began.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Leannan watched as Isolde complained to her that she had agreed to go and study amongst those "overrated, half-bit mages with no sense of taste and no talent" in Feenruhe. She had of course already authorized her adopted daughter to go, but she still wasn't happy about it and would take any opportunity to bitch about the country which had in her youth years ago refused her admittance into it. She was, of course not upset at that decades later, nope- not at all.

Leannan sighed and pour more wine into her mother's glass. "You know, you aren't giving me a good example of your turning the other cheek strategy."

"That's for you, not for me. I'm older so I can hold grudges against snobs like the witches in Feenruhe."

"They can't all be that bad- after all I doubt the ones who rejected you are still alive."

"I am not that old, Leannan."

"Yes, of course."

"You have packed, correct?"

"I did so this morning before my classes."

"Good girl."

Leannan sipped on her water, "I will miss you, Isolde."

"I'll miss you too dear. Worry about you every day."

"I'll have the lovebirds with me."

"Exactly."

The two laughed. Leannan stretched and stood up. "Good night mother."

"Good night, daughter."

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