Bless me with the Leaf off of the tree
On it I see The freedom reign
We are falling, The light is calling
Tears inside me Calm me down
Midnight calling Mist of resolving
Crown me, with the Pure green leaf
Praise to my father, Blessed by the water
Black night, dark sky, The devils cry

J U N E
╜───────╓

She had asked Zephyra to meet her and Luria here, and she had given an address and time to be there. This was it - June's new home. One she would live in with her sister, teaching at her old school while her sister attends said school. This was a dream of some kind, she assumed. She was comfortable here, but it didn't feel real yet. Not until she started her new job would this feel real. Still, this was a good chance to actually bring some of her personal belongings to this area. her mentor had flown her bed and the contents of her old room here on her mother's permission, and supplied her with some general household items that would be required for living. Luria, too, had her things here.

This is how the apartment was laid out. In June's room was a trophy case of various awards she had received, from her competitions to silly little kid things. All of her black belts were there too. On a plaque adjacent to that was her custom designed claymore. There was a desk with a computer, a fairly nice looking bed, a few stuffed animals here and there, some posters, and so on. Luria had much of the same, but without the display case and her weapon on the wall was a set of tonfa. The living room was fully furnished with brilliantly beautiful red furniture, a decent sized television, and some odds and ends of daily life. The kitchen was fully stocked and ready, too.

At that moment came a knock. Behind the door was her mentor himself, sporting a height unlike most others, and a large suit for his large build as well. The suit was crimson and held his family crest as a brooch. He bowed to the two, and they all sat in the living room, with room for one more to sit with them.

"All settled in?" he asked. June nodded.

"Thanks so much. I can seriously never repay you for all of this." she began. "Helping me get into school, buying all this stuff, teaching me for so long... You've gone so far above and beyond a sensei, you're like the father I never had."

"The way I see it, I don't need all the money is the world. So I'd rather help the next generation be something great than horde it all to myself." he shrugged casually. "Besides, I don't often have such promising pupils."

"Ah... About that actually." June nervously checked the time. "I invited a friend of mine to come see us today. She should be here anytime. Brilliant fencer, and I've taken her under my wing in Capoeira. I was wondering... This summer, we're going to the castle right?"

"You want her to come along?"

"Yeah. Luria too, if you think she's ready."

"I'll test this girl myself and decide from there." he laughed. "But hey, if you say she's good, I believe you. What's her goal with this?"

"I'm... Not sure, actually. But she definitely fights with purpose." June nodded. "I haven't fought someone who could beat me in years. Even in my weaker areas like fencing."

"And she did?"

"Specifically at fencing, yes."

"Hm..." Drey stroked his nonexistent beard in thought. "We'll see when she gets here." he concluded. "As for Luria, she's ready. But I should warn her now," he turned to face her, "You're going to go through Hell and back if you train with me. You'd better be ready."

"O-of course!" she happily chimed in. "I won't fall behind my Nee-san!"

Too late for that. Oh well. They occupied their time breaking in some of the new glassware and having drinks together while they awaited Zephyra.

╖───────╓
K O H M A

It was only a few moments after they began their fellowship over drinks that a soft knock was heard over their talk.

Outside, Zeph tugged at the lapels of her jacket, making the frock coat straighten and settle rightly on her shoulders. Despite the warm weather there wasn't even a bead of sweat on her brow. This was her normal ensemble afterall so she was pretty use to it. As she waited for the door to be opened she checked the directions June gave her one more time then shoved them in her pocket.

When finally it opened, the redhead, whom was closing in on six foot bowed then straightened.

"Sorry for being late. Directions aren't my strongest suit. Thank you for the invitation."

Zeph gave an awkward smile and reached up to brush back a few strands of her hair behind her ear.

 It was Luria who had gotten up to get the door.

"Ah, welcome." she answered slightly more happily than she had before. The influence of her mother and father figures being right there was clearly powerful. "Nee-san wanted you to meet someone."

As she was lead into the room, she may notice June in some weighted gear and the male in the room was facing her direction the entire time. His gaze was sharper than June's, but held nothing angry within it. A sincerely analytical glare.

"Hey Zeph, thanks for coming." June perked up. "I know it's short notice, but I wanted you to meet my mentor, and we just finished moving in so I figured it was as good a time as any."

She and Luria made their way into the small kitchen near the entrance and seemed to b taking something out of the oven. They returned shortly after with cookies.

"Still cooling, but who doesn't like a housewarming party?" June joked.

All around the room, there was a pleasant and homey atmosphere unlike the dorms. This was truly an independent experience, and she would likely find it hard to do anything related to living at home again after such a nice time on her own. Even if she was already her sister's caretaker and felt like a mom in that way, she was making it on her own by this time next year. Sure Drey was paying for everything til then, but she wasn't about to spend all her money because of that. She knew what was and wasn't a good idea, and she didn't want many things she didn't have anyway. This quality of life was just find to her, and she was as surprised by that as she was okay with it.

Drey decided to interrupt this monologue and speak up.

"June tells me you've beaten her." her stated. "That's not something that happens to my pupils very often. Tell me about it."

"Oh, I see. She didn't say anything about that when she asked me to be here."

Not even two steps into the room and Zeph felt the hair raise on the back of her neck. Someone was watching. Her gaze swept from little Luria to June then the only male in the room. A soft smile was offered to both, but she made sure to meet the male's eyes directly when he was introduced. Ah, the famous mentor. No wonder he looked like he was sizing her up.

"No, no. It's fine. I didn't have anything planned today except some practice later and I can always do that after. It's pleasure to meet you, sir."

Zeph dipped into a bow, keeping a hand over her heart as she did so. When she straightened June and Luria were already out of the room and rummaging around in the kitchen. When they returned she smirked and nodded.

"You sure don't waste any time. It looks nice."

When Drey spoke up she turned her attention back to the male and gave a slight shake of her head.

"June was unarmed and I only scored a single point. She never boasted an attack herself. I'm sure if she had, I wouldn't have won that match. It was our first meeting and I didn't know the level of her competency for martial arts like I do now."

The redhead remained relaxed before the man as she spoke, but kept her lit respectful. She even gave June a small smile as she spoke.

"I also don't fence like the girls at school so I believe I caught her a bit off guard. Traditional style simply isn't my favorite, though I do plan on taking my tutor's place once I can best her at Nationals. June has been helping me with new techniques so I just may be able to do that within the next few years."

Bless me with the Leaf off of the tree
On it I see The freedom reign
We are falling, The light is calling
Tears inside me Calm me down
Midnight calling Mist of resolving
Crown me, with the Pure green leaf
Praise to my father, Blessed by the water
Black night, dark sky, The devils cry

J U N E
╜───────╓

It seemed as though Zephyra was simply unaware of her own prowess in that department. Drey opted to let her know, while also reaching a few conclusions of his own and keeping them silent.

"June operates like a wild animal and is far superior without a weapon in hand. Scoring anything at all against her while she was like that is worth bragging about." he noted, while also adding "And please, no need for formality here. I can only be stuffy and boring for so long myself."

June giggled a bit at that and nodded. "So? pretty good right?"

"Long way to go, but nothing we can't help." he stood and his height was now fairly apparent, as was hers. They were taller than both of the girls next to them, Drey just a head above Zephyra. "Just a guess, but you've been trained in Ireland haven't you?" his arms crossed in a very familiar way. "You have that certain look in your eye. The same one as someone I've seen in the area."

He wasn't directly saying 'I know your family' because he didn't know them personally, but Drey was a wealthy man with a passion for all forms of combat and preservation of the elegance that it truly was. He would recognize important faces in the industry of battle more easily than others, and more so he knew that look. Nobody with an Astraea level trainer would ever have that look. She was of a higher breed, and there was only one connection he could make judging by her physical appearance coupled with that gaze.

June interrupted the analysis though.

"That's why I wanted to personally see to it that she comes for endurance training." she replied. "Plus, I want to take her on in Heavylist and my armor is back there."

"Nee-san, shouldn't you be making a work schedule?"

"Finished last night. I'm only teaching one mandatory class and one elective for now, so that was easy enough. Besides, if we go during the summer there's plenty of time."

Drey made his way over toward the window and stared out while the group talked until he decided he could intervene.

"She would need to be made aware of the danger, be okay with flying to the castle, and actually want this." he stated. "But I think she could handle it, myself, if the first day didn't kill her."

June turned to Zephyra again.

"Basically I invited you here to invite you to train with us. For real, not these practices where we've had to hold back. Remember your comment about my pain tolerance?" she laughed. "That's not exactly far from the truth. I learned how to ignore stimuli like that under his training, and I can't exactly teach you how here on campus. Too many rules."

"You'd be likely to break under the pressure if you're not prepared to risk a lot." Drey returned fire. "We will be essentially forcing you to ignore your own body while strengthening it to new heights. We are finding your limits, and ignoring them. You might break a bone, bleed out, or even die if you're not prepared. I don't take this lightly and if you do for even a second, you won't last. So I'll ask you myself."

He turned to face her directly.

"Are you willing to join us at Mirroheart Castle and risk your life as it is now, potentially doing permanent damage that would ruin your ability to ever fight again if you're incompetent, for the sake of your passion?"

╖───────╓
K O H M A

The sigh of relief that rushed from her mouth was evident to everyone in the room. She hated being like that. Especially since the only time she really had to act like that was at her father's parties with his rich clients. A light blush even spread across her cheeks shortly after at his compliment.

"Thank you, I was actually a little upset at the time. I had wanted to score more, but now that we've practiced together for a while, I've come to terms with it."

A grin pulled up one side of her lips as she slid her hands into her pockets. Drey's comment of her Irish background really was no surprise, but the recognition of the look she shared with her mentor was. Zeph nodded slightly and then tipped her head.

"Yes, I have been. Bridgette Gallagher has been my tutor since I was young."

Since Drey knew the faces of the elite then Bridgette's name would have certainly clicked with him. She was the female Olympic fencer for Ireland.

When Drey wandered toward the window, Zeph glanced between the other two girl's. Though her brain focused on other things and was running a mile a minute.

Endurance training? Heavylist? What have I gotten myself into this time?

Inside, she was screaming for joy. Before coming to Astraea she had only trained with Bridgette and had never expected to surpass her. Now though.. with June's help her confidence in doing this raised and with Drey and June's combined help.. It was all but expected. Her attention was pulled from her thoughts at the volley between June and Drey. She let them both speak, only nodding here and there to reassure them she was listening. Finally when Drey questioned her she locked a deadly serious gaze on him, her tone matching as she spoke the two words.

"I am."

Her heart was hammering against her ribcage so hard with excitement that she feared the rest would hear. Instead of giving into the joy that made her want to jump around like a toddler, the redhead dipped into a bow.

"If you would have me."

Bless me with the Leaf off of the tree
On it I see The freedom reign
We are falling, The light is calling
Tears inside me Calm me down
Midnight calling Mist of resolving
Crown me, with the Pure green leaf
Praise to my father, Blessed by the water
Black night, dark sky, The devils cry

J U N E
╜───────╓

There was a moment when June doubted this would go well. She still had some personal worries to shake off it seemed. Everything had lead up to this moment.

And it worked.

"Really?" she blinked. "This is fantastic!"

"Good." Drey nodded. "I'd expect no less than that kind of fire from one of her students."

"That does make sense." June threw in. "That explains where such skill came from."

"Who?" Luria asked.

"An Olympic fencer. Good woman too." Drey remarked. "And I'd ba happy to show one of her students how to perform without a blade too."

"Should we make her a set?" June asked.

"She can make it herself if she wants, I have no problem teaching. Hell, she can make a blade if she's got the aptitude."

"Alright, Zeph." June held out an arm. "This makes us officially sisters, you know. "

:uria eyed them both and stayed silent while Drey spoke up again.

"Get your essentials and meet us here on the first day of summer break, crack of dawn. We're headed for Loch Ness."

╖───────╓
K O H M A

A quizzical look was tossed at June but a smile turned up one corner of her lips. "You thought I would decline?"

Her smile only grew as they spoke of her teacher and she felt a sense of pride bloom in her chest. Bridgette was not only her sensei but the only one that had gotten the redhead to open up after her mother's untimely passing. Despite her own stubborness to remain aloof she had drawn her out in their many training sessions.

Zeph practically shook herself out of her thoughts of the past as she looked to June's extended arm. Haunted hues glanced up to lock gazes with the whitette and her smile reappeared. A hand reached out to clasp her forearm and pull her into a hug. When she did this her other arm reached out and gently circled Luria's shoulder to bring her into the hug. No reason to leave anyone out.

Soon after she drew back from June and turned to Luria having noticed her slight standoff attitude. Zeph dipped down a bit, so her lips were just next to Luria's ear and whispered so only she could hear. "I can never take your place, Luria. You are her sister first and foremost. I am only a sister in arms. I will never try to take your place. Relax, okay?"

The tall girl gently squeezed her shoulder and returned to her full height as she looked to Drey.

"I will be here. I know I've already agreed to do this, but may I know some details of what we will be doing? It isn't necessary persay, but it will help me know what to bring with me."

Bless me with the Leaf off of the tree
On it I see The freedom reign
We are falling, The light is calling
Tears inside me Calm me down
Midnight calling Mist of resolving
Crown me, with the Pure green leaf
Praise to my father, Blessed by the water
Black night, dark sky, The devils cry

J U N E
╜───────╓

"We're going to go to the castle and live like medieval nobles." Luria stated. "You'll learn some of dad's moves and how to work a forge if you want. There's all sorts of fun stuff to do!"

She was more okay approaching this situation now that Zeph had confronted her, yes, but she was still a bit nervous. June filled in the blanks.

"It's a very minimalist life, but you can bring your phone and homework if you want. I'm also going to teach you how to move in armor. As for Drey, that's up to him. But I plan on doing a little bonfire like the old days too."

Drey allowed them to talk about it themselves. In truth he was going to be testing June for her final lesson and if she passed, she would be considered his equal. The youngest pupil of his to reach that, even. Luria had a ways to go, so maybe he would start them in the same class together. Speaking of Luria, she decided to chip in again.

"I'd suggest bringing clothes for the duration plus two spares just in case, the essentials for personal care, and some medical IDs. You may want them on hand in case things go badly."

"Oh, and don't sweat money too much. The Castle is pretty self sustained as long as you're willing to work for it." Drey added. "I'll see you all here then."

╖───────╓
K O H M A