Gilda walked along the hall with her head held high, well walked is the wrong word. She strutted. She was president after all, her plans may not be coming to fruition but she could tell the school was a better place with her in charge. Partly in charge. Sort of. And what could be a better sign of sisterhood than the dining hall. Properly integrated for all the three sisters to meet and dine and fall in love. The unity could start here, or some of the other places where the three schools had to share, like the bathhouse but that was a more intimate sharing location. Gilda smiled to herself as she remembered a special sister who played the bunny to her cheshire cat. Such fun was had and the bruises lasted ages.

But food was a special activity of it's own. Sisterhood was made up of shared experiences. And eating together was like sharing all five senses with another. Eating together brought people closer. After a bit of a walk and a large number of polite greetings to friends and acquaintances already seated throughout the hall, Gilda found herself an empty table. Her sisters could now flock to her, they could share an intimate experience. And perhaps, if they were lucky, it could lead to more shared, more intimate, experiences. Or maybe just greater unity between the three schools. Gilda was happy with any of those.

She took a sip of her tea and began to tuck in. Carefully of course, she had to stand as a shining example to all those girls in the lower ranks. They could follow her example and she would lift them up, and in return they would push her up even higher until she stood in the heavens where she belonged. Of course that would happen later, for now she would be patient.

Desiring to accomplish something in her new role she found her self smiling and waving. How utterly useless, it upset her the fact that she was alone , without her true etiole partner. Yet it upset her even more she had accomplished nothing that she had hoped for. No ones lives were being improved by this so called role she had, she wanted to prove that this position was as important then any other at the school , yet here she was smiling and waving.

Hiding a sigh she looked around for a spot to hide away at at least fir a moment. Ah but to no avail as every table seemed to be full. Yet then something caught her eye a school present? Gilda wasn't it ? Shed met the girl only one another time even supported some of her thinking's . Change did need to happen Michelle's concern was not the change its self but how it happened she felt little understood the secret treasure of the schools traditions, coming from a family of Maitor woman she saw the positives and negatives of it. Gilda seemed to be the type to wipe everything clean and start a new. Yet Michelle thought better if we wipe away all sins rather then learn from and add to then what do we start with and who gets to rule ? She finds it worrisome just to throw the old out entirely.

Shaking her head she tapped her chin, after all this was all just rumored bits of ideas here and there. The best way to truly understand a plan is to talk with the creator. She carefully placed her self back on the main path though the dining hall smiling at each girl who waved their hands her way, after all she did have a role to play . As she made it to the table with the green haired girl she decided to calm her smile not taking it fully away yet not throwing it loosely at the young women after all this wasn't some girl before this was she hoped an equal . " Sitting all alone ? I am surprized. "

Her tone was cool after all she didn't know if the girl before her thought good of the etoile position or not, best to step carefully . Crossed arms she rose a hand to her chin letting two fingers lay just about where her cheek began. " I would have thought you'd be in the crowd trying to get a few girls thinking the way you do, for support as they say . Though maybe your just waiting for them to come to you, is it that I have just walked into your trap ? "

Gilda looked up from her food. The first sister had arrived, like a dove coming back to the ark. This dove was special. "Hello, my dear taube. We have not spoken in such a long time, Etoile Michelle. Such a shame, such a shame. But I am not alone now, am I? You are here to keep me company. Your second half is not here? It is a pity. There is nothing like three sisters sharing a meal to bring unity." Gilda leaned back and smiled, she didn't show her teeth, who knows what might be in them since she'd just been eating. "There is something magical about the number three, isn't there? A holy trinity, three schools, three perfect angles make a triangle. A very strong shape."

Gilda gestured at the seat across from her. "But please, sit, sit. There is nothing surprising about finding me alone. I spend much time alone. I like to walk and see with my own eyes that which people will not speak of. I have seen more of this school than students who will be graduating next year, I believe." Gilda held out her hand and brought it across the table to gesture at the entire set of empty seats. "This is nothing like a trap. It is an invitation. Think of the old kings and queens who held court and listened to the wills and ideas of their people. Ruler is a misnomer. A queen is not served by the people but serves them. That is the role I'm filling here. I want to hear the desires of my sisters so that I can help them however my position as president allows."

Gilda smiled at Michelle again. "I am president now. I have taken their support and now must support them back. So, sister Taube, how can I support you today?"

Her other half ..this caused a slight wince of pain or rather emotion to gloss over her eyes. Closing them only a moment she spoke properly with a gentle yet stern tone. " She is.."

In truth Michelle hadn't seen nor heard from her love for a while and while stricken with worry she kept her self guarded after all if the three schools saw a broken etoile, she was sure things wouldn't be well. " under the weather at home for a bit seems she caught a little cold in the changings of the seasons. "

A lie , how un becoming or her role but she didn't want anyone to worry. Gilda had waved over the seats reassuring this was no trap. Sitting down Michelle chuckled lightly under her breath hiding it well at least from most eyes who might be watching. A kind and queen eh? A queen serving her people ? " So I am just a person to thy queen ? Pity I thought I was far more then that."

A smile twisted up of kindness and a bit of teasing lay across her face. " It has been to long and there for I do have a few things to ask or rather tell you . As one of the presidents you know far more then I after all it seems I'm just a pretty picture, I hear the three presidents got together recently ? Might I have the details of what was spoken I want to be far more then just a crown for three queens as you say to hide under. "

Gilda caught the short pause and filed that back into her mind. "That is such a shame. The other presidents and I shall have to have a whip 'round to buy her a get well basket of some sort. Does she prefer fresh fruit? Perhaps baked goods or possibly chocolates? I do hope she improves." Gilda tilted her head and smiled softly. "I'm sure she will, I know all that rot about the etoiles suffering a tragedy. I mean, they say it's fated but honestly it just seems like every year has its ups and downs and the only reason that sort of rumour gets around is because the etoiles are the school darlings." She gave a small laugh. "Hard to keep any little thing secret when the students of three schools look to you for everything."

Everything, it was hardly fair. The etoiles had so much power and then they squandered it, they didn't know how to use it. It just made her so frustrated sometimes. It seemed rare in the past that they held any kind of lofty ambitions to improve the world around them. It was all Seme and Uke focused. Their own universe, their own small circles, of what use was that?

"Of course you're not just a person, my dear Taube. You are my sister and as beloved as all of my sisters who come to me for comfort and kindness. But if all you seek is knowledge then I can provide that as well." Gilda leaned back a bit and took a deep breath as she remembered that day. It was a crushing disappointment. One of several in recent memory.

"I did call the presidents together to meet. It was hardly a secret though I did want us to meet with full privacy. I have found that when people are alone and they feel they don't have to live up to some expectation of their peers they can speak with more freedom." She waved a hand to several passing students she recognized before turning her gaze back to Michelle. "And I think we all know that gossip runs rampant in the school, occasionally we even have somebody going around publishing secrets in a little newsletter." Gilda's eyes narrowed. "So I took steps to arrange a meeting where those of us who must serve the three sisters could become one."

Gilda smiled and her expression became less serious, it was a mask to hide her true feelings of course. "But things seldom go the way we hope. Your mother, Miator I mean. I'm being metaphorical, but Your mother's chosen and Spica's chosen daughter have decided not to work together. The two sisters have lived in disharmony for a long time. I had held some hope that Lerim could help Miator and Spica see reason and that we might find ourselves in a golden age of love and sisterhood. To use the queen metaphor again, I backed the wrong ascension for Spica." Gilda sighed and let the mask fall.

"It did not go much further than that. I wanted us to unite, we were not able to agree. Nothing of note has changed and the schools continue on their paths."

Michelle sighed slightly resting her cheek on the pam of her hand. " there is no surprize in that."

Her eyes looked up across from her Gilda , this girl was very interesting, she new from experience that she was wearing a mask. Michelle was threw with being masked at least for this very moment as she spoke. " To be honest I saw this coming. The lion for spica is a hard one to beat but lions stubborn ways can cause trouble. And there are issues with you my dear your wishes and dreams for this school.... Are grand, yet radical in ways.. No one will listen to you if you give to many ideas at once. I even have issues I thought I could do so much yet I haven't a clue how I am becoming what I hated... A waving princess. Though I do have one idea. "

Lifting her self to sit up in elegance as a few students passed by. " its a idea I have only thought of but its something. A contest. I need your support for this, but first let me explain."

Taking a breath she spoke again. " a contest where three students must work together to accomplish , but the hitch is the teams must have a girl from each school, a way to bring the schools together, force them to play nice. Each present will hold a test so to speak or task and by accomplishing this task they will be given a clue on were to find me and then my treasure. "

She let a slight sigh pass through her lips as a hand moved her hair, stopping it from slipping passed her ear. " the problem is the details, and support I can't do this alone the idea of this is team work after all."

Gilda listened closely and nodded. Inside though, she felt the heat rise. Michelle was becoming a pampered princess only because she did not use the power she had been granted. All that potential wasted and she complained because she felt that she was powerless. Still, Gilda had wanted to pull ties closer between the presidents and the Etoiles so that she might make use of their influence as well. Still, the idea was, well, not a good one per se but much in line with what Gilda wanted to see.

"Team work, a noble goal certainly. I'm sure the Le Rim student council can be persuaded to support you on this. Organization is what we do after all." And having it come through Gilda would be far better looking than having it come straight from Michelle. Gilda was fairly certain that if Michelle asked for assistance as Etoile the girls would line up assist her, student council or not. Such was the power of the school's chosen love. "Though I might caution against leaving people out and inevitably, there will be girls who wish to try and do things on their own. Some girls have close friend in other schools as well and may have two thirds of a team already. The logistics would lead me to recommend that people can submit forms in as full teams, partial teams, and individuals. The individuals will be combined with partial teams and each other. Perhaps this will lead to new friendships."

"A single treasure is no good either, nor is a hunt for you. Having you disappear is a bit much and might be impossible though with you as the prize giver I'm sure that will bring in many admirers. There ought to be three pieces of a puzzle or treasure to find. One hidden in the grounds of each school to prevent the lone wolf attitude and to make each team reliant on all three members. Then, once all clues are found, some great final treasure can be revealed or something." Gilda shrugged. "This is your child, I do not know what details you have come up with in your mind. However support is something I can most assuredly offer you."

A hand rose as to cover a defeated sound that was a mix of laughter and a sigh as fingers left lips she spoke. " Gilda i think i owe you an apology i think i got you wrong. You are very intelligent, not that i didn't think you were but you think far more clearly and the points you made well...i will admit i hadn't thought the details through as well as i had thought. i guess my pride has me thinking rather clouded. "

' and without you momo i can't seem to uncloud them' Michelle thought to herself as a clink sound echo her hand had slide down to lightly hit the table, ah lost in thought. Michelle blinked taking another breather she closely looked at the green haired girl before her. whether i can trust her or not i must at least ask. " Gilda i..i have a question, i would be interested...i mean i would like if you considered. "

Nails dug into her palm as she swallowed down the emotion that was trying to give away her hurt. being my partner, i think our sister schools do need people to look up to, and i feel we do have a similar goal to bring the three schools together as one whether we truly agree with one another isn't clear but i feel we could make more progress as a team and we also might have more support if we were seen working with one another."

Letting a slight breath go she finished " At least till My Momo-chan returns"

Her fist only tightened she hadn't a clue of what was happening to Momo and it bothered her but she also had promised herself not to be friendless just because her beloved wasn't here, loneliness can swallow someone hole after all, besides having someone like Gilda to work with and off of might be what she needed though the final decision was up to the other of course. 

Michelle laughed which was...unexpected. "Your apology is accepted." For whatever that was worth, but pride? No, she wasn't blinded by that, it was obviously doubt. Pampered princess was accurate. It was one thing to have goals, Gilda had goals, but if you don't plan how to implement them then you're no good to anybody. Michelle's belief that she didn't have the power to enact change was obviously preventing her from thinking about the details of the end goal. Infrastructure was so important, if you wanted change then you had to force it.

But here was another weakness, an addiction. One she had not considered before to be a flaw in the Eoiles but a source of power. They needed each other. At least, these ones did. As she listened to Michelle's plea, her mind went back to the past Etoiles. There was talk of a curse that tore them apart. Pure nonsense, people just remembered the bad patterns more than the good. But a split always seemed to foretell dark times. As for Michelle's words...it was almost a confession, wasn't it. A fear of being alone, a weakness. Gilda didn't enjoy being alone either but she could use it to an advantage.

"I would happily stand beside you." Gilda answered. "Until your love returns and ever after, my taube. You are my sister." Gilda smiled at the older girl. "Your plans are beautiful and reveal your kind soul." And a complete lack of planning ability. "I too wish to see all my sisters come together as one family. That first step is having a family people want to be a part of." She slid her tray of food to one side and stood up. Gilda leaned across the table, supporting herself on her tiptoes and hands as her face came near Michelle. She gave the etoile a light kiss on the forehead. "I accept your proposal, sister. Let us unite the schools together."

A decision was made and a response given. Gilda has agreed to be her partner, weather it be from true kindness or an alternative plan Michelle would have to trust the girl at least to some degree, after all they were partners now.

What happened next was unexpected and truthfully slightly uncomfortable. It wasn't because of the action per say but the roses color that entered her cheeks. This girl before her was younger but was far from what some would call prey in fact Michelle had underestimated how much of a ' hunter ' this girl might be. Hearing the sounds of kiddy fan girls squeal the white haired etiole played the action off as a kind promise of partner ship " Your to kind to show this promise of partnership my dear Gilda "

Taking the girls hand careful not to throw the other off balance as she lowered she took it to her lips kissing the others knuckle gently. " Let us bring greatness to the sister schools. "

Gilda smiled as she pulled back from the kiss, and her smile grew as Michelle took her hand and kissed it in return. There would be talk. Chaste as the kisses may have been, though Gilda would never consider any of her kisses truly chaste, rumours would abound. And who knows, a kiss was always laden with promise and maybe a promise such as this would be enough to lure the other Etoile out into the open and they might share a promise as well. Once Gilda had both under her sway, who knows what kind of changes she could bring upon the school. Even a true unification would not be outside of her grasp. After all, the adults in charge may think they ran the show, but Gilda was the ringmaster in this circus.

"Greatness has arrived, my taube." Gilda replied softly. Her smile seemed to be filled with words and promises and speeches and her teeth shone. "All my sisters have greatness in them. It's only a matter of bringing all the greatness into one solid collective." And having an etoile on her side was certainly a good step in bringing all the greatness together. Gilda couldn't help but feel the fires of passion rekindle in her heart and start to spread in her body. "I look forward to inspiring greatness with you, my taube."

" As do i , my sister. "

Michelle spoke with an elegance in her voice , she still was hesaident about all of this, after all most people including her often have altunitive motives, its just a question on how and if they match up. Smiling she rose from her seated posion. " We should talk more , very soon . Though maybe with out prying eyes "

She said with a quite voice as she smiled and waved to amany that looked their way. " After all as you may now know i am more then just a figure head, i am very interested in getting things done. "

I stood away from the table and walked to the side of gilda " As for my belovides favorite fruit , i would think strawberrys and grapes will do. "

I rose my hand and moved a green lock of hair from gilda's face. " But id much rather deliver it personally to her so if you do make one up just send it my way. "

"Auf Wiedersehen, etoile." Gilda said with a wry smile. Things were going to be interesting, and sooner than she had predicted. There was nothing like an Etoile for dragging the school into a new age, they were the real power. Figurehead or no, they could make for some powerful change. Gilda waved Michelle off, she considered, for a moment, blowing the etoile a kiss but that might be a bit too much in this situation. The rumours already might be enough to draw the other out of hiding and then the magic could be plied on both lady marks.

Now, Gilda would have to make new plans, new roads had opened up now that the road of cooperation with the other presidents had closed. Perhaps she would not need them after all. Cooperation was all well and good, but if somebody was dragging the chain down, well, sometimes, you had to just cut the rope. It was a sad duty, but that is why it fell to the leader. Gilda smiled. That would wait, lunch beckoned.