41.txt

Chapter Text

There are many good things about being young again. I could wax on about many of the reasons, but surely most of those would be related to Rae, in one way or another. She is young again too. One good thing not directly related to Rae though is I have boundless energy again.

I can do anything .

And that is perfect because this week has been militant, for us both. I can’t tell which of us is pushing themselves more either. 

It Is quite the challenge before us. But I won’t fail, a Francois never fails.

After Mother’s mandate, Rae has doubled her efforts. She has a more structured plan now, Modernize Claire Version two point zero . I adore her antics. We have allowed for the weekends to be more flexible, and to use for extra studying as needed. But I have made sure she understands that we need time to breathe, we can’t burnout. She was reluctant, but we agreed in the end. Weekdays however… are an entirely different matter.

We have given ourselves a small time for break after classes, but we reconvene at my place and dive back into the subject matter. The first half of our evenings is directly on the courses. Thankfully, it is making more sense as I dive further in. The nature of ‘modern’ economics was  bizarre compared to Bauer at first, exceedingly more complex, larger. But I can see the foundations that lie in the logic of what I am familiar with, and many things are more alike than my first fears would have had me believe.

The more difficult aspect is the latter half of our evenings. The Modernize part of the plan. Rae and Catherine have agreed that the best place to start is with history, and with that, from the start. Catherine has been walking me through western classical history, and Rae has taken eastern. What was not clear at first was the sheer amount of history. Bauer’s records must have been missing huge swaths, and the world felt much, much smaller. Earth has several continents, and most seem larger than Bauer’s.

And to account for over five thousand years.

Notwithstanding prehistoric history? 

A staggering task to say the least.

But an excellent subject and suitable challenge. Rae has found a great many videos. Even some in a different language, English is finally the name I learn for it. Apparently it is a very prominent language of this world, both Rae and Catherine can speak it and they were relieved that I also know it fluently. It just had a different name in my previous life. It seems every one of the languages I knew then has some version here. That was odd, but it really befuddled Rae when I explained it.

So videos, texts, and Wikipedia , oh marvelous wikipedia. A globally shared encyclopedia that is accessible to anyone? Again I balk at how irreverent Rae and Catherine treat it. I can simply just type a subject and it will summon me a page about it?

How incredible.

The Giant Otter’s scientific name is Pteronura Brasiliensis , and it is native to South America and can reach up to a body length of 1.8 meters and they are one of the most social of all otter species.

That might have been a less productive reading on wikipedia, but it was on my own time. I had to look!

Regardless, what a brilliant resource to have. It has made the whole process much more manageable and been an excellent supplement to the whole process. 

The very end of the evenings after all of that has been sequestered to learning to use the internet safely myself. Again they have stressed the importance of such. There has been much insistence that I limit myself to very few internet places. Primarily youtube and Wikipedia, and channels should be vetted by either Rae or Catherine. It’s a bit patronizing, I'm not a child , but I hardly have the time to complain.

It has been much. But I do feel good about the amount we have accomplished in such a short time, and it has been good to spend so much time with Rae.

It’s a shame that she leaves every night though.

But could I honestly keep my hands off of her if she did stay the night? If we shared a bed once more?

Would I even want to try?

It’s probably for the best, I keep pushing Rae’s boundaries and she is poor at telling me no. Which isn’t surprising, it is Rae afterall. I need to find better ways, small more manageable ways to build her up, make her more comfortable. 

Rae… my wife, my soul mate and partner… she is amazing, and I want to help her to realize that.

But we will have plenty of time for that in the coming days. And tomorrow we will be meeting Shiko to help her. I can’t lie, I am very excited to meet her for the first time. Rae is a bit worried I will have a poor impression of the event and everything associated with it, but seeing people in costumes, selling their own created artwork and literature just sounds joyful. She worries too much.

Tomorrow will be delightful.

Hello Rei, I hope you have made it home safely now, thank you again for the day. It’s always a pleasure.

Yo, yup, safe in my dorm. 

You still sure you want to go tomorrow.?

Of course, it would be poor of me to not show up after promising that I would. And I want to meet Shiko.

She can be a lot

just

like….

It will be fine Rei. I am no stranger to interesting people and we are hardly normal ourselves. I am sure she will be fine company, she is your friend after all.

ok

just don’t tell her anything about ur memories.

Of course, It won’t be an issue, and it’s not as if I will have to convince her I am not acting like myself either. She doesn’t know me.

cool

today was great, and thx for helping us with the event. tomrrw is going to be busy

Of course, I’m expecting it. I hope you have a pleasant sleep Rei, good night and see you in the morning.

you to, night Claire <3

How cute.

The spelling of Rei still looks weird; it's how she spells it now, but it doesn’t quite fit right in my head. It was her name originally before she awoke in Bauer, Rae is just what she went by then. 

Rae

Rei

It will come with time, I expect.

It feels a little too early to sleep yet, perhaps I could read another chapter of Dungeon Meshi. It’s starting to get very interesting, I hope they finally make it to the dragon soon. It’s getting harder to pace myself.

As I consider that thought, my phone rings in my hands, the caller is unknown… is this one of those scams as Catherine cautioned me of?

I tap the accept, I can just ‘hang up’ if it’s suspicious right? I still don’t quite understand that phrase.

“Hello?”

“Claire?”

“Manaria?”

“Yes, Hi Claire!”

“Manaria, it’s late! What are you doing calling at such an hour? How did you get this number?”

She laughs, “This is late? Please. Besides, my time is still a bit out of it from the jetlag. And I got your number from Lene.”

Jetlag ? “I see, how can I help you?”

She snorts on the other end, “Come on, we’re cousins, don't’ be so formal. I’m bored and wanted to talk. I have been cooped up for a whole week, and you promised me a day on the town.”

“I suppose… but it might have to wait at least a day. I have an event I need to help Rae and her friend with tomorrow. Maybe the day after?”

“Event? What’s that supposed to be?”

“Oh…” I hope I don’t butcher this, “It’s an anime and manga event, and Rae's friend is selling her work at it. It’s here in Tokyo. There are supposed to be people in costume and disguise as well from what Rae said.”

“...Cosplay?”

“Yes, right, that's what she called it.”

“Huh… really, an anime con?”

“Con?”

“Convention?”

“What?”

“Nevermind, I think that's what they call it in the west… really you're going to one of those?”

You don’t need to sound so judgmental Manaria, “Yes, Rae likes it, and we are helping her friend out.”

“Have you even watched any anime?”

“Not… yet, but I’m reading a manga Rae suggested, and we are playing a game that she said is like anime.”

“Heh, cute , what a nerd.”

“Rae says here the phrase is Otaku.” And she’s mine, Manarira.

“So that’s tomorrow huh… You said you’ve been reading something your girlfriend suggested?”

“Oh yes, it’s called Dungeon Meshi, it is about a group of adventurers trying to save one of their companions from a dragon in a dungeon. It's very interesting and lovely. I was going to read a bit more before you called me in fact.”

“Oh… wait, is it the one with the bath scene? That’s been everywhere online, it's an anime right? There were two girls in a bath, one was an elf, it felt really gay?”

That’s surprising, I didn’t know it had an anime, or that Manaria would have heard about it.  “I… I don’t know. I haven’t made it that far if it… are you talking about Marcille and Falin? Wait, stop, don't ruin any surprises… Manaria! Oh goodness, Marcille is in love with her isn’t she?” I can’t stop the groan, of course she is… and of course I didn’t see it until someone said something. “You know what an elf is?”

“Yah? Everyone’s seen Lord of the Rings Claire.”

“Ahh… of course, everyone’s seen that, right, silly me.” I have to ask Rae later what Lord of the Rings is.

Manaria laughs a little, “Of course…hrmm, well I’m dying to know, what happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well for starters you're talking.”

“I…’ve talked.”

“ Sure .”

“I well…?”

“And now you have a girlfriend .”

Wife , but yes. “Yes.”

“You’ve changed Claire.”

“For the better I hope.”

Manaria laughs again, more sincerely this time, “I think so, hard to say otherwise.”

“Hmm… What did you think of me before, if you don’t mind” Perhaps this question is a bit too dangerous, “I only mean to ask because you have more distance correct? I just was curious what that perspective was like, if that makes sense?”

There is a brief pause, the silence feels tense. Mayhap I said too much? “Hrmm, I don’t know what I would say, you were either really withdrawn, or on the rare occasion, Snippy. ”

Snippy? “That bad?”

“I guess… honestly I’m surprised we are having a conversation now.” Manaria’s voice sounds very neutral, intentionally so.

“But you phoned me?”

“Well… I was bored… and I wasn’t sure you would want to talk. Even after we bombed your little explicit hot moment Claire.”

“It… wasn’t that…” She’s overstating it…

“You were chewing on her. I saw the bite mark.” I don't have to see her to know the grin she is making.

“I… Fine, yes. I doubt you can fault me though.”

“She is cute .”

“And mine .”

“Yesh, sheesh, I heard the first time Claire. You act like I want to steal her away.”

Oh don’t you start me with Manaria… “As long as you understand. But yes, I know I’ve changed, I feel better now that I am with her.”

“So how did that happen?”

“Rae?”

“Yes.”

“I saw her and knew… I’m not sure how else to elaborate, I went up and talked to her and we started dating soon after.”

“Really? That’s a bit boring isn’t it?” She sounds a bit let down, it’s not like I could tell her the real story.

“Nonsense, it was love at first sight.”

“Suuuuure…” She sounds even more disinterested with this direction.

“Come now, you must have felt that way about someone before, right?” I know you have. She doesn’t answer though. Fine , “What happened before you came here, a scandal was mentioned…?”

She sighs, “Just google it, Sousse family drama.” She sounds incredibly bitter and sullen. I never thought to do that, but…

“I’m asking you Manaria, I’d rather hear what you have say about it than some strangers. Are you okay?”

“I was caught having sex with my maid, Okay. There were pictures, Claire. I’m problematic, Everyone thinks I assaulted her and now I’m disowned and now everyone knows I’m lesbian. It’s fan-fucking-tastic. Thanks for asking.” The veil fully drops and I can finally hear her anger.

“Eve?”

That startles Manaria, “Wha-How do you know that?”

“Oh… I just must have heard the name before?”

Manaria doesn’t respond.

“I… I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve that.”

“I’m sure you would know. Look, can we not right now? It happened. I’m here. I shouldn’t have and people are right, I abused her and my position. End of story.” 

It’s not your fault Manaria. “I only mean to help Mana-”

“End. Of. Story. Claire.” She doesn't offer much space to broker otherwise.

“Fine, I’m sorry if I was being too forward.”

She groans again, “Look you didn't do anything… maybe later, but not tonight please.”

“Yes, good, later. I am glad to see you for what it’s worth, Manaria.”

“Even if I walked in on you almost having sex.” The teasing edge is back in her voice, at least it’s better than the self loathing form before.

“It wasn’t going to… look we aren’t there…” yet , “And yes. Even if you walked in on us in that state It’s good to see you again.”

“Thanks, you do seem a lot better now.” There is a bit of sincerity in her voice.

“Thank you, I have to thank Rae for that, I think.”

“You really do like her?” What is she testing for?

“Of course I do, and I will do everything I can to make sure it stays that way.”

There is a brief silence, hopefully Manarai takes that hint. The less other women chasing after Rae the better. “Sooo… what did your mom have to talk to you about?”

Oh hells, “There was a matter regarding my school work…” How do I even explain this?

“Don’t tell me your grades are tanking because you are too lost in eating up your girl.”

Oh, that’s convenient I suppose, “I… maybe? It’s complicated. Mother wanted to talk about Catherine too, and then she wanted to make sure she didn’t scare off Rae… It was a good talk, I needed it. It was just a lot, for everyone.”

“Hmm, I see. Well I suppose you made out better than me on that front.” She chuckles, wait did she…

“It’s not a competition.” I would be winning by any metric but that feels hollow with how terrible of a hand Manaria was just dealt.

“So humble.” It’s hard to not hear the grin again. ”Either way, congrats, I hope it goes better for you.” And there is the self loathing.

There has to be something I can do. “We can have lunch or dinner on Sunday, how does that sound?”

“Sure I will keep my very busy schedule open for you, honestly anything is better than staring at the walls. Just let me know and Lene can drop me off.”

“Of course, I’ll arrange something after tomorrow’s event… I think I am due to retire for tonight if you don’t mind, it was lovely talking to you.”

“Ha, don’t let me hold you up, I’ll cya later Claire, Night.”

“Good night Manaria.”

And with that the phone dismisses the call, well that was interesting. There is much I’ll have to get to the bottom of that later I suppose. I hope I can at least offer her more proper advice later. She is being far too harsh on herself, I know she is. Poor Eve, I hope she is managing better than the last time… Hmm, I can only hope Salas isn’t to blame again. I haven’t had to think of the vile man for a long time… He really was connected to many terrible plots. And Lilly… goodness I haven’t seen her yet either. I hope she is doing well… It’s been a while since I have seen her. I hope we don’t have a repeat of her absolutely infuriating crush with Rae again. That went on for far too long the last time, and I don’t need to live through that again. Mayhaps Yu is acquainted with her too again, but I should be careful with such questions. I don’t want to raise her suspicions.

I’ll need to make sure that’s not a problem here too. In due time Salas, in due time.

For now, I was going to read more Dungeon Meshi. This is exciting, they are finally going to fight the dragon.