Persona BLEACHED 5: Chapter 8

Persona BLEACHED 5
Chapter 8: Weekend in Paradise
August 15, 2036
Kyoto. The Academy dorms. Morning.
Inside of her room--completely absent of any decoration--Serena was asleep in bed. There was an air of silence; not even the sound of a clock ticking.
That would be broken by the noise of the door creaking. Her eyes immediately shot open. She jumped up, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at the door.
"AH! Calm yourself, Serena, 'tis only me!" 
Taylor waved her hands, slowly opening the door. "I come in peace." She was garbed in a blue denim jacket over a yellow shirt, blue pants and shoes.
Serena dropped her defensive stance, and hopped off her bed. "....."
"We made plans today, remember? We're off to Tokyo to find ourselves an adventure! Romance! Possibly lucrative deals on cosmetics and clothing! Exciting, yes?"
"Yes."
"I knew you would see it my way! Come come, get dressed, now. We can't afford to be late."
Taylor left the room. "....." Serena remained in silence.
Minutes later, she emerged, wearing a pale red shirt, light brown shorts and black shoes.
"Ah, good, you're--hold on! You realize you aren't matching, right?" Taylor questioned.
"No." Serena responded.
"Well you should! Coordination is the key to fashion! Without it, we'd be no more civilized than a pack of wolverines! You must get changed this instant!"
"No."
"What do you mean, 'no'? Unless...wait. Could it be that...you have no other clothes?"
"Yes."
"Oh, no no no no, this just will not do! It's absolutely unacceptable for a young lady to have so limited a wardrobe!" Taylor grabbed her arm. "This trip shall henceforth be an emergency fashion intervention! Let us be off!"
Taylor whisked her unemotional roommate out of the complex.
"Now don't you worry, my fine, freckled friend, for I have already procured train tickets for our coming journey. The meager rations the 'Defense' people gave us were sufficient to purchase that much. Now, as to what our agenda for the day shall consist of..." She went on, tugging Serena along as she talked.
"Good morning, ladies. Where you off to in such a hurry?"
Sitting on the stairs to the men's dorm were Todd and Devon. The former wore a white hoodie, with a design on the front of an enclosed fist holding a lightning bolt. On the back were the words 'CM Punk, Best In The World' in black lettering. The latter wore a white shirt, over which was worn a colorful red basketball jersey, with 'Sixers' on the front and 'Embiid, 21' on the back.
"Ah, good day, gentlemen. Mayhaps you're intrigued by the prospect of following us on our fashion excursion, hmm?" Taylor questioned.
"Not at all what I was asking, but I guess that answers that." Todd responded.
"Is she kidnapping you, or are you okay with this?" Devon asked Serena.
"Yes." the girl responded.
"Yes to the kidnapping, or...?"
"My dear companion here has not been coaxed whatsoever! She has agreed to accompany me as we right the wrong that is her mismatched fashion sense!" Taylor insisted.
"Right. So you know where the scary dragon girl is?"
"Ohohohoho~! As if I would ever care to ask that battle-crazed barbarian to come along! Perish the thought!"
"She turned you down, didn't she?" Todd asked.
"Yes." Serena responded.
Taylor's mood immediately dropped. "...so mercilessly blunt."
"Eh, don't worry about it. Fish boy ran off as soon as we asked him to hang. Said he needed to find a beach *pronto*. Dude was twitching and everything!" Devon related.
"Say, didn't Professor Kubo mention something about going to the beach?" Todd questioned.
"As riveting as this dialogue is, Serena and I must be off before the train departs without us gracing its presence. Fare thee well~!" Taylor walked away. Serena was left standing in silence, before her companion returned to pull her away.
"That chick scares me." Devon said.
"Which one?" Todd asked back.
---
It was a short while later that the two girls were seated on the bullet train to Tokyo. "Ah, such luscious seating...is what I would say if we weren't riding commercial." Taylor said.
"....." Serena remained silent.
"Well, we have a couple of hours to spend. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"
"No."
Taylor sighed. "Dearest Serena, you're going to have to work with me here. Some people refer to me as a 'chatterbox'. As rude a descriptor as that may be, it is not untrue that I adore chatting. I cannot possibly spend the next two-and-a-half hours in complete silence, it would be akin to torture! Can't you humor me just a little bit?"
"It's a lovely morning."
"Ugggh. I had heard tales that the Defense Force's United Kingdom branches were as impenetrable as they are made, but you truly are a different breed. Are you able to speak more words than you've let on?"
"Yes."
"Are you willing to?"
"No."
"Could you perhaps text them to me?"
Serena took out her P.D.F.-issued phone, and began typing.
"Oh yes, finally, progress!"
Taylor looked at what she'd typed.
"No."
"...what did I expect?" Taylor uttered, defeated. "Alright, fine. If you're not willing just yet to speak at-length with me, then so be it. But I will not be condemned to total silence! I will let you know all there is to know about moi! If you are willing."
"Yes."
"You truly are a strange one, but nonetheless I am thrilled to hear you say it!" Taylor cleared her throat. "So, you cannot tell the story of Taylor Ralfsson without first mentioning her lineage. As you've likely heard by now, I am the granddaughter of the great and terrible mage, Harold Dystergaard. Father was one of his offspring, and perhaps the one who clashed with him the most. While Grandfather was set on obliterating the world of technology through any means necessary, Father only wished to preserve the old ways and wanted no part in antagonizing the world of man. He was a lover of peace, my father. I say 'was' because I haven't seen him in over a decade. He left to confront Grandfather and never returned. Whether he was killed or is in hiding somewhere, I cannot say."
Her mood lowered. "I truly believe that he is no longer of our world. If he was able to, why would he not return to me? The only other possibility I can think of is that Mother has deliberately kept him away from me. I would not put it past her. We are of the Isle of the Mother Goddess. Grandfather's group is our coven's mortal enemy. Does she fear that Father may have given them secrets? Or is it shame that she fell for the son of a man whom she so deeply despised? Whatever the case may be, it would not be the first time she excluded me from knowledge. She never had the time to teach me the basics of magic. I had to learn it all on my own. She was too preoccupied with coven matters, especially in regards to..."
Then, her expression darkened. "That know-it-all winged vermin we call the Arch-Witch."
---
Four months ago.
Earth-013. The world of the Planetary Defense Force, one far more technologically advanced than Rin Kubo's world, with many an airship and other flying vehicles sailing through the skies.
In New York City's Central Park, Emily O'Donnell was sitting on a bench, engrossed in her current book, with her corvid companion Muno perched next to her. Her daughters, Grace and Jasmine, were riding on a nearby carousel. 
Muno alerted her to something. She sighed. "I don't suppose you're here for a study session?"
Behind her, Taylor, in the hooded garb of her witch's coven, had dark energy emanating from her hands. "It is *you* who will be educated today, so-called strongest among witches! For the time has come for me to supplant you, and take your place at the mountain's peak!"
"You said the *exact* same thing to me last month, and the month before that."
"This time will be quite different!"
"Only if *you're* different, and even then, it probably won't help you very much. Look, can we reschedule this for some other time? I finally have a free day to spend with the girls, and I'd really prefer not to have to discipline you. Again."
"There you are again, with that dismissive, arrogant attitude! Today is the day I finally pluck your feathers! Oooooh..." Taylor gathered energy into a spherical form.
"Please don't, you'll only embarrass yourself."
"Oh, will you shut! UUUUUP!" Taylor fired a blast of energy straight at Emily...who simply raised her hand to block it, not even turning around to do so. 
"This is so...*tiresome*." Emily flicked away the magical blast, dispersing it. "How you consistently fail to realize the gap between us is getting to be annoying."
She motioned with her hand, and a sphere of dark magic formed around Taylor, raising her into the air. "Hey...HEY! Come on, this isn't fair!"
"Isn't it? For such an 'advanced' witch as yourself, surely you can remove this bubble with relative ease, couldn't you?"
"Cawhehehehe..." Muno chuckled.
"I will NOT be mocked by something that eats bugs! Let me out this instant!" Taylor demanded, banging on the surface.
"No, no I don't think I'll be doing that. What I'll instead be doing is handing you to the proper authorities, which, considering whose coven you belong to, would be...oh, right. Me." Emily replied.
"Torture me however you want! You'll only be proving my point! You are unfit to hold any sort of title!"
"Is that really what you think? Or is that just that burning pit of envy talking? Here's what's going to happen, little girl. I'll be taking you back to my apartment, and from there, we're going to the Island. I'll let your mother discipline you from there, because I cannot be bothered with your nonsense any longer."
"Grrrr..."
"Mama, Mama!" Grace and Jasmine bounded over. "Oh, it's Tay again." the former said.
"Is she being annoying again, Mama?" Jasmine asked.
"Yes. Extremely. So we're going to have to drop her off on the island." Emily replied.
"Awww..." the girls uttered.
"Don't fret, it'll only take a moment. We can come right back here, and get some cotton candy, okay?"
"Yaaaaay!"
As Emily spoke with her daughters, Taylor grew increasingly angry. "You wench! Don't speak as if I'm not even here! Does this scenario please you? Publicly humiliating me while your stolen children watch? Does the fact that my mother only ever notices you not satisfy you enough, you have to make me feel smaller every time we interact? Is it because my grandfather stole your mother, so now you have to steal mine?! I--"
Emily turned around, a glare in her eyes, as Taylor suddenly lost the ability to speak. "That's enough out of you. This will be much more pleasant with you silent. Girls, can you maintain the sphere for me while I open up a portal home?"
"Yes, Mama!" The girls gestured, and held up the containment field while Emily opened up the portal.
"Word of advice, Taylor. If it's your mother's attention you want, go and ask for it from her. Leave me out of it. If you come back to antagonize me again, the kid gloves will be off. This is your final warning. Next time, it will be the Arch-Witch who disciplines you."
With that last threat, Taylor was sent through the portal, back to the Island--and whatever punishment awaited her.
---
"Mother was none too pleased about what happened. Never mind that her own daughter was embarrassed. I inconvenienced the island's favored daughter. It wasn't long after that she signed me up for this little adventure. She probably just got tired of seeing me around. I'm naught but a burden to her, anyway. Better that I get an education far away from her that she's not responsible for."
Taylor was shaking, but quickly regained her composure. "But it's fine! I'm as far from that entitled bookworm as possible, and I get to go on fun weekend treks with you, dearest Serena! There's nothing at all to complain about!"
Serena could read her eyes. They spoke a very different message than her smile: "I'm not fine."
"Oh, but that is enough gloom from me. Today is about adventure and excitement! I spent all night researching the best places to go to, from culinary spots to the height of fashion..."
Serena sat in silence as Taylor went on with her plans for the day. As overwhelming as she might be, she didn't dislike being around her. And as one trained in information gathering, she knew that there was more to gain from her.
All she needed do was sit and let her speak. Something the young witch was more than happy to do.
---
Roughly two hours later, the train pulled up to the station in Shibuya.
The girls stepped off and onto the platform. "They have some truly unique customs here, Serena! Did you see how they applauded as we got up? I wonder if every establishment has that level of positivity..." Taylor spoke.
"....." Serena responded with her traditional silence.
They exited onto the busy streets near the crossing. "Oh, now this is a tad bit crowded, isn't it? And so very...very bright and loud. Far off from where we were, and *light years* from the island." Taylor's eyes possessed a glow. "Oh, the mind races with the possibilities! The storefronts are calling out to me like a mystifying siryn! Dearest Serena, where shall we--Serena?"
Taylor realized that Serena was no longer next to her. "Wha--where did you go?!"
She looked over to see that Serena was now at a hot dog stand. "Ah--you're getting lunch already?! Couldn't you have consulted me first?!"
She walked back over, eating one of the hot dogs she'd purchased.
"You really shouldn't be walking off like that! I'd thought you'd been kidnapped! And we need to discuss our lunch plans before you run off and buy something! Especially when it's something high in cholesterol! I have a delicate figure to maintain!"
Serena wordlessly offered her the second hot dog.
"...but since you went ahead and bought one for me, I will accept without complaint. I'll be doing enough walking to burn it off, anyhow." Taylor took it. "Why jump at the hot dogs, anyway?"
Serena held up what appeared to be a toothpick, on the end of which was a cartoonish image of a wiener dog dressed as a hot dog.
"...you were fascinated by the toothpick? That was the entire reason?"
Serena then put the toothpick behind her ear.
"...you are a strange one. What I would give to know what was swirling in that head of yours."
The girls shortly after finished eating. "Well, that should be sufficient fuel for at least a little while. But you must be more conscious of your funds, Serena! If you had alerted me in advance, I could have used my whimsical charms to get us those hot dogs for free! Or at least a discount." Taylor looked over to an ice cream stand. "Like so!"
She walked up to the stand, looking up at the attendant with beady eyes. "Excuse me sir, my friend and I have been rendered horribly destitute, would you be so kind as to render us aid?"
"Word of advice, kid: homeless folks don't tend to have jackets that clean." the vendor responded.
Serena walked up and pointed to a picture of a vanilla cone, then held up several bills.
"'Horribly destitute', eh?" the vendor said. Taylor puffed up her cheeks, annoyed that her lie had been so quickly exposed. 
The vendor handed Serena a cone. "Some more advice: don't make lying a habit."
With that, the girls proceeded with walking. "Curse it all, that usually works! Are people here not as easily moved?" Taylor questioned.
Serena kept silent, focused entirely on enjoying her ice cream.
"Maybe he's just used to that cover story. Surely there are more sympathetic ears elsewhere!"
They passed by a cosmetics shop. "Ah good, another testing ground! Wait out here and finish your ice cream, Serena." Taylor removed her jacket and handed it to Serena. "I shan't be long! Don't run off on me again!"
She went into the store. Serena, finishing the rest of her dessert, sat down in front of it, the jacket draped over her legs.
"Oh, you poor young thing." An older woman stopped in front of her. "Yes, far too young to be going hungry. Here's a little something to get you through the day." The woman handed her some bills.
Another woman passed by shortly after. "Oh, bless your little heart, I hate to see such a pretty young girl struggling like this." She, too, handed Serena some yen bills.
Minutes later, Taylor walked out of the store holding a small bag. "Sadly, my pleas yet again fell upon disbelieving ears. But I did manage to purchase a cute shade of eyeliner--"
Serena sat with a large sum of cash in her hands, along with a Starbucks gift card.
"Wha--?! Where did you get all that money?!"
"It's a lovely morning." Serena replied.
"You...wait. The way you're sitting...did people believe you to be destitute?!"
"Yes."
"Unbelievable...I've practiced my craft for years with nil results to show for it, yet here you are making bank while doing absolutely nothing! Gah...at least this means we can afford more new clothing for you. I swear, we've been in this town for barely an hour, and I already have tales to tell..." 
Taylor got Serena to her feet, and the two continued walking, checking out clothing stores as they passed them. Taylor eventually wound up carrying more bags. "As much as I love expanding my cosmetic repertoire, we really must find you some new fashion. Is there nothing that meets your fancy?"
"....."
"I don't know what it is you're thinking about. It may not seem like it, but I do wish to help you with this. Did your parents really send you here with only one shirt, pants and shoes?"
"....."
"I sincerely hope that isn't the case. You deserve to have a larger variety to choose from. I'm hopeful we can find something you'll enjoy soon enough..."
Someone who walked past them stopped. "Hold up. I know that voice."
The girls stopped to see. "Ah, wait! Hello, Ms. Kit!"
Sure enough, it was Kat in casual wear. "Oh, hi, girls. Fancy running into you here. Are you staying out of trouble?"
"Oh, but of course! We're both law-abiding citizens! We'd never do anything one might perceive as being underhanded, that's just not in our character! Right, Serena?"
"It's a lovely morning." Serena responded.
"As it happens, we're on an excursion today to expand our good Ms. Serena's wardrobe. It has been a little difficult, unfortunately."
"Doesn't look like it's been hard for you." Kat noted Taylor's bags.
She tried to hide them behind her back. "A-Anyway, what brings you here today, Ms. Kit?"
"I'm visiting with some friends. We're having a get-together later to celebrate my engagement. I'm heading over to Naruki now to meet up with some more." Kat suddenly had an idea. "Actually, now that I think about it, I think I know just the kind of place you're looking for. One of my best friends owns an apparel shop a couple blocks down in Omotesandō. She specializes in super cute comfort wear, so I'm sure you could find something there you'll like."
"Oh, that would be perfect! What would this shop look like?"
"You can't miss it. It's on this side of the street. It's reddish-violet, and the sign's got a little witch's hat on it. My friend said she didn't want me getting too involved in her business, but I don't think directing potential customers her way counts as breaking that rule. Just remember to mind your manners. She's a big sweetie, and one of my closest friends. If she feels disrespected in any way, she'll let me know."
"You needn't worry! Our manners are flawless! Thank you for the directions, Ms. Kit! Have a lovely rest of your day!" Taylor left with Serena.
"They'd better be flawless."
Kat had a realization.
"Oh...oh, crap. I forgot *she's* gonna be over there now. If she hasn't left by the time they get there...oh, that's gonna be awkward."
---
"That's a really good shade for you. Perfect for this time of year, too." Natalia said, in front of a wall of hoodies.
Next to her, Natalie held up a mauve-colored one. "Perfect color, perfect texture. And I can already envision certain parties using it as a pillow."
Esme was sitting by the window, her ear flicking as she overheard.
"Let me bag this up for you, then. I'll put it on credit."
"I'll get the cash to you before I head home, dearie. The conversion here is such a hassle sometimes."
Natalia walked over to the register. As Esme looked out the window, she spotted Taylor and Serena walking. "Mrawr?!" She hurried up, and sprinted over to Natalie, pawing at her legs.
"What is it, naughty girl? Did you spot a bird outside?" 
Natalie looked out to see the girls passing by the window. Her eyes widened. "Oh, damn...! What is she doing here?!"
She rushed over to Natalia. "Dear, I seem to have left something in the back, do excuse me..." She hurried herself into the backroom.
"Okay, I'll be right...here." Natalia uttered.
The front door opened, and the girls entered. "Oh, this is adorable! Surely we can find something here for you, Serena!" Taylor said.
"(Blast it all, of all the places she could've come to shop...)" Natalie peeked out from the back.
"Excuse me, miss, do you have a minute?" Taylor poked Cindy from behind as she worked on a rack.
"Sure, what did you...uh." Cindy turned around.
"Gasp! Cindy-O, the internet icon?! Of all the places I could've run into you! This day only gets more astonishing!"
"Uh...aren't you the girl who attacked my sister in the park a few months back?"
"(Curses, I forgot she was the sister of the bookworm!)" "Um...that was merely a misunderstanding! You live and you learn, growth is the spice of life and all that!"
"Pretty sure that was more than a misunderstanding..."
"Hello, is everything alright here?" Natalia walked over.
"Hello, miss! Would you by chance be the owner?" Taylor asked.
"That would be me, yes."
"Ah, perfect! Ms. Kit directed us here and said this shop was home to cute fashion! But I think she severely undersold it! This is a wonderful selection you have here!"
"Oh, that's nice of you to say. Did you say 'Ms. Kit'? Ohhh, hang on. You must be two of her and Professor Kubo's students, right?"
"You would be correct!"
"Well that explains a lot. What can I help you with?"
"My friend Serena here is in a fashion crisis, and her wardrobe is in need of a few updates! Would you be so kind as to help?"
"Of course! What did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking of something in a bright, lively orange. Would you have anything like that?"
"That sounds easy enough. Cindy, could you help them out? I've got to ring some things up."
"If you say so, Natty." Cindy agreed.
"Ah--" Taylor paused. "'Natty', you say...?"
"Oh, yes. My name's Natalia. Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier." Natalia replied.
"Natalia..."
"Is something wrong?"
"N-N-No, not at all. It's a lovely name. Pay me no mind."
"Alrighty. Have fun shopping. Hopefully we have what you're looking for." Natalia returned to her business. "(That part about wardrobe updates...where have I heard that before?)"
"(That name...and that hair color. No...it's surely just a coincidence. The universe deciding to be funny, and nothing more.)"
Natalie, meanwhile, continued to peer from the back. Esme pawed at her. "Mrawr?"
"Shhh! Don't give us away!" "(She's shopping for someone else? That's unusual. If she were allowed, she would've bought up half of the inventory by now. It's so weird to see her this...happy.)"
"Oh, I think this one's cute! What do you think?" Taylor held up an orange tank top.
"....." Serena gave it a lookover, then nodded.
"I'm so happy you agree! I've seen a couple more options that I think would look great on you..."
"Definitely the peppy sort..." Cindy commented.
"Oh, and we mustn't forget to look at pants and shorts, as well...the shoes can be the focus of our next adventure."
A few more minutes of selections later, the girls were at the register. Taylor handed Natalia the needed bills. "Thank you so much, Ms. Natalia! I'm sure my silent-but-deadly friend is just as excited! Would you have any business cards handy?"
"Certainly! Here's mine, and my business partner's. She's out today, but she does most of the art. We're both open to commission work." Natalia handed the girls their bags. "Enjoy~. Tell Ms. Kit thanks for steering you my way."
"Of course! We'll make sure to come by again! Have a lovely day~!" The girls departed.
"Aww, what a nice pair. I dunno what Kat's so worried about."
The backroom door opened, and Natalie stepped out.
"There you are, Lady Gardner! I was wondering what you were doing."
"My apologies, Natalia, dear, I lost a contact lens back there and it was nightmarish trying to find it." Natalie replied, nervous.
"Hunh. I didn't know you wore contacts."
"(Crisis averted. I'm the last face she needs to--)"
The front door opened. Taylor entered. "Sorry, Ms. Natalia! I was just wondering about your commission rates--"
She stopped at the sight of Natalie. The older woman froze. The younger, stunned.
"Ah..." Natalie stuttered with her eyes wide.
"...Mother?!" Taylor exclaimed.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Natalia exclaimed. "Lady Gardner, she's..." She looked at both of them.
"'Lady' Gardner?" Counter to her normal attitude, Taylor snickered slightly. "Oh. I see what's happening here. Is she another one of your 'proteges' that you prefer over me?" She shook her head. "Sorry for interrupting. Please excuse me." She turned and walked out.
"Taylor, wait!" Natalie groaned.
"Lady Gardner--" Natalia uttered.
"I'm sorry. I'll explain later. Right now I have a mess to clean up." Natalie hurried out the door, her cat close behind.
Outside, Serena cocked her head as a clearly frustrated Taylor walked past. "Don't mind me. Let's just get going. Time is of the essence..."
"Taylor, please, wait!" Natalie caught up.
"What? What could you possibly have to say to me?"
"If you would just let me explain--"
"Explain what? What it is you're doing here? Why you shipped me here against my will?"
"Listen to me--" Natalie tried grabbing Taylor's arm, only to be swatted away.
"DON'T TOUCH ME! You think I don't know what's going on already? It's the same as always! You've handpicked someone to impart your knowledge on, when I've spent my life BEGGING, PLEADING with you to teach me! If I didn't believe that you'd given up on me before, what more proof do I need?!"
"That's not it at all, Taylor. I sent you here for the same reason why I've held back from teaching you. It's what you're putting on full display right now. Your attitude. Your lack of maturity or respect for anyone else. Your pathological lying. This constant need to upstage anyone I've taken on as my student. You've been blowing raspberries at Emily since you were seven years old. Your last attempt was the last straw. Maybe someone else can get through to you where I haven't been able to."
"So you didn't give up on me, yet you've given up on me. And you have the nerve to call me a pathological liar? My whole life has been nothing but empty promises and deceit from you!"
"I have never deceived you, Taylor."
"Oh, no? Not once? You only ever tell me the truth?"
"Yes."
"Fine, then. Answer me this. Where is my father?"
"I...I don't know."
"Liar. Where is he?" Taylor began to tear up.
"I don't know."
"LIAR! You know exactly where he is!"
"I'm telling you, I don't know! If I knew what became of Erik, I would've told you! I would never keep that a secret from you!"
"I don't believe you! Did Grandfather kill him?"
"I don't know."
"Did *you* kill him?"
Natalie got up to her. "You watch what you accuse me of. Why would I ever do such a thing?"
"Why wouldn't you? He's the son of the man who took away your best friend. Your soul sister, and the mother of your precious little bird. The daughter you wish I was."
"Taylor--"
"You know it's true. The day that Father left is the day you stopped seeing me as your daughter. From that point, I was just 'the granddaughter of the enemy'. A burden who could never reach the heights of your most prestigious pupil. Your 'special one'. I never asked to be born, you know. I never asked for my father to disappear, leaving me to wonder if he was dead, or if I'd been cursed to have two parents who couldn't stand the sight of me." Taylor's tears only intensified. "I only ever make these public spectacles of myself because it's the only way to get your attention. Through the one person you actually *do* love in this world. All I have ever asked is that you see me the way you see her. Why...why don't you? Why don't you love me the way you love her?! WHY?!"
---
"...and what happened after that?" Natalia asked, back at the store, talking with a despondent Natalie.
"The worst possible thing I could've done at that moment. I said nothing. I didn't know what to say to her that could've calmed her down. She never believes a word of what I say, anyhow. And so she just...turned and walked away." the latter explained.
"I...don't know what to say. You never told me that you had a daughter. Has your relationship with her always been this rocky?"
"Ever since her father disappeared."
"Her father...was he your husband?"
"No. We likely would've married if he'd returned from confronting his father. I did love Erik, in spite of knowing who he was to Dystergaard. He was kind, charming, and a true lover of peace. It still makes my heart ache, not knowing what became of him. In all likelihood, he's gone. I truly believe that if he could've returned to us, he would have by now. But with him gone, Taylor looked to me for guidance moreso than ever. And I..." Natalie dropped her head. "I very clearly failed in that."
"You said that she had attitude problems growing up, yeah?"
"Had them and still has them. That's why I hesitated to teach her magic. Part of it was her missing her father. And the other part was her seeing how much time I dedicated to instructing Emilia. I was relatively old to be a new mother, and by the time I had Taylor, Emilia was almost an adult herself. She was still on testy terms with her father and stepmother, and largely looked to me for help. I was her surrogate mother for most of her life. And I know Taylor resented that. Even when I got her other instructors, she would lash out at them. The outbursts, the public confrontations, the habitual lying...it's all been a cry for attention. And when I ran out of ideas, I accepted Bobbi's proposal to have her be part of this 'rehabilitation program' your friend Kat is helping with."
Natalie put a hand to her head. "She has to hate me. I didn't give her the attention she craved, and now I'm suffering the consequences for it. I should've told her right then and there how much I treasure her. I sent her here to save her, not to get her out of my life. But she believes that I'm constantly lying, so she probably wouldn't believe me..."
"I don't think she hates you at all." Natalia replied. "It sounds to me like the opposite. She acts all peppy and haughty, but she's still just a kid. A kid who only wants her mama to be her mama. I know what Lady Emily is to you, but she's grown up now with kids of her own and an important position. Taylor's in those critical teen years where she's figuring everything out. She needs the kind of guidance only you can give. But not as an instructor. Just as her mama."
"I don't know if I can approach her..."
"Give her some time to cool off. Let her think it over and maybe grow up a little here. She already got all that negativity off her chest. Next time you see her, let it be with a calmer mood. From both of you."
"Easier said than done, Natalia. Easier said than done..."
---
August 16, 2036
Kyoto. The Academy girls' dorms.
In direct contrast to her roommate, Taylor Ralfsson--full name Taylor Ralfsson-Gardner--had a good amount of decoration in her room, with her nightstand lined with cosmetics and her closet filled with clothes. 
Her purchases from the previous day, however, had yet to be put away, still sitting in their bags. She, herself, lay in bed, still wearing her clothes from yesterday, clutching onto a teddy bear that was missing one of its eyes, with somewhat ruffled fur. 
The door to her room opened. She stirred awake, her tired eyes showing signs that she'd been crying. "Nngh...who is it...?"
Entering was Serena. She was wearing the orange tank top they'd purchased yesterday, along with matching shorts. She approached the bed.
"Ah...hello, Serena. Or, good morning, I suppose." Taylor checked the time on her phone. "I guess I cried myself to sleep. Not the ending to the day that I'd envisioned."
Serena handed her a bottle of water.
"Thank you. Oh, I see you're wearing your new clothes. They look adorable on you."
She typed something into her phone, and showed it to Taylor. To her surprise, it was not 'Yes', or 'No', or 'It's a lovely morning'.
"Thank you for the fun day yesterday."
"Ah...!" Taylor looked at Serena, still maintaining her usual even expression. "Oh, you're so welcome, Serena. It makes me very happy to hear that you had fun."
Serena typed something else.
"I'm sorry for not talking very much. Mum trained me not to reveal a lot. I'm breaking the rules now by saying this."
"Oh, don't worry about that, Serena. Your mother isn't here. You can tell me anything you're comfortable with. I'm the one who should be apologizing. You shouldn't have seen...what you saw from me yesterday."
Serena continued typing.
"I didn't really understand it. Your emotional state seemed heightened. Is that what's called 'anger'?"
"Is that what's...do you not understand what feelings are, Serena?"
More typing.
"Mum never taught me about them. They were unnecessary for covert operations. Yesterday was my first time experiencing 'fun'. Dad sent me here to learn more about feelings."
"Oh...oh, you poor thing. A whole life of not knowing what feelings are? How is that possible?" Taylor sat up, still holding her teddy. "Well, to answer your question...yes. I was very angry with my mother. We...don't have the best relationship. I feel like she prioritizes other people over me. That makes me feel angry and sad."
"You said that you wanted her to 'love' you more. I've heard this word used many times. Is this a positive feeling?"
"Positive...? Ahaha, that's such an unusual question. It's the most positive feeling of them all. Love is when you feel so deeply about something, or someone, that you would do anything to be close to them, or experience something with them. It's a bit complicated. There are many different kinds of love. It could be for family, for friends, even for something as simple as a movie or a kind of food."
"Love sounds very complicated."
"Because it is. It can make people do negative things, too. Like...challenging the Arch-Witch to a duel because you don't like how much time your mother has given to her. Or yelling at your only family because you just want them to see you."
"I don't understand. You said you were experiencing 'anger' yesterday. Now you say it was because of 'love'?"
"It can be both, dearest. Contrary to how I acted, I do love my mother. All the times I've acted out were because I love my mother. But...that *woman* had her for almost seventeen years longer than me. And it kills me whenever I see my mother being close to her."
"So if you were to see the Arch-Witch with your mother again, it would physically kill you?"
Taylor snickered. "No, Serena. That's just a figure of speech." She got up. "Sorry to cut this short, but I really must hop in the shower. We can plan out today's adventure after, okay?"
Serena nodded.
Taylor got into the shower, finding the energy to hum to herself during the process. After finishing and drying her hair, her air of confidence was back. "Ohoho...that's more like it."
She exited her room, wearing a gold-colored tank top and blue jeans. "Serena, dear, I'm finished~. Have you decided on breakfast--oh."
Sitting in a chair in the main room was Kat. "Morning. Serena let me in. Hope I'm not intruding."
"Good morning, Ms. Kit. No, there's no intrusion. We were just about to plan out our day. Is there something wrong?"
"I just wanted to stop by and check in on you. Natty told me what happened yesterday."
"Oh...did she, now."
"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you your mom was there. It totally slipped my mind. I know how you feel about people she teaches magic to. But Natty wanted me to make it clear that she asked your mother to do it, not the other way around. She isn't trying to usurp your place, or anything like that."
"You could never usurp a place that has never been mine to begin with."
"I'm sure you're overreacting, but it's not my place to say. I can only speak on what my friend told me, and that's that you were upset when you left her store. That's something she absolutely doesn't want to see. So she sent me with a peace offering."
Kat presented a basket filled with bread rolls that was wrapped in a plastic bag. "She baked these for our get-together last night, but one of our friends came down with a cold, so her and her husband couldn't make it. That meant a lot of extra rolls. They're best when they're warmed up."
"That is...very thoughtful."
"Natty's an amazing cook. I tell her all the time that she went into the wrong line of work. She says she bakes love into everything she makes, and that's true for her clothes and her food. I hope that they perk your day up just a little bit."
"Thank you, Ms. Kit. Tell your friend that her gesture is appreciated and that I bear her no ill will. It is no fault of hers that she sought knowledge from one who knows not who her most important student ought to be."
"Want my two cents, Ms. Taylor? I think if you took off the anger goggles for a minute and heard your mom out, it might not be as bad as you're making it out to be. But again, that's between you and her." Kat patted Taylor's shoulder. "Rest up, try to get your mind off of anything negative, and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning."
"Ms. Kit, before you leave, may I have a word about..." Taylor looked towards Serena's room.
"Oh, yeah, sure. Let's talk outside."
The two exited into the hallway. "So, how's she been doing?" Kat asked.
"She has been freely spending time with me, and she's begun speaking to me via text. Verbally she still only has her three phrases. My worry is, well...she told me just now that yesterday was her first time experiencing fun. And that she has no concept of things like 'love'. Her face has remained in that neutral expression from the moment I walked through the Academy doors. Does she not have any emotions?"
"She has emotions. It's expressing them that's the big problem. A lot of her history was kept confidential from us. The Defense Force's UK branches have historically kept information very close to the vest, from what I've been told. Her being...the way she is, is a byproduct of that secrecy."
"But agents from those branches cannot possibly all be that way, can they?"
"For ones who didn't undergo training until adulthood, they aren't. But Serena was trained that way from birth. She was raised in seclusion by her mother. Details are, predictably, sketchy on that time. Her father didn't even learn she existed until she was almost ten. By then, all those years of intense training had left their mark. And the sad thing is, I don't think she realizes that the way she was raised wasn't normal. 95% of what she experiences here is gonna be new to her. I like that you're getting her out there. Just don't overwhelm her."
"Perish the thought! I am the least overwhelming girl in all the cosmos!"
"Clearly. Better to keep it that way. Try to relax. See you in the morning." Kat departed.
Taylor went back inside. Serena was now seated on the couch, watching TV. "Serena, dear, what are you watching? 'Umi Sentai Ankager'? What is with those garish uniforms...and is one of them Australian?"
Serena's gaze remained on the screen. Taylor sat next to her. "Well, no harm in a bit of mindless entertainment. Plans for today can wait a little. Oh, and Serena? I'll teach you all about feelings. Happiness, sadness...yes, even love. Is that alright with you?"
Serena nodded. "Yes."
"Wonderful~. On that note, I can also teach you about lots of other things! Like cosmetics! Personally, I think your freckles are your most adorable feature, and I know quite a few ways to accentuate them..."
Back she went to talking. Back Serena went to being the ideal listener. It was an unusual relationship that they had. Or ideal, depending on one's point of view. But as long as one was speaking and the other was listening, they at least wouldn't have to think about their respective problems.
Both would have to confront them eventually. But as Taylor continued to recommend different facial treatments to an unresponsive Serena, they were the furthest things from their minds. For better, or for worse.