//------------------------------// // Week 5 Thursday: The Scent of Eucalyptus // Story: Assassination Club // by Tythen //------------------------------// "Is Ms Yada here?" Rarity knocked on the door of the Language Department. "Si. let me call her for you." Mr Ramon answered, "¡¡¡Señorita Yada!!!" "¿Sí?" Yada responded in Spanish, "Señorita Rarity is looking for you," Ramon replied, "Ooh! I know what that means!" Yada gasped as she got off her table and walked towards the door in Rarity's view. "Good Morning Rarity!" "Good Morning to you too Ms Yada," Rarity greeted back, "I have what you ordered." She passed a small file teemed with photos or pieces of artwork. "Thank you SO much!" Yada accepted the file and took one photo out to examine. On it are stacks and rows of palomino gift boxes each wrapped with a chestnut-coloured ribbon. Each box had a distinct picture, be it the universal symbol of money, the simple outline of a house, a turnip, a horse, a graph, even the symbol of the Goddess of the Sun, whatever you can think of. "You did really great!" Yada examined the picture, "Thanks, I take my work very seriously." Rarity thanked, "but don't decide just yet. You have many more design choices on what you are going to be wearing. It can be suitcases, Piggy banks, books, anything you like!" "Ah!" Yada smiled, "you know very well that I like options! Once again, thank you for these choices. I'll let you know which one I'll pick later. Speaking of which. Do you know the... Gist of my talent?" "Judging from your former occupation," Rarity guessed, "I'd figure it would be something business-rated, though not the swindling-type. But the way you convey information, and the way you... Encourage others to work rather than slack off in a substitute lesson as a teacher, I'd say you're quite well-versed when it comes to negotiation!" "Oh, not just negotiation. I also do it in a way to entertain others so they are motivated to listen and understand what I have to say!" Yada continued, "I've always believed that words are quite powerful. There are many proverbs and songs regarding how powerful yet dangerous words can be to others." "Indeed." Yada agreed. "Words can build or crush a person's soul and beliefs, it can strike fear into others as much as the sight of a knife, and it's what dictates the patterns and actions of a community or an entire country. It's always been a second blade of mine ever since Junior High." Rarity paused for a moment out of shock, then continued in a lowered volume. "Yes. An unbreakable one at that. I can see how an assassin can use words to their advantage." "But throughout my time in the workforce, I find those words contribute to the things that I do, and I believe I did have some sort of dream, vision or epiphany to what I found my talent is, and I could remember that sort of symbol ever since. Now I wish that I could tell you, but that may come off as--" "You won't be boasting." Rarity assured, "just tell me." "Preparation. I back up my negotiation with Intel, backgrounds and method to understand where my clients and business partners come from when I present a proposal to them, and what they expect or what they are able to work with. The same applies to students working hard to complete an exam." "I see!" Rarity nodded, "and from how you described your Cutie Mark, lots of it. You cover and give almost every topic or subject in the world, be it niche or world known!" "Exactly." Yada winked, "Oh... I'm sure that one of those pictures would have matched my memory and vision, I'm sure of it! Just... I wonder if my four-legged self had the same epiphany as I did." "Don't worry," Rarity laughed, "you see, I thought of my own Cutie Mark as I grew up way before I learnt there was a pony counterpart of me. I found out I was the exact same as my Pony Counterpart from appearances such as colour appearance and personality to the very small details like hobbies, favourite things, and Cutie Mark. The only difference was that she was on all fours and that she was old enough to be working. So I'm sure that whatever Cutie Mark you thought up will be the very same Cutie Mark on your Pony Counterpart!" "Since this is knowledge coming from a Magical Pony Dimension that Nagisa saw himself, I'm very much convinced to believe you!" Yada accepted. "By the way," Rarity asked, pulling out a second file with photos and images, "you've ordered another set of cutie mark designs that revolve around balancing scales. Who is it for?" "Now Rarity, I'm sure that's a very simple answer!" Yada tested, "what does it represent?" "Equality?" "Very close Rarity." Yada grumbled with a sad face, signifying the wrong answer "but not close enough." "B-Balance?" Rarity asked again, "Law and Order? The Libra Zodiac?" "Warmer..." Yada gestured with a smile, "This value applies to a courtroom, but it's more upheld by Police officers and Superheroes too." "Justice!!! The scales represent Justice!" Rarity exclaimed, "And speaking of Justice... That means this cutie mark is for Coach Justice!" "Correct and Correct!" Yada congratulated, mimicking the sound effect of a correct answer, "Poor dear's been doing the Lady's work as a man of Justice. He's not fond of wearing his destiny on his chest, but he'd have second thoughts if it's a special gift!" "Oh?" Rarity raised an eyebrow in a coy smirk. "So he doesn't know you're doing this for him?" "We started discussing it when Nagisa found out his Cutie Mark from Sunset." Yada answered, "We tried to guess each other's cutie mark before we thought about our own. Like me, Kimura also had an epiphany of some sort too, but since he thinks more for others than his own speedy soul, the only thing he can picture from his epiphany is a single line across an easel. But... He was quite close to what I was thinking myself. He thought of one box carrying all sorts of things, and you can see the difference to mine." "Thinking big. So I guess his Cutie Mark is your idea for him?" "Yep. But like what you did with mine, he'll also have the choice! I'm sure one's going to come up just as he saw it in his own epiphany!" "Seems you two are adjusting to Equestrian Culture as fast as Mr Shiota is." "It does open countless business opportunities, especially in a country like Equestria! Speaking of which, can you do me another favour?" "What for?" "It's mostly your choice but..." Yada's voice turned into a serious tone, "it's about Fluttershy. Back when that man attacked the School, Fluttershy took him down, only that... When she blocked his punch, she did something which seemed to have petrified him for quite a while!" "Oh. That..." Rarity realised the issue in question. "Yes... I know what you are talking about, and Fluttershy only tells this to those she considers friends, which I'm sure you, Coach and Mr Shiota fall under. As you know, Fluttershy loves to take care of animals as you can see how she treats the hamsters in our School animal shelter. To add to that, I trust her with my cat Opal when there are times I can't watch over her, and the same for Twilight's dog Spike. She takes care of all our pets when she has the chance." "Animal Caretaker? Sounds like a very sweet hobby! She'd get along with Kurahashi!" "It's not just pets. Any animal in the wild is comfortable around her wherever she goes. From the timidest bird and squirrel, to even the most ferocious Fox or Eagle. I'm still quite impressed that she was able to tame a Falcon, though I'm not surprised that she could!" "Oh, that's a special case." Yada cleared up, "the Falcon recognises her." "Anyway, despite her calm demeanour, she has a ferocious ability for any animal that's ferocious or out of line. It can instil intimidation, fear, and especially control to any animal by looking straight into their eyes. For memory's sake, we nicknamed that ability 'The Stare'." "The Stare..." Yada repeated, "judging by her personality, she doesn't like to use it often right?' "Yes. Only when someone she cares about is in trouble, or to maintain order. So in this case, that man who was harming all those students. That kicked up her anger and thus The Stare." Rarity continued, "I see, thanks for sharing. You can go now." Yada gestured, "and thanks for the cutie marks once again. Once again, we'll let you know our choice once Masayoshi and I make a decision." "I must say one thing though." Rarity added, "I always thought The Stare would only work on animals, turns out it works on humans too. Thank Goddess that she is a kind soul. Otherwise, she'd be using it very frequently in school in order to get her way." "We all have a... Scary side within us. Anyway, see you soon! And good luck in your studies!" Yada waved as Rarity turned around and left. "Well, Nagisa?" Yada mumbled to herself, "looks like your Bloodlust has a cousin..." The Club was notified to be on the 2nd Half of Lunchtime, so everyone decided to eat up for the 1st. Speaking of, one of the girls was very much not in the mood, and rather quite angry and irritated. "So uh..." Sunset asked as the seven girls sat together, "what happened here?" "Family Matters." Rainbow repeated, "Fluttershy invited me over for dinner with her dad, and we had lots of good conversation and talk, such as where he went and what he did overseas. And then he brought the bad news... A certain brother is coming back..." "What?" Twilight and Applejack raised their heads in shock, along with Big Mac, Flash Sentry and Thunderlane, who coincidentally was sitting next to the girls due to lack of seating in the cafeteria. "Don't worry you three!" Pinkie noticed them, "It's not related to you!" "You have a brother?" Flash asked, "Yes." A disgruntled Fluttershy nodded, "and it hurts just mentioning him." "Oh. In that case, I'll respect your feelings and drop the matter." Flash replied and was about to leave until Pinkie grabbed him by the collar, "Please stay," Pinkie advised, "this matter is unavoidable so that's why she's sharing it. Why don't you, Thunder Pants and Big Mac stay and listen? You are friends with her too!" "Kay' then." Big Mac stayed, "what do you mean 'unavoidable'?" "This is the extent of Fluttershy's family, excluding relatives." Rainbow structured out, "Mom, Dad, Daughter, Son. With names, we have the late Mrs. Shy, Mr. Shy, Fluttershy and Zephyr Breeze. Fluttershy has been living on her own for a while. Normally, Mr. Shy takes care of her and the house, except that he has been gone for the past month. Then there's the punk Zephyr. He attends a boarding school that's not in Canterlot. Maybe Los Pegasus, Seaddle, Salt Lick City or hopefully Detrot." "He's coming to CHS is he?" Flash jumped to a conclusion. "Always like to find the predictable huh?" Rainbow snapped, "but yeah. Guy got kicked out from every boarding school he was sent to because of these reasons: Lazy behaviour, Anti-social, shirks responsibility, does not respect shared space, and mostly losing interest in the school and quitting." "And why in the world is a School like ours accepting him?" Applejack asked, "There are very few times that he's not a slouch, and is passionate in his work and interests... At least for a day or two." Fluttershy continued, "He's never failed an entrance exam to any School if there is one, and CHS is no exception except... It's not just another new School he's getting into, he's also got an eye for someone..." "Me." Rainbow grimaced, "the narcissistic punk thinks I'm obsessed with him, and he's been flirting with me every single chance I get!" "From the sounds of things, he'll give you and Mr. Shy a hard time when he moves back in with you." Rarity guessed, "Oh, it'll be worse." Fluttershy changed, "he won't be staying with us. He's going to be staying in one of the CHS dorms, and I'm sure you know which one." "The Koro Gardens?" The Nine friends answered in unison. "... Yes." Fluttershy nodded once again, a deep sense of dread in her stomach. "That's something I'll be telling Mr Shiota too." The deep, lingering streak of bad news and despair persisted in the 2nd half of Lunchtime, as all of the 25 students who attended the Special Tutorship Club Programme was met with a very, very, unhappy Neighponese teacher. "Professor Eu wants to let me know that today's session in the Koro Gardens Dorm will contain plenty of content that will be heavily tested on the mid-terms. She also kindly mentions that if you don't attend, you will lose out on easy marks... And an even more hellish experience on Friday's Biology Class." Nagisa declared, The class groaned and moaned at the mention of their Biology teacher. Going to her class was a trial for their senses. Now, she had to stick around their study lives. "Granted, this was the exact same thing that she was teaching in yesterday's session. And though it is still optional, I'd highly encourage you to go if you can from a teacher's perspective." Nagisa continued. "Did you tell her Flash?" Thunderlane stood up and glared at the Blue Spiky Haired boy, "Did you rat out on us?" "What?" Flash answered as more eyes turned to glare at him. "I went there because I wanted to learn and keep up with my Biology." The entire student cohort turned to Flash with their individual version of their evil glare, save for Fluttershy who was looking quite concerned about the situation. "Then at the same time," Flash responded, unintimidated, "she asked me where everyone was so I gave her an answer, an honest one at that. I thought you guys wouldn't care whether she heard or not, but whatever you think wouldn't stop me from answering anyway." The class continued glaring at him, "I'm neither a tattle-tale, nor am I a teacher's pet to her. If you want, she told me and I quote: 'She hates ALL of you.' including me." The class refused to relent their malicious gazes, "What Flash says is correct." Nagisa spoke up, "in that he speaks the truth. He went there to study, and Eu explicitly confessed that she hates students like him. The only thing that he didn't mention was that One: Eu also hates the teachers, like Ms Yada over here. And Two: Flash is allowing her to fulfil what she chose to do: To teach." "How do you know?" Vinyl questioned, turning every glare to Nagisa. "I live in the dorms." Nagisa answered, "and present as supervising staff alongside Yada and Kimura in our Special Exam Programme. As you have seen our speaking tubes, we can hear everything inside the classroom, and Eu knows that too. As for what he didn't mention well... There's more to a teacher with the gaze of a killer." At those words, some of the Special Tutorship Club knew exactly what he meant, and they stopped glaring. "Sorry Mr Shiota," Redheart apologised, "and sorry to you too Flash." "Stupid Assassin Skills..." Thunderlane mumbled to himself, still glaring at Nagisa. "So what?" Rarity asked, "are we not allowed to have an opinion?' "Are teachers not allowed to have their opinions too?" Yada replied, "Let me make this clear. An opinion is not the same as an action. Yes, you have a problem with Professor Eu, as do I, whether it's attitude or... Class hygiene. Thus, you decided not to go to her optional study session when given the choice. Vice Versa, Professor Eu has a problem with all of us, and the dorm itself because of how 'cosy' it is. However, she puts her own opinion aside and goes all the way to the Dorm and carry out her hard-prepared session, especially when she's not fond of going out. Opinions don't have consequences, but actions do. Don't let one control the other." "Then if that's the case, why did she even bother teaching in the first place!?" Rainbow stood up in protest. "Yeah! Why can't we have a decent biology teacher???" Carrot Top joined in. "She's a freaky disgusting teacher! Like Magus Forsythe!!!" Obi rebuked, And one by one, most students who were not part of the Special Tutorship Club stood up and began yelling out in protest and criticisms about their biology teacher, with some students such as Cheerilee, Thunderlane, Flitter, Cloudchaser and Thunderlane from the Special Tutorship Club joining them. Nagisa closed his eyes and head in frustration, clenched his fists in anger. As for the remainder of the Special Tutorship Club not making a hassle, with Sunset part of the silent group, they found a peculiar shadow growing bigger... And frighteningly changing into an Octopus-like silhouette... The students were about to warn the protesters that they may be going too far, but it was too late as a certain student named Thunderlane yelled, "If the Corpse likes being a rotting Corpse, then she should end up like one!" "That's enough!" Nagisa bellowed as he raised his head with a glare that was all too familiar with the entire school cohort. The voices of the protesting students ceased immediately when every student was met with his eyes. Covered by the shadow, sharpened in the shade, his azure iris tightened, and his pupils as deep, dark and empty as the abyss itself. All the protesting students changed from the angry, protesting glares to flashes of paralysed, frozen-mouthed fear. Unsure of what to say or do, they thought to themselves that one wrong move and their life would be forfeit without any more hesitation. All they could do to gain at least a few mere seconds of breath was to stare back into their Neighponese teacher's face of bloodlust. "Let me tell you the things you NEED to know about Professor Eu's session today." Nagisa sternly spoke, his tone clear for all to hear. "One: It is optional. You can still choose to attend or not." Nagisa finished, "But Two: She went to inspect the classroom and dormitory on Tuesday in order to know what she can and cannot bring when it is her turn to run a tutor session here. To put it bluntly: Dorm classroom, Dorm rules. The same goes for Professor Phos and Magus Forsythe. As Yada said, she hates it for being 'cosy', because it's not what she's used to in her own classroom. Strangely enough, that's not what deters her from volunteering or even teaching at all, nor is her hate for you. If you have a problem with her next time, say it to her face. After all, you did it with Forsythe. Why not do the same to her?" "And Three: Your life is much bigger than worrying about a simple biology teacher. Yes, she may be obnoxious, at least a majority of the teachers sympathise with you, even me. But what we teach you is what the world reflects on, what it's all about. Will you take the extra help that can mean your success of graduation, no matter how strict or uncomfortable she is? Or would you have the bliss of ignoring her, while any chance that you are not with her are greater chances that you may fail and bring down not just the school or teachers, but yourself, for your intended future?" "T... Teach." Thunderlane worked up the courage to speak. "Yes, Thunderlane?" Nagisa turned his glare to the back-seat student. "Is the Corpse willing to go through all that shit you've tossed upon her?" "That would be a question I should answer." Yada stepped in with a calm voice, "She inspected the class on Tuesday without bothering your Spanish tutoring. She sent endless emails about the dorm and what she's allowed to bring yesterday. In those two days, we had a lot of discussions, me and her. After putting up with her uncomfortable, reeking appearance and stalker-like personality. Yes, she will." "But whether you believe her or not is still up to you." Nagisa finished, "And if you made your decision about it, make this one: Go or don't go, those are your options. There will be no consequences on whatever you pick. Understand?" The class responded with nothing, "Do you Understand?" Nagisa repeated, his voice raised. "Yes, Sir." Came the class. "Then let's continue." Nagisa instructed, letting go of his bloodlust, "we'll be working on the practice Chemistry exam next." The Club did their Chemistry exam without a word from its beginning to its end. After all that effort, it seemed that Mr Shiota had calmed down already, and before dismissing them all and reassuring them that they still have the choice of going to the dorm in a much more sincere and kind tone than from before. Thankfully, the sort of stern behaviour was not passed on as frustration against other teachers... Except for those who did have Biology Class as one of their final afternoon periods... Not like Professor Eu cared anyway. "Those who attend the Special Tutorship Club Programme," Eu reminded, "I'd like more than eight students to come to tonight's session. Otherwise, I will make sure the entire lab will smell more than a pile of decomposing bodies tomorrow." And for the third time of the week, the three teachers quickly packed up their things in the school and returned to the Manor for a quick setup of the classroom and entrance hall once again. As Masayoshi was starting up the now completed bathroom, Yada had something to report. "So Nagisa, I've got some information regarding Fluttershy's Stare that you seemed focused upon from Rarity." Yada started, "And?" Nagisa turned around, with his handbook of Fluttershy in one hand and a pencil in the other. "Fluttershy's Stare is something that she can control and use at will herself. However, she only uses it for the noblest of causes, such as maintaining order or when she sees others threatened. Not herself, others. Whoever catches her gaze will be paralysed with fear, as well as fall under her control. She normally uses this on misbehaving or out of line animals, but the same effect can work on humans too. The first 'test' of hers was Windcaller." "Hmm... This is really interesting..." Nagisa answered, "I know." Yada agreed, "it's something that's similar yet different to your bloodlust?" "And it just makes me want to find more about it." Nagisa responded, "such as what was the origin of it. Was it a traumatic experience? Abusive parents? I know that one possibility could be the loss of her mother and the hostile environment around her when she was young, but those are possibilities that I need to solidify." "Do you want me or Masayoshi to help you?" Yada asked, "I appreciate your help Yada for doing this, I really do. But this is something I need to be in charge of, as her teacher." "I understand. But don't hesitate to ask us for help if you really need it." "I'll remember that, definitely." Nagisa thanked, "meanwhile, I'm sure you had to collect another thing from Rarity. Is it your... Cutie Marks?" "Yep!" Yada nodded, pulling out two files, "one for me and one for Masayoshi! We'll be looking through them tonight when everyone else is gone. Once we've managed to find the one we remember, we'll be letting Rarity know, and we're going to have existing and future clothes emblazoned with our Cutie Marks!" "Well aren't you the sweetest," Nagisa chuckled, checking out his Draconic Snake Cutie Mark on his Waistcoat. "Even when E Class has gone their separate ways, you still are the big sister to all of us!" "What can I say? It's a family thing!" Yada laughed. Yada took great priorities in caring for her family when they were sick... Which is also how she got into E Class in the first place. 🔔Ding Dong!🔔 "Someone's here!" Yada noted as she went to check on the door. "Who is it?" Nagisa asked, "is it Ms Lita or Professor Phos?" "Oh..." Yada turned back, "I think you might be very interested!" Yada opened the two doors to a very unfamiliar face. With a colour of pale grey and light malachite green, hair of Light grey with a touch of Amaranthine, a tall man rigidly stood before the Neighponese teacher, complete with an interesting hairstyle that resembles a cupcake swirl, not to mention a modest-sized moustache fitting neatly between his nose and mouth. To his side, a familiar girl with the colour of yellow and the hair of pink stood gracefully and serene by his side. "Mr Shiota I presume?" The man asked, his Grayish Turquoise eyes staring directly at Nagisa's Azure eyes. "It's an honour to make your acquaintance." "So you must be Fluttershy's Father! What a surprise! Please! Come in! Come in!" He gestured, and they did. "So, is there any name I should call you with?" Nagisa asked as Mr. Shy and Fluttershy made themselves comfy on the lounge chairs. "I-I'm very much happy to go with Mr. Shy if you so wish." Mr. Shy responded with a little bit of stutter, "would you like me to call you by your first name?" "You may choose whatever you wish." Nagisa laughed, "Mr Shiota or just Nagisa." "Very well then just Nagisa-- I mean Nagisa!" Mr. Shy chuckled, "forgive me. This is the first time I've met a teacher that Fluttershy speaks very highly about. Also, one who's... Rather short to be blunt." "It's no problem, though I must say that it's quite early to have a Parent-Teacher Meeting. Don't they normally happen near the end of the year?" "It's okay Sensei." Fluttershy assured, "Dad wanted to come here to meet you on his own accord, so I thought I'd bring him along here." "Would you two like anything to drink?" Yada walked over, "Oh no ma'am, I'm quite alright mys-elf!!!" Mr. Shy politely refused, until he looked at the beauty of the person requesting his attention and lost all composure, "Oh my! I believe we haven't met! Are you an associate or Mr Nagisa here?" "Also a recently new teacher at Canterlot High School! I'm Tōka Yada." She bowed, "pleasure to meet you!" "My word! The honour is mine myself!!!" "Never mind that Dad, let's get back on track here." Fluttershy gestured, "So what's going on?" Nagisa asked, "W-Well, for two things yes." Mr. Shy nervously pulled on his moustache, "I'd want to thank you again for taking care of my daughter in my absence at school, as well as giving her a great course of study and grades! I mean, I've always known how hard-working and responsible Fluttershy is in her studies as well as her animal caretaking, but she also told me how she encouraged you to work hard as a tutorship club!" "You praise me too much," Nagisa chuckled, scratching his hair, "It's just my job. Not to mention, it was how I was taught by my teachers when I was still in Junior High. Yes, Fluttershy has shown a lot of passion in her Co-Curricular Activities and she's maintained a great communication with other Special Tutorship Club members despite the initial shyness. Have I ever told you how kind she is to her fellow students and teachers sometimes? That sort of kindness and responsibility could lead to being responsible as a leader! At least, that's some high expectation out of her. Whatever she strives for, I'll assist." "That is very kind of you to say." Mr. Shy laughed as Fluttershy blushed, "My young girl is certainly growing into a very sociable woman! She's definitely more communicative and bold than the rest of her family." "I'm sorry, pardon?" Nagisa turned his head in confusion. "N-Never mind," Mr. Shy dismissed it, "speaking of which, I'm not sure if you heard, but another child of mine will be attending CHS in the weeks to come." "That's the second item right?" Nagisa assured, "I'm sure he'll be in good hands! What's his name?" "He's called Zephyr Breeze." Fluttershy nodded, "And I have no doubt he will be. I just hope those hands won't change their mind once he's fully established." Nagisa gulped. He can sense a gloomy mood with both Fluttershy and her father. Something about their brother and son doesn't bode well for them. "Is he a problem kid for you?" Nagisa asked, "P-Please don't be too harsh on him," Mr. Shy asked, "H-He's had too much from the various schools that he quit or was kicked out of. I mean, I'm sure he'll cause no problem in the dorm, it's just his future and studies I'm worried about." "I see..." Nagisa nodded, "In that case, as long as he's staying in here, we have various ways to motivate students on their studies. Zephyr will have no problem." "Th-That's great to hear!" Mr. Shy jumped up, "Sorry that I must leave early, I have an evening shift to attend to. Once again, it's nice to meet you Mr Shiota!" He offered his hand, "And nice to meet you too," Nagisa responded, shaking his hand and showing him towards the door. "And welcome back to Equestria!" When Mr. Shy was gone, Nagisa turned to face Fluttershy, twiddling her fingers on a couch. "Sorry about that Sensei." Fluttershy apologised, "as you can tell, Dad's a really timid and soft-spoken person. I've always been heralded as the bold one in my family before, even Rainbow told me that. He's a factory worker who's keen on collecting anything weather-related such as pins, charms, and trinkets of various weather equipment or symbols. He really likes collecting the cloud ones." "Sounds like a very laid-back hobby. Now I'm quite concerned... When Mr. Shy mentioned about you being the bold one of the family, does that include your Mother?" Fluttershy exhaled a long breath, "I know what you're thinking. If your mom's just as timid as your dad, why did she go all the way in defending you? And helping all those people? It's a simple answer: It's family. There are things that a parent or sibling would do for their loved ones, even if it means taking risks. They'd throw themselves in harm's way, put aside their pride for the sake of their loved ones, stand up to any bully or challenger, even if it means your life... That's what my Mom learned as the eldest child in her family. She always stood up for her Younger Sister, and especially for me and Zephyr." "I see... Your mom is a really great woman." Nagisa sat down beside her, "I know it's hard to lose a loved one, but at least the times you had together were the most memorable and loving ones." "You mean you didn't have a loving family?" Fluttershy asked, "That's a story for later." Nagisa dismissed it, "right now, we need to move forward for our exams. I take it you'll be staying for the 2 hours?" "If I wasn't picking up Dad from the airport, I would have come for the full hours yesterday." Fluttershy answered, "Like Flash, I too want to study and do well in my biology. After all, it is a part of learning more about animals if I were to look for a job in the animal or veterinarian career. I'm sure Eu has her reasons for being herself." "Oh, I'm sure she does." Nagisa assured, "heck, I even know why Magus Forsythe is what he is. The only thing I need to know further is more information such as their history and relationships. But again, that's for later!" 🔔Ding Dong!🔔 "Ah, now that should be Ms Lita or Professor Phos." Nagisa turned around, "I'll get it!" Yada announced as she ran forward and peered into the door hole, "nope. It's un-surprisingly Flash!" "Oh... I think I know what he's here for, let him in." Nagisa answered, "Hello, Flash!" Ms Yada greeted as she opened the door for the Blue Spiky-haired student. "You're quite early!!!" "Good Afternoon Madam. To be honest, I had doubts if you would agree to Professor Eu's bargain." "You can thank her for that..." Yada grumbled, "she's been a... Dreadful bother that would never smile when something goes her way. Anyway, it's also lucky that you were the only one yesterday. If Fluttershy was here, I wouldn't agree to this, nor would she... Actually, I'm not sure about that." "Regardless, I'm prepared." "No problem. Kimura's nearly done preparing it right now. Just go meet him and he'll give you the steps. Once Eu comes over, it's time for you to shine." Yada instructed, "Sure thing." Flash nodded, "Hey Fluttershy, Sir." "Good Afternoon Flash," Fluttershy responded with a hand wave, "so uh... What was your reward for coming to the Biology class alone?" "A mere bonus for sticking it through Eu's biology session, which Nagisa holds some truth there regarding the atmosphere. The only things that stunk up were the plants and specimens she brought in. Otherwise, the stench in the Biology labs is almost non-existent." "And what is the bonus?" "A test subject for the Manor's operations. Mandatory equipment: A towel and a fresh set of clothes. Optionally: A mesh bath sponge. I think you know what I'm being used for." The simple deduction brought a small cheeky giggle from Fluttershy's mouth, "Well... I'm sure you'll have a relaxing time!" "And to receive a lot of mixed emotions from the students, when they realise what I've been doing during the biology session." Flash concluded, "If they come that is." "First off," Fluttershy started, "we've got to get through Ms Lita and Professor Phos." "Hey Fluttershy," Flash spoke, "I've been wondering. How much do you love--" 🔔Ding Dong!🔔 "Maybe later," Flash changed the subject. "Our teachers are here." Like for the past three days, the teachers for the first hour arrived with gusto before all the students did and prepare the classroom, while the two early students decided to wait outside. "I must say!" Lita exclaimed as she walked around the apartment for a quick tour "I can see a lot of Equestrian material used to build this manor, but the entire structure and foundation of this building feels... Neighponese!" "That's what everyone thought!" Yada answered, "Surely! Anything to represent diversity in Equestria is important!" Ms Lita finished, "at least it makes the Neighponese feel comfy in their own safe zones!" "Umm..." Yada nervously chuckled, "I'm not sure that's the achievement of diversity..." "By the way," Professor Phos spoke up, "Magus Forsythe won't be coming for the second hour today. He needs to settle things with work... And himself, so Professor Eu's going to be dealing with the class on her own. I also heard what happened yesterday, only one showed up to her class. As she's teaching the same things as yesterday, that boy's tasked to do something else yes?" "Yep..." Kimura walked out of a bathroom, his face and clothes looking a little damp while leaving a stream of steam slowly making its escape from the open bathroom door. "Hope you won't mind." "Did you just take a bath?" Ms Lita asked, noting the stains of water. "No, but I was in charge of setting it up! What you see here is just the steam. The person that will be taking the bath is one devoted student." "Speaking of students," Yada peeked outside the door that was left open for students. Seeing one or two groups of teenagers with bags approach the manor's front porch. "Here they come!!!" The student count was Twenty-Five once again, though the real test was if the number would still remain Twenty-Five when the 2nd Hour comes through. Unlike Professor Phos' previous session, the hour was broken into two 30 minute lessons. Thankfully, Phos did not involve an application-heavy practice exam and gave a small demonstration in Titration and buffers instead. As for Ms Lita's 30-minute lesson... "We're going to be watching a short film together, and it's not related to Swishspeare! Rather, I will be testing you on your visual and audio comprehension!" The class gasped in delight. This was great news. Finally, they get to do something else that doesn't involve the historically overrated playwriter! "What are we watching? What are we watching!?" Pinkie could barely contain her excitement, "Glad you asked! We're going to be watching..." Lita presented, "a documentary regarding a political dispute over legal rights in the past! Isn't that exciting!?" "Aww..." The class groaned. Typical Ms Lita, always a way to implement her politics to her studies. Then again, Magus Forsythe and Professor Eu do pretty much the same thing with their attitudes rather than political views. Regardless, the students sat through the dialogue-heavy movie on legal rights and interviews of individual opinions, though some fell asleep rather than taking notes or answering questions (and with the sounds of the documentary going through the speaking tubes, it even sent Nagisa nodding off to sleep!). After all, the worst of the battle is yet to come. 🔔Ding Dong!🔔 The three Neighponese teachers gulped. "I-I'll get it." Yada volunteered as she left the office lounge and walked towards the door. Her heart began racing as she peeped through the door hole and cracked the door open a little peek... But it was not enough for a dark wind to slip through the cracks and into Yada's senses, throwing her into a fearful state. "Open the door please..." The door ringer commanded, "Y-Yes Professor Eu." Yada complied and opened the door for the pale-grey faced biology teacher to make her entry. All with her dirty brunette hair, and her ragged deteriorating black lab coat. "Good Evening Yada." Eu droned, "I hope the students are here today." "They're still in their English session." "Then tell the pseudo-usurper to hurry up!" Eu commanded, "I am forced to drag all my equipment from the school to the dorm because of Forsythe and Python's uninformed retreat. That puts me in an unhappy mood." "You were never in a happy mood, to begin with," Yada pointed out, "Tch..." Eu responded, "I didn't ask for your opinion merchant." "Merchant? Why would you call me that?" Yada asked, feigning curiosity as she has heard this nickname since meeting her. "The attitudes and approaches of human interaction can easily define the job a certain human takes, as well as information on their online portfolio." Eu presented her evidence, "Take you for my example. Your bright attitude, your way of words, your activities after a day of work. You're definitely not the average office-worker. Rather, you are a human moulded with persuasion, deception, and a giant pool of wealth which comes and goes in the split of a second due to the ways of the business world. In conclusion, you are a merchant, and a very hard-working one too. Workaholism is very unhealthy, FYI." "I didn't ask for your opinion either Eu..." Yada smiled, "But I can see you are quite perceptive." "The human body goes through many changes every year from the day they were born. The same goes for other animals and plants." Eu informed, "when you learn a school subject like this at a young age, it pushes English aside as your First Language, as well as how you view the world." Eu responded, "You and Forsythe seem to have such good potential in socialising with others. Why is it that you make it hard for yourselves and others?" "The Magus is just as important as you, the Alchemist, your round-nosed soldier, your miniature snake, and every life-waster in that classroom." "Yada? Eu?" Kimura stepped out of the faculty lounge, "Ms Lita is finished. Ready your things!" "With pleasure," Eu responded. An invisible but highly sensitive aura burst forth from herself, slapping Yada and Kimura with the most malevolent of feelings. "This is not going to end well." Kimura and Yada gulped internally. "Hello, Students." Professor Eu addressed the class. The Twenty-Five Students glared back at her with anger, along with a steady accumulation of fear. "So I heard Ms Lita encouraged you to ditch me and go home. Honestly, I never did anything to her, but now that gives me an excuse to curse her." The Twenty-Five sat silently once again. "Hey Baton Twirler," Eu turned to Flash, "don't you have some baptism experiment to go to?" She jerked a thumb towards the door, "Leave this place." "Yes Madam." Flash stood up, grabbed his bags and walked out of the room without any protest or hesitation. The class looked at him go, then turned to each other wondering what was going on. "Don't bother with him." Eu grabbed their attention, "now, let me show you what you had missed in yesterday's session, so grab your exercise books and get ready to write." Once again, the students did what they were told without any word or remark. Silently, but efficiently, they drew diagrams and tables, wrote and copied the notes from either their textbook or on the board that Professor Eu wrote out for them. When Eu asked a question, one of the students would raise their hand and answer it without taking too much time. "Do you understand?" Eu finished drawing a picture of what a cell would look like when viewed under a microscope. "Now a quick question: Name three things you would see in an animal cell." "Nucleus, Mitochondria, Cytoplasm," Twilight raised her hand, "Good. You're next Wandering Bard." She pointed to Noteworthy. "Name another three." "Golgi Apparatus, A cell membrane made out of Plasma, and the Endoplasmic Reticulum." "Very well then. Rogue at the back." She turned her glare to Thunderlane, "what would you see in a plant cell that's not in the animal cell?" "Tch..." Thunderlane spat, "fine then. An extra layer around the cell known as the Cell Wall, The green stuff known as Chlorophyll, and the large white Vacuole." "One off the mark there." Eu pointed out, "but I will admit you are right on all three. The 'green stuff' do contain Chlorophyll, but the actual term for what stores it are called Chloroplasts. Keep in mind that you should describe this on various short and long answer questions on photosynthesis." "Yeah yeah." Thunderlane sighed, "thanks for the help teach." "What's wrong?" Eu taunted, "it seems like you have all been inflicted with some variation of Silence. Surely you don't hold any form of rebuke?" The class said nothing and stared down at their books. "Oh don't be shy..." Professor Eu continued, the same invisible sensitive force emanating out from her once again. Her hair, fingertips, clothes, and the plant and microbe specimens that she brought. "I heard how you shattered the force of the Magus' heart and reduced him to tears. For the record, that's why he never made his entrance today, or for the entirety of yesterday at School for that matter. It's devious, cruel, and a sign of rebellion and chaos for your own selfish needs and 'standards'.This sudden burst of darkness... I truly applaud you all..." The class looked at their teacher with a confusion of anger and fear. Just how crazy is their Biology teacher!? "... But I am very disappointed to see you silent before me..." Eu rebuked, "your tongues of darkness should be directed towards me rather than Forsythe." The class felt sick to their stomachs as they always did whenever they went down to her biology lab. However, that stomach-bugging stench was only as powerful as what she had brought: Herself and her specimens. Otherwise, the clean state of the Koro Garden classroom and the air emanating from outside on the streets were more than enough to overpower her death-like stench and to normalise the classroom atmosphere. True to Nagisa's words, Dorm Class, dorm rules. Fluttershy could tell. Professor Eu was not her usual dark self as she was for the many times in the Biology lab. And from another observation, she never left the lab unless it was time to go home. This... This was the first time she has ever seen Eu in an unfamiliar place, even though this was her second time here. She didn't ramble and rant to herself about some sort of personal issue with the world or about a teacher during class where all could hear. She wasn't able to perform her experiments with the sadism that everyone recognised her with, mostly because of the restrictions of the Koro Gardens. And with her teachings, it was not a string of hexes, curses, chants, steps to a ritual, or lines from the most darkest Necronomicon. It was straightforward, and standard teaching, perhaps even at a professional level. But there was one thing that Nagisa was wrong about. And one which the students had newly discovered by themselves. Even without the pit of death that was the Biology Lab. Wherever she went, Home or Away, she brings death, horror, and sickness in every way, shape and form, whether it's her looks, voices, or attitude. To the students, there was a reason why they were able to yell and reprimand Magus Forsythe because his behaviour was very annoyingly reminiscent and childish. Professor Eu was different. With her, she was unable to show any weakness, or rather she has adapted to hide any sort of weakness within her. Every day, every class, all she brought forth was dread, despair, and doom with no chance of fighting back. All they could do, all they can ever accomplish, was to hold tight and survive through the class, till the school bell rings. They salvaged whatever knowledge came from her coursework, while spending a majority of their wits to not faint or go insane. They were powerless. Surrounded. Left adrift. That was what they always felt, everytime they enter Eucalyptus' lair. A lair where they felt they could do nothing, but watch death unfurl before them. But not this time. This time, they realised that a study session of Professor Eu was almost the opposite of their negative expectations. And for once, they could feel a sliver of ease. The class managed to survive Eu's session till the end, and nary a soul or mind was thrown into insanity. "Well well well..." Eu addressed as she noticed the clock. "5:50pm. Guess what everyone. This study session is over... You may leave now. If you have any further questions to raise, send an email. Now run along home and get something good to eat. Studying is never good if you don't get some rest." And once again, the students quickly stuffed all their stationery and books into their bags, zipped or closed it up tight, and walked out of the classroom door without saying another word to the teacher. The only student brave enough to come close was Noteworthy. "Oh? What do you want Bard?" Eu asked, "Let me apologise for not purposely attending your session yesterday," Noteworthy replied, "I can just say that I was wrong to have let my own desires and opinions get the best of me." "Is that it?" Eu scoffed, "Listen here, you Wandering Bard. What's done is done, and you sort of made it up for going to this session right now. Whatever personal philosophy you follow in your mind, stick to it. I hate it when people change their minds just to save their own hide, especially for someone who follows the Goddesses. If you can stick to your code, I might hate you a little less." "Yes Madam." Noteworthy nodded, "I'll be sure to remember that." "Good, now begone." "Damn! I swore my life flashed before my eyes!" Thunderlane ranted in the lounge. "At least what Teach said was true after all, though the corpse tried really hard not to get peeved off by it!" "To be fair, I found myself able to listen and learn, instead of trying to think happy and joyful thoughts to go against her... Usual self." Fluttershy responded, "She's a teacher first and foremost," Flash answered approaching the two. "And especially in an unfamiliar environment, she had to adapt. That being said, I was able to hear everything through the speaking tubes. She was never like that when I was being tutored by her yesterday. Sure the classroom may not be a pit of death, but her attitude was more prevalent yesterday than today." "Speaking of which Flash, where the hell did you go?" Thunderlane asked, "from the looks of it you--" Thunderlane can pick out the sight of blown-dry hair and a rigorously scrubbed face, as well as the awkward but nice scent of what seems to be a new type of soap and shampoo. "No..." Thunderlane's eyes widened, "Don't tell me that your 'baptism experiment' was a fucking bubble bath in that shared bathroom?" "The word 'baptism' should give it away." Flash answered, "and bubble baths are not allowed in a shared bath like that." "So?" Soarin chimed in with a very excited face, "what was it like?" "Aside from being their water tester, I had a little induction on how a bath like this works in Neighpon. I can say that the big bath isn't there for people to scrub in. Its role is more of a Jacuzzi, minus the bubbles." "Ohhh... I see." Soarin pictured himself sitting in the bath in silence with others, "I can work with that. Not sure about others, but definitely me!" "I'll explain everything if we happen to live in the dorm," Flash answered, "Not sure if I'm going to be using the bath myself, but I talked about staying in the dorm with my parents yesterday." Thunderlane noted, "For once they accepted, and I sent the application straight away! Poor Rumble has to stay at home though..." Nagisa's Notes Fluttershy 5. She's very social and caring with friends. (See 1 and 3) 6. She seems to have some sort of fluency in Neighponese. 7. She loves her family very much. Hence why she values her friends like family. 8. She is very skilled in animal caretaking and handling aside from her adoration of animals. Known to take care of pets of various students. 9. Very tolerant of other students and teachers 10. Very accommodative, welcoming and even inviting with students. 11. She gets very angry when someone she cares about gets hurt. (See 5) 12. Her Anger comes a deadly ability: The Stare (See 11). Instils fear and control. Originally used to keep animals in line. Can also affect Humans. 13. She made a vow regarding The Stare and only uses it with certain criteria: a. As a Protective Measurement: When someone she loves gets hurt, intimidated, or scared. b. To Maintain Order: The exact amount of Chaos required to exceed her limit is unknown 14. Family means everything to her. Like her Mother before her, she stands up for those she loves, pushing her timidness aside. 15. BE WARNED. There has been no record of any immunity to her Stare.