Pauline

I was making my way towards class when I heard it - a sharp pitched scream, coming from some nearby trees. At the same time, the branches began to shake and sway as if some great ruckus was occurring - but when I tried to peek between the branches, all I could see was a writhing mass of… tentacles?

“Gah! For the last time, I’m sorry for disturbing your nest, alright? I was only trying to get a better look at my surroundings! So please stop trying to peck at me!”

“Caw!” came the response, followed by a yelp - and then a moment later a figure came tumbling down, stopped from hitting the ground at the last moment as a set of tentacles managed to wrap around the lower branches.

Unfortunately, that left her hanging upside down - something the… enemy? Took advantage of, swooping down to land on her foot and pecking at her from atop it.

“Ouch!” she cried, withdrawing her tentacles and collapsing to the ground.

“Are you alright?” I asked Amy - because of course that’s who it was. Who else on campus would bother arguing with a bird like this?

“I’m fine,” she replied, gruffly. “It’s this dratted bird that’s the problem!” 

Saying so she picked herself up, while the bird in question perched on a branch above our heads and let loose another “Caw!”

“You know, I heard ravens were quite smart,” she muttered, “but this one either can’t or won’t get it through his head that I’m not trying to rob the damn nest! I didn’t even know it was up there!”

“What were you doing up there?” I couldn’t help but ask. “I heard you say something about seeing your surroundings?”

“Yes, well, I’m somewhat lost if you must know,” she admitted, brushing off her skirts while studiously looking away from me. It was honestly kind of adorable. “I got into an argument with my roommates and stormed off without really thinking about the direction… You know, this academy really is far too big! It’s meant to be a place of learning, and yet I’ve been walking around for half an hour without even seeing a single building.”

“I think that has more to do with your sense of direction than anything,” I couldn’t help but quip, a little smile coming to my lips. It got a bit wider when I saw how flustered poor Amy looked.

“Yes, well, be that as it may, I still say there’s too much room… You could get up to all sorts of things around here, and who knows whether anyone would ever catch on?”

“Stuff like what?” I asked, a little curious. A little worried, too, as memories of Amelia and all the trouble she’d caused flashed through my mind - but I didn’t think Amy was the sort to cause trouble.

“I don’t know… maybe you could start a small vegetable garden, or some such? There was a story where I’m from, where a girl did that, I think… though I don’t remember the name off the top of my head.”

Amy flinched almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, looking all around her as if she expected something to happen.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” she said. “It’s just… I sort of expected… someone I know to pop in with the name, and maybe another book recommendation?”

“Someone from the mysterious unnamed place you claim to be from?” I asked, my tone taking on a teasing edge without my meaning to. I really didn’t want to make her uncomfortable - didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, really! - But… she looked really cute when she squirmed. “Where people write stories about other people they’ve never even met?”

“That’s… I mean, it’s… it’s complicated, alright?” she muttered, not quite meeting my gaze. “Though if you must know-”

“You don’t have to tell me,” I interrupted, quickly. “Not if you don’t want me to know, I mean. I’m sure you have reasons for keeping it secret.”

“Mostly just fear of disbelief, if I’m being honest,” Amy admitted. “It’s just… I’m from another world.”

“Another… world?” I asked, frowning. “Like… one of those stories about parallel worlds?”

“Exactly!” Amy said, nodding. “From across the Ocean of Possibility, as the… one who brought me here put it. I’m afraid that’s a secret I’m really not at liberty to tell… though I’m rather surprised they haven’t come to show themselves off, to be honest.”

“Wait, is that who you were looking for before?” I asked, a bit alarmed. “Someone powerful enough to move people across worlds?”

“They’re mostly harmless,” she promised, quickly. “Or at least I think they are… they haven’t actually harmed anyone I’m aware of, at the very least… unless you count me, that is.”

A being powerful enough to move across worlds. I didn’t know what sort of being that was, but something told me that I didn’t particularly want to meet them.

“Ah… I’ve scared you, haven’t I?” Amy murmured, looking down at the ground. “My apologies. It’s… I understand if you don’t want to associate with me, knowing the risk.”

“What risk?” I asked, before I could stop myself. “Do you think they’d hurt me? Because I’m pretty sure I can take care of myself…”

“It’s not just physical harm you have to worry about,” Amy warned. “They’re the ones who shoved me into Amelia’s body - and if they can do that, there’s no telling what else they can do, if the mood strikes… Though. It’s possible they’re limited in how they can act here? I’m not really sure, to be honest. There’s a lot about them that doesn’t make sense.”

“We… could try to talk it out together? If you want?” I offered, not entirely sure why. My life was complicated enough, honestly, without taking on trouble for other people… but then, I’d never been the sort to just mind my own business, I suppose. Maybe it had something to do with my healing affinity, but when I saw people struggling I just wanted to help.

Amy hesitated. It’s possible she wasn’t sure about trusting me, which would be fine, but I was pretty sure there was something else stopping her instead.

“You don’t want to cause me trouble,” I said, so that she wouldn’t have to.

“I mean… Amelia caused you so much already,” she murmured. “And now I’m here, wearing her skin. You can’t say that doesn’t disturb you a little - being forced to spend time with someone who looks just like your abuser…”

“I… it is uncomfortable, sometimes,” I confessed. “But I think it’s worth it to get to know the girl who’s inside. You’re honestly really sweet… and kind of cute. I think even people who aren’t busybodies like me would probably be driven to try and help you.”

“I’d hardly describe you as a busybody!” Amy protested. “Just a nice person who likes to help others.”

“And who can’t keep her nose out of other people’s business,” she replied, shaking her head. “Look - I have to head to class. But… maybe after, we could have a proper conversation? And not just about where you’re from, or what mysterious figure brought you here. I… I think I want to know more about you. I mean, seeing as how you’re in the body of my… um… attempted murderer? I guess?”

“That… would be nice,” Amy murmured, still not meeting my eyes.

“Yeah… nice,” I confirmed, only vaguely aware of how hot my cheeks were burning as I turned away. “Well, I’m off to class now, so… bye!”

I didn’t wait for her to respond - and I didn’t turn around, either. Not even when I heard a smooth, androgynous voice speaking from behind me.

“You know, if you’re a fan of Bakarina, there’s actually quite a few reincarnated villainess stories I could recommend. For example, have you ever heard of Isekai’d Shoggoth?”

***

Firanna

***

Classes felt utterly interminable that day. The voice of my teachers, while never particularly sonorous, had never felt so grating to my ears. Even listening to their platitudes and compliments when I answered their questions or overperformed on their tests were like… like rusty nails dragging across iron, to my ears.

I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want to be taking classes, or listening to teachers prattle on about things my tutors had prepped me for long ago. I didn’t want to be sitting there, the precious princess there to show everyone that even their illegitimate daughter could do better than any of the nobles present. That’s all it was, in the end, after all - a show.

The worst part of it, though, was how much I’d had to work for it. How I’d fought tooth and nail to prove myself, once upon a time. To show that I was worthy of my royal blood, and the tutelage Father saw fit to grant me. I’d worked hard - all so that I could sit in this classroom and show off the royal family’s worth.

Why had I even bothered? Why had I tried so hard to be acknowledged, accepted, wanted when all that it truly meant for me in the end was an arranged marriage to someone I didn’t even know? Someone I could hardly stand - someone who my dear knight had a crush on.

I’d never thought anything could happen between me and Bridgette. Not really. Not when I’d always assumed I’d be shipped off to some other country, never to see her again… and yet now, I was allowed to be near her, allowed to live with her, and yet it was somehow more torturous than even my worst nightmares of being separated and sent to some callous man!

Needless to say, I was in something of a bad mood when my classes finally ended for the day. A mood that was made considerably worse when I saw the cause of all my recent ire humming happily to herself while sitting at a table, in the cafeteria’s courtyard.

“Waiting for someone?” I asked, glaring icy daggers at her. Not that she even seemed to notice.

“Pauline. She asked me to meet her here… Hey, if you’re going home, do you think you could tell Bridgette and Clara where I am? I think they’re liable to worry.”

“Tell them yourself,” I replied, in a tone as icy as my stare. “I’m sure Bridgette at least will be happy to hear from you, even if it is late.”

“That’s… I mean… Did I perhaps… do something wrong?”

“No,” I replied. Which was the truth. She hadn’t. It didn’t make me hate her any less, though. “You’re just perfect, aren’t you? A perfect innocent, dropped into danger - a maiden, waiting to be rescued by a fair knight.”

“Does this perhaps have something to do with your feelings for Bridgette?”

I froze. “You know?”

“I… It was fairly obvious,” she admitted. “I’d be more surprised if anyone who’d seen you together didn’t know. Other than Bridgette, that is - I get the feeling she’s a bit dense when it comes to romance.”

“You don’t say,” I drawled, narrowing my eyes at her. “What’s it matter to you, then, in any case? Jealous?”

“Um… no? Not jealous - I mean, she’s not mine. Not envious, either, for the record - if anything, I think the two of you would make a rather cute couple.”

“You… do?” I asked, blinking as my retort died upon my lips. “I mean, of course we would. Bridgette’s perfect - and I’m…. Well… I’m…”

“A princess, for one thing,” Amy supplied. “Which, by the way, is pretty much just the perfect foundation for a love story - I mean, a princess and a knight? Trust me when I say that people ate up stories like that with a spoon, back where I’m from.”

“Is that so?” I murmured, imagining it. A story, starring me and Bridgette. The two of us, side by side, going against the will of the world… I couldn’t help but let out a little sigh of contentment at the idea.

At least until Amy opened her mouth again.

“Of course, there’s the small matter of her being too dense to notice your feelings…”

“You don’t say.”

“But I bet we could fix that if we worked together!” Amy added, giving me a bright smile.

“I… together?” I asked, bewildered. “You… want to help me get together? With her? Me?”

“Yes? Is there a reason I wouldn’t?” Amy asked. “Bridgette’s a friend - of sorts, I suppose, for all that she spies upon me and pokes at me at every opportunity - and you’re… Well, not really anything to me, admittedly, but I’d like us to at least be friends. Especially if we’re to be living in close quarters together… Even more so if there’s a chance we’ll truly end up married - I mean, I’m sure you’d rather be married to Bridgette, but… Well, maybe you two could have some sort of secret bonding ceremony? Then at least someone in this relationship will be happy with how it all works out.”

“That’s…” I frowned. “Who did you say you were meeting here again?”

“Ah - Pauline?” Amy supplied, rubbing at the back of her head. “I know it’s weird, but-”

“It’s fine,” I replied, pulling up a chair and sitting myself next to her. “She can help too.”

“Help with what?”

“Why, with the perfect plan to capture Bridgette’s heart of course! I mean, as you said - at least one of us deserves to be happy, don’t you think?” And who knew? Perhaps I’d even be able to return the favor, one day, and get Amy together with a girl of her own.

She obviously wasn’t that bad, after all.

~~~

Author's Notes

I was going to be cleaning Autumn's tank today, but I only got two and a half hours of sleep last night (insomnia) so it got delayed until tomorrow...

Might write some My Oni Love next? We'll see if that's today or tomorrow...

ETA: Changed it from a crow to a raven for Reasons