Reii the not-so-magical girl

Chapter 8: Magical Breakfast

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I wake up to watery winter sunlight filtering in through the window. It takes me a moment to realize where I am, my heart skips a beat at the thought of spending an entire day in HQ.

Petal told me that 'He had parents handled,' but I don't exactly trust him just yet, so I'll go ask him today, just in case. But it'll probably be fine, magical girls are supposed to be the literal embodiment of light, justice, purity, everything good. He won't have done anything to her...

Right...?

Oh my god. I'm being a terrible daughter. My mom is at home, probably worried sick about me, and here I am, excited to wander around magic school, or whatever.

I pace around for a bit, then resolve to see the dragon, wherever he is as soon as possible. Then I climb up the ladder to see if Akari is still there.

Oh crap. Akari's bed is empty above me. I'm panicking, wondering how I'll ever find them (The hallways here seem endless) until I see a little note placed on the arm of the armchair. 

Reii, I've gone down to the training center for some practice, the other girls are in the dining room we were in earlier. If you want to see Petal, He's probably there too, if he's not, ask Yuki, she'll know. -A

I exhale. Of course Akari wouldn't leave me alone here. 

I look around. I'm wearing a borrowed nightgown from her closet, but Petal said that he would have some clothes waiting for me in my new room. My heart flutters, unable to contain the excitement. Wow, I didn't really process it yesterday, with all the drama, but this is amazing. How am I here?

The pink dress I was in yesterday is lying on my bed, slightly crumpled, and I feel a twinge of guilt as I pull it over my head. It fits beautifully, and has little cherry blossoms sewn on it. It seems to be 90% sparkles and ruffles, but I really like it. It fits me, even though it's not my usual style.

Actually, all the girl's dresses seem to reflect them in some way. Yuki's has a low hem, nearly reaching the floor in a semi kimono-like style, while Akari's has a pair of leggings underneath for better movement, and Kishiko's gown has ruffles that look like sea waves, which seems to be something she likes. Meira has a very poofy skirt in a bright yellow, and Lumi's dress is covered in little crystal-like leaves. They all seem to fit so perfectly with their wearer.

What about me? The Sakura blossoms don't feel connected to me at all. Maybe it would've for Princess Sakura, but me?

... What do I really like?

I mean... I like books... and writing... But what powers could that have? Writing a bad guy to death? Seems stupid.

I sigh, running a hand across some of the flowers and watching in fascination as they glow a pink color and let out a small, wind chime-like sound. Huh, that's cool.

Anyways, I guess I should just focus on surviving breakfast.

That can't be too hard, right?

...

I lied.

Turns out being a Magical Girl is not as great as it seems.

Akari's sitting down in her chair by the time I find my way back to the dining room and is eating a piece of toast with butter, her legs swinging beneath the chair. She motions for me to sit down next to her, and the seat glows pink and patterns itself with a design of cherry blossoms. I sigh.

"What's up?" Akari asks me through a bite of toast. "Did you sleep okay?"

"Yeah, but this place is like, making me nervous. It's like even the furniture have expectations for me." I say, poking the chair, disgruntled. "How does it even do this?!"

"Dunno. Maybe a charm or something?" 

"Yeah, probably." I reply. "By the way, is Petal here?"

"Nah, he left for the library. You just missed him. You can go now if you want, just don't drop any crumbs on the carpet. It gets angry."

"It gets- What?"

"Don't ask." She says grimly, finishing her toast and brushing the crumbs of her hands. "I promise you, it's better not to know. HQ is weird."

 She grabs a crimson sword from beneath her chair and sides it into a sheath at her side. She catches me staring and says "My weapon. For missions, and when we have to fight. You'll get one too, I think Petal's arranging it."

"Oh, okay, I'll see you later...?" I say questioningly. 

"Yeah, we might have lunch outside. In the training center at eleven, that's what Petal said. Feel free to explore before then." Akari says, swiping another piece of toast before waving and heading off to who-knows-where.

I wave back, then realize I have no flipping idea where the library is.

Oh dear.

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