Re:Lyra-Starting Life in Another World (Re:Reader-Lyra Edition)

Chapter 10: Close Intimacy

Lyra walked up the stairs to her room. Pacing herself since she knew Rem was going to be waiting, Lyra tried to calm her nerves.

You know her, but she doesn't you. Just be considerate and nice and I'm sure we'll be right back to where we started.

Placing one hand on the doorknob, Lyra took one final breath and pushed away her anxious feelings as much as she could, forcing a more positive expression and voice.

Turning the knob and letting herself in, she found Rem standing by her desk already, books stacked neatly on one corner and parchment and ink ready on the other side.

Rem: Good evening Lyra.

Rem greeted Lyra in her static, nearly expressionless voice. Her heart sank hearing her talk to her in such an unfamiliar fashion.

Lyra smiled warmly at Rem and responded to Rem.

Lyra: Good evening, Rem. It's very nice to see you!

Rem: Likewise.

Rem was unsure why she had just said that, but she did, and she didn't really mind either, even if she didn't know what to think of Lyra just yet.

Taking her jacket off, Lyra hung it in her closet and went to sit down.

Strictly out of habit, she grabbed the quill and dunked it in the ink, and began writing her own name over and over again. Observing behavior that was odd to her, Rem simply continued to watch. After filling a few lines, Lyra put her quill down, and turned to Rem, who was still observing what Lyra was doing.

Seeing that she was done, Rem picked up the parchment and gave the words a look-over.

Rem: It appears you know how to write your own name at the very least. Was someone else teaching you before this? To write your name again and again as practice?

Lyra: Uhhh, well, you could say that.

Rem: Does Lyra know any other words?

Lyra: A few. Here I'll write them as best I can.

Jotting down a few dozen words, he tried to form a sentence.

She watched Rem's eyes trace the sentence over and over again.

Rem: Your grammar is also lacking it seems.

Lyra: Eheh...yeah...

That evening's tutoring session had turned into Rem trying to find where Lyra was skill-wise and begin teaching from there. After more or less seeing the extent of Lyra's literacy, Rem retired for the evening rather abruptly and earlier then normal. Lyra was slightly worried by Rem's continued coldness in her behavior toward her. With her worries filling her mind, Lyra rwent to sleep not long after Rem had departed.

Rising early in the morning, Lyra woke up and began the day's work.

Trimming more hedges and edging more walkways, Lyra finished even earlier than the last time she did, early enough that even Ram hadn't come to tell her that  she was done for the day.

Lyra began to reflect on the previous third day that she experienced.

Lyra: If I seem to recall correctly, Rem and Ram were swamped with stuff to do today and dinner ended up being late because of it...

With an idea sprouting, Lyra placed her fist into her open palm. With a mission in mind, she searched the mansion for Rem. Lyra finally located her in the mansion's washroom, scrubbing the drained bathing area with Ram.

Lyra: Hey, Rem. Hey, Ram.

Looking up from her rather lazy scrubbing, Ram was the first to pay any attention to Lyra.