Paper Promise

The Ravenclaw common room lies quiet, the crackling of the fireplace and the sounds of pages being turned and pen on paper creating an oddly comforting ambiance. Its denizens have already retired to their dorm rooms, are tucked in corners pouring over thick tomes, or have gone off to get into some form of trouble. One studious child is Olympia Stalward. Though simply calling her a 'girl' is a tad misleading.

Standing near a niche filled to the brim with books with three floating about her, one would not find there to be anything notable about her at a glance. Upon a second pass, however, they would surely notice the pallid tint of her skin and the strange marking covering every inch. Assuming that they're tattoos, they might wonder how someone could so blatantly disregard the school's rules. Then, they would see that those markings make up a sea of words and that her features are all composed of sharp angles — like folded paper.

"Oh. It is paper," comes a quiet, monotone voice from behind.

Startled, Olympia whirls around to see who's snuck up on her as the books clatter on the floor. To her surprise, it is someone she doesn't recognize at all. Before the Ink-Blood stands a young raven-haired girl who seems to be currently captivated by her own left hand. Following her gaze reveals several shallow cuts that swell angrily with crimson, but she doesn't seem to be bothered by them. Her gaze drifts from her hand to lock eyes with Olympia, and her lips spread into an eerie smile.

"Your hair is beautiful." She extends her hand but pauses momentarily before closing it into a tight fist. "Might I have a page?"

Olympia desperately waves her hands and vigorously shakes her head. The movement causes something to unfurl itself from her arm; having sensed its master's distress, Ivy poses menacingly and hisses at the strange girl.

The girl watches Olympia and her snake silently, head tilted to the side in curiosity as she tries to decipher what's happening. Then, she suddenly bends forward in a deep bow, causing confusion to rise in the pair. This action also reveals something wrapped in cloth slung across her back.

"Forgive me. They call me Minagi of the Sukasuka. I have come from Mahoutokoro to Hogwarts only recently, but you may know me as 'the creepy new girl.'"

Olympia sills herself as her eyes widen. She did recall hearing about a transfer student, and, unfortunately, much of it had not been anything pleasant. Worse still, Minagi is doing little to disprove the rumors despite her attempts to be polite, which allows a level of unease to make itself at home, even if she's no longer worried about having parts of her head ripped off.

Before Olympia has the chance to form a response, Minagi straightens herself out again and takes a step closer. Again, she stares silently. This time, there is a hint of expectation in her eyes rather than curiosity.

"You must tell me your name now. It is how we become familiar."

Somewhat caught off guard by the demand, Olympia fumbles slightly as she summons a blank sheet of paper with a flick of her pen-like wand and quickly scrawls something on it before presenting it to Minagi. It reads:

I'm Olympia Stalward. It's nice to meet you.

Minagi's eyes shift between the sheet and Olympia several times. These periods of silence only serve to cause more discomfort, but she seems to be completely oblivious even as Olympia awkwardly squirms beneath her gaze. Finally, her smile returns.

"It is? That is good. But why do you not speak? I do not believe that you are unable. Lesser things than you speak, so you must."

Olympia frowns as she scrawls more on the page, and this is something Minagi does notice. Her mouth twitches as she considers telling her schoolmate that she doesn't need to answer but stops herself. Curiosity outweighs concern.

I'll run out of words.

Minagi's eyes widen, and her lips form an 'o' — the only change in her expression beyond the off smile so far. It seems that she's utterly baffled and maybe even angered by the response from the way her pupils have constricted into little dots. After all, it isn't difficult to understand what a book without words would be, and such a thing is entirely unacceptable.

"How many do you have? Why have you not written more? This unfair. Terribly unfair. We've only just come to know each other, and now I must accept your departure without even a hair to prove you were here."

The outburst makes Olympia cringe, and Ivy is poised to bite Minagi. A deeply uncomfortable situation has somehow managed to become worse. She seems to have calmed down, but now her gaze takes on an ominous predatory quality that had Olympia constantly checking that the strange girl isn't reaching for her wand as she writes a reply. It feels like she's sizing her up, looking for the best cut of meat. She needs to change the subject.

I'm sorry? It isn't that simple. But it's fine as long as I don't speak. May I ask why you want my hair?

Minagi shakes her head, and her gaze softens. She takes a few steps back, perhaps acknowledging how uncomfortable the previous arrangement was for Olympia.

"No, it is I who is sorry. I have asked much but answered little. However, the answer to this one is regretfully boring — I find you interesting. An interesting person should ask interesting questions."

At that, Olympia's brow furrows, and her pen presses down harder when she writes. Once she's done, she unceremoniously shoves it in Minagi's face.

Interesting to you or me? If you only want to answer questions you like, they're not really questions. You're just making me guess what you want to say next.

Minagi makes a pleased humming sound as she considers her answer before she shakes her head again.

"That's not how I meant it. You may ask whatever you like, and I will answer."

Satisfied, Olympia smirks and pulls back. Her smirk soon gives way to a contemplative look when she begins to jot down her questions, taking quick glances at Minagi as she does. Despite herself, what lies at the forefront of her mind is the rumors. She goes back and forth with herself for a time before passing the paper back to Minagi with a bit of hesitance.

What's Mahoutokoro like? I've heard it's strict. Do you like it here? Is it true you have a Thestral? Were you expelled? Why did you transfer? What's that you're carrying?

"Oh my. That's quite a lot. It was stuffy there, and I must admit I don't miss that too terribly. It is beautiful, though, and I think I liked their uniform better. This place is a little gloomy, but I am more free, and there is much I have never seen here. Your second question... I wonder if you will be able to see her? We can go for a ride when you have time."

Before continuing, Minagi carefully pulls the object off of her back and takes it in two hands. Now, in clear view, it stands easily as tall as a broomstick. She pulls the cloth back slightly to reveal a sharp head like a blade or a needle. Going down, there's a series of elaborate engravings carved into the body. Olympia leans in to get a better look, but Minagi wraps it back up just as quickly as she unwrapped it.

"It is sacred to my family—our salvation; Doom to those who oppose us. Only to be used when needed. You wonder why I have it, yes? Because every light casts a shadow, and there are those who may think me to be a shadow. Am I a shadow to you?"

The question is more filled with genuine curiosity than anything accusatory, but it's difficult not to think it so. Olympia doesn't hesitate to shake her head in denial. Minagi gives no hint as to whether the answer pleases her or not, only letting out a hum in acknowledgment. Their exchange otherwise stalls out, and Olympia doesn't miss the fact that Minagi skipped over one of her questions. Still, the girl seems to be waiting for her to make the next move, so she decides to press the issue.

Do you not want to talk about your transfer?

She doesn't answer. Instead, she draws close to Olympia, undeterred by Ivy's presence, and extends a hand with the pinky outstretched. She speaks in a low whisper, adding a gravitas to the subject, making it feel like they're breaking some taboo.

"You must promise first. Then, I will tell you something. It is a touchy issue, and we are not yet as close as I would like for us to discuss it. But I might let something slip to a friend. So, will you be my friend?"

For such a simple request, Minagi's words carry a deadly seriousness to them. Her gaze again becomes that of a predator's, and Olympia feels she's being picked apart. It all makes her head fill up with doubts about accepting the offer. She hadn't proven herself to be a danger, but there's no telling what she might expect of a friend. After all, there is some reason she is here and not Mahoutokoro. Olympia hastily writes out another message as her eyes linger on Minagi's delicate digit.

What do you mean by "friend?"

"Hmm? Is that not the right word? Is "companion" more appropriate? If an explanation is required, then all I mean is someone with whom I might spend a considerable amount of time. A person I trust and who trusts me."

The innocent confusion that consumes her makes it seem laughable that she could harbor any ill intent. It makes Olympia feel a tad embarrassed by her suspicion, and rather than dwell on it, she wraps her pinky around Minagi's. The moment she does, Minagi is pulled back to reality. Her eyes dart to where their fingers are locked, and she grins wildly. One would think she's looking at a dragon egg from the way she reacts.

"Yubikiri genman, uso tsuitara hari senbon nomasu, yubi kitta!"

For a moment, Olympia thinks that Minagi has some strange spell, and her head swivels in panic. When nothing happens, and Minagi eventually lets go, she's only further baffled by the chant. However, she isn't given the chance to ask about its purpose, as Minagi is no longer even looking at her. She's instead turned around, still ogling her pinky as she finally delivers her answer.

"You must suspect I got into some trouble, but consider this: would I be able to find myself in another prestigious school were it anything too serious? I think I would be chatting with someone from the Ministry rather than with you. Still, there must be some reason. I told you that Mahoutokoro is stuffy, and you must realize I chafed against its rules. Perhaps I made a lesser mistake and came here as a measure against graver ones? Or, it could be that my strangeness was too much for my family to bear. It's better to have rumors here than at home. It could always be for my own sake — going somewhere I might find some comfort. Care to guess?"

Minagi peeks back to watch Olympia out of the corner of her eye, waiting for a reply. What she's offered is more a jumble of reasonable possibilities than a proper answer, though. And, if it's as sensitive a subject as she claims, it must be one of the more unpleasant ones. The only issue Olympia finds with that line of thinking is that there's little chance her family would allow her to go off with an heirloom if they were casting her aside. Even more likely than any one option is that none of them are the whole truth. There's also the possibility that she's lied. The entire situation feels like a test, and the only thing she can trust is her understanding of a girl she met a dozen or so minutes ago. After much deliberation, she finally turns another page over to Minagi.

I can't say. But you don't act like this is punishment. If you're wondering what I think of you, I've already given my opinion. You're a little odd, but you don't seem bad.

There's a brief but agonizing silence as Minagi processes the words before she brings her hands together in a clap. Whether or not there was a 'right' answer, she seems to be satisfied with the one she's received. She strides back over to Olympia and grabs her hand. Digging into her skirt pocket, she deposits a handful of flower petals and closes Olympia's hand around them.

"You have been a good friend. I will tell you a little more sometime, but I must sleep now. Remember to tell me when you wish to ride."

Before anything more can be said or written, Minagi gathers up the pages into a neat stack and sets off. More specifically, she starts walking off in the direction that Olympia recognizes to lead to her dorm room. Of course, there are other rooms that the girl could be heading to, but she gets a feeling that her new friends won't be shaken so easily, regardless.