MEMINI & SABRINA: SCHOOL! {Finished}

[Rad]

Dawn descended on the Veritas estate, illuminating the grounds with a gentle pinkish glow to the sound of birdsong as the curtains of the upper floor gradually drew open. Beyond the glass paneled French windows, a corridor softly lit by the warm rays of morning sun could be seen. Gradually, one of the doors leading in clicked open and from the dim appeared Adrasteia, the personal butler of the property’s young heir.

However, there was something peculiar about his mannerisms on this fine day! Indeed, by the way he peered into the corridor as if suspecting ambush one could tell something was definitely amiss. He seemed strangely nervous.

“It’ll be okay, Adrasteia. He can’t possibly be awake so early. His regular routine dictates that on a typical day he’ll only begin to stir at noon. Thus, all I have to do is slink into his bedroom and the rest should be a piece of cake.”

Sighing, the man made his way through the passageway (careful not to make any noise) as he cautiously approached the master bedroom and place his hand on the polished handle. Perhaps he should have noted the strange sound coming from beyond the wood and at least prepared himself for an attack but as things were he was completely vulnerable when…

The door opened to unleash a wild breakfast trolley which promptly found its target and sent poor Adrasteia crashing into an antique vase.

“Ha! Did you think I would just let you put that thing on me, you pervert! You’ll never succeed in your foul endeavors, you villain!” And with that utterance the culprit was off, sprinting away in just his pajama top and…

“At least have the decency to put some pant on, you nitwit!”

“NEVER!”

Thus, the wild goose chase commenced and went on for quite a while until the two finally arrived at the maze of bookshelves within the library. Evidently, the ‘game’ had left both exhausted (and had appalled a number of maids too) and the drained Adrasteia was inwardly cursing how it was ‘too early in the morning for this’. He was about to give up.

“Okay, fine! Be that way. I’ll just tell Sabrina that she won’t be seeing you today at –“

With that the battle was won and like a whirlwind ‘that thing’ which was the school uniform was promptly whisked from the butler’s hands and hurriedly put on by Memini as he shouted some orders for his butler to ‘hurry up’, ‘don’t make me late’ et cetera. Then it was out the door like a bird, into the Cadillac and then numerous shouted insults at those ‘horrible’ red traffic lights.

Yet, in the end the young heir was still late…EXCEEDINGLY late, but just in time for lunch. Oh well, lunch was much more enjoyable than class and as Memini sat on a bench (feeling awfully uncomfortable in his school uniform) his eyes scanned the grounds for a sign of Sabrina.

[Wolfy]

Just then, Sabrina burst through the double doors leading to the girls’ wing of the school. Instead of her usual clean-cut, chipper, and happy look, she looked extremely cross. Dark stains ran down her uniform blouse and onto her plaid skirt. Some was also dripping off the tips of the graceful curls of her hair. Even from a few feet away, the warm scent of chocolate wafted from her, indicating that this was the source of the mess.

On both sides of her, girls dressed in identical outfits (minus the chocolate) were smirking and whispering to one another. Sabrina just bent her head low and avoided looking at them as she stormed over to where Memini was seated. Just before she reached the circular wooden table, however, a pretty, blonde girl stopped her, looking very smug indeed.

“Well, Sabrina, how was your first cooking class?” she asked with a smirk. Though she hardly ever became angry, Sabrina looked positively furious. “I heard that you made an… explosive first impression!” Her friends, who were standing a ways back, all laughed in a cruel and taunting manner.

“Shut up, Angela!” growled Sabrina. “Don’t you have a teacher to suck up to?” Unfazed, the girls laughed and walked off, leaving Sabrina and Memini alone at their table. She slammed her book bag down on the table and sat down with a sigh. “I hate cooking class…”

She folded her arms across her chocolate-stained shirt and muttered, “Girls’ classes are stupid.” She looked at Memini and added, “Why can’t I just go to your classes? They sound so much more fun…” She realized he was probably in the dark about her cooking fiasco, and was just going to ask her about it in a moment.

“My chocolate soufflé had a giant air bubble in it…” she explained. “And it exploded all over me!” She rested her head in her hands. “I’ll never live this down!” She sighed and shook her head. “But how was your first day of school?”

[Rad]

“They’re just jealous you taste delicious.” Memini stated in a matter of fact manner, swiping a swab of chocolate with an index finger. Among the list of items he had forgotten in his haste to arrive at school was his school bag and since it contained his lunch…well the scent of chocolate was just too delightful to resist.

“Goodness, that’s disgusting girlie! If you couldn’t afford lunch you shouldn’t even be attending this school!” Oh, that obnoxious voice was instantly recognizable! Practically every high-class institute had one of these snobby characters. Popular (not that any of that was deserved), decent-to-look-at (yet under the infallible belief that he’s a handsome beast), insanely respectable parents (not that he appreciates them), an avid try-hard (not that trying always produces the desired grades) and of course, a Grade A bully.

In comparison to this guy Memini’s use of profanity, snarky comments and ‘oh-so-better-than-you’ attitude was as tame as a newborn pup! It was no wonder that the young Veritas heir visibly shuddered and could only reply with a meek “F*** off. No one likes you, James.”

Of course, if only things were going to conclude with a comment as light as that! James wasn’t the type to back off without having properly humiliated his victim first and there was one thing about Memini’s uniform that he had sported from half-way across the court.

-

Meanwhile, back at the Veritas property Adrasteia was busy bandaging a cut on his hand as he silently calculated the possibility of there being blood on his young master’s uniform. That incident earlier in the morning with the smashed vase had left a rather nasty slash on his palm but in the rush of things evidently no one had noticed. It was only when he had wanted to sit down to a nice cup of tea that he had become aware that his hand was bleeding. Oh well, if he had gotten blood on Memini’s uniform the kid could simply say it was paint, couldn’t he?

[Wolfy]

Sabrina looked up at the newcomer with a frown. She’d never seen him before, but he definitely looked like the rude and nasty type of person. James just returned the look and then looked back to his primary target. “So… miss Memini,” he said with an white-toothed smirk. “Why so crabby today?”

He glanced down to see Memini’s attire, remembering what had brought him over in the first place. “Oh! I see!” he said. “Is it that time of the month again?” He put on an extremely overacted look of sympathy. “I’m so sorry to hear that!”

Sabrina, confused, followed his gaze to Memini’s pants. For some unknown, horrible, reason, there was the largest stain of blood in the most unfortunate place possible. With a silent gasp, Sabrina cupped her hands over her mouth. “Oh my gosh!” she said, though her words were muffled from her hands. She was horrified!

“So should I get you a tampon?” he asked with a smirk. “Though it looks like it’s really too late for that…” Sabrina blushed for Memini’s humiliation – this was so embarrassing!

[Rad]

“Idiot! I’m not a –“ Of course Memini didn’t have time to finish his sentence! The whole school-yard (those within earshot at least) was already guffawing at his humiliation!

“Brilliant, James!” One of the cronies chirped, bowled over with laughter, “I always thought there was something strange about Memini! Trying to mingle in with the lads are ya, lassie?”

Dammit! Those brutes weren’t giving him a chance to defend himself at all! Not that he had any idea how a stain like that had gotten where it was…”I’m NOT a girl, okay? So f*** off?” Ick, that sounded a little less resolute than he had intended. His voice was trembling to the extent that his concluding sentence had sounded more like a question squeaked out in a high-pitched squeal. Why oh why did his voice do this to him at the worst of times?

As was to be expected, this failed rebuttal only incited more merriment among his tormentors and for a moment they were laughing too much to even speak! “Oh yeah missy? Why don’t you prove it?”

“I don’t need to prove anything!” Damn it! There was that high-pitched whine again!

“I find that hard to believe coming from someone that sounds like a whiny little girl!”

“F*** off, James! We’ve all heard you scream at spiders. Now THAT is shrill.”

An indignant huff, “Memini you dumbass! Everyone knows that was a one-off and anyway, that spider was huge! A giant! A young girl like you would have fainted!”

“Shut up! I am not a girl!”

“Prove it!” There was a pause as a flicker of glee shone in James’ eyes. Whatever scheme he had just cooked up was going to be good! “Why don’t you prove it by taking off your pants?”

[Wolfy]

There was a collective gasp from everyone following the conversation that was followed by a few snickers. Sabrina was horrified. “Memini!” she said sharply. “You don’t have to do that! Nobody really thinks that. And you’ll get in SO much trouble!” She looked around nervously, as if by just staying that, a teacher would appear out of thin air.

James just grinned and folded his arms. “Right,” he said with a sarcasm-filled voice. “No one thinks that!” His cronies all laughed and nodded. “So, lady, what do you choose?” Now everyone in the cafeteria was enthralled in the conversation – girls and boys alike. There was a hushed silence as they awaited Memini’s decision.

Sabrina saw no teachers, but that was temporary. She was positive one would show up eventually, and this kind of dare would be completely intolerable. “Memini,” she said again. “Don’t do it. What if one of the teachers comes in?”

But of course, everyone in the cafeteria began yelling, “Do it unless you’re scared!” “There’s probably nothing there anyway.” And other things like that. Really, Sabrina was the only one that was trying to talk him out of it.

As this was going on, the principal was walking down to the cafeteria, and was a few hallways away. Just long enough for Memini to make his decision.

[Rad]

“Who’s afraid of who?” Memini retorted, completely ignoring the advice of his friend. The boy had never been one of the logical people and in this instance there were simply too many factors urging him to act upon impulse. The sole voice of common sense was completely drowned out in the hullabaloo! “I personally have no problems with stripping!”

Thus, with a flourish the pants were off, stirring a collective gasp from the crowd as a stern voice spoke from behind “In my office, now, Mr Veritas!”

There he was, that conspiring crony rejoining the side of his cohorts now that he had accomplished his master’s bidding. Oh the ploy was quite evident now! That foul creature James had gotten one of his entourage to fetch the principal as the old hag made her rounds. Just lovely! Of course, he wouldn’t have failed to imply that the cheeky Memini was up no good with his accomplice the ‘dear’ Sabrina. Their involvement, naturally, would be conveniently left out.

So it was that the Veritas estate received a rather urgent telephone call:

"My apologies for inconveniencing you, Mr. Moirae. However, your presence is urgently required at the school. Your young master was seen stripping in the courtyard today at lunch."

Likewise, an equally urgent (albeit slightly mitigated) call was placed to the Matthews’ household:

“Good afternoon Mr. Matthews. I apologize if this inconveniences you however I would appreciate it if you were to come to the school for a brief meeting. Your daughter has been caught in the act of encouraging the most indecent of behaviors and I would like to discuss the matter with you in person.”

[Wolfy]

Horrified, Sabrina tried to look away, but Memini had already done what everyone had been hoping he would. But as she turned her head away, she saw something much worse. Standing there was the principal of the school, and she looked furious. She was almsot glad for a second, but realized that her rage was focused on Memini and her instead of the real culprits.

And, when James spoke up to say that it was both Memini's and her fault, she could almost feel the woman's gaze fry into her with sheer hate. Sabrina, not being one to create a fuss in front of everyone in that school, didn't object when she got roped into the situation. She trudged between the rows of tables behind the principal and Memini, but glanced back to fix James with a furious glare.

When they arrived, they were commanded to sit down on the couple of uncomfortable, unpadded, wooden seats with miserably straight backs. While she was fidgeting to make herself comfortable, the chair made a loud squeal. This got her another intense glare from the principal, so she instantly stopped. The woman strode off to her office - undoubtedly to call their parents - slamming the door behind.

"What kind of stupid move was that?" she muttered to Memini. "I told you that you were going to get in trouble."

At his home, Sabrina's father was sitting by the fire after a lunch meeting to try and get his business back on track. He seemed exceedingly happy with how the day was turning out so far. That is, until the phone rang. He picked up in a cheerful voice, but that instantly faded when he heard the message. "Okay, I'll be right there," he sighed, annoyed.

And so, he began his trek all the way to the school, just to see what kind of 'indecent behavior' his daughter had gotten herself in to.

[Rad]

Stripping. That was certainly an odd behavior to get in trouble for at school and for all Memini’s peculiarities Adrasteia would have thought the lad had more sense than to treat an upper-class academy like a standard strip club.

Nevertheless, one could never quite tell what was going on in that youngster’s head. Perhaps he, as the rambunctious kid’s butler, should have taken the precaution of giving him a lecture on the does and don’ts of classroom etiquette.

Lost in thought Adrasteia ran a red light, only just managing to avoid collision with another vehicle as he hurriedly swerved out of the way. The whole situation was ludicrous! Insane! Any normal person would know to keep his pants on no matter how boring any class got.

Yet…he should have guessed from that morning’s antics that Memini wasn’t exactly ‘normal’ in that sense. He sighed at this and returned his attention to his driving. Whatever had happened, he was sure to be informed of the details soon enough.

-

Meanwhile, the ‘nonsensical’ lad in question was propped quite happily in one of those imposing ‘you’re in DEEP trouble’ hard chairs. To top it off he was fidgeting childishly as if completely unaware of the mess he was in. Perhaps he simply didn’t care. After all, the principal had just fitted him with a new pair of pants and that made him cheery enough for now.

“Trouble? What trouble? I don’t intend on returning to this school anytime soon so it doesn’t matter to me. Honestly Sabrina, if you want my opinion on the matter I don’t suggest you coming back here either! Besides, it wasn’t what you would call a ‘stupid move’. If we get expelled it’ll save us the trouble of having to convince the adults not to force us to attend this abhorrent prison.” Oh that selfish Memini wasn’t sorry at all! Either that or he had suddenly become outrageously optimistic. Had he no idea of the extent to which he had soiled his friend’s reputation?

At any rate, it was at that moment that the principal reappeared with that disapproving expression spread all over her face. Facing the two transgressors she asked, quite firmly, “Well, what do you have to say for yourselves?”

“Nothing. I only did what was natural.” Yes, it certainly appeared as if the proud youngster had no intention of proclaiming his innocence. He seemed content enough playing the criminal he was framed as. Seeing the old hag’s complexion redden even gave him a slight feeling of glee and wishing to continue in his cheeky ways Memini turned up his nose at her and said (in quite a stately manner too) “Besides, what can someone as poor as you do to someone as rich as me?”

This self-assured statement, of course, sent the principal into a great huff and with barely contained rage she snapped, “You…you insolent child! I now fully comprehend why Kratos Exousia disowned you from his guardianship!”

This comment turned the tables rather quick and at once the snarky Memini was at a loss for words. In fact, he even looked on the verge of tears!

[Wolfy]

Sabrina’s mouth fell open when the principal said her last words. She looked over at her friends and instantly saw that he was going to burst out into tears any second. She was horrified that the principal had said such a thing, even if Memini was being his insubordinate normal self. She reached over and placed her hand on his arm before standing up from her seat.

Her anger was blazing, and it seemed that even though it was out of her usual nature, Sabrina was taking up her old role as Memini’s protector. “Take it back,” she practically growled at the old woman.

“I beg your pardon,” said the principal, sounding shocked. “Miss Matthews, take your seat at once!” But Sabrina didn’t comply.

She was so angry, in fact, that she didn’t notice her father step through the door into the office. “No! Where do you get the gall to speak to him like that! What Kratos did to him was not Memini’s fault – he was a horrible man! And you don’t have to rub that in his face!”

“I command that you take your seat and shut up right now!” she said back, giving Sabrina a piercing glare. But that didn’t faze Sabrina.

“No! I’m done listening to a stuck up, sexist, old hag like you!” she said. (A little anger for the incident in cooking class was obviously coming out now). “Why would you get a job dealing with kids if all you’re going to do is say horrible things to us? So I suggest that you take what you said back before I really start thinking that you’re pure evil!”

“SABRINA!” The booming voice nearly made her jump out of her skin. She slowly turned around and beheld in horror that her father had been in the room the whole time. It seemed that timing was on neither Memini’s nor her side today. He was red-faced, and looked horribly livid at her daughter’s tirade.

She took a few steps back, glancing up at the principal’s smug face. She held her hands behind her back and laughed nervously. “Uh… hi, dad,” she said quietly.

“Save it,” he spat. “I’ve already heard enough.” The air in the room was charged and tense. His anger was chilling, and Sabrina wanted nothing more than for the earth to open up and swallow her whole.

[Rad]

Simon had reached a dilemma. They were into the final minutes of the match before class and his star batter had chosen that exact moment to call it quits (with the pathetic excuse of having to complete last minute homework.) What was more; this was the deciding moment of the match. A final swing of the bat and they would either be the winners or the losers.

Sadly, without their batter there was no one left. Were they doomed to forfeit the match now? What to do…

That was when he perceived the tall stranger observing their game and an idea hit him square in the face! This could be it!

Waving at the man, he called out, “Hey you, wanna play?”

-

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the principal’s office was tense…exceedingly tense. The air practically bristled with an electric charge. For the moment there was silence but even so the room almost reverberated with the deafening sound of suspense. Well now there was a paradox for you! Memini dared not speak for the silence was simply too…loud, imposing, threatening.

This was until…

A baseball crashed through the window and narrowly missed giving the principal a good walloping on the back of the head.
Then followed a series of cheers of “we won, we won!” accompanied by “good game, good game, chap!” in the words of good sportsmanship. Strangely enough, there was also a familiar deeper voice among this chatter and soon two figures (one taller than the other) approached the smashed window.

As was to be expected, upon seeing the damage they had caused the shorter one swiftly high-tailed it out of there, leaving the taller one to face the wrath of the principal.

As things were, it wasn’t long before Adrasteia joined Memini and Sabrina on his own punishment chair, a rather ashamed look of embarrassment on his face.

Still, his shocking entrance had helped improve things a bit. It was almost impossible for Memini to prevent himself from snickering.

[Wolfy]

Sabrina’s father was about to continue speaking, but a crash silenced him before he could even begin. Sabrina nearly jumped out of her skin and looked out the window. She was shocked to see Adrasteia as the culprit. The principal looked positively fuming, and soon Adrasteia was in a similar situation as the two of them.

Like Memini, Sabrina couldn’t help but snicker, which seemed to refuel her dad’s anger. “You. Come.” He said. He looked up to the principal and added, “You won’t mind me talking to Sabrina for a moment.” The phrase that would normally be asked as a question was stated, and even the horrible woman behind the desk didn’t have a retort.

He left the room, and Sabrina glanced at both Memini and Adrasteia worriedly before following. Though they were behind the thick wooden door and down the hallway some, their conversation was still heard faintly in the cramped office. He was already on edge with the baby, and trying to get his business back on track, and this humiliating situation just pushed him over the edge.

“What were you thinking?” came Mr. Matthew’s voice. “This is a very respected institution, and look at what you just did to the principal! How could you humiliate me like that? I know that me and your mother raised you better than this! What would she think if she’d seen that?” That stung, and Sabrina was so surprised that had no answer.

There was a pause as he waited for her excuse. “And now you aren’t even apologizing to me?” he asked angrily. “Do you know how important this time is for me? I’m trying to keep you out of the slums! You’re such a disgrace! Your mother would be ashamed!” With that, he reached up and snapped the locket from Sabrina’s neck.

“Now go and face what’s coming to you if you’re not too much of a coward,” he growled and marched back toward the office. Sabrina obediently followed, though her eyes were beginning to fill with tears. However, she didn’t want that to show through in front of everyone, so she did her best to gain her composure before stepping back into the office, not looking anyone in the eye.

[Rad]

The second that Sabrina and her father left the room was the thing that finally pushed Memini over the edge. No longer able to stifle his laughter the child burst into loud guffawing; a sound which annulled all outside noises and brought a scowl to the principal’s face.

“Classic, Adrasteia. Getting the naughty chair for destruction of school property!”

“At least I’m not in trouble for stripping. In all honesty that unfortunate swing was an accident but I’m sure what you did was done on purpose!”

“Don’t you know? The great Memini Veritas can do what he wants.” A sly smirk played on the child’s face as he continued, “I bet you’re just bitter you weren’t there to see such a wonder.”

The response to this accusation was an even redder blush and a shouted, “Shut up!”

“No, you shut up!”

“Make me!”

“You think I won’t?”

“Quiet! Now! The both of you!” This firm bark from the principal silenced them both and it was exactly this that allowed the words of Sabrina’s argument with her father to drift into the room. At the sound of each harsh sentence even the clueless Memini winced and turned solemn.

If he hadn’t realized the significance of what he had done before he was surely enlightened now! Thus it was that as Sabrina walked back into the room he hadn’t even the courage to look at her and instead gazed rather intently at the floor as if the marble tiles were the most intriguing objects in the world.

Adrasteia, on the other hand, wasn’t as heartless to her plight and as father and daughter re-entered the room he stood to face Mr. Matthews (not without a polite bow of respect first). “Sir, you have my apologies if it appears that I am intruding into personal matters but this incident is surely not Sabrina’s fault. In the short time I have known her Sabrina has shown nothing but the mannerisms suitable for a lady of her noble upbringing. If anything, I can guarantee you that the fault here lies entirely with my young master.” Here, Adrasteia cast a sideways glare at Memini who, still fixedly studying the floor, appeared not to notice.

[Wolfy]

Mr. Matthews clapped Adrasteia on the shoulder and sighed. “Thank you, Adrasteia,” he said. He said it with much more respect for a butler than any other man of his status would have. “But you don’t have to cover for my daughter. I saw what she did with my own eyes.” He looked to Sabrina with an expression of disappointment.

Meanwhile, Sabrina took a seat in the uncomfortable chair, but she didn’t complain or fidget. She just sat down, hunched over, looking remorseful. Her neck felt oddly empty since her locket had been taken from her. She said nothing, and looked at no one. Not even Adrasteia, who was trying to defend her.

“So, Miss Chavez,” said Sabrina’s father to the principal. “What do you think would be a suitable punishment for them?” He cast a glance at Memini and Sabrina, but it was lost because both of them were avoiding his gaze.

He was answered with a haughty ‘Hmm’, from the principal before she responded. “I’m thinking suspension, but that’s being generous… Expulsion is more suitable, in my opinion.” She looked to Adraseteia. “You may be only a butler, and you broke my window, but you’re the closest thing Memini has to a guardian since Kratos disowned him…” This time Sabrina didn’t even flinch to protect her friends from the woman’s rudeness. “…I can’t believe I’m asking a butler… But what do you think should be done with them?”

Mr. Matthews said nothing, but glared at Sabrina. Though he was silent, Sabrina could almost hear what he was thinking. ‘You might get expelled from this school? Do you know how hard it will be to find a school for you if you get expelled? You are in so much trouble when we get home!’

She bent her head, closed her eyes sadly, and waited for Adrasteia to answer.

[Rad]

“…I can’t believe I’m asking a butler… But what do you think should be done with them?”

‘For a principal this woman sure isn’t as respectful as she expects her students to be.’ That was the first thought to enter Adrasteia’s head as he frowned ever-so-slightly at the stern old lady. Just because he was a butler now didn’t mean he had never been in a position that over-powered hers in the past. If he had retained his hit man status he could have easily disposed of her on a whim. Oh yes, phrases like ‘only a butler’ and ‘I can’t believe I’m asking a butler’ made the former criminal very indignant. He was tempted to suggest she be careful who she offended.

However, the more pressing matter currently at hand was the little duo’s subsequent punishment. He was tempted to stamp down rather harshly on his rambunctious young master yet on this occasion Sabrina had gotten swept into the mix. Since whatever consequence he applied to Memini would also apply to Sabrina he had no choice but to be more lenient than he wanted to be.

Unless…

Was there a method through which he could be more stringent to Memini without affecting Sabrina?

“I’m sure expulsion or even suspension won’t be necessary in this instance.” Adrasteia said at last, “Today is only the beginning of school and as such today’s incident may just be the result of too much excitement. I suggest to just let them off school early today so our respective families can deal with our charges as we deem fit. I’m sure Mr. Matthews is in agreement with me on this matter. Fear not, my young master shall not escape what’s coming to him.”