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Reading the list over again, Air Groove felt the sensation of apprehension growing within her. It was the fourth time she had reviewed the document now, and each read-through only made her feel more uneasy about the items being proposed within. Her expression grew sullen.
“Watch out, Prez.” Came a voice from across the room. “She's in one of her moods again.”
Air Groove's gaze snapped to the offender - Narita Brian - who was, as usual, lounging on the lone sofa in the Student Council boardroom. Reclined out, not even having bothered to remove her shoes before kicking them up on the armrest, the senior year trackstar practically dared Groove to say something in protest, idly chewing away at yet another toothpick.
‘Senior year trackstar’ wasn't exactly the right nomenclature, however, and as much as Air Groove rued to admit it to herself, she found Brian's continued presence at Tracen and as part of the Student Council to be something she welcomed. Rather than partaking in graduating at the end of the last school year like the rest of her cohort, Narita Brian had instead opted for what was colloquially known around Tracen as a ‘Victory Lap'. Essentially, an extra year tacked onto the end of high school, rather than moving on to university - something herself and Rudolf had done previously, and now continued to remain at Tracen.
They had practically rubber-stamped the request when it came in, sending Brian's paperwork up to Tracen’s Chairman, Yayoi Akikawa, for final approval. Little justification was needed, admittedly, given Brian's exemplary performance both on and off-track. For the tough-guy persona she liked to put up, Brian’s track record was practically spotless, and her role as the liaison between the Council and the students was imperative to their success.
As much as she appreciated Brian's continued involvement, though - Goddesses she could be annoying.
“I am simply ensuring that everything is in order.” Air Groove snapped, the sheet of paper in her hands flexing slightly as she gripped it in annoyance. “Someone has to handle the paperwork while the others slack off.”
Her foe chuckled, Brian deftly parrying Air Groove's jab. “Hear that, Prez? She thinks you're slacking off.”
Air Groove saw red at that remark, and she was tempered only by the Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf, holding up a hand to signal that she should remain quiet.
“I, for one, appreciate Miss Air Groove's diligence in our work.” The President said from her chair behind her desk, midway through her late lunch, having been caught up in a meeting with a few students. A half-eaten apple rested in her hand as she lightly scolded the lounging mare. “Goddesses only know where we would be without her.”
The whiplash between her own anger at Brian and her embarrassment from Rudolf’s praise made Air Groove blush, and she composed herself by coughing into her hand. “Everything seems to be in order.” She replied, desperate to derail Brian’s seemingly endless teasing and Rudolf’s earnestness. “But, well…”
Taking a bite from her apple, Rudolf quirked an eyebrow at her Vice President’s uncertainty. That was very much unlike her. “Well?”
“I simply do not know about the stretch goals that the Junior Council has proposed.”
The structure of Tracen’s Student Council was, as Air Groove had admitted many times before, slightly odd. Herself, Rudolf, and Brian made up the de-facto ‘Student Council’, but their positions were, in fact, un-elected. Rather, the three of them were no longer students and had been personally appointed by the Chairman herself - it was the Junior Council that consisted of the representatives of the student body that were elected to their positions in a yearly vote. The Student Council acted as a branch of Tracen’s administration, representing the students in more serious matters and the management of the Student Treasury, while the Junior Council filled the stereotypical roles that one would expect - speaking at assemblies, organizing small school events, and providing proposals or petitions on behalf of their constituents.
That year’s Junior Council had proven to be a particularly thorny issue for Air Groove. Of course, it was largely in part thanks to the winner of that year’s Junior President vote - none other than the Invincible Tokai Teio. Now in her fourth and final year at Tracen, the so-called ‘Monarch’ had once again strived to follow in her idol’s cleatprints, and had become quite the annoyance to Air Groove. Frequently barging into the Council room unannounced while she was attempting to work, just so she could see the President; bringing forth issues to herself or the President that, frankly, she should have been able to handle on her own as Junior President; and, as was the case with the list Air Groove was in the process of reviewing, providing proposals and ideas that were wholly unrealistic. Teio’s councilmates - Ikuno Dictus and Zenno Rob Roy - proved feckless in the face of the Monarch’s bombastic rule.
It didn’t help that Rudolf was so fond of the energetic girl, too. Teio simply had too much energy to burn off, now that she had taken a step back from frequent competition thanks to her chronic injuries.
“You’re always worrying about something.” Brian interjected, still as dismissive as ever. “Makes me wonder how you sleep at night.”
“I sleep soundly, thank you.” Air Groove bit, turning her attention to the only person in the room whose opinion actually mattered. “If the fundraiser were to reach those goals, frankly, I have doubts in our ability to fund and operate them properly.”
One of Symboli Rudolf’s greatest strengths as President was her ability to approach issues and situations with an open mind and unbiased attitude - but in Air Groove’s opinion, it could sometimes lead to her giving more attention to frivolous things than was warranted. Such was the case here. “Well, I appreciate how their proposal may be rather… Aspirational, Air Groove, but is it not the point of a fundraiser reward to be enticing in order to ensure the fundraiser’s success?”
“That’s… Not what I’m implying, Rudolf.” Air Groove said delicately, all too aware of the fact that her argument was already being poked full of holes.
Each year, Tracen held a fundraising campaign to benefit a local charity or non-profit, as voted on by the student body. In past years, local hospitals, orphanages, and food banks had been the recipients of funds raised by the students, but that year, they had voted for a local animal rescue shelter located near the campus - another result of Tokai Teio’s erratic reign as Junior President. Funds would be raised by a mix of the students soliciting donations from the public through various fundraising means, often organized class-by-class; donations from alumni and prominent racing families with ties to the Academy; and, near the end of the month-long process, a charity racing event, where all ticket and concession sales would go into the pot of funds.
Of course, there was the need for incentives for the students, who were responsible for the bulk of the fundraising efforts. When a certain monetary amount was met, then they would be rewarded with a meaningful but minor reward, such as a pizza lunch or an afternoon assembly to watch a movie rather than regular classes. That year, however, the Junior Council had provided the Student Council with their own revised list of goals, Tokai Teio looking rather proud of herself when she had slammed the paper down on the President’s desk the other day.
Air Groove, of course, had been tasked with reviewing the feasibility of their proposal.
Collecting herself, she attempted to face down the mighty Emperor, Rudolf’s pointed question leaving her scrambling. “It’s simply that, well, I question if we possess the funds to be able to keep our promises if the goals are met.”
“What’re they again?” Called out Narita Brian, the horsegirl rubbing her brow with the back of her hand as she strained to recall.
Ever forgetful, as always. “At three million yen, they proposed a sleepover event, where the students would participate in a sleepover held in the gymnasium, with dinner, games, movies, and more being arranged; at three-and-a-half million, there would be an Academy-wide field trip to the local waterpark for a day; and at four million yen…” Air Groove sighed, having arrived at the final stretch goal, the one that was truly giving her a headache. “A - and I quote - ‘themed dress-up day for the Student Council, intended to capture the essence of the mighty Emperor in his royal garb; his beloved Empress proudly wearing the finest gown the Empire has to offer; and their trusty Maverick, sporting his iconic black armour forged in battle and bloodshed.’ End quote.” Clearly that had been written by Rob Roy.
Brian laughed out loud at Air Groove’s words. “What, like costumes for us? Pffft.”
Air Groove rolled her eyes. “Yes, Brian. We would essentially dress up in embarrassing regalia, and be paraded around campus as some sort of ‘reward’ for the students.”
That only caused Brian to laugh harder, and Air Groove just about died on the spot when Rudolf spoke up, struggling to hold back a smirk on her lips. “I understand your concerns about our budget, Groove… But I struggle to see what your personal opinion on such a thing being ‘embarrassing’ has to do with the worthiness of it as a goal.”
“I… I…” Air Groove floundered, shrinking before the ever-resiliant might of the President.
“Somebody’s shy about having to wear a dress again.” Brian joked, sensing the perfect opportunity to get a jab in at her superior. It was enough to finally make Air Groove drop her act.
“Would you be quiet?” Her voice echoed through the room, her anger getting the better of her. Letting out a deep breath, she bowed her head towards Rudolf, already ashamed of her outburst. “I do apologize…”
“None taken.” Rudolf said coolly, still smirking as she glanced over at Brian. “Zip it, you.”
“Yeah yeah, whatever… All I’ll say is that we haven’t even come close to that amount before. You’ll be fine, you worrywart.” Brian suddenly stood up with a stretch, making quite the show of how hard done by she was as she made for the door, hamming up her tiredness with an over-exaggerated yawn.
“Where are you going?” Air Groove protested, unsurprised by Brian’s total lack of commitment to the Council.
Pausing at the door, Brian glanced back over her shoulder. “Somewhere I can nap without being interrogated.” With that, she left, and Air Groove let out a sigh she had been holding in, exasperated by her Council member’s truculence. Noting her Vice President’s continued reticence, Symboli Rudolf ruefully smiled to herself, knowing that she needed to find a way to perk her back up.
“After all these years, she still finds a way to get under your skin.” Rudolf remarked as Groove wilted in her seat, thoroughly admonished by her two Council members over her concerns.
“She has been particularly churlish this year.” Groove replied bitterly, hating how she was letting her annoyance show. It was a bad look. “But, it’s nothing I cannot handle.”
Rudolf hummed. “I’m well aware.. I struggle to think of anything you can’t handle. I trust you with these tasks for a reason, Groove.” The President then interrupted herself by suddenly rising to her feet, turning her back to face the windows behind her desk. “Come here.” She motioned, holding a hand out to her Vice President.
The President always had a certain aura to her, beyond merely her title. Her presence, her tone of voice and choice of words, the way she carried herself, all of it made for a woman who had the ability to command a room, and it was most fortunate that her innate selflessness meant that she never misused it. As such, Air Groove did as she was told, standing and approaching the window with Rudolf to stand beside her, looking out at the school grounds below.
The two stood in silence for a few moments before Rudolf spoke again, the woman cradling her chin in thought. “Does it truly trouble you that much?” She asked, never one to mask her questions or curiosities.
Air Groove mulled it around in her head. “Are you referring to the expenditure, or the other matter?” She replied to buy herself some time to put her words straight in her mind, her slight self-depreciation causing the other woman to smile.
“Both, I would suppose. You know the state of our treasury better than anyone.”
“On that front,” Air Groove began, her eyes struggling to peel away from the President’s handsome visage, her gaze steady and confident as she looked down at the milling students below, who were taking in the sun during the lunchbreak. “I would perhaps wish to run the numbers again. It may be a case of simply needing to swap some pots of funds around, but we have to ensure we can stretch this year’s budget to cover everything. Besides…”
Rudolf’s concentration broke, her eyes flicking towards Air Groove, her right-hand man being uncharacteristically uncertain.
“I question if using school funds to purchase something such as costumes falls within appropriate use if an audit were to be done.”
“Ah.” Was all Rudolf had to say at first, taking a few silent moments to consider her response. She truly appreciated Groove’s shrewd eye for finances and her love for following the rules, but at times, those tendencies could grow to be a touch restrictive. “I wouldn’t suppose that lovely dress of yours from last year’s gala would still be in your closet, would it?” She asked, unable to suppress a small grin from creeping up onto her lips. Even if she tried to carry herself with a certain decorum, there was simply something about Air Groove that brought out her tendency to tease. She watched as the Vice President’s cheeks grew flush at the mention of the garment, her eyes widening.
“I… Suppose it still is.” She replied with a certain stilt to her voice, hesitant to walk herself deeper into Rudolf’s ambush. The President’s memory flashed back roughly six months or so to the end-of-year gala that Tracen had held that past December, one that the Academy hosted annually to celebrate its alumni, kind benefactors, and associated racing clubs. The Student Council, as an official arm of Tracen’s upper administration, had been expected to attend.
It hadn’t been Rudolf’s intention, of course, but in her quick flashback to that night, she recalled the many comments herself, having donned a dashing three-piece suit, and Air Groove, dressed in a flowing blue dress, had received, likening them to a couple attending the gala together. Nartia Brian had not let that die for the last half-year, it being her ace up her sleeve when she needed to take the heat off herself when Air Groove was chiding her.
“Well, if push comes to shove and the body does indeed raise the funds required - and if you believe that our funds would be misappropriated - then we have a solution, correct?”
Air Groove’s response was silent, too thoroughly embarrassed from the memory to reply vocally as she offered up a nod. It was one thing for Brian to continue to tease her about that night, but it was another thing entirely for it to come from Rudolf. The memory of how the President had leaned into it in order to keep up appearances crept into her mind, her cheeks burning hot as she recalled the dance she had shared with Rudolf. The feeling of her strong hands grasping her hips, the light scent of cologne lingering, her confident reassurances to keep Groove steady…
“Hey.” Rudolf’s tone had shifted, the slightly taller woman having taken a step towards her to place a hand on Groove’s shoulder. “If it’s too much, then we can figure something else out.”
“No no, it’s quite fine.” The blush on her cheeks said otherwise, particularly now with their closeness. It took another deep breath for her to steady herself again. “It’s like you said, is it not? Fundraiser goals should be enticing for those raising the funds. And besides, as much as I may hate to admit it, but Brian was correct in her assessment. It is a stretch goal - I doubt we will reach it.”
Rudolf gave Air Groove’s shoulder a small squeeze of reassurance. “I’m certain we’ll have plenty of other things to worry about instead. Besides…” A grin crept onto the President’s lips, and she spoke before Groove could interject to stop her. “It’ll be quite the fun-draiser. Eh? Eh?” Wiggling her eyebrows to goad a reaction out of Groove, Rudolf subsequently threw her head back in laughter as the Vice President groaned at her awful pun, if one could even call it that.
Such was the existence of Vice President Air Groove - trapped in all directions between a flippant co-Councillor and an exasperating President, a troublesome Junior Council and overzealous Academy Chairman, and of course the constant stress that came with managing the Council's funds.
At the very least, she wouldn't need to worry about that silly little proposal and its unrealistic stretch goals.
Burying her face in her gloved hands, Air Groove just about screamed. She simply could not believe she had let herself be convinced to sign-off on what was currently unfolding.
“I could get used to this.” Rudolf said from across the Student Council boardroom, standing before a full-body mirror as she fiddled with her ostentatious outfit. Her old racing silks - an outfit she hardly wore nowadays thanks to the fact that her racing days were long over - was now paired with both a cape and a crown, elevating her to truly be worthy of the title of ‘Emperor’. Beside her, Nartia Brian stood alongside, her expression even more dour than usual.
“Is this the part where I say ‘momento mori’?” She quipped, drawing a grin from Rudolf. Brian had donned her own outfit for the day - gone were the pinks and purples of her racing silks, instead being replaced by a black and red knight-like outfit - toy sword and all - that helped her cut an even more intimidating figure than usual.
Air Groove looked herself over where she sat, her gloved hands smoothing out the wrinkles of her dress. It was one thing to have worn it at the gala, but now to have to spend a day at the Academy in front of the students while wearing it…
The dress was something she had picked out herself, admittedly, but she hadn’t dreamed of ever wearing it more than once. A deep blue, it claustrophobically clung to her body as it reached down to just above her ankles. A lone asymmetric strap held the garment up over her left shoulder, leaving the right shockingly exposed - then, paired with her white elbow gloves, high heels, and a matching blue ribbon pinned to her ear, Groove looked as if she were ready for a ritzy dinner out, rather than a schoolday.
To make things worse, even, were the memories that her dress dredged up for her, especially because of how Rudolf wore nearly the same outfit from their gala night as well. Her mind wandered to how the President had been uncharacteristically flustered upon seeing her in it for the first time, and how Brian had seemingly been unable to come up with any of her typical quips or barbs upon seeing her dressed-up - and now Rudolf's eyes had continued to linger upon her, much in the same way they had on that night previous.
Feeling her cheeks burning up, Air Groove wished she hadn’t been so foolish as to believe that Tokai Teio wasn’t up to the task of raising a record amount of funds for the school fundraiser. Groove had personally overseen much of the fundraising, with her knack for finances, and at the halfway point of the month of fundraising, she had quite the reckoning when she was crunching numbers and realized that they were on track to nearly reach the final stretch goal.
And then the racing event had happened, and the Mejiro family, with the help of the Chairman and her assistant, had surprised the students with a rather large donation - giant oversized cheque and all - to take the fundraiser up and over the ultimate goal.
The only reason why Air Groove hadn’t fainted on the spot was thanks to the strong arms of Symboli Rudolf and Narita Brian steadying her where she had stood. She had to play it off as if she was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Mejiro family to make such a large donation, but on the inside, her wavering was thanks to the fact that the final stretch goal had been reached.
And so, there she was now, sitting in the Student Council boardroom dressed up for a banquet or a ball, wishing she could curl up and die then and there.
A knock at the door shook her out of her rumination, and she watched as Brian strode over to speak with the figure for a few moments. “Ready to go?” Brian asked from over her shoulder, waiting for her compatriots to respond.
Air Groove’s eyes met Rudolf’s, the President approaching where she sat as she held out her gloved hand towards her. “Shall we?” She spoke with a certain confidence to her, clearly loving the occasion far more than her Vice President was.
Forcing her body to move, she accepted Rudolf’s help to rise to her feet, her high heels causing her to stand a few inches taller than the Emperor. As she did, Rudolf made sure to pick up a small object that Air Groove had deliberately left aside. “Can’t forget this, can we?”
Air Groove sighed as the President placed the fake plastic queen’s crown upon her head, well aware that she was now looking even more ridiculous than before. “No funny business.” She warned, holding up a finger.
“Mm.” Rudolf hummed, taking Groove’s arm in her own as they made for the door. Her confidence in grabbing ahold of her caused the mare to blush, and it was a struggle for her to suppress her wandering thoughts related to Rudolf and her feelings towards her. With a confident grin, Rudolf spoke again, slipping into character. “There is nothing funny about our important royal duties, my dear. Our subjects await!”
Goddesses, strike me down where I stand. “Indeed.” She said through gritted teeth.
As they approached arm-in-arm to begin their tour of the campus, Air Groove felt her mood further plummet as she spied who was waiting at the door for them - the Junior Council.
“The Emperor!” Tokai Teio cried out, the Junior President seemingly having been the one who knocked, keen on keeping to schedule. “You look as dashing as ever, Prez!”
“Now now…” Rudolf played it off, her chin held high as she brought Air Groove along with her to face the small congregation. “I believe I pale in the face of my beloved Empress, do I not?”
Air Groove gave the President a cold look, before her steely gaze settled on Teio, wordlessly warning her to not press her luck that day. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Emperor.” She replied, forcing herself to go along with the roleplay. Terribly embarrassed, she embraced the role of the serious but dedicated Empress to contrast with Rudolf’s seemingly ostentatious and bombastic alter-ego, as it would perhaps give her a chance to not be swept away. “Are all of the arrangements prepared?”
“Yup!” Teio said, bouncing with energy. The girl had slipped on her own racing silks to match for the occasion, and Air Groove had to admit that the Monarch’s white-blue royal aesthetic was quite dashing. “We’ve got everyone gathering in the gym for the assembly! If we leave now, we’ll be right on time!”
The day before, Dictus had presented the Student Council with a well-thought-out itinerary for their day, timed down to the minute. A brief walk through the campus, stopping for a photoshoot amongst the flowerbeds, before proceeding to the Academy’s gymnasium for an assembly, where the Student Council - Emperor, Empress, and Maverick - would address the students. It was implied, of course, that they would be in full character for all of it, as had been outlined to the students in order to entice them to reach their fundraising goal.
The sudden flash of a camera caused Air Groove’s eyes to squeeze close, and upon opening them, a shocked-looking Zenno Rob Roy peered back up at her, aghast. “I-I forgot to turn off the flash…”
Poor thing, always so shy. “It is quite alright, dear.” Air Groove said, waving a gloved hand dismissively to reassure the girl. Try as she might, even with her sour mood, it was impossible for her to truly be upset with her. “I look forward to our photoshoot.” She lied, knowing that the results were to be printed in the school newspaper and yearbook.
“We should get going.” Brian interjected with a certain gruffness to her voice, sharing a similar bitter mood to Groove’s own. Out of the three of them, it was only Rudolf who seemed to be truly enjoying herself.
As they set off, Brian and Dictus leading the way, Groove felt Rudolf’s grasp on her hand tighten momentarily, grabbing her attention. “I’ll take the lead.” She whispered to the Empress, well-aware of how out of her depth her co-regent felt about the task at hand. “If you need me to interject, simply squeeze my hand.”
Air Groove flushed at that, both because of Rudolf’s selflessness for her sake, but also at the implication of them needing to continue to hold hands for the rest of their tour. “I’ll be quite fine.” She attempted to reassure her. “It’s not that I feel incapable, rather, it is more that I wish to not be looking so…”
“Beautiful?”
“Curse you.” Air Groove spat bitterly at that, unable to hide her true reaction as her ears wilted against her head, her equine tail happily swishing behind her.
Descending the stairs into the main atrium of the Academy’s school building, Air Groove composed herself as dozens of eyes turned towards them, the murmuring of students heading for the gymnasium filling the air as they caught sight of the Emperor and Empress together for the first time. Rudolf brought the two of them to a pause on the steps, holding up a hand to greet her clamouring subjects, the riffraff of horsegirls congregating for a better look at the royal couple. “Indeed,” she began, her commanding voice strong and steady as she heeded the attention they had gathered. “Quite the momentous day, is it not, my subjects? The Empress and I shall be in audience with you all soon. Please, follow our retainers’ instructions and await our arrival in the grand assembly chamber!”
Air Groove struggled to keep a steady expression as Rudolf monologued, both thanks to being seen with her in such a way, and from the fact that she had used her embarrassing epithet so openly. It was one thing with how the students whispered of the Empress in the school hallways as she walked past, but it was another thing entirely to hear it from Rudolf’s own lips.
As the small royal congregation made the move to proceed, however, a laugh cut through the din of the crowd, Air Groove able to instantly place who it was.
The crowd of students scattered from where the source of the laughter came from, leaving the figure standing alone, guffawing into a hand with her head thrown back. Rather than being in her mandatory school uniform, TM Opera O had donned her racing silks for the day, a rule violation that caused Groove’s gaze to narrow disapprovingly. What was she…?
“The revered Emperor and Empress, in the flesh!” The dramatic horsegirl cried out, her voice lilting and singing as if she had been put upon a stage to perform. “Un vrai Napoléon et Joséphine! Unser eigenes Lohengrin und Elsa von Brabant!”
Air Groove squeezed Rudolf’s hand, harkening back to the promise the President had made moments before. She gave Groove a small glance, that handsome grin still on her lips.
“And who may you be, that is making an incursion in the Emperor’s outing?” Brian called out in response before Rudolf could speak up, leaving Groove shocked as the typically reluctant delinquent wholeheartedly embraced the roleplay before the crowd of students.
The red-headed horsegirl stuck her nose up at that, unphased by the reproach. “None other than the mighty Overlord of the Century’s End! I caught wind of your foretold appearance through my many spies that have infiltrated your court, Emperor. It is most fortuitous, then, that you have appeared before me!”
“And why may that be?” The Emperor called out, taking another step down the stairs to stand alongside the Maverick.
With a flourish, The Overlord shrugged off her own large cape, her right hand moving to grasp an object at her hip, dramatically unsheathing a convincingly realistic toy sword, brandishing it out before herself to point towards Rudolf. “I hereby challenge thee to a duel! For you have sullied my honour by making this appearance without forewarning, and without providing me with the proper recourse to ascend as the rightful heir of Tracen’s throne! As well as for having taken the beloved Empress hostage, denying me her hand in marriage! I challenge thee, usurper!”
Air Groove watched as the scene unfolded before her, puzzled as to if she had been left out on a piece of kayfabe, or if the entire thing was an act of improv. Before the Maverick could intervene to protect his Emperor, however, the royal stallion grabbed ahold of the toy sword resting on her knight’s hip, unsheathing it much in the same way that her foe had, rising the Overlord’s challenge. A chorus of cheers and gasps rippled through the onlooking crowd. “Your challenge is accepted, Overlord! I shall not allow you to sully my good name before my subjects!”
Before Air Groove could intervene in any fashion, Rudolf had lunged forward with a strike, her plastic sword striking against Opera’s own as the challenger hurried backwards, deftly blocking the opening blow. A quick strike of her own was also blocked as the two ornately dressed ‘rulers’ engaged in mock combat for the entertainment of the crowd, truly committing to the bit as the Overlord called out. “You shall fall here today, tyrant!” She said in her sing-song voice, a flourish of her sword being met with a firm deflection by the Emperor.
The Emperor’s response was to seize the moment while his foe was grandstanding, the Overlord clearly more preoccupied with their aura than with winning their duel. Deftly knocking aside Opera’s attack, Rudolf lunged forward not with a blow, but rather with a piercing strike, a collective gasp ringing out as her sword found its target.
The result was, of course, as fake as their personas, but the duellists sold it convincingly. Opera dropped her arm down to catch the blade as it passed underneath her armpit, selling the optical illusion of it having ‘pierced’ through her chest. Then, the operatic horsegirl came to press herself forward against the victor of their fight - a move that caused Air Groove to seethe with jealousy.
“I am…” The Overlord began, her voice having turned shocked and weak at her mortal wound. “Bested by… By…”
The Emperor’s free hand came to grip his foe’s shoulder as their knees weakened, slowly guiding the Overlord down and onto the ground with a certain gentleness. “Let that be a lesson to all those who doubt my rule.” He snarled, face-to-face with his vanquished foe, voice loud enough to be heard throughout the atrium.
“You truly are… Our true Emperor… I see it clearly…” The Overlord gasped out, still yet to break character as the rightful king pulled away, gasping as the sword was slid free of their body. The defeated challenger reached a hand out towards the crowd, at one figure in particular. “My squire… Hold me…”
Out of the crowd rushed Meisho Doto, also wearing her racing silks, clearly put up to it by her dear friend. Air Groove had to suppress a chuckle at the sight of TM Opera O truly going all-in to sell the dramatics as Doto comforted her, the poor horsegirl struggling to play her supporting role straight.
Her attention snapped to Rudolf as she approached her again, having returned to Brian her sword. Holding out a hand, she smiled up at Groove. “Shall we be off, my Empress?” She would pay for this dearly in time.
Taking Rudolf’s hand, Air Groove allowed herself to be guided around TM Opera O and Meisho Doto as the former of the two monologued her dying requests before the enthralled onlookers, surprisingly eloquent and verbose for having just suffered a terrible wound.
“That was…” Groove began, leaning in to whisper in Rudolf’s ear as the crowd parted for them, the royal couple being led for the exit to head to their photoshoot. “Quite something.”
“I wouldn’t dare let a pretender sully the good name of my Empress.” Rudolf continued, still refusing to break kayfabe, speaking loud enough to be heard by all as she used Groove’s embarrassing nickname.
Through the doors and out into the afternoon sun, Air Groove allowed herself to be led onwards while deliberately ignoring the many whispers and stares from the students, who were gradually being herded to the gymnasium now that their initial appearance had concluded. Along the pathway leading away from the Academy, Ikuno Dictus eventually came to a stop ahead of the group, holding out a hand towards a picturesque flowerbed framed by well-manicured trees. “If you would-” She spoke, as to the point as always. “We are already behind schedule.”
Air Groove didn’t have any time to protest as Rudolf led her towards the designated spot, spotting how Brian was practically chomping on her toothpick in annoyance, looking mighty uncomfortable in her faux-knight’s armour. “One picture, that’s it.” The gloomy knight warned the Junior Council, crossing her arms and giving the camerawoman a death stare, causing Zenno Rob Roy to wilt back behind her camera.
Taking a moment to pick at her dress to set it right, Air Groove caught sight of Rudolf staring at her. “Yes?”
“Nothing.” Was her quick response, her gaze snapping away.
Outwardly, Air Groove gave Rudolf her best ‘don’t try me’ look, but inwardly, she just about melted in embarrassment at the fact that the President had clearly been eyeing her up. Unbelievable…
“O-Okay! Um…” Rob Roy called out, gesturing for the trio to group together for some photos. “O-One with Brian, and then, um…”
A strong hand came to rest on Groove’s hip as Rudolf pulled her in, and it was impossible for her to not blush at the sensation. Standing so closely with the President and having to lean into their roleplay, she found herself seeking out Rudolf’s lone free hand, coming to grasp it gently as they posed together as an Emperor and Empress should. Beside them, Brian continued to glare at the camera.
As soon as the shutter clicked, Brian stormed forward to take refuge behind the camera and out of frame, mumbling to herself in such a way as to make the Junior Council all shrink away. “A-And now, um…”
“Go ahead, Rob Roy.” Rudolf said with a certain sweetness to her voice, encouraging the nervous girl to continue. With that, a few more clicks sounded out, before the President tapped Groove’s hip with her fingers to catch her attention. “Let’s switch poses.” She suggested, mercifully releasing her grip on her hip - only to snatch Air Groove with her arms fully, pulling her in closer to face one another.
“Wh-What are you-?” Air Groove protested, the expression on her face a mix of shock and anger.
“Giving our subjects the show they earned… Roll with it.” Rudolf teased back, loving the entire affair far too much. More clicks of the camera shutter rang out as Rob Roy immortalized the embarrassing situation, Rudolf cycling the two of them through a quick sequence of poses. Air Groove could do nothing but go along, in no state to protest as her flustered expression was captured again and again to be distributed through the school newspaper.
Mercifully, it all was over in merely a few minutes, and Groove stumbled away slightly from Rudolf to give herself some space, overloaded by the President’s smooth acting and grabby hands. “Perfect!” Zenno Rob Roy called out, peering at the camera screen to review her handiwork. “That’s all I need, I think…”
“Time for your speech, Prez!” Teio said in excitement, addressing Rudolf as her tail swished about. “Everyone should be there already!”
Rather than addressing the Junior President, Rudolf turned to Air Groove, offering up her arm to be taken. “Shall we, my Empress?” She asked, still having yet to break character - a fact that was putting Air Groove to shame with her lack of own commitment. Steeling her resolve, Groove took the President’s arm in her own and replied.
“We shall, m-my Emperor."
Her stutter was shameful, and Air Groove diverted her attention as the troupe began up again, the trio being led off towards the planned assembly where they were to address the students - partly to fulfill their obligation, and partly to wrap-up the fundraiser.
In only a few moments time, Air Groove found herself nervously wringing her gloved hands together as she stood off on the hidden side of the gymnasium’s stage. Flanked on either side by Rudolf and Brian, she hardly cast the demeanor one would expect of a supposed Empress, something that was rather obvious to the others. On-stage, Tokai Teio was in the midst of addressing the gathered students, doing her usual in getting them riled up and excited.
“You better not pass out on us.” Brian chided, unable to hold herself back from prodding at Air Groove’s side with a finger, the Vice President’s glare doing nothing to deter her. “It would be rather unladylike, you know…”
“The last thing she needs right now is your commentary, Maverick.” Rudolf interjected before Groove could bite back, sufficiently chastising the unruly councilmember.
“It’s quite alright.” Groove said, trying to take the high road with it all. Collecting herself, she calmed her nerves by taking a deep breath - though she was able to sense how Brian was smirking beside her, content to see the typically put-together Vice President squirm just a little.
“Of course,” Teio’s voice rang out through the PA system, the short girl standing upon a wooden box to help her see over the edge of the podium. “You are all here not to see me, but rather to see three very special guests!”
The noise of the cheering students nearly undid Groove’s hard work in calming herself down, but she held steady.
“As you all know, we successfully reached our target goal of raising four million yen for the charity you all voted for! And because of this, our three guests are here to give you your reward for the amazing effort you all showed! Please, help me in welcoming none other than the Emperor, the Empress, and the Maverick!”
Air Groove felt Rudolf practically drag her along, stumbling slightly as the President led the way. Stepping out together from behind the curtains, arm-in-arm, the pair were met with loud cheers as they emerged, and Air Groove was able to see a wide array of expressions arise on the faces of Tracen students upon seeing them - a mix of shock, glee, excitement, and even laughter - all of which served to almost throw her off.
As they approached the podium with Brian trailing behind, Tokai Teio deftly bowed to the couple with her typical grin on her lips, hurriedly shuffling away to allow them to take the spotlight. Despite the entire situation, despite the cheers and clapping and the fact that she was wearing such an over the top dress while clinging to Rudolf’s arm - despite it all - Air Groove successfully maintained her demeanour, looking steadfastly out at the gymnasium as the President approached the microphone.
“Good afternoon, subjects.” Rudolf’s confident voice came on strong over the speakers, managing to cut through the din as she motioned for everyone to settle down. It took a few more moments for things to die out, but eventually they did, and Air Groove watched as the President began.
“Today, we gather here to celebrate an important achievement.” Speaking into the microphone, Rudolf gripped the sides of the podium with her gloved hands, the public speaking coming naturally to her. “Never, in my time as your Emperor, have I ever been so proud of the students here at Tracen Academy.”
Air Groove’s gaze wandered as Rudolf’s speech began. Just beyond the stage, Zenno Rob Roy continued to snap pictures with her camera, clearly intent on filling out the memory card with enough photos to fill the entire newspaper with them. In the seated rows beyond, familiar faces of students, teachers, and Tracen staff watched as their President addressed them - even the Chairman herself was seated front and center, having opted to forgo an appearance in favour of keeping the focus of the day on the students.
“As your Junior President said, you all have successfully raised a record amount of money for charity, beating out any previous year’s attempt at the same. Through your collective spirit and goodwill, over four million yen will be donated to a local charity. Your selflessness, kindness, and hard work will have an immediate, tangible impact, and for that, you should be most proud.”
As her speech continued, Air Groove’s gaze came to rest on one figure in particular in the crowd, and she felt her face drain of colour. Agnes Digital - ever the problem child of Tracen, the horsegirl frequently landing herself in the Student Council boardroom for yet another discussion about acceptable on-campus behaviour - was staring up in glee at herself and Rudolf, barely keeping it together at the sight of the President and Vice President dressed up jointly, purporting to be a couple through their epithets.
She steadied herself by focusing back in on Rudolf, and as she spoke, Groove’s mind wandered slightly. She had always greatly admired how the President effortlessly portrayed herself, her decorum and confidence coming naturally. Rudolf had the uncanny ability to handle just about any situation with coolness and grace, whether it was mediating a dispute between two students, addressing Tracen’s upper echelon of administrative staff, or delivering public speeches to large crowds - the President never wavered or faltered in her full devotion to her duties and roles.
Air Groove had always struggled to express herself, and particularly to Rudolf. Her steely exterior was, to an extent, a facade she kept up in order to do her own duties as Vice President. She had a certain role to play, that of the stern and serious administrator that served as the right-hand of the President, and so that had led her to be less personable than Rudolf - something she, at times, rued.
Seeing Rudolf at the podium, though, reminded her of why she did all of this. Her time at Tracen Academy had been a blessing, Groove well-aware of how lucky she had been to attend and pursue her dreams on the track, while receiving the necessary support in other areas to ensure her success. Thus, she had been attracted to the Junior and later the Student Council in order to provide the same to others, Air Groove knowing how important it was for the students under their watch to have the support they needed.
Another thought percolated into her mind, despite her best efforts to stay on track. Even with that goofy king’s crown upon her head, and the over-the-top cloak resting upon her shoulders, Rudolf looked absolutely dashing. It was something that she had never dared to bring up on her own, but quite often did her own heart ache for a certain fantasy to play out, Groove having been, to varying degrees over the years, rather smitten with the President.
Banishing those thoughts, she brought her focus back in as Rudolf began to wind down her speech, her magenta eyes flicking over to meet Groove’s gaze momentarily. “As you are all well aware, however, that as much as I could continue on about how proud I am of you all… It is not only myself up here.”
Groove felt her cheeks flush as the crowd spontaneously began to cheer, their focus being directed to the young mare standing on the stage in a resplendent blue dress, a crown upon her own head.
“An Emperor is nothing without his devoted Empress.” More blushing, Air Groove having to divert her gaze upon that comment, the President leaning into the silly roleplay even harder than before. “And so, I would like to provide to you all the chance to be addressed by your Empress, Air Groove.”
Reaching out with a hand towards her, Air Groove was forced to accept the invitation and step towards the podium as Rudolf guided her, the mare clearing her throat before looking out at the crowd to speak. “Greetings, everyone.” She spoke, unable to use a term such as ‘subjects’ like Rudolf had. She had also not pre-written a speech for herself, either, as while she had expected to be asked to speak, Air Groove subscribed to the idea that a good speech came from the heart - it was also an excuse for her to keep her comments brief. “It is quite a difficult thing I have been tasked with, to follow-up on the Emperor’s speech - but all of what she said today has been true. In past years, the students of Tracen have always gone above and beyond in their efforts in fundraising for their charity of choice, but this year in particular, you have truly out-done yourselves.”
Able to sense Rudolf’s presence beside her, Groove continued. “One of the greatest strengths, one of the most important aspects of Tracen Academy’s existence, is in the way it provides the opportunity for us to chase after our dreams, both on the track and off. Thus, through this fundraiser and all of your efforts over this past month, all of you have embodied that spirit, and the money that was raised will go on to aid others in chasing after their own dreams, no matter what form they may take.”
“From the bottom of my heart, I am proud of each and every last one of you.” Air Groove spoke, showing a much softer side of herself than most of the students had ever seen before. “Thank you all.”
Keeping her address short, she stepped back from the podium as the gymnasium erupted in applause, giving Rudolf time to step back to the microphone to wrap things up. “One final thing.” She spoke, leaning in as the applause died down. “I would like to remind you all to ensure that you have submitted your permission forms to your teachers ahead of next week’s trip. Aside from that, as my Empress so succinctly put-” Damn her. “Thank you all.”
With that, the applause started up again, and she noted how Brian had failed to take a turn at the microphone, despite all of her talk in the lead-up to the event. Feeling Rudolf’s hand come to grasp her own, Groove waved at the crowd of students before them, her previous reticence melting away slightly. Although she still felt a certain embarrassment, Rudolf had been right when she had corrected Groove previously on her concerns over the fundraiser.
Up on the stage, in her embarrassing dress and crown, being paraded around on Rudolf’s arm in front of the entirety of Tracen - it was worth it, if it meant having an outsized impact on helping others chase after their dreams.
Massaging her right foot with both hands, Air Groove was thankful for the fact that Brian had opted to head out early, which meant she was not taking up her typical place on the couch in the boardroom, thus allowing her to rest on it. Even a few mere hours on her feet had tired her out, owing to the deadly combination of her high heels and having to keep up appearances, and so the soft cushions gave her the rest that she felt she deserved. Rudolf, meanwhile, was at her usual perch by the window, gazing out at the school grounds as the sun was growing low in the sky, bathing the boardroom in oranges and reds.
“Have you had any word back from the water park?” The President mused aloud, thankfully having discarded her silly crown and cape already, leaving her wearing only her racing silks.
“Have we not had enough work today?” Air Groove responded, not particularly keen on taking on more work now that the day was just about at its end.
“Miss Air Groove, shirking her responsibilities?” Rudolf said with a slight teasing to her tone, her magenta eyes coming to rest on her Vice President. “You are correct, though. Apologies for my haste - I get ahead of myself sometimes.”
Air Groove hummed at that. “There was plenty of that today, I’ll say.”
She earned herself a laugh from Rudolf, the President well-aware of her behaviour. “You won’t have me apologizing for any of that, Groove. I had a wonderful time.”
“As long as it doesn’t go to your head…” She warned back, watching as Rudolf approached. Air Groove found it to be a shame that she rarely wore her racing silks anymore, usually opting for either her usual uniform or a more business-casual approach.
Holding out a hand as she stood before Groove, Rudolf smiled at her Vice President. “Would you care to do me a favour?” She asked, the smile on her lips betraying the fact that she surely had something in mind. Air Groove eyed her outstretched hand warily.
“And what may that be?”
“A dance.” With the utmost confidence, without a shred of self-doubt, Rudolf asked for her to rise to her feet and join her, Air Groove’s eyes widening at the prospect. “We got dressed up for the event, did we not? Seeing you in that dress again has had my mind wandering back to our time at the gala. Call me greedy, but I wish to relive it.”
Air Groove could scarcely tell if Rudolf was teasing her, or if it was an attempt at flirting. Barely able to think straight, the mare allowed the President to take her hand and raise her up to her feet, Groove’s bare feet crossing the floorboards as Rudolf led them to where there was enough floorspace for them to move. “I…” Was the most protest she could give as it happened.
“And perhaps dinner after, too?” As soft music began to play from the speaker on her desk, Rudolf doubled-down on her forwardness.
“What has gotten into you?” Air Groove chided as the President’s hand came to rest on her hip, the other grasping her hand.
Rudolf leaned in, gazing into Air Groove’s blue eyes. “Do not attempt to place the blame upon me, when you have been looking so beautiful all day.” She explained, placing the onus on Air Groove for how things were playing out. “You would do well to dress up more often.”
With that, Rudolf began to guide her through a simple slowdance, Groove’s own hands having naturally rested themselves on Rudolf’s hips. The sensation of the President’s strong grip, along with her slightly taller height and handsome looks, were causing her to crumble more than ever before, Air Groove inwardly in disbelief at what was happening. Rudolf had always had a slight flirtatious streak to her, but she had never been so forward with Groove before.
And truth be told - Air Groove loved it.
Allowing herself to be led along through their dance, she did find it difficult to meet her gaze, cheeks burning up at the stallion’s simple touch. “You needn't tease me like this.” She tried to protest in an attempt to save face.
“Quite the contrary. You’re adorable when you blush.”
Air Groove continued to wilt, finding herself powerless before the President. She was too good at this. “Wh-Where did you have in mind, then? For dinner, I mean.” She tried to keep up, but it was oh so difficult.
“Well…” Rudolf mused, expertly keeping the mare on the backfoot. “I did have one place in particular in mind, one where you wouldn’t stand out so much as you have today.”
Letting out a sigh, Air Grove squeezed Rudolf’s hand. “I fear that I won’t be living this day down for a very long time.”
“Then why not make it worthwhile by having dinner with me?”
The blush on her cheeks remained as Rudolf didn’t let up. One step forward, then drifting to the side, then backwards, the forward again to repeat, in time with the soft music. “If you are insisting, then I suppose I shall accept.” Maintaining at least some shred of properness, Air Groove felt a certain lightness growing within her chest. Her fondness for Symboli Rudolf was something that she had always hidden within herself, though she admitted that she often did a poor job of doing so. Regardless, all it had ever been were silly fantasies and daydreams that came to her, and she never dreamed of actually taking that next step. That night at the gala had been the first inkling that there was a hint of reciprocity between them, and in the six months since, Groove had grown increasingly aware of small passes Rudolf attempted here and there. Finding excuses for them to be alone; certain sly comments and ‘jokes’ that mostly served to make Groove roll her eyes; and lingering glances that left her cheeks flushed - but nothing quite as forward as what was developing that evening.
“I accept.” Groove said plainly, not wishing to embarrass herself further than that. Rudolf grinned.
“Wonderful.”
With that, the pair continued their slow, meandering dancing, Air Groove’s eyes occasionally flicking to meet Rudolf’s steady gaze, before quickly retreating once more. To Rudolf’s credit, though, there were no badly-timed puns or untoward comments - only the soft playing of music as Air Groove and Sumboli Rudolf, dressed to the nines, danced together hand-in-hand, as an evening outing awaited them.