Chapter Text
As he promised Braxiatel was waiting for her as soon as she exited her lesson.
“My lady,” he greeted.
“Strangely enough my name hasn’t changed, Brax.”
“Sorry, my lady” he replied, his tone unapologetic, “I’ve put your name down. Now all we have to do is manipulate the student population.”
“Manipulate?”
“Isn’t that what any campaign seeks to do? Subtly change the other’s mind?”
“You make it sound sinister; it’s a school election, not propaganda.”
He just smiled which wasn’t any more reassuring. “All the candidates have to make a speech tomorrow in assembly. The others aren’t very popular and most have even scripted their speech, the real competition is Darkel.”
“Wait, tomorrow?! There’s no time to write one. And how do you know all that?”
“Reconnaissance.” He replied smoothly. “And you underestimate me, I’ll have it ready for tomorrow morning.”
“You’ll have it ready? Aren’t i supposed to write it?”
“No one knows your writing style yet, they’ll hardly realise. Anyway no self respecting politician writes their own speeches, they have advisors for that.”
“I’m not a politician.”
“Yet.”
“The speech is meant to be on policies and what we’ll do in the position, right? How will you know what I would do?”
“That’s why you’ll brief me.” Brax took out a notepad and an impractical fountain pen. “If you want something to do you can make some last minute posters.”
Romana frowned but started listing the policies she’d drafted up during her last lesson. “This still feels like cheating. I could write a speech just as well.”
“I’m sure you could but I know the student population and more importantly the contents of Darkel’s speech.”
“How?”
“I have my methods.” He smiled, “Good evening, my lady.”
“It’s Romana. I forgot how creepy you can be.”
“My apologies Romana.”
She rolled her eyes. “See you around Brax.”
As they left Narvin looked out from the dimly lit corner he’d been hiding around with narrowed eyes before quickly heading for an alternate exit.
-
“Hello.”
Romana looked up, surprised to find Narvin next to her, stiff and formal. “Uhm, hello. You’re leaving a bit late.”
“Student council meeting.”
“Ah.”
He coughed. “So you’re the new student.”
“Evidently. I’m Romana. You’re Narvin right?”
“Correct.”
They fell into silence for a few moments before Romana attempted conversation again.
“So do you live around here then?”
“Sort of.” He glanced at her quickly, “You know the Lungbarrows already don’t you?”
“Yes?”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Theta’s harmless enough but I’d be careful around the other if I were you.”
“Why?” she asked cautiously.
“He’s infamous here. He plays with people until he gets bored with them. He doesn’t have friends, just objects of obsession.”
She was silent for a moment. “Would you say you have friends, Narvin?”
He blinked, taken aback. He thought about Darkel and her machinations and Vansell and his glaring absence. “I don’t need friends.” He replied curtly. “My house is down here. Bye.”
-
“You can trust in me to be a driven, committed and approachable representative of you all.” She finished her eyes bright as the words rolled off her tongue with ease.
The applause was enthusiastic for once, outranking the reception Darkel had gotten. Her rival’s smile tightened the difference almost imperceptible.
Braxiatel sighed contentedly. His speech had been perfect of course, even if she had tweaked it but her voice vibrated with power and conviction, every syllable seemed to echo in his mind. He had chosen the perfect protégé.
As they all moved out of the hall Leela expertly weaved her way through the crowd to Romana’s side. “That was a good speech even if you did twist your words like all of them.”
“Thanks. I think.” Romana smiled slightly. “I doubt I’ll win though considering hardly anyone knows me.”
“I hope you do, you would not gloat about your victory.”
“It would be tempting.”
-
“This is unacceptable!” Darkel snarled. “Why didn’t you warn me of the threat yesterday?”
“It was too late, you went home.”
“You have my contact details, don’t you?”
“Well yes but-“
“-But nothing. Did you find anything else out?”
“Not really. I tried to warn her off Irving.”
“Did she listen?”
“I’m not sure. She may have insulted me.”
She laughed. “Oh, that’s why you didn’t tell me, you were too busy licking your wounds.”
Narvin glowered. “I was busy. Your plans don’t occupy all of my time, you know.”
“Then what else do you do?”
“My hobbies.”
“Let me guess- stamp collecting.”
“No!” he huffed. “Well, not anymore.”
Darkel smirked for a moment before turning serious. “I need a gauge of public opinion before the vote at lunch.”
“I’m better at spying than interactions like that-“
“-Well I can hardly ask people how they’re voting, can I?”
“No.” He sighed. “Get another accomplice next time.”
“And replace you? Why would I do that?”
-
“My sources tell me we did well today, Romana.”
She decided it would be easier to stop questioning his `sources`. “How good is good?”
“You’re shrewd, I’m not sure but I’m hopeful.”
“You’re always sure.”
“No one can be sure how the tides of time will turn.”
Romana narrowed her eyes. “Please stop attempting to be poetic. Please.”
“You wound me.”
She elbowed him to quiet him as the results were read out.
“With 69 votes the new head boy is Irving Braxiatel.” The head waited for the applause to die down as Braxiatel smiled knowingly. “With a margin of only two votes the new head girl is Romana D’voratrelundar.” The applause was more surprised than enthusiastic but she could handle that. Triumphant she couldn’t help but take a look at Darkel who looked positively murderous.
-
“I knew you’d win!” Leela grinned as they walked home, “Although I feel sorry for you. As head of the student council you’ll be responsible for Darkel and Narvin!”
“I’m sure they won’t be that bad.”
She had already received a few congratulations so she wasn’t too fazed by a stranger moving over to them.
“Congratulations- Romana isn’t it? If the position ever gets too demanding and you fall behind on your school work, I am a good source to turn to, if I may tout myself.”
She blinked. “Uhm, thanks.” She said only to find he had already disappeared. She glanced at Leela quizzically.
“That was Arkadian. He is a slippery toad,” she declared brazenly, “Runs an underground black market. Homework, test answers, coursework. Sometimes pokemon cards. I would not leave anything unattended near him.”
“How charming.” She sighed.
She was silent for almost a minute. “Do you think I’ve taken on too much responsibility too quickly? I should be focused on exams but I don’t want to let the school down.”
“You can do it,” Leela replied confidently, “I will help you.”
“You’re more confident in me than I am.”
“You always seem confident.” Leela frowned.
“Facades are easy when you know how. I’ve studied body language; I know how to project things.”
“Why would you need to study body language?” Leela’s confused frown deepened.
“You need to study everything.” Romana replied as she got to her house. “See you tomorrow.”
-
“What do you want Narvin?” Braxiatel withdrew suspiciously as the other blocked his path.
“I know you cheated Braxiatel.”