Lumi, of course, was the first to be humored of the three princesses of Song. It seemed it wasn't only Beastmaster who had a soft spot for the girl. Noble could understand why.
"Look here! They even have the soup you like, Yuma! And there are the sweets we used to have as kids, Mei. Do you remember?"
The dark-haired girl complimented anything and everything, finding a positive in even the most minute detail. By the time they left the cafeteria, Noble felt like it must be the most fantastic place for food in two worlds. That was how Lumi's compliments had made her feel.
The library yielded similar results. Lumi was ecstatic about each of them. As Yuma pored through a history book, her younger sister chatted with anyone and everyone who would listen. The girl hadn't met a stranger.
"Lumi is very friendly," Noble noted to Mei as the other sisters were occupied. Not even the librarian on duty had the heart to shush the young princess.
"She's always been that way," Mei answered with a shrug. "But since Awakening..." The almond-eyed princess paused. "My sister is one of a kind."
Noble could read between the lines. Since awakening, the youngest princess had become even more gregarious in her interactions. It could have been due to an aspect, attribute, or even her Flaw. Or she might have missed everyone while in her Nightmare and wanted to make up for lost time.
Whatever the reason, Mei felt very protective of her sister. Noble regarded the young woman for a moment.
'Mei reminds me of Maelys. The description of the real one, not the murdery one that was actually an Other.'
Come to think of it, this was the second set of sisters that Noble had come across recently. Granted, these girls had far more siblings, and the groups lived Realms and eons apart. Oh, and none of these girls seemed slightly crazy like Syrce had. Still, it was interesting.
By the time they reached the battle arena, Noble felt almost comfortable in the princesses' presence. They were in the waking world and on Academy grounds. This was neutral territory, and beyond that, Noble was considered a Master while they had yet to awaken.
However, it was the girls themselves who made Noble feel at ease. They did not ask for preferential treatment. Other than their very polite nature and their clothing, little was noticeable about their royal upbringing.
While most legacies had a way about them that asked to be noticed, these girls were doing everything to fit in.
As they neared the battle arena, a group of students passed by. They looked curiously at the newcomers with Noble.
By their lack of either hostility or reverence, Noble guessed that the news of the princesses' arrival had not reached them yet.
"Hello, Professor Noble!" One called from the group.
"Hello, Sleeper Vis!" Noble smiled as he drew near with his group in tow.
'I know they didn't explicitly ask me to make introductions, but if they want to fit in, here is the chance.'
"I have some new students that I would like for you to meet."
Vis smiled brightly. "Oh! New students? Welcome!"
He held out his hand, causing the girls to glance cautiously at each other. They seemed to know what to do; they just had never done it.
Depending on how early they were adopted, the girls might only ever remember living in a world of bowing and deference. A friendly handshake simply wasn't done.
Yuma took the initiative, reaching out for Vis's outstretched arm. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Vis looked at her a little strangely. "You, as well."
"This is Dreamer Yuma." Noble indicated the willowy young woman. "And this is Mei and Lumi."
Lumi stuck out her hand a little too eagerly to the young lady closest to her. The other student shook it with a small bit of amusement. Seeing the second student's smile, Lumi shook the girl's hand harder, nearly pulling her companion from her feet.
"You're quite strong," the Sleeper told the princess.
"Thank you!" Lumi beamed.
Not wanting to be left out, Mei tried her hand at the greeting.
"Pleased to meet you." She moved on to the next person, "and you also… and you. I'm Dreamer Mei."
Pretty soon, all the students were receiving greetings from all three princesses and responding in kind.
Noble hid her smirk behind a cough.
"Well, now that you all are acquainted, I hope you will make these ladies feel very welcome."
"Of course! Would you like to join us for lunch?" Vis offered as he motioned toward the cafeteria.
"I would lo—" Lumi's enthusiasm was cut off by Yuma placing her hand on her sister's arm.
"Professor Noble was giving us a tour, and I am afraid we have just come from there recently."
Lumi started to pout until she saw Mei. "Oh, yes! We have to go to the battle arena!"
"The battle arena?" Vis looked at Noble for confirmation. "I think Instructor Rock is having a seminar right now. A shame you can't eat with us, but if you can catch a match, it's worth seeing!"
Yuma looked at the other two girls. Excitement sparkled in their beautiful eyes.
The tallest sister nodded.
"Perhaps we will see you another time?"
"Sounds wonderful!" Vis answered as the others nodded.
"See you around!"
"Welcome!"
"Have fun on your tour!"
The chorus of well wishes sent the princesses on their way.
"They seem like they would be satisfactory classmates." Yuma's comment made Noble smile.
'They really are trying.'
As awkward as the encounter had been, it had ended on a positive note. A lot could be said for a friendly smile in an unfamiliar place.
"Would you still like to check out the arenas? Our battle instructor would be leading the class, but we can join if it suits you."
The Professor didn't have to wait for the girls to discuss. They all nodded at her without hesitation.
"Very well. The arena is this way."
As Vis had indicated, a class was already in session when the ladies arrived in the building. Rock's booming voice carried down the hall like a thunderstorm.
"That will get you killed, son."
Since Rock had no child at the Academy, Noble could only assume he was softening the blow of his critique. He didn't do that often, so it must have been particularly harsh feedback.
Noble led the princesses into the large arena she had used for a class of her own only a few months before.
This time it was Rock leading the seminar, allowing Noble and her charges to slip in and take seats close to the door.
The room wasn't full, but there were a fair number of participants for the morning exercise.
Almost immediately, the next pair of students took the floor. The two gentlemen bowed and then called forth their weapons.
Unfortunately, they were woefully mismatched. One had an Aspect that allowed him to make his body lighter and heavier at will, while the other seemed to have a utility Aspect that allowed him to detect currents in air and water. However, the second fighter hadn't figured out how to use it to his advantage yet, and suffered a crushing blow.
Rock directed the loser to the infirmary with a pat on the back. "Good news is, the blood will not stain your armor."
Slowly, the young man made his way out of the arena with the help of a friend. Rock continued, unbothered by the red on the floor.
"Who's next?"
The room was silent for a moment. The desire to end up like the last combatant was lacking.
Only a single voice answered Rock's call.
"Pick Mei!"