Trouble comes in Pairs

Chapter 2 - Office Hours

Rue was sulking as she led us towards the royal academy. Ever since she got her 'curse' it was much easier for me to read her emotional state. She had always been a bit temperamental and brash, and I was her opposite in many ways. I wanted to help her but I was always bad with that kind of thing.

Arriving at the academy grounds, I poked my sister until she finally asked for directions to find professor Crawford. Apparently he was in the archeology and dungeoneering department. Noble brats learning to dungeon delve was an interesting notion. Normally they hired people like my sister and I to delve for them. Regardless we made our way through the building attracting many many stares. I hated how much we stood out.

We knocked on his office door but it was closed and locked. Rue looked to me. "Yea, I don't hear anyone in there let alone some old guy with heart problems."

"Why are you assuming he is old and has heart problems?"

"He teaches archeology, the guy is probably bald and single too." She asserted with unfound confidence.

"Sure. Maybe we can ask his colleagues where he is?" I said looking up and down the hall full of offices for other professors.

"Let's go bug the guy in charge, that always ends well for us." She grinned and started looking for said guy. I could tell she was itching for conflict.

"It really doesn't." I mumbled while following along.

We found the dean's office down the hall. He was in the middle of a conversation with someone, but that didn't stop my sister from barging in anyway. "Yo dean, me and my sister are looking for that Crawford guy. Where is he?" I was glad my sister was a little taller than me cause it let me hide behind her better.

The room had two other occupants. The dean was an old man much like Rue's imaginary version of professor Crawford. White upper crust, he had an air of arrogance about him. He had been talking to a girl around Rue and I's age. She was taller than even Rue though that might just be the heels she wore. She had long brown hair tied back in a red ribbon. Her face slender and accentuated by subtle make-up. She had more curves than both Rue and I, and was wearing a green academy uniform that had an ankle length skirt. Her blue eyes tried to find me behind Rue.

"Who let this street trash into my office?!" The dean cried. "Get the hells out before I have the guard execute you for your insolence!"

"Calm your tits old man. We just need some fuckin' info and we'll be out of your nonexistent hair as soon as possible." Rue was laying it on thick. She must be really mad about the detour.

The girl spoke up before the red faced dean could respond. "What do you need with professor Crawford?" She was polite, poised, and dignified in a way we would never be.

The dean interrupted. "I am a second tier earth mage, and you will leave or I'll crush you both myself!" The man had pulled out a wand to make good on his threat.

"That’s no way to talk to the Scourge of Whitehallow and her sister." Rue stepped to the side motioning to me with her arms like I was a prized pig at a fair. The dean got a look of confusion but the girl had a hint of recognition in her eye.

"Red eyes, white hair and skin, and a pet dog. You really are the thorn in my father's side aren't you." The girl said with a hint of amusement. The dean took that in and went pale. I buried my face in my hands.

Rue jumped at the chance to flirt. "I'm no one's pet, but if you want to take a walk on the wild side let me know." I didn't have to look at Rue to know she probably winked when she said that.

"The Scourge of…" The dean muttered. "What was it you wanted? To talk to Crawford? The man went on an expedition and has since gone missing. Now if you'll please excuse us." I had whiplash from his change of heart.

"Welp we tried. Guess we have no choice now but to break into the royal archives." The wolf girl said that last part with way too much enthusiasm. The student looked intrigued and the dean look shocked someone would say such a thing out loud.

Before I could tell Rue no, the student girl spoke up. "You need access to the archive? I can help if you'll do something for me."

"Nah, we've had enough distractions. It's time for some good old fashion brute force." Rue was already walking out.

I grabbed her by the tail. "Rue stop. If she can get us in, we have to at least hear her out."

"You wanna listen to the daughter of our fucking nemesis? Winter come on, a little breaking and entering never hurt nobody." I felt like I was going to run out of sighs.

"You were literally just hitting on her. Rue please, for me?" I pleaded and gave her my best puppy eyes.

My sister caved immediately. "Ugh, fine whatever." She turned to the girl. "Alright lay it on us rich girl, whatca got."

"I was just speaking to the dean about organizing an archeological dungeon raid in the cobalt peaks. If you accompany me I'll get you access to the royal archive. As heiress of house Trabrandt it is well with in my power to do so." I looked to Rue who was salivating at the idea of fighting through a dungeon. It almost sounded too good to be true, but well, if it was we'd just fight our way out of it. Like always.

"Sounds great miss…" Rue waited for a name.

"I apologize for the lack of introductions. I am Azura Trabrandt, heiress to house Trabrandt and student here at the royal academy. I look forward to working with you both."