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ATM Rewrite: B3 — 2. The Darkness Festers
🕑 Added 2024-09-19 20:30:02 +0000 UTCPoV:
1. Sora Moore (Our Girl's Settling Into Her New Life!)
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As Sora followed the trail illuminated by her magic, the forest closed in around her, thick with ancient trees and tangled roots. A desire parted vines and shrubs before her, clearing a path where she walked, but she had to be more careful about less easily pushed aside obstacles.
The shrill sounds of forest’s creatures made her ears twitch and tail flick uncomfortably. With each step, the darkness continued to thicken, and the mystical chill of the old, creaky woodland played at the corners of her mind.
There was something beneath the mud thrumming to be set free, only, she wasn’t sure it was good or bad. It almost felt like it could land either way with a coin flip. It wasn’t long until her conversation with the fae boy was bubbling up to distract her from the icy breeze that didn’t feel right—the woods were watching her, judging her.
Not a creepy thought… Nope, she thought, hugging herself and glancing around at the space that would be totally black if not for her supernatural sight. It’s not like I’ve done anything to be judged for yet. I’m just…walking here. Kari, on the other hand…yeah.
She glanced around, scanning the shadows for any sign of Kari.
My invisibility bubble around her is still active, which is a good sign. But…it does little to mask the rustling leaves and breaking twigs since that dampening spell is around me. Typical Kari, silent until she’s not, and a limp noodle until something sparks her interest. Isn’t this a good thing, though?
Mouth bunching to the side, she rubbed her arms as the goosebumps ran down them from the ominous atmosphere pressing in on her. How long have I been walking? Ten minutes? Probably about that. How deep did Kari go? She asked herself, staring after the guiding light that zeroed in on the wolf’s location.
The forest seemed to stretch on forever, with no clear path to follow other than where her magic shone and parted the foliage. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t meant to be here because something deeper within the earth was warning things to run—a beat that hummed in time with her steps.
Maybe I should be more friendly with the woods…
Her mind wandered back to what the fae boy had said, something about the woods singing for the Shadow Wolf. She had somewhat brushed it off at the time to get a more rounded picture of the boy but she really didn’t get much from him.
Thinking back to what she’d learned about Avalon Academy so far, she went down the list—the place where monsters, creatures, and magic users came to learn fae culture if they wanted to stay—but she hadn’t heard much about the fae that attended themselves, other than Ember’s random comments.
Ember sounds hard stuck and somewhat bullied, she reasoned, rising up a small hill and stopping at a big dead tree trunk that had a hole punched clean through it. Of course she just rammed it. Why would she jump over it if she can just become a battering ram.
Proceeding through the deviated, massive trunk, she slid her finger over the interior, a bit surprised at how smooth it was. Does Kari even know how to use her powers that well or does she just go by instinct like me? I bet she goes by instinct… There’s so much we can learn here.
She exited through the gap and looked up at the dense canopy before sending out a magical pulse, scanning for any other fae—not a single hit.
Is Avalon Academy not really for the fae? Do only the elites get into here while outsiders get a free ride? That could put some negative stigma on the general monster community. Is there a caste system in…
She paused at the back of the fallen tree, smacking her forehead. Duh, of course there’s a caste system here. It’s a confederation of different fae kingdoms. I mean, Sela used to be a princess before being turned into an Unseelie. There are kingdoms and faerie courts. Now all those pretty Dryads and the other extravagant entrances of different people makes sense. I’m in the school for the elites.
Unsure what exactly to make of it, she felt alone and isolated enough right now, so she called out for backup. “Noelia?”
The silence stretched on for a beat before the half-tanuki’s voice sparked around her, as if carried on the wind. “Sora, dear. You and Kari certainly know how to stir things up.”
Relief and confidence returning, she pressed on, the danger of the place easing with the safety net that was her former caretaker.
“Yeah, well…Kari’s kinda in the ‘running off on her own’ mood again,” Sora replied with a shrug. “I’m just trying to keep her out of trouble. She’s probably—”
“In the place she’s not supposed to be,” Noelia finished for her, a chuckle lilting through her words. “Of course. And what exactly are you two investigating this time?”
Sora’s ears flattened slightly as she kicked at a small pebble in passing. “Well, there was this weird vibe, and you know Kari. No. Maybe you don’t. Umm. Her instincts are going off, so I figured…might as well poke around, right? Besides, no one told us it was off-limits until after we got here and found something suspicious so…blame the guards.”
“Hmm. Well, don’t worry. I’ve been keeping your little adventure under wraps from the fae students and instructors. You’re welcome.”
Stopping dead in her tracks, she looked straight up with a light glare. “It feels sucky that you and my mom know everything about Avalon and won’t tell us squat. But it’s nice knowing you’re watching and I’m not alone, too. I bet my mom has you watching our backs, huh?”
“Maybe she does, maybe she doesn’t,” Noelia teased. “Your current mother has no clue what is happening beneath the surface of Avalon. I’ve been told not to investigate either. No, she’s preoccupied worrying about whether or not you’ve found trouble yet, as she would have in your shoes.”
Sora let out a laugh. “Yeah, sounds like her. Honestly, I’m getting weird vibes here that have me shivering. Something feels…scary, underground. But, Kari’s the most durable thing I know—physically and magically, that is, so…I’m kind of worried but sorta not.”
“Well, just know that I’m keeping at least this initial adventure hidden. I’ve been told not to interfere by your terrified and quaking mother if anything happens. You girls need to learn to handle yourselves, so enjoy. I’ll pull you two out when the time is right,” Noelia said, her tone softening.
Lips becoming a line, Sora fiddled with her dress while glancing around the woodland again. “Wait, before you go, how are Wendy, Eyia, and Aiden doing?”
Noelia took a moment to answer, allowing the darkness of the forest to press back in on her. “…So far, Wendy is having a blast and took your place for the speech, introducing you. I’m a tad worried about how the others will receive the two of you but…teenagers will be teenagers, fae or any other race.”
Sora’s chest filled with fire, built from all the scars she’d gotten through middle school and high school. “I’ve had plenty of experience with bullies and hazing. I’m sure there will be some but I’m not worried. In fact, I’m kind of scared of Wendy blinking them out of existence! We’ve got a lot more power now.”
“That’s fair,” Noelia whispered, “but just be aware that your mother told me you’ll each go through your own troubles here. I know you’ll do your best. Just know you always have a safe place to come home to in order to rest.”
Her giggles lightened Sora’s mood as she stepped forward to face the malicious force increasing around her the further she pressed on. “On second thought… I like that my mom is letting me face my fears and troubles.”
“As is she, Sora,” the half-squirrel woman noted. “A threat that could destroy the universe could show up, and still, she’d have more nightmares of the kitchen stove.”
“True!” She snickered while recalling her mother’s night terrors. “I shouldn’t be laughing. It’s really hard for her, learning how to live without magic when she’s lived millions of years with it but she can be so cute and vulnerable that…it makes me see her, if that makes sense.”
Noelia’s voice was gentle and reflective. “It does. Despite her power, knowledge, and experience, your mother is just that, a mother terrified of failing her daughter. You should have heard her crying last night. She stresses herself out more than anyone else could, yet she refuses to leave you again, no matter the fears infecting her heart.”
Shivering, now for another reason, she couldn’t help the heat that constricted her throat. “And I love her for that. She could have hovered above in those higher dimensions, watching and manipulating. Instead, she chose me…and I can’t express how that makes me feel. I just…can’t. Can you tell her thank you for me?”
“Of course… She’s holding it together, barely. Have fun, Sora.”
The presence of her revealed magic faded from Sora’s senses but she knew it was still there, wrapping them in potent Founder magic far above her level.
With a sigh of relief and renewed fire, Sora pressed on, picking up her pace. “Okay, time to find Kari before she dives headfirst into whatever Shadow Pit or whatever doom hole she’s most likely eyeing,” she muttered to herself. “She’s such a bad puppy.”
A few minutes later, the forest darkened further, now dampening parts of even her enhanced vision. The glow of her magic shifted to a dim pulse as the thickening underbrush parted. Her nose twitched, picking up the faint scent of moss and something faintly…metallic. It was then that she saw Kari in wolf form, standing on the edge of a black hole in the ground, staring into the void as if it might swallow her whole.
“Why haven’t you jumped in yet?” Sora teased, tail flicking while glancing left and right before coming to a stop beside the dark-furred girl. “This seems like exactly your kind of thing. So why the folded back ears? I’m guessing this is a Shadow Pit. Kari?”
Kari didn’t move, her amber eyes fixed on the dark pit before them.
“Right,” Sora mumbled, spreading out her senses to analyze the sink hole. “It certainly feels like a scarier, darker version of Sela, which is saying something, but…what is—did it repel my magic?! No…it consumed it.”
Her fur bristled as her extended magical weaves were sucked into the void, vanishing and making her take a step back. “Okay. Yeah, I get why the hesitation.”
Kari’s ears flicked, her tone uncertain rather than frightened. “Something’s wrong, Sora,” she whispered, her voice low and muscles tight. “My instincts…they’re telling me to go down there…but my legs won’t move, Sora. There’s something down there. Waiting.”
Sora’s ears perked up as she glanced between Kari and the hole. “Well, that’s a first,” she cleared her thick throat. “Usually, you’re the type to leap in headfirst. No, maybe that’s more Eyia,” she considered. “So…what do you want to do?”
The wolf’s fur bristled, her body rigid, like a taut violin string that could snap any second. Sora’s ears tilted back at the quick thuds of Kari’s heart—it was racing, just like it had in the Hell Amphitheater.
She’s scared… No way Kari’s ever admitting that, Sora thought, gulping and glancing at the darkness even her eyes couldn’t penetrate as Kari shook her head, clearly trying to dispel whatever emotions the song the woods hummed.
Sora hesitated for a moment, peering into the dark pit in front of them. It felt wrong—no, off. Even from where she stood, she could feel that semi-familiar pulse that had swallowed her magic, a thrumming rhythm like a heartbeat that made her skin crawl.
She bit her bottom lip while studying the wolf. Kari’s defenses are typically uber tough, even when totally open it’s hard for my magic to affect her. Yet, right now…she’s more vulnerable than when she’d dropped it for me earlier. It doesn’t matter what’s down there when she’s like this. Kari’s not ready for it.
Her tail twitched as the atmosphere thickened with every second they lingered, the darkness seemingly breathing—moving up and down as they watched. Kari could handle it. I know she could…if she was sure of herself. But if she’s like this…
Sora forced a chuckle, trying to shove down her own unease. “Spooky, huh? If this was one of those movies, some slimy tentacle monster would totally grab us by the ankles right about now. Right? No response, huh?”
Left with no other choice as Kari’s petrified gaze refused to leave the hole, Sora playfully poked her side and screamed, “Boo!”
Kari practically jumped out of her skin, spinning around and taking a few shaky steps back on her hind legs before falling onto her butt. Her unamused amber eyes slid to her, but there was something else there—fear. Not that Kari would ever admit it.
Sora burst into laughter, the tension easing in her chest as the environment somehow felt lighter. “You should’ve seen your face! I’m just saying, we don’t have to explore everything right this second. We’ve got all the time in the world, y’know?”
Kari’s fur flattened slowly as her snarl turned into a reluctant sigh. She glanced back at the pit, her ears flicking. “There’s something familiar here, Sora… Something I can’t explain. I don’t know why, but…” Her voice trailed off. “It’s weird.”
Sora took a step closer, peering past Kari at the darkness that seemed to swallow everything whole. She couldn’t see past it, but she could feel it—the void, swallowing whatever it could. And it was hungry.
“I get it,” Sora said, nudging Kari with her shoulder while trying to jog her out of her mind. “But hey, if it’s important to you, I’ve got your back. Let’s take it slow, though. ‘Kay?”
Kari’s muscles loosened, her guarded eyes softening as she glanced at her. “You’ll really help me figure it out?”
“Uh, earth the Kari!” Sora grinned, her tail flicking playfully behind her. “Of course. What do you think I’ve been doing following a wolf into the middle of some restricted forest! Hello?”
The girl averted her gaze with a powerful grunt that sent a gust surging around them and nearly threw up her dress.
“Hey!” she balked, pressing it down.
“Sorry… I’m just on-edge,” she sighed, reverting back to her human form, cross-armed, and lips quivering into an uncomfortable smile. “Payback for spooking me?”
“That’s fair.” Brushing out her copper hair and putting her hands on her hips. “I’m cool with investigating in our free time. Just…not right now.” She started to back away from the ominous pit. “How about we go check out some other places first? Cool off a bit. We’ll come back here on our free day Saturday. I promise.”
Kari seemed to wrestle with the idea for a moment, arms tightening against her body before nodding and turning away to face her. “Thanks…for finding me, that is. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do once I found it… I don’t even know what I’m saying right now.”
Sora stuck her hands behind her back and grinned at the floundering wolf, willing her magic to guide them out of the super-dense forest. “It’s just me, Kari. I get it. You’re not used to this kind of thing. The big bad wolf isn’t scared of a little hole in the ground. Well the fox is, so you’ll hold my hand out of the woods, right?!”
“Shut up,” Kari muttered, but there was no real heat in her words. “You’re impossible.”
She followed Sora’s path as her magic forged a way forward for them to weave through the trees, her eyes still darting nervously to the shadows, as if expecting something to jump out at them. Sora let the silence hang between them for a bit before speaking up again, flipping to her back to study the frowning wolf.
“Look, whatever’s down there, we’ll figure it out. Together, Ms. Lone Wolf. You don’t have to face it alone.” She paused, glancing over at Kari, who was walking behind her with a bit more ease now. “I’ve got your tail, remember? Friends?”
Kari snorted, shaking her head. “You’re never going to stop, are you, idiot fox?”
“Absolutely not. And excuse you, but I’m your idiot fox,” Sora shot back with a wink.
After some fun back and forth insults and slightly deeper conversations, they emerged from the forest unscathed and undetected—she’d have to thank Noelia again for that and figure out a way to sneak back into the woodlands.
Sora stretched with satisfaction upon exiting the oppressive forest, feeling the freedom in her muscles. “Alright, let’s explore some other spots, huh? Maybe there’s something less…creepy. Want to look for anywhere we can set up some sports stuff? I can buy it and import it in.”
Kari nodded silently, her gaze still flicking back toward the forest. Sora didn’t miss the way her muscles constricted, the way her fingers twitched as if she were ready to transform at any moment.
“I’d like that…”
Sora bit the inside of her cheek, thinking, Sure you would. You don’t have a clue what I just said. That’s okay, though. You’ve found something that finally makes you feel alive again. It’s a win. It doesn’t matter how ominous it feels.
Taking the initiative, she grabbed Kari’s hand and pulled her toward a nearby building that looked like an ancient, crumbling castle. Vines crept up its walls, and the stone looked like it had seen better days.
“Wanna check that out? I bet it was spirited away from old Britain or something—a castle that vanished into the mists!”
Kari shrugged, her expression once again becoming neutral while shaking off her grip. “Sure. Whatever you want to do. I’m just a limp tail being dragged along.”
“At least you admit it,” Sora snickered. “Hey, cheer up! You can at least act happy to be hanging out with your new bestie!”
“Pfft.” That got a weak smirk out of the depressed wolf. “You mean my only friend?”
“So I’ve got no competition! C’mon. I promise, I can make it fun. Talk with me! Explore! Don’t make me yank out your teeth.”
“Not that you could.”
“There’s the spirit! Onward to adventure!”
They made their way toward the castle-like structure, Sora chatting idly about the various magical creatures they’d seen at Avalon and using the wolf as a semi-soundboard that occasionally responded. She tried to keep the conversation light, throwing in jokes whenever she could, but Kari’s responses were short, almost absent-minded. Her thoughts were still firmly back in that forest, making the gears in Sora’s mind spin.
There’s no way I can compete with a lullaby her mother used to sing to her… It doesn’t make sense, though.
As they explored the castle’s inner halls, Sora couldn’t quite enjoy or admire the old architecture. The walls may have been adorned with intricate carvings, depicting battles between fae, humans, and monsters, scenes of magic and mystery. Her thoughts kept returning to the reserved wolf.
Kari has more magical defenses than just about anything like…ever. She’s a fenris wolf. If her instincts are telling her to not jump in, then there’s something big down there. How could anything prey on her past if it can’t break past her defenses…unless it’s something from her mother’s realm. Could something have slipped in when her mother exploited an exception in Grandma's barrier?
Trying to shrug off the uncomfortable thought, she glanced over at the taller girl, her hands stuffed in her gym short pockets. “Pretty cool place, huh?”
“Yeah,” Kari absently replied. “Cool.”
Sora sighed, folding her arms across her chest. “Okay, clearly you’re not in the mood to explore right now. Do you want to go back? Ember can show us around better later.”
Kari stopped walking and ran her fingers through her absurdly thick black locks, as wild as they’d been since that morning. “I’m sorry I’m not that fun, Sora. I don’t know what I want. I can’t help but hear that lullaby running through my bones… My mom’s voice.”
Sora expression softened. “Hey… It’s okay. I get it. There were times when I was growing up that I’d cry, wanting to have a mom. When I saw other kids with their moms or they’d come to school activities. You know that I know what it’s like to have complicated parents—a mom like mine. You don’t have to figure it all out right now. I’ve had to shelve a lot of things, too. We’ll tackle them when we can.”
Kari’s somber eyes flicked to Sora’s, and for a moment, Sora saw the vulnerability there—the fear Kari tried so hard to hide. “You’re so unlike Eric or even Aiden… He’d just try to solve my problems and get me to talk about it…. Thanks, Sora. It’s been…” Kari paused, looking for the right words before saying, “It’s been nice having someone who is…just there, pushing to just get me out and walking. As annoying and pushy as you can be.”
Sora smiled softly. “I could have done without that last part, but anytime, Kari. That’s what friends are for, right? I know I can’t solve your problems. I’ll be here to offer what support I can, though. So, should I choose the next destination or do you want me to keep dragging you around by the neck?”
“…” Kari’s scowl made her tail flick with delight; there was something cathartic about annoying her former bully and new friend. “And I could have gone without that clear collar reference but here we are… Sure, drag me around. I’ve only got myself to blame, I guess.”
Sora giggled and pulled her away from the castle to explore more parts of the area near the forest. “How about we take this opportunity to scout out our best point of attack for this weekend?! Oh. Well that got your ears up.”
“You are a bad influence,” the wolf snorted, her mood brightening. “You’re exactly like I thought you’d be before you awakened your Founder blood.”
“And look how friendly we’ve become!” she chirped. “Look at us, the fox and the wolf, BFFs.”
“Not Wendy?” Kari said with a shake of her head. “Let me take a guess, she’s your sister now so you’ve got a spot open, and the Valkyrie is your sister-in-arms.”
“Bingo! You’re catching on fast.”
“Sure… You’re always full of promises.”
Sora could see the unworthiness in her shifting eyes, her tone, and the broken word of people she’d trusted in the past that she tried to hide. It pricked Sora’s heart and sent heat rising up her throat just recalling what she’d felt when connecting to Kari’s broken soul.
You’ll heal, Kari… I know it’s hard to believe you can be happy again. We’ll get there, though. You’re worth fighting for, as much as you want to deny it.
Proceeding to the next building, Sora did her best to keep Kari from falling into her own pitfalls throughout the day, learning more about Avalon Academy. By the time Noelia transported them back to the portal, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Wendy, Eyia, and Aiden were already there, chatting among themselves.
Kari shied away as Wendy’s sparkling green eyes locked onto them.
“Sora!” Wendy waved and bounced over. “Where’ve you guys been? This place is crazy! You should have seen the magical demonstrations. I can’t wait to learn how to do magic. What did you see?”
“Basically sightseeing and checking out the nearby forest,” Sora casually replied, a little sad Kari felt skittish around Wendy but understanding her position. “Kari found something interesting.”
Eyia tilted her head, her icy blue eyes curious while drifting between them. “Did you encounter any danger, Sister? I inspected the dorms and they appear quite well protected. Wendy and I are to do the rooming with you but there are many threats here. We should begin training to strengthen you before attending Jin’s course. She is sure to do the Trials of Hardship in order to break the recruits.”
Sora forced a chuckle, wanting to forget that Jin was actually a full-blown teacher. “Danger? I guess we did… Uh. And dorms, right. I’m glad you guys scoped that out. We can talk about that later. Just…something spooky.”
Wait, if Eyia and Wendy are with me, then where is Kari supposed to room?
Wendy’s left eye narrowed suspiciously, and Sora knew she liked a bit of horror. “We’ll talk about spooky because we have different definitions. Eh, hey, Sora… The announcer lady wasn’t too happy you skipped out on your opening speech earlier. I had to take it.”
Sora winced. “Yeah, I kind of heard you killed it. Figured that would come back to bite me. I bet she’ll show up at some point and comment about it.”
Eyia crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. “Perhaps you should apologize. It was an honest mistake. Ember was in the wrong for having the mind of absence. It cannot be blamed on you, Sister.”
Sora sighed dramatically. “Yeah, yeah, well it never works out like it should. I embarrassed her, so I’ll probably have to pay for it. I’ll apologize for what good it will do me, though. But, Wendy, you’d probably want to hear about the fae boy I met.”
“Boy?” Wendy’s ears stood on end and tail puffed up. “What fae boy? Did someone ask you out?”
As they gathered around the portal, Noelia appeared, providing a perfect opportunity to tease and string along her anxious sister as the brunette’s mother interrupted. Noelia’s gaze sweeping over them with a knowing smile that lingered on her.
“Well, well. Looks like you’ve all survived another adventure. Good work.”
Sora’s smile faded when glancing left and right, her tail flicking behind her. “Yeah, uh…where’s my mom and dad? Ember’s not here either. And…who is that elf that pulled Aiden away?” she mumbled, spotting a tall, slender girl pull the reluctant Firebird away to chat with a few of her friends.
Wendy’s smile fell as she rolled her eyes. “You have no idea how many girls stopped to chat him up. He’s a literal chick magnet. My mom says it’s because of his positive aura or something that captivates them. I didn’t get any attention like that,” she grumbled, glancing at her mother.
Their former caretaker strained a smile. “Yes, well, it’s a tad different for you, sweetie. Your aura is a tad…chaotic and frightening to them.”
Eyia tilted her head but nodded in agreement. “Indeed. You have the feel of oblivion if one stares at you for too long.”
“What?! Oh, great. Sora’s got boys chatting her up, but me? I’m a complete weirdo on day one. No wonder everyone avoided me… Lame. We’ll have to fix that,” she said, glancing at her for support. “I can fix that, right?”
Sora shrugged before nodding. “Uh, maybe—no, totally! But, eh…my parents?”
Noelia’s expression told Sora she had no clue how to help her daughter in that regard, which luckily the brunette didn’t spot. “High Queen Titania pulled them away for a chat. I’m sure she’ll create a portal for them to join us when they’re done. But right now? I’m starving. Why don’t we grab some food?”
Once Aiden rejoined them, leaving a few leering girls to stare after their group, no doubt wondering what his relationship to all these pretty girls were, they agreed to talk over dinner. Kari even absently joined them, more than likely not having a clue what they were actually doing by her absent eyes. One thing was for sure, she was invested.
A new set of problems arrives, Sora thought, smiling to herself. We’ll figure it out one step at a time.
Passing through the gateway into her private realm, they descended the elevator and chose to eat in at the hotel in-house restaurant, which boasted a far more robust menu after the Foundation took it over. Her parents returned soon after out of a shimmering portal, the fae high queen waving them off.
Her father looked satisfied but her mother looked somewhat aggravated, her tails swaying in a rather threatening way that made Sora’s gulp. She didn’t elaborate on what they talked about but it was soon swept away into the surge of conversation. Her father gave her a smile that told her that everything would be alright.
Apparently, Ember was in trouble for not doing her job right but they managed to smooth it over. It didn’t take much to conclude what, or more specifically, who had her mother scowling—her personality likely didn’t mix well with Elder Rosewood.
Eyeing her grumpy mother during dinner, she could just imagine it.
I’m the big bad fox that snaps my fingers and the High King and High Queen do my bidding. I say it’s okay. Then Rosewood is like, yeah…no, that’s not going to fly here, old fox lady whatever your name is. Old fox lady?! I’m Mia! And I’m Elder Rosewood, the person in charge of punishment. You’re a random fox mother who is trying to look cool for her daughter. Know your place. Universe explodes, at least the one in her mind. Mom isn’t a rules person…
Night came soon after and Aiden accepted one of the hotel rooms across from Howie and Daisy, offered by her father. That move had Sora wondering if he had ulterior motives. She wouldn’t put it past her dad…or he wasn’t thinking about it at all! Like, duh, he was going to school and needed to take the portal, so, why not? Sure, Dad.
Getting ready for bed, she made plans for school shopping tomorrow with the girls. Somehow, she even managed to semi-tease semi-nudge Kari to join them after her session with Mary. They’d be away from home for at least six weeks—one month of classes with the dorms, two weeks in fae society, whatever that meant, and then two weeks of home-study and reflecting on what they learned with their guardians.
Once snuggling under her sheets, she released the pressure that had been building in her chest throughout the day. A feline’s yawn drew her gaze to a split-tailed cat who slunk over to force her legs apart and curled up into a ball.
“Nilly… About time you showed up, I guess.”
“Mrrow.”
“Do you want to go shopping with us? Teenage, Nilly! Not kid Nilly.”
The cat cracked open an eye before closing it and wiggling a little between her legs.
“Meow.”
Chuckling, she sighed. “I’ll take that as a yes. Shopping with the girls… Maybe I can get Mom, Noelia, Daisy, and Stephanie to go shopping together on their own fun trip. They really need to get out. It will give Dad some time to chill with Tom, Howie, and Ron, too. I bet he needs to talk to the guys—you know, guy talk, whatever that means. Who’s wife is hotter?”
“Meow.”
“Yeah, I don’t know either. Guys are weird. Well, night.”
The only response she got was purring that rumbled between her legs.
Today wasn’t bad. No, it was a good day. Let’s hope tomorrow will be better.
Settling in, she let herself drift into the dream space, ready to peek in on her mother to see if she could help soothe her high nerves. Her mom could use at least one win today, and a dream about her dad and her dating seemed like a good balm.
Don’t say I never did anything for you, Mom. Love you.
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