The Ecouves forest was a tragic place.
Carnage that lasted for days, weeks, took place in here in the past.. Even walking among the flowers, sometimes one got hit by the vile smell of something metallic .. the blood of all those fallen here.
But for us three, it might as well be a theme park.
The forest here was but a speck on the map when it was compared to something like the Transylvania forests that went on for miles and miles, not to mention housed some truly nasty creatures.
The conversation turned towards the school and all that was to come tomorrow.
" The professors you saw were all of them. Every single day, we have 5 classes, magical history, dualing, potions and elixirs, creature studies, and what we call creative spell casting ..
Lor was in her element explaining all that she thought was helpful for tomorrow and some that wasn't..
" ..don't bother with dualing. It's just a bunch of immature idiots using it as an excuse to do battle..
That sounded awesome.
" .. but as new students and given your name, they probably keep their distance at first.. But we all have a choice when it comes to accepting duels.. remember that. "
As much as I appreciated her worrying about us, it was truly unnecessary. What today showed that those at least in our class are .. slow.
We been fighting.. not silly duals where the worst is getting embarrassed in front of your peers.
Actually, battling often came down to an inch. I just didn't want to ruin her mood by telling.
" I'll keep that in mind. I'm not here for that. " I said under my breath.
I said, trying to make her believe .. she doesn't need to tell me anymore.
" Hmm .. what are you coming here to do? " Lor asked.
" ..I'm going to keep that for myself.. for now. " I smiled.
She narrowed her eyes at me and kept it up without further comments.
I enjoyed teasing her.
Soon, we arrived at a large clearing. It was very serene. Other students were already there having a night picnic before bed.
" Let's take a breather. Later, we head back. "
We all agreed with Lor and made ourselves comfortable on the lush green grass.
I did what I always do in situations like these and layed down flat. The night sky was without a cloud allowing a magnificent view.
The stars were my constant source of inspiration and untainted beauty.
" .. I still can believe we start tomorrow .. it's surreal. " Pelit voice broke the silence.
" Well, tomorrow is just opening ceremony. No classes, just a meet and greet. Little time for old friends to catch up. "
Lor, who sat next to me, was quick to correct him. For some reason, I have feelings she will do a lot in the future.
I felt someone tapping my feet.
" The place you guys worked, that forest... How was it? " Lor asked.
I let go of a few quick insults that came to mind..
" It was .. peaceful. Wasn't it? " Rimel answered, overhearing us.
" Being here now is actually pretty close. " I mentioned closing my eyes.
I enjoyed the peace until nature called and ruined my peace.
I got up, dusted myself, and walked towards a random location inside the tree line.
" W-where are you going? " Lor called after me.
" Boy things.. "
Would've loved to see her embarrassment, but things were getting pretty hairy, and making it back dry was my priority.
Found my place and done what draws a smile on every man's face.
( CRACK .. CRACK. )
Don't you just hate when someone ruins these moments?
I was willing to let go the first but the one after that ..
I was annoyed and .. dribbled as well, so whichever unfortunate soul came after me will pay a heavy price.
" Who is the victim? " I asked the trees.
( CRACK )
I shut up and turned serious. My regular shields all flashed, and I readied my mind.
" .. Finally, we are alone. "
I froze in placerecognising that creepy, high-pitched voice. I allowed a small light on the tip of my finger and shined some light on her.
" It's you .. "
The.. creepy hot chick from earlier.
" Shhh ... "
She put a finger on her mouth, and I felt relief washing over me.
She wouldn't wanna keep it quiet if my friends were no longer an issue, meaning they're were fine.
" Okay .. " I whispered, putting my hands up as if I was caught. " .. we quiet as mice now, why do you keep stalking me? "
The bottom half of her face was covered by darkness, so I felt more than saw that she was smiling and saw it.
" Some light stalking is the cornerstone of good relationships. " She laughed quietly.
Alice looked and sounded just as unhinged as she was back in Transylvania. What's up with her .. ohh..
Suddenly I had an idea.
" You said last time.. " I slowly walked forward until she was an arm length away. " .. no more games. Right? Tell me who you are and why you are following me. "
I enjoyed seeing her taking a step backwards as I took a step forward. Taking some of that power back ..
" S- stop .. " She put her hands up when her back was against a tree.
" Nowhere to go .. " I stopped right in front of her.
Hmm .. she smells nice. Like wild flowers and hon ..
Suddenly my train thought shifted and..
Wh.. what the hell am I doing? No matter what angle, we look at this situation.. I was coming across like a predator!
" I just w-wanted to talk .. can you step back a little, please? "
She asked, whispering while looking at my shoes.
I was hyper aware how close we were, but her demeanour changed from predator to prey..I kinda like that?
" You uncomfortable? " I asked, lifting her face.
She avoided my eyes and .. dare I say looked quite cute.
" FERITH!! "
I jumped backwards as she stepped forward.. she tumbled..
" Whoopsie .. Are you okay? "
I caught her, and for the first time, I tried to engrave her facials to my memory.
She looked around a little panicking and then pushed me.
" Let go! .. "
" Ferith?? .. Is that you? "
Pelit was close, and I saw his wand lighting the surroundings.
Damn it.. the girl!
I turned my neck so fast I heard a little crack, but she was nowhere to be seen ..
" Brother? Why are you standing like that? "
I looked .. and was still standing as if ready to catch someone.
I put my hands down, straightened up .. felt a little irritated.
" Lord God.. a man can't even have a moment of ... I mean, I'm good.. let's go back to the others it's getting late. "
He gave me a strange look but soon turned around and signalled the others.
I checked one last time, peering into the darkness she went ..there was nothing.
What a day ..
———
" .. Irina believes that dwarf kind didn't actually go extinct, Ferith.. they are hiding somewhere! Like every other race, they have their own separate realm. It's so obvious..yet I never thought of it like that ..
We were inside our room, well past midnight. Rim was in form and unrelenting.
" .. I bet the headmaster would know. And if so, don't you think that other magical minorities, like vampires and the wolves, fairies even .. maybe they are all still alive and well. Hiding? Somewhere..don't you agree? "
...zZzZz..
" Guys! .. Are you sleeping? "
When he didn't receive an answer, he actually went and rocked Pelit until he stopped pretending.
" Yes, Rim .. yes Rimel!? " He sat up angry.
" If you up then say something for heavens' sake..
" Wy . Why are you guys still up? "
I pretended to just get woken by them.
Pelit grabbed a pillow and launched it at me..
I was surprised, but my reflexes took over and well .. blow up the pillow.
" Merleau.. give me strength.. "
Rim complained and cleaned up the feathers with a few swishes of his wand.
I sat up since there was no getting away from this. Pelit felt the some. He even lit a few candles and let them hover above us.
It created a nice little ambience.
" So ..? "
Rim sat down and asked.
I was trying to recall what he said .. something about minorities survival?
" Well.. needles to say I.. agree. " I went with the safe option.
" I myself.. concure. "
Pelit, as usual, was a paragon of the spoken words. Our friend wasn't that easy to fool.
" Right.. you weren't sleeping and yet heard nothing... "
" Yeah, stop pouting and give us the rundown of the .. rant of yours. " I asked.
I yawned and sent an air bubble ruffling his hair.
" .. You don't care. I'll just talk to .. some.. Someone else. " He finished awkwardly.
We smiled since he almost said Irina's name.
" You really do like her, huh? " I asked sincerely.
He wanted to deny, but seeing us not taking the mikey out of him, he relented.
" She is awesome. No? " He waited until we both agreed. " .. Smart, and I bet she is really good at duelling. "
" What makes you think that? " asked Pelit.
" She was humble.. to much.. if you ask me, kinda reminded me of Ferith. You're the same. "
I pointed at myself instead of asking the question. Rimel nodded and continued.
" Yeah.. unassuming, I mean. Look like any other guy until the battle begins. You change, isn't that right, Pelit? "
" Hmm, Hmm .. complete 180. " He agreed, doing circles with his finger.
I didn't even question them. As the people who were always around me, they knew me better than anyone.
" I guess .. " I admit it laying down. " ..we all have multiple layers..like different personalities. You know? "
They were humming along.
" Like yourselves.. let's take today. Rim turned into a 1980s protagonist when he saw someone bullying another. " I joked.
" ..Scary scary .. " Pelit agreed.
" See? .. we all have that. " I said.
" ..That Milan guy.. felt sorry for him. " Rim admitted it.
" Hmm .. " I hummed.
" Her sister, though, she isn't a pushover. I think there might be something there for you, Ferith. " Pelit spoke up.
" Not interested.. I mean, she's cool, but .. don't need another distraction. "
" One day you feel differently. " He said with conviction. " Meet a girl that makes you welcome . . A distraction. Like that beautiful enigma. "
" Leyla? " asked Rim.
" Hmm .. she is ..like a beautiful puzzle. "
Lord help him ..
" I'm happy for both of you. Not even 24 hours, and look at you two.. Anyway .. I will root for both of you from the distance. "
I pulled my blanket around me.. this is worse quality than what we had back at the Taj.
Tomorrow, we might need to go back to town and pick up some comfort stuff.
" The distance he says.. you do know one day we ask why you decided to come back, right? " asked Rim.
" Right? " Pelit repeated.
".. I know.. you muppets! Now let me sleep uncomfortably, please? " I adjusted myself.
" That's right.. it is uncomfortable, isn't it? " Rim asked the room.
" The worst .. " I said over my shoulders.
" Like they never heard of quality fabrics .. "
With that little genius observation.. our first day came to .. interesting end.