Ch. 17
Joyriding without a car
Joyriding without a car
They stayed for a few more hours, until Uncle John looked at his watch. “Uh oh, if we wanna make the ferry, we need to leave soon.” “Can’t you guys just stay here for the night?” “I’m sorry, Maia, but,” he motioned to Steven. “Oh.” She said. “Wait!” she suddenly exclaimed. “What did you do when he went to school here?” “I had to be kept in a special cage.” Steven said. “Then why c-” “that cage is currently I use by another werewolf. And two wolves in the same cage is not a good thing to do.” Maia shrugged. “It was worth a try.” She said. Vida and Steven hugged her in turn and Vida said “it’s gonna be duller that dirt without you there, Maia.” “Tell me about it.” Vida smiled. “I’m sure gonna miss you, kid.” Maia shrugged and said “I’ll be back before you know it.” “I hope so,” Vida muttered as they trailed down the stairs behind Uncle John and the rest. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll be busy, so will you!” “Doing what?” she said skeptically. “searching for the bookworms! I still haven’t given up in that!” Vida sighed. “Maia, we spent the last week looking for even a vague reference to them. Nothing!” Maia frowned. “Damn.” She swore. “ok, then, forget the creepy Hench-worms, I need you to find anything and everything about this guy, Uncle John and The Headmaster were talking about him, I’m sure of it! And The Headmaster said that name after I left when he first saw me!” “So, what’s the guy’s name?” “The Bookkeeper.” “Wow, you’re gonna have me searching every library in the state, aren’t you?” “No, just Uncle John’s private one.” “You’re crazy.” Vida said decisively as they turned the corner right into the blazing sunlight. “As crazy as the next person. Whoa!” Maia said, shielding her eyes. “Ok, lemme put it this way, The Bookkeeper is the leader of the guy who kidnapped me. Those creepy little Hench-worms work for him. they kidnaped me on his orders.” Vida sighed. “Is there anything I can say that will change your mind?” Maia’s expression was all that answer she needed. “Fine, I’ll do it.” Vida sighed exasperatedly. “And you can’t tell anyone! Not Lauren, not Uncle John, not Steven.” Vida was about to answer back when Steven, (Right on cue, again!) called from the car: “Vida, c’mon, I know it’s hard but we need to get home, I’m sorry your visit had to be cut short, but I need to get home.” “CO-ming! Just give me twenty more seconds!” she turned to Maia. “I’m sorry, but I have to go,” “don’t worry about me, it’s a magic school, what could go wrong?” Vida laughed and Maia said “anyway, didn’t Uncle John tell you that once I get myself a crystal ball, you’ll be able to see me and talk to me whenever you need to!” “Crystal ball?” Vida asked, confused. “Yeah, The Headmaster called it CBMing.” “A bit different from I-messaging, isn’t it?” Maia shrugged. “How close to normal can you get with people like this?” Vida said, jabbing her thumb behind her. “VEE-DA!” Uncle John yelled. “Coming, I said! Sheesh! She said as Maia followed her down to the car. “well, I’ll see you later, then huh?” “count on it! I promise to CBM you every week!” “Day!” Vida yelled through the window. “Day! Fine whatever! I love you!” “Love you too, see you later!” “Bye!” Maia gave a whole hearty wave as they drove away, and through the back windshield, she saw the ghosts give her thumbs ups. She smiled and waved at them. “Bye.” She mouthed. Uncle John couldn’t wave because he was driving, but Vida leaned out the window and said “Uncle says goodbye!” “Bye!” she gazed at the car until it couldn’t be seen anymore, then when she turned to go back inside, someone said “well you handled that alright, for a minute there, I thought you might cry!” She spun around and smiled. “William, don’t you have other things to do?” “Well, yes, homework; Library books to be returned, a detention room to report to, lots of menial stuff like that.” “Detention room?” He winked at her. “Hooligan.” She muttered. “Why Maia! what a horrible thing to say!” “And that’s the least you deserve!” said Sara, strolling down from the stairs. “Hello Maia, how are you doing?” “Fine.” She said. And she meant it. “What about me? Don’t I get a hello?” William pretended to be hurt but he couldn’t pull off the facial expression. “As for you,” she said, pointing a finger at him threateningly. “You still have that overdue Turtles book to turn in, and I expect it to be in my hands by tomorrow morning!” she poked his shoulder and stomped off. “Ow.” He said, rubbing his shoulder. “Wussie.” Maia smirked. “oh shut it!” he grumbled. “Turtles?” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” He said, twisting his back and popping his knuckles. “And I thought I told you to shut it?” “What can I say, I’m not really one to follow orders.” “Then you’ll fit right in here.” He said simply. She smiled and said “So, you going to that detention or what?” “Well,” he said, debating my question. “The worst they can do in give me extra homework, and I don’t really care, so…” “Forget it?” She asked, the corner of her mouth twitching. “Forget it.” He repeated. “Good, then you can walk me to my room again!” She said, grabbing his arm and pulling him to the stairs. “Ok ok, leggo!” He said, pulling free and wiped his hand. “Ugh! That is so, kindergarten!” She moaned, walking backwards so that she could see him. “Be careful!” He cautioned her. “You don’t wanna get another bruise, do you?” “Maybe you’re right.” She said and dropped back to his side. They walked and walked. And while they walked, they talked and talked. They talked about a wide variety of things. Wither the stone gargoyles in the garden were cool of not, for instance, or how the meals appear out of thin air, or what kind of classes she was bound to get. “I think, personally, you would be a shoe-in for the mind-games class, you do that lecture thing so well,” he smirked. She steamed but kept her cool, her mother had always told her that counting was the best way to deal with anger. “One, two, three, four, don’t throw William through the door. Five, Six, Seven, Eight–” “HEY!” He said indignantly. “I heard that!” “So what?” She sneered. He rolled his eyes. “Now who’s so Kindergarten?” he asked snidely. “I’m warning you, bub! One more funny remark–” “And you’ll do what?” she knew he was trying to tick her off, but she couldn’t help it. She was so mad that she socked him one right in the nose! “OW!” he yelled. “Oh my god, I’m sorry William.” “Yeah,” he said, trying to stem the steady flow of blood. “Dell dat to my node.” “I’m sorry!” she said again. “Well, unless you know a ‘ealing spell, my node is tothd.” “Your nose is not toast.” She said, helping him to his feet. “And no, I don’t know any healing spells, I just got here, remember?” he cursed. Then he said “whad did you ‘ave to hid me for?” “You made me mad.” She said simply. “Node to self: don’d make Maia mad.” “That’s right.” she said, holding on to his arm and helping him walk. “Is there a place I can take you to get patched up?” “I’m fine, just ged me do my room, please.” “Ok.” she said, then she stopped and frowned at him. “You can support your own weight, I only hit you on the nose, why are you making me carry you?” He smiled. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.” He said, straightening up and smiling at her. “You know, in some cases, the term ‘lean on me’ is highly favored, but in this case, not so much.” “Do you ged paid for the smart-ass comments or day all pard of da package?” “Satisfactory guaranteed.” She grinned. He raised his eyebrows at her and said “that is one package I would be glad to return!” she pushed his shoulder playfully and sent him careering into the wall. “Jeese, are you trying to kill me?” he asked indignantly as he rubbed his shoulder. “All part of the job, man.” He chuckled. This girl was cool. “I see your pronunciation is back on track.” He nodded. “Yeah, and it doesn’t sting so much now.” “That’s good.” She said. “I guess.” He shrugged. They walked in silence for a bit, then, he turned to her and asked, out of the blue: “Is that boy, Steven, your boyfriend?” she turned to looked at him, her expression was one of utter confusion. “I don’t see that it’s any of your business, but no, he’s not.” After he heard that, William seemed to relax a bit. She looked at him suspiciously. “What?” he asked, faking confusion, but he really had to keep from smiling. “William, let’s get something straight,” she said, walking in front of him and putting her hands on her hips. “I know your trying to flirt with me, but I like to date boys who I’ve actually known! And I don’t mean for three days!” “If you count the days you were asleep–” “I didn’t know you then. And stop trying to avoid the point!” she said accusingly, pointing a finger threateningly at him. He nodded and said “I respect your choice, for now, we’ll just be friends.” She nodded and continued walking. Over her shoulder, she said “Plus, if you get any other ideas to the contrary, I was the captain of the girl’s wrestling team in seventh grade.” He stared dumbly at her receding profile for a few seconds, then got ahold of himself and ran to follow her. She chuckled. She really had been captain of the wrestling team, won them the championships too, due to her vise-like grip!
When he caught up with her he apologized and said that he was actually used to this. “Really?” she asked, curiously. “Yeah,” he said, looking out the huge stain-glass windows they were passing. “Apparently, I’m what the girls call here ‘weird.’” He used sarcastic air quotes. “Well, William, if anyone here is the most worthy of that title, it’s you.” “Don’t get psychic with me, fella.” He replied. “I’m not a fella, I’m a felon.” She countered. “You win this round, but remember this: When the time is ripe, I’ll be back to getcha!” “Sticks and stones, sticks and stones!” She said in an annoying sing-song voice. He punched her in the arm playfully and laughed as she chased him down the corridor, yelling threats of death and dismemberment. “Ha ha ha ha ha! Can’t catch me!” He yelled as he raced down the hall. “Excuse me.” Said a voice from a doorway off to his right. He skidded to a halt in front of the doorway and watched worriedly as a tall, lean girl appeared and glared at him with her hands on her hips. “Um, is there a problem?” She looked down her nose at him with a a tight sneer playing around her mouth. “Yeah there’s a problem! Some people are trying to sleep!” He flinched and started to say something, but at that moment, Maia came barreling around the corner and slammed right into him. it took the girl a few minutes to recover from the shock, and when she did, she slammed the door on them Maia and William were rolling around and laughing so hard on the floor that they didn’t even notice. Finally, when their laughing died down, they got up and Mia said shakily. “I guess we should go to bed.” “Mmhm.” Said William, frowning at the girl. “I wonder who she was.” “Probably another student.” Maia said and shrugged. “I don’t think so.” He said and turned to her excitedly. “No, I’m sure she’s not!” “Faculty?” Maia asked. “Not old enough!” “And you’re sure she’s not a student?” “Why do you think she is?” “Well, let’s face it, you’ve only been here a year–” “Un-uh, no, longer than that. Your thinking of Nick, kid.” He said, shaking his head. “Oh, blah; my bad!” “Don’t worry, it could happen to anyone.” He said and started walking. “Wait!” she said, running to catch up to him. “What?” he asked, turning around and looking at her expectantly. “Uh, I just, wanted to… Wish you goodnight!” She said, grinning with false cheeriness. They didn’t say anything for several minutes, then, Maia broke the silence and said “Well… Goodnight!” she said, and took off down the hall, to her room. He stood there for a few minutes, staring after her, a look of utter disbelief and confusion on his face. And he stayed that way until Maia had rounded the corner and disappeared, then he shook his head and sighed, allowed a short smile to cross his face. This girl was unlike he had ever met. (Not that he had met many.)
Ch. 18
I think it’s safe to say, nightmare.
I think it’s safe to say, nightmare.
When Maia reached her door, she opened it, ran inside, closed it and leaned against it, breathing hard. When she got her breath back, she sank down to her knees and sighed. What had she started? After sitting there, thinking about everything that had happened since her parent’s demise. It seemed like so long ago. She sighed again, then sluggishly got up, undressed, and crawled into her bed. “Gotta go to bed early, got class trials to morrow!” she muttered to herself. As she lay there, slowly drifting off to sleep, thoughts and worries plagued her thoughts until, finally, she fell asleep and began to dream.
The dreams started out simple at first, snatches of memories of when her parents were alive, boring field trips from third grade, random things like that. Then, the dreams began getting more potent.
She was crouching behind a black ming vase, big enough to hide her from the other occupants of the room; which was immense, with a big silver candelabra hanging from the ceiling and many many portraits hanging on the walls, like the Academy, except for the Academy had a nice, informal feeling to it, and this place was the utter opposite! Everything was crisp, shiny, and polished. The portraits were hung straight, the walls looked freshly painted, and the beautiful fountain that gurgled happily in a corner of the room’s waters shone sparkling like diamonds. Everything was utterly flawless.
Suddenly, she heard a voice speak. It was raspy, like it’s owner hadn’t had a drink of water for at least a year, and there was a bit of an accent mixed in with a dash of loathing. All in all, this was not someone Maia would want to meet for real. “Well? Has the old wizard consented?” “Yes, M’lord. The girl is beginning tomorrow.” Said a younger voice, a boy’s. “Excellent!” the voice rasped. Maia could tell it was a man, albeit, he sounded about as far away from man as one could get without transforming shape. “You have served me well, boy, I shall indeed reward you that which you most desire, but for now, leave me. There is much to prepare.” “As you command, M’lord.” Maia heard the door slam and footsteps retreating into the distance. “Yesss. Much to prepare.” The man muttered quietly. Maia sat still behind her hiding place and dared barely to breath. This man, (whoever he was,) and the boy, they must have something to do with the bookworms. “They might be the ones who kidnapped me!” As this horrific realization came to pass, Maia heard the man mutter to himself “That fool Callow, thinks he can use his magic to outwit me! Well, we’ll just see, won’t we, Maia?” Maia gasped and turned to look at him, but his face dissolved before she could get a good look at him and she felt someone’s hand on her shoulder. “Tell your uncle hello for me, won’t you Maia?” Maia tried to scream, but her voice was mute, the man’s face was hidden by a hood, but she could see his eyes glaring down at her. Those eyes! They looked like two burning-blue flames, glowing under that black chasm beneath his hood. “Oh and uh, enjoy your classes.” He said and as let go of her shoulder, Maia felt her hold slipping, she was falling, plummeting, down, down, through the very earth!
“Maia, Maia, can I come in?” Nicholas’s voice said from behind the door. Maia’s eyes flew open and she sat up, rubbing her eyes and looking around. It was her room in the Academy, not that awful room with the Black vase. after looking around in re-assurance, she quickly pulled on a pair of pants, and a shirt and checked herself in the mirror. “Whatever.” She said and turned back to the door. “Oh, hi!” he said when she opened it and closed it behind her. “Hi. What’s up?” “Well, I thought you’d like to have an alarm call.” “What time is it?” “Seven forty-five.” Said Nicholas, checking his watch. “Ok, um… Yeah. Thanks for the wake-up call, I’ll be down in a minute.” He nodded and without further questions walked down the hall and out of sight. She sighed and closed the door. “Classes start at eight.” William had said. “five to get dressed, ten to eat. Ample time.” She said to herself and grabbed her hairbrush.
“So, I don’t have to take any classes I don’t want to?” Maia asked as she slurped the dregs of her cereal. (Lucky Charms, her favorite!) “Nope!” said Nicholas, chomping down on a stack of mini-pancakes. She turned to William, who had been resigned to not talking to her much after last night, (Which was perfectly understandable and expected.) He looked at her for a second and said “Every newbie gets one week to trial the classes, which ever six you fit in most, you get to attend until next year.” “Un-huh, so, what if I don’t belong in any of the classes?” Nicholas shrugged. “Then you have an adapted talent, which, until you find others who have the same talent, you can study in your dormitories.” He said. “Cool.” Said Maia. “Yup. But that hardly ever happens.” Nicholas said. “Buzz kill.” Maia looked accusingly at Nicholas. He shrugged. “It’s the truth.” He said , letting his upper lip curled back into a grin. “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, the headmaster gave me this, said to give it to you.” Nicholas said, pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it over to Maia. “My guess is it’s the list of classes and talent classes.” He said. “Your right.” Maia said as she read the list:
Classes: first year___________________Time/Place___
T Training
west wing, main building, room 189, 2:25
Spells
north tower, second level, room 286, 11:30
Potions
north tower, second level, room 266, 1:30
Charms
main building, room 79, 9:30
Animation
main building, room 128, 10:45
Talents______________________________Time/Place___
Mind games
main building, room 134, 8:45
Transformation
main building, room 116 8:00
Teleportation
main building, room 122 3:30
Languages
main building, room 149 4:25
Flight
main building, room 103 5:10
Elemental magic
north tower, first level, room 261 3:00 Sunday
Healing
Garden, Saturday, 1:00-2:30
Maia grinned at the paper. “Does this place really teach this stuff?” she asked Nicholas who was reading over her shoulder. He nodded. “Yup.” “There’s some stuff I don’t get here, like: what is animation? This isn’t a cartoon studio!” William snorted behind them, but when they both turned around to look at him, he just gave an indiscreet cough and went back to his cereal. “Animation is making something that is either dead or inanimate come to life.” “Dead?” Maia asked weakly. “That was outlawed centuries ago.” He said quickly. “Necromancers are as rare as dodo birds these days.” She laughed weakly. “And, we really get to learn to fly?” “If that’s part of your talents.” He said. “I flew in a dream, does that count?” she asked hopefully. “Un-uh, don’t think so.” “This’ll be so cool!” she exclaimed, clenching her fists together and shaking them excitedly. “Newbies.” Snorted the gargoyle-boy, Josh. He was three seats down, talking to a short, blond girl with long, stringy hair. Maia was itching to dump a bowl of marmalade over his head, but, surprisingly, William grabbed her arm when she went to stand up. “Don’t bother, he’s just being Josh.” “An idiot?” Maia asked sarcastically. “An ass.” William said. Maia snickered and sat back down.
Ch. 19
A gift, and some very unpleasant visions
A gift, and some very unpleasant visions
Twenty minutes later, Maia yawned and said goodbye to the guys. Nicholas waved but William snapped his book shut and ran after her, catching up to her at the doorway. “Hey, look I wanna give you something, it’ll help you have a much easier time in this place.” Maia watched as he rummaged in his pockets for a few seconds, then pulled out a grubby piece of paper. “Here,” he said, giving it to her. Maia took it and asked “What is it, your phone number?” He laughed. “Nope. It’s your first spell.” Maia stared at the grubby paper and slowly turned it over in her hand. As he spoke, ink patterns formed on the paper. They scurried onto the paper like veins on a wrist. They all slithered together to make: “This is a spell?” she asked, bewildered. “Just a basic one. It’s a compass spell.” “Oh god, this is gonna save me a lot of trouble, thank you!” she said, hugging him quickly and then walked off.
William only looked dumbfounded for a moment, then he shook himself and grinned. This girl was much, much more than he thought. He turned on his heel and walked off, whistling “I believe in angels.”
With the compass spell to guide her, Maia arrived at the Transformation room right on time. Everyone looked at her when she walked in the room. It didn’t have any desks, except for the one that Cristina was sitting behind, only comfortable-looking wooden chairs standing in five straight lines of five. When Maia saw her, she smiled. “Hi, Cristina.” “Oh, good morning, Maia.” She said, getting up from behind her desk and shaking her hand. “Trial period?” she asked. Maia nodded. “Excellent.” Cristina said, motioning the rest of the class to sit down. “Everyone, this is Maia Callow. She’s here on trial period, so let’s help her and see if she’s got some changeling in her! Right, Maia, I’d like you to work with Eleanor for today,” she said, pointing to a tall red-headed girl with blue eyes and freckles. “Hi.” Said Eleanor, sticking out her hand. “Hey.” Said Maia nervously. “The class isn’t all that bad, if you’re wondering.” Said Eleanor encouragingly. “I can already tell, changing isn’t my thing.” Maia said apologetically. “Meh, no biggie.” Eleanor said, shrugging. “Some people got it, some people don’t, but it can’t hurt to try.” Maia nodded and looked around. Couples all around them were changing from animal to animal, fighting, wrestling, having fun. Maia said she’d give it a try. “Good.” Said Eleanor. “So, what do I do first?” Maia asked after a few seconds silence. “Oh, yeah, um…. First, you need to contact the inner part of yourself, the wild part. And I don’t just mean wild as in party, I mean all out, blood pouring, flesh ripped–” Maia groaned. “Oh, sorry.” Eleanor said, looking embarrassed. “Maybe not the right kind of invisionment. Ok, let’s start with an animal you respect and admire. Not one you think is cute, mind, one you respect and have the utmost appreciation for.” “Real or mythical?” Maia asked, still holding her stomach. “I think it’s best to go with real for now.” Eleanor said as she put her hand on Maia’s shoulder. “Great Blue Heron.” Maia said quickly. Eleanor made a Hmmm sound and walked over to Cristina’s desk and started pulling things out of the drawers. “Feather, Heron feather, let’s see… Aha!” she exclaimed, holding up a bright blue and white feather. “Here,” she said, walking over and taking a strand of Maia’s hair between her fingertips. When Maia tried to protest, Eleanor said “This is purely ethical. Most new changelings have to use an artifact from the animal in question, a feather, a claw, a scale, a fur, etc., etc.” “And, you’re weaving it into my hair, why?” “As I said before, most new changelings have to bond with an artifact consistent with animal they are most familiar with.” “So, you weave that into my hair, and I become a Heron?” “Not exactly.” Eleanor said, releasing Maia’s hair and spinning her around to inspect. “Good enough.” She muttered. “First, you have to close your eyes, and look far within yourself, and find the characteristics that endear you with the Heron.” “I don’t have Bamboo-stick legs, if that’s what you mean.” Maia said, squinting with one eye. “Eyes closed.” Eleanor commanded. Maia obeyed. “You must find something, anything, that connects you to the Heron. A sighting, your love of fish, something!” Maia’s eyes relaxed and she called up memories of the good old days, when her parents were alive, when her family was happy, and she remembered one trip to the beach, just her mother and her. That was the first time she had seen the Great Blue Heron.
It was foggy, the air hung damp around them as they explored the mud flats of southern Washington. Her mom was waiting by the rocks, Maia had wandered out into the mud flats, looking for limpet shells. She had just spotted a beautiful one, not three feet away, but it was in the water. She remembered her mother warning “No matter how pretty the shell, do not go out into the water, love. There are shallow crevices under all that mud all around, and if you step on them, you could fall through the mud and end up hurt. I don’t want you to get hurt, honey.” She knew it was bad, but it was such a pretty shell, and there was no way the mud would collapse!
Wrong. The mud caved in just as she reached down to pick up the shell. She remembered being scared. Scared that mother wouldn’t find her, scared that she would die, but then, she heard a squawk. “Bird.” She said quietly. it was the Blue Heron. He was circling her, like a vulture. ‘is he going to eat me?’ she thought. No. he was marking Maia’s place. Her mother had heard the scream, but it was too foggy to see. Suddenly, she heard the squawking and followed it. “Maia!” “Mommy!” The Heron had saved her. it had marked her place. She would remember that forever.
“Maia! MAIA!” Eleanor said, shaking her shoulder. “Wha- what? What happened?” “Comaticlly induced transformation. Interesting.” “What? Why interesting? Did I change?” Eleanor nodded. “Yes, you did. Not just the Heron, but you changed into mud, fog, the Heron, and a woman. Your mother?” Maia nodded. She felt woozy. Eleanor saw her distress and motioned a gawking team to pull up a chair. “Are you ok? Breath, Breath.” after taking a few gulps of air, Maia shakily nodded and said “I’m fine. What time is it?” “Eight-forty, why?” “Class is almost over.” She said, remembering her classes list. “Mmhm. So listen, I know your first experience as a changeling wasn’t, admittedly, the best you could hope for, bu I think you’ve got enormous potential. I want to see you back in here tomorrow morning.” “Yessir!” Maia did a mock salute and put on a stupid expression. Eleanor grinned. “You know, I think you’re an ok kid. A little bit of an ‘tude, but, then again, I’d rather see a girl with too much attitude than a ball of–” “Dandelion fluff without any at all.” Maia finished her quote. “Temping Fate? Nice.” Maia said. “Yeah, well… I’m good friends with Sara. She–” Eleanor didn’t get to finish because the bell rang and all the other kids transformed back to their usual shapes and herded to the door. “I’ll see you at lunch?” Eleanor asked Maia over the half-untransformed heads of classmates. “Count on it!” Maia yelled back, Eleanor’s face was lost in the throng of students swarming the corridors and halls. Maia shrugged to herself and took a quick look at her compass paper. Left. Room 79. Mind games. “Oh, great.” She groaned. Allen.
When she entered the classroom, again, all eyes turned to her. The classroom looked quite like that of Cristina’s, but this one had more furniture. It had carpeting, no wallpaper, just plain, brown woodwork. “Ah, Miss Callow, welcome.” Said Allen. He was standing beside a pair of bickering girls and when he spoke, they instantly hushed. “Miss Callow was my mother.” Maia said, stressing Was. Allen smirked. “Yes, well… As I’m sure you know, this class is for those whose minds are exceptionally powerful. Mind-reading, persuasion, and illusion are all components of what I teach. Whether you can compete with these components is all up to you. “Based on who they sent, I’m guessing your in mind games, and your sister is in transformations.” That was what Steven had said the first time she had heard about the Academy. “We have an entire forty-five minutes to work, see that you get as much done as you can. Alright,” he said, turning to Maia. “Since this is your first time, I’d like you to work with me, just because it’s your first time.” His grin stretched into a smirk as he led her to a table and motioned her to sit down.
“It won’t hurt.” He said gently as he reached out for her hand. Maia pulled away and said quickly “May I please work with another person?” she asked, looking straight into his eyes. “Why?” Maia didn’t say anything. Allen wasn’t as bad around Uncle, but here, he scared her. She gulped. “Fine.” The contempt in her voice was so pronounced, he actually whipped his hand back to his side and averted his eyes. “I said fine.” She said, a little louder. He looked up at her, like he was studying a chess piece. “This won’t hurt.” He said again, extending his hand. Maia took it, hesitantly. “Close your eyes.” He commanded. Maia complied, although not as readily as she had in the transformation room.
“Visions?” Allen asked her. His voice seemed so far away. She was back in the room with the black vase, except, Allen was sitting there, next to her. “This is private!” She growled at him. “Get out!” “I’m not in here in the first place.” He said, smiling. “I’m in your head, which is here. if you want me gone, will it! Push me out of your head.” Maia clenched her teeth and gripped the table. “Stressing out is just making it harder.” He said in a condescending voice. Then, another voice spoke, from the back of her head. “Maia, Maia you need to calm down. Fight your battles when they’re in your element, not his.” Then, Maia snapped back to reality and watched Allen give her a penetrating stare. “You have a guardian.” He said, smiling. This time, it wasn’t a fake smile, or a condescending smile, it was a warm smile, like teacher to student, like brother to sister. “A Guardian?” Maia asked, confused. “In times of anger and uncertainty, an entity within oneself merges with one’s mind and calms them down, giving advice which is usually fatal to the other person.” Maia smirked. “I guess you should watch your step, then.” She said, pulling her hand out of his slackened grip. Checkmate.
“Well, maybe not mind-reading.” Maia said, standing up and cracking her knuckles. “Persuasion’s next, right?” He nodded. Maia smirked, raised and shook her arms, and put on a spooky voice: “Giiiive meee your caaaaaar! Giiiiiive meeee yooooour caaaaaaaarr!” “Ha ha.” Allen deadpanned, rolling his eyes. “Ok, so how do you do it?” she asked, dropping her arms and yawning. “Like this.” He said “Do a cartwheel, c’mon, you know you want to, do the cartwheel! Do it! DO it! DO IT!” “NO!” Maia yelled, covering her ears with her hands. “Not that again!” she stood up to get away from him, but her body was already responding to his commands. She raised one arm and attempted to raise the other, but she folded that arm behind her back and said “Stop, Allen, please stop!” The class looked at Allen, who ran around the table and said “Oh god, I’m sorry.” “You can out your arms down. I’m sorry.” Maia’s arms flopped down and said “It’s ok. It was a valuable learning experience.” His expression showed that he was sincerely sorry. “I’m fine, it’s ok.” She said, waving of his worried expression away. “Ok, maybe not.” She said as she sat quickly down. “Illusions?” She asked between coughs. “What?” he asked, distractedly. “Oh, yeah, illusions. Straight forward, really. Envision a scene, picture, object or creature. One so lifelike, so beautiful, that it just has to be real, then Will it into the real world.” “Simple.” Maia muttered.
What picture? No, not an picture, a scene.
The night the Bookworms had attacked her.
The fear, the terror, she remembered the things, invisible, coming at her from all directions, swinging at them with her lamp and chair, watching helplessly as they chained Steven, Gazing up at the Lord of the Bookworms as he blew that sleeping powder into her face.
“Maia!” Someone was shaking her shoulder. No, she was tied up, the Lord of the Bookworms was coming closer, closer, “Maia!” she jerked out of her illusion and blinked. “Just an illusion.” She whispered. “That’s right, it’s just an illusion.” Maia looked up into Allen’s face. “Ugh. That’s the second time I’ve woken up from dreams from my past. Neither were very nice.” “If I may ask, why did you choose that scene?” she looked back up at him, a tear ran down her cheek. Just one. But he knew what it meant. “I see. Well, despite what happened, I want you to come back to tomorrow. You hold great potential for the deceptive arts.” She smiled. “I’m choosing to take that as a complement.” She said. “The bell is about to ring, I will see you tomorrow.” Maia nodded.
Next class, Charms, didn’t go so well.
The teacher was a weird, weedy little woman, with fuzzy brown hair and green eyes who introduced herself as “Sophie, my dear, you must call me Sophie!” “Yeah, ok Sophie.” This woman didn’t remind her of any of the Sophies Maia knew. She looked nothing like the old Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle, nor the seal from Doctor Doolittle. In fairness, she was an encouraging teacher, though.
Charms evolved the basic things, summoning, banishing, moving things from place to place, that sort of thing. It was pretty simple for them, but not for Maia. She was pretty good at banishing things, but when it came to summoning, she sent books flying off the shelves at her classmates, accidentally caused a desk to flip over on its occupant, and received a black eye from a blue vase on a shelf.
