CHAPTER 38

CAT & MOUSE

The autumn of our first-year goes by like a whirlwind. Classes, assistant teaching, and fallen leaves all roiling about like a hurricane.

Ceres was characteristically staring out the window absentmindedly, when suddenly her eyes light up like amethyst gems catching sunlight.

“Let’s go, Aeya!” She stands up, turning away from the large glass panes of windows, and cheerily calls out without remorse.

It’s the middle of class! I wanna groan in exasperation.

Just as everyone turns to look back at the disturbance, the first flakes of snow fall behind her in soft droves. White clouds slowly floating downwards and Ceres smiling without restraint make for a picturesque scene.

“Is that ash…?” I hear someone from the class raise the question.

“…What are you saying? That’s snow.” Another scoffs.

“That’s the phenomenon you call snow?”

“R-Really?”

“Amazing…”

Like a tempestuous gust, students begin chattering with excitement.

In the back of my mind, I knew that many Seelie Fairfolk have never seen snow before, but this was beyond my imagination.

Hmn, that's actually really adorable.

“My! Well, it doesn’t look like there’s much use in trying to keep everyone’s attention. Let’s dismiss the last class of today early. Remember to dress warmly and have a lovely evening!”

W-What? You should at least try to reign everyone in, Professor Thoreau! So laid back…

All at once, everyone rushes out in a flurry. Hurriedly, they grab winter coats and cloaks before running towards the entrance.

“What is so special about snow?”

I expected such a line to come from Vaniriel’s apathetic mouth. Instead, it comes from someone who has a penchant for popping up like a spectre lately.

“Fen!” I laugh. “Well, I’m sure many Seelie Fairfolk have never…” I trail off, glancing towards Horusha.

Ru has stars in his eyes as he exhales in marvel. “It’s beautiful…”

The sight of another person experiencing something for the first time… This wide-eyed curiosity and innocence makes me grin.

“Haha, I suppose you’re right. It is beautiful.” Fen breathes out.

Although Fenrir agrees, something about his tone makes my heart scrunch right back down.

I observe his face, but don’t say anything. What memory could you be missing, to be making such a forlorn expression?

We all observe our red-faced schoolmates, flushed from excitement. They spin around in circles, leaving footprints in the fresh layers, or try to bunch together the pitiful amount of snow.

Thump.

Along with the snowflakes, a girl falls from the sky and lands beside me.

“With the rate you all rushed out, I expected something at least a tad bit impressive.”

V-Vani… Isn’t your class on the ninth floor…?

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She shakes her head of dark violet leaves in disappointment. “What is so special about snow?”

We three glance at one another before chuckling.

Vaniriel cocks an eyebrow in question. I’m about to explain before something cold and wet smacks me in the face.

“Hehe, Aeya is it.”

My friends all look in shock at the sn

“…That’s it, you’re really asking for it now, Ceres!”

All that marathon-training and strength-building has led me up to this point! Pumping my legs and grabbing any snow along the way, I begin chucking snowballs at the second princess. Well, it’s more melted water than anything resembling snow.

“Wah!” She screams excitedly as I run after her.

Everyone is laughing, doing their best to stock up on projectiles as well.

After the snowball fight, the five of us sit around the communal fireplace to warm ourselves up. We’re out of breath from running about, so now we’re comfortably chatting and enjoying each other’s company.

Fen is bothering Ru again, and although I enjoy teasing Ru as much as the next person, I find Fen enjoys it much more.

I don't have anything to worry about... Right?

Just as I’m about to rescue Ru from his unfortunate fate, a few crackling embers jump out from the hearth. It twists in the air like a hummingbird before Principle Aurelian’s voice resounds through the room. “Aeriea Newlyn, please report to the headmaster’s office. Your family has arrived.”

Ah.

I’ve been doing my best at not thinking about this inevitable situation. Busying myself with classes, reading, socializing -- Anything to avoid the thoughts in my head.

A wave of exhaustion washes over me. I’m certain it’s not due to the earlier exercise, but because of this announcement.

I sigh. “Wish me luck.”

“We can go with you if you’d like?” Fen offers, but I shake my head in response.

Indifferent to my protests, Vaniriel follows me out the door. “Uh, Vani. You don’t have to come along. Actually, I don’t think they’ll even let you sit in on the nagging- er, I mean scolding.”

She shrugs, but keeps walking. “I want to check on something.”

The hallway opens up like a cavern ready to swallow everything whole. Marble floor and immaculate tiles click together, walls unlocking and encircling us as we pass by. We don’t need to follow any directions, the building leading us to the correct destination all on its own.

Arriving at the correct landing, mortar bricks slide aside to reveal an unassuming door. Squaring my shoulders, I push it open.

Vani tries to step through after me, but the entrance vanishes just as quickly as it appeared.

“!”

“Don’t be afraid, Ms. Newlyn.” A receptionist with thin branches for limbs and soft pussywillows dangling all about her, calls out to me. “Ms. Vaniriel will be escorted out.” She doesn't bother looking up from her work as her branch-like fingers continue clicking away at some sort of metal machination.

I look in awe at the contraption in front of her. As she presses down each key, letters seem to appear onto a piece of parchment paper fed into this strange device.

When I make any sign to move, she clears her throat in annoyance. “Please follow the steps. Principle Aurelian and your father, Sir Arcanis, is waiting for you.”

“Y-Yes. Thank you.”

I look around, there’s a whole array of staircases in a multitude of colors and shapes. Before I can ask which one to take, the others seem to recede into the background. Only a small, wooden, spiral staircase stands out.

The last encounter I had with magickal steps was quite scary, so I cautiously make my way up with care.

When I reach the top, I see that the room is quite disappointing. I expected the principle’s office to be full of grandeur and other great gadgets like the word writer downstairs. However, only a regular office with shelves of books and couches sit around a fireplace.

“Ah, Aeriea, good to see you again.” Principle Aurelian greets me.

From the corner of my eye, I spot dad and Noel sitting on the couches. Even if I want to respond to the principle, the sight of my family makes my mouth go dry.

The first time they visit me and it’s because I got in trouble…

Licking my lips, I offer meekly. “Hi dad, hi Noel.”

“Aeya!” Noel runs up to me and pounces into my arms. I immediately ruffle his hair and hold him tight.

Mmm, little brother~ I need to heal up as much as I can before-

“Aeriea.” Dad clips. He walks up to me and stops just in front. A small smile appears from the corner of his mouth so I mistakenly relax a little.

Pokeeee.

He pokes my forehead with such force, I feel a headache already coming on.

“Uuu… Sorry, dad.”

He sighs before easing up a bit. “You’ve only been here for four months and you’re already raising up a storm.”

“I didn’t mean to…”

“Now, now.” Principle Aurelian begins. “No one ended up getting hurt. We just needed to inform you of her behavior and update everyone on the situation.”

Hmn? Why does it feel like Principle Aurelian is trying to calm dad down and is taking my side?

“Yes, you’ve already explained the situation. But, she still needs to think before she acts.” Dad’s words begin speeding up and clips in irritation. “Even if things worked out fine this time, who knows what could have happened if even a single thing deviated?”

“You’re right, dad…”

“You can’t just sneak off of the campus whenever you want. There’s a reason for the enchantments and curfew! They're there for your own safety!”

“Yes, dad.”

“What do you think would have happened if-”

- Words continue shooting out from my dad’s mouth at a breakneck speed, the stream of sentences neverending.

I glance to Principle Aurelian and he looks a bit weary as well.

Don’t tell me… Dad nagged at you too?