Queen vs. Self-Care

image [https://i.ibb.co/9gP5RS6/toppng-com-line-dividers-png-1000x200.png]

"Ah! Right there!" Eydis gasped, arching her head back in languid bliss. “Harder!”

Natalia asked hesitantly, "There? Does that feel better?"

Eydis's voice lowered to a husky purr. "Lower, please. It's been a while since someone touched me like this."

A creak from outside the door sent shivers down Natalia's spine. Their exchange halted mid-motion.

"Did you hear that?" Natalia whispered, eyes wide.

“Hear what? The thrilling saga of split ends and acne? Riveting, truly." Eydis muttered, "Don't stop now, Natalia. You have magic in those fingers."

"Eydis! What if someone misunderstands? Me, here, giving you a... a scalp massage of a more... ahem personal nature?"

Eydis tilted her head back, burying it deeper into Natalia's lap. "Misunderstand what, my dear Natalia? Can't a girl simply enjoy a friend's help with a self-care routine? This hair is rebelling against me, and frankly, it's getting on my last nerve."

Natalia, flustered yet powerless against Eydis's irresistible charm, continued working the conditioner into Eydis's hair. "Apply this daily," she instructed, "and your hair will eventually improve. And this,” she brandished a tube, “will help with the acne. Though, you might need to restock online.”

“With this bank account, I can barely afford a hair conditioner let alone a fitting uniform.” Eydis groaned.

From conquering empires to worrying about money, this whole ‘reincarnation’ business was proving to be a royal pain. "Money," she said, "Couldn't one just, you know, take what they need?" A wistful sigh escaped her lips. "Ah, the good old days..."

"This academy has a strict no-um-borrowing? policy, Eydis. But hey, there are student jobs! You could be a barista at the cafeteria or, or… a librarian!"

Sovereign to shelf-stacker? Eydis scoffed. The very notion sent a shiver of outrage down her spine. Librarian duties were fit for… well, perhaps no one deserved such a fate.

As her mind searched for a solution, she asked, "Speaking of abilities, what's yours?”

Natalia rubbed her neck sheepishly, glancing around the tight dorm room. "Fire. Not the best place for a demo, you know?"

Eydis, curious, propped herself up on her elbows. Natalia’s breath hitched as their faces were inches apart. "Let's see some pyrotechnics, Natalia. Light up my life, literally."

Natalia chuckled nervously. "Eydis, you have the worst sense of personal space, but there's a rule about that too. We Gifted students can only use our abilities in designated training grounds, like the Sanctuary."

"Rules. Didn't seem to stop Athena from eavesdropping on me earlier."

Natalia's jaw dropped. "Athena? But she hates using her power! Barely even shows it off in class."

So it wasn't general eavesdropping, but a targeted invasion of privacy. Just fantastic. "And what about Astra?" Eydis pressed, her suspicion evident. "Is she an empath too?"

Natalia hesitated, searching for the right words. "Astra's abilities are… vast. We haven’t even scratched the surface of what she can do. But as far as I know, mind reading isn’t one of them."

Eydis's eyes widened considerably. "My roommate is that powerful?"

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Natalia grinned. "Duh! How else would you be so smitten with her?"

"Love? Don't be ridiculous. Admiration, perhaps, for her… prowess. But love is a concept far removed from my vocabulary.”

Natalia stammered, her cheeks flushing. "You, with your perfectly sculpted... I mean, there's no way someone with such a vast vocabulary couldn't understand the concept!"

Eydis, oblivious to the slip, tilted her head in thought. "Perhaps some things are more complex than even the most intricate mathematical equation."

"Speaking of Maths, I hear you created quite the scene this morning. Almost makes me regret not sharing Maths with you," Natalia added with a playful grin. "You used to despise attention. So why the sudden change?"

"Avoiding attention? That strategy didn't exactly shield me from a baseball bat, did it? Perhaps blissful ignorance works for some in this world of hidden powers. But those who stand out, ready or not, it seems trouble finds a way. Wouldn't you agree?"

Natalia opened her mouth to retort, but found herself speechless. With a newfound respect, she resumed her ministrations, her fingers weaving through Eydis's hair. "Sometimes, Eydis, you speak like a Queen... a wise one, at that. And lately, you've been surprisingly open."

Eydis's lips twitched into a slight smile, her eyes fluttering shut in relaxation. "Not to everyone." She noticed Natalia hesitate, a tremor running through her hand. Fear was a language Eydis understood well, how she'd used it to manipulate Amanda. But why would Natalia fear her?

The Queen reached out, gently taking Natalia's hand. Her gaze softened as it fell on the startling blush creeping up Natalia's neck.

"You're an interesting one, Natalia," Eydis said softly. Seeing Natalia flinch, she added with a hint of amusement, "Are you feeling alright? Amanda seemed to have caught a nasty bug recently."

Natalia's blush deepened, and she stammered, "I-it's late. I, uh, should get back to my room. Consider the conditioner... a gift."

She practically bolted out the door, leaving Eydis alone on the bed, utterly puzzled.

----------------------------------------

“Daddy, please…”

Tears streamed down Tiffany's face, smearing her carefully applied makeup. Each ragged gasp for breath sent a fresh wave of pain through her throbbing cheek. The taste of blood filled her mouth, a telltale sign of a split lip.

Thomas loomed over her, an imposing shadow against the crystal chandelier. "What a disgrace," he rumbled, his face contorted with disgust. "Expelled?! Did you know how much I invested in your pathetic hide at St. Kevin's? You were supposed to be securing alliances with the Gifted, not brawling with the lowest trash of the school!"

Shame burned hotter than the sting on her face. All these years, the label of "talentless" had tattooed itself on her skin, a constant reminder of her worthlessness. Now, even an outsider like Eydis could outsmart her. It was unacceptable.

Her father's arm lashed out, the force sending her sprawling onto the cold marble, stealing the air from her lungs. A flurry of papers rained down on her.

"Read it, you dimwit!" he snarled. "The doctor's report. Your little 'incident' with the baseball bat caused some serious damage. Besides, it seems some Gifted students weren't too thrilled with your little display of cruelty. How many times have I told you not to leave loose ends?"

Tiffany's vision blurred with fresh tears as she shakily picked up the report. An X-ray of Eydis's head filled the page, a dark splotch marring the back. The doctor's report swam before her eyes, the words blurring: permanent memory loss. This wasn't fair! It was all Eydis's fault! That smug, four-eyed freak!

"You're grounded indefinitely. And don't even think about asking for a new phone or car. You've lost all privileges." He slammed the door shut, leaving her sobbing alone in the prison of her room.

It wasn't fair.

Years of living up to their expectations, meticulously building the perfect image, all for this? A single, infuriating outsider could unravel it all with a lucky swing. Tiffany had trained, honed her networking skills, all to be labelled "talentless"?

A new wave of familiar rage washed over her. She picked at her cuticles, a nervous habit since childhood. But this time, the pain did nothing to distract her. She needed more.

She needed something more.

As if answering her call, a faint lavender perfume filled her nostrils. From the window, a wisp of purple smoke materialised, gliding through the gaps and curling around her head inquisitively.

"Accept me," a voice whispered seductively. "And you'll achieve your darkest wish."

Tiffany’s breaths quickened, picking at her cuticles once again until they bled.

"Who's there?"

The smoke’s form twisted like a dark serpent.

> ‘Accept me, and power will be yours.’

Tiffany recoiled instinctively, her body trembling in fear. Yet, a glimpse of something dark, something hungry, ignited within her. As the smoke tendrils reached for her, she closed her eyes and took a deep, shaky breath.

"I accept.”

The smoke surged into her mouth—cold and suffocating, invading her very being. It felt as though she was being hollowed out, leaving only an empty shell. Tiffany cried as an agonising sensation ripped through her.

When it finally dissipated, Tiffany stood alone, her blue eyes shimmered with an unnatural violet.

Power. Intoxicating power. She could feel it coursing through her veins. She turned her attention back to the scattered X-ray photos on the floor, a manic grin stretching across her face.

“This time, it won’t be just a concussion,” Tiffany whispered to herself. “No more loose ends.”