I watched the embers die. I mulled over what I could have done better. Firstly, I should have harshly instructed Viktor and Calder on making sure that the town was clear before setting the distraction off. Secondly, if I had used my ability, would that have helped? I could have moved the buildings further apart, but then it would not have been localized to a central area, and Colonel Walker would—

No, I thought as I shook my head. This should not have happened in the first place. Anything after that was just mitigating the damage, mitigating the failure of two men who couldn’t hear two hundred lower ranks congregating in the morning.

“Bongi! Come. We are going to help,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

I marched toward the infirmary, Bongi right on my heels. I did not want to have to listen to the injured moan and complain, but in times of crisis, it is good to be seen. Slava always tried to hammer home the effect a leader could have by being around her subordinates in times of need. I strode through the infirmary doors and got to work.

It was midday by the time we finished healing everyone, making sure no one was in danger from their injuries. Selena had passed out at one point, and the Colonel had simply dunked a bucket of water over her head and told her to continue.

It was strange. He had argued with the head doctor quite a bit while we worked. I did not catch the entire argument, but the colonel’s tone seemed impatient, while the head doctor seemed a little bit too patient.

I had ignored the argument, going to whomever seemed to be neglected. And yet, I felt only slightly more useful than a wallflower. My ability didn’t let me heal, after all. But a kind word or gesture seemed to do a world of good for whoever needed a moment of comfort. I am not ashamed to admit I felt a rush of pride every time wide, teary eyes would stare up at me when I knelt down next to the low rankers.

The B ranks had arrived a little after the fire had died and they had been hard at work in assisting the low rankers. Lieutenant Zenzele and Lieutenant Michael seemed to be the hands the colonel worked through, using them to make sure every task was completed to perfection. He ordered the buildings to be looked through thrice. I think he was making sure there were no bodies, no real casualties from the fire. Every time he gave that order, a dark look passed through his eyes, like there would be no place one could hide from his wrath if one of my low rankers died.

No matter. We trudged toward the mess hall, having been granted a free day after this morning’s ‘freak’ fire. Poor Selena was almost translucent, her skin white like she was sick beyond belief. I wanted to comfort her, so I fell into step beside her as we walked towards lunch.

I still wanted to have a serious… conversation with Viktor and Calder, but I must make sure the timing is right. Lecturing them publicly could backfire if they lash out, so I must seclude them when I can.

As we sat, everyone looked like an imitation of Selena, pale faces and hard eyes staring into their gourmet food. Except for Calder, who kept glancing at the others and giving a soft sneer, as if wondering why the rest were reacting this way. I kept the mask on, but I decided that I would target Viktor first, since Calder was clearly going to need a far harsher reminder of his failure.

“Are we going to talk about what happened?” Bongi asked, his eyes searching each of us for an answer as he spoke.

Selena just shook her head, too exhausted from using her power to speak.

Calder looked confused, asking, “Why? I think it went great. I mean, we got the info we needed, didn’t we?”

Control. Keep yourself in control. “Yes, we acquired the necessary tools to assist us in my mission. The collateral damage, on the other hand, was unacceptable.”

Viktor flinched at my tone, looking away. Calder’s face contorted into a mask of contempt. “Am I supposed to care about some—”

He stopped talking as I stared at him. Rage flashed across his face, before it turned into an exact imitation of the rest of the table's expressions, “No, you're right. They are our subordinates. I feel bad for what happened to them, I swear. I just think it’s more important we focus on stopping the civvie, rather than dwelling on something that, in the long run, won’t affect any of us.”

I kept glaring at him. “Do you think the Colonel won’t ask questions about how the fire started? You are one of twelve people that have fire-based abilities in our year. How long before he’s asking you those questions? How long until you break under the pressure? No. Collateral damage at this scale is a long-term problem. It will not be brushed aside.”

That flash of rage came back, but he held his tongue and looked away. I wanted to keep going, to really make him feel the weight of my words. But from the boys' expressions, this argument was almost a total victory in terms of their respect. They did not meet my eyes, all of them trying their best to look into their trays.

I held my head high as I said, “This discussion is not over. Now, we will do as ordered and start packing so we may leave for the tournament tomorrow. I will see you at dinner.”

I stood up and walked out, arriving at my room. I, of course, was already packed. I thought about taking a look at The Colonel’s stream profile, for the sheer value of the information I could gather on my supposed ‘superior’ was more than enough of a reason for me to take the device out of my pocket, but then I heard soft footsteps.

I looked into the mirror, making sure my hair was symmetrical, and unfortunately noticed the state of my clothes. I brushed my teeth, throwing the disgusting pants and shirt off as I rushed about the room, making sure everything was neat, just in case, before realizing my underwear was sweaty from assisting in the infirmary the whole day.

I raced to my drawer, and hesitated, seeing the only pair of underwear left was a pink set with cartoonish teddy bears all along them. The cleaners had packed the rest away.

I agonized over the decision, but ultimately I decided being clean was worth the potential embarrassment, so I threw them on with a fresh change of clothes, made sure my hair was symmetrical like mother’s, before stepping into the hall and stopping in front of her door.

I knocked politely, and a perfect, tired voice called out, “Who is it?”

I tried to reply in as casual a tone as possible, “Sofia Grant.”

I cringed internally. Why did I say that?

“Oh, one moment,” the voice said.

It took about thirty seconds before Selena answered her door, her face still pale, “Hi Sofia, what can I do for you?”

“I uh…” I cleared my throat, chastising myself for the filler, “I wished to assist you. With packing.” I continued, before adding on quickly, “Since you did so well in cleaning up after the others, of course.”

Her spirits immediately seemed to lift, a smile forming on her face, “Oh! Of course! Please come in,” she said, standing aside to allow me entry into her small room.

It wasn’t as spacious as mine, and her queen sized bed seemed like a slap in the face to a high ranker, but everything was decorated beautifully, whites and pinks flashing out from her decorations. She even had a few tower plants in here, giving a wonderful colour palette to the room.

Stolen story; please report.

“I just needed to pack some clothes,” she said sweetly, the smile in her voice sounding like music to my ears.

“Of course, whatever I can assist with,” I said, glancing at the full length mirror, adjusting one of the hairs in my face.

She opened the cupboard door, directing me with what I needed to pack and fold into her suitcase. “And don’t worry about the underwear, I’ve packed that already.”

“Good,” was all I could say, before she stepped away and sat down near her desk, relief and relaxation flooding through her shoulders.

I turned to the bed, and the clothes seemed to stare up at me. As I picked up one pair of jeans, it struck me that I have never folded clothes before. The maids had always packed my bags, and the cleaners had simply continued that service here. I cringed inwardly, then steeled myself. I racked my brain, trying to remember the cartoons I'd watched as a child to give me some direly needed direction, and set about the task. I mean, how hard could it be?

I focused entirely on folding, even as I glanced back and saw Selena kick something nonchalantly behind her. This was awkward. I was ruining this. What should I say? You're pretty? That wouldn’t go over well. I thought of the perfect solution, twisting the words over in my head, making sure I didn’t repeat the same blunder I had when requesting to be healed.

“What are your thoughts on this morning?” I said, my voice sounding stiff, commanding, questioning. I wanted to kick myself. This was meant to be casual.

Her face looked almost… disappointed—as if she didn’t want to discuss this either. “I… I think that what happened to everyone this morning was a travesty. It should never have happened.”

I froze, realizing the implication in her words, “Do you believe me responsible for their failure to follow orders?”

Her eyes went wide, and she raised her hands, waving them frantically, “No! Of course not! I remember what you said last night! Light the town hall on fire, get out of there when you hear someone, make sure no one gets hurt. It was Viktor’s and Calder’s fault, they didn’t make sure the coast was clear.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, glad that she saw sense. I nodded, turning away, continuing with trying to fold the second pair of jeans like I had the first.

“Good, good. I’m glad you understand. It is still a shame though. They were lucky you were around to attend to them.”

“Well, thank you. I tried my best,” she said politely.

Yes, an opening. “Your best was very impressive. I will have many uses for your ability in the coming years.” Finally, the compliment was natural, and for something she likes.

“Only my ability?” she asked in a small voice.

I panicked, turning around sharply, my mask slipping, “No no! Of course not just your ability! You will be a valued lieutenant for either the back or front lines!”

She laughed slightly, “Well, I shall be glad to be useful. Still… what are your thoughts on this morning?”

I relaxed, going back to folding the clothes, “Unacceptable, as I said earlier. If the low rankers find out that Viktor or Calder are the ones responsible, it could ruin the command structure. I will have a thorough discussion with both of them on their failure.”

“Of course,” she said to my back.

Then, only the sound of folding clothes could be heard throughout the room. Why can’t I talk to her? I know only matters related to the military, the tower and my Father. Would she be interested in those? My eyes darted around the room, looking for anything that could be a topic of conversation, before she interrupted, “Sofia… no offense, but that’s not how you fold clothes.”

I felt my mask slip again, a horrified expression growing on my face, “No, this is… I was…”

She was suddenly beside me, giving me a warm smile. She gently took hold of my wrists, guiding them along the folds of the shirt, walking me through the process gently, “And now you fold in half. Fantastic.”

Her hands on mine were making my heart beat out my chest. It was so loud I was sure she could hear it. “Heal fifty low rankers and can fold a shirt. I’m growing more useful by the hour,” she said sarcastically, giving me a wide grin as she pulled her hands away.

I snorted before turning away, trying to hide the smile as I pulled the mask back on.

“Oh, so you can smile! And it's a nice one too. Can this lowly A ranker ask for another?”

I glanced back at her, but she was cringing to herself playfully, “Wow, that was cheesy, even for me. Still though, I like this. Talking with you. You're the only other girl here…” she sighed, turning to me, like she’d been meaning to ask this for a while.

“Sofia, we are the only girls among the high rankers. I know you're going to lead us and become the general and save the world yada yada, but I will not survive another minute if I have to keep hanging around the sausage fest. Can we like, be friends, talk more like this? Alone? If not, no worries, I will respect your boundaries.” she looked down, sheepishly, before glancing back up at me as she fiddled with her pants, “But I think it’d be nice to have some girl talk, ya know?”

I was stunned at her forwardness, and I considered telling her the same thing I told the civvie. I could not be friends with my subordinates. They need to respect me, for I will forge this brigade into the most effective fighting force within the tower. And that would just be the beginning, for after I become general, I will create the greatest army in the world. Just like Father had. Like Mother after him.

I just turned back to folding clothes. I glanced at her, and she looked devastated, her face growing almost as pale as earlier. She turned back to her clothes, whispering quietly, “Sorry. I won’t bring it up again.”

Her small voice shattered any thoughts of hierarchy immediately. I grasped at every corner of my mind, thinking of the perfect response. I turned the words over in my head again and again, and then I sighed loudly, saying, “No, please do. I liked your cheesy line after all.”

She took a step back, looking aghast. “Oh really? Wow… okay, I can do cheesy. Did you hear what the falcon said to the S rank when he got caught running away? ‘Don’t worry! I'm winging it!’” she said, wiggling her eyebrows, grinning at me like she said something clever.

I allowed myself a small grin, exaggerating the eye roll I gave her, “Really? That was so bad.”

“Badly amazing, I know,” she said, flipping her hair, turning back to the folded clothes.

“So, what are you doing for the rest of the day?” she said, her voice an angel’s, the kindness in it felt almost undeserved.

But the question brought me back from this fantasy. I straightened my back, all smiles gone from my face.

“I need to have a few unpleasant conversations,” I said, folding the last piece of clothing.