Chapter Two
Sapphire ate her microwave dinner and continued to watch the news. She had switched over to TNN, the 24-hour Troll News Network, knowing it would have the best coverage.
The riot was the top story, and after a while was glad that Ogre Island had not been mentioned. It was thin, but she hoped it meant Sandy was safe.
Just as she was throwing away the remains of dinner, there was a knock at the door. As expected, it was Jade. She had a box with her.
"Come in," said Sapphire, stepping aside, "I'm watching the news."
"Oh, about that riot?" asked the other girl as she came in. She held up the box. "My mom made cookies."
"Great! I'll get some milk!" Sapphire answered, "Have a seat."
They sat, enjoying the milk and cookies, and watched the news.
"Why are you so interested in this?" asked Jade at last.
"I have an ogre friend who just wrote me about things related to this happening where he lives, and I'm concerned about his safety," Sapphire answered.
"YOU know an ogre? Wow, that's kind of rare," answered Jade.
Sapphire nodded. "Yes, we met on Trollhiti. I taught him how to read, and he taught me to swim."
Jade's eyes grew wide. "You mean... that trip to Trollhiti actually happened? I always thought Topaz was being delusional."
"Oh, it happened, all right," said Sapphire, narrowing her eyes at Jade. "And I don't appreciate you talking about Topaz that way."
Jade blushed. "Sorry. But she always seemed so weird, I couldn't believe it."
"Maybe so, but let me tell you something. Topaz is the most honest troll you will ever meet. The idea of lying, even when it would be to her advantage, never occurs to her," Sapphire said.
Jade blushed a bit harder. "I am sorry. I guess that was left over 'Coral attitude'. I'll learn better."
Sapphire smiled. "An open mind. Very good. Apology accepted."
The two new friends gave a toast with their milk glasses, and munched cookies.
"So," said Jade at last, "I'd guess you're going to college now?"
"Yeah, I started at Trollane this semester," answered Sapphire, "I'm going for a degree as a General Specialist."
"Gee, I'm just taking secretarial courses at TCC," said Jade.
"Really? Amethyst is taking some courses there too. Ever see her around?" asked Sapphire.
Jade nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, but I try to avoid her, for the same reason I avoided you."
Sapphire smiled. "If we're going to be friends, you shouldn't do that any more."
"I guess not. I'll speak the next time I see her," answered Jade, smiling in her turn.
They sat quietly for a few minutes, finishing the cookies and milk while watching the news. They both laughed at a new commercial featuring a popular mascot for an insurance company. The news went on to other topics.
"You know, I always wanted to be a research specialist," said Jade, at last.
Sapphire looked at her. "Really? Why aren't you in that program, then?" She turned off the TV.
"Coral always insisted that a cheerleader shouldn't be a brainiac," was the reply, and the blushed. "She always used you for an example."
Saph grinned. "Actually, I'm flattered. But you shouldn't have let her dictate your life."
"I know that now," said the other, looking down, "But you don't understand. Opal and I always looked up to her, and let her do our thinking for us. She was head cheerleader, and had a forceful personality."
"Well, she's not thinking for you now," pointed out the freckled troll-girl, checking the cookie box for any that might have been missed, "What's stopping you?"
Jade opened her mouth to answer, then closed it. What WAS stopping her? She looked over at Sapphire, who was waiting for an answer. "Nothing! I don't have to do what Coral says any more... heck, I haven't even seen her in months."
"There you go, then," said the other.
"Wow, what a revelation..." murmured Jade, "I hadn't even realized I was still following her..." She looked at Sapphire and grinned. "Thank you! You just changed my life!"
Sapphire smiled. "Nah, you did it yourself. I just pointed the way. Care for more milk, or something else to drink?" She stood, picking up the box and her glass.
"No, thanks," said Jade, handing over her glass.
"Science research, huh?" said Sapphire in a louder voice from the kitchen, "I know a bit about that too."
"I would hope so," was the reply. "That reminds me, what happened to Mr. Trollheimer? I never did find out. He was just gone one day, and then you moved in."
Sapphire came in and sat down heavily. "He is gone, and won't be back. He left the house and everything in it to me."
"I knew you two were close," said Jade, "Were you related?"
"No, but we were kindred spirits," she replied, and looked at her new friend. "If I tell you something, will you promise to keep it to yourself?"
Jade shifted to look at Sapphire. "Yes, I promise."
"Mr. Trollheimer was an Ancient, and I am his successor," she said.
"So that makes you an Ancient, now?" asked Jade after a pause.
Sapphire nodded. "Me and my friends now have the duties and resources they had."
"So, what happened to them?" asked the other.
Sapphire shook her head. "It's kinda complicated and, to tell the truth, still a bit too recent to be comfortable talking about."
Jade put her hand on Sapphire's arm. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Just take time," she answered.
There was a long pause, which Jade finally broke. "Changing the subject, I have to confess I've been doing some research as a hobby for the past few years."
"Oh? Learn anything new?" asked Sapphire, grateful for the shift.
"Not really. I'm researching some of the more obscure rules of magic that seem to have been forgotten to see how they affect spell bead creation," she answered.
"Maybe you should talk to Ruby, then. She inherited Obsidian's Spellz," said Sapphire. "She and Sardonyx do the bead making and create new ones. They're bound to know things that will help your research."
Jade looked embarrassed. "I dunno... it's just for my own enjoyment. I wasn't going to do anything with it."
"Why not? If you change majors, you'll need a subject for a dissertation, and this will give you a major head start," said Sapphire.
"That's true!" said Jade, looking a bit excited, "I have to start thinking in terms of what I want to do, not what Coral wanted me to do."
"Exactly!" said Sapphire.
"I am so glad I've made up with you!" said the green eyed troll girl, "We haven't been friends for two hours yet, and you've already changed my life!"
"And being fellow scientists gives us something in common," answered Sapphire.
"If I can get my notes into some kind of order, will you look it all over? I'm kinda at a crossroads and need a new direction for it," asked Jade.
"Be happy to. Can I get you anything else to eat or drink?" asked Sapphire.
Jade shook her head and stood up. "Actually, I want to go back home. I've got a career to change and catalogs are waiting."
Sapphire stood up as well. "Okay. I need to study, anyway."
Jade took Sapphire's hand and squeezed it. "Thank you."
"Happy to be of service. And if you need help, don't hesitate to ask. I'll always be there for a friend," said Sapphire.
After Jade took her leave, Sapphire got her books from the skoot, and headed for her study area. It had been Trollheimer's desk in his laboratory, and she found it always conducive to study.
