...

"A talent show?" Cayci's voice cracked. "You signed me up for a stupid talent show?!"

"Well I didn't want to do it."

Cayci took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before exhaling heavily. She narrowed her eyes. "What, exactly, do you expect me to do?"

Aveil shrugged. "Recite some of that crystal... chemistry... alchemy... stuff."

Her eyebrows lifted. "You really have no idea what I do," Cayci said.

"Not a clue."

She opened her mouth.

Aveil held up a hand. "Save it for someone who cares, Sky Knight." She softened her words with a smile. "Here's your slip. Don't lose it; it's your ticket to perform."

At the reminder of the show, Cayci paled. She glanced down at the slip of pink paper, thin fingers tracing her number.

A woman with waist-length burgundy hair swept by, accidentally bumping into Cayci as she passed. Cold ebony eyes clashed with widened blue ones but only a glance was spared her way before the woman wordlessly disappeared into the crowd.

Cayci pursed her lips. "Not even an apology," she grumbled.

"Things are different out here in the real world," Aveil said with a yawn. "I'm going to go find myself a seat with a good view." She mimed aiming an imaginary crossbow.

"You didn't bring it, did you?" Cayci asked warily.

Aveil grinned. "You told me not to."

"Can't imagine why'd we'd need weapons at something like this."