Trapped
Chapter 7
I've been running on nothing but sugar recently. It's quite fun.
December 17
(Vi)
What in fuck's name is that clicking? What the hell in my room can click that much?! I groaned and hugged what I assumed was my pillow tighter.
"Whatever's clickin', it better knock it off."
"I thought I came here to avoid that." Orianna's voice almost made me jump out of my skin. I rubbed my eyes and looked up at her.
"Geez. I didn't expect you to appear at the crack of dawn." I glanced at the clock. "How long have you been standin' there?"
"An hour. I expected the ticking would wake both of you up earlier." Well, that's creepy.
"What do you mean both-" That question was answered when I tried to sit up. Why is Lux in here, and why has she got a death grip on my shirt? "Well, okay."
"Do you need me to move her?"
"No, no. Just need to get up." Easier said than done. It took me a few minutes, but I freed my arms and shuffled my way out of my shirt. "For a mage, she has a fucking strong grip." I hissed slightly when I hit my foot on the edge of my dresser. That has to be the most awkward way to get up. So, I'm not standing in my room in my bra and shorts, one woman is staring at me intently, and the other is in my bed, holding my shirt. I didn't think something like this would just happen. It usually takes planning.
"Are you going to help me?"
"That's what I called you here for, Ori. Just lemme get dressed." I can't tell if this looks like a good day or a bad day. Knowing my luck, it's going to be bad.
(Lux)
I don't know why I expected to wake up next to anybody. I didn't expect to wake up with an extra shirt, though. I was still groggy when I inspected it, but the distinct smell of oil and cherries came through. I'm still confused as to why it's cherries. Pushing myself up, I blinked a few times and focused my sight. I wonder where Vi went. Yawning, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I hope I didn't disturb her last night. Getting up, I hummed a few notes and summoned my staff to my hand. Another few and carefully spinning it, I was changed into my everyday outfit. I really love being a mage. Even if I have next to no physical strength. Humming a few more notes, I folded Vi's shirt, placed it on the desk, made the bed and left. Sejunai noticed me, and we locked eyes for a second.
"Don't worry, I don't judge." She grinned, waving me over.
"But do you tell people?"
"Not if you don't want me to." Patting my head a few times, she dropped a hand on my shoulder. I don't see Sejunai without her helmet much. She has a nice hair colour. "Never thought you swung that way, Lux."
"What way?" I tipped my head slightly. "I don't understand."
"Doesn't matter." She smiled, patting me on the shoulder a couple of times and smiling. "Although, if anybody gives you any trouble, just tell me and I'll straighten then out."
"Thanks, Sejuani." I hugged her lightly. "I'll remember that."
"You're a good kid, Lux. Keep at it." She smiled at me again, patted my head and walked off. "And don't let anybody try and control you." Does she know something that I don't? Also, despite constantly fighting over the Freljord, she's very nice. I think that Quinn told me one time that everybody should trust their animals. Bristle really likes me. Now, back to what I was doing. Wait, is that ticking? It's faint, but that is ticking. Nothing I know of ticks here. But, there is somebody that ticks. I jogged down a hall I don't know, and found voices.
"Is it working?"
"Well, I gotta get this part out and change a couple a' gears." Well, theres Vi. And Orianna! "Don't worry, Ori. I'm not gonna let anything bad happen."
"It's ok. I trust you, Vi." When I walked into the room, Vi and Orianna were sat on a wooden bench, the former was attaching some kind of machine to the ballerina.
"I can see you standin' there, Lux." Vi grinned. "Did you have a good sleep?"
"Yes, actually." I walked over and bowed slightly to Orianna. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Lux." I expected her ball to greet me, but it was sat on a chair nearby. "If you're wondering, the ticking stops sometimes."
"It's just a few jammed gears." The enforcer leaned back and wiped the oil from her hands on the towel that was attached to her belt. "I'm gonna start the generator, Ori. You'll feel a bit of a jolt." Generator? The switch was flipped, and Orianna jumped and shuddered. "You alright?" No answer.
"I think it's a bit much." I said, reaching forward to grab her hand.
"Got it." That was obviously the power that went down, since she blinked a few times. "Now?"
"I'm alright. I'm used to clockwork."
"I'll just be a few minutes." It was really weird, seeing part of Orianna being pulled from her. "Geez, how long has it been since somebody's looked at ya?"
"Father said that he's been too busy. And when I asked Jayce, he looked very nervous."
"That's because Jayce is a pissbaby." Well, that's a new word. The small hum of the generator was the only constant sound above the clicking as Vi worked. "This'll have to be a monthly thing, kid. I don't want you to get like this." She got back up from the bench and walked over with the mass of gears in her hands. "Lux, c'mere and hold this in place." Oh, ok. Nervously, I stepped forward and placed my hand on it. "You seem a bit squeemish there."
"That's because I'm...touching what seems like her innards." They both laughed.
"It's alright. I just need to fix all this in." Vi smiled. "You're so cute sometimes." I almost dropped the mechanics when she said that. I did stare for a few seconds. Did she really just say that? Just concentrate. You don't want to hurt Orianna. I flinched back when the ticking started again. Stepping back, I watched Vi unclip the generator and close Orianna's back up. Without missing a beat, the dancer jumped off the desk and twirled around on one foot, her ball joining her after a few seconds. "Watching her dance makes me happy." I looked up at the enforcer, then back at the ballerina. Now that I hear it, I did always stop to watch whenever I saw her dancing.
"And you're the one helping." I smiled, and almost immediately felt an arm over my shoulder.
"I don't think I was properly awake when you wandered in last night. Any reason?"
"Well, I had a bad dream, and I thought you'd still be awake." Vi chuckled and squeezed my shoulder.
"Don't worry about waking me up. I won't get mad at ya. Although I didn't realise that I was the go-to person for comfort." I leant into the half-hug and grabbed the hem of her shirt. I didn't expect that, either. But stuff happens for a reason, doesn't it?
Did Everybody get what they wanted for christmas? I didn't get the games I wanted, but life goes on and I'll have to suck it up.
