ALEX

Psamathe, with her aura of power and always-ready-for-action outfit, was one of the most impressive, and intimidating, things Alex had seen in Camp Silviens already. Once she had explained to him what he was expected to do and where to go on a daily basis, how everything worked around here, and why the Silviens were here in the first place, he found this place more fascinating than frightening. Everything was pretty cool, including his new friends. Alex felt bad for Anders, who seemed like a part of him was gone. Alex thought he would be cool to hang around when he got up and over the depression, and he suspected that Anders' survivor's guilt was part of it. Naomi was kind of hard to perceive through her armor, which surprisingly drew little attention as they walked through the hordes of teens, most of them in forest-green tees, and some in the occasional toga, but when Alex asked, Naomi admitted was a little uncomfortable to wear for more than 2 hours straight. And Andra was...interesting. The jolt that had run through him when they shook hands though, like an electric current, rooting him to the ground and flowing energy into him from the air...it almost scared him. She seemed like a great person to be around, and, along with Naomi, was probably one of the only girls he could really talk to and laugh with, and not just chat awkwardly. He enjoyed being with all three of them, because they had a sense of community and friendship that he was allowed into. Well, maybe except Anders; but he would come around. But what Psamathe had said, about him, Naomi, and Andra going on a quest that would change the future for either better or much, much worse...why him? He had just gotten here! Alex didn't think that he was that special-for gods' sake, he could barely hold his sword! He suspected that Andra knew much more than he did about the alleged quest, with the way she had casually changed the subject and moved on when he had brought up the topic. Although Psamathe had also said he should be glad he was so willing to believe. Alex wasn't so sure, though. He had always been able to see weird things, like birds with human heads perched on rooftops, but whenever he pointed them out to others, they laughed and said he was imagining things. But what Alex really wished was that he could find out what he really was. He felt that once he knew that, everything else would slowly unfold. Andra prodded him in the back as a bushel of giggling girls with stunning makeup and long eyelashes smiled at him as they passed.
"Hey, we're going to stop inside here to let Nomes take off her armor, she said it's getting really annoying and her guard duty was over before lunch." Andra had to raise her voice to be heard. Alex nodded and she grabbed his arm and led him into a small shop advertising ridiculous things like fortune telling, crystal balls guaranteed to let you have a glimpse of your future or all money back, and tea leaves that changed color according to your mood. Naomi stalked off towards the bathroom door next to a doorway concealed with deep purple drapes, and Andra plopped down in a "rhythmic massage !" chair and slid a few very large silver coins out of her pocket, frowned at the coin slot, exchanged them for bigger, golden coins, and inserted two of those. It started beating her back and she sighed in relief. Anders said "bathroom" and slipped silently into the small wooden door across the room. Quiet, off-sounding music played in the corners of the small room. Andra closed her eyes. "Ahh-hh-hh-hh-hh-hh-hh this fee-ee-ee-lls goo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-dd-dd-d" she announced. This was the perfect opportunity to ask about the quest, Alex thought...when else would he have the chance to be alone with Andra?
"Andra..." he started.
"Whaaa-aaat?" she replied, eyes still closed. Alex shifted his weight nervously. Should he ask? She might get mad, and then their possible friendship would be off. He exhaled and shook his head.
"I know you know something about the quest."
Her deep brown eyes opened, only to narrow at him. "Ree-eee-aaa-ll-lll-ll-llyy-y."
He grimaced. Something inside the chair whirred and it stopped massaging for a second. She lowered her voice. "How do you know?"
"Er, well, I guess I'm good at reading expressions or something." The chair had started pounding again.
"Ta-aa-kke myy-yy-y adv-i-i-ce Al-ll-ee-e-e-x. You-u-u-uu donnn-t-t wann-n-t to kno-o-ow w-w-www." "Know about the quest? If I'm going to go on it, I want as much information as I can get."
"No-ot wha-aa-aat I-I-I me-e-e-e-e-ean." the chair squeaked and shut down, and then beeped and spelled out something in a different language Alex couldn't read, probably asking for more money. Andra opened her eyes and leaned forward. Her owl amulet clanked and swung from her neck.
"Alex, I know things about this quest I'm not supposed to know. And a...trustworthy source told me that...well, from what I can understand, something bad will happen soon, and the result of that something will change the future for better or worse. I put two and two together. I think the quest isn't going to turn out well, but I'm not sure whether there's even going to be one, or when, or where, with whom, and why."
"Okay." Alex said. His mind was racing. Something bad happening...changing the future...source?
"Wait, what source?" A knowing gleam struck in Andra's eyes.
"No telling, but I talked to the Oracle."
"The Oracle?" Alex's mind went into hyperdrive. Hadn't he heard about the Oracle somewhere? He couldn't recall what it was.
"What's the Oracle again?"
Andra rolled her eyes. "I can't believe you don't know about-"
Alex's mind went blank when Naomi came out of the bathroom, because at first he didn't recognize her.
Naomi was a lot more beautiful than her armor had suggested. Her dark green shirt with the plain white lettering, CAMP SILVIENS, fit her perfectly, and brought out the crystalline green in her murky eyes. Her jean cut-offs were plain but accented the shirt nicely, and white sandals with dark brown laces winding around her foot distracted from three ankle bracelets on her right ankle. Her dark hair was tucked in a low ponytail, and even though she wore no makeup, she looked very nice. She carried a hunk of golden armor in her right hand, which seemed lighter than it looked. Andra stood. "Wow, you were done before Anders. I thought boys were supposed to be able to pee really fa-"
Anders emerged form the bathroom, looking exactly how he had when he came in. Not one fold on his toga was misplaced. Alex noted that he could probably look quite nice in a better mood.
"What were you doing in there? I can barely walk without my tripping over my toga or it coming unfolded, and he can pee with it perfectly in place?" Andra said exasperatedly. Alex grinned. He didn't know why Anders went in the bathroom, but it obviously wasn't to use its facilities.
"Come on, let's go" said Naomi, in a voice pitched with excitement and nerves. Alex saw Anders' eyes flicker to the wall clock shaped like a ruby-encrusted owl - the emergency Senate meeting must be very soon. Then Alex was distracted when he noticed something extremely negative flash through Andra's eyes as she turned her eyes from Naomi to look at him. He looked down. Did he do something wrong? Alex was relieved when Andra seemed to shake whatever bothering thought she had had off as she led everyone through the door and into the emptying streets. He definetely didn't want Andra as an enemy.