I'm ashamed of myself for not geeking out sufficiently over the last chapter's POV because KELSE'S POV OH MY! Now that that's over with, (lol) here's chapter 10. It's not my best work, and the end is somewhat abrupt because it was getting long and I needed more Sophie's world chapters so I cut it in half, but I hope it's ok.

Strikestar, aww, thank you for saying the last chapter was sweet! It was more cozy and innocent in a way than all the other drama. And here's some more!

BlackSwanGirl, WOW I can't believe how excited you are! And You'll have to wait to find out the rest of Kelse's story... (Cue evil author laughter) And please breathe! No hyperventilating on me! Also, Congrats, I'm so happy for you! (x100)

Xylia Neo, Thank you so much! You manage to compliment constructively, and in the meantime I'm blushing... I still can't believe you're talking to me, about my story! Yes, it's going to be complicated having Kelse's human side involved, and remember that is also true of her special ability. (No, that's it for the spoilers)

Chapter 10

As the familiar glass pyramid winked into view, Sophie was all jitters. Putting on the orange (amber? whatever…) uniform that morning felt funny, but also like the beginning of a healing process. Vertina had made a wry crack about rotten oranges, but before Sophie left, she'd also said "it's good to have you back," and smiled shyly before turning herself off.

Sophie stood, Dex holding her hand on one side, Bex clinging sweetly to her on the other. Dex was frantically trying to wrangle the little boys with his free hand. Beside them, the Vackers materialized, looking fragile and scared, holding each other tightly. The Song twins appeared a moment later, Tam's face stormy and fierce, Linh's nervous. Together, the friends made their way into the school.

Foxfire hadn't changed since they left. Prodigies dashed to and from their lockers, shrieking at the access strip's taste. Apparently, Elwin had picked the day's flavor. Sophie and Dex, who dropped off the triplets in the level one atrium, watched as Rex and Bex choked opening their lockers. Lex licked expectantly.

"Mmm, barbecue sauce," he said.

Everyone stared at him, even a few kids from neighboring lockers.

"What?" he demanded. "It's barbecue sauce, right?"

"NO, it's not," said Bex. "It's skunk cabbage."

"But skunk cabbage smells like barbecue sauce, so-"

"First, ew," began Bex.

"And second, how do you know what barbecue sauce is?" added Sophie.

"My mom saw it in a human movie, and there was a recipe, so my dad whipped some up. It was amazing!"

"Um, I don't even know what to say to that," Sophie decided.

"You'll get used to that if you stick around the triplets," Dex advised. "They're a hazard."

"Don't mind my brothers- any of them," said Bex, coming over to Sophie and looking sweetly up into her face. "You know they're just boys." Sophie felt her heart melt a little, and a smile climbed up the corners of her mouth.

"Thanks," she said. Glancing up, she saw Dex's scowl, and added "We should be getting to our own lockers."

Seeing Magnate Leto on the big screen felt weird after she had learned his identity, but Sophie didn't let the weirdness show, and Keefe wasn't there to notice, which thought made for even more depression. She couldn't concentrate as the principle made a small, pompous speech about coming back from midterms. Her ears pricked, however, when he segued into another topic.

"In other news, our exchange students have returned from studying abroad. Please welcome them as if they had never left. Thank you." The screen clicked off. No spotlights were shined on the little group standing awkwardly together. A few students nearby shot them curious or nervous looks, but they scurried off to their classes without saying a word.

"That went a lot better than I expected," observed Sophie.

"What's an exchange student?" asked Biana.

"Studying abroad?" added Tam skeptically.

"They're human terms. It's fairly common for high school or college students to go to a different school, often in a different country, to study for a term."

"Oh," said Biana. "But, they aren't being punished or anything though."

"No," agreed Sophie. "I assume the Council just wanted the situation minimized by any means possible."

"I'll bet," Fitz said darkly. "I'd give anything to hear them say "we were wrong" just once." He snorted. "But that'll never happen."

Biana put a hand on Fitz's arm, and Sophie wanted to do the same, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she looked away, then realized it was time for class.

"We've got to go," she said quickly. See you guys at lunch."

Elvin History just couldn't keep Sophie's attention, even though Sir Beckett was being really nice. He welcomed her graciously, shortened his lecture, and gave her a simple assignment, but her mind simply refused to cooperate.

"How am I ever going to survive Linguistics with Lady Cadence?" she moaned over lunch.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine," said Fitz encouragingly. Sophie snorted.

"It still feels funny not having Keefe here with us," said Biana, her voice quivering.

"Not really, he's usually in detention at lunch. Just imagine that, and it's like old times," Fitz pointed out, sounding way too cheerful.

Dex grinned a little in spite of himself. "He would have found a way to get detention on the first day back from midterms. It was a gift."

"He would've been alone," objected Sophie.

"Nope, he wouldn't. Rex and Lex already have detention today for trying to switch morning classes." Dex sighed.

Sophie couldn't believe that she'd missed the fact that both of the smaller boys were not in the cafeteria. Bex was at her elbow, looking shy but pleased to be sitting with the big kids, but she hadn't even thought to look for the other two small Dizznees.

Sophie left her friends early so she wouldn't be late for her next class in the Silver Tower. She still managed to trip up to the imposing door right as the bell rang, and when she knocked, the figure that greeted her was none other than Lady Cadence herself, looking as grumpy as ever.

"Oh!" Sophie gasped. She'd forgotten that her stuffy mentor was also the new beacon.

"Cutting it a little close, aren't we?" demanded the woman, handing her the specially shortened silver cape.

"I'm sorry, Lady Cadence-"

"Master Cadence," interrupted that individual.

"Um, yes, Master Cadence." Was that even the proper word? Sophie thought the feminine form was mistress. "I'm sorry, I'll try harder next time."

"You'd better," huffed the beacon. "I'll be able to watch you more closely now that I'll be letting you into the building on a regular basis."

Because that was just great.

When they got to the classroom, though, Master Cadence wanted to hear everything that had happened in Ravagog, and listened intently as Sophie told the story. When she was finished, the mentor pummeled her with questions, seeming especially interested in Sophie's description of King Dimitar's mind, and it wasn't until the session was almost over that Sophie realized they had shifted to Ogre, then Gnomish, and even French during the conversation. When the bell rang signaling study hall, Master Cadence stood.

"Not don't be late for this, too," she said in a half-snap, but her eyes weren't as sharp as usual. "And don't think that because I went easy on you you're going to be able to slack the rest of the year. I expect to hear some perfect mimicking by next week."

Sophie stifled her inner sigh. At least the raven-haired mentor had given her a little bit of a break.