The cold-water chilled Achilles ankles as he entered the Salamander pool. Steam grew from his legs as he gave a futile attempt to warm them in night chilled water, scowling at Peter as he swam over to greet him. "Not enjoying the water Achilles?"

"As a matter of fact, no." He shivered. "Why couldn't we have this meeting upstairs in Bean's room? It's not like you don't want me in there, considering you let me look inside."

"Because I enjoy water, and I sun bathe with you whenever I come over to Phoenix, don't I?"

"You don't sun bathe, you sit there and sweat like a stuck pig. But I see your point, even if I do find water rather…. unruly. Whatever, we're here about your brother, right? And how I should take my Bunkie back to their bunk that was specially designed to accommodate them?"

"I can't get you do that Achilles. I simply don't trust your temper and my brother's lack of respect for any authority that doesn't have good reasons for their rules, at least in his mind." Achilles stopped for a moment and puzzled at Peter. He could see he was trying to pass the blame from himself taking Ender back to Salamander first on Achilles, and then onto Ender himself, but Achilles wasn't quite sure of his intentions in this move. Was he deflecting from something else he was scheming, or trying to make it seem as if Ender wasn't useful to Achilles? Achilles of course knew otherwise. He had seen the boy's prowess as he attempted to hone his skills, and was keen on making such power work for his own gains. But power required trust, and trust was something Achilles had little of.

"So, you're saying your brothers nuts?"

"No, not exactly- "

"Then tell me what comes of such an explosive combination. What, has he lashed out before?" Achilles' grin grew large and toothy. It paid off to have a walking spy camera for a best friend.

"There was…one incident…"

"Stilson?" Peter's head snapped up in shock, and Achilles just giggled to himself. "You've failed to make a case I actually care about. I'm taking Ender back, since you can't actually give me anything in return like you did with getting Bean out my hair. You can come see him anytime though! Goodnight!" Peter pulled himself up by the pool edge to argue with Achilles, but Achilles just placed his foot on his face and firmly shoved him back in.

"Get up." Blu rolled over, staring up at Peter as he kicked his bed. It only now occurred to Peter that Blu's face might just naturally look as if he was thinking of personally removing your femur. "Man the bunk. I have places to go this morning."

"For repairs?" Blu mumbled sleekly.

"Yes. Shits broken. Shits always, constantly broken." Blu nodded as his prefect disappeared back the way he came.

"Peter!" Val sprinted towards her brother, wrapping her arms around him as if he'd disappear the moment she let go. "Is Ender okay what happened to the bunks are you okay do you have utilities is Achilles killing people are the teacher the ones getting kill-" Peter placed a gentle hand over his sisters mouth.

"He's fine. I'm fine. We're all just kind of…. fine."

"But Achilles hasn't been rampaging? Indiscriminately lighting things on fire?" Rose said.

"No, he's mostly just been threatening people and rewarding them with parts and extra space when they do what he wants. He's actually holding a festival."

"Why?" Val asked bewildered. "What does he gain?"

"I think he just wants people to trust him. Can't do much with a campus who hates you."

"I suppose so…"

"But the students are safe? He's not hurting anyone?" Graff blurted frantically.

"No, no one except this little kid named Bean. But I took him in, so he should be okay…"

"I-"Graff cut himself off, sinking down into his hands. Cham patted his shoulder and pulled him close.

"We have a small force, to oppose him! But it's just…not nearly as big as I hoped. I don't think anyone wants to risk their bunkies for us."

"You can't fault them for that but," Val gestured back towards the group. "We'll be here. Tell Ender I love him." Peter hugged first this time, pressing his face into Val's hoodie so she wouldn't see him cry.

"Is he um-"Bonzo perked up from behind a box and Peter launched himself over it and into his boyfriend. It was almost comforting to feel his shirt be soaked by his ever-present slime, Peter peppering kisses along his forehead. He calmed down and let out a sigh, pressing his nose into his neck. "Hi."

"Hello to you too."

"I missed you."

"Peter…" Bonzo wrapped his tail around the other's leg, and for a minute Peter felt peace. But only a minute, as he pulled away and made for the door.

"I have to go, Blu will be expecting me to walk the younger kids to lunch. But when are we going to strike."

"A festival will put out a lot of magic artifacts and power out simply by the combined usage. It may make Achilles strong as an elemental, but it'll make us witches stronger," Rose smirked. "If we find Ms. Anderson, there's no way he'll be able to take all of us down again."

"By that logic the festival will be strongest on it's middle day. We'll attack then."

"That gives us a week or so to find Anderson. It'll be hard, but doable." Graff said. "Everyone hear that?" They all nodded in usion, and Peter saw himself out.

"A cookie station?" Achilles asked, looking over the paper Blu had given him. "Flame's already making star cookies."

"Well this is different." Blu said. "You get to choose an animal, lizard, fish, dinosaur, and then put whatever frosting and sprinkles you want. It's more interactive, and we already have most of the supplies since Bonzo hoarded a shiton in preparation for the normal festivals."

"Alright, it doesn't quite fit the theme but I guess it's fine. Just makes sure the cookies are nut free." Blu nodded, the door slamming behind as Peter ran in holding a water purifier. "Um, hey Peter."

"Hi. I assume you're approving are station?" Peter said coolly, slicking back his messy hair with his slimy hands. "I thought we could make some little moon cookies alongside the others, to make it fit better, if you'd like that."

"No, it's fine." Achilles' eyes narrowed as he inspected Peter. "Did you go to Dragon for the water purifier?"

"Yep."

"Why? The tap water along the entire block would be fucked up if it was dirty, not just Salamander's." His eyes burned holes into the shorter boy, and for the second time today Peter felt completely powerless against the other.

"It's-It's for the pool. I'm not breathing in shitty water."

"Okay." Achilles shrugged, giggling as Peter's legs began to shake. It was slight, and hardly noticeable, but Achilles reveled in the other's discomfort. "I'll see at the meeting for prefects on Wednesday!"

"Yep." Peter mumbled. Achilles left and he let himself breathe, falling to the floor and cradling the water purifier like a toy. He sat there, sniffling, till he felt like he could walk again.