WARNING! This chapter contains references to body image issues which may be triggering for some readers! Proceed with caution or skip to the final segment of the chapter!
After lunch, Aruna did one more check on Phoenix's blood glucose levels and hung around to make sure he took his tablets. As they stood by the front door, he pulled her into a warm, doting hug; he gave her a kiss on the cheek, and she blushed, returning the affection a little closer to his lips than she intended. Her wolf ears folded down as sheepishness flooded her system. Before she could walk out the door, she was excitedly approached by Jay, who still wanted to pet the fluffy extremities on her head. Aruna bowed a little so he could touch them, and Jay outwardly melted at the softness of her fur. With his mission complete, Jay bid her farewell and ran off to tell Cole about it.
"I'll call you when I get home," Phoenix promised. "make sure you do the same for me, sweetness, and stay safe!"
"I will darling, take care." Aruna smiled as she walked out and closed the door behind her.
Phoenix sighed wistfully and returned to where the ninja were waiting for him.
"Okay, so we've worked the body a little bit…"
"A little bit?" Jay whispered to Cole.
"…and y'all seemed to do pretty well with flexibility and core strength, maybe we should see how well you control your elements."
"Finally!" Kai exclaimed. "Something fun!"
"Aww, didn't you like doing yoga this morning?" Phoenix jokingly pouted.
"It wasn't exactly my thing," Kai mentioned.
"Well, if you wanna be fully flex and ready to pose like a pro, sometimes you gotta do these things…" Phoenix insisted, making a point to bend his muscular body backwards until his hands touched the floor.
Kai shook his head, deeply unimpressed, until Phoenix leaned down on his forearms and curled under the gap in his legs. Cole nudged Jay and the two of them began sordidly chuckling, Zane nodded with fascinated approval, while Lloyd's face went pale. Phoenix – loving the shocked look on Kai's face – pushed himself up onto his hands and walked around with his legs draping over his head. Suddenly he heard his phone make a text alert noise, and he rolled forward onto his knees. Retrieving the device, he looked at the screen and laughed.
"Oh my gods, seriously?"
"Anything important?" Jay asked.
"It's my sister Magpie," Phoenix replied, as Lloyd's interest was piqued from the name. "get this: 'Hey bro, Aruna text me to say you're not feeling well, call me if you need anything, love Trouble'."
"You call your sister Trouble?" Kai tilted his head.
"That's nothing, he calls Sage 'Cheeky'." Cole added.
"Gimme a minute while I text her back..."
Phoenix typed out a quick message, telling Magpie that he was fine, that Aruna worries too much, and that he had enough meds on him to deal with anything that might happen. He then put his phone away and stood up.
"Okay, let's practice!" He chirped. "Show me the level of control you have over your elements."
"May one ask what this will accomplish?" Zane queried.
"It's important to be able to accurately and seamlessly use your props – translation: elements – while you're performing," Phoenix clarified. "granted, y'all aren't exactly doing my job, but knowing how to maintain and switch between poses, while your element is active, is advantageous for more than just camera work."
"My element isn't exactly something I can summon in my hands." Lloyd mentioned.
Phoenix paused.
"Yours is Energy, right?"
Lloyd nodded.
"What do you think you're made up of? Everything is a type of energy, my friend; your movements, your body, even your very soul," Phoenix posited. "everything that exists or happens around us is just a transfer of energy, so what you need to do is learn to channel your body's energy into your element of Energy: give it a physical form."
"He's quite correct, the very act of summoning an element is simply a transfer of energy." Zane agreed wholeheartedly, as he manifested a handful of ice crystals that danced around his wrist.
"Thank you Avalanche," Phoenix smiled gratefully. "I mean, take Aruna for example, even her element can be summoned in tangible way – right now she has her little wolfie ears, but she can display claws or a tail, or summon a spray of fine feathers or glittering scales in her hands."
"Not every element can be summoned like that though." Kai noted, seemingly taking Lloyd's side.
"And those are the elemental masters who opted out," Phoenix smugly added before glancing at Lloyd. "which, by the way, if you're here practicing with your teammates, does that mean you've decided to join the project after all...?"
"Well, they do need an extra person, and this is Jasper's first project in her new job, right?" Lloyd looked to Cole for confirmation.
Cole nodded in agreement.
"I don't wanna let our side down by being stubborn..." Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Ah, you're a good lad, you know that?" Phoenix smiled, patting him on the shoulder and playfully shoving him a bit. "Right, let's see those powers, guys!"
Aruna entered the Feathers and Fire bar using an electronic key; she held a credit card-shaped fob to a black panel on the handle of the double doors, there was a short whir and a click, and she pushed the doors open. It was about 3pm, so the bar was still being cleaned and prepped ready for opening time. She bowed to the other members of staff – who were busying themselves by wiping down tables, vacuuming the floor and restocking the bar – and headed to a purple door between the bar and one of the plush booths. As she opened the door, she could hear the music coming from upstairs. Seeing that she was alone, Aruna traversed the stairs on all fours, then squirted some sanitizer gel on her hands once she got to the top.
She walked along a short hallway and opened another purple door. The music got louder again as she opened the door and entered the room. Magpie – who was going over some ballet stretches, with Pixal, Nya, Kiku, Hanasu, and Miru mimicking her every move – turned the music off when she saw Aruna approach her.
"Hello, sweetie!" Magpie chirped. "How was the journey?"
"Not bad, it would've been faster if I were a dragon, but I ended up going into falcon mode to prevent suspicion," Aruna quietly replied, looking over at the five ladies who were being instructed. "good afternoon, all."
"Ladies, this is Aruna," Magpie introduced her as she bowed. "Aruna is a dear friend and a design student in the same year as my brother at Ninjago University."
"Nice to meet everyone!" Aruna smiled and waved.
"Mind if I ask if you're the same Aruna that Phoenix is dating?" Kiku questioned.
"Kiku…" Miru shook her head and covered her face with her hand.
"Uh, yes, that would be me," Aruna blushed. "though I was not aware we were public news…"
"Please excuse my sister, the excitement has briefly overridden her manners." Pixal sighed.
"Your dress is so cute, and I love your wolf ears, where did you get them from?" Nya politely enquired, attempting to make up for Kiku's bluntness.
"Thank you, I've uh, always had them," Aruna nodded. "I have just been to visit Phoenix and the other ninja, mainly out of concern for Phoenix's health; while I was there, certain information about myself came to light, so I feel compelled to bring you up to speed…"
"Aruna, you don't-." Magpie began to say.
"It's alright Mag, I'm sure these ladies can be trusted with the truth," Aruna insisted, taking a deep breath. "these wolfen ears are not accessories, they are real – because I am the Elemental Master of Beasts."
For a moment, there was nothing but the general rustling of activity going on downstairs. Aruna looked at the shocked expressions staring back at her and was surprised by the positive undertones of their anticipation – all five individuals had the barest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of their lips.
"I knew it!" Nya squeaked as she turned to Pixal with exhilaration on her face. "Didn't I tell you there were more elemental masters than just the ones we knew about?"
"It seems you were correct," Pixal stammered, approaching Aruna curiously. "this is remarkable…may I…?"
Pixal's hands hovered by the fluffy extremities, and they flickered in response. There was a resounding chorus of cooing and swooning from Miru, Kiku and Hanasu, the volume of which increased substantially when Aruna revealed her long fluffy tail; untucking it from the waistband of the petticoat she wore under her waloli dress and letting it drape down naturally. Pixal's three sisters eagerly approached and verbally fussed over Aruna, admiring her unique sense of style and her adorable wolfen looks.
Aruna was not used to receiving so much positive attention in one day, especially from other girls, and she blushed wildly. She was so accustomed to being ignored or ridiculed because of her chunky build, that this was downright alien to her. Magpie had a feeling that Aruna was overwhelmed and swiftly intervened.
"Come on girls, let the poor dear breathe." Magpie insisted, gesturing with her hands to encourage a bit of space between them.
"Sorry, this is just amazing!" Nya responded. "I never thought we'd find another elemental master so soon; I figured that other masters existed, but I never expected to actually meet one!"
"This is just astonishing," Pixal agreed. "may we ask where you've been hiding all this time?"
"I wasn't hiding on purpose, but I only came to Ninjago a few years ago – I'm not from here, you see," Aruna clarified. "then I received a surprise invitation to some dubious tournament, and I had a sinister feeling about it."
"Like an animalistic sixth sense." Kiku nodded.
"Exactly, I was so weirded out by being headhunted that I briefly fled back to my birthplace," Aruna fiddled with her hands. "I took an 'interruption of study' and only returned for the start of the academic year last September... that's when I first met Phoenix."
"Well, it's great to meet another elemental master," Nya stated, holding out her hand. "I'm the Master of Water, by the way."
"Charmed to meet you," Aruna purred, shaking Nya's hand politely. "but enough about me, how did the casting call meetings go this morning?"
"It went smoothly, and we have further shortlisted a few candidates that would be suitable," Pixal mentioned as she made a cursory glance at Kiku. "we are, however, concerned about a potential conflict of interest."
Kiku rolled her eyes.
"You mean you're concerned about it," She corrected. "I couldn't give a flying-."
"Kiku!" Hanasu chimed in, hoping to censor what she knew would be a curse word.
"One of them is the Master of Amber, Skylor Chen," Nya chuckled. "Jasper already visited her to ask if she would be interested, but she also showed up today to confirm her intentions to join the project."
"So where does the conflict come up?"
"Skylor was someone my brother was romantically interested in when they first met," Nya confirmed. "it kind of never went anywhere, but now Kai has a girlfriend-."
"Over here!" Kiku grinned with a sassy hand wave.
"-so, we're concerned there could be... issues..."
"Ah, yes, I see what you mean…" Aruna paused.
"I already told you, I ain't gonna start anything," Kiku held up her hands defensively. "but if Skylor wants a cat fight I'll sure as hell finish what she starts."
"So, do you have enough women for the calendar without Skylor?"
"Well, there's me and Sage." Magpie noted.
Aruna raised two fingers.
"And me and Pixal, Miru and Kiku," Nya added. "Hanasu still isn't sure."
Aruna raised four more fingers.
"Tox - Master of Poison, Harumi – an amateur model who was shortlisted, Jasper – Cole convinced her she'd be great for it, and I'm inclined to agree," Pixal asserted. "and Evie – a close friend of Mr Hedges, a security guard at my father's company."
Aruna again raised four additional fingers.
"10…" She said in a mildly deflated tone. "even if Hanasu agrees to take part, we'll be one short; though I do know a girl from my home village who'd be perfect for it – will Skylor be offended to be the only female elemental master not included?"
"Offended? I don't know, but I do know she's not the only female elemental who isn't taking part," Nya declared. "Chamille – Master of Form – outright refused to do it… of course, that was before we found out there was a fifth female elemental master…"
After a few moments of contemplation, Aruna realised that Nya was hinting that she should also have the opportunity to take part. Her face became stricken with panic, and she shook her head furiously.
"Oh, no, no, no!" Aruna refused. "I cannot take part!"
"But you're so pretty!" Nya insisted. "You'd be great!"
"Maybe you haven't noticed, but I'm twice the size of any of you, and I don't mean in height," Aruna held herself anxiously. "aside from not wanting to advertise my powers, I am not an acceptable body type to be included."
"Who says?" Magpie asked.
"Society says!" Aruna barked as the tears began to fall. "I'm sorry, but to include me would be detrimental to the calendar's success."
Hanasu instinctively stepped in, gliding over to Aruna and pulling her into a warm hug.
"There, there, dry those tears now," Hanasu murmured soothingly. "you don't have to take part, we just want you to know that it is an option; you're beautiful, and the world should see that beauty as we see it."
"I can't, I'm sorry…" Aruna whimpered.
"Hush now, no apologies, just calm your heart," Hanasu purred, stroking Aruna's hair. "you are safe with us…"
Aruna could hear a comforting pulsing sound as she hugged Hanasu; it sounded like a heartbeat but wasn't quite the usual thumping of a heartbeat. If anything, it was closer to the sound of waves crashing onto the shore, only softer and more ethereal. She leaned her head into Hanasu's neck so she could hear it better. Her tears abruptly stopped falling, and soon she felt all her anxiety melting away.
"You should join us for our practice," Magpie suggested. "it's just stretching and moving to the music."
"I don't know…" She mumbled as she broke away from Hanasu's embrace.
Nya approached Aruna and gently held her hand.
"I didn't mean to upset you, I just think you're as pretty as anyone else who's doing this," Nya apologised. "please join us for practice."
Aruna hesitated, but eventually smiled and nodded. Nya smiled back and led Aruna over to where they had all been stretching earlier, where they were joined by Pixal and her sisters. Magpie returned to her original place at the front of the room and looked at her six 'students' with enormous joy. She turned the music back on and a sweeping instrumental melody echoed around the room.
"Okay, feet shoulder-width apart, put your hands flat on the floor to create a pyramid shape," Magpie instructed as she also demonstrated. "keep your back straight, you'll feel a pull in your calf muscles – that's normal – now raise your left leg backwards as high as you can go without it hurting."
Magpie then stood up to observe everyone's posture, going to each of them one by one and making minor modifications to their poses. The most interesting part of this was seeing Aruna raise her leg almost as high as Nya and Pixal. She appeared to be holding this pose with much more ease than Magpie ever expected.
"Now lower your left leg and raise your right leg the same way, again, high as you safely can."
Aside from a minor stumble when switching legs, Aruna was able to perform as well as the girls around her, and Magpie was impressed by it.
"And down… great, let's move onto some floor stretches," Magpie nodded as she sat on the ground. "get into a seated position and manoeuvre your legs so that the balls of your feet are touching together."
"It's been so long since I had a proper stretch." Miru lamented as she heard a click in her knee.
"We don't often get time to do such mindfulness practice." Hanasu added.
"I'm sure dad wouldn't mind if you had an afternoon off for 'me time'." Kiku nodded assuredly.
"Stretch out your left leg and keep your right leg tucked in, then reach over with both arms and touch your toes," Magpie directed, again demonstrating it herself. "try to point your foot upwards – you'll feel a tugging in the back of your leg; again, that's normal."
She looked up and once more saw the chunky Aruna keeping up with everyone else, even in her restrictive dress.
"You're doing great." Pixal smiled at Aruna.
"Thank you." Aruna beamed back.
"Okay, and switch from left to right."
Magpie observed how everyone seemed to relax a little more after each stretch.
Phoenix had mentioned in their late-night call that Pixal seemed nervous about posing for the camera, and Nya had no experience, and he asked if she'd be willing to give them some advice. He'd already arranged for Pixal, Kiku and Nya to meet some of the candidates in this very room above the bar, so it was easy enough for Magpie to switch shifts with another vet nurse and come here too. Pixal, aware that her other two sisters may be needed for the calendar (and that they would be just as inexperienced), also arranged for them to meet here at Feathers and Fire.
"Right, is everyone feeling loose and limber and ready to practice?" Magpie asked as she stood up and encouraged them to stand also.
As soon as she received verbal and physical confirmation from the ladies under her tutelage, Magpie picked up her personal music player and headed towards another door in the corner of the room – gesturing with her hands for them to follow her. She opened the door, switched on the light and held the door open for her students to enter; the room was like another dance studio, with several ceiling-to-floor poles and two aerial hoops rigged to the ceiling. There were three large wall-mounted speakers, a mirror on the adjoining wall to the previous room, and what appeared to be a small drinks fridge. With blacked out windows, glittering curtains on the walls and LED lights sparkling over the equipment, it was the most glamorous training room Nya had ever seen.
"Wow!" She gasped. "This is gorgeous!"
"This is even more extravagant than my private room in the Tower." Pixal agreed, awestruck.
"I'm glad you think it's so pretty, because this is where I'm gonna teach you the fine points of feminine posing," Magpie smirked. "welcome to Neo-Burlesque 101!"
It was 1am.
Lloyd had been awake for about half an hour. He debated whether or not he should get up, then rolled onto his stomach and sighed. This was just dumb. When Pixal, Kiku and Nya returned from their trip to the city, they brought with them a selfie of all the girls who were present at the time. It was a wonderful snapshot of the seven ladies who had just finished a fun day of training, but Lloyd was immediately drawn to Magpie. She didn't have the glamourous makeup or sparkling jewellery, but she had such a joyful smile, and her eyes were full of happiness. That was when he noticed that her eyes were a direct mirror of Phoenix's – his left eye was blue, and her right eye was blue; her left eye was grey, and his right eye was grey. It was fascinating, and he couldn't stop thinking about how they glittered at him, even in the single frame of a candid selfie.
For the rest of the evening, he felt like he was only half inside his body; not even Phoenix's flirtatious teasing and intimidating glances were affecting him. Kai had asked him more than once if he was okay, and Lloyd assured him that he was fine, but he also got the idea that Kai didn't really believe it. This was insane – why couldn't he stop thinking about her? In the end, he couldn't resist, and he got up. He quietly left his bedroom and looked down the stairs, and he found himself feeling a little too happy to see the same glow he had seen the night before.
And as with the night before, he snuck down the stairs, and soon heard the comforting female vocals of Magpie. He smiled.
"~Who can say when the roads meet… That love might be, in your heart…~" She purred. "~And who can say when the day sleeps… If the night keeps, all your heart… Night keeps, all your heart…~"
Still maintaining his stealthy movements, Lloyd approached the couch where Phoenix was once again sleeping – the man's soft snoring made it clear he was out cold. Lloyd peered over the couch, and on seeing Magpie on the screen, his smile grew wider.
"~Who can say if your love grows… As your heart chose, only time…~"
He crossed his arms on the top of the couch and rested his head on his arms. Her long, raven hair was flowing loosely past her shoulders, and there wasn't a smudge of makeup on her face, but he admired her natural aesthetic.
"~And who can say where the road goes… Where the day flows, only time… Who knows? Only time…~" Magpie soon noticed she had a familiar onlooker. "~Who knows? Only time…~"
"Hey, you come here often?" He whispered flirtatiously.
Magpie giggled and coquettishly waved her hand.
"Hey Lloyd, nice to see you again." She beamed.
"Another late night coming home?" He asked.
"Yeah, but this time it was from my vet job," She nodded. "how about you?"
"I couldn't sleep, so I came downstairs to get a drink," He stated; well, it was half true at least. "then I heard your voice and thought I'd come say hi."
"Maybe I should give you my number," She sheepishly offered. "you know, once Phoenix comes home and you can't get to sleep, then you can just call me."
"Really? That would be great, thanks!" He cleared his throat. "I mean, as long as you don't mind; I don't wanna be a bother."
"It's no trouble honestly, I'm usually up pretty late anyway; my name is Magpie but I'm more of a night owl," She insisted. "and your job is important, I'd be happy to help you get a decent sleep."
"Well, it's very kind of you to offer, I might take you up on it."
Lloyd repeated his actions of the previous night, walking around the couch to sit in front of it, and reaching over to pick up Phoenix's phone. This time however, he didn't prop it on the coffee table, he kept it in his hands.
"I saw the selfie Nya took of everyone; it looks like it was a great day."
"It was lovely, there was a real vibe of sisterhood," Magpie agreed. "poor Aruna had an emotional anxiety moment, but with Hanasu's lead, she soon felt better and took part in the practice as well."
"Aww, that sounds nice," Lloyd grinned. "are you all gonna get together again later today?"
"Yeah, but I won't be able to join in until the evening – I'm in work 12-5 – so I'm gonna get my uniform ready and then get to bed..." She hesitated, and her cheeks turned a healthy shade of pink as she continued. "but before I go… did you want me to sing for you again? To help you sleep?"
"I wouldn't say no to that," He murmured. "I mean, who wouldn't want a gorgeous girl to sing for them?"
Magpie's pink blush pretty much exploded into a fierce red, and without her usual thin layer of foundation, it was blatantly obvious that his flattery was having an effect on her. Lloyd tried so hard to stop from chuckling at how cute she was.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to try a new song that I've been practicing lately." Magpie baited hopefully.
"Sure, consider me your soundboard." Lloyd grinned.
"Thank you," Magpie took a deep breath, tucked her hair behind her ears and began to sing. "~Stars shining bright above you… Night breezes seem to whisper, 'I love you'… Birds singing in the sycamore tree… 'Dream a little dream of me'…~"
Lloyd wistfully sighed. He debated whether or not he should ask if she wanted to swing by the temple at some point tomorrow, but she seemed pretty busy. Once again, her soothing vocals were somehow physically calming his body. His muscles, still sore from the intense workout Phoenix had led them all through, were untensing and relaxing by the sheer sound of her honeyed tones.
"~Say 'nighty-night' and kiss me… Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me… While I'm alone and blue as can be… Dream a little dream of me…~"
As if going into burlesque mode, Magpie started making subtle head movements and batting her lashes more than usual, and it made him a bit hot under the collar.
"~Stars fading, but I linger on, dear… Still craving your kiss…~" She mewed melodiously, the blush on her cheeks still going strong. "~I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear... Just saying this…~"
Magpie was really enjoying singing for Lloyd, even if ultimately, he would fall asleep before she could finish the song. She often wondered where she got the ability to lull people to sleep, given that until a few years ago she couldn't even sing. Only certain songs worked that way, but she also assumed it only worked on Phoenix; the fact that it was also effective on Lloyd was mind blowing.
"~Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you… Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you…
But in your dreams whatever they be… Dream a little dream of me…~"
"You're so beautiful," Lloyd mumbled, unable to stifle a yawn. "I hope we can meet up sometime soon."
Mildly stunned by this, Magpie briefly stopped singing.
"You mean, like, on a date?" She asked sweetly.
"Sure… just lemme know… when you're free…" He muttered as he straddled the line between sleep and consciousness.
"~Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you… Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you…
But in your dreams whatever they be… Dream a little dream of me…~" She paused and, suddenly feeling bold, blew a kiss, which appeared to hit him as he finally dropped off. "~…Dream a little dream… of… me…~ good night Lloyd."
Magpie hung up the call, as Lloyd unconsciously curled himself around the phone.
A few moments later, Phoenix sat up. Removing the contour feathers that he'd stuffed in his ears to prevent Magpie's siren-like chanting from putting him to sleep, he clicked his fingers to summon a small flame. Looking down at Lloyd's serene face, Phoenix couldn't help but grin.
"So, this is why you went into zombie mode earlier; you fancy my sister," Phoenix quietly chuckled to himself and placed the loose plumage into his pocket. "my feathers might have blocked my sister's hypnotic singing, but I still heard every word that was spoken…"
Phoenix leaned down to grab his smartphone and placed it on the table, then gently lifted Lloyd in his arms. His hands glowed momentarily, and the young man he was holding went limp – Lloyd was no longer just asleep, he was knocked out completely.
"Can't have you waking up while I put you back to bed," Phoenix whispered. "after all my flirtatious torment it could be taken out of context."
Two large feathery wings stretched out from his bare shoulder blades – glimmering like embers in the darkness of the night. His whole body raised off the floor and he silently drifted up the stairs. Fortunately, finding the green ninja's room was easy enough, as the door was wide open. Phoenix entered the room and struggled to contain an errant chuckle; it looked like the bedroom of a teenager – messy and disorganised. He gently set Lloyd down in his bed, pulling the covers up and over his shoulders. Just as he was about to leave, Phoenix paused. He noticed Lloyd's phone was fully charged and pulled the connector cable out. Curious, he picked the device up and noticed a fingerprint scanner on the back of it.
"Hmm, Magpie never did give you her number…" Phoenix noted. "…and she could do a hell of a lot worse than an elemental master."
Gripping Lloyd's right hand, he pressed the unconscious guy's index finger to the scanner, and the phone unlocked. Phoenix proceeded to add Magpie's private phone number to the contact list, then returned the phone to its place by Lloyd's bed.
Cautiously, Phoenix peered into the hallway to make sure he would not be spotted leaving the room. The coast was clear, and he took the opportunity to glide across the hallway and down the stairs, landing with a gentle *fluff* on the couch where he had previously been sleeping. He retracted his wings slowly and began to cough – Aruna was right, he wasn't well, and he feared what would happen if the regeneration cycle started before he could get home to his sisters.
So, Phoenix ain't just a stripper... fear not, dear readers, all will be revealed next chapter!
Magpie's songs in this chapter are Only Time by Enya, and Dream a Little Dream of Me by Hayley Westenra.