(snakeshunter: Thanks for your support)
Hex was roused from her reminisce as the soft clank of armored footsteps approached. Blizzard Chill and Stealth Elf sat down on either side of her. The threesome didn't speak, instead listening to the waterfall and watching the clouds.
Eventually, Chill broke the silence, "I liked that mission en Gadfly Glades."
The ninja elf whipped her head around so quickly she almost smacked Hex with her braid, "Are you crazy? We were almost stepped on multiple times, drowned by a garden sprinkler, and eaten by a bunch of bugs!"
"So?" the frost warrior responded defensively, "It was fun."
Stealth Elf and Chill continued to banter back and forth as the sorceress watched on bemusedly. One could always trust those two to break whatever semblance of peace there was.
Another sound reached Hex's ears and she swiftly hushed her friends. People were shouting down in Skylanders' Academy's courtyard. Stealth Elf was on her feet in an instant with the other two not far behind.
"Let's go check it out," Chill enthused and grabbed the sorceress's arm but immediately recoiled. The abrasion on her forearm let off a burst of agony, but Hex remained stoic. It would do no good for her friends to see her in pain.
"Why haven't you gone to the infirmary yet?" the ninja demanded.
"I'm fine," the sorceress brushed off their concerns, "I'll go later."
Stealth Elf appeared perturbed, but didn't press the issue as the three made their way down to the courtyard.
When they arrived, a small group of skylanders were already there watching the events unfold.
"Looks like we caught ourselves one of Kaos' spies! You know what we do with spies?"
That was Buzz's voice Hex determined, but she wasn't able to see who he was addressing. While the sorceress wasn't short, she definitely wasn't the tallest skylander. The sorceress began to make her way through the crowd with Chill and Stealth Elf flanking her closely.
"Uh, which one of us are you asking?" Mags drawled as she pushed her way out of the crowd.
"Listen, Mister, uh… Buzz, sir. I'm not a spy for Kaos. Or anything for him, really, anymore. He fired me."
Hex's eyes widened. She recognized Glumshanks's voice and, clearly, Chill and Stealth Elf had too. The frost warrior's mouth hung open as she attempted to put words to everyone's question. The ninja elf, on the other hand, had frozen rigidly.
"Save the sob story for someone with two hoots to rub together, son! My ninja commandos are on their way over right now to chain you up and leave you on the next floating rock we come across. Hooah!" Buzz's words broke the threesome out of their trance.
"We can't do that to him, Buzz! That would be cruel, unusual, and mean! And what if he's tellin' the truth?" Mags interjected echoing the elven sorceress's own thoughts.
Buzz was about to object when a hand clamped down onto his shoulder. Sharp, ebony nails punctured his leather jacket, and he shivered uncontrollably as they grazed his skin. There was no body heat radiating from the hand. In fact, Buzz wouldn't have been surprised if it were made of ice. Slowly, he turned his head to see Hex standing behind him, her grip uncompromising.
The elven sorceress emanated an aura of frigid disapproval though her expression projected that of detachment. The throng of skylanders grew quiet and more than a few took steps back, unwilling to risk her wrath. Hex stared at Buzz unblinking and motionless for a full twenty seconds, before slowly turning her attention to Glumshanks. The poor troll trembled like a mabu surrounded by chompies.
"Do not be afraid, Glumshanks," Hex murmured, "You are our guest. No one will harm you here." Buzz opened his mouth to protest and the sorceress tightened her grasp. He reluctantly agreed and she released him.
Hex turned to Mags and gave her a solemn nod of thanks. The inventor returned the gesture whilst grinning like a fool. The sorceress caught Stealth Elf and Chill's eye. She wordlessly conveyed the message of 'I'll see you later' to them. The frost warrior beamed at Hex before she, Stealth Elf, and the rest of the skylanders began to disperse.
Hex's attention returned to Glumshanks. He still shook, but the sorceress deduced that it was more from the cold than from fear. Conscientious of her core temperature and its effect on the living, Hex allowed it to rise to a more suitable level. While she would never be as warm as the living, the sorceress was able to maintain a brisk temperature range.
"Walk with me," Hex invited Glumshanks.
"Um, all right," the troll responded hesitantly. He was jittery, but his posture had improved.
The sorceress led him through the maze that is Skylanders' Academy. Glumshanks looked like he wanted he wanted to say something. He would open his mouth but would close it after a second and watch the ground. Hex didn't press him. Eventually, they arrived at the dorms and came to one in particular.
"I have taken the liberty of assigning this room to your personal use," the sorceress said as she unlocked the door and handed the key to Glumshanks. "If you need anything or if anyone bothers you, do not balk at calling me for assistance.
The troll faltered in the doorway, overwhelmed though room wasn't grand by any means. There was a small closet, a desk and chair, two beds, and a window. The bathroom connected this room and the next.
"I thought it best you not have a roommate," Hex continued, "The room adjacent to this one is also vacant. Dinner will be in a few hours. I will be back to escort to the dinning hall."
"Wait," Glumshanks called out as she made to leave, "I, um, just wanted to thank you, Miss."
"Hex," the sorceress supplied.
"I didn't expect anyone to stand up for me earlier. No one ever does. So thank you, Miss Hex."
"I cannot respect someone who stands idly by in that sort of situation," Hex intoned, "And you may drop the formality. There is no need to refer to me as 'miss'. I am not your superior."
"Well, thank you anyways, Hex," Glumshanks smiled bashfully.
"You are quite welcome," the sorceress gave a small smile of her own in return. The troll entered his room and Hex gave a small sigh as she left. Master Eon would most certainly be looking for her and she wanted to avoid him for as long as possible. The sorceress had foreseen the portal master giving her a long-winded lecture on why she shouldn't use intimidation and fear against allies. Again.