C3: Striated carnation.
The blonde girl could, in great detail, recount the movie of life that she saw pass in front of her eyes the moments she waited to be run over by the horse.
This is going to hurt.
"SOOOOOOOOO!" a powerful female voice was heard in a firm tone.
And though Emira expected a shattering impact, instead she received a wave of grassy strands, belonging to the grass torn away by King's hooves as he braked violently just inches from where her body had fallen gracelessly.
Emira pulled her arms back from where they covered her face, to watch as a young woman riding a gray horse with a white speckled neck struggled to hold still a very frightened King, who now had a rope around his neck.
"Sooooooooo!" Repeated the rider in a calmer tone and King, finally, began to give in.
With the rope attached to her own horse, the young woman backed up, forcing the black horse to back up as well and to, at last, move away from Emira.
The Blight released a sigh that she hadn't even realized she was holding, and continued to watch the scene unfold before her.
The girl, with a nimble leap, hopped down from her horse and quickly turned her attention to King.
"Easy boy." She told him in a reassuring voice. " You are safe, there is no danger, it's all right, it's all right."
She gently stroked King's cheeks and mane as the horse snorted in what seemed like an effort to calm down.
The young woman continued to scratch at the animal's jaw until she touched a spot that...
Made King lie down on the grass.
Then she uttered a loud laugh.
"I can't believe it actually worked!" She exclaimed with a grin.
Emira, who was still in shock from almost being run over by a half-ton beast, was motionless and still terrified.
It was then that the girl turned and with calm steps walked towards her.
The blonde couldn't even blink as two large, warm hands took hers that were trembling uncontrollably.
"Hey." Said the girl in a reassuring tone. " Everything's fine, you're safe, can you hear me?"
Emira, completely dissociated, just stared intently at the hands that took hers, squeezing tightly, the warmth made her feel stable, it was as if releasing them would make her fly away.
"Hey." The girl said again, trying to lift one of her hands.
Emira held it tightly and pressed it against her chest.
"No, no, it's okay, I'm here." The girl continued to speak softly as she stroked her hands. "I'm not going anywhere, relax."
Emira was gasping for breath and kept shaking, it seemed she had only just recognized the danger she had been in.
How close she had been to death.
"Hey, hey easy." The young woman told her, finally managing to release one of her hands to bring it to the blonde's chin, lifting her face. "Look at me Em. Can you hear me?"
And it was then that Emira lost her breath for a different reason.
The girl was kneeling in front of her and VERY close.
Her brown hair was tied in a taut chignon on top of her head, bangs fell framing sun tanned skin dotted with freckles, her eyes were dark green and glistening in the morning sun, reflecting amber flecks in the iris, her cheekbones bulged over her lovely cheeks from the smile she was giving her, showing pretty white teeth, particularly catching her eye was the earring in her ear, it was a...
Fishhook?
Emira's breathing was calming down while her heart was fluttering motivated by a different fact.
"You know my name?" Was all she managed to say.
The young woman snorted.
"Of course I know your name, you're the dean's daughter." She told her with a giggle.
And, oh! That laugh was so charming that it made Emira smile too.
"Are you a little more relaxed now?" She asked her as she stopped giggling.
Emira let out a long sigh.
"I think-"
"EMIRA! "
Cried a male voice, startling the girls and causing the auburn to pull her hands away from the blonde's as she turned around.
No...
Alador Blight arrived on the scene completely shaken, being followed almost immediately by Amity and a little further away, Luz.
The man leaned down beside his daughter trying to catch his breath.
"Emira..." He repeated between exhalations. "Are you...okay?" Amity rushed past her father and quickly knelt down next to Emira.
"Did he hit you?!" She asked in a huff. "He didn't hit you did he?! Are you okay?!"
Emira laughed softly.
"I'm fine Mittens, it's good to know that you do love me."
Amity slapped her loosely on the shoulder with tears in her eyes.
"Stop messing around Emira, I got so scared!"
Emira lightly hugged Amity with her right arm.
"I'm fine Amity, King didn't even touch me." She looked at the girl still in front of her. "She saved me."
The young girl blushed slightly and smiled.
"EMIRA!" Luz shouted kneeling down on the other side of the fallen blonde, forcing her father to back away slightly. "I'm so sorry, it was an accident, I was going to...!"
"I want to thank you Miss Beastorm." Interrupted Alador standing upright next to the young ladies as he regained his composure, smoothing his delicate suit and combing back his hair. "It's good to know that the equine education you've had has paid off so well."
"Thank you Dr. Blight, I'm glad I could help."
"Now, Emira, Miss Beastorm, please be dismissed, classes are about to begin." He ordered sternly.
The instruction made it clear that he had something to say to Luz and Amity.
The younger girls stepped aside to make room for the blonde to stand up.
Emira started to get to her feet...
"OW!" She cried out falling back to the ground.
"What happened?" The young brunette quickly knelt down next to her again.
"My ankle..." Emira explained. "I think I sprained it."
"Oh, it was when you tried to run, wasn't it? Your ankle must have bent before you fell."
The young Beastorm took Emira's ankle gently, removing her shoe and sock without causing her any pain.
The girl saw the skin on her ankle and grimaced at its bruised hue.
"Yeah... This doesn't look too good, I think we'd better get you to the nurse's office, you're going to need painkillers."
Beastorm squatted down next to Emira, put one arm under her knees, the other around her shoulders, and without so much as a gasp, lifted her off the ground.
Emira let out a low squeal of shock and hugged the girl's neck.
"Wow, you are so strong!" Said the blonde after the surprise.
The brunette let out a laugh.
"You don't stop a horse without a little muscle." Then she turned to the dean. "It'll be faster if I take her by horse, Puddles is well trained..."
Alador nodded solemnly.
"I'll make an exception this time, you can take the horse out of the field."
"Good!" the girl whispered so softly that only Emira could hear her, drawing a smile from her.
The young woman started walking towards her horse with the blonde in her arms.
"Puddles!" She exclaimed heading towards the horse. "Lay."
The horse responded to its rider's command by sitting on its hind legs and bending its front legs until it was lying on the ground.
The young woman sat the blonde sideways on the saddle, then mounted behind her, putting her right leg under Emira's.
"Hold on to the saddle, and don't freak out." He indicated. "Puddles, up up."
The horse reared up, catching Emira off guard again, who, instead of holding the saddle, wrapped an arm around the brunette´s waist to steady herself.
The young woman laughed.
"Or you can hold onto me, I don't mind." She conceded at the blonde's sudden embrace.
Emira giggled softly as well, and not being denied, held her arm in place.
The brunette tugged gently on the rope tied to the chair, causing King to rise from the floor.
"Miss Beastorm..." The dean spoke again, catching the attention of the brunette, who turned her head in his direction. "I am grateful as you can't imagine for what you just did and for taking my daughter to the infirmary... But I must remind you that there is a dress code you must follow during school hours."
The young woman cocked her head to one side and glanced fleetingly at her riding attire.
"I beg your pardon?" She said questioningly to the dean.
The man pointed to his own ear.
"Your... Jewelry, Miss Beastorm."
The girl blushed slightly and brought her hands to her ear quickly to remove the fishhook.
"Sorry Dr. Blight, I forgot to take it off this morning."
Emira, poorly concealed, glared at her father with a look of displeasure.
Behind him, next to Amity, Luz did the same.
"We'll go drop King off at his stall and then I'll take you to the infirmary." Said the girl catching the blonde's attention again.
Emira nodded, finally relaxing after all the fuss.
She didn't notice the way she leaned her body against the other young woman's chest.
The brunette smacked her lips to gesture for King to follow them, the horse obeyed without complaint.
"So... Your name is Beastorm?" Emira asked sheepishly.
The young woman snorted.
"No, that's my last name, my name is Viney."
The two older girls continued their conversation as they walked away.
"Now..." Alador said in a, in Luz's words, frighteningly calm tone, "Please explain to me what happened."
Luz stepped forward hastily.
"I'm so sorry, it was all my fault! It's just that King is so cute and I wanted to take a picture with him, so I opened the door-"
"You opened the door?!" Amity exclaimed angrily. "Luz! You told me you've never seen a horse before! How did you even think of-"
"Amity." Interrupted the dean in the same unsettling tone, the auburn fell silent and shrank in on herself in a movement that was clearly tattooed into her muscle memory. "Let her finish."
The girl ducked her face and Luz looked at her with distress, reached out her hand to touch her shoulder and ask if she was...
"Miss Noceda... Isn't it? " pronounced the dean again. "Please complete your explanation of what happened."
The stern voice made Luz herself cringe ashamed.
"Uh... I..." She took a deep breath. "I opened the stall door, and I walked in, I took out my phone because I wanted to take a picture with King, the phone was going to fall out and as I was trying to catch it... I gave King a... Slap... On the thigh... And... He ran off. I'm so sorry! "
Alador arched an eyebrow.
"Am I supposed to understand that you allowed this, Amity?" the dean asked his daughter with an impenetrable gaze.
Amity looked up, terrified.
"No, no, no!" Luz interjected. "It was all my fault! Amity wasn't even with me when-"
"You left a new student alone by the stables? One who specifically told you she'd never seen a horse before?"
"It was only for a minute father, Amelie called me and-"
"You were using your phone while you were supposed to be fulfilling your duties?"
Amity bit her lip and closed her eyes choking back a few tears.
"Yes, Father..." She conceded finally.
Alador looked between the two girls reflectively.
"Miss Noceda." He said at last after several seconds. "In view of the fact that it is your first day, and that the incident was of no major consequence, I will let it pass with a warning... Particularly since you were left unsupervised in a hostile area..."
He directed a furious glare at Amity.
"I wish we could have met on better terms, I hope such irresponsible and impetuous behavior will not be repeated. As for your irresponsibility, Amity, we will discuss this matter at home. Now, go to your building."
Amity was as composed as at any time during the tour, but Luz could tell.
Her skin was paler.
Her hands lightly ruffled her flawless skirt.
She was biting her lower lip lightly.
A hint of sweat covered her forehead.
And...
Her beautiful eyes glistened with tears that she tried hard not to let go.
"Yes, father."
"But first... Give me your phone." He ordered the auburn.
Amity looked at him with pleading eyes.
"But..."
"Now." He sentenced.
Amity reached into her pocket and with trembling hands, handed the device to the dean.
To her father.
Alador Blight turned and started walking away toward a golf cart parked by the trees.
He hopped on it and quickly made his way to a large building behind the trees.
With the absence of the headmaster, the atmosphere became even more tense.
Luz scratched the back of her head uncomfortably.
"Amity I..."
"Shut up." The auburn harshly interrupted.
Luz, dumbfounded to see Amity's calm tone lost, kept silent.
Amity turned to look at her, her brow was deeply furrowed and her lips tightened into a thin line.
The pale skin was worryingly tinged with red.
The auburn closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, then sighed, regaining her skin tone.
"Are you hurt?" She asked Luz with her eyes still closed.
"N-no." Replied the brunette, hesitantly.
"Good."
Amity took a step forward, placing herself close to Luz.
She looked to both sides to make sure that there were no more people left in the field.
Then she looked at Luz again.
"Are you stupid?! How could you even think of sneaking into the stable by yourself?!" Amity bellowed angrily.
Luz recoiled in surprise at Amity's cruel words.
"I-I, I didn't think it was that serious..."
"YOU DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT SERIOUS GETTING INTO THE SPACE OF A HALF TON ANIMAL YOU'VE NEVER DEALT WITH?! YOU CLEARLY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING AT ALL! Do you know the trouble you just got me into?! I LEFT YOU ALONE ONE MINUTE LUZ! ONE! MINUTE!"
"Sorry!" Apologized the brunette. "It was an ac-!"
"IT WAS NO ACCIDENT! You didn't have to go in there! King could have kicked you! You could have gotten hurt! YOU ALMOST GOT MY SISTER KILLED!"
Luz backed away as Amity advanced towards her, energetically increasing the volume of her voice.
"DO YOU KNOW HOW FAST HORSES RUN?! HOW HEAVY THEY ARE?! HOW HARD THEY HIT?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WE'VE HAD BECAUSE OF RECKLESS IDIOTS LIKE YOU?! DO YOU KNOW THAT IF KING HAD HIT EMIRA HE COULD HAVE BEEN PUT DOWN?!"
Luz's eyes widened with astonishment.
"YOU PUT EVERYONE IN DANGER, INCLUDING YOURSELF AND KING! YOU GOT MY SISTER HURT! YOU MADE A FOOL OF ME IN FRONT OF MY FATHER! YOU HAD THE ONLY WAY I HAVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH MY SISTER TAKEN AWAY FROM ME!"
Luz's stomach clenched with guilt.
She didn't really think before acting.
Her impulsiveness often got her into trouble.
"Don't you have anything to say?!"
"I'm sorry!" Luz exclaimed with tears in her eyes. "Sorry, I... I just didn't think, it was an impulse... I'm sorry... It won't happen again."
Amity kept silent for a few seconds, while her reddened face recovered its normal tone.
Having apparently finished with her speech, she shook off her uniform, ran a hand through her hair to smooth it, took a deep breath and recovering her neutral countenance, started walking towards the path that led to the campus buildings.
"Come on, classes are almost starting." She said without turning around to make sure Luz was following her.
But the brunette obeyed.
The minutes back to the building were awkward and silent, contrasting sadly with the rest of the morning.
They arrived at last at the Judas building.
Quite a few more students were visible now.
Amity led Luz along the white hallway with brown tiles, until they reached a particular stretch of black lockers.
The auburn turned to one of them and quickly entered a combination, opening the door.
She pulled out a white folder and handed it to Luz with a small piece of paper on top.
"In there is your medical profile, you're going to have to do the checkup after school since your incident left us out of time. Can you go to the infirmary alone after school?" she asked sternly.
The brunette nodded guiltily.
"Right. On that paper comes the combination to your locker lock, which is this one, unfortunately." She said pointing to the locker next to the one that appeared to be hers. "You have the same classes as me, so follow me at the end of each class so you know where each classroom is."
Luz nodded again.
"Okay, one last thing." Amity sighed with a frown. "Don't come near me, don't sit next to me, don't talk to me unless absolutely necessary, I don't want anything to do with you."
The auburn closed her locker door tightly, and turned around to walk heading for the first classroom.
"Amity wait!" Luz exclaimed catching the auburn's attention, who stopped without turning around. "I'm really sorry for what happened, I'd give anything to go back in time so I wouldn't have done that stupid thing."
Luz stepped forward.
"Thank you for showing me around campus, I had a lot of fun with you during the morning, you're very nice... I was hoping we could be friends..."
The dean's daughter hesitated only for an instant.
"I told you not to talk to me." She concluded to go on her way.