S1E12 "Miss Magix"
"Moose."
A thought stubbornly suppressed, now spoken aloud. It sounded hoarse and unrefined, but saying it at all proved to be a major accomplishment.
Riven decompressed, and the tense energy surrounding them settled.
"Hey."
Musa's smile had shifted into a smirk. Her arms crossed, and despite everything prior, she still possessed the playful, nearly impish disposition he'd known her for.
"What a weird-ass phone call."
"Yeah..." The grin on his face grew, now clear and undeniable. "Sorry about that."
He found himself caught in a stare, unblinking and frozen. Musa was swamped in an old band-tee, having returned to her usual oversized attire. But even then, remnants remained of her stenciled nape and pink dusted eyelids. He broke the stare by looking at her feet; mismatched, guitar-patterned socks greeted him.
"I didn't expect you to actually..." He grinned wider at the sight. "...answer."
Arms still crossed, she walked up and peered at him with sparkly, curious eyes.
"And I didn't expect you to visit."
Musa stood closer. Her head nearly reached the tops of his shoulders, making his head angle low. She ducked even lower to annoy him.
"Barging in like this?" She leaned over on her knees. "Little rude, if you ask me."
Riven opened his mouth to speak, raising a finger to argue against her statement. But he pursed his lips instead.
"You're right." He said, squinting his eyes. "Let me knock first-"
Bracing her shoulder to keep her in place, he rapidly knocked on her forehead. Musa's head bobbed backward, making her giggle.
"Hello-"
"Riven-" Musa said between knocks. He ignored her, impatiently looking around.
"Anyone? Hello-"
"Hey-" She reared back, sticking her nose up. "I have a doorbell."
Riven stopped knocking, holding her head down to sneak in another stare. He then nodded, mashing the same spot with his fingers. Despite her swatting hands, he continued.
"Ugh-Hello?" He switched to his thumb. "Is anyone there, damnit-"
She caught his wrist, bringing his hand out of view.
"What's up?"
He wriggled his fingers. Musa had a firm grip, one that softened and released once their eyes met. Her eyebrows raised, awaiting his response. After organizing his thoughts, he began his indirect apology.
"If Musa's there, could you tell her..." He rested his elbows against the railing. "...that this asshole, named Riven-"
Musa turned around and stood beside him, eyeing the silent, unlit apartment. Her hands sunk into her pajama pockets while she listened.
"He's really sorry for last week, and all the lame shit he pulled."
Riven looked down.
"And for everything that happened to her, period."
She nodded slowly, interlocking her fingers. He took that as a sign to keep going.
"He also totally understands..." Riven said in one, long-winded breath. "...if she hates him now. Or some time, down the line...forever."
He looked at the nighttime sky. "Because he deserves it."
The stars were bright that night, each distinct and glowing. He started to count them, one by one, as he mulled over his current thoughts.
"Riven-"
Musa peered up at him, holding the railing for support. Only this time, she looked concerned. They made eye contact, which turned into another keen stare.
"Does it look like Musa hates him?"
She resembled how she did in the Auditorium-curious and bright, only this time by the moonlight. A faint grin was on her lips, and the faintest of night breezes wisped through her bangs. A girl with the biggest of hearts, and a small warrior, all the same.
"Because she doesn't." She leaned against the railing again. "I don't."
"You don't?" Riven quietly asked, skeptical of her answer. "Are you sure?"
After a moment, her face scrunched. "Maybe like, two days after..."
Riven grinned, adamantly nodding at her response.
"Got a little...weepy. Puffy-faced. You know." Her eyes half-rolled. "The usual."
"A little moody?"
She exhaled. "Yeah."
After fidgeting a bit, she directly turned to face him. "Just-"
"Don't. Step." Musa playfully shoved his side with each word. "Over. Me."
Riven didn't move much, so a slight stumble was used to compensate. He'd consent to being her punching bag for the time being.
"Don't step over me, please!"
Her words were a cross between playful and distressed, as if it were a plea.
"Because that shit makes me cry, okay?" Musa whined. "A lot."
"Freaking out? Fighting witches in alleyways?" She continued, push after push. "Getting my ass tossed around? That's just something I'll grow to live with, alright? It's fine. I'll save myself, one day!"
"Moose-"
"But that? Doing that? Dude-" The assault stopped, replaced by a shoulder touch. "Just let me die."
His body tensed. She was probably exaggerating, judging from her grin, but the statement had affected him more than he'd realized. She seemed to notice the change as well, immediately backing off.
"Musa." His brows furrowed, and he slowly turned his head. "What the actual fuck."
"Well-" She recanted, giving a sheepish laugh. "Maybe that's a little-"
"Don't." Riven scowled. "Don't joke about that."
"I mean-"
"I'm dead serious." He turned to face her. "Remember what I said? In the alley?"
"Yeah."
"I meant it." Riven faced the apartment again, crossing his arms. "Shit still applies."
Musa's gaze dropped, as well as the remnants of her laughter.
His eyes smoldered with misplaced anger.
"I'm not gonna fuckin'-" He grumbled, growing upset. "Why would you even think I'd-"
Musa grew quiet, silently tucking her bangs behind her ears. He bottled up his concern, and tried hard to maintain the light-hearted atmosphere from before. From his peripheral vision, he saw her steal a glance to assess his current mood. Stubbornly, he turned his head.
After a long period of silence, she dared to continue. Her words were low and barely audible.
"Or maybe just...step on me..."
His face scrunched. "What?"
"I dunno..." She mumbled. "I'd prefer that, to dying..."
Though visibly upset, he was secretly amused by her defiant humor. A brief look was given, before continuing his scowl at the apartment. She took his seconds-long change in attitude, and ran with it.
"I'm not...stepping on you, Moose."
She stood in front of him, caught in his shadow. Her laughter steadily returned.
"Flattened by these face-stompers, right here-" She prodded his utility boots with her foot. "It's a better way out for me-"
He snuck in another look.
"Better than your um..." Musa eased out a breath. "...girlfriend, at least."
The sarcastic humor endured, until a sudden flash of worry crossed Musa's face. She stood a bit farther away than before, unsure of where to put her hands. Her eyes looked towards the forests nearby.
"Does she know you're here right now?"
"Darcy? No."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
His eyes shifted towards the balcony floor. "But I'll tell her, eventually."
Musa rubbed her face, smearing away the onset of a frown. Eye contact was finally resumed. He reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax." He mumbled out. "She's not going to kill you."
"You know, I kinda doubt that." She said wryly. "She's tried to already."
"No, I'm serious." Riven replied. "We...talked about it. Darcy understands the situation now."
The word choice made her curious.
"You…talked?" She echoed.
"Yes." He crossed his arms, a bit confused by her tone. "We actually talked, Moose."
Musa went quiet again, face contorting with doubt. But soon a cheeky grin appeared, and though she struggled against doing so, her eyes briefly flashed to his crotch. Riven's eyes widened-he was shocked to have caught her. She did it again and again, meeting his gaze in between until her shoulders shook with laughter. The alleyway fight wasn't the only thing she'd remembered.
"Listen-"
She seemed distracted. "Hm?"
"I want you to know-all that shit-what Icy and Stormy said-" Riven stumbled over his words. "-none of that was fuckin' true."
"Oh." Her eyes flashed again. "Okay."
"They were just messing with us. With you. Um-" He muttered, nervously clutching his belt-buckle. "We're not actually...like that."
He almost dared her to look again, and after trying her hardest not to, she did.
"Wow?" Riven quipped, now covering himself. He started angling away. "Really?"
"All night, dude..." Musa mumbled out, offering sheepish praise. She squashed out her smirk. "Nice."
"Musa."
"I mean-" She continued. "That's impressive."
She placed her hands on her hips, head shaking in disbelief.
"Has to be a record somewhere-"
Riven cleared his throat, cutting her off. A grin tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Don't."
One final look. The boldest one so far, making her wrap around to his side.
Her eyes squinted.
"But how does it stay-"
Riven quickly covered her mouth, grumbling in her ear as she was drawn close to him. They eyed the courtyard once their laughter faded, the lone shopping bag still sitting several feet below them. A tiny grin remained on his face, and for once, he felt content. Her nail-polished index finger then touched his forearm. Riven offered his index finger back, which Musa held with care.
Slowly but surely, they'd make up the days. The weeks, without proper contact.
Tecna approached the library, using a centuries-old key to unlock its side entrance. The ornate, butterfly-carved doors opened, and a large space was revealed. With a sparking snap, the bookshelf lights glowed. She retrieved her headphones and placed her bag at the front desk, eyeing the mounds of books in annoyance. With a disgruntled sigh and the hiking of her sleeves, she got to work.
The same process as the morning shift, yet reversed; alphabetizing and straightening out the rows, sorting through the return chute, and making the library spotless for the morning after. She didn't mind that part, and she didn't mind helping out exhausted, post-exam Alyssa by taking on her two hour shift.
Lazy, "sick" Jen was a different story. On Monday, Jen would be getting her fists.
The initial process was crucial-bring any and all loose books to the front. With music blasting, Tecna walked through each row. Her hands raised, and bright green static encircled her fingers as items flew towards the front. The light provided a makeshift lantern, illuminating even the darkest library corners, which came in handy as she reached the back section. To her right lay the familiar row of study rooms, all dark, with their doors ajar. She was beginning to approach the strange one from before. The fourth to last, steadily piquing her interest as it came into view.
By the oddest and most horrifying of coincidences, this room slammed shut.
"Shit-" She whispered aloud.
Why tonight?
Why now, when completely alone and surrounded by darkness?
Tecna stopped in her tracks, fear now at odds with the current playing song. She slowly removed her headphones and became aware of her eerie surroundings. When the song grew distracting, she paused the music entirely.
Step after cautious step, she approached. The loose books of sections T-Z remained stacked on the floor, abandoned temporarily as Tecna's months-long investigation continued.
Her face remained at the door's edge, only allowing herself the most discreet glances inward. Of course, it was empty-the same fairly small room, with the same lamp, chair, and built-in desk. She wouldn't buy that, this time.
She didn't dare step in, either.
But remaining flush with the wall all night wasn't a practical move. She had to ease her racing thoughts, and reassure herself that changes in air pressure, or the settling of library stones had been the cause.
Taking a moment to psych herself up, she pulled the door open, flicked on the light and casted a matrix-like spell to bar it closed. Tecna then stumbled a few steps back, bracing herself against a bookcase. The light remained on and casted her face gold.
She sighed. Safe and secured, for the time being.
Back to work, she went.
Her hands glowed, though visibly shaking this time, as more books maneuvered out the rows. Gold painted the floors behind her, which she turned to view often. Tecna eventually resumed her music, but the headphones remained around her neck, just in case. Nothing would make her bolt faster than the sound of locked doors swinging open.
Wrapping her way around to "Z-Zu", the final wayward books were gathered, ending her first task of the night. The gold just barely touched the row's opposite end, a mere sliver that was difficult to see. Tecna walked forward to make sure the light had remained on. Reaching the other side, the fourth matrix-webbed study room remained closed and aglow.
Once again, she sighed.
Until the matrix sputtered and cracked.
The gold light darkened...and the door?
Opened.
Tecna had all but disappeared. She darted up the rows, attempting to diagonally make her way towards the library's center. Footsteps, out of sync with her own, followed close behind. She shoved down books in her wake as a diversion, but the force quickly avoided this without much setback. Tecna, of all the girls, was the least to panic-not much was capable of fazing her, or making her visibly react.
But as of right now, she was panicked. Scared. Or really, a feeling that greatly resembled the fear of capture.
The fear of dying an impossible death.
"F-Fuck! Fuck!" She couldn't help but keep yelling. The footsteps were getting faster, and closer.
Finally, she approached the central area. Stumbling over the collected mound, Tecna created a small-scale avalanche of books. The front desk lied on the other side, and she quickly ducked behind it to conceal herself. Her lungs burned, and sucking in air with her mouth closed had a dizzying effect. A loud, erratic heartbeat came from her chest.
The extra set of footsteps grew silent, until slowly closing in. They stopped just short of the desk, shifting a few steps over to each side before returning backward. A commotion of noise then occurred, like wavering pages and slammed book spines. The noise continued for a while, and left Tecna frozen beneath Barbatea's chair. Within minutes it came to a standstill. The footsteps walked further this time, veering right and away. After a minute buffer, Tecna raised her head.
The mound of unorganized library books had become twenty-six neat stacks. Upon closer inspection, they were further sorted by title and color. All of them, numbering well into the hundreds, and seemingly without magic. She shook her head at the bizarre, nonsensical nature of it all, scoffing out some nervous laughs before leaning against the desk's side. She'd already had enough for tonight-troublesome, given the night had just started. Tecna rubbed her collar.
"Thank you!" Her voice echoed. "Whatever you are?!"
Distant and faint in the surrounding darkness, came laughter.
Riven brought Musa's duvet to her shoulders. Her eyes were tired and half-lidded, just barely peeking out from her uneven bangs. After resisting multiple attempts, she'd finally given in-his hand tucked around her body's perimeter, and as a final touch, he billowed the yellow blanket to do the same.
With crossed arms, Riven admired his handiwork.
"Don't make me start over." He said in the darkness. "Again."
She widened her eyes. With them, she saw the blurry image of Riven's face. She needed snapshots-pictures, to remember it by. Anything, before her brain collapsed in exhaustion and erased him from her thoughts. Odd questions served to keep her conscious.
She smiled, blinking twice.
"Is that a threat?"
Riven let out a low laugh and walked to the bed's opposite side.
"Could be."
Musa fidgeted.
"I know you're trying to," He said, patting her knee. "But youcan't stay up all night."
"And you can?" Musa asked defensively, watching his form block out the balcony's moonlight.
One eye closed, while the other remained open. Riven then raised his closed eyelid to demonstrate, pointing out the dull glow his eye now produced.
"Of course I can." He smirked. "I'm made to."
Musa pouted, feeling defeated.
"Is this goodbye, then?" She mumbled. "Or goodnight..."
Riven pulled out his phone to check. The bright screen reflected eight minutes before midnight.
"Good morning, almost."
"Good day, maybe?" She replied in a hopeful tone.
Riven grew quiet, and Musa could feel the bed sink near her thigh. He sat down beside her, rubbing his upper arms.
"Who knows."
Musa didn't like his vague, open-ended answers. She wanted to know, with certainty, if this was the end-if she'd ever (or never) see him again, and resume their previous talks. Her hand would've reached out to touch him one last time, had she not been so tightly wrapped.
"If you find yourself alone one night." Riven muttered. "Bored, awake, with nothing to do..."
"Yeah?" She muttered back.
"Just know, there's a strong chance..." He bore a grin, barely visible. "...some asshole named Riven might call you."
Riven rose to his feet.
"And he really hopes you'll answer."
"Wait-" She tried to break out from her tucked position, to no avail. Riven gently pushed down her shoulders.
"Do you mean Riven?" She held back a yawn, growing delirious. "Or like...you?"
"These questions, I swear..." He replied, half-laughing. "Yes."
"So you'll both call me at once?"
"I think you're losing it."
"Will you?" She mumbled. "Will he? H'you..."
"You know what-" With shoveling hands, he tucked her even tighter. "We'll call you in your dreams, Moose."
Musa gave him a goofy smile, allowing her head to sink further into the pillows.
"Alright..." She faltered in consciousness. "Fine by me..."
He made one final stare before turning away. Musa helplessly watched as he exited the balcony door, being careful not to stomp in his boots. An overwhelming feeling of sadness returned, alongside her familiar uncertainty. But these feelings were swiftly drowned out by her tiredness, softening the edges of the world and sending her to sleep. She didn't hear the entered apartment, frantic footsteps, and rattled bedroom door sometime afterward.
Tecna stumbled through, immediately tossing her belongings and opening a drawer. Several Magitech devices were revealed, and she grabbed the appropriate one before sitting on her bed.
"Log One: Saturday, 12:04 A.M." She talked as quietly as she could. "The first of many, I think."
Looking over at the room's opposite side, a silent Musa lay fast asleep.
"I'm certain a...paranormal anomaly-no,no-" She continued, buzzing with excitement. "I've witnessed a...paradoxical glitch. An unseen force, that-"
None of the descriptions seemed to fit.
"Damnit." She took in a breath. "Okay..."
Tecna brought the device close to her lips, as if revealing a dangerous secret.
"There's a fuckin' library ghost."
Towards the end of the month, the Simulation Room's repairs were completed. Exams continued despite several objections, starting with an anxious (but well-prepared) Flora. After her thirty minutes passed, and the Simulation Gate hissed open, Tecna, Musa, Bloom, and the others all cheered upon her arrival.
"Excellent performance, Flora!" Palladium clapped in his chair. "I'd expect nothing less!"
"Thank you!" She replied, encircled by her friends and classmates. Her face was sheened with sweat, and a nervous edge came about her speech.
"Notice how she took her time, and made efficient use of supplies!" He told the room. "That's how I recommend one goes about this exam-if your technique fails, don't panic! Simply find another that better suits you."
Flora wobbled her way towards the wall, still jittery from her difficult environment.
"Alright. Flora's finished-" Palladium rose from his chair and pointed to various girls. "Musa, Luna, Priscilla, Tecna, Amaryl, Emily, Anastacia..."
He then stopped, looking perplexed. The fairies examined each other, confused by his lapse in speech. After letting out a long, drawn-out sigh, he rubbed the underside of his jaw and spoke.
"Stella?"
Bloom and Musa shrugged. Tecna searched the room for faces, shaking her head. The steady, uninterrupted silence was telling.
"Gone, sir." A fairy answered.
Palladium's eyes squinted. "How-"
"She was just-" He turned around, looking towards the ramp and then back again. "To where?"
Bloom hardly knew herself. Only minutes before had Stella stood beside her, looking nauseous and ill-tempered. During the thrilling events of Flora's exam, she'd escaped. To where, was a mystery.
"Bathroom." Bloom fibbed, rubbing her shoulder. "She was sick."
Musa nodded, yet looked just as confused. "Kinda seemed like it?"
"Yeah." Tecna smirked. "Got a case of the runs."
Some fairies, namely Anastacia, giggled in hushed tones. The joke became ironic, when access to the bathrooms had been impossible for the past thirty minutes.
"Ah." Palladium frowned. "I see."
"She'll probably come back, though!" Flora said from across the room. "I think?"
"Well, I certainly hope so." Palladium gathered hair behind his shoulders. "Her grade very well depends on it!"
Stella's escape proved favorable to the others-a sudden wave of malaise overcame the room, starting with an urgently raised hand.
"Hey um-" Francine mumbled out, clutching her stomach. "I feel kinda sick, actually."
"Me too!" Luna added.
"Ugh..." Anastacia feigned an unknown symptom, leaning against one of her friends. "I just can't do it, Professor."
More girls started to groan, until a loud chorus of whining voices echoed throughout the Control Room. Palladium crossed his arms, clearly skeptical.
"It appears that Stella's illness has grown..." His eyes scanned the group. "...contagious."
Anastacia hunched over. "Like, I'm literally dying..."
The remaining students chattered with laughter. Musa nudged Bloom's shoulder, and they exchanged wary eye contact. Bloom pursed her lips, growing more nervous with Stella's continued absence.
Tecna approached with Flora, with the former appearing amused and unsurprised.
"So where's Patient Zero?"
Stella landed ass-first in the eastern corridor.
The sound echoed throughout the empty space, alongside a series of pained groans. Sparkles settled around her body's perimeter, and the noise of tinkling chimes dwindled in volume. Rising to her feet, she rubbed her sore thighs and surveyed the scene; not a fairy in sight, nor a voice to be heard among the sunlit marble floors.
While failing to stick the landing, Stella had successfully escaped the Simulation Room and dodged Palladium's awful test. Flora's stressful environment, a mangrove forest rife with angry, grappling limbs, had been enough to dissuade her from trying. It wasn't in the cards for today; besides, she'd brought no ingredients to work with, or anything to hold them in, either.
Stella hoped that if she waited long enough, the class would end, and she'd dodge the day entirely. But Potionology had just begun, and an hour or two (or three) needed to be wasted in the meantime.
Down the corridor she crept, timing her squeaking sandals with the ticking of the grand hall's clock. She halted at each stairway she approached, eyeing the space for incoming people. The silence was making her nervous, not to mention uncomfortable. But soon her dignified gait returned-head high, and speed regally slow-as she approached the Winx's apartment.
As she passed the final stairway, a shrill, familiar voice was heard.
"Princess Stella!"
Stella froze. Griselda, the subject of her nightmares, began ascending the marble steps. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, while her heels produced a final, echoing clack as she reached the first floor. Though nearly identical in height, Stella still seemed to shrink in her presence.
"Ms. Griselda!" Stella replied, grinning while matching her tone. "How are you-"
"If I recall correctly-" Griselda cut her off. A brief reveal of a pocket-watch was made. "Afternoon classes are currently in session. Are you aware of this as well?"
"Um." Stella's grin faded. "Yeah."
"Then why have I found you here, outside of your designated classroom?"
"Hmm." She mumbled. "I..."
Stella quickly patted her body, which was odd in retrospect; her nylon biker shorts bore no pockets, and neither did her flimsy camisole. Griselda grew even more suspicious, blinking her eyes at Stella's blatant diversion.
"...forgot my backpack." Stella straightened out her posture. "And everything in it. In my room, I think."
"Your...backpack." Griselda said, nearly uttering a laugh. "Since when, dear?"
"Since...uh..." She replied while flattening out her bangs. "...today."
Stella looked to her left, counting the dormitory numbers along the walls. Despite already deciding against staying there, she steadily walked towards the apartment. Among the squeaks of her sandals were the slow clacks of Griselda's heels, though thankfully much farther behind. Closer and closer they stepped, much like the minute and hour hands of the grand hall's clock. She soon stood before the apartment, with a now crossed-armed Griselda keenly watching her every move.
In the very moment Stella's hand touched the door handle, she ran.
"I knew it!" Griselda came to a weak jog. "By the will of Magix-come back here!"
She had three options for escape-the western corridor, the courtyard, or the library. The western corridor was also empty, not to mention capped by a dead-end bathroom. The courtyard didn't offer much coverage either, aside from the ground floor stairways. This left the dreaded library as her best alternative.
"Ms. Stella!" Griselda shrilled. "Get over here, this instant!"
Stella dashed around the grand staircase and yanked open its side entrance. The library was quiet, occupied by only a handful of people. At the front desk sat a Student Librarian; a girl with choppy fringed hair, clearly transfixed by her glowing phone screen. Stella jogged past, keeping an eye out for Ms. Griselda.
First-years, tucking away pieces of laminated paper, waved eagerly from the sitting area. Stella winked at them in passing. Approaching the perimeter, she viewed the library's study rooms. Some were occupied by cramming fairies, while others remained dark and opened, quiet all the same. She turned door handles, occasionally stepping inside and foolishly swatting the air. This process was repeated a few times, until reaching the fourth to last. It was locked from the inside.
The sound of incoming heel clacks made her desperate. Stella smeared her face and upper body against the door glass, eyeballing the empty room in panic. After a few moments the door unlocked, which she quickly pulled open and cowered behind.
From her crouched position she saw the quick-striding shadow of a passing Griselda. The sound of her heels slowed as they approached the final bookcases, before veering left and tapering out of hearing range.
Stella rose. "Thanks, honey."
Like a glitching screen, a far bigger, vibrantly-colored room was revealed. Overhead lights glowed purple, green, and electrifying blue. A monstrous gaming rig sat in one corner, while a wire-covered couch lay in the other. One large, three-paneled desk bore the weight of six desktop computers, two displaying opened documents. The desk chair, stamped with morphing decals, was occupied. Timothy Jr., Magitech prodigy and renowned gaming champion, swiveled around to greet her.
"Now that was a close one." He chortled out, fingers drumming his seat handles. "Too close."
"Ugh-I know." She shuffled forward. "She almost plucked me out of there."
Her eyes then surveyed the chaotic space. Though cramped with items, the office still appeared organized by an assortment of cabinets, shelves, and drawers. Timmy was upsizing, for sure; after some months, the layout had nearly doubled in area.
"Damn, Timmy..." Stella mumbled, playing with the static-like barrier. "When'd it get so big?"
"If you capture an instance of the original environment," Timmy gestured towards the door. "Project a cloaking field, then mask your alterations behind it-over time you can develop a separate, identical instance that simultaneously-"
Stella zoned out a few moments later. Timmy's head bobbed with enthusiasm, making his earring shimmer erratically. She then noticed his glove, which only covered his thumb, index, and middle fingers. He tapped his desk with it, demonstrating an expansive concept with wide, encircling scrapes.
"But hey, it's a work in progress." He continued. "In the meantime-"
Timmy rolled a stool to his side, offering her a place to sit down. She sat, eyeing one white, word-filled computer screen. The title section was labeled "Potionology, October Curriculum/Lessons/Homework [TEMP]", followed by several partially answered sections. Another screen showed snapshots of the completed templates lying on Palladium's desk.
Stella leaned in closer to examine his progress.
"When's this one dropping?"
"Hopefully tomorrow." Timmy replied, continuing his duplication. "But if I don't finish tonight-it'll have to be Monday, after the weekend."
She nodded. Timmy touched the screen of a nearby cell phone, one of four (or more, most likely), and revealed a host of checked notifications.
"Counted fifteen pre-requests already." He reclined in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. "You'll be the first recipient, of course."
"Founder Tim." She touched his chest. "You never cease to amaze."
The comment was appreciated, garnering a hand pat. "Why thank you, President Stella."
Timmy rose from his chair, while Stella spun in her stool. He walked towards a table piled high with laminated documents and scrap-work. After fingering through some, he placed a portion of the combined stack in Stella's hands.
"September's rejects." He explained. "Put these in that drawer over there. I'll shred them later."
The drawer contained last month's templates, alongside faulty papers with glitchy, overlapping words. At the top lay the answers to one of Wizgiz's upcoming tests, labeled "[OLD VERS.]" in big red letters. She took a long look at them before closing back the drawer.
"Hey, um-" Stella returned to her stool. "You still key for tests, right?"
"Tests? Sometimes." More stacks were sifted through.
"Wizgiz, Palladium?"
"Not Palladium's." Timmy replied. "Not anymore, haha."
"Aww..." Stella did a once-around on the stool, swaying her feet.
"They don't have, like...actual answers, Stell." He replied. "They're very hands-on now. Can't really key stuff like that."
"Yeah. I know." Stella sighed. "Shit's so annoying..."
She sulked, glumly watching a computer's screensaver bounce from corner to corner. Timmy turned around to say something, but seeing her change of attitude made him circle back to his chair.
"It's not today, is it?"
Her face contorted into a sheepish grin. Timmy grimaced, sucking in air through his teeth.
"Damn." He muttered. "How're you holding up?"
Stella twiddled her thumbs, eyeing the rug-covered floor.
"This morning? Fuckin' terrible." She said. "But now?"
Her shoulders hiked. "Pretty good now, actually."
"Yeah?"
"Mm-hmm." She replied, nodding her head.
"You're not...freaking out?" Timmy asked, looking confused. "Nervous, at all?"
"Well, I was..." She slowly turned in the stool, resuming her thought after a full rotation. "...not anymore though."
Timmy further gestured his confusion, looking about the room before returning to her face.
"Then-"
"-'Cause I'm not taking it."
It took Timmy a few moments to process what she'd said. He awkwardly preened his eyebrows, fidgeting in his chair and growing nervous in Stella's silence.
"Um-" He started. His eyes then squinted. "Are you being sarcastic, or-"
Stella shook her head and pointed to the door with her thumb.
She grinned. "I bailed like ten minutes ago."
"Wait-" Timmy heaved in a breath, and chuckled on his exhale. "Is that why-"
Stella stared at him, blinking and pursing her lips. The shifting lights painted their faces purple, green, and blue, on repeat. They smiled on the second rotation.
Loud, deranged laughter broke the silence.
"STELLA!" He yelled. "OH MY FUCKIN'-"
Stella tried to quiet him down, still shaking in her stool.
"Just dipped outta there?!" Timmy sputtered out. "Did you tele-poof?!"
Stella nodded, making a popping noise. The laughter grew louder.
"Like, 'no thanks'!" Stella replied, swiping back some hair. "I'll pass!"
"But you won't, though!"
"I know! That's the whole point!" Her cheeks burned from smiling so hard. "Fuck my life, Timmy!"
They cackled some more.
"Damn. Hands down," He chuckled out, closing his documents. "The most iconic shit you've done all year."
"Yeah, probably." Stella crossed her legs. "It's up there."
"But what're you planning to do now?" Timmy pushed up his glasses. "Grizzy's on patrol outside."
"Well-" She propped her head up with her palms. "You're here, right? Humor me for a couple hours?"
"A couple hours?"
"Please?" Stella's brows raised. "I'll be quiet, I promise."
"Stella-" He turned his chair to face her. "I'm dipping out soon."
Stella frowned, but soon realized what he'd meant. She found it strange yet impressive how he balanced his impossibly large workload between campuses on a weekly (if not daily) basis.
"I'll come back tonight, obviously." He reassured. "To finish up. But..."
"No, no-you can go, while I'll um-" She looked at the wire-covered couch. "-I'll stay here! In this...instance? You can do that, right?"
Timmy raised his gloved hand. Previously black, the fabric strobed green for a few brief seconds. From this piece of wearable Magitech, came the office's entire infrastructure.
"Not sure I can."
"Maybe..." Stella mumbled, looking at the glove in awe. "If I wear it-"
Timmy chuckled, shaking his head. "And break it three seconds later?"
Her shoulders slumped, and her sight moved elsewhere. He chuckled louder.
"Damnit, Timmy."
One of Timmy's phones, tucked away under some wires, buzzed. Springing into action, he grabbed a small Magitech device, nearly coin-like in size, and placed it directly under his jaw. It attached and unfurled, shielding his mouth with an orange translucent field. As he spoke, a distorted, unrecognizable voice came about.
"Year, Class, and Instructor-" He said, looking at Stella.
The person on the opposite end had quite a lot to say, to the point of excess. With every pause, Timmy made a face.
"Oh...okay." His brow furrowed, eventually turning to face the wall. "No, that's fine...yeah..."
Business hours had resumed. Outside, Griselda remained in close proximity, currently talking Barbatea's ear off with frantic, gesturing arms. Formulating an escape plan, Stella rose from her stool and inched her way towards the door. A tingle of static brushed her skin as she drew close, like an invisible net.
He muted the line. "Some new girl's freaking out."
"About what?"
"Lost template, I think." He said with a grin. "Just give me a second. Or a hundred."
Stella snickered.
"A thousand-" He unmuted. "So, they blank whenever a breach occurs. Don't worry-"
With another minute passing, Timmy was officially trapped. Stella stepped further across the point of containment. As she pawed at the instance barrier, his glove strobed the color green, then red. She then stumbled forward, peering behind at Timmy's friendly yet pouting face. He saluted, mouthing the words "be careful" before resuming his painfully long conversation. Soon the office screened back over, and her environment became the same dark space it was before.
Stella turned the study room's doorknob, silently closing the door behind her. Sifting through the rows, she watched the conversing faculty from the cracks and spaces of the library books.
"She's hiding here!" Griselda shrilled. "I'm sure of it!"
"Should we monitor the entrances?" Barbatea proposed.
The side-entrance fast approached her right side, as did Griselda's clacking heels. Stella crouched into a low, crab-like stance, growing deathly quiet in an attempt to pinpoint her incoming location. Strafing the bookcase to the end, she boldly rushed towards the doors. Its creaking hinges offered some resistance, long enough to make her curse in annoyance.
"Miss Stella!"
She stumbled out into the grand hall, hearing the familiar ticking clock and echoing acoustics. With no time to turn elsewhere, Stella barreled towards the western corridor.
Griselda's voice was fast approaching. "I refuse to chase you across campus, young lady!"
Each stairway came and went, too sudden an alternative for Stella to successfully take. She knew how this path would end, and how screwed she'd be once she reached it. Yet, still, she continued running anyway-twisting her ring and envisioning her escape, to somewhere far away, cozy and safe.
"Stop!"
"Sorry!" Stella yelled back, nearly stumbling as she looked behind her. "Can't!"
"Princess Stella of Solaria!" Griselda's pinafore billowed as she came to a jog. "Come here! NOW-"
The corridor suddenly flashed with light, making Griselda shield her eyes. The floor and ceiling produced a beautiful mosaic of shapes and colors, which were reflected by the stain-glass windows. In a cascade of amber-scented sparkles, Stella had magically fled from the scene.
Yet again.
On the sidelines of Red Fountain's arena sat Brandon and Prince Sky, along with a host of other cadets. The faint, early autumn breeze did wonders for their sweaty faces, as did the mild weather. They'd been among the first to finish Codatorta's intense, three-stage obstacle course, and sported the scrapes and dirt stains to prove it.
Brandon removed the black elastic on his wrist and secured a tight ponytail. He then watched, along with the others, as Sky mindlessly counted the hickies on his neck.
"Ten...eleven...twelve-" Sky mumbled, using the mirror-like reflection of his aviators. "It's twelve."
A chorus of awed, hollering voices came about in response. Brandon gave him a teasing look, shaking his head as the boys stepped closer for inspection.
"Damn, man!" One specialist yelled, gawking from behind. "Went to town on your ass!"
"They're everywhere!" Another yelled from his left side.
Sky smiled, suavely placing his glasses back on.
Brandon let out a laugh. "Aiming for thirteen, sire?"
With a subtle flex of his muscles, Sky leaned backward. "Right, you are."
"But-"
Attention was directed towards Ed, a lanky, Callistan-born cadet who sat nearby. The sheepish grin on his face disappeared, replaced by the faint reddening of his cheeks.
"That's an unlucky number, though."
The crowd groaned, with some laughing at his strange naïveté. Sky's head swiveled right at the comment, and he started creeping down the benches with a straight-faced expression. Drawing humorously close, Ed watched as Sky's sun-shaped necklace swayed hypnotically before him.
His brows furrowed. "For me, son?"
Not sure how to respond, Ed nodded. Other cadets surrounded him, and a pair of firm hands planted onto his shoulders. He gulped, trying to maintain a semblance of courage.
"From her?" Sky tsked. "Oh, Edward..."
With an index finger, he pushed the aviators down his nose.
"There's no such thing."
"No such thing, Ed!" Brandon echoed from across the bench. "No such thing!"
Laughter erupted from all sides. More playful nagging was directed Ed's way-a usual reaction to the odd things he said.
"I'd step on every crack. Duck under every ladder-" He continued. "Smash every mirror I come across!"
"He would!" Brandon cupped his mouth. "Trust me!"
"For another glorious kiss," Sky crooned, grinning at the expanse of puckering faces. "From Princess Stella's lips."
"Duh!"
"That's his lady, man!"
"Come on, Ed!" A cadet in the background teased. "You should know better!"
"Thirteen, son." He pointed at his blemished neck. "Thirteen."
The word became a resounding chant, growing louder as Sky slid towards his original spot. He bobbed his head to the rhythm, and Brandon clapped at the air to match his speed. Ed watched the others with a look of utter confusion.
"Thirteen!"
"Thirteen!"
"Thirteen, I say!" Brandon said in a smarmy accent.
"It's my hickey-" Sky looked towards the overcast clouds, outstretching his arms. "And I need it now!"
"Thirteen!"
"Thirt-"
A flash of light occurred-very sudden, followed by sparkles that dusted the ground and unoccupied benches. Arms latched around Sky's body, and a blonde head nuzzled into the crook of his neck. Like a gift from the heavens, his girlfriend manifested before him.
Her head began to rise. Noticing the necklace she'd bought, Stella giggled. His aviators were lopsided now, partially revealing one of his soft brown eyes. The chanting crowd silenced, gawking and blinking excessively at the scene. But as the shock waned, an undercurrent of giddy laughter boiled its way towards the surface.
Sky held her back by the shoulders to confirm. "Stell?"
Gently, Stella removed his aviators. She adorned him with kisses, starting with his forehead before moving to his nose, jaw and lips.
"Hey, honey." She said with a smile.
Sheer pandemonium broke out.
"IT'S PRINCESS STELLA!"
Boys from several rows away climbed down and across to greet her. Stella admired their wide-eyed faces, extending a hand that was held and kissed in quick succession. She rose from Sky's lap, sitting beside him and crossing her legs while kneeling cadets gathered at their feet.
A stocky, buzz-cut ginger named Spencer motioned his respect. "An honor to be in your presence, Your Ladyness-"
"Highness, dumbass." Another cadet mumbled.
"No, guys." Bishop, a pale half-elf, stumbled to Spencer's side. "Your Royal Hotness-"
"See?" Stella grinned at Sky, who chuckled in response. "He remembers."
"Stell!" Brandon called out from his row.
Stella swiveled around, placing Sky's aviators on her face. "What is it, dear squire?"
"The boys are very impressed by your art project." He nodded towards Sky's neck.
She smirked at the crowd. "Are they now?"
Sheepish grins and clamoring voices came about. Brandon side-stepped across, briefly prodding at the raised scrape near his side before sitting back down.
"You should show them the matching set."
"Oh-" Stella rolled her eyes. "Well, alright..."
Thick hair was gathered at the top of her head, revealing an identical twelve marks around her nape. Like before, the boys hollered and yelled, with some securing bet money in secret.
"Cadets!" A voice bellowed.
Professor Codatorta approached with a heavy, trampling stride. In his massive shadow stood a fresh batch of first-year squads, led by the now infamous Squad #537. Riven, flanked by Hawk and Jason, eyed the monstrous obstacle course with confidence.
"At ease!" Codatorta shouted again.
Cadets scrambled off the benches, lining up parallel with each other in neat, layered rows. Stella attempted to do the same, but was swiftly moved behind Sky's body. He placed a finger to his lips, while Brandon grinned at her from the opposite side. Codatorta began inspecting the lineup with his arms placed at his back.
"Nice." He mumbled, slowing to a tread. "Faster than usual..."
While Codatorta met the eyes of every specialist he came across, Riven smirked at his former squad mates, catching a glimpse of Stella that was blocked by Sky and Brandon's shoulders. He was playfully pushed forward by Jason, a shaggy, sun-bleached brunet, while Hawk, cursed with angry orange eyes, followed after. His laughter, soft and kind, caught Stella by surprise.
"Hey, Professor!" Riven blurted out, looking smug. "I think you missed one."
Codatorta froze in his tracks. With the tailing squads moving aside, he walked backwards and stopped directly before Sky and Brandon's flush bodies. Despite their best attempts, Stella's crown of blonde hair was still exposed.
"What's wrong, boys?" He chuckled out, suspiciously eyeing the two. "Are you cold?"
"Yes, Professor." They said with blank expressions.
Sky blinked. "We're freezing."
"Oh." He stepped closer. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Stella crouched lower, while Sky craned his neck for extra coverage.
"Skylar."
"Hmm?" Sky said, still in his awkward stance.
"Got something there?"
"This? Yeah, it's um-" He held out his necklace. "It's a birthday present."
"No, son." Codatorta said, looking over his head with ease. "Behind you."
Sky's mouth opened slightly. "Uh..."
Brandon gulped. "Behind?"
"I think so." Codatorta squinted his eyes. "Move over-"
In one firm motion, the boys were separated. Stella, still wearing Sky's aviators, remained expressionless and stiff in posture behind them. Instead of reprimanding her like she'd expected, he played along.
"State your name, cadet."
"Um." Stella stood between the boys, speaking in a comically low tone. "Stanley."
The lineup snickered. Sky closed his eyes and grinned.
"Stanley?"
"Yeah." She continued. "I'm new."
Codatorta stroked his chin. Stella puffed out her chest to match the others, trying her hardest not to smile as the man began chuckling before her.
"How much training you've got?"
"None. But don't worry, sir, I assure you-" Her voice cracked, as did her stiff pose. "I'm combat ready."
Brandon and Sky exchanged looks, hiding their laughs as they turned away.
"Not quite." Riven smirked.
"Ah, yes. Not before..." Codatorta admired his obstacle course. "...the Wyvern."
The first stage was discouraging enough-a wide-rung ladder climb, high-low ditches, and terribly narrow balancing beams. The second stage was rife with sensory deprivation, consisting of a cramped pitch-black tunnel and inclined wall slick. The third was short and sweet, but the most terrifying-two swing-laden sections across several meters of murky water, twenty feet above the ground.
"Every cadet takes on the Wyvern at some point." He crossed his arms. "Why not now?"
"Haha..." Stella returned to her normal voice. "I-I'm good, actually..."
"But Stanley?" He eagerly replied. "I insist!"
Stella removed the aviators and placed them at her collar. Growing nauseous at the prospect, she turned to her boyfriend.
"I'd owe you, like-" Sky muttered. "-fifty dates after this."
Her eyes widened. "Sky?!"
"It's easier than it looks, okay?" Brandon chipped in. "We've breezed through it plenty of times."
"Yeah! You guys!" She hissed back. "Not me, damnit!"
"Listen, the worst thing to be at Red Fountain?" Sky gripped her shoulder. "Is a coward. Are you a coward, Stell?"
"No!"
She watched as lingering cadets from the first round cleared the obstacle course and returned to the benches. They came out far dirtier than the others, now drenched from head to toe.
"Ugh-I don't know-" She recoiled as one boy hawked up mud from his throat. "Maybe..."
"Put it this way: One go at my finest creation-" Codatorta joined. "And Headmistress Faragonda hears nothing of your outing today."
He gave a wry smile. "Or any outings prior."
Stella reluctantly approached him. On his face, a look of bold persuasion.
He outstretched a large, calloused hand. "Deal?"
After contemplating her few (and unfavorable) alternatives, Stella joined hands with Professor Codatorta. A swell of cheering voices carried on behind them, and six or so squads lined up at the obstacle course's starting point. Stella did as well, weakly mimicking the stretching cadets around her. Riven walked forward and came to an abrupt stop at her side. She avoided eye contact, gazing at the arena and lofty brick castle above her. When she looked back, Riven continued his harrowing stare.
"Some space, asshole."
Riven approached her opposite side instead. Stella made an abrupt turn as he ventured closer, intentionally striking his face with hair. He let out a low, derisive laugh, and peeled blonde strands from his mouth and jaw.
"Mmm." He smiled, though it appeared more like a snarl. "Whore-ange."
"Infinite Sunset."
"Yeah." He brushed the remainder off his chest. "Same thing."
Stella groaned. She then eyed the first obstacle, a wide-rung wooden ladder, in silence. It seemed to stretch taller in her vision, higher and higher into the gray, cloudy sky.
"Gotta love the Wyvern." He teased. "Ran it three times, myself."
"Then why are you running it now?" Stella squinted. "For practice?"
"No, Stanley." Riven said, purple eyes smoldering with eerie delight. "For fun."
How ominous were his words; now the competitive leader of his own squad, she doubted any fair plays would be witnessed from him during the course's duration.
"Why not run for me, then?"
Riven scoffed. "Why would I do that?"
"Because it just so happens..." Stella mumbled. "...that I really don't want to."
"That's what you get for skipping class."
"A test, actually." She corrected. "I skipped a test."
"Just to join some three-stage hell race. Damn." He smirked. "Even better."
Jason, in all his radiant, sun-tanned glory, skipped to Riven's side.
"I'd take those flippers off, if I were you." He cracked his knuckles. "Toes would be hella more sturdy."
"Go barefoot?" She nervously shifted in her sandals. "Absolutely not."
Riven grinned, looking smug in his utility boots. Hawk, taller than both but docked by his poor posture, silently approached as well.
"Estimated time of completion, Hawk."
Hawk's strange eyes honed in on the course, seeming to visually calculate routes and inspect each obstacle for minute details. Failing to blink for a solid ten seconds, his head jerked towards the three, sporting a small grin that contradicted his harsh expression.
"Three minutes, forty-seven seconds." He blinked once. "Much quicker than last time."
Riven crossed his arms. "And what would Stanley's be?"
"Riven-"
Hawk looked her up and down, lingering on her sandals before eyeing the course once again. Another stare was made, in much longer duration. Without saying anything, Riven and Jason had already begun to laugh.
"Um." Hawk flashed Stella a worried glance. "Should I say it?"
"Be patient with her, gentlemen!" Riven spoke to the surrounding squads. "She might take a while!"
"No I won't!" Stella retorted. "He's lying!"
He looked up at the ladder. "Guess we'll find out."
"Don't worry, Stanley." Jason said, raking his hair into a tiny ponytail. "If you fall, I'll totally catch you."
Riven snorted. "I won't."
Everyone made their final starting preparations, restraining back hair and hiking up sleeves to their shoulders. Codatorta cleared his throat and pulled a brass whistle from his pocket.
"Alright, cadets!" He glanced at Stella. "On your marks!"
Stella fixed her posture. Riven and his squad-mates marched their way towards empty climbing spots. He let out a girly moan and swiped invisible hair past his shoulders, eliciting a few mocking laughs from the others.
"Get set!"
She looked to her left. Sky stood at the course's outskirts, bearing nothing but the most encouraging of smiles. She quickly tossed back his aviators, which were caught and placed over his eyes. Stella's level of enthusiasm remained non-existent, but she was happy to have his support, nonetheless.
With a blow of Codatorta's strident, high-pitched whistle, droves of eager boys began to climb. Stella was thankful for her height as she grabbed the first rung, and even more thankful that her vertigo stabilized as she reached the ladder's apex. She watched as Riven, Jason, and Hawk all maneuvered their way over and down with ease.
"Down, Stell!" Sky shouted.
She descended the rungs, taking a seconds-long breather before running towards the next obstacle. Squad #537 hurdled from ditch to ditch, hollering as they went. Other cadets ran past her, taking risky leaps that left some struggling to pull themselves out again.
"Momentum!" Sky cupped his mouth, catching up to her position at the Wyvern's perimeter. "Gain momentum!"
"What?!" Stella yelled back.
"Back up, then run!"
An agile cadet soon demonstrated for her, reversing his steps before hurdling forward towards the other side.
"Oh!"
She repeated the movement, almost laughing at her bouncing bangs. Down, up, and over, in quick repetition, until she rolled off the final platform. Her progress had garnered quite a few supportive onlookers, including Codatorta himself. He clapped, nodding his head and looking impressed.
Next were the narrow beams, which stole the joy from Stella's face. In a display of typical arrogance, Riven walked the rest of his beam's length facing the opposite way, maintaining his balance and lightning speed. He winked at Stella, doing a flippant bow before dashing away. Jason waved goodbye, and Hawk impatiently tapped his wrist shortly after him.
"Damnit, cadets! Pick up the pace!" Codatorta joked. "They're getting away again!"
Nothing terrible lay beneath the beams; just dirt and shadows five feet below. Stella shuffled forward, sticking out her arms. Approaching the center made her reconsider the obstacle entirely.
"You've got it!" Sky yelled in reassurance. "Don't worry!"
But it felt like she didn't. Her body began veering too far right, causing a swell of nervous outcries. On an impulse, Stella cartwheeled to correct herself and cleared the remaining section. She couldn't help but laugh afterwards, and neither could the relieved crowd.
"Nice one, babe!" Sky chuckled out.
Stella beamed. "Thank you!"
The pitch-black tunnels descended deep into the ground, echoing the grunts and shouts of the boys entering it. When Stella did, it was just as advertised-cramped, cluttered, and devoid of light. The only exception was the brief glow of Riven's purple eyes, who guided his squad mates towards the surface. For him, the tunnels required minimal effort.
With only her pawing hands to guide her, Stella crouched and crawled through the darkness. She traveled up the sides, shifting her position whenever her path became blocked. It was a tedious process, one quickened by the sound of an entering cadet.
Her hands quickly braced the area in front of her. In its center was a round open space, and if anything, the exit. Just as her claustrophobia reared its head, Stella crawled through and once again greeted the light of day.
"There she is!" Codatorta bellowed. A larger group of voices cheered.
Sky, and now Brandon, waved and bounced around nearby.
"You're doing great, Princess!" Brandon called out. "Keep going!"
The wall slick stood before her, now a current disaster of shouts, shoe squeaks, and entwined legs. Riven, well-equipped, gathered traction in a zig-zagging path towards the top. Hawk and Jason weren't as successful, causing him to outstretch both of his hands in assistance.
"Come on now, boys!" Riven teased. "Even Stanley's catching up with us!"
Jason was right; the smooth outer soles of her sandals offered little grip. The idea of going barefoot continued to repulse her, but so did the sea of writhing cadets she was sliding towards. Stella looked to her boyfriend for suggestions.
"You have to take 'em off!" Sky gestured to catch. "Throw them to me!"
Reluctantly, she chucked off her sandals. One landed in Sky's grasp, but the other went flying towards Brandon's face. The crowd gasped as he cowered and groaned in pain.
"Brandon! Shit-" Stella shouted while slipping downward. "Are you okay?!"
Riven laughed, pulling Hawk up beside him. After rubbing his face, Brandon straightened in posture. He raised the sandal into the air.
"Got it!" His left eye winced uncontrollably.
The crowd cheered once more.
Stella sighed with relief, before mimicking Riven's diagonal movement towards the top. Upscaling was brief, and soon enough her feet lost traction. She reached for the summit platform and missed, but surprisingly, her body remained in place. Looking above, she watched Jason kindly hoist her upwards.
"See?" He said as she climbed beside him. "Told you!"
Riven and Hawk stood impatiently nearby.
"So you're helping me now?" Stella teased. "How sweet."
"For the first-" Riven grabbed Jason by the hem of his tank. "-and last time."
"That's a thirteen second offset, guys." Hawk muttered. "We can't afford another."
Jason, grinning like an idiot, was yanked towards the next obstacle. Stella followed the cadets that barreled past her, ultimately reaching the Wyvern's high, rope-draped final stage. The landing platforms were wide in diameter, contrasting the narrower platforms of the center. This caused a funneling effect, where boys slammed into each other due to lack of space.
Codatorta pinched his nose bridge, closing his eyes from viewing the chaotic scene. Squad #537 strategized while the commotion continued.
"The more that fall off-" Riven chuckled out, watching a swimming cadet. "-the more space we have."
Jason watched the several that remained. "What if they don't fall?"
It was at that moment that Riven and Stella made eye contact.
"Push them."
Hawk shrugged and nodded, while Jason rubbed the nape of his neck. Stella's vertigo returned in full force as she approached the platform's edge. A brief look down made her shuffle backward, admiring her bronze pedicure in the process.
"Stella!" Sky called out.
"Honey-" Stella frantically shook her head. "This one's a little-"
"I know!" He replied. "It sucks!"
Brandon took his ponytail down. "Close your eyes, if you have to!"
"Close my eyes?" She mumbled to herself. "Ugh..."
As the starting platform dwindled in cadets, Stella secured a free rope. She gave it the tightest of grips, latching on with three points of contact. A strange feeling of embarrassment overcame her while doing so. For once, she hated the watching sets of eyes.
"Come on, Stanley!" Codatorta bellowed out again, inciting a chant. "You can do it!"
With her eyes closed shut, she swung forward. Her hair caught the breeze, and three seconds airborne had her yelping in fear. It wasn't like flying-not like her fairy wings. She was actively slipping, and friction from the rope fibers burned her hands and feet.
Sky violently shook Brandon's shoulders. "She's doing it!"
Incoherent cheers rang out around her, some close in proximity. But these turned into panicked yells as she landed on the midpoint platform. Or, as most onlookers would've said, crashed.
A cadet was forced off, cursing as he went. When Stella opened her eyes, rippling waves marked his location twenty feet below.
"Ah!" She teetered on her feet. "I'm so sorry!"
From the murky depths came magenta hair, followed by a seething gray face to match. A combination of shock and amused chattering started among the spectating crowd. Riven glared at her, and he wiped his face clear of residual muck.
"Nevermind!" She called out to him.
As the swinging frenzy continued, his squad mates emerged.
"Do you want us to come get you?" Hawk positioned to dive, as did Jason.
"Nope! No!" Riven's eyes widened. "Do not-"
Seconds later, they joined him. He recoiled at the surrounding splashes.
"Shit, it's cold!" Jason yelled. "Should've warned us, man!"
Hawk's face bobbed out of the water, swallowing a large mouthful on accident.
"Hmm." He muttered, smacking his lips. "Refreshing."
Riven sighed. His wet face formed a hopeless grin.
"Damnit."
The second swing was a cakewalk in comparison, as was her final landing. Others congratulated her as they passed, patting her shoulders and giving compliments that were drowned out by the cheering crowd. She didn't bother climbing all the way down-Sky awaited her below with open arms. She dropped without fear, and began nuzzling into him as they twirled and laughed.
"Insane!" Brandon said behind him, leaning over on his knees. "Insane, Stell!"
Red, angry-looking blotches had formed near his left brow.
"Damn..." She said apologetically. Sky placed her down. "Is your eye okay?"
"It is-" Brandon patted around his left eyelid. "-still intact!"
"You've maimed my poor squire, Stell." Sky teased.
"Don't worry, man." He pretended to tear up. "I'm still beautiful!"
"Well done, Stanley!" Codatorta stomped forward, along with a host of applauding cadets. "Or, should I call you-?"
"Princess Stella, sir." A strong arm wrapped around Stella's shoulders. "My girlfriend."
Codatorta feigned surprise, widening his eyes and discreetly nodding his head towards her for confirmation. When Sky reciprocated the look by nodding back, the man crossed his humongous arms and gave the couple the warmest of smiles.
"She's the best one."
Sky rolled his eyes, fake-laughing at yet another one of Codatorta's girlfriend jokes. Stella was flattered, regardless.
"Good, 'cause there's only one, sir." Sky raised a shaky index finger. "One!"
"Really? Hm." He said sarcastically. "I did not know that..."
He turned on his heels towards the Wyvern's starting point, boys jogging behind him in his wake. With no new squads joining for the afternoon, he pulled from previous runners to start a final obstacle course run.
"Alright!" Codatorta bellowed, rubbing his hands. "Who's up for Round Three?!"
Eager cadets lined up to start. Riven and his squad mates pulled themselves onto land, unlacing and draining their shoes of water. An annoyed glance was given, one which softened into reluctant approval. Producing a single clap in her honor, he carried his boots towards the wide-rung ladder. After slipping, he quickened his pace.
Stella hugged Sky one last time, wrapping her arms around his torso. She felt different now-invigorated and capable. After accomplishing a feat as awe-inspiring as this, her fear towards taking Palladium's test seemed so trivial in comparison.
Gazing up, she saw him remove his aviators. He secured them to her forehead, gently stopping her when she tried to give them back.
"Keep them." He said close to her ear. "They look better on you, anyway."
Their game of compliments began, continuing until they grew deliriously happy in each other's arms.
"So..." Stella rested her head on his chest. "About those dates."
"Yeah?"
"All fifty of them."
Palladium's class had concluded, marked by Stella's strange absence, and Musa's well-orchestrated (and unintentional) trainwreck of a test. The Winx girls returned to the apartment some time after, sporting a mix of worried and amused faces. Bloom's face appeared the most worried as she approached Stella's closed bedroom door.
She placed an ear to it, hoping to find Stella sleeping beneath her silken covers. Or even to hear her dramatic wailing, as opposed to complete and utter silence. But something odd was heard instead-giddy, songful humming.
Bloom knocked. The door, already unlocked, creaked open.
Curiously, she entered.
An unexpected but typical scene-Stella, hair pinned up and bed piled high with shopping bags, danced obliviously in front of her floor-length mirror. She draped one sparkly dress over her body after the other, all the while smiling at her bouncing reflection. Over her eyes glinted a pair of shiny aviator glasses.
"Guys?"
Bloom turned and viewed the bedroom's entrance. Her spying roommates stood nearby, also gawking at Stella's miraculous reappearance.
"I think I found her."