By.CorvidQueen
"Very good Anona, your control had greatly improved." Doe called a week later as the girl hovered a few feet above the steel floor of the large, well heated training room, wings beating both forcefully and in sync with one another.
Congratulatory applause broke out amongst those gathered, namely Rox, the twins, and Doe. It had been a week since her arrival at "the pit" and it already felt, strangely, like home. Doe, after a slightly rocky start, had ended up being one of the nicest people around. She worked with all the kids to help them gain better control of their powers. The younger kids had daily two hour sessions because their powers where still developing. Anona trained with them because she was new. The rest of the older kids had simple hour sessions. Their rest of their time was spent at local school.....for those who could. Because of her wings, Anona found herself in home schooling with Dr.Geso, which wasn't all that bad.
"Ok guys, that'll do it for today. Dinner in a little under an hour." Doe said, running a clawed hand through her hair.
Tess and Jess smiled before suddenly disappearing, leaving Rox and Anona to walk the 3 flights upstairs to where most of the bedrooms where located, theirs included.
"You did really good today. I bet you'll be flying in no time!" Rox smiled brightly as she bounced at Anona's side, gripping her hand.
Anona smiled down at the younger girl, folding her wings more closely to her back as they entered the stairwell.
"I doubt I'll be flying anytime soon." Anona responded as they reached the landing of the first flight.
"Oh." came the slightly crest fallen response. "But you will, right?"
"Someday, yes." Anona answered patiently as they reached the second landing.
The younger girl smiled again, swinging both her and Anona's arms as the mounted the last set of stairs.
"I wonder what it would be like." she said wistfully, her hazel eyes taking on a far away gaze.
Anona grinned, starting to step up onto the landing when the ground melted away and was replaced by blue sky. A sudden wind blew her hair, eyes wide as her wings flared out of reflex
"Rox!"
The stairwell suddenly reappeared, Rox looking sheepishly unnerved as Anona rubbed a tender wing tip.
"Sorry, I forgot." she apologized, offering a few ivory feathers that had fallen free.
Anona sighed crossly before relenting, tucking a feather behind Rox's ear.
"The moment I learn to fly, you'll be the first person I see. Ok?"
"You promise?" the strawberry blond asked, skepticism in her eyes, hope in her voice.
"Promise. Now go on. Dinner's soon."
Anona smiled as the nine year-old bounded down the hall and to the room she shared with Morgana. She chuckled as Morgana's voice rang out clearly.
"Roxie, what did I tell you about picking 'Nona's feathers? They're not flowers you know!"
With that, the door slammed shut.
"They may not be flowers, but you shed enough to make a jacket."
Anona looked up, only slightly surprised as Pyra strode quietly down the steps that led to the fourth and final floor where Dr.Geso and Doe's rooms where located, as well as several other rooms to which no one knew the content. Pyra had a habit of showing up when one least expected it, so Anona had learned not to be so easily startled.
"They make nice jewelry as well." she continued with a slight smile and thus presented the winged girl with a set of earrings and a necklace made up of hand painted beads and her own snow white feathers.
"Wow, you made there?" Anona breathed, otherwise speechless.
"Yea, Home Ec project. Got an A+. Figured you'd might like them." Pyra responded, handing the items over to her and continuing down the stairs. She paused at the bottom and looked back. "Even if you don't want them, you might know someone who's tenth birthday is coming up in about two days that would adore them."
With that said, the flame thrower disappeared. Anona blinked, shaking her head.
"Never ceases to amaze you."
Again, Anona found herself expecting to hear the light and vibrant voice of one gray-eyed Byron, for where ever Pyra traversed, he never seemed to be far behind.
"You didn't tell her I was still looking for a present, did you?" she asked as he climbed the last few steps to stand beside her.
"Not a word." he smiled, looking at the necklace. "She put a lot of work into those."
Anona nodded her agreement as they headed down the hall.
"She hasn't said more than a sentence to me since I got here and then does something like this. She's a puzzle with half the pieces missing."
"That's what makes her so fun." Byron grinned. "Speaking of which, there's going to be a sort of Christmas Masque at school, everyone has to come in costume. I was thinking you might be getting a little bored hanging around here, so would you like to come?"
"As what, an angel?" Anona snorted, but at the grin on his face, stopped. "Did Dr.Geso say it was ok?"
"I checked with him first thing and he gave a thumbs up." he responded, nodding.
Anona smiled.
"I would love to."
"Good then. The party is in two weeks, I'm sure the gals would be willing to get you a little something from the store." he said, taking her hand. "Till then M'lady."
Anona giggled, blushing as they parted ways, Byron entering his room and Anona continuing down the hall to hers. Her mind was an excited and slightly nervous blur, thoughts of dancing and stars and three kings floating about her head. Or at least, one king. Purple eyes glittered in anticipation as she entered her room, only to find her clock glaring almost admonishingly at her. Nearly six, only half and hour till dinner. She still had to preen! Anona stopped in the middle of her room, eyebrows raised. She felt her laughter rise, an irresistible tide of sad joy. There had been a time when "preening" simply meant combing her hair and washing her face before heading out. A faint grin still traced her lips after her laughter subsided, hands gently undoing her pony tail and letting black curls fall about her face. Now, it was all just like-
"Any other day."