Chapter 34: Another Convergence

Jewellyn walked with Mayei out to Companion's field. Her long, curly brown hair glittered in the sunlight. Out in the distance a little ways it was clear the Induction Ceremony was soon to begin. She began to wonder about herself; being confused with these inner conflicts while at the same time trying to manage her empath skills was a bit difficult..

:I'm so upset with myself. I feel almost less than human for feeling the way I do about Aine. And it's all because of Fenix? What in Valdemar's name is wrong with me? I say to myself I won't act that way when I see Aine, that I won't act like a three year old just deprived of her toys. Yet-:

:You act in ways you promise yourself you won't, despite all your noble efforts at self control. You are frustrated; you feel that somehow it is a mortal sin to behave like a human being. You are not a Goddess.: Mayei's strong muscular form, along with her silk white mane and the sweeping thrash of her long, graceful tail, almost seemed to glow in the rich sunlight

Jewellyn's hackles rose a little bit hearing this blunt declaration from her Companion. She turned around to look at Mayei, who was now grazing. This time she spoke out loud, "Mayei, I really could do without the cold hard truth."

:Again, I am not unusually fond of chiding you, Chosen. That will be the last you 'hear' of it from me for quite a while. The future will come soon enough and you will deal with it.:

Jewellyn looked at her Companion imploringly. :Okay Mayei, tell me this, are there any good qualities about me?

Mayei rose her handsome head up from her grazing, trying her best to look as if she was in deep thought. :Well now let me see... I'll think of something.: Mayei's deep blue eyes twinkled at Jewellyn.

Jewellyn placed her hands on her hips, stared directly at Mayei and said out loud again, "Well Mayei are you through thinking, can't you think of anything?" she asked with an edge of irritation to her voice.

:You tell me Chosen, what are your good qualities, surely you must know better than I:

Jewellyn looked up at the sky as if expecting an answer to somehow fall down to her from up there. :Now let's see...wait...I'll think of something...: All the sudden Jewellyn burst out laughing, placing her hands on her knees, "Mayei what is it about you, you always make me laugh and you are so sly about it." She continued laughing, gasped and said, "Mayei, like I said before, you are so weird!"

Mayei returned to her grazing. :I will refrain from commenting at that statement Jewellyn, Xirthan is nearby and most likely will make me the butt of his joke again.:

Jewellyn couldn't help but laugh a little more.

Fenix and Aine, along with their Companions Aerali and Xirthan respectively, made their way out to Companion's field. As they drew near to Jewellyn and Mayei, they tried to appear as nonchalant as possible. It seemed that lately whenever they were together there was quite the tension in the air, whether anyone spoke or not. And for a while no-one did speak.

They all remained a little distance apart, and Aine began to brush Xirthan's coat.

:Oh if I could purr I surely would be doing that now.:

Aine first brushed the exposed parts of his coat, then worked her way underneath the tack.

Fenix gazed up from adjusting Aerali's bitless bridle, and noticed Aine brushing Xirthan's coat with her left hand, which even still, was slightly bandaged up from that incident at Knoll's Ridge. Fenix began to feel a little anxiety and unease being reminded of that affair. He now had developed a little affection for Aine—no. It felt more like he was on the borderline of obsession. He even fantasized a what life would be like with her, yet...'If I act like a berserker again surely she would keep her distance from me,' he thought to himself. Fenix was very aware of how quickly his anger could turn into violence. He didn't have to have a muscular build, and despite his serene appearance he could do serious injury to someone. He was ashamed of this tendency of his to so quickly phase into mindless violence, and he tried to repress it as best he could.

:There must be some way to channel all that power into something good as well, just imagine what you could do then, perhaps this will all be a good thing.:

Though Aerali was feeling optimistic, Fenix was not.

:Perhaps if you go over and talk to Aine, it will help you to feel better about the whole affair.: Aerali knew Fenix would learn about life over time, but she figured that right now a little prompting wouldn't hurt.

:I was just thinking the same thing Aerali, perhaps I can summon up the courage.: Then, thinking to himself, But maybe I'm just imagining she likes me, perhaps her charm works that way on everybody.:

Nonetheless, Fenix began to walk in Aine's direction, passing by Jewellyn who offered a pleasant smile at him. I hope at this time she decides not to walk or talk with me, I like her, yet now is not the time.

There were a few suspenseful seconds but Jewellyn remained where she was. Fenix looked back and Jewellyn was still smiling at him. He tried to offer a smile in return but Fenix felt the smile fall off of his face rather quickly. He quickly turned around and drew near to Aine.

"Hi there Fenix, are you nervous about the Ceremony?" Aine flashed that soul melting smile of hers at Fenix.

Fenix wasn't really too anxious about the ceremony at all. And sure enough, he felt Aine's magic working on him. He took in a deep breath, somehow managed a comfortable smile and asked, "Well, not really. Are you?" Fenix quickly realized he was being 'dumb' with his conversing again. I'm not going to score any points this way with her that's for sure. he thought to himself.

She continued smiling, still looking up at Fenix. "Yes actually I am Fenix. I've been here for a little while yet I feel a little anxious about making a good impression. I don't want people to think I'm socially inept."

This statement caused Fenix to raise his eyebrows. 'Her not making a good impression, her being socially inept?' Fenix tried to stifle the laughter bubbling up within him, yet he laughed a little and said, "I think you've made quite the impression on me."

Aine cocked her head to the side, smiled brightly at him and said genuinely, "Why, thank you." Oh gods! That's all you could say? Thank you! She silently reprimanded herself.

Fenix blushed a little. That came out wrong. I had meant to say that I was quite certain she makes a good impression on everybody. He felt the unease within returning, rising to the surface again. He watched Aine's bandaged hand as she brushed Xirthan. He still felt a little guilt about that whole incident.

Jewellyn pretended to not be listening, but her radar-like ears perked up when she heard Fenix say. 'I think you've made a good impression on me.' Her emotions began to churn a little. She tried to contain herself but couldn't. Mayei was still grazing nonchalantly as Jewellyn walked over to where those two were. She drew nearest to Aine.

Fenix simply looked at Jewellyn. Aine smiled at Jewellyn and said brightly and innocently, "Well it's about time you came over here. I was hoping we all could have a nice chat here before we go parade ourselves around the place." Aine laughed a little and said as she looked at Jewellyn, "Fenix here has been praising me, despite my beliefs and insecurities he thinks I make a good impression on him. I was worried a little about making a good impression on everyone. I thought I would be too nervous, personally. What do you think, Jewellyn? Are you nervous about making a good impression there?"

Fenix felt himself shrinking, if he could have melted into the ground right on the spot there he would have done just that.

Jewellyn felt her temperature rise a little. Right now I feel like making a good impression right on your face! Instead she forced herself to smile and said, "Of course who wouldn't? But I'm not nervous at all really. Being self assured comes naturally for me." She blinked at Aine.

Aine felt a little sting of intimidation there. If Jewellyn was trying to be pleasant she didn't succeed at all with the tone in her voice. She wanted to ignore her statement but found herself saying, "Well you don't have to be arrogant about it, I was just striking up some conversation here, we are all friends are we not?"

"Of course, but it depends on how much favor one earns by 'brown-nosing' up to the other person. And...whether or not it's spread out evenly, right? Jewellyn blinked at Aine yet again.

:Well, this doesn't look good: Xirthan's nostrils flared.

Aine stopped brushing Xirthan. The other Companions could feel the electricity in the air. Aine squinted at Jewellyn and with a tight lip said, "If you're trying to get me into a fight, forget it! What is it with you acting so immature all the sudden? There was a time when we helped each other, remember?"

This prompted Jewellyn to slap Aine right in the face. Oddly, despite her surpise at being slapped, Aine noted that Jewellyn's eyes became a bit misty.

Aine quickly turned her face back to Jewellyn with the kind of glare no one wants to see; and spoke with a low tone in her voice, "Commit to memory what I am about to tell you: I am a person who will forgive once, but upon the second transgression you will see a side of me I would rather not show. Do this again, and I will show you no mercy. Do you understand?"

Jewellyn said nothing, trying to regain some of her composure, but at the same moment, almost scared. She just nodded her head in the affirmative at Aine's stern request.

Fenix was looking at no-one. He wanted to say something, but couldn't think of anything under the circumstances.

Finally, Aine went from ice-shattering to her old self again, broke the silence and said, "Come on let's go, we have a Ceremony to go to!"

And with that, they all silently went with their Companions towards the Collegium, where in a large center garden court the ceremony would take place.

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Koromiel: OMG I'm back! It's good to be editing again! Amidst all the chaos, I am finally moved, comfortable, and getting on with life and a 40hr a week job. ) So hopefully things will be going a bit quicker here...and updates shouldn't be so far and few between. So as always, reviews are appreciated and it's good to be back!