Surrendering To The Rhythem
Act 2 Part 1
Despite her best effort, Musa finds it impossible to escape the stormy green eyes.
Impossible to escape him.
He's in her specialist training as one of the upper class mentors, Musa really would like to know who thought Riven had a nurturing bone in his body and thought it was safe to entrust students lives with him; and in her specialism, he stays clear of all "mind fairies" thank god; and in the usually abandoned science library, since when has he even given a rats ass about botany?
It just seems impossible to ignore him. Instead she tries to just forget the events. Except the training grounds are right by that damn pillar and it really doesn't help that the very next day Silva calls her over to that very same corner to talk to her about her numbers and she can't even look her professor in the eye, as he stands on that exact spot.
As if she's not having a hard enough time, who decides to walk up? but the very person she's desperately trying to avoid of course.
And Musa's beginning to think she must have been a warlord in a past life because why else would the universe torture her like this?
She senses him before she hears him. His chaotic mind is so loud that everyone else's emotions seem like a dim ember compared to his.
"You wanted to see me?" he drawls, sounding like he would rather be anywhere but here and not caring in the least that he just interrupted a conversation, albeit one that was going poorly, but still.
Musa tries desperately to muster up annoyance rather than concentrate on his voice. But only because it's rude to interrupt and certainly not because his voice causes her to flashback to last night and this very spot where he-focus she berates herself. Despite her best effort though Musa can feel her cheeks heating up. Thankfully the two specialists are too focused to notice her.
"Riven, I just saw your team. The objective of it all is for your group to keep other people alive, how are they supposed to do that when they're barely surviving your training "
"Did any of them complain?" and despite Riven's pseudo calm tone, Musa thinks there'll be hell to pay if the answer is yes and so she sends a silent prayer to Silva hoping the man has enough sense to not name names.
"You know they didn't. But I'm telling you to give them a break"
"The burned ones won't give them a fucking break" his voice is even and hard and oddly sincere and Musa can detect hints of concern seeping out of him.
"Riven-" but it's as though Riven has finally seen her because the instant he catches her eyes, it's like he suddenly can't get away fast enough.
"Fine, I'll go easy on them. It's not my fucking neck if they cant handle themselves out there"
He storms off, and Musa's surprised when she hears a worried sigh escape the hardened specialist master. She can feel concern and fondness emit from her teacher as he watches one of his star pupils retreat. Musa had never really thought Silva really cared for Riven beyond his work as a student and his friendship with Sky.
When Silva does finally turn to her Musa hopes he hasn't seen her glowing eyes, but she's not sure. She has enough sense to repeat the number he wanted her to know back to him and promises to work on improving them, hoping to be dismissed.
"You ok? Silva asks after a pause and she must be very out of it for him to be checking in on her.
"Yeah, just getting a bit hot"
It's a horrible deflect and she can't believe she's blaming the weather, it's barely passing as pleasant. She scurries off as demurely as she can but for the rest of the week if she so much as looks at that stupid pillar and she's transferred back to that night.
Musa really does try to put it all behind her, god knows she has other things to worry about. On top of the rumors and her struggles learning how to fight, she has midterms to study for her regular fairy classes and friends that she feels she's been neglecting.
Her hyper-awareness of him loses its edge, in that she becomes more fascinated in him than, well, that night.
But even that she tries to push down. And for a spell she thinks is working, she stops actively looking for him in every room. She already knows this guy, and so convinces herself that her 'curiosity' is unfounded. She already knows Riven he's an ass, what else is there to know. The specialist is as he ever was, a jerk and an outcast... Maybe a hot one but that's it.
But that pretense is pretty much shot to hell a couple of days later when despite all her backtracking and avoidance and self-convincing she witnesses a rather peculiar encounter that intrigues her further.
She's on her way to her combat training, It's early in the morning and she's not an early person even more so now with her nightly runs and midterms right around the corner. She's running late, skipped breakfast and her morning has all the promises of a rough day.
She fully expects to have to do a sheepish walk amidst the mats of people already practicing so she's surprised to see that almost everyone's congregated around one mat; where, from sounds of sword clashing with swords, an intense fight is taking place.
Sometimes the upperclassmen would show earlier before the sun rises to practice before their other classes, why put yourself through that kinda torture? Musa's not really sure.
So she's even more surprised to find that the person in the ring is Riven fighting Willis, a third-year who cuts an imposing figure.
They must have been at it for some time, their shirts are drenched through, sticking to them, not that Musa really spends that much time taking in the tightly wound muscle they reveal, and sweat is literally dripping from them. Not to mention despite both sides being lifelong students of combat, they're panting heavily.
She doesn't need to be an empath to see frustration clearly seeping from Willis as his eyes are practically dripping with disdain as they bear down on Riven.
Riven, Who seems to be reveling in the anger he's provoking up as he smirks back with a broad cheshire smile. It's hard not to be impressed by the way he's carrying himself, there's is arrogance, it's Riven, of course there's arrogance. But now as a student trying to master the same art he's so effortlessly displaying, Musa begrudgingly thinks it's well earned, as she watches his movements.
He reminds her of a panther or an alley cat. Willis is bigger in both weight and height, he's one of the biggest specialists on campus really, but Riven makes up for it in finesse. His movement is all calculated, and so when he strikes it's with purpose. And despite the lack of comparative strength the verberation that ripple through Willis's defense, the way his shield wobbles and vibrates show the sheer force that Riven is wielding.
She hears the murmurs that Riven's losing, as Willis uses his shield to body slam Riven off of himself when he's pushed to the corner, bets are silently placed and Musa can understand why the onlookers think that. But despite taking the hit, Riven falls into the hit and rolls backward landing crouched on his feet rather than sprawled on his back. That damned smirk still in place. As if that alone doesn't piss off Willis, Riven taunts his opponent like he's not panting for his life too.
"You're not looking too hot Willis." Riven's croons still crouched, swords ready to strike but he doesn't make a move, holding still like he has all the time in the world
"You sure you don't want a break? Maybe I can get that pink-haired fairy of yours- what was her name-"
"Shut Up!" Willis barks, color rising in his already flushed face.
Riven laughs mockingly, swinging his swords in a low circular figure as if he's just warming up as he rises "Why? Am I distracting you?"
"Will you quit it?"
"That's not what your sister asked me last night when-" With a roar Willis attacks, bringing down his sword, again and again, and again, each blow harder and fiercer than the last.
Pushing Riven to the edge of the circle, his dueling sword acting as his only shield against Willis's brute assault. Just as Willis tries to deliver a final blow Riven ducks around and delivers a condescending but painful hit to his opponent's knee with the side of his weapon, causing Willis's knee to buckle.
Riven's bouncing on his heels and while he still has a taunting and careless smile, he's clearly aware of Willis. He's not at all losing, Musa realizes with a start, he's tiring out his opponent.
And sure enough, it takes one fake jab to distract Will before Riven swings his leg out and sweeps the bigger specialist off his feet causing Willis to become airborne before he lands hard on his back with Riven's sword at his neck.
The speed of Riven's attack, the sound of Willis's fall, and the shock of his win to most of the onlookers causes a quiet pause to fall over the crowd before slowly people begin to murmur.
Musa's not sure what she expects but she finds herself left reeling and grappling with a sudden mental void, and it takes her a moment to realize it's not coming from her. Someone loud has gone quiet, Riven's mind has gone quiet.
The chaos that she's coming to associate with Riven is suddenly, for one moment entirely sated and calmed. It's only for an instant and before she can even fully process it, the chaos comes rushing back so fast that Musa thinks she's imagined it.
"You enjoying yourself down there Will?" Riven's words are more of a joke than a taunt as he breathes out in heavy short hard gasps, but his tone is low and he is smirking clearly proud in his victory as if his ego needed any more bolster Musa thinks.
"Fuck you" Willis groans. As he rolls over to his side, most of the crowd begins to disperse. Riven approaches the fallen specialist, walking a little gingerly and Musa bets the foot he used to kick Willis with has sustained a hit at the very least and offers a hand. Willis looks like he loathes to take it but after a pause clasps the offered hand and lets Riven help him up.
The crowd has all but dispersed and Musa starts to walk off, still studying him. Riven's hand is still clasped with Wills and the older warrior is talking in a low hushed tone. Pausing every so often to breathe, and what's more, he has Riven's rapt attention an incredible feat, as the younger specialist gives subtle nods on occasion.
Musa would love to know what's being said and her steps linger for a moment until she sees Riven tense and she can feel awareness spike in him and so she quickly looks away right before he starts looking around.
She's sure he didn't see her studying him but as she begins to head her own way, for one instance she swears she can feel his eyes on her back.
The empath shakes her head as she's about to reach the mat belonging to the group she's assigned to this week, Silva has her rotating with all the groups since she'll never be a core part of any of them, his philosophy being that she may as well learn something from each one.
Her new group's mat is of course right next to the team Riven's mentoring, but it's what she hears that catches her attention.
"Look he's mental-" One of the first-year specialists with dark brown skin and short-cropped hair mutters, If Musa remembers correctly her name's Vesper and she's currently holding the highest rank in their class.
"Understatement of the century V" a bespectacled blond specialist named Timmy responds from his position stretching on the ground, the group is all warming up but clearly more attuned to the conversation they're having than their exercise.
"Yeah but, shit- if you tell him I said this I will cut off a finger I swear- but we've gotten better." Vesper pushes
"A lot better" Timmy conquers quickly letting out a sigh and Musa sees the others in the group begrudgingly nod.
The mind fairy begins stretching too, not wanting to be caught and frankly this is none of her business but Musa honestly just can't seem to tune them out.
Resignation and respect are prominent in the group. It's an interesting combo of emotions, but the second is stronger and it's beginning to morph into a third emotion, determination.
"Look Silva's not said anything but he will, now I'll tell him whatever we agree on but I need to know what to say. So are we all good in keeping him?" Vesper pauses as she stretches some more before she continues "If anyone disagrees that's ok, but you gotta speak up in the next 60 seconds cause he's coming" she continues looking far too calm compared to how she's feeling, a quick peek and sure enough, Musa sees that Riven heading toward the mat.
Vesper's voice picks up speed. "Anyone? Aldrich? Lydia" they all subtly shake their head no as Vesper looks to each of them.
The last member to be asked is a blue-haired specialist on the left, he swears under his breath as Vesper looks at him a beat longer but he too shakes his head no.
"He's a major pain, but I finally pinned fucking Ericson yesterday. I'm not giving that up"
They're choosing to stay with him, Musa realizes, Riven's group doesn't want things to change. And they're willing to actually fight to have him be their mentor, to learn from him.
"Alright pets, how's your morning today?"
Riven's entire group freezes at the sugary greeting he offers as he drops his bag without a care. Looking like spooked rabbits they emit equal part horror and terror and the scene is so comical Musa has to bury her head into her knees to keep from bursting out laughing.
The horror the group is emitting suddenly doubles and Musa can't help peek up from her stretch and finds herself shocked too.
Riven's smiling.
Not a smirking or a half-mocking smile, but an honest to god smile is gracing his face as he's kneeling on the ground rummaging through his bag and he looks so content, dare she say happy? It's such a foreign sight that even Musa's caught off guard as she stares openly.
Mischief and satisfaction radiate prominently from him for one moment before it's all a jumbled mess again and Musa suddenly realizes the idiot knows exactly what he's doing. Though she thinks for one instance she felt fondness in his shambles of emotions too, but she can't be sure.
"I've been told to be gentler with you so here it is sunshines. This is all you get"
They all look like they might vomit or faint but as he stands, tugging on his gloves the smile slips away and he's all business again much to his group's relief.
"Silva wants us to start off with hand to hand and run the course once if we have the chance, so guess what? We are skipping his instructions because if you petals don't know what the hell you're doing by now, then, well fucking hell, you might as well drop out of school." His tone has dropped low and Musa senses his team growing serious as he speaks to them, looking each member in the eye.
"That should give us enough time to do the course twice after hand to hand. Any questions? No? Great! Follow Vesper" he doesn't actually wait to see if they're listening or following he just moves and in a strange harmonious way they move with him.
It's impressive but also bizarre and unsettling because it's Riven, he bullied Terra and Dane and god only knows how many others. He had prowled the school with Beatrix and Dane and been pretty chummy with Rosalind's cronies. How's this the same person?
She still has so many questions as her own group finally joins her and she tries to concentrate on the task at hand. But It's like she's stepping out of the twilight zone back to reality wondering what just happened?
There are new specialists and fairies that join. The waiting list to get into the school is being emptied because frankly, they need fighters. Transfer students are being sought as well and while the size of their school doesn't exactly double, it grows significantly.
Stella's not happy in the least, she's grumbling that the cafeteria is too crowded and there are too many idiots who keep asking her for directions, it intensifies her stellar mood while they're in the thick of midterms, but Musa knows there's more than just exams and new kids that is rankling the sunshine princess.
They're on the way back from breakfast. Bloom and Aisha having both skipped in favor of studying for their last midterm tomorrow, it's just Terra and Musa who are present to hear the blond's indignant speech, yet again.
Musa's mind is on the ranking test she has coming up in fighting as well as the paper she has to finish on magical creatures and she's not really paying any real mind to Stella. The empath knows the real trouble is the letters or rather the summons Stella's received from home recently demanding she returns promptly to Solaria. They talk about a royal tour during the summer and include a laundry list of demands from queen Luna. Stella has yet to respond and every day she delays is a day another letter arrives.
The blond is pretty out of it, power walking in her heels and waving her arms as she complains while juggling her books and morning latte. So when she takes a turn too quickly and slams hard into a specialist all Musa and Terra manage to do is watch in awe and shock as the latte, the books, and Stella all go stumbling down onto the specialist.
It's the brunet specialist who finally breaks the spell.
"You ok?"
"Oh my god, oh my god" Stella mutters over and over again, and that's enough to jolt everyone out of their reprieve as they all jump in to help.
Grabbing the fallen books and the now empty cup Terra and Musa look on as it's the specialist who straightens up first and then practically lifts Stella and sets the sun fairy on her feet. A move that leaves the blond feeling breathless Musa realizes with a smile. Of course, though, the princess's never been one to allow herself to be vulnerable or rattled so she lashes out, hard.
"Can you not, watch where you're going?" Stella all but snarls as she looks down at her ruined top giving the specialist her best death stare, one that usually sends people running.
The specialist though to his credit just cocks an eyebrow and digs his hand into his pocket looking absolutely unbothered.
"Sorry Princess, I'm not the one who decided to run through the halls on those sparkly death traps"
His answer is blase and challenging and Stella now looks murderous, though Musa has to hide a smile because she knows the blond takes great pride in how well she can live in her heels.
"Excuse me?"
"It's all right sweetheart no harm done. Just watch where you're going next time" He offers with a smile, looking like the calmest person in the world, without a single care in it as he turns with a condescending little wave.
But Musa's not fooled as she picks up clear lines of interest and amusement radiating off of the retreating specialist, and they're so distinct that she barely has time to read Stella's intent on going after the guy before she's clutching the sun fairies hand and tugging at her alongside Terra who keeps muttering
"He didn't mean it. He didn't mean it"
It takes all their might to hustle her into their next class.
Stella fumes for the rest of the day. But of course, the universe is never one to leave things be;
During specialism, who turns out to be assigned her partner for the day? but the same brunet specialist.
His name is evidently Brandon, he's a transfer and Musa can attest that he's very well received by the majority of fairies and specialists both male and female, considering the sudden spike of want, lust, and interest that the empath fairy suddenly has to deal with when his name is called.
Not that Brandon seems to notice as he takes his spot next to a frowning Stella, greeting her with the same easy smile he had earlier in the hallway.
"It's been too long princes"
Stella says nothing and rather chooses to ignore the specialist who takes in her reaction with a fond chuckle.
Their training is not really a disaster, but certainly entertaining, Musa thinks as she watches with amusement as they try to outdo each other. She's stuck on the sideline, again; and decides to use the time to go over her magical creatures thesis, she tunes in occasionally but Stella and Brandon make it through level after level until they are part of the final two teams.
"Alright for the last part let's switch things up, Riven pair up with Stella and Minori why don't you pair with Brandon. Take five before we start" Silva's instructions are direct as he moves to check in on one of the other teams.
As Stella moves to grab her water, Minori sidles up to Brandon offering him a bottle with a flirty smile; an offer which Brandon accepts with a tentative unsure thanks, and Musa can't help but rise and step closer toward her friend.
She knows Minori well, the whole suite does. The petite raven-haired fairy is a minor royalty from another planet and she has a nasty reputation when it comes to causing trouble for Stella, no one really sure why. And right now Musa's reading nothing but contempt and jealousy from her toward the sun princess which has her on high alert.
"Be careful who you piss off Brandon or she'll blind you, everyone knows she would be locked up if it wasn't for her title." The comment is spoken aloud, the barb clearly meant for Stella rather than Brandon, a fact that both specialists present pick up on as they look between the two fairies on the field.
Minori pauses staring at Stella as though taunting her to rise to the bait, Stella though just stares back at the girl, her look hard and cold, with her head held high, meeting the challenge, stare for stare.
On the sidelines, Musa's livid on her friend's behalf and not one to leave her friend hanging so she takes a step forward ready to back the sun fairy up. The empath wants to speak up, to defend her suitemate, but she knows despite what people think, Stella hates this sort of attention and Musa has no way of calling out Minori without causing a scene right now
So rather, Musa focuses with all her might on the petite little menace and projects fear and embarrassment easily onto her. Using her own emotional state to fuel her powers, the empath knows it's a really risky move. She's never done anything like this, certainly not over such a long distance but she's so upset and angry on her friend's behalf that she feels embolden and confident enough to try.
It only takes a second when suddenly Minori's confident sneer begins to waver before dropping entirely, another beat, and the raven-haired fairy scurries off the mat to the sanctuary her equally horrendous friends offer on the sideline.
The sunshine princess though just turns her back on the scene, pretending nothing is amiss and begins to fuss with her bag, her face is impassive, but Musa can almost physically see the fight leave Stella as her shoulders drop and visibly deflate. It's a testimony to what sort of day it's been because the blond never shows her emotions this blatantly, always on guard.
Musa won't have that, because Stella doesn't deserve this and despite being tired from her earlier stunt with Minori, the empath tries to harness her indignation and tries something positive. Channeling as much confidence and love as she can muster she projects it all toward her friend. It must work because she sees Stella visibly straighten up. This time though she hasn't done as seamless a job as before because the blond fairy looks around until she spots Musa, clearly having felt the artificialness of the emotions.
It's ok though because Stella's shoulders lift as she sends Musa a grateful smile, a gesture the empath returns wink and a smile of her own before heading back to her old spot and all but collapsing into a pile. She's tired and the sun feels so nice and warm that she can't help but close her eyes and lean back on her elbow, tilting her head back, resting if only for a moment
Stella's not sure when Riven slides up to her, or how long he's been watching until he speaks up.
"That's a nice little trick"
His musing is aloud, strangely sincere and he sounds almost impressed, his eyes roaming over Stella's suitemate who's resting in the sun unaware but Stellas thinks she must have imagined it because not a beat later and he's now looking at her when he shakes his head and declares with a sneer "This is why I don't fuck with mind fairies"
"You fuck with anything with a pulse Riven, What do you want?" And Stella's so tired she just wants today to be over, not really in the mood for Riven and his nonsense.
"You really letting that fucking twat get to you?" He scoffs with disbelief, throwing down the statement far more like a challenge, than his usual nasty commentary. And this is familiar to Stella, who tilts up her chin and gives Riven her best cavalier look.
"No one gets to me Riven" Her response is all haughty and filled with false bravado and she expects the annoying specialist to bait her again, maybe saying something cruel, but instead he shakes his head and takes another drink from his bottle, his eyes dancing with veiled approval.
"Alright last round, we've got Riven and Stella going against Brandon and Minor, we want to go through obstacle two-" Silva begins his instruction
"What is obstacle two?" it's Brandon who asks the question and it catches Stella's attention.
"Oh right, we haven't shown our new arrivals that, very well Brandon switch out with Willis and observe this round, we'll have you run it later"
She's not sure why Brandon's pulling himself out, he seemed more than capable of figuring everything else out so far with instructions so why is he asking for clarification now.
Stella is suspiciously staring at the specialist who seems so serious for the first time since she's met him and tries to figure out what he's up to now. Brandon takes another step forward as he speaks, putting space between himself and his new specialism partner.
A move that causes Minori to look quite put out and has her all but pouting. She takes a half step forward but despite her best effort Brandon keeps putting as much distance between himself and her as if he's supporting-he isn't'- surely he's not doing this because- no Stella decides just wishful thinking.
As Brandon goes to join the onlookers as Silva pulls aside Willis to give him some instructions and Stella finds that she can't stop looking at the new specialist, and wonder about what his actions meant.
Riven takes note of her interest "Any particular reason my new roommate is on your shit list?" and Stella can't help but scowl at her ex's best friend, who doesn't look the least bit bothered by her unwelcoming expression.
"He called me a princess" Stella finally mutters and her response is met with a low cackle
"You are a princess. You nearly took Sky's head off that one time he called you 'your highness' and not 'your grace'" and he's right, Stella actually remembers the instance well, not that she's willing to admit that to her partner.
"Shut up Riven"
There's another beat and Stella eye's unwillingly seek out Brandon as he's settling down, she's not sure why but she's intrigued-
"Oh, oh I see. Will you look at that, only a week in and even the princess is panting after our newest addition to our twisted family. Have to say, that must be a new record"
The drawl is all-knowing and the stupid grin he wears even more infuriating and so Stella counts to ten and then twenty before she looks Riven dead in the eye.
"I will blind you."
"No you won't" His response is nonpulsed and he's mocking her with that stupid gloating look.
"I will, kill you" She promises and this time he seems to accept her threat more. Not that it dissuades him to behave.
"Now that I believe, but so what? you have the hots for him, just jump him. He wouldn't say no''
And Stella's looking at him with murder clear in her eyes but it's like the boys made out of teflon because rather than shutting up under her scrutiny he decides to keep pushing her buttons
"Oh sorry forgot my decorum, want me to introduce you or whatever you royal lot do?"
"Riven I swear you say a word and I promise I'll sneak into your room and-
"Hmm, you promise?"
"kill-Ew! Gross!"
She's so indignant that she actually throws her water bottle at him, which he dodges easily, before stomping back to the start line in a tiff, not that it discourages the specialist in the least as he easily catches up to her.
There's a beat as Riven looks back toward the onlookers and Stella's sure he's going to make another comment about Brandon but to her surprise he says
"So what else can that little empath do?" and it's such a drastic turn from their earlier conversation that it takes Stella a second to comprehend who's he talking about
"Leave her alone Riven."
"Why? Maybe you can send her to come over, or you can both come. I can be accomodating. Matter of fact bring your whole suite over"
And as much as Stella wants to protest she finds herself laughing in disbelief
"You're such an idiot" though the insult seems to bounce off the specialist who shrugs with a ghost of a smile.
On the sideline, a sudden flair of irritation that has definite notes of jealousy catches Musa's attention and has her peeking an eye open. She's surprised to turn and find Brandon staring intently at Stella. The blond who's now smiling while talking to Riven seems oblivious to the look she's receiving.
The empath finds a strange feeling also bubbling up in the pit of her stomach at the sight of the duo talking so casually but she chooses to ignore them and rather decides to focus on the simmering emotions that the new specialist is emitting for their resident princess. And all Musa can think is-
'Huh, interesting.'
That day with Brandon and Minori is just a start of a series of terrible days that plague the girls. It's not long before it starts to feel like a bad fever dream where one stressful day just bleeds into the next, each more hectic than the last.
Midterms kick-ass, but thankfully by the grace of some higher being, the empathetic fairy manages to rank in her fighting class, not high, but rank. So she doesn't flunk out, but it's far from the high marks she achieves in her other classes. If Musa was honest though, the fear of Dowling or Silva taking her out of training is the main reason she pushes herself so hard in everything else. She's not risking them having any excuse.
By the time the last test is given and done with they're all itching to let loose and celebrate. Word around campus is that some of the upperclassmen are throwing a party in one of the abandoned guest cottages that's on school grounds and it seems like everyone's going, so why not.
Getting ready is mayhem in the best way possible.
Musa has music blasting the moment the girls make it back to their suite, while Stella takes it upon herself to pick out their outfits. Not that they get much say in the matter. Though she spends more time insulting their clothes than anything else and while the majority of the suite are happy to let her, Aisha's not a huge fan and the two almost get into a row before the night's even started.
Thank heavens for Bloom who starts pouring them shot after shot having snuck both drinks and food into their room, the girl seems to have an interesting source that is boundless. Terra ropes Aisha into doing her makeup and with Water and Sun fairy each busy with their own task the whole suite is riding a high.
The outfits Stella pulls are actually pretty damn great, the commentary not so much. As she pushes a pair of mini black leather short and a magenta one-shoulder top to Musa she mutters under her breath about her tragically limited selection and that-
"-You're single now, no reason you can't show more skin, and pair it either with your thigh high socks or boots; boots actually would be better"
Musa wants to roll her eyes because she's only ever worn stuff for herself, and Sam had never been the controlling type, had he been they'd been over much sooner; and as an empath skin touching skin usually comes with a shit ton of extra baggage but before she can even open her mouth Aisha's jumping to her defense.
"No reason she' couldn't show skin back then either" the water fairy grumbles as she's sitting on the floor applying her mascara, lips slightly parted. Stella though is nonpulsed as she turns to the girl speaking and begins with a hand on her hips
"As for you-"
"Touch my clothes and I will drench your head, and you can kiss the blowout you spent all your time on today goodbye" and the look in Aisha's eyes suggests she would do it.
"Whatever, just don't you dare wear that blue grandma skirt with those checkers. Something tight would be nice"
"Someone who dresses head to toe in tweed has no place commenting about my grandma style" Aisha calls but Stella's out the door, with a one-finger salute, the drinks already kicking in and mellowing her out.
It takes them way longer to leave the room than expected but by the time they've all leave, they're all nicely buzzed looking "fucking fantastic" as Bloom put it so eloquently.
The curfew for weekends isn't till midnight but they leave the suite at twenty minutes past eleven, so they have to sneak out, or else they'd have to check-in before curfew to prove they're back. Sneaking out wouldn't be a problem, especially with Musa's powers, except there's so much laughing, shushing, and tripping in the dark that just getting to the party is its own sort of adventure.
The house is clearly not lived in and abandoned but the crush of people, the dancing colorful lights, and the music that can be heard from the outside makes it the perfect place to let go. At least for a couple of hours.
Musa can't help but be drawn to the dance floor, and for once she fights the urge to resist. It's packed to the brim, a complete crush of human's and their messy emotions but everyone is trying to tune into the beat and out of their head and the DJ's decent enough that most are succeeding so the empath feeds off their high and she allows herself to be swept up in the crowd.
She's missed music, missed dancing and tonight it feels like she's coming home. With the music pounding so hard that the walls are shaking, everyone on the dance floor is particularly synced with the low rhythmic base of the song that is steadily rising in tempo. It doesn't take long for the tempo to lock onto Musa's heartbeat and her body begins to move. The music takes over and she surrenders to the rhythm.
The girls join her, but they come and go, sometimes Musa turns and there is one of them in the vicinity, other times three of her roommates right by her side and they dance with each other, pure joy and silliness letting loose.
Her partners change with the beat it feels like, there are guys, too many to count, dancing up to her and matching her tempo. And she's high off the emotions that the body's around her are emitting and relaxed enough thanks to their pregame, that she embraces it. It's the first time she's been to a party this big since her break up and she has no rules about who dances with her tonight so long as they can match her beat and don't get too handsy.
She's feeling great, feeling herself, feeling alive, feeling happy in a way that she hasn't in a long time.
At one point the beat drops, it's a tad slower, more sultry and she loves the song and there's no one she's really dancing with, but she's not letting that stop her. She lets herself lock onto the beat and just move.
She is so lost in her own world, loving the fact that she can lose herself to the music that doesn't really realize she's putting on quite a show until she hears Bloom's wolf whistle. Her friends are all scattered around her in various corners and Musa becomes aware that there's a whole group in her vicinity besides them that are watching her and she laughs cheeks aflame but still unabashed. There have been eyes on her throughout the night on and off, so she had tuned them out.
As Musa turns her eyes clash and hold with familiar evergreen orbs through a small opening in the sea of people and her erratically beating heart comes to a stuttering halt.
She's transported back to that rainy night where the same eyes were filled like they are tonight, heavy with want and desire. Though now they are set on her. drinking her in. While also being lit with mischief and a thousand wicked promises. Musa feels like she's going to catch fire just from their intensity.
The crowd moves, the path closes and their connection is shattered and as the empath loses sight of him she wonders if she conjured the usually brooding specialist in her haze.
The drinks must be lighting her up and making her bolder than usual because all she can think is, let him look.
She's not doing anything wrong, she's enjoying herself and if he wants to look, well she's not going to stop him.
She doesn't really keep track or really note who she dances with, at one point a trio of third-year music fairies end up next to Musa and she finds herself half-watching half-dancing with them. They're a fun group and a definite highlight, at another point she turns and Brandon is right there and she's a little surprised that he smiles at her and she finds herself dancing with him.
It's a tad flirtatious but mostly fun, he's a good dancer but that doesn't last long as a curly haired fairy particularly launches herself at the poor specialist and Musa lets herself be pulled the other direction by the crowd because this is not a fight she wants.
It's hours later, though for her it feels like it's only been half an hour at best when she finally decides to catch a break. A quick look around and Musa can see that Stella and Terra are involved in a rather serious game of beer pong against Brandon and another specialist.
She can't find Bloom or Aisha.
"They probably went outside" Terra shouts without actually turning around, over the still booming music. Stepping into the night air is like being dunked in the icy rivers that run by their school, it makes Musa realize how deliciously exhilarated and wired she is.
There are couples sprinkled in the dark shadows surrounding the outside as well as small groups of smokers whose faces she can only see because of the orange glow of their stubs. The night is foggy and thick and for a moment Musa considers going back down to Stella and Terra but figures a look around the perimeter of the house won't hurt.
She barely makes it past the front of the house when she bumps into a frantic Aisha
"Bloom had a fight with Sky, out of nowhere- She stormed off and no one knows where she went" Aisha's not one for theatrics but she looks downright distraught as she recalls all the many places she's checked for the fire fairy without luck.
The water fairy's fear is sobering and it penetrates through the last of Musa's buzz, she hadn't stepped off the dance floor since they got to the party, and the elation she'd been riding high on all night seeps away from her.
Panic begins to really set in for the empath when she realizes how close to the barrier they are and how unfamiliar Bloom still is with the grounds. The mind fairy racks her brain trying to thinks of where to go when Aisha turns to her
"Musa, can you feel her? sense where she went" And Musa wants to laugh because 'please, as if'. but she realizes the water fairy is in earnest and so she fumbles as she responds.
"I-Aisha you know I don't know how-"
"-she's been having these nightmares and sleepwalking, we think it's Rosalind trying to mind control her. I'm worried" She looks beyond worried and Musa wants to know who this 'we' is because this the first she's heard of this; but the gravity of what she's implying hits the empath as she looks around
"Last place anyone saw her was here, you've got to try" Aisha pleads her worry only amplifying Musa's own.
The mind fairy's been trying to expand her powers with Dowling now for some time, but it's been a slow progress. Bloom needs them now though and so with a deep breath Musa thinks of the fire fairy, her suitemate, her friend, thinks of her firepower and at first, it's like she's grasping at air when suddenly she feels a wisp, like a faint scent of her friend sprinkled faintly around her.
Taking a deep breath the empath clutches to what little she feels and focus's everything she's got on the essence that lingers. Her head begins to pound and she feels doubt creep in, unsure if she can do it, but she must, her friend is trouble there is no other option-
There's a gentle purple burst from her palms that flies toward the ground where a series of glowing red footprints appear, they're remnants of Blooms aura Musa realizes with a start and they lead into the woods toward the stone circle and the barrier.
"I'm not- I'm not sure how I'm doing this" Musa stammers but Aisha is more than excited as she begins to take off with Musa hot on her heels.
"Don't overthink it, and just-don'tt stop'' It's the worst advice ever really, but it's not like there's much more to be said.
They follow the trail into the forest towards the edge of the barrier but the path goes on past the stone circle toward the waterfall and Musa has a sinking feeling in her stomach the closer they get to the water source.
"Where is she?" Musa can't help yelling when the path they were following stops on the water's edge where Bloom's blue wedges lay abandoned and Aisha's looking around them frantically but the fog makes it impossible to see much.
"Where is she?" The mind fairy repeats as her mind travels to thousands of scenarios, each worse than the last. She's about to suggest jumping into the water when-
"Listen," Aisha demands, and all Musa can hear is the water rushing,
"I don't hear-"
"No! Listen!"
It takes a second but over the roaring sound of water, there's a light laugh, almost a giggle coming from up high that causes both fairies' heads to snap up and gasp in horror.
Halfway up the side of the waterfall, on a slick round boulder is Bloom, teetering on the edge of the slick protruding stone, her red hair flickering in the wind like a fire flame, her eyes aglow and it looks to Musa like she's smiling. She wobbles on the edge and Musa's sure she's about to watch her friend plummet to her death
"Oh my god!"
AN: Hello my loves! First, can I say thank you, thank you, thank you! To all you lovely wonderful sublime people who liked, followed, and COMMENTED! Your comments were the highlight of my week!
I absolutely adore hearing what you thought, your ideas, and your suggestions. You all put a huge smile on my face and just motivated me to write faster.
And I'd love to hear what you thought of this chapter? Was it good? Bad? Did the fight scene flow well? Do we like Brandon here? What shinnagons would you like to see our main heroes get themselves into?
I'm realizing this will be a slow burn, that's my speciality evidently. But I just can't rush it. What can I say, I love a good cat and mouse chase but we've got to set the scene, set the stakes. I also love it when our heroes are dealing with more than just their relationship. I swear this was supposed to be one shot!
Also, I forgot that this website lets you see what countries people are tuning in from and I am beyond humbled that people from so many different places are reading this story but also it's so fantastic that we get to be connected by our love for this magical world.
Only other note: To my commenter, Vicky, I really do appreciate constructive criticism and your comment was so beyond sweet and detailed and I really really loved reading it. But you mentioned 'plagiarism' and I don't know if it's a typo because I promise you I write every word myself and plagiarism is a very serious thing, so I was confused about what you meant exactly. I'm not upset or anything just honestly confused and I couldn't reach you directly so sorry I'm commenting on it on here, just wanted to know your thoughts.