Fenice

by GossipQueen2000

"I'm not looking to take on your issues, or your sins. They're not mine to deal with, not mine to absolve. I'm not here to save you either. I'm barely treading water in case you haven't noticed...I know you have demons, hell I have my own. and I'm not saying I'm going to fight yours for you. But if you decide to stop being an ass take them on, I swear I'll have your back."

4. Self Made Prison

Self Made Prison

Act 3 Part 1

The first thing Musa' sees early Monday morning as she walks onto the training ground is Silva speaking to Riven.

Even if the curved dagger wasn't causally being held by the specialist master, Musa would have still known that she's the topic of conversation from the way Riven's gaze bounces to her over their teacher's shoulder. And that's all the warning the empath needs to keep her head straight.

Acting as if she's not noticed them, not felt the suspicion and curiosity emitting ten folds from her instructor even when she can clearly see Silva in her periphery turning and studying her.

The mind fairy desperately tries to ignore them, to keep her head down and be as unobtrusive as possible. If there's something she has faith in, it's Riven's ability to wiggle his way out of trouble and the best way she can help him right now is by not drawing any more attention to herself.

She's on her way to meet her new group for the next two weeks when she's suddenly intercepted. And Musa's prepared for a lot of things: Silva calling her over, her new team being less than thrilled to see her, hell even Rosalind suddenly attacking; anything really.

Anything, but revisiting that rainy evening all those months ago.

Because while she's been very much aware of Riven recently, even though she's still not ready to fully admit it even to herself, she's honestly forgotten about that night, mostly. So when a blond specialist suddenly blocks her path she's more than a little confused at first

"Hey listen, I've been looking for you"

It's Asena; A third year and Musa's knows about her because she's a badass when it comes to long-distance shooting and the mind fairy never really seen her or spoken to her before but there's something so familiar about her aura-

It clicks with a start and all Musa can think is: Fuck.

She was the girl from that night. The blond waves, the one who was riding-

The empath shakes her head trying to get the image out. Asena looks at her with pleading eyes with anxiety rolling off of her in spades but she's moving so calmly that it's perplexing really. and Musa about to ask what's wrong when-

"Asena! The hell are you doing?"

Theron is a sexist asshole with roving eyes and far worse wandering hands, and Musa's already endured rotation with a team he mentors and had more practice keeping him at a distance than any other defense for those two weeks. So she clearly understands Asena's plight and beseeching look instantly. Putting on her best bitch face Musa stares down the older specialist.

"Theron. She's clearly training with me today. What do you want?"

"Shut up pixie, know your fucking place. Shouldn't you be kissing Dowling's ass or something? Asena supposed to work with me" His eyes rove over the empath's figure as he sneers, making Musa's skin crawl.

Some of the other specialists stop and tune in clearly hearing the insult, but the mind fairy is too used to the snide remarks to let it slow her down and she certainly won't back down. Turning to fully face the red-headed pervert, she senses more than sees Asena squaring right up with her-

When a rogue staff hits Theron upside the head hard, causing the bully to stumble

"What the fuck?" Theron roars as he turns clutching his head

"Whoops it slipped," Riven's words are dry as sand and his eyes look unapologetic though his half-smirk still in place as he twists the staff expertly and lets the weapon rest on his shoulders casually before he adds "You're needed by Silva"

"But-"

"You want to stay here and get your ass chewed out by this lot for being a twat or go see what Silva wants because either way it's a good show for us and not my life on the line" Riven words make Theron straighten up and take stock of the scene he caused and it's then that Musa also realizes several of the specialists have stopped and are openly glaring at Theron.

Of course, the older specialist sneers at both Musa and Asena and spits at their feet before retreating, cursing as he goes.

"Never took you for the rescuing type"

The words out of Musa's mouth before she even realizes it though her voice is even with just a bit of teasing. She needs to stop baiting him, and she should not be so pleased when she sees the small smirk Riven gives as they all watch Theron's retreating form.

"Never took you for the type to need rescuing" Riven volleys back his eyes lighting up and locking with the empaths. Musa cocks an eyebrow at his challenging tone because she can tell he's referring to the past weekend and their little adventure with Bloom and that's not something they should even allude to after all the work they've done to keep the boys out of it.

"We had it handled" Asena mutters and Riven shrugs, now avoiding the two girls' gazes and rather looks at Theron getting a dress down of a lifetime from Silva by the looks of it.

"All I did was pass along a message" he mutters as he rolls his shoulder and is that a whiff of bashfulness she's picking up Musa wonders? but it flits back into his sea of emotions so quickly that the mind fairy is not sure if it had even been there at all.

Silva's voice rises in the distance and as satisfying as it is to watch, the contempt that Theron stewing in becomes uglier and uglier and Musa can tell he's not getting it. There's no ounce of remorse there's just vindictive hatred that becomes more and more pronounced.

"Scumbag. When's he fucking going to learn?" Asena mutters under her breath and Musa can't help but shake her head:

"How can he be sorry when he believes he's not wrong"

Her companions turn to her in clear surprise And the empath can't help but shake her head in disgust and turn her back on the scene.

She's not able to stomach the senior specialist's emotions anymore, even Riven being so close doesn't dampen the nasty stench Theron is giving off.

"Well shit; I didn't realize you were walking lie detector" Asena mutters sounding impressed and it's an easy emotion to tune into and Musa can't help but chuckle

"Yeah, it's all fun and games until it's someone you love. There's no turning it off and we all lie. Sometimes for good reason too" it is one of the nastier side effects of her power Musa thinks as she kicks a pebble near her foot.

"Your poor boyfriends, it raises the stake of 'do I look fat in these jeans' question to a whole new level"

And Musa can't help the laugh that bursts out, she's really liking the blond who has even Rivens chuckling with her jab. It's surprising to see the broody specialist enjoying the moment, he's usually so brash and abrasive that it's a little breathtaking seeing him so cavalier in an exchange. As Riven shakes his head and shares an amused look with Asena, there's a strange pang that bursts in Musa as she looks at the duo in front of her but the empath studiously ignores it.

"So was being Silva's owl the only reason you came over" Asena pushes and Riven scoffs now

"What? You're too good to be seen with me now?" There is no weight or heat behind his words and it becomes clear how much of a deflect the statement is when he casually holds out something for Musa. It takes a second for the gesture to register and a second more for it to become clear what it is he's holding as he flips the dagger until the handle is presented to her,

"This belongs to you, I believe."

As innocent as his words are, his voice is conspiratol and thick with meaning and the look they share is heavily loaded with the unsaid. She grabs the weapon, except it now includes the sheath and his eyes are all-knowing practically dancing with mischief and she unsuccessfully tries to stomp down the smile that's tugging at her lips.

"Thanks"

Musa tries to sound casual in hopes of not raising any attention to the handoff. As the weight of the weapon settles in her hand, she thinks she has to practice throwing it, learn is more like it, because Silva's not letting this go and the mind fairy can't help but look at the specialist in front of her as she tries to see if it all went well keeping in mind their company

"All good?"

"Peachy" Riven snarks and his smile is too big and she knows he too can feel their professors stare still at them, and she's no longer fooled by his enigmatic one-word snarks. She hesitates, studying him, trying to read his demeanor and not his mind because that's one mess she rarely can make heads or tales out of and he is a powderkeg on the best of days when it comes to her powers.

Sure enough, she can see his defenses going up as he notices her studying him and he scoffs but he must see something in her gaze because with a subtle roll of his shoulder he gives her a small nod

"Wow"

their head whips at Asena who's looking at the two of them with open curiosity, her eyes bouncing between Musa and Riven like she's watching a tennis match; and Musa with a panic wonders if the blond is about the misinterpret their exchange because she does not need a jealous upperclassman on her heels right now, especially when there's nothing to be jealous of.

"What?" Riven barks and it doesn't faze Asena one bit

"Your acting weird""Your one to talk, since when do you run from your problems" and this is Riven, attack when questioned and usually Musa would shake her head disapprovingly in the background but right now she's hoping he can redirect Asena's curiosity

"Theron is not a problem, he's an issue"

"A severe issue" Musa conquers trying to get them all back onto the same team united against the same enemy.

"I know he likes to throw his weight around-" Riven starts and Musa will rip him apart if he dares defend that trash, but before she can even open her mouth Asena cutting him off with a scathing look

"Throw his weight around? You'd think I'd care if he was a hot head? Please as if! You try learning why someone keeps trying to cop a feel of your ass"

"Or slip a hand up your shirt" Musa adds and the information is clearly news to Riven who frowns as he looks from one girl to another before he scans the grounds again as if looking for the older specialist.

"Yeah no, We're going to have to report him. Thanks for your help by the way" Asena begins looking at the fairy with a grateful smile and Musa accepts the thanks with a nod and smile of her own. She's pretty relieved because Asena is actually pretty cool and if only she can just move on now and without anyone being the wiser-

"and thanks for not ratting us out to that night either"

If only the earth would open up and swallow her whole, Musa thinks as she can practically feel Riven's interest perk up.

"Uh... no worries"

"Us?"

Their voice mesh and the empath refuses to even look at the specialist even though she feels she might melt under Rivens pinning gaze

Barely keeping her cool, she smiles as nonchalantly as she can in the hopes that Asena will just stop talking already. Riven is looking beyond engrossed and he's looming again, inching closer to them and Musa's trying desperately to ignore him, keeping her eyes locked on the blond girl's brown orbs.

Asena opens her mouth to speak again, clearly picking up the awkward vibe the empath is giving off, and Musa pipes up hoping to dissuade the girl from revealing exactly when and what she had stumbled in by broadening the topic.

"I didn't mean-I was just running you know; I'm sorry if I disrupted-" and she makes a wide gesture between Asena and Riven that causes the specialist to somehow look more lost and invested at the same time while Asena scrunches up her nose with clear distaste.

"Oh god! eww, no! There's no," and she makes the same gesture between herself and Riven before sighing with resignation looking sheepish "I'd just broken up with my girlfriend and well he's a sure thing for some mindless fuck. Poorly thought through on my part. My girl and I, we're back together and while we've; agreed, to not talk about our break, I just appreciate the... discretion"

Musa can not only feel the instant everything clicks for Riven, but all also see it on the specialist's face as he's suddenly too giddy and amused. The mind fairy knows there'll be hell to pay because Riven is lighting up like a christmas tree, that damn cat-like smile is back in full force leaving no illusion for the mind fairy that he's very much aware of what incident they are referring to. As if to confirm it all, he turns to Asena and with all the sincerity of a used car salesman goads:

"Aw babe, and here I thought we were meant forever"

"You've ever not been side dick Riven?" Asena throws carelessly at the specialist as she begins walking away and the barb is sharp and right on par but there's suddenly a pang of - 'what is that? Resentment? Regret? Though even that does not hinder him and Musa knows the green-eyed specialist too much to think he's going to just let this go.

"I'll remember this next time you come crawling" he calls out but all he gets for his comment is the bird as Asena saunters away. If only Musa had such a luxury.

"You little voyeur"

Of all the things Musa thought she'd be called today, this was not even in the realm of possibilities and she bristles partially because she'd might have felt like one for a moment all those nights ago, not that she's going to let him know. Riven's enjoying this way too much and Musa mortification is a lot but so is her defensive nature

"You keep having sex in the open Riven, people are going to end up walking in on you." But it's like Riven can't even hear her as he pushes on

"-Can't say I'm surprised though, what with your powers you just love-

"Trust me I didn't ask to see your-"

"See my what exactly?" Riven cuts through and her traitorous cheeks are burning up so much she looks away instinctually and it's the wrong move because it gives the upper hand to Riven and the jerk knows it as he croons

"Aww did the little fairy-like what she saw." and Musas itches to wipe that damn smug look off of his face "I'd be happy to provide a private show later" He fucking means it too the empath realizes as she feels the lust that accompanies the last of Riven's comment.

"You really have no shame" the mind fairy mutters a little in awe because she'd been mortified that night, amongst other things not that she'd admit it, and as a principle, Musa had always considered herself bold and audacious but the open want that emits from the specialist in front of her, makes her think maybe she has no idea what being bold even means. As his ever-green eyes grow cloudy with want, he reminds her of a summer storm, electrifying and brash and she wonders if being with him would be the same.

"Hey, the invitation was to get into my bed, not my mind. So stay the fuck out of my head."

The or else implied but the way Riven's looking at her, his voice rumbling an octave lower than his usual tone, makes her think she won't necessarily mind whatever the or else implies. His voice combined with the way he's looking at her, as though he wants to very much devour her on the spot; Has heat pooling low between her thighs and it should not affect her like this, he should not affect her like this.

She feels a fresh wave of disapproval and doesn't need to turn to know it's Silva, and he's no doubt pissed that they're just standing around rather than practicing. His anger is strong enough that it shatters the spell that Riven's casting over her. She can't help but try to peek at the specialist master discreetly over her shoulders, and when she does Musa's surprised to see that he looks far more pissed than she'd thought.

Her movements are enough to cue Riven of their very putout audience and he straightens up and takes a step back. It's the sudden lack of his warmth that alerts Musa to how close they'd come to be. They're on dangerous ground, their previous conversation too volatile for them to continue

Not that he says anything but rather than step up to the challenge she clears her voice and aims for neutral when she says

"It was an accident, I'm sorry- '' whether she's referring to the mind-reading or that night its unclear, even to the empath as she lets her statement hang.

His brows come together in a frown as though hearing her apologize is the most foreign thing to him or he finds her concession weak but either way, Musa can tell he doesn't want it or need it. But because Silva's disapproval is growing, it's clearly up to the mind fairy to get them moving so she asks:

"Are you going to mentor, or hover, or whatever you're supposed to?"

The question is pretty straightforward but he studies her and she's worried for a second that he's not going to let the last topic go but in true Riven fashion the conversation goes sideways before it can even get going

"Is that your kink then? need someone telling you what to do?"

"Even if it was, we both know you wouldn't be up for the job"

"I thought you've already felt how up for it I am" he mutters, his eyes growing heavy again and Musa worries that he can read her mind but they can't keep getting sidetracked, Silva is right there and she's already too on the radar and they need to stop this cat and mouse game before either of them does something foolish. She opens her mouth to snap at him when Riven plows on

"I'm not your mentor. you're not part of my group" he adds carelessly and his comment makes her pause as she realizes with a start that he honestly has no idea that she's joining his group.

"I am for the next two weeks" she deadpans and his frown deepens as her words settle in

"What sort of half-ass plan is this?" he all but glowers and Musa feels herself growing defensive and downright angry

"You're not fucking this up for me. I've had to go through hell to even get this-"

"Calm your tits will you." He's taken aback, clearly surprised by her genuine fight as he studies her a moment more before looking at where Silva is, though he looks away casually as he can and then locks eyes with her again.

"Look I could care less what you do with your time. I've always thought it's fucking dumb that they don't train fairies in combat" he takes a step closer as he continues "But no team, means no group. No foundation, no mentor, no one who'll go to bat for you when you get ass in a bad spot"

He moves closer with each phrase until they are standing toe to toe again, not that either of them is really aware, needing to hammer his point home

"You're fucking on your own, and in war, on your own means dead"

She thinks about the battle, being alone in that hallway, the burned one hovering her face, and thinks he's not wrong. His warning might have been funny if dramatic had she not lived through what she has, but now, now she can attest to the truth of it and feel a hint of worry under everything as he speaks and she knows he's being strangely sincere.

"Well on the sideline it isn't much different," She tells him not backing down, meeting him stare for stare and she thinks that in her own gaze he sees the haunting truth reflected.

"I already am on my own out there, And I've already had to push hard to even get this. So, are you going to teach me actual stuff or are you going to be another bump on the road for me"

"What's that supposed to mean? You've had it pretty cushy so far" his hackles are up, but he's mostly making an observation, and any other day Musa would have let it all go with an eye roll or pretty cutting words. But having already had to tangle with Theron and with Silva watching her it's all just one comment too many for her.

"Meaning out of the groups I've rotated with, only two have actually trained with me. Both times the group leaders were girls. Of the remaining four, one kept having me do drill because he was terrified I would get hurt; two just ignored me and one wouldn't stop trying to cop a feel or staring at my ass." She's practically yelling, she realizes, and their close proximity registers finally though it's becoming a habit at this point.

Her breath is shallow, voice slightly raised but everyone seems to have thankfully moved on or are further away to notice. So she takes a deep breath trying to gather herself because they don't need a scene, she's a little fatigued of having to beg and argue for the right to fight for herself.

"So which one are you going to be Riven? Which category is going to get a tally this week? Please make up your mind because frankly, I'm wasting time here. Time, as you've so kindly reminded me, I don't have." She's being honest, maybe too honest. But interesting enough despite the weariness of having this conversation again, she's curious to know where he falls on all this. He's so murky so uncharted that she's never really sure where he stands, what he believes, or what he wants.

He looks at her with and those mossy eyes that seem just as stormy as his chaotic emotions and they are hard and fucking unreadable now. After a moment, with a strange pang of disappointment, she thinks he's probably going to just ignore her, maybe report her to Silva or ridicule her but abruptly he speaks up in an even measured tone.

"I'm not the group leader, I'm the mentor. Vesper is the group leader. She's the least shit here, actually knows one end of a sword from the other. If you want to have prayer not to just die in a real situation I would listen to what she has to say."

His answer is enigmatic at best but Musa thinks at least he's not going to hinder her, but because he's Riven he doesn't know when to quit; as he turns and begins to walk away he leaves with a warning as his parting shot.

"But if your fucking late again on the days I'm there, we're leaving you behind"

---

Musa's grateful that her first day with the team is one where Riven is not present. Of the five classes, they have each week, mentors only are welcomed to three.

Vesper turns out to be just as strong as Musa expected but twice as cold as she had ever suspected. But it's been enough of a rough day that the empath throws herself into the training. What used to be just on edge in terms of conditioning has become her strength as she easily excels at it, taking the lead as she runs. She still hates running though.

Her physical strength though is still an issue, a fact that comes very much clear during her lesson that day. They're working with the staff and hand-to-hand combinations. Her weakest point honestly, because the month spent on this she'd been stuck with groups that just ran through the motions with her rather than actually engage her, and most people she tutors with wanted to focus on sword practice and she doesn't dare push too hard lest they abandoned training with her altogether.

Musa can clearly see what Riven means because Vesper takes each person down with ease, with each match ending only when one opponent taps out, not when they go down.

She watches the team rotate through fighting Vesper, while the rest spar one on one, and learns from Timmy that just because you go down doesn't mean you have to be out. He's the second to last to spar with Vesper and he gets up twice more after falling down. The first time he rises himself and the second Vesper beckons him up with a firm: "Again, do it again."

By the time it's her turn Musa steps up to the plate feeling her resolve tighten. She actually does really well in the first round, managing to get a couple of good hits in because Vesper underestimates her, but that doesn't last. As the group leader turns it on full throttle, it isn't long before the mind fairy goes down, hard.

Musa feels like her whole body has just been rattled as she looks up at the sky but she knows she has to learn this, and fuck Riven for being right but Vesper might actually be her only chance so she makes it to her feet stifling her groan to the clear surprise of everyone on the team and gets into position.

"Again"

And for the rest of that afternoon despite being flattened on her ass-

"Again"

And elbowed in the eye-

"Again"

-Or literally being dropped on her head-

"Again

-She does not stop.

By the end of it, Musa has eaten mat more times than she can count, her whole body is hurting in ways she never thought possible, and she's really questioning if she's a masochist. But she's gotten at least four combinations down-packed and managed to elbow Vesper once in the neck and land several more hits. Not that it stops the team leader from wiping the floor with Musa again. The empath half expects the specialist to be raging pissed ready to snap at her or snap her in half.

But as she looks up, Vesper is still there, still standing though panting now, looking ready to go again; waiting for Musa's signal. and even though it takes everything Musa has, she rolls onto her screaming knees and grabs the fallen staff, and makes herself straighten up.

"Again"

---

Vesper's group is close, tight-knit.

Though not unfriendly, they are cagey of Musa's presence, and ever since Riven's mentioned the importance of a group, Musa has become glaringly aware of the bond between the teammates she practices with.

The empath sees why the team is one of the best ranked in their year. And despite the ever-shifting rankings, they are hands down the best group she's worked with. Besides their excellence, they kind of remind Musa of her girls.

They're not traditionally a group you'd bet on to be successful, like puzzle pieces misplaced from different sets on the surface they should not match or even click. Over the week, the more Musa learns about the group, the more she finds their comradery fascinating.

Vesper is a pretty solidarity fighter. It's evident in how she fights and the empath learns through snippets of gossip over the course of her first week with the group, that it had taken time for the group leader to artificially learn how to unify the group, to lead, and to prioritize her groups well being over the mission goal. But learn she has. That and Vesper's keen eye on observing every little detail make her extremely impressive and frankly a tad unsettling.

It doesn't take long for Musa to realize she knows Lydia and Aldrich rather well. They are siblings, two out of a set of triplets, with their third brother, Alastair, being a fairy. An earth fairy who is a suitemate of Sam's.

The brother and sister are the weariest out of the group in welcoming her and Musa suspects that it's mostly due to their allegiance or a show of solidarity to her ex. But they keep it professional and cordial which is more than she'd experienced with some other specialists so she harbors no ill will toward them. The siblings bicker the most and the empath hears them cursing more at each other than anyone else, but the bond and the respect that they feel for one another is strong and solid.

Drystan is a flirt, and not just with her but with everyone. His blue hair makes him easily stick out in the group but he blends seamlessly within any crowd with his manner of speech and easy-going nature. Matter of fact that it only takes on practice for Musa to feel like she's known the specialist for a lifetime. Whereas it's Riven's brash and dangerous undertones that causes looks and stares, Dristain has a flirtatious and sunny disposition that pulls the eye. A fact that he encourages with his honey-dipped tongue, so much so that on her second day with the group, Riven smacks the specialist upside the head when he loiters far too long at her side just talking to her.

"Focus" the mentor growls,

"You're just jealous she prefers my company" Dristain calls unfazed and Riven looks murderous before flipping Dristain the bird as he walks over to the mat. Dristain though takes it all with a chuckle unfazed as he picks up his sword and starts walking away from Musa with a wink

"He's missed me a little too much, let me go and tell him you're not replacing him in my heart" Riven looks actually feral with the way he stalks around the mat swinging his swords. Musa thinks she does detect a whiff of jealousy from their mentor but it's so faint and gone so soon that she thinks she must have imagined it all.

"What? You wanted to keep hiding behind her? pestering her with your poor excuse of flirting" Riven taunts and the moment Dristan saunters into the ring they're locked in bruising combat. and Musa worries she's actually caused trouble for the blue-haired specialist at the sheer force Riven uses but a voice next to her reassures her ever so gently.

"Don't let them fool you, they like getting on each other's nerves"

Timmy is Musa's absolute favorite. The empath has never really had a favorite specialist, though she'll admit that she's...partial to Riven, as well as Brandon and Sky the empath hastily adds. But that's because they're all friends with her friends.

But Timmy is precious and kind and everything that is good in the world and has to be protected at all costs the empath thinks. Despite being nearly a foot taller than her and frankly, a beast when it comes to shooting and tracking Musa finds herself extremely protective of him and his soft-spoken manner.

She's not the only one though the empath realizes as she catches both Riven and Vesper glare and practically threatens people who try to give Timmy a hard time though they take great pain in trying to make sure the lanky specialist is not aware of it.

Riven has been scarce outside of class surprisingly. It's an interesting dynamic being part of his group, it pushes their interaction far beyond the confines of their shared acquaintances and forces them to build a semblance of a working relationship. When he does show to mentor, he's all no-nonsense. He pushes them hard especially when it comes to conditioning and doesn't hold back when it comes to combat training. Musa makes more headway with Riven and his group than she has in weeks.

Mentors are not required to visit all three days they have the class each week but Riven never misses a day.

And strangely he's very respectful of Vesper's role. Musa's seen plenty of mentors and team captains clash for control of the group but while he sets the expectation of what they're supposed to accomplish, usually twice the amount Silva assigns, he never oversteps into micromanaging how they will achieve the goal.

That is not to say he's a mute, especially not when they're out of training. Early in the week, she runs into him first thing in the morning just as she's about to exit the school building. Riven descends the stairs opposite the ones she's just climbed down and is all but cackling when he spots her.

"Well if isn't our resident snoop"

Musa tries to ignore him as she exits the building with a roll of her eyes not that it deters Riven who looks too cheerful for how early it is as he falls into steps next to her

"Peeped on anyone new this weekend?"

"Why? Were you trying to put on a show for me?"

"Just tell me when love and I'll be ready for a private viewing"

"Please don't make me gag, I just had breakfast" they banter all the way to class.

She's thankful when once again he grows serious the moment they reach training grounds. Silva gives his instructions and cuts them loose and it's like a switch goes off in Riven. And it remains that way for the rest of the session.

Throughout the week whenever she sees Riven outside of training there's some version of snarky banter exchanged between them, but the moment they get to class he shuts his trap. And suddenly she's just another teammate in the group he's mentoring.

It takes Musa days to realize with a surprise, Riven's being professional. And It's somehow both a relief and disconcerting. But it prompts her to do the same and she's getting really good at compartmentalizing her thoughts about the green-eyed specialist.

She had to.

The first time Riven had carelessly thrown off his shirt during one of their after class combat sessions, she'd nearly blinds Drystan with her sword. Though the blue haired specialist thinks it's him since he too had casually sliped out of his shirt.

And Drystan is definitely impressive, hell most of the specialist are; but it's not his back that Musa has thought about a thousand times, not his eyes that she seeks out everytime she enters the training ground and not his hands that have left these unfading imprints around her hips where they were so effortlessly anchored to all those nights ago when they were huddled on Blooms bedroom floor. Over the years Musa's learned to block so many things out, but blocking Riven remains an elusive quest.

There's just something about the predatory way that Riven circles his opponent that makes it nearly impossible for Musa to not stare, not gawk. It's that same nature that calls to her, lures her closer, taunting her to push him. Daring her to see what their breaking point will be. His every taunt, line and look an outright challenge and despite her easy-going demeanor, she's never walked away from such a provocation, never been able to resist a good cat and mouse game, especially if she has skin in the game.

It's just been too long since Sam, Musa tries to placate herself when Riven's voice becomes too easy for her to sense, his mind the first thing she links to without even meaning to every time she's in a room with him.

Though it's hard and bruising work she learns to box her, fascination, neatly away so she can spar with him. The first time Musa actually goes against Riven he's flattened her in less time than it took Vesper, partially because he never underestimates her, partially because she's a little too hyper-aware of him. Though he is just as impressed as the rest of them was that first time, when she gets back up and demands a redo.

He also surprisingly has no qualms to spar with them after class any day of the week, despite it not being required by any upperclassmen. A luxury which most eligible students partake in, at least to some level but one evidently Riven has no use for.

His infuriating ego and that damned smirk cause her to push herself more. Sparring with Riven is loaded with so much and Musa won't look into the why of it, she can't, not yet. But when it's their turn there is this added layer of complexity to the fight.

She cant outfight him but it turns out that she can almost outlast him. Not that Riven concedes, unlike the other teammates who learn that they'll need to beg off if they want to stop fighting the empath, which usually means the duo go at it until Silva or someone either kicks them out or comes to beg them to quit.

It's not by much but her ability to bounce back is pretty unparalleled. So when toward the end of the week the duo are back at it, hours after everyones' wrapped up Musa counts it as a victory when Riven snaps:

"Do you ever fucking stay down?"

He swears as she rolls back onto her hunches after he topples her. They're both drenched in sweat but she's riding a high since she almost has him, she can feel it. Musa knows she's not going to be able to flatten him but her goal all day has been to disarm him, even if its just one of his swords. Not that she's shared that with him and the last round his left grip had wobbled and she'd landed a nice little hit that had him actually cursing her.

If only she can unbalance him just a hair more she thinks, as he does his usual stalk around acting casual while looking for a place to strike. It's taken her a while to learn to not be unnerved with the way he fucking circles his opponent, and she's pretty sure the move is more psychological damning than anything else.

"You need a second?"

It's a strong taunt delivered sweetly, that disrupts his smooth prowl and has him reacting instantly. She blocks his first two attacks and lands one of her own, actually knocking one of his swords out of his grasp but her victory is short-lived as her close proximity allows him to reach out and clasps her sword-wielding wrist pushing backward her until he uses his foot to trip her, toppling her to the ground.

"You shouldn't be talking"

Riven pants, face alight with the exhilaration of his victory and despite her still trying to catch her breath and the sword at her neck Musa has a huge smile on her face which mirrors his own and throws the specialist for a loop. It takes the empath looking down for him to see his own sword which she's recaptured with her free hand poised at his groin.

"You were saying?"

He exhales a breathy chuckle and his smile is so open and beautiful that Musa feels her breath catch and she thinks she can feel his hammering heartbeat through his grasp on her wrist or maybe it's her she's not sure. As he looks down at her, his eyes so delighted and his mind so calm, that for a moment she forgets to breathe altogether

He uses the same hold to haul her up, with a surprising yank and she goes flying straight into him though she tries to steady herself. In the waning sun his eyes look far more green and she still his breath mingling with her own as they catch their breath and she can't look away from him, from his eyes that seem to be staring into her soul and her eyes drop to his lips-

When the door to the school slammed open in the distance and the noise shattered their connection. Musa lets her eyes drop to Riven's long weather fingers still wrapped so tightly around her wrist and can't help the smile that tugs at her lips as she taunts

"You need another break?" looking up at him from beneath her lashes, her eyes are gleaming with adrenaline and the shit eating grin she gets in response has her lighting up like fire as Riven yanks his sword from her grasp and leans in,

"Not on your life"

All in all, the team is a great group and the mind fairy enjoys herself training with them more than ever before, but they're clearly not her group.

Musa doesn't have that. Not with the specialist and as much as she hates to think about it, not exactly with the girls; at least not when it comes to combat. Her suitemates are all offensive and fly head first into the battle while she'll always be stuck on the sideline or back at main camp. At the end of the day that's just not okay with her, she doesn't think it'll ever be ok with her.

So she's started staying longer, getting extra practice wherever she can, working harder, trying to just be strong enough. Musa's not sure what the end goal really is. Maybe this had all started because she needed to prove something, she's no longer sure what. She really just wants to handle herself, or at least hope that she could one day, because if she has to spend the rest of her days on the sideline, she's not going to last long.

It's proving to be a beautiful dusk and for the first time in a long time, Musa's going through the combinations by herself in a relatively quiet training field.

Her group's backing up Riven, much to their mentors' chargin who insists he needs no help, on a mission he'd volunteered for, the sixth one just this month if the grumblings that the members made were to be believed.

She has only another week with Vesper's team, and the thought makes her strangely glum. Two more teams to get through after that and well she supposes her rotation will start over again. Just great she thinks bitterly as she tries to think of the next combination to go through.

"You need to react on instinct"

Her staff flies on impulse towards the new comer and Brandon has only a moment to dodge, his reaction an easy demonstration of his advice

"Better. But not at me, not yet anyway" He's all easy smiles as he steps onto the mat, and Musa's feeling bitter and skeptical enough that she eyes him wearily despite the small greeting he offers. They've had mixed-level classes today and her last second-year partner had barely tolerated her and pretty much walked off the moment class was over, so she tries to get a read on why the brunet specialist is here.

Her distrust must be written all over her face, because reading Brandon is really easy and he is full of sincerity and helpfulness as he half shrugs and answers her unasked question:

"One of the specialists told me you're struggling."

Musa feels a bit on alert because as far as she remembers she never told any specialist her struggles, never really complained but before she can question anything, Brandon drops his bag and picks up an abandoned staff. They go a couple of rounds just straight fighting and it lifts Musa's spirit that she can hold her own.

She's not winning or making much ground, but she's not flat out dying either, the best part of it is that she's not getting the sense that Brandon's holding back, much. They spar for a while until they're both exhausted and the sun has disappeared from the sky before taking a break and Brandon doesn't miss the opportunity to give her some advice as he reaches for his water.

"You need to improve your defense" and Musa wants to groan feeling frustrated beyond belief

"The whole point of this is to not be playing it defensive" she mutters but Brandon just shrugs nonplussed

"Look, none of these swords will be your weapon of choice for an attack, it's going to be your powers right? So what you need the physical part for is your defense, because a good defense is-"

"-just as important as a good offense. I know." she finishes the quote that had been hurled at her for so long she thinks its tattooed in her skull "My powers are defensive" she informs him bitterly but Brandon just shrugs like its not an issue at all

"So figure out how to use them offensively."

He says it so simply that it steals all of the fight out of the empath as she thinks back to the battle and the scorpion the purple waves, she grabs a drink of her own.

"If you can't strike then defend. If you can't take someone down, wait for them to make a mistake." he's so resolute in his take of her fighting and honestly, Musa's not really been thinking about tactics so what he says is giving her a lot to think about.

"Here let me show you" and he steps in again with such ease and confidence, starting with the basics that by the end of it she wonders if she should have him revisit some other parts of training too.

They practice well into twilight before they call it a day and Musa's beyond grateful. As they're getting ready to walk back she can't help but say:

"Thanks, I mean it."

"Its dumb they're making such a big deal about you joining," he offers as he grabs his gear and bag.

"Why can't fairies have specialist training?" he asks honestly and frankly she's not sure of a lot of things it feels like, so she shrugs too exhausted to think about this question again.

"You're from earth?" She questions and Brandon nods with a half-smile

"Yeah, mom's a fairy" he offers as an explanation

"I've heard" it blurts out before she can stop it and he looks surprised more so that she's admitted that he's a topic of conversation than anything else Musa thinks

"You've made waves" she offers as an explanation with a shrug and as if to prove her point a trio of fairies slow down and whisper as they pass. But Musa hears her name and Sams, why does no fairy know how to whisper decently she thinks with a roll of her eye; and Brandon doesn't deserve to be dragged into a mess she thinks as she tries to give him an out

"I think hanging around with me might not be the best way to fit in." the empath mutters with an apologetic smile but Brandon shrugs carelessly at her words

"Why would I want to fit in, especially if they want to judge me for helping" his words are sincere and Musa clearly surprised at his reaction, so much so that it has the specialist chuckling when he looks at her.

"Like you said I've already made waves but clearly so have you. You were all anyone talked about. And I Was warned to stay clear"

"So why didn't you?" Musa is honestly more curious about his motive rather than the rumors he's referencing

"Because people like to stir up trouble and make up stuff just for their own entertainment and well Riven mentioned you needed help-" and this causes Musa to come up short

"Riven?"

"Yeah," Brandon goes on unaware of the confusion he's caused as he slows down to look at her "He was muttering about it yesterday, he's your mentor right? and considering how quiet he is and out of character that was for him, I thought the situation must have been pretty dire

"Quiet?" It's like Musa's mind can't compute what he's saying, on any level. Riven mentioned her? He's quiet?

"What? he's a chatterbox with you then?" Brandon challenges and the mind fairy's first instinct is to say yes, but she's not sure if Riven's flirtatious one-liners on the random occasion they end up walking in tandem too and from practice would constitute as a conversation. Nor his demanding tone at the beginning of each class.

"No- but; It's complicated-" she's not sure how to explain it as they begin walking again and Brandon doesn't really need her to evidently.

"Oh I know, believe me, I've heard. and frankly, you don't have to explain. He's prickly one for sure" he leaves the sentence hanging like he wants to say more but then he doesn't and Musa can't help to prompt him on because...just because she thinks. She's not ready to examine why she's suddenly so invested in the conversation.

"But?"

"Nothing" and his answer is too quick, too defensive and Musa knows there's more he wants to say so she pushes

"Please don't have me use my powers, you clearly want to say something" this time it's Brandon who pauses as he scratches behind his ears looking anywhere but at her as if trying to physically look for the words, before answering with a heavy sigh.

"Look he can be and ass-" and Musa can't help but snort and Brandon concedes with a half pseudo outraged laugh

"Alright! jeez, he is one, hell he's a jerk too. Most of the time he doesn't know when to quit and despite being quiet he says the wrong thing when he talks. But, out of everyone here, he's one of the few people who's not been a bigot or elitist about my background. He only cared about my fighting skill and well, if I was going to go near his stash. He's cagey for sure but I never have to guess what he thinks and the rest of the time, he's quiet"

"Quiet" Musa echoes the word again because she wouldn't use that word to describe Riven, not really, who's she kidding, not at all,

"Look, I get that he got caught in the middle of all sorts of things when his ex-girlfriend was the last headmistress's pet. And I've heard he had issues with people and bullying, but since I've been here he's kept to himself." It's a far too apt of an observation, one that Musa can't really argue with. but she finds herself picking at Brandon's mind over a topic that she really doesn't dare bring up with anyone else even though she's been pretty desperate too.

"Yeah, but don't you think he knew what he was signing up for when he went out with Beatrix?" She asks a little too earnestly, not able to keep up the cool facade because she had registered Riven keeping to himself more in the periphery of it all but to have it confirmed now- she's not sure what to make of it. What to make of him. And she's never not known. Her instinct about people is usually spot on and pretty quickly formed.

"I think he thought she was hot. And as for the rest, I can only speculate. but, from what I heard about went down, I'm not sure if even Beatrix knew what she was signing up for either. I mean did any of you?" He looks over at her then and it's a fair question one Musa has no answer to, one that frankly she'd never even considered.

They've arrived at the cafeteria and Musa is still pondering Brandon's words when there is a big wave of interest and subtle notes of pinning that spike in the specialist next to her as the girls table comes into view.

The emotion is prominent and blatant just like his stare on the sun princess Musa notes with a smile and when Stella spots them there's a clear wave of longing, which is the most surprising followed by dejection and guilt.

And Musa's confused for an instance as she watches her blond friend quickly look away and school her features when she sees the empath until she remembers Aisha's assumption about herself and Brandon. The last thing the mind fairy wants is to come between the specialist next to her and the sun princess.

"Hey, do you want to join us for dinner?"

Musa asks with a big charming smile, she's really not feeling up for company truth be told, but she can do this little thing for her friend and for Brandon who's been kinda great as a whole.

The empath makes a mental note to later have a conversation with Stella to clear any confusion but for now, she can help both of them out. Brandon hesitates as he reaffirms his grasp on his duffle looking for her to the table and Musa knows he just needs a little more push

"C'mon we won't bite and Sky's bound to be there" that's all the prompting Brandon needs and it does help that Sky is in fact at the table sitting across from Stella and next to Bloom.

Aisha and Terra are missing but the atmosphere is warm and the cafeteria not as crowded as they make their way to the table. With a brief greeting, the empath shoos Sky in prompting him to slide a little bit further down closer to his girlfriend as Musa takes the edge seat and indicates for Brandon to take the seat across from her right next to Stella.

It's an easy banter with Sky and Bloom exclaiming happily that Brandon's finally joining them and conversation flows naturally to classes and projects. When Brandon excuses himself to go get food Musa hangs back a beat studying Stella who's eyes trails Brandon's movement subtly before the blond is muttering

"So this is new"

Musa wants to tell her right there that nothing is going on, but Sky's presence complicates the matter so the empath emits sincerity and casualness as she says with a shrug:

"Eh, he was sparring with me, figured it might be nice to have him join us. Seems like a decent bloke"

And because Stella is still a little guilt-ridden and a little too into checking out Brandon's ass to fully register what her friends saying Musa adds

"I'm going to bounce early. Do you mind keeping him company?'' She tries to put as much meaning into her look as she stares at the sun fairy, who still hasn't turned around to look at her, but it's Sky who offers her assurance without really even looking up from his food.

"Yeah no worries, that was nice of you, he's a decent guy"

Musa can't help the incredulous look she sends the blond specialist who remains oblivious to everything. A fact which has amusement radiating from his girlfriend in spades and a quick look at Bloom is all Musa needs to know that at the very least the fire fairy is attuned with her master plan.

So a bit later when Brandon's back and the conversation gets truly going between the occupants of the table, Musa takes her bags as she gets up to get food and stealthily takes the said food back to her room to enjoy it in peace.

And when much later Bloom informs her that no one batted an eye when she disappeared, least of all Stella and Brandon, well, Musa takes that as a win.

---

"You should ask Silva if you can stay longer with us"

It's Timmy who makes the suggestion on her last day with the group. The other members of the team tune in to their conversation slowing down

"I'd love to" Musa answers honestly. She managed to disarm a specialist from a rival group yesterday and it had won her major points with her group and much respect from those around her.

The leader of the said group is an asshole named Ericson who pushes things too far and is by far one of the worst human beings Musa had ever seen. The fact that Ericson's mentor is Theron and he'd been fuming on the sidelines alongside the losing group leader, while Riven and Vesper had been preening like fucking proud peacocks, had just made Musa's day even better.

"I made more progress with you guys than any other team, but I've already pushed a lot just to be able to train"

"C'mon now, They won't kick you out this late in the game" Drystan counter as he wipes his brow with the back of his hand pushing some of his royal blue hair out of his eyes but as warm as they're being Musa knows that at the very best, the other members of the team are still on the fence about her.

"I don't want to cause trouble. Thanks, guys though, I really mean it. You've been fantastic" Her gratitude earns her some form of a smile from everyone including their broody mentor and if maybe their eyes linger on one another for just a half a heartbeat more well, no one can really prove anything.

"Yeah well, we're still on for sparring in the afternoons right?" It's Vesper who extends the invitation as she's getting her stuff together and Musa can tell she means it which makes her heart sing honestly.

"Oh, a hundred percent. I will hunt you down if you try to ditch me" the threat is a joke, mostly, and the fact that others realize this makes them all part on a rather happy note.

Riven's the first to leave as he's been assigned by Silva to do the final round making sure all the teams have cleaned up their stations; followed by the twins, Drystan and Vesper who can't wait to hit the showers

It's Timmy's turn to return the equipment, and it's such a nice afternoon that Musa decides to give him a hand. As usual, they're one of the last to leave and so the grounds are pretty empty.

As they are putting away the last of the equipment in the shed by the field, They chat away about midterm results with Musa asking if Timmy is considering signing up to be a mentor next year- When a loud noise causes them beth to quite fall silence

"You need to control that little pixie" It's Ericson and Musa suddenly on alert but they're hidden well due to the mountain of equipment and he's trailing Riven who's stomping his way from mat to mat

"The fuck you going on about Ericson" Riven's drawl is prominent, disdainful, and bored, not really stopping to give the upset specialist any real attention.

"She had no place here, and if she wasn't Dowling's pet fairy we wouldn't have to put up with her pathetic ass. She doesn't understand her plac-"

"Understand what exactly?" and from the sliver, in between the door they're hiding behind Musa can clearly see Riven whirling around and getting into Ericson's face. A move that causes the other specialist to come up short and nearly run into Riven not that it deters him in the slightest

"Her place! you know how it is, they get a little bit of power and they think -"

"She has more IQ than the both of us, so I wouldn't fucking concern myself about what she thinks. and evidently, she has more skill with the staff than the lot of you." Ericson flounders opening and his mouth but Riven doesn't give an inch

"What do you want me to do? Tell her to let you win? To go easy on you? Cause you're whinging a lot" and Ericson is going purple hands fisted practically shaking and this is where any half-brained person would walk away. But of course not Riven as he takes another step forward getting right into Ericson's face

"What? You suddenly have a problem with female specialists? Do you want to lodge an official complaint with Silva disputing the match? Your next match is with Diana should I reschedule that? Or would you prefer me to tell her to let you win too?"

Dianna is one of the best second-year specialist who's not only amazonian in combat but fucking stunning to boot. From the way, Ericson's frown deepens Musa can't help but that maybe that's the problem, she's just not hot enough to beat the crap out of them.

Riven hovers daring Ericson to say anything else, but when the other specialist says nothing, with a sneer the green-eyed specialist moves on to the next mat, as though not a thing has happened

"Next week she's supposed to be on Hassani's team, they're fucking cagey bastards and they won't be so chummy with her. We'll see how well she'll last without your crew watching her back"

The threat is so outright that it hits Musa like a ton of bricks and behind her, she can feel Timmy's anger rising but before any of them can blink, Riven's pummels Ericson into the ground with a knife to his neck, his movement so fast, the empath is not even sure when he moved let alone how exactly he did it.

"Hassani may be a cagey bastard but I like to see you take on one of his teammates and live to tell the tale because unlike scumbags like you, he knows we don't fucking threaten our own." Riven's voice is pissed and brimming with rage as he presses down the blade into Ericson's neck and his eyes look so set and so hard that time seems to stop for the two students in the shed. Riven hovers a beat more before springing up in a flash pushing Ericson into the ground as he goes.

"If you, fucking ever threaten one of my teammates again I won't let you walk away" Riven spits on the ground beside the specialist still sprawled in the grass, and begins to walk away nonplussed and it pisses Ericson off even more.

"You were better as Beatrix's lapdog rather than Silva's bitch. Fucking turned your back on us and we won't forget it. You're out of your mind if you think one of these little twat hero's will back you up when we come for you -"

Musa holds her breath as she waits for Riven to rip Ericson to pieces. She can tell the specialist spewing threat after threat is gearing up for an attack, scrambling to his feet and pulling out his sword.

But to everyone's utter shock, Riven doesn't stop, doesn't turn, hell he doesn't even slow down as he walks off without a glance behind.

---

Musa can't stop thinking about the scene. Riven walked away from a fight.

And who can blame her? She's never known someone who has a foot preputial living in their mouth more than Riven or shorter hairpin trigger so the fact that he walked off from a confrontation is downright concerning. What's more, so is the threat Ericson had thrown at him, Riven did have a bad habit of flying solo which meant that if they wanted to, Ericson and his fucking cronies would have ample opportunity to fuck with him.

It had taken a lot to calm Timmy who had been righteously furious on her behalf as well as Riven's, especially because Musa had not been so calm herself, to begin with. She had no doubt that Timmy would clue in the other team members which would further sour the group's relationship with Theron's group even more.

Brandon's words, Riven's own behavior, and the recent events repeat on a loop in the mind fairy's head. So much so that Musa hadn't had a decent night's rest or really attained anything during her classes, too busy keeping on the green-eyed specialist. By lunch the following day Musa has come to several conclusions, most importantly:

Riven's not quiet, not really, but quiet for Riven. Besides her interaction in recent weeks, she can't remember hearing from him, in well, months.

"Have you heard Riven lately?" Musa can't help ask at lunch that day and they all look at her like she's lost her mind, but Musa's too busy staring at the specialist who's been on her mind and who is currently sitting alone on the other side of the cafeteria in a secluded corner.

He's a raging sea of emotions again but he's definitely on edge, Ericson's words affected him to some extent Musa thinks.

"Does he ever shut up?" Aisha retorts without even so much as looking up but Musa can sense Stella pause and frown at her question, scanning the crowd for their subject at hand.

"Something up with him" Musa goes on because Riven's not quiet and he's never one to take insults as he has been and why is he alone? He might not have had friends but he had people, right? The team for one….except he avoids them off of the training field the empath thinks with a sigh. Musa has not even seen Sky with Riven lately besides the night of the party, they're still friends, right?

There's a beat as the table digests what she's saying, with some of them blinking owlishly as they think over her comment

"Holy shit" Terra mutters and Musa hums in silent agreement

"Has he ever been quiet?" Musa ponders

"No, not even last year when he was a nerd" Terra murmurs softly and Musa remembers that out of all of them the green fairy has the most reason to mistrust and loathe Riven but all Musa reads from her toward him is concern.

"Who, Riven?" Bloom asks as she and her boyfriend join the table, putting down their trays of food and following the girl's line of sight, a series of nods

"Why did something happen?" it's Sky who asks, bewildered, and its somewhat alarming and kinda stings honestly, that even the blond-haired specialist is so out of tune with his once best friend. Though also surprising because at almost every lunch Musa can feel Sky looking for Riven, scanning the crowd for him. To his credit, it takes the blond only a moment to spot his friend now and he must pick up on something because with a frown he's on his feet

"Maybe I-"

But before the blond specialist can even take a step. Dane, Beatrix, and their crew enter the cafeteria, and in an instance Riven is gone.

"I wonder what happened with Beatrix" Terra mutters sincerely and her words cause Aisha gaze to fall to the mind fairy and Musa doesn't need her power to knows her friend is also thinking of that night not so long ago.

---

Despite having skipped out on lunch early Musa expects to see Riven with the rest of the team that afternoon when she joins them for extra drills after class.

It turns out his absence is not just strange to her as Vesper questions it to the group.

"He had specialism yesterday" Aldrich reminds, causing Vesper to swear while the rest of the team groan and Musa finds herself so lost.

Because Riven is in her specialism class and yeah they had it yesterday but she doesn't remember anything of note.

"What does that have to do with anything," the mind fairy asks and suddenly the team is silent, shifting uncomfortably though no one offers an answer

"Mind fairy here" she reminds and yeah she can't read minds but it's technicality most people don't understand anyway so she'll bluff her way to answer if she has to.

There's another pause as the team all look at one another and finally Drystan shrugs trying too hard to look casual.

"Nothing, it just usually means he's going to need time to recover. You know he gets in a mood and all" The answer is weak and she worries about Ericson but she's pretty sure Timmy has told them about what they heard so if they're this nonpulsed it's because they have other theories as to his disappearance.

"Have you asked him why?" they all look at her like she's lost her mind before bursting into laughter

"Yeah, I think the chances of him talking to us is about the same of him finally joining us at a meal," Aldrich says in between chuckles and Musa lets the topic drop.

The tension from before ebbs away as they begin to plan their afternoon drill. They decide on practicing their staff skills, and so each member pulls out a small cylinder object that when pressed springs into a full combat staff; and the empath has at one point or another seen all specialist use one and so she voices a question that's been plaguing her for some time

"Where did everyone get those?" her tone is offhand and she doesn't even think much in asking it, until she's met with silence and stares again though now there is an undertone of pity which baffles her more.

"They didn't even give you a basic kit did they?" Vesper mutters and the group all stare at her and Musa feels utterly confused and is frankly becoming a little self-conscious and defensive when Vesper speaks up:

"There are three things a specialist always keeps on themself, a dagger, a compass, and a pair of extra socks. We received them in our welcome kit first day of classes, most people though have their own. It doesn't hurt to usually have another form of weapon on you too. For most people, that's a staff like this" The group leader's voice is serious and Musa finds herself hanging on to every word as she realizes that this common knowledge, something so basic it's not taught in class.

"The socks are usually for the mission but live this life long enough and you'll pack one on any occasion." Drystan adds with a rueful smile as he twists his staff in a warm-up pattern "And the list varies from specialist to specialist. Most people also have some form of a backup weapon besides the dagger or some form of medical kit"

"I always have two back up glasses" Timmy supplies

"One dagger is never enough" Lydia mutters and as the discussion turns into a debate about the rankings of what is important and what's not, Musa finds herself enraptured with what the team has to say.

As she's getting ready for bed that night Musa can't seem to fully let go of the conversation from earlier in the day and she finds herself tossing and turning as she questions not only her depth of knowledge about specialists in general but pondering the group's strange commentary about Riven.

There's more to the story though and Musa's sure of it, but they don't want to tell her and she's frankly okay with that. She can figure it out on her own.

The next day when specialism rolls around she tries to keep a closer eye on Riven, he's brooding emotions are more vexed than usual and he's sticking to a corner far away from anyone.

Dowling is not able to join today which means that Musa will most likely be relegated to the sidelines when their new specialism instructor Griselda calls out:

"Riven, Musa team five"

it's a surprise for sure and not just to the fairy as the green-eyed specialist looks at her with a passive face. There is relief emitting from him which she must be imagining, and Musa thinks she hears another fairy mutter "thank the planets" under their breath as she makes her way to Riven greeting him with a nod one he mirrors back

"Today you are all in for a special treat!" Griselda announces with all the enthusiasm of a rock "Your objective is simple, be the first group to reach the core of our maze and you will be our winner. This is a practice run, a simpler version of what your final will be" she looks at each of the students in turn as she gives their instruction

"If a burned one touches you or your partner, you're out. If the course takes you down, you're out. If another group takes one of you out,-"

"We're out, we get it. Crazy old bat" Riven mutters under his breath and it shouldn't make Musa chuckle but it does and her laughter shouldn't cause his frown to ease away into a superior smirk but it does.

"First one to the middle can skip the midterm paper and secure yourself an automatic A" that gets the whole class buzzing because Grisilda's papers are always such a pain. Even Riven looks invested and another look exchange between them is all the assurance they need that they're going to play for win.

Each group takes their place at a different entrance and rushes in at the blasting of the horn. Thick fog greets them as they enter the maze, no doubt as part of their test. It's eerily silent, the only noise the soft pounding of their footsteps against the dusty road and the occasional rustle of the thick vines that made up the maze walls. It's hard not to be jumpy as they travel down the path making turn after turn, expecting an ambush at every second but coming up to nothing.

"They're trying to get us to ease up our vigilance" Riven mutters when they travel further in still not having faced any obstacle. Musa nods as she tries to keep her powers open when a series of moving forces has her freezing and pulling back on Riven who goes still instantly.

The fog is thick almost too thick to see but they can certainly hear the sound of fighting and Musa can sense that not 10 feet ahead a series of students are fighting each other.

She can feel Riven getting ready to jump in but she holds him back.

"No! It's just different groups attacking one another, let them take each other out" She reaches into the ground and allows her power to senses the next path, finding one sprinkled with Griselda's aura she leads them into the next passageway.

"This way"

As they make their way further in she can't help think about how easily they surpassed that first obstacle, how easily Riven trusted her. She's still pondering the thought as they inch alongside the tall ivy walls when the specialist mutters:

"You think so loud" and she answers without thinking

"I'm just surprised you didn't object to us skipping out the fighting" she's more curious because of the incident the day before but her words makes him stiffen and she's worried there's another attack when he scoffs and answers with a spike in bitterness

"You know despite popular belief I'm not some fucking wolfhound who can't contain its blood lust"

"I didn't-

"The objective is to get to the middle first, not to take out as many fucking people" he mutters, turning back to the path and Musa opens her mouth to defend her statement when an ivy shoots out and wraps itself around her ankle and jerks the mind fairy off her feet toward one of the walls.

She hits the ground hard, the air escaping her as her chest takes the brunt of the fall and she's dragged against the dirt path when the sound of metal cutting vine reaches her ear over her own scream.

"Get up! Get up! Get up!"

Riven's demands furiously though no sound escapes her as even breathing hurts but Rivens dragging her away from the wall practically hauling her to her feet

"Look out!" Musa calls yanking Riven to the ground as another vine whips toward them, the empath pulling out her dagger and cutting the attacking shrubbery, though to both their horrors the one fallen vine regenerates into two and they barely have time to scramble back to their feet before its swiping at them again.

They stand back to back, as both sides of their pathway come alive. The gargantuan maze wall slithers as the very fabric of them are awakened and weaponized. Another vine shoots out and latches onto Rivens arm from behind pulling his right arm back and Musa cuts through it just as a green thing wraps around the specialist ankle with the specialist Riven cutting through the attack.

They stagger instinctually away from the wines that grab at them and find themselves smack dab in the middle of the maze's path where the greeneries can no longer reach them though they snap at the duo with all their might from either side, falling short just inches from their faces

As they try to catch their breath Musa takes stalk of their situation,

"So no hiding or sticking close to the wall or 'we're out, which forces us to the middle where we are out in the open, vulnerable. Well, we're fucked"

"That sums it up nicely" Riven chuckles and Musa can feel the vibration of his laugh through her back. "We got to move fast" he mutters and he's right, speed is their only friend in this situation.

"Then what are we waiting for? I take the back, you keep your eye on the front" she shuffles so she can hand on his shoulder falling into a formation Silva had taught them, relying on him to be her eyes and that all the reassurance Riven needs to start moving fast with Musa hot on his heels.

As they take a turn Musa has a split second awareness before she's ducking pulling Riven down with her as a projection jumps over them

"Two burned ones at ten o'clock" she shouts and Riven's up and going at them, Musa curses tha she's weaponless but she can at the very least hold off one.

Sending a silent thanks to Dowling for her amped up training the mind fairy manages to confound one of the monsters enough to buy Riven time to deal with one monster before tackling the next. When the two monster are down they proceed once more with high speed.

"Is there a reason you're not fighting using your powers? Or did I imagine you blasting that creepy thing across the room?" Its a fair question and Musa loathes to admit the truth out loud but Riven's the only person who knows the extent of her power and she finds herself willing to answer

"I'm not sure how I did it" He looks at the mind fairy like her words simply don't make sense

"Wait so that was a new thing?"

"Sort of"

"Sort of?" and his persistence would have been a non issue if they weren't in the middle of fucking maze or anshe could walk away from but now she has no excuse to not answer

"It happened during the battle too"

Two more burned one appear but their take down is much easier as the duo are now well in tuned with each others fighting style

As the last of the projection is done with, they again fall back to back waiting, gauging to see if there's more. After sweeping the area twice Riven half tilts his head toward Musa in question, but she cant sense anything and shakes her head no and they begin moving again.

"You fucking havent told them" and he doesnt need to elaborate who them is because Musa understand clearly as she mutters

"You weren't the only one who thought they imagine it happening" it's not the real reasons, especially not after the second incident and its only half the truth, and Musa's not sure why she decides to speak the rest of the truth when hasn't even confided in the rest of her friends

"plus I, I usually turn off the emotions and for that thing I need a big burst of emotion and it's hard to just turn the shit on and off ok?"

"Ok, fine, no powers. Then where the hell is your weapon" He's not being nasty or mean, more like slipping into mentor mode and probably just curious but she's getting a little tired of the third degree.

"In case you havent noticed Im never allowed to join and besides, this is all I have" she twist the knife, his knife technically, and Riven all but swears

"What about the stuff school fucking gave you"

"They gave me nothing!" She hisses as they turn another corner, and pause both ready for another attack, halting suspiciously as nothing happen. They move more gently through the passage before Riven speaks again,

"So you're telling me after all these months you have nothing to actually fight with. And you didn't think to ask?" she gives him an exasperated look overher shoulde and points out

"Can you imagine what they'd think if I went up and demanded weapons? What they'd say?" and it's a statement that he can't really refute because he knows exactly how they'll react, still he pushes

"Yeah, you might piss them off. But why the fuck should their thought matter?"

"Not all of us have years of practice flouting public opinion; Plus, as an empath it matters a little more than most" her voice turns sarcastic but he's strangely concerned about her abilities because he keeps probing to much to Musa's amusement and annoyance

"Shouldn't your own voice be the loudest in your head?"

"If only, Its different with each person. You, case in point, feel so fucking much" and he pauses at the statement and Musa feels alert but all her powers pick up is vast emptiness and well Riven

"And thats bad because?"

And she's not sure how to answer it because its not, she shifts her weight slightly as she studies the path they've traveled through,

"Its not; it's just, so overwhelming"

"So learn not to let it overwhelm you" and she looks at him unimpressed because what a genius suggestion

"Thanks Riven I really needed you to mansplain my powers to me" and Riven rolls his eyes unfazed by her statement or her tone as he swings his swords, his arm no doubt growing stiff due to the length they've been traveling while on guard.

"You can't keep turning off your emotions, dampening them and then expect them to suddenly be ready for you to tap into." as much Musa hates to admit it he;s making a valid point "So feed of whatever emotions you have around you"

The empath cant help but do a double take as his words "Feed of you?"

"That sounds a little kinky" and she elbows him though he doesn't react besides smirking more

"Are you serious? because every time I so much as peek into your head you look like your about to bite my head off and now your offering to let me prance around-"

"Woah-Woah, I did not offer you a trip around my mind" and he looking like he regrets the offer but after a beat he surprisingly continues "Just use the power or whatever, don't explore, just use it"

He's trying to be helpful Musa realizes in a very roundabout Riven sort of way and but before she can say anything her mind pick up on two people on the other side of the upcoming bend.

"We've got company, two people"

It's all Riven needs to hear to fall into battle mode. The specialist sends a questioning look and mouth's 'how many' at the empath and it takes Musa a moment before she holds up two fingers.

Riven nods, and they silently move flush against the wall, inching closer to the bend. The closer they get the more clearly Musa can feel a person practically on the other side of the wall, filled with intent and resolution, ready to attack.

A gentle hand on his shoulder is all it takes for Riven to freeze as Musa rises onto her toes and pulls him down so she can ever so quietly whispers into his ear,

"One's right around the corner, she's going to swing at you when we enter" theres so many things about their proximity thats setting her aflame and tugging her mind in another direction but she pushes it all aside, they have an important task at hand. She feels Riven stiffen as she lowers herself onto her heels and worries if she's benign too loud because if they're heard, they'll lose the element of surprise and their advantage. Riven frowns digesting the information before he leans down and just as quietly asks:

"Can you tell who?"

His warm breath tickles her ear and the nape of her neck as it sweeps- 'Focus' Musa berates herself as she searches for an answer to his question. It takes Musa a second as she tries to concentrate on the person closest to them, the energy is familiar and it's only a moment more before she has a name.

"Mara"

The empath can practically see the gears in Rivens head shifting as he strategizes a battle plan. After a beat he takes a step to the side and rather than walk out swinging, he roll dives into the opening as a sword swings above him, missing him by a mile. Mara falters for half a step as she pivots to turn and that's all that Riven needs to be up and swinging.

"Surprised you made it this far with a mind freak" Mara taunts and the two specialist go at it in a furry of swords.

Except Mara is on her own which can't be possible and the empath knows that Eira, a light fairy is Mara's partner and she may be able to stay hidden, a move Stella likes to use often. But as invisible to the eye the fairy maybe she can't erase the footprint on the ground nor her mental emotions that she's broadcasting freely.

Projecting fear, paranoia and lethargy at the place where the footsteps end it only matters a second before the light fairy is revealed and Musa doesn't waste a second more attacking her and using the most basic of hand to hand combination to pin the girl with a dagger at her throat. The empath doesn't even have to get Eira to tap out as the light fairy begins to fade, no doubt being summoned to the starting point.

"Fuck" Marar curses as she too begins to fade

"My fairy s better than yours" Riven taunts and he smiles as he shoves the female specialist off. But Mara is snarling, pissed beyond belief as he curses at Riven.

"Everyone knows you dont have a fucking fairy, like anyone wants to be paired with a traitor like you"

The self loathing that bursts in the green eyed specialist is so crippling and heartbreaking that Musa finds her stomach clenching in pain.

"Riven," Musa doesn't know whether its her gentle tone, her glowing eyes or just the look on her face but the specialist doesnt even let her talk as he snarls

"Leave it!"

"Rive-"

"I said leave it" he stomps away and Musa rushes to catch up, his longer legs eating up the distance so fast that she has to jog just catch up to him, not that she's really sure what she's planning to say-

When a burned one jumps out at them and just the image is enough to trigger her. Throwing her hands up and actively now summoning the familiar feeling Musa is more than ready for when the burned one rams into them and it takes everything in the mind fairy to push back against the force and blast the creature backwards propelling it into one of the maze walls and actually knocking the section down revealing the center of the maze.

"Fuck me"

They've won. To everyone's utter surprise it seems, as it takes a moment for their classmates to begin clapping politely. Griselda looks like she's swallowed a toad as she announces them as winners though Musa thinks that reaction has got more to do with Riven than her. Her girls though swarm them both and in the midst of it all Musa can see Riven looking a bit guarded and feeling bittersweet at the attention that's on him. She aims for casual as she answers the 'how' of their win giving out a small shrug and looking at Riven as she says:

"It was a team effort"

The empath loves her suitemates all the more when they all include him in the congratulation, Bloom more bubbly than the rest and of course Riven wouldn't be Riven if he didn't play it cool with a shrug and a smug:

"Piece of cake"

Musa though is the most surprised that Riven's strangely content to be greeted and acknowledged by their group so she's all the more surprised when after she throws a grateful look and asks him if he wants to join them at dinner he shakes his head and begs off without an excuse.

By the time she's strolling to sparring after class the next day her mind is churning between Riven and her powers not to mention the question Silva and Dowling will have in regards to her powers. Maybe that is the next step, maybe blending what she's learning in her two different classes will be the key to becoming a fighter.

She's so in tune that she doesn't really notice the object sitting in her usual corner until she's right on top of it. Since the day she joined combat training she'd always always dumped her stuff below a weeping willow a good distance from the field. Vesper and the team later teased about the singular place but by then it was a habit.

It's black bag, medium size with the school's logo printed neatly on the side and it's leaning against the trunk. The empath is not sure who would put it there but she gets the sense that it's meant for her. At the very worst she might find some identifier in the bag as to who its owner might be.

The cool metal cylinder is the first thing that her finger touch and as she pulls it out she knows instantly that its the basic training staff, there's a singular booklet about AlfeaCollege and that confirms it that this is the basic welcome kit all specialist received upon their entrance to the school.

She digs in again and finds a compass, though its far more delicate than she'd expect for a schools welcome package as well as a pair of grey socks with the school logo on it.

The empath turns, bewildered and beyond touched, to the sea of specialists practicing in the field infront of her and finds Vesper looking at her with a small smile from a corner not too far off. The mind fairy's about to head over and thank her when to Musa's surprise, the group leader's gaze jumps to Riven who is hovering disapprovingly over Timmy, before coming back to the empath.

The shock of Vesper's implication registers a beat later and Musa knows it shows all over her face because Vesper's smile broadens before she turns back to their team.

Riven had gotten her the bag,

Her pulse begins to hammer the weight of the bag suddenly too heavy and she's not one to read into things but the gesture is beyond sweet and so thoughtull and so unlike what she'd imagined Riven to be. Then again the one thing she's becoming certain of is that she's not sure who Riven is.

But as she watches him begin to walk away, refusing Timmy once again to join them for dinner, without so much as glancing her way. She knows without a doubt that he's purposely isolating himself and she's not sure why.

---

It's only a couple of days later that Musa realizes that it's fear and guilt, or at least partially.

For once she's early to lunch, cruising her way through the cafeteria line. Her mind pick up Riven's aura easily and she spots he's sitting back against the wall in some corner table, and Musa is working her a way over to him, thinking of at least thanking him for the bag.

When she sees his whole demeanor change as Beatrix falls into the seat opposite him and she knows then that yes its partially fear that has Riven isolating himself because despite the ever pissed of visage that the specialist is putting on he's fucking on high alert like nothing Musa's ever seen from him before.

And fuck that twisted fairy because the empath is not sure what the girl has actually done to illicit such a reaction from Riven but he fucking doesnt desrve to be terrorized when he's just trying to eats his damn food.

Musa's not sure what propels her forward, doesn't even realizes she's moving until she's dumping her bag on the table with a heavy thud causing the two occupants to jump.

The satisfaction she gets for actually surprising them is immense and makes her giddy enough that she decides to just fuck with psycho fairy rather than call her straight out.

"Hey sorry I was late-" she leans over and dumps her stuff on the table not looking up until she's pretty well sprawled all over the table before placing her hand on Rivens shoulder in pretense of needing help to balance as she steps into the seat by his side "Silva is being a bitch and he's making double"

And to his credit Riven looks non pulsed though she can feel his bafflement is pretty on par with Beatrix's whose look is morphing into one of distaste especially as Musa catches the auburn haired girls eyes and tries to look extra wide eyed and unassuming

"Oh, Hello! Sorry didn't see you there, am I interrupting?"

"Hello." Beatrix mocks as she studies Musa her eye falling to the hand that still resting on Riven's shoulder "I'm-"

and the sudden spark of mischief in the storm fairy is enough for Musa to know Beatrix is going to pull Riven into it, probably say some shit about being his ex or love of his life and the empath is not going to give her that opportunity

"-the chick who went mental and tried to help Rosalind kill us all yeah, I know" her tone is factual, like she's reciting a blurb from their large tomb of history of magical her voice is dripping with honey. The empath starts unpacking her lunch, calling out the auburn haired fairy and dismissing her in one go. Making the barb sting all the more for it

"What was your name again?" she adds as an afterthought she plops a fry into her mouth focusing more on the arranging her food. The storm fairy's tempers brewing

"Beatrix"

"Oh B, nice name, Can we help you?" Musa says as she starts opening package after package of ketchup. And Beatrix is brilliantly put out at the 'we' her lips pursuing at the nickname the mind fairy gives her and Musa really should stop.

Truth is the empath knows Beatrix is only fumbling because she'd been surprised and maybe because Musa ever so gently tuning up every positive emotion that the storm fairy has. Leaving the girl clearly in a confounded and confused state. Because Beatrix is a lot of things but a bumbling idiot isn't one of them. And despite everything she takes a shot at Musa:

"So what? You're what he replaced me with." before she turns to Riven "that's the best you can do really?"

"I don't replace things I throw out" Riven bounces back and Musa's actually kinda proud at how nonchalant he acts despite the rage he's feeling especially because it riles beatrix up more

"We both know you'd come back crawling if I were to twitch my finger in your direction"

And Riven scoffs

"I knew you were crazy, but I didn't think you were delusional" and Musa wonders where this resilience has come from because Riven's usually one to dwell in explosive reaction. but Musa's on a roll and enjoying this far, far too much to be even a little offended at the insinuation that she's dating Riven, matter of fact she pushes it further

"Never really took you as a person who needs label B "the mind fairy cocks her head to the side as though really considering the fairy in front of her "Always thought you were more open minded than that" the empath is very cautious that her voice doesn't even edge toward bitchy or snide. Beatrix, Musa's coming to suspect feeds off of instigating a reaction and the more nonchalant they remain the more unhinged she'll become.

"Its Beatrix"

and oh this is a sore point Musa realizes and she shouldn't, she really shouldn't but she came here to just back up Riven but how can she not.

"Right B, like you know the bumble B." and it takes everything in her to look at the auburn hair fairy cluelessly

And evidently that's just too much because the storm fairy throws her disgusted look before she's up and out of her seat.

"Oh you don't want to stay?" not that she gets a response "Bye B" she all but sings. When the pyscho ex is out of sight, Musa cant help but feel ever so pleased with herself.

"Well that was interesting"

Rivens whirls on her like she's fucking lost her mind his head full of simmering anger and strange notes of panic,

"That was interesting? Really?" His imitation voice is two octaves too high in her opinion and It's the most animated she's ever seen the boy who somehow looks lost and amused at the same time.

"What?" Musa's acting like a brat but it worked oh so well with Beatrix that she can't help but needle RIven with it too "I asked if I interrupted" the sarcastic sincerity is just a tad too overdone.

"Don't fucking give me that, your a lot of things but innocent isn't one of them" and his eyes rake over her as he talks and she cocks an eyebrow at the unexpected compliment, though he probably thought she'd take it as an insult.

They stay like that studying each other, and the scent of pine and musk tickle Musa's nose

"I didn't ask for your help" he challenges his voice raspy and a little on edge a complete contrast to the airy response the empath provides

"Never said you did"

"I'm fine"

"Never said you werent"

"Can you stop being so fucking agreeable. Its freaking me out" and it's really getting to him Musa realizes from the way he keeps looking at her, searching her eyes as if she has some hidden agenda. Being so guarded and on high alert that clearly shows how agitated he is and she's not sure what has him so spooked, why he's so freaked out.

"The hell you want. and if you give me some cookie cutter version so help me-"

"Ok real talk? Your ex is next level psycho and I wasn't sure she wasn't going to slit your throat in the middle of the cafeteria'' It's blunt and on par with their usual banter and she looks at him with open bewilderment because what the hell is up with him.

It isn't until she feels the anxiety that she makes a startling realization, he hasn't had someone just be kind to him recently. The thought is just disconcerting as his look keeps boring into her, as if he's waiting for her to-she's not even sure what. Laugh at him? Lash out at him? He's so quiet that she knows she has to say something unless she wants to watch him implode.

"If I'd known that's what it takes to shut you up-" she teases and it all Riven needs to shake off whatever is haunting him, at least a tad

"Piss off" he mutters and reaches over to steal a couple of her fries. He's still on edge though and their is weariness that runs torrent under the sea of emotions that is suddenly so distinct to Musa

"Why?" and she can't just leave him because holy hell what is going on with him and she's not sure can just turn back at this point "Why are you here by yourself Riven? Why are you taking this bullshit from Beatrix? And Why are you pushing people away?" Her comments triggers him and he explodes

"Push- Who? Who am I pushing away? Whose left to push away?" the last part clearly slips out and it's the first she's ever seen him so open and vulnerable. His pupils are blown, his breath ragged and she thinks she can almost touch the pain in them is just breathtaking.

"Dont you fucking dare pity me" he snarls and maybe in anyone else she would have, hell she wants to so bad, but this Riven and she knows him enough to know he will lash out at any sign of gentleness a fact that this encounter is making oh so clear for her so she doesn't even hesitate as she meet him shot for shot.

"I don't pity you, with that prickly ass attitude you don't leave room for pity" she's aiming for nonchalance and must achieve something akin to it because he exhales after another beat of studying her and reaches for another fry. And just for good measure Musa swats his hand "And stop stealing my damn fries" which of course prompts him to take two more.

As he munches on the fries Riven start building up his defenses again, though he's struggling to keep them raised.

"You know you swear a lot more when your with me, tell me do I just bring out this nasty side of you out, or are you just faking it with everyone else"

"I swear if you say-"

"Because you'll never have to fake anything with me" His grin is widest its been all lunch and he looks so proud of his line, it's kinda adorable. He would kill her if he knew she associated him with the word.

"Anyone ever tell you that most people who brag so much are usually overcompensating for something." Her words may be cutting but her tone is light not that it fazes Riven in the least as his smile only broadens as he looks at her ever unabashed.

"Maybe, but we both know that doesn't apply to me, especially since you've seen for yourself" He's acting confident and teasing but he's also fishing, still unsure exactly what she saw that night and Musa knows it eats him, the not knowing.

And maybe Musa is just about done being embarrassed about that night but that doesn't mean she's going to give him the satisfaction of discussing the night in question with him. Instead she reaches for her water and takes a long drink glancing around the cafeteria ignoring the piercing the green orbs that don't waver from her face and like a moth to the flame she finds herself looking back at him.

"How are you so bad at communicating when you say so much" her question is a little too honest and her gaze too open, but she needs to know and figuring him out is just proving to be too confusing too hard

"Ever though maybe I just dont like people?" he taunts in response, though the smirk doesn't quite reach his eyes and the bravado too false and maybe Musa doesnt know him really but this, this statement she knows is absolutely false.

"Please, your the biggest closetet extrovert I've ever seen So why are you isolating yourself like this"

"Did you you hit your head or was right now just not a big enough reminder as to who I was keeping company with last semester" He's getting defensive as he frowns and yeah she had known she was just surprised he was owning it and still itl didn't exactly explain why he was avoiding everyone.

"So you what, this isolation is your self punishment for...dating her? You do know you can't be charged with guilt by association right? Because if that is all, then in that the case half the male and frankly a good portion of the female student body would have to be let go"

"Its not by fucking association and you know it. I did plenty"

"What did you do? Beside be your usual dikish self. Because you did not isolate yourself like this despite being twice the asshole" Musa knows she's being bold, maybe too bold, but she can't back down.

Because whatever it is, it's clearly eating him alive and no one is noticing. For a second she thinks he'll actually talk as he opens his mouth after he looks around the room but when he glances back at her he just deflates and says nothing rather just picks at his food. And that's the most worrisome reaction of all. Because whatever she may not know about the specialist she knows that Riven is a fighter and right now he looks like he's inches from tapping out

Musa pivots back to her other point "Riven if being an ass was an expulsion offense you'd been gone last year"

"Tell me how you really feel, why don't you?" he snaps finally and though at least now the snark is back in his voice and he's actually talking he's eyes are becoming listless. They're too far into this conversation for her to back down now though so she pushes forward, past her worries and his clear fatigue.

"What? Like you didn't know already. Your fucking too selfobsorved to not be self aware." For a moment he drops the pretense of eating and just stares at her looking bewildered, like he's surprised that she's actually picked up on this trait of his, or noticed him at all.

She's not sure which it is honestly and there's a bit of awe and disbelief that spike amidst his torrential river of emotions before he just shakes his head and looks off, his fisted hand relaxed as he rubs his forefinger against his thumb.

It's a little terrifying how much Musa is willing to pay for his thoughts right now and if she thinks too far as to why she's here or why she even cares that he's evidently spiralling, she'll spiral too she thinks. So rather she anchors them both by throwing a barb at him:

"Stop pouting it's not a good look on you," which of course that sets him back to to default which is flirting

"I think you'd look good on me"

It shouldn't be impressive how easily he curtain his emotions and shifts. and hollyshit! If that grin he gives her as he rakes his eyes over her doesn't make her insides dance but the whole thing is dampened now by her realization of the tempest he's dueling with inside himself. Musa's not going to let this go, because he's frankly drowning with the need to talk and she's already heard twenty versions of these lines.

"Do these lines ever work?" she asks honestly as she takes a bite of another fry

"More than you ever want to know" he answers with a tired sigh

"Ew!" it's an automatic reaction especially since she can tell he's being honest in his answer. Her reaction though elicits a confused look from Riven and has him scooting closer to her, his thighs pressing into her own as he reaches across from her, and this close she can smell the minty scent of after shave and feel his bicep graze her arm and the heat of him has her stomping down a flutter though the smile that asshole give her as he grabs the apple on the tray lets her know he did that on purpose

"Are you going to sit there and tell me they aren't working on you?" and Musa won't answer that, can't and uses a fry to wipe off the last of the ketchup a little too carefully as an excuse to not look at him though the heat that's emitting from his thigh thats pressed against her own makes it all a little too hard to ignore.

"Your ex was just here plotting your murder and you still havent learned to vet the people you hook up with" she but to her surprise Riven snorts

"Beatrix was already crazy when I met her," he mutters

"And you still slept with her, what does that say about you" she can't help but squawk in indignation because what the hell

"That I'm a guy" he levels with an unapologetic shrug before adding "You think your lover boy would refuse her?"

"Don't be an ass" she warns but to her surprise he grows quiet as he rolls his eyes and mutters:

"Why whenever I'm being honest I'm an ass"

"Because your delivery sucks'' she answers honestly "and it's all because you like the shock value too much" the bastard doesn't even have the decency to deny it as his signature cheshire smile graces his face. The fries are almost all gone and Riven's now looking around the rapidly filling cafeteria.

"He dated you and your not that sort of crazy but you're definitely crazy" his words cause the empath to freeze as she goes over them in her head

"I can't decide if I was just insulted or not." Musa mumbles after a beat and he shrugs nonchalantly.

The girls are all pilling in, she can see them congregating in a table one the other side of the big hall Riven notices them too as he taunts:

"Run along to your friends now, before they come looking for you" he's being stubborn but Musa's not one to be told what to do and can be equally as stubborn

"If they want me they can come and sit here"

"I don't, need, your help." Riven all but growls at the mind fairy but Musa's used to his barks during drilling practice and can tell there is no real heat behind his words right now, he's more scared than angry.

"Everyone needs help sometimes'' Musa tells him simply and she's getting a little dizzy going in circles with him; enjoying the banter a tad too much and becoming too undeniably aware that she might sort of, actually care about his well being. Not himself, just his well being, she tries to justify.

"Listen, I dont know whats going on with you but this loner guy thing, it was an understandable act last year but now, it's just sad"

"You don't know anything-" Riven begins to protest but Musa won't hear it. He's not getting it subtly so she'll just lay it out all for him.

"Sky has been looking for you every, single, lunch period since he started sitting with us. and I know because I hear him non stop for 45 minutes everyday. Its like listening to a puppy looking for his best friend squirrel who's just up and left and your a shit friend for doing this to him"

"Hey-

"Vesper and the team want to know why despite being the only mentor who's never missed a single class, you've never once eaten with the group. They keep thinking if they do better on their performance you'll finally grace them with your presence not that they actually admit it outloud"

"I don't'-"

"Not to mention Silva's who's now watching me constantly as if I'm some nefarious little traitorous jezebel because you gave me that knife"

The last example truthfully has her confused a little too, it was just a dagger for god's sake, but it's true, Silva's been hawkeyed whenever she so much as glances at Riven's direction. Not that the specialist infront of her gets it, she thinks as she can clearly see Riven frowning in confusion as if the words she's saying aren't exactly registering or computing.

The empath wants to shake him and yell 'You have all these people so why are you pushing them away' but it's Riven he wouldn't know what to do with that blatant blanket statement, or show of concern really.

The examples are the best she can do and hope he can pull himself out of whatever it is he's drowning in. Because she's not going to force him to join them if he doesn't want to, he's a stubborn ass and the choice will ultimately be his.

"Look I get it, you did some shit and it's probably bad. like really bad." and she does because for him tto be this wrecked over it she can only imagine "But figure it outand work it out. Because you may be a lot of things, but a lost cause is not one of them."

"Im not one the hero's you lot like to hang out with"

His words are hard, cutting and he's looking at her with loathing in his eyes though she doesn't get the sense that the hatred is aimed at her.

There's so many emotions swimming in him, in his gaze and his soul but he looks on, unwaveringly, as if daring her to look away. Acting as if he's revealing to her for the first time he's true grotesque nature and expecting her to flee but she stares back boldly, because despite what he thinks, she's not seeing anything new right now.

"I never thought you were." She levels with him because he is right and she strangely respects him enough to not lie to him, and despite what he's saying he's not ready to hear her verdict and she doesnt have one to bestow yet "but I never thought you were that kind of stupid either"

"And what kind is that?"

"The kind that cuts off an arm just because they got a paper cut"

AN: There was an act 3 and I cut it in half and then I had to cut it in half again.

This chapter killed me in ways I never thought a chapter could kill.

To all my lovelies who commented I adore you, you are everything, and frankly, every comment and word and suggestion made me smile and do a happy dance, and I can't wait to hear what you thought about this chapter, it is the longest yet.

I always adore hearing from you, let me know what you think of the pace of our story, is it going well, is it too slow? Also, does Musa's interest seem genuine or are we creeping along too slowly. One point of clarification: the said alfea college and I'm going to write them like college kids so 18/19.

The next chapter is some of my absolute favorite parts of the story and I think next chapter we will also introduce Riven's perspective a little. Was our main hero too soft, too raw did I get him right? I feel like I finally have Musa's voice down pack but the redemption arc of a fuckboy it's a little trickier.

As always thank you for reading and don't forget to review, Cheers-GQ2000