Here's the next chapter, finally! After my last review, I decided to take a break! So please check in!:D

I slowly stepped away from the corner, pondering what I had just heard. I had started going to the room; trying to find out what it was, when I saw Mr. Alex. Then, I was curious; I wanted to find out more about what he was 'practicing', but neither of these things happened. When I saw others go into the room; the teachers in fact, I decided to wait until they were done. So, I hid behind the corner, hoping not to get caught out of bed, and I couldn't help overhearing.

Now, I couldn't stop thinking about what they had said. First of all, Thomas was good at woodwork? He never told me that. Second, magical warrior training? What the heck is that? Third, what was that with Miss Sky? Finally, what were they arguing about. They seemed to find Thomas's talent just fine, but they couldn't figure out mine. Why? And what does that mean for me?

I wanted to talk to Thomas so much! But I couldn't even see the hallway that he used to get to his room. So, I did the only thing I could think of doing; I followed Mr. Alex. I quickened my pace and rounded the corner just in time to get to Mr. Alex before he ran out of my sight. I started running, and at the pace he was going; I had to grab onto his robe to get his attention. When I did, he looked back; surprised. Before he could scold me, or tell me off; I asked him my first question.

"What were you guys talking about back there?" I asked quickly.

"W-What?"

"What were you talking about? What is magical warrior training, and talents, and how come I never knew Thomas could do woodwork?"

"Wait? Were you eavesdropping?" Mr. Alex asked, starting to scold.

"What does that mean?" I asked, confused. No one used words like that back at the island.

"Listening in."

"Well, yeah. Why wouldn't I? It was interesting." I was very confused. At the island, we never learned things like, "it's bad to listen in to private conversations'', or "sneaking around and following people is wrong". Just the simple basics. Work and do whatever the leader tells you to do.

Mr. Alex just blinked at me.

"What?" I asked.

Alex still stared at me, but then looked around. "Follow me." he said, and walked downstairs, and outside.

I followed close behind him, wondering what we were doing.

We walked across the beach for a moment, white sand lifting from its resting place and claiming the air as its own. Soon, a jungle came into view. It was more green the I had ever seen, and I gaped at it in wonder.

Mr. Alex chuckled.

He gestured t me to still follow him, but only walked to a small boulder, and sat down. He beckoned me to do the same. As I sat down, I started to stare at the stars. They were showing clearly, an I could tell that it was very late in the day.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" Mr. Alex asked, and all I could do was nod.

"So… am I in trouble for something?" I dared to ask.

"Do you think you are?" Mr. Alex replied.

I shrugged, "You seemed angry at me."

"Do you know why?"

I hesitated for a moment, "No." I finally said, "But I think it has something to do with me listening in."

Mr. Alex nodded, "Tell me, what rules have you been told? Like what to do and what not to do."

"Obey the one in charge, don't disobey your leader, and…" I hesitated for a moment, "don't try to run away." I said, realizing that's exactly what Thomas and I did.

"Anything else?"

I shook my head.

"Well, there are more than just that, like privacy rules. First, don't eavesdrop into other's private conversations."

"So, I can't listen in to other's conversations."

"Unless they invite you in." Mr. Alex finished. "Next…"

This went on for a while, Mr. Alex would explain each rule to me, and I would listen contently. There were many, and it took about an hour to get finished.

"That's about it." Mr. Alex sighed.

"So… am I still in trouble?" I asked.

"No," Mr. Alex chuckled, "not if you explain this stuff to your friend. Think you can do that?"

I nodded.

"Good." Mr. Alex said as he started to stand up.

"Wait." I said, grasping his robe.

"What is it?"

"I want to know more about what you were talking about. What's 'magical warrior training'? And, what's going on with me?" I asked, practically begging for answers.

"Well, magical warrior training is more advanced training in your best 'art', and it teaches you to do more than just create."

"What do you mean? Like, fight?" I asked, recognizing the word 'warrior'.

"Well, yes."

"But fight what? Everyone is so kind here." I asked.

"Well, you ran away from your home, right?"

"Yeah."

"Why did you do that?"

"Thomas and I wanted to be…" she pondered for the right word, "free."

"All we did was work." I continued.

"Some islands, like that one, aren't too kind to others, and sometimes they want to fight."

"Oh."

Mr. Alex looked at me. His expression was one I rarely saw; sympathy.

"Come." he said, and stood up.

I stood up as well and soon found myself steering away from the mansion with Mr. Alex. Soon, we entered an area right around the corner. In what seemed to be thin air, there was a small opening to a grey world.

"What is this?" I asked, frowning at the familiarity of no color.

"This, is Quill." he said, looking out into the distance as if recalling a memory, "This whole world, Artime, started in this small grey world."

I gaped in surprise.

"I was even born there." he sighed. "It's a long story, but we had a fight with this world too, and we, well, I don't even know if you can even call it winning." he looked down, sorrow in his eyes, "We lost a great man to Quill, one I'll never forget." he sighed, a tear sailing down his cheek.

We sat in silence for a moment, and I waited patiently for Mr. Alex to be ready.

When he was, he stood up. "Anything else?"

It took me a while to realize he was waiting for a question. "Oh," I said finally realizing it, "what was happening, with me? Why don't I have a talent?"

"That," Mr. Alex sighed, "I can't help you with. I don't understand half of it myself.

I sighed in disappointment.

"Well, if that's all then…"

"One more question!" I gasped; afraid of losing the opportunity.

"What were you practicing in the boat?"

"Oh, uh…" he started, obviously surprised at the question. "Do you know about marriage?"

I shook my head.

"Oof, well, you might want to sit down. This is going to be a long night."

Here it is just for you Jinger!

Stay fabulous my friends ;)

I'll see you in the next chapter!