Juliet and Heine were trouble. The three of them together made a perfect storm. Unsurprising given their roots.

Their antics certainly broke the tedium of Alvarez. There was a certain boredom that comes with being unsurpassed. Irene was the best and would remain so regardless, but some competition would be more than welcome. August could match Irene. Of course, he would have to have to agree to a duel and that would never happen.

Today was no different.

It had all started days before, Wahl and Dimaria, two of August's charges, decided that they were going to have a prank war. All sorts of mishaps had occured in the castle since. Items appeared and disappeared in a blink of an eye and the palace was laced with all manner of traps. What ensued for the majority of the palace's residents was pure mayhem.

Needless to say, the past few weeks were some of the most entertaining of Irene's life, she did nothing to discouraged their antics. They didn't involve Irene, so why bother, and the insolent brats knew better than to test her patience.

Juliet was a different story, she practically fed off of others energy, she was more than willing to indulge those brats. She gave them all manner of ideas. It didn't matter which side and half the time she drug Heine along with her.

All this was unbefitting of a Spriggan regardless of age, is probably what August would say if he knew, but he was away on an errand for the emperor. What he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

Of course, all good things must come to an end.

The commotion began in the palace gardens. Irene was savoring her afternoon tea, while her two ch..c..creations, yes creations, regaled her on the various going ons and happenings of the palace.

The floral aroma wafted around. The birds sang the day was picturesque; if only for a moment.

Until something, someone, flew past Irene causing her tea to knock over.

Wahl, the insufferable brat, was sprawled in the small koi pond. "What the fuck?!" He accused someone over her shoulder.

Dimaria, of course, "You hurt Randi!" She accused and in the blink of an eye they were beating the shit out of each other. They should be using magic. August must not be much of a teacher if their first inclination was to use their fists.

Juliet moved to get up and stop them; Irene held up her hand, "leave them to it." Juliet looked unsure, sympathetic even, which just wouldn't do. It could be addressed, a little, later; Juliet stayed seated. She wasn't completely broken just needed adjusting.

Heine, for her part, watched impassively.

Irene would have gotten involved if they had managed to mar her, in any way, but that was not the case; the tea had spilled on the ground not Irene.

"Dima!" Brandish, August's favorite, with tears in her eyes tried to pull Dimeria off of Wahl, so now Dimaria was fighting with a handicap. It made for a more interesting spectacle, but it was pathetic. These children were meant to be Spriggan and what did they know? Perhaps if she enchanted them they would learn a lesson.

Irene never got her chance though; August swept into the garden he looked almost angry. Then his eyes landed on Irene and he became furious.

"Careful now, keep a frightful look on your face and it might stick. You wouldn't want to scare your pupils indefinitely," Irene goaded.

August seemed to remember himself at that. The children leapt to defend themselves.

"Dimaria threw me in the pond!" Wahl butted in first throwing an accusing look Dimaria's way.

"He hurt Randi!" Dimaria shoot back, but she pleaded her case to August directly. Smart, she just might make a decent Spriggan yet.

"I could have short-circuited!"

"Bullshit!" Irene took it back letting anger get the best of her was the least intelligent move Dimaria could have made.

"Cease this at once! Leave, I will deal with you all later," they trailed out of the garden not looking much different than kicked dogs.

"You did nothing to stop this; the Emperor will be displeased." August gave Irene a pointed look.

"Not as disappointed once he hears of how the Calamity's pupils fight, I suspect," Irene spoke with a sly grin on her face.

At that August turned and left. Unfortunately, his composure didn't give anything away. Next time, Irene should encourage those antics. She could teach those Spriggan a thing or two and maybe then August would be furious enough to indulge her with a fight.