~ Worrywort ~
Most people worried. Piper had worrying down to an art. And it had only gotten worse with age and with every nasty curve ball life threw her way. She couldn't sleep well anymore. She was always tired, always anxious. The wrongness of when velvet was brushed against the grain; that's how every day felt. Nothing was wrong in particular, but that knowledge alone didn't make it better.
She had hoped that going back to the Resistance (back to Agate) would solve all her problems. Yes, she was learning at her craft, and fast, but nothing seemed fixed.
"You're distracted," Agate noted, her voice calm and soft. Agate was folded into a lotus position, mirroring Piper's pose.
The crystal mage shrugged.
"Tell me what it is; you need to be of sound mind and body in order for us to make the best progress."
Piper hesitated, trying to find the words. "It's everything. I feel us this pressure. From you. The Resistance. Even the guys. And they don't get it. I try to explain it to them, but they're all so distant. And I'm always feeling sick."
Agate nodded sagely, her thin lips pursing. "I've been delaying in telling you this, but it always happens to students."
"What?"
"You're feeling this confusion because of your attachments, Piper. You need to get rid of them."
Piper's brow scrunched in confusion. "I don't get it."
Agate's hand made a slicing motion. "You need to cut your ties to the physical world. You're worries, fears, and relationships. There are only two choices you can make; your craft or you're friends."
Piper opened her mouth to speak, to argue, but she was interrupted. "You don't need to decide now, of course. But soon, you will have to. The Winter Solstice is coming soon and it's the historical date to initiate a student properly. You have until then, to find your answer."
A/N: Beta-ing this chapter was rather rushed - so I apologize for errors now. I've basically rewritten what I've lost now and now there's a bit of a queue. Expect updates later this week once I get done proof reading.