Meeting postponed for a stellar opportunity
'Ahhh, this took forever… finally, we got it, nearly two weeks, aahh… to think we needed so many…. Just has to work…' Blade entered the Council headquarters. Quickly she announced herself and moved on to the Guard security room and the guards on duty activated her morph-charm. "Thank you very much," she smiled as she turned into her redhead and bowed deeply.
"You're good to go," The elven guard nodded as he opened the door for her to let her out.
Blade didn't leave yet though. Amal had organised her and some others a pass for the Council building for the entire day as their meeting was today and there was no telling when exactly. They had to get the timing right after all. Blade was a bit early, nearly an hour since she wanted to talk and chat a bit with Amal and thank him once again. He was such a big help in all this. Marble had a full-on rivalry with him by now. Blade somehow always got dragged into those programming contests of theirs but wasn't a threat whatsoever for their skills. Still, it was a good exercise. The forum had exploded. Many Sorceresses from outside and even a few Fairies, but so far, the Fairies all were alumni prodigies without noble ties. Some had family ties to Sorceresses and were eager to help out or their order had Sorceresses and they had gotten invited by their peers. Still, the young Sorceresses had been surprised at how 'useful' the Fairies had been, their knowledge and magic had been a great help in staking out some of those tricky targets. Yet the older ones let the young handle it. After all, they were busy dealing with their actual jobs in the daytime, unlike the students of Cloud Tower, who had a lot of free time. 'He'll never see it coming, I hope… we tried so hard not to raise suspicions…' Blade bit her lip. 'I hope the others get everything organised and ready...ahhh! Just got to work.' Blade breathed out deeply, she was so tense and tired those extra hours were taking its toll. Her Fairy friends had some additional preparations to do. 'I wonder if they get the boxes and papers in just three offices…I feel like some spy on a mission or like an infiltrator… That they get to use their Kingdom's offices as basically bunkers to keep the Sorceresses in the building without raising suspicion and get them entrance for the day…what a ploy. This just has to work…' Her heart was beating faster just thinking about it. She climbed the stairs and turned to get to the Zenith secretary's office slowly. Today was Friday and Avalon and Palladium had made a training session straight out of the shadowlands for them. Her whole body was still sore and aching. And she yawned yet again, they had put so much effort and time into this. She couldn't wait to get some sleep back. Body enhancement only could carry her so far after all.
"And who have we here?" A familiar voice resounded. "And what brings you to the upper floors?"
"Eroan? No, wait…hmmm, Tolith…" Blade had still a hard time keeping Iolas's team apart. They looked so similar and those helmets didn't make it any easier.
"Better chance if you would use voice of nature," Sarlen smirked but didn't correct her. It was too much fun for the team to keep her guessing, 'Hey guys, another point for me. Blade got me wrong again.' He snorted in their psi-link.
'She's really bad at this… what is she doing here anyways? She is coming so often these past weeks,' Thallan laughed.
Blade sighed, "I would if I could but in this dump, I can't use magic…" She complained a bit.
"Hey, hey, hey, language this is the esteemed Council Headquarters," Sarlen scolded her. "What are you up to? You look on edge, like a thief in the night." He squinted his eyes. He had been a guard for more than a hundred years and of course, with their job, he had a keen eye for such things.
"Oh, nothing really," a smile flitted over her lips. 'Sorry, can't tell ya about that.'
"Hmmmm," a stern half-warning came from Iolas who suddenly was behind her. She hadn't even felt him approach, the rest of his team was right behind him as well.
Blade got startled, 'Fuck, oh, how, ahhh, quiet as a ghost I swear…' She growled slightly. "Eques…"
Iolas rolled his eyes, 'She is jumpy, Sarlen, you're right she's hiding something. Zhoron?' He crossed his arms. "Got a pass to run around here? Or is this another ambush?"
"What no," Blade's voice went a bit up in the end. 'Shit… why had it to be them, they know me too well, argh,' she stared at Zhoron slightly behind Iolas. That was the one elf besides Iolas she never got wrong.
Iolas unimpressed rose an eyebrow, "Seriously…your pass, please." He insisted. 'When will she learn etiquette!? I told her…'
"Fine," Blade patted around in her skirt pocket, "Eh? But…" She went a bit pale. 'Where is it!? I was sure I put it…' Hectically she searched for it. 'That's the last thing I need right now!'
Ararel side glanced at Iolas, 'And the bet goes to you.'
'Ahhh, she totally should have noticed that! She's preoccupied with whatever she's trying to pull. Not fair,' Ilrune complained.
Daeleth snorted, 'Heh, it's always bad to bet against our esteemed leader. He knows her way better than any of us now. Gotta pay up that bar round this evening.' He was enjoying this a bit too much.
Ararel sighed as he was watching Blade trying to trace her steps in her mind, 'Still, aren't you going a bit far? You should give it back, Iolas.'
"So? I ask one more time," Iolas repeated his question. 'In a second, just need to make sure she's not being stupid again. She's way off her home turf, political stuff isn't her forte at all.'
Blade bit her tongue, 'I just had it.' She shook her head, "My business is my own." No way she would tell him what they all were up to so short before the finish line.
Queen Stella was just about to go her way when she had heard the little squabble around the corner, 'Who's up to mischief, how dumb can one be? Here, at the Council. That girl's tone is so rude. Why is that guard so lenient? Those beginner squads always go so easy on people. Don't tell me… another Witch got in under false pretences. Today I saw so many here. Is this an incursion!? They are up to something…well, well, Stella to the rescue, time to show the noobies the ropes,' and promptly she changed her course.
Iolas held up the pass between his two fingers, "Not in that tone."
"You," Blade stared at the pass that was hers, "Oh, you, that's not funny, I need that, give it back this instant." She reached out to grab it. She turned it twice around to check it thoroughly.
Stella cleared her throat sharply. 'Figures, a Witch, and a brat at that. He let her have the pass back before he could check it properly…She's definitely not a noble.'
Blade turned to inspect the newcomer, 'Oh that's ..that's… is it? What is Queen Stella doing here?'
"That's no way to talk to our security guards," She harshly scolded her. "Who do you think you are?"
"I -" Blade tried to remember what Rise had told her about her Queen to avoid any further blunders. 'What does she want from me? Don't tell me another etiquette lesson from yet someone else…'
"You do know who I am, right?" Stella crossed her arms, 'Typical, always so snotty and no manners, seriously. And those guards have no backbone. That girl's so tense, she's up to something.' She squinted her eyes slightly.
"You're Queen Stella of Solaria…and a member of the Winx Club…" Blade answered quietly glancing to Iolas a bit annoyed. 'Great, Zhoron, kindly tell him, thanks sooo much… I don't have time for this.' Blade opened her mind up to the psychic to get the message across and blocked him out straight away again. 'Can't have him poke around…'
"Well, then, you do have some education at least. Is that the way you always greet royalty? And just you know I am good friends with Headmistress Griffin," She pointed at her Cloud Tower badge dangling from Blade's pocket. "She can get really grumpy you know that, right? You shouldn't tarnish her name. That badge means responsibility," Stella ranted on, "That's not a free pass to do whatever you like," displeased Stella looked down at her, 'My word, is that girl even thinking what she is doing?!'
'Queen Stella my apologies for the intrusion, we'll handle it you shouldn't bothe-' Iolas started as Zhoron had connected them both.
'Hush, not to worry, I won't report to your Master for being too lenient. I know that fresh blood such as you tend to be easily pushed around. Especially when it comes to dealing with Witches. But do not fret! I show you how it's done! With Witches, you need to be firm! Trust me, I had my fair share of dealings with them, it's not a bother at all, I'll gladly help,' Stella dropped out of the link again. She confidently flipped her hair back with her hand 'Now then. Time to shine!'
Meanwhile, Blade gave her a bow, "My apologies."
"Well then, tell the guard what your business is here," Stella demanded. 'A bow is a beginning…'
"My business is still my own," Blade stonewalled, 'Iolas will spot instantly if I lie now. Shit.' She really had no nerve for this right now. She just wanted this day to work out and their hard work to pay off.
Stella shook her head, "Not in that tone, you little Witch."
"Sorceress," Blade hissed back a bit agitated.
"Gesundheit," Stella was unimpressed and stemmed her hand on her hip, "You do know you are obligated to tell them if asked. They are the security. You're not diplomatically protected, that right is beyond you," She continued her lecture and expected the young Witch to follow suit. 'That girl needs a lesson, seriously. She'll only hurt Griffin's good name by behaving like that. What is she doing here? That pass is for the whole day… who in their right mind would give that to a Witch so young? And that outfit… so boring, zero impact. Zero statement, like a twelve-year-old.'
"Queen Stella, there's truly no need-" Iolas started again.
Yet Stella simply rose her hand to hush him yet again, 'This is super fishy…those poor beginners can't handle this, this needs a pro.'
'Seriously…he checked the pass already. That's the only thing they can check, does she think I am stupid? If she wouldn't be paying for my scholarship… uurgh. Come to think of it how does she not know, who I am? Wait is this some test? Did they find out!?' Blade got a bit more on edge. 'No, no, no, she's going to ruin everything. How can a Queen be so snappy? And she's good friends with Griffin? Just how? Did Griffin send her?! Well, in any case, best to retreat,' Blade tried her best to get her nervousness under control, "They are not allowed to question me about my meetings, though. Meetings are private matters." She turned to Iolas, "Well, since it is a valid OFFICAL pass, may I leave, please?"
'Could it be a fake?!', Stella stared wide-eyed at the girl and snatched the pass away, "Office of Zenith? Don't tell me you hacked the system or…"
"Excuse you," Blade ground her teeth the Queen was so vexed, 'Only rude one is you! Gesh, this is no test, she's just out for blood! How can a Winx Club member be so so…and she's paying for my scholarship?!' And without a second thought took her hall pass out of her hands.
"Hey!" Stella got startled as she had not expected that. "How dare you touch me?"
"I didn't even grace your skin. With all due respect, they are responsible for the security not you, Queen Stella," Blade tried so hard to contain her displeasure. 'Daphne always makes them sound so nice, what a two-faced Fairy,' She bowed and was about to leave. She was too tired for this.
"Ugh, you," Stella stomped her foot, 'How dare she! In front of important people of all things.' She noticed some Councillors snuck by in a hurry. "You hold it right here, I'm not done and what kind of bow was that supposed to be," Stella reached out to turn Blade around.
'They gonna snap…' Keryth commented.
Haldir sighed in the psi-link, 'Indeed, a hundred Maggi Blade will lose it now.'
'Oh, I'm so in making that two!' Eroan laughed so hard.
'Zhoron get through to her!' Iolas demanded.
'I can't if you don't want me to force myself into her mind, she's better than the average person in defending herself. She's on the defensive.'
Blade blocked the handoff, "Do you mind? It was a normal bow, what are you talking about?"
"Hmpf, are you telling me, a QUEEN, can't distinguish a proper bow from a measly one?" Stella held against it, 'As if I would let that runt walk all over us.' She glared to the guards apparently missing their cue to make a move.
'Why is she picking a fight with me!? I did nothing is she that biased!?' Blade deadpanned and stared at the Queen, nothing was working with that woman. She had it, "Hey, he stole my pass not the other way around. You want to bicker, do it with him." Blade pointed straight at Iolas. 'What's her damn problem?!' That Queen was really trying her patience.
"As if, the guards don't steal stuff, that's against the law, you're not just rude you're insulting. Do I look stupid or what?" Stella stood there in her haute couture dress and wouldn't even let Iolas speak up, "Don't tell me you just found that card on the floor and pretend that it is yours. It could belong to anyone! Guards, arrest that girl for trespassing."
"What? First, you accuse me of hacking the system and now I am a thief? What's next Valtor's bitch?" Blade had it. 'I don't care who she is. That's it!'
'Great…she lost it…' Ilrune stepped forward before this would end in a scratching match.
Virion breathed out slowly, 'And she did so well…Iolas you know this is your fault.' The two Fairies started to bicker with each other more loudly.
"…the only rude one here is you, Queen Stella, I have done nothing wrong whatsoever. Kindly move on and leave me to my business. Or -" Blade growled agitated but promptly got interrupted.
"Or what? You dare to threaten me? In front of the guards?! Arrest her this instant," Stella lost it herself now a bit, 'and there's the slip-up, predictable.'
"What?! You didn't even let me finis-" Blade got interrupted yet again.
"Oh, shut it, you Witch, no style or manners whatsoever; What a pathetic attempt of etiquette," Queen Stella dismissed her comment and expectantly looked to the guards. 'And that's how you do it. If you can't pin a person for what they did. Find something else.' She was satisfied with her work.
"Pathetic attempt?!" Blade glared at the Queen as she suddenly felt a headache. Zhoron had forced through.
'Blade! Stop! It's a trap,' Iolas's voice resounded in the girl's head.
"Eat my broom!" Blade hissed back. She was ready to rant on herself, but a sting at her back cut her voice off.
'Blade!' Iolas scolded her displeased, 'I told you to be careful, for crying out loud. She's your sponsor! Now my hands are tied.' Iolas was too late to salvage this. They both had blocked them out and not let him explain the situation and now it was one huge mess. He took Blade quickly into custody. Before this debacle would raise more attention than it already had by the bystanders who had stopped to see who would dare to face off with a Winx Club member.
"Insulting a Queen, that earns you some time to cool off," Stella grinned victoriously, 'Have to do better than this, missy. I played this game longer. Better her of the streets than her tarnishing Griffin's name, that's the last thing she needs right now.' Stella flicked her hair. "I think till my next meeting ends will suffice."
"Isn't that a bit long? She's just young and doesn't know better, please, Queen Stella," Iolas tried his best to smooth it over. "Maybe a charitable fine instead? She does have business here otherwise she wouldn't have that pass." He tried his best.
"I don't think so. Are you so lenient with all snotty Witches? You have lots to learn then. She was walking all other you. A bit of manners and consequences never hurt anyone. I'll come once I'm done, maybe then you understand how to treat authority," She addressed Blade, turned on her heels and left.
Blade was trembling in anger but Iolas still pinched her pressure point so she wouldn't make it worse by shouting some more insults. "Move…" He commanded her sternly and sighed. 'Wonderful…what were you thinking?'
'She started it!' Blade protested. 'Did you hear her?! What a bitch!'
'And she ended it. You have not the skill to deal with a Queen in this manner. NOR the POWER. Just bite your tongue next time. Seriously,' Iolas tried to reason with her.
Blade followed suit without further resistance, 'Says the traitor, she did more wrong than I did why am I the one that gets arrested!? Or at least not both of us?'
Ararel shook his head, 'She's a Queen – you're a no-one. It would be political suicide for something so small. This would fall back at our Order Master.'
'So, she can break the law and I can't? Great justice you protect here,' Blade hissed back. The pressure was just too high and she feared this would ruin their own plans for today.
'THAT'S ENOUGH!' Ilrune cut her off. 'It's not perfect, but sometimes saying nothing works wonders, you know. Until you have power, you need to be aware of such things. There are power gaps that's life, deal with it. Think before you act for once, do you even understand what mess you have created? Not another word from you, Ms Ashfallow. Do you think this is fun for us?' Wordlessly, they walked into the cellar where all the different cells were.
As Blade saw the runes on the hallway walls her mind ceased its rampage and she abruptly stopped dead in her tracks as her magic vanished once they crossed the threshold. The Council building on the upper floors only cancelled active magic if unauthorised. Down here in the prison magic got generally blocked for inmates just like in the police stations.
Iolas nearly bumped into her, she was turning a bit pale and her rage had vanished to discomfort, 'Blade?' He hadn't thought about it, but the last time she was in such an area it had been with a bunch of friends and teachers that had stayed with her throughout. "You're safe, don't worry, breathe, no harm will come to you here. I promise you that." He turned her around to face him.
"All good, this is nothing, I worked on this…" Blade breathed out deeply and smiled. "I'll be fine."
Ararel side glanced to Virion, 'She's…'
'I can see that…' Virion like all the others noticed how tense she was, even if it was subtler and she tried to hide it. 'Can't we pretend that we put…'
'No, the Queen will come here, personally. At least there is a chance…' Iolas thought about their options, 'Shit, all because I - her mouth…damn it.' This was one huge mess they had to sort out as soon as possible, but first, he would make sure Blade would be okay, he would not leave her. Blade started to walk again and left him halfway standing there.
'Blade you can't walk around here unescorted…' Haldir quickly moved to catch up to her.
"We'll be right here, okay? I'm sorry Blade, this-" Iolas apologised once more but Blade already turned to move silently on as the group was ready to split up already. The rest of the group moved on with her to a free cell and Iolas plus Ararel stayed behind and once she was out of sight they walked back a bit and vanished behind a glamour and into the security room of the cell department.
"Good news, you all, you got a mission," Ararel waved his hand and a scroll appeared. He stepped towards the squad leader.
"Eques," The guard checked the scroll, "But that's a super good mission, thank you so much, we won't disappoint you!" His eyes were sparkling, newcomers and second and third tiers rarely got such a chance unless they were in squads with higher-ranked guards like Iolas's team. "…Wait, right now? But we have guard duty."
"You are relieved. We'll take over for you," Iolas simply stated as another Novicius offered his chair. Their whole squad was excited. "Off you go, before I change my mind." The whole group stormed out of the security room.
"You won't regret it!"
"Like kids… and they are what? Three-hundred years old?" Ararel laughed as he checked the roster. "You know this is your fault, now we are stuck with guard duty again…"
'She's holding out quite well. I thought you'd be in there by now…' Keryth pressed off the wall. 'She really worked at this.'
Virion stared through the transparent door window. It was an integrated one-sided spell to check inside before moving in so a prisoner couldn't ambush. Right now, he used it to keep an eye on their Fairy.
Eroan walked down the hallway, just out of boredom he checked the other cells, but all was well. 'Better than her panicking. Gesh, this is so boring. Iolas, next time please check first who is around…How long is that beginner's squad shift anyway?'
'About seven more hours…' Ararel sounded a bit displeased. The rest of the group was in the security room to check the feeds.
Zhoron snorted, 'Well, we could do some races down the hallway or something. What do you think leader?'
Iolas was picking his nails, he had been rather quiet. His arms propped on the back of his chair he stared at the screens unmoving.
Ilrune bumped him with the flat side of his sword on the head, 'Hey, wakey, wakey.'
Irritated Iolas turned on his chair around, 'What?!' He wasn't in the best mood.
Ararel stared at him, "Iolas, walk with me." He nodded to the door.
"I'm fine," Iolas declined and stared back at the camera feed where he could observe Virion, Eroan and Keryth. 'She didn't take my apology… and why would she… what a mess, how do I sort it out…come on, think,' he thought to himself.
Ararel rolled his eyes and a gust blew with a hand gesture of his and Iolas's cloak got lifted over his head right into his face. "Walk. Now."
Iolas flung the cloak back. He looked at his Co-Leader, he wasn't budging on this. "I already know you are displeased and I fucked up…"
Ilrune shook his head, stood up and pulled Iolas by his tunic of the chair to the door, 'Excuse your Equi. Virion you got the lead. We'll be back.' He wasn't Co-leader like Ararel, but an Eques just like Virion and their team leaders.
"Hey, what are you doing? ..." Iolas breathed out annoyed as he got shoved passed Ararel, who held the door open.
'Zhoron, call if something is up, we won't be far,' Ararel gave his last order and closed the door. The three of them simply went inside one of the empty cells for a chat.
"What's so important now?" Iolas asked straight forward.
"Iolas, you are brooding…" Ilrune commented relaxed.
Ararel nodded, "Yeah, you are even tenser than the Fairy in the cell. What's bugging you?" He grinned, "Talk to me." He mirrored his leader's favourite sentence for such occasions.
"Am I that tense?" Iolas looked at them a bit baffled.
Ilrune sighed, "Don't change the subject and yes. You didn't say a word, you know? This can't just be your hick-up upstairs. Yes, guard duty down here is boring, but no one is holding this truly against you as far as I know." He looked to Ararel.
"Not my favourite job, but we screwed up, we fix it. Sorry, if I came across a bit too harsh," Ararel apologised. Still, Iolas seemed to be somewhere else. "Need a break? I can take over we had a full week."
"That's not it…" Iolas stared at the runes, "There was so much blood…" He shook his head.
"What?" Ilrune frowned, "You lost me." Irritated he gave a side glance to Ararel, but he didn't know either.
"I asked those boys who came to pick her up from the station. With a bit of an incentive, they showed me a picture, and we all saw those photos from the group cell…" Iolas leaned against the wall behind him. "What am I doing, here? I never react like that to… she was just a job and a trip to Laciport. It shouldn't- I've seen worse. I know better."
Ararel stepped towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Come now, that's why we all like you so much. You keep it professional, but you do care. Always did."
"Yeah, and she's a kid. I spent less time with her and didn't get riled up by the gremlin. But still, I very much would like to pay that station a visit," Ilrune closed his eyes. "But that didn't bug you all these past days before, now did it? Or did we miss it?" He was a bit concerned.
"No, I just- She is, was, up to something. Politics isn't her speciality, to put it mildly - I just wanted her to be cautious and not in over her head. She always rushes those things. And instead, I got her into one of these," he knocked at the wall behind them. Iolas was so annoyed by himself.
"Ahh, there lies the dead dragon, sit her down afterwards or after her meeting, or pay her a visit at Alfea and apologise, when she cooled off. If the Queen hadn't been around the corner all would have gone just fine. Circumstances happen. Don't beat yourself up about it. Not to mention that she ran her mouth this is not solely your fault or whatever crap you are thinking right now," Ararel flicked against his forehead. "So, stop brooding. You are making everyone uneasy."
"Yeah, let us handle it. You need some distance and room to breathe. Consider yourself benched from decision-making," Ilrune laughed out loud, he stepped out of the cell, "We'll cover for you two." And faster than in the blink of an eye he had activated the cell with the extra rune to hold Council staff. "Virion wishes you happy meditating in your medical time off." He grinned and shut the door on them.
"Ilrune, you bastard! That's not- ahhh, he's gone, isn't he?" Ararel without his magic was too slow to reach the door and Iolas had not really paid enough attention.
"Virion didn't seriously command them to look us up…" Iolas was a bit lost for words, but they had dropped out of the psi-link for the private talk. So, there was no way to tell.
"Blade breathe," Virion had gone inside the cell as after around half an hour of sitting there alone she was too nervous and didn't manage to calm down on her own again.
"I get it okay, lesson learned. Please, let me out," Blade bit her finger, she was stressed. She wasn't afraid per se but minutes felt like hours in here. And she had a better place to be. "I really have to go that meeting is important. How long have I been in here? Is this even legal…"
'Ilrune, take over the lead, Tolith swap out with him, we need an Eques in the security room. Just in case something goes wrong in the other cells,' Virion stepped towards Blade who was sitting on the fixed bench. "Blade, you are safe, and it's been around half an hour. When is your meeting?" He tried to engage her in a conversation first to distract her. He was not happy at all to have her in here, but it was within the law.
"Please," She gestured for Virion to give her space. "It's this afternoon…"
Virion sat down in front of her and breathed out long and deep to help her with the breathing technique, "Alright, so it's loosely timed. Anyone we can inform you might be running late?"
"No, Yes… It'll be fine…I was early. There's still time," Blade balled her fists, "Why is this still so hard? I worked on it with Shanna. I was fine in William's station."
"With friends, everything is easier. Come here, I'll help you. But I need a bit more space," He patted next to him on the ground, "Sit down, here." He eyed her closely. 'She's starting to gasp… that Queen seriously…that's the worst punishment she could have picked, why not some stupid fine.'
Blade reluctantly rose up and sat down, "What's the plan?"
"Turn your back to me," Virion spoke softly, "I'll get your breathing under control first if you let me and give me consent."
Blade nodded, "Sure…" She just wanted this to be over with right now.
Virion pressed down with his fingers on her back and shot a burst of magic through them and she twitched slightly but breathed slower instantly, "Girl, you are all tense. This isn't just being a bit uneasy. What did you do today? Not to mention your body is generally exhausted, are you not sleeping okay?"
"Battle class… they went hardcore on us today, that's all. You are imagining things, I'm sleeping just fine I'm even back at Alfea no more Dream Eaters," Blade chuckled and calmed down again, 'When I sleep… We pulled so many extra hours...these past two weeks to get this done…'
"You do know though that you have eyebags, right? You really should give your body more rest and if you are still suffering from nightmares, go back to Cloud Tower to get your sleep. Your body will force a break if you keep overexerting yourself," he warned her sternly. "But yeah, I can feel that training. Are you not doing stretches and massages after a full workout?" Virion already pressed his hand on her back to get an overview of all the muscles. 'Still, her body is showing fatigue and you don't get that from one session, her sleep must be shit…'
Blade felt the warmth it was comforting still all the nervousness and worries were racing in her head. This trip to the dungeons was unplanned after all, "We do stretches before and after. Massages? Never. – You mean like that wing muscle massage, right? Keith learned one. But we girls didn't learn that not part of our curriculum. The others most likely will have someone to do it for them in their kingdoms and one cannot massage oneself. The Professors are of course not allowed, not to mention that it takes a lot of time with so many students."
"School rules…you should learn it nonetheless," Virion shook his head, "Then let me. Otherwise, you'll be sore the whole weekend."
"Okay…" Blade wasn't quite sure what he was getting at though. Even if Keith massaged her sometimes in the evenings, she still would be sore the next days.
Virion used his magic to sometimes sent some magic spikes through his fingertips and the spots tingled like an asleep foot, "Prepared for the meeting? Need some help with anything, questions?" He asked to keep the conversation going and slightly interrogate her underhandedly unlike Iolas.
"No all…. good…this is so relaxing, what's that technique called? Keith totally should learn that…" Blade asked as she let her head hang forward.
"Experience mostly and basically all massage types I picked up on over my centuries plus a few pressure points but not as forceful as you are used them to be. It needs time to perfect it but it's easy to do and learn," He already could see her having trouble sitting up straight, which always was the case even with his troop. "Come lie down. It's not the nicest ground but it works better that way." Blade followed suit to his request her worries and panic were blown away like leaves in the wind.
Half an hour later Virion had picked up Blade and laid her down on the bench before he stepped out of the cell again. 'Get Iolas and Ararel out of their time off. Should be enough for them as well.'
'You took ages, normally it takes you five minutes and we are out cold,' Ilrune chuckled.
Virion sighed, 'Well, normally people are not short before a panic attack and had a major workout on the same day. Not to mention that she is stressed because of that meeting, I would say.'
'Virion you did not seriously order them to lock us up, did you?' Iolas asked a bit baffled.
'Pfff, it worked, didn't it? It's my duty as healer to-' He started off.
"Yeah, yeah, how's the Fairy?" Ararel asked. 'We'll get you back for that.'
"Asleep, in her cell," Virion chuckled and leaned against the wall opposite the prison door.
Iolas was so confused, 'Asleep? How? No way, she… what did you do?'
Keryth laughed, 'Little massage did the trick.'
'So, she did freak a bit after all. Thanks mate for taking care of it,' Iolas paused shortly, 'Right,' he was relieved, 'Well then who's up for somebody enhancement training? You sat around chilling long enough and we have at least six hours to go,' He was way more relaxed now and back to his old self.
Queen Stella walked down the stairs with King Brandon, "That took forever, and did you see his outfit…so last season…"
"If you say so," Brandon commented as he stretched his neck.
Stella grunted displeased, "How could you not have noticed? Are you even listening? And don't get me started on that Witch…"
"Of course, I listened, my sunshine. But quite frankly everyone looks pale to me if I compare them with your beauty," he boobed her on the nose.
"Queen Stella, King Brandon of Solaria," the Council guard bowed. "Here to release the Witch of her time off?"
"Yes," Stella was still a bit pouty, "I hope that brat at least learned something. You know if the Trix had gotten a bit more scolding I'm sure they wouldn't have turned out like how they did. One has to start that early to avoid disaster later."
"Stella…" Brandon sighed. "You know it's not that simple."
"Right, this way," The guard led on without another commentary and as they approached the cell in question one guard nodded to the other and went in to get Blade.
The redhead was led out by the other Council guard and got flanked as they stood there waiting. For the other three to move up to them. Blade was a bit uneasy, they had woken her as they had gotten the note that the Queen of Solaria left her meeting, still, it had taken her twenty minutes to get down here in the end. So, Blade was a bit on edge yet again even after a good hour of sleep and relaxation.
"So, anything to say?" Stella asked and stared at the young girl expectantly, while most of the guards besides two left. 'Griffin should spend more time on etiquette this is ridiculous. All that for some snotty Witch.'
"My apologies," She gave a bow, a deeper one like last time and was eager to get the fuck out of this area.
"Hold it," Queen Stella demanded. "Did I say you can leave?"
'Seriously…' Blade already was one hour late for her planned prior meet-up with the others. "What is it this time? – Queen Stella" she asked a bit tense. 'Don't tell me she'll stick me in longer!? I don't have time for this shit.' Just the thought of being stuck again was making her all skittish.
Brandon crossed his arms a bit dissatisfied. That girl wasn't as bratty as described of course, but her voice of tone wasn't the best choice here, 'Don't go that way, child…or I'll have to sort it out again…' He could already hear Stella's complaints on their flight back.
"Not in that tone," Stella scolded her yet again. "Maybe two hours was still not enough for you." She eyed her sternly, 'Is she really that thick-headed? I thought this would teach her. Do I really need to go another round, here, unbelievable?'
"Queen Stella of Solaria, while it was within your rights to demand her imprisonment before, this is a prison for criminals, not some etiquette class. I'll have to complete a medical check-up before we release her and we have other prisoners to take care of. You can't try someone for the same thing twice that's against the law as you know. Please, excuse us," Virion pushed Blade past them.
"What? Medical check-up?" Stella was utterly confused. "For what? She sat there two hours, what could possibly be the problem?"
"Medical issues are confidential information unless you want to explain," He halted Blade.
But Blade simply bit her tongue and averted her gaze. 'Does she not know or doesn't care? I thought… did Faragonda truly didn't tell them?' She was in no mood to clear this up or fall for another trap and get riled up again.
"I wish you a safe and pleasant trip home Queen, King," Virion bowed deeply and moved on with Blade.
'By the Dragon flame… he's so pissed…' Zhoron commented as he felt Virion drop out of the psi-link. 'Guys? What do we do here?! He left me standing…'
Brandon gave a questionable look to the Guard left behind, "Am I missing something?" That was a first and he had been plenty down here in his time as a Master Specialist before taking his rightful place as King beside his bride. 'There's got to be more to this. Does that guard know her? Who is that girl?'
"Rude, maybe someone needs to put him into a cell…" Stella growled half-loud. But the guard of course had done everything picture perfect there was nothing to pick at there. Even if his general dissatisfaction had come across.
'Stay calm Zhoron,' Iolas came to the rescue of his youngest team member who already was putting on his best poker face. "Queen Stella, a fine would have been preferable, excuse our healer. He had a bit of work with her and we had a busy week. It seems cells are not that girl's favourite place right now."
"Duh, no one likes being in a cell," Stella frowned. "That's the point of having them."
Brandon raised his gaze to Iolas, "You mean because of the accident that happened to one of the students of Cloud Tower?" He asked he was trying to figure out what was going on here. He had tasked Riven to figure out what had been going on with Cloud Tower's rampage, he hadn't bought into the cover-up story of a security test gone wrong. Griffin wasn't prone to such hick-ups after all and Riven always was a well of information or at least knew how to get them. But even his attempts weren't as fruitful as hoped. Riven told him, that apparently there had been a raid gone wrong and there had been a misunderstanding between the Witches and police. But how that would prompt the Tower to go off rails was still a mystery to him and Riven had no idea who the Witches in question had been.
"I see you are well informed. In general, the Sorceresses are on edge at the moment," Iolas nodded, yet otherwise expressionless. "Please, come, I'll escort you out." He gestured. 'Should be enough time for their head start. Who leaked the info? And semi-right at that… to the sponsors no less. I thought Votzaak had it covered no matter who. Ah… well it was to be expected that not everyone would buy the cover-up.'
"Sorceresses?" Brandon tilted his head, 'Does he know Blade? Is that sentiment of her class and Cloud Tower students catching so much wind? That's great news! We really should work on that wording as well… just so hard with our court constantly in odds with the Witches…' Stella had a smile flit over her lips as well shortly. "Who was that young Witch or Sorceress as you put it?" Brandon asked as he slung his arm around Stella to get her out of her pouty state. 'It's one thing to be a bit on edge because of whatever happened, but that wouldn't mean work for the healer. Might she be one of those Witches who had a run-in with the police at the raid? I should check the Court records…maybe Codatorta has heard something. They would pick the Witches up after all…'
'They don't know? How can they not know!?' Zhoron asked a bit surprised, "Lucia, CT-50-81724, a student from Cloud Tower."
Brandon looked to the younger elf, "Lucia… that name rings a bell… where did I read this…" He knew he had seen it on some report, 'But which one?'
"Well, dressed like that she is certainly not from Solaria, where would you read about her?" Stella stopped and stared at her husband. "Only way would be if she was in our prison reports. Don't tell me she is a multiple offender. In that young age…" Stella shook her head. "I'm going to have a serious talk with Griffin about this… she can't take another gut punch that Hunter Division in front of the Tower has made rounds… her students acting up of all things, now, won't help anyone. Come let's hurry!" She was ready for action as always if it meant helping a friend.
"Now?" Brandon was a bit perplexed, still, he couldn't manage to place that name. "But we have another meeting back at the palace today…"
"Well, I'm their Queen they'll happily wait for five minutes," Stella stormed off all enthusiastically. They had to get ahead of this and that meeting would be super boring. She would do anything to get out of that one.
Brandon sighed shortly as he saw her rush off, "Better visit Coda…" He mumbled to himself before he refocused on the guard. "Thank you for your service. And excuse her eagerness once she got something stuck in her mind…there is no holding her back," He smiled fondly just thinking about it and gave his goodbyes to the guards.
"Your welcome," Iolas bowed deeply with Zhoron and turned around as they had reached the end of the prison department at the staircase.
'Why didn't we tell them!?' Zhoron asked super confused.
Ararel laughed so hard, 'Go ahead, tell him that they put their own scholarship student of Alfea into a Council prison, no less. This will be on her record, you know. I'm sure they'll appreciate that information…'
Ilrune snorted as well, 'Yeah, buddy, go ahead, please do so.' He challenged him.
'I'll bet three caskets you won't survive the aftermath,' Haldir joked.
'Right…' Zhoron had a shiver run down his spine just thinking of it, 'She couldn't even tell us apart like so many others…Wait, but come to think of it, won't we get into trouble with Master Aithlin anyways?'
'We followed orders and stayed within the law. If they can't bother to stay updated not our problem. If Faragonda didn't tell them she had her reasons. Not our place to butt in. Blade had her chance to tell them just right now, and didn't…For all we know this still… could have been some undercover mission. Unlikely, or perfectly executed, but we are not here to question this, we are here to uphold the law. Refusing a Queen within her rights out in the open is a no-go and she had no intention of listening to suggestions, we tried. Some consequences and a bit of manners never hurt anyone so young.' Iolas somewhat quoted her. 'Calling me a fresh blood… the nerve.' Yet he knew he would need to sort this out quickly before it would become a real problem.
