Log in

Chapter 24

Day 8:  Eastbell, Icewynne, Notsuoh lounge and bar, After hours, Login Desk, Dark Hour

"Oh great, you're back!"

Azure was the first face Nova saw when she logged in. She sat at her usual spot on the counter clad in an indigo strapless ballgown, small flowers that were sewn around the skirt of the dress pulsated and glowed with mana. She slid her a  tall glass of something orange and sparkling. 

"I was beginning to think Sage scared you off from yesterday's training session."

  "N-no!"  

Nova averted her gaze as she recalled the events that occurred yesterday. She sheepishly took a sip from her cup, even though the drink was iced and cold to the touch, it felt warm when it hit her stomach, it tasted like caramel apples and cinnamon. 

"Of course not...is his face okay? He's not still icing it is he?"

"I hope so."

Nova Glanced over to see Shadow taking a seat at the bar stool next to her a childish pout on his face. 

"My stomach's been hurting since last night and I had these red marks all over my neck, you know? From when I was basically choked to death? If I had to double over on the floor in the middle of my lunch period in front of my entire Junior class and pretend it was a joke he can sit and ice his pretty boy face. Matter of fact, do me a favor and punch him again Snow."

Nova furrowed her brow, "Shadow that's super rude, Sage has been helping us out; and you know I punched him on accident! Any other time and he would have most definitely blocked my attack. I'm not the one that has a problem with him so don't look for me fight your battles." she pursed her lips, but she couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt when she noticed how he sat hunched over his right hand clutching his stomach.

Seeing Nova stick up for Sage only sent Shadow into a more sour mood. Azure's brows furrowed as she looked at him in concern.

"You're still injured Shadow?"

He nodded and intensified his pout.

"Yeah! I had to come up with all kinds of excuses to cover it up! My neck looked like it was covered in hickeys and I'm pretty sure my aunt gave me the sex talk last night."

Nova choked on her drink. Azure reached below the bar and pulled out a glass flask filled with a grey liquid.

"Here, take this."

"What is that?" 

Arsen eyed the flask.

"It's an energy drink made from traces of mana and spare data. It's not as effective as raw, unprocessed mana, but it should help you to feel a bit better."

Cautiously, Shadow took a sip from the glass. Nova eyed him curiously watching as the sky blue blow on his suit intensified before slowly fading back to its normal hue.

"How do you feel?"

"I...I feel great! I feel all warm and tingly inside, like a hug."

Azure grinned, "Getting a boost of mana is the best feeling, it reboots your systems and clears out any bugs. In a small dose like that, it helps accelerate the healing of minor injuries."

She allowed Shadow and Nova to watch in awe as his bruises began to fade and the mobility in his joints returned before clapping to get their attention.

"Alright! That's enough loitering around. You two report to your rooms asap, I have a change of clothes waiting for the both of you. Fuschia's giving us a ride to the Masquerave so we have to head out within the next hour or we'll be late for the bus.

"What about Sage? Isn't he coming?"

"He is, he just stepped out to take care of something, he'll meet us there."

Shadow cocked a brow but said nothing.

"Alright off you go!" Azure shooed them upstairs.

Nova stood in the mirror as she eyed her new Garments compliments of Azure.  The heart-shaped neckline and tulle skirt of her dress made her feel delicate. The subtle specks of silver glitter that graced the white fabric gave an icy appearance that paid homage to the name Sister Snow.  Simply put, she felt...pretty, which was something she didn't feel or see often when looking in the mirror.

There was a knock on the door.

"Hey Snow, you done in there? Azure wants to tell us a few things before we head out."

Nova snapped out of her daze and pressed a couple keys on her tablet allowing the sliding door to open revealing Shadow, clad in a white fitted suite complete with a vest, bow tie, and tailcoat. He never failed to clean up nicely.

"You look...not repulsive."

"And you look..."  

He chuckled as leaned against the doorway, giving Nova a proper once over.

"Wow...you really put the ice in IceQueen. And I mean that in a good way!"

He gave her a lopsided grin and offered her his hand.

"May I have the honor of escorting you downstairs Lady Snow?"

Nova looked taken aback, Shadow never came off to her as the chivalrous type. If she was being honest, it was kind of weird. She wasn't used to being treated like this, even if it was just holding his hand.

Cautiously she took it.

"Yes, you may. Sir Foreshadow."

She paused and smirked.

"...Underscore One."

Shadow groaned.

"Ugh come on we were having a moment there!"