Chapter 26
840 Words
26
"So. What did you want to talk to me about and why did you bring a Dragon?" Flavia asked, placing down two cups of tea. She placed her hands on her hips, her confidence incontestable.
"Ryoko is my roommate and she's been helping me," I explained, hoping that would suffice.
"Ah. You're the Dragon of the dorm," the blonde concluded, looking Ryoko up and down.
"I am," she affirmed, the fire in her eyes a little darker than usual. She was clearly not at ease, but she had come along anyway. "How do we know we can trust you?"
Flavia chuckled briefly. "Ylva approached me. If anything, I should ask whether you're trustworthy."
Before the conversation escalated, I jumped in. "I need to learn how to travel to the Veil."
Silence.
The blonde looked me up and down, her gaze indecipherable. "I see."
"I know it's not first-year material and professor Rada won't take us again."
Flavia nodded. "Not after your little stunt."
"How did you—"
"I have ears. I know everything that goes on in Valkyrie." She sat down to sip from her tea. "I can teach you."
"You can? That's awesome! You're a life sa—"
"But I'm not going to." She unfolded the wings from her back, making me jealous. I hadn't even managed to get a sense of my inner wings, despite all the mantras I'd been chanting.
"Why not?" Ryoko asked bravely, not nearly as intimidated by the dark wings as I.
"Only licensed guides are allowed to take guests into the Veil. I've never taken anyone along either and I could be expelled for even trying. Not to mention, it's extremely dangerous," Flavia replied. "I think this conversation is over."
"No, please." I shot up from the chair, desperation flooding through me. If she couldn't help us, my chances of getting into the Veil were next to zero. "I need to go to the Veil."
"I'm sure you have good reason, but my answer is still no."
“Flavia… None of our professors are actually teaching us anything to prepare us for an AA career. There’s clearly something going on, but they won’t tell us.”
“I’m sure there’s something going on, but I’m sure they have good reasons for their absence.”
“Aren’t you bored?” I challenged, knowing how Wind Children were with boredom. We couldn’t stand it.
“I guess I am,” the blonde said, sounding a little surprised.
“Come on, this could be exciting.”
“Potentially, yes…”
“So… You’ll do it?” I asked, my breath caged in my chest. I came here to learn about being a Valkyrie and earn my wings. Something the teachers didn’t seem too prioritise. If they weren’t going to teach us how to do this job, I’d figure out another way to learn.
Flavia was my best bet.
“It would certainly beat all the waiting and lying around,” she voiced, pulling a face. “But no. It could still ruin my chances of graduating this year.”
“But—” I protested, interrupted by my roommate.
"You don’t want to find the stolen wolves?.”
Flavia's eyes widened. "What?" She turned to me. "What is she talking about?"
I sighed. I hadn’t wanted to reveal this bit of knowledge, but if this was the only way to get the blonde on board…
"The wolves are trapped in the Veil. I sensed Hyde when I was in there and when I followed his call, I saw the thief and the other dusks. I’m trying to get them back.”
"Mmmm..." The blonde clacked her tongue, her forehead frowned. "That changes things."
"It does?" I asked again, crossing my fingers behind my back.
With another sip from her coffee and a hesitant groan, Flavia slowly nodded. "Yes. But we’re keeping this a secret.”
"Agreed." Excitement beat through my chest. She was going to do it.
She pointed at Ryoko and me. "But I’m only teaching Ylva."
"But—"
"This is not up for a debate. I'm not doing this if I have to guide the Dragon too." Flavia crossed her arms, staring at the two of us. “The choice is yours.”
Hesitantly, I looked at my roommate. As much as I liked her and we got along, getting the wolves back was more important.
“Maybe it’s better this way?” I suggested carefully, wincing the moment I did.
“Really?” Ryoko’s eyes darkened.
“I mean… It makes sense? You’re studying to be a Shinigami so how much can she teach you anyway…?
My roommate’s voice froze over, the same icy politeness I’d seen many times. “I get how it is. Good luck then, Ylva.” Without waiting for a reply, she stormed out of the room, never even looking back.
“Wow,” Flavia muttered. “Are you going after her?”
I bit my lip, weighing my options against each other. On the one hand, I didn’t want to alienate Ryoko. I liked her and I considered her my friend. But on the other, I needed Flavia to help me. Without her, the dusks would stay lost forever.
I wouldn’t be as worried if I were if the teachers were openly searching for them, but they were more absent than ever.
“No, she just needs some time,” I said, shooting her a wry smile. I hoped this was the right decision…
The blonde nodded. “Alright then.”
“Yup… So, when do we start?”
- Writer
