𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𓆩⟡𓆪 𝕏𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕟 ℝ𝕚𝕠𝕣𝕤𝕠𝕟

「 ✦ 0.04 ✦ 」

Jack steps back slightly in shock, before scoffing and storming away from us.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" I hear Violet whisper at me and I turn towards her narrowing my eyes.

"You're welcome, by the way." I say, furrowing my eyebrows.

"I could have handled it myself!"

"With that knee of yours? Please." I say gesturing to the knee she refuses to put pressure on.

"I think you made an enemy there," the redhead says next to me, casually shifting the lethal crossbow she wears strapped along her shoulder as I glance over at her. She looks at me over the scroll with a shrewd look in her hazel eyes as she looks me up and down. "I'd watch your back with that one if I were you."

I nod my head, before turning towards Violet. I can handle myself, but she can't. She's so small and her bones are clearly brittle and needs to build strength around them.

I feel someone throw their arms around both Violet and I's shoulders, as I put my dagger back into it's sheathe not needing it anymore. I turn my head slightly and see Rhiannon grinning at both of us.

"We made it!" Her grin widens, giving my shoulder a tight squeeze.

"We made it," I repeat, smiling slightly. I glance over at Violet and notice her thighs are shaking uncontrollably. She needs to get that knee wrapped soon.

"I can't thank you both enough. There were at least three times I would have fallen off if you hadn't helped me. You were right Whitlock -- those soles were slick as shit. Have you seen the people around here? I swear I just saw a second-year with pink streaks in her hair, and one guy has dragon scales tattooed up his entire biceps."

"Cool. I'd love to get a tattoo." I say and I can see Rhiannon's eyes sparkle in agreement. I know, right then, that she will become such a great friend, possibly a bad influence.

"Conformity is for the infantry," I hear Violet say as Rhiannon loops her arms through both of ours and tugs us along towards the crowd. Violet limps along, her weight falling against Rhiannon's side. I can see Violet scrunch up her face in pain. She needs to sit now, quickly.

"Speaking of which," Rhiannon says, glancing down. "We need to trade boots. There's a bench--"

A tall figure in a pristine black uniform steps out of the crowd, charging towards us, and though Rhiannon and I manage to dodge, Violet stumbles smack into his chest. I look up and instantly know it's Dain Aetos, Violet's crush.

"Violet?" Dain catch her elbows to steady her trembling figure, and I watch at those both look up at each other with shock. I look over at Rhiannon and she pretends to gag, causing me laugh softly. I was thinking the same thing, though if I had the chance with Xaden before the parapet, I would have been the same way. Maybe worse...No, definitely worse.

I feel Rhiannon tighten her grip around me arm and I look over at her. She furrows her brows in confusion, probably at this interaction between Violet and Dain.

"I think they're childhood friends, but they both definitely have a crush on each other." I say loud enough so only she can hear, and she nods smiling slightly. We watch the interaction as they both drink each other in, which makes me slightly uncomfortable to be witnessing this. I feel like this should be done behind closed doors, just saying.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he barks and I frown, wanting to step in at his tone, but I don't. I see the shock evident in his eyes and give him a pass for his tone.

"Dain. It's good to see you." Violet breathes, her lip trembling as her face scrunches up in pain. I see Violet's knees give out and she starts to fall, but Dain catches her just in time.