The Apprentice's Apprentice

Part 27

Cora and Warren had barely made it to the halfway point of the path that led from the school's doors to the sidewalk when they heard someone calling out to them. Or rather, to Cora. Warren made a face while she waved at Philippe who was once again waiting at the front of the school for them.

"How are you today, ma chérie?" he asked as they got close, smiling widely.

Cora returned the grin. "Good. History was actually cool today. We got to hear about a guy who got decapitated by a cannonball in the War of 1812 on the St. Lawrence. That was pretty badass."

Philippe chuckled and Warren shook his head. "In case I didn't know you were a freak before..."

She made a single fingered gesture in his direction which made him laugh. "So how was your day?" she asked Philippe.

"Getting better. I had two interviews today and I'm hoping to have a job soon. But with the job market as it is... Still, I am not without my resources. Where are you off to?"

"We've got magic lessons," Warren replied.

"Then I'll walk with you. I don't get to spend nearly enough time with you," he said, smiling at Cora.

Warren grimaced but Cora nodded as they started off towards Selena's house. "Sorry, I'm so busy between school and learning about all this..."

"There's nothing for you to apologize for. I just enjoy hanging out and would like to do it more often. But your education is important and I wouldn't want you to sacrifice something like that just to spend time with me. It's not as if I'm going anywhere any time soon. We'll have plenty of time to spend with each other in the future, so there's no rush."

She smiled again. There was just something about the way Philippe said things, such confidence that nothing could possible go wrong. He'd been the same when they were kids, making promises and speaking like everything had been written in stone and not backing down an ounce. She wondered if it was a mage thing. Warren had managed that same sense of confidence a time or two, though not nearly as strongly as Philippe. Maybe it had something to do with being a full mage...?

Cora's thoughts were interrupted by Warren's words. "If you're looking for contacts and people to approach, you should come speak to my master. She's already said she'd be happy to help. Mages stick together and all that."

Philippe nodded. "Tell her I say thank you, but I need to do this on my own. I've relied on others too much in the past and I think it's best I do this alone. I could really use the practice and it's not as if I'm short on resources at the moment. Not to mention I do hate being an imposition, even if the help's been offered."

Warren shrugged. "If that's how you feel, we're not going to force you. And if you change your mind you know where to find us.'

""What kinds of jobs are looking for?" Cora asked. It was hard to picture Philippe working. Unless it was as something like a bartender or photographer or something. Something cool suited him. Then again, she was more than a little prejudiced with regards to him.

"Oh, I've been hoping to find a job that involves working with people. I've been leaning towards real estate or maybe even marketing. I do best being around others and interacting with lots of people."

"Spoken like a true mind mage," Warren added.

Philippe shrugged. "I can't change what I am."

Cora frowned. "Does magic influence your personality?"

"Maybe yes, maybe no. There are certain traits that most mages of that particular strength share and no one's really sure if it's the magic that makes them that way or their personality that shapes their magic. It's one of the ways parents can get an idea of their children's magic before they're capable of spell casting."