Fantasy Sehrli College for the Gifted (Astral_Ink + Xeppy)

[Xeppy]

Mikayla pouted when Glass, yet again, didn’t share his powers. Why was he- on purposely- avoiding the question? Is he ever going to share them? She thought, cupping her head in one hand, scrunching up her face like a child. It immediately slipped away when Glass proposed a grand display of his powers later. Mikayla squeaked and clapped her hands, immediately joining in the overall mood of the room: excited, interested, buzzing. She was smiling ear to ear as she beamed at Glass, practically filling up the room with her questions of, “Can I come? Can I come? I can come, right? Right? Don’t tell me I’m not invited. You practically invited everyone!”

She spread her arms out to the classroom, who was still buzzing with excitement, and looked at Nestor as to say, Even him. She looked back at Glass, her body still filled with excitement as he moved on, talking more about the problem at hand. She scrunched up her face again, thinking hard, before commenting, “What is Mrs. Flavourant has an extra fire thingy? She probably does, cause this whole classroom seems to be about flames.”

She thought about raising her hand and asking before she processed what Glass said last, her perking up to Nestor. “Ooh! Do you have a power similar to that? Or maybe a fire power? That would be so cool!”

Nestor looked at her with the same expression as earlier with her Spanish accident: amusement. And not the good kind of way, if there was one. He then looked at Glass in a way that was intimidating, saying coldly, “No, my powers actually happen to be something else. Maybe you can guess them correctly. Maybe you can’t. But,” he smiled in a way that was, in Mikayla’s way, not the way she would smile to someone, as he said every word as if he were mimicking someone, “I would absolutely adore to go to your invitational. It seems like it would be…” His eyes sparkled as they did before with the fire. “Interesting.”

Nestor then nodded towards Mikayla, making her straighten her back. “You. Go ask the teacher for another flame. Unless you wanna try sharing this, but I’m not sure your buddy over here will agree.” Nestor then nodded at Glass, cupping his hands around his head, saying his next words very slowly. “Maybe he just doesn’t want to rush with fire. Cause an accident, perhaps. I’m sure he’s had enough of those for a while.”

Nestor then squinted his eyes at Mikayla. “Hello? Did you hear me? I said go see if we can get another flame, not stand around listening to conversations.”

Mikayla widened her eyes and nodded, although her face showed much annoyance, as she gave a quizzed look at Glass for what Nestor meant earlier, her rushing over to the teacher, who had just finished passing out papers, as Mikayla saw her standing, smiling to herself. Mikayla waved in front of the professor, smiling. “Hi! I’m just wondering if we could get another fire for our table? We have two groups.”

Mrs. Flavourant snapped out of her thoughts, immediately smiling back at the girl. “Desde luego! Desde luego! What table for you?”

“That one, with the boy with the white hair and green eyes!” Mikayla pointed towards the table, as the teacher immediately came towards it. Mikayla opened her mouth to ask if she should get materials or anything like that before marching over, but used her feet instead of her voice, following after.

 

[Astral_Ink]

Glass smiled contentedly at the room buzzing around him, watching Mikayla clapping happily, and answered her insistent questions with, “Of course, of course you can come. It was originally for you, anyway. You may have a front-row seat if you like.”

As Mikayla spoke to Nestor, who wore a look on his face that made Glass want to slap him, even though he’d never really slapped anyone before, he turned his head towards Glass. This time his expression was a cold one, looking like he was trying to intimidate Glass. Well, good luck with that, he thought, and matched Nestor’s gaze with his own, as Nestor spoke to him coldly in reply to his invitation. Glass couldn’t suppress a shiver at his words, knowing he couldn’t mean well and that the invite could either be a big mistake or instrumental in making sure Nestor knew to keep his distance. What would Father say? Who did this boy think he was, threatening Glass Ametrine like this? He had to make this work. He was vaguely aware of Nestor looking at him again, then Mikayla, but kept himself engrossed in his thoughts.
Which was unfortunate for him, because when Nestor said his next sentence, he was caught off guard by his purposeful words, and the cutting way he said 'accident' .
Glass stiffened, wrenched out of his thoughts, and felt his heart beat rapidly inside his chest. Uncomfortable warmth flooded him, his face flushing. He took several deep breaths, counting to five in his head whilst trying to maintain steady and calm eye contact. "What makes you say that?" he said eventually, in a quiet voice, but also one that was dripping with silent contempt.

Just then, the professor arrived at their table, Mikayla soon after, seeming quite out of key with the little scene that had just passed. The tension did not go away, however, and Glass and Nestor did not break eye contact; Chia looking on worriedly, as though she wanted to intervene.
The professor seemed oblivious to these tensions and, with a blithe flick of her wrist, lit an identical flame close to the first one.
“¡Pues! There you go.” Briefly smiling at Mikayla, Mrs Flavorant whisked away back to her desk.

 

[Xeppy]

Mikayla's eyes glimmered at the flame that just appeared out of Mrs. Flavourant's wrist, resting on top of the workbench. She opened her mouth, whipping herself around to ask how in the whole wide world that happened, before realizing that she already came back to her desk. She squinted at the flame, processing what happened, before beaming. She wasn't going to burn herself because the teacher had fire powers! Mikayla turned around and examined the classroom, finally understanding why fire was everywhere. Mikayla let out a puff of relief of not having to get worried of burning before seeing Nestor's own gleam in his eye, him staring at the fire now and breaking his very long eye contact with Glass Ametrine. All traces of amusement were off his face, replaced with... awe, with a hint of mischief, of course, but still filled with amazement. The fire, as if noticing that Nestor was in wonderment of it, started flowing towards his direction, as one of Mikayla's strands of hair flew out from behind her ear from a line of wind that suddenly came towards her from behind. She looked in that direction immediately, trying to see what the cause, but not seeing anything. Was there a fan in here? She didn't see one when walking in, but then again, like the fires around the room, it could just be wind with no source. She turned around again, only to see Nestor lower his hand that was supposedly near the fire. That's strange. Why was his hand up in the first place? His eyes glimmered before widening and narrowing again, at Mikayla, at Glass, she didn't know.

"Chia, get the lead cube." Nestor said this as if it were an order, but Mikayla had a feeling that he was being much more polite with Chia than he ever would with Mikayla or Glass. He picked up a tripod that was leaning against the workbench, placing it evenly between himself and Chia. He eyed Glass and shrugged, as if remembering something that Glass said earlier, and his voice filled with sarcasm, saying, "Oh, I was just warning you. There might be other genetically engineered items here at Sehrli College. I know how much trouble your brother had with those."

Mikayla raised her eyebrows, not trying to hide how confused she was. What? Glass has a brother? Nestor eyed Glass as if he answered a question Glass asked earlier, supposedly when Mikayla walked away to ask the teacher for an extra fire. With the look Nestor had, Mikayla silently wished that she could wipe it off his face. Maybe with fire, her assuming that he loved those. She laughed awkwardly after a few moments, looking at Chia for help, before grabbing the tripod and placing it upside down on the table, assuming she placed it down right.

"Yeah! We should probably get started." She nodded, turning over to Glass, seeing how he was reacting to the situation.

 

[Astral_Ink]

Glass barely registered the professor's powers of fire and the second flickering flame that had settled on the workbench; instead maintaining stone-cold unwavering eye contact with Nestor, in his head going through everything his father had taught him, and searching for some sign of weakness in Nestor's aloof attitude and fiery eyes. He must keep his composure. At a moment such as this, it is vital. Don’t give him any fuel. thought Glass, but just then Nestor broke eye contact to stare at the fire that had been placed before him. It seemed he had been distracted, and found something more interesting than Glass. Glass subtly rolled his eyes - careful not to let Mikayla see, else he might be given another lecture - and leaned back slightly in his chair, studying Nestor to see what he would do next, though cautious enough to not yet let his guard down.
He did seem to be some sort of pyromaniac, or very interested in fire, Glass thought, as he watched Nestor stare in awe at the flame on the workbench. This could be some valuable information.
And then, strangely enough, the flame itself seemed to be drawn to Nestor, and bent in his direction. This certainly seemed odd, until Glass felt some sort of small breeze, and instantly recognised what must be going on. Perhaps Nestor could control the air, and was using his powers to inconspicuously- or so he thought- get closer to the fire, or the fire to him.
His suspicions were confirmed as he realised Nestor was doing something with his hand as the breeze was going on, and as soon as he had lowered his hand, the breeze stopped.
Proud of himself, Glass felt as though he had gained some sort of advantage in this discovery, and eyed Nestor with a new interest.
He watched as Chia and Nestor began to- finally- set up the experiment, and was about to do the same when Chia caught his eye with a little wave, surreptitiously gesturing to Glass then Nestor, and doing a motion with both her hands: pushing down slowly and then raising them upwards, and repeating this again. Glass nodded: she was telling him to be calm, and breathe. He smiled gratefully at her.
Nestor made another cutting, sarcasm-filled remark at Glass, and Glass, prepared for this now, decided to do the opposite of what Nestor would expect and want, and said, sincerely, “Well, I thank you for that.” Chia smiled at him encouragingly, and Glass placed a lead cube in the middle of Mikayla and himself. Simultaneously, however, he wondered how on earth Nestor knew about his brother, and, more specifically, how it happened.
He had thought it had been fairly well covered up, thanks to his dedicated father, and the only people who knew all of the situation were his family, some further relations, and Chia, who would never tell anyone. And of course, the servants. Could one of them have leaked the news? Surely not, if his uncle was watching over them all.

Troubled by these thoughts, he watched Mikayla place the tripod incorrectly on the table. As she turned to him, he flipped it over and fiddled with the cube, before remembering the first set of instructions. He placed the cube in the small bowl, putting them both on the tripod and pushing it over the fire. He then began to absent-mindedly mix chemicals in a beaker in front of him.

 

[Xeppy]

Nestor sputtered quietly when Glass didn't react for how he obviously hoped that he would, quietly muttering and seemingly avoiding eye contact with Glass now angrily. In Mikayla's eyes, Nestor seemed to have no idea what to do now that Glass had reacted the exact opposite of what he would probably be expecting. Flustered, Nestor murmured something under his breath, and it was all Mikayla could guess that it wasn't something good. The look in Nestor's eyes now seemed to bleed hatred. She had a hard time thinking that this deep hatred but something in Mikayla's gut told her that this hatred wasn't all caused by Glass. Nobody could have that much hurt and pain from an argument with a stranger. Although she was annoyed with Nestor too, she couldn't help but worriedly wonder what had caused all this for the brown-haired, mischievously eyed boy.

Mikayla sighed with relief as the situation calmed down, looking at how Glass turned over the tripod on the table. She tilted her head in confusion. Why was he turning it over? She believed that she had placed it right. She looked at Nestor and Chia's tripod, comparing it to her tripod, before making a face that seemed to say, Oh. She laughed cheerfully, although she wasn't sure if it was from relief or from her mistake. The badness from the situation had left, which made the nervousness inside her leave. She looked at what Glass was doing, seeing him mix chemicals together and push something over a fire. She tilted her head, again, in confusion at Glass. Were they supposed to mix things together? She looked at the chemicals and beakers on the workbench, thinking, Okay...

She grabbed a beaker and random chemicals, frowning slightly in concentration as she poured one of the chemicals in the beaker. She had absolutely no idea what she was doing, but she saw Glass doing the same thing with different chemicals, so she decided to do it. She was now close to pouring the second chemical in the beaker. What were the chemicals that she was mixing together again? Eh, she's sure it'll be fine.

 

[Astral_Ink]

Glass continued to watch Nestor muttering in frustration out of the corner of his eye as he prepared the sulphuric acid, silently hoping that his frustration would lead him to not think as straight as he would usually; if Nestor knew all the specifics of the accident, he would surely know about the acid. Glass wondered if this boy hated him so much as to take it a step further with the acid- but surely not. Nonetheless, he watched in trepidation as Chia got out the beaker and chemicals, and read the next instruction. He watched her eyes widen slightly, glance at him, then Nestor, and slide the chemicals away from Nestor, mixing the acid herself whilst he was distracted in his anger. Glass let out a sigh of relief and made a mental note to thank Chia properly for all her help later.
Absorbed in his mixing as he was, Glass paid no attention Mikayla’s trying to ‘help’ by mixing some chemicals if her own. By the time he did, Mikayla had already begun to tip the second chemical into the beaker.
“NO!!” Glass shouted, and shoved the beaker away from her. “What are you thinking? You can’t just mix two random chemicals together and hope they’re what we need!” He took the chemical from Mikayla’s hand, studied the label and looked accusingly at her. “Potassium Chlorate?” Glass read the label on the chemical she had added to the beaker. “Sugar?” Something seemed to click in his brain as he now stared at the chemicals he had been mixing, “One drop of this and-“
He stopped himself before he could continue his sentence any further, but it was too late. Nestor had realised what was going on, and smiled slyly, a look of triumph on his face.
“And what?” he said.
“And nothing.“ replied Glass, forcing himself to sit down, trying to control an urge to get as far away from the chemicals as possible.
“Oh really...” Nestor said, as he raised an eyebrow. At the same time, almost invisible, a small drop flew out of Glass’ container and hovered over Mikayla’s beaker, joined by a few drops of the one he had taken from Mikayla’s hand, which sluggishly dripped into the beaker of white granules.
“Oh-“ Glass grabbed Mikayla and dragged her as well as he could away from their workbench, and shouted at Chia to get away. Just after she had stumbled away from her chair, rather confused but wise enough to get the gist of the situation, Nestor dropped the liquid into the beaker.
A huge indigo flame emanated from the beaker, like a fiery column of amethyst. A strange grating crackling sound came from the flames. The fire, much to Glass’ guilty disappointment, just missed Nestor’s hand.
However, Nestor seemed barely fazed by this explosion, but instead gazed at it, enraptured, until the fire died down. Turning his head to Glass, he asked reluctantly, ”What were those chemicals again?”
Glass looked at him in wordless surprise, as the professor came stumbling over with a fire hydrant, a bit too late.

 

[Xeppy]

Mikayla was just seconding away from pouring the chemical with the other before she was interrupted with a familiar voice yelling "NO!" Was Nestor and Glass arguing again? She thought that it had been resolved. She looked up curiously, expecting Glass to be yelling at Nestor, but was surprised when Glass seemed to be talking to her. He pushed the beaker away from her, which further confused Mikayla. Did they not need that for their lab? She creased her eyebrows when Glass started scolding her for mixing chemicals, having the words at her lips, "But wasn't that what..." This sentence died when Glass took the chemical bottle from her, Mikayla about to protest before silencing herself under the stare Glass was giving. She knew this stare far too well. She silently sat guiltily as Glass and Nestor started talking to each other again, staring down at her lap. Did she mess up again? How did she mess up? She saw Glass mixing random chemicals together... or were they not random chemicals? Did he know the chemicals he was mixing together?

Mikayla had the intention to just sit there and let Glass do the project, but she was interrupted from her plans yet again by Glass. He suddenly pulled her arm, with a receiving cry of "Hey!" from Mikayla, as they came quite far from the workbench. She looked bewilderingly at Glass as he yelled at Chia to get away from the workbench. If he wanted people to get away from the workbench so badly, why didn't he call to Nestor? If it was a desperate situation where they needed to get away, didn't they all need to get away? Why did they need to go away from the workbench, anyways?

Her question was answered when a huge, indigo fire flamed from a beaker, just missing Nestor's hand. The surprised and panicked calls of students from nearby benches could be heard as many students ran away from it. What had the flame come from? Was this the professor's doing? Mrs. Flavourant's power was flame control. Why would she do that, then? Nestor, near the flame, seemed connected to it as his hair flew wildly as if there was a breeze nearby. It could be the flame's fault for moving his hair, though. Mikayla stared frightfully at the fire, taking a few steps away from Glass's side. As in any Fight or Flight situation, Mikayla would try to turn invisible and away from the threat's eyes. She didn't seem to think about how the fire wasn't attacking and seeing her, yet she tried to use her power to turn herself invisible. She doubted that anyone would see her do it, as everyone's eyes were on the fire, so they may just believe she wasn't there and just went out of the classroom.

The flame finally quieted down as the professor came over, extinguishing it. After she was sure the fire was out, she looked over Glass, Nestor, and Chia, saying critically, "Who is culpable? Guilty? Who made this fuego?" She immediately accused that group of students, knowing that they were the ones sitting at the workbench.

"It was-" Nestor looked to Glass's side, and when failing to see what he wanted, he gazed around the classroom. He seemed confused for a split second, which made Mikayla know that her power worked on her, as he shrugged and decided to go with the second-best blaming option: Glass Ametrine. "Well, Glass here did seem to know what was happening before the rest of us did. He also had a chemical bottle which inevitably ended up in a flame, along with a beaker on his side of the workbench that had the fire in it." Mikayla was surprised about how genuine Nestor seemed while speaking these facts, fully blaming all of this on Glass. Nestor turned his head to the side, grinning slightly at Glass as to give the message, Watch me, Glass Ametrine. I'm not just somebody on the sidelines who occasionally throws comments at you. I can be dangerous if I want to be. I can be a part of the action if I want to be. I can do so many things against you that you would never expect from me. Do not underestimate me as someone you can defeat easily. I can be an enemy you don't want. He turned his head towards Mrs. Flavourant again, adding, "Chia was mixing her own chemicals that was in a different beaker than the one which the flame came out of, and if I believe right, I didn't get to mix any chemicals at all. That only seems to leave Glass as a suspect here."

Mikayla had thought that Nestor was caught up in his anger to notice anything, but he still seemed to know every detail and put them in his favor. How threatening was this boy? Mikayla, still feeling immensely guilty about what had happened, stayed quiet. This whole incident seemed to be her fault. If she hadn't done anything, none of this would have happened. Glass did seem pretty annoyed with Mikayla back there. If she talked up and revealed herself, would he still give her the accusing look as he had done earlier? She simply stayed quiet, trusting that Glass would speak up and say that Mikayla was at fault. She knew that if Glass turned against Nestor, he would probably fire back with more facts to counter against him, so that would leave Mikayla. She got the materials, she started mixing them, and she supposedly "left" the scene, as others would believe. All the signs pointed to her, so someone could easily accuse her. Why did Nestor accuse Glass, then, if he didn't do anything?

The professor listened to Nestor and looked at Glass witheringly, saying in a deeper Spanish accent than before, "Well, niño? Did you do this?" She looked over the group once more, as her angered face mellowed slightly with an expression of concern, as she said again in her normal accent, "Where is the other girl? The one with the colorful skirt?" Mrs. Flavourant twirled her own skirt as if making a point, looking at the group for an answer.

 

[Astral_Ink]

Professor Flavorant had turned to the stunned-looking inhabitants of the workbench, trying to put her finger on who the perpetrator was. Glass was too dizzy to answer immediately; his arms ached from having pulled Mikayla with him, and multicolour specks danced before his eyes. The next thing he knew, he was being accused of starting the fire when he had been the one trying to save everyone from it. Where was the justice in that?
Glass chanced to look up just when Nestor was giving him a strange look and grin that seemed to say so many things, all so threatening and unsavoury to himself, that he simply dropped his head again and focused on breathing.
What’s happened? How, on my very first day- no, my very first half-hour- at this prestigious school, has everything seemed to come crashing down around me? Perhaps I’m overreacting. I only wish I could be back at home. Stupid boy. Why does he have to be so bent on messing up everything? I don’t understand- I don’t.
Glass was brought back to earth by the professor addressing him directly. How could she believe Nestor's lies so easily? Especially considering who he was, and who Glass was. His indignance increased as she spoke to him with a touch of anger to her voice, like he was a child. He straightened up, as Mrs Flavourant asked for Mikayla's whereabouts.
"My dear professor, do not believe this boy's blatant lies. It was not I." Here Glass paused, wondering if he might have gone a bit far with his first sentence. Surely he should at least try to make up with Nestor, the best he could, whatever the boy seemed to think Glass had done. Perhaps the phrase 'blatant lies' wasn't the best way to go about this. As much as he disliked to admit it, Nestor had proved himself to be a potentially useful person to have on his side. Justice would have to be done later. Forgive me, Mikayla. he thought. With a small bow in Nestor's direction, he said, "My apologies, Master Evrim; it may have seemed to you as though I was to blame, but I ask you to reconsider. My alchemy partner, Mikayla, whom we are currently and rather suspiciously missing at this moment, is a viable culprit, innocent in intent though she may very likely be. Do you not think it strange that she has chosen this moment to disappear?" he said, addressing the professor. "We can even ask her for her account, then see what you think." Here he pronounced the words very deliberately, in order to hint to Mikayla to reveal herself, as he suspected her to be hiding nearby, or perhaps to have used her power to make herself invisible. If the latter was the case, he thought Mikayla rather clever to have thought of using her powers in this way. Surely she wouldn't get into too much trouble- she seemed to be the professor's favourite, and probably wouldn't have to fear severe consequences from her father or, indeed, the public, if word got out she had created a giant inferno in alchemy- unlike Glass.

 

[Xeppy]

Mikayla smiled when Glass took the blame onto her, although she couldn't help making the facial expression with a sense of bitterness. She knew that Glass was only accusing her because he was not the suspect, but she couldn't help having feelings bubbling inside her with the accusation. Who would react happily to a false charge against them, though? Even with Mikayla's personality, she would never feel happy and cheerful about this. She tried to not blame this on Glass, however, as she knew that he had good intentions. Well, no- she hoped. Her bitter smile got replaced by a happy one when Glass acknowledged that he knew that she was using her power, feeling grateful that he remembered her power and was not worried. The last thing that she wanted was for that to happen, and this proved that Glass was a good friend and actually listened to others.

Nestor made an offending facial expression at Glass's first comment, and even Mikayla made a wince. She knew that Glass was right... but did he have to word it that way? Nestor was like a flame: the more things you add to it, the bigger it becomes. Glass was adding more and more wood into Nestor's fire, and soon enough, Glass was going to burn his house down. Well, since Nestor is so obsessed with flames, I wouldn't be surprised if Nestor burned Glass's actual house down as well, Mikayla thought before shaking her head at herself. She really needed to talk to put the blame off of Glass. Before Mikayla could speak up and reveal herself, though, Nestor suddenly clucked his tongue and made a look at Glass, obviously trying to counter this fact before the professor commented on this. He crossed his arms and said, "I give you reasonable facts and proof against you, and all you can think of is a random girl leaving?" Mikayla scrunched up her face at this comment, although she knew it would have no meaning as nobody could see her. "She could have been leaving for a variety of reasons, Glass Ametrine! She could have been frightened by your flame and left to try to evacuate the danger! Who knows, maybe she has a fear of fire? She could have also been leaving for..." He gulped nervously and added quickly, "...girl problems, but as I was saying, it could be for many reasons! You cannot just accuse someone based on a fact that they left! Also..."

He glanced at a flame that was on someone else's workbench, deep in thought, before grinning. "I know." He turned towards Mrs. Flavourant in triumph, saying confidently, "I think I know what happened, professor. When we first came into the classroom, I paired up with Chia after we had a conversation earlier. Glass and the Spanish girl also paired up, apparently also speaking before this class. I bumped into the Spanish girl when grabbing the chemicals, so that means that the Spanish girl grabbed the chemicals needed to make this flame. I don't believe Spanish girl would know how to make an elaborate fire like this, however, since she seemed as shocked as the rest of us." Mikayla made a confusing expression at how he knew this before remembering Nestor's ability to notice and remember things, even if he didn't seem like he was focusing on them. However, he most likely only noticed her at the beginning of the fire, and he was focusing on the flame for the rest of the time. This could explain how he didn't know Mikayla was invisible. "Glass most likely knew what the materials were, giving why he grabbed a chemical out of Mikayla's hand. That bottle was the only way the flame could have started, since the other chemical was already in the beaker. Drops came out of the bottle, which could have only happened if Glass purposely poured it into the beaker. Notice as well how Glass got so angry and defensive at the beginning of my accusations, calling me a 'blatant liar'." He took a step closer to Glass, having a smile on his face while saying, "Well, Glass? Still think I am a liar now? Or do you have something else to say to me? How about you start explaining how you know where Mikayla is?"

Mikayla knew that she should speak up, but it had seemed as though her mouth was glued shut. Was it shock? Or was she actually believing what Nestor was saying? Glass did take the chemical out of her hands, and she didn't know what had happened next. She was too busy in her own guilt to notice what was happening. She didn't even know who Glass really was. Was Glass the bad guy here? He didn't even give an argument against Nestor- just brought Mikayla into this. Was Nestor right here? She felt bad for having these feelings, but she stayed silent, trapped inside her own doubt.

 

[Astral_Ink]

Glass waited for Nestor to stop speaking with an outwardly patient countenance, but inside he could feel a burning anger bubbling up inside him, growing with every hissing lie Nestor spoke. Who did he think he WAS?!
Eventually, Glass begun his side of the argument, shaking very slightly with anger, though outwardly he was mainly composed. He was definitely not used to being treated like this; having his views so easily discarded and being contradicted in this outright manner. Taking a deep breath, and ignoring the worrying tingling in his fingertips - just waiting to be released… just a movement away from utter destruction of this impertinent boy, who talked of his beloved brother like what had happened to him was nothing - Glass started speaking. “Firstly, I request your full and undivided attention, for this is certainly no trivial matter.” He looked at the professor, who was glancing distractedly at the clock above the doorway. “Especially if we happen to have some fire-loving vandal amongst us.” He gazed at Nestor once more after having said this, so that his rival wouldn’t mistake the hint. “I won’t deny any of these facts you are stating- rather, I accept most of them as truth. However, the circumstance is rather different from that which you have supposed. Before we begin, let me just remind you, Nestor Evrim, that I have two witnesses, and very good lawyers, before you want to get in too deep.” He gave Nestor a very pointed look, and continued. “All right. So you want the truth. All of it, and my suspicions, will be told to you. I am only sorry I did not give it to you sooner. Now. I'm not sure how your point about Mikayla's ignorance of the chemicals she brought over strengthens your blame. If anything, it helps me! How could I have garnered the right chemicals to create this inferno? How could I have ensured that, if she was the one bringing them over? Furthermore, why would I, Glass Ametrine, wish to set fire to a school workbench?! Surely the son of a leading noble would have better things to do than vandalise school property- it wouldn't be particularly gratifying to the family name, now, would it? And since when have you head of a noble vandal? I’ll tell you something, though- my family are esteemed and respectable, if you didn’t know. Unlike the eccentric Evrims, who throw their loyalty around like it were nothing, which it might as well be!” Glass’ eyes gleamed with enjoyment, caring not much for guarding his words anymore: he’d had enough. The things he’d said about the Evrims, though true, would help him determine how much Nestor was attached to his family, and, in turn, if the particular scandalous blackmail piece he had in mind could help him put a few strings on Nestor. “In answer to your other accusations- yes, of course I knew the chemicals would make such a flame- it’s simple chemistry. But I shan’t explain that to you now. I saw Mikayla with two of the chemicals needed to make the fire- and like you said, she most likely didn’t know what she was doing, so perhaps I no longer put the blame on her,“ here he smiled, “but instead on you, Nestor Evrim. After I cried out, explaining that it was a bad idea to have the three chemicals so close- for the one I was mixing was the final ingredient- Evrim here seemed to take an interest. I believe, if I am correct, that Evrim is rather attached to fire, and also, that if you perform a quick search of the school records, you will find Nestor’s power to be something related to the manipulation of air. When I tried to get the chemicals away from each other, I saw a drop of one rise out of the container and hover over the top of another. At the same time, some came out of the beaker Mikayla had in her hand, and joined the sugar. I rushed to get everyone away from the table, because I knew if that drop fell in, an inferno would ensue. And fall it did; I believe Nestor was the cause of this, with his air manipulation. You may take a look at the school logs if you so wish. The motivation behind this, I believe, may have been that Evrim might have not known what would ensue, but wanted to mix the chemicals anyway, out of spite for myself- as I am rather sure Evrim has something against me, for whatever reason- because I seemed horrified by the prospect of the chemicals mixing. There, you have my account, and may ask me anything, if that has not convinced you. I also remind anyone to whom it applies: I have very good lawyers.”
At this, Glass sat down at the workbench, folding his arms. He felt winded after that speech, but tried not to show it. There. he thought, Surely no one can accuse me now. If all else fails, I am sure to win in court, and let’s see if the Evrims like that.

 

[Xeppy]

Mikayla looked at Glass in surprise, as the white-haired boy seemed overall calm about the whole situation. If Mikayla were in his shoes, she would be overall not be keeping her composure in front of Nestor and the professor. Glass was a noble, though, unlike Mikayla here. Maybe nobles handled these situations better? Or maybe they had special classes to have these things? Mikayla stayed invisible, silently watching the whole thing underneath her sight manipulation power. She thought about speaking up and siding with Glass, even though she was slightly believing Nestor right now, but she hesitated. Would she help more if she just stayed silent, letting them all do their thing? Maybe. Glass would call on her again if he needed her, after all.

When Glass began his little speech, Nestor seemed uninterested. He purposely avoided his gaze away from Glass when the smaller boy asked for their full attention, as if refusing to humor him. However, Nestor crooked an eyebrow upwards when Glass hinted at a fire-loving scandal, as if knowing the full purpose of Glass's words behind that. The taller boy matched all of Glass's gazes towards himself but gave a quiet scoff when his opponent started talking about lawyers and witnesses. The professor next to them had a very different reaction, though. She suddenly started widening her eyes and shaking her head, and she most likely would have spoken up if Glass hadn't started continuing with his statement.

Nestor quietly listened to Glass, opening his mouth to counterargument against everything he said, but physically froze when the white-haired boy completely insulted his family. The anger from his eyes and emotion in general disappeared, being filled with something else. To Mikayla's quick surprise, the expression Nestor now held wasn't one filled with him being offended or insulted... but of knowingness. Like he was used to what Glass was saying. Like he had no room for sadness, since he would never escape what Glass was saying. Nestor smiled bitterly at himself for a moment, as if silently saying, Of course he brought that up. The taller boy quickly masked his emotions with anger again though, seemingly for Glass, although if you looked closely enough, you could still see the knowingness in his eyes.

He remained eye contact with Glass, never breaking it throughout Glass's theories. After Glass was done, he stared at him for a few moments, as if collecting his thoughts. He then turned towards the professor, although the grin was now off his face. If Glass connected the dots, he would know that the knowingness in Nestor's eyes and the fact that he wasn't as arrogant right now had some sort of connection. If Glass pointed it out, though, Nestor would most likely not admit to it... unless it was on special circumstances. "Professor Flavourant, Glass Ametrine states how I have a fire obsession. He also states that I did not know the contents of what was being mixed. I do admit that I have a... liking to flames, but I did not know that the two mixtures would end up in a flame. That means that his argument about how I like fires it completely irrelevant here."

He swatted his hand at the air, as if pushing away Glass's words, before continuing. "Glass also says how I supposedly mixed the chemicals out of spite for himself. But, Mrs. Flavourant," Nestor seemed to get back the capability to grin. He smiled at Glass, and in anyone else's eyes, it may have seemed like an innocent smile. Glass would surely see the menace behind it, though. "Glass said how his family is esteemed and respectable. Why would I personally attack someone like that? That would only backfire on me." Even though Nestor said this, Mikayla scrunched up her nose. Nestor was personally attacking Glass, yet he was persuading the professor that he wasn't.

Nestor examined Glass for a moment before saying, "Glass put the spotlight on me after doing so to Mikayla. However, doesn't it strike you curious how Glass is only doing this now? I noticed how Glass avoided my question of how he knew where Mikayla was, and he seemed pretty sure that he knew her location. Also, when I came to sit at a workbench, Glass and Mikayla were sitting there together. They also paired up together, and made conversation together as if they already knew each other. I find it strange that I came to the assumption that Mikayla didn't know about the chemicals before Glass did. No, I believe he did know, since he would know Mikayla better than I would yet. Besides knowing Mikayla's true personality and intentions, he still put the blame on her." Nestor put a hand to his chest. "I believe that Glass would have kept that Mikayla inquiry in the air... but then I started using facts to find out the true culprit, saying how I thought it was him. Glass says I have something against him, yet he only puts the blame on me after I try to start finding out the case. It seems very strange to me, is it not?"

He shrugged, now, when remembering Glass's claim of his powers. "Professor, do you really believe I have that much control over my powers? After all..." He glanced at Glass again, "My family just throws their loyalties around. Obviously, that means that I was not deserving of their loyalty. If I had control over my powers, perhaps the loyalty the Evrim family has given me would be earned, since I would have shown hard work. But no. As Glass has said, it doesn't seem to be the case. Glass questions the motivation for why he would do it, as he is of the Ametrine noble family. Even though the Evrim family throws their loyalties around for no good reason, as Glass has said, that doesn't mean that I am disrespectful of my family's name." It amazed yet angered Mikayla on how easily lies after lies slipped his lips. "I am humble that the Evrims threw their loyalty to me, so I wouldn't want to do anything to lead that loyalty astray."

He narrowed his eyes at Glass now. "Do you immediately believe that you'll win every single case because your lawyers will hold your hand, Glass Ametrine? Or do you wish to insult my family further and say we don't have good lawyers? Well, let me tell you something that I ask you to remember. Just because you are of the Ametrine heritage does not mean you will win everything. If you have to run to your family and to court to fight your battles, then do it. I will gladly go to court with you."

The professor, with wide eyes, now seemed to ramble in a mix between English and Spanish on how they shouldn't bring court and lawyers to this, how the school will be affected by this and they can find another solution. While Mrs. Flavourant was rambling to herself and to anyone who would listen to her, Nestor walked over to Glass who was sitting at the workbench and muttered quietly for only him to hear. "Even if we go to court and I happen to lose, that does not mean this will end. Maybe... rumors would spread around that if anyone went against the Ametrines, that family would immediately do anything to make sure the accuser gets punished. Maybe rumors would spread around that the Ametrines are so tyrannical of their reputation that they would take anyone down anyone who tried to ruin it. 'Oh, how the Ametrines are ruthless! Besides the Evrims' past and their eccentricity to bring into possession a non-noble boy, they still made sure to bring them down over a school argument of their children! Does that family really respect themselves that much to not have empathy?'" Nestor grinned at his words. "I am invisible to the noble society, Glass. An invisible person can easily spread rumors around like they're true."

He stepped away from Glass now, giving him one last mischievous look before listening to the professor speaking to them. If Glass was not overcome with rage and was looking closely at Nestor, then he would have seen the hint of pain that appeared in his eyes after he brought up how he was an outcast. Nestor had tried to make it seem like a strength, but it was clear that he still considered it a weakness. A suffering. Something that only caused hurt.

When Nestor turned to the professor, her ramblings continued with, "...bad, mal! No need for el tribunal, court!" She gave a deep sigh that showed that while she didn't want this to go to court, she didn't know what to do. She then wagged a finger at Chia, Nestor, and Glass, saying, "No, no more ciencia for you! No more mixing and incendio, burning! I have papers! Worksheets! You will do that today." She then gave a little mutter of ¿Que haré? before rushing to her desk, giving the order of, "Limpio! Clean your materials and put away IMMEDIATAMENTE!"

Mikayla immediately rushed over to their workbench, although disappointed that they now had to do elementary schoolwork. She started reaching towards the stands, although hesitated and asked, "Wait! How do we clean up?" If anyone Glass or anyone else heard her, then her sight manipulation would deem ineffective.

 

[Astral_Ink]

Folding his hands carefully in his lap, Glass listened to what retorts Nestor had to make, though he was half surprised he had anything to say after Glass’ impressive speech. He was relentless, this Evrim. Like a fly who wouldn’t go away no matter what you tried. Watching all his hard work unravel before his eyes - and so it felt - as Nestor talked on, he wondered what Father would tell him to do. Eventually he’d have to fight his own battles. He hated to admit it, but Nestor was probably right: he couldn’t go running to his family or the law to protect him every single time.
Hope, however, wasn’t completely gone - though Glass had been concentrating during his speech, he hadn’t failed to just notice the look in Nestor’s eye as Glass spoke of his family. It wasn’t entirely what he had been expecting, but it was something, nonetheless.
Though ideas were beginning to form in his mind about how he would answer some of the questions and statements Nestor was proposing, Glass wondered if he would be able to even put them into words, having been drained by that long defence. Perhaps court wasn’t such a bad idea after all, he thought, as Nestor declared he would gladly do so.
Just as Glass was trying to desperately gather his remaining wits to defend against Nestor’s lies, Nestor himself strolled over, and Glass, pretending not to see him, fixed his gaze on the rambling teacher and the bewildered students in the class. When he heard the word rumours, though, he couldn’t help but stiffen. That was the last thing they needed, especially for poor Blaise. And to think he caused it! Oh, what would Father say!
Wrapped up in tumultuous thoughts, Glass didn’t register the teacher’s antics until she shouted for them to clean up, immediately. He jolted out of his stupor, just in time to hear Mikayla’s voice sound from next to him. So she was here, then. He turned slightly, and sure enough, there she was- though at first she seemed almost translucent- but a blink soon sorted that out.
“Mikayla- where’ve you been?” Glass asked distractedly, just as the teacher’s voice rang through the classroom.
“With tus manos! Your hands! And use the fuego, at the sides of the room, instead of agua! It won’t hurt you.”
And that was the professor’s helpful advice.

 

[Xeppy]

Mikayla only seemed to stare at Glass at his short comment- Mikayla, where've you been?- which had shortly interrupted her panic of wondering how to clean up this Alchemy mess. Just before the teacher announced to the entire room her instructions, a silent response came from the average sized girl. Her right index finger rested on her chin, a playful grin and raised eyebrow accompanied with this. Although she said no words, the mischievous look on her eyes (a similar look to what Nestor Evrim usually had) and her actions said her thoughts perfectly well. She seemed to be teasing him, with her knowing that he already knew the answer to his own question. If not, why would he have practically called her out while in that heated argument with the other noble? If not for Professor Flavourant's speaking, Mikayla may as well have said, Where have I been, Glass?

But Professor Flavourant did speak. The eccentric Spanish teacher soon explained what they needed to do to clean up. Wait- hands? Fuego? Agua? Mikayla held up her own hands, having them glimmer in the light of the flame-illuminated room. The last time these peach-toned hands did any good, it grabbed ingredients together that ended up in a purple flame. It was all a memory by now, a very fuzzy one at that, and in the past. But for sure she was going to be of any help here! If Mikayla had no idea what to do during the experiment, she certainly didn't know what to do now.

"Eh?" The finger on her chin drooped in hesitation, a frown coming over her face to express her cluelessness. "Uhm, are we supposed to burn stuff? With the fires on the walls?" She gave a quiet shrug, to both herself and to anyone who was paying attention. "And what'd the professor say? The fire... won't hurt us? We practically just died from a fire!" Even so, she attempted to help by moving the bowls on the tripods. She obviously needed some supervision to ensure she didn't do something again, though.

What a peculiar girl...

At least, that's what Nestor was currently thinking, looking over her trying to help as he took off his coat and goggles. This was the current companion, apart from Chia, of the esteemed noble from the Ametrine family. He simply did not understand the girl, like how she got accepted into a respectable college like this. It was easier to comprehend the son of the Ametrines and Lady Chia, but this girl spoke a completely different language than he was used to. He didn't understand why the white-haired boy befriended someone like her, who seemed to not be able to walk a few steps before falling right onto her face.

If only the Evrim male knew how right he was, given the incident this morning with the stairs. It made him wonder quietly to himself, however: how did this girl get into Sehrli College for the Gifted? It was already difficult for Nestor to get in, who had a gifted power, gifted intelligence, and already quite a reputation. Probably not a good reputation, but a reputation nonetheless. Schools still ate up stories about the people they bring in, like 'Nestor's being put into a noble family' tale. Nestor already assumed the Spanish girl's powers based on the incident just happening- invisibility- but that was obviously not enough to get into a school like this. Her judgement overall seemed to be on the lower side as well. Perhaps her family bought her in? That seemed to be the only logical explanation-

"Nestor..."

"...brought in..."​

"...court?..."​

Ah. The class of eighteen inside the room did not miss out on the recent argument Nestor and Glass seemed to have. Who would have, after that flame erupted for everyone to see? Like they would go back to work after Nestor, the social outcast, immediately accused the famous Ametrine of being the culprit behind the fire. They were probably passing around popcorn for all he knew. The Evrim-adopted-son's eyes swept around the room, catching the eye of multiple classmates before the latter broke eye contact. He sucked in his breath abruptly.

He recognized a few nobles in this room. Like he had recognized Chia and Glass, he knew those faces. It wasn't as though he had met them before, but he had done some reading and knew some information about some of them. He had to get information about everyone since they all seemed to know him first. Being an outcast was being the worst type of popular. Before the majority of the room broke eye contact with him, though, Nestor noticed the emotion in their eyes. Distrust. Nestor Evrim seemed to have made sure that the Professor didn't point fingers at him, but everyone else was on the Ametrine's side. Not that he was surprised or anything. After all, the Ametrines were so lucky.

Nestor couldn't help rolling his eyes at this disgusting thought, soon widening them instead at the surprisingly dirty look that the 'Spanish girl' gave him. "What?"

She shook her head, mumbling something about manners and being rude. Weird girl. Nestor simply took his eyes off of her, putting his attention back onto Glass as a mischievous look got back in his eyes. Pointing at the beaker on the table that had the mixture of sugar and that... other ingredient he couldn't remember, he said mockingly, "I thought when meeting an esteemed Ametrine, they would at least be polite. Didn't I ask you a question earlier?" He smiled with no good intentions. "I'll ask you again, Ametrine. What were the chemicals used to make that fire?"

After a second, he gave off a scornful laugh. "If you're worried something will happen, don't. If this was to happen again, we would surely get thrown out of Sehrli. If we aren't already after this incident." His eyes narrowed. "What a shame if you were to never come back here again, Ametrine... wouldn't it be?"

Nestor gave a quick glance towards Professor Flavourant, who seemed preoccupied getting an alternative lesson ready for them, before taking a step back. It seemed the Evrim son was done poking and prodding for the moment. He took the beakers before anyone could tell him otherwise, examining the one the fire erupted from carefully and with interest. What a scene this flame caused. What a sparking scene, filled with amazement and wonder. The beautiful purple fires were still enraptured in his memory, dancing around without a care in the world. It took a moment for him to get out of his lost state. He then walked away, going to take care of the beakers with only two thoughts in his mind.

I wonder if I would be allowed to make a fire like that again.

And...

Nothing's fair.

 

[Astral_Ink]

* * *​

After what had taken place in Alchemy, the mathematics lesson at Sehrli had seemed slightly daunting at first. However, as they got into it, Glass felt himself calmed by the familiar motions of the questions and equations. Absorbed as he was, he didn’t even notice Nestor, sometimes shooting him conniving glances from the back of the class.
All too soon, the lesson was over and break had begun. After having a small snack in the cafeteria- for he needed it- Glass made his way towards the courtyard, along with a sizeable throng of students who seemed to be flocking to watch his display: the news had traveled fast, clearly.

Seeing as he had left class as soon as the bell had rung, needing some quiet - admittedly Mikayla-free - time to himself before the big display, he seemed to have lost his newfound friend in the stream of students rushing to get to break, and couldn't see her now when he cast a cursory glance around the corridor leading from the cafeteria to the courtyard. He shrugged, supposedly indifferently, but was relieved when he suddenly saw the top of Chia's head a few people ahead of him.
As the crowd spilled outside, he walked over to Chia, trying to look as composed as he could, as students began to stare at him and murmur excitedly. Too late, he realised the boy standing next to Chia was none other than his newfound arch nemeses- Nestor Evrim. As Evrim turned round from surveying something behind him, it took all Glass’ willpower not to bolt away there and then, but to instead walk hurriedly away, shooting an apologetic glance at Chia as he did so. He couldn’t have anyone messing this up.

At the centre of the courtyard was a glistening fountain, ornately carved from marble; and on its broad rim was where Glass stood, shoulders back, grateful for the extra height it gave him. People began to clap, expectant and maybe slightly apprehensive of the show that was to ensue. Glass thought he might as well give a speech: especially since a couple of teachers had just arrived, looking like they thought they’d just walked in on a rally for some sort of rebellion.
“Greetings, Sehrli College. I am delighted to be here with you today. In honour of our new first-years and what they may accomplish,” Glass began, realising he probably needed to make up some sort of actual reason for this display, “I have improvised a little entertainment this breaktime. I do hope you enjoy the spectacle.”
Raising his arm in the air, Glass took a deep breath, steadying his heartbeat, concentrating on the sensation building up in his fingertips…