The air seems to burn as she inhales the morning breeze, the cold from October has already shown, but there is nothing better than the smell of fall in the seasonal air. She unwillingly thinks about the smirk Campbell gave her yesterday. She has been waiting for the last twenty minutes in the cab outside of the metro terminal for him. Still, there doesn't seem to be any other cars in sight.
A light knock on the door window pulls her from her thoughts, and she notices a figure behind the rain covered window. The door opens to her surprise, within a second, Campbell slides into her, getting the inside of the cab drenched as well. He smiles down at her, and all she can think about is that they are going to smell like wet dogs now on their way to wherever they have to go.
"You're late," she breathes, noticing that he isn't backing up at all; his raincoat is soaking into her pants leg.
"I'm here," he counters, staring down at her, his smile gone, and an expression of inquiry replaces it.
"Let's go. We have to check-in at this place and wait for further information." She tells him, opening her side of the cab and exiting, closing the door behind her, and the trunk opens.
Campbell doesn't speak as he grabs her most significant bag out of the trunk and gathers his own that was sitting getting soaked on the bottom from the puddles.
They walk up to the fake lighting that hurts their eyes. The Cresthaven Terminal isn't busy at this time of night, as they walk down to get their tickets, she steals a glance at Campbell. His high cheekbones, dark hair, and angry features offset his almost porcelain white skin. His eyes are as gray as they come and are fringed by dark lashes and brows; his lips are sculpted to cut corners, and his jawline goes on for days. She looks away before he could notice. She has a job to do and damn if she isn't going to do her absolute best if not more for it; and will not let anyone get in her way…
After a few silent moments of sitting on the metro to Rotherwood, Cass looks over and watches as Campbell nervously hammers his heal into the floor. Bouncing his elbow and clasped hands unrhythmically. She thinks back to herself on graduation day.
"Dr. Ward is putting us up in a Boarding House near the Rotherwood Forest. Did he tell you where we're going?" she asks, almost hoping he knew something she didn't. I'll need to unpack a few things before we head out to the Forest to check the device, but I don't think we'll have to go all the way in there tonight." She smiles at him and notices his eyes go wide at the pamphlet she holds of the Boarding House.
"No, he hasn't talked to me since the meeting." He tells her taking a calming breath and looking out the window before a recollection dawns on him. "We're going into the Rotherwood Forest?" He questions, and she isn't sure how to respond.
"I'm not sure, I just know that this is the place." She says thrusting the pamphlet into his hands and his eyes grow wide at the sight of the house. The thought of the stories that her father would tell her about the magic of the forest begins to bloom within her mind.
"It really isn't safe at night… without a Star Race, who knows what goes on in there…" he trails off, not really wanting to scare her, but also not wanting to make this Census thing take any longer. She can see the hesitation clear within him.
"Good thing that's what you're here for right; strength or something?" She offers him, and even she can feel that that was not the right way to play the situation, Campbell falls silent after that. They ride the metro for what seems like ages, but they exist at the third stop, the one that sits right between Rotherwood and Beaumont. Campbell takes their bags, and she follows as he walks down the road to the Boarding House from the foldable. Upon entering the yard of the colonial house, with giant white pillars and a balcony on the second floor that wraps around; Cass stares in awe of it all. Campbell seems to watch her too long, because someone coughs from behind them, jarring him, so he flinches.
"Hi, sorry to disturb the moment," she says with a little giggle, and though both Cass and Campbell seem to look at her inquisitively, she continues. "Are you the two for Councilman Ward? He made a reservation…" she wonders, nervously twirling her strawberry blonde hair around her finger.
"Yes, is it ready, because we need to unpack a few things before we can, um… relax?" Cass asks with more authority than curiosity in her voice.
The woman is thrown off only slightly and recovers from the slight abruptness. "Of course, please, follow me." She turns with a closed eye smile. Cass looks to Campbell to gauge his reaction to the situation, and he wears a look of astonishment as they enter the colonial house. There are artifacts all over the walls that seem to appear simultaneously as they walk further inside. What was once an open white house in the foyer is now littered with objects to use. Some scrolls are in a line along the desk and tables and a giant globe in the center of the room that lights up in various places. "Your room is just up the steps, and it's the one all the way at the end of the hall." She gestures up the winding staircase, and Cass and Campbell share an apprehensive stare. "Let me know if there is anything my husband or I can do for you; my name is Rita Morgan." She tells them, Cass starts to make her way up the stairs first.
"Soon to be a honey mooned Rita Morgan;" a man rushes up towards her; his blonde much more vibrant than her pink highlights. Cass looks away with a little blush forming on her face when the couple walks away, giggling, and she continues up the stairs. Campbell struggles as he goes, taking a blow from the bags each time he picks up either leg to take a step up.
She is already at the end of the hall when she hears the bags drop beside her. "We don't have a key," he tells her, but as he turns to go back down to the woman, Cass grabs him by the arm.
"We are the key; a Traveler's room is only accessible by that which the room is for." She says cryptically, looking back to the door at the end of the hall. Campbell stays quiet as she steps up to it, and it pops open with a click. A small sliver of blackness is a stark contrast to the well-lit hallway, but she pushes forward into the room, and she finds a switch on the wall. The room is laid out with a sitting area; one bed, and a couch under the window. A door to the balcony outside. Cass watches as Campbell sets their belongings on the hardwood and not on the plush carpet.
"What should we do in the meantime?" he asks; he glances at the clock and its late, but not late enough. Cass shakes her head and places her elbows on her knees to cradle her chin, staring down at her stuff, things.
"Are you hungry?" he asks her, his own stomach growls as they wait.
"No," she says quickly, and Campbell gives her a smirk that tells her he doesn't believe her. He rushes out of the door, and within the haste, and Cass not knowing if they could use the kitchen, she rushes after him down the staircase and into the next room full of stainless steel.
"You eat meat, right?" he asks, and it takes her back a moment, she nods not knowing how to respond, wondering what on earth would make her seem like she doesn't. He carelessly takes out pots and pans and ingredients from the cabinets and fridge so fast all Cass can do is sit at the island in the stool and watch. The smell of burgers fills downstairs, and it isn't long before Cass was watching as others came out hungrily.
A girl enters the kitchen and grabs a drink from the fridge, observing as Campbell stacks the food in front of him and Cass. Knowing making friends was never a big part of her life, she isn't sure how to tell the girl she can stay, sit, have half of her burger that she would never be able to finish. The more she thinks about what to say to the girl, the girl decides on her own to take a seat.
"Think that you could make a grilled cheese next?" her voice is light and airy, how Cass would want her voice to be if she ever used it. Cass watches as Campbell's eyes trace over the girl sitting next to her. Her long blonde hair, pale face, and shining blue eyes make her feel excluded between them. "I'm Evie." She offers them both a smile.
"Cass;" she nods at the girl.
"Campbell;" he tells her politely, a bright smile spreading on his face as he silently walks back to the stove and fridge.
Having only taken a few bites, the feeling of the chatting Stars begins to creep along her spine. Like ants traveling in a straight line. She shivers a few times earning a few glances her way, but not knowing what to tell the girl next to her.
"The Witching Hour is upon us, isn't it?" a male voice asks just beside Cass, he grabs the seat and sits withing it. His skin is tan, his hair is dark blonde and brown, and it drapes around his shoulders in locks; feathers, and ornaments seem to decorate pieces throughout. His eyes don't meet her right away, still, he holds a pungent-smelling cigarette in his hand, staring towards Campbell's cooking. He turns to her; finally, his eyes are golden like the stories she used to hear from her parents about unique Travelers. A little gasp leaves her lips when she realizes who the man is.
"Yes, it's overwhelming… actually." She says a little breathlessly. The idea of them being in the same Boarding House is something she would brag to her parents about… He studies her for a moment, she has since looked away from him, but she can feel his golden eyes staring at her skin, hair, hands, as she fiddles with her rings.
"Star Dial?" he asks with his pinky nudging her twisting fingers. Their eyes meet again, and she nods with a swallow getting stuck in her throat. Campbell turns with the hot sandwich in hand and only now notices the new arrival to the right of Cass. "Have I stumbled upon the Census Creator?" his whisper seems to hold answers to questions she hasn't even thought of yet, he leans in closer to her; eyes still on Campbell. "I heard through the grapevine that you're the best students they've ever seen…" he tells her this through hooded eyes. "I'd wish you good luck; because the stars are becoming restlessly reckless." He says with a smirk, getting ready to leave the island they sit at. "But I don't think you'll need it." He looks from complimenting Cass to Campbell, and though he seems kind enough, she can tell he is saying this because of how they look so starkly different.
"And how do you know that?" Campbell asks as he rests his arms on the counter and seems to lean into them.
"Honestly, nothing qualifies me at all to know that;" he looks down at his hands and back to them watching him. "I did not mean to offend." He tells them almost graciously.
"But you're a Royal Keeper, aren't you; I've heard stories about you and your brothers my entire life," Cass tells him, but does not see this expression change at all.
"Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of people who think they know who and what being a Royal Keeper means, and they can come to do it. No one ever asked me what I wanted out of this life. But alas, the Stars have spoken." He says with a wiggle of his finger and a sharp turn to his attitude. Cass watches as he leaves the table with more answers brimming then before.
"Well, that guy was pretty weird," Campbell says, shaking his head in the direction of the Keeper walking away and disappearing into the house.
"Yeah, he's been like that since he got here," Evie says with a mouth full of grilled cheese. Cass isn't sure if she should elaborate on who the guy is. Still, she knows that meeting him was underwhelming compared to her dreams, but there was something genuine about the Power he has seen. While he didn't look any older than her, Campbell, or Evie for that matter; Cass knows that he was older and wiser than they would assume him to be.
"How long have you been here?" Cass looks to Evie, only realizing now it was herself who asked the question.
"Only a few days, I like it here, my sisters and I just moved from upper Maryland, so I've always known about Cresthaven." She tells them, but there is something sad about the thought of moving that Cass has never had to experience. "I found out about this place when talking to Rita at the Library in Beaumont, the one with the cool telescope. My sisters Andrea and Gemma aren't too into the idea of Traveling yet, but I couldn't be happier to get away." She tells them as she finishes her last bites of sandwich.
Looking at her wristwatch, she wonders how long it would take to get to the Rotherwood Forest before the Witching Hour. For practice purposes, knowing the most she has done on her own is connect to the Stars. Cass stands and takes her plate to the sink and exits through where the Royal Keeper went moments ago. There is no one in sight when she enters the room with the globe and maps. The yellowing and mute colors that line and dot across pages and parchment, seemed to only be a decoration to her, and her inexperience comes crashing back at her again. The books in her peripheral begin shifting. When she sees that they are laying themselves out on the desk, with writing quickly scrawling across the pages, the book closes, and it returns to the shelf. Pen less.
Astonishment echoes through her as she slowly gets closer to the illusion taking place. "Amazing isn't it?" The sound of Rita's voice seems to come out of nowhere. Rita's position, looking at Cass from the stairwell is surreal, as if she'd been dreaming there and Cass had walked through to give her more inspiration for the piece. "It was sent by Cecil, the Master Tracer. Every Traveler setting off on documented or designated travels, gets written in those books; where they're going, how far it'll be, and how long it will take them." She says dreamily.
"It sounds perfect for a place like this;" Cass starts but is interrupted by Campbell walking in.
"Tomorrow, when you leave, and even when you arrive in Washington is in the books now." she says more excitedly. She comes down the rest of the steps and walks to the desk. "You two will be fantastic, there have never been Travelers so young taking on the responsibility, but, it is written." She tells her hesitantly, turning through the pages.
"What time are we leaving?" Campbell asks with eyes glued to the desk functioning by itself.
"About five; but we'll give you a wakeup call." Rita says with a little smile and Cass looks for a clock.
"It's about midnight now, we should probably get some sleep then." He tells them looking at his watch, but Cass feels desperation filling her to practice before she leaves, she can't imagine what it will be like to attempt to use any of her tools.
"Yes, lets go." Cass agrees and starts up the steps first, leaving Campbell and Rita in her wake. She notices the one bed and guilt builds knowing she most likely wont be getting sleep tonight. She takes blankets from the sofa and throws them on top of her, hoping Campbell will just go to sleep as well. When he doesn't follow into the room right away, she goes to her belongings.
Cass carefully takes out her bag of precious items and lays some of them that are wrapped individually in cloth out on the table. She takes an object in hand, unwraps it meticulously, and places it on the table. She knows if Campbell saw it, he wouldn't know what to make of it, and this brings a suppressed smile to her mind. There was an unfortunate reason as to why he wouldn't know what these objects are and she could feel her parents predigest in her mind from his pale skin. She lays her book of notes out on the table before her. "The Mooring works like a protractor, the Star Dial unlocks it and creates the connection to the constellations, with opals as the power source." She tells herself as she takes off a ring she had been wearing since she got the honor, and places it with a click into the Mooring. The brass and copper protractor-like devise seems to be practically vibrating as it rests on the table below her. She removes the ring, extinguishing the device, placing it back on her slender finger, and stares up at the window, black and foreboding. Its now or never.
Stashing her items in her coat, Cass exits the room and the darkness of the house follows her to the front door. She checks the house for any sounds but comes up short and takes this as the moment to go. Darkness seems to take up every ounce of the yard, and the Rotherwood trees are already silhouettes of daggers pointing to the overcast sky. There are no Stars insight as she takes her first steps into the night; and this night, Cass can feel that will either make her or break her, and there is a strange sensation that follows from the house. After a moment of treading through the yard, unable to see, she switches on the flashlight from her phone.
Her eyes follow the sidewalk, which is just a line on the actual street. There are no streetlights in the North Quarter of Rotherwood, because of such saturated Traveler and Gypsy lore about the stars and need to see them. Walks always calmed her previously. Still, there is something uncontrollable that seems to creep up on her as she nears the Rotherwood Forest. Unnatural silence follows a moment of wind whipping in the trees. The stench of pine is thick in the air as she enters the Forest.
There is an inescapable instinct that seems to trigger as Cass touches the trees she passes. She searches their trunks for the answer she knows is gnawing at her; she knows there is something she is doing wrong already; "But what is it?" She whispers, hoping the stars will hear her without having formed their connection yet.
With a shake of her head, she presses a button, the light goes out, and the entire Forest goes dark, but only briefly. Her obliviousness to what the Rotherwood Forest really is to a Traveler, has her breath catching in her throat as she takes everything in. The trunks glow a variety of enchanting shades, they seem to be respiring, almost like the trees are breathing the magic in and letting it out. The trunk texture is rough and cold under her fingers, the color seems to radiate from the inside out. Power from the vibrancy of the Stars in its treetops. She looks at the treetops with astonishment only to find the clear night sky above her, as if the trees were not there at all. A clear shot to the stars awaits her; but there is something about their accuracy that gets the better of her in this miraculous moment.
Taking the Star Dial off her finger, she removes the Mooring from her coat and starts it up with a slight click; and a light hum begins. Cass follows the blooming connection in her head, further into the Rotherwood Forest when she checks her phone for the time. The bright moon illuminates the Mooring and her phone, and she sees that it is two till three in the morning. The Witching Hour.