"Well that was counterproductive," Petra sighs relaxing into the park bench.
"... I'm sorry for calling you boring," Hunter apologized.
Petra cast a sidelong glance at him. "It's fine, you never said I was. I just wanted ... Forget it."
"What is it?"
"Never mind."
"Tell me," Hunter insisted.
Petra sighs. "Everyone in our little sprite circle thinks highly of you, including Meghan and I don't think I've ever seen you two together. I know it sounds silly but all my life I've been overlooked. People barely notice me, and just last week my sister was telling me I've become a background character in my story. You seem to be the opposite of that and I guess I thought if you found me interesting or intriguing then it would count for something - it's stupid I know --"
"It's not stupid and it's not that I don't find you interesting either. Meghan and I were once partners during the inter-order competition training and the same goes for the other sprites. This is the first time the both of us are being paired up. You always keep to yourself that I just assumed you don't want anybody talking to you. I find you intriguing, I always have, so when you asked me what I'd like to know about you, I thought you'd only allow me one question so I was thinking of the perfect question to ask."
Petra smiles. "Have you figured out the perfect question then?" She asked.
"Yes; If you could rewrite your life story, what would you change, add or erase?"
"Seriously?"
"Uh-huh."
"Hm," she said placing her hand on her chin. "I can add anything?" She asked.
"Yeah."
"Then I want to be able to play some instrument," she said.
"Looking for a new hobby?"
"I've always dreamt of being a music producer or a composer ever since I heard my aunt playing a violin, she was a composer. When I was around ten, she offered to take me in as an understudy but I rejected as it was around that time I was eligible for admission to the Met school. I don't regret my decision though I do wish I had gone with her and learned a thing or two before joining the Met school," she said.
"What's stopping you from learning now?" He asked.
"Money. My aunt's not around anymore, she uh ... passed away after an accident including both my parents," she said solemnly.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I live with my sister who dropped out of the Met school to work multiple jobs and support us both, We don't qualify for the Bureau's emergency and relief funds since there are only two of us and at least one of us was over legal age at the time of the accident," she explained. "She tries her best and I just wish I could help even if only a little but she wants me to finish the Met school and not bother myself with all that. So yeah, I'll grant myself the ability to play a couple of instruments and hopefully, I could use that skill to earn a few bucks and chip a few of the expenses for our cost of living," she said.
"Wow ... I don't know what to say," said the teal green-eyed boy. "I do know one thing though, screw the Bureau," he said causing Petra to laugh. "Since I study at a mysticism school we both qualify for their health program," she said.
"Yes, I'm sure you'll need it, After all the chances of a mystic falling sick are as high as five percent."
Petra laughs. "I could still get injured though," she pointed out.
"And what are the chances of that happening? You're a student, not a damn enlistee," he argued.
"Yet here I am with an organization recognized by The Bureau."
"Please, Alex already told us things are pretty chill around here," said Hunter.
"People are disappearing," she stated.
"That doesn't mean anything bad has happened to them. Why are you trying to defend the Bureau?" Hunter asked.
"Honestly? I have no idea. Go ahead, roast them!" She said and the two of them broke into soft chuckles.
"What are your plans? What would you do when you're done with the Met school?" He asked.
"I don't know. I think it depends on my grade when I graduate. If it's at least a B then I'll try to join a top mystic organization otherwise I'd get a job and use some of the money I earn to hire a music instructor," she said.
"Wow. Seems like you have it all figured out."
"Better to plan for it than be caught surprise by it."
"Yeah. It's not much but I know someone who can play piano," he said.
"Is she any good?"
"Best I've heard - take it with a grain of salt as she's also the only one I've ever heard and we were married when I did," he said.
"Did you say you were married? How? When?" Petra asked.
'I do not know why I said that.'
[I'm sure Chelsea would be proud]
"Yeah ... I was --"
[Are you sure you want to tell her about that?]
'I mean ...'
"It's a long story, I'll tell you some other time," he said. "Also, I have a mansion in the Met with a lot of free bedrooms if you're interested."
"A mansion? I didn't know you were money."
"I'm not ... I mean I wasn't, now I am. The Bureau asked an organization to compensate me for gross negligence and lots of attempted crimes."
"And you were criticizing the Bureau?"
"Yeah, I mean the house was technically mine but was wrecked during a fight and The Bureau only did that to save face," he said.
"I don't know," Petra said thoughtfully.
"You wouldn't have to worry about food, or rent, or whatever, there are a lot of cars too so no more fares - as long as you can drive of course. Plus the person who can play the piano also lives there so ..."
"You live with your ex-wife?"
"It's not as bad as it sounds," Hunter said. "I'm not trying to force you to say yes by the way, I just wanted you to know the option exists should you wish to take it. You have time to think about it and discuss it with your sister too."
"Yeah. Thank you for offering," said Petra.
Hunter's phone vibrates and the sprite takes a look at it.
"Who's that?"
"Alex. He wants to know if he can meet us at the market," said Hunter.
"We're closer to the villa so tell him to just meet us there," said Petra. "What are you going to do with that?" She asked using her head to point at the bag in which there were boxes of fish.
"This," he said rising to his feet. "I don't really enjoy fish but I can think of a couple of things to make."
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