Chapter 8
It was time for first class. Everyone waited for Professor Garvin to enter. Lauren sat in the center and to everyone's surprise Evandalyn took the seat below yet in front of her. Edmon and Demeatral sat to each side of her as usual. "I seem to be making everyone nervous or tense. Maybe I should go."
"Nonsense. Everyone is okay with the Keeper being here, right?" Edmond asked. Everyone nodded affirmatively. "They just needed to get over the shock."
Professor Garvin entered the room and saw Evandalyn. A smile as bright as the sun appeared on his face. He showed his fangs. "It is wonderful to see you, Keeper."
"And you, Garvin." Evandalyn blushed. "Continue with your class."
"Thank you, my dear." Evandalyn blushed a deeper red. "Today we are going to discuss Unicorns, Pegasuses, and Alicorns. I hope you did your reading."
"Actually, I had a power overflow attack and fell asleep right after, well, during dinner," Lauren replied honestly. "But I do want to move forward with the lesson."
"Very well. Let's have our resident representatives step forward." The Unicorns, Pegasuses, and Alicorn stepped to the front of the room, and all transformed. They were all so beautiful. Lauren wanted to rub their backs like you would a horse but knew that it was improper to do so. They were not all white and some had markings on their flanks.
"First of all," Levi, the only Alicorn, observed, "We are not the same species. We may be able to procreate with each other, but we are different. Many of the marks on us come from the mixing of the species."
"It's obvious that you are not the same species," Lauren replied. "May l?" She stretched out her hand as a request to speak and touch them.
They looked at each other. "Thanks for asking and not just assuming," Davis replied. He trotted over to her.
"Uniformly, unicorns have one horn and are usually silver-white in color. They are usually tall and stand very strong and muscular but not bulky. You have to be able to move fast on land." The unicorns pranced and raised their heads as she described them pointing out their strong legs and glistened as she spoke. She bowed to Davis, and he moved aside. Zen moved forward. "A Pegasus has powerful wings and is compact so that they can fly fast in the sky. Your iridescent shine works as a camouflage as you streak through the sky." Pride oozed from the Pegasus at her description. She didn't put them down because they were short and stocky. "And the alicorn," Levi moved forward, "I must be honest; you are new to me. I love the power that flows from you. It's invigorating. Your golden horn and jewel-tipped wings do make you a rarity. I will do my best to dream of more of you when I become stronger and control my skills of creation." Levi glowed from within and bowed his head in respect.
Professor Garvin nodded his head at Lauren. "You will do well."
Lauren sat back down and allowed the alicorn, unicorns, and Pegasuses to share. They were so happy to see that she was truly interested and to show her how to put a saddle on their backs. Lauren was only able to sit on the alicorn. Because of the unicorn competition on the weekend, she couldn't sit on any of them.
Levi trotted proudly, knowing he was the first to ride Lauren. "Would you like to fly?" Everyone was stunned. The alicorn is very arrogant and normally wouldn't allow anyone on his back, especially when he was flying.
"It would be an honor," Lauren said.
Levi created a magical bubble around them, lowered his head and shoulders, then leaped into the sky. Edmon and Demeatral changed forms and flew beside them, and so did the Pegasuses. It was exhilarating. Levi didn't fly wild because it was her first time, but he did fly fast, slipping through clouds and circling the spires. Lauren hooped and smiled. When they landed, she broke cultural protocol and gave Levi a hug.
"I'm sorry but you have just given me the biggest thrill of my life thus far. Thank you." Then she gave him a hug and kiss again.
Levi turned a bright pink from head to hoof. "You, my lady, are very welcome."
"Very good." Professor Garvin said. "And no picks at Levi. Understand." He said to the other horse-type creatures.
"Why would they pick at him?" Lauren asked. Then she looked at him more closely. Even in his shifted form, he was pink.
"I'm fine," Levi stated. " I am privileged and that is all I have to say." With that, he sat down and smiled.
"Okay." Professor Garvin said. "This was a great class. Your natural instincts are doing you justice. Please do read the text tonight though. Learn the laws. It's wonderful to see you, Evandalyn. I miss our chase." He winked at her, and she blew him a kiss.
As they walked to their next class, Lauren couldn't help but pick, "He was the vampire you touched. That's so cute."
"Stop. I'm your elder. Respect me." Evandalyn replied while laughing. "You did wonderfully. How much was because of last night?
"Most of it. Especially the alicorn."
"Interesting."
They went to the computer lab and, today, Waldo couldn't hide. Ezra came on the screen. "I see I am going to have to take you to the next level. I spy and escape room scenarios were next. Lauren had so much fun.
Next was nature class. They sat in the aviary enjoying the freshness of the air. Valentine came in pulling an unruly being. It pulled back and bit at her. She stopped it just far enough away to keep it from reaching anyone. She then looked up and saw Evandalyn. Immediately, she forgot everyone else and ran to give Evandalyn a hug. "It's been a minute since I have been able to give you a hug." She said pointedly. Then she sat almost in Evandalyn's lap. "Okay, I must teach." Everyone laughed. "Now, Lauren, this little beauty is a fire beast. It was just born so technically it is a baby phoenix. I call it "an it" because I don't know its gender yet. I want you to find out if I have a baby boy or girl."
"That's all?" Lauren asked.
"Don't die while you do it."
"Okay," Lauren said. "Well, I mean you no disrespect but since you are here, Valentine, this is not a chick from you." Valentine smiled a small smile. "Phoenixes are born of fire and die in a fire. So, to befriend a phoenix you need fire." Lauren got a candle that was on the supply table and lit it. The firebird moved towards the flame. Lauren brought the candle closer to herself and then next to her face. The firebird looked her straight in the eyes. They began a staring contest. Lauren knew she could not win, but she also knew she had to win. She moved the flame and the bird looked over toward it. It loss. It knew it. To show its honor, the bird laid on its back. This was a show of trust. Lauren took a look and announced, "You have a baby girl."
"Excellent." Valentine declared. "This is actually a friend of mine. She chose to revert and be reborn. She is in the worst stage of a phoenix's life. She needs to burn to mature but she must stop before death takes her. How do you stop a phoenix from over-burning?"
Lauren thought about the lesson from yesterday. Valentine said that laughter had saved her life many times. "By making it laugh."
"Yes. Just like me, she has a humanoid center. Let's get her to laugh."
We all tried different ways to get her to laugh. Since she was on fire, Lauren couldn't tickle her. Eventually, Evandalyn began to giggle. Slowly, her giggle became an all-out tear-jerking laugh fest. The little firebird followed suit and laughed hard. She burst into a laughing, flaming fit. We all joined in because she looked so funny kicking its birdy feet. When she finally stopped and the fire went out, a cute little girl remained.
"Hello. I'm Lauren."
"I'm Sari. Thanks, Evandalyn, for freeing me."
"What happened? Why did you revert?" Evandalyn asked.
"Why else? A man." Sari laughed again. "Lauren, even though you and your team failed to make me laugh, you did have the right idea. I will support you, but I am too old for class. I will hang out with you after school."
"I think the classes are designed to help us bond as well as to teach. I would appreciate it if you reconsidered and joined us. You are never too old to learn new things or to refresh memories."
"It is your team and if you insist, I will be in class. I might need the companionship." Sari replied.
"So, we can see that the Phoenix power is not a problem for you, Lauren. You seem much stronger than 4 days ago. Meditation must be very beneficial for you." Valentine beamed.
"It has been eye-opening." Lauren looked at Evandalyn and caught her smiling.
PE was interesting. Cosh and Tosh were battling as the class entered. Cosh became distracted when he saw Evandalyn, and Tosh hit him across the face with a fake sword. It left a huge red patch on the side of his face. "Sorry brother. You have to keep your guard up at all times."
"I did have my guard up, just in the wrong place." Cosh replied. "Hello, beautiful." He said to Evandalyn.
Evandalyn was in full blush mode and just waved. Lauren knew there was more to them, but she didn't ask.
"Choose your weapon for today, Lauren. No bow and no staff." Tosh instructed. He was all business.
Lauren walked over to the wall of weapons and studied it - The stock whip. A flash of memory stopped her eyes on a leather whip that had a long handle. When she picked it up, it sent sparks down the leather belts that snapped and crackled. Evandalyn smiled mischievously. That was Lauren's grandmother's favorite weapon. She popped Tosh with it once and Cosh felt it through their bond. "I choose this," Lauren said.
Cosh looked shocked. "Be careful with that. In the right hands, it is very deadly and painful."
"My grandmother loved this weapon. I am ready to handle it." Lauren moved to the center of the exercise ring, making sure no one was near enough to hurt and began a beautiful but deadly dance with the whip. she twirled and swayed while spinning the whip. She drew it back quickly making it snap and release sparks. She became lost in the dance and the magic. The ring became a whirlwind of power. Then she began to glow, a golden glow with sparks of red. She stood on point like a ballerina and became one with her light show. It was magnificent. She was off the ground, spinning and shining. Finally, she ended her performance with a flourish as she hit each target in the ring blowing them all up. She landed back on the ground gracefully and bowed.
Everyone applauded her and was so shocked that she was able to put on such a show of power. Everyone except Evandalyn. "That was beautiful, my dear. Absolutely amazing!"
"Thanks. I felt a little possessed, but that was fun!" Lauren replied.
Tosh and Cosh just stood there with their mouths open. They didn't know what to say. Evandalyn walked over to them and snapped her fingers. They came back to their senses. "That was wonderful. You would have defeated an entire attack squad with that thing. No sweat. Well, you can't use that tomorrow." was all Tosh could say.
"Run 2 miles and then hit the showers." Cosh insisted, not commenting on Lauren's performance.
All the students took off running. "What is it?" Evandalyn asked Cosh.
"I hope she doesn't turn out to be like the last one."
"What do you mean? Her grandmother was the last one."
"Not her. The other one. You can't just act like she never existed. We still haven't found her." Cosh looked Evandalyn straight in her eyes. "She was almost as powerful as Lauren just showed herself to be. Just because she refused the training, doesn't mean she is not a danger. If Lauren ever gets the wrong influences in her life or high off of magic, we could have a worse problem than a girl you have decided to ignore or forget."
Evandalyn gave Cosh a tight hug. "Thank you for your concern. You have always been the one to point out the things I might miss. I don't think Lauren will turn. She has such a good heart and a pure love for reading. Please, keep looking out for us though. Be thorough and protective as always. I didn't know you were still looking for her."
"Yes. Well, imagination is not safe while she is still out there." Cosh replied. "She was a force, and she does need to be dealt with sooner or later."
"I know and with both of us still here, we will be able to protect it better than ever. Unlike other Keepers, I am a goddess. I don't have to leave forever. I can give Lauren the power of the Keys and just have the use of my goddess powers. When I come back from getting my cure, I will be here to help her."
"Are you sure? Isn't that against the rules?" Tosh questioned as he walked up to the conversation.
"I broke the rules when I became a Keeper in the first place. The keeper had always been a human. I am the exception to the rules." Evandalyn stated sharply.
"I hope you are right." With that Cosh gave Evandalyn a hug and walked away.