Time has a tendency to slip through my fingers very much like grains of sand. No matter how much I try to hold onto it. Little by little it will trickle out of your grasp, regardless. When you're young, time seems limitless. But, sadly it is merely an illusion. A lie that we tell ourselves, over and over, until we start believing it.
Lying to others it's a difficult task to undertake, but it is almost absolutely hilarious how easy it is to lie to ourselves.
After getting pulled and pushed left and right, days start blending together. A mild sense of disappointment overcomes me when I realise that more than a month has passed.
The end of February is looming closer with each passing minute, and so is my evaluation with the academy committee. I can't say that I'm overjoyed by the prospect, but I won't refuse the opportunity to be bumped up to year two. It would be amazing if I'd succeed, if not, well, at least I gave my best, and I'll have to find some comfort in that.
After a few setbacks, the training sessions have continued, and we are making progress on both fronts. Mason is pleased and so am I.
The next hurdle in the road is the spring festival in Takkara.
The bitter chill of the winter has turned almost balmy as spring draws closer.
Although I've enjoyed the thick layer of snow and crisp winter air, I'm looking forward to milder, more welcoming weather.
Tonight we are heading to Gallassos. Mason informed that that's where the ball will be held since the invitations for both of us were delivered to Northenhay.
The heavy snowfall during the winter has made working on the reconstruction of the Quarter difficult. Laira tells me that all the works have been reprised as soon as the weather let up.
Also, she has been assigned to design and develop a new filtration system to be fitted to the pipe work. No doubt, her innovative thinking has paid off. On top of that, she is also getting paid.
For now, things are going smoothly, Eric tells me that the order is keeping a tight leash on the V'asay that approach Morston, and somehow that makes me breathe a little easier. The only hitch in his plan is that none of us can leave Morston.
And that brings us back to our trip to Gallassos. Even though I'm better prepared than ever before to face whatever threat Micah sends my way, we will be putting people at risk.
It is careless, I'm well aware, but Graham offered some reassurance. Shay will be nearby, just in case. It still doesn't solve the dilemma but still it is something.
Coffee has become synonymous with the elixir of life because I'm very close to having it delivered intravenously. Gulping down the last of my cup of coffee, I stand to pick up and pack the last few things I'll need. Which isn't much, because we will only be there for a night. If we stay longer, my absence will rouse suspicions, and we have made plenty of waves as it is.
There haven't been any more amorous encounters between us since the party. The communication between us is done strictly through Enid whenever she comes to visit.
The wedding preparations are moving forward, and everyone in Morston is abuzz with excitement.
The Morston Gazzette prints out a new article about the wedding every day. Although I haven't read a single one of them, that is all the students in the academy can talk about.
Does it bother me? Yes, it does. It bothers me so much that I want to set the building on fire every single time I hear Ava's name or the word wedding.
It can't be helped for the time being, so I tamp down on whatever my feelings are on the matter and pray that Mason will figure it out in time. Not long now.
As soon as I call for Shay he appears in front of me, and we both vanish in a ball of blinding light.
We appear in a room that I'm not familiar with. It is so, different from Meza and Takka that it takes me a hot minute or two, to get my bearings.
It looks like a cottage, but not quite. The moody dark walls, giving way to stained glass, with dark wooden beams arching up the vaulted ceiling, gives the room a very gothic feel.
Dissonance. A kaleidoscope of vibrant colours paints the dark walls, reflecting from stained glass. The floors are made of basalt, the furniture of cherry wood with accents of gold, silver and cloudy blue.
I'm so distracted, that I don't even realise that I'm not alone in the room.
" Good evening, Miss Lily," I startle at the sound of the hushed voice and turn around to find a man with a dusting of grey hair, perfectly manicured tucked in a corner wearing regal drab.
A silver velvet suit, with red and cobalt blue hemming around his sleeve, and lapels. The golden buttons catch the light, winking at me as he steps forward.
" Forgive me, " He bows, and I step in front of Shay. Where the hell is Graham?
" It was not my intention to startle you. Welcome to our Praedish's home," He says solemnly. This Timeea's house? Damn, the woman lives in decadent luxury. I wonder who the hell pays for all of this.
Recovering from my stunned state, I clear my throat trying to gain a semblance of control. So far, I've either gaped at the room, or the man standing in front of me.
" No need to apologise. No harm done. Would you be kind enough to tell me if the other members of our party have arrived?" I tactfully ask, lowering my grubby backpack to the floor, but I change my mind and hoist it back on my shoulder. The floors are so clean that I can see my reflection in them. I feel like my rucksack would dirty them. Note to self, buy a new bag. You can afford it.
He bows again, and I have to repress the urge to roll my eyes.
I've met rich people before, Mason aside, but this leaves me speechless. Doesn't happen very often. It has an air of nobility about it, and I suddenly feel self-conscious of my social standing. Not great. I hate feeling this way, but we are not here to have a wild time. We are here for information.
" The master of the beast that lays at your feet has arrived this morning," He lifts his head, and our eyes meet, but he looks down immediately. This is not awkward at all.