Inside our room.
" Today was eventful. " Pelit muttered with his mouth full.
We were sharing some sandwiches we bought at our trip in anticipation of our hunger.
" And we still haven't finished. " I said, looking at the setting sun.
" You wanna talk to your uncle about those..containers? " Rim asked quietly.
I had time to think about it.
" No .. that's not why I'm here. Besides, I have a feeling whatever that room was .. it's just the tip of the iceberg. "
" Come on .. there were definitely a few crazy scientists in your family. " Pelit, sit up. " Some creeps, sure .. but I would bet an arm and a leg it happened ages ago. The before fore times. "
It was his way of alleviating some of the blame that had fallen on my uncle, but I honestly didn't care. Whatever Mengle shit my ancestors did, it was their sickness, not mine.
" Anyway .. " I got up looking out into the distance. " ..you know that forest used to scare the crap out of me as a kid. "
They stood up, taking a peak.
" Somehow, forests seem more welcoming and safer than the city. " Pelit broke the silence.
" Not this one, brother .. this here forest is soaked in blood. Wars have been fought here since long before. Magicians and non Magican blood .. a sea of it spilt there. "
We looked at Rim.
" What? " He asked.
" How do you find the time to read all about these things? " I asked.
I myself heard some of those stories he mentioned, but that was because all of them included some idiot last named Aslan.
" It's fascinating stuff, really. " He went and lay down the bed. " .. At least someone appreciates them. "
We shared an evil smile he obviously meant Irina. Would be easy to tease, but we didn't go for it, just layed down ourselves.
For a while, we didn't say a word and let the day settle down in our minds.
Last night, we were all just standing among the guys sharing drinks and reminiscing about our time together. So much seemed to happen in a single day.
( KNOCK, KNOCK )
" Who the hell is that!? " I got up angrier than I should've been.
I was in a pleasant place and now..
" Calm kerdes ( brother ) .. I got it. " Rim sprung up.
Ughh.. he seemed too eager and even used his mother tongue, which only happened when nervous.. so it means ..
" Look .. it's the girls..and Milan. " He walked back smiling.
Who would have thought? The 3 girls and Milan walked in behind him single file.
" Evening.. we thought you might be hungry, so we would like to take you out for dinner as a little thank you. "
Irina walked ahead of the rest.
She changed clothes, looked a lot more girly, no robes.. which made me and Pelit share an evil smile.
Rimel looked lost .. he started to walk back to the bed, then changed his mind and pulled out a chair .. only to stand leaning next to the wall.
" Tchtch.." I clicked my tongue.
" Pfft.. " laughed Pelit.
" What? " asked Irina, switching her look between us.
I waived her off .. or at least tried.
" It's nothing.. yeah, that sounds great. Except we just ate ..
" That was just a light snack.." Rim stood beside me. ".. I barely felt it. Let's go. "
He pushed a little harder than needed, and we were soon outside without the chance to protest.
I saw a lot more students heading in the general direction with us, and Pelit noticed as well.
" When she said take us out .. " he stepped beside me whispering.
I nodded defeated.
" Yeah .. she meant bloody school lunch, I'm not even hungry. Let alone school cafeteria stuff ..
" What's that?" Rim turned around.
"" Nothing.. ""
Inside the dinner hall were small bistro style tables with 5 seats around each, the same as the number allowed in the room back at the dorms.
Dispite that Lor and Leyla demonstrated their magic by conjuring their own chairs, and we all sat down.
With the 7 of us, it was still a little snug.
At least Rim is happy being close to his lady love. I can survive this for my boy ..
Looking at one side .. Milan bumbling goofy expression, wearing an awkward smile.
Turned to the other .. Leyla is looking at me like an alien studying human behaviour.
Looked up thiking ..This is my life now.
I quickly shooed the depression away and took a sip of water, listening in the conversation, happening a table away.
" I heard the headmaster's nephew is here..
" Yeah, there was already a commotion about him not having a wand. "
" Hilarious..anyway, I heard he is average looking ..
Uffff.. well, that's fine. I embrace it, you brainless idiot! I bet you look average in someone else's eyes!! .. I hate this place already ..
I pretended that never happened.. kids are cruel.
" .. there a menu or what? "
I caught the last bit of Pelit question.
" Actually, it's just about what you want to eat.. " Milan took the chance to demonstrate it.
He pulled his wand and tapped his plate once. He slowed down the second tap ..and voila.. a plate of beef bourguignon.
I was genuinely shocked..as in how is that even work? The food looked real enough.
Lor waited for my question eagerly leaning forward.
" It's a spell made by your uncle.. the secret is the plates. " She pointed down.
I picked one up and spun it a little.. there it was.
His signature.. but how does it work?
There is no such thing as food appearing out of thin air .. that's goes against everything he taught me about how magic works.
And yet.. the others around me all done the same, and various hot dishes appeared out nothing.
" Genius.. "
" A legend.. "
My friends were more .. let's just go with it .. and less, what the fuck is going on?
" Don't bother.. not everything needs an answer. "
I looked over to the Rosewell girl.. I mean Leyla .. another .. just go with it type.
" Right.. I suppose they don't. "
I find myself very agreeable when it came to her. Funny what genuine deeply disturbing fear does to a person.
I tabled that little question for latter and tried it out myself, wasn't hungry but still...than I remembered..it's Sunday.
I tapped my plate with my finger twice and soon some hot porridge with some fruits on top appeared.
The others were surprised expect my friends.
I picked up a spoon and tried it .. hmm tasteless.. the fruit? .. it's fruit, you can't ruin it.
I sighed leaning back. Its real.
Tastes real, feels real in my stomach and yet .. it can't be.
I was ripped out of my thoughts when some adults wearing light blue robes walked in among them .. the man himself .. Mr End of world hunger.
He made a face looking at me with the food than raised an eyebrow.
'How did I do it?'
Damn him ..
" It's odd the teachers usually eat after the students. " said Milan after they took their seat.
" I bet you anything they just wanted to see Ferith. " said Irina as if it was self explanatory.
I felt little on display.. since we arrived.
Didn't let it bother me, I mean if I can't take something like that I wouldn't be here.
I fished around in my porridge as the others all finished their orders and sounds of eating and muted conversations quickly filled the hall.
For reason that day from Tupyi came to my mind .. and that girl.
Should I have told my uncle about her? And why didn't I until now?
Her eyes and ..demeanour was that of a crazy person, so why would place any stock in her word?
Than that room came to my mind .. despite my friends encouraging words .. somehow I still taught there was more.. even asking him..what for?
He can just say anything and without evidence..I would have too belive him..and what about what he promised to me? .. if he was lying, I swear to Merleau himself he end up ..
" You okay Ferith? "
Milan tapped my arm lightly and coiled back when I looked at him. Quickly wiped my expression and smiled lightly.
" .. I'm okay Milan. Hmm .. tell me about yourself, we are schoolmates after all. "
I figured it's better to be distracted than lost in my own thoughts.
Listening to my man here droning on was enough for a any guy to ask for a lobotomy ..
" .. and then again who enjoyes being around tardy people? I'm sure you hate them as well Ferith..my sister here can tell you all about how much I can't stand them...
..yeah..a lobotomy would do me some good. Release me..
" ..as far as my aspirations on the future I would love to join the Regime and help them in their dailies..I'm sure you agree, the only way forward if one inspire to work at such storied and ..
.. dum dum dum.. dum dadadum dum dadadum..
" .. This year however will be different since you guys inject some much needed flavour in our everydays, you already done that.. what about you? "
..dum dum dum dadadum dadadum .. .. ..DAMDAMDAM ..
" Ferith?.. you okay? "
I shook myself a little and picked my spoon for no reason.
" I'm here .. yes. Absolutely. What a.. how's the food though. Boys? " I turned to my friends.
They looked over showing their plates as I wiped the imperial march out of my mind.
Simple sandwiches.. they have even worst imagination than me.. we probably starve soon.
Once the dinner was finally mercifully over my uncle came over delighting our table.
" How was the meal students? Huuuh? " He leaned closer to me.
He has no shame directing that childish attitude towards me. As the others praised him for his genius mind, his unyielding spirit .. Jesus Christ.. Rim .. stop it.
He walked closer and I whispered just loud enough for him to hear me.
" If it isn't Uncle Freefood. "
" Jealous? " He asked lifting an eyebrow.
" Pfft.. how did ..
" Hahaha.."
The lunatic started laughing out loud drawing everyone attention.
Not as if one person was surprised, they all looked at him as if they gone to a stand up and might applaud him any minute.
" How's that work uncle.. can you tell me ...
He started imitating my voice like a child..
" Shuta h'da d'aba .. "
" Hada atbargha Feritha. Tov zada. "
He walked away still laughing.
" What was that language? " asked Lor.
I forgot myself a little and pulled my Aramaic.
" Aramaic.. "
I looked at Leyla again..just gave her thumbs up. Her smile was nice I guess.
" If we done .. " Lor quickly got up. " We wanted to take you guy for a walk inside Ecouves..the safe parts.. " She added quickly.
We shared some smiles with the boys.
The safe parts huh?