The first thing I saw that morning made me want to slam the door closed and forget that today was Sunday and I had plans.

It was one of Russel's floating chattering skulls hovering at eye-level. I knew it was his because it was Russel orange and I didn't know anyone else who would or could do this.

I shoved it away with the palm of my right hand.

I glanced down over the banister and tried to see if I could see what he was up to before we even had breakfast.

The skull chattered its teeth at me. Like that was supposed to mean something.

"It's early, what do you want?" I demanded of it.

It made a noise that reminded me of rolling dice.

"I don't know what that means. Either speak words or point me to Russel if it's something important."

More rattling.

I went down the stairs while it trailed behind me.

"Russel!" I called out as I stepped off the last step. "It's early and I have things to do today."

The skull continued to follow alongside me and rattled louder.

It was too early for this.

"I don't have the time or the energy for this right now," I told the skull.

Either the gods or Russel decided to have mercy on me for now as the door leading down opened and the skull vanished.

"Sorry about that," he said despite not sounding all that sorry.

"Was there a reason or were you just trying to annoy me before breakfast?" I asked as I narrowed my eyes at him.

He grinned at me before snapping his fingers to summon another orange skull into his open hand. "Running some tests and settling a score with Jarec. Nothing you need to worry about."

Somehow, that failed to make me not worry. But whatever. "Cool. See you all later since you all abandoned me to do Celebration planning and decorating alone."

He shrugged. "You play nicer with the other Representatives."

If I'm ever asked for volunteers again I'm giving up all of their names.

(*********)

Apparently, setting up for a dance was not made faster or without effort from the use of magic. Also because we were student leaders we were being required to help and handle the volunteers who were also here.

"Serafina!" Angelina waved to me as she approached with Gregory Set and a handful of people I vaguely recognized they were probably other Pixies. I wasn't certain though, they were harder to spot without the hideous pink overcoats.

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I waved back quietly.

She grinned as she stood in front of me.

I put my hands in my jacket pockets. I wore it because it had long sleeves to cover the scars on my left wrist.

I would probably need to get more long-sleeved shirts and gloves.

Future me would have to look into that.

"Hi," I said.

"This is going to be fun!"

I had concerns about her definition of fun, but at least her being here would hopefully make the time pass quicker.

"Aw, Sera has a friend after all. Maybe she really is part Pixie."

I hate being on this council. I hate him.

"Please don't call me that Representative Thoth," I tried my best to keep the anger out of my voice.

The cringe from Angelina told me I had failed. "Why don't I help you since none of the Dragons made it?" She asked and pulled me in a direction away from Thoth.

"They're all 'busy'," I told her. "But it's none of my concern until they actually get in trouble."

"I feel like that's the wrong approach," Angelina commented.

I shrugged, "Dragons?"

"Is that going to be the excuse every time your Tower does something?" She asked while I handed her a packet with the plans.

"Only until it stops working." I flipped to the last section which was the one most relevant to today.

"Hey Sera," Because Thoth wanted me angry I guess, "do you know anything about tying ribbons?"

I let out a breath through my nose as I felt hot pain spike in my left wrist.

Today was going to be one of those days, wasn't it?

Fine.

Angelina's eyes flashed to my left hand.

"I believe I already asked you once not to call me that," I told him.

I could feel my hands shaking. I gripped the pages tighter even as I shoved my left hand back into my pocket.

Calm down.

I don't need it sparking right now.

"Serafina?" Angelina asked, concern clear in her voice and face.

"I'm okay. If you see dark green get Vivian Hearth and get as far back as you can, okay?" I told her quietly.

"You can call me Wick if you want," Thoth continued.

"I don't," I told him. "I'd rather be called by my full first name or my last name. I don't really care which you pick."

Angelina continued to look nervous as her eyes glanced between me and Thoth.

I sighed. I really shouldn't be picking fights with older students. But was I wrong for wishing for some basic sliver of respect?

Deep breaths.

The pain faded to an annoying itch.

Back to business.

"Representative Stewart," a familiar voice spoke.

I turned around and saw Albenion. "What do you want?" I asked in a neutral tone.

He handed me a stack of papers. "Formal request papers from the Newspaper club."

"Thank you Albenion," I took the papers and started going through them. "Everything looks in order. I'll confirm dates with Professor Hearth and send you guys the appropriate stuff."

"That's it?" He sounded confused.

"Yeah? I mean, I did tell you guys to make the request through official channels and a stack of paper with a Pegasus stamp and Newspaper club signatures is pretty official. Why would I say no? Jarec never brought up any complaints about it to me."

He blinked at me.

"What?"

"Nothing. Um…Thank you?"

"Sure."

There was a long awkward moment before he left to go do something over by where Thoth was.

I shrugged and noticed I was getting a strange look from Angelina.

"I thought you didn't like him," she said after a moment.

"I don't? But I am capable of playing nice. Sometimes. When prompted."

I got a very flat stare that I could only respond to by rolling my eyes.

"Your Tower is up to something, isn't it?"

"If I don't ask, I can deny being involved."

"You're terrible."

(*********)

"You're late," Celica accused.

I was, admittedly. "I had to go drop off some paperwork. Representative duties and all that."

"How long does it take to cast-"

She stopped.

I stared back wordlessly.

"Your curse is stupid."

I laughed at the look on her face. Like she had just stepped in something foul.

"Don't."

I laughed harder.

Her face was turning a shade of dark purple and she crossed her arms. "Ugh. Fine. Fine."

My laughter slowed before stopping. "Okay. I'm done. I'm here. Let's get this wager over with."

She huffed and uncrossed her arms. "I hope you're ready to lose Stewart. And that you packed formal wear."

I grinned at her confidence. Be ready to hit the ground Icarus.

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