Angelina was the only thing about this situation that actively helped soothe my terrible mood. And by extension the pain from the curse. Really her presence was doing the world a favor. At least as far as everyone in my vicinity that didn't want to get zapped by a magical curse placed by a maniac was concerned.

"So," Angelina began as she handed me some of the last of the little flags that they were having us put up, "I have a question about your curse."

I balanced the flag carefully in the tree branch I was looking up at. "You can ask. Can't guarantee I have an answer though."

"Do you know the reason I couldn't see your future without it interfering?"

"Umm…I think it has something to do with the fact it repels other mana from entering my body."

"Okay. So if I tried something on you that didn't involve channeling magic into you it would work as intended?"

"As far as I can tell, if it doesn't require magical input from me or to me in any way it should produce the same results as when done to someone who isn't cursed."

"Okay. Do you think this Wednesday you could stop by the Fortune Telling club?"

"Sure. I don't have plans. I'll see you then."

"You know when we first met, I was worried that you would have trouble fitting in."

I nearly fell off the step stool I was standing on from the surprise of a new voice.

"Set!" Angelina reprimanded.

"I'm fine. Hello Representative Set," I greeted.

"Sorry for startling you I tried to get your attention but you must not have heard me. Still working on my telepathy," he said with a gentle friendly smile.

"I'm sorry I didn't hear you then," I told him. I didn't want too many people knowing about the curses effects on telepathy. Or for that many people to know about the curse. "What did you want?"

"I just wanted to check everyone's plans for next week," he explained. "I also wasn't sure if you knew that there were things Representatives and their partners will be asked to do."

What was going on next week? Oh right. The dance. "If you're talking about the celebration I'm not going."

"Oh," he seemed shocked but not as judgmental as others I had told my intentions to. "Any particular reason? I hope no one is forcing you to not go."

"Nothing like that. Just not interested. Not in dates or partners. You all have fun though," I did my best to reassure. I was surprised by the fact he hadn't heard about that. Him and Thoth seemed to talk at least a little.

Jarec had offered to help spread the word that I wasn't going. I had given him basically blanket permission to do whatever he wanted with that knowledge. But I guess he hadn't done anything with it.

It was nice having someone I could count on. Mostly count on.

"Representatives Stewart and Set." Our conversation was interrupted by Horus.

"Hello," I greeted flatly.

"Horus," Set greeted with his usual friendly tone. "Everything good?"

"Depends. I wanted to confirm something with Representative Stewart," Horus said.

Wow. He was actually bothering to acknowledge my existence. Whatever did I do to be worthy of such an honor?

"Well I'm here. Feel free to ask away Representative Horus."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"There's a rumor going around that your mother is going to be here in November. Were you aware of that?" He asked.

"Yeah. I'm aware. I've told my Tower about it. And I know Jarec Quicksilver still talks to at least a few people in Pegasus Tower," I explained. "It's not intended to be news to anyone."

The look he was giving me made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and the curse start to ache.

"You are aware that humans aren't allowed on this island, and thus she won't be let anywhere near this school, correct?" Horus asked.

I snorted out a laugh. I shared a smug look with a confused looking Angelina who looked ready to interrupt. I covered her mouth with my hands. I shook my head at her.

"I am aware of the rules Horus. I appreciate the concern, but my mother isn't human. She was a student here once upon a time and wants to see how little it's changed. Also with me being Representative in my first year she wants to see it in person. I'm sure you understand a parent wanting to be proud of and show-off their child." I said formally like I wasn't slowly moving my hands away from Angelina's face.

I wished I had telepathy so I could tell her to act natural. I had a plan and I just had to hold out for a few more weeks.

Horus looked stunned for a brief few seconds before going back to an emotionless and cold expression. "I see. Then I take it the rumors of your status as an Aplos are false?"

"Very much so. But thank you again for your concern," I said while trying to think of a way to get rid of him without being too rude. I did have to pretend to play nice.

"Then I won't keep you. We will speak again later."

And then he turned around and left.

I counted to five internally.

"Prick," I commented.

"Why didn't you just tell him who your mother is?" Angelina asked.

"Because I want it to be a surprise. Please don't tell anyone?" I asked.

Set looked at us confused. "I know her name but I don't see what the problem is."

What? Why did he…oh right. He must have learned that while I was in Pixie. That felt like forever ago.

"Don't worry about it," I grinned.

Angelina sighed. I don't think she had the right to sound like that when she was dating Celica. Or at least going to the celebration with her.

Set turned to Angelina, "Should I be worried?"

"Um…I don't think so?" She sounded nervous, but the benefits of being friends with a Pixie included the loyalty.

"The only people I'm going to mess with are people who have been peddling a false rumor or would judge me for who my parents are," I explained.

A number of emotions flashed across his face. I suppose he decided that the people those circumstances applied to either deserved it or that this wasn't a situation that needed Pixie intervention because he shook his head and walked away.

"Menace," Angelina accused.

"I don't want to hear it from someone who thinks Celica is attractive, okay? If you're going to complain about anyone being a menace here, it's her."

She pouted at me. She had to know I was right. "You're both equal menaces then."

I laughed. "I'll take it. Though I think your girlfriend might be insulted at the insinuation. But I refuse to get involved in that conversation."

She giggled, "Okay then. I won't tell her."

"Thank you. Now I'd like to finish up here before anyone else decides they and I need to have a chat or something."

(*********)

I was doing some late night study in Dragon Tower. Sitting comfortably by the big stained-glass window. Living Accursed was resting on my folded legs. I wasn't getting anywhere, I had already read it cover to cover three times.

I let out a sigh and let my head fall backwards onto the wood of the windowsill behind me. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on my breathing.

Then someone tapped on the window.

Once, pause, thrice, longer pause, twice.

That same pattern again.

I opened my eyes to see an Echo of Serafina Hearth, with her green eyes and round glasses, sitting across from me and staring out the window. She looked sad.

"Hey old man." She looked at something outside the window. "What do you think I should do?"

Whoever she was talking to, I didn't hear anything.

"Yes, I know the Kelpie is persistent. He's sent me enough flowers to stock my own shop at this point."

She stopped in her complaining. Listening to a response?

"I thought he was only after the Hearth name. I mean…he's a Kelpie. It's why I don't spend time with any of them."

She held out her hand, it started to glow red.

"I've had my true color for so long I thought everyone had pretty much forgotten my purple. But not him. He remembers. You know what he said about the lavenders he keeps sending me? 'They remind me of you whenever I see them.' You think that works on other girls?"

I giggled.

"I should say no. Tell him he can take some other coven firstborn to the celebration. Mother doesn't know I'm being courted by him. She'll approve. I think that's grounds to reject him, right?"

A few seconds passed before she groaned. Loudly.

"I still think he's just after my Hearth legacy. And I'll prove it. And once I do I'll forget this whole thing. Him and his stupid flowers can burn."

I laughed.

"Don't laugh at me!" She cried out.

I froze. She couldn't hear me, right? She wasn't Red. No, she was still looking out the window.

"Old geezer, laughing at one of his own. Did your manners rot away over the centuries? No sympathy, from anyone."

"I wish I could have gotten to meet you. But I think you're long dead by now. That's one upside to this Echo thing. I may not have any older students to learn how to Dragon from, but I think this might be better."

There was a rumble from somewhere outside the Tower.

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