"I missed school…" Xavier muttered. Being a math teacher at Westview School was his job, he liked it, even though the pay was low compared to his job as a doctor. "I'll make it to school tomorrow." Lifting his pure white snowy owl wings, he blasted into the sky.
Nodding, Evera felt the tension ease from her shoulders. She'd found a friend and she was almost safe. Her mouth lifted into a smile. "Sorry I was so cold. Can't be too careful, you know. I'm Evera, but most people call me Eve."
Evera tension diminished visibly, and Alice grinned at her. "No worries at all. I get it. So who's following you?"
Evera huddled, her arms wrapped around herself. "I…it's a long story." Her shoulders shook. "Lets just say I got worried about a friend and went down a rabbit hole I couldn't handle."
Alice narrowed her eyes. "Come on, Eve. I know what kind of person I'm letting into my favourite safe house." She nudged her playfully.
Evera breathed a laugh. "Alright. Alright. But you're not gonna want to get involved. Trust me." She took a deep breath and then started, "I'm a doctor. My coworker and friend started to act different. Late to everything, anxious, just…off. I drilled him on it but he wouldn't tell anything. So I followed him…and I think I uncovered something. Something big."
"Huh. Can I have a hint?" Already, the familiar thrill was coming back.
"I don't know much. If I were in a TV show or something, i'd say a secret organization." Evera immediately laughed at that. "Sounds stupid out loud, but they're definitely criminals. I found a hideout, but they spotted me. They're elite. Like…ninjas."
"Oh jeez… that does seem like quite a situation." she pondered out loud. "Well, good thing we're here."
Evera opened her mouth to reply, but a gunshot interrupted her. She stifled a scream, throwing herself to the ground. Someone was shooting at them? Was it the criminals? Her eyes swiveled around for the gunman, but he must have been a sniper. The gun shots still rang out.
Alice's response was automatic. She placed herself in front of Evera and played with the light around them, rendering them both invisible to the gunmen. She fiddled with the front door and slammed it open. "Come on!" she shouted over the gunshots.
Eyes wide, Evera ducked into the house. She slammed the door behind them, her chest heaving. "Oh my God…" she gasped, "how did you do that?"
Gliding down to his house, Xavier unlocked his door and walked on in. The shinny white floor glittered as the sun’s rays hit the ground. Twisting the three-white gemstone on his ring, his large owl wings vanished. Not being human made is oddly easier in this world, his home world, Veicarro, the rules always pulled him down from his freedom. In that world, he was a grand duke and the emperor’s right-hand assassin. Now on earth, Xavier was plenty of jobs that brought in a ton of money. Xavier enjoyed being a doctor, teacher, dentist, scientist, men’s-wear modeling, and chief, and these were only a few of the jobs he was in.
Alice, breathing heavily, leaned against the wall and sank to the ground. "Umbrakinesis." she panted.
"You have abilities…too." Evera shivered, suddenly scared. What was she getting into?
(WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE FIGHTING FRENCHMAN?)
Alice looked up, eyes wide. "What?" she breathed disbelievingly.
(LAFAYETTE!!)
Evera took Alice's arm, inspecting where a bullet had grazed her. Covering it with her hand, she focused, her eyes wincing as stinging shot through her arm. When she moved her hand, the wound was gone.
(NUMBER TEN PACES, FIRE!)
"Waaaoooooh." Alice breathed. "Nice."
"The point is," Evera continued, a little out of breath, "I think the criminal organization tracks people with abilities."
"Oh. Well. Shoot." Alice frowned. "Ok. We'll have to be careful then."
"Right," Evera said shakily. She looked around the safe house, taking in her surroundings. "So, do I get a tour?"
"Yeah, of course," she laughed. She shakily got to her feet, leaning heavily on the wall. "Follow me to the mansion."
Evera trailed behind Alice, admiring the house. It was large, spacious, and elegant. Dark mahogony and burgundy curtains. Ornate and cold. She looked around. "Is there anyone else here?"
"Just me." Alice answered, a heavy edge of bitterness to her voice. "This is the living room." The room was spacious, the furniture regal and shiny. There was a piano, two floor to ceiling bookshelves and a marble fireplace.
Evera noticed the strain in her voice but decided not to question it. She ran her fingers over the ivory keys with a wistful smile. "Do you play?" She asked.