The Paired

Finn

Harmony was probably planning my murder just about now.

At least that would be the most interesting thing I've known of her to do.

She was currently reading a book while we were sitting by the indoor freshwater pool. Who reads at a pool? I cleared my throat before hopping out of my seat. "I think I'm gonna go for a dip. Wanna come?"

She didn't even glance up. "No."

I sighed, walking to the water's edge before a thought hit me. There was no rule against using your wings to mimic a high dive at the pool, right? I smirked to myself, launching to the air before reaching the ceiling and pushing off with my talons, flipping a few times before landing in a cannonball. The water was full of waves when I resurfaced, and a bunch of water had splashed over the edges and over the other pairs. I grinned sheepishly when everyone turned to stare.

"Heh...sorry."

I heard the clack of heels on the slippery tile and closed my eyes. Shit.

"Excuse me!" The voice of Lila the fairy called.

I turned around slowly and gave her what I hoped was a very responsible grin. "Hey Ms. Lila. What's up?"

Lila's face was impassive. She shook her head slightly. "Please come with me."

I grabbed my towel as I followed Lila through the facility and to her office. She made me stand outside in the halls so I wouldn't get her stuff wet. She went over to her computer and typed something out before turning to face me again. "As it is not specifically mentioned in the rules since we thought it wouldn't be necessary to state—"

"Or no one has ever thought of it because I'm just original like that."

Her eye twitched slightly. I think I'll make it my goal to have her show some type of emotion while I'm here. "In any case, we will let you off with a warning to never do it again. If you do you will be prone to consequences. Is that understood?"

I saluted her. "Yes ma'am."

She sighed but put on a forced smile. "Good. Now get back to your pair. They're probably missing you."

Yeah, right.

When I arrived back at the pool, Harmony was no where in sight. I leaned against the wall. Why did they think we'd be a good pair? She only ever answers my questions or adds to the conversation in one-word answers. 'So how was your day so far?' 'Good.' 'What did your food taste like today?' 'Home.' 'What book are you reading now?' 'This.'

How the hell is a relationship like that supposed to last?

I walked down the halls back to my dorm to change out of the swimsuit I had on. Why did people swim with these on but no shirts? Clothes laws are weird. Being the only half harpy in the program meant that if I started a petition against clothes it wouldn't get very far. I opened the door to the dorm and collapsed onto my bed by the window. I made an annoyed sound against my pillows before turning and looking out at everything below me. I couldn't see anything like the garden or the lake, but rather I could see the forest beyond. Normal people may not be able to, but harpies have enhanced sight, so I could see the individual trees beyond the wall that was around the facility grounds. And further past that was the spires of what I assumed to be the Council castle.

Each Ruler had a castle in their own lands, but this castle and facility were on the land in the middle of each of their kingdoms. That's where they all met to make decisions about whatever rulers have to make decisions about. I sometimes wondered what it would be like to live in a castle like that, but then again, I lived with the harpies who live up in trees and huts. Nothing like what I assume castle life is.