"New Students" (Klapollo AU)

The Reunion

   "You've got this," Athena muttered to herself, holding her girlfriend's hand. She had already gotten through the hell of the school day, but the real pain had yet to begin. Both of them stood outside the space center, not quite ready to confront the person who called them there. Athena wasn't even entirely sure it wasn't some sort of trap.

   She wouldn't put it behind Aura at this point. Even though she did visit Athena at least once a month, it was more to see her brother than the student. Widget still detected discord especially when they were left alone, so clearly Aura still had something against her after what happened. It's gotten to a point of more sadness than anger though. At least Simon had forgiven her role in the whole thing, and that was enough for Athena.

   Athena was brought back to reality by a gentle squeeze to her hand. "Hey, 'Thena, breathe...," Juniper whispered to her with a soft, reassuring smile. Her girlfriend followed that up with a cough. Right, she had to be strong for her.

   "I'm okay, Junie... You need to breathe too. How am I supposed to breathe if my lifeline is gone?"

   "Your lifeline...?" Juniper stuttered.

   "Mhm." Athena pecked her on the lips quickly. "See? I can already feel myself breathing normally so much better." Her girlfriend squeaked, hiding her face under her hat.

   Athena laughed a little at the flustered mess her girlfriend became, earning an annoyed huff in return. "Ah come on Junie, I wasn't trying to embarrass you." Juniper seemed to ignore her. "Junie..."

   The tension was finally broken when a boy who appeared to be their age approached them. "Are you two lovebirds okay?"

   Juniper nodded.

   "Pog. So can I help you two with anything?" he asked. Athena stood for a moment, eventually recognizing the jacket the boy was wearing. Her mom used to wear a jacket like that; it was a HAT mission jacket. The space center must've been planning another one if someone that seemed this young had one.

   "Well, Aura had requested that Junie and I here should visit her soon," Athena explained.

   The boy tilted his head. "Aura, as in Aura Blackquill the smad roboticist who doesn't like people-?"

   "Yes," Athena said whilst nodding.

   "-Invited you two specifically? She purposely invited somebody for the first time in years, and it's you two?" He squinted at them. "How can I be so sure that neither of you are lying?" This boy was beginning to sound like Apollo when he was wary and uneasy before he grabbed his weird bracelet. This guy doesn't have any magical lie detecting abilities himself, does he?

   "I- je ne sais pas... Uh..."

   "'Thena..."

   "No, no, it's okay Junie... Gah, why didn't we bring Apollo? Being a nerdy law student, he would've remembered to bring proof."

   "'Thena... she only told me about it. Look, somebody has to be from the space center from when you were still here..." Juniper took Athena by her hands. "I know someone has to be."

   The boy coughed. "You guys can just go in if you want. I'm sure Mr. Cosmos wouldn't mind you just visiting. Aura maaaaaaay try throwing you out of a window though."

   Athena just nodded knowing that that would probably be something she'd do considering the calmer of the two Blackquills has his own violent tendencies. "I wouldn't doubt it. Danke, whatever your name is," she said with fingerguns as she began to lead her girlfriend into the building.

   "Eyy." The boy fingergunned back. "Just call me Clay." He continued on his way.

   Hold on a second. "You're Clay? As in the person Apollo hung up on yesterday?" Athena asked.