The Last Eirenae

One

Today 

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"Madeline!" my mother yelled from downstairs, waking me up abruptly "we need to leave in 10 minutes so we can meet Mrs. Belle at the training grounds to set up" 

I groaned and rolled over looking at the clock on my bedside table, 5:50 a.m. 

I groaned again and mumbled something about it being too early and that this was stupid as I got out of bed

"What was that" 

"Nothing mother!" I yelled back down. Damn her. Enhanced hearing isn't part of being a shifter but maybe it's just part of being a mother 

I walked over to my closet and put on my new training clothes, ones that are fancier and fresher than some of the older pairs I have. Our training clothes is made from Phoenix feathers and sea grass from an enchanted lake at the age of the borders. The two together allow for a stretchy material that can shift to whatever our bodies shift into. Normally it doesn't mater much and some clothes can work but when training you tend to shift a lot and into some interesting creatures. The last thing you need is to end up naked in the middle of the training room but it happens to everyone at least once. 

I glance in the mirror at my clothing. Stark contrasts from the muddy brown of the sea grass and the bright flame reds and oranges from the feathers woven in. The pants are well fitting but loose enough to move comfortably. The top is a loose tunic that hangs a bit low. I add in a black leather bound top to hug the shirt closer to my body and give myself shape. The outfit brings out the amber in my eyes and make them shine to a color somewhere between chocolate and honeycomb. I sigh as I look at my round face in the mirror. It is soft with high cheekbones and a sharp but small nose. 

Some of the girls in town used to tell me I looked like one of the Fairies. I think it was supposed to be an insult except since the Fairies are basically top of the food chain now I kind of prided myself in that. 

I braided my hair since the thought of needing to deal with it in my face today while needing to perform my best made me annoyed. Maybe later on after the demonstration was done at the Rally I could let the waves of brown and gold down. 

I strapped on my boots and glanced at the final look. I was an average height but had more curves than some of the other girls my age. I was also fairly stronger and faster so I never compared myself too much to their lean figures. I looked good, better with the new training outfit on as well. 

I grabbed my bag and walked downstairs into the kitchen and immediately jumped back in surprise 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" my mother and siblings shouted in unison 

The twins through rose and lavender confetti in my face before hugging each of my legs as my mother walked over and gave me a big hug. I then also noticed my best friend Landon standing against the counter with his arms crossed and a look saying we'll talk later

Cora and Koda stepped back from me and each handed me a little bag beaming at me. They looked similar to me with their golden hair but it was a few shades lighter. Their eyes green with speckles of blue in Cora and an outline of brown in Koda. They were both missing their front teeth at the moment and it made their little grins even cuter than usual. They were growing up too fast. My sisters were only 5 but they got into enough trouble for someone ten times their senior and the mischief in their eyes was persistent.