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Chapter 14

"Who's Dex?" Arina asked.

"He's my best friend. He owns this really cool shop called Slurps and Burps since his dad retired for the most part." Sophie went on and on about Dex and how they met. By the time she was done, she herself was suppressing a yawn. 

"Are you tired, Sophie? We haven't even had dinner yet."

"Is it that obvious?"

"You should go to sleep. We need to wake up early anyways." Arina replied.

"I'll make us dinner first. Can you call Biana for me?" Biana had come home around an hour or two ago with Tam, and Sophie had decided to give them some privacy. "Make sure to knock." Arina nodded silently.

As tired as she was, Sophie gathered up all the ingredients for Calla's Starkflower Stew, and produced a Starkflower from the cabinet. She almost always had some on hand in case she wanted to remember the sweet gnome. After fifteen minutes, the delicious smell of spices filled the air as Sophie set down four bowls and a large pot of Starkflower Stew on the table.

"You never disappoint, Sophie. It smells great." Tam laughed, his silver-blue eyes twinkling as he eyed the engagement ring on Biana's finger.

"Thanks." Sophie said tiredly, rubbing her eyes. She yawned again, and Biana sat her into her chair.

"Sit. We can't have you collapsing on us. And why did you make Starkflower Stew? I know it takes long."

"Just . . . because." Sophie replied, and Biana and Tam both bowed their heads in respect.

"What?" Arina asked.

"It's nothing, Ari." Biana assured her. "We can eat now. Can we, Sophie?"

"You don't have to ask. Go ahead." Sophie said, and they all dug in, the rich, earthy flavor warming Sophie's insides.

After they finished, Biana sighed contentedly. "That. Was good. You need to make this more often." Biana teased.

"Sure." Sophie smiled.

"Thanks for dinner, Sophie. But I better get going." Tam grinned, getting up from his seat.

"Awww, but you were only here for a few hours. And I haven't seen you in forever." Biana whined. 

"I'm sorry. We'll meet up soon?"

"To plan for the wedding?"

"Anything you want." Tam replied, and kissed her forehead. "Bye, Biana. Bye, Sophie. And goodbye to . . . ?" he gestured to Arina.

"Arina." she told him.

"Cool. Bye, Arina."

"Bye bye Tam." he smiled and leaped away.

"How did you figure out his name?" Sophie asked.

"Biana told me when we came downstairs." Arina replied, and Sophie yawned again.

"On that note, Sophie, you should get to sleep. I need to speak with Arina."

Arina looked confused for a second, but then her eyes flashed in realization.

"Okay. Goodnight, guys." Usually, Sophie would have questioned why Biana needed to speak with a five year-old, but she was too tired to notice. She heard hushed whispers as she traveled upstairs to brush her teeth and shower. Gently getting into bed, she sank into the squishy mattress, closing her eyes and falling asleep instantaneously. 

She woke up the next day to Biana shaking her awake. "Sophie, it's almost time to go. Come on!"

"What time is it?" Sophie grumbled. 

"It's 7:30. It's time for you to get up. Arina couldn't wake you so she called in reinforcements. Namely, me."

Sophie got out of bed and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. "I'm up. Thanks for waking me." she said. 

"Sure, sure. I know I'm a lifesaver. Now hurry up before I give you a makeover." Sophie quickly jolted awake, knowing that it wasn't an empty threat. 

"I'm going, I'm going." Biana ran out of the room hurriedly while Sophie put on a plain blue dress paired with white flats, because she didn't want to slip and die of embarrassment on high heels. She also slipped on Keefe's promise ring and Biana's bracelet. "Arina!" she called, as she stumbled down the stairs clumsily. 

"At the Leapmaster!" Biana called back from her room. Sophie ran back upstairs to the cupola to find Arina waiting at the Leapmaster 10,000. 

"Eternalia!" Sophie called out after grabbing Arina's hand, and the crystals moved to her command. 

They appeared in an area of sprawling crystal buildings. Sophie quickly led Arina to what seemed like a diamond palace with 4 domed towers. Giving the DNA sensor the tiniest lick because it was unsanitary and then proceeding to scan her hand, the door slid open to reveal Councillor Oralie waiting at the door. "Sophie. You're here. And this is Arina, I presume?"

"Yeah."

"Follow me, please." Oralie replied, and Sophie adjusted to the lack of light in the room, relaxing a bit when a ring of red appeared around her, a silver ring of light around Oralie, and a teal ring of light around Arina. 

"Is teal for Hydrokinetics?" Sophie asked. 

"Pardon?" 

"The light ring."

"Oh. Yes. We rarely have Hydrokinetics in here, but that seems to be the case."

They walked in an awkward silence. Finally reaching a circle of light, the other Councillors appeared before them. 

"Miss Foster. Glad of you to join us." Councillor Emery boomed. Sophie gave a slight curtsy, and Arina followed suite. Oralie joined the rest of the Council members, each of their light rings emitting an ominous silver. 

"Joining us, we also have Arina. We do not have any information about her surname, though." Oralie said. "Arina, do you remember your last name?"

"I think it was . . ." Arina thought for a moment. "Amitryne?"

"The Amitrynes? I never heard of a third daughter. But I suppose you do take after your father. Maybe not the eyes, though." Councillor Terik joked. "How did that happen, anyways?"

"Um, I'm not sure." Arina responded.

"We'll have to check in with their family. Perhaps they falsified registry for you. Besides, their daughter Melanie said she didn't want to be associated with them. So only their daughter Novaline is registered under their family name."  Emery said. Sophie froze. Melanie, Novaline, and Arina were sisters? "Arina, please follow Councillor Terik for a Descryer session. After what Oralie has told us about your immense power, it is an absolute must that we must read your potential. After you're done, you and Miss Foster are dismissed for now. We already settled most of your registry. We'll ask the Amitrynes, but if you are not their daughter, we must figure something else out."

Arina seemed a bit intimidated, so Sophie reassured her. "It's okay. It doesn't hurt. I'll see you in a few minutes.