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Chapter 15

After a few minutes, Arina stepped out of one of the hidden rooms in the Seat of Eminence with Councillor Terik in tow.

"Generally, I wouldn't tell the person I'm Descrying what I sensed, but Arina's potential is completely balanced." he said, rejoining the Council members.

"Quite extraordinary. Well, since we're done, Miss Foster, you and Arina may leave. " Councillor Emery said.

"Of course." Sophie curtsied again as well as Arina, and they walked outside in silence. "Do you want to meet Dex now?" Sophie asked as soon as they stepped out of the diamond-like palace.

"Yeah!"

"Okay. Here we go." Sophie pulled out her pathfinder and spun it to the correct facet: Mysterium. She held Arina's hand as more whispered surrounded them.

Is that Sophie Foster?

Who is that with her?

What's up with her eyes? 

Arina saddened at the last one, and Sophie quickly sent glares toward the person who said it. They turned their head in embarrassment. 

"Don't listen to them. Your eyes are stunning." Sophie told Arina. Arina only nodded. They reached Slurps and Burps, and the door belched as they entered. 

"I'll be with you in a second!" Dex called over the explosion that had just occurred. 

"What was that?" Arina asked as Sophie pulled her towards the back of the store where she knew Dex would be.

"Sophie!" Dex exclaimed when he saw her. "And, Arina, right?"

"How did you know? Sophie said she hasn't told anyone about me besides Biana. And the other people that know." 

"Yeah, how did you know?" Sophie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Biana told Marella I guess, and you know Marella." he replied. 

"So everyone knows?" Sophie exclaimed exasperated. 

"No, just me and her. From what I know, at least. Biana seemed like she didn't want anyone else to know."

"Except Marella." Sophie said.

"Exactly. Our friends are not the greatest at keeping secrets from each other." Dex replied. "Speaking about that, you and Keefe?"

"Did Biana tell Marella again?" Sophie asked, embarrassed. Dex laughed in response, assuming the answer based of of her reaction. 

"Since when?"

"A few days?"

"Hey, that's almost as long as you and Fitz lasted!" Dex joked. Sophie thought that she would have felt saddened, but she joined in with him, laughing. 

"You and Fitz used to date?" Arina asked, horrified.

"It was when he was different." Sophie replied sadly.

"Let's not dwell on the past anymore." Dex butted in. "Did you guys need something or did you just come to visit your awesome best friend?"

"Let's just say the latter." Dex grinned, showing his dimples and was about to say something, but Sophie stopped him. "Don't let it boost you humongous ego any more."

"Hey!" 

"I'm just kidding. So, how's the married life?"

"I almost keep forgetting that I'm married. Who would've thought that I got married first out of all of us?"

"It kind of surprised me at first. But now, I can't imagine it any other way." she told him, and Dex grinned again. 

"Hey Arina, do you want an elixir?" he asked, suddenly turning to look at her. 

"For what?"

"I don't know, do you want anything?"

"Do you have anything that could turn my eyes blue?" Arina asked, looking at the floor.

"We do have an elixir that turns people's eyes teal. And brown." he winked at Sophie. "But why do you ask?"

"I just want to be normal." Arina replied. 

"Hey." Dex lifted her chin so she would look at him. "I know what it's like to be different and disliked, okay? My dad is Talentless, so my life in the beginning was pretty horrible. But then I met Sophie and my whole life changed for the better. Sophie's even working on it to make it so that the Talentless aren't discriminated against. Heck, Sophie's eyes are brown. Who would have ever thought of a brown-eyed elf? No offense."

"No worries."

"Even my brother is Talentless. But it didn't stop him from becoming a part of the Black Swan. You know who they are, right?"

Arina nodded. 

"See? Being different isn't bad. It's what makes you special."

"I guess I never thought of it that way. Thanks." Arina said. That was also another reason Sophie had brought Arina to meet Dex. His story seemed the most relatable to her. 

"So, do you still want that elixir?" Dex asked. 

"No, I guess not."

"That's good to hear." Dex said, standing up. "It was great to see you, Sophie. And you as well, Arina. We should get together. Prank Sophie a bit?"

"Dex!"

"And that's my cue to leave." he said, rushing through the aisles, leaving Sophie and Arina bewildered beyond relief. 

"So, how did you like Dex?" Sophie asked. 

"He was fun." Arina brightened. "Now can we go home? I have to do something with Biana."

"Okayyy." Sophie leaped home with Arina and the small girl raced upstairs. "I'll make lunch."

"Okay! Thanks!" Arina called loudly, running into Biana's room. Sophie prepared a big plate of soggy purple leaves, and stole a leaf before she called Arina down, and savored the taste of friend chicken. Not that she would tell anyone it tasted like chicken again. She remembered last time she had said that it had made dinner a bit awkward. Thant was definitely an understatement. When Arina finally came down with Biana, they were both smiling like they were planning something.

"What are you two planning?"

"Nothing," Biana sang. Just preparing for a special day. 

"Biana! You weren't supposed to say anything." Arina exclaimed. 

"It doesn't matter. I'm sure they won't remember what day it is anyways."