MAEGYA | xii. "YOU GUYS READY?" FIGHT FIRE WITH FYRE
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THEA FOUND PETER sitting on the highest step in front of the hotel doors. His elbows were propped up on his knees, his fingers toying with each other out of boredom, nerves, or both. His sullen expression was assuaged but she could still see the effects of Fury's onslaught lingering on his boyish face. Bex was leaning against a gilt planter, her bent knee bouncing erratically. Her argyle sweater billowed from a pair of cuffed blue jeans, keeping her warmer in the chilly night. Guests and sharply-dressed tourists flocked up and down the concrete steps around them. The wind rustled emblazoned red banners hung up on the ledges and doors. Peter's face lit up at the sight of Thea approaching and he stood up at once.
"Hey, sorry," she sighed, burrowing her hands in the pockets of her burgundy jacket. "I was talking to Fury and Beck about stuff."
Bex raised an eyebrow curiously as she traipsed down the steps to meet with the two. "What kind of stuff?"
"Strategy, vantage points." Thea shrugged. She wasn't technically wrong. "You know, to make sure we have a future and not the searing agony of a fiery death."
Bex looked at her flatly. "Not your greatest pep talk, is it?"
"Come on, this'll be over before we know it," Peter mumbled, tearing his gaze away from the ground. "Be positive for the next few hours, I guess?"
"Oh no, I am," Thea replied plainly. "I'm positive we're gonna die a fiery death."
Bex tilted her head and pointed at her accusingly. "Right there, that attitude— that's why Girl Scouts show up at my door in tears."
Peter's forehead creased, his eyes darting back and forth between Bex and Thea. He slipped his hand into Thea's warm one, winding their fingers together. "Okay, well, I've got a plan to fix everything. Nobody's gonna be close to the carnival tonight, Mr. Harrington's gonna explain it inside."
Thea narrowed her eyebrows. "Should I call Rhae and Viss?" She caught herself at once. They didn't know she gave the command to release Vissera but luckily they didn't notice.
"I've got my self-defense knife in my checked bag," Bex murmured, dipping her head low.
"What— no!" Peter sputtered. "E.D.I.TH. is gonna change Mr. Harrington's schedule. We're not teaching his family a lesson. Just come on."
He pulled Thea alongside Bex into the hotel's embellished lobby. The interior was a bit more packed than before, swearing with people who were preparing for the carnival. In a corner occupied by plush armchairs and sofas was their Europe Trip group. Every student was adorned in neon glow-sticks, painting the excited grins on their faces in rainbow colors.
"Ah, you guys are just in time for our news!" Mr. Harrington greeted them enthusiastically. "A few seconds later and you would've... been late." He beckoned them to one of the cream-and-gold sofas in front of Michelle.
