I sat up abruptly as I came back to hallway. Leol was standing over me, as was Raji and Keva.
"Lillia! Lillia, are you okay? You were out like a light for, I don't know, half an hour!" Keva asked frantically.
"You don't know what happened?" I asked, my eyebrow raised.
"No! Leol came to us and said you had passed out! And we didn't know- Oh." She stopped talking as it dawned on her. "I feel stupid. It was your Lightening, wasn't it?"My face told her she was right. "Ohmigosh! You finally got it! I'm so happy for you!" Keva hugged me in a non-Keva-like way.
"Um, sorry to interrupt this special moment, but shouldn't we ask what her Control is?" Raji asked.
"Yeah, what is it?" Leol inquired.
Don't tell them.
What?
Hello, Messenger Mestika, I am the Overlooker.
I gasped as she realized what being the Messenger truly meant. I was a puppet. A slave. Rilo could make me do anything he wanted.
That's right, I can. Now, don't tell them you are the Messenger. I can request that or I can make you do it.
But what should I tell them.
Anything. Anything but what you really are.
"Lillia?" Leol waved his hand in front of my face. "Anybody home?"
"Oh, sorry, um, I'm a..." I scrambled frantically, "Designer. I'm a Designer. I'm good at art." That would work, I always had been good at painting.
Good choice, Messenger Mestika.
"Come on, let's go tell Leader!" Keva bounced up and down, waiting for me to rise. I didn't know how I was going to pull this off.
⚔⚔⚔
"Well, this is a surprise. Youngling Mestika has a Control now? And may I ask what it is?" Leader asked as the four of us stood in the Official Office.
"Of course, Leader. I am a Designer." I responded politely. "Designer Mestika. Hmm... We shall hold the Ceremony of Thanks tomorrow morning. Be in the Theatre at 10 hours."
"Yes, Leader, ma'am. Anything else you wish to speak to me about before I depart?"
"No, you may leave. And Gardener Krusis, I am happy to see you have made some acquaintances."
"Yep. Lillia and Keva- and Raji- are great." Leol responded casually.
"Gardener Krusis, I realize that you are new, but that is not an excuse to not talk to me in a proper fashion! Did you ever learn your manners?" Leader exclaimed.
"Uh, sorry, I mean..." He looked helplessly at me. I shrugged. "Leader, I apologize sincerely for my disrespect towards you, Designer Mestika, Handler Yehshi, and Artist Mazwik. I realize the wrongness of my actions and words and hope that you will be able to forgive me."
Leader nodded approvingly. "I accept your apology, Gardener Krusis. Now, please excuse me. I must return to my work. Oh, and Designer Mestika, in honor of your Lightening, you are allowed to skip writing in your Journal today and tomorrow."
"Thank you, Leader, ma'am." I bowed my head then walked quickly out of the room, all three of my friends at my heels.
Was Leol a friend? Yes, he was.
No! Do not get attached to this weak, normal boy. A Gardener? How ridiculous. The Handler and the Artist can be useful, but the other one? He has no use.
"He is a great person! Don't you dare speak about him like that. I'm going to tell them what I truly am, okay? You don't control me!" I hissed furiously.
"What was that, Lillia?" Keva asked from behind me.
"I'm not-" I started, but then my mouth froze and started moving without my permission. "I didn't say anything. Must be a trick of your ears."
I am so sorry I had to do that. But can you imagine what your life would be like if people knew what you were? They would worship you, follow you everywhere, et cetera.
I sighed. Rilo was right. "Er... Raji, Keva? Lillia was going to introduce me to someone named... Marcy?" Leol said uncertainly.
"Marzi." I corrected him automatically.
"Yeah, that person. Can I meet him... her? Now?"
"Sure. Raji and I will go and say hi to... Someone! Let's go, Raji." Keva said, tugging on his arm. Leol smiled at Keva and waved goodbye. "See ya!"
I'm going to become friends with Leol, Rilo.
Do as you will, silly human. But remember that I shall always be on your mind.
I shuddered, then turned to Leol. "So. Ready to meet Marzi?"
