Stellar

Chapter 15

Petra pushed open the heavy door with a grunt and was met with the familiar sight of Blu waiting for her on one of the sofas, a cup full of steaming liquid in hand and reading the book on Lunar casting. He was led down, feet stretched out and with Sikle asleep on his stomach. He was deep in thought and Petra almost didn't want to disturb him. So, she just stood awkwardly next to him, waiting for the perfect moment to interrupt.

Marnie wandered through the room, flicking her long pastel blue hair over her shoulder. Petra liked Marnie. Hendry was at a loss for words when Petra told him she had met Marnie. Which caused the obvious teasing from Kai and then a scolding from Hendry. She ended up being one of the Astrals that Blu let Petra train with when he couldn't and she had this way of telling her everything in terms she could understand. She had learnt more for Marnie in the few sessions she had with her than in the months with Blu, but she wasn't going to tell him that.

"Petra," Marnie skipped over to where Petra stood next to Blu. "Come on I'll train you today, he'll never notice that you're here, too engrossed in that book he's read a hundred times."

Petra recognised the book. It was the same one he took from the hidden room last week.

"Has he really read it that many times?" Petra followed Marnie out through the dome.

"It hasn't left his hands in a week. Every time I see him, he's reading it again, trying to figure out his block he says. But he knows what he has to do, he doesn't want to admit it."

Petra looked at her, puzzled. If he knows what to do why hasn't he done it already?

"Oh, don't worry about him, let's go and train." Marnie linked her arm with Petra's and led her outside to the courtyard. She said a hello to a few of the Astrals that were sparring and managed to dodge a fire attack that had gone adrift. They decided to find a space off to the side of the courtyard, somewhere where they would hopefully not get caught up in the sparring.

"Right" Marnie said clasping her hands together. "What do you fancy practicing today?"

Petra thought for a moment. What she really wanted to practice was her Solar casting, but she knew that wasn't going to happen. Then she spotted the bracelet Marnie was wearing. It had small, round beads which were alternating in lilac and pink. The charm in the middle had a star, moon and sun made from twisted gold and rose gold metal. It would be a perfect gift for Ruby. Or even Three and Kai and maybe Blu. She even wanted one herself.

"Can you show me how to make one of those?" Petra pointed at the bracelet on Marnie's wrist.

"Sure," Marnie smiled. She went off to gather all the resources they would need and came back with crystals and metals spilling out of her arms as well as a blanket, string and dishes. She set them on the grass and laid out the large blanket on the floor. Marnie laid out all of the objects in between them as they sat opposite each other on the soft blanket, Petra shifting until she found a comfortable position.

"Right, first we need to make the beads, can you remember how to make them?" Marnie asked, Petra shook her head. "Don't worry, I'll show you again."

Marnie picked up a chunk of purple crystal and rolled it between her hands and it transformed into loads of beads pouring out of her hands. She then passed a piece of crystal to Petra who after a couple of attempts managed to produce hundreds of beads herself.