Legends of Mirandis Academy

Chapter 13: The Diamond Heist, Part II

Duran waited patiently for Luna to affix the tie on his collar. It didn't take long; Luna's hands worked quickly, in spite of the fact that she had to hold them over her head to even reach. Once she was done, she stepped back, slightly breathless, and declared victoriously: "Magnificent!"

Duran had to crouch to see his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He smiled. He probably looked silly, but he couldn't help it. Luna had enlisted Iridia to patch up a tuxedo that she had thrifted, and the results fit perfectly. Even Iridia looked pleased as she admired her handiwork.

"Not too bad," was all she said, but Duran could hear the pride in her voice. "Oh! One last touch..."

Nibbles had been staying on her shoulder while they fixed up his suit jacket, which made Duran smile. Iridia let the mouse step into her hand, and then gently clasped a miniature bow tie around his neck. "Done," Iridia announced, and returned him to Duran.

"Didn't I tell you?" said Luna eagerly, turning to Iridia. "Duct tape was never gonna work on this project."

"And fabric tape was perfectly sufficient," the other replied. "You wanted me to restitch everything like a goddamn seamstress."

They might have continued bickering, but the door opened and a boy stepped in. He frowned at them in confusion. "Hey, this the men's—"

"Get out!" barked Iridia and Luna in unison, and the boy decided it wasn't worth it to argue. He left them alone in the bathroom once more.

Luna checked her wrist, but her watch had been removed. Instead, a gold chain encircled the waist of her dress, which was simple but elegant, fashioned from cream-colored fabric. A pocket watch dangled from the chain. Luna snagged it, regarded it, and hummed.

"Excellent. Right on time."

"The dance started an hour ago," Iridia pointed out.

"And?" Luna made a face. "Did you want to be there to watch people stand listlessly on the dance floor? The sun wasn't even down." She pulled on a jacket, identical to the dress. "No, the first rule of a party is to always arrive late. I thought you rich people knew this."

Iridia shook her head. Her blonde hair had been woven into a braid, which glinted with fine threads of copper and real silver. She was wearing a pair of dark overalls—but, in Duran's opinion, they were rather fancy overalls, all black and wide pant legs. Beneath them was a modest red blouse with slightly poofing sleeves, thin to the point of sheerness. It was a tiny detail he noticed as it caught the light: a thin gold chain necklace was draped over her shirt, its only charm a small star. "I hope you never get invited to a dinner party," Iridia said to Luna. "If you arrive after the courses start, then you'll become the entrée."

Luna gave a cheerful laugh. "I've always imagined myself to be rather stringy." She held the door open for Iridia and Duran, then followed them through the school hallways. Duran looked back curiously at her. Luna had told him her plan, as well as the risks that it entailed. It wasn't just a matter of detention. If she failed, then Luna could get seriously hurt.

And yet she was chattering as if it was her very first school dance.

"Who do you think you'll dance with, Duran?" she asked him, a gleam in her eye. "Anybody out there that you fancy?"

Duran blushed at the thought. "Nobody like that. Just my friends."

"As you are entitled," said Luna, and winked. "You're already on my card for the evening. For one of the peppy songs, of course; we go for the snacks for the slow dances. Iridia, what about you?"

"How come it's always you asking us these questions, Luna, and not the other way around?"

Luna broke away from them and ran ahead, whirling around in her dress. She ignored Iridia's question entirely. Soon after, they began to hear the heavy bass notes, trembling through their shoes. A few paces more, and it was difficult to carry a conversation without shouting.