Fates spell; Jack Korrapati

Chapter Nine- Wundrous Welcome

"Here it comes. Get ready to jump."Jupiter had decided we'd ride the Brolly Rail to the garden party so Morrigan and I could try out our birthday present. 

However, the problem with the Brolly Rail was that it never stopped or even slowed down to let passengers on and off. The circular steel frame hung from a cable that ran all over the city in a loop. You were supposed to jump on as it whizzed past the platform and hook your umbrella onto one of the metal rings suspended from the frame above, holding on for dear life, legs dangling in the air, until you reached your destination. It seems like fun.

"Remember, Lotte, Morrigan" said Jupiter as they watched the circular frame speed toward them. "When it's time to get off, just pull the lever to release your brolly. Oh, and when you land, try to aim for a soft bit of ground." Morrigan's apprehension must have shown, because Jupiter added, "You'll be fine. I've only broken a leg on this thing once. Twice, max. Lotte, stop looking so excited, just, don't hurt yourself. Ready... Go!"We leap for the rail, Morrigan holding so tight to her umbrella she thought she might crush it. I was holding on with one hand, grinning at Jupiter.

A burst of adrenaline washed over me, I laugh, knowing how stupid I look. Morrigan looks like she's about to pass out with how pale she's looking, just enjoy the ride you stupid girl.

Jupiter grinned, throwing his head back to enjoy the ride. We zoom through the Deucalion's neighborhood and into the cobbled streets of Old Town, crisp spring air biting at my face and stinging her eyes, and we finally jumped off at their destination—both, miraculously, landing on their feet. But alas, not all of us could stand. Morrigan landed on the ground, on the hard concrete. Her eyes start watering. I roll my eyes and wish to get on with the walk to wherever the Wundrous society is. Not a broken leg between them but maybe a broken tailbone.

The Wundrous Society campus was surrounded by high brick walls. There was a Stern security guard checking names against a list, but she recognized Jupiter immediately and waved us  through, smiling.Something changed when we stepped through the gates. It was as if everything were slightly different, as if the air itself had shifted. I breathe it in deeply. The air smelled of honeysuckle and roses, and the sun felt warmer on her skin. It was strange, she thought. Outside the gates, the sky hadn't looked quite as blue, and the flowers were still only tiny buds, the barest hint of spring's arrival.Jupiter said something that sounded like "one-sock weather.""One sock... Sorry, what?" asked Morrigan, puzzled. She is stupid, an idiot, I don't know why she is still hanging around. Her knack must be for boring people to death, maybe even annoying them so much everyone hates her."W-U-N-S-O-C: Wunsoc. Short for WUNdrous SOCiety—it's what we call the campus. Inside the walls of Wunsoc, the weather's a bit... more.""A bit more what?" I ask, wanting to absorb information, I feel like I belong here, it's giving me a sense of belonging and hope, but maybe I'm over exaggerating it."Just a bit more. More of whatever it's like in the rest of Nevermoor. Wunsoc lives in its own little climate bubble. Today it's a bit warmer, a bit more sunny, a bit more springlike. Lucky us." He nabbed a sprig of cherry blossom from a branch in passing and secured it in his buttonhole. "Double- edged sword, though. In winter it's a bit more windy, a bit more frozen, and a bit more miserable."The driveway stretching up to the main building was lined with gas lamps and—out of place among the colorful flower beds and pink cherry blossoms —two rows of dead, starkly black trees, untouched by the Wunsoc weather phenomenon. I smile at the trees, we had some back at home and I was the only one who liked them, but they're not supposed to look like that."What about those?" Morrigan asked, pointing."Nah, they haven't flowered in Ages. Fireblossom trees—lovely once upon a time, but the whole species is extinct, and impossible to chop down. Bit of a sore spot with the gardeners, so don't say anything—we all just pretend they're very ugly statues."Patrons and their candidates hurried along, chatting and laughing as if they were off to a birthday party, I grab hold of Jupiter's hand, looking up and smiling at  him. He smiles back and we make up way up to the steps. Morrigan has an aura radiating around her, black, gray, blue. It seems she feels like she doesn't belong, sad of mine and Jupiters relationship. I have to concentrate when trying to find people's emotions, but The main building on campus, signposted PROUDFOOT HOUSE, was five stories of cheerful red brick covered with climbing vines of ivy. Candidates weren't allowed inside Proudfoot House today, but the gardens were glorious; the picture of a spring afternoon, filled with people in light linen suits and pastel dresses.