Cherry & Vanilla

I'm back

One week later

Cordelia's pov
I have no clue where Alicia went after our strange little encounter. I tried searching for her but she was nowhere to be found. I kept checking her room everyday but it's as if she just left. No one seems to know where she is, by that I mean the council of sorts. She never took time to talk to any students so they wouldn't know anything.

"Come on she couldn't have just escaped" I argue as the five of us sit in the conference room. This room was vacant for a long time and has been put to more than good use these past few weeks. "I'm sure she'll turn up" Hela says, "I agree. She mustn't have went far, she would've told someone" Gina adds.

"Galadriel? Florence? Tell me you're with me on this" I pleads, "I'm sorry, dear" Flor grimaces. "Look, don't worry alright? She's safe" Galadriel says, "how do you know that?" I ask in a raised tone. "She told me she might be gone for a while. I talked to her about it, she'll be fine" she recalls, "you knew this whole time and didn't say anything?!" I yell.

"She told me in confidence, it wasn't my place to tell" she reasons, "but you did anyway! Besides, since when do you take orders from students?" I argue, "you know she's not an ordinary student, Delia" Gina counters. "That's not the point" I sigh, "where is she? She could get seriously hurt" I press.

"I don't know" Galadriel says, "well... I do, but again I can't say. She needs to be alone" she corrects. "This is a heap of bullshit" I grumble, hitting my hands on the table as I stand up. "Don't take this so seriously, D" Regina mutters, "oh ok. Thanks, Regina. That solves ALL my problems" I quip.

"I don't understand why you're so upset over it" Hela pokes, "she's a student and I'm naturally worried" I lie. I'm angry she didn't tell me first. I wanted to talk to her about my dream. Not to mention I think I might have feelings for her. "Let's table this" Galadriel says standing up, "agreed" Flor chimes in.

Everyone nods and leaves on their own accord until it's just me and Galadriel. "I'm sorry I lied. She was really... frantic when she came to me. Give her some time and she'll turn back up, I've been looking out for her. I know this isn't just about her being a student. I'm not sure what it is but you have to gain control of it before she gets back" she advises.

I simply nod and she rubs my shoulder before taking her leave. "I wish someone could just tell me what the fuck to do" I mumble, rubbing my forehead. I pull myself together and go back out as I have a class soon.

Alicia's pov
I've been working at all hours to perfect this plan and I think I've got it. Well, not really but I know the beats essentially. There are very clear markers of what's going to happen and I've got those. I'm not sure what the plan of defense is but with the six of us I'm sure we'll come up with something.

The last piece I need is in the town and it's an essential part of it. I need to talk to someone there who'll know. She's the only person alive that actually knows about this man. He's pretty damn old but that means he's also had decades, possibly centuries, to draw power. I lean back against the cold stone wall and sigh.

I can feel that they're talking about me and Delia is really worried. I know she's naturally a pessimistic person, though she tries to be positive. She's always thinking of the worst possible outcome. In this scenario she has every right to, it isn't going to be pretty. With that thought I decide to go to sleep and wrap the last details later.

One week later

I'm finally ready to reintegrate into the school and I'm not exactly happy about it. I love Robichaux's, don't get me wrong. I'm just not excited for this conversation. I walk through the back doors closest to the gym. I get a shiver but shake it off and keep going. My bag slung over my shoulder as I sort of limp since it's heavy.

"Alicia" Regina says, quite literally appearing from nowhere. "Hey" I greet her as I keep walking, "where have you been?" She asks walking alongside of me. Never thought her to be the nagging type. "Around" I answer vaguely, "we've been worried about you" she notes. "I know, sorry" I apologize simply because it's polite.

"Make sure you go see D" she remarks before going her own way. I head back to my section and get in my room, managing to escape anyone else. I set my things back how they were but pack a bag for the upcoming trip. Afterwards I head to Galadriel's office, "it's time" I tell her. She nods and gets up, following me to Delia's office.

I knock and hear a soft 'come in' from the other side so I enter. She's speechless for a moment as she sees me standing there. Her face travels to Galadriel and she sighs closing her eyes. "I presume you need something" she guesses, "I do" I speak up. "Well? What is it?" She asks tiredly, "I need to go out today" I cut to the chase.

"No. There's no way in hell I'm letting you do that. You just disappear for two weeks and then come here asking to leave? No, Alicia" she states, "listen. It's important and I can't explain to you the urgency. I need to do this, for... safety purposes" I explain. "I think it's a good idea" Galadriel speaks up, "of course you do. You guys are like besties" Delia scoffs.

"What do you even mean 'safety purposes'? You'll need to do some explaining" the blonde says leaning closer to me. I sit in a seat in front of her desk and lean forward with my hands clasped on the desk. "You're worried I'll get caught or something, right? I won't. I can strip my aura so I won't be detected and you also know I can shape-shift. So what's the problem now?" I point out.

She's silent for a while, staring at me with defiance in her eyes. "Whatever. When you get yourself killed no one better come to me" she grumbles. Ouch. "Ok" I reply simply and get up walking out, hearing Galadriel scold her softly. I pay no mind to it and grab my little bag before leaving the building.

"Where exactly do you think you're going?" Hela asks appearing next to me, "to get myself killed apparently" I mumble. "You're going to town" she questions, "yes, I have some business there" I answer. "I'm coming with you" she states, leaving no room for discussion. "You can accompany me but not to the destination" I make clear and she nods. With that, we're off...