Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

🌱 Overgrown Ivy [1/6] 🌱

Marshall's POV:

The Horizon Library's walls were covered in plant life.

Addison had been testing out a couple new spells on the tiny gardens spread out on the third floor, nourishing the plants that grew in the area.

Sophii was busy rolling around in the catnip that miraculously survived up here, enjoying herself.

Edward was inspecting the fruits of a lychee tree, eyeing the red berries and contemplating whether or not they would be edible (they were perfectly ripe).

I hovered in the air, leaping and gliding among the levitating ruins of the cathedral the library was forged from.

Ivy covered the pillars, overgrown from the byproduct of Addison's excessive spell-casting.

If no one acted upon it, we'd be covered in the stuff within a few days.

So, I brought matters into my own hands.

I blew out a tiny plume of fire, just enough to start the initial spark.

Only a single leaf was burned.

I hovered beside the ivy, glaring at it and hoping I could take it all down just by intimidating it.

It's just a plant, I'm an idiot.

If the stuff was sentient, it would probably be laughing at me.

With that visualization in mind, I leaped onto the ivy-covered pillar, pressing my fiery wings against it.

Again, nothing happened.

"You must really love that plant, Marsh!" Edward called up to me, holding back a laugh. "Having a bit too much fun, I see."

I realized the awkward position I had put myself in and threw myself away from the wall, hovering in the air beside it and directing my amber glare to the prince. "Shut up, at least it's getting more action than anyone will probably ever give you."

He gave me an offended look and stormed away, heading down the second set of grand stairs and inside the library.

Redirecting my focus to the current situation, I examined the ivy, surprised to see something so frail be incredibly strong at the same time.

Not even my flames could leave a scratch on it... Weird.

"Marsh, it's fireproof!" Addison called up to me, scaling the lychee tree that she grew with her magic. "You're gonna have to cut it!"

"I'll try," I replied, clinging to the ivy and promptly tearing at it with my teeth.

To my surprise, a stray tendril recoiled at my touch, slapping me in the face with its leafy tip.

I let out a startled yelp, pushing myself away from the pillar and diving down toward the librarian. "That thing is sentient, I am NOT messing with that stupid plant!"

"It is?!" She exclaimed, nearly dropping the boba tea she was holding. "Goodness, Marsh, it slapped you! Are you okay?"

We met on the ground, where the tentatively cupped her hand around my cheek. "That thing might be poisonous... Here, let me cast a healing spell on you."

She whispered a quick mantra to herself, and I felt the sting from the pain vanish almost immediately. "I wish Edward took the hit instead,  but if he did, I'd be wasting my precious time, magic, and energy... That idiot never learns."

I backed away from her, grateful for her kindness. "Thanks, Addi. I won't get too close to the plant next time."

"Yeah, no problem." The librarian smiled, taking a sip of her boba tea. "Oh, uh, look up."