𝒔𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒂𝒌𝒆, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚ chap.25

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚🦢⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
heritage hall

the next day, baba yaga leads our class into the far side of the enchanted forest on a field trip. we were told ahead of time, but i still forgot about it.

and now i was beginning to think that i should have worn different shoes. even if mine are super comfortable.

ashlynn got the right idea. she wore her glass hiking boots.

these hills are going to kill me.

raven chuckles at my side, relishing in my pain.

"can't you use some type of magic to make this easier?" i groan. "it feels like we've been walking forever."

"it hasn't been that long," dante says.

"oh hush, you literally train for this. you're not allowed to talk." 

dante presses a hand to his heart, pretending to be hurt or struck by an arrow. "you wound me, feathers."

he laughs when i smack his shoulder.

"very good," baba yaga knocks on her hut. "that's far enough."

we finally stop. oh, thank my fairy godmother.

"now," baba yaga begins. "you're about to discover a most unique building here at school. it's called heritage hall!"

everyone looks around, confused. there was clearly no building.

"madam yaga?" cupid questions. "where is it?"

she smiles, raising her hand, guiding our eyes to the school's clock tower. "well, you see.. heritage hall is a magical structure!" the tower chimes, and when we look back, the hall is there, appearing in a wave of golden magic. "it only appears during thronecoming."

madam yaga leads us inside. the hall on the outside was sleek marble, but the inside was the opposite, still just as beautiful. each pillar was made like a tree trunk, there were huge portraits of our parents, and there were pedestals at each one.

"heritage hall is dedicated to those who came before you," baba yaga explains as we all admire the building. "your parents, the alumni of ever after high. now, if everyone will gather around the storybook of legends, i'd like to tell you all about your thronecoming treasures."

excited, we all gather in front of madam yaga and the headmaster. how get got there, who knows?

why he's here? probably no good. in my eyes, anyway.

baba yaga continues. "when your parents were students, they were give the chance to leave gifts for any of their children who might attend this school."

the headmaster coughs, cutting off madam yaga. almost in desperation. "yes, well, let's get to it!"

everyone cheers, and goes off to find their gifts.

blondie got running shoes.

cerise got a royally cool picnic basket.

holly and poppy got magic hair brushes.

briar got a neck pillow (which she really wasn't too enthusiastic about).

cedar got a pair of revealed rays.

duchess got a new dance bag.

i got two gifts. a new pair of pointe shoes from mom, and a ring from my grandfather, rothbart.

i slipped out of my normal shoes and into the new, already prepped, dance shoes.

these shoes were all black, with ribbons reaching just above my ankles with deep magenta gems imbedded into the fine silk.

they were comfortable as dance shoes would get, and can be good backups for whenever i wear out the ones i have now.

the ring however..

after carefully taking it out of the clear casing, i inspect it. it was a beautiful piece. the band was silver, weaving together like a wave. a lilac crystal was set into it. in different lights it looked pink.

i slip it onto my finger. a perfect fit. and it seems harmless. but knowing my grandfather, it most likely does something.

before i leave my pedestal, i notice i small note. newly written, too. it was in mom's handwriting.

to my little swan,

dad decided to add in a gift at the last minute (no doubt trying to overshadow mine). it's harmless, he says. it's for you in your swan form.

~ mom

i smile. there were times when me and my mom didn't see eye to eye, but that doesn't mean she can't be sweet sometimes. i can't really say much about grandpa though. i'm not around him much, but it was nice of him to give me a last minute gift.

when i look over my shoulder, maddie is already skipping over to raven. i meet them at her pedestal.

"what did you get raven?" she asks.

raven lifts up the flat piece of silver in her hands. "it's a coin," she answers, inspecting it. "the wishing well?"

"you know we'll come with you if you want," i tell her.

raven gives me and maddie a soft smile, but shakes her head. "i know, but i think i should do this alone. there's no telling what my mom could have done to this thing."

understandable. i wasn't going to pry her, and neither was maddie.

i look over my shoulder again, eyes met with daring waving around a new sword, and dexter trying to parry with his.

dante was leaned against the wall, his own new weapon right next to him as he mediated his brother's impromptu sword fight.

there wasn't much rhyme or rhythm in it now, but i had a feeling these treasures were really going to help us down the line.