Element Academy: The Light of the Avatar

Family Ties...Page

"I want my phone back," Page insists for the millionth time that day. "What if he called? What if he thinks I'm hurt?"

"Many apologies Miss Page, but you are not allowed to make any calls. Too risky," one of the bodyguards explains yet again.

Page lets out a huff of frustration and plops back down on the couch next to Demetri.

He takes her hand and does his best to reassure her. "It's alright Page, I'm sure Talula's dad already called all our parents to let them know we're safe." 

"Everyone believes those were earthquakes. They're all buying it," Jacob remarks from beside the pair, his eyes glued to the flat screen mounted on the wall.

Page sighs and looks to the screen; at least they were able to watch tv...

The newscast describes how the earthquakes rocked the DC area the other and how the following tremors caused tons of damage that are still being repaired and picked up. Apparently the government is saying that leaking gas is the reason for 'hallucinations' of seeing people bend the elements that day.

The group discusses how weird it is knowing that the government is covering up their existence. Page thinks everyone should know bending exists, but Jacob is quick to point out about what happened in the Xmen comic books. No one would accept them, they'd be treated like freaks, and worst of all they would be feared. They could even be killed to snuff out the danger they pose.

Page didn't like the point he is trying to make, but she understands it. There is a reason Element Academy acts all secretively and even the Underground being, well, underground... At least the government is letting them live and practice their skills, even if it does have to be in secret.

"Who wants lunch?" Talula's mom asks from the kitchen. She sets out a tray of sandwiches on the granite kitchen counter for the group to enjoy, which is followed by a tray of lemonade and cups.

Page is already on her second sandwich when the door leading to Crystal's recovery room opens. Everyone freezes and all eyes fall onto the hallway as Mahoney's voice echoes through the air.

"I don't think that's such a good idea Crystal."

"Good idea or not we need to get going."

Crystal and Mahoney enter the kitchen space engaged in their debate followed by Jake who seems conflicted on what to do.

"Crystal?"

The trio stops short and Page can see the light brown of Crystal's skin turn pale as the sound of Talula's mom's voice rings out.

"It took you long enough to wake up," Talula remarks, setting down her sandwich and eyeing Crystal up and down. "I still don't see how we're related."

Page tenses, the air grows still again. All eyes look to Crystal.

She in turn holds a confused look that falls to one Page can't quite pinpoint. "Oh...I forgot...we're sisters, huh?"

"Twins to be exact," Talula corrects her. "I gotta say, I definitely got the better set of genes. But! If we restyle your hair, introduce you to some good concealer, and I think-"

"Talula, I'm not interested." Crystal interjects, cutting off what is sure to be a very long list of ways to make Crystal 'better.'

Talula looks deeply offended that her tips aren't being accepted, but at least she doesn't continue.

Crystal steals a quick glance over at their mom and takes a skakey breath. "Whatever biological stuff links us together isn't important right now, none of that stuff is. I need to talk to your step-dad; I have to figure out what's going on and get back out there."

"You can't just do that; you've been out for days!" Page exclaims out of worry. She gasps and covers her mouth when Crystal's look of determination turns to one of complete terror.

"I've been out for...days?"

"Really more like a day and a half," Page quickly adds to ease Crystal's state of rising horror. They really can't handle another Avatar State incident.

"I think what Page means is that you can't go running back into danger if we don't know that you're better," Jacob adds in.

"I'm fine," Crystal insists. "I'm more worried about everyone else and the fighting that could still be going on."

"That can wait." Jake puts a hand on Crystal's shoulder as if by doing so he can get her to slow down. "Let's take this step by step. You should get some food and water in your system and let your body get used to being awake again."

Crystal crosses her arms. "I hate when you get all logical on me."

"But that's when you know I'm right," Jake reminds her with a teasing grin.

"Besides, these things are delicious," Mahoney says with a mouthful of sandwich and two more in his hand.

He offers one out to Crystal who reluctantly takes it. She eyes the food, doing her best to avoid looking in a certain direction. "Fine, but then I want to get going."

Page sneaks a look of her own back at Talula's mom. The woman stands silently behind the counter, her eyes cast down yet looking up at Crystal with worry every few moments. Page can tell she wants to say something to Crystal, and yet she seems so afraid to. After all, what if Page is right? What if Crystal can't handle another interaction with her biological mom and falls back into the Avatar state?

Neither Crystal nor her mom look very comfortable being in the same room together, but no one can blame them. For both their sakes, Page really hopes that when all this is over they can sit down and talk everything out.

However, their focus right now needs to be on making sure Crystal is ready to face the world again, because from what Page can tell things are only going to get harder from here.