ShadowSong [Book 1 & 2: Complete] [NaNoWriMo16/17]

Chapter 5 - Punishment

Outside the door that would lead him back into the gathering, Jason attempted to peer through the gap before he dove back into the annoyingly political quagmire that was people.

"Y'no, looking first isn't gonna change who's on the other side," came Sae's voice from under Jason's collar. His mother had decided he was to leave the bag at home, which made keeping Sae close more than a little difficult, but they managed. "May aswell just jump straight in."

"You're one to talk about 'jumping straight in'," Jason muttered, throwing a glance at the little ice bird's head that was poking out, crest-crystals and all. "It's a rare occasion that you don't complain about transforming. Now stop arguing and turn yourself into something with a little less sass."

"Ooo, Jason with the hip words," said Sae, right before the Ascended's head disappeared in favour of a snowflake.

Jason caught the snowflake in a pinch as it drifted over his chest. Inside its usual seven pointed design, the never-melting frost spelled the word 'SASS'. He spared Sae's chosen design an internal sigh before placing it inside his breast pocket, squaring his shoulders and reluctantly opening the door.

By his usual standards, Jason slipped back into the gathering relatively unnoticed. A few people called out a casual greeting to him which he returned with a nod and for the most part, their name. There was more than one new face among the crowd that clutched at their drinks and huddled in groups, which he supposed was a good thing, even if he didn't agree. To him, new faces just meant more people who were willing to exploit him to reach his parents.

His thoughts trailed back to the girl from earlier with the ponytail that had barely been holding together. She was a new face, and one he hoped to never see again. He'd been dragged around by enough females at this point to recognise when someone was putting on an act. It wasn't the first time someone had 'accidentally' stepped on their glasses to keep his ear around a little longer and it wouldn't be the last. She probably had a spare pair already waiting in her bag.

Still, he was willing to admit that the fact she hadn't thrown her name and life story at him was a little off the usual routine. If she'd been waiting for him to ask, she'd been left disappointed.

Jason found his way back to the main floor of the gathering, and it wasn't long before someone found him.

"Jason!" said Taylor's voice from behind him. Jason turned to find her reaching out for him as she placed one hand on his shoulder and reached up to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. "I was wondering where you'd got to."

"I accidentally bumped into someone," said Jason. "Her drink spilled and her glasses were damaged, and I was ensuring my mistake would not affect her too harshly."

Taylor smiled. "Such a gentleman." She glanced around, still anchored to him by her touch. "Your mother was looking for you earlier. I believe she said something about guiding her potential chosen?"

Jason closed his eyes for the briefest moment. He hadn't returned in time. "Ah, yes. I fear I may have neglected my promise to her earlier this week. Could you tell me which way she went?"

"She mentioned that the group would be watching the Speakers during the auroras tonight from the inner ring," said Taylor.

"Then that is where I shall be going," said Jason. He kissed the back of her hand. "Thank you for your assistance, Taylor."

Something flickered through her eyes, too brief for him to identify. "You're welcome, Jason. May I see you after the auroras finish, assuming time allows?"

"As you wish," said Jason, and headed out into the courtyard.

Speakers were already starting to fill the space in preparation for the nightly Speaking ceremony. In ten or so minutes, every Speaker within the temple would be standing in the outer courtyard, their eyes raised to the aurora-filled skies, mumbling and stuttering things that weren't necessarily words, let alone anything that made sense.