The Secret Side Of Maven Calore

Training

Just great, another morning of pointless training. Maybe Mareena would be joining our class today, but probably not. Though it would've been nice to talk to her and see what had happened last night with her family. Cal was acting weird and oddly irritated when the returned last night.  For once, he was seeking out Mother. And today he was waiting around as if waiting for something. 

I take my usual seating far away from everyone. I figured out that it was better not to try to compete with Cal for attention and just not play the game at all. It didn't look bad on me at all. And It's not like the other noble children ever noticed my absence anyway. Unless they thought I thought I was too cool to sit with them, which wasn't a lie.

But they did notice when Mare walked in, rocking her black jumpsuit with purple and silver stripes running down the sides. It's pretty evident that she's uncomfortable as she walks into the room. Who wouldn't be? She was still new to the court the daughter of a lost war hero and just now getting into training, It was probably going to be all eyes on her for a while.

Mareena probably makes the biggest mistake of her life crossing through the middle of the room, instead of traveling along the walls. Poor girl, she doesn't even make it halfway across the room before Evangeline opens her mouth "Graduated from Protocol already?" She taunts        "Did you finally master the art of sitting with your legs crossed?" Evangeline and her little harpies Sonya and Elane flank her hoping to one day be one of her ladies in waiting.

I feel surprisingly proud of Myself when she turns and begins walking in my direction. I smile at her I've had this conversation planned out for weeks until this occasion, Mother said to make a friend of the girl. "Took you long enough" I chuckle. I'm not sure why my laugh has never been more out of place. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to stay away from us." It's not like you could blame her the noble children were complete and utter ass wipes. I hope after yesterday Mare's a bit less bitter towards me. She did hug me, after, all yesterday.

"Just one person in particular, " She says casting a glance towards Evangeline

I watch her as she watches Evangeline. There seemed to be an odd tension between them two from the start, maybe Evangeline felt threatened by Mare, and maybe Mare was possibly jealous of Evangeline? "When we go back to the capital, you won't have to see her so much," I mutter lost in thought "She and Cal will have their hands full touring the country, fulfilling their duties. And we'll have ours" Which wasn't much usually my job was to remind everyone how great my brother was. 

"Do you know when you- I mean we  go back to the capital?" She  stumbles sounding a bit sullen. She knows she is now part of the we with the noble court.

"After the parting ball. You were told about that?" 

"Yes, your mother mentioned it- and Lady Blonos is trying to teach me how to dance..." she trails off into thought. "Key word, trying."

"Don't worry, we won't have to deal with the worst of it," I said considering asking if she wants me to tutor her. Before the next words escape her mouth

"Who will?"

"Cal. Big brother has to tolerate too many silly conversations and dance with a lot of annoying girls. I remember last year." I could hear myself shaking with laughter as I recall the memory "Sonya Iral spent the entire time following him around, cutting into dances, trying to drag him away for some fun." Like she had a single chance to be his girlfriend "I had to interfere and suffer through two songs with her to give Cal some respite"  

I look down to see Mare's laughter sounding like a jingle of bells. Of course, a story about Cal makes her burst out in laughter. "At least, this time, he'll have Samos hanging off his arms. The girls wouldn't dare cross her." She snorts "Poor Cal" 

The fact she felt bad about Cal for getting more attention then most people would get in their lifetimes. "And how was your visit yesterday?"

Her smile fades "Difficult. One of my brothers was executed, just before the release came." She looked like she was about to tear up.

I shift closer to her "I'm so sorry Mare. I'm sure he didn't deserve it." Most of the reds in Norta didn't deserve what they get but it is what it is, I unlike the loads of mindless slivers could understand why there rebelling. 

"No, he didn't" She whispers looking down than looking up to notice me staring at her intensely. I couldn't help it someone caring so intently for an older sibling rattles me. Maybe things are different on the Red Side it's not always a constant competition to be the best. They probably just had time to be themselves and love each other. I give her my hand helping her up knowing what's coming up next. 

All the energy in my body suddenly gets put on hold. Knives drop from Evangeline's display and Arven appears him and my mother have a very personal relationship, which may or may not have had something leading to the cause of my existence. "Lines" he whispered and the whole class gets set off into the usual morning routine. Cal is of course by his side talking about who knows what. 

I grab Mare's hand leading her into the line Cal leads. "Laps" Arven orders Before I know it Mare takes off at a sprint matching Cal's pace. I could see the people around me amazed her legs were so short yet she was able to match Cal's pace without much effort. Evangeline glares at her in her place in third.  Cal smiles at her and I feel a pang of jealousy until a piece of the wall shifts and she runs straight into it.

Mare gets knocked to the floor crushing her confidence and her body on the hard tile. Evangeline rushes up taking her usual place as second smirking down at Mare as the whole class cracks a laugh or two. Cal looks over his shoulder with pity all over his face almost as if he wants to go back and help her up but continues running. 

Coward! I curse at him as I try to control my chuckles also to  stop and help her up. "Welcome to training" I chuckle failing to control my laughter.   Mare throws me off sprinting away following after the rest of the class, giving me a run for my money as I almost fall over trying  keeping up with her. 

When we finally finish Mare's gasping for breath but has a slight smile plastered on her face proud for keeping up despite her rough start. Theo waves his hand resetting the training room.

"Lady Titanos" Arven murmurs "I understand you have an interesting ability" 

Once again all eyes on Mareena again. Mare sets her jaw raising her chin "Interesting but not unheard off Instructor, I'm very eager to learn about it sir." Mare says enthusiastic as ever I don't know why I'm not sure what she's expecting.

"You may start now" Arven says as Theo, his pet telky moves one of the ball targets across the air. Once gain all eyes on Mare as her hands spark up bright and brilliant. Sadly before she can launch her attack the ball crashes towards the ground. She turns her eyes searching mine, I'm also not sure what she's expecting me to do so I just simply nod.She turns setting her jaw focusing Theo sends another target into the air. Fire works launch from her hands in a beautiful array of sparks smashing aginst the target destroying it. I begin clapping as does Cal which he has no right to, considering he left her fallen on the floor. And as always once Cal does something others follow clapping. 

Evangeline and her so called friends (more like cronies) grunt and sneer. 

Before we know it it's my turn my array of fire hits exploding against the target, Mare smiles and clasp me on the back impressed, until Cal steps up sending his up bigger and better and more perfect fire ball towards the target. The explosion forms a fire flower dissolving into nothing. Of course, the class claps even Evangeline. Cal walks toward her expecting something and he gets it though there are no words anyone could ready the complete astonishment on her face.

I wrote this in one sitting so it probably isn't close to perfect (Not like anything I ever do is) because summer for me is coming to a close and I probably won't get to upload much once the school year starts which for me is on August 17 So I'm gonna try to update at least one of my 2 stories every day. So prepare for constant spamming!