Black Robes

Jason: I Need Better Friends.

I had a hard time not laughing at Piper trying to walk. It was pretty funny. She couldn't make it more than five feet without stumbling in her heels. It was a nice excuse to get to put my arm around her, for 'support'.

In my defense she had to wear the heels. The Royal Family, well, my family, was going to be making announcements today during lunch. So everyone was dressed properly.  

I opened the door to the eating hall, and a series of emotions flickered across Pipers face. She's really going to have to work on hiding those. 

The first emotion seemed to be surprise. Then there was something like joy and a challenge. Oh dear, I hope she doesn't pick a fight so soon. These people are ahead of her by training for years. 

As we enter the hall goes quiet. Dead silent. I glance at Piper and suddenly she seems a little nervous. I control the smirk on my face and lead her into the room.

"Hello everyone, this is Piper. She is a new apprentice here. Sadly, she wont be training with all of you for now, I must catch her up a bit on the basics before she will join the general training sessions." I pause for a minute and whisper to Piper, "Do you want to say your abilities or do you want me to." For a second I think shes going to snap at me that she will, but then she seems to hesitate. 

"Um, can you, uh, I don't really know what the second one was." Her whisper is so soft I almost didn't catch it. 

"Piper is a FreeBlood Pain Caster." I pause for the gasps to quiet down. "Yes, there are only 2 of us here, Me and Piper. Its rare enough for one so this is a very special time for all of us. Pipers powers are Storm and Water." More muttered comments pass between a few people and suddenly someone shouts out, "Are you sure she has Storm? There hasn't been a storm apprentice for hundreds of years." 

I glance at Piper again and she looks worried, like she did something wrong. I place my hand on her back reassuringly. She relaxes a bit and takes a deep breath.

"Yes I am very sure she is Storm and Water. I know this comes as a surprise for everyone, since we weren't expecting a new student until next season comes, but that is in 2 years and we couldn't wait for that. With the borders being harder to defend, and chances of war approaching, we cannot let another Caster be taken. Especially one as powerful as Piper can become. Now, do not worry. Lets eat and wait for the announcements so we may get back to training." After I finish, people go back to talking quietly among themselves. 

I lead Piper back to the table with my friends. Danny and Emma are bickering like usual as Anna and Josh study Piper. "You can eat with us since I am your guide." She rolls her eyes but I see her trying to hide her smile. 

Danny and Emma stop arguing and Danny slides to the side of the bench, "You can sit here if you want Darling," Danny says patting the space he made. 

I shoot Danny a glare and pull Piper to the seat next to mine. Her cheeks are red and she seems embarrassed. Danny just laughs as Emma elbows him and introduces herself. 

"Sorry Piper, that's just Danny being Danny. Hes a player, don't pay him any attention. I'm Emma. It's nice to meet you. My elemental ability is Wind." Piper smiles and shakes Emma's hand.

"I'm Danny, as Emma so rudely pointed out."-Piper smiles and blushes a little bit darker. I don't know why but it makes me a little bit mad.-"I'm Jason's bff if you couldn't tell by the death glares hes been shooting me since I spoke to you." 

Piper laughs and looks at me while I continue to glare at Danny. Sadly its true, Danny and I have been best friends since we were about 2 years old. 

Anna sticks her hand out to Piper and starts to introduce herself. "Hi! I'm Annastasia, but everyone knows me as Anna. This is my boyfriend Josh, we're both light casters." Josh smiles over at Piper and shakes her hand as well. 

"As you can see, we are the only friends Jason has, probably cause we're the only ones who can put up with his Royal Douchyness." Piper laughs at Josh's comment and I just stare with my mouth hanging open. I shut my mouth and cut off any of them from continuing. 

"I don't know what your talking about! Way to be there for me guys, aren't you supposed to be nice? What kind of friends are you." Piper is laughing like crazy and I shoot her a glare. 

"You're lucky they like to make fun of me Kitten, don't worry. I'll get my revenge on ALL of you guys in training." 

"Hey! I didn't say anything... I'm just laughing at how true what they say seems like. And that's unfair, your supposed to teach me, not kill me." Piper looks a little bit nervous to have to go against me in training. 

"Oh, I wont kill you. Plus there will be healers on the side when you get hurt.-Theres no doubt that you will get hurt, training is tough and you will be with the normal teachers as well. As for the rest of you"- I say turning to my friends,-"You might want to write your wills. I can't say i'll go easy on you guys." I laugh my dark laugh and the rest of them laugh too, except Piper. She actually looks nervous.

"Hes just messing with you. Well, actually hes not messing with you but its not as bad as it seems. You'll learn a lot as an Apprentice, and pain is a necessity for training. It just wont be Jason here who causes it. Usually." Danny explains in a light tone but Piper just looks more worried. 

I put my arm around her shoulder and reply, "Relax a little, Everything's going to be fine. Just eat, you'll need your strength." Piper takes my arm off her shoulder with a glare and starts to eat. I notice that everyone else has been quiet except for Danny and I look around at them. Suddenly I get 3 messages all at once on my Arm Band in the group chat. 

Piper looks over at my arm band in confusion. "Oh this is just a way to contact everyone else who has one. You just type in there name and you'll be able to send a message to anyone else with an Arm Band. You'll get one before we go train." I turn away slightly so that she can't see the messages and I read them. One from Josh, one from Emma, and one from Anna. They all say relatively the same thing. 

Anna: Did you just call her Kitten and put your arm around her? What the heck Jason! You're gonna drive her away already! I like this girl, don't ruin it.

Josh: Dude you're flirting with Piper already? Don't drive her away so soon, she isn't like the other bitches that follow you around, shes different. She can resist your charms ;)

Emma: Jason! you called her Kitten! Don't use her then dump her like the other bitches. She's resisting your charm, I like this one!

I sigh and text back in the chat with fake hurt.

JBoy: What, you don't trust me? ouch. *bullet to the heart*

Sadly all three respond with 'No!'

Whatever.

I go back to eating and so does the rest of them.

As the meal starts to wind down my parents enter through the door. Lucky for me, they dont make me go up with them when they do their announcements. 

My dad always does the announcements but mom still goes up with him. "As you all know, Piper has joined us here and will be training to catch up with everyone else with our son, Prince Jason. There will be a test in just 2 months to see the top 30 strongest. Those 30 will go to the border with a group of the Black Robed Mages. After the 30 are selected there will be a Royal Ball in celebration of this event. Until next time, good luck with your training." 

They left the way they came and the rest of us arose from our seats. 

"Well, see you guys later at dinner, I must go train Piper, wish me luck, i'll need it." I smile as a give Piper another smirk.

"Good luck Piper, you'll need it to handle Jason." All four of them reply simultaneously. My mouth drops open. Never have all four of them done that. They all start laughing and Piper smiles.  

I shake my head then guide Piper away from them. It's time to show off my skills.