Into the Ether - Complete

The Winter of Our Discontent: Part 11

We were standing waiting for the van at 8 am. I was surprised to see Eddie and Mason standing there with Lissa, Christian, Perkins, Emil, and Alberta.

"Don't worry – I'm just here to see you off," Alberta laughed cheerfully. "Perkins, you're in charge. Hathaway, Ashford, and Castile? While you're not on duty, I'd like you to take this chance to observe the Guardians and see how they handle a group guarding situation. But have some fun, too" she added kindly.

Eddie and Mason looked elated. While Moroi got to go on semi-regular shopping trips and the like, getting out of the Academy was a rare opportunity for Novices. Unless you had family nearby to take you out on the weekend, trips off campus were few and far between.

"Rose? A minute?" Alberta said, drawing me over to one side away from the others. "I thought it might be easier with a few of your other friends there," she said, looking towards Mason and Eddie. "Now, shopping is no fun without a little spending money," she said, passing me five fifties.

"Alberta! I can't take your money," I gasped. "You work too hard to be giving your cash away to me!"

"Who said it's mine?" she chortled. "Did you know there's fifty dollars a week allocated in the Academy budget for buying flowers for the Moroi common rooms?"

"No...?" I replied, a little perplexed.

"Turns out neither does anyone else," Alberta said with mock innocence. Suddenly I had an idea where the small cash injections poor Dhampir students received from Alberta from time to time had come from. "Give Mason and Eddie a fifty each – keep the rest for yourself, and that's an order."

I was going to object, but an Academy van pulled up, and Celeste jumped out.

"Thought I'd pick up an extra shift with you guys," she called out buoyantly. "Come on, let's get this show on the road!" We were traveling during the daylight when the Moroi usually slept, so everyone was keen to get moving.

I gave Alberta a big hug. Her timely gift meant at least one problem was solved - I could now afford to buy Christmas presents. We piled into the van. Emil driving with Perkins beside him in the passenger seat. Lissa and Christian were in the second row, Celeste and I sat behind them with Mason and Eddie taking up the rear. With the uncertain weather, it would be two and a half hours to Missoula, so lots of time for talking.

"Thanks for getting Alberta to include us," Mason said, a huge grin on his face.

"Yeah thanks, Rose," Eddie agreed, "we owe you!"

Alberta must have told them I'd petitioned for them to be included in the trip. I felt shitty at that. I hadn't thought to ask if they could come too, but I should have.

"The more the merrier," I said noncommittally, not wanting to take the praise for Alberta's thoughtfulness.

Lissa was so excited to be leaving the Academy. She and Christian were sitting cuddled up to one another, holding hands and occasionally kissing. Lissa was talking about her favorite topic – Christmas. While Christian wasn't looking quite as enthralled as she was, I could tell he was making an effort to appear excited for her benefit.

"So Christian, when's your Aunt coming?" I asked during a break in their conversation.

"I'm not entirely sure; she just said a few days before Christmas. She's planning to stay a few weeks, though."

"That's cool. What's she like?"

"Why the sudden curiosity, Rosie?" he asked sarcastically. "You've never shown any interest in her before."