Copper Feather

16

Evie followed Ella out of the back door and down the stairs to the pool. It was a huge pool, with a hot tub in it, too. There was a sort of underwater 'gate' that separated the actual pool from the lazy river that was around the outside. The island in the middle housed the hot tub, which also could be accessed without leaving the water through a tunnel that was like an airlock. If a swimmer happened to swim into the tunnel from the pool, and it sealed behind them, leaving them in a sealed tunnel. The tunnel emptied of the normal temperature water, simultaneously filling with hotter water, like the temperature of the hot tub. They would then swim into the hot tub. Evie had grabbed a bucket of pretzels and was eating a few as she walked down after Ella. She tripped again, this time spilling pretzels everywhere. Ella laughed, watching in awe as Evie apologized while using her magic to pick them up and throw them away.

Ella giggled, laughing at Evie. Evie pouted again, pushing Ella into the water with a magical huge golden fist. The girl surfaced a moment later, spluttering. "Hey! Cheater!" Evie grinned, doing a realistic swan dive, wings included. Ella's delight was immediate, and they messed around for a long time. Once the sun began to set, they went into the house, climbing straight into Ella's jacuzzi. They lit a few candles, put in some bath salts, and promptly fell asleep. Pepper walked into the bathroom, looking for the girls, laughing when she saw them. "Evie, get up. It is time for dinner." The girl, startled, woke up and jumped out of the tub, still in her bathing suit. "What happened?" asked Ella. "Nothing, it's dinner time, though." Ella got out, too, pulling awkwardly at her swimsuit.

Pepper left the room and Evie grabbed the towel Ella offered her. She went into Ella's room, getting her black jeans, red top, and combat boots. she also grabbed a black blazer to go on top, laughing when Ella walked out of her closet in a backward version, wearing maroon pants, a black shirt, and a maroon blazer.

They walked down the stairs, Evie not falling this time. Ella's mother (so that's who had been asleep in the pink room earlier) and father were already sitting at the table with Pepper, waiting for Ella and Evie to join them. Ella sat down next to her mom and the empty chair, leaving Evie to sit between her and Pepper, who was at the end of the table.

They ate their chicken caesar salads, which Evie really enjoyed. After dinner, Evie cleared the table and washed the dishes with Pepper, making small talk. Ella prepared the dessert, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Pepper eyed it warily. "Have you seen what happens when she's given too much sugar?" Ella frowned. "No." Pepper sighed. "Well, you're about to learn." Ella grinned. "We'll go insane together!" Evie grinned back. "'Yup!"

A few hours later, Evie was asleep on the floor, curled up on a pile of pillows. Ella was asleep in the bed, missing her dad peeking in to glance at her sleeping figure under the pale moonlight streaming in through the window. He shut the door quietly, walking back down the carpeted hallway to go to bed.

***

The next morning, Ella woke up Evie with a shout of "Pancakes!" that had Evie up and brushing her teeth within seconds. Evie changed into a pair of navy jeans, grabbing a t-shirt. She brushed her hair, letting it fall in not-tangly curls.

She walked down the stairs, grabbing a plate and a few pancakes. Ella's dad had left a note.

I'll be at a meeting all morning, but I'll be home for lunch, and to see you off. Don't go crazy, you do have to fly to Ireland later today. Don't leave the embassy. I'll see to it that you're properly packed, don't worry about that. Maybe you could bake us cookies or something like that.

-Dad

Evie smiled affectionately as Ella walked down the stairs and into a column. "Oww..." she rubbed her forehead. "You okay?" asked Evie as she laughed. "Evelyn Romanoff, I know you are not laughing at my pain!" said Ella dramatically, laughing at herself. She grabbed a plate and a few pancakes. Evie handed her the note. Ella read it, laughing to herself. "We should probably go pack for school," suggested Evie. Ella shook her head no. "Nah, I can ask Maria to do it. Plus, I want to show you my Germany." Evie finished eating just as an older woman walked into the room. "Hello, Maria! This is Evie. Will you pack me for school?" The woman nodded, walking up the stairs. Ella put her plate in the sink, Evie doing the same, watching as Ella slipped away from Maria. Evie followed.