The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 3 Flat Mates

"Um, can I help you?"
I asked, tensing.

A shorter girl, though slightly taller than Vienna, with smooth olive skin and a muscular build, flashed us a smile. Her hair was jet black and came halfway down her back, her almond colored eyes seemed to sparkle in the warm light streaming in from the window wall.

"Hi! I just thought I'd pop in to say hello. I'm Kairos Taylor from the Roanmage Province."

Vienna and I stared at her for a moment, not entirely trusting of other competitors after our first Tournament experience.

"I'm Vienna Warren and this is Astrid Coften. We're from the Servinius Province, it's nice to meet you."
Vienna said, recovering more quickly than I.

Kairos grinned widely at us and crossed the floor into the living room. She flopped down onto the couch beside me with a satisfied sigh.

"Crepes! Isn't this the life?"
She sighed contentedly.

"Well make yourself right at home."
I muttered under my breath.

"I'm right across the hall from you guys, we're going to be apartment buddies!"

"Oh, fantastic."
I answered back.

Vienna shot me a look.

"So what sort of wielding abilities do you guys have?"
Kairos asked amicably.

"Well, I'm a Light Wielder."
Vienna answered.

The other girl leaned forward, obviously intrigued.

"Really now? What sort of things can you do?"

Vienna started to reply but I quickly jumped in.

"Now hold it! You think we're just going to give away our secrets just like that to a complete stranger?"

An amused grin spread across Kairos's face.

"Well you're a suspicious one aren't you?"

I scowled at her in reply.

"You know we all get to watch each other's Tournament videos right? I'm going to find out what your wielding abilities are whether you want to tell me or not. But I'm just making polite conversation, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to."

I hated how patronizing her tone was.

"Fine then, what's your wielding ability?"
I threw back at her.

She gave Vienna a sideways glance.

"Actually, I'm a Shadow Wielder."

It was Vienna's turn to lean forward in interest.

"You can control darkness?"

Kairos nodded. She raised up her hand, a pool of swirling shadow resting in her palm.

Well, that's not ominous at all.

"Fascinating!"
Vienna exclaimed.

"I wonder what would happen if our two abilities went up against each other, would they cancel out you think or would one win?"
She continued on.

"Or they could make something entirely new."
Kairos added.

She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye and started laughing.

"Try not to look so appalled Astrid, I'm not evil incarnate or anything."

"You'll have to forgive me for not automatically trusting someone who can wield shadows."