Glass Soldier

Chapter 1

      It wasn't any different from the one I wore last, of course, other than the color and crest. I was a second year. It didn't really feel any different but, to be fair, I had opted out of going home for the summer break and worked in the greenhouse. The owlbear cub wasn't the only one running around either.

     There was a poaching incident and left a griffin egg without a mother; its siblings not having the same luck as it and met with the same fate. The cub was surprisingly aware of what it was, always careful when near it, happily keeping it warm when I was busy. 

       "You still have that thing?" Came a familiar voice of my stalker. Glancing at him as he moved on campus during the break and has not left me alone I didn't comment. The large egg leaning against my coiled legs wrapped in a blanket, the cub napping in my lap while I leaned on the couch arm with a book in my hand. "Show it not have hatched already?" 

    My ignoring of him continued, already aware that it should have hatched. I've had it for nearly a month and it was a week old when I had gotten it. It should have hatched a few days ago. He stood there impatiently, my constant ignoring him now easily getting on his nerves.

       "I'm just saying, as a ranger, its probably dead," A bundle of joy as per usual. I didn't even glance at him as I turned my page, neglecting him further. "You can't keep ignoring me, Lilith!" Seems he reached his breaking point rather quickly today.

      "I don't know anyone else here, just, please..." Glancing up unsympathetically, his ability to manipulate people higher than I remember. His eyes still gave him away though. Raising a brow I snorted and went back to my book while he took a deep breath. "I don't have any friends,"

       "Oh, I know, everyone that tries to approach you is frozen in place the moment you turn those dead eyes on them, you could try being nice you know, not glare at every living soul," I hummed gently tapping the page my finger hung under, just about to turn it.

      "I've tried being nice. You continue to ignore me," 

      "Pick your battles darling," I smirked carefully turning the old page. 

      "I thought friendship had nothing to do with fighting?" Oh, gods... You... You really need some friends.

       "Try making friends without the intention of using them, then, come to me and tell me what friendship is, if you get it right, I'll be your friend," 

       "Why would I befriend someone if they're useless?" Chuckling gently I contiuned to read, giving him only part of my attention, "You know what? It doesn't matter, I'm trying to court you, friendship isn't what's important," 

       "Mhmm, and what'd I tell you?"

       "... You'd rather eat a bag of nails than marry an idiot like myself... I still don't see how friendship is going to change that! I've started studying Alchemy and witchcraft, that should be enough!" 

       "Uh huh," I hummed raising both brows without looking at him, "You're about as romantic as a dog Reaper, even if you fit my criteria, which you don't, your inability to properly get along with me would cancel it all out. Studying a little isn't going to change my standards, and I promise, I will not be lowering them just because you think you deserve it,"

       "That's not what I- Why are you so good at arguing?"

       "Hmm? Well, my father always told me it was better to improve your argument than to raise your voice, and despite how well my family gets along we disagree on a lot of things. Arguing is a necessary skill to have, as my mother puts it, and the fact my father does it for a living just means I had to work harder," I hummed with a soft amused smile.

      "You can't be good at everything!" He growled while I raised a brow, still not looking at him.

      "That's true, you are far better at losing than I am," He gave a strangled growl, stomping out like a child while I laughed gently not knowing why he even bothers. The outcome was always the same.

       I'd ignore him until he snapped about one thing or another, we'd argue lightly, I'd win, he'd say something, I turned it into a soft insult. Same time every day. Didn't matter where I was, he'd find me and we'd do it all over again. 

        It was a way to pass the time without my friends around or class to distract me. Not to mention he was showing that he was capable of actual human emotions. Which was interesting in a few different ways, the biggest being how unaware he was of them.

        Gently closing the book I looked at the two that had me trapped, my thighs a wall that separated them. Placing my book on the small table next to me I carefully slid my hands under the cub, gently moving it while I pulled my legs from around the egg I sat up, putting the cub on the other side of me.

      Stirring lightly he curled tightly, shrilling in his sleep. Tenderly getting up I stretched, a small tapping sound having me look at the egg. The tapping growing more vigorous as the shell cracked, a hideous thing breaking free with a cry for its mother. 

       Gross. My blanket. Sighing I grabbed the large bottle I had started carrying around about a week ago and opened it. Thoughtfully pouring the jam in its beak as it ate its fill. Picking up the egg, the hatching still in it, I glanced at my blanket and couch, sighing as I now had to clean it before taking it outside to clean it.

      The miracle of birth was very messy. And griffin babies aren't cute.