Strange Aeons [Book 1]

22. Mi Casa es Su Pollos [part I]

«Hey, Banshee!» she heard someone calling her. She put down the crate she was carrying on her shoulder and turned towards the voice. The Irishwoman waved in Irissa's direction.

«Hey, lassie... what are you doing at the docks?» she asked, sitting on the crate.

«Well, the Academy's closed.» she said, with a sad smile. «How are you? River told me you were hurt... in the battle.»

«Heh. Nothing worse than me usual barfights, don't worry.» Banshee moved a hand in the air to dismiss the subject. «Nothing some magic, alcohol, and sleep couldn't cure.»

«I... they told me. I wanted to say that I'm sorry.» the girl looked away from her, in shame. Banshee frowned.

«Sorry fer what?»

«I really wanted to help you, I did. But... I don't know, somehow when I'm really under a lot of pressure I kind of snap, I think, and I can't remember anything of what I do. And I know I lose control, and can hurt people...»

«River...» it was hurtful just saying his name. «... did tell us something 'bout yer problem.»

«He told you I am...» she felt her words blocked.

«An anomaly, aye. Don't worry, we're used to them. Vopros's one.» Banshee replied, with a casual tone.

«Vopros is? But he's in your Coven and they're not... experimenting on him, are they?» Irissa's eyes had gone wider, as she slid a little closer to Banshee. The woman shook her head.

«They were, but the Chief...» that hurt even more than River. «... he discovered it in some hidden paperwork only a bureaucrat mouse like him could ever uncover, and he demanded to be given the responsibility of having him on our Coven.»

«He did?» Irissa was shocked. «He seems such a harsh man.»

«Oh, he is. But there's a heart o' gold under that – don't ever tell anyone I said that – plus, he had some favors to call in so, he got him. But anomalies follow very different destinies in the Order, depending on what they are, I won't lie to you.»

«But as you say, even if they discovered I am an anomaly if River asked to take care of me...»

«Oh, no lassie.» Banshee felt terrible when she had to crush Irissa's hope. «No person in his right mind would let River take responsibility for anything. The guy's sweet, but I wouldn't entrust him with an egg.»

Irissa suddenly darkened, again. Her blue eyes got lost over the dock's wet pavement, in the terrible far smell of fish. Banshee didn't disturb her thoughts.

«Hey, listen.» after a silence she really deemed too long, Banshee stood up. «Why don't you let me put this where it belongs and then we get the hell out of Dodge?»

Irissa, instinctively, stood up herself, blinking.

«To where?»

«Well, since the Academy's closed, what do ye think we get to me place and we do some studying by ourselves? I really need a tutor, and ye've still got better grades than me.»

Banshee smiled, picking up the crate with minimum effort, and starting to walk, as Irissa smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

«Thank you.» the girl said, clearly understanding more than she would show.

«Don't mention it. Mages oughta stick together. We're not so much we could afford to bicker more than a healthy amount. Especially with those freaks unleashed on us.»

«We're not much? I heard there are five Headquarters in the world and so many smaller locations who gather mages around.» Irissa replied, following Banshee like a puppy.