Phoenix (Disconnected)

VIII-XXI

The blimp landed at the port with ease. Nicole couldn't keep herself any longer inside of the flying contraption and bolted out screaming 'land' with joy as she throws herself to the ground and giggled.

Nhinx shook her head and follow her on the port. Elliot came out third and went straight to the luggage.

It was a late night when they arrived at Ethelunia. Nhinx went on the edge of the port to take the full view of the shimmering evening lights within the city. "This is amazing! Look at this, Nicole!"

Skipping her steps, Nicole went to see what Nhinx was talking about. The city's lights are colorful and the sky was filled with stars, twinkling every second. "So pretty! I can't wait to explore this place and run through those streets!"

Nhinx laughs at her friend's energy, thinking how can Nicole still have that kind of energy after traveling? "Do that when the sun's up again." She let out the yawn she's holding back.

She turned to see Elliot approaching. "The luggage is in the trunk, we're ready to go!"

It was a twenty-minute drive before they arrive at an 'inn' as Nicole called it. The two rooms are simple and nicely decorated.

The sign illuminated in the dark. Nhinx went out of the store holding a paper bag, humming. She couldn't wait for meeting the others.

The street was empty, and so she crossed. It was all sudden, a car honked and that made Nhinx bolt up from her bed, sweating cold bullets.

She took a deep breath and let it out shakily. "F-F***."

She looked at the other bed where Nicole was sleeping and mumbled 'melon' and unconsciously smiled.

Nhinx thought at that moment to herself how she envies Nicole for having nice dreams.

Nhinx buried her face on her palms and inwardly groan. "Of all things, why does it need to be that?" Nhinx lets out a frustrated sigh and slumps to bed again. "It's just a dream. Tomorrow will be a good day."

Nicole groggily sat up and faced her, eyes are still closed but her brows are furrowed. "You're still awake?"

"Nightmare," Nhinx replied. It was a full ten seconds, she's still sitting up and eyes closed, not saying anything. "Why did you get up?" Nhinx asked, breaking the awkward silence.

There was no reply, Nicole remained sitting up. Nhinx get up and went to her. "Nicole?" She poked Nicole. As soon as her index finger touches her shoulders, Nicole fell on the bed with a thump.

She bolted up the moment her head hit on the pillow. "Wh-What happened? Why are you still awake?" Her eyes were wide opened and she looked on either side of the room.

Nhinx sigh and shook her head. "Nevermind. I'm going back to sleep." She then turned and went back to bed.

Nicole, still puzzled at what happened, scan the room once more and fell sleep in a range of a second.

Nhinx calmed herself and let herself drift once again a dreamless sleep.

"Are you ready to go Miss Rose?" Sir Elliot informed. She nodded and grabbed her things on the dressing table of the room.

The sunlight is bright and complemented with clear blue skies. Nicole, with a bee-line, she goes from one stall to another.

"Where are we going?" Nhinx asked Elliot as they began walking. He reached his breast pocket to get a card and handed it to Nhinx.

It is smooth at her touch, almost like glass in her hands. Ethelunian alphabets are carved on the paper. "How do you read this?" She asked.

"Azielor Bons, a company who sign a contract with your grandfather." Nhinx tilted her head slightly to express her confusion. "About?"

Elliot smiled. At her young age, she'll be trained to replace her grandfather when the time comes, and for her to be engaged in such a conversation with enthusiasm make him see why the headmaster chose her.

"Your grandfather secures the future of the students in Phoenix. That company is one of the clients that are looking for future professionals." He explained. The girl pondered for a minute then answered. "Meaning that they're directed on different companies after they graduated?"

Elliot nods. Nhinx's brows furrows.

"Why?" She asked.

"It's not mandatory, meaning that everyone should do it, the students make a choice, and the Academy's duty to provide these choices," Elliot answered.

Elliot stopped at his tracks and so does Nhinx. He gestures at the bricked structure. "Here we are...don't worry it's different on the inside."

A man on a uniform behind the podium looked at them and said something, which Elliot explained as one of the Ethelunia's dialect.

"Sounds like a mix of French and Russian to me," Nicole said and shrugged her shoulders.

Elliot turned to both of the girls. "Unfortunately we are scheduled by two on two meeting..."

Nicole rubs her palms and slid them in her side pockets. "I'll just wait here then! No biggie!"

Nhinx gave her a worried look that she replied with a grin. "I'll behave okay, I promise." She made a cross over where her heart is and made a vow pose before ushering both Elliot and Nhinx away.