Tower of Memories

The energy in the grand hall for dinner felt different. As we got closer and closer to the end of the school year there was something unspoken but felt by every single student. We were still a few weeks away from both the Masquerade and the Founder's trials, but that time would fly by quickly. From there it was finals and then we were out of here for summer.

A little bit more, and everything would change.

Angelina was already there and waiting for the rest of us. She was waving us over excitedly. Celica's mood hadn't improved. Not even seeing her girlfriend helped.

"Is something wrong?" she asked as we sat down.

"Carmine poisoned us," Celica said.

"He officially the worst," Russel added.

"They're being melodramatic, we're fine. Just forced to tell the truth and compelled to say everything on our minds. But it is Carmine's fault," I answered.

"What happened?" Angelina sounded so genuinely concerned. It was touching, but not helpful at this moment. Neither was her asking questions, activating the compulsion.

"Carmine happened. He told us to make a brew of his choice and we had to drink it," I told her with a shrug.

She gasped, "That's awful! What if one of you had a bad reaction to it?"

"Thank you. Serafina has been so relaxed about this. It's infuriating." Celica's personality was starting to slip out. Grumpy but not wrong.

"She's Serafina, I don't think she's bothered by anything ever." Angelina was teasing me with a smile. I thought back to that first month, when that damn spider bite had me stuck on a special diet. I hadn't cared about that much either. Like this, it was temporary and not a big deal.

"If I was bothered by everything, I would be insufferable," I said as I settled into my seat.

Jarec was leaving a seat next to him open while looking around. For his boyfriend seemed most likely. He probably had friends outside of us but he didn't mention anyone often enough for me to remember names.

"Rupert," he called out. Out loud, even with his telepathic abilities. But then again, I noticed Albenion was walking this way with Jade in tow.

"You left Enchanting fast, everything okay?" Albenion asked as they approached.

Considering the state of Jarec when he arrived, yeah that probably made a slight scene.

"Minor Tower meeting. We're good. Sorry about that," Jarec responded.

Angelina looked at me and Celica, "For the…?"

"Yep," I answered quickly. If I interrupt her question, perhaps the compulsion wouldn't take over.

"Did something happen?" Jade asked.

"Carmine. Don't mind anything Russel, Celica or I say for a little bit," I explained.

"Oh he did that to you guys too?" Albenion asked.

Celica turned to glare at Jarec, who was not intimidated by it at all. I was impressed with his resolve. "Did you know he would do this?" she sounded almost genuinely angry. I nearly laughed.

"I don't know how you got the one honesty brew he's allowed to teach first years. There's like forty options and you got that one. The fuck?" Jarec answered.

"I have the worst luck in this school. I thought we all knew already. This should not be news to any of you." I stated. I wanted to say that in a way that was more teasing and joking. But the compulsion got ahead of it.

"It's almost like a weapon on its own. What the hells Serafina?" Celica demanded.

"My luck has always been bad. I'm just used to it," I shrugged.

"This didn't happen in Alchemy," she pointed out.

"I don't think Gorgon's the type to leave anything to luck," I mumbled. I considered what I knew of him for a moment, but none of our interactions had ever been suspicious.

"Probably not. He's too pedantic for that," Celica commented. "I'll keep your luck in mind next time I need a lab partner."

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"I like having you as a lab partner. I can rely on you and you won't ask questions about my casting when and if it comes up," I told her, not intending to. At least for that last part.

"Forced honesty sounds almost the same as regular Serafina to me," Jade said.

"Ask me anything, then we'll see if that's still true. Just be warned that it also means I won't be able to soften unpleasant truths. If you're okay with hearing something you won't like, go ahead. I won't hold grudges. About this at least. I do for other things though." Definitely didn't need that last bit. Ah well.

"Anything huh?" Albenion mumbled and seemed to think about it. I hoped Jarec wouldn't be mad if I insulted his boyfriend.

"Are you planning on going to the Masquerade with anyone? There's still time to get a date if you want one," Angelina asked.

This was about the level of questions I was expecting to get asked. "No. I have no intention of getting a date. I don't even expect to do much dancing there. Probably just stand by the wall and try to hide among the masks."

"I still need to find a date. I'm still thinking about who to ask," Russel responded.

"I know someone with a crush on you, you should ask them," Albenion interjected.

I almost didn't notice the slight look of panic on Jade's face. Wait. Was it Jade? How long had that been a thing? Did anyone else know?

I was not getting involved. This was between them.

Angelina looked excited, a massive smile on her face. "Fethris, are you going with someone?"

"No. I don't have anyone I'm interested in," he responded.

"You and Serafina could go with each other," Russel suggested.

"No thanks," I said quickly.

"I feel like that would give everyone the wrong idea," Fethris said.

"I mean…there's already a couple of rumors, nothing serious though," Jarec said.

"Of course there is. Nothing for it though, it's out of our control. We don't have enough time left in school for me to care about it anymore." Of all the rumors that could be drifting about me, a crush on someone was harmless. I would probably care more if there was someone I liked and it wasn't Fethris.

"Regardless of rumors, I think you two should be each other's first dance," Celica said.

I considered that. "Eh. Maybe. If I have to dance with someone."

"You do. Several someones. We can go over the specifics when we're not poisoned," Celica commented.

"So melodramatic. It's okay, I prefer you like this than moping around all worried," I told her.

"You two have a strange friendship, but you both seem happy with it," Angelina observed.

"We're Dragon Tower, I'm pretty sure unconventional is one of our pillars," I told her.

Albenion was frowning, like he was thinking about doing something he wasn't sure about. "What are your plans after graduating?" he asked that so carefully. Too carefully. He wanted specific information.

The moment he asked it, something in Jarec's mood shifted. Irate and frustrated. Like when a child does something you told specifically not to do. "I said it wasn't an issue."

The only thing I could get out before the brew forced the rest out was, "Oh no." It barely gave me time to breathe and process. "I don't have any plans. I don't even know what classes I'm taking next semester."

Albenion didn't respond at first, Celica interjected before he could. "What do you mean don't know? We have to pick those soon. Like next week."

"I hate looking at the class list. I can't take like eighty percent of them and that sucks. So I keep putting it off." Barely anything had changed from the last time we had to pick classes. Some, but not nearly enough.

"Tomorrow. We're taking care of it after class," Celica said sternly.

"Aren't you supposed to be the leader Serafina, why do you let her boss you around?" Jade asked. I couldn't tell if they were trying to defend me or were just fascinated by the power dynamics of Dragon Tower. We were nothing like Kelpie Tower, I was sure.

"Because, with these four if I try to use force for everything it will not work. I like picking battles with them very carefully. If I thought she didn't make a good point I'd fight back on it."

Celica rolled her eyes, "I don't mind when you argue back. It's fun to have a verbal sparring partner."

"Didn't you force Celica to do the masks for your tower?" Angelina asked.

"I've been furious with her about making me Representative since it happened. I saw a chance for revenge and took it. Plus she'll do a much better job than I ever could."

Celica gasped, semi-playful offense in her tone as she yelled, "I knew it! You petty little-"

"I never claimed to be above pettiness. And it's worked out so far," I interrupted her with a grin.

"Bitch."

"I think this is why she called our friendship strange."

"Not in a bad way though. You care about everyone, you just…do it differently," Angelina commented.

"We're Dragons, we're not supposed to be like other Towers. That's why we aren't in them," I confirmed.

"I prefer you guys like this, you never looked happy in Pixie Tower," Angelina observed. "And the less said about Celica in Kraken the better."

"If makes you feel better I'm sure Anubis hates me more," I told Celica.

"That's not better, you have to deal with her weekly," Celica pointed out.

"Not for much longer. Just have to finish this year and I'll never have to think about what she thinks ever again. Not that I know what her problem with me is." It really wasn't that big a deal anymore. I'd already gotten what I wanted from the council and I doubted we would have any more significant votes between now and the end of the year. The trials had been decided and now it was just a matter of setting up the chaser field for them and the library for the masquerade.

I could probably sleep through the rest of the meetings and nothing would change. Not that I would do that, I had appearances to keep up. Plus a sudden change in behavior could tip off people that something was up.

"She's jealous you get to spend time with her hero. A lot of Kraken Tower looks up to Vivian Hearth. And you come along and become practically her pet overnight. Despite having a human parent and not being able to cast," Albenion said.

I don't know if my response was fueled by the compulsion to speak the truth or the anger in my chest. It felt like a hydrothermal vent in my throat as the words poured out like black smoke. "My father has nothing to do with my ability to use magic. My problems come entirely from my mother's side, and Vivian knows that. She's been helping me solve them. Don't you dare talk like you know anything about me or him."

I hadn't realized my fists were clenched tightly until a different pain than the usual icicle stab of the curse was joined by something else. Something burning hot. Like dropping lava on dry ice.

"Serafina," Fethris' voice was low. A warning? An attempt to get my attention? Why did he sound worried?

There was something warm on my fingers. Warm and wet.

Oh no.

I could see the curse green stains on my fingers. But I couldn't run yet. I said those things, I meant them, and I was standing by them no matter what. I hid my fingers in the mostly black gloves of the uniform, the red seams and outlines the only thing tying them to Dragon Tower.

The only thing that would give away what was happening.

Stupid curse, not even letting me get angry without punishment. Someone had no idea what healthy processing of problems looked like.

Albenion looked scared for some reason. Jade too, but to a lesser extent. Everyone else just looked worried.

"Rupert," Jarec said as he composed himself first. "Just drop it, okay?"

"Yeah, sure," Albenion said it, but I doubted he meant it. His mind was unchanged but perhaps this meant he wouldn't try that again. At least not around me. It was something, not enough but something.

I was still tense. Fists clenched tight as I tried to focus on breathing. I hid my left hand under the table.

The black pants of the school uniform didn't show the dark green of the curse as I tried to get rid of the evidence of my lost temper. I was Mom's daughter, for better and worse.