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Quickly filing into Sévérine's abode, Jake's strong nose picks up the scent of ancient parchment and dust in the air. No books are visible in the room, though, save for an old well-worn tome on a simple wooden table with four chairs around it. Two doors lead to darkened hallways and modern lights illuminate the room.

"We're safe in here," Calmar says, as he closes the door. "Go ahead and revert for proper introductions."

Winter and Zoe nod as their forms shimmer with light as Jake and Kendra emerge from the spinning gems and dimming ethereal glows. It takes a moment for Jake to get his bearing, having grown at least a foot in matter of seconds.

"Jake, Kendra, this is Sévérine," Calmar introduces. "She has been at my side through many, many, years and supported humanity through Hrashkar's malevolence so long ago."

"Welcome to my sanctuary," Sévérine greets with a voice that resonates like a well-played cello. "I hope you find the solace here comforting."

"Thank-" Kendra starts before she stumbles forward, putting her hand to her head as if in pain, and gives out a groan.

Glancing to his side, Jake watches as her balance seems to give way and she starts to topple to one side. Reaching out, he catches her, asking, "Dizzy?"

A simple nod is the only response she gives, apparently lost in the throbbing pain Jake knew all too well. Looking up to the two elder mages who are watching him, he smiles as he says, "Excuse her, she-"

Before he can finish, a piercing pang comes from Sévérine's cane as she strikes the floor. "Fille stupide!" Sévérine exclaims. "Come, help her sit!"

With great care, Jake helps guide Kendra to a chair that Sévérine pulls out and lowers Kendra to sit as she looks up and gives Sévérine then Jake a weak smile before leaning over and putting her head onto the table as her body seems to go limp.

Sévérine leans down shaking her head and gently pats Kendra on her back, cooing, "Repos, repos." The calm leaves the woman as she looks back to Jake, fire seemingly igniting in her water-colored eyes. She walks around the table and points her cane at Jake, yelling, "Vous devez dire quelque chose et aider quand quelqu'un souffre d'un surmenage magique!"

Baffled, Jake looks over to Calmar, who's smirking back at him, pleading silently for help.

Either out of pity or knowing Jake's silent ask, Calmar says softly, "Sévérine, I do not believe either of these young ones know French, so you'll need to speak English for them."

Some anger bleeds away as Sévérine huffs toward her associate. Looking back to Jake, she translates, "I was simply saying that as her partner, if she's overexerted herself as she has, then you need to make sure everyone is aware of her condition. You must be ready to protect her from any and all situations!"

Not sure how he was supposed to know, Jake starts to say, "But," before stopping himself. Winter was on full alert after the battle and he did have the feeling that Kendra was in no condition to fight, no matter what Zoe had said. On top of that, Jake remembers Winter being in control as he recovered from his headache. Shame fills his mind as he realizes that he's hurt Kendra again. Lowering his head, he shakes it in disbelief. "I did screw that up. Winter was aware and I knew, somehow, that Kendra had overexerted herself. I... I should have said something..."

Stepping lightly around the table, Sévérine walks up to Jake and puts her hand on his shoulder. "Good." She starts in a friendly tone. "You acknowledge your mistake and know how to correct it. Now then, introduce yourselves to me properly, wielders of Winter and Zoe."

"Jake Sullivan," answers as he looks up at her as he tries to think of how to address her. "Ma'am? Or maybe madam?"

"Hello Jake Sullivan," she says before looking down sympathetically toward Kendra's limp form before adding softly, "and Kendra, I am Sévérine, the mage formerly in charge of the Magus University. A cradle for the arcane arts. It was there I cultivated the minds of the young and eager."

Kendra's head moves a bit, seemingly piqued by what the woman had just said but even that movement seems too much she gives another soft, pitiful moan.

"No need to show your excitement mademoiselle," Sévérine says softly. "You will have plenty of time to ask questions later."

"I am interested in knowing more myself," Jake says, his mind wandering down fanciful. Was this university a massive marble building with high-roofed halls filled with echoes of incantations and the crackles of energy as students honed their craft? Were there rooms with desks, cauldrons, books, wands, and all the rest? Where could this place be now, after so many years?

"I will share the past," Sévérine acknowledges, "but 'then' has passed. What 'is' is much too consequential to overlook though."

"Jake, Kendra," Calmar says, building off his companion's statement, "you both have a hint at what is happening and what is coming. We all, mages and wielders alike, must do what we're best at to tip the scales in our favor."

"Yes," Sévérine agrees as she moves to stand next to Calmar, the two looking like old wise professors in their robes. "For that reason, I will take over your tutelage while Calmar goes to find other wielders."

"I will readily admit that I do not have a knack for teaching." Calmar adds with a slight chuckle. "Your time will be much better spent with Sévérine."

Mentally stepping back, Jake gasps as a dark cloud covers his thoughts. Another betrayal. Of course Calmar would abandon him. Calmar has no use for someone who can't protect their allies. It's only a matter of time before Winter-

A jarring pain hits Jake's mind where Winter resides, nearly making him yell out in surprise. <I...> Jake ponders as clarity comes back to his thoughts as Winter's chilly presence grows heavy.

<You...> Winter says muffled, as if hurt. <You doubt me?>

Cursing himself for letting his mind slip so quickly into that hellish place, he closes his eyes. First Kendra and now Winter. He's failing everyone. With remorse, he thinks, <I'm sorry Winter. I'm not sure how I let myself go down such a dark path so quickly…>

<You have not failed me,> She replies as her chill returns to normal. <Just know that I am with you, Jake. We are bound together. Do not doubt my intentions.>

"Fatigué?" Sévérine's asks bringing Jake back to the conversation.

Shaking his head, Jake looks up and meets her eyes. "No, madame, I was lost in my thoughts."

"Ah, with Winter no doubt," Sévérine says with a smile, "What wisdom has she given you?"

Not wanting to tell her everything, Jake considers his words for a moment and decides to dodge the question. "More than I deserve."

Not sure how to answer, Sévérine looks to Calmar who simply shrugs. With some concern, she looks back to Jake and then to Kendra. "Tomorrow we will start your true training. For tonight, rest. Gather your strength and ready your minds."

"It's only been half a day for us madam," Jake says in mild protest. "I'm not sure if I'm tired enough to go to sleep."

"Yes, but you live here now. You will live by France's clock, not your own. So go, get bathed, eat, and then get ready for bed. Calmar and I will get your room ready."

Looking down at himself, Jake confirms his clothes are not dirty and taking a quick, quiet, sniff doesn't bring any body odder to his nose; then it dawns on him. He has been Winter for most of the time over the last two days. Mulling over that thought makes him realize how tense he is. A nice relaxing bath would do wonders for him. "Where's the bath?"

"Down that hallway," she responds, pointing to the hallway to their right. "Go past the two doors and it'll be on the right. Changes of clothing and towels are there already." Looking over to Calmar, she points to the other hallway. "Let us go prepare dinner."

Looking down at Kendra, her auburn hair draping her head and covering the table like spilled spaghetti, he sighs with empathy. Stepping over to her and leaning down he asks softly, "Want to use the bath first?"

The rolling of her head back and forth gives her answer.

After being scolded by the old woman and knowing Kendra's pain, Jake remains hesitant to leave her alone. "Zoe?"

"Yeah?" comes the muffled playful feline voice.

"Will you be alright if I go take a bath?"

"Nya haha," Zoe laughs, made even sillier by the fact that her mouth is pressed against the table. "We're fine!"

"Ok. Just yell if you need us, please, Zoe."

A long pause follows before Zoe gives out an exacerbated sigh, "'Kay foxy boy."

Unlike the first room which was not French-looking at all and more like a utility room, the bathroom is the epitome of vintage French decor. The fixtures have silver motifs and a clawfoot tub beckons invitingly. Stepping up and turning on the tub, the hot water produces a wave of warm mist that fills the tiny room like a sauna. Discarding his clothes, he reaches up to the dark-blue collar around his neck and stops. <Is it ok if I remove the collar?>

<You can,> Winter responds in her normal cool tone. <We are bonded and will remain so. The collar is my anchor so my presence will weaken the further you are from it. Be aware that you will not be able to transform if you are not either carrying or wearing it.>

<Thank you, Winter,> Jake thinks with appreciation, <For explaining everything to me. I'd be lost without you. >

Winter's calming chill fills his mind as if in a gently hug. <I am here for you, Jake. Take the collar off and enjoy your bath.>

Finding the lock, he undoes the collar and removes it, feeling his mental-companion's chill growing weaker as he puts the gem-laced item on the counter. Stepping into the hot water, he can feel the dirt and stress wash away as he sighs with relief. Closing his eyes, he lets his body and mind stop for a bit.

Sighing with relief as he finishes drying himself, Jake immediately puts the collar back on, welcoming Winter's full presence, before putting on the pair of blue and white plaid pajamas that were on the counter. Unsure of what to do with his worn clothes, he picks them up and starts to walk toward the entry as a sweet smell fills his nose. Picking up his pace, he enters the initial room again and sees the mages and Kendra sitting at the table eating.

"Discard your clothes in the basket," Sévérine instructs, pointing to a wire basket just outside the room in the hallway Jake had just come from.

Doing as instructed, Jake looks back and smiles as he notices Kendra's sitting upright. There's still a slight wobble in her posture but she seems to be past the worst of it. Walking up to the table, he takes the remaining seat, placing him between the two women. Their meal had already been served and mostly eaten by the others. The food, French in make by his guess, consists of a cheese bread with a crisscross pattern; a chicken dish with tomatoes, bean stalks, anchovies, and olives; and a creamy vegetable soup.

Hungrily, Jake pulls his plates to himself and puts a napkin on his lap while Kendra pushes her dishes toward the middle of the table and thanks the two mages for the meal. After taking his first bite of the delicious food, Jake looks over to Kendra saying, "Enjoy."

"Thanks!" Kendra exclaims. "I'm looking forward to getting clean after everything." Placing her hands on the table she pushes herself up to stand, wobbling and stopping as she gets her balance. "I'll need Zoe to explain how to control mana better. I really don't want to be in this state again." A feline snicker escapes Kendra's mouth before she smiles, turns, and walks ungracefully down the hall toward the bathroom leaving behind a lingering smell of theater soot.

Smelling the acrid smell really drives home how quickly Jake's life had changed. Taking another bite of bread, he hears Sévérine muttering disdainfully at Calmar as he's muttering nonsense, likely a spell to freshen the air. Jake's thoughts go to Kendra, hoping she has a good, refreshing bath.

Putting his fork down as he finishes his meal, Jake helps the two mages collect the dishes and carry them into the kitchen.

"Merci, Sévérine!" Jake hears Kendra remarks as the sound of dropped cloths follows shortly after. "The bath was wonderful and having fresh clothes is much appreciated!"

Entering the entry room, Jake smiles as he sees Kendra. Her hair is still damp, clinging to her neck, but its color is vibrant, outshining the red-plaid pajamas she is wearing. Her freckled face glistens in the light, showing some lingering red from the hot water.

"Now that we're done," Sévérine says, "I will show you to your room."

"Room?" Kendra asks puzzled. "Singular?"

"Oui," Sévérine confirms. "I was not expecting guests today. I only have one room suitable at this moment. That will be corrected tomorrow. I do apologize."

Kendra's red cheeks grow a shade deeper as she looks toward Jake. Not sure if he should sleep in the same room as her either, he looks between Calmar and Sévérine, asking "Is there a couch I can sleep on?"

"Non!" Sévérine responds quickly. "You must sleep soundly. I will not have a monsieur who is stiff and tired trying to learn!"

Looking back apologetically to Kendra, Jake gets up and follows Sévérine through the door she's motioning them toward. Walking down the short hall to an open door he steps into a room that is lit in a soft glow like the rooms in the dimensional space. It is sparsely furnished, containing a queen-size bed on either side of the room and a nightstand neighboring each. There's a window on the wall with black drapes pulled across it. The wallpaper covering the walls brings comfort to the space, with its design showing green vines with pink flowers growing from them.

Deciding to take the far bed, Jake walks over to it and pulls back the covers, noting their softness. Knowing there's no use in arguing his point about it not being too late, he climbs into his bed and brings another pillow under his head. Closing his eyes a few times, he lets his eyes look downward toward where he hears Kendra and Sévérine whispering to each other.

The old mage pats Kendra on the shoulder as she steps back. "I will leave you two for the night. I left water on your nightstands should you get thirsty."

"And the lights?" Jake asks, remembering he never figured out how they worked.

"They will behave as they should." Sévérine explains as if it were obvious, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

Jake lets the comfortable sheets cradle his body as he sighs, trying to release as much stress as possible. He can hear Kendra slipping into her own bed before the light in the room fades slowly into darkness. With sleep still far away, his mind starts to wander, finding Kendra first, particularly the partnership they share. It was forced upon them; yet it feels like it's developing on its own too. Is it because Winter and Zoe already trust one another? Will he and Kendra have such trust in each other too? What's in store for them? What will happen if she, like everyone else-

A biting, almost vindictive, blast of freezing cold hits his brain.

<Why do I always do that when I meet people!?> Jake wonders back in disbelief. Though there's no real wonder, he knows why: his past, his childhood, when he learned he was the only one he could trust. When he learned of betrayal.

Comfort comes as Winter moves down his spine, into his heart then splits into hundreds of points flowing through his veins like rafts on a flowing river. Their cool tingling fills every end of his body as they circle back and reform in his heart and the single dot travels back up into his mind.

<I knew it was wrong,> Jake thinks, ashamed. <Deep down, in my gut. I know hating everyone and keeping to myself is not healthy. I've been this way for so long, though, it's who I am.>

<Then who do you want to be?> Winter asks with encouragement, <Be open with me. You're not alone anymore!>

<But I-> He starts before stopping himself; he was going to say "-want to be," which, as he's gotten to know and depend on Winter is no longer true.

Winter stirs but doesn't respond, he knows she knew what he was about to say and thinking. Bringing his hands from under the covers, he places them on his head, angry at himself for acting so childish, rejecting something, someone, Winter, who's been so nice to him. Nicer than anyone has before in his life. Someone who does care about him. Why is it so hard for him to trust her? His growing frustration radiates into open thoughts to Winter, as he thinks, <Why me? Why? You can see how horrible I am! Why would you bond with me? Why would you trust me? I've already shown you that I doubt you!>

Fuzzing a bit, but staying true to her form, she says with a chill, <true.> Her form focuses again and starts to orbit around his mind. <When a costume feels a potential bond, they are drawn to it. There's a connection but that connection is not determined by either party; like two siblings being connected through birth and not by choice. I was connected to you as soon as you set foot in the dimensional space.>

<But->

Without allowing him to say any more, still methodically tracing the outer perimeter of his mind, she continues. <We did not know each-other then, but the sibling metaphor is still applicable, as we both felt that connection. When you put my body and collar on, I was so excited! When I entered your mind and once I met the person wearing me, once I met you, I knew there was no other person who I wanted to bond with. You're full of pain, Jake, I knew that from the start.>

<Then why!?> he asks in disbelief.

<Why?> Winter asks back as she stops moving, focusing all of her attention on him. <Why did I accept your contract? Why did I bond with you?> Her form seems to grow with intensity with each word she speaks. <Through all your flaws. Through all your mistakes. Through all your idiosyncrasies. You are you, Jake. You are caring, you are brave, you are smart, you are trustworthy, and you stand by your convictions!>

---

Listening for any movement, Kendra relaxes when she's sure Jake's asleep. She's not sure how she feels about a guy in the same room as her. What if he takes advantage of her in her sleep?

<Why would he?> A dark voice asks.

<No, please,> Kendra sighs mentally, knowing that her inner demon never sleeps. <Don't start. Not now.>

<It's not like you're his type.> She hears. Its tone disapproving and mocking. <You're no one's type. You're ugly, stupid, and worthless.>

<No!> Kendra tries to yell. <I'm->

<You can't do anything right!> It interrupts.

<Nyraw!> Zoe roars, deafening all thought as Zoe's warm presence starts to prowl around Kendra's brain.

<Thanks...> Kendra manages to think as her normal thoughts return and her body relaxes.

The warmth starts to vibrate angrily, and Zoe's response comes with concerned outrage, <How dyare you harm Kendra!>

A soft giggle pops from her mouth before she tries to hide it by lightly coughing.

<This is me, Zoe!> Kendra replies in disgust of herself. <I'm not a nice person!>

Zoe's essence covers Kendra's mind as if it were a heated blanket. <But you are.> Zoe says comfortingly. <How could anyone hate or even dislike you?>

<They do, though!> Kendra counters. <Everyone's always scrutinizing me, calling me names behind my back.> Feeling defeated, she lets out a breath. <I try so hard to show them I'm not what they call me, who they think I am; but it never makes any difference. No one's my friend.>

<Nyow that hurts,> Zoe says playfully, <I'm your friend.>

After a few moments without a respond, Zoe laughs lightly. <What about Jake? Is he your friend? Or what about Winty?>

Considering Zoe's question, Kendra starts to think but is interrupted by her hateful side as it says disdainfully, <Why would they like you!? You know Jake and Winter are judging you. He's always looking at you, thinking how ugly you are!>

Shutting her eyes, trying to fight the evil off, Kendra screams, <Why me Zoe!? Why would you pick me!? I'm a hateful person! Listen to who I am!>

Zoe's warmth spins around in Kendra's head as it collects on top of her mind, like a monk on top of a mountain. No response comes immediately as Kendra's inner-monologue continues to spill its hate unabated. Wanting help against herself, Kendra reaches up and grabs the collar around her neck.

<You are hurt, Kendra.> Zoe says, voice calm and clear. <I knyew it as soon as I entered your mind. You are imperfect.>

<Then why!?> Kendra pleads, needing to know the truth. <Why did you bond with me!?>

<Why?> Zoe asks, her monk form dissolving into its normal place in Kendra's mind as if in deep thought. <Because you have so much potential. I gave you the easy out with the contract. What did you do? You rejected it!>

Laughing, Zoe's form fuzzes, turning into a warm mist that covers Kendra's mind. <In that moment I thought I had lost you. I was so scared that I wouldn't get to know you, Kendra; but then, through your perseverance, through your drive, through your will, through your desires, through your intellect, and with your passion, you forged a contract that I could never reject. What you created was and is perfect for us! You are a person to be admired, Kendra. The bond we share is forever and I will cherish our friendship.>

---

Trying to process Winter's words, Jake hears Kendra shifting in her bed. Opening his eyes to the darkness, knowing how futile forcing sleep on an untired body can be, he asks softly, "You awake?"

"Yeah," Kendra responds softly, as if she's deep in thought.

"My mind won't turn off," Jake admits, propping himself up on his elbows to face the invisible bed across the room. "You?"

"Same," she sighs. The single syllable has a hint of vulnerability that seems to match Jake's own feelings.

"Everything's changed so fast," Jake says, the words spilling out before he can stop them while he hears his roommate rearranging herself in her bed.

"It really has," she responds. "What do you think everyone's doing back home? I hope no one got hurt from the attack." Additional rustling comes from her direction as the light in the room grows a bit lighter, allowing Jake to see her outline now. "I haven't even checked my phone..."

Giving a humorless chuckle, Jake nod. "Neither have I." His hand instinctively moves to his pocket and pulls out his phone. He doesn't turn it on, though, and places it on the nightstand. Looking back toward the shadowed figure, he can see she's putting hers on her nightstand too, its screen still dark.

"Jake," she whispers as she pulls her feet from under the covers and hugs them to her chest. "Do you wonder if you're cut out for this?"

Leaning his head back against the wall and looking up to the ceiling, he shakes his head. "Whenever I have a mental second to think, no." Laughing lightly, he continues, "I was just starting to figure things out too, you know? College, sophomore year, surviving the stress, the homework, and other people. Now I'm supposed to save the world as some magical girl!?"

Laughing softly herself, she says, "I guess we are magical girls, aren't we. And in the cliché position to save the world." She puts her head on her knees before adding, "Our old lives still exist though. I'm not sure what'll happen if I'm not there for finals. I still need to turn in that last lab too."

Jake clicks his tongue. "I had forgotten about that. I was stuck on the last part, though. I couldn't get the math of the axis theorem to work out with the diagram. I was going to get back to it last night."

"One twelfth 'b' 'h' cubed," comes a whisper behind hugged legs.

"Huh? But wasn't it a sphere?" Jake asks, trying to think of the complex shape again.

"How it was drawn was misleading," Kendra says with a bit of excitement in her voice. "It was how the 3D image was projected onto the paper, it made it deceiving. If you apply a transform against the moment of inertia..."

Hearing her voice trail off and then nothing for a few seconds, Jake looks over to her motionless form as the room grew a bit lighter. Her form shifts subtly as it is broadcast against a background of shadows; her head is fully pressed into her hugged legs. Concerned, Jake calls, "Kendra?"

"You don't have to feign interest Jake. I know I'm not interesting."

"I would never say that about you!" Jake says in shock. "You're incredibly smart! Everyone knows about you; and that's saying something in a class of over 200!"

Muffled words come from across the room, but he can't make them out.

"Kendra?" he presses, his concern growing as he starts to slip out of bed. "Are you ok?"

"No!" Kendra yells as her head shoots up. Shadows fill her eyes, and her voice is full of anger. "Zoe keeps telling me I need to stop harming myself, and I do. I really do! She's trying so hard! That's almost making it worse! I'm a terrible person, Jake! Because I'm terrible to myself! If you knew how evil I am, you'd hate me too!" The room grows a bit lighter, revealing the sadness in her eyes before she slams her head into her knees again.

Taken aback by her ferocious tirade, Jake pauses as he watches her form wilt. Slowly, he starts walking toward her bed again. Considering what she had just said, realization comes quickly. "You're broken too?"

Slowly, her head rises, and her eyes watch his approaching form. He stops halfway between their beds. The lights are bright enough now to reveal that her eyes are red. She blinks away tears before she asks "Broken?" Wiping away some remaining tears, she asks his question back, "You're broken too?"

"Me?" Jake asks with a bit of relief coming to him. Before the dread of revealing himself can stop him from responding, he says, "Yeah."

Never breaking her stare, she waits for him to continue. It's hard. How can he admit who he is to this woman? What happens when she-. He shakes his head before the next word comes out as he builds up the courage he needs.

Clenching his fists and looking at his feet, Jake says, "I avoid people, Kendra. I can't trust anyone. Why would I? I've never had support. I've never had love. I've been used and forgotten. Everyone is out for themselves. For that reason, whenever I trust someone, I'm the one that gets betrayed. Therefore, I stay to myself. I do my own thing. I only think about myself. I do what is best for myself so others can't get in to stab me in the back!"

Silence settles between them as the light seems to dim due to inactivity, drawing the shadows out to extreme proportions. He can feel her gaze on him, processing his confession like he did hers. He can hear movement coming from her bed.

With a calm voice, she says, "I trust you, Jake."

"Why?" He asks honestly. "I've hurt you three times in not as many days!" Looking up, he's surprised to see Kendra is out of her bed. Undeterred, he raises a balled fist and brings up a finger. "I ran into you and didn't make sure you were ok as I walked off." Raising another finger he says, "I ripped your legs off!" Raising a third finger, he finishes, "I didn't protect you when I knew you had the worst headache in your life! This is why I stay to myself, Kendra. It's so I don't hurt others and others can't hurt me!"

Stepping slowly up to him, she reaches out and clasps his counting hand gently. With a coy smile, she says, "If I may, I'd like to offer my takes on your points." Bending one finger down, she says, "The bump in the classroom was startling but no harm was done. You offered an apology and that was perfectly adequate for the situation." Forcing the next finger down, she continues with a slight grimace, "I won't deny it really hurt when my legs were crushed then ripped off; but, if I had to endure that to end up here, alive, Jake, I wouldn't ever consider the other option." Pulling the last finger down, her coyness turns to shyness as she finishes, "I'm the one at fault with my headache. Zoe told me how to control my mana and to stay in control. She had warned me about what would happen if I didn't. With that final attack, I did not hold back. I wanted to make a good first impression on you, Jake. I wanted to show you that I'm not worthless..."

Letting go of his hand, Jake lets it fall loosely to his side, lost in Kendra's words. He hears her swallow as she shuffles a bit in place.

"Jake?" her voice is shaking as if scared to be asking. "Can you trust me?"

Jake's mouth opens but no words come out. He wants to say "yes" but he can't form the word. He's so used to his broken self that even the thought of saying "yes" is alien for this question. He was finally able say it to Winter, so why can't he say it to this amazing woman? He likes her, he sees what she's capable of, and going off Winter's comments, she is a powerful ally. So why can't he say those three letters together!? Looking for any help, he thinks to the cold spot in his mind as it shifts slowly; he can sense a strong emotion saying, "you're in control". While surprised, he oddly doesn't take Winter's refusal to help as a double-cross, a betrayal of trust; maybe because he knows this is something he needs to figure out for himself.

Kendra's still looking at him, waiting. He needs to say something. Anything.

"I'm trying to change, Kendra." He starts. "My bond with Winter, I said I'd trust more. I know I'm not a perfect person; but I want to be better. I see you, you're amazing. You don't shy away when there's danger. You push yourself to get better at everything that you do." Licking his dry lips, he tries to give a smile, but he knows it's not genuine. "I was in awe of you today, Kendra. When you were fighting that monster, I couldn't stop watching. I want to see what you can do. I want to see what you're capable of. I want-" He breaks off as the weight in his heart comes back. Pulling his hands to his chest, he presses them over his heart. Its shell may be chipped and scarred but it's still unbroken.

"Are you ok?" she asks, concern covering every word.

The weight refuses to move or break or allow him to be open with this person in front of him. Closing his eyes, he strains against himself.

"Can you trust me?"

Her question is asked so gently, so needingly, that it makes Jake scream in pain. It's like her question is a dagger being thrust into his chest. He hardly knows her, less than two days, but in that time, they've been through so much! She already accepted him, so why can't he accept her! Fear hits his mind as memories of a father screaming as he leaves Jake's life. Of a mother being arrested as bags of powder are removed from her pockets. So many promises lost and forgotten in a momnet. Those he had trusted, gone. He, himself, is the only lighthouse to navigate by.

<We are the lighthouse!> Winter explains with firm determination. <Me, Kendra, and Zoe. Start there and let us show you where to go. You are no longer alone Jake!>

Feeling his heart beating heavily as a chink breaks, Jake nods to Kendra as he opens his eyes. The light in the room is growing brighter from their movement. Swallowing, he says with relief, "I do Kendra. I want to be friends and put all of my trust in you."

A warm smile crosses Kendra's face as she says happily, "Thank you, Jake. I look forward to our friendship as well."

Taking a step back, Jake raises his hand for a shake. "I don't think we ever introduced ourselves properly. I'm Jake Sullivan. I'm a sophomore at MidRidge and the wielder of Winter, the Snow Vixen."

"Kendra Marency," she says as she takes Jake's hand in a soft shake. "I am also a sophomore at MidRidge and the wielder of Zoe, the Amber Leopard."

The room grows darker as they let the shake end, their stares not breaking.

"Thank you, Jake, for caring about me."

"Thank you, Kendra, for being someone I can trust."

The lights start to dim even more, deepening the shadows to a point where their bodies are hard to distinguish from the darkness itself.

Not wanting their accords to end, Jake does feel weariness creeping up on him after so much tension. "Are you ready for bed?"

"I guess," Kendra says, the same disappointment readily apparent.

"Want any help finding your bed?"

"This, I can manage." She says softly, "A bit of light, please?"

The room brightens a bit more, as Jake feels embarrassed with his dumb offer. She looks back at him and winks as she starts to get into bed. He follows her actions and crawls into his bed as he hears, "Lights, off."

The room is cast into a comforting darkness as Jake says, "Good night."

"Good night, Jake. Let's have some fun tomorrow!"

"Lets!" He agrees as he shuts his eyes.