Winter's friends all began chattering loudly among themselves. They were recalling events of the mock war and reminiscing fond memories of their shared past. Winter pulled Lucas aside, "I didn't get to thank you for earlier. For saving me from Darren." He shook his head, "Don't mention it. I've always got your back." Winter studied his face, his grey eyes, eyes that looked eerily familiar, "Is there something you're not telling me Lucas?" He attempted to disguise his surprise with nervous laughter, "What are you referring to?" Winter shrugged, "Nothing. I just got the feeling that something changed your attitude towards me. I couldn't figure out what it was though." He scratched the back of his head, "It was just my realization that you were a good person. It opened my eyes and I saw that there was no real reason to be so hostile towards you." The way he didn't meet her eyes told Winter that he was still hiding something, but she didn't press the issue. Winter nudged him, "About time you noticed." M.J. went up to them, "Winter can I talk to you for a minute?" Lucas nodded and went back to Jax who was raving about his time in the detengon. Winter took a moment to observe the boy in front of her, "What's up?" M.J. was tall and handsome without the guise of his illusions, "I've kept my end of the deal so far Winter. Have you kept yours?" Winter bit the inside of her cheek, "Sam is difficult to approach, but I'll work on it." He examined her skeptically and she went on, "Let me do it my way. I'll keep my promise. I always do." He put a gentle hand on her shoulder, "I don't doubt you." She nodded, "I'll ask Lucas and Jax where he is right now if it makes you feel better." He shook his head, "Do it at your own pace. I trust you." Winter understood. This was no longer because of a mutually beneficial agreement. He wanted to be part of this of his own free will. M.J just wanted Winter to prove to him that she was the leader he believed her to be. And she would. Winter never broke a promise. Her word was as good as gold. She nodded resolutely and strolled up to Jax, "Do you know where Sam is?" Jax grumbled, "He's probably off being mauled by a hoard of screaming girls somewhere." Winter tugged on his earlobe, "Stop with the animosity. " Lucas watched them before saying, "I think I saw him by the flower cart earlier." Jax glared at him and Winter smiled, "I'll be right back."
Winter stalked around the corner to the flower cart and saw exactly what Jax had predicted. Sam Tudor's tall form was surrounded by fawning girls. His dark red eyes displayed a mixture of disinterest and annoyance. Brenna approached the group and they parted for her like the Red Sea. Winter muffled her laughter with the palm of her hand. Brenna batted her lashes at Sam and linked her arm through his. The girls who crowded them just stared. Sam removed Brenna's arm and walked away. The Ice Queen glared at the girls, a warning, before quietly following Sam. Winter tilted her head. She didn't know how Sam would react if she approached him, especially with faux flirtation. He seemed indifferent towards everyone who made an advance on him. She didn't want to go up to them and risk Sam rejecting her in front of Brenna. That would unravel her plan before it began. If Winter wanted any chance at keeping her promise to M.J., she would have to do it through Brenna, not Sam. Winter smiled deviously. She would have to trick Brenna into thinking there was something between her and Sam. Winter would make Brenna believe that she had no chance. She fiddled with her hair, formulating her plan.
Winter strolled back to her friends leisurely. M.J. hurried to her, "Well?" She patted his arm, "Not to worry. I know exactly how to get Brenna for you." M.J. stared at her, "I know that look. You have a plan, don't you?" Winter shrugged, "We'll set the plan in motion tomorrow. For now, let's enjoy the celebration." M.J. grinned at her. They rejoined the rest and went to the ring toss tent. Mandy laughed heartily as Jax tossed a ring and missed the milk bottle. He chuckled, scratching the back of his head. Mandy tried and the ring landed neatly around the neck of the bottle. She jumped up and down giggling. The small shape shifter who was stuck running the tent, begrudgingly handed Mandy a medium sized stuffed animal. She hugged it before shoving it into her bottomless bag.
They moved on past a lavish tent labelled "Fortune Telling." It was organized by some of the seers. They were headed toward the cotton candy cart when Winter heard someone call her. When she turned her head, there was no one. Her eyes caught on the tent. She glanced at her friends before slipping away. When she pulled the curtain, there was no one inside. "Hello?" Winter called. She scanned the tent. When Winter turned back to the table positioned in the center of the tent, she saw someone with a dark veil covering their face. "Come closer child," the figure spoke quietly. Winter sat down at the table, trying to get a better look. "Winter Knight, your hand please." Winter immediately placed her hand in the seer's. "You have already reunited with the boy from your memories, but not in the way that either of you would have liked," the raspy voice foretold. The seer drew their hand away, "The world you know is built on lies. There are secrets that you will unveil, in time. As your mother said, you are more special than you know." Winter stood abruptly, knocking the chair backwards. This seer was more powerful than any she had encountered before. "The magenta of your eyes is stunning my dear." Winter could hear, rather than see, a smile on the seer's face, "Be careful, your heart is showing." Winter could not see past the veil, could not look into their eyes. She felt as though they one-sidedly had her under a microscope. This was different from Leo spying on her thoughts. She had a defense against him. She could block him from her mind. This felt as though they were peering into her very soul. A scrutiny for which there was no escape. Winter turned to leave, her emotions clouding her judgment. She stopped cold in her tracks, realizing this seer might know where her mother had gone. The seer might be able to get her fast answers. She spun back around to ask, but Winter was alone.