HYDE'S POINT OF VIEW.
A roundtable discussion.
A dense, dense atmosphere.
Deep brooding and analysis.
Multiple ideas suggested.
And I am more than comfortable to stay huddled at the end of the table without saying a word.
"Anyway... what do you think Hyde?"
I jerk upright from my relaxed posture as soon as I hear Lord Fenice's sudden address.
"I'm fine with what everyone agrees with really..." I mutter with a guilt laced tone, knowing that I zoned out of the conversation in question.
"Are you stupid or something?, it's a simple question...between our two options... what do you think we should go with you idiot?!" Mic snaps at me and I tremble.
"I don't think he was even listening" Bind asserts with a laugh.
-Wait, why am I being asked such a weighty question?-
"We have two avenues to abduct the Pandoran Visionary much more easily... we can strike during the Fatigueous Borealis, OR during the Cross country student competitions that our insider informed us about" Treya mumbles under her breath.
"And I'm saying there is obviously no way we can possibly allow this decade's Fatigueous Borealis to go to waste, don't forget this is probably the only opportunity we'll have to strike without the Pandoran Visionary foreseeing our attack" Horn pronounces matter-of-factly.
"I disagree, don't forget that we will ALSO be remarkably weakened during this period... it's better to attack during a strategic time as the Cross country student competions... because the Visionary is probably going to be too held up with trying to foresee things about the Competition" Faria counters.
-I am perfectly clueless as to what they're on about, what even is the Fatigueous Borealis? or the Cross Country student whatever?-
"Excuse me, but I'm still at a fix about what exactly we're talking about... would make it easier to give my opinion if I understood what in the world a Fatigueous Borealis is..." Skunk voices my thoughts as if on cue.
Horn draws a long sigh;
"But of course...Treya, if you would please" he gestures to Treya who bows her head and starts;
"The Fatigueous Borealis is a shower of lights that occurs after a decade in the tenth day of the tenth month...it is much similar to the Aurora Borealis, except that it occurs everywhere at once..." She pauses and we briefly exchange eye contact;
-We have had no need to communicate since after the secret 'test' and I can't help but loathe her a little especially as she worked extra hard to make me fail-
"The light showers span for an entire day...and within this period, everyone who possesses essence experiences a great weakness...a strange fatigue that makes them incapable of using their Abilities...till this day, the Fatigueous remains a mystery to philosophers and Great- Mages alike-"
"-People with no essence or those whose abilties haven't been awoken don't even realise that it happens..." Horn interrupts thoughtfully.
-No kidding; I wonder what other strange things happen in the world that I'm not aware of since my abilities haven't surfaced; that is assuming I have abilities-
"It would make sense to capture the Visionary during this Funtugus Borulus of a thing" Skunk mispronounces casually.
Faria sighs heavily;
"Yes Roky, but that's until you realise that we'll also be incredibly weakened... even more so because..." she pauses in her statement, unease streaked across her expressions.
Mighty yawns loudly;
"I agree with Faria on anything as long as it's against Horn" she declares.
Horn smirks mischievously;
"Well Faria, what does an idiot supporting your idea say of how smart it is?"
Mighty's bored expression contorts to that of fury, she jerks up and marches over to Horn grabbing him up by the scruff of his neck.
A mini argument flares up between Faria and Mic and Skunk pokes fun at me, in a bid to provoke a quarrel.
Lord Fenice suddenly thumps his fist on the table;
-And everywhere goes pin drop silent-
He has a certain expression on his face right now that absolutely terrifies me and the rest very clearly.
A twisted grin that conveys a suppressed rage at the shinenagans pulled in the course of a serious conversation.
"We can strike right after the Fatigue ends... we'll hide somewhere around the Visionary's quarters and patiently wait till the Fatigueous ends...she won't know what hit her especially since her foreseeing will be turned off prior to our attack... it's the best shot we've got" Bind suddenly suggests after some silence has ensued.
It's easy to underestimate him because of his every present smile and cheery countenance but clearly his brain works the quickest.
Lord Fenice's grin finally becomes less menacing.
HYDE'S POINT OF VIEW END.
THE HOODED ONE'S POINT OF VIEW.
I only have one response to the whole narrative he's just told;
"The Superiors meeting? How very interesting"
He slams his hand on the table in response;
"You are NOT going to weasel yourself out of this one Hooded One... it's a very important agenda...of what to do with a Reverred student with an UNCATEGORISED Ability...the Reverreds are still refusing to give her up for 'research' and that's making the Ministers even more curious" he proclaims with trembling.
Just imagine the reaction all the Mages who look up to the great Head Upper Mage Tark would have upon seeing him shiver like a kitten under relentless rain, at the prospects of a meeting that he, ideally, should be in charge of.
-I barely resist my urge to voice out this imagery-
"Your Great-Mages will be there right? What's the point of my presence?" I ask warily.
He groans, his palm on his forehead, anxiety, an injury to his countenance;
"Hooded one... you have no idea how mentally exhausting it is to try to be on two sides at once... I'm still viewed as King and so have my responsibilities to members of my cabinet... but as Head Upper Mage, I owe the Reverred some favours, favours I clearly CANNOT give because of my limited power!" He takes a deep breath and tries to regain composure.
I just watch him, amusement playing across my face;
"Then why not give up the throne? It's the question everyone has been asking ever since"
He is quiet;
"You think I don't want to?" his voice is low and burdened.
-I can almost feel the weights that restrict him-
"I know that you are notorious for hating to pry into political affairs... but you're the only one I think would actually consider it boredom to wish me harm, so please..." He looks up at me now, his grey eyes tired and pleading.
I sigh heavily;
"It's either that...or, you know how much the Prime minister dislikes me and is generally uneasy whenever I'm around...so you want to guarantee some solace for yourself in the middle of a storm through me"
His eyes widen in surprise;
-Did he really think I'd believe that he trusts me?-
He smiles in defeat;
Steady knocks land on the door.
"Head Upper Mage sir... it's me Raiart..."
His countenance brightens;
"Come in"
The door bursts open and in arrives a young man, one who I believe is rumoured to be the youngest Great-Mage.
-I've only known of him from afar, and the proximity between he and the Head Upper Mage is one that is notable-
He is an interesting fellow with an even more interesting aura;
-Quite ordinary in appearance with thin black hair, small brown eyes and a lanky frame that is scarcely flattered by his bulky cloak, his aura on the other hand, could easily smother weaker individuals, perhaps the attempt to make his outward appearance as regular as achievable-
He bows to us both politely.
"I arrived as soon as the message of a Superior's Meeting got to me sir" he addresses the Head Upper Mage.
Head Upper Mage Tark nods gratefully;
"How are things over at your state... have you started getting along with the governor?"
Great-Mage Raiart's expression turns sour as he takes the seat beside me;
"Our opinions always clash, with him never respecting any of my ideas, and the way he acts makes me think that he forgets that I can very easily burn him to ashes-" "-well he only underestimates you because you're so young" another voice interrupts Raiart and a flashily clad young man strides elegantly into the room uninvited;
"Please forgive me Head Upper Mage sir and Upper Mage... the door was pretty much ajar and so I just walked in" he blurts breezily as he pats his healthy volume of blonde hair vainly.
"Well if it isn't Kaian...fancy seeing you here so much on time that you're a few days ahead" Raiart verbalises with malice in his voice.
The Head Upper Mage groans.
A lady bursts into the room;
"Oh my goodness Great-Mage Kaian... just because you're a great-mage doesn't give you the right to barge into the Head Upper Mage's private chambers just because Great-Mage Raiart was given audience!" She scolds.
Kaian grins mischievously as he lets her drag him away;
"I agree Natsy... I'd much rather be having fun with you anyway"
Raiart stands up and bows again;
"Sir... I'll be excusing myself since you're so occupied" the Head Upper Mage nods in acknowledgement and he leaves.
Once the room is quiet again, I chortle;
"I can see another reason you don't want to be alone at that meeting"
THE HOODED ONE'S POINT OF VIEW END.