Alice's Point of View
Oh my God! Did it just get hotter, or is it me? Why am I suddenly so sweaty? My head's spinning…
It's really him! Eeek! I want to scream, but I can't lose my composure. He's so cute! I wonder if I could just hug him—he looks so tiny, so maybe it wouldn't seem weird. No, hold yourself together, Alice!
Alice's thoughts were racing as she worked out how to approach Viktor. Meanwhile, Viktor, oblivious to her internal frenzy, approached her, noticing her nosebleed.
Viktor: "Um, are you okay? You're bleeding…"
But in Alice's mind, what she heard was:
Viktor: "Hey darling, let's get married, run away together, and start a family of five in secret."
Back to Viktor's Point of View
Alice took a few steps back, her face slowly turning a bright shade of red as she tried to hide it with her hands.
Alice: "N-No, we're too young! What about our parents? Though if you're serious, I guess I could move in, but… don't you think five kids is a lot?"
Elizabeth: "Alright, that's enough."
She stormed over to Alice and grabbed her in a headlock, rubbing her knuckles against Alice's scalp.
Alice: "Hey, that hurts! Cut it out!"
Elizabeth: "No one's getting married, and no one's having kids. Not yet, anyway!"
Alice: "Yet…?"
Elizabeth: grumbling and rubbing harder
Finally, Alice gave in, and we all settled down. We walked to a nearby lake, where a big Dintle tree offered some shade. Alice laid out a blanket and unpacked the picnic. While Emma and Alice set the blanket down, Elizabeth and Davis cleared away rocks from the grass. I conveniently sat back and watched them work, enjoying the view.
When it was ready, Davis flopped onto the blanket with a deep sigh.
Davis: "Funny to think this might be our last picnic together."
Elizabeth nudged him, frowning.
Elizabeth: "Let's not dwell on that. We're here to celebrate our baptisms tomorrow. Let's keep it upbeat!"
Davis: "Fine, fine."
He shrugged, then pulled a black rubber band from his jacket pocket and gathered his long black hair into a bun, revealing two silver earrings in his right ear. His appearance took me by surprise; he had a gentle, handsome face hidden beneath his long hair. I must have stared a bit because he smirked and asked Alice for a sandwich.
Alice handed out sandwiches, and when she offered one to me, she motioned for me to sit between her and Emma. I could feel Elizabeth's stare telling me not to, but I ignored her and settled in.
Taking a bite, I was hit with the heavenly taste. Alice noticed my expression and smirked.
Alice: "Do you like it?"
Viktor: "Yes, very much."
Alice: "So… you'd say I'd make a good wife, then?"
Viktor: "Yes, I would."
Alice: "?!"
Alice's face turned crimson, and she hid it behind her hands. Elizabeth, meanwhile, nearly choked on her tea, her reaction sending Davis and Emma into a fit of laughter.
Elizabeth: "Okay, moving on!"
Emma: "To what?"
Elizabeth: "I'm enrolling in Valenstyne Academy after my baptism!"
Davis: "Hey, nice!"
Emma: "Oh, amazing! I'm hoping to enroll too. It'd be awesome if we were in the same class."
Alice: "Great news, Liz. And you'll be my junior, which means I'll finally get the respect I deserve."
It turned out Alice was a year older than everyone else, with Davis next and Elizabeth and Emma being the same age.
Elizabeth: "So what? I'll still treat you the same. Besides, you're a disgrace of a senior."
Alice: "I am not!" She looked at me, searching for reassurance.
Elizabeth: "Don't drag Viktor into this!"
Alice: "Fine!"
Alice stuffed her mouth with chocolate, pouting as I lay back on the blanket. They talked about all sorts of things: future plans, favorite subjects, teachers. Alice kept me involved so I wouldn't get bored. After a while, a question I'd been curious about came up, so I turned to Alice.
Viktor: "Hey, Alice?"
Alice: "Yes, my love?"
Elizabeth: "Who said you could call him that?"
Viktor: "I was wondering about the baptism ceremony."
Alice: "Go on."
Elizabeth: "Hey! Don't ignore me!"
Viktor: "I know that we all get baptized at seven, but what's it all about?"
Alice: "Well, it's tradition here, but the baptism isn't boring at all. It's when real, exciting things start to happen in your life."
She raised her hand, chanting something softly until a small spiral of wind appeared, swirling in her palm. She changed its shape a few times before releasing it. I was in awe.
Viktor: "Alice… you're amazing!"
Alice blushed, smiling proudly.
Viktor: "That was magic, wasn't it? Do it again!"
Seeing my excitement, Alice decided to show off. She stood up and aimed her hand at the Dintle tree, chanting a longer incantation. A powerful gust gathered in her palm, spiraling wildly.
Alice: "Wind Gale!"
The blast hit the tree, leaving a small but deep hole in its trunk.
Alice's Point of View
That spell took a lot out of me, but it was worth it to see Viktor's reaction. He was standing there, mouth open, eyes wide with admiration. Completely worth it.
Back to Viktor's Point of View
I was so impressed I blurted, "Can I try?"—and immediately regretted it as I saw the shocked looks on their faces.
Elizabeth: "Um, Viktor, you can't—"
Alice: "Sure, dear, give it a go."
4o