ThereMinerva retracted her wings, shadows dispersing as she turned to Serine.
She felt sadness that she could not explain, but it wasn't hers for sure. They were friends, -atleast she considered them so as she was Merva's soul twin- but he meant nothing special to her.
Serine was tired, and ready to go, she did not notice Minerva's baffled expression.
Minerva knew she did not see Zeus, and was relieved for that. She smiled at Serine, enjoying the warm glow of the evening sun on her skin.
"I have kept you, have I not?" Minerva asked. "You must be really tired."
She helped Serine hold her satchel, easing her burden.
"Just a bit tired, thats all." Serine replied.
"We should get going, I don't think I'll be flying anytime today." Minerva said.
Serine agreed, but did not voice her opinion, she simply looked at Minerva and forced a smile. "You'll get it eventually."
Minerva knew she was only being polite, but she was also amazed. "You do not come across as someone who is nice. I have made another discovery for myself." Minerva commented.
Serine chuckled at the observation, she did not feel like being defensive.
She paused for a while, almost as if she was contemplating. "But I am nice though."
Minerva looked at her in a way that spoke volumes. "Sure, I believe you." Her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"We will also be leaving Volataire." Minerva said suddenly.
Serine took some time to register what she said, glancing at her with interest. "Why? Changing to another institute or college?"
"No." Minerva answered. She looked briefly at all the buildings, and fields, feeling a sense of longing for something she never had. "We will be going to the Military academy of Volataire, that is if we get passed the application, and screening process."
"Wow." Serine said quietly, she did not know what else to say.
"If not, we are screwed." Minerva finished.
"That is huge." Serine started. "I hope for your sakes, that you get in. And can you stop saying we, it is weird." Serine did not feel comfortable hearing that. "But I am happy for you, you should know that."
They got to the tram and boarded, the journey back to their quarters a silent one.
Even their way up their chambers. Merva helped Serine take her things into her door, and turned to leave for her own chamber when Serine stopped her.
"Merva... I mean Minerva." She called.
Minerva turned around, and looked at Serine. "Yes?"
"If you are still here ttomorrow, and have nothing to do, you should come with me to the cupid's evening party." She paused, leaning against her door. "We should do something unlike ourselves to mark our last days here in Volataire institute."
Minerva hesitated.
"Come on, I think it will be fun." Serine tried persuading her.
"You just don't want to go alone." Merva knew that was why.
"Maybe." Serine answered skeptically, a wide grin appearing across her lips.
Minerva nodded, if she was still the one in control, though she doubted that.
"I will." She answered nonetheless, smiling at Serine, before she turned to leave.
She felt sad, and she knew why. But she refused to admit it.
That night as she lay down to sleep, she let Merva take over.
The night wore away quickly, the morning of cupid's coming dawning.
The quarters was buzzing with activities, bouquets of flowers arriving in large amount from admirers of the girls. There was so much squealing, and few huffs of displeasure.
Merva had already gotten ready, and left with the first tram ride of the morning.
She got to the institute, somehow exhilarated.
There were several fun activities, booths and tents set up.
The surroundings was still calm, but she knew that by midday things would have picked up, and the entire place would be crowded with lovers who would try to be chosen by cupids arrows.
She went through the day lectures, heading for her locker room.
She gasped as soon as she opened the door. The room was covered in beautiful bouquets of exotic and rare flowers.
She walked inside, and closed the door behind her, picking up one of them and inhaling its fragrance.
They smelled heavenly.
She saw gifts wrapped in silk, a wide smile on her face.
She did not think such would happen, but she had hoped for it to.
She did not know how she would take all this home, but she did not mind.
She walked out of the locker room, going to the place she and Zeus mostly frequented to wait for him, but he did not show up.
She wandered away from there after waiting a while, convinced that he must not have thought she would wait there.
She stood amidst the crowd that had gathered in the general grounds, all looking up at the sky, waiting for when the fiery chariot will pass.
They saw the sky light up, several flame arrows falling from the sky as it passed away.
She smiled up at the sky, watching as the arrows faded mid air, she enjoyed this.
Her smile was cut short by an excited scream from among the crowd. She turned, a lady holding onto two poem card that had the tiny hole that had been burnt through by the fire arrows. The lady looked at the guy in front of her in excitement, and they hugged each other.
Another scream erupted, and Merva hastily left the crowd before more would commence.
She did not hate the open declaration that you were perfect mates, but she thought it was cliche. Only because she had not felt it though.
'She had wanted to watch it with Zeus this year', but she understood if he did not.
She went through the booths, and tents, taking pictures alone, checking out whatever new show and game they had, the new food, and treats. They were wonderful.
She stood before the last tent, the words 'FORTUNE READING' written on the banner.
She headed into it, her fingers crossed behind her hoping it would be different this year.
It was not.
The man looked up at her in confusion and shock. Her fortune cards turned out empty.
He tried it again, apologizing to her profusely for the error, but Merva knew it was not. The plug was connected to Dogan, everyone knew that.
She looked at him with a smile. He did not know her, he was definitely a new one here.
There was no need to be there any longer, and so she left. She walked aimlessly amongst the crowd, enjoying the look of love in the air.
She noticed a silhouette that resembled that of Zeus. She followed him through the crowds, wanting to call out his name, but she did not.
He sensed someone was following him, and he turned. It was him.
She tried to walk up to him, but he moved back. She looked at the crowd, hiw had she not heard anything from anyone. Did they not see him?
They stared at each other for a moment, gazing into each others eyes. He smiled at her feebly, gesturing for her to go, and then vanished from her sight.
She stood there, realizing that he had been invisible to the eyes of others all that time, and that he had not wanted to be near her.
She knew he might have been through hell in the dome, but she had wanted them to spend the day together even as friends, and she had gotten him something too.
Merva slipped into an empty lecture hall nearby, the noise from the outside fading out.
She sat down and closed her eyes, letting her sadness wash over her, and tears spill from her eyes.
She let Minerva take over, she had had a long painfully beautiful day, and she was tired.
Minerva opened her eyes and stood up. She walked out of the lecture hall, inhaling the air into her lungs.
She was going to find Serine.
'Which way to her locker room?' She asked Merva, and Merva answered her, telling her to let her be.
Minerva did not mind.
She followed her directions, heading for Serine's department, and then her locker room.
She knocked on the door, and waited for it to be opened. When Serine had not answered the door after a minute, she opened the door herself with her power and entered, running out immediately and shutting the door behind her as she called out. "Sorry for disturbing, you can continue."
She waited by the door, a stupid smile on her face. Serine was in there with Zayn.
Serine opened the door, inviting Minerva in.
"Where is he?" Minerva asked nosily.
"Gone." Serine answered nonchalantly.
"Through where? The window?"
"Merva... Minerva." Serine paused frustrated. "Which one are you?"
"Minerva."
"Okay. Minerva, stop being nosy. And no, he disappeared." Serine said.
Minerva nodded, and they began preparing for the evening party.
They tried out different dresses, and modeled them, helping each other to pick the best choices.
Time passed by quickly as Serine helped Minerva with her hair, and left her to work on her make up so that she could focus on her own look. Serine finished hers, and called for Minerva.
She heard Minerva clearing her throat, and turned around, a slow smile blooming on her face.