She Really is a Funny Girl

[Axel Gauthier]

Axel blinked rapidly, struggling to banish the spots from his vision. It had all happened so quickly. One moment the girl had been standing before him, still shaking and bruised. Glowing, but otherwise harmless. Then there'd been a flash and he'd felt his arm twist backwards. Though his vision had been blurred, he could've sworn he was still striking Emberlynn. But as he'd been forced to drop his weapon, the blurry form in front of him had vanished into thin air. Was that... just light? He rubbed his eyes, mumbling under his breath while the two girls celebrated. "What... happened... couldn't... see..."

When his sight finally returned to him, he saw Sage congratulating Emberlynn on her success. He was overcome by another rush of mixed emotions. Not anger and guilt this time, but excitement and embarrassment. On one hand, he'd just been disarmed by a chick who was clearly behind in her combat practice. On the other, it had worked! With Sage's guidance, they'd managed to discover something new about this odd girl and her light-bending abilities. "That was some sage advice there," she spoke aloud what popped into his head, then cringed at the bad joke as it left his lips.

He looked at the rainbow-haired girl, unable to keep from returning her smile. That joy... he'd helped make that. It struck him just how odd that felt. Back "home", all he'd ever managed to cause was trouble. When he did something bad or said the wrong thing, he'd get yelled at. When he'd accomplish something "good" by the world's standards, he'd get yelled at for "intentionally" overshadowing his stepbrother. But today he'd done something that was met with smiles and excitement. It felt good. Almost good enough to assuage the sting of being beaten by a girl.

"Good one," he admitted. "That was... pretty cool I guess."

[Emberlynn Knight Rare]

"Careful there, Mr. Gauthier," Emberlynn chuckled. The giddiness brought on by her victory clearly had yet to leave her. "That was very nearly a compliment." She still couldn't say she liked the boy much. He'd been quite rude to Sage out of nowhere, and seemed far too eager to smack her around with that stick. But she had to admit he'd been helpful. And this was far too wonderful a moment to allow it to be tainted by hard feelings.

Though the rainbow light had faded from her skin, Ember was still positively beaming. She could hardly believe what had just happened. She'd done it... She'd really done it! For all her efforts up util now, all she'd been able to produce was a tiny ball of light. But with Sage's guidance and Axel's - uh - aggressiveness? - she'd managed something she'd hardly thought possible. Not one, but two full-sized illusions!!! Granted, they'd been bit shaky and had only lasted a second, but with practice... Her young mind ran wild with possibilities. Once she got a bit better at this, she'd have to put on a light show! She imagined a full band of holographic Emberlynns onstage, each with their own outrageous and sparkly outfit. Dancing fairie-lights flitting through the audience. A crowd of smiling people people. The thought filled her with wonder and excitement.

Of course, there were more practical uses for her skills as well. Sage's words still rang in her ears. "With practice and honing your skills, you'll be able to harness this power even further. Together, we'll help you explore the depths of your abilities and become an even stronger demigod." Ember nodded eagerly. If she could be useful to the camp, to Iris... well, that was almost as enticing as making everyone smile with a show.

"You're quite right!" she beamed, linking arms with her newfound training buddies. "A celebration it is!" She was weary and sore from the effort, but her eyes shown with a greater determination than they had in quit some time. "To the Big House!" With that she drug them off to revel in their victory.