Chapter 3 - Lumi Ember looks around to see what I’m staring at, and I take the chance to use my snow powers to make a giant snowball and chuck it at her. As soon as it starts flying through the air towards her, she turns around and gasps as she gets thrown backwards into a snowbank. I collapse into a fit of giggles. Ember stares at me. I can barely see her through the tears of laughter streaming down my face. I sit up and try to talk, but through the gasps it sounds more like- “Can’t- Oh- Your face-” laughter takes over my body again. Ember glares at me, and I swear, if looks could kill, I would be so dead right now. “If I could burn you without hurting you, ooh…” She trails off in a low voice, no doubt planning revenge. Buttt, I know she’ll forget about it after the off-the-mountain expedition with Tundra. I’m so jealous! Well not really, I guess. She’ll tell me all about it I’m sure. Ember is still staring at me, so I give her my best puppy eyes. We maintain eye contact for 112 seconds, and then Ember breaks it and sighs. “You know I can’t stay mad at you when you do that,” she grumbles. I do a little victory dance in my head. “Ember! Lumi!” We hear Aella’s voice call. “Coming!!” We yell back at the same time and take off. “Jinx,” I say smugly. Ember just shakes her head like what am I gonna do with this kid? I smirk. Once we land at the cave, Aella immediately rushes over to Ember, holding four bags, which each look like they’re stuffed to the brim. “I packed all of your things, you have about two weeks worth of food and drinks, along with your personal items,” she lists off. Ember looks ruffled. “Aella, I’m only going to be gone for a few days!” She says. Aella gives her a skeptical look.“Oh, I’m gonna miss you so much!” she finally says. She looks like she wants to hug Ember, but she knows what would happen. I scowl, and curl up in a ball in the back of the cave, trying to look like I’m asleep. Ember notices me and I catch her glance. I see pity in her eyes. I shouldn’t blame her, it’s not like it's her fault she’s leaving. But a little part inside me envies her. What’s she doing anyway? Why can’t I come? We never go anywhere or do anything without each other. Well, except for sleeping, because she’ll accidentally burn me if we sleep together. That’s also why her nest hangs off a cliff. Because she can’t burn anything if she rolls over. Ember never sleep-flies, so it’s a pretty safe plan. Ember breaks free from Aella’s fussing, and flaps over to me. “Hey, what's the face for?” She asks. I roll over. “I’m jealous!” I huff. Ember frowns. “Why?” She asks. “You’re leaving the cave and going on a fancy-shmancy trip with Tundra!” I whine. “And I’m stuck with the other Snow Feathers, some of them who still pluck their feathers, and we’re gonna have to learn stuff.” I finished. Ember looks sympathetic. “I’m only going to be gone for a few days. I don’t even know why we’re going out there! Maybe it’s to initiate me as a ‘true Snow Feather’?” Ember shrugs, taking a deep breath. “Besides, you have Seoli to hang out with,” she says, meaning one of our closest Snow Feather friends, “And maybe you’ll even have the confidence to talk to Blu.” She finishes, meaning… my uh…sort of crush. Ember winks at me and I blush. “Well, I guess you're right.” I sigh, and stand up. “I'm sorry I was jealous. I still am, by the way, but I’m happy for you.” I bow my head in the traditional Phoenix apology. Ember does the same, accepting my apology. We straighten up. There’s a flash of blue as Tundra swoops into the cave and lands next to Ember. “Alright, are you ready?” He asks. Tundra’s voice is low and strong. Ember nods. “Yep,” She smirks. “Aella made sure of that.” Tundra laughs. “It’s not her fault, it’s in her nature to worry.” As if to prove his point, we suddenly hear Aella’s voice. “Tundra, did you make sure to grab the first aid kit? The splint, the crutches and all of that?” Tundra smiles. “Yes hon, that’s the third time today!” Aella comes up behind us with 4 satchels wrapped around her wings. She hands the biggest two to Tundra. “These are your bags.” She wraps them around his shoulders and wings. “And these are yours, Ember.” She looks at Ember pointedly. Ember squeezes her eyes closed and her scarlet feathers ripple, then dull to a soft maroon. Aella repeats the wrapping. “Tundra, are you sure? She’s so young…” “Aella, she’s ready. She has the right to know.” Tundra replies. Ember and I share a look. We both hate it when they act all mysterious like that. Now I’m worried. Why is Aella acting so scared? Ember and Tundra aren’t going to be gone, right? Something’s not right. I’m going to follow them.
