- Whisperpeak Academy for Wayward Dragons - Ch.14 P.4 - Dying Tears -

Instructions

(+)So, I knocked out the monsters around us with a sharp piece of metal and helped her into the helicopter. Once we were at the base and got introduced to the tiny cave that the Resistance started off in, we changed. Shortie was passionate about computer science, so it wasn't too long later when she made her first glitchy code- the one that would become the base of networks in the Resistance. Once we got comfortable around her, she became Shortie. She reimagined herself, and so did we. We all forgot about our old lives and dedicated ourselves to protecting Skygale." I'd never heard Alex sound so cheerful. "I've never seen you enjoy an omelet this much before..." Shortie commented cynically as he basically shoveled egg in his mouth. "’Schuldigung," Alex mumbled. John laughed. "He always enjoys food more when he's happy." Now that I knew the trio better, every interaction was precious. Iris watched everyone gobble at their food and smiled. "What are you thinking about, Princess?" Oliver asked, mirroring her smile. Those two were basically one at this point. "The papers. Where are they?" "They burned." Alex's glimmering pecan-brown gaze dulled and his appetite followed, the last bite of bell pepper being gently tossed around on his plate. "I would like to try something. As a gift. I know it takes a lot to just /trust/ someone, and start caving like this, so I just want to show my appreciation." Alex stiffened and sniffed grudgingly. "I told you about Shortie, not myself. That's in the past, now. I don't even know where the ashes are. Probably in the corner somewhere." Iris paused, as if listening for something more, then got up. "I know you aren't about to go on your knees and search for those notebook remains..." He grumbled. Her hands glowed a faint blue and the room filled with a soft hum. Shortie watched with a hopeful sparkle gleaming in her eyes. Iris said nothing. That grateful smile was still strewn across her face. Her hands weaved so slowly; us dragonets could almost see the air molecules struggling to contain themselves in her vicious circle of energy. She took a shy step away from the table as the heavenly light grew in her palms, emitting a thin warmth, like a breezy spring day. So different compared to her usual powers, her usual deadly glare of magic. Our napkins fluttered by our plates, and paper stirred on end tables and desks. They tore softly and whirled into Iris's grasp. A piece of leather ripped from a windbreaker hung up on a coat rack, and John scowled, although his eyes remained glued in the strange moment. "I figured this would be the best way to repay you all." Her voice was so angelic, her face fresh. Her inventive hands turned the leather into the worn strips that wrapped protectively over the carefully handwritten studies inside. It floated to the table with a ploof, and the poster glided right beside it, inked almost to its original perfection. "Thank you. I really appreciate you all." Iris seemed out of breath as she eased back into her seat and rested her head on Oliver's shoulder. John cleared the table silently and observed as Alex gingerly scooped up his work, just as aged and just as official as it was before. "I... Iris... Thank..." He raised his head and stared into her eyes. He noticed the change as well. Tears lined his gaze. She nodded back with an embarrassed look in her cheeks. "Calm down. I was just paying off some debt. I didn't solve world hunger." She rolled her eyes and dramatically returned with that witty personality of hers. That moment would still linger, as she had proved her loyalty to the Resistance's work. She trusted them. "Well, that was interesting! I'm going to go if you all don't mind. Need to check on something." Henry spoke for the first time in a while, nodding at Iris respectfully and making an exit. It was kinda nice to have someone as timid as me here. John panicked about how it was ten in the morning and we were late, but most of us couldn't care less. When he and Alexander finally ushered us out, every step I took was a reminder that I was one step closer to redemption. Just like Iris.