Chapter Text
If she was honest, Kyra had been thinking about how to find a way to visit Darra before he even left. She could foresee the difficulties. Trying to rip somewhere in the world she had never been, not to mention jumping so far by herself for the first time. Also, showing up without having a clear way to communicate to Darra. Was there any way to let him know she was taking him up on his invitation, and to make sure it was truly okay?
It had been only a few weeks, she chided herself. Class with Professor Maxwell at the Library had continued with the other four students—Imogen, Lily, Ruksy, and Kyra. Kyra continued to be challenged and amazed as the newcomer to the magical world, and she enjoyed her time with her friends. But she felt Darra’s absence more and more, and she realized she was missing him terribly.
Kyra missed Darra’s his laugh, his warm smile, their constant ribbing of one another. Her mind kept wandering back to their time at Edward Boynton’s beach retreat, and to Darra guiding her hand to learn how to read a tree’s aura. To his charm and thoughtfulness, and his openness, especially with her. His good-naturedness, and ability to make her laugh. His protectiveness of her.
When Kyra was faced with losing her magic with the DMI’s previous commitment to remove her powers, she had begun bracing herself for the loss of all of her new friends and her new world. Kyra was frightened, but steeled herself for the upcoming changes. Even though she recorded the video with Peter to help her with her memories on the other side, she prepared to face the worst with the best of her ability. She knew she buried her feelings of loss for all of her new friends, but especially the complicated sadness at the thought of losing Darra. Kyra selfishly avoided too much one on one time with him at her final farewell, knowing that she couldn’t even put the words to loss of a relationship that wasn’t even real.
Now, with Orla’s diabolic scheme to take over the world behind the class and the magical world at large, Kyra came to realize that she could balance so much more than she thought. (Although nothing as serious as a duplicitous elf’s scheme to take over the world had happened since Darra’s departure, thank goodness.)
At sporadic moments, her mind kept wandering back to that day on the basketball court when they last spoke of being friends. She had been torn, but honest, at that time too—but Kyra could see that so much more had already happened since. She had come to the realization that not only was she capable—even with the vast number of unknowns still ahead—but that her life would be so much more complete with Darra in it. Preferably as more than a friend, if at all possible.
In true fairy fashion, Lily found her way to a perfectly innocent, social and academic solution—smoothing it all over and granting Kyra’s wish without even knowing it. (Or did Lily know it? Probably.)
As class was wrapping up at the end of another session, Professor Maxwell and Imogen began discussing the latest round of elven-sibling assignments prepared for travel to Europe, by way of Imogen. Darra was keeping up to date on their latest areas of study by completing weekly assignments through independent study. With Imogen rejoining her family on weekends, she was taking a revolving list of texts and completed assignments back and forth on Darra’s behalf. Even though the surly young elf grumbled about the ever increasing stack of items she was ferrying back and forth—everyone knew Imogen’s unbridled support of her brother’s well-being and success.
Overhearing the professor and Imogen’s exchange, Lily chimed in longingly. “Oh, I wish I could visit the snow. It’s been so long, and it’s always so beautiful!” Lily sighed, leaning her chin on her hands. She perked up after a moment. “Say Imogen, do you need any help with your next homework run?”
Imogen momentarily paused the packing of Darra’s assignments away, and gave Lily a slide glance. “No. I’ve got it. It’s fine.” The curt she-elf continued packing up books into her pack at a slightly faster rate.
The blond fairy persisted good naturedly, “We could make it a group trip! We have just started into the elemental binaries, after all. Don’t you think it would be fitting, Professor?”
Maxwell turned back to the group and took a brief moment to stroke his beard and think before responding. “Well, far be it from me to make any invitations on behalf of any others’ households, but a trip to a snowy climate would be a perfect place for you all to practice some of the fundamentals we’ve been discussing this week. I suppose we could make allowances for Friday as a field study day.”
Imogen sighed loudly and rolled her eyes, but then paused in putting her final things away. “You know…My parents actually did tell us we’d be welcome to have guests over this coming weekend. It would be good for Darra to work on his practical applications more, since he’s been away.”
“YES!! Excellent! Then it’s settled!” Lily cheered, jumping up and clapping giddily. Kyra could almost swear she saw a covert wink come her way. “Imogen, what can we bring? When do you want to leave? Oh I can’t wait to see the snow again. We can make snow angels. Oh Kyra, just WAIT until you see fairy lights in the snowy twilight, it’s breathtaking.”
Imogen’s brows furrowed, as she swung her bag over her shoulder and lightly pushed Lily towards the door. “I’m already regretting this.”
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Ruksy wouldn’t be able to join due to commitments at the Museum of Magic, and so she bid the three girls a good night as Lily, Imogen and Kyra continued on towards Harvey’s—bolstered by the sheer force of Lily’s excitement. With their newly designated departure date only a few days away, they had some serious planning to do.
Luckily they would be able to jump directly to the Blackwells’ estate in Switzerland, Kyra learned. Even though it was half way around the world, all they would need to account for would be the time zone difference. Since neither Lily or Kyra knew their exact destination, they would travel together.
As the three settled at a table with their juices, Kyra almost couldn’t believe this was happening…it was like her recent daydreams jumped out of her head and into real life. She couldn’t wait to see Darra and already was thinking through what it is she wanted to say, but was still discomforted at some of the possibilities of facing Jared Blackwell again so soon. She realized she hadn’t really said a word since the whole idea had started to take off.
Kyra decided to put the question out there to her friend directly. “Imogen, are you sure this is a good idea? Especially with your father, and his feelings towards tri-lings?”
The petite elf responded with a smirk, “What I said about having guests over is true. Our parents have a function to attend elsewhere this weekend, that Darra and I are thrilled to skip. So we’ll have the chalet to ourselves with adequate work space.” Imogen glanced over at Lily briefly before continuing, ”And besides the fact that Darra would never say no to having you as an additional study partner, I should mention it’s his birthday this weekend.”
Lily’s gasp and claps of delight startled the table behind them, so much so that the fairy and elf took a moment to apologize as Lily collected herself. Kyra took the opportunity to take a swig of her juice and try to calm her blush. Possible involvement between herself and Imogen’s handsome older brother was a subject the two hadn’t broached in quite a few weeks. During their mission to deactivate a magical tree, when the two had also bonded while almost being eaten by vines, Imogen had explicitly warned Kyra from getting involved with her brother. At that time, it was with a surprisingly genuine note about Kyra’s own well-being.
Imogen softened, looking at her friend. She put a gentle hand on Kyra’s arm, and added more quietly “It will be fine. You should come. He’s going to have a friend or two of his own over, but believe me—he’ll be happiest to see you.”
Kyra couldn’t contain her growing grin. “Okay then. Do either of you know if it is it possible to rip with a cake?”