Wait, More Tests?

Azalea

After he left I decided to grab a shower and a nap.  I was mentally and physically exhausted.  I woke up hours later and realized it was well past dusk.  I glanced at my phone and saw it was almost 9pm.  I hoped they would still have dinner warm so I hurriedly threw on a hoodie over my tank top and capris and slid my feet into a pair of wedges before hurrying to the cafeteria.  Tonight was Mexican, one of my favorites, and luckily it was still warm.  i loaded up some to go containers and grabbed a soda before heading back to my room.  There I grabbed a flashlight and a towel and headed back to the roof.

I loved being up there at night as it was quiet and peaceful.  I ate dinner and quietly sang along to my favorite tunes.  I must have fallen asleep again at some point and woke up to the sun not quite creeping up the horizon.  I checked the time on my phone - I still had plenty of time for breakfast and figured I'd see what the cafeteria had to offer. 

I went quickly back to my room and changed into a cute shortsleeve jumper and another pair of wedges.  After I pulled my curly hair back and styled it, I grabbed my bag and rushed down to the cafeteria.  There I found a whole breakfast buffet of goodies and decided on buttermilk pancakes, eggs and bacon.  I downed 2 orange juices and grabbed a water before heading off to the dean's office.

I opened the door and his secretary greeted me.  "you're right on time.  Go on in."

I knocked on his office door then opened it, peaking in.

"Come on in my dear.  Ladies, this is Azalea.  Azalea, this is Melodie and Clarissa.  They're going to take you to the mages room so they can figure out your particular powers and assist you with managing them."

The two ladies sized me up in the same way I was doing with them.  They were both taller than me, but not by much and that's where their similarities ended.  One was pale and had short black hair with piercing blue eyes.  She was older and you could see the crows feet around her eyes.  Her slender build led to a very serious personality vibe.

While the other was more rounded with long brown hair braided around her head.  Her round face had laugh lines and bright grey eyes.  Her curiousity was shining through.  I was less nervous of her than I was of the other.  

"Lead the way, ladies," I said, just wanting to get this over with.

"Before you go, here's your schedule.  Please remember that this stays between us for now.  The next few days you'll spend with them as they work out your powers and you'll start your schedule next week.  If you need anything, today I'll be tied up with the new students arrivals, but other than that you know where to find me," the dean said, smiling.

"Yes sir," I replied saluting cheekily before following the ladies out of the building.

"You'll meet with us first thing in the mornings.  This will help keep your cover as most of the witch and fae classes are held later in the day and early evening.  Where we are going is magically protected so your magic won't spill out  until you learn to control it," Clarissa, the rounder one said.

"Today we're going to see if we can test what your affinity is - the dean told us a little about picking locks and about dropping the temperature so we'll explore those first.  Now we'll start here.  Open the lock on the door," Malorie said, her tone as icy as her personality.

So I did.  She placed her hand over the lock and closed her eyes.

"What are you doing?" The icy tone cuting through her concentration.

My eyes popped open and I replied, " I'm trying to open the lock.  I close my eyes and visualize it.  I've taken apart hundreds of locks and door knobs before so I sort of understand how they work.  I visualize the inside of it and think about the tublers falling into place and bam it opens."

"Hmm. Go ahead then," Malorie replied.

I turned back to the lock and closed my eyes, once again focusing. A few seconds passed and the lock clicks open.  I smiled and looked at Malorie, only to recieve another frown in return.

Good lord this is going to be a long year, I thought to myself. 

Once we were settled inside of what looked like a big dome with seats off to one side, Clarissa explained that they were going to do an element test on me.  This would show them which element or elements that I had an affinity for and allow them to narrow down the rest of the tests today.

They put a bowl of water, a rock, a feather and a lit candle in front if me and told me to close my eyes and place my hand above each item.  I would then steady my breathing and see if I could "feel" the items they way I "felt" the lock.

I felt silly doing this, but proceeded anyways.  When I finished, I looked over to them expectantly.

"Air," Clarissa said happily.  "That's actually pretty rare, but makes sense with what you've done.  Now let's see what you've got."

They ran me through different power exercises - if I could open locks then I should be able to pick things up as well as open other things.  I did fine with the light items - especially for someone who hadn't practiced before- but I couldn't open other things like jar lids and couldn't lift anything more than 5 pounds.

I was getting frustrated with their badgering. 

"If you can pick a lock then all of the rest of this is easy.  You can see this.  It's just up and down."

And still they continued until I couldn't take it anymore.  

"Stop," I yelled and the air dropped so low I could see my breath. 

"Then stop acting like a petulant child and lift the weight," Malorie said snidely.  

I flung my hand out in frustration and the entire weight set flew across the room.

"OK.  Sit down now," Clarissa told me, handing me a bottle of water.  I was still a little shocked and the temperature was quickly returning to normal.

"You have to learn how to channel the energy that gives you power.  You let it leak out to open locks, but then keep it tucked back so tightly that when you get mad, the leash snaps.  Your power is just like your wolf, its a full part of you.  It flows in your veins continuously.  This week we'll work on some meditation that will help you learn the flow of magic in your body so you are bettle able to control it.  Can you do any of that in your wolf form?" Clarissa asked.

"I honestly don't know.  I haven't tried before," I replied.  "It had never crossed my mind to even try."

"Ok I'm sure you're probably starving as you've expended a lot of energy.  They are probably still serviing lunch now so go fill up and rest.  Tomorrow the other students will begin to arrive.  Meet us here at dawn," Malorie said, ushering me out the door.  I turned, surprised at the concern that she was showing me.

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