The Fractured Mage

Chapter 11 - Lilac(Part 2)

"What the hell!? Why's a square like this here right at the start!?" Exclaimed Lilac indignantly.

"Hey, I tried to warn ya," I shrugged wryly, my ears perking up as the sound of the door opening echoed out as I picked up the dice and rolled it.

I got a four...good, it's a safe spot...

"I'm home, Lilac, Topaz!" Came Iris's voice, as she shut the door and the sound of her footsteps approaching echoed out.

Hm? Why does Lilac look so tense?

"Hey, you okay-...?" I started to ask her.

"Crap, crap, crap!" She whispered sharply with an alarmed look in her eyes, snatching the box of cookies from me and looking around frantically before starting to slip the box under the couch.

W-wait, don't tell me she...

"Hey, you guys, what are you upt-...are those my cookies?" Iris began to greet us, before frowning and narrowing her eyes at Lilac, he voice going low and cold.

Oh, no. This isn't good...

"N-no...," Stuttered Lilac, as she slowly slid the box under the couch.

You idiot, it's too late for that now...damn it, why'd she have to drag me into this? I get it now, she wanted an accomplice to share the risk and blame with.

"You obnoxious...little...brat...! First of all...how many times have I told you not to snoop around in my room when I'm not at home, huh!? I could've sworn I locked it-...no, that's beside the point, I shouldn't have to lock it in the first place! And secondly, I specifically warned you to stay away from these cookies...I saved up for months, do you have any idea how expensive that box was!? But I still gave you a few cookies, hoping that'd be enough to keep you from stealing any...but oh no, you didn't just sneak a few out, you took the entire box!" Snapped Iris, her face growing progressively redder as her shoulders trembled with rage.

"Okay, in my defense...you only gave me, like, three, and they were so good that there was no way such a small amount would satisfy me! And you didn't give To any at all, I felt bad for him, missing out on such premium sweets, so I had no choice!" Lilac shot back, as she hid behind me and peeked out at Iris from behind my shoulder.

O-oh, God, she's making things worse...!

"H-hey, leave me out of this!" I protested in alarm.

"Is that you have to say for yourself? Alright, fine, if that's how it is...both of you, down in the training room, NOW! Or else...," Iris threatened us icily, letting out a growl as she cracked her knuckles before slamming her right fist against her left palm, her eyes gleaming with anger.

Ah. She wants to beat us up. She plans to use 'training' as an excuse to absolutely destroy us. And not being very subtle about it, I might add.

"H-hold on, I had no idea these were yours! I wouldn't have touched even one if I did, so spare me!" I exclaimed in alarm.

"Hey, you can't just abandon me!" Protested Lilac as she shook me by the shoulders.

"I don't care...you're both guilty as far as I'm concerned. But I'll give you a few less hits, Topaz, since you're not the main offender," Responded Iris, before walking over and grabbing each of our wrists and dragging us towards the basement...you've gotta be kidding me, damn it, she just wants an additional target to take her anger out on!

I didn't do anything to deserve this! Damn it, she's way too strong, there's no way I can break free of her grasp!

"Y-you idiot, what were you thinking!? Why'd you have to drag me into this, damn it!?" I yelled at Lilac as I struggled in vain, a heavy sense of dread in my chest as the stairs leading down to the basement came closer and closer into sight.

"Well...if we go down, we go down together...partner," She replied with a nervous smile, giving me a thumbs up.

I think the fear might've just broken her...

"Don't worry, you two...I have some Healing Elixirs on me. I'll be sure to splash a couple on you once we're done...," Trailed off Iris ominously.

I gulped as I felt my blood run cold...sh-she, uh, she's not gonna hold back on us, i-is she...?

...

...

"Hey, what's up, To? You wanna-...?"

"No," I cut her off dryly, rolling around in my bed as I flipped the page of my book.

"You're not still mad about yesterday, are you?"

"Oh, I don't know, what do you think?"

"Come on, I said I was sorry-..."

"No, you didn't."

"Didn't I? Huh, could've sworn that I did. Oh, well, it's the thought that counts, right? Anyway, come with me, I wanna show you something!" She grinned as she walked over and shook me.

"Stop that. And I'm not interested," I huffed in response.

"I'm sorry, okay? I just...I really wanted those cookies!"

"Yeah, and because of that, I went through the worst beating of my life! Or at least as far as I can remember, anyway. I can still taste the blood in my mouth...," I shuddered traumatically.

I'm not gonna go into the details of what Iris did to us yesterday...but let's just say that I've developed a deep, paralyzing fear of wooden swords...

"I took more hits than you did..."

"Yes, well, I'd have preferred taking no hits, which would've been the case if you hadn't roped me in!" I pointed out as I flicked the tip of her nose.

"Ow! Okay, in my defense...I only gave you one cookie, you made to choice to go for some more!"

"Are...are you serious right now?" I responded incredulously.

"Come on, please? This won't even take that long, maybe twenty minutes tops? I promise it's worth it, and it's nothing that'll get us in trouble, I swear!" She assured me, as she flopped herself on top of my right side and repeatedly tugged on the top of my ear.

"Grr...you're really starting to-...," I growled irritably, trying my best to ignore the sensation of her body pressing down on me, especially her chest on my shoulder...

"Pleeeeaaaaasssseeee?"

"Damn it...alright, fine, but only for ten minutes, no longer than that," I gave in reluctantly...really hope I don't regret this...