Six
September was loud. Alex assumed the reason was either the looming chaos of autumn festivities or the electricity of change. September whistled while it worked, carrying an array of opportunities in its briefcase, but the shifting of seasons did not affect tourism in Eidolon.
“Skye, how do you deal with it?”
“What?”
“People staring at you all the time.”
Skye pointed at Alex’s shoes as they thumped down the vestibule ramp. “Seriously, are you trying to make that much noise?”
“Sorry. I like the clicking sound.”
“You’re so weird. Anyway, is this because of the mob scene you created on Lazuli the other day? I hear spirits are actually asking for your autograph now.”
And throwing bricks. “By the way, your steps are making as much noise as mine.”
“I’m just trying to keep up.” Skye dropped to her bottom and slid down the rest of the ramp into the vestibule. At the foot of the ramp, she jumped to her feet. “You don’t strike me as a wallflower. I’m sure you had plenty of attention in life.”
No. Any favor Alex had earned in life rode the emotion of sympathy. No one wanted to trade lives with the sick girl, even if her friends happened to be the Lasalles. Such renown didn’t fall into the same desirable category as Gossamer charm. Skye complained about her hippie community, but she still went to school like everyone else, where Alex felt positive Skye was as desired then as she was now.
Alex was only getting attention for something she wasn’t. She knew she was standing on Sephi Anovark’s pedestal. Spirits took swings at her, but at such a height, the danger posed little threat and only meant more recognition. Since the publication of Sigorny’s first article, spirits began to reach out their fingers to feel the energy of her projection. It frightened Chase, she knew, but she couldn’t ignore the buzz of it, the high of fame. It was difficult to hate it.
Alex followed Skye into the courtyard. The day smelled of fresh earth, so another newbury might have arrived or the rain was simply making a statement. “Spirits bow to you when you steal their seat in class. You get the royal treatment wherever you go.”
“I’m a Gossamer. Comes with the territory.”
Alex kicked a rock. “They’ve never tried to remove you from school for it.”
Skye stopped. “What are you talking about?”
Alex focused on the moss growing through the cracks of the stone walkway. “Romey had a meeting with me the other day to discuss my options. I guess there’s been talk of keeping me away from everybody. Not forever. Just for a while until things die down.”
They paused to watch a rowboat float by in the fog. When it disappeared into the trees, they began to walk again.
“What about your workshops?” Skye asked.
“I’d do them here at Brigitta or in the classroom alone.”
Skye’s mouth fell open. “Whoa. Really? What did you say?”
“I didn’t have to say anything. Westfall stood up for me.” She took in Skye’s shocked expression. “I know, right? He said if we isolated me, people would treat me even more differently. He thinks the best thing to do is to act like I’m just another newbury. That’s why I asked you how you deal with it.”
“Did you not use that flower I gave you? Everything will work out. The world wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I guess I’m still trying to figure out if this craze is good or bad.”
Skye looked her up and down as they climbed the steps to the learning center. “You want to be like everyone else? She who likes to make noise when she walks?”
“Well, no.”
“All right, then.” The red in Skye’s hair lightened. “I came to that conclusion a long time ago. Craze comes with the territory. You can’t have it all. If you want to stand out, you are going to have to sacrifice a little bit of privacy, and if that means people stare at you while you and Chase make out in the street, then fine.”
“We
September was loud. Alex assumed the reason was either the looming chaos of autumn festivities or the electricity of change. September whistled while it worked, carrying an array of opportunities in its briefcase, but the shifting of seasons did not affect tourism in Eidolon.
“Skye, how do you deal with it?”
“What?”
“People staring at you all the time.”
Skye pointed at Alex’s shoes as they thumped down the vestibule ramp. “Seriously, are you trying to make that much noise?”
“Sorry. I like the clicking sound.”
“You’re so weird. Anyway, is this because of the mob scene you created on Lazuli the other day? I hear spirits are actually asking for your autograph now.”
And throwing bricks. “By the way, your steps are making as much noise as mine.”
“I’m just trying to keep up.” Skye dropped to her bottom and slid down the rest of the ramp into the vestibule. At the foot of the ramp, she jumped to her feet. “You don’t strike me as a wallflower. I’m sure you had plenty of attention in life.”
No. Any favor Alex had earned in life rode the emotion of sympathy. No one wanted to trade lives with the sick girl, even if her friends happened to be the Lasalles. Such renown didn’t fall into the same desirable category as Gossamer charm. Skye complained about her hippie community, but she still went to school like everyone else, where Alex felt positive Skye was as desired then as she was now.
Alex was only getting attention for something she wasn’t. She knew she was standing on Sephi Anovark’s pedestal. Spirits took swings at her, but at such a height, the danger posed little threat and only meant more recognition. Since the publication of Sigorny’s first article, spirits began to reach out their fingers to feel the energy of her projection. It frightened Chase, she knew, but she couldn’t ignore the buzz of it, the high of fame. It was difficult to hate it.
Alex followed Skye into the courtyard. The day smelled of fresh earth, so another newbury might have arrived or the rain was simply making a statement. “Spirits bow to you when you steal their seat in class. You get the royal treatment wherever you go.”
“I’m a Gossamer. Comes with the territory.”
Alex kicked a rock. “They’ve never tried to remove you from school for it.”
Skye stopped. “What are you talking about?”
Alex focused on the moss growing through the cracks of the stone walkway. “Romey had a meeting with me the other day to discuss my options. I guess there’s been talk of keeping me away from everybody. Not forever. Just for a while until things die down.”
They paused to watch a rowboat float by in the fog. When it disappeared into the trees, they began to walk again.
“What about your workshops?” Skye asked.
“I’d do them here at Brigitta or in the classroom alone.”
Skye’s mouth fell open. “Whoa. Really? What did you say?”
“I didn’t have to say anything. Westfall stood up for me.” She took in Skye’s shocked expression. “I know, right? He said if we isolated me, people would treat me even more differently. He thinks the best thing to do is to act like I’m just another newbury. That’s why I asked you how you deal with it.”
“Did you not use that flower I gave you? Everything will work out. The world wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I guess I’m still trying to figure out if this craze is good or bad.”
Skye looked her up and down as they climbed the steps to the learning center. “You want to be like everyone else? She who likes to make noise when she walks?”
“Well, no.”
“All right, then.” The red in Skye’s hair lightened. “I came to that conclusion a long time ago. Craze comes with the territory. You can’t have it all. If you want to stand out, you are going to have to sacrifice a little bit of privacy, and if that means people stare at you while you and Chase make out in the street, then fine.”
“We
Similar Books
