“My dear little Indigo, I am curious; don’t you think your species has had an impact on your studies? Inconvenienced you in some way, hmm?” asked Lady Snow with a gentle expression.

Now she really wanted to put her hat back on.

“No… I don’t think so. I didn’t grow up in an anweiran cavalcade, and Lady Aqua never brought it up. Some of the students made fun of me for it, but most… most people ignored me. I was able to study under Lady Aqua in peace.”

Lady Snow didn’t seem totally satisfied with her answer but she smiled anyways. 

“Indigo - Ian; may I call you Ian? You can call me Nancy in return. Listen Ian, did you ever feel overwhelmed with being Lady Aqua’s apprentice? It must’ve been a lot of pressure for a young boy.” She quickly waved a hand at Lady Rust who was about to leap out of her seat. “Yes, yes, he turned into a girl, I get it. You should have a bit more patience Lady Rust.”

An icy cold jolt of panic shot up Indigo’s spine, but she quickly spoke out before Lady Rust exploded. 

“No! No, Lady Snow. I never felt any pressure. And my name is Indigo; that was the name I received at my witching ceremony, and that is my identity as a witch and a person. As I am sure it is the same for everyone else here.”

With her back facing towards them, Indigo missed the slight nod that was exchanged between Lord Goldenrod and Lady Ebony. But Lady Snow did not. Her hand clenched slightly before she gave a wide smile.

“Of course; I did not mean to insult the sacred ritual of graduating to a witch. Nonetheless, I understand you took the witching ceremony quite early; most do it at eighteen. Please tell us, what happened to you next?”

Indigo turned back to face the other members of the council. “At that point I was sixteen, and I still had two more years before I could graduate from the Academy. In that time Lady Aqua had me spend more time in the Royal Academy. I attended some senior level classes, and made a few friends. I also spent some time interning with some of the other fields of study at the Academy, namely the Mages, Wizards, Artificers and the Rangers.”

“You must have been quite busy,” asked Lady Ebony, her ebony hair swaying across snow white skin as she leaned forward. “Did these internships not affect your studies?”

“No, rather Lady Aqua saw them as a part of it. I learned a great deal in those two years, and the diversity of knowledge really helped my witchcraft.”

“And then you graduated,” stated Lord Jade. 

“And then I graduated. I could go anywhere in the world, but I decided to stay at the Academy and became Lady Aqua’s assistant. It was my home, and I wanted to give back to my adopted mother. That was five years ago.”

“What are your duties as Lady Aqua’s assistant?”

“Ah, well they’ve slowly expanded over the years. At first I was just following her around, taking notes and such. Nowadays I help teach some of her classes, look after budget reports, organize research projects and assist her with any requests for help that come from the general public.”

“Good grief girl, she’s made you do her job for her!” said Lady Rust in a rough tone. “I outta teach her how to take care of her bloody children properly.”

“Not at all!” answered Indigo, shocked. “She’s always so busy, it’s only right that I do what I can! Besides, it’s not that much anyways; the work she does is much more advanced than that!”

Some of the council members coughed and looked away awkwardly. They didn’t want to admit that the work Indigo did was more than what they themselves bothered to take on.

“Ah, yes, well. Um, as Lady Aqua’s position as chairman of the council, naturally she would have a heavier workload,” said Lord Lavender.

“Hmm, indeed,” and “Yes yes, that makes sense” was heard around the room as the council refused to admit they weren’t doing their jobs properly. 

“Regardless of that, would you care to expand on your work as a teacher?” asked Lord Goldenrod, eager to change the topic.

“Yes sir. I taught most of Lady Aqua’s junior classes, from grades 1 to 5. I also taught the introductory courses for noble children who enroll late, usually at the age of 14. Lady Aqua handled the upper year students. She looked after the few students who sought to graduate as actual witches, while I looked after the seniors who only wanted the degree.”

“That is a lot of responsibility. Do you think Lady Aqua was wise to put you in that position?” asked Lord Goldenrod gravely. 

“I-” Indigo paused. It was a loaded question, one that she honestly could not answer with a confident yes. Lady Aqua always seemed to think Indigo could do anything.

“I honestly am not sure,” answered Indigo with a slight quiver. “But my mother has always believed in me. She had no doubt that I could do it, and I have spent my life working to make sure she is not disappointed. Letting her down is the one thing I could never forgive myself for.”

Lord Goldenrod gave a sigh and looked around at the other council members. 

“I am finished. Are there any other questions?”

“Hmm… I still think she’s far too young,” answered Lord Jade.

“Save it for the vote, toady,” snapped back Lady Rust.

“No more questions…? Very well.” Lord Goldenrod stood. “As the now acting-chairman of the Witching Council, I call this vote to order. All in favour of the motion proposed by former chairman Lady Aqua?”

Lady Rust, Lady Ebony, Lord Lavender and Lord Goldenrod raised their hands.

“I see a count of four. All those opposed?”

Lord Jade, Lady Papaya and Lady Snow raised their hands as the other lowered theirs. 

“I see a count of three. Dispute?”

No one spoke. 

“I hear no dispute. The motion proposed by former chairwoman Lady Aqua is passed. We accept her retirement from the council.”

Lord Goldenrod turned to a stunned Indigo and smiled. 

“According to the ancient laws of witching and by majority approval of this council, we recognize Dame Aqua’s chosen replacement, Lady Indigo, Leader of the Caeruleus Sect. She is now a recognized senior witch, and is afforded all the privileges and responsibilities that come with it.”

Indigo stared at him, her brain short-circuiting as she tried to process his words. Unfortunately, her body found its own solution before she could and her eyes rolled back as she fainted.