January 2nd, Monday

                                                                                                           The Resilient

                                                                                                                17:40

The very first party that he could remember was when he was six. He was still unaware of how overbearing every guest would be trying to grab his attention and forcing their children onto him. Still rather introverted with little interest in the ways of being a socialite.

He remembered how he had an undeniable hatred toward parties due to the guest that were all rather tall and loud. The very idea of attending one had filled him with unbelievable dread. By the time he was ten he had come to realize the significance and meaning behind the six large parties that his parents hosted every year. It was to make sure everyone stayed wrapped around their finger, a subtle reminder that they were far richer than many believed them to be while simultaneously making all the high class socialites their close companions. It was a beautiful symbiotic relationship as long as they were the ones in charge.

The head butler, named Somnium, gently places a cup of steaming red tea in front of Ansidara along with a small blueberry muffin, and five strawberries that were precisely cut into the shape of varying flowers. "You have an appointment with your fabric suppliers at seven.” He reminds him while folding his hands behind his back. 

Ansidara slowly opens his eyes as he carefully taps his lip with his finger. His eyes steadily glides to his homework that still required his attention.

“Thank you.” He mumbles at last then takes a long sip of tea. “The location remains the same?” He asks setting the fine china down with a click.

“Yes.” Somnium nods still hovering beside him. 

Ansidara looks up to the old man whom he's known his whole life. “Is there anything else?” He asks meeting the brown irises of Somnium's eyes.

Somnium takes a step back then stands taller. “I understand that you are the founder of your own clothing brand and you have been working to make it prosperous, but sometimes I worry about you.” He pauses gesturing to Ansidara. “I can go in your place.”

He chuckles. “You’ve known me since I was born so you should be aware that I typically do things myself.” 

Somnium nods with a hint of disappointment then turns away.

Before the gentle man can step off the deck Ansidara calls out to him. “Somnium,” he lifts his teacup up to him. “Thank you,” 

Somnium can't resist a smile that reveals the fine lines in the corner of his mouth. His gray mustache lifts as he reveals straight ivory teeth. “You’re welcome.” He says falling into a low bow then retreats back to the confides of the mansion. 

This is Ansidara’s life, nothing to worry about except meetings for a company that was nothing but a hobby, parties that were only social gatherings that reminded others of just how much richer he was, and a whole staff of people who waited to carry out his every command. This was his life a comfortable paradise thousands would kill for. 

Thousands... 

Hundreds...

Dozens...

Him...

A certain child would kill for it...comfort not luxury. 

That is for a later time. 

Ansidara falls back into the complex understanding of positively and negatively charged ions within elements. Not entirely the most interesting thing in the world but still compelling enough that he didn't feel the need to force himself to do it. 

He takes in a slow cold breath as he completes the final problem then sends the finished work to his teacher. The result of whether he passed the homework or not would return within an hour. He carefully leans back as he stares at the black and white hovering screen that inquires him if he would like to return to the homepage or close the tab as a whole. He considers what he could do now that he finished it before his appointment. Just before he could decide which to do something hard pelts him in the back of his head. 

He jerks his head forward, rubbing the stinging pain of what he could only assume was a pebble. He spins his head half expecting to meet the eyes of his attacker. Unsurprisingly, there is no one else within the grove except the dogs that were now on their feet and the hundreds of bare trees whose branches loom above him. He squints his eyes unsure if he should send the great dane, Cassie, after the perpetrator. A single command would send her sprinting thirty miles per hour. That's nearly five times faster than a human. 

Another pebble zooms toward him. Without even the slightest hint of hesitation he is able to grab the small gray pebble mid air. With the audacity to throw another pebble he now knows just who his attacker or attackers are. 

“Nabi,” He calls twirling the cold stone. “If you don’t want a bruise from this pebble I suggest you come out from behind the tree.”

Another pebble from the opposite direction with a much kinder throw, hits the back of Ansidara's head. “Ah and I see the coward brought an accomplice.” He chuckles bemused. “Come on out Diza you know I wont hurt you. Nabi on the other hand has a great reason to hide.” Neither of them revealed themselves from behind the large trees. “Okay.” He smiles tossing the pebble up and down. 

Ansidara takes a slow breath looking to the large trunks that are a dozen shades of brown. Another pebble zooms toward him but he catches that as well. He inspects both of the smooth stones before he decides to toss one high above the tree line. He watches as the small gray speck arches through the air then fall hard.

"Ow!" Nabi yelps.

Ansidara sets himself ready to throw the other stone in the opposite direction until Diza steps forward her head bowed down as she holds up both of her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay.” She chuckles. “You’ve got us.”

Nabi steps forward from the opposite direction, rubbing his head where the pebble had made contact. “How did you even know I was there?" He hisses pushing his glasses high with one hand while the other sympathetically rubs his head. 

Ansidara smiles, crossing his arms as he drops the other pebble. “I saw your foot.”

“I call bull.” He laughs walking toward him. 

Diza did the same reaching Ansidara before Nabi. “Watch your language.” She glares with a playful grin. 

Nabi stands beside Ansidara as he returns the smile to Diza. “I didn’t curse though.”

“You almost.” She retorted always sure that her manners were the most exceptional.

“Alright,” Ansidara says suddenly feeling like the third wheel. “Do you two have a house or somewhere to go? Why are you here?”

Diza places a hand to her chest as she gifts a small smile. “That is probably the kindest welcoming you have ever given me.”

Nabi scoffs as he turns to Ansidara with a grin similar to Diza's. “We heard you almost started a fight.”

“Don’t I always?” Ansidara sighs sitting back down. 

Diza shakes her head in disappointment before lifting her index finger in a motion that said quiet and listen. “But we heard it was on the bus.”

“Not only that.” Nabi added. “But we heard that one of you is lying about stealing. That's serious business.”

“She is lying.” Ansidara retorted.

Diza giggles as she pushes her tight curls behind her ear. “I heard it was Solaforma Inlustris. She isn't the type to draw unnecessary attention or conflict.” 

Nabi taps his lip in thought. “Why does that name sound so familiar.”

“Because she’s the one who will most likely share your valedictorian spot.”

He thinks for a moment before snapping his fingers. “That’s right, red head who acts so indifferent to everyone.” He paused putting his hands by his side. “She’ll probably give up her valedictorian spot to me just because she doesn't want to make a speech.”

“True.” Diza said with a nod of her head. 

“We're getting a bit off topic.” Ansidara adds with a shake of his head. “Was that the only reason you two came? Was to ask about gossip?”

Diza slides into the chair across from Ansidara. Nabi leans against the chairs back while Diza places her chin on the palm of her hands. 

“Not only that.” Diza gives one of her well trained smiles. “The student council-”

“No.” Ansidara said before she could finish.

She slams her hands down, rattling the table. “You didn't even know what I was going to ask for!”

He turns off his holotab then looks to both Nabi and Diza’s hopeful eyes. “You two were going to ask if we can host the winter formal here.”

Diza leans back grumbling. "Leave it to Ansidara Tore to know what you're thinking."

Nabi continues. “We both know the school has wonderful facilities including a glass ballroom that your mother donated quite the amount to build, but we thought it’d be beautiful if we could host it in the Tore’s flower conservatory. It’d be an interesting twist to winter. Just imagine it snowing outside but within the conservatory it’ll be warm with dozens of flowers blooming .”

“Do you even know how hot it is in there.” Ansidara asks raising a single eyebrow.

“About ninety degrees, I know but we can always circulate the-”

“Your arguments are futile.”

Nabi sighs, leaning on Diza’s chair. “Then what about the obser-”

“Off limits to anyone but the Tore family.”

“Then the ballroom at least.” 

“No! What is wrong with the school’s ballroom?”

Diza clears her throat then leads forward. “They plan to expand.”

Ansidara scoffs while a smile spreads across his face. “Alright," he stands up. "Then I will call the school and tell them to postpone.”

“But-” Diza tries to counter.

Ansidara shakes his head with a smile that could only mean he was going to use his "unlimited" power. “Do you know who I am?”

He turns around, walking away from the deck as he clicks his holo watch. A few seconds later the superintendents bewildered and slightly confused face appeared. “Ansidara Tore,” He said with a practiced smile. “What can I help you with today?”

“Hello Noah." Ansidara says as he continues into the grove.