Sirene and Eli’s attentions were taken by her elemental as it's core bubbled and boiled to life. Its fluid form writhing as it beak split open, releasing a terrifying screech. Conri watched its tortured motion cry out, but to him, it was a deathly silence. Silence he’s only heard in his nightmares. The once clear turquoise had begun to bleed a midnight blue from its center, flooding into its wings. They watched its chest collapse inward before launching outwards, scattering into the surrounding area at hurricane speed. Its once singular body erupting into a storm cloud of winged projectiles. Conri’s arms felt heavy as he brought them up to protect his face as he felt a multitude of solid impacts explode against his body. It felt like shielding against paintballs bullets without protection. 

His mind couldn’t keep up with how many more he’d have to endure, nor could he peek at the unfolding scene in its entirety. If he had contributed to this mess, couldn’t he stop it? As he tried to think, he felt his left forearm jolt in pain as if it had taken the impact of the heaviest one yet. The force of it caused his nerves to jump, flinging his arm beside him, his eyes shut as he dug his chin into his chest. Shielding his face with only his right arm. Stuck in a silent battlefield and pelted, he could feel his body begin to bruise and weaken, finally giving out. 

Conri's right arm fell as his body slumped over. The sound of his panting breath now audible, making way for his surroundings to slowly return to his ears. First his breathing, then his name. 

It was Eli: his voice not fighting for Conri's attention against a storm. When Conri had the courage to open his eyes, his attention went towards the latest addition to the scene. Wide shoulder, snout faced, red scaled skin that shined metallic under the sun with muddy brown hair tied in a skinny ponytail. This draconic figure looked intimidating standing in-between Sirene and Dalton. Dalton's friends were diverting their gaze while Dalton and Sirene didn't seem to be as easily swayed.

"Miss. Sauveterre," their snouted face turning to Sirene as the water elemental spilled into her shadow once again. "Mr. Odell." Addressing Dalton causing whatever lingering wind to immediately die, the ends of Dalton's hair falling to rest. 

"Professor." the two replied in unison. 

"Did this look like what it was, or was there another story behind it." The professor's intensely narrowed eyes slowly circling the group predatorily. 

Sirene's back straightened as her eyes focused on Dalton who was beginning to tremble as they locked eyes. The two in a silent battle of chance awaiting who'd tell the truth and who would save their own skin. Not to her surprise, Dalton opened his mouth first. 

"It was -," Dalton started, watching Sirene's mouth thin in frustration. 

"It was self defense sir." Eli cut in, approaching from behind Sirene. "Dalton and his friends were roughing up my friend and Sirene stepped into to help."

The professor's expression softened and turned towards Eli with curiosity. "That is a strong accusation against a classmate Mr. Barrett," there was a hint of surprise in his words. "Is this individual really a friend of yours?"

Eli hesitated to look the professor in the eye, but eventually nodded then looked toward Conri just inches away. 

"He's twisting the story!" Dalton's voice rising in response. "We were defending ourselves from that hound. He was getting ready to attack us." A finger rose accusingly toward Conri. 

Eli's eyes darted down towards Conri's arms while Dalton and his friends proudly smirked. The stares from them and the professor were heavy the longer they looked, Conri had barely registered how numb his slumped left arm felt until he gave up and looked. His arm was frozen in mid transformation. From his finger nails protruded talon like claws and his forearm sprouted patches of glistening black fur that shot up to his bicep. Guilt rose into his throat. 

"He is a coworker of mine," Eli respectfully answered. "I had left some of my reading materials in my work locker and Conri came to deliver them." A quick gesture to the binders and papers in his occupied arm. "But he was provoked sir. He isn't a violent person and was the one acting in self defense."

Catching on in mild surprise at Eli's story, Conri took the cue and forced his arm to revert, which felt more resilient than before. It was like his whole arm was seizing through a cramped muscle.  

"Eli had called the bakery and I offered to bring him his materials," Conri finally chimed in. "sir."

"That's not true!" 

"He was interfering with our business harassing our studies!"

Dalton's friend seemed to finally grow confident enough to put in their two cents. 

"Are you referring to your studies that should be conducted in class unless supervised by a professor?" Sirene replied in her most indifferent and casual tone. "Classes are still in session." 

"Miss. Sauveterre brings up an excellent point," the professor's predatory eyes took in the group once again. "so that means everyone here has an excused absence or they're intentionally skipping." Conri wasn't sure, but the last part sounded more threatening than he hoped was intended. 

"Forgive me sir," Sirene reached into her back pocket to produce an orange slip of paper. "I saw Eli drop this in the hallway, I merely meant to return it until I came upon the altercation. I understand that our studies aren't meant to be used against another unless the proper precautions are in place, however, I did not have time to interrupt a class for a professor. Dalton and his friends were the instigators and assaulting Eli's friend which is against the academy's policy on magi and inhuman relationships. I was merely doing what I believed to be an acceptable form of action in hopes that someone would see my call for assistance." 

All eyes were on Sirene as she stood poised, her respectful demeanor insulting Dalton. Conri was smiling towards her. 

“Very well then,” the dragonborn answered. “Mr. Barett, collect your pass and your things then return to class immediately. Your guest found their way in, they are certainly capable of finding the exit themselves.” their nostrils flared, exhaling a puff of smoke. “Mr. Odell and company, you will accompany Miss. Sauveterre back to my office where we will discuss a proper conclusion to this situation.” 

Conri watched as the group followed orders, dispersing without resisting: he wasn’t sure if the command was a veiled threat or not. Dalton scowled toward him and Eli before falling in line beside Sirene who continued to act unbothered. It seemed to upset Dalton more which Conri hoped she was internally thriving off of. Eli grasped Conri’s shoulder and began directing him towards the exit, the orange pass on top of his school work. 

“Is that actually yours?” Conri asked quietly. 

“Absolutely not.” Eli replied. “I’m just grateful Sirene had our backs. I’m honestly more shocked I just lied to someone like Professor Karnik.” Conri felt Eli’s hand squeeze his shoulder. “It felt rather exhilarating.” 

“Do you think she’ll be alright? I’d hate for Dalton to find a way to get back at her or you.” 

“I can’t say for certain,” Eli gave a half glance behind them. “But she's already made a positive impression on most professors, even for a freshman. I think she will be alright.”  

  

“Thats great and all, but what about you?” Conri’s didn't want to call more attention to the obvious, but outside the academy walls, Eli was still at a disadvantage. Dalton’s words were cruel, but their implications held some truth, even if Conri didn’t want to admit it. He couldn’t imagine being in Eli or Thompson’s positions, living day to day beside those who were capable of unimaginative things.

"I've survived this long, I think I'm capable enough to survive a bit longer. We'll connect later, alright?" 

"Alright," giving Eli a half smile as they finally started to separate. Eli turning and heading off towards the academy building while Conri passed through the same stone arch and stretching iron fence that he previously came in through. 

Once down the block, he fiddled with his left arm, flexing his fingers and pinching his forearm. The cramping sensation was gone, yet it perplexed him how his body reacted. Shifting was a conscious effort, always had been and his mind started running through potential explanations. He wasn't ill, hadn't been overexerting himself and there wasn't any indications he had been hexed. Perhaps someone during the altercation forced him? Wanting to think more clearly, he placed his headphones in and started a playlist while his body traveled on auto pilot to work. The ascending strings and booming bass of the music allowing him to picture the previous events a little clearer.

Even with it all, recounting the scene from start to finish, he couldn't make a clear conclusion. His mind would rewind even further and bring him back to the Firbolg's classroom, letting him relive the momentary fear of disassociating to finding that glimmer of hope and interacting with it. He had made those stars fall. The thought excited him, filling himself with confidence as he relived touching the illusionary stars, reversing Dalton's curse, and even altering Sirene's summoning. If that last one was truly his doing; Sirene did mention that she was trying to signal for help. Regardless he still felt excited for this discovery and would have to study this phenomena after his shift. 

_____

The confidence followed Conri into work and he was certain his coworkers could see it. The flare in his hand motions as he served sweets and coffee. A dancer's prance between the the kitchen and seating areas. An irresistible charm that made customers of all identities cheeks bloom in color. This feeling had a vague familiarity to it as well that he couldn't immediately put his finger on. If Dr. Bromley had taught him anything, it was to not find fault in a good thing and deprive oneself of happiness. 

Conri let himself get a bit too consumed and nearly knock into Marcus, carrying a serving tray. Marcus' tall height made it easier for him to recover. 

"Conri, please watch where you're going!" he grunted as he checked his tray with mild frustration. 

"My bad Marcus." a hint of playfulness in his words. "Won't happen again Mr. boss man."

That earned Conri an exhausted, yet unphased eye roll. Their relationship dynamic had been this way for sometime and Marcus eventually gave up on fueling Conri's fire. 

"Take this to table twelve," Marcus blankly replied and handed Conri the tray. "I need an aspirin."

"Aye aye Captain tall, brooding and handsome." 

Parting opposite ways, Conri took the order upstairs and looked for the corresponding table standee. Upstairs had a decent crowd, a few spaced out individuals, a group that could've been a family, a pair that looked like they were on an uncomfortable date. He ventured farther until he was in the center of the room, eyes roaming over identical tables, doing his best to not look so lost. Finally, he located order twelve, the table closest to one of the windows and the individual seated made Conri hesitate. Pink cheeks, tawny orange hair that no longer was tied in the back, and a beauty mark on the bottom right corner of their lip. It was Landis.

Their attention was engrossed in their phone, scrolling with an intense look of concentration. 

"Order up." Conri said interrupting Landis' concentration. 

"Oh! Hey there!" his voice just as Conri remembered it. They sat up straighter and place their phone upside down off to the side. "Fancy running into you here." 

Conri felt his face stretch into a wider smile as he took his time plating Landis's order in front of him. A large cappuccino, two egg custard tarts and a slice of today's special, key lime lemon pie. Conri couldn't help, but notice Landis' attire wasn't his uniform, but instead wore an open brown blazer, matching brown pants and a pale pink button up with an undone navy tie.

"I hope you enjoy," Conri automatically replied. "I heard only great things about the pie." 

"That's good news, I certainly could use it after the day I had. What do you think about it? "

"I actually haven't had a chance to try it for myself."

"Really?" Landis sounded confused. "Mrs. Oz told me you're pretty involved with helping her sample future specials."

"You've talked to Gwendolyn today?" It sort of came out accusatively. Gwendolyn was almost always in the kitchens and never on the floor. 

"Oh not today, I took your advice and came to visit before." Their round face lighting up as they spoke. "The next thing I knew, I kept coming back whenever I had the chance." 

Conri stared like a deer in headlights hearing that Landis had become a frequent customer. Their schedules must've been complete opposites if he's just finding out about this now. Conri struggling to now look directly at Landis' smile, overcome with embarrassment at the possibility that Landis thought he was avoiding him. 

"That's great you have been enjoying yourself, I'm sure Gwendolyn appreciates it too. Her cooking skills are truly astonishing." 

"Yea! And its even better that I got to run into you." 

Conri watched Landis palm a whole egg tart in one bite as if it was finger food. Their smile never wavering as he chewed through the buttery exterior and into the smooth creamy center. He'd have to give Landis' thanks to Gwendolyn. 

"I'm really glad to hear you like everything. I'll let you enjoy the rest. It was great seeing you again." 

"Wait," Landis started, half rising off his seat. "You said you hadn't tried the pie yet right?"

A pause from Conri before nodding. Even at half height, he had forgotten how tall he was. A bit taken a back, Landis uttered a quick apology for startling him then sat back down. 

"If you wanted, you could try some of this piece." he finally added.  

On one hand, it was enticing with its tan crust and mint green glistening body below a dollop of whipped cream, on another hand, should he? Conri looked around at the other guests who weren't paying attention, then back to Landis who sat patiently. Remembering the earlier confidence high, he accepted. Taking the seat across from Landis, he produced a second set of utensils from his apron and brought a piece to his mouth. Sweet with a citrus after taste and melt in your mouth crust as it combined with whipped cream.

"You're face says it all." Landis smiled warmly as he cut into his second tart.

"I may get the stink eye from Marcus if he saw this, but" Conri shrugged as the last bits of flavor left his tongue. "It's Gwendolyn's food, he'll understand."

Landis' phone blinked with light from under it, reflecting off the table's surface. 

"Oh, do you need to get that?"

Landis swallowed the second piece of tart. "It can wait, I was just following up on the news with a coworker." Reaching over for his first bite of pie.