There was a knock at Castor’s office door.

“Rigel?” Castor questioned. “Come in.”

The door creaked open. Castor had guessed correctly. Rigel stood in the doorway.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Castor asked, unenthused by his presence.

Rigel cleared his throat. “I don’t appreciate the way you’ve just taken my student out from under me,” he began. 

Castor dropped what he was working on and rubbed his forehead. “Be honest with yourself, Rigel; you know you didn’t deserve her.”

“Regardless, I should’ve been issued a warning,” Rigel replied. “What makes you think you’ll be any better?”

“Goddammit, Rigel. Really? You had your chance, and it was probably one of the worst mistakes Ophiuchus has made.”

“Well maybe—,” he was cut short as Castor stood up, slamming his fists on the desk.

“I don’t want to hear you sob about how I stole your star,” Castor growled. “You're a bad teacher, it's as simple as that. I don’t know how that nova scrambled your brain, but it sure as hell made you a lot weaker. Hell, you’re not even all there.” He motioned to his missing right arm. “Mira needs someone who can properly teach her. Frankly, I’m surprised Ophiuchus kept up with you for so long, so let me do my job and give her a proper stellar education, and you can train the other three shitheads to their quick death on the battlefield.” Rigel still stood in the doorway, unmoved from when Castor had started his scolding. He tried to mouth some words, but nothing came out. “So we're done here?” Castor asked, sitting back down at his desk.

Rigel broke from his trance and put his foot down, making a huff. “No. I’m not going to stand around and let you turn Mira into yo—.” 

With a flick of flame, Castor slammed the door shut on his face. “What an idiot,” he muttered to himself. 

**BREAK**

Mira and Atlas had entered back into the complex, gliding through the steel passageways. They were still partaking in their shared silence, headed back to the library. A few people offered them glances. Mira wondered how much word had gotten around. 

They passed by the infirmary. Mira eyed it, a hinge of guilt swinging in her chest. 

Atlas looked to her as if to infer something.

“I’m not going in there,” Mira responded to his look. 

“I think it’d be good.”

Mira sighed. She glanced back at the infirmary door but shook her head. “I think it’d kill her if she saw me honestly,” she tried to excuse herself.

Minutes later, they both landed on the dock to the library. Stephen and Yue were still sitting at the same table. Yue was still reading her book, but Stephen had put his down and seemed to be trying to make conversation with her, unsuccessfully.

The glass doors slid open, and Stephen looked up. He gave them an awkward wave with a smile. 

Mira and Atlas both took their seats opposite to them at the table. 

“Have a good conversation?” Yue asked, turning a page in her book.

“I suppose,” Atlas responded, looking at Mira. 

“It was fine,” Mira replied.

“So are we all chill now?” Yue questioned. 

They both nodded. 

Stephen gave them a thumbs-up and a wink. “Yue and I also had a lovely conversation,” Stephen said. “Isn’t that right, Yue?” 

Yue looked at him. “You had one, all right.”

Stephen sighed, putting his head down. “I know. I try.”

“Anyways, Mira, I want to know, how was training with Castor?” Yue asked, now putting her open book down on the table. 

Mira met her light blue eyes. “Oh, it was great,” she replied. “He trains the way I've always wanted. Feel like I've learned more than I have in years.” 

Yue saw Atlas glance at her. She assumed the question from him. “Do you think Rigel’s a bad teacher?”

“I mean…,” she paused for a moment. “For me, yeah, he is. And Castor seems to think so too.” She added. “But I'm higher class than you all, so maybe he’s fine for you.” She sensed she made a mistake. 

Atlas sighed. 

“I don’t mean it like that,” Mira tried to save herself. 

“Mira, listen, we’re happy for you, but don’t do that thing where you think you’re better than us,” Yue said. 

Mira was caught off guard by her comment, thinking she had made a mostly reasonable statement. “I really didn’t mean it like that.” Mira replied. “But physically I am different, and it means they have to do things differently.”

“I guess so,” Yue responded. “But don’t assume we’re weak because of it.” She picked her book back up. 

“We’ll miss you at Rigel’s,” Stephen said, trying to break some tension. “Felt so weird today.”

“Well, there’s no going back now,” Mira replied. “Hope it's not too boring without me.”

“Don’t forget about us,” Stephen fake sniffled.

“We’re still going to live together, dumbass,” Mira answered. “Can’t lose me that easily.”

“Yeah, I know,” he replied, smiling. There was a second of silence.

“Hey Mira,” Atlas replied, thinking it was his chance to chime in. “Do you think you could talk to Rigel? It just seems like you left kind of quietly. He didn’t even know you had.” 

Mira paused for a moment, considering the words she had shared with him earlier in the day. “Yeah, yeah, I can do that,” Mira replied, 90% sure it was going to be a lie.

“Thanks,” Atlas answered. “Promise?”

“Totally,” Mira replied.