"Heed the nagging calls of the barter, for one can never go wrong.

Yet, be aware of the situation you lie in, for it's sure to keep you alert.

For no deal can ever go both ways..."

-from 'Deceit' by Princess Sibylla of Endro

Come on, come on!

Sweat beaded onto the rectangular recon device in Clara’s grasp as the cool metal did nothing to her anxiety-driven senses. It was far past the end of lunch hour, yet Clara was holed up in the women’s restroom- why? This is a stupid piece of soldered circuitry! Clara cursed mentally as she furiously slammed the remote with her palm, to no avail, however, as the neon green text ‘LOADING’ remained.

“Damn it!” she hissed before throwing it to the tiled wall, scrutinising as it clattered to the stone floor. Clara bit her lip, glancing at her watch once more. Ideally, she was meant to be in the assembly hall by now; however, due to a certain someone, she was stuck. Alone. In a mediocre cubicle. Nice. She thought with disdain. A subtle ding had her eyes snap to the device once more.

[Recon Sent]

[Calculating Distance…]

“Finally”, Clara muttered, rolling her eyes.

SLAM! Clara jumped in place as she scrambled to hide the device, locking the cubicle door in haste. Damn it, damn it- DAMN IT. None were meant to be roaming the halls now, unless-

“For Illonias's grace, shut it quietly, you clutz! Do you want Professor Anansi to know we’re here again?” A shrill, feminine voice chided incredulously. Clara heard a soft groan of pain and a quick kick. Wait-’Professor’? Are they students? Clara backtracked in her head as the group outside continued their spree of gossip. 

Ever so slightly, Clara unlocked the door and pushed it a sliver more to find a group of girls gathered at the far sink, braiding their hair and replenishing makeup. Clara watched in silence as the girl with hazel pigtails and sand-like complexion smirked, elbowing the smaller blonde next to her.

“If Nari had her way, I think she would beg to see Professor Anansi. OW! Hey, you know it’s true!” The girl rubbed her arm, laughing at (presumably) Nari’s flushed face.

“It’s not! I just score better in his lessons-”

“Because you’re enamoured with his voice?”

“BECAUSE I like history. THAT. IS. IT!” Nari jabbed her finger in her friend’s arm, punctuating every word as her pale cheeks continued to morph into furious shades of scarlet. The pigtailed girl laughed uncontrollably as Nari tried to shush her; meanwhile, the taller teen with free-falling locks of ruby rolled her sky-blue eyes.

“Quit teasing her, Aria. It’s not Nari’s nor Professor Anansi’s fault you have the memory of a goldfish.”

“Oi! Like you’re doing any better, Cadenza.” Aria retorted pettily. Cadenza raised a brow, her lips twisting into a smile as Aria’s fell. Oh, you’re done for. Clara deduced in her mental commentary on the exchange. After all, she had seen the exact replica of that smile on another individual…

“Contrary to your assumption,” Cadenza scoffed, “I managed to get an E in finals last year.” Her response was met with silence before Nari and Aria snorted in amusement, holding each other up as they descended into cackles, much to Cadenza’s irritation. Clara, on the other hand, stared dumbfounded that Cadenza openly bragged about such an abysmal score. She barely passed! Whilst Clara’s mind was short-circuiting, she did not notice the slip in her balance as her weight now collapsed onto the door, which swung in full force.

In a quick movement, Clara found herself face-planted onto the floor, with three sets of surprised and suspicious eyes upon her. Shit, she thought. Cadenza crossed her arms, cocking her head to the side- any trace of joviallness dispersed. Although before she could speak, Aria’s accusatory tone intervened.

“Were you spying on us?”

“Is she going to tattle?” Nari’s voice rose a pitch as her copper eyes narrowed. The two began to crowd Clara, who- now upright- stood in a defensive stance, ready to defend herself. However, Aria and Nari stopped as Cadenza held her arm out and huffed in exasperation.

“Ladies, have some decorum, would you? And quit your squabble, it’s not like she can run her mouth.” Cadenza’s eyes shimmered in intrigue and speculation. “After all, she’s in the same boat.” Clara followed Cadenza’s gaze to the floor, a short gasp escaping her lips. The recon device now stood in between the two parties as Clara rushed to pick it up, but Aria reacted faster.

“Hey! This phone is sorta slick.” Aria said as she examined the recon device. She particularly eyed the screen. “Uh…is this meant to be some kind of game?” Aria questioned, turning the device’s screen towards Clara. Fine, red lines created a grid shape as a white dot glowed in the centre with another green text displayed above: 3KM RADIUS. 

X0V! Clara thought at the same time she replied,

“Uh…yeah! That’s…a retro game, but you know- on a phone.” Way to start a conversation. Clara groaned in her head, yet Aria did not notice that slip. Rather, a peculiar change was underway in Aria’s demeanour. Like the flick of a switch, her eyes became stars as her smile reached the ends of her face. Cadenza backed away from the girl as Nari raised an arm to her head.

“Here we go again,” Nari muttered much to Clara’s bewilderment. She narrowed her eyes at their reactions, her mouth open in a question, but Aria’s onslaught overpowered her. The taller woman gripped Clara by the shoulders, vigorously shaking her.

“RETRO? What’s it called? Is it free? SPILL. THE. TEA!”

“Maybe let her breathe first?” Cadenza suggested rolling her eyes at Aria’s enthusiasm, which promptly made Aria release Clara from her vice grip. After giving her a moment to breathe, Cadenza continued.

“You’re not a familiar sight. Are you new?” She asked, handing the recon device back to her. Clara nodded slowly, quickly building a script in her mind.

“Just transferred to Class 10E.” All three girls blew at the response, particularly Nari’s as recognition passed through her gaze.

“Oh!” she said, snapping her fingers on impulse. “You're the new girl! Clara, weren’t you?” Clara was decently impressed by her vivid memory; she assumed she would just be another nameless face amongst the masses. Clara nodded in response as Aria questioned further.

“Aren’t newbies meant to be an incarnation of ‘I’m such a goody-two-shoes’? What are you doing here, skipping assembly and on your phone?” Aria sneered at Clara, intruding into her space further. Her shadow loomed over Clara, who stood like a statue, defiant against the barking comments. Whilst Aria expected her to succumb under pressure or at least begin trembling, she was wholly unprepared for Clara’s burst of laughter. The girl in question lifted a hand to hide her smile as tears were almost streaming down her face.

“I’m sorry, was that meant to intimidate me? If it was, I must say it was a spectacular failure.” Gone was the flailing, lanky Clara from prior as she mirrored Aria’s sneer, shocking the trio into silence. In seconds, mercury eyes sharpened into steel.

“Considering where we both are right now, I wouldn’t be the only one in the wrong now, would I? After all,” Clara grinned. “All I need to say is one ‘I’m sorry, Professor, I’m still adjusting to the rules’ and would get off scot free, contrary to you three who’ve rotted here for years.” Clara took a step closer, tilting her head as she looked at each of them in turn.

“So? What’s it going to be?” Nari, Aria and Cadenza glanced sideways before their lips curiously formed matching grins.

“Someone’s got spunk.” Cadenza winked at the now-stunned Clara as she spoke before extending an arm. Clara raised a brow at the gesture, looking at Cadenza quizzically. The girl laughed airily.

“You’re going to need someone to show you the ropes around here. Rather us-”

“Whom are ever so trustworthy.” Aria interrupted.

“-than some other nutjob. Of course, by understanding that also means no tattling: not from us about your phone, or you about us. How about that?” Cadenza finished with a small shove at Aria. All eyes were on Clara, awaiting her answer. At first, she hesitated. Posing as an undercover student for the Director was risky already; adding more unknown variables like ‘connections’ would only add to more inevitable outcomes. Although what better way is there to be one with the crowd? Clara mused as she turned to accept the gesture.

“Deal.”

As the girls shook on their decision, they remained ever oblivious to the other exchange taking place within a few hallways away...