They filled the bottle and went back outside. In retrospect, Ladd realized the bottle was much less conspicuous than a vase would have been. It wasn’t like they had any flowers growing around the lifeless trees, and a vase already full of water was pretty much inexplicable. In fact, they were having enough trouble explaining why they were playing without Noe to everyone who saw them and asked. When they got back to the tree grove, Ladd told Kyle they were going to have to figure out a way where no one would see them coming and going. Kyle agreed but was reluctant to offer lessons after lights-out. It was much too cold already, even in the daytime.

“Let’s deal with that later. First, see if you can Move the water now.”

“Okay.” Ladd squinted at the bottle.

“Stop making weird faces.”

“Oh.” Ladd opened his eyes like usual and tried to get past the image of the bottle.

“You’re right. This is hard.”

“See?”

“The bottle is too distracting.”

Kyle blinked, not understanding. “The bottle is just a container, though?”

“I know, but it’s in the way.”

“Are you trying to talk to the bottle or something? I told you, just ask the water to do what you want.”

“What should I ask it to do?”

“Ah. That’s a good question, actually. Hm, how about... float?”

“Float?”

“It’s a little harder than just moving around inside the bottle, but you’ll be able to see the results better.”

“Yeah.” Ladd tried to imagine the water inside the bottle floating, but didn’t feel like anything was going to happen. He was right. So, he tried “telepathy.”

Water, help me. Can you float?

Ladd noticed a flitting spark in his chest this time, but it was weak.

Water, come on. Please? Just float for a little bit.

Ladd felt a question poking at the edge of his consciousness. But that couldn’t be right. What would the Water want to ask? And what made him think it was the Water asking in the first place? He shook the thought from his head.

What’s wrong? You want to listen to me, don’t you? Just come on up out of the bottle for a few seconds and then go back in. That’s all.

The water in the bottle slowly rose a few inches clear into the air, hovered for a moment, and then slinked back into its container. Kyle’s eyebrows went up in light surprise.

“Good job.”

“How? I don’t even know how I did that. I think.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“I was just asking it over and over. It wasn’t listening to me at first, so I didn’t know what to do. And then, all of a sudden, it just did.”

“Maybe it’s just practice. Try doing it again."

“Okay.”

Can you do that again?

The water shifted more quickly this time.

“Huh. Keep trying. Do different things, too.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Do whatever you want."

Ladd considered for a minute, then had a bright idea.

Let’s play. Do you wanna play?

Ladd sensed that the water would respond positively. He glanced at his target.

Go.

The bottle flinched as the water rushed out of it and flew towards where Kyle was standing. It collided with his face. Ladd burst out laughing.

Kyle’s expression dropped. “Very funny, kiddo.” He wiped the water off of his face and sighed.

“I guess the lesson is over, then.”

“Huh?! What, why?”

“Because there’s no more water. You just wasted it all.”

“Can’t we, uh, pick it up?”

“No, look. It’s all absorbed in the ground already. Or else the rest of it is frozen. I can’t Move ice. You definitely can’t Move ice.”

Ladd slumped his shoulders. “You should’ve told me that.”

“I didn’t think you were gonna throw it away like that.”

“What if I wanted to spill it? Then I wouldn’t have been able to use it again.”

Kyle sighed. “Fine, whatever. Now you know, right? You need to put it back in the container or else it’s gone. At least out here.”

Ladd nodded.

“Okay, let’s go back inside then. I’m freezing.”

They turned to go into the dorms.

‘Hey, do you think we can make hot cocoa float to us from the kitchen?”

“Not a chance. It’s gotta be pure water.”

“Aw. That sucks.”

“Just go to the kitchens like a normal person.”

“But I’m not a normal person! I’m a mage!”

“Say it louder, why don’t you?”

“Oops.” Ladd slapped a hand over his mouth.

“Besides, mages are normal people, too.”

“Bleh. You’re boring."

“And you’re an idiot.”

“Hehehe. We’ll see about that.”

“What.”

“You’re gonna be calling me a genius soon enough.”

“Why would I?”

“Because I’m gonna be the greatest mage-”

“Shut up!” Kyle glared at Ladd, then tilted his head in the direction of the door they were passing. “Someone will hear you.”

Ladd whispered. “I’m gonna be the greatest one in the whole world.”

“Right. Okay.”

“I can feel it, I’m telling you.”

“Whatever you say, o god.”

“‘O’ what?’”

“Old World reference. Sorry, I forgot you were dumb for a second there.”

“You meanie. I’m not dumb.”

“Sure. Uncultured. That better?”

Ladd snickered. “You’re just jealous.”

“Keep talking. That’ll help.”

“Kyle!” The boys turned around at the sound of Jackie’s voice. The thing with Jackie was that you could never tell what she had just been doing. Sleeping? Showering? Meeting the Director? Jackie always wore pajamas no matter the time of day. Now was no exception. Gray thermal leggings hugged the tall sixteen-year-old under an oversized pink knit sweater. Her favorite orange-cat-face-speckled black hoodie must have been in the laundry.

She jogged over to them and threw her arms around their shoulders.

“I thought you guys were gonna miss dinner, what were you doing outside?”

“Playing house. But why did you only call for Kyle and not me?”

“I was gonna but you already turned around. Isn’t it too cold, though? And why would you play house outside? I think inside makes more sense.”

“Er, that-”

“Kyle didn’t get to go outdoors when he was at the Academy so we’re making up for it now.”

“Aw, you poor baby.” Jackie snaked her arm away from Kyle’s shoulders to grab his chin. “Did they lock you up all day?”

“Well, no-”

“I didn’t take you for someone who liked being outside anyway.” The squish intensified. “How about you come and join us sometime when the rest of us are playing?”

Kyle shot a glare at Ladd, who shrugged. Jackie shook Kyle’s face side to side.

“Hm? Come play with us?”

“Okay, okay! Fine.”

“Yay! Good boy.” Jackie pecked his cheek.

“Ack! You both gotta stop that. Jackie, Ladd is learning bad habits from you.”

“It’s not bad, it’s cute.”

“See? I’m cute.”

“Shut up, Ladd. Jackie-”

“Yes?”

Kyle hesitated. “Okay, fine. It’s cute when you do it. But not him.”

Ladd pouted.

“You’re gross.”

Jackie ruffled Ladd’s hair. “Don’t be jealous, I love all you babies equally.”

Ladd snorted, then covered his mouth quickly.

“Be nice.” Jackie tapped the back of Ladd’s head.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Now, go take your coats off. Fey said he was worried about you guys, so don’t be late to dinner.”

The boys nodded and headed to their rooms.

“Oh, and Kyle.” He turned. “Make sure you take care of the icicles in your hair. Warm up properly.”

Ladd couldn’t stop laughing at him all the way back.