'Yet here I am, trudging through the woods the next day, with no idea why I am suddenly being sent to the Academy!' Mary thought to herself.

In the morning she was awoken by Mother quietly entering her room. Mary watched Mother cross thru her through sleepy, half-closed eyes. Mother stroked Mary's pink hair, matted from sleep.

"Mary, my dearest," Mother said those words again, and Mary smiled. It was her favorite title, and Mother knew it.

"I know this is sudden, but I need to join Doni at the Academy." Mary waited, expecting Mother to say more. When she did not, Marry blinked confused and sat up.

"But Mother, I thought I was to stay here and learn from you like Sisters did. I thought I-" Mother put a hand on Mary's shoulder to calm her.

"You're eldest sister, Lilian attended Academy," Mother reminded Mary.

"And you are still expected to inherit the Kapok Tree someday, this is nothing like that."

Mary looked at her mother, her birth mother, confused. This was so sudden. This was never what they had talked about, going to the Academy just wasn't something that had been on the table for Mary. Sure, she had imagined going sometimes. But in the way one imagines doing things they never actually think they're going to do- just fantasies.

Suddenly, sadness penetrated Mary's confusion. She thought about Lilian and her other Sisters. Not to mention the younger cheebs she had in a way started to think of herself as a mentor to, being part of Mother Virgo's line and all.

Mother let go of Mary's shoulder to reach into the pouch on her hip. She pulled out a shimmering orb that was protecting a blue rose inside it. As Mary watched, the protective orb popped, and the rose fell into Mothers awaiting palm.