CHAPTER-
"Do you guys wear these every time?" Kento asked. "Mine is mostly used for traditional events"
"Hm, well, yes and no, people wear it whenever" The student said.
"Mostly old people wear theirs every time." Ravi added. "Oh right, I'm Ravi by the way."
" Alex"
"Kento"
"Do you always wear your headphones?"
"Yeah, it helps, block out people's location when I use my magic"
"That's sick, location magic? Mine's light magic"
"Yeah, I use water to track people"
"Mine's plant magic," Ravi added.
"You all have sick powers." Alex chuckled slightly. "mine is creating shiels with light I guess"
"no that's good, really defensive type of magic" Ravi said
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"You're from Aquaria!?" Thalia squeaked in surprise.
"I thought they were all dead, history said you all are bad people" Hinata said cautiously
"We aren't, we are constantly put into stereotypes." Nhyria picked up a white paint. "If I'm guessing, you're from Aquaria too?" she pointed to Nerina
"What? But she's from silver dust." Kyomi gasped
"They're right…" Nerina said nervously. "I'm from silverdust…"
Nhyria stared at her with suspicion. "My bad. I'll start with you then"
She gently pulled Nerina to a stool.
"Are there survivors of the war?" Hinata looked around.
"Yes, after we got attacked, most of us survived, Lumora took the remaining refugees and gave us homes and education" she explained. "We've been framed after the attack, by other kingdoms"
"That's upsetting!" Thalia frowned.
"It is." another girl spoke. "So far we've been treated well, not always, but oh well.
"Nerina is it?" Nhyria planted little white dots on Nerina's face. "Come, I'll show you the stuff we were."
"Can we come! How exciting!" Kyomi gleamed.
She laughed. "As much as I'd love to say yes, I can't, you all are in your beautiful cultural clothing and makeup, I don't want to ruin that"
"Aw.." Kyomi pouted. "I'll try it next time."
"Mhm" She pulled Nerina inside the small room gently.
—---
Nerina was let into a room with beautiful room filled with cloths, jewellery and footwear. with a flicker of her hand, Nhyria sent a signal for the others to leave the room
"You hid your identity?" Nhyria started calmly.
"It's complicated. " Nerina played with her hand.
"I understand…"
The room fell silent
"Have you been able to use your tail?" Nhyria asked
"No.. "
"Why?"
"I don't know.. I tried, but I can't seem to do it." Nerina sighed.
"Your issue might be you were born on land" she explained. "You see, when Aquarians are born, they spend the first few weeks under water, with their tail of course, then go to land" she pointed to a few fabrics.
"Or maybe someone forced you to have your legs when you were a baby, and because of that you're struggling. Pick one of the fabrics"
"Why would someone do that? It's sad…" Nerina's voice trembled as she looked at the fabrics.
"Probably to protect you, you were probably the few babies that were born during or after the war started."
"I want the purple one. Please." Nerina pointed.
"Good option. But to unlock whatever's going on, you might have to look deeper into yourself. Like what you want."
"What do I want?... I guess.. I want to protect everyone, and make sure everyone experiences freedom. " Nerina clenched her fists. "I want to rise and free all aquarians"
Nhyria looked at her.
"I want to as well, to free aquarians… I tried, and failed"
"I'll succussed… I think.. I'll just need to explore Aquaria, learn about my place, and help everyone."
"I have no doubt you'll succeed then. I'll help you succeed. What's your magic? Mine's memory summoning "
"That's so unique!" Nerina exclaimed. "Mine is blood magic…"
"That's actually common, aquarians are known to have body related magic associated with water." She chuckled. "So no need to feel embarrassed" she added gold accessories on "you shouldn't be embarrassed of where you come from"
She patters Nerina's clothes. "There, all done." She gave a smile before exiting the room, Nerina trailed behind.
"Teacher Xiang!?" Nerina shrieked.
"Nerina, as a teacher, I decided to also try out other cultures. It's rare to find aquarians, out and about" her dark green hanfu danced elegantly at her side.
"Oh right, I know you," Nhyria said.
"Lovely to meet you two. I'd like to try Aquarian's jewelry. " She placed her umbrella down.
"Okay" Nhyria went in the small room
"It's nice to see you again teacher Xiang, I see you're having fun to"
"Yeah, teacher Xiang came earlier, she said she wanted to try Aquaria before moving along." Thalia said.
"Bracelets!! I want one so bad!!" Kyomi spoke.
"Yeah, we can wear bracelet to appreciate every culture we come across"
Nhyria came out with many types of bracelets and jewelry.
"I have many, anklets, waist beads, bracelets, and necklaces"
"Holy!!!" Kyomi's eyes sparkled. "So colourful!!"
Nhyria nodded
"Hm.. I want an anklet please" Xiang took an anklet.
"I think the bracelets are cute, I'll have one," Hinata hummed.
"Yo!!! These are so cool!! I want a bracelet!!" Thalia exclaimed.
"I'll have the bracelet," Nerina added.
"Please, pick as much as you can" Nhyria smiled
"Hey!!" Loci ran towards them.
"Nico, wait!" Ishaan huffed. "How can someone have so much energy"
"Huh?" Nerina turned around.
"It's Nico!!" Kyomi ran towards him
"Nico!"
"Oh my favourite person Kyomi!" Nico jumped.
"Yay!!"
They both moved happily.
"Why are you two here?" Xiang held her umbrella.
Ishaan placed his hands on his lap. "Nothing really, we are trying to contact everyone who has siblings in silver dust that everything's okay"
"Okay then?"
"Huh?" Nerina stared blankly.
"Okay thanks Xiang!!" Loci holds Nerina's hand "let's go!!" He ran quickly
"Huh!?" Nerina screamed loudly.
"Not again!!" Ishaan groaned loudly. "get back here!!"