[The end-of-class bell rang and UNDINE and AUTUMN stood up, hefting their bookbags onto their backs and started towards the door. Behind them, someone cleared their throat, clearly wanting their attention. Neither of the girls turned around, but they both stopped midstride.]
MAINYO: Sorry, but you are the only people here that I know the names of, and I was hoping that you could assist me.
UNDINE: [Turns nervously towards MAINYO] Assist... how?
AUTUMN: [Moves her head to peer over her shoulder at MAINYO and UNDINE] We have class soon, and you probably do too... Can this wait?
MAINYO: [Gives both girls an embarassed smile and blushes slightly.] Well, not really. I actually was hoping one of you could help me find Mr. Leopard's room; it's my next class.
AUTUMN: [frowns] Forgot your way around already?.......... Well my next class is in the english hall, not science. Undine?
UNDINE: I have a class right next door... I guess I can show you.
MAINYO: It would be most appreciated.
UNDINE: Right... Let's go.
[UNDINE pauses next to AUTUMN as she exits the room.]
UNDINE: (whispering) How do I get myself into these things?
AUTUMN: (whipering) It's that blasted code of honor... seems we're bound to the old rules here too. You felt that when he said the words... We still have to...
UNDINE: (whispering) Follow the Guardian's Code... never refuse when someone asks for our help when it comes to...
AUTUMN: (whispering) Matters that aren't quite mundane, shall we say?
UNDINE: Right. I'd better get going. Class...
AUTUMN: Me too. Take care. See you after band practice, right?
UNDINE: Right.
[AUTUMN stands silently just outside the door to the band room, watching the students pack up their instruments. UNDINE comes out the door, slinging her backpack over her shoulders as she comes.]
UNDINE: We've gotta talk about the situation. Now. [Begins to walk quickly outside.]
AUTUMN: [Blinks in shock at the harshness in UNDINE's voice and follows quickly, matching Undine stride for stride.] What's happened? You're two breaths short of going full power on me.
UNDINE: We're not far away enough. Can you give me a ride? I told Jim not to pick me up today.
AUTUMN: Of course I can. But you're gonna tell me why--
UNDINE: Not YET!
AUTUMN: You never resonate this much power unless... Please say you haven't been--
UNDINE: No. It's not that. Not yet anyways.
AUTUMN: Yet? damn.
UNDINE: Yeah.
[AUTUMN and UNDINE reach an unused baseball feild behind the student parking lot and sit on the grass of the outfeild.]
AUTUMN: Far enough? [UNDINE nods.] Good. Spill it.
UNDINE: We're the only... er... non- mortals in the area. Right?
AUTUMN: As far as I know of. We're in an uncharted area of the mortal realm. There's a few with talent for magic, but no one else from Faerie comes here, thus no gates. That's why we're stuck, remember? Neither of us ever learned Gating.
UNDINE: That's what I thought. That's why no one recognises us as Guardians. I think someone from Faerie is here, and they know us for what we are.
AUTUMN: Who?
UNDINE: That boy... Mainyo.
AUTUMN: I was suspicious myself.
UNDINE: While we were walking to class he seemed to be testing me for reactions. He kept finding idiotic little things to ask and started out each time with-
[MAINYO walks up behind them silently. He looks the same as before, except his ears are now long and pointed - elf ears.]
MAINYO: I need your help.
[UNDINE and AUTUMN both jump to thier feet.]
AUTUMN: Dammit! You--
UNDINE: How long have you been standing there?
MAINYO: Long enough to confirm my own suspicions.
AUTUMN: Which are?
MAINYO: I'll say it again if I must. I did not realize I was required to repeat myself in calling on a Guardi-
AUTUMN: We heard you very clearly the first time.
UNDINE: Just what help do you need?
MAINYO: I was sure you would determine that I was from Faerie as well fairly soon, even if I had not bothered Undine. I was simply going to bind you to not tell the High Council of my presence here, but it would seem you cannot do that, even if you wished to.
AUTUMN: Why are you hiding from the Council? What did you do?
MAINYO: Such invasive questions. They require complex answers. Starting with, it is not what I did, but what I know.
UNDINE: You're skipping the real question. What do you require from us?
MAINYO: Straight-forward sort aren't you? I require protection if I come under attack from the Council.
UNDINE: You must be joking! The High Council trains Guardians!
AUTUMN: We were chosen by the Council to become Guardians. You must know that.
MAINYO: I will only hold you to this if you are willing to; I will release you from the request if you do not wish to...
UNDINE: You know the answer already. We cannot go against the Council.
AUTUMN: You knew this already. Why did you even ask?
MAINYO: I was under the impression I might have found True Guardians when I realized you had no connections to the Council here.
UNDINE: True -
AUTUMN: - Guardians?
MAINYO: Just hear me out.
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