Childhood Friends

"Things finished up earlier than expected." Pharon answers Elias. He scratches the back of his neck and smirks as he lifts a thumb to point it at his brother, "Nix was eager to come."

Ever groans as she pulls away from Phoenix, "I was hoping there was a slim chance your father didn't say a word." she says. Damn that High Lord.

"How could he not?" Phoenix scoffs, his dark eyes boring into her, "Do you know how shocked we all were?" Phoenix glances around and gives a tight smiles to those he happens to make eye contact with, "My poor mother nearly fainted."

Everscent huffs, it's not her fault that his mother is easily startled.

"He's being dramatic," Pharon chuckles as he looks at Ever, "We were genuinely shocked though."

"Who knew my sister would turn to a life of crime." Elias says with a tut and a shake of his head. "Oh the woe in my heart!"

"Will you all quit it!" She scolds them, glancing around to make sure no one heard them. Only, everyone in a ten feet radius has. Her pale face flushes red, and she wishes she had a cloak on so she could pull the hood up and hide her face.

"Come on, let's get some food." Elias laughs, he and Pharon leading the way to the dining hall, the crowd splitting for the two famous guys on campus.

"Oh thank the Dragon Gods, I'm starving." Ever follows after them. Phoenix walks beside her, his hands in his uniform pockets. She comes up to his mid-chest, so he has to glance down at her to see her.

"They definitely have groupies." Phoenix chuckles, the sound low. Everscent glances around them, taking in the number of ladies and men stealing glances at the youngest Lord's son.

"Are you kidding?" Everscent laughs, "You have groupies." She nods at the small group of second years tittering nearby. When he glances their way, she picks up her pace with a smothered chuckle.

"Hey!" Phoenix catches up to her, "Have you seen your mom yet?" He asks, his voice loud enough for her to hear him over the buzz of the crowd.

"No," Ever gives a half hearted shrug as she tries to stick with their brothers so they don't get lost. "She's probably helping the first years who don't have siblings or parents to help guide them." She continues.

Inside the dining hall, students and parents eat and talk at the long tables. The four of them line up at the long line of food. Ever's mouth waters at the sight of smothered meat and baked potatoes. Ever gathers her plate of food, stacking portions of different varieties, and sits with her brother, Pharon and Phoenix sitting across from them.

"Holy cow, the food here is so good." Everscent glows at her full tray, her blue eyes shining with hearts. There's ribs, marinated meat, pastas galore, and a tiny piece of green broccoli on the side.

"You can at least pretend to be a civilized person." Pharon mutters, eyeing her full plate with distaste.

"You can at least pretend you eat." Ever replies back, taking in his neat and tidy plate that barely has any food on it. In a normal person's perspective, Pharon has a decent amount of food. Everscent is just dramatic.

"After I picked up extra training with Elias, I've been needing the extra protein." Ever grins. She takes a large scoop of her pulled meat and eats it. She moans, savoring the taste.

"You've been training with Elias?" Phoenix asks. The clink of silverware surrounds them as they eat.

"Yeah!" She says with pride, "He's really pumped for the tournament this year. Are you?" She directs the question to Pharon. "You'll obviously be on the same team as him, right?"

"Obviously." Pharon chuckles, as if anything other than that would be unsatisfactory. "There's no way I can face him. I couldn't hurt this killer face." He leans over the table and pinches Elias' cheek. His pale skin turns red when Pharon assaults him and he glares.

"Oh, hey Pharon!" Two girls stop at their table, the one in front grinning. "Elias," She turns her gaze to the white-haired boy seated in the corner beside her. She flashes a smile before turning back to Pharon. "Is it cool if we sit with you?" her curly brown hair is loose, a flower pin keeping the strands out of her face. The girl behind her looks to be a younger version of her, only her hazel eyes are different to her older sister's green ones.

Everscent glances at her brother with raised eyebrows.

"Actually," Pharon speaks up instead, wrapping an arm around Phoenix's shoulders and pulling him into his side, "I'm with my brother and friends right now, so maybe another time?"

"You're name is Phoenix, right?" The girl's younger sister asks as she steps around to stand beside her.

"Yeah." Phoenix gives a tight smile. Everscent hides a snort from behind her hand.

"This is my younger sister," Elias speaks up, drawing the two girls to look at her. He pulls Everscent into his side, and doesn't let go even when she tries to pull away. "Everscent."

"Just, call me Ever." She says, forcing her brother to let go of her. She chuckles awkwardly and gives a wave to the two ladies.

She gets forced smiles back and she shifts in her chair.

"My sister, Genevieve," The older girl pushes her little sister forward and she stumbles. "Doesn't know anyone yet so I was hoping Phoenix could help her out." She smiles, her gaze dropping to Phoenix, "It should be okay, right? I mean, she's here." The girl gestures to Ever.

Everscent points at herself, "Oh no, I'm not a royal groupie or anything." She chuckles, both hands waving half-heartedly in the air.

"Royal groupie?" Pharon mouths at her, smothering a laugh.

"I'm not a-" Genevieve takes a deep breath and forces a smile, but everyone can see her flushed skin. "It's fine, it's fine." She forces a smile. Everscent drags her gaze from Genevieve to her sister. "Thanks anyway." Then she turns around and walks away.

"Gene-" The older sister forces a small laugh, "Sorry, just give us a moment-" Then she's running after her sister, curls bouncing with her movements.

"That was unbelievably rude." Elias scoffs and rubs his neck, glancing around to see if many people saw. "How dare you call her a royal groupie."

Everscent ducks her head and scratches her eyebrows, "I meant to say fan. Anything other than groupie." Fucks sake.

"Clearly not." Phoenix snickers.

"I forget how much attention you people draw." Ever mutters as she continues to eat. She glances up to see Pharon's appalling face.

"We people?" He scoffs.

"What is with you today?" Elias shakes his head, but he can't hide his amusement. "You are we people." Elias chuckles.

"It's been too long since we've hung out like this. Let's not do it often." Pharon chuckles. "Come on, Nix. It's time I show you to your dorm room."

He pushes up from the table, drawing the eyes of those nearby. The next Lord of Pyroura is a magnet for attention. Phoenix nods at Ever and Elias and follows his brother out.