My muscles ached after only a few days of training with Raphael and Finn, mainly cardio with the pain in the ass while Finn walked me through combat manuevers and helped me with my form. 

I hadn't made a ton of progress yet, but I could already feel the difference in the way I punched, and more muscle was developing in my legs. I'd get stronger and maybe have a chance of getting home to kick that little shit Warren in the balls just for fun.

Cybele had even let me try out archery to teach me a new skill, as apparently I should be well informed in all areas of combat. To my surprise, she was a legend with a bow and arrow, and the targets hardly stood a chance as she hit the bull's eye every single time with ease. She looked like a queen when she pulled the string back, took a deep breath, and let the arrow fly to hit the target.

Then, she handed her bow over to me, which was a completely different story.

I'd given it my best shot and even managed to hit the target on the outer edges a few times, but my lesson was ended quickly as I nearly shot a passing guardian in the head. It was ruled that we should logically explore another weapon avenue and maybe clear the entire field the next time I went out to my archery lesson, which had been added to my schedule. Annie gave me a quick lesson on how to use a sword, which went better than the whole Robin Hood ordeal.

Now I had cardio with Raphael, hand to hand with Finn, archery with Cybele, swordsmanship with Annie, and meraki training with Secta. I had the hardest time keeping up with my lesson schedule as it tended to rotate according to all the others' free time as well. It was a huge mess some days, and from Finn's face as he led me about, I knew he wanted to blow a gasket as well on those particularly hectic afternoons.

Everyone was all over me and I constantly felt like I was jammed in the middle of everyone's business as they threw more things on me to learn. I had to be able to fight, use meraki, shoot with a bow and arrow, have excellent swordsmanship... I couldn't do everything at once and my brain was starting to feel ready to explode as though it were in a microwave. I shook my head and took a big bite of toast.

It was breakfast and because Secta was doing business, Cybele and I were able to join Raphael, Finn, Charlie, Annie, and few other guardian instructors at a table on the floor, a huge Christmas tree in the center of the room.

I sat eating more pancakes and toast between Finn and Cybele, enjoying the new fruit options of pineapple and mango with bliss. I took a sip of orange juice, listening to the dull roar of voices as Annie and Charlie bickered back and forth.

"And this dipshit thought he could stab the demon through the head with the butter knife!" Annie retorted. 

This made them laugh as Charlie let out a hiss, pointing to her. "She got her sword stuck in the televison set so I was on my own completely defenseless. Good job, King Arthur!"

She shrugged, eating yogurt. "Suck a dick."

"Are you offering?" He leaned forward on his elbows with a cheeky smile as Annie looked up from her yogurt. "Sword made of stone!"

"I think I'll pass. I've never really been a fan of baby carrots."

Raphael choked on his orange juice as Charlie's face lost all color, the table filling with laughter. "Fates, what a low blow! And let me assure you, it is not the size of a baby carrot."

"Well, according to the score painted on your boxers..."

"How the hell would she know?"

I looked at my empty glass of juice before standing to my feet. Finn glanced to me.

"Just getting more orange juice." I offered him a smile before slipping out of the table. I walked down the line of benches, avoiding long wings while receiving several hundred stares that made my stomach knot.

I walked up to the counter where the giant container of juice sat. I put my cup under the nozzle, pushing down on the little tab as the orange liquid started to pour inside.

"Meow! Meow! Meowitty meow!" A voice whispered beside me and I turned my head, Samaria waving at me behind one of the giant pillars that held up the domed ceiling. I looked to my right before back to her as she pointed to me. "Kitty! Meow!"

I narrowed my eyes, leaving my cup on the counter as I walked towards where she stood. "My name is Kate, not Kitty."

"You came to my Cat Signal!" This made her burst into laughter before she composed herself. "And my name is Samaria, not Samurai though that would have been a hell of a lot cooler. Damn you, Mom and Dad." She extended her hand, "pleased to meet your acquaintance, little Ms. Prodigy. You were not the way I imagined you at all: brunette and your eyes aren't rainbow either. Do you by chance breath bubbles?"

"You know I'm the Prodigy?"

Samaria only laughed, shaking her head. "Duh! I'm not an idiot. My charisma, charm, and hilariousness only distracts from that at times. I know you're the Prodigy because A. you don't have wings and yet you're here. B. Cybele, Finn, Raphael, and Secta watch you like helicopter parents who revolve around their kid who has severe allergies to gluten. C. You always look particularly confused about being here because you aren't used to this environment, us, or your powers. Just a little baby hatched straight from the egg! And D. your eyes and veins glow gold when you use your powers. I would know this because I saw you have that mental breakdown outside the library. I mean I get it, Secta nearly makes me want to pull my hair out too. "

I blinked, staring at her. "Why are you talking to me? No one else does."

Samaria shrugged before holding up a hand. "Curiosity, and everyone else here is a pussy because they know that you may or may not be dangerous. But, that always gets me excited. Some people live off oxygen, but I, my friend, live off adrenaline like the people who are addicted to crystal meth. Breath it all in!"

"You do crystal meth?"

She rolled her eyes, patting my shoulder with a sympathetic, forced smile. "No, you innocent little flower, you! That was a metaphor! Oh darling." Samaria shook my arm roughly. "You already look frostbitten by boredom, my friend. I mean, when you listen to those old folks drone on and on, it does make you want to shove a fork in your eye every time Anastasia makes a dick comment. Ah, it's a classic like Old Yeller, except you can't decide if you want to shoot her or yourself between the eyes. I mean, your pick."

I bit my lip and she let out a giggle of amusement.

"Knew it! She's already made one comment today! Ha ha, that nasty woman! Someone really needs to get into her pants sooner or later. It must be a little dusty down there if you know what I mean... It was about Charlie's right?" When I didn't answer, it only made her do a little dance as she shook her hips. "I'm practically psychic, baby! So, what do you say?"

I narrowed my eyes, "about what? Charlie's...?"

"No! Don't make me vomit!" She visibly shuddered, sticking out her tongue. "What do you say about hanging out with people who aren't in their late 70's? You already know Gabriel and now you know me. There you go! Two friends! We can be your wingmen." She wrapped her wings around her body, snapping her fingers at me with a wink. "Didn't even do that one on purpose. Straight off the dome! All natural!"

"So, you want me to come hang out with you, Gabriel, and your other friends?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yes! You see, it's always warm here even during Christmas, so we always go out to the swimming hole Christmas Eve for a little fun, maybe a little tequila... which I swear on my angelic soul that I didn't smuggle from the kitchen." She wiggled her eyebrows. "No pressure. We can give you a Capri-sun and say its vodka so no one would tease you. It's a ton of fun, and frankly, I find you very interesting. I want to know our little savior in the making. I won't corrupt you, I promise."

I rubbed my arm, "it sounds fun, but..."

"They wouldn't let you out?" She finished for me, waving her hand with ease. "I could bust you out of that house in under five minutes. Ha! Tell me a day and time, and I'll do it just to prove that I can!"

"Cybele and Finn..."

"Cybele may be a little difficult, but she trusts you so it shouldn't be too hard for you to schedule some alone time for me to bust you out of the asylum. Now, Finn... he's a man." Samaria gave me a smug smile, "they aren't very bright lightbulbs at times. I'm sure you could think of something to keep him busy for a little while when you are swimming around with us and drinking your happy juice. I mean, your Capri-sun, maybe lemonade...?"

"I'm not sure..."

"About your drink? My girl Jane makes a killer cocktail..."

"The whole me coming with you thing."

Samaria stepped closer to me, whispering under her breath, "if you need a jailbreak, be in my earshot and start talking about how much you like gingerbread."

"I've never had..."

"Fine, how much you like chocolate!" She said, taking a step back. "Do it the day you want out, and hey, I'll be at your door, Kitty Cat. Like a ninja samurai!" Her eyes widened, composing herself as she looked to me. "Noodles! Act natural. Code... Blonde"

"What?"

"So, you're from Ultrona, that city with the psychopath... was he hot?" Samaria said, her expression changing completely as she twirled her hair between her fingers.

"Samaria," Finn's voice made me turn as he looked to both of us. Oh... Code Blonde.

"Commander Finn! I was just meeting our new inmate, Kate!" She giggled, "She seems positively ordinary and no way special in the very least!"

"You're never just curious."

"Ouch! That hurt my feelings. Remember, I can easily demote you from my favorite." Samaria raised a finger in warning as Finn let out a scoff.

"A tragedy."

"Fine, I'll run along." She said with a roll of her shoulders. "I'll see you around, Kate?"

I looked to her with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, I think so."

"Run along faster, Samaria." Finn snapped, making her give a long sigh.

"You become more like Guardian Raphael every day."

"Do not wound me that horrifically ever again." He raised an eyebrow as Samaria grinned.

"Just kidding! You're still my favorite, and if you frown like that all the time, you'll have some sad frown lines on your face for like eternity. No joke, not even an overstatement. Invest in some anti aging skin care products and moisturize..."

Finn gave her a glare.

"What? I'm just helping you out, buddy! Scratch that, I know I'm not supposed to call you buddy like you said before. How about... Prehistoric Bestie?"

"Prehistoric. Bestie?"

"I mean, you are one of the older ones. But, hey, you barely look older than 25! Slaying the game! That's my PB!" Her eyes twinkled as she let out a squeal of delight, "PB! I can be the J to your PB. PB and J! I'm Jovial? Juicy? Just-down-right-fantastic?"

Finn held up a hand, "back to your table."

"Got it, Commander PB! Looking fantastic! Not a day over 21! Please like, love, and appreciate me!" She saluted before sauntering around the column while humming to herself.

I glanced to Finn, who shook his head in disbelief before looking down to me. "She can be... a little much at times. But, I promise, she's harmless."

"She seems fun." I confessed, "I like her, PB."

"No." Finn tried to hide his smile. "I will not allow that nickname to stick."

"Would you prefer Prehistoric Bestie?"

He narrowed his eyes at me. "You're hurting my ego."

"Not as easily as I could that reputation of yours." I winked, grabbing my orange juice from the counter. "That's safe with me, just like PB. No promises from Samaria."

He smiled, always infectious as I couldn't help but grin in return. "She will be punished later."

"You two seem close." I noted, "and she is right. Not a day over 21, which isn't bad for being over 60."

"I've known her a long time so she is just as much of a Prehistoric Bestie as I am." He replied, turning towards our table. "Let's take a seat so you can finish eating."

"Alright. I'm craving a PB and J."