Vote goal: 200 votes on this chapter before the 9th for an extra chapter this week <3 

Olivia wasn't about to lie to herself: she was pushing her limits with this whole lack of sleeping thing.

Fatigue was becoming a far longer tenant in her bones than she would have liked. It always stopped by for a visit after a seizure, but in the last few days, it just hadn't bothered to leave afterwards. Though she usually felt re-energised after a transformation, in the last few days, that hadn't been the case.

She flicked through her notebook as she sat at her table, pretending to be busy. Ericka had asked her to take a photo of some design, but the rest of it was just to give her an excuse to hang around Jason. She hadn't really been paying much attention to what she'd been scribbling down on the page. She was pretty sure most of it wasn't legible, but she'd thrown in a few diagrams for good measure.

Olivia glanced up to Jason, who had gone completely still beside her. His free hand was frozen halfway towards the table, like he'd expected something to be there.

"You okay, Frostsong?" she asked quietly.

Jason's hand reached up to his ear as his eyes flicked to hers. They didn't stay there long, barely half a second before they left, but Olivia knew she'd seen real fear in them.

"Jason?" called Aurelia again.

Jason looked over at her, but once again, did not speak.

Olivia's alert was instantly up.

With one final, helpless glance at the table, Jason seemed to swallow everything down before straightening himself up, adjusting his grip on his violin and approaching his mother's desk.

Olivia sat up a little more in her chair, pretending to be reaching for her Liaiser as she took stock of the table's contents, trying to figure out what'd made him hesitate. His violin case was on the table with his headset. She was fairly certain she hadn't seen his Liaiser out, but what else could be missing?

Before, he'd been playing with his headset on. He'd taken something else off--

His ear cuff. He'd taken off the icy ear cuff that Cryo had given him and put it on the table.

Olivia glanced up at where Aurelia now sat at her desk. The High Speaker had a strangely smug smile on her face given the verbal lashing Banshee had laid down yesterday, and Olivia doubted that Aurelia was that passionate about music. As she had Jason begin to play two of the pieces--only two of them--Olivia leaned back in her chair and quickly scouted the floor. No sign of Cryo's ear cuff.

Every part of her was screaming that Aurelia had taken it.

Olivia put herself in Aurelia's shoes for a moment.

What would I do if I were an evil, narcissistic jerk who had taken something precious from someone I like to torture?

Well, that was easy. She wouldn't give it back, and she'd claim to have no knowledge of it.

That meant Olivia had to get it back.

Olivia stood up from her chair and walked over to where she'd left her bag against the wall in the costuming area. The sound of Jason's violin washed over her, but it was nothing like the song he'd played for her before. This piece was flawless, yes, but it had no heart. No spirit. It was pretty to listen to, but it didn't make her want to dance the way the other one had.

Starlight, that music had been beautiful. It'd been years since she'd heard anything quite like that masterpiece Jason had woven.

Olivia flipped open her bag and, with a quick glance around the room to make sure no one was looking--Aurelia's back was to her, Jason was playing--poked the shadows inside. "Viri?"

A pair of violet eyes glimmered from the darkness. "Yes, Olivia?"

"Okay, I know this is a little unorthodox," whispered Olivia. "But I think Aurelia's stolen Jason's ear cuff."

"The piece of ice he's taken to wearing recently?"

"Yeah. The one that Cryo gave him." She glanced up to make sure she was still off their radars. "If I distract them, do you think you can grab it for me? I know it's not really the best use of my powers, but I don't think Banshee storming in here is a good idea, and Olivia is too obvious."

"I can do it."

"I know it's not--" Olivia blinked. "Wait, you will?"

"I will."

"I was expecting to have to convince you a little more first," said Olivia. "But I'll take it. You go from behind, I'll make sure their attention is at the front. If I see it on her, I'll pat the place on myself."

"As you wish, Olivia."

Olivia left her bag open enough for Viri to squeeze out and made her way back to her notebook of scribbles on her desk. To give Viri a chance to get into position, she pretended to write a few things down, keeping an eye on the shadows at the edge of the room. The only indication that Viri moved through them was the flash of violet light when she jumped from one to the next.

Olivia wasn't exactly sure how she was going to get their attention and keep it that way, but hey, she was good at thinking on her feet if nothing else.

When she saw Viri's violet light slip into the shadow behind Aurelia, Olivia walked over, notebook in hand.

The end of Jason's first piece was coming to a close when Olivia stopped behind him. She was hyper aware of Aurelia's gaze as it shifted from Jason to her. The slightest frown creased her forehead. Olivia inclined her head, hoping the action would allay any of the High Speaker's suspicions.

Aurelia returned the gesture before her attention went back to Jason. Olivia kept her gaze low, using the movement to scan the High Speaker's robes in search of a potential pocket. The most obvious candidate seemed to be the pouch that hung at her side, but in reality, it could have been anywhere.

Jason finished the first piece and lowered his violin.

"Adequate, Jason," said Aurelia. "I did notice that it wasn't quite accurate in certain places, but I supposed that can be fixed at a later point."

"Actually," said Olivia, lifting a hand. Aurelia's gaze snapped to hers. Olivia quelled her fire, trying her best to project some kind of submission. "That piece wasn't originally written for a stringed instrument. It's actually supposed to be a duet between a piano and vocals. The way Jason combined the two was quite unique while still keeping the song true to its original melody."

Jason remained silent, though as planned, his shoulders turned to face halfway between his mother and Olivia.

"Is that so?" said Aurelia. "I wasn't aware you were so familiar with temple pieces."

"Ariel has done her best to educate me on such subjects," said Olivia, not seeing why she couldn't throw in a plug for her friend. "She thought it best if I were educated with the traditional temple pieces. She's fairly talented with the piano herself and often asked me to sing vocals for them."

Aurelia considered it for a moment. If Olivia hadn't been so distracted with trying to be a distraction, she might have even been concerned from the hungry look Aurelia was giving her. As a flash of violet lurked under Aurelia's skirts, Olivia was just relieved that she had the High Speaker's attention.

"Interesting," said Aurelia. "I was unaware of your own musical talents. In your own... expert opinion, would you say the piece Jason has just played would work between a violin and vocals and still achieve the accuracy I desire?"

"With Jason's skill, yes," said Olivia. "Though the vocalist would have to be aware of the adjustments."

"Show me," said Aurelia.

Olivia glanced at Jason. "Now?"

"That would be preferable, yes."

Violet light leaked out from under Aurelia's skirts as Olivia licked her lips and gave Jason an encouraging smile. "Well I can try, but I haven't really warmed up my voice or anything properly, so I can't promise anything spectacular."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow. "I thought it was you I heard singing before in the hallway?"

"Well, it was," said Olivia. "But that was a little different." It'd been fun. No rules. "That was just um... well it wasn't a temple piece."

"Then that will be fine," said Aurelia. "Please, begin. Jason?"

Jason lifted his violin almost mechanically.

He gave Olivia a few notes of introduction to orient herself around before he began to play.

Compared to the beauty of their previous duet, this one felt bland and lifeless. Olivia caught herself concentrating on the technicalities, trying to match Jason's own flawless technique. It still sounded pretty damn good if she did say so herself, but it didn't excite her to sing it. She didn't feel like she'd explode if she didn't get it out.

Still, they made it through, and Aurelia looked positively delighted and completely unaware of the purple light still darting about her skirt which was really the whole point of the exercise.

"I can see what you mean," said Aurelia. "I'm impressed, Shadowheart."

"Thankyou, High Shadowspeaker," said Olivia, inclining her head. It made her feel dirty just to say it, but for Jason's sake, she would.

For now, anyway.

"I realise that it's getting rather close to the performance date," said Aurelia. "But would you consider an offer of playing Starsong?"

"Uhm." Olivia hesitated, her finger lifting before dropping back into her palm. In the corner of her eye, she watched the colour drain out of Jason's face. "Say what?"

Aurelia clucked her tongue at the language but pressed on. "You've been a part of this group since its formation. You're clearly familiar with the music. I've seen you practicing Starsong's dance with Skypillar at least once, and you seemed to be quite adept at those steps. I would like to formally offer you the Starsong role in the performance."

The violet light hadn't moved for the last twenty or so seconds, which Olivia took as a good sign. "I'm... well, I'm honoured."

"Then may I take that as your acceptance?"

As much as Olivia loved the idea of upsetting Naomi by snatching her role out from under her, Olivia had enough problems to worry about without adding that drama on top of it. Not to mention the extra pressure, the inability to slip in and out of rehearsals if she needed to.

Yet there was one thing she found herself willing to do it for.

"I'll do it," said Olivia. "If you let Jason have full control over the score of the performance. That means he doesn't have to stick with temple pieces or anything--he can rewrite the entire thing and sing twinkle twinkle little Starsong if he wants to."

Aurelia's gaze narrowed. "This isn't open for negotiations."

Olivia shrugged and folded her arms. "Then I'm afraid that I'll have to decline the role until it is."

"Is there a reason behind this... request?"

Olivia was ready to open up her mouth and start a war about the stiffness of temple pieces versus actual music when she saw the violet light leave Aurelia's skirts and Viri flee back into the shadows, this time carrying a small, tiny reflective piece of ice with her.

"I've just sung the temple pieces too many times, I guess," said Olivia with a second, more apologetic shrug. "I want something new."

"I see," said Aurelia. "Well, we wouldn't want you being bored, miss Shadowheart."

"Thank you for your concern, Shadowspeaker."

Aurelia didn't even bother to correct her. She turned away, and Olivia knew when she'd been dismissed. She'd have hung around the desk purely to annoy Aurelia, but her job was done.

Olivia tried to give Jason a reassuring smile before she walked back to the table as casually as she could manage.

His face was still white and she was fairly certain he didn't see it.

Aurelia smoothed over her skirts. "Jason, would you care to play the second piece now?"

"I apologise, mother. I find myself feeling rather unwell all of a sudden," said Jason in a quiet, restrained voice. "Would you mind if we were to resume this meeting at a later time of your convenience?"

Olivia sped up her pace just a little, beckoning to Viri underneath the tables beside Jason's violin case.

"I suppose we can," said Aurelia, waving her hand with a sigh. "Please be sure to practice with Naomi on the piece you just performed. I would like her well prepared for rehearsals. That will be all."

Viri darted over, her figure fully visible among the shadows on the floor while she carried Jason's ear cuff. Olivia reached out as Viri neared, the Ascended pressing the cuff into Olivia's waiting hand and disappearing back into the shadows under the table.

Olivia stood up, brushing a piece of hair out of her face and trying to look as casual as possible.

Jason was still beside Aurelia, his body poised as if to leave when he turned back hesitantly. "Mother, when you approached me before, I... I was wondering if you happened to notice the ear cuff that Cryo gifted me lying on the table?"

"No, I didn't. Why?"

"I... I seem to have misplaced it."

Aurelia tapped a few pieces of paper into a neat pile on her desk. "Then perhaps you should take better care of items that are important to you, Jason."

Olivia's fist tightened before the biting cold of the ear cuff reminded her what she was holding.

Apparently, my instincts about evil, narcissistic jerks are spot on.

Every part of her wanted to march over there and call Aurelia out, yet it was exactly that reason why she'd had Viri bring it back. It would have been so easy to have Viri leave it on the floor underneath Aurelia, but Jason had been pushed enough in the last day. He deserved a break.

When Jason was walking back to his violin case like he was attending his own funeral, Olivia lifted up her hand with his cuff and put on her biggest smile.

"Frostsong! Is this yours? I found it on the floor!"

Jason's attention landed square on the cuff, and the relief on his face exploded something inside Olivia's chest. He actually ran the last few steps towards her, discarding his violin on the table like it was nothing compared to the gift he'd received from Cryo.

"Oh, by Skypillar's peak, thank the stars," said Jason, pressing the cuff to his forehead. "I thought--nevermind." He held it close to his chest and found Olivia's gaze. "Thank you, Olivia. Thank you."

"No problem, Frostsong," said Olivia as Jason reattached the cuff to his ear and went about packing away his violin.

Olivia picked up her bag, checked for a pair of violet eyes inside and slung the strap over her shoulder while she waited for Jason to finish.

Across the room, Aurelia was staring at her, one of her hands quietly searching the section of her dress that Viri's light had hovered around.

Olivia didn't bother trying to keep the smile off her face.

*+*+*+*

"I wanted to ask by the way, why green hair ties?"

Olivia glanced up at Jason. His face had colour to it once more, and he looked a million times better than he had back in the performance hall. They'd gone back to the same task as this morning for a while before Jason had asked if she'd like to go visit Ella, which was where they were now headed.

Apparently, Aurelia hadn't seen the need for an second meeting, which just confirmed every one of her suspicions that the original purpose had been to catch Jason out.

"Green hair ties what now?"

"Earlier, in the performance hall," said Jason. "When you did, um..." He gestured to his new ponytail. "You mentioned green hair ties?"

"Oh!" said Olivia. "Well, it's your favourite colour, isn't it?"

Jason raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"

Olivia smirked. "Most of your outfits have some element of green to them, and I doubt that it's your mother's favourite colour."

Jason glanced down to his green vest. "I suppose you do have a point. It reminds me of the various flora around the base of Skypillar. It's quite relaxing."

"I can imagine," said Olivia. "I've never really been out there much. Mum and dad are always too worried about it. What if you have a seizure all the way out there? It kinda got not worth arguing about after a while."

"If you'd like to go, I'd always be happy to take you," said Jason.

"Thanks," said Olivia with a smile. "But I still don't think they'd approve, and you don't strike me as the sneaking out kind of type."

"You've snuck out before?"

"Multiple times," said Olivia. "Mostly with Ericka."

They reached the entrance to Ella's cell-slash-protective-housing and went through the daily routine of saying hello to the guards, checking in, and going down to the usual level. Olivia didn't need a guide to know where she was going anymore, but they sent one with her to stick with protocol.

Jason came into the room with her, and as he usually did, took the chair in the corner where he sat straight backed and focused on his Liaiser.

Olivia sat down on the bed next to Ella and launched straight into action.

It was good to see that Ella was still taking care of herself. Her hair was brushed and in its signature pigtails, her clothes were clean and there was evidence that she'd moved around the room in the past twenty-four hours. On the bed beside her, Ella's sketchpad was getting a good workout, as were the variety of pencils and tools she'd requested. Regardless of that, Ella still hadn't expressed an interest in facing the outside world.

"What've you drawn today? Another comparison between Golem's butt and Skypillar?"

Ella gave her a wry smile. "Not quite. I think that particular subject peaked with the last one I showed you."

"Can I see?"

Ella passed Olivia her sketchpad. She seemed to go quiet as Olivia flicked through it, noting the various subjects. A couple of objects around the room, a few of the guards that stood nearby her door. She'd finished a beautiful landscape picture of the city at night as seen from the top of the Celestial's Eye lake. Olivia could almost taste the spray of the waterfall as the starlit waters plunged over the edge.

Olivia turned to the next page and paused.

It was a new sketch of a scene that was horribly familiar to her. Melissa, Manifested in her golden armour and twin starstone guns lay on her back among the frosted grass, her face beaten and bloodied by Ella's own fists. Melissa's eyes were glassy and out of focus, staring up just off the corner of the page.

"I keep seeing her," said Ella bluntly. "Every time I go to sleep, I just can't stop thinking: if Cryo hadn't arrived when he did, would I have stopped before I killed her? Am I capable of killing someone in cold blood?"

Ella hadn't used a lot of solid colour on the picture. It made the whole thing seem dreamlike, almost ethereal, bathed in the white-blue light of Hydra. The golden armour was shaded lightly just enough to hint at its true colour as was Melissa's raven hair, but the blood was stark and bright.

"I tried to resist drawing it," said Ella after Olivia stared at it for a little too long. "But I needed to get it out of my head."

"And is it out now?" asked Olivia softly.

"No," said Ella. "It's not." She sighed. "I... wanted to ask. How has she been doing?"

Honestly, Olivia wasn't sure. Melissa had slipped her mind amongst everything else.

She looked to Jason.

"About the same," said Jason. "She's still in the coma and has not shown signs of waking. Her injuries are healing slowly, but they're unsure what kind of permanent damage she might have sustained."

Ella fixated on her own sketch, her lips pressed tight together. "Do you think it'd be possible for me to see her?"

Once again, Olivia looked to Jason.

"It's possible," said Jason. "I could organise it, with Olivia's help of course, though it wouldn't be for a few days while I acquire the relevant permissions."

"I'd be really grateful," said Ella. "I just... I can't help feeling like it's important. Like I need to see her to unlock some part of my memory, you know?" She frowned. "There's something I'm not remembering. It's so frustrating. It's like I can almost draw it, but as soon as the pencil is in my hand, it just disappears."

Olivia burned to ask about Ella's fragment, about whether she still felt that calling for her but she wasn't here for that. She was here to be Ella's friend, to provide companionship--yet she still couldn't help wondering why, if they'd saved her, their Starsong amulets were yet to activate.

"I shall attend to it and let you know as soon as possible," said Jason. "If I had to predict, it would be after the riverweed bloom."

"Heh, that time of the year already, is it?"

"Almost."

After that, they entertained themselves by trading silly sketches of Jason, much to his annoyance once he discovered why they kept asking him to shift positions. At one point, Ella got a look about her and began to draw furiously, the tip of her tongue poking out through her teeth.

When she finally pulled away, Olivia found herself looking at a fairly lifelike sketch of Jason, only this Jason's hair was long enough that his ponytail reached his shoulderblades.

Ella had scribbled a note beside it. Did you do that?

Olivia took the pencil. Yup. Suits him, right?

Without a doubt. I like it.

They stayed a little while longer until Ella claimed she was sleepy, their usual invitation to leave. Olivia and Jason gathered up their things and bid her farewell, with Olivia's promise to come back tomorrow and annoy Jason about the Melissa thing.

It was dark outside when they surfaced, the auroras already weaving their way through the sky as the Speakers and civilians alike gathered at the temple grounds to watch them.

"Well, today has certainly been interesting," murmured Olivia. "Of all the things, I think Aurelia offering me the Starsong role was probably the most unexpected though."

Jason's jaw set. "Unexpected indeed."

Olivia managed a small smile on one side of her mouth. "Don't like the idea of an uncultured temple-ignorant person like me having the role, hey?"

"On the contrary, I don't think anyone could do it more justice," said Jason, his gaze still adrift in the stars.

"Then why do you look like one of Cryo's ice sculptures?"

"Cryo doesn't make ice sculptures."

"He probably doesn't change the subject, either."

Jason sighed. "It's a complicated thing to explain, and I find myself without the energy to do it justice."

"I can agree with that much," said Olivia. "Hometime?"

"Hometime," agreed Jason. "But for what it's worth, I don't think there'd be a better Starsong than you."

"Thanks, Frostsong."

"You're welcome, Shadowheart."

*+*+*+*

A/N - I felt like posting an early update--BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE BECAUSE ITS VOTE GOAL TIME. 

If this chapter hits **200 votes** before next Wednesday (the 9th), I'll post another chapter this week with some bonus Kibaart of ponytail Jason <3  This goal is a loooot steeper than usual but y'no what? I believe in you like Cryo believes in Banshee. 110%. 

.... aaaand if you guys hit that vote goal ezpz, maybe we can go for extra chapter #2 this week too, but that might be pushing it a little~ 

also I really like how sneaky Olivia got in this chapter and HELLO STARSONG ROLE HOW ARE YOU