The sun peaks out behind the clouds as the wind ruffles the young boy's hair. His hands clasp onto metal, pulling himself up as his friend pushes upward on his feet.

"Hurry," Kai hisses. "Before the teachers notice."

"You're going to love this," a pudgy-faced redhead beams, grunting while pushing on the boy's foot. "Psyche is going to make you feel so safe."

The young boy breaks his head to be above the monkey bars. The red-headed boy gives another push, causing the boy to slither to the top. A small cheer sounds from the twelve children watching around the playground's edge before Kai hisses for them to shush. The boy moves to a sitting position with his legs between the monkey bars.

Below is brown gravel that goes out a few feet before a small black wall emerges. The small wall extends around the playground to represent the edge between it and the grass. The stairs and access to the big slide are to the boy's right. More monkey bars and a short ladder to get up are to his left. The age of the structure shows where the paint has chipped away under his hands. Most kids like to stay on the other side of the yard where the new playground is. Maybe that's why Psyche's flock has chosen the older one around the corner. Fewer people. Fewer teachers. Less chance of getting caught and being put in time out.

Lucilla walks forward, holding the robot above her head. A soft murmur sounds.

"Let's begin," Lucilla instructs, causing everyone to fall to their knees in a semi-circle around the playground. "We are here to welcome Jacob to Psyche's flock. Jacob, do you trust Psyche to keep you safe?"

Jacob nods his ebony head. "I do."

The robot's eyes glow gold.

"Show Psyche you trust her by falling off the monkey bars," Lucilla says.

Jacob takes a deep breath. His legs move to hang over the front edge of the monkey bars. A collective inhale sounds around the playground before Jacob spreads his arms as if belly-flopping into a pool, falling forward to the ground.

A wind blows, pushing the edges of Lucilla's pink dress and her braid forward as she holds the robot above her head. The wind catches Jacob in midair, turns him over, and eases him to the ground.

The children jump to their feet, clapping their hands excitedly before running over to hug Jacob.

That puts our numbers to 30 now, and it's only been two weeks. Are there more today?

Lucilla nods, moving forward to hand the robot to Jacob so he can have a turn with Psyche. Other children shoot their hands out to touch the robot.

Okay, well, you better hurry. I can only distract the teachers for so long. One is becoming really hard to keep around the corner. I think she realizes no one is around to watch all of you.

"Psyche says we need to hurry," Lucilla announces, causing Jacob and the other children to gasp.

Jacob immediately hands the robot back to Lucilla before following the example of the other children by running to the playground's edge.

Lucilla turns to the circle. "Who else has come to join?"

A little boy with freckles and messy blonde hair stands up. "Me!" The group considers him in interest. No one has really heard him talk much before. "Danny!" He adds after a moment slapping a hand to his chest. "I tan to tis!"

He can do this. Psyche assures Lucilla, feeling the young girl's hesitation to let the boy try. I am here to help.

"Okay, Danny," Lucilla smiles. "First, show Psyche you trust her to make you strong." She motions towards the monkey bars.

The children clap softly as the boy walks towards the structure. Soft whispers sound amid the claps. The flock seems unsure of how to respond to the boy who barely talks.

The boy nods, primarily for his own benefit, and climbs up the ladder. Two other children help steady him as he reaches the top. He extends a hand towards the first monkey bar. The boy still needs a few inches to grow, but it doesn't deter him. He makes a small jump, and the wind helps him hold on to the first bar. First, just with two fingers, then one hand, and finally the second. His legs kick softly in the air before he settles with a huge smile.

The children softly chant, "Go, Danny, go!" Clapping their hands twice in unison before repeating the soft chant with the clap.

Danny slowly makes his way across the monkey bars. Each release and catch seemingly with the assistance of a small gust of air. Only Lucilla can make out the soft sparkling outline of Psyche as she assists the boy across.

Two more children run up from behind Lucilla to take a spot in the circle. They seamlessly join the chant and clap, smiling at the young boy on his first quest.

Danny's fingertips release from the last monkey bar, and his body floats a few inches before his feet make contact on the platform. Kai leads the cheering as he hugs Danny tightly. Then, he turns Danny back around to face the monkey bars again. The circle of kindergarteners goes quiet, waiting for Danny to move.

This young boy didn't freeze like the one before. Instead, he jumps. Almost too quick for Psyche, her hands scramble to catch him so he doesn't fall. She helps him reach the bar as the others on the platform push him. Psyche must have become too focused on this young boy because a teacher breaks free from her grasp.

The middle-aged woman with red curls packed into a bun on her head marches towards them in a pair of stylish yet sensible flats. One hand extends out as she takes a large breath, readying herself to provide a lecture.

"Danny!" She screams, in a pitch higher than initially planned. "What are you doing? How many times must we tell you children that you can get hurt getting on the top of the monkey bars?"

Lucilla's wide eyes glance over at Ms. Cindy. She can see Kit running up behind the teacher, waving her arms wildly in a warning.

"She—she's coming!" Kit screams.

Kai snorts and shakes his head, watching Jonathan run up beside Kit. They both race past Ms. Cindy to stand beside Lucilla, pushing the robot down.

Ms. Cindy sternly appraises the three children as she stomps past them to stand before Danny. She raises her hands to the boy, who immediately hits them away.

"No, Mt. Tinee," Danny shakes his head. "I nee to pood metel to Tytee!"

"What?" Ms. Cindy almost gasps, the confusion dissipating the panic of seeing one of the students about to break their leg. She doesn't get paid enough to deal with this type of paperwork.

He said he needs to prove himself to me. Psyche supplies for Lucilla. Tell her.

Lucilla subtly passes the robot to Kit before stepping forward. "He said he needs to prove himself to Psyche."

Ms. Cindy turns to Lucilla. "Did you tell him to do this?"

Lucilla shakes her head. "Psyche did."

"This isn't a fun game, Lucilla," Ms. Cindy places her hands on her hips. "Do I need to get your teacher?"

"Ton bame her! See ta pee-tess!"

The children gasp, watching Danny lean further forward and almost fall. Ms. Cindy turns around, holding her hands up on instinct to catch the boy. Thankfully, he doesn't fall.

"Dear gods," Ms. Cindy mutters before turning back to Lucilla. "What pee test?"

Lucilla laughs and shakes her head. "He says not to blame me because I'm the priestess."

Ms. Cindy cocks her head to the side and sighs after a moment. She can see more children walking over to them. The children all watch her with interest after she learns this knowledge. None of them laugh or try to make a joke.

"It's true," a young girl agrees, sitting in the grass.

Another child nods. "Don't get mad at Lucilla."

Ms. Cindy feels goosebumps as the children walk towards her, pleading for Lucilla to stay safe.

Psyche considers the teacher for a moment. Then, she sees it. A pendant showing her as a disciple of Demtere. Psyche scoffs and crosses her arms. The children move closer to Ms. Cindy. The woman's breaths become quicker as her eyes widen.

Fine, Psyche mutters. I can't have this woman die of a heart attack in front of my little ones.

Psyche extends out her hand. The children calm down and close their eyes. They turn to return to their positions. The unison of such little people's actions does little to calm the adult red-headed woman's nerves.

Ms. Cindy turns to see Danny stand and extend his arms. Whatever she wishes to stay catches in her throat as the boy screams, "I bewee!"

The teacher's arms extend toward the boy, except he doesn't meet them. Instead, she swears, he hovers over her fingers for a moment before being turned to land softly on his feet as if he had been standing there the whole time. Ms. Cindy's hands shake as her goosebumps heighten. Is she living in a horror movie of some kind?

Psyche, finally feeling a smidge of pity for the lady, lays a hand on her shoulder, calming the adult. Again, she can't have the woman die.

They speak the truth, Psyche whispers to the woman. Now, get Kit inside before she throws up.

Ms. Cindy startles and turns to look over her shoulder. Nothing is there. She turns back to see Lucilla smiling sweetly at her. A few steps behind the sweetly smiling cult leader, Kit holds her head.

"Kit, are you okay?" Ms. Cindy asks. Fears of kindergarten cult members taking psychedelics fly through her head. "Lucilla, decide on a safer game for you all. One that doesn't involve possibly breaking a leg or eating anything would be preferred."

"Yes, Ms. Cindy," Lucilla chirps, motioning the children to go towards the field before turning to watch Ms. Cindy with Kit.

Lucilla calmly waits, feeling a ball begin to form in her chest.

Kit shakes her head. "My head hurts," she whispers.

Ms. Cindy squats down to her level. "Do you want to see the nurse?"

Kit nods. "Yes, please. My mommy said to take it easy after I threw up this morning. I felt better—it just hurts now."

"Okay, well, let's go," Ms. Cindy nods, pressing softly into the girl's back as they walk back towards the school.

"But, the robot. Lucilla!" Kit sees Lucilla walking a step behind them, shaking her head with a smile.

"No, Psyche wants you to have a turn," Lucilla shrugs with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "She wants to make sure you feel better."

Kit nods. Lucilla waves to her friend and runs to the field where Chloe leads the group in a dance. Kit smiles. She loves to watch them dance.

Psyche smiles softly down at the girl finding peace in her friends. The goddess watches the girl until she gets to the door. She waits until Kit turns back around. Then, Psyche extends her, causing flower petals to appear from the sky with stardust sparkles. Kit's face lights up in a smile before disappearing through the doors.

***

Welcome to Lucilla Plays Teacher!

This is the Lucilla show! I am the teacher now! I get sparkles, glue, and paint to make the signs to teach you about... stuff!

"Today, we have a very special guest! My friend, Chloe, is going to teach us how to do the flower petal dance!" Lucilla gushes at the screen before motioning to the side.

Chloe walks to stand next to Lucilla. The two are wearing matching green dresses with golden leggings beneath them.

"Thank you, Priestess Lucilla!" Chloe smiles. "Now, class, let's stand up! And get started! Just follow what I do!"

Chloe extends out her arms. Lucilla imitates the movement. She then jumps forward to land on her left leg, her arms still out. Chloe waits for Lucilla to land before she shakes her extended right leg.

"Then," Chloe says with a slight increase in her breath. "We do this!"

Chloe claps her hands and jumps onto her right leg.

"And this!"

She spins in a circle before jumping in the air.

"Then, finally, this!"

Chloe runs in place momentarily before twisting her body back and forth quickly. The beats to her movements articulated with her "dun-dun-dun-dun-dun and a bah-bah-bah-bah!"

"And," she takes a deep breath. "Then, you do it again."

Lucilla claps her hands together, beaming at her friend with pride. "That's so much fun! And it makes Psyche so happy to see everyone have fun!"

See y'all next time!