Ethereal

06- Sophie, You're A Moonlark

(Y/N) raised a shaky hand, trying to remember the last time she tried to do this on will.

Oh wait, I never did, She bitterly thought.

Taking another breath, calming the mass of nerves in her stomach, she stared intently at her fingers. The rest of the world blurred around her, the females mind only focused on the warmth of her body. She imagined all that heat transferring to her fingertips, her eyes squinting in slight concentration. All comments from Bronte, or anyone for the matter, faded away, until only a buzzing was in (Name)'s ears. There was a spark, until jagged streaks crossed her fingertips.

"Incredible..." Kenric breathed out.

"I've seen better," Bronte scoffs.

(Y/N) hides a glare, tired of Bronte always being so moody all the time.

Why can't he just keep his thoughts to himself? She thought bitterly.

(Y/N) breathed in, trying to keep her focus, and urged the flashes to spread. And so they did.

The streaks traveled up (Y/N)'s arm, just reaching her shoulder. A dull pain echoed in the back of the females mind, reverberating. (Y/N) bit her lip, trying to ignore the pain, before focusing her eyes on the utensils by her plate. Aiming her energy into the palm of her hand, the (h/c)ette shot her hand out. A streak of pure energy shot out of her palm, licking (Y/N)'s hand with heat, and struck the utensils, blasting them back to hit against a wall.

It was quiet for a second, with the crackling of lightning slowly fading from the air. Then slow clapping.

"That was quite a show you put up, (Y/N)." Alden said to the girl, giving her a small smile. (Y/N) nodded her head slightly, her knees threatening to start shaking, as (Y/N) practically collapsed back onto her seat. Someone handed her a fork, and (Y/N) took it, nibbling at her food while she thought about what had happened.

I can't believe I used it after so long of hiding it, The female thought as she furrowed her brows. That... actually could've gone way worse.

(Y/N), so caught up in her thoughts, had completely blanked out of everyone else's conversation, so when she noticed her fancy goblet had started to float, she startled.

"Why am I even surprised anymore?" (Y/N) muttered under her breath as she watched her goblet bob up and down. A startled gasp stole her attention once more, and she watched as Bronte floated up into the air, clutching onto his chair in hopes of not falling off.

This is worth gold, She thought as she watched Bronte squirm, trying her best to hide her smirk.

"Incredible," Alden murmured.

Then, Sophie screaming and doubled over, and everything fell back to the ground, including Bronte, who landed flat on his back.

Silence filled the air, thick, choking, and unyielding. Then a chuckle. A spray of laughter followed, and suddenly the whole table erupted in laughter.

While Bronte hollered for someone to help him and the laughter grew, (Y/N) patted Sophie's back as she slouched in her seat, her hair falling over her face, as if to hide herself.

"I've never seen such natural talent," Kenric said, looking between (Y/N) and Sophie. "You both are even a natural at our language. Your accents are perfect. Almost as perfect as these guys'." He quirked a thumb in Alden and Fitz's direction.

"Uuuh, what?" (Y/N) asked, her voice monotone.

"You've both been speaking the Enlightened Language since we got here-just like you both did when I met you."

When Alden noticed their bewildered expressions, he took the situation into his own hands. "Our language is instinctive. We speak from birth-I'm sure people thought you both were some interesting babies. Though to humans our language sounds like babbling."

Next to (Y/N), Sophie clenched her hands tightly around the rim of the table, taking a deep breath, before saying, "Is there a word that sounds like 'soybean' in English?"

"Soybean?" Alden asked, slightly confused.

"I used to say it as a baby. My parents thought I was trying to say my name and mispronouncing it. They even turned it into a nickname-a really annoying one." A blush bloomed across Sophie's cheeks, her pupils darted towards Fitz for a second when he let off a small chuckle.

Kenric shrugged. "I can't think of what that would be."

Fitz and Oralie nodded in agreement, but Alden looked troubled.

"What is it?" Bronte asked, catching Alden's expression.

"Probably nothing."

"I'll decide if it's nothing."

It was quiet for a second, before Alden sighed, caving in. "It's... possible she was saying suldreen-but it's a stretch."

"What's a suldreen?" (Y/N) asked.

Alden opened his mouth, probably thinking carefully over what he was going to say, before answering. "It's the proper name for a moonlark, a rare species of bird."