FULL NOVELXO Chapter 19: Prep
The plan for the trip was to have me fly out from Austin to Dulles, Virginia where I would meet up with everyone. From there we all would then travel to London, stopping for a short layover before flying into Florence.
The group would spend the next few days touring the city. I knew I was going to have ball with all of the historical sites being that the city was one of the hubs for the Renaissance. Not to mention the food.
History is and will forever be one of my great passions. On the fifth day of being in Florence, we all would pile onto a train and head south towards Rome. I couldn’t wait to visit the city.
There was so much history within the sprawling city. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, all of it. Finally there was Vatican City, seat of the Roman Catholic Church. We would be visiting it as well.
The following week was filled with preparations. Unlike our trip to France, I spent the days leading up doing nothing but research on both cities. Namely I focused on local weather, tourist sights, and any local customs. I wanted to be prepared for anything.
The country was known for having mild fall days and cool evenings. So I packed pants and light jackets, with a few long-sleeve shirts thrown into the mix. I even included a couple dresses for any occasion that might call for it or because I felt like wearing them.
Rachel had also given me some additional restrictions while in Italy. Like at the Court, I wasn’t allowed to use magic, with the only condition of its use in a situation that absolutely demanded it. No weapons of course.
There were also magic users working in the Italian customs so trying something with them was extra out of the question. That of course left Fenris. I knew the wolf was just as bummed out that he couldn't come with me as I was.
The final take away from all of this was that if something were to happen and I had to defend myself, I couldn’t just go crazy and knock some heads. While trained by a dragon to fight, and could quite easily hold my on against most normal people, the fact still remained that I was just a teenage girl. I couldn’t let myself go all half-cocked which would land me into serious trouble. So had to play it cool.
Another thing that bugged me was the Vatican itself. While I still was Christian in my beliefs, I wasn’t entirely sure what could happen when I were to step foot into its borders. My beliefs had shifted ever so slightly towards those of my mother’s, in fact having incorporated some of her tenants into my own.
What if the Vatican actually had mages of their own? Not publicly known naturally. If caught, would I be branded a heretic or something? It might’ve been my paranoia setting in again or simply my imagination going wild.
While debating these sorts of topics, I’d be leaning back heavily in my desk chair. I nearly fell back a couple times, with actually doing it once. When I did, Fenris looked down at me from the top of my bed. His gaze with filled with worry. This was the first time that he and I wouldn’t be together.
That’s yet another thing; I couldn’t call upon him if I was in trouble. Lord knows my bonded was going to be just as worried about me as much as my mother would be. So if I were to get myself into trouble, I just had to play it cool and stick close to the group. The one who does not seek trouble will not be visited by it.
Rachel herself was a nervous wreck the closer it came to when I was to head out. I watched often from the banister near the front entryway at how she would pace incessantly, ever anxious and concerned. I then giggled at the thought of Silvi doing the exact thing while I was actually away, with her being the greatest offender.
All joking aside, there was one other concern, if not even worth mentioning. Given my experience while at the Court just a few months prior, I had wonder if the two girls I met would try and do something while I was away from my mother and didn’t have Fenris with me.
This also included if Irina or her father would try and pull something. While highly unlikely, if not crazy, I still had to be wary of anything. When I brought up this issue Rachel concurred with my concerns, but reassured me that I would be safe and protected. So yeah…just be careful.
The night before my flight, I got two calls from both Jenn and Miss Elizabeth. Elizabeth and I talked for over an hour with each other. She told me how excited she was about having me join the group and anxious to see me again. I’ll admit to it being good to see her again too. It’s really not that often I get to talk or let alone see anyone from the coven.
I still remember how nice she was during the winter festival last year and our reunion during the summer. While were able to see each other at the summer festival, we really didn’t get that much of a chance to talk. I was just too busy with hanging out with the other children. So I think she might want to have a chat with me while on the trip.
Jenn and I spent most of the night talking to each other. When I told her that I’d taking the camera she got me, she squealed. I was barraged with request to take pictures of any cute boys while there. I rolled my eyes, knowing that she only asked for my sake. Her boyfriend, whom I had met while in St. Louis, was a bit of a hunk in my opinion. Not captain of the football team kind of guy, but a real looker.
Reluctantly I agreed to it, but said that I would be charging a small fee for nay I took. She laughed, saying she’d pay me somehow. I grinned, knowing we both were half-joking with each other. Deep down, I still wished that either she or any other of my friends were going with. I sighed softly, remembering the purpose of this trip, forming new friendships and forging bonds with others within the coven.
I rolled over to see that it was getting late and I had an early morning. “Hey Jenn, I need to head off. My flight’s early.”
Jenn smiled, “Okay girl, you get some rest. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip. I know the Mandy and Heather can’t either. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
I looked to her, “Which is everything,” grinning.
She jokingly huffed at me, “Oh shut up.”
I laughed, “Night Jenn.”
“Night Aria, take care and have fun.” I nodded, ending the call.
I looked over to see that my bags were all sitting by the door, fully packed and ready to go the moment I woke up. Fenris was sleeping at the foot of the bed, having shrunk his body to the size of a large wolf. He often did this so not to shake the bed too much when had to get up. I smiled, pulling off the covers and crawling into bed.
Flipping off my lamp I laid there, starring at my darkened ceiling, and letting my thoughts wander. I slowly felt myself being pulled into sleep, hearing the Fenris’ breathing against my covers. I smiled, finally closing my eyes.