"And thank you, Blaine," she said turning to him. "There was more internal bleeding than I care to admit. Almost done then I can work on the pain. I'm sorry it's taking so long."
Blaine just nodded. He had been in much worse pain many times but he didn't want her to know that.
"Dobin, tell us what happened."
Dobin sighed, "I was just waking up and I heard a knock at the door. A high-level second year told me I needed to go with him. He took me to a major in their administrative building. He offered me the level 2 earth book even though my watch said level 3 and I refused. He asked how I had a 3. I told him it was from the elemental class. I just picked it up really well. He offered me the level 4 book and said I needed to beat someone up. I refused. So those students beat me up instead."
Lana nodded. "What's the truth about your watch?"
"I don't know. I woke up on our birthday and felt stronger. I tried to form an earth dagger and look…" Dobin formed one in front of them and it crystalized. It was as hard and as sharp as a diamond. It was small enough for Lana to hide in her cleavage so Dobin gave it to her. She made a vine sheath for it and stashed it.
"Can I have one?" Blaine asked.
Dobin made him one and when he touched Dobin's hand he realized he couldn't copy Dobin's ability and said as much. Lana made him a vine sheath as well. She petrified them both so they were like stone, holding a finger to her lips for Blaine to understand he didn't see her do that.
Lana withered her plant and a new one sprouted. This one looked like a weed, not very tall. She once again, placed a leaf on Blaine's skin and she watched the pain relief spread across his face. She was still treating him when the doctor walked in.
"Lana," there was concern in his voice as she turned around, "is everything okay?"
"Dobin was attacked. Blaine and I got to him and Blaine fought them while I treated Dobin. I'm afraid Blaine has a break and I can't fix that yet. It's what I'm studying now, actually." She pointed to where she thought the break was.
"Good eye! I can fix that right up." He reached out and touched Blaine, "feel better?"
Bline smiled, "much! Thank you!"
"Why are the two of you in PT gear?"
"We conducted a special session after what happened yesterday."
The doctor grinned broadly. "You three go enjoy the rest of your day."
Breakfast was about over so Lana invited them to her room to eat. She still had bacon after all.
Blaine had mixed feelings with her for making him go to the doctor. It was infuriating and confusing. She touched him so gently. The look in her eyes. Even he came forward to see what was going on. Then she stopped and cried.
Did I want her to continue? I can't if I let her... It's best to stay away from her. But he's taking an interest in her? Can we stay away? This very special girl. I'm falling for her too. This is so dangerous for all of us. He could feel her energy as she used her ability but it was something he had never experienced before. This girl was different.
Blaine was trapped within his own mind. He felt he was safe just teaching her. Then he told himself she just needed an escort. He didn't hesitate to throw himself at all those second-years to keep her safe. He was falling hard. He wasn't safe. Neither was she.
That evening, Lana made sure to make an additional plate for Paul. He had been awake since yesterday trying to figure out why his system liked this girl. Sure her gyros were great and he felt energized after eating them but food was food.
Lana let herself in his room and placed the plate on his desk. He was muttering angrily at the thing in his hand. She wanted to make sure he wasn't disturbed. "Oomluat, drink" she barely heard and the little hexagon with legs picked up a short glass with a metallic straw. It brought the drink toward Paul and lifted it up so he could drink. She smiled and turned toward the door listening to him still muttering.
[Quest Progress: EXPAND CULINARY HORIZONS: 2/30 dishes]
Before she even got to her room,
[This is amazing! Thank you!]
Paul decided he hadn't done enough for her and asked the computer to enter the military files and show him the details on Lana Plantwell.
The next day, there was a meeting to determine if anyone had any ideas on how to handle the weak Lana problem.
"I did some looking at the people around her. She seems to care about them so I think they can be leveraged."
"I agree. There is a boy from an original family. I don't think they'd take it too kindly he's spending time with a girl raised in Heavenly Angels Orphanage."
"What's the boy's name?" Major Cruciatus asked.
"Blaine Abel. We don't know much about the family. They didn't even provide contact information."
"Use that as an excuse. Say the family disapproved of the relationship."
There was a nod and Doctor Cogito was then called. The doctor then called the two into his office.
"Blaine, this can't be good," she whispered as they marched to their destination.
The doctor asked a trembling Lana to have a seat in front of his desk. "How are things going?"
"Blaine has a calming presence. It's very helpful."
The doctor nodded. "That's what I called you in for. Somehow Blaine's family found out he was helping you and for whatever reason, they want it stopped. I understand your brother has a default special standing but who do you want to replace Blaine."
"Chekof." Blaine's voice was strained. His face had gone pale.
Lana didn't like the look on his face and just nodded to the doctor to agree.
Blaine's ID badge beeped. He noticed the status changed.
On the way back he thought to himself maybe it was for the best. The girl was too perfect and he didn't want her dead.
--------------------
In Paul's room, he heard a beep as his monitors informed him something in Lana's file was altered. He pulled it up and read the change.
[Chekof Starskiy special assistant for medical reasons replaced Blaine Abel due to family objections.]
"Excuse me?" Paul seemed to ask an oomlaut as there was no one present. In the next moment, the computer was scrolling then sharing what little was available on the Abel family.
[Abel Genetics, a leading pioneer in the industry. Much of their profits go to help the less fortunate such as the orphanages: Blue Rose, Sandy Valley, Blue Mountain, and Pink Diamond.]
"That's it?" Paul sat back in his chair. An original family that is this secretive? Paul picked up an oomlaut and a few moments later he set it back down. The little hexagon raced from his room as fast as its little legs could go, which was an impressive speed. If anyone cared to see something so tiny, they would have seen it jump down step after step in the stairwell. It needed to wait outside the fire doors until someone opened it but that didn't take long. Soon, Paul had eyes and ears in Blaine's room.
----------------------
Blaine held the door open for Lana as they entered Blaine's room.
"Chekof, you're here!" Blaine said.
Paul wasn't expecting results right away but he paid rapt attention.
Chekof sat up, seeing they had company. "Just doing some studying." He set the book aside that had nothing to do with school and had a front cover that no one underage should be seeing. "What's going on? You guys look unhappy."
"Well, I don't know how you'll feel about this but I volunteered you to help Lana. As I told you, she has problems in certain situations. Doctor Cogito had assigned me as one to be at her side. I've been with her through Beast Weapons class where she really needs someone. The school has stated my family has asked I be removed from this role. You should have heard a beep and had the role added to your ID on your neck?"
Chekof looked at it, "well, I'll be… I didn't hear the beep. I was … deep in thought," he smiled.
"Are you okay with this?"
"Does this mean I get to eat dinner with her every night?" He had a huge smile on his face.
Lana's face went pale, "I don't think I can afford to feed you…"
Chekof laughed, "what other duties does Blaine provide?"
"He takes Kattie and I to the park. Kattie's my roommate. She can go to the park to allow her beast to get exercise but with these phases, needs someone to go with her. So, he goes with me when I go with her. It's usually in the evening. Can you go with us?"
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