66 Osp Day 1 - Massiah Barrier (2/2)

Everyone waited for Jensen to reclaim more of his strength before resuming our way back to the mansion and dormitory.

The kids took a narrower path through the trees towards a greystone building in the distance. I saw a few other students bound for the same place at a leisurely pace. We returned to the mansion and headed directly for the Gold Leaf Bar area. Death and I made our way to Room 69 to freshen up. The bar was already rowdy with War, Wilfred and Jensen into the drink by the time we returned.

I sat next to Jensen watching the joyous banter and not being able to hear it. Regardless, I didn't feel like I was missing out. The fact that I was still able to communicate easily with everyone either by my hands or telepathy, made the lose less traumatic.

I felt a strong energy enter my private s.p.a.ce, and saw Jensen slam a gla.s.s of cider in front of me.

_”You deserve this. It's zero alcohol and made from Asimina fruit. Good for healing,”_ he said in my mind and downed his in one go.

I copied him, licking my lips at the tangy sweetness I had tasted; moved around to the serving area and poured him a mug of ale.

He raised his mug with cheers and took a hearty swig. I stuck to the Asimina Cider bottle that I had found in the upright fridge next to a bottle of fake water labelled Ouzo.

The bar a.s.sumed its usual bustling activity and looseness when other nights entered. I wasn't in the mood for much socialising, so returned to my room.

Small Cap was awake by then and crawled to perch on the window sill. I sat in a chair to gaze out to the mult.i.tude of tall elms, wisteria and plum trees swaying gently in the evening sky that was almost dark with night.

Why did I lose my hearing? Even if I wasn't an experienced hīrā, I was always able to self-heal no matter how deep the cut. I felt confident that no matter what the damage the mind s.h.i.+eld had caused, I would recover from. Suppose that was ignorant c.o.c.kiness on my part and a lesson learned.

I felt for Death. He was holding up okay, but deep down it would still hurt him.

I sighed and flinched when I felt an unexpected poke to my back. I didn't hear Death enter the room. He joined my silent watch by the partially opened window, keeping his voice and thoughts inside. War eventually entered to drag us to dinner that was waiting for us in the formal dining area of the Gold Leaf Bar area.

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