35 The temple (2/2)

She smiled. Nodded. And continued.

”What about school? I finished all the assignments for the year. With some help. Used aunt's prestige to get permission to leave. And here I am. I'm going to be with you the rest of the year.”

I was stunned. Truly. I knew they weren't happy that I applied to Gawkers without telling them. They had applied to different schools, and had gotten in before Gawkers accepted me. They hated most of all the fact that they couldn't change schools. I felt foolish for not having predicted that they would find a way to rush over. Lulu's arrival left me anticipating what Denise would come up with.

”You're pleased,” Lulu told me, like I didn't know.

I nodded. She nodded, like my reflection in the mirror.

”The temple, then,” she said. ”You're confusing it with the Vikari Pervue temple. Aren't you?”

I gave myself a minute before answering.

”No. I don't think so. Maybe I did confuse it a bit. When I closed my eyes, the walls and the pillars stood again, and maybe they stood as they did in the Pervue temple. I wouldn't have realised it if you wouldn't have brought it up. Even if I did, wouldn't be immediately. Thank you for that.”

She accepted my appreciation gracefully.

”Never a problem. But?”

”But,” I said, slowly. ”That would have made me realise something else, much quicker than now. Remember what I said about the Vikari temples?”

She didn't. I knew that. Never short of patience, I explained again.

”Vikari gods were closely entwined with their elements. They didn't have form or shape. And so, the temples for the gods were the same. Open. Without walls. Without roof. Very near the elements. Except for the exceptions. Among which, Pervue was one. Vikari preceded Faery, and was extremely distant, so there couldn't be the effect of Vikari on Faery. Which raises interesting avenues of study.”

”You want to study this temple drawing a parallel with the Pervue temple.”

Lulu was very good at seeing connections. And understanding me.

I nodded.

”It certainly is a possible route. And, most importantly, the parallel would allow me catch up much faster.”

”It's not very fun being far behind, is it?”

Lulu teased. Made me smile.

I agreed. It wasn't nice at all, being so far behind.

”You've got me now,” Lulu said. ”That's an advantage no one else has. We'll be racing to the front so much faster than anyone can even imagine. It'll be such fun.”

We shook on it. It would truly be such fun. More for her than me.