A chilly day at Hazakurain

As she set foot in Hazakurain once again, Maya smiled. She gazed at the wonderful scenery as the wind blew through her hair. As usual, it was cold... but she bearly felt it. She looked behind her and called out behind her. "Mia? You still behind me?"

"Of course," Mia's smile was frozen on. She had become unaccustomed to the chilly air of Hazakurain, from all those years of running her own law firm. "Has it always been this cold? Or has it gotten colder since I was eighteen?" she chuckled.

"It must be you because I'm not even cold! Maybe you've grown so used to the warmth of an office?" She grinned and ran up to her sister. "I'm sure you'll grow used to it again. When we leave you won't be used to such a warm office anymore!" She giggled slightly and turned back around to look at the scenery once more. "It's so pretty here..."

Mia looked around at the scenery, taking in the breath taking landscape. "It's gorgeous," she admitted. "How much further until we get to the main hall, Maya? I think I might be permanently frozen stiff." She was flabbergasted by how unaffected her sister was by the extreme cold. Mia shook her head, inwardly telling herself she must be getting old.

"It shouldn't be that far, just follow me~!" She ran off again, keeping at a pace that Mia could follow. Before long they reached the doors of the main hall. "And here we are! Just open the door and take a peek inside sis!" She could tell that Mia was cold, but knew she'd grew used to the temperature soon enough. She stood out of the way of the door and nudged her sister towards it slightly.

Mia reached for the door, half fearful, half excited. 'It can't be that much colder inside, right?' she reasoned with herself, and pulled open the door. Almost at once, a short, plump woman had accosted Mia with the biggest hug she had ever received.

"Mystic Mia! So glad to see you!" chirped Sister Bikini.

"Same to you, Sister," Mia couldn't help but smile whenever she spoke to the kindly nun at HazaKurain.

"Ah! Hello Sister Bikini!" Maya smiled and waved at her. "We came here for some training."

"Hello Mystic Maya, it's nice too see you aswell!" Sister Bikini smiled at the sisters. "You're here for some training? In that case please go into the main hall."

"What sort of training did you sign us up for?" Mia asked, terrified of Maya's response. "It's not the Special Course, is it? I just barely passed that last time, even though I had been training almost obsessively."

There was a faint knock on the door to the main hall. Apollo was dressed in his usual delivery uniform, with his hat covering his hair horns. He noticed two familiar faces there. "Ms. Fey, and Maya? I guess I should have expected to see you here. I've got a package for...uh, Iris?"

"Oh, hi Polly! I'm sure Sister Iris is somewhere..." She looked around before looking at Mia. "And... I might've signed us up for the Special course. BUT, you're lucky I didn't sign us up for the Ultra course..." She laughed nervously as she patted her sister's back.

Mia's eyes widened in horror. "Maya...What happens if I fail? Is the old punishment still carried out here?" She'd rather face off against Dahlia again than take the Special Course over and over until she did it correct.

"I-I don't know, but I'm sure you'll pass it with flying colors!" She smiled an uneven smile as she looked at Polly. "Why don't you go into the main hall? Sister Iris should be there.. what's the package anyway?"

"I'll do that." He smiled. "If you guys are so afraid of some challenge, why don't I take the course with you? I insist." He walked past them into the hall.

"What?! You're going to take the course with us?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you sure...?"

"It can't be that hard right? According to Mr. Wright you go in a room and sit down all night." He smiled, not expecting anything like the reality.

"Oh yeah... I did make Nick take the course." She grinned as the memory reappeared in her mind. "But, listen Polly, this is harder than it sounds. It is in a freezing cold room..."

"I walk around with my sleeve pulled up all day because I'm used to the cold, don't worry Maya." He smiled, looking around with his box.

Mia tried to hold back a giggle. "Is that all Phoenix told you?" she inquired, smiling. "Well, if you absolutely insist..."

"You bet. Now which one of you can tell me where Iris is...I've got to deliver this...uh....box." He was curious, since not even he knew what was in the box.

"I see... anyway, what's in the box? You said it's for Sister Iris right?" She was about to 'attempt' to open the box before a soft voice appeared behind her.

"I'm sorry... but someone said I have a package waiting for me out here." Sister Iris smiled innocently as she headed towards Apollo.

He turned back to her and could only realize the face from one other time, last night at the bar. He froze for a bit, while a blush brandished his face as he handed Iris the package. He slowly leaned over and whispered to Mia. "Isn't that the girl that you channeled yesterday??" He was less then calm about the matter.

"Silly Polly," Mia giggled. "I can't channel living people!" Noticing his expression, she explained, "I channeled Dahlia, Iris's twin sister." She shrugged, "It wasn't that bad, to be honest."

"Thank you very much." Iris took the package and went back inside the hall with a grin on her face.

Maya looked at Apollo and Mia and saw the look on their faces. "Hm? What's the matter?"

"Nothing," Mia said quickly, blushing slightly. She really didn't want Maya to know about last night. "It's really nothing that would interest you, Maya."

"Oh... ok then..." She raised an eyebrow and decided not to say anything else about it. It was clear that something DID happen last night, but it was also clear that it was something that wasn't going to be dicussed infront of her anytime soon.