The journey to their destination was a difficult one, between landing on wrong floors to sneaking into and through the Earth dorm to avoid getting spotted, but the group eventually found Amelia's room and was quick to get Amelia onto her bed. Leander let out a strong sigh of relief as the excitement of everything wore him out. "[color=fff79a]Alrighty, we did it,[/color]" Leander said. "[color=fff79a]How are you feeling, Amelia?[/color]"

During the entire the journey, Amelia simply got some rest, her head on Leander's shoulder. When they finally reached her room and put her in her bed, she woke up and slowly sat up with a groan.
"[color=fff200]I'm feeling better.[/color]" She said before pointing at a nearby dresser. "[color=fff200]Michelle, in the top drawer should be a small bottle. Can you get it for me?[/color]"

Joshua, who had taken the lead during their journey and kept an eye out for security, looked around the room with a frown.
"[color=ed1c24]So this is an Earth Dorm room. It's kinda plain isn't it?[/color]" He said.

Michelle nodded and went over to the dresser Amelia had pointed out. A quick search revealed the bottle, and Michelle went back with the bottle in hand. "[color=aba000]Is this it?[/color]" Michelle asked, handing it over to Amelia.

Leander surveyed the room, nodding in agreement with Joshua. "[color=fff79a]Yeah, it's nothing like the Light dorm, that's for sure.[/color]" Leander confirmed. "[color=fff79a]So, what now?[/color]"

"[color=ed1c24]Now? I'm curious about little Amelia's story here. What's this about an agreement that says she'll be expelled if this condition so much as acts up?[/color]" Joshua said "[color=ed1c24]Not only will knowing give us some answers, but it'll also allow us to help her. However, given how she's not comfortable around anyone but you Leander, it might be that she'll only tell you this tale. Just pointing out.[/color]"

Amelia listened to the boys talk as she accepted the bottle.
"[color=fff200]Thank you.[/color]" She said, opening it and taking out a small pill, which she quickly swallowed. After hearing the rest of what Joshua had to say, she looked at the ground, unsure of what to say to this.

"[color=fff79a]Hmm... I dunno...[/color]" Leander said. "[color=aba000]I don't wanna ask her things she doesn't want to answer.[/color]" 

"[color=fff200]No... you all have a right to know.[/color]" Amelia said, still looking at the ground. "[color=fff200]If you don't know, I could end up becoming a burden... if you even want to take me with you again.[/color]"

Joshua remained silent, as the group already knew what he wanted. The question was, were Michelle and Leander willing to listen?

"[color=fff79a]Hey, hey, Amelia, you're our friend,[/color]" Leander reassured her. "[color=fff79a]Of course we want you along.[/color]"

"[color=aba000]Is it ok, though?[/color]" Michelle asked. "[color=aba000]If your condition is serious enough for such an agreement to be made....[/color]"

"[color=fff200]It's not... not yet, at least. It's my parents being too protective.[/color]" Amelia said.

"'[color=ed1c24]Yet?[/color]" Joshua asked.

Amelia nodded
"[color=fff200]My parents are... very rich. I've lived a life many would consider a life of luxary up until I came to this school. But, if I had a choice of going back to the life or leaving it, I would leave it without a second thought.[/color]" Amelia said.

"[color=ed1c24]I'm not following. If your parents are as rich as you're claiming, surely they would have had a cure for you. And even if they didn't and are a little protective of you, why turn your back on such a life?[/color]?" Joshua asked

"[color=fff200]... what's the most tragic thing about a caged bird?[/color]" Amelia asked.

Leander didn't really understand the question. His mind could only bring up the image of a canary in a cage, chirping away. 

Michelle was more thoughtful, and was the first to come up with an answer. "[color=aba000]You don't get to make many choices of your own, do you?[/color]" she asked. 

Amelia nodded.
"[color=fff200]Imagine yourself in a cage. It's nice and comfortable. You have all the things you need to survive because they're provided for you. But, you can see the world outside and you want to explore it, experience it. But the people who keep you in the cage refuse to let you and all you can do is watch and pray.[/color]" Amelia said. "[color=fff200]That... was the world I've lived in.[/color]"

The image of the canary in Leander's head then tuned into one of sadness as the canary stopped chirping and turned its head back and forth, realizing that no one was listening to it. Leander couldn't imagine living a life like that. "[color=fff79a]That sounds horrible,[/color]" Leander said. "[color=fff79a]I wouldn't want to live like that either.[/color]"

"[color=ed1c24]Yeah, forget what I said earier. That's not living, that's just being given a semblence of life.[/color]" Joshua said. "[color=ed1c24]But what about your condition? What can you tell us about it?[/color]"

"[color=fff200]Not much. Just that it's similar to a heart attack but that it won't kill me... at least not for a few more attacks, so long as I don't have them in a short period of time.[/color]" Amelia said. "[color=fff200]I just have to avoid stress, especially physical stress. That's why I didn't sign up for Action or Turbo dueling. I can only do standard. It's also why I can't take part in gym class. It's too risky.

I've gotten better though. It's been a few years between the attack I just suffered and the last one. The last one was definitely more painful and lasted longer. So, as long as I avoid another, I should be fine.[/color]"

"[color=fff79a]Well, have no fear! We'll help ya every step of the way,[/color]" Leander said confidently.

"[color=ed1c24]If we could, I say we should get her a better room. This is no place for a young, not to mention growing, lady to live in.[/color]" Joshua said. "[color=ed1c24]Sadly though, the academy decides things so, there isn't much we can do there.[/color]"

"[color=fff200]I've noticed you talk a lot.[/color]" Amelia said to Joshua.

"[color=ed1c24]So I've heard.[/color]"

Amelia laughed at this a bit.
"[color=fff200]You all should get back to your rooms before it's too late. I'll be fine, so please, get back safety before you get in trouble.[/color]" She said.

Now that Amelia mentioned it, Michelle did notice her eyes getting tired. Rubbing her eyes with a finger, she said, "[color=aba000]You're right. We should go.[/color]"

"[color=fff79a]Call us if anything happens,[/color]" Leander said with a grin, raising a thumbs up. "[color=fff79a]We'll come running as fast as we can.[/color]"

"[color=fff200]Because we're friends... right?[/color]" Amelia asked.

"[color=ed1c24]Oh my god, how thick are you people?[/color]" Joshua said under his breathe so the others wouldn't hear him.

"[color=fff79a]That's right![/color]" Leander responded to Amelia's question. "[color=fff79a]And nothing's gonna stop the friendship.[/color]"

"[color=aba000]Good night, Amelia,[/color]" Michelle said. "[color=aba000]We'll see you tomorrow.[/color]"

The group soon left the room, leaving Amelia to recuperate. Once they reached the point they would split, Joshua and Michelle said their farewells to Leander before continuing to the Earth Dorms. Once they were far enough away, Joshua began cracking up a bit.
"[color=ed1c24]I have never, EVER, seen two people so oblivious in my life.[/color]" He said, a wide grin on his face.

Michelle turned to look at Joshua with a curious look. "[color=aba000]What do you mean?[/color]" she asked.

"[color=ed1c24]Okay... first off, note, Amelia is really only relaxed around one person, and that is Leander. I understand he's, quite likely, her first friend. But, she's a growing, highly naive if I had to guess, girl who is likely developing a bit of a crush. You can see the signs already.[/color]" Joshua said. "[color=ed1c24]Then, Leander, is very protective of her, though whether he's such because she's his friend or the youngest among us I don't know. But, if you read between the lines, you can see signs as well.[/color]"

"[color=ed1c24]Either that or I'm reading way to much into it. But the idea has potential and I think Leander may end up being a very important pillar for Amelia.[/color]"

Michelle looked upward, thinking back on Amelia and Leander's interactions. She blushed slightly as she started noticing the signs Joshua was talking about. She had to admit, the idea was plausible. "[color=aba000]Wow, um, y-you think so?[/color]" 

"[color=ed1c24]Oh, definitely.[/color]" Joshua said before an idea for a bit of teasing came into his mind. He then looked at Michelle closely, a mischivous smile on his face. "[color=ed1c24]I got to wonder though, will she fill out as well as you have?[/color]"

Michelle turned back to Joshua, her face becoming almost fully red. "[color=aba000]W-w-what? W-what are you talking about?[/color]" Michelle asked, holding her arms close to her chest and taking a step away from Joshua from the surprise, though still sticking close.

"[color=ed1c24]What, melons or grapes? Which will she have? It's not that hard a question.[/color]" Joshua said, holding back a laugh. Michelle was a bit too easy to tease at times, but he never did so with will-intent. However, he suddenly frowned and looked thoughtful. "[color=ed1c24]The next question is, which does Leander prefer?[/color]"

Michelle's face was now completely red at this point, unable to believe the words coming out of Joshua's mouth. "[color=aba000]Wh-m-m-m...[/color]" Michelle trailed off, unable to form a word. "[color=aba000]I-I wouldn't know![/color]"

Joshua watched Michelle out of the corner of his eye and smiled, before patting her head.
"[color=ed1c24]I suppose you wouldn't. I'll just have to ask him some time. Until then, I think we oughta make sure that he doesn't do anything stupid to embarrass or upset her. Like, say, picking her up princess style to carry her.[/color]" He said before they reached his room. "[color=ed1c24]Well, this is my stop. Take care, and sleep well.[/color]"

With that, he waved good-bye before entering, leaving Michelle alone.

Michelle felt a little annoyed when Joshua pat her head, realizing that he was just toying with her. She left Joshua at his room without saying a farewell to him, muttering, "[color=aba000]Idiot...[/color]" as she walked away.