33 Insubordination

Centra stood up and started for the arena exit just after Kyrie departed for the locker room.

"Where do you think you're going?" Professor Fel said with annoyed glair. He'd gotten Kyrieinto trouble. But that wimp had escaped his clutches before he could get pictures for. And now this kitten was walking out on his class.

Centra stopped and glanced around. Was Fel talking to her? Oh, right, "Corson's my Brother. I was going to check on him."

Fel frowned at Centra and said, "Re-take your seat."

Centra watched Fel for a stunned moment. Then turned her back on Fel and continued towards the arena exit. Sure, Fel was a teacher, but he was asking her to not check on her brother. And that wasn't something Centra could do.

Just as Centra couldn't leave her brother alone, Fel couldn't let this disrespectful student leave after he told her to stay.

A slithering green mist quickly crept through the Arena stands. DJ who was glancing between Fel and Centra's retreating form when he noticed the mist, like several other students.

Unlike the others DJ spoke up, "Centra, behind!"

James and Jasper stood up.

James ground his teeth in frustration as Jasper chanted, "Clipeum, Venenum, Custodi, Centra."

For a moment nothing happened, and the mist continued its approach un-headed. Then, just as the mist reached Centra, Jasper's spell activated. A pink shimmer glimmered around Centra's form. It rippled as the green mist made contact.

Fel turned his glare onto the students who were standing in defiance of him. In defiance of his methods and goals. "You don't want to fight me on this."

James called out, "Are you sure you don't want to let her go?"

"Yes."

"Really? Because all we need to do is tell Professor Olson you attacked us." James stood with his arms crossed, backed by his team and the remaining members of Centra's.

Fel took on a neutral expression. He didn't doubt that Olson would take action. Nor did he doubt the student's standing would inform Olson of what happened. But he doubted all of them would hold firm when given a legitimate excuse.

"If your injured teammate was already moved to safety – would you follow them? Leave others defenseless by abandoning your post, increasing the chances of some else getting hurt." Fel paused for a moment as he gave Centra a challenging stare.

"This isn't the battlefield," was Centra's annoyed response.

Fel smiled as he said, "No, this is training for it."

Fel cleared the smile from his face and turned to James. "She can leave, if I have your silence, and she still wants to."

"I agree," James said with his fingers crossed, hidden behind his arm.

Centra looked at James, DJ, and Jasper. She said, "Thanks," and left.

Fel shook his head as he watched her go. If she doesn't learn to keep fighting, she will get someone killed.

♢ ♢ ♢

A while after Centra arrived she was allowed in to see her brother. When she entered the comfy infirmary room, her brother was seated on the bed and a nurse was talking to him.

Centra stood near the doorway, watching her little brother as the nurse spoke, "If the pain becomes too much, we can give you something to take the edge off."

Corson grimaced as he looked at his burning palm, but said, "I can handle it," without the pain meds.

Centra watched her brother with concern. "Corson it's okay to have some pain meds."

Corson frowned and looked at the nurse. "Can you go? I'd like to talk to my sister alone."

The nurse nodded and closed Corson's medical chart. "I'll be back to check on you in an hour."

Centra claimed the seat next to Corson's bed. The two of them sat in silence for a bit as Corson stared at his right palm.

Eventually, Corson turned to face his sister. He gingerly rested his bandaged arm in his lap. "No, this isn't an injury that can go away. And I don't want to become reliant on pain medication."

"Oh." Centra glanced at the bandaged hand resting in her brother's lap. Kyrie had to have known. He'd known how to stop it. He should have known how to prevent it. Centra glanced up at her brother who was trying to give her a reassuring smile.

Corson and Kyrie had never gotten along. Had – had Kyrie hurt her brother on purpose? Did Kyrie's intent matter? Centra clenched her hands in her lap. Kyrie'd hurt her little brother. That wasn't something she could just let go of.

Corson frowned as he noticed his sisters clenched fists. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was lunchtime. "Hey Centra. You should go eat."

Centra gazed at Corson questioningly.

Corson grinned and stuck his tongue out like he and Centra had been doing to tease each other since they were children. He wanted his sister to cheer up and go eat. He was fine. And would still be fine later.

Centra laughed at her brother's antics. "I'll go eat and leave the nurses to deal with your bothersome self."

Centra stood up and hugged her little brother. She'd had more hugs from Corson in the last week then she'd usually get from him in a month. She let go of her brother. And gave him the space he wanted.

DJ would be at their dorm making himself lunch. Centra'd joined him. She glanced back at her brother. He was smiling and waving. Centra waved back before she left.

Centra was gone. And Corson let his walls fall. He grimaced and held his arm. It was doing better than before because he was getting better at keeping his aura from flowing out.