Giant dodged all her questions with expertise.

She'd ask him where he was from, he'd reply, "somewhere big". She'd ask him if he had any friends back home, he'd reply, "sometimes". She'd ask him how old he was, he'd reply, "old enough to know better". His answers didn't even make any sort of sense! Mirror still had no idea why he had joined, or what he'd left behind.

Clearly any attempt to get to know him was futile. And he was by far the easiest to approach. In their training session together he constantly tried to make conversation, just as he did with everyone. Mirror couldn't ever imagine Menace or Sunbeam talking to her just because.

His powers were strong, no doubt of it, but with the amount of food he ate to have the strength to practice, Mirror was surprised at just how bad he was at picking up new techniques. While her strength lay in the way she used her abilities in creative ways to make up for her lackluster physique, his strength lay in pummeling with the same attack at full force over and over. A valid strategy for an Earth Servant, but miles away from what Vertigo taught the wind witches.

She tried to knock him unconscious. She really did. She even pictured the green mannequin in her mind. But no matter how much she pulled, something kept stopping her. Was it the frail connection she had made by asking him the same questions over and over? Doubtful.

       Mirror told Vertigo his lungs were just too big. She hoped the trainer would buy it. And deep down, it was probably the truth anyway.

       With this on her mind, she walked down the stairs, headed to Menace's tiny room. Giant had disappeared with his trainer, Earthquake, down another labyrinthine set of tunnels. Mirror shivered at the thought of getting lost in the wet, dark depths where the Earth servants trained. She much preferred the open-air training yard, although she couldn't see the sun through the thick leaf canopy.

       –Hello, Mirror. How was your lesson today?- Menace spoke as if Mirror had been sitting in a classroom and not trying to incapacitate Giant. At least her tone wasn't too cold or accusatory. "It's a good start."

       –Oh, it went well.

       –Well, you say?- The ghost of a smile briefly appeared in Menace's face.- Hm. That's not what old Vertigo told me.- She chuckled in amusement.

       –Um, maybe not as well as I thought, I...- Mirror scrambled for words to use. She really wanted to go on the mission. If she wasn't allowed to go, it would mean...

       –Giant is a formidable opponent. You managed to hold your own. For that, you passed.- Menace acknowledged this with a curt nod.

       Mirror wasn't surprised to hear it was a test. It was just the way things worked in the Servants. She mumbled a thanks, relieved to have passed. Had she failed, the punishment would surely have been kitchen duty. They knew how much she hated the kitchens.

       –I'm not done yet.- Menace's tone was ever so slightly irritated. Mirror flinched, making sure she was paying attention.- The Koriarage festivities are coming up just before your mission. Being your element's festival, I was hoping you could help me pick the accessories and the rituals to be used this year.

       "What?!"- Mirror thought. This was certainly new. The Koriarage, the festival of the holy hurricane, happened once a year. It celebrated the goddess Aris' triumphant return to the pantheon of gods after a thousand years living as a hermit. Legends told of the giant hurricane that people saw all over the world- it appeared to every believer of Aris in fact- and how it disappeared as it got closer to towns and villages. This was interpreted as the goddess protecting her people from danger.

     Mirror had joined on the day of the festival.

Memories flooded back as Menace opened the trapdoor to reveal the relics of Aris. The feather from her garment, a lock of her blond hair, and a flask filled with her essence. Mirror struggled to keep away the panic from these memories- if Menace caught her freaking out, she would not go on the mission. And if she didn't go on the mission... she might never see the outside world again.

But Mom, I want to go to the festival!

Hush, now. It's too dangerous.

The people of Feyrgania were heavily discouraged from participating in festivals. It had all begun twenty years ago when Emperor Romull was first crowned. The day that Servants began to be frowned upon.

Witches used to be the backbone of society- but look at us now.

Menace instructed her to polish the silver plates. Mirror obliged, humming softly as she tried to banish the memories from her mind. "Scrub, then apply more polish"- she repeated. The plates had to be squeaky clean for the grand feast at midday. A feast that would, for once, consist of fresh meat and real potatoes. She tried to think about the food to keep away the growing anxiety.

The Emperor wants to destroy our faith. We must make justice.

–Now, which pattern to choose for the ceremonial cloth?- Menace seemed oblivious to Mirror's plight as she mused.- I think a nice white cornucopia will do. Don't you think, Mirror?
Mirror nodded, even though the white cornucopia was the same exact one as the day she'd joined. She was too afraid to say anything. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe normally.

Yes, I'll take you to the festival.

Oh, Menace was definitely in on this. She enjoyed making her feel this way. She was nothing more than a cold-hearted villain!

–I just wanted to have some fun... Why didn't they take me to the festival?!- Mirror covered her mouth with her hands. She shouldn't have let that slip out. "I'm in trouble for sure"- she thought frantically.

–Well, Mirror. You're all done now, I'll do the rest by myself. Go on, leave.- Menace gestured for her to leave.

–I'm so sorry, I didn't mean...

–It's fine.- Menace's usually cold face twisted sympathetically. Was that her version of a smile?- We won't speak of this, alright? Now go. I've already tortured you too much.- A sad expression dawned on her features.

Mirror turned to leave, guilt forming in her stomach. "She was ordered to do this"- she realized. "She might be cold, but even Menace can't stand seeing others suffer. She's not a villain."

       Maybe, just maybe, there was more to the icy witch than met the eye.

Author's Note: Hey y'all, it's been a while! I would really appreciate some criticism for this story, as I'm really trying to flesh out the characters. Tell me in the comments who your favorite is! (I can't decide on mine lol)