Whispers of Metal: The Forge of the One Mage

We were in Nora's living room, a rather cozy place, but my mind couldn't fully focus on the video. The phone vibrated slightly in her hands, but she didn't even notice it. My gaze drifted away, lost in something else, something that deeply unsettled me, something I couldn't quite understand.

Nora was sitting next to me, holding my phone as we watched a video showing RoboCop, a man more machine than human, fighting in a dark, technological world. The blue light from the phone illuminated her face, and although I seemed to enjoy the video, I couldn't stop noticing how her pink outfit almost magically matched the dim light in the room.

Her pink dress with yellow stars and moons glowed softly, while her faded blue shorts and her heeled sandals, which seemed like a mix between sandals and high heels, gave her a rather casual look. Nora always had that special aura, as if she could fit anywhere and make everything around her brighter.

On the other hand, Adrian was on my other side, his eyes fixed on the screen with a look that seemed thoughtful, yet very present in the conversation. His outfit was more casual than anything, a long-sleeved white shirt and black pants that, in their simplicity, highlighted a strange insignia on his chest.

My gaze kept returning to that symbol repeatedly. It was an incredibly complex gear containing a skull, but it wasn't a common skull. One half seemed mechanical, with wires and metal structures, while the other half was human. But why did that skull seem to move? Every time I looked at it, the symbol changed subtly, distorting as if the gear had a real purpose. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about that symbol, although I couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.

"It looks like an exciting movie," Nora said, pulling me out of my reverie with that symbol. Though I tried to pay attention to her, the symbol on Adrian's shirt kept calling to me.

"Yes, I just hope it stays true to the book," I said, letting my fan side show a bit, momentarily forgetting my nervousness.

"So, it's coming out today?" Adrian asked, sounding much more relaxed than Nora.

"Yes, and I'd like you both to come watch it with me." Suddenly, I felt a bit nervous. How would they take it? Were they actually interested? I didn't know, but I needed to extend the invitation; they were the only friends I had so far.

"Of course!" Nora responded with a radiant smile that eased my nerves a bit. She handed me back the phone, her energy contagious and relieving my discomfort.

"Yeah, why not?" Adrian replied in a more laid-back tone, though his eyes still gave the impression that he was thinking about something else.

"So, what are we waiting for?" Nora jumped up with enthusiasm, as always, ready to go anywhere without a second thought. Her shoes clacked lightly on the floor, the sound of her steps filling the room as we headed toward the door.

"Well, the movie theater is a bit far from here," I said, with a hint of doubt.

"No problem. I have a solution for that." Nora gave a thumbs-up, displaying the confidence she always seemed to have.

Before I could respond, a bright light filled the room, accompanied by a faint buzzing of static. I looked at Nora, but she didn't seem surprised. This was normal for her, or at least she treated it as such. Adrian, on the other hand, had a small smile on his lips, one I couldn't help but find somewhat unsettling. It was a different smile from his usual one, like the smile of a demon who had been offered a soul on a silver platter.

When the buzzing stopped and the light dimmed, the crystal platform in the living room now held the Crystal Gems, Nora's family.

"Greetings," said the tallest of them all, Garnet. I responded politely, while Adrian gave a brief nod. Nora ran over to hug them.

"Hello, girls," she said enthusiastically, giving them a big hug. "How did your mission go?"

"Amazing, No-Ra," replied the shortest of the group, Amethyst.

"Oh wow, hello Connie," spoke the second tallest, Pearl, in a somewhat enthusiastic tone for some reason.

"It's a big surprise to see you," she said with a smile, until she apparently noticed Adrian.

"It's also a pleasure to see you, Mr. Riabrac," she said with a slightly sarcastic tone but continued, "Oh right, sorry, it's Rubrica."

Adrian responded in a language none of us expected: "Whatever you say, dull piece of nacre."

We all stared at Adrian and Pearl, who visibly looked displeased, but Adrian, on the other hand, seemed indifferent.

Nora was about to intervene, but Adrian spoke.

"Look, I know what I said was wrong, Nora, and as a guest in your home, I shouldn't have done it, but she's been treating me like this since our first interaction without me doing anything. So, if she has something to say, she should say it," Adrian said in an incredibly indifferent yet serious tone.

Pearl looked equally serious and upset.

"Guys…" Nora tried to say something, but Pearl looked at Nora and briefly smiled at her like a mother to her daughter, though with some anger, and was about to head to her room when Garnet spoke.

"Well, that didn't go as expected," Garnet said in a mysterious tone. What did she mean by that?

"Well, this is awkward," Adrian said, looking a bit embarrassed. "I understand if I ruined your day, girls, but I had to say it," he said, referring to Nora and me. "I wasn't going to wait for this situation to escalate and then have to solve it, so it's better to nip problems in the bud," he continued in a more relaxed tone.

"Haaa," Nora sighed. "I get your point, and I know Pearl was wrong this time, but so were you. You shouldn't have insulted each other," she said while pinching the bridge of her nose and shaking her head.

"Just apologize to each other, and let's forget this happened. I hope it doesn't happen again," she continued, extending an olive branch to Pearl and Adrian, but her last words left no room for discussion.

Pearl sighed briefly and spoke, "Fine," as she offered her hand to Adrian.

He took it and also spoke, "Alright, let bygones be bygones," he continued in a less serious tone as they finished the handshake.

"That's what I like to see," Nora said, returning to her usual cheerful and happy self.