The first-year common room emptied faster than Jasper expected.

Furniture remained.

People disappeared into packing, family visits and final activities.

One afternoon, only three chairs near the western fireplace were occupied.

Jasper.

Harper.

Ava.

There was no ceremonial reason for it.

They had simply ended up there.

Harper held the heat-changing mug she had bought in Lowtide.

While the hot chocolate was warm, the mug read:

THIS WAS A LIE.

As it cooled, the words changed back to:

I AM CALM.

Jasper laughed every time.

Ava claimed she did not find it funny.

Nobody believed her.

They talked about summer.

Harper planned beach days, a family trip and learning how to make the bracelet knot properly.

Ava planned to read.

Then she stopped herself.

"I intend to read."

Harper stared. "That is the same plan wearing glasses."

"It is less quantified."

Jasper planned card tricks, although Thorne had not suggested them yet.

For a while, the conversation stayed easy.

Then Harper asked, "What if we come back different?"

Ava answered immediately. "We will."

Harper frowned. "I mean bad different."

Jasper looked at the fire.

"Then we work it out."

"Very simple."

"Probably not simple."

Ava nodded. "Still the answer."

Harper's mug cooled.

I AM CALM.

She reheated it with too much Essence.

The message changed instantly.

THIS WAS A LIE.

Ava said, "You have learned nothing."

Harper tested the temperature with one finger.

"I stopped before boiling it."

Ava considered.

"Fine. Limited growth."

They talked about Orders next.

Not predictions.

Not probabilities.

Just the fact that in a few days the three of them might be wearing different colours.

Harper hated the thought.

Ava did too, though she expressed this by explaining that Order placement did not change existing residence friendships.

Jasper said, "We can still meet."

"Obviously," Harper said.

"Then why are you worried?"

"Because obviously and feeling are different."

Ava looked at her.

Harper looked suspicious.

"What?"

"That was intelligent."

"Rude."

Jasper smiled.

The fire clicked softly.

Outside, somebody shouted over a handball game.

Nothing ancient happened.

No Titan appeared.

No teacher gave them a lesson.

Three chairs remained three chairs.

Jasper thought he would remember them anyway.