–Come, come, everyone! Feast your eyes and stomachs with the delicious food of Koriarage Eve!

A high-pitched voice enthusiastically announced each course through the rusted speakers. Mirror could tell it was fake- no witch would get so excited over eating dinner fifteen minutes later, what with their intense training and the tiny portions they ate at lunch.

"I wonder what she's getting punished for" Mirror thought. She couldn't help but feel some sympathy for the unknown Servant. "The Leader's here with us, so at least it'll be one of his cronies that beats her up if she makes a mistake. I've heard they're not as brutal as him, so good for her..."

She resigned herself to staring at her plate as the speakers boomed with forced laughter.- And that's why the potatoes aren't salted, everyone! Enjoy your food!- the witch repeated yet again. Mirror had only caught this last part, but she knew there were only two reasons for the lack of salt: "shipment intercepted by the Emperor" or "there was no shipment at all".

Even without salt, the potatoes were delicious. It wasn't like Mirror was accustomed to salt anyway. There was rarely any here with the Servants, and at home her mother always used to say...

"Stop it, Mirror! You'll never go back home!"

The familiar thoughts popped up, but today she let them slide. Because tommorow, she'd be free. Tomorrow, she would see the outside world. Tomorrow, she'd bathe in sunlight again.

The only problem was... she had no idea where to go.

Today wasn't the day for these thoughts, though. Maelstrom sat a few seats across, at the head of the honor table where she and her troupe had been placed. "Not for any merit of out own" she reminded herself. "Just because Sunbeam's in our group." 

She was pretty sure the Leader didn't have mind-reading powers, but after his enchanted eyes, anything could break the rules next. Who knew if he was listening in? "He might shoot ice out of his fingertips, he might resurrect the dead" Mirror speculated. "Those eyes can't be his only power."

Yesterday, a Servant having two powers at once would've seemed outlandish. A Servant that didn't have elemental powers would've seemed ridiculous. But the more Mirror thought about it, the more it made sense. After all, nothing in the rules she'd been taught contradicted it. "One power, one curse" she cited in her memory. "Of course, that leads into 'two powers, two curses', and so on and so forth."

–Papa, why isn't there any salt!?- Sunbeam's wail cut through her wondering like a knife through butter.

–Now, now. Your father is enjoying his dinner. Let's cut it out, shall we?- Menace's usual calm yet commanding voice reduced Sunbeam's wail into a whimper.

Maelstrom spoke no words, he simply nodded, satisfied with the ice witch's intervention. Mirror felt a tap on her shoulder- it was Giant, sitting next to her.

–Mirror. Mirror. Look what I found. Seriously- you have to see it.- His face bubbled with excitement.- Look under the table... it says "Property of Aris"! I bet the Air Goddess gave it to us herself!

Mirror nodded as Vertigo, sitting across from them, cut in.- That was faked, you ignorant boy. If you'd studied the true nature of Aris, you'd know she wouldn't mark her furniture- indeed, she would scarcely own furniture at all. Aris was a nomad, and this festival is about her, so you better do your research...- She nodded to Mirror.- See, your troupemate's smart. She knows that.

Mirror's face flushed as the Leader and his cronies turned to her.

–Indeed, Mirror has shown promise with air magic, as I've been told.- Maelstrom acted like he hadn't personally watched all her tests, an eerie smile on his face.- You'll make a fine Servant of the Gods in the future, perhaps as fine as Hurricane. May she be safe wherever she is.

Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the crowd.

–Indeed, may Hurricane's memory be passed on.- A  witch she recognized from her training- Vixen- spoke carefully.

–Passed on?- The Leader raised an eyebrow, staring intently at the young witch. "You think Hurricane is dead?"

"Oh, no" Mirror thought as all the attention switched to Vixen. "Oh, no, oh no." She better find a way out of that one. Implying Maelstrom's wife was anything but imprisoned was a severe offense within the Servants. "It's alright" she thought. "She can easily explain herself."

Unfortunately, Vixen didn't take the hint.

–Well, um, yes, with all due respect to her memory...

A hand slammed onto the table. Silverware clattered as the Leader got up from his ornate chair. Mirror didn't dare look in his eyes.

–Respect? Respect?! My poor wife has waited years in prison, and you'd dare speak such treason when she comes back!?

Vixen gulped, terror slowly taking over her features.- I...

–That just won't do...- Maelstrom sat down, suddenly appearing calm and collected.- Everyone gather round! We are Servants of the Gods, are we not?- People of all tables nodded, scared out of their minds. The Leader hadn't appeared in public in years- and this was his big return...

–Now, do we tolerate witches without respect for their history? Without respect for their own leader's wife? Hm? I want to hear your answers!- People mumbled their agreement, including Mirror. There was no other choice.- I'm a merciful leader, but even my mercy has limits.- He grinned, his eyes facing the crowd.

–Vixen will hereby be exiled from the Servants of the Gods. Forever.

Mirror's eyes widened as the witch was escorted out by two of Maelstrom's entourage. She looked downcast, but... There was a kind of spring in her step. A bounciness to her movements. It betrayed joy. Pure, unbridled joy at being cast out forever.

She'd once pursued this plan. She'd once hoped to be kicked out. But there was one, final thing...

–She may not keep her magic. But she will keep her curse.

Author's Note: hi. So this was originally a filler chapter before the mission, but I was RPing with @Rabioa and her OC's street name is "The Masked Vixen" so... yea we kinda made them the same lol. I also thought it would be a better villain setup than "Maelstrom bad".
Is Hurricane dead or alive? Who knows. Not me. I keep going back between the two...