After the call, Fionna tries to compose herself, walks over to the wall, and throws a punch at it.
Fionna (thinking): Damn it, damn it, damn it... Beca, why didn't you ask for my help? Why?
Wiping her tears, Fionna heads toward the main building.
Alicia's perspective
Alicia (thinking): I think I need to focus. I need to find out more about that man. I need to adapt here... I... okay, breathe, Alicia. You've been through worse situations before... Haven't you?
Alicia reaches the front of the main building.
Alicia: "This is where she said I should wait... Should I go in?"
Alicia steps into the building and is greeted by a woman who says:
Woman: "Hello, welcome to KeySands. How can I help you?"
Alicia: "Hi, I'm waiting for Fionna."
The woman's expression changes as she looks Alicia up and down.
Woman: "Miss Fionna is busy at the moment, urgent matters.
Would you like to leave a message?"
Alicia: "No, she asked me to wait here."
The woman looks startled, staring at Alicia in disbelief.
Woman: "Ohhh... I see."
A much younger girl approaches and says:
Girl: "Danielle? Why are you treating her like that?"
Danielle: "I'm not doing anything. And I don't owe you an explanation—you're just an intern earning points..."
Girl: "Hey, don't mind her. She's always a bit cranky."
Danielle: "Hey—"
Girl: "My name's Violet Crawford. I'm in my penultimate year here. I'm an intern, and according to Fionnaghal Caileanach herself, I'm her right hand."
Alicia: "Nice to meet you, Violet. My name is Alicia Mills."
Violet: "Fionna told me someone was coming. I assume that must be you."
Danielle lets out a long sigh.
Alicia (smiling): "I don't know... She just asked me to wait here."
Violet: "That's fine. You can sit on one of those sofas over there. And if you'd like anything—coffee or tea—you can ask Danielle, and she'll certainly get it for you."
Violet says this with a sly smile, resting her hand on Danielle's shoulder.
Alicia: "Ah, okay. I'm fine, and I can't have coffee right now—I already had an energy drink earlier."
Violet: "Oh, I see. Mixing those two can be dangerous. But a calming tea never hurts, right?"
Alicia: "I... I guess not."
Violet: "Danielle, darling, could you please prepare two cups of tea—one for me and one for Alicia?"
Danielle groans.
Danielle: "You're very lucky, Crawford. Very lucky..."
Danielle gets up and disappears through a door.
Violet leans closer to Alicia and whispers:
Violet (whispering): "I swear I'm not usually like this. I'm only acting this way because Danielle is a terrible secretary—she always treats everyone badly. I think it's a good way to teach her a lesson."
Alicia (whispering): "I understand."
Violet (whispering): "And I suggest you don't drink the tea she brings... you never know."
Alicia (whispering): "Got it."
A few minutes later, Danielle returns with a tray holding two cups of tea.
Violet: "You can set them on the table."
Danielle places the cups on the table and leaves.
Violet (whispering): "Go ahead and pour them into the plant pot next to you."
Alicia (whispering): "Understood."
Alicia empties both cups into the plant pot. Just then, Fionna arrives.
Fionna: "Alicia, I see you've already met Violet."
Violet: "I was keeping her company."
Fionna: "Good... Danielle!"
Danielle returns.
Danielle: "Yes, ma'am?"
Fionna: "Did you offer our guest some tea or water? And don't call me ma'am—that's your mother!"
Danielle: "Yes, I..."
Violet (interrupting): "No, I asked Danielle to make tea for Alicia and me while we waited for you."
Danielle clenches her fists.
Fionna: "Alright, we'll deal with this later. Alicia, come with me—I'll show you your room."
Alicia: "Okay."
Violet: "I've finished everything I had to do, and I was just heading to the dorms anyway. Can I join you?"
Fionna: "Of course, if that's okay with you, Alicia."
Alicia: "Sure."
Fionna, Alicia, and Violet leave the office and head toward the girls' dormitory.
Violet: "When you have some free time, I can show you around. We have an incredible dining hall—every Friday you can order anything you want to eat."
Alicia: "Anything?"
Fionna: "Yes, anything. It's part of a program for students pursuing a career in gastronomy. You can order any dish from anywhere, and they'll make it."
Alicia: "THAT'S AMAZING!!!"
Fionna and Violet chuckle.
Fionna: "That's not all. If you like technology, our computer labs are the best in the world. What brand is your phone?"
Alicia: "Hanada, but that's because my mom works there. She always gets access to the new releases."
Fionna (laughing): "Did you know Hanada actually started here on campus? Mr. Hiroyuki Hanada and Mrs. Keiko Hanada met here and founded the company together."
Alicia: "Really? No way! Why didn't my mom ever tell me that?"
Fionna's happy expression instantly fades. Violet notices and quickly diverts the attention.
Violet: "There's a lot to take in. I'm sure you'll love living here. Each dorm has its own private bathroom...
Oh, and something important: you can choose your own schedule and the subjects you want.
And most importantly of all, we have the most complete library in the world—you can find any book ever written there."
Alicia's eyes sparkle.
Alicia: "Really?"
She looks at Fionna and asks:
Alicia: "Can we go there later?"
Fionna: "Of course, you'll see everything."
Violet: "Hey, there's something I'm sure you'll like."
Fionna: "Go on ahead, you two. I'll catch up with you later."
Violet nods to Fionna, who nods back.
Violet takes Alicia's hand and pulls her along.
Violet: "Come on, I'll show you the Wishing Fountain."
Alicia: "What do you mean? A real wishing fountain? Like in the legends?"
Violet: "Yes, exactly like that."
Violet and Alicia head off toward the Wishing Fountain.
Fionna (thinking): This doesn't make sense... Why didn't she ask for my help? Am I just supposed to stay here and wait for news? That's not fair—I wanted to help.
Alicia's perspective
Violet: "It's right up ahead."
Alicia: "But how does it work? If I ask for anything, it'll grant it?"
Violet: "Do you like history?"
Alicia: "I love history."
Violet: "Then there's a story I think you'll adore. This is the story of Lawvide and the Five Lockets.
Before Lawvide became Hollow Ornament Valley, or even before the village of Kimcyme—the Impossible City—existed, the world was divided into five kingdoms.
The kingdom of Luzidio, ruled by Harlen Hayszine, a wise and generous king.
The kingdom of Fusco, ruled by Empress Annora Anbuza, ambitious yet fair.
The kingdom of Aqua, ruled by the ruthless Emperor Khushal Wentured.
The kingdom of Esh, ruled by Clara Ahax, gentle and kind.
And finally, the kingdom of Salem, governed by a good and just king—though little is known about Salem."
Violet pauses dramatically, then continues:
Violet: "Legend says that a traveling merchant who visited the capitals of the five kingdoms left a special gift for each ruler: a locket.
For Harlen, he gave a fragment of a shooting star. Any wish made upon it would come true.
For Annora, he gave the Dark Fragment, capable of granting life itself—anything that could be imagined, it could bring forth.
For Khushal, he offered a fragment of Aquamarine, blue as the oceans surrounding Lawvide. It had the power to summon water anywhere, at any time.
For Clara, he gave a fragment not of a shooting star, but of a massive star with the heat of forty-five million suns. This relic held the power of fire—the hottest flame ever known.
And for the good and just king of Salem, he gave nothing... because the king himself had sent him."
Violet: "The four rulers held immense power in their hands.
Harlen, wise as he was, decided that such gifts should be shared among the kingdoms. He proposed a meeting. And so the rulers gathered and agreed that each would share a single gift from their relic with the others.
Clara gave them a furnace fueled by the hottest fire ever seen.
Khushal provided an abundant spring to each land, ensuring water would never run dry.
Annora, ever ambitious, refused to relinquish the power of giving life. Instead, she asked each ruler what they desired.
Harlen asked for a child—an heir, since his wife Emma was barren. Annora agreed, but only if the child were born of her own womb.
Harlen, shocked, refused. Such a child would not only be the firstborn heir of Luzidio, but also the heir to Fusco and Annora herself. Outraged, he declined.
Khushal asked for life to fill the rivers and seas of Lawvide. Annora granted his wish.
Clara asked for beings who could endure the hottest flames. Annora granted that too.
Then Harlen did something curious. Generous as he was, he thought each land should share in the power of the star fragment. So he commissioned architects to build a fountain. Into it, he poured a portion of the star's magic, creating the Wishing Fountain. He then recited a deep incantation:
'Oh Lord, I ask your blessing:
Let any wish made at these fountains,
if spoken with the heart of a child
free of malice, free of vengeance
be granted.'
And so, he sent a fountain to each kingdom. From that day forward, the Wishing Fountains were enough