Question Life's but a walking shadow

Uhh... first post? This never happens. I never get the first post on a new story...

Anyway... good denouement for the story. Colonel Declan apparently just needed a swift kick in the pants, and Falcon delivered it. And so did Nikki.
I didn't expect to get to the World Seed planting so quickly.
Points left to ponder...
1. The Leanan appears to have recast herself from predator to guardian. But she is still hidden inside Hank's psyche. She is terrified of Fey, which should keep her in line -- for a while. But from her thought patterns in "One Woe", she does not strike me as somebody who thinks -- or even have a perception of -- long term. Let's see how long it takes for this particular leopard's spots to change back...
2. OTOH, Nikki is suspicious of something about Hank's mysterious coma. She got distracted from pursuing it, but if Hank begins going depressed again, she is bound to remember it.
3. Hank's mother may be suffering long-term sequels from the Leanan's influence. Even after the Leanan retreated, she still had a hard time thinking of Hank as... well, Hank, and not Hannah.
4. Where was Toni? She lives almost next door, in Baltimore. She could have taken a bus to see Hank. Hell, Nikki and her mom came through Baltimore; they could have picked up Toni on the way if she had no other transportation.
5. If the whole Solicitor subplot was a ruse... then, is Nikki getting all her money back?

Even if the Leanan remains in its current approach, I have my concerns as to what long-term affects this might have on Hank, what with it quashing negativity in a bid to remain undetected by Nikki.

And for the World Tree, I too was shocked just how quickly it got planted. Not altogether surprised at it being placed in the Grove, as that was perhaps the most likely known location for it to be planted in, yet it still has some concerns. Notably the proximity to Hekate's Master and the generally high amount of Class X stuff around Whateley.

This followup to Woe Doth Tread is definitely a nice recovery from its bleak predecessor, although I think that some relationships are by no means back where they were - notably that between Nikki and Ayla, where it seems to me that the guilt each of them has is still presenting some distance between them, even if they've made good progress thus far.

So to conclude (this feels like the conclusion of this arc, for now), it just reinforces my perception that Phoenix is definitely a good addition to the Cabal.

Life's But a Walking Shadow comments
*eyes bug out* Please let that 'the play' quote not be a sign of things to come and what will happen. Oh boy, dead phone is why Hank couldn't get through, this is bad. Gah! Lily's mom could make Mrs. Carson blush, I bet. Tried to drown himself and now Lily is blaming herself because Hank was trying to get through to her but didn't. The Leanan is the definition of a monster in all senses of the word.

Ouch, Nikki broken the spell and in shock over how she treated Hank, fearing what she said to him will be her last words to Hank. Hope Nikki's dad is able to help her get to Washington, the pain of what Hekate drove her to with that spell and what it would really mean to lose Hank finally has hit her.

Everyone knows now and Jade is freaking out because Billie is trying to teleport to Washington without knowing where Hank is. Ayla and Jade going to Washington to find Billie now. Jade getting Billie to call home first thing so Mrs. Wilson call yell at her daughter for being so stupid, lol. Jade may love Billie but she can still see when she is at fault.

Would like me to spell you and I'd just wake her up if we swapped, teleport spell to switch places so he is driving instead or could swap mean something more I wonder. A 400 hundred mile drive...good for them. *shudders at the thought of being in a car, van, etc. for longer than an hour* A detective is involved and they finally arrive at the hospital in Washington so she can see Hank.

Oh boy, argument between Tabitha and the detective as they try to figure out what triggered Hank trying to commit suicide. Great, parents keeping the fact Hank is a mutant from the detective. The shock of hearing what Hank went through when he manifested, leaving out the gender change, anyone isn't shocked by would have to have ice water in their veins. Survived mostly by luck, mostly, is an understatement.

Hearing this teenage boy is known to the Necromancer and Mimeo and they haven't even hit the high points yet. All that is nothing more than background for the serious stuff, the detective is going to need to sit down from the dizzying amount of trouble these kids have gone through. At least Tabitha realizes whatever drove Hank to this is with his home and family, I say family very loosely. Unconscious in a hospital bed with Lily holding his hand while weeping, this is very bad.

Yikes, everything which came with her calling Hank human in such a way comes crashing down on Nikki. *starts crying when Nikki begs her mom not to leave her, that she doesn't want to lose her too* Good lord, you know how to tug at the heart strings with how Nikki is responding to what she said to Hank and not wishing her mother to stop being her mother. Her wishing to be human, to not be alone anymore. That was a long time coming and a well written scene full of emotion.

Mrs. Declan in that bad of shape, confused, terrified and almost angry look on her face, is she starting to break free from the Leanan's spell with just being away from it one night. In that much of shock over almost losing her child, plus still under the influence of the Leanan Sidhe's spell, yikes. At least she has Lily's parents there to watch out for Mrs. Declan.

Yikes, the discussion which happened between Nikki's parents, Mrs. Carson and Sir Westmont. Lucy isn't listening to the warning of what Aunghadhail's legacy would lead to, yikes, no wonder they went to such extremes to make Nikki see the path she was on. An unwise and rash vow doing all that. *faces goes ash white* And she finally tells her mom what she said to Hank why she is freaking out. Koehnes shows up, heart warming in a way but also reminding Lucy about how much Nikki has changed, at it seems so.

Mrs. Declan still calling Hank Hannah and saying why would she do this to us. She is still under the Leanan's spell stronger plus her own issues. Only now does Tabitha realize how bad things are.

Tabitha blaming herself for sending Hank back to his family, Robert trying to convince her they both decided to. She sees how bad his family has been treating, how Hank's father isn't there, how his mother is acting and calling Hank Hannah. I doubt even a saint could defend Hank's parents at this point.

Nikki shows up and now Lily is freaking out, Hank isn't waking up even for her, despite his heart not having stopped. Nikki performing a spell on Hank to find out what is going on, while having to get Lily to sit down and Tabitha having to tell Nikki's mom that if magic doesn't happen quickly it can take hours. Lucy having to get things set up for the long haul as Tabitha watches over the kids.

All that and still takes hours to get to a friend in need, I would be frustrated too. Jade juggling the suitcases, bwahahaha. After all the emotions and despair so far, needed that little bit of humor. Ayla is right, Jade knows just how to bring a smile to her friends faces and laughter when they need it.

Oh boy, parents have figured out Nikki might have actually cursed Hank, but wisely don't want to let her know it. Oh boy, hope Lucy is right about the shock of Hank being enough to get Nikki to move beyond the dreams of Aunghadhail. If not, it will just make things worse to suggest it.

Good lord, Nikki was drawn into Hank's nightmare, a world where Aunghadhail and a host of Sidhe trampled down humans no matter their age or gender all to create a new Sidhe kingdom. Nikki even horrified by what she saw within his nightmare as she used the banshee scream a second time.

Crud, driven out, she bawls and runs blindly from the room. The Leanan is running scared now at least, but did Nikki detect it. Nikki talks of Hank's nightmare and is terrified of what she saw, describing it. Okay, now I don't like Koehnes anymore, she needs to go. At least Nikki finally realizes she needs to discuss things with her mom, but at least she states strongly she doesn't want to lead a merciless Sidhe host. Almost seemed like a vow to me.

If Koehnes doesn't learn that Nikki cares about humans and talking about slaughtering them like it is glorious is bad, she won't be around much longer. She wants those she loves to be around, she needed this. Finally, Nikki doesn't want to be the Sidhe queen, seeing her for the terror she was to those who stood in her way. Another way to honor Aunghadhail, good. And the way Lucy talked to her afterwards, only a mother can both love you and chide you for scaring them like that.

Nikki and Lily crying into each others arms, I hate what has happened to Hank but it backfired on Hekate in a way she didn't expect. Instead of driving them apart, it is bringing them even closer together as friends and a group. She is in for a shock when she sees them again.

Catching Jade in trickery, that is as hard as trying to catch Coyote the trickster in trickery. Ayla hoping for more information on Hank or Billie, it sucks to be on a plane without network access. Oh boy, Billie at the Pentagon looking for Hank's dad to find out where he is and now Ayla and Jade are heading there. This is going to be like watching Murphy's Law in action, for everyone around Jade.

Oh boy, going into Hank's nightmare with Lily this time. Yikes, telling Lily about how Aunghadhail died and how madness might be in Hank's dream. Hope they aren't hurt too badly in Hank's unconscious, especially Nikki.

Okay, after seeing that scene I think Jade's +10 Puppy dog eyes should be tested to see if they are an actual power. Because that Marine just melted and told her things like that. She got them into the Pentagon with them!

Oh boy, Nikki and Lily are realizing it isn't Nikki Hank is truly afraid of. Hopefully it will lead them to the Leanan and Nikki can deal with it.

Confirmed where Hank is and now Jade has gotten Billie's attention. Those poor, poor Pentagon guards, I wonder what will happen if they try to stop her from leaving to be with her friend.

Hank is inside the building on the island and Nikki is looking for a way inside. Hank cut himself off from his subconscious, good lord, it might have been the only way to protect himself from the Leanan. His mind is that much of a mess, the fear of Nikki is messing with Hank's mind and what could happen. Nikki is trying to think while Lily yells, how will they discover the Leanan.

Bwahahaha, the way Billie is reacting to having to talk to and get chewed out by her mom. Priceless, no matter how powerful you are you still don't like being chewed out by your parents.

And Lily learns that magic isn't a simple answer for everything, especially those involving a person's mind. Figures the Leanan is down in the crevasse. A recreation of Poe Cottage and the hill nearby is Hank's castle, his home, inside his mind. Ah, used the cell phone tower in his mind to react Hank, clever.

Hank finally wakes up and with a funny line.

"Why?" Hank asked blinking up at her puzzled. "Am I late for class?"

All he has been through, all they have been through and he wakes up with that line. He doesn't even remember trying to drown himself. Lilly is relieved, Nikki is crying and stating she is sorry, relationship mended. Nikki ask if Hank can ever forgive her, while Hank says thank you for forgiving him. Lily and Nikki fussing over Hank, while Lucy and Tabitha realize Hank is hurt by his family not being there.

Ew, catheter, understand why it was needed but still, ew. Mrs. Declan calling Hank Hannah still and berates him for trying to kill himself, that Leanan has made her a lot worse, having to be thrown out of the room by the nurse. And being berated by Lily about calling him Hannah, about not communicating with him since he left for school, Lily continues to berate Mrs. Declan but she keeps insisting on calling him Hannah to the point Lily tries to lunge at her. Only for Tabitha to stop her daughter, pulling a weeping Lily to her breast.

Mrs. Declan starts to berate Tabitha about how to treat her daughter, causing Tabitha to become enraged. Calling out everything that his family did to Hank, how dare Mrs. Declan call out her parenting skills after failing her own child so completely. She scares Mrs. Declan into running off, only to break down and cry into Robert's arms afterwards. Tabitha wishes to just take Hank and Lily away, run back to Providence with them. Stole the Seal of Soloman! Dang, her parents have a lot history they haven't talked about, Tabitha was part of Mastermind and Cape Squad. Love their relationship, though if her friends saw it Lily would be so embarrassed.

Hank's father, ugh. That man needs a massive clue hammer to hit him upside the head. The scariest thing about this confrontation between Robert and the Colonel is I'm not sure how much of it is the Leanan's influence and how much is just the Colonel being the Colonel. It is my will that decides his interests, that isn't the way a parent talks, those are the words of a tyrant or slave driver. Guess the Colonel has never been given a dressing down by someone before, long over due. Whoa, Robert knows how to play hardball, if the Colonel doesn't back down and listen to reason he loses Hank completely.

Nobody knows about the changes and it is all supposed to be fixed, oh brother. Dang, his dad actually wants to know what happened to Hank this last year, what Hank wouldn't talk to them about. The Colonel is so used to military protocol and how things work there, he thought it would work his family and didn't notice how it was affecting them. Hearing tales of what happened to Hank and his friends, that will shock the Colonel.

Ah, the Colonel doesn't like hospitals because of how many good men have been lost and the bad memories connected to them. Definitely wouldn't help his mood any bit. Ouch, just ouch. Guess I misjudged why the parents did what they did, missing so much of their kids life, having their little girl turn into a young man and growing up without them, must hurt. The Colonel admits they made mistakes and thanks Robert and his family for being their for Hank, saying changes will be made so Hank knows he still has a loving family to support him.

Ayla, Jade and Billie show up and Robert has to explain to the Colonel how they tend to attract trouble when together. Bwahahaha, he knows them too well.

He really didn't need to know what problems Ayla would find to 'fix', what crises Billie could manufacture out of thin air, or anything Jade would do if not watched like a hawk.

Hank and Nikki laughing at Jade getting Billie to blush, Robert convincing things with Hank's parents are due to a misunderstanding and his parents not knowing what happened to him this year and what to look for. *eyes bug out* Robert got Ayla to blush in embarrassment, never thought I would see Ayla flustered like that without his girlfriend being involved.

Hank's parents in the room with no one else around, Robert having to keep the peace with everyone else. Robert staying behind in case Hank needs him, Lily and Tabitha going to the hotel for rest and food, while Nikki and her family have to have a talk about the 'difficult year's worth of experience' as well while going out for dinner. Good thing I wasn't drinking or I would have done a spit take at what Jade said she, Billie, and Ayla were going to do. Not that I wouldn't want to join in on the fun if that actually did that.

Finally, they are acting like parents and a real family to Hank. Now if they can just get the little monster to behave, wait, two little monsters. Hank's younger brother and the Leanan. With his parents treating him right now, we just have to deal with the Leanan so it won't attack him again. Unless it can starve to death from all the positive emotions Hank is feeling.

Well, didn't see that twist in the Leanan happening. Fostering light and extinguishing darkness so has to not bring the Queen back, so it can hide in Hank's mind from Nikki. Protecting him instead of harming him. Wonder what affect it will have on Hank though.

Ayla knows Hank too well, he has room for a second breakfast. Trading board game, interesting. Wonder which game it is, though the thought of them playing on equal footing with Ayla is fun. Even Hank's mother is happy he has friends based on that slight smile.

Ah ha! Should have known the case wasn't real, all just to get Nikki to make a difficult choice. And poor Ayla being given that threat, that is harsh. Details on the renovations for Poe come out, Hydroflux consulted on the bathrooms for both the girls and boys, dang. Having to deal with the lie he told to Nikki, I hope she understands and it doesn't cause another rift between them. Good grief, he is that bad at lying, that...that is just pathetic for a teen. Whole body tenses and scrunches when he lies, I actually wouldn't mind seeing that, sounds funny.

Private talk with Nikki by Ayla, Ayla actually crying at how he felt he betrayed her as a friend by not telling her and how she got hurt. Both saying they are sorry to each other for what happened, Nikki still crying in the hallway as Ayla heads back into Hank's room. Oh boy, both of them down now, I hope they can mend their friendship somehow.

He doesn't remember going towards the river or jumping into it, just everything going dark. The Leanan was controlling his body at the time. Great, the doctor thinks Hank had a seizure or fainting spell due to stress and a hormone imbalance brought about by puberty. Although it is protecting him now, I doubt Hank wants the Leanan inside his mind if he finds out.

And Nikki has realized something serious is going on in Hank's mind. The change between the two visits, why it was so barren and fortified have her curious. Oh boy, it would be just right then that she got the call from Kayda and had to come help with Snakie 2 and get the World Tree seed.

It takes Ayla to make Hank realize they can't help in this kind of thing. Oh boy, the rest of them are leaving but at least they are telling Hank goodbye. Ayla blushed again, twice in the same story! *runs sirens* We are at Defcon 4 for the Apocalypse, I repeat, Defcon 4.

Okay, another surprise, Lily is staying with Hank and his family for a while. Little monster of a brother better behave, he doesn't want to know what Lily can do if he is rude or crass to her. Finally, they are a family again, if little brother can be kept in line.

Hank's mom is happy to see her son happy with his girlfriend, while Jay is jealous and going to try and cause trouble most likely. A different room with most of Hank's stuff from Fort Brag there, now that is much better. A custom weight set with digital settings and resistances up to thousands of pounds, dang. *eyes tear up* At last, the Colonel is being a real father and even apologizes for not making Hank feel at home before. A hug between them as they both cry, this has been needed for a long time.

Dang, Lily learned that growl from her dad, even got Hank to put the things from the Hannah box onto the bookshelf out in the open.

"Teddy bears belong on the bed."

Lily got some of her personality quirks from each of her parents, I see. A picture of Jamie in the dress she loved with Ms. Guzman, just when I thought you couldn't pull at my heartstrings any further.

Ah, naming the World Tree seed in honor and remembrance of Aunghadhail, I think she would like that. At least I hope she would. Oh hoho, she took it from the secure vault at Whateley due to a special affinity she has with the seed now. She has to plant it because Nikki accidently germinated the seed, wondering when we see another "Oops" moment. Planting it in the Grove, doubt anyone is foolish enough to try and take it from there. Well, maybe the Necromancer or HM, but anyone else would be demolished. Dang, impervious to magical searching until it matures and awakens, afterwards it will protect itself.

A flashback and knowledge of how to plant a new World Tree, those are what World Trees look like when fully grown! Majestic doesn't even begin to cover it. A spell to awaken the knowledge of how with but a touch and now it has affected Nikki, awe inspiring. Midnight of the first full moon since the Summer's Solstice is the only time it can be planted, yikes. Bwahaha, easier to beg forgiveness then seek permission, didn't think Lucy would say that to her daughter.

Oh boy, Circe, Mrs. Carson, security guards, Lucy and Nikki's little brother. Carson and Circe overreacting, thinking Aunghadhail is guiding Nikki's actions still. And Lucy proves why she is the ultimate mom and doesn't care how powerful you are, don't mess with her kids or you answer to her. Carson and Circe focused so much this year on how Nikki was being changed by Aunghadhail, they missed what Nikki was like even before the influence became more pronounced. Nikki is back to being a happy child who loves her parents and being with her friends, Hank is better and the Leanan is actively working to protect him now out of fear of Nikki, things are patched up between the whole group. Even the somewhat down way Nikki and Ayla were acting is better than keeping it all in. A wonderful conclusion to what was an emotional trip for all, readers included.

Maybe the presence of a world tree will eventually counteract some of that class X stuff when it finally awakens. Then again, maybe that will just be a big dinner bell.

Life's But a Walking Shadow wrote: "I want to honour Aung, Aunghadhail, but I don't want to lose Hank! I don't want to lose you! I don't want to lead a merciless Sidhe host!" Pleading up at her mother with tears in her eyes Nikki begged, "What should I do Mom? What should I do?"

Outlive them. Wait until the humans you care about have died naturally after long, happy lives, and then conquer the dismal world they've left behind. Duh.

More seriously though, there's no need to carve out space for a Sidhe nation from among the human countries. Emperor Wilkins and G2 Japan know what's up -- more than two thirds of this planet's surface area is uncontested water. There's plenty of room for nation-building without any need for fighting. Of course, greedy human assholes will inevitably try to take whatever she builds away from her, but then it's them initiating hostilities, so she and her bloodthirsty little minions can feel free to put the laughter back in slaughter with a clean conscience as they defend their new lands.

Or if they want a bit more privacy and peace, they could look into colonizing Venus. The Sidhe's magical nature might make that difficult initially, depending on how all that actually works and whether a (presumably) lifeless planet has any leylines and such, but I'm sure they can figure it out.

There is the non-trivial matter of designing a new, updated Sidhe society that won't just get nuked into the ground for being an evil pile of shit, of course, but that goes without saying.

I think the Leanan has goofed in the opposite extreme. She is not trying to protect Hank, she is trying to keep Nikki from rifling through Hank's mind again. Her first tactic was despair and darkness, but that is far from Hank's normal personality. Now she is going to be crushing all the darkness she can fine, but all people have darkness it's part of what makes them them. I think the way Hank begins talking about Jamie, if he does at all is going to drastically change. It will be like Jamie didn't die, those are dark thoughts. I wonder if Lily notices, or no one notices until he gets back to Poe.

Yeah, it occurred to me... if the Leanan overdoes things, Hank might suddenly present like one of those creepily cheerful pod people.

Phew, I hope that is the end of all that crying by everyone. Well-written.

Well the Leanan while initially may cause some problems with the excess, I think that eventually she will learn a balance, possibly on her own, she IS hiding after all, now instead of it being a parasitic relationship it will be a more symbiotic one beneficial to both parties, if she notices people becoming suspicious she is going to be more likely to adjust her approach.



The Yes making new land is one option the Sidhe have, but really other than for certain functionary buildings and a place of refuge, they don't need a lot of land at all, moreover new land might not have as strong ley-line access for a while, they could operate as a society with no definate abode, at least initially and because they can make very long term investments, they could PURCHASE the land they desire. There is the small matter of maximizing essence producing nature in a limited horizontal space when they do get their own lands of course, fact in the matter is that the one world tree known to exist will NOT be at their home, as a substitute they may need some sort of cross between a skyscraper and a greenhouse, but with unconventional building materials that wont disrupt essence.

I think we all overlooked a VERY important detail here, Hydroflux has been asked to consult on BOTH sets of bathrooms... I'll let people stew on that, and go over to the Danny thread...

Nice how we get how all the Nikki stuff was planned and stuff. It all makes sense now. ... Nice to see Hank get better... Calling Hank in his mindspace allowed Lily to travel to him inside the castle? Feels like sort of Inception subconscious-stuff... But, that's just 'cause all mental stuff is sorta similar...

Did we know that Solicitor Lawsuit ploy was to get Nikki to reject Aunghadhail's Legacy V1? And we forgot? Or is that new info? I guess we didn't get all the info when Ayla was roped into the plan...

Leanan should have affected parents and perhaps it did, but I guess that stopped after it pulled itself back into Hank's mind? Did it never get a chance to get into Hank's Dad's mind?? I thought it did...

Hank's got mental protection now! Reformed Leanan... So it doesn't specifically need to feed on 'darkness'... Interesting. I feel bad for it, being basically animalistic, just doing what it was made to do... If it has any 'morality', I think it'd be blue-orange...

Hank's mom seems to need more scenes, we don't even see her view on Hank/Hannah change? Just sudden whiplash of change, sorta, the effects of the mind whammy, I thought would be stronger and need magic to fix. ... Why is his dad so normalish? Wasn't he Leanan-ed as well? Why would Leanan not affect him??! Military Protections??? Also, why not affect Jay as well??

World Tree, Planted! ... Burning Grove is changed over time into Whateley Grove? What are Groves, exactly? ... If it wasn't so time-sensitive, I guess Nikki would have been more diplomatic?

Also, Dreamspace variations and conditions for World Tree planting! ... Mythos can scry the Sapling? Bastard and others know about it that way? ... Sara escapes her prison 'cause of World Tree somehow? ... How does naming the tree 'Aunghadhail' affect it? ... How is a Burning Grove different from a normal Grove? Is it described? Gotta recheck...

Would the Leanan act as a shield for Hank's susceptibility to Psi?

Also, would the presence of the Leanan change Hank's resonance to magic? Possible way for it to be spotted during powers testing.

I'm wondering... did someone brief Hydroflux about the ah, proclivities of Poe residents? Because, well... bidets or some other plumbing feature with similar function would probably be a good idea in the boys' bathrooms. Just saying.

Malady wrote: Did we know that Solicitor Lawsuit ploy was to get Nikki to reject Aunghadhail's Legacy V1? And we forgot? Or is that new info? I guess we didn't get all the info when Ayla was roped into the plan...

We knew that it was an attempt to humble Nikki and steer her away from the Sidhe-queen path. I don't think we knew about them being worried Nikki might lock herself into a course of action via oath, though. That does help to explain the 'ZOMFG WE MUST STOP HER RIGHT THIS MOMENT!"-ness of it all.

Malady wrote: Why is his dad so normalish? Wasn't he Leanan-ed as well? Why would Leanan not affect him??! Military Protections??? Also, why not affect Jay as well??

Well, I got the impression that that the Leanan did tamper with all of them, but since Jay's already an asshole, and his dad is cold enough on his own (and mostly out of the house dealing with work), it was his mom who needed the most attention.

Sir Lee wrote: I'm wondering... did someone brief Hydroflux about the ah, proclivities of Poe residents? Because, well... bidets or some other plumbing feature with similar function would probably be a good idea in the boys' bathrooms. Just saying.

Hmm I want Pounce to accidentally learn the answer to that question...

You know, there are other features of Hydroflux plumbing then just that setting.

This is being installed by the Asministration, I'm pretty sure that the optional extra you're all fixated on isn't going to be optioned by them. They are going to be more interested in things like water saving features, mutli-jet installations that will allow quicker showering, allowing students to move through the bathrooms faster. Maybe hexagonal shower stores similar to beehives, to allow more stalls to be installed in the same area, but still have them "feel" just as spacious, things like that.

There is multiple useful things an expert in indoor water engineering could help them with.

Phoenix Spiritus wrote: You know, there are other features of Hydroflux plumbing then just that setting.

This is being installed by the Asministration, I'm pretty sure that the optional extra you're all fixated on isn't going to be optioned by them. They are going to be more interested in things like water saving features, mutli-jet installations that will allow quicker showering, allowing students to move through the bathrooms faster. Maybe hexagonal shower stores similar to beehives, to allow more stalls to be installed in the same area, but still have them "feel" just as spacious, things like that.

There is multiple useful things an expert in indoor water engineering could help them with.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Hydroflux multi-jet systems come with certain features by default.

I hope for Phase's sake the new fitments, on the girls side at least, come with the 'additional feature' of Hydroflux.

Otherwise he'd better have a fast jet waiting...

Is it just me who thinks it would be awesome if they came with things like:
- digital temperature settings with handprint recall for each user
- Massage mode
- heat therapy mode
- cold therapy mode
- air jets for accelerated drying
- individual stalls with doors

You know, things like that?

Phoenix Spiritus wrote: Is it just me who thinks it would be awesome if they came with things like:
- digital temperature settings with handprint recall for each user
- Massage mode
- heat therapy mode
- cold therapy mode
- air jets for accelerated drying
- individual stalls with doors

You know, things like that?

Nope, not just you. I'd love a shower like that!

I'm afraid that I may be entering nitpicking node. It appears that that Life's But a Walking Shadow is the next part of the arc beginning with One Woe Doth Tread on Another's Heel. If this is the case, should the story name be preceded by an arc name. I am merely stating this because the connection might not otherwise be apparent.

Umm...

Yes it the sequel to One Woe, but since I didn't name the "Arc", there is no Arc name to precede it.

I suppose I should do the same as we did for Veni and put a link to the preceding story at the front.

Finally! Fey is back to normal!

I try to never complain about anything written here because its not constructive and I don't like being negative on the internet.

I hated the way Fey changed after Aughadhail died. Before she was doing her best to try to prove that she was not just the legacy of warlord. After she died she tried to become the very thing she fought against becoming for so long.

The 180 annoyed me and her attitude shift was detreminental to my opinion of her and her stories.

But now she is back to normal, and can at least work with some good character development.

Also a really good story. I love Jade… can we have more Jade in the future, she needs more screen time like this.

I don't have a problem with the sequence. "To Sleep, Perchance to Dream" is Lancer 1; "So Shalt Thou Whow Me Friendship" is Lancer 2; "One Woe Doth Tread Upon Another's Heel" is Lancer 3; and "Life's But a Walking Shadow" is Lancer 4.

And Phoenix has obviously been asking Ayla and Jadis (and possibly Lily, who is a Bill Shaxberd fan) for title suggestions.

Phoenix Spiritus wrote: Is it just me who thinks it would be awesome if they came with things like:
- digital temperature settings with handprint recall for each user
- Massage mode
- heat therapy mode
- cold therapy mode
- air jets for accelerated drying
- individual stalls with doors

You know, things like that?

Wouldn't massage mode have multiple settings? possibly some hidden settings?

Phoenix Spiritus wrote: You know, there are other features of Hydroflux plumbing then just that setting.

This is being installed by the Asministration, I'm pretty sure that the optional extra you're all fixated on isn't going to be optioned by them. They are going to be more interested in things like water saving features, mutli-jet installations that will allow quicker showering, allowing students to move through the bathrooms faster. Maybe hexagonal shower stores similar to beehives, to allow more stalls to be installed in the same area, but still have them "feel" just as spacious, things like that.

There is multiple useful things an expert in indoor water engineering could help them with.

You either left off an 's' or mistyped 's' for 'd'

mhalpern wrote:
The Yes making new land is one option the Sidhe have, but really other than for certain functionary buildings and a place of refuge, they don't need a lot of land at all, moreover new land might not have as strong ley-line access for a while, they could operate as a society with no definate abode, at least initially and because they can make very long term investments, they could PURCHASE the land they desire. There is the small matter of maximizing essence producing nature in a limited horizontal space when they do get their own lands of course, fact in the matter is that the one world tree known to exist will NOT be at their home, as a substitute they may need some sort of cross between a skyscraper and a greenhouse, but with unconventional building materials that wont disrupt essence.

Ahh but they might already have land?

don't forget all the Were tribes OWN VAST! tracks of land and might give it to the Sidhe or Fae!

lighttech wrote:

mhalpern wrote:
The Yes making new land is one option the Sidhe have, but really other than for certain functionary buildings and a place of refuge, they don't need a lot of land at all, moreover new land might not have as strong ley-line access for a while, they could operate as a society with no definate abode, at least initially and because they can make very long term investments, they could PURCHASE the land they desire. There is the small matter of maximizing essence producing nature in a limited horizontal space when they do get their own lands of course, fact in the matter is that the one world tree known to exist will NOT be at their home, as a substitute they may need some sort of cross between a skyscraper and a greenhouse, but with unconventional building materials that wont disrupt essence.

Ahh but they might already have land?

don't forget all the Were tribes OWN VAST! tracks of land and might give it to the Sidhe or Fae!

And why would the tribes give up their lands which are already smaller than the historically were, being pushed out of much of their land by humans. Also weres NEED that vast land for hunting.

Kristin Darken wrote:

NeoMagus wrote:

Phoenix Spiritus wrote: Is it just me who thinks it would be awesome if they came with things like:
- digital temperature settings with handprint recall for each user
- Massage mode
- heat therapy mode
- cold therapy mode
- air jets for accelerated drying
- individual stalls with doors

You know, things like that?

Nope, not just you. I'd love a shower like that!

I want a shower where the entire ceiling and some of the wall facing acts as a shower head... such that water hits all of your body at once instead of having to move your body to be under the center of the stream and then having it run down your body to get the rest of you. While you're in wash / soap-up mode, it switches to a hot mist which keeps you damp but warm and uses almost no water, and then goes back to spray hitting your whole body for rinse.

Then it switches off the water and hits you with a blast of warm air to dry you.

Like I said, multiple jet showers could really speed up the weekday morning bathroom lines

mhalpern wrote:

lighttech wrote:

mhalpern wrote:
The Yes making new land is one option the Sidhe have, but really other than for certain functionary buildings and a place of refuge, they don't need a lot of land at all, moreover new land might not have as strong ley-line access for a while, they could operate as a society with no definate abode, at least initially and because they can make very long term investments, they could PURCHASE the land they desire. There is the small matter of maximizing essence producing nature in a limited horizontal space when they do get their own lands of course, fact in the matter is that the one world tree known to exist will NOT be at their home, as a substitute they may need some sort of cross between a skyscraper and a greenhouse, but with unconventional building materials that wont disrupt essence.

Ahh but they might already have land?

don't forget all the Were tribes OWN VAST! tracks of land and might give it to the Sidhe or Fae!

they might not give them up per-say? but allow both to live on the same land and the hunting bit?
Elves don't really need to farm that much do they?
humans can do that and elves buy the grains and other veggies they harvest...elves can do wonders with magic! and nature! A elf controlling the local weather would be a good thing, double or triple the crops, then add to that, maybe elves can get nature/plants to grow faster with magic?

but most of this will take thousands of years, not decades, Elves are in long term plans, so who knows what positions of power the elves might already be influencing right now? for later gains!

And why would the tribes give up their lands which are already smaller than the historically were, being pushed out of much of their land by humans. Also weres NEED that vast land for hunting

Sir Lee wrote: I don't have a problem with the sequence. "To Sleep, Perchance to Dream" is Lancer 1; "So Shalt Thou Whow Me Friendship" is Lancer 2; "One Woe Doth Tread Upon Another's Heel" is Lancer 3; and "Life's But a Walking Shadow" is Lancer 4.

And Phoenix has obviously been asking Ayla and Jadis (and possibly Lily, who is a Bill Shaxberd fan) for title suggestions.

There is actually a theme for all the titles, beyond just being quotes that is.

Don't get me wrong, all the titles were chosen to try and foreshadow the events in their stories, but all the quotes were also chosen from specific passages which clue in the main event too.

This was an excellent chapter! Good to see people putting heads and hearts together and getting things resolved.


Did we know that other people knew that Billie could teleport? I vaguely recall her deciding to keep that detail a secret. Of course, secrets wouldn't last long against Jade's Sad Puppy Dog Eyes, but did it happen offscreen, or did I forget?

I feel like TWFKAH's spell targeted Nikki's pride in addition to (or instead of) directly targeting her wrath. Pride has always been the fatal flaw of the Fair Folk anyways, and of this Fairy Queen in particular.

Humored to see the Leanan now acting the opposite of how she did before. I agree that in the long term such efforts would be harmful to Hank, although not nearly as bad as her first strategy, but I think that it's unlikely to come to that. First off, the Leanan seemed to feed off of Hank's despair, and if she isn't getting nourishment from him she may soon have to move off to greener pastures. (Maybe she can go bother the Calibans!) Secondly, Nikki was definitely suspicious before she got distracted by Kayda's emergency. If Hank's emotions seem unnatural I think that she'll call for a deeper investigation, which would either discover the Leanan or send her running for good.

I do find in interesting that all the mentions I could find of Leanan Sidhe (i.e. Wikipedia) referred to them as muses, rather than phobophages. Now, I realize that you authorlords are afflicted with particularly dark muses, but I didn't think they were that bad! More seriously, I wonder if this is a trait of the WU's reality differing from the stories that have been passed down, or if this particular Leanan was a bit more unusual than most.


Also humored that in the long run, TWFKAH's spell probably helped Nikki balance herself out. And it may have strengthened Hank's bond with his family more than a mundane but rather strained summer vacation would have. TWFKAH may think that she can dodge the consequences of her foul magic, but she isn't nearly as clever as she thinks she is.

Arcanist Lupus wrote: Did we know that other people knew that Billie could teleport? I vaguely recall her deciding to keep that detail a secret. Of course, secrets wouldn't last long against Jade's Sad Puppy Dog Eyes, but did it happen offscreen, or did I forget?

Keeping secret, and keeping secret from Jade and Ayla (and the rest of Team Kimba) are two different things.

I feel like TWFKAH's spell targeted Nikki's pride in addition to (or instead of) directly targeting her wrath. Pride has always been the fatal flaw of the Fair Folk anyways, and of this Fairy Queen in particular.

Actually, the spell was just a small one, and all it did was inflame the emotions of Nikki. Nikki was angry, so the spell inflamed that to wrath, everything after that was the result of a very angry, very powerful Sidhe.

Humored to see the Leanan now acting the opposite of how she did before. I agree that in the long term such efforts would be harmful to Hank, although not nearly as bad as her first strategy, but I think that it's unlikely to come to that. First off, the Leanan seemed to feed off of Hank's despair, and if she isn't getting nourishment from him she may soon have to move off to greener pastures. (Maybe she can go bother the Calibans!) Secondly, Nikki was definitely suspicious before she got distracted by Kayda's emergency. If Hank's emotions seem unnatural I think that she'll call for a deeper investigation, which would either discover the Leanan or send her running for good.

The Leanan feeds of emotions, she just prefers the taste of dark ones. There is a story behind her, and a lot of assumptions people are making are wrong

I do find in interesting that all the mentions I could find of Leanan Sidhe (i.e. Wikipedia) referred to them as muses, rather than phobophages. Now, I realize that you authorlords are afflicted with particularly dark muses, but I didn't think they were that bad! More seriously, I wonder if this is a trait of the WU's reality differing from the stories that have been passed down, or if this particular Leanan was a bit more unusual than most.

There is a dark side to the Leanen Sidhe muses, what she does to those she chooses.

But you are right, there is a difference in the WU Leanen Sidhe and the storied ones.

Re "people knowing that Tennyo can teleport"... if you go back to "Tennyo's Easter," Billie did admit to Jade that she had teleported to the Moon with help from the Yukinojo, and she did admit to the rest of Team Kimba that she had been in space. At some point they would have extracted a more detailed narrative out of her -- I mean, c'mon! She was in SPACE! Wouldn't you want to know every single detail of the story?

Remind me to have a chat to that school about some of those little things that somehow aren't making it into their report cards and parental communications,"

Idle mutterings? Or is that going somewhere?

The marine in full dress uniform smiled. "She'd be taken to the security post and held until her parents came to collect her," he informed her.

"And where is the security post? We're here to fetch her!" Jade asked with a smile, indicating the limo Ayla was still getting out off.

Does that conversation give people the Implication that Jade and Ayla are Tennyo's parents? ... Billie's obviously a mutant, and mutants can look like anything, so its not outside the realm of possibility? ::

Jade smiled. "Uh huh! It's a board game we can all play! It's a trading game, so Ayla should love it, I heard some of the other girls talking about it at Whateley, so when I saw it yesterday I knew we had to get it! It'll be great!"

What is it? My first guess is Settlers of Catan, for some reason...

I'll admit that the original draft had that name, then I nerfed it to the more generic "trading game"

Malady wrote: What is it? My first guess is Settlers of Catan, for some reason...

I eventually settled on Settlers, after my mind ran through a bunch of games, that aren't trading games.

I think that Settlers of Catan has been mentioned in canon before -- possibly during Bladedancer's stay with Molly in Boston over the winter holidays...
...yeah, just checked. It's there in "Summoning Sweeties."

GR8 story. One question though, why wasn't Hank taken to Walter Reed or Bethesda? He is a military dependent.

amratner wrote: GR8 story. One question though, why wasn't Hank taken to Walter Reed or Bethesda? He is a military dependent.

Most likely answer has to do with location when he was fished out of the river or something to that nature emergency situation you go to the hospital you can get to the fastest regardless of who the patient is.

He was fished out of the river within spitting distance of the university hospital ...

... and of course, I've never set foot in the US so I'm doing all my planning with a Map and a prayer

Don't worry it worked for most people who don't have a clue about the hospitals of Washington DC.

(Ooh, pop-up reply box)

A very interesting tale, wrapping up several Year 1 threads while also leaving possibilities for further developments in some.

Given we knew beforehand Hank wasn't going to be killed off, I was expecting someone to resurrect him, rather than him being in a coma but being looked after in the morgue rather than intensive care.

As for his parents, given he's had very little contact with them since starting at Whateley, I suppose it was logical that their coping mechanism for what happened was to develop a kind of pseudo-amnesia, so when he did return they had difficulty reconciling him now with Hannah before - even after the accident. Still, after the reconciliation and moving into his new room, it was a nice touch of Lily to ensure that the Barbie dolls and teddy were on prominent display, thus furthering her mission to ensure he doesn't completely lose contact with Hannah and the past 14 years of his life.

Meanwhile, with the ruse of Solicitor's lawsuit blown, I imagine Nikki will get access to her modelling fees from the past few months... although probably at some point during the term, once she's amply demonstrated that she really has moved on from maintaining Aung's legacy by acting like Queen of the Sidhe. Of course, it's also likely to come out that TWFKAH isn't dead, so it's possible she'll implore Whateley Administration to do whatever they can to deal with her (although short of another Mythos-level spell [which is exceedingly unlikely to happen], it's hard to see what could realitistically done about the witch, as she could probably devise means to escape almost any confinement - perhaps even up to ARC Black Level). Her mentor (master), who may or may not be Nimbus, is also exceedingly unlikely to deal with her if discovered.

Talking of discovery, with the character development Nikki's undergone, it's likely that if she discovered the Leanan Sidhe, she wouldn't destroy it, but perhaps after negotiation with Hank, allow it to stay as long as it makes its presence known and promises (maybe even via a binding contract?) to minimise interference, perhaps mainly feeding on existing emotions but just taking the edge off extremes at either end of the spectrum.

Finally, we know that by the time of the second generation, the girls' showers in Poe (at least) have been fitted with the "special" features of Hydroflux's aquatic engineering technology (plus the obligatory noise cancelling system, which bizzarely still has to be manually activated rather than automatically kicking in) - no doubt if we have any PoV stories from students in Poe's Boyzone (not to be confused with an Irish boyband) we'll find out if their showers have the "special" features or not.

IIRC Hekate is dead, so TWFKAH doesn't legally exist. Remember no matter how subtle the Witch, a knife between her shoulder blades will always cramp her style.

Besides, she still thinks she can defeat Generator.

mittfh wrote: .Given we knew beforehand Hank wasn't going to be killed off, I was expecting someone to resurrect him, rather than him being in a coma but being looked after in the morgue rather than intensive care.

Tanitha parked in front of a sign for the morgue, Hank was in a hospital room. I'll admit I was being mean and trying to make people unsure, but he most definitely wouldn't have been treated in the morgue.

Many thanks Phoenix for this second part.

I admit, I am some kind of monster feeding on despair, sadness and anger so this story as a whole is right up my alley. (I am joking for the monster part, obviously, but it is true that if I look back at the scenes in the WU that have impacted me the most and that I still read from time to time, they are definitely not happy scenes.)

It was both a Nikki and a Hank's story, and it hit all the right notes. It bringed closure to some plot point of the G1Y1 while opening new one for the Y2.

(I'm going to react to the story first then read the thread. It's been a while since I've been moved to post.)

Good story overall.

The good:

• Jade juggling. She be 'nuff said. But I've always wondered if Jade had a "this is normal field" that she projects. Juggling suitcases in an airport with no anti-mutant reaction just proves it.
• Nikki's Solicitor episode receives closure. And very satisfying closure.
• Mrs. Reilly - following the above, she was excellent. I also liked that Nikki's problems were solved for the most part without Mr. Reilly, which was becoming a trope for Nikki.
• Billy being Billy - and although it wasn't explicit, presumably she didn't just teleport away from custody because she was aware she had screwed up and was avoiding "facing the music".
• The "party's" over for Jay - always fun to see a tormentor discover there won't be any more torment

The not as good, some just quibbles:

• Mr. & Mrs. Duclan's removal of the heads from their rearends. It was a bit abrupt. Frankly, I was expecting to find out that Mrs D was actually insane and totally unable to cope with the "loss of her daughter". That was my explanation for still calling Hank Hannah. Instead it was cured by someone yelling in her face. That working for the father worked for me but for the mother I was expect Mr. D to take someone like Tabitha aside and say he's had Mrs. D seeing a psychiatrist for the last year about it. It makes him oblivious to both how he was treating Hank AND to not noticing that she was still saying Hannah. Not sure it wouldn't add a few thousand really not needed words to the story but maybe they could have helped.
• Toni lives in Baltimore, 90 miles away from DC and Ayla didn't send a car to pick her up? Granted, she would have been in 8th wheel status like Billy basically was, but it's out of character for Ayla NOT to have sent a car. The fact that she shows up in Nikki's view of Hank's nightmares just compounds it.
• Similarly, not even lip service to Chou, the Grunts. I know, I know, can't put the kitchen sink in everything. Doesn't mean they aren't missed.

The future, or stuff I hope was see play out:

• When Nikki sees the Poe renovation for the first time, she should tell Ayla his keeping silent about the solicitor was worth it.

I think I had more but I've run out steam. In any case, Great stuff, truly. Most of the above is just nitpickings.

Toni's absence might be a hint that she's not actually home at this point of the summer.

Kettlekorn wrote: Toni's absence might be a hint that she's not actually home at this point of the summer.

Do we know where she is?

I don't believe there's any mention of where, although my guess (and it really is just a guess) is China.

Ametros wrote: I don't believe there's any mention of where, although my guess (and it really is just a guess) is China.

That has potential, since we know that Chou is scheduled to go to China, and Chaka would make pretty good backup. Also, I vaguely recall there being some prophecy or prediction that Chaka was going to end up with a dragon of some kind, and China seems like a good place to pick one up. On the other hand, bringing Chaka into a delicate political situation seems... risky. Or entertaining, depending on whether it's your job to clean up the mess afterwards.