Question The Evil That Men Do

Cousin Wolf had chosen to split himself, half becoming Dog to guide man as a faithful companion, teaching love and duty. Half would remain Wolf and would predate on man and his sheltered animals, through hardship and loss teaching patience and dedication. Coyote had taken the hard road, the road of the spirit guide, to stalk dreams and teach lessons beyond example; to keep and whisper secrets of the world and the Astral Realm that lay beside it. To walk in both, belonging to neither, despised of the spirits for sharing their power and feared by men who could not understand the world he opened their eyes to.

I'll be taking that whole statement and the other ones with much salt, Vile E. Coyote. But by all means, prove me wrong.

Also in the room was a small table or desk and a stool with it and in one corner there was a large wardrobe, also hand made and adorned with ornate carvings she couldn't make out. From the ceiling hung an oil lamp that was out and in one corner nearest the bed was a bucket whose smell made it obvious its function. Finally her brain clicked and she realized where she was. “This is Laneth's room,” she told herself, her voice sounding odd in her ears and she began to become worried.

I don't know the 'why', but I'm pretty sure the answer isn't anything good.

Lanie lamented that the Medieval Warm Period was two hundred years away.

I think you should be worried about the food too. Pretty sure the standrads for 'edible' shifted a little bit in more than one thousand years.

The man pointed to the south, towards the mouth of the bay. “A ship on fire is beached below!”

*Check his history* Okay, official Viking raids are still a few years away, so maybe these ones only partied too much, and forgot their boat was flammable, right?

“Jarl Grímr is on his way to Neustria to the court of King Pepin in hopes of marrying his daughter well,” Galan went on with a gesture to the thin man in the cloak with his, now obviously her hood up. “I have offered you as chaperone of his daughter until they can repair their ship.” Lanie nodded and again curtseyed to the big man.

Yes, they probably just celebrated the future marriage a little early, no nefarious problems here.

“We...Well met,” she said after a moment of thought. “It is a distinct pleasure to meet you!”

Dang it, now Tansy's here, I guess 'premature partying' is out?

The blonde shook her head. “I woke up on that boat to find it on fire and the men had just fought off, something.

*Bang* Dang it, I needed these denial generators. And they cost a lot!

“I have a bad feeling about this...”

Man, is that an open door to break (Yeah, not the official English expression, but I wanted to see how it rolls).

Any hope of the storm abating was quickly dashed as visibility was even worse now than it had been yesterday and the wind was bitterly cold. Wyatt reached out and began to struggle with something. “You won't believe it! A pair of trees fell on either side of the teepee!” His words were drowned out by snaps and cracks of breaking wood, then he began to haul some smaller, broken dead and dried branches into the tent, shaking as much snow off as he could. Soon their store of sticks was better stocked and the fire was going merrily again.

Like I said, prove me wrong Vile E..

He snorted in dismissal. “You probably have more friends, real friends, than I do. Sure, I have a lot of buddies, but real, solid friends? Ok, Pendragon and I settled things and Art is staying in touch, so that's one. And Aries had my back, so two.”

For some unfathomable reason, populariy with women doesn't necessarily translate into many friendships. Gee, what a surprise. Also, I know it's Kayda, but careful about telling how close you feel about your master spy. Even Assholo could begin to have doubts if other could hear that.

It was a subconscious thing, but he put his arm around her and hugged her. “Hey, take it easy now. We've got a fire, and plenty of fuel and the snow is actually working for us now, the more it comes down, the more insulated the teepee will get. We'll be out of here in no time. You'll see.” He was stretching the truth about the wood supply; there weren't a lot of dead branches on the downed trees, and the fresh wood wouldn't burn nearly as well.

Nice white lies, but you've got an unknown problem. Once Kigabidule discovers your teepee, you come at the head of the menu.

“Good morning, students!” Mrs Carson called from the top tier and the faculty dais. Despite having spent the night in her office and not having had a shower she was still coiffed and professional. It hardly seemed fair. “If you can conduct yourselves accordingly, after breakfast we will have open study and club meeting time until the storm breaks and we can return to some semblance of normalcy. If you prove you cannot be adult in this, we will arrange for classes here. The choice is yours. Enjoy your breakfast.”

It's this sort of uncompromising hardness which shows Carson is the perfect head for Whateley.

Mrs Carson shook her head. “No, I can't have these kids living on the floor for a week. When the storm breaks, get in touch with the water board and take whoever you need to assist them in getting service restored with some kind of temporary shelter. Once the kids are back in their cottages we can worry about a permanent structure.”

Well, and this too.

“Now what?” Carson asked of the air, looking down on her two sleeping trouble makers, feeling very fearful of their safety.

Euh, they're only having a special lesson about life at the end of the 8th century (denial generators back online).

How would she ever recover from such an experience, in front of the entire student body?

By getting back up, and soldiering on. Sorry, no magic cure (would turning into the mountain lion have worked better?)

“I didn't ask for this,” Franks said softly. “None of it. Not Wihinape, not powers, I just wanted to get through high school, maybe go to college, find a girl, do stupid shit, maybe even make my folks proud of me.” She sighed, her voice trembling. “Now I'm the brother of 'the chosen one', and it wasn't even supposed to be Kayda! And she had a chance to make it right! To undo all of this, and she didn't!” Danica wasn't sure when she had started shouting, but suddenly she was on her feet, nose to nose with Marty, whose eyes were sad and full of tears. “God damn it! Why did she have to be so selfish? Why, Marty? WHY?”

Dunno, why do you have to be so selfish? Sorry for the low blow, but your brains: with all the crap she went through, including a not so minor gang rape, don't you think she would have taken the '''go back''' choice if there was a real choice? And besides, you would still be an Avatar, kiddo, no guaranteee about a normal life. Oh, and of course that would mean your niece would be the one dealing with this shit, did you forgot it, or did Vile E. when he talked to you? (Prove me wrong, fucking bag of fleas...)

“Not so tough now, are you?” sneered Archer. “I told you...”

Sweet Philemon, how did that Darwin Awards future recipient still not collect his prize with an attitude like that?

“No, no, he...he means it. He'll kill me...!”

Ah I see, some remain of conservation instinct is still there.

“I'd kill for some coffee,” she murmured around a mouthful of the thick bread.

Maybe that's the actual reason the Vikings ended up being the ones to discover America...

A gasp ran through the hall and a few chuckles and cat calls of encouragement of the tale. “It was the like of nothing I had heard of any tale or prose, twice again the size of a man and covered, like a dog in white fur with claws like swords and a mouth full of daggers. Ten loyal shield men went to Valhalla as we fought the beast, whose breath was like the north wind in the depths of winter as though the entire world is frozen. It laughed at our swords and splintered shields with its massive fists. With a single blow it crushed men until their blood and entrails stained its fur. One man it froze solid with its breath and then with the back of its hand shattered the corpse like a child's snow ball! But, as with all of its kin, fire was its bane! I lit a torch and did battle with the monster, the flame giving it pain our spears and swords could not. My men rallied to my lead, and seizing torches, we drove the giant over board, down to feast with Ran in her hall below the waves, but our victory was hollow for our ship was set ablaze in the battle!

*Denial generators explode for good* Fuck, that's Kigabidule. The OP bastard didn't limit itself to the New World? Nerf please. Oh wait, a potential weakness... How many flamethrowers can the people inside the Hall craft exactly? And how much fuel could be used?

“Let me consult with Raven,” she replied as she moved off a bit to sit down in one of the chairs and closed her eyes.

Joy, we're about to meet yet another overpompous and smug etheric bastard.

“Archer is going to be a problem,” Stronghold declared as he sat his tray down on the table the FSA had staked out as theirs on the middle tier.

Euh, given how stupid he showed himself to be by jumping you like this, problem cold be overselling him... Just a little bit.

“Tombstone,the movie? Kurt Russel as Wyatt Earp?”

And now I've got a movie to watch later.

Erin rolled her eyes. “Men and their frail little egos!”

“Speak for yourself, Manly” jeered Powerhouse, from across the table, emphasizing Boudacia's ironic last name. The ardent feminist flipped him the bird.

Hey watch out, Bodica, you could take out the eyes of bystanders with that hypocrisy you're waving around. And what is Captain Condom Junior still doing here? I remember distinclty a recommendation of 'fire at first opportunity', and I refuse to believe he didn't already provide one.

“Name one time I haven't been there for this team?” he demanded. “You can't, because everyone here knows they can count on me. Do I like the way you live your life? No, but so what? Hippy over there hates me because I've got a cock. You gonna go lecture her? I'm a cape. I've got her back, and yours so long as you have mine. You live your life however you want, just don't demand my approval. We're on the same team, so get over it.”

I think Iron Dork could have gotten the message about why he was passed over when he was all but Heir Apparent for first part of last year...

Again he laughed and actually gave her a little hug of encouragement that set her heart to beating as she was pulled against his chest. The muscles were so hard and yet, it felt so comfortable. “Kayda, that is the biggest open secret on this campus! Are you kidding? There are legends about where this thing takes place and every boy that isn't a switch hitter fantasizing about a massive hot tub somewhere full of naked, beautiful, lesbians!” He looked down at her crooked. “So...where does it...?”

Hindisght is pretty much telling people 'should have known that'.

“Ah well, strike another blow against the 'size doesn't matter' guys,” he said good naturedly.

Pretty sure it does... The size of some Examplars is clearly not that attractive when you think hard enough about it.... Or after experimenting with it for the first time.

She shook her head and continued on to the statue of Noah Whateley in the center of the garden, mirroring the statue on the quad of the campus, but some how seeming older and more decayed. She turned by the statue and continued on into the area that was filled with tombstones showing the names of her peers, the faculty of the school. There were still blank stones, but most were just like the stone she stopped in front of, noting the pick and shovel that lay close by, ready to be put to work.

The only things I can think that would make the place more spooky would be coffins standing around, puddles of blood everywhere, and a green sky with a gigantic full moon.

As she had every time she had come here, the stone she stopped before had her own name carved in it, and while the month and day were still blank, the year, 2008 was still boldly carved in it.

Scratch that, it's even worst.

“What secrets would you ply from me, student?” the gigantic bird demanded. “Have I not slated your thirst for the unseen with this very warning I rest upon? Take heed human that you do not seek more than you can grasp and meet your undoing.”

Hello, Corbac. I already dislike you.

His head cocked to one side. “Then perhaps I should have Coyote play school master for you as well, Elyzia Grimes if this is the best you can do. Your time grows short, and my grave diggers will be busy digging fresh graves for the children in your care if you do not act. For in the shadow of the Enemy of Life lurks an old fugitive from Death. Take heed lest he offer up your soul against the black debt he owes on his own, my student. Take heed!”

Remind me Corbac, what happened to your oh-so-perfect hole in the mud you spirits had in the past? A dump called 'Atlantis', I believe. The way it fares tells volumes about the depth of the superiority you're lording over. Thanks for the additional warning too, I guess.

Elisabeth held her chin in thought. “No, that's not cryptic,” she complained with a roll of her eyes. “I have to wonder if spirits speak in riddles just to sound as if they know more than they actually do, or if they just love being frustrating and mysterious?”

Well, you had an artic shaman-killer farting around only two weeks ago, so maybe not so cryptic. For the question, 'll go for 'All of them.'

Danica couldn't contain a whistle of appreciation. “Damn, if that is one of your mistakes, you must be pretty sharp when you get it right. What can you do for me?”

You want to run fast and hard away of anything Jobe, Danny. Like, yesterday.

The girl actually smiled at his reaction and nodded. “Thank you. I couldn't help but overhear what happened last evening between you and one of the uni-brow neanderthals this campus is infested with. I wanted to let you know, you are not alone. I along with Marty Penn and Harley Sawyer suffer with you, and I have begun to think that perhaps we should form something of a self help association. My father, Emperor Wilkins, did something similar when he was here.”

“Well, thanks,” Danica replied with something of a shy smile. “Uh, Tansy Walcutt is teaching a make up, fashion and deportment class Tuesday nights, maybe you'd like to come by?”

Marty and Harleys reactions to this could be interesting, or how this idea will conflict with current Whateley statu quo. Also, I wonder what people would think if they learnt about these lessons someday... And where the hell are the ones for FtM changelings once you've thought about the MtF ones?

She took the scroll sitting on the desk and unrolled it, showing it to be a simple text in 'pages' of two columns. “I know, cool right? I never really think about Laneth being a 'scholar' but she was, as much as this day and age allowed her to be. This is her diary.”

Man, I know mutants emerging that much is a very recent thing, but you can't help but wonder how a Gadgeteer or Devisor would fare in the Middle Ages.

“Today is Laneth's seventeenth birthday,” she said quietly. Then smiled a crooked smile that didn't last. “She's actually becoming something of an old maid in this time.” The red head shook her head and sighed again. “Ten years from now, when she's twenty seven, Vikings, maybe even relatives of yours, Astrid, will raid Morlock and burn the village to the ground. I...she...Laneth will be killed in that raid,” she whispered.

Fuck, I forgot about that... At least you now know about the earliest raids of the Viking invasions to add for history books?

His tail curled around his paws, Coyote's endless eyes saw a Banshee and a Viking maid burst from the fort and begin running towards the Town Gate. “Now, my students,” he whispered. “Show me what you've learned.”

So, that was your game. Hardcore combat simulation against Kigabidule. Valuable lesson. Now the question remains: How many flamethrowers?

I hope that song is a sign of good things to come. The cold of the storm that severe it hurts Wyatt, he feels it inside the teepee with the fire out, how much longer can they last like this. Talk of having kids, how if they live near their kids can be friends, oh boy. A day and a half of this storm already, no wonder she is afraid they will freeze to death. Kadya actually saying she trust Wyatt, big step for her.

Nope, nope, nope. Kayda, don't you dare sleep with Wyatt just because you think you might die and want to experience it. Thinking she doesn't have the strength her mother does, Kayda doesn't know her own strength obviously. Perfectly normal, yet a magical barrier around the egg so it can't be fertilized, curious. Kayda in that bad of shape, they need help now! Bear form to help keep her warm, hope it helps.

So HM was behind the bullies messing with Danica, all to set up a trap for Kayda, yet she isn't even here. Too bad for you, monster. Ugh, this...things way of thinking is twisted, thinking the Future Superheroes are being bullied by Stephen into doing the right thing. Oh, this is a very bad idea, trying to kill Marty and Stephen, you might as well plant a mine beneath yourself and sit on it at that point.

Marty invited to Thanksgiving dinner with the Nalley family, she will find Stephen's parents very accepting of her. Dang, Marty has a lot of fears, hope meeting the Mr. and Mrs. Nalley removes them. They are so cute together, the teasing banter and now tickling. Poor Hippy reminded her lover is still missing.

Mrs. Carson suiting up in her Lady Astarte costume, things are very serious for her do this. A hidden passage into the Alexander Room in her office, this is something we didn't know about. Wait, it's a hidden dimension which Clifford Alexander told her about in a letter delivered 5 years after his death, whoa. The magical equivalent of a nuclear arsenal, yikes. King Wenceslas' Chalice, drinking from it filling her Well with Essence, now that is a powerful artifact.

Now that is a magical workshop. Okay, now I'm curious what Zoe is. *facepalms* Stereotypes of servants, curious why. Tobin's Spirit Guide, just love that something from Ghostbusters exists in the setting. An Astral Tunneling Ritual, so Mrs. Carson is going in after Lanie and Tansy.

They have no idea what the thing they are facing is, and I'm not so sure we do either anymore. Kigatilik when it attacked at the school before there wasn't a snowstorm like this following it. So either he can choose stealth and forgo the snowstorm or this creature is something else.

Dump oil on it and then light that sucker up! Flaming arrows and a psychic attack by Tansy, burned and the threat is over before it can truly attack. Nice to see both tribes work together so well, quickly coordinating their attacks like that.

Coyote watching them defeat the demon, Carson showing up and accusing him of being behind the mana storm, yet it is someone else he has given no aid or comfort to. Wait, this creature exists both in the physical and astral and they had to defeat the astral half first, interesting. Betty Brant, her oldest name, now that is interesting.

An old fugitive who escaped his embrace, okay it has to be HM he is talking about, someone as relatively young as Reverend Englund would not be called an old fugitive by the likes of Coyote.

“Monsters hide where you least expect to find them,” he warned.

Least expect to find them, least expect to find them, need to read over the other clues again.

But the point of a demon hiding in the Astral Realm, but what would have drawn it there. A monk talking to Domnall about Laneth, meaning this is after she was killed. Laneth's journal's, to give to their daughter, whoa.

"She was quite a scholar for the age,” the spirit replied. “Brother Rupert would return to his cell in the Monastery of Obar Dheathain, with poor Laneth's writings where they remain, to this day, misfiled in the archives as a box of personal effects.”

Ah, so it was Kigatilik after all. Wonder why when he went to the school previously he didn't use the mana storm to hide his approach?

Danica, what are you thinking sneaking around alone. Ah, girl's bathrooms without those creeps following. Miki Koizumi feeling betrayed by Danica not telling her she was Danny, a lie of omission. Hehehe, I like Miki, not upset and just wants to introduce Danny/Danica to anime, working up to Ranma 1/2.

Miki's smile broadened. "Like Japan, you will. We will be team - Kitty Boy and Kitty Girl when Danny. Kitty Girls when Danica. Like Ranma. We tell stories, help write new anime? Big audience in Japan. Famous, yes?" She took Danica's arm in hers, and led her out of the restroom.

Eep, she bounces back fast and barrels straight on.

Girls fighting over Danny/Danica, Amelie saying he is her boyfriend, Danny practicing Tai Chi in the morning with Dickinson and Whitman girls watching him, how does he survive to senior year with all those girls after him. Roslyn taking responsibility for Danica as a Poe RA, good.

Ooo, astral self destroyed so Kigatilik is vulnerable, goodie. Wait, which shaman is he after besides Kayda? The First Shaman, does that mean Mr. Lodgeman. Oh crud, the will of the Old Ones and shelter for Kigatilik, darn it! Ah, it thinks a human dabbled in such things, wonder how shocked he would be to encounter HM.

Marissa sitting down with Ms. Hartford and offering her a cup of coffee, this will be an interesting chat. Yeah, Tansy inherited a lot from her mother, this woman is not to be underestimated ever.

“Tansy has been resolute in her morals and ethics, an impression I believe she got from you, no matter how young she was at the time. She recognized her father for the petty, mean-spirited bully he is. We've talked at length about her views of right and wrong, lines she won't cross, and rules that sometimes need to be bent for...the betterment of all.”

Yikes, implied threat from Marissa if harm should come to Tansy due to Hartford.

*eyes bug out* Never harm Tansy and never cross Marissa.

The expression on Marissa Dawson's face didn't change for several moments, then one of the coldest smiles Amelia had ever seen bloomed upon it. “Amelia, I believe you and I are going to be friends.”

I pity the poor soul foolish enough to get on the bad side of both these women. Tansy's awake, finally! Lanie awake and notes it stopped snowing. Finally, they can go and rescue Kayda and Wyatt.

Lanie first to the teepee, Lanie and Tansy greeting Wyatt in a tearful embrace. Ophelia Tenent is not a woman to argue with on medical matters. This was close, hope Kayda recovers quickly as I think Kigatilik is coming back sooner than anyone expects.

Lord Paramount in his private plane and getting a call from Ms. Hartford, landing in 40 minutes, hope they have dinner together after all this. Whoa, seeing Hartford flirting with him like that, the students would get whiplash from turning their heads in shock at hearing her speak in such a tone and say such things.

Wyatt telling the truth about what happened in the teepee, yet Tansy seems to think they did more than cuddle to stay warm and talk. Hehehe, having to get Kayda to tell Lanie what they talked about, Wyatt loves this. Bwahaha, thinking that Kayda will want to join them, Tansy can tease him so well.

Service at that water pumping station restored by lunch, a work crew with Stan and Morrie work fast. Back to the regular schedule by tomorrow, now that is a quick recovery.

“Amelia, I think we're looking for an adult that is posing as a student. Someone who should already be dead and has either reincarnated himself or otherwise turned back the hands of time. And anyone capable of doing that is far more dangerous than we previously have planned on.”

HM is a lot more dangerous than I thought before, I thought he just kept possessing new students.

" “Free of his old hallow, this monster could have subsumed a child, murdered their soul and assumed their life. Its the ultimate disguise.”

Oh crud, I was close with my first guess. Wait, the above sounds like the New Olympians. Male, not in the magic track, which of the NO matches that and is a junior or senior now.

Traces of Kigatilik at the Warding Well on the west side of the Campus, a move on Parent's Day, oh crude. And Hartford gets to enjoy her dinner with her boyfriend, cute.

Lanie working on a writing project and Rosalyn shows up to talk. Rosalyn, don't talk about Lanie's little brother like that to her, ew doesn't begin to cover it. Danny might self-harm, I hope Ros is wrong. Rosalyn wanting to see Tansy at the Hot Tub social, oh brother. Well, that is one way to get Rosalyn to leave, have Tansy show up to talk.

Hooper Arrested For Child Porn! The headline blared. Then underneath, Secretary of State discovered to possess massive cache of child pornography in Ethics Probe.

Tansy, Lanie didn't want you to do this, you are acting too much like your father by doing this. All those emotions coming out, Lanie saying it is so wrong, yet...

Ah should tell you you should never have done this. But, God save me, all Ah can think about is that Ah hope this monster is raped every day in prison for the rest of his God Damned LIFE! And when he's dead Ah hope he burns in hell being raped for eternity!”

And then this

She wanted to disapprove, but she couldn't. Elaine knew she should scold Tansy, but she didn't. She knew she shouldn't be happy about she had done, but she was. She was fiercely glad he would suffer, and there was nothing else to do but live with it.

After what that man did to her family, it is hard not to agree with her.

The Archives at Aberdeen Monastery now. Brother Adam Bruce. A friar going looking for something from Brother Rupertus Calvert from the Eighth Century, is he going to steal Laneth's journals? A Hope Chest, oh, Mrs. Carson had told them about the journal, guess he is going to translate it. The Title will be a best seller.

All the things we learned about Laneth's time, her journals, how Coyote used Lanie and Tansy to defeat Kigatilik's Astral form. The chats between Wyatt and Kayda as they fought to survive, some insight into Coyote and how he operates, the threat of a mana storm and how it can cripple nearly everyone, terrifying. Plus poor Danny being outed as Danica and how Stephen and Marty got the FSH to step up on an issue which has needed it for a long time. Plus Tansy's little revenge operation and how Lanie reacted, just perfect. Can't wait to see how Danny deals with being outed as Danica in further stories, how the FSH deal with bullies messing with LGBT individuals, plus what happens with Kigatilik recovers and attacks again. Excellent writing, E.E., and elrod.

OMG, the dramatic irony being felt by those who know the Gen2 stuff! And soo many things that could be projected forward to then, that we haven't seen, and are now lying in wait!

That Hartford-Dawson Alliance! Wow!

That non-sexual non-tension between Kayda and Kodiak was nice! ... And her thoughts on being a "natural parent". Totally cool, and informative of her thoughts! ... Also Tansy and Elaine wondering about what happened in the Teepee. Lol!

The Kodiak Bracer. Have we seen it before? Seems new, but I dunno.

Hmm... That Chalice. Get Eldritch to make a copy or something? ... Don't think its the Holy Grail, but don't really know much about it.

Free Will. Yes. What is it? *shrugs*, Chessmaster can't account for it, so it likely really isn't totally deterministic or something? That topic's quicksand.

If the "material world" is just a really big part of the March of Dreams, what's the difference? ... Then again, from the Thread on the Astral and stuff, we know that there are places that are totally not magical / astral / whatever, so... Something?

Expected the Kigatilik Astral Form battle to be harder, but hey, he's devoting a lot of his power on the material plane and stuff.

Interesting how Zoe's called Zoe, when apparently, all its forms have been male? Then again, what's gender to a spirit??

The monster Hekate had called 'Master' sat at a table by himself and sulked as he half-heartedly ate scrambled eggs.

And:

A few girls were outside waiting, glaring at each other in turn, and then their attention turned to the door. There was an almost-instantaneous scramble as Amelie, then Peggy, and then two other Freshmen girls shoved their way, trying to get to Danica's side and push Miki and the others away.

"'E is my boyfriend!" Amelie's voice screeched angrily above the others as she clawed her way to Danica's side. "Leave 'im alone!"

[Did not expect! ... I really need to keep better track of who's in Danny's harem.]

This wasn't a natural snowstorm, he was starting to fear.

Wyatt? I'm fighting an irresistible envy of going 'Well, Duh!' there. Take note of the sacrifice.

"I ... I d-d-don't want to f-f-freeze to d-d-death." Her shivering was getting more intense, and she shook as she sobbed.

There, there, you won't... I'm sure you can even eat some of Kigabidule someday, roasting on a great bonfire...

"D-d-debra and I ... we ... we w-w-wanted to have a f-f-family," the girl said out of the blue.

And, we don't see a trace of it in G2... Events around Elaine put a damper on the idea, or more hopefully they're going for 'later'?

"I ... I guess I knew that s-s-someday, if we're g-g-going to do that, then I'll h-h-have to ...." Her voice trailed off but her meaning was only too clear. Now there was an element of revulsion and not just cold in her shivering.

And people think about Kayda having sex, even with Wyatt, when she got reactions like this?

The Lakota girl was silent for almost a minute. "I'm afraid. W-w-we aren't going to m-m-make it, are we?"

Just because you talked family and future in a situation of seemingly certain death? Shaman of little faith...

He saw the magical barrier around the egg that no sperm would be able to penetrate, but decided not to split hairs. “You are perfectly normal,” he declared.

Lying to the patient to make them feel better before dropping the hammer when no choices are left. First step of being a doctor completed.

No, the Kodiak admitted. Do your best to keep her warm.

Wyatt shifted into his bear from without waking Kayda, giving her one last layer of fur to try and trap her precious body heat. Anything else?

Pray, the spirit said grimly.

No lording over, no detours, no 'pah, me Atlantean would be fixing it so easily', just clear and relatively kind words and relying on outside help from Bedside Rug? Vile E., could you speed up that training session?

It should have driven the Franks girl mad with anger, driving her into the library to protect her freak sibling and right into his waiting trap. But the bitch wasn't even here! And it wasn't Kayda who had come to her brother's defense, but the school laughing stock, Marty Penn and her dolt of a lover!

Eh ducker, if you've got complains, go outside and scream them at Kigabidule's face. Let me just the time to find a transat, a camera, a parasol, fresh drinks, a little table and some popcorn.

It seemed clear that Sayyid had wanted nothing to do with Stronghold's crusade of faggot protection.

Evil Can't Understand Good. Now the nudging was done, I very much doubt Saladin will step back. Also, you're forgetting Hippolyte.

There was nothing else for it, Martine Penn and Stephen Nalley had to die.

A cruel smile turned up the corners of The Master's face. And he knew just how to accomplish it.

Riveting. Wait I've got the stuff I mentionned before trying that. Would hate missing the backfire.

“Hey, at least we aren't chasing my crazy sister and getting into a major battle like when I met your folks!” She crossed her arms over her chest peevishly.

Don't diss Number One way to meet the folks, Marty.

“Hey!” declared Hippy from the other side of the table. “Knock it off or go get a room!” But for once, the senior didn't seem angry in her declaration. In fact, she looked quite sad and looked away at the snow, still falling outside.

Yeaaaah, I remember her personal life has been rather shitty (euphemism) before Whateley. Beat up bullies weekly, the blues will go away. More if you don't notice any positive effect.

That the author of the letter had been dead five years was equally disturbing, but then, Clifford Alexander had always had a side he hid very carefully from others.

And that reference led me to one Whateley story I missed, thanks. That guy seems just like the type for this sort of revelation though.

The letter had told her of the existence of the hidden dimension, attached just behind the wall of the bookcase as well as an inventory of its contents, the legacy of a lifetime of study of the Mystic Arts and collecting magical relics, which he was entrusting to her. It was the kind of cache that wizards would kill over, that dragons would horde once upon a time and supervillains would lust over finding.

Liz Carson, blue-collar child of the forties was terrified of it.

Well, at least you're well-equiped to deal with this sort of shit, nevermind the occult predators who would sell souls and worst to get the hoard, right? If you forget the bright side, you don't have much left.

The letter had not been entirely sanguine about what, exactly Zoe was. Dr Alexander had admitted that when he created the extra dimensional pocket the Alexander Room resided in, Zoe had been waiting for him when he entered. It also stated that the...being...for lack of a better word had been his faithful confidant for the better part of fifty years. But he wasn't entirely certain he trusted the creature.

How about... Nope.

The men began to lift up the cauldron just as the Banshees got their arrow heads wrapped in the cloth Elaine had cut and dipped them into the stinking whale oil as it pitched over the side. The monster was covered in the oil, matting down its fur and drawing another roar. They lit the arrows in the fire and drew them back to their cheeks. “Hasta la vista, Baby!” whispered Elaine.

The arrows streaked away, leaving a trail of light and smoke marking their passing. At the same instant, Tansy lashed out with a wave of petrifying terror and for a split second, the creature froze, over come by the blast of emotion. The arrows sunk deep into the creatures chest, their fires igniting the oil soaked fur and it all but exploded in a roaring column of fire and black smoke. It flailed, blind, enraged and screaming its agony, but the only answer from the village was a hail of arrows, spears and rocks.

Well... That was quick and easy, though awesome. Now, onwards with flamethrowers to do that on the real Kigabidule.

“Surprised I penetrated your little mana storm?” she asked, arms on her hips as she looked down on the spirit.

*Record needle scratch* I'll... elaborate on that later.

“My mana storm?” Coyote asked slyly. “You misjudge me, prideful human who calls herself a goddess. I have not created any mana storm, nor given any aid nor comfort to the guilty party. Quite the opposite, in point of fact.” He indicated the smoldering heap with his nose. “What I have done is draw our students here so that they could defeat the Astral half of the Demon that is attacking your school.” He paused dramatically, then, in a mockingly hurt tone added, “You're welcome.”

Wait, that was Astral Kigabidule, and not just training but killing it? ...Need to see more.

“And shatter your belief in Free Will?” the Spirit replied with a toothy grin.

Vile E., when an expired godling begins to talk like that, I'm of the opinion of punching it in the mouth until it stops is the way to go. You don't want to be it. Bigger nasties tried and crashed and burnt. Also... Thanks for Carson's original name?

“She was quite a scholar for the age,” the spirit replied. “Brother Rupert would return to his cell in the Monastery of Obar Dheathain, with poor Laneth's writings where they remain, to this day, misfiled in the archives as a box of personal effects.”

Elizabeth's eyes widened. “Do you realize what a treasure...?”

“Ten years worth of writings of a Pict girl on her life in Iron Age Scotland in Latin that can still be read?” Coyote asked, twitching an ear. “I imagine priceless sums it up. You're welcome.”

That's called bribing. Nice bribing though. Keep it up, and watch a little more a certain Monkey King.

Coyote curled his tail around his paws as the priest settled the box on the back of his mule and turned north. “Kigatilik has been slain in the Astral. Now go finish him off and protect your...our...students. When next we meet, Elizabeth Carson, perhaps you will think more kindly of me. We are both teachers, after all.”

Keeping it for the last mention of Kigabidule on that part of the story.

She started as she emerged from a stall; another girl was standing by one of the sinks. "Hi, Miki," Danica said uneasily.

"You ... lied to me," Miki Koizumi said, half accusingly and half sounding betrayed. "Desu ka?"

Digging up memories... Ah yes, the Japanese catgirl who had... problems about it and didn't know about Danica. Awkward.

Miki's hand lifted Danica's chin as the Japanese girl looked eye-to-eye at Danica. "I ... saw how ... bullies ... acted. Understand your fear, I do."

Well, hard to argue 'why didn't you just tell me?' when you that happens.

"You not watch anime much? Ranma 1/2?"

Ranma wishes he got the sort of 'stability' Danny have about the changes.

Danica winced as the girls fought over her, even when she was in her female form. She was no longer surprised that girls were attracted to her Danny form; Danny had gotten in the habit of doing Tai Chi early every morning with several other Poesies under the supervision of Chou, and over a dozen girls from Dickinson and Whitman were often present, watching him with what he'd come to recognize as dreamy eyes. She didn't exercise in the Danica form, though, to avoid doing something that would link the two. But as Danica? He could understand some of the Poe girls - like Roslyn - but the other cottages? Was it because they had some hidden bisexuality, or because like Miki, they saw Danica as a potential friend to help them get an edge in getting Danny's attention.

After Pussycat... I'm on the fence here. Miki is the one I'm more supportive of right now, but every time I see Danny called Kitten, I bristle... Wait and see.

"True," Roslyn retorted calmly, "but since she's not here, and since I'm the senior RA, Danica is my responsibility." She gently but insistently pushed herself between half of the girls and Danica. "Let's get you a nice cup of tea, and then we'll find a quiet place to talk about how we can help you with this new ... unpleasantness."

Someone else than Tansy not abusing Danny/using him as some sort of sex toy? Pinch me.

Now the First Shaman would live! The thought was an abomination and cost the wounded creature life as it lashed out out of reflex and pure rage.

Well, that was a fast crumbling...

And in that final outburst it felt something. Something called to it, something powerful and vile. The Shaman Hunter followed the wall that anchored the Warding between all the planes to the physical realm. There, in a loose brick, there was hidden the power of the Great Powers. Some one had indulged in forbidden knowledge, lusting for unspeakable power and had hidden their tools in the wall itself so as to turn the ward against itself and disguise what should be a beacon of power to those with eyes to see it. Kigatilik stumbled to the wall and reached out, feeling the will of the Old Ones. Here he would find sanctuary, here he would lick his wounds and heal.

And if the foolish human who dabbled with things beyond its comprehension should return, it would nourish Kigatilik and make him that much stronger.

And now we're getting an idea of what Round 3 will look like. Hope you appreciate your future new boss, Kigabidule.

Hartford smiled and looked at the sleeping teen. “She reminded me a great deal of myself. Still does on occasion. I like to think I've given her good advice and steered her clear of some of the landmines I stepped on early in life.”

*Think about Solange's Alpha days*... Fuck, morbid fascination is winning, I want to know about these landmines.

Now, looking into the eyes Tansy had inherited, she saw that same intellect, seeing everything and giving nothing away hiding behind a Boston Brahmin geniality and gentry upbringing. “I like to think I've aided Tansy in building a solid foundation she can build upon, if she so chooses. She has impressed some very...influential...people who are very taken with her abilities.”

Well, there was to be more to this marriage than looks at first. Besides, she works in the domain of law. And everyone knows they all sell their soul. Lawyers are just the more well-known case.

“Dr. Hartford, let me speak plainly,” she said quietly. “There are not words to express how much my daughter means to me, nor to describe how unspeakable I would be in her defense.” Her eyes came up from the cup and they were as hard and cold as any hardened killer Amelia had ever worked with, or against. She smiled and let her own mask slip for a moment.

“Ms. Dawson,” Hartford replied in the same tone. “Anyone who harms your daughter will have both of us to deal with. And you are likely far more forgiving of such offenses than I would be. As an officer of the court, with lines you cannot cross. Rules...don't concern me.”

The expression on Marissa Dawson's face didn't change for several moments, then one of the coldest smiles Amelia had ever seen bloomed upon it. “Amelia, I believe you and I are going to be friends.”

At this moment Mr. Walcutt felt an irrepressible sense of dread, just knowing his days were numbered.

Paramount's face brightened immediately. “Thank you, Gregor. See that I'm not disturbed while I take this call.”

Why am I suddendly reminded of that Spaceballs scene with the action models... In a more diginified version of course.

“Minx,” he accused.

“Mink,” she countered. “They make love for hours.”

“I'll just go and inquire with the pilot if he can urge a few more knots out of this bird.”

“I'll be waiting...”

Some people would do very much for footage of this conversation... Unfortunately Hartford and Paramount are ready to even more to keep it secret.

“Are we going to have to plan on a much bigger bed?” Tansy deadpanned, arching an eyebrow.

Actually a good point. Kayda is sort of coming along with Debra if it ever happened, so there is this actually important consideration.

“Yes, we'll be back to regular schedules tomorrow,” Hartford concluded. “How did your 'Mystic Mumbo-Jumbo go?”

Duck, you're better at the 'show must go on' than all of Vegas. *Simpers black coffee*

Up until now we've assumed we were looking for a student, someone foolishly dabbling in forbidden knowledge whether for thrill, lust for power or simply teenage stupidity.

*Record needle scratch**Spittake* What? Seriously? Rant for that later.

“There are...rituals...rumored whispers of the desperation of cowards unable to face their final days that can remove the anchor of a soul to the Hallow of its body.”

“What good...” started Amelia, then she blanched as her mind caught up with her mouth. “Dear God...”

Carson nodded. “Free of his old hallow, this monster could have subsumed a child, murdered their soul and assumed their life. Its the ultimate disguise.”

Just the 'right' sort of nasty to expect from a person dabbling in Mythos, heck just really dark magics. I recommedn flamethrowers. The purification value.

“Last I heard she had found traces of the demon you spoke of at the Warding Wall on the west side of the Campus, but they just stop there. She's expanding her search, and her next check in is in thirty minutes.”

“I want you to call a staff meeting of the magic department,” Carson ordered. “This thing could be plotting a move for Parent's day. We need to reconsider our approach in light of this new information.”

So Round 3 with Kigabidule confirmed. Friendly advice, try to nail him before he noms too much Mythos Crap.

Amelia smiled. A great part of the awe she held for Elizabeth Carson was that for all her larger than life, legendary status, she never forgot to be a person. She had a life outside of the life, and made sure her subordinates did too. “Thank you, Liz.”

Or that's survival instinct telling her to not interfer on your alone time.

“Ew!” exclaimed the red head, but the playfulness of Rosalyn had left as quickly as it arrived. “I think you need to keep an eye on Danny. He...she...ugh, we need more pronouns! Danny is really shook up over it. Maybe to the point...of...self harm,” she finally managed to say.

Finally more people giving an actual fuck about Danny, hurray! ...Could have worded it better.

Rosalyn made a dismissive gesture. “Hey, don't feel the need to defend who floats your boat. You're into bad girls, not my place to wag a finger.

And a good point is risen. Tansy has got more than two years of ducking out rep sticked to her. And if you're not close to her, it doesn't just go away.

The blonde reached out and took Elaine's hands. “I...he hurt you. And I won't stand for that. The GBI was already looking at him and I...” She swallowed. “I paid daddies men to give them something to find. Something that would make sure he got what was coming to him.”

Don't torture yourself too much on that. Your mom would have done something similar to you, legal way, and the more Elaine could protest about here is that you were the one to take the shot and not her.

“Ah...Ah should be angry,” she said, her whole body shaking. She put the newspaper on her desk and held Tansy's hands as she stared at it. “Ah should tell you you should never have done this. But, God save me, all Ah can think about is that Ah hope this monster is raped every day in prison for the rest of his God Damned LIFE! And when he's dead Ah hope he burns in hell being raped for eternity!”

Case in point.

“Get a cart,” Brother Bruce ordered quietly as he reverently gazed at the treasure he held in his hand. It would take some time to translate this older version of Latin, but already there was a title floating in the back of his mind.

Memoirs of A Banshee

Someone has been so much of a nice guy he earned a Christmas gift more than two monthes early.