Question A goldfish in the ocean!

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 - 6:10 am
Twain Cottage, Whateley Academy

Vic forcing himself awake with the first rays of sunlight, yikes. A personal promise of self-improvement, nice to have a goal, I just hope he knows when to pace himself. And trying to be exceptional at Whateley, he needs to be the best version of himself and not compare himself to others. Though seeing Hardnose working the weights would dampen anyone's spirit about getting stronger.

Have to wonder if anyone else in MMM is wondering how they will have to pay back having the table for being a training team eventually. Ouch, still having trouble in BMA and wondering what use he will be in a fight. And runs right into Tanya, Vic needs a change of luck already. Aww, crushing on Tanya and concerned how he has exerted himself and she is still fresh.

An interesting jogging route that Tanya takes.

“Aw don’t say that,” Tanya piped. “You are kind of handsome, in a way.”

And now Tanya has ensured Vic will be nervous around her even more. A habit of running, there are other benefits like memorizing the routes around the school grounds.

“I knew someone who developed her flight and she just loved it. Most of the times she wouldn’t even bother to take a step down the stairs if she could hover down.”

Bet it is his brother-turned-sister.

Ouch, trying to keep up with an exemplar and lagging behind, hope his ego can take it. A lecture from Mrs. Savage on all that, oh boy, Whitman girls must get up to a lot of mischief. Vic stayed with a self-absorbed devisor, that must have been interesting. Zephyr still giving Vic a hard time, good grief, that boy needs another lesson about not judging based on appearance.

Boy, Whitman is so different from Twain. Shawn can keep Humorless from causing trouble, whoa. Guys still scowling at Taka as they pass, they need to get over it already. Tanya going to eat breakfast with Sterling, huh.

Besides, the fact that I can do something doesn’t mean I should. You know, great power great responsibility.

Interesting view on that subject.

Bwahaha, I can't believe Tanya asked Vic that, then her reaction when she realizes what she said.

“Ihavetogobacktothedorm.Promisedforbagels!” she excused herself as she floated off the ground and suddenly zooming out of the way across the sky.

Tanya's face turning that red and then flying off that fast, she definitely visualized Vic in the shower. Poor girl is lucky there wasn't a telepath around who picked up on it.

Thursday, September 22, 2016 - 10:42 am
English Class

Having to think about BMA just to stay awake in English Class, just how boring does Mr. Kim make it? Arrgh! I can't stand teachers who drag out giving back papers just to draw the class out, it is torture! George Orwell's "Animal Farm", good grief, did they have to analyze the themes of the story?

Vic had taken a good chunk of every evening of the past week reading and writing the book report for Mr. Kim’s class, but when he was given the questions, he was sort of startled by how they expected him to draw parallels to real world events the author was referring to.

It's worse than I thought, Whateley certainly expects a lot more of their students. That's the goal Vic promised himself to get to, that's nuts!

"Why bother", because you are doing this for yourself and not for others. 85 out of 100 on a book report like that is impressive at his age, at least to me.

There were several red marks on grammar and orthographic errors and just a couple of questions that Vic had missed, either when interpreting the metaphor of the book or by accidentally misremembering some minor details of the plot. Little errors that amounted to many details.

Seesh, that is college or at least senior in high school level stuff. And ouch, all that work and study only for someone who slacks off like Bloodhound to get near to his grade without even trying it seems.

Going up to question Mr. Kim was his grade wasn't higher, Vic finds out a horrifying truth. Grammar counts for 40% of the grade on this test, yikes. Grading based on that when not all students have those mental tricks or abilities, that seems really wrong to me. Different kind of thinking and refinement, you could have stated that at the beginning of the class. And ouch, what a blow to Vic's ego.

Now in BMA Class and poor Vic is in a match, playing defensively like that against Hardnose isn't going to work if he is anywhere as tough as he is strong. Even Hardnose knows he isn't a match for him. All those matches and loses like that surprised Vic hasn't requested to be transferred to Survival Training by now. Crysis needs to be taught a lesson about being cruel to his opponents.

Ow, now that was a curb stomp, Vic didn't have a chance at this point. Bets on how long Vic would last, now that is just obnoxious. A thrown fist which misses turned into a backhand which hits Vic, Hardnose definitely has some skill. Using punches to push Vic aside, knocking away his water bottle, Vic needs to learn some new tricks to compensate. Darn, dodging all those punches and pushed out of the ring by a shoulder bash, harsh.

At least Tanya brings Vic his empty water bottle, that might cheer him up a little. Dragonsfyre and Miss Omega, hope no one gets hurt. Dang, Morgana has learned the BMA lessons well.

Going from the main line that was two meters away from the ring to one that was about four or five. There was also a third safety level that was marked at least ten meters away, though Vic imagined that was reserved for kaiju/mech fights more than anything.

Interesting didn't know about the safety lines.

Vic raised with gentleman manners, that is going to get him hurt or worse one of these days. Rats, Morgana tossed from the ring like that, Miss Omega must be very strong. Nice Back to the Future reference as well. Sensei Tolman would have suggested Survival Training if she didn't think you had potential at least, Vic. Pretty sure you feeling pity from her attempts to help you is all in your head. Doesn't wish to lose face by switching to Survival Training, good grief.

Vic walking with Jimmy to their table in the Crystal Hall for lunch, no common ground with Jimmy, *sigh* Passing a group of Venus Inc. girls on the way to try and entice Taka once more. Man, I've missed Tavi and his silly antics. Tavi as Adam West's Batman, priceless. Vic, you have to have a life outside of studies or else you will just end up frustrated and angry.

Talking about joining clubs including Venus Inc. while Tavi is just being silly, just fun to read. A club to relax, art club sounds nice. No, no, no! Don't even suggest Jimmy join the Spy Kids, they would drive him down with them. Bwahahaha, Tavi with a monocle and curly mustache, too good.

Tanya sitting by Vic, lucky boy. Morgana trying to get sympathy from Bianca after what happened in BMA, while Erica and Cally show up together. Laura showing up with all those projects, she needs to get something to carry them in properly. *facepalm* A box of stuff left at the entrance to the tunnel with a note "For the takes.", Bianca is right about it being suspicious.

“Maybe. But honestly, I got clued by Mr. Cody, that, get this, if security finds and keeps track of a room that has been left abandoned for over two years, they clean it up and toss many of the devises away. Or rather, donates them for recycling.”

I always wondered what they do with stuff left in abandoned rooms.

“I thought devisors couldn’t copy other devisor’s stuff,” Cally asked, being the closest, she leaned over Laura’s shoulder as she produced a screw driver.

“Supposedly, we can’t… buuut I can try to figure out what these things were supposed to be, draw inspiration on what these things were supposed to do. Heck, if I can’t find any use for these things, I can always break them down for parts, if they’re still usable.”

That is one way to get the parts you need.

Laura so distracted by her box of shiny she is forgetting about lunch, oh boy. Does this all the time at Poe, at least other people remember to get her food. I can't believe Vic doing that actually snapped her out of it, guess it is easier when it isn't your own project. Laura is cute when she blushes, we need an image of Laura blushing! Uh oh, I hope Laura doesn't hold a grudge over Vic doing that, she could be very...creative in getting back at him.

“Who knows,” Tanya said sheepishly. Vic was now finding his worries offset by the goofy smile that announced she was just about to play games with him. “She might find a way to turn you into a salmon.”

“Or,” Erica snickered. “Or, create mind controlling hair clips on you.”

“Or have you shrunk down.”

“Or all of the above and post it on social media,” Erica said in a definite tone to close the train of jokes.

*eyes bug out* I would be most worried about the first one. A gaming computer, even if he came into money those suckers are expensive for high-end ones. Computer shopping with Tanya and Erica, can they pull this off without getting into a fight with some villain or other creeps? Stayed tuned to find out.

6:10 pm
Tunnel Exit L-3, South Laird Hall access

Caro sounds cute, what does she mean by Gwen being back to normal, am I forgetting something again? Ah, forgot about the broken arm, so it is out of the cast finally. Caro got Mirai' old lab, sounds like a good one for several people to fight over it at first. Going to hang out with Chris, fun.

The ‘urban warfare’ parkour terrain practice field, which quite a westbound expedition for Caro who had to do the walking, but then again, there was something about the forest that put her at ease. Seeming almost fairytale like.

Don't tell me Eldritch had that put in.

Caro curious if Gwen is trying to avoid the creep who attacked her and got her arm broke. Good for Caro, don't let Gwen get in the mindset that she is to blame even though she was the victim. Talk with Megaton about it, having gotten anywhere formally in their relationship, good grief, Gwen. And Megaton thinks it was a whole criminal gang who hurt Gwen, yikes. Gwen talk to Megaton, Caro teasing that she could curse him, that girl can play dirty.

Just what did Gwen trip on which no one saw? Man, Caro knows how to get Gwen to do what she wants. And Gwen's relationship with Derek is complicated by the usual teenage stuff and then some. The urban training grounds sound like fun. Events booked and who is using the place currently, nice set-up.

So this is Chris, interesting girl already. Very interesting energy fields wonder the exact nature of what they do.

But I learned that the best way to heal injuries is to just not get injured in the first place.”

Oh, I like her. Using her friends to support herself as she takes off her rollerblades, goofball. That suit is pretty good armor for crashes and falls from what I can tell. Nice gift from her parents, that helmet must have cost a lot.

Gwen comparing Caro to Maleficent, at least as friends it is in good nature. Yikes, a Wiz-type mutant who can cast curses and into pranks, I wouldn't want to be in her cottage if a prank war started. Aww, in Whitman when Gwen and Chris are in Poe. And of course, Caro is suspicious of Poe's real purpose knowing her friends and not being allowed to transfer there.

Talking about Bianca being in Poe and Gwen just finds her a tab eerie, with all the secrets she has to keep it would be hard not to come off eerie. Egg and pie incident which Chris pulled on Stahlfaust, darn it, not another noodle incident!

“It’s Sofia,” Caro sighed. “She has… an erratic sleep schedule. Sometimes, she goes out until late and wakes me up when she returns only to start snoring like a lion and elephant. Other times, she naps during the afternoon, heads off, gets drunk and then stumbles her way back to the room turning into some random animal while giggling.”

Yikes, Caro has it rough. Only turns halfway into an animal in her sleep now instead of all the way, Sofia needs to stop drinking and get more self-control.

Caro wants to go into the city, The Huntsman's Bodyguard, is that like a hybrid of the Huntsman and Hitman's Bodyguard movies? Aww, Caro wanted to go shopping at the mall. Glamour for Caro to look normal, wonder what the contract she is writing will entail.

Plans are good. But the thing about them is that they don’t go as easy as you envision them..

If they do then you have to wonder what else might happen later on.

7:12 pm
Twain Cottage - Front

Danny happy playing around with Cookie, Humorless watching behind, you know he wants to play with Cookie too. An oatmeal cookie from Danny, yum. Bacon and Hardnose arm-wrestling, curious who will win out of those two. Hearing Nick Brennan strumming his guitar and Vic prefers silence tonight, worse mood than I thought.

Swimming to relax, yet Vic can't swim, ironic with what his power is.

Devisors gadgeteers and mages had a penchant (to not say addictive habit) to stick around in their labs, doing whoever knew what with their inventions and magic.

Mages as well, huh, didn't expect that.

Vic's frustration levels have shot through the roof it seems, he needs counseling. All those feelings and sensations have to be a charm from Toby. Otherwise, Vic needs to go to Doyle, at least he isn't freaking out over his future anymore.

7:21 pm
Whitman Cottage - Lounge

Caro back at Whitman, Meow Mix and Madcat arguing over a devise Telekat made for them to hide their GSDs. Is it really a devise or a prank by Telekat on the two girls, the appearance suggests a prank to me at least.

Now that is going to be an interesting fight, a real catfight, heh, I'll show myself the door. Shisa sitting by the side of the door, I wonder why there are so many cat-based GSD cases among the freshmen and sophomores too.

“Think Telekat just got annoyed of the girls insisting for a copy of the devise she wore to cover her ears. Wouldn’t surprise me if were a fake. I mean it’s obviously a cat’s toy. I just don’t understand why they are playing along.”

I thought that's what was going on.

If I’m going to put faith in someone else to fix my situation, I’ll make it’s someone who really means to help.” And then she looked over at Caro’s way, so transparent that she could actually tell what she was meaning.

She wants Caro to mess with her BIT, hasn't Shisa heard the horror stories of what's happened in the past with such attempts?

“Potentially. I’m the great and powerful mage in the same way Esperanto had the chance to become the universal language rather than the language everyone knows by name but can’t speak. Too many stars need to be aligned for me to earn that status”.

At least Caro has the good sense to refuse Shisa's request.

Ouch, the way Shisa reacts to being told no.

“I do want… no, wish to help you with my magic… however there is a lot of steps in between wanting to aid and actually start doing something tangible. I don’t think it can happen overnight, heck even this year or the next. I will, however try to help you in any way I can. I might not be able to fully make you human and if I do, you might not be able to keep it for long. Or worse yet, there might be a steep price to pay for it, will you be willing to take them?”

*sigh* Please don't let this go the way of the tale of the guy who became a monster by having his BIT messed with. What have you gotten yourself into indeed, Caro. This is one of those things with so many ways for it to go wrong.

A notebook for coming up with rhymes for her curses, interesting.

“There was once a girl cursed to look like a cat,
Small furry with paws, a nice coat and a tail to boot,
With the curse in genes, I have limited options with that,
Perhaps she might find help in this magical reboot,

When the sun lines signals its shortest stay in sky,
She’ll have to be present ready for the blood price,
Give in a tail and fur just to grow to a normal height,
Normal human features will have to suffice.

For I still require the power to restore Shisa to what she would’ve been.
… Yet it is my skill’s true strength that remains to be seen.

*eyes bug out* Okay, very scared right now of what this could do if cast.

To Caro, that was just Grimma’s love for theatrics and mischief that once inspired those two brothers to create all those stories.

Wait, is Caro an avatar with some ancient spirit called Grimma inside her or just getting advice from this Grimma?

Poet or novelist, I would read her work, already looks interesting. Sofia Fontana aka Zoo, with her power that codename is very fitting. Sneaking out to Emerson to see Crossby, only to be stopped by Caro.

“It doesn’t feel safe if you don’t share a secret,” and with the trigger words and her mana pumping through the paper into the open page, the magic began to take effect.

A barrier to keep Sofia inside Whitman, cruel to be kind to a friend in trouble.

And to think Mrs. Savage asked it as a way to have the girls stay in room during lectures and interrogations.

Whitman Rallies itself for a talk,
I will be called by my writer or the owner of the house,
To Ensure no one tries to balk,
Restricted access to anything bigger than a mouse,

Contained within the dorm,
An emerald barrier is magically erected,
No strength can’t tear its form,
Please hold till the twenty minutes subjected.

A lasting barrier holding an entire class,
Scattered by a voluntary master’s touch.
Secret uttered will add a way to pass,
should mysteries be revealed as such.

Now that is an interesting spell, awesome job with the wording. And forcing Sofia to talk with her, guess Caro has gotten tired of being ditched. A devised beer with a good buzz and she wants to check it out, that girl is going to get herself into some real trouble at this rate.

“It matters to me when my roommate thrashes the place when she comes back home after a full night of drunken fun and then wakes me up after she accidentally falls on my bed. And before you say what you’re thinking. It’s happened more than once.”

Sofia needs to find a better guy, at this point it is just fun times but sooner or later he is going to take things too far. Though Caro is right, this is like a mother lecturing her daughter about a boy she doesn't like.

Crossby is a pothead Dylan member, oh brother, Sofia needs her eyes opened fast. He calls Caro 'horns' and Sofia 'pet', that is a danger sign right there.

“Ratel has joined the chase! Ratel has joined the chase!” Shisa exclaimed as she ran into the lobby from the stairs almost in panic, and that immediately got some of the girls around in high alert, which was followed by a sordid splat that landed onto the green energy wall. Making ripples and singing like a spring, but fortunately sparing the glass backdoor.

Bwahaha, I should have known Ratel would get involved in a chase for something, even a rubber mousey. That girl can be so silly sometimes.

7:47 pm
Twain Cottage - Room 217

At least the hot shower helped Vic to relax, he seriously needed it. What kind of websites did he frequent before leaving home that he wonders if it is safe to check them out on a Whateley computer? My Little Pony or harem anime, not what I expected. Ah, he is in Tractor's History class, that is the kind of teacher that makes learning history fun.

Ronnie Silver video calling from college, is this the devisor he was staying with, sure seems like.

“And you’re studying?” Ronnie raised an eyebrow. “Not watching cartoons, surfing the web or playing games? Sheesh.”

See, even she thinks he needs to relax more. Recommendations for a tablet, wonder how advanced they have gotten in the Whateley Universe for the consumer buyer. Hehe, teasing him like a real big sister about potentially having a girl over.

“Yeah, but it’s money for school supplies… besides, I don’t really feel like getting more indebted to the Syndicate just because I feel like I need a poster over my bed.

Vic has a point, even little purchases would add up over time and leave him more indebted to the Syndicate. The view from Vic's dorm room window not showing how impressive Whateley Academy is, you have to see some of the stuff inside and in the underground areas to see how truly impressive it is. She is in college and no one has discovered what she is capable of, dang.

Yikes, when Ronnie gets serious about something it definitely gets your attention. Caroline, wondered when she would be brought up again, proof there is good within the Syndicate if you look for it. A loophole to get out of working for the Syndicate after Vic graduates from Whateley, I hope he finds it for his sake.

She paused for a moment, recalling. “Yeah, you told me something about it. Friends getting cornered and attacked by others. Giant students going on rampages and a headmaster that was a former member of a criminal organization. So much trouble going through a school… Must be fun.”

She is an odd duck. And finally, Vic has someone to talk to about one of his frustrations about classes at Whateley. Ronnie is reasonable about this, Whateley isn't your normal school and expecting to be top of the class might drive you crazy trying to reach that goal.

“Nothing is for naught. Things happen for better or worse and when you pick a path, you’re bound to find something as long as you keep on steering the boat.” Ronnie said as she snapped her fingers and the underwater filter on her side of the camera fizzled and vanished. “I still respect your personal promise to be your better self. I can tell that you’ve lost a lot of weight since the old school I saw you and that you’re studying a lot. Granted, as far as I recall, you were mostly a B+ student on average, with your best grade being some A pluses you got in math. You’ve come a long way, there’s no reason to feel discouraged.”

At least someone can see the progress which Vic has made and remind him of it.

Ronnie sighed. “I know I just said that you’ve progressed, it just feels like you’re leaving aside so many more of the important aspects of the school life, and that is the friends you make.”

Wish someone had told me this when I was young, listen to her, Vic.

“From what I understand, you have two options: You can go over with your friends and ask them for help. Try to let them closer in on you; Or you can just ditch the whole graduate as the top student and settle to be among the top five and just have a good time as a normal teenager. Because I believe it’ll take a lot of your sanity to make things work on your own. Either way, the two options will lead to you to talk more to others.”

Glad I'm not the only one concerned for his sanity if he keeps on his current path of study, study, study all the time. *hits head on desk* Being too stubborn and unwilling to change sooner rather than later is going to lead to more headaches, Vic.

*blinks* I thought calling her sister was a term of endearment, she is actually his sister, huh. And Vic doesn't wish to talk to their Dad, but his big sister sure knows how to guilt him about calling anyways. Ah, stepsister.

Despite being in her late teens, Ronnie was, perhaps, one of the wisest person he knew, at least charged with actual maturity. Her advice seemed valid but at the same time, wasn’t exactly something Vic wanted to over hear.

It hurts more when it is someone we love or care about. And all this before being reunited with his sister at Whateley and the incidents which follow.

Him and the swirl of emotions within him. Between the happiness of seeing his sister and the fun catching up between the two, mixed with negative feelings of guilt, frustration, hopelessness and anger. Not a healthy combination, but for the most parts balanced out.

Not wishing Tanya to know some of the things he has done to survive, nor his deal with the Syndicate to get into Whateley, poor boy is stuck between a rock and a hard place. *sigh* Goes back to studying, he needs to take Ronnie's advice already before the stress makes him do something he will regret.

Gwen is Vic's ex-brother-Ollie. She and Chris, along with Ping (Leslie Wainwright), are the ones who helped free Vic from Jack-in-the-Box's mind control and then (without Ping) rescued Callie from the Obnoxious Dudes Society.

Friday, September 23, 2016 - 4:01 pm
BMA Training hall

Practicing a move until the muscle memory is trained to do it on command, at least Vic has a good teacher for BMA. Aww, Tanya loving just spending time with Vic, so cute. Yikes, sounds like Vic has had an exhausting day. Yeow! Erica, that kind of training should be left to the professionals.

Star Wars references for martial arts, at least Vic has his sense of humor intact despite the pain. Good to see Vic isn't being stubborn about seeking help to get stronger and leaning on others. So that is how his mental process of elimination went and resulted in Erica and Tanya helping him with martial arts training, interesting. Heh, we have never seen how BMA is graded, have we? Vic and Tanya both have nothing to do for fun, this shall not stand! A trip to Berlin on Sunday, why do I have the feeling it won't be a quiet trip? *inner voice yells because these are Whateley students going to Berlin*

5:10 pm
Poe Cottage, Front yard

Christina Cobryn aka Celerity dancing in the front yard, impressive moves. Interesting power to slow her fall like that. Leslie is right about the show-offy part, I would wonder how someone manipulated their own body during a fall to pull off such a handstand. Suddenly accelerate or decelerate her body, very handy power. Roller jockey star, are there rules against mutants in such a sport?

“There’s some prejudice against mutants when it comes to sport.” Gwen added into the conversation. “Heard of a gold medalist that was found out of having a mutant trait. Apparently, the MCO tested him positive in one of the sudden checks. All of the gold medals he had up to that point were revoked because of that. The man claims he wasn’t even aware of his powers.”

Ugh, bet the guy's powers weren't even useful for what he was competing in. *facepalms* Chris, if you compete and they find out you are a mutant they will think you cheated with your powers no matter what. Chris, Gwen, and Malefis going to Berlin Sunday, great. The chance of something happening increases with the number of Whateley students going to Berlin.

Chris didn't realize the seniors who came along on past trips were chaperones, heh. Good for Gwen, Chris failed her puppy-dog eyes to try and get Gwen to get a chaperone for the trip instead of having to it herself. And now Gwen has to deal with Dereck, wonder what this is about. Oh, he is worried about something that happened before she came to Whateley.

Gwen is cute when she is flustered, she needs to tell Dereck before he hears it from another source. Signing up for business, poor Dereck. Dereck trying to chat alone with Gwen but Gwen is freaking out too much and doesn't want Chris to leave, despite Dereck's attempt to get her to. Eep, no wonder Chris pushed to go along, Staulfaust and her amazons at the entrance to the cottage.

Dereck has done some digging about Gwen and who put her into the hospital, after he ruins an Avengers movie line. Oh boy, Dereck wants to pull strings so Gwen can face her attacker, but this isn't the guy who attacked her. Gwen just wants him to drop the matter, yet Dereck seems a bit obsessed with knowing who attacked her.

“I don’t know. Either he escaped, or made it to this school or is still on the run. I don’t want to think about it.” Gwen managed to speak up her mind with a breath of relief now that the words were out.

Dereck, listen to her or you might push her away. At least Gwen makes it clear she just wants to move past it, making Dereck realize he got carried away. Ack, their flirting is making my teeth hurt, too sweet.

Thank you, Chris, for the perfect reason to stop this, Gwen needs to slow down a little. And Gwen really doesn't know what is going on with the guy who broke her arm back then, hope her dad would call if the creep broke out of jail.

7:14 pm
Twain Cottage, Room 217

Poor Vic, trying to study while Bloodhound, Hardnose, and Daniel are playing UNO and the first two are being loud. All this noise from a few rooms down in Humorless and Donut's dorm room. And about time Vic takes the good advice and try to have a social life while at Whateley. Going to join the game of UNO, good, stressing out all the time and doing nothing but studying was going to leave him burnt out at the rate he was going.

7:14 pm
Whitman Cottage, Main Lounge

Shisa trying to buy a remedy from Caro aka Malefis, please don't let this make Shisa's situation any worse.

“It might be a huge cost you won’t be able to pay or, which is more likely, might end up falling down to the other side of the balance, becoming more cat-like. You can lose your ability to talk or even think. You can also end up as a monster. Your BIT can be deformed to the point it might not even be able to sustain itself. You can end up with a disability or a super disability, and I’m just putting it mildly. “

Shisa is living a nightmare, but all that sounds worse, completely losing anything which makes her human anymore. And even an illusion wouldn't be enough, ouch.

Assay, why did you direct Shisa to Caro, why?

“How flattering,” a voice within Caro purred in delight.

What kind of spirit does Caro have in her, with a codename like Malefis you would think the tale of Sleeping Beauty was real and this was Maleficent's spirit, or at least something close to it.

“Er… Not sure if it’s exactly ‘olde magic’. It’s more of a medieval flair that is based in, what the examiners told me, psycho linguo canalization that taps into the arcane oblation paradigm-.” Caro shook her head. “To put it in mild terms. Yes, I can do things with ease the average wizard wouldn’t be able to achieve on regular conditions. And that’s what it boils down to with me. Conditions.”

Okay, that kind of magic and most likely a spirit inside her, I hope they are keeping a close eye on Caro.

“Mayhaps one ought to keep the sense of wonder when venturing into the world of magus and witches. Lest thy wish is to follow the path of meager fun.” the spirit in Caro’s head, Grimma, mused. “Alas, I look forward to seeing where this chapter will take us.”

Grimma! Oh, Caro is in more potential trouble than I first thought, isn't she?

“But the effects can’t be argued. I can boost the effect or lower the cost of casting by adding specific clauses. The more difficult it is to come up or the higher the price, the better. The inverse is applicable as well. The more ways one has to undo the contract, the stronger the effect can become.”

Oh, the way she described it before it sounded less...troubling, this sounds like Grimma is a fairy tale witch if not something worse.

“Oh ho ho. Is that what they say?” Grimma mocked.

This response to Caro explaining Maleficent's curse on Sleeping Beauty makes it seems like Grimma was the source of that tale.

Grimma is the embodiment of fairy tales, at least how Assay describes her, no wonder she feels like all those old witches from the tales.

“Just to be sure,” Caro remarked. “Assay might have the ability of identifying mutant traits. But she’s always had problems when cataloging avatars, much less spirits or magic users.”

“You mean she’s not a fairy tale spirit?”

“I have no clue,” Caro said, feeling Grimma’s silent giggle in her head. “The researchers that tested me can’t seem to agree on what she is. Some say think she’s an ancient trickster witch spirit that inspired the brothers Grimm to write their stories. Others believe she is a personification of the masses’ sense of wonder and fantasy. Some even believe she is an inter-planar deity that happened to fall in love with the concept of fiction in this world. Since Grimma doesn’t stick to the original fairy tales but, at times, also references poetic edas, tales from Hans Christian Andersen and Lewis Carol, and even a couple more contemporary works, it is quite difficult to settle on one theory

Well, there goes that thought, now we have a mystery as to what Grimma is and she probably would change her answer each time she is asked.

*hits head on desk* Finds people not knowing what she is amusing, this Grimma is going to be a pain.

“I’m sorry if I’m insisting you in doing the impossible. I’m just happy you agreed to even try,” Shisa muttered. “Everyone is always worried when I’m around but are too afraid to tell me to deal with my changes or that there is something I can do… so I’m easily forgotten and left to the side… Even if you can’t do anything for me, I enjoy these talks.”

Ouch, right in the feels, no one should be forgotten and left to the side just because you find it uncomfortable to chat with them.

No, a sapient being shouldn't be made a familiar just because their form suits it, Grimma.

“Thou art but tribulations you face. What would you be were not ostracized by those who you call friends?”

Really wish there was a way to smack Grimma with a cold iron frying pan without harming Caro right now. Poor Caro having to disguise the horns and scales Grimma gave her on what sounds like a whim, wish humans would learn to look past appearances.

Mrs. Savage having Tanya help her haul up 3 new mattresses, Caro wishing to help haul them up but thankfully it is just the 3 mattresses for now. Penny Dreadful leaves her manifested zombies just to wander around the dorm, good grief, that girl needs read the riot act. Nice storage room. Caro already being considered for RA next year, that is something we didn't know.

“Funny how you mentioned it,” Mrs. Savage smiled. “Just before the bus got here, I was talking with Mrs. Nelson from Dickinson cottage. She was telling me about this senior student she has: Josephine Moore. Poor girl is an artist but is quite a shut in. Has few friends and just tends to prefer to toy around with the oils. A passionate artist is an apt descriptor from what I heard. Anyway, she has a van and makes regular trips on Sundays to the city to gather supplies. I’m sure if you ask nicely, she’ll agree to help.

And this trip is getting more interesting by the second and it hasn't even started yet. Only at Whateley does a house mother like Mrs. Savage have to forbid a student from using a sleeping beauty spell on a roommate's mattress, I love this place. Rats, should have told Mrs. Savage for your roommate's sake.

10:09 pm
Emerson Cottage, Room 210

Room 210 a 'popular' room, yet no drugs, nothing which the administration could catch them with, just what is going on in there? Devisor created booze, even with 'Shine having graduated by this point it figures there would be one or more students doing this every year.

They were surprised to discover that the supposed ‘screwdriver’ was just orange juice diluted by water, instead of the usual vodka. The only reaction the RAs could muster was an audible ‘what the heck!?’ before stammering into explaining to the cottage parents about this harsh alarm. Crossby and Peter, the ones living in the room, did nothing but throw wood into the fire, claiming outrage for the treatment and accusations. Crossby, being the son of a politician running for major, was quite versed in the ways to spin a story in his favor.

Curiouser and curiouser, how could they get drunk of that? The way Crossby speaks, I already don't like him.

Great, the Masterminds and Golden Lion and his group as regular clients. Crossby Williams is known as "Whiskey", how do his powers work that the staff couldn't detect any alcohol in anyone? Devisor Whiskey, don't tell me he modified it to be undetectable in test. Jeff Hayes aka Lightbulb is going to regret wagering off those pictures of Venus Inc. girls, they can be brutal when betrayed. James Edison aka Holo, another gambler. And Crossby's friend Peter can mentally nudge people into recklessness, that would get him arrested in a real casino.

Messing with Sophia while she is drunk like this, Crossby sickens me. And thinking of what he is winning from Jeff, needs a swift kick to the groin.

“Oh, she’d better not dare. That would be the last thing she would have to deal with. No, she’s just bothering me acting like my mother and all that. The other day, she kept on complaining and complaining about me getting back home so late. Says I make a huge mess whenever I drop back. Can you imagine that?!” As Sofia talked, her feline features slowly began to melt back into their human facets.

Your roommate is concerned for your safety and you just bitch about how she nags you, Sofia, you need a huge wake-up call.

Sofia needs help to drag herself out of this pit she has drunk herself into before it is too late. I don't trust Trevor's girlfriend, especially how she talks about students with GSD and Bianca. Oh, letting them take that bottle with them was your last mistake, Crossby, at least I hope it was.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 6:58 am
Outside of the Crystal Hall

Chris makes me wonder if the Parkour Hooligans are still active in Gen 2. Gwen and Chris running late for costuming class, better take that class seriously, what you design in there could save your lives one day. Chris, you really shouldn't draw attention that way, not with some of the boys and girls at Whateley. Ah, missed that Chris was a changeling as well.

I blame my memory, forgot that Gwen is a sophomore at Whateley and not a freshman. Dereck up and about this early on a Saturday morning, wonder if he was looking for a certain someone. *rolls eyes* Dereck, can you get any sappier. Dereck, you should have told your uncle to drop the matter, this going to make things complicated between him and Gwen now. Ichor and a mage, the Virginia police want her to testify against him, uh oh. Not the guy, at least Gwen gets Dereck to drop it, again.

“You know?” Dereck muttered. “It’s the weekend, so I wondered if you would be interested in paying a visit to Emerson cottage. My roommate will be out for the entirety of the day, so we’d have the room completely for ourselves. We could probably spend a good time watching videos, movies, snacking or doing other things.”

You had to add the doing other things, Dereck, now Gwen doesn't know what you want. At least Gwen has the trip as an excuse, with how Gwen reacts around him I worry. Ouch, and forgot breakfast due to the distraction, hope their stomachs don't make too much noise.

6:38 am
Whitman Cottage, Room 213

Hehe, nice to know the girls can be just as loud and annoying as the boys. Smart girl, Caro, a conditioned curse from Grimma sounds like worse odds of something bad happening than the chance of being struck by lightning in a thunderstorm. Eep, Sophia fell asleep in bed beside Caro without waking her and is in animal-like form from the fur smell.

Mrs. Savage having a good Saturday morning, out for a morning jog and heads back to her personal room while making a round to check on any potential troublemakers. Ratel's pillow resembles a punching bag, why doesn't this surprise me. Aww, poor Sterling. And Mrs. Savage having to communicate with her that way, really wish there was something that could be done to help Sterling control her power better.

That necklace must be handy to have around Whitman. Mrs. Savage showing up as Caro yells at Sophia for ruining the new mattress. She tore up the mattress with her arm transformed into a jaguar's from the sound it, if Sophia can't see how much trouble her drinking is causing now she needs counseling. Delivery of the rest of the mattresses delayed till Monday, ouch. Dam it! If Caro can't go on the trip tomorrow because of this she should rat out Sophia already, code or no code.

Darn it, Caro. Stop protecting Sophia and let her take the consequences of her actions already. And Mrs. Savage getting Caro away from Sophia to chat alone doesn't seem to have her opening up about the truth either. Aww, she wants to go to Poe so she can be with her friends there, but it isn't that simple to transfer. Mrs. Savage knows Sophia is a party animal and thought Caro could tame her, Sophia is too stubborn to listen to reason from a fellow teen.

Better bonding events for the cottage, sounds good to me, maybe it will get through to Sophia even. Hehehe, love Caro's response to Mrs. Savage about cursing Sophia just a teensy tiny one.

7:20 am
Advanced Costume Shop

Oh, it's Advanced Costume Shop they are going to with Mr. Syran running it, not Mrs. Ryan's class. That is certainly a different way of running such a class. *eyes bug out* That costume shop is tricked out, the tools to make their costumes, amazing.

Making perfection from the get go is but a myth.

Okay, liking Mr. Syran. Chris working on her 'combat uniform', wonder how she will improve on it. At least she realized the ideas for making her costume cooler would get her in legal trouble or be useless.

Gwen's Starsentry costume is very eyecatching. Tanya shows up and needs to see the teacher, wonder why. Ah, she just wants to get his opinion on her design before she presents it to Mrs. Ryan. Bringing up Tanya's mom was Invictus, ouch.

“Are you going to be taking on after her? I mean pattern and colorwise?” Truth be told, Chris was somewhat envious of Tanya, the girl had fully inherited her powerset and even appearance from a known famous superhero. One couldn’t get any more legacy status than that. “I really loved her costume design.”

“I… I don’t know. I mean, I want to do right by her and carry on with the name… But I don’t want people to think I’m copying her.”

“So, striving to honor her but no replicate her?” Chris said reaching over to give Tanya a slight pat on the back. “That’s going to be a bit tough… but all I can say is to take it easy. That’s part of the charm of school. No one really knows what they’re in for after it.”

Okay, Chris has some wisdom to impart to younger students.

And Invictus saved her and her mom 6 or 7 years ago.

“Yeah… It must’ve been about six or seven years ago. I was just your regular eight year old bo…ooy band. Boy band loving girl paying a visit to her mom in the city hall. She was dealing with a case revolving a criminal trying to get himself acquitted of trials, claiming he was actually a victim of excessive abuse from the hero that arrested him. The jury didn’t buy it and were close to finish deliberating when… well, long story short, the building was coming down, criminals were pouring in from the entrances firing guns and… well, we all thought we were done for.”

Tanya just listened enwrapped, even if the story came as incredibly abridged, she wanted to hear it out, and maybe ask alter.

“That’s when Invictus, your mother came in digging through the wrecks and pushing the fires away with her lavender colored aura. Her colleague, Sylph came down and began to lift the civilians up into the air and taking us to safety. It was like a movie. A real rollercoaster that I couldn’t stop remembering, even until I manifested.”

Now those are the types of superheroes I like to read about. And Chris, need to be more careful about the Poe secret, though I think it could be trusted with Tanya. Hehe, Chris back to being silly, that bowing gesture alone would have me giggling.

Oh boy, hope Chris isn't grumpy that Gwen got distracted and forgot the breakfast. Tanya trying to sync up their plans for their trips to Berlin, wonder if the van is big enough for all of them. Directing Tanya to Josephine Moore, I hope there isn't some mysterious connection between them. ;-P The paperwork for trips is a stack now, great. And Gwen shows up without breakfast, oh well.

9:41 am
Crystal Hall

Sorry, Vic, whether we like it or not change is a part of life, the good and the bad. Madness out of numbness, you need to take up meditation if you are that bored. Caroline Kythe, forgot she was his legal guardian, haven't seen her name in a long while. Some of Vic's history on the street and with a gang, he had it more rough than expected. The boss of the local gang having Josh and Vic use their powers like that, *sigh*

Of course, Vic made himself no allusions at Urresti’s intentions. The man evidently had a knack for power and was planning to use them for as long as possible in his crime family, and Vic having grown with influences from the other side of the law was quick to judge and distrust on their actions. That being said, the man wasn’t half as bad as a mob boss and was even kind enough to help them in their time of need.

I would have been looking over my shoulder constantly for a potential double-cross. Many of them are gone, does he mean they ditched him or ended up dead, sounds like the latter. Picking a lock with water, Vic's power is more versatile than previously suspected.

Heh, the Crystal Hall, if they could film half the drama and antics which go in there alone they would have a hit series. Certain reservations about some of his fellow Twain freshmen, or just excuses not to socialize more, I wonder.

Last night one of the common running jokes with Vic was thinking himself as some sort of ‘elitist’ for getting to have his own exclusive table under his name and getting to hang out with many of the hot girls from the class (even if it came at the implication of being Kenshin’s lackey).

You have to wonder how they would react if they knew the truth. Why is Gwen staring at Vic that way?

Vic left wondering why he didn't see her sooner, or expect to run into her beforehand, I know Whateley is a big school but how did they miss each other until now? All plans he made during the first week, forgotten by this point, eep. Vic is the guy who broke Gwen's arm, great, things just got a lot more complicated. Vic, you need a mediator to help you with this situation, I don't think Gwen will want you near her right now.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 9:46 pm
Crystal hall

Gwen at breakfast with a friend and freaks out upon seeing Vic at MMM's table, wondering why he is there. And memories of their fight that resulted in Gwen having a broken arm, the phantom pain still haunting here. Vic trying to glance at her without being noticed and failing, *sigh* These two need to have a long-overdue chat. And she thinks he robbed a bank or something to afford Whateley tuition, oh boy.

Gwen is overthinking about what to do learning Vic is at Whateley, she needs to approach his friends and set up a meeting to chat. Gwen thinks Vic would hang out with the likes of the Masterminds, the Bohemians, or other evil organizations, *hits head on desk* At least Chris snaps her out of it, love arm stretch arm tap to get her attention. Gwen's feelings about Vic are complicated, to say the least.

Guilt over skipping a workshop class, Gwen needs to learn how not to sweat the small stuff. At least Gwen is worrying less about crossing paths with Vic for now. More thoughts about Vic and what to do, eep, starting to remind me of my own thought process when anxiety kicks in. Chris wants Tek Rider to make her a bike helmet, that girl is addicted to speed.

Sofia talking about the best option until they can get a new mattress delivered, an annoyed Caro not wishing to spend time with her roommate. Yikes, Sofia wrecked that mattress but good.

“Yeah, apparently there was some sort of incident with one of the junior’s experiments. Mrs. Savage said that she was using the mattresses as punching bags or some sort of piercing test for her new gauntlets… lucky me,” Caro sighed.

Ouch, so that is what happened to all the back-up or unused mattresses. Switch mattresses, I hope Sofia's isn't as bad as it sounds.

Good for Caro wanting a clean mattress, Sofia having a celebration night with Crossby and his buddies, isn't that where Sofia came back from that resulted in the mattress mess? Uhm, Caro, your attitude about school royalty needs some adjusting, or does she have some disorder I'm forgetting? An argument over Crossby and if he is a loser, yikes. At least she got Sofia to agree not to go to the party tonight, it's a start. And Caro's upset stomach, she is going to have an ulcer at this rate.

Just how much is the helmet Tek Rider is showing to Chris?

“If I want my products to be seen as the best accessories for the fastest, and see how many of my babies break the sound barrier, I might as well give them to the fastest around.” The devisor's voice trailed off as she drew interest from the idea.

A race, this will be interesting. Sofia in a foul mood, Gwen still glancing around for Vic, this situation needs to be fixed before Gwen works herself into a tizzy.

A planned trip to Berlin, Caro still having to work on her glamour to hide her GSD, going tomorrow, uh oh. Gwen ready to leave to the point she might put up Chris and carry her, aww, I want to see that. Now Gwen has Caro concerned due to her serious tone, when is she going to tell someone about Vic.

“I wonder if Grimma would let me curse their drinks… Have them sprout long ears and donkey tails… No, Caro, no. You’re a hero in training; you have to keep yourself to higher standards..." She had to make an effort to think those words with a straight face.

Aww, even heroes in training play pranks from time to time.

Oh, crud, I forgot some of MMM are planning a trip to Berlin as well, figures it would be on the same day and Vic is going. Vic getting to buy himself some stuff after living on the streets for months if I recall correctly, hope nothing goes wrong. And Vic trying to catch a glimpse of Gwen, seesh, these two are a pair.

“Oh, right,” Erica added. “There's a geek store by the mall, already researched it. I'll probably buy a couple of card games, a bunch of rolling dice, fancy looking ones at that, and then... I don’t know, maybe see if there’s anything else interesting. To be fair, I don’t really have a plan, I just look forward to spending some time off and just walking about with you and Tanya.”

A store like that you can easily spend your whole budget on if you aren't careful, but what fun even just looking around.

Vic worried that Tanya hasn't shown up to meet them yet, wondering if Gwen is pointing him out to her fellow Capes even now including Tanya. Vic wants to go on avoiding Gwen, for step-siblings they sometimes think a lot alike. Oh yeah, forgot Tanya was at the costume shop in the previous part, heh.

Erica chuckled. “I think the whole permit thing is to help the staff keep track of the students. You know, since they say a bunch of staff members just vanished. Probably it also helps keep trouble students with no head for bureaucracy on campus… or maybe it's a test for students on how to manage paperwork. Anyway, not easy.”

I'm betting it is a little bit of each of those 3 things.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 12:45 am
Tunnel L-65, Magical laboratory

Poor Caro having to think up a rhyme for her glamour spell, and ouch, that many wasted attempts. Grimma sure speaks in flowery prose a lot, the frustration of figuring out what Grimma means sometimes must get to Caro.

“Come on, whenever I omit a certain detail or a potential loophole you take it as a learning experience. Not to mention that you don’t give me a hint when I’m making an error.”

“Never would I do anything of that nature,” Grimma said, voice dripping in amusement at the obvious falsehood. “But thou already knowest what to do to prevent such happenstance--”

Good grief, having a spirit like Grimma attached to me would give me migraines, Caro is strong to put up with this.

"If nothing works and ideas are afoul.

With the book missing pages, clumped by the stack.

I offer three droplets of essence now,

To mend the damaged papers back.

My trick and logic are all sound,

Grimma, there's no need to frown.”

She recited the lines with much chagrin as she poured into the book her essence, to an amount that felt like the “three droplets” as described. Much as she had rehearsed before, and with the preparations made, the spell worked its influence to reach down into the crumpled pages. There was a loud concert of rustling as each of the haphazard balls leapt up into the air.

Now that is a handy spell and fun rhyme. Ah, when the muse is cooperating and the words just flow. And Gwen shows up to the lab, dressed as a geeky bombshell, a look a lot of guys like, I assure you.

No lock, that needs to be priority one for next thing to do.

“Eh… the ones I’ll get will probably be from when I was in middle school or kindergarten. I’ll have to suck it up and have my mom send them to me via e-mail tonight.” When Caro looked up at Gwen, her friend had a blush about her cheeks and a glimmer in the eyes. “Remember, the whole point of this is so that no one will see it.”

Now why is Gwen blushing thinking about such pictures? Keeping Chris from peeking at the picture *starts to hear Mission: Impossible music*

Why is Caro bringing up the subject of a person who wronged them?

“Yeah, wronged you. That has caused you trouble before, probably not on purpose and, even though they probably don’t have any reason or intention to create more troubles for you, there is a lingering part of you that believes that, when moving forward, you are sure you’ll be ticked at them soon.”

“Oookay…” Gwen answered.

“Yeah, so you know that being around that person might lead you to trouble and the two people involved are already flustered at each other. And that is not mentioning how certain unsavory parties are coming into the mix. How would you deal with them?”

Does Caro know about Vic being at Whateley or is something else going on? Oh, this is about Sofia, should have figured.

Caro chatting with Gwen about the mess with Sofia, doesn't really want to curse Sofia but feels she can't tell the house mother, talking with Sofia has failed, how to fix this.

She showed Gwen her writing book and flipped over the pages and pages of ink blots and scribbles around. “I have spells here that make no sense yet I write them for the fun of the absurd or to get parts for other spells.”

Nice way to get some creative writing in as well. Eep, Caro, do not listen to Grimma about those spells, turning girls into mice and such things is bad.

Gwen having to hide her changeling status from Caro by saying she bite her tongue, the lengths you have to go to keep a secret, or did she actually bite her tongue? Telling the tale of what happened with Vic without naming names, and Gwen is still bitter she didn't do more to bring Vic back home, she needs to learn to forgive, herself and Vic.

“You shouldn’t hurt yourself thinking like that. I’m sorry to say this, but your friend made his choice. The wrong choice, but you don’t have to blame yourself for that.”

Please, listen to Caro about this, I've had to learn this lesson myself several times with friends in the past, you can't force someone to do something they don't want to.

Now I want to know how things ended between Caro and Tina over the summer, darn curious mind!

“I just found out he’s here. Haven’t even spoken to him. Besides, I have the feeling he has as much intention to continue our little discussion as I do. As long as we both steer away from each other, it will be a non-problem.”

*hits head into wall* Gwen really needed this chat with Caro on this matter, a sensible friend not so close to the issue who can reason with her. Interesting bunch of tools for spellcasting Caro uses.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 - 6:20 pm
Somewhere around the woods at Whateley

Heh, a student who is aware of at least some of how costly running Whateley Academy is, a rarity. I hope someone on the staff talks to Vic soon to ease his fear of this matter. Fear of speaking with his dad, of explaining all that has happened, both Gwen and him are living with fear and I hate seeing that happen to anyone.

The forest around Whateley, just hope he avoids the Grove. Relaxing at the lake, it may be a cliche but it works. Vic, you have to learn how to swim and soon. Goggles on him for over a year and barely used, a travesty! Ouch, a reminder of Ollie and how things used to be pre-mutation, no wonder he avoids using them.

There must’ve been a decent amount, near to the maximum limit that the testing examiners assumed he had, yet... Yet he felt, with an energy surge from deep within him, that this was barely an issue. Were the testing-dudes' measurements wrong or was he mis-measuring his own strength?

Wouldn't be the first time the testers' measurements were inaccurate. Nice to see Vic getting better control of his power. Avatar, the Last Airbender as inspiration from the Waterbenders, great source. And a water serpent, if he gets better control over that it will be very handy in a fight.

Walking on water, even slowly, now that is some progress. Okay, water gliding, still good progress in control. Fear of potential monster fish in the lake because it is Whateley. Vic, kids go swimming in that lake, use logic to beat this fear. Oh crap, that far out, not able to swim, and losing control over the water around him, I hope someone followed Vic.

The memory of the inner steel sides rocking themselves, the emergency red light that intermittently dyed the walls and containers into a bloody red as things were thrashed down and about, the blaring alarm that signaled all too late that there was a breach in the hull... There were objects hard to make out or distinguish floating in the water, objects he hoped to soon forget, and then there were large blocks of steel, hard-trenched sheets of metal that rumbled about, and it would be only a matter of time before one of them would fall on him like a truck… And one did.

This kind of trauma and memories would keep me off boats for a long, long time.

Okay, his losing control over his power when afraid is much, much worse than first expected. Whoa. Making all that water just to as still as ice like that, he needs to be tested again. Hhm, why is that cat sniffing through Vic's belongings? Could that be Ms. Grimes cat or is it another cat, or possibly a student?

But he could, very clearly, see how the rest of the animal’s body was misted out. There was an outline of the body in the form of rippling air and trails of smoke, but at the same time he could see the bushes and trees through it. At the connecting point, where the neck would be, there was just some sort of obfuscating movement that got in the way.

Okay, what in the world is that? A point on the middle of its head glowing, can turn invisible at will, possibly some faerie creature?

Oh crap! Broken concentration and Vic falls into the water. Vic's panic seems to be making things worse, paddling but not hitting the bottom. Nice way to slingshot himself out of the lake, hope the landing didn't injury him too badly. Bruising, if that is all you got out of this consider yourself lucky, Vic. Clothes dry, but dirty, and the strange cat-like creature is gone, wonder if anyone else has seen such a creature near the lake. And thoughts of the trip tomorrow picking up Vic's spirit already, he bounces back quick.

Somewhere else

Hhm, strange little creature sneaking around Whateley for at least a little while now unseen, its ability to move like a bunch of smoke is intriguing. It tried to bat at the tablet, knowing what it is, for answers. Who or what is this creature?

Shock and fear reminded it of the strange new world the door suddenly led it to. Its body stiffened and it disappeared into the shadows, becoming translucent dark mist from ear to paw as it scampered back.

A door led it to this strange new world, could this door also be how Carson and the others disappeared? Donut calling out for Cookie.

Memories of the so-called training it had undergone brought the idea of a dog… but this one was quite larger than those that appeared in the images… and it had two heads resting atop its shoulders.

Is this a scout from another dimension sent here to learn about Earth? Aww, Cookie just wants to play, no need to run off, little creature.

Sunday, some time before dawn.
Outside Whitman

Giselle Phillips, awake and on track due to a favor she owes someone. Why is she sneaking into Whitman and heading towards the common room? Caroline Hersberg resting by a reclining chair, Caro must have stayed up late finishing up her glamour spell. All this to get the last bottle of shine which Sofia borrowed from Crossby, full clearance mode, so that means they're worried the staff will find them with the contraband.

So that is how they have kept the alcohol so well hidden, clever. When Giselle partially-lectures you about getting wasted you have a problem, Sofia. RA and house parent check-in, yet still couldn't prove anything, they need better detection methods. And they can disintegrate and use a powder to reintegrate any destroyed bottles, great, sneaky little creeps.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 5:36 am
Twain room 217

Vic having to do late-night laundry, at least he has Daniel Diggins to help guide him on the process. Forcing himself out of bed out of habit despite being tired, now that is dedication. Vic, it is okay to give yourself a break every once in a while, otherwise you will get stuck in a rut and start resenting the routine.

“Hey Tir, are you there?” Vic half-joked as he dressed himself in the darkness. Obviously, Tobias personal spirit, the Leannan-Sidhe, was only heard by or talked to him. Which was funny, as Vic could easily have assumed Toby was making her up so that Vic wouldn’t pull any pranks, jokes or lewd activities in the room. That was what he'd imagined when they first met, before they at least got to know each other well enough to be friends.

Okay, my curiosity is piqued. How did Tobias get a Leannan-Sidhe as a personal spirit? *facepalms* Touch the tiny monolith and be able to see Tir already, Vic.

“She says she wasn’t watching… that even spirits like to sleep…” Toby groaned as he buried his head in the pillow, “Okay, okay. Meditate. Even spirits like to meditate.”

Good to know.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - sometime before 6:00 am
Whitman Common room

Whoa, don't use that rhyme for a spell, the price will be very steep if you don't set some kind of limit. Poor Caro having to sleep out there in such an uncomfortable position. Premium cleaning, at least when you get it back it should be in good shape. An inflatable mattress, I remember those things, even without horns they are a pain to sleep on.

All this just to get a little sleep, almost like fate is conspiring against her. Faollass has a cute look. Madcat and Meow Mix already laughing again, Gigi trading pictures or something with Petshop, please let it be just pictures. Shisa at least pays attention when asked about the time and shows concern for Caro, Mrs. Savage had to lie about the mattress to keep the peace I bet. Mrs. Savage visiting family in New Hampshire, how nice to have family that close.

Huh, Sofia didn't sneak out to the party but still looks like this in the morning, something is up. Horns and scales on her back, what, is Grimma trying to make Caro more like a dragon? Caro has a point, just imagine virtually any known superhero or villain on a drunken bender. Please don't let the two marked envelopes have been stolen by someone. D'oh! The envelope is ruined, no time to prepare another or is there.

Crap! Those few drops of devisor alcohol of Crossby's that were spilled was all it took to ruin the envelope. Caro is upset and Sofia is being unsympathetic again, storming out to see her "friends" over at Emerson rather than help fix this mess. Sofia not listening, Caro getting more upset until she finally uses the curse she devised to put Sofia to sleep. Uh oh, that much energy taken out of Caro by casting it, it is going to be much stronger than she anticipated, isn't it?

Meanwhile

Tanya sprinting up to greet Chris, all those pins spelling out her levels of geekiness, I wonder what the pins are. Chris feeling underdressed compared to Tanya, aww. Josephine pulled an all-nighter in the art room, I guess when the muse hits you can't sleep. Tanya knows about the trouble between Caro and Sofia, but not about the curse Caro cast.

Sofia is refusing to take responsibility for her actions and their consequences, brushing off Caro, so Caro finally grabs her by the wrist to make her stay and listen. Chris hearing why Caro is upset with Sofia and not letting her leave is understandably staying out of it. Caro telling her to just go without her while being visibly upset, this situation is going to explode if Sofia says the wrong thing. This whole mess, all because Sofia can't admit she is an alcoholic. And I don't care what your appearance or powers are, Chris' response about Caro is just wrong, you can be a hero no matter what.

Back at the Whitman Common room

Oh crud, please don't let Ratel show up. Now Sofia apologizes, it took bringing Caro to tears for an apology, good grief.

“Believe me, after this, I need something to numb myself.”

This whole mess has been building up for a long time, Sofia needs to learn you can't just numb bad feelings away. Sofia saying Caro isn't blameless in this because she knocked the envelope onto the floor from the top of the desk in her half-sleeping state when she left the room, ugh.

“Again, what else can I do? Or is it just because you can’t do anything I’m supposed to stay back and grovel for forgiveness? No fastidies.”

Over the line, Sofia. Situation escalating, of course, Ratel shows up right now. *eyes bug out* The small brass bell is the trigger for the curse, don't do it, Caro! It sends Sofia to sleep, Caro realizes what she did, and turns to explain to the other girls, but Faollass, Meow Mix, Shisa, everyone in the room asleep. I knew she made that curse too strong without enough parameters to limit it.

“Oh, curses…”

And this is why you always make sure every possible detail for a curse is worked out for casting it.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 8:02 am<
Art Room

Vic an artist with an interest in drawing, glad he has a teacher like Imp who will encourage him. A steel sculpture was done by hand, only at Whateley could you see such a piece. Tanya with him, no well versed in the arts, while Erica was taught art history by her Oma, nice.

The piece Vic is checking out is very intriguing, curious what it is myself. An entire class on a tour of the Louvre, please say we will get to read this incident sometime. Imp listening in on all their praise only to reveal herself now, classic Imp.

“Don’t tell me you’re here to join the art club? We're always on the lookout for new members. Though you will need to pass whatever creative initiation I shall make up after my usual dosage of Internet and cookies.”

No scaring off potential art club members, Imp. I think Imp could still be teaching in 2046 and still have her Impish charm and nature intact.

Oh, they came looking for Josephine Moore. It seems Imp has kept some of the works of her students and even pieces of them to remember them by. How can Josephine sleep like that? And I love how Imp goes about clean-up. Josephine is Imp's apprentice and a workaholic from the sounds of it, yikes. That many paintings a month that sell, most impressive.

Jo wakes up and not even a crick in her neck from sleeping like that, I envy her being able to do that. 4 in the morning and says she had enough sleep at a little past eight, is she fueled by coffee and paint fumes? Now, these are the kinds of paintings I would love to see more of. So many things that can go into a painting.

“Drone piloting classes are mandatory after the first month. We guarantee that you end up flying these puppies like a pro. Can even have you certified as a professional pilot if you pass a test.”

So that is how they can have works up so high, cool. The art club has a credit card, very nice, I was wondering how they covered the expense for all those supplies. Sunday morning cartoons, ah, Imp, I hope you never fully grow up.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 8:46 am<
Road to the parking lot

Chris on the phone with Caro, finding out what happened to her spell and how Zoo messed everything up, I hope things turn around for Caro. Gwen has great fashion sense, very nice outfit. Oh, her sister picked out that particular outfit, heh. Josephine's car is the kind I like, no flashy, reliable, built for safety over speed. Tanya, Erica, and Vic helping Jo clean out her car so they can get underway. Crud, the first time Gwen and Vic have been this close since coming to Whateley. Ouch, leaving a mess like that alone for a week, no wonder the van was so messy.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 8:31 am<
Whitman, Main hall.

Crud, Caro needs help to reverse this spell, the discomfort on their faces might be a clue they are all having bad dreams because of the spell. All those what-ifs, Caro needs to stop worrying about being caught and get help to fix this mess, trying to fix it on her own will only lead to more trouble in the end.

At you who share sojourn with Me.

I think this is the part of the spell that screwed it all up, that could be interpreted as everyone in Whitman.

Putting each of them back in their beds, Caro, that trick rarely works as something overlooked is noted and they realize what happened anyway. Trying to cover it up from those outside the cottage now, Caro, listen to your common sense, please. Just what are you planning on doing to break the curse, Caro? So worried about those cursed figuring out she is behind it she is leaving them sleeping, for the time being, Caro, I know you are in a panic spiral, but you need to do the right thing.

Debating on waking Sofia up or not, Caro thinks she will have to rely on school staff. There is no way out of this she doesn't get in trouble, best to bite the bullet and get it over with already. *facepalms* Thinking they would punish her that severely for underestimating her own spell, I think Caro has a little bit of paranoia. Afraid of how the Capes will react, good grief, at this rate she is going to talk herself out of going to anyone for help.

Leslie York aka Faollass, ouch, only Sisha got hit worse it seems for severe GSD. What the? Why didn't the plucking of the single violin string break the curse? Not even working on other girls, no way. Wait, that final line of the curse, she has to be boys to kiss each girl to wake them up, doesn't she? So she knows about the second clause to break the curse but feels it would be wrong to do so, at this rate she might have to.

Ah, so that is why there were oddly placed capital letters, clever.

“I’m exempt from both the spell and the exit clause? Is that how it interpreted the words?”

Double crud, now she needs someone not affected by the spell to break the spell. And Chris calls right then, Caro lying by omission, Chris trying to convince her to find another way to go, aww. And she calls up Leslie Wainwright aka Ping for help, let's see how this goes.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 9:34 am<
Road to Berlin

Vic turning to the right to see Gwen in the middle of the backseat, who is acting like she is ignoring him, this isn't going well. All those visual cues that Vic notices indicate she can't ignore him, the pain of what happened in the past still fresh on her mind. Seated right next to her, eep, should have insisted on different seating. Vic thinking how to explain the money, the Syndicate sponsorship that got him into Whateley, rock and a hard place here.

Erica getting Vic's attention, she got the front passenger seat, nice. Josephine is curious about the limits of what Vic's power can affect.

“Because, I figured that ability would allow you to make a quick buck at abstract expressionism painting. Splash your emotion all over the canvas.”

Don't do that literally unless you wish to visit security. Painting with watercolor using his power, now that could make for some interesting pieces. Christina teasing Vic like that, only worrying about Gwen keeping him from thinking about being around so many girls.

Mention of going shopping, and Gwen has to bring up getting money from a parent, they left things on a very bad note but don't need to keep it that way. A contest in a skate park in Berlin figures Chris would like to show off even if she can't participate.

Chris let the confusion simmer for a bit before she began her explanation. “You know how rom-coms have this usual trope? There's a couple and they're real serious, but one of them -- as an example, let's say the girl -- starts hanging out with her friend Jenkins. The girl says Jenkins is fun, Jenkins is so smart, and Jenkins is so sexy.

“The man of the couple can’t help but notice and get irked by it. What would the guy think, Vic?” Chris asked the only guy of the group, who looked surprised by the pop question.

“Um… The guy of the couple. He would think she’s cheating on him?”

“Bingo!” Chris smiled. “It’s the classic set up for a joke. Then it turns out, Jenkins is a girl, and a cool one at that. Suddenly everyone involved feels suddenly silly, with one exception.”

“And that is our Jenkins here...” Gwen grumbled answering the pat on the shoulder. The other girl just smiled broadly, though there was a sort of underlying shyness that elicited a couple of chuckles.

“Is that why you call yourself Chris?” Tanya said, in a mixture of disbelief, admiration and amusement. “To be the unaffected punchline?”

“Yeah. But really, I don’t mind. My, um, my friends at school called me Chris ever since I was little, so it became the norm,” the alleged Chris quickly added with a shrug.

Nice cover story, is she is a changeling, I forget if that was revealed or not.

Bwahaha, she almost got a guy to flip out last year with that bit, priceless. Hehe, Jo thinking about doing this, Erica not really wanting to, and poor Gwen having to give an answer like that to keep her secret. At least the subject of conversations has split off, hopefully, the rest of the trip will be less awkward. Tanya and Chris both superhero fangirls, who would have guessed.

The silence between Gwen and Vic, you could slice it with a sword at this point. Vic trying to establish a mental link, to have a telepathic conversation with Gwen, but she wants nothing to do with it, she wants to pretend they didn't meet today, that they don't even know each other, yikes. Downtown Berlin sure is an active place, that mall seems like it is a good place to have fun and get lost in.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 9:01 am<<
Whitman, Main hall.

Having to lie to so many people to keep this mess covered up, Caro is going to wish she had told Mrs. Savage about Sofia's sneaking out and drinking sooner rather than later at this rate. What is Mr. Kim doing there so early in the morning? Calls Mrs. Savage by her first name, Trish, things just got more complicated. Ah, so that is why he is there, exchanging tips and notes with Mrs. Savage while chatting. Mrs. Savage agreed to help him on a project, Caro says she will be out all morning, almost slipped up there.

Getting Mr. Kim to look at the spell, saying it was a minor prank for a friend, but she wasn't going to cast it, oh boy.

“Let’s see… I see you’re still using the encoded clause trick you tend to use… Though the rhyming scheme is erratic and lacks coordination. First line, you could have substituted 'rest' for 'peace' and gotten an assonance with 'exit.' Hm...” He gave Caro a disappointed look followed by a small smirk.

Nice critiques on the spell, he is a good English teacher.

“Well… yes and no. You see, sojourn, while it might be used to refer to a unit of an impermanent stay, like a room... The word goes back to the middle ages in France, where it was used by traveling merchants and nobles to refer to locations that could range from a modest house to a summer home. Using it instead of room, while valid, leads to a gross simplification of the word.”

This is probably why it affected the whole cottage.

"The same exact lines, in fact. See, for the first half of this couplet, you end with the word 'thee,' indicating your target, yes? And the next line down, you have the word 'you.' Now, I know and you know that the second person pronoun can be singular or plural in modern English, but with the first line you've set the syntax to Early Modern English, where there remains a distinction between singular and plural in the second person. To whit, you have potentially widened your spell's targeting clause to more than just the one person you intended."

Crap, such an easy mistake to make due to differences in Modern and Early Modern English, yet such a huge effect.

Aww, Ping didn't even want to leave her room today, I hope you appreciate having a friend willing to help like this, Caro. Ping excited how Caro pulled off such a powerful spell, even poking Sofia's cheek repeatedly. Ping only now realizing what she has gotten herself into, moving everyone except for Faollass and Sisha to their dorm room beds.

“The funny thing about dreams,” Caro said between gasps as she tried to keep her grip around Sofia. “You never know when they start and when they end. You only know you’re awake when you open your eyes and find yourself in the same place you were last night… At least, I’m banking on that.”

Caro, someone is going to figure out what happened, Sofia probably.

Penny like that, hard to resist not taking a picture. Tanya and Chris were there when the spat with Sofia was happening, they didn't get hit by the spell. Wait, curse traces, don't tell me Tanya and Chris could be walking around with traces of the curse just ready to go off at any moment? The chime of a brass bell, in Berlin, uh oh.

“You better not be tempting fate,” Leslie grumbled.

Too late. At least Sofia is back in their dorm room, what a mess though.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 9:52 am<
Berlin’s 103 Mall Parking lot.

Don't cause any trouble, the odds of trouble not coming to them are very high unfortunately for Jo. 3 hours in Berlin, plenty of time to do things. Chris dragging Gwen to the skate park, leaving Erica, Vic, and Tanya to go window shopping.

The complex of buildings and covered thoroughfares was really big, for all intents and purposes about twice the height of a school cottage and about twenty times the width. The main entrance was through an arch of glass doors that showed the three point intersection of a wide corridor that felt it could take anywhere, twisting around store after store with people traversing it like gondolas down a canal.

This place is huge, I hope they have maps available.

Oh good, a map. 2 city blocks and over fifty stores! Aww, Vic not having any topics to chat about. Tanya calling Gwen very candid, wonder what she was avoiding saying? Erica teasing Tanya about Gwen possibly liking her, Gwen has a boyfriend.

Of course, Erica was teasing, but Tanya didn’t seem to take it as such. “N-No, she wouldn’t do that. I mean, she has a boyfriend. Girls don’t just cheat, right?”

Methinks she doth protest too much.

With flight, super-strength, and energy projection, Gwen got a lot of power. What is Erica talking to Tanya about? Don't tell me, splitting up so Tanya and Vic can have some time alone. Wait, Vic is taking the left, and Erica and Tanya are taking the middle path, just what is Erica up to? Wait, don't tell me, a lingerie store. So Vic has to call Erica if something comes up, hhm, plotting going on.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 9:54 am<
Berlin, Outside the restaurant "Chifa".

Who is this Asian woman and why does she have documents from extortion for protection fees on her? And afraid of doing something that might upset the mob, this lady is in a rough spot.

“According to the other businesses, the man in charge of that signature is no longer working for the D gang, but his word, which was the boss’s, still holds true. If you show that to them, they will have to accept it. Also, from what I gather, they seem to keep a sloppy record of accounts. Many of their men just pocket the money with no way of separating it. At worst, they’ll chalk it up to a text error. I did make some of the numbers look a tad ambiguous while keeping it convincing.”

That is a sloppy gang. And from the sounds of it the kind of scum who need to be taken down hard for ruining hard-working people.

And they send someone like this out to collect documents that prove the "protection" money has been paid, beyond sloppy. All that happened over less than a few minutes, but man was that tense. Unfortunately, Iggy, the forger, is identified and has to run for it. And the poor restaurant owner's documents are torn up from the sound of it.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 10:01 am<
Dodge-a-Rama Skate Park.

All that in the eastern side of the large park, huh. This park sounds like fun. Hehe, Chris acting so masculine and Gwen dressed up and standing out at the skate park. Get the contest prize, Chris, listen to Gwen. Oh boy, with her powers and devil-may-care attitude she is going to slip up and reveal she is a mutant. Even without her mutant powers, Chris is pro-skater material.

Ugh, figures some of the guys would do that at Chris, just have to drag her down by sexualizing her. Gwen smiling and checking out billboards, flights to Karedonia and Anima Island, latter sounds like a fun vacation spot.

“Keeping our parks clean and our neighborhoods safe. Vote Crossby…”

Why do I get an ominous feeling from reading that?

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 10:10 am<
Berlin’s 103 Mall, North West Exit

A man running from 3 other people chasing him, just what is going on? Ah, Iggy on the run still and keeping ahead from his pursuers so far. Taking risks like this Iggy was bound to be hit by a car sooner or later, even if it is just the side mirror that has to hurt. Ouch, blade pressed to his spine, how will Iggy get out of this mess? Great, keeping an eye out for police or anyone recording them, there goes that possible escape.

And they plan to make an example out of him, not even calling their boss to find out what he would want them to do. Beating him like that, a bunch of cowards. At least the headman is smart about not offing Iggy, Iggy trying to convince them not to tie him up and leave him in the forest despite all the pain he is in. No possible escape, rats. Oh crap, dump him with the police after framing him for murder by forcing him to touch the murder weapon, this group is pure scum.

Cuffed with plastic cuffs to a fire escape ladder for the police to find, the knife nearby with his fingerprints, just great. And they called the police, 7 years and Iggy is going down because of a bunch of thugs who think they are like the real mob. And the creeps waiting around just to make sure the police get him, sadistic.

Figures Vic knows Iggy, showing up right now and wondering what Iggy is doing here, Iggy wondering the same about Vic. Vic having to work with water that nasty, urgh. 5 seconds to open a paddock lock with water that nasty, Vic is good. Vic freeing Iggy, but they aren't out of the woods yet. Dang, a big cliffhanger to leave it on, can't wait for the next part to see how they get out of this mess.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 10:50 am
Back alley behind Yang's Antiques, Berlin

Iggy telling Vic to hurry up, possibly calling attention to them and making Vic's job harder. Iggy needs to stop jumping around, get over having dirty water touch him, and realize if he doesn't calm down Vic can't help him escape. Great, Iggy noise and the police in the area has one of the goons looking back, Vic needs to make a decision fast. Finally! Vic took command and got Iggy free even if Iggy didn't like the dirty water touching him.

Thrown garbage can slow their pursuers, through the gate, but that barely slows the big goon. Thankfully Vic, using his water coated hand, shoves a dumpster right at the goon, blocking a bullet and hopefully that path to them. Iggy remembers to thank Vic, but they still have to keep alert for the goons. *sigh* Iggy only has an apartment and doesn't wish to risk all his stuff, ajar manhole cover as fake tracks to throw off pursuit, smart.

Italian cafe to wait out until this blows up, bathroom to clean up, and now they wait. Vic lamenting why this had to happen, an hour since he split with Erica and Tanya, dang, this trip went down the tubes fast. Iggy's plan sounds simple, and also full of potential fail points, like what if the goons don't fall from the manhole ruse?

Dang, this cafe has top-notch cupcakes. Urresti's gang and Iggy thought Vic died with the rest of them, yikes. All those men out searching for them and run right past the cafe without even a single glance inside, can't say they are the smartest goons. A Syndicate job gone wrong, Urresti' got himself and his whole gang in way over their heads. Vic doesn't have time, nor wants to reveal secrets he isn't supposed to, to tell the tale of how he got into Whateley Academy to Iggy.

I can’t stand out? No matter how hard I study I can’t get a perfect score? No matter how much I train and I sacrifice, I can’t even beat a single martial arts sparring match? All of those were perceived problems he'd had before, problems he’d ranted to his stepsister, Ronnie, back during their talks… But now that he had someone actually asking, while in the middle of being chased by what looked like some sort of gang, it didn’t feel like the most pressing of matters.

Now let's hope he takes this attitude back to school with him and learns to relax a little more. The full tale of how Iggy got into this mess is for another time for Vic, time to get back to the mall!

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 10:51 am
Whitman, Main hall.

Caro and Leslie still carrying girls to their rooms, carrying Ekene Banister aka Ophidian, over 200 lbs. yet a slim figure, it is her green mambas growing from her scalp that are the problem. I'm with Leslie, freaking out and worried one of them could wake up at any moment no matter what Caro said. Ah, so this was the last girl to get back to their dorm room, good.

No answer from Chris and Tanya so far, no brass bell to break the spell yet.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a cartoon with a witch or sorcerer… but the base lesson is always something along the lines of ‘don’t use magic to solve your problems’.”

Leslie has a very good point, sometimes children's cartoons have important lessons hidden in them. I understand Caro's frustration, all the stress over the past couple of days hitting a head, but she should have gone to the dorm mother about it first.

“But what if it’d been Chris or Gwen who accidentally ruined your spell? Would you have flown off the handle like you did?” Leslie inquired, scratching the back of Faollass' ear just to see it flick. While time was at the essence, it was a warranted break.

“I probably wouldn’t have,” Caro admitted. “I know what you mean. I should’ve thought differently when it all happened. Taken a deep breath and considered everything.”

An old saying, but a good one. Hindsight is 20/20.

Ack, adding Caro to Poe the chaos levels might equal or exceed full Kimba levels. Hard lessons are often the ones that take learning time and again before they fully sink it, no matter how much we hate having to learn them each time. Leslie noted a detail overlooked, someone else was in the room, the girl who destroyed the evidence of the alcohol and ruined Caro's spell while she was at it. Those short heels she wore are going to be her downfall. Oh boy, I hope Leslie's idea to record the sound and broadcast it on all the Whitman girls' phones to break the spell doesn't backfire.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 11:25 am
Cafe La Romana, outside

While making their way towards the mall, Iggy tells the tale of how he got into this mess to Vic. A businessman and cook, an old buddy from high school, is who got Iggy into doing these kinds of jobs, good grief. Business partner, start up own cafe, it isn't that simple, it never is. Back down that same alley, Iggy, backtracking your route is an old trick, best hope those goons don't know it or you could be walking them into a trap.

Great, his honest job was giving him enough to support his part of the business, he just had to push his luck. Iggy's research found out about the gang in this part of Berlin, old protection racket stuff on local businesses, and 'D', their leader, has some control over the police. Break into a public laundry to take a break before finishing their trip to the mall. 'D' is a career criminal, his crews pulling off some daring bank heists, yikes.

His friend already rented the place, always research an area before renting a place, especially in a big city. Iggy tried to play the system, offer his services as a forger to leave the cafe out of their business, stupid idea alert, warning! At least Iggy realizes it was stupid to go to them, Iggy and Vic have had their share of troubles lately. Smart enough 'D' and his crew don't know about his place, nor his friend's cafe, good. Western fringes of town, I wonder who could run things up there that make 'D' and his crews leave it alone.

Didn't need him, so tries to 'cheat the system', *Charlie Brown arrgggh*. Papers for payment exemption and he was going to forge those, not smart, they might have someone working for them who keeps the books and will realize something isn't right. And they had better not have harmed Mrs. Ying, anyone she cares for, or her business.

Iggy says it isn't about the money at least referring to the 'tax', he came from a low-income family.

“That is my goal and focus. To get myself a lot of money and live the good life. Have a tranquil place and job where I can do what I want and with no one bossing me around.”

Iggy, a little naive with this goal, there is always someone to boss you around even if you work for yourself. Heh, the way Iggy describes his plan, the comment that Vic holds back from saying, it is irritating to Vic because it describes his plan at Whateley, a desperate plan to get ahead and all he is doing is burning himself out. Now if only he would realize this.

“That’s not what I mean… You said you’ve been here a week and you've already picked a fight with the local mafia? You should’ve been more careful and, and at least let some time pass, focus on other stuff...” Vic felt close to finally piecing together the personal epiphany when his phone buzzed.

Darn it! That second sentence, the key to Vic figuring something out and a phone call he has been expecting screws it up. Text from Erica, Tanya and her waiting in the mall's side park for him, hope he doesn't get delayed again by the goons show up. 'D' stands for Decaf and 5 of the goons have spotted them, Vic needs to call in the calvary.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 11:35 am
Dodge-A-Rama Skate Park.

Gwen bored at the skate park, participants doing variations of the same five tricks, I would be playing games on my phone by this point. Aww, no games on her phones, doesn't care for social media, and stuck here worrying Chris will pull something to reveal she has powers. Hehe, figures Chris pulling something like that, showmanship, and can't resist an audience, it seems.

When Gwen lets her mind wander, she really lets her mind wander. I forget if the political candidate and the guy at Emerson are related or not.

At one point it was a bit hard to keep her posture straight, and she found herself slouching over. Not that it mattered since she was among strangers focused on the event, but at school she had been so used to keeping up the appearance of being prim, proper, and most importantly, feminine. Something that her friend had an evident problem at doing, but it got her thinking on the whole topic of identity and if they, and many of their cottagemates, would be able to keep on with the whole ‘fake it till you make it’ part. It didn’t really help them make friends with people like the Amazons who were almost too close to outing Poe’s secret. And then there was Pat in the freshman wing, who simply didn't seem to care...

Being a changeling at Whateley, the staff needs to work more on it not needing to be a secret anymore.

Thinking about Vic, how he got into Whateley, if doing nothing is the right thing, *sigh* And now feeling like the bad guy for not letting Vic chat with her when she had the chance. Then the other side of the whole Vic situation, including her boyfriend Dereck wanting to hunt down the guy who broke her arm, seesh.

Caro finally gets through to Gwen, yay! Caro finds out Gwen and Chris are awake and okay, though Chris might get throw out of the skate park at the rate she is annoying the judges. Gwen learns the whole cottage has been cursed and chastizes Caro for it. All the things that could happen to Caro if this gets out going through Gwen's mind. So Tanya and Chris might be cursed, if they hear a brass bell there is going to be more trouble.

Now Gwen has to go find Tanya, keep an eye on Chris, and make sure no brass bells go off where they can hear them or the curse may activate. Oh crud, a climbing wall with a line of bells at the top for a victory chime, bad day. Now Gwen has to rush to get Chris as far from the bells as possible, Chris going for a leaping finale of a routine right as Justin gets to the line and pulls to ring the bells, and Gwen catches Chris without revealing she has powers, close one.

Chris fast asleep, just great, the curse did hit her and Tanya, I hope Tanya hasn't heard any brass bells while she wasn't with anyone else.

“Thank goodness you’re alright,” Gwen muttered, already thinking of ways to thank Torero for offering that special FSHA approved workshop on the proper way to catch falling civilians and important yet fragile objects.

This should be a required course for anyone who wishes to be a superhero. And torn skirt and jacket, Gwen is exposed, eep. Gwen is good under pressure to make up a story as to why Chris suddenly went to sleep in mid-jump. Having to make excuses so her potential helpers don't notice anything more, burdens of being a mutant. This is complicated, how to carry Chris, the bags and find Tanya wherever she is? Awkward doesn't begin to cover this, especially that last part. There is a lot of blame to go around for this situation, but Vic has nothing to do with it.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 11:44 am
Berlin’s 103 Mall, Art’s and craft’s store, Toulouse

Josephine getting new tools and materials for her artwork, sounds fun. Games for Dickinson, plain white shirts to work in, and wandering popular small galleries across the shopping zone, awesome mall. A social butterfly when talking to fellow artists about their craft, I can easily see her being like this. "Toulouse", a store that pays attention to customer needs, now that is a rare find. The amount of items Imp is requesting, I'm guessing the reason is a bit of both.

And a place where you shop so much they have "the usual" for you and packaging. An excuse to hang around the showcase, nice. Whoa, now that is a piece I wouldn't want to touch in fear of messing it up. A man admiring the art and here to get some things for his daughter.

The man nodded. “She graduated school last year and… she’s still trying to find her way. Her latest career aspiration is artist.”

Hey, some famous authors, painters, screenwriters, and more didn't find their way until in their 40s, 50s, 60s, or older. No need to rush.

“No… but I’m in my last year of school. I help around the class, selling some paintings.”

“That makes you a professional, sweetie.” The man looked back at the mural. “Was it hard to do this in an hour?” he repeated as if having a hard time believing it.

“Well, I draw a lot, so making this wasn’t that difficult. Practice makes perfect and all.”

Listen to the nice man, you are a professional and very skilled due to a lot of practice.

“You could say I have my way with metaphors," said Josephine. “I look at someone and just come up with an idea.”

“Hm…” the man said with the hints of a smile. “Then what do you see about me?”

All that from looking at him, her ability to do this is amazing. Preston Crosby running for second term as mayor of Berlin, her insights, they are part of her powers, aren't they? And she got a commission to work on, a simple trip to the mall is never simple for most Whateley students but I didn't see this coming. She is going to give him Imp's number, that will be an interesting phone call.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 12:01 am
East of Berlin’s 103 Mall entrance, Laundro’s Laundry service

Iggy may be scared, feeling sick, but putting himself in front of Vic shows he has more guts than he will admit. Great, those two women who were casting suspicious looks at Iggy and Vic slip out, probably ratted them out. Iggy trying to first reason, then bargain with these goons, this isn't going to end well. Iggy, goading the goons on like this, mouthing off to them, you need to learn to let your thoughts process in your head instead of just blurting things out when stressed.

Drop Iggy off at the police station with the knife to frame for murder, suggest ransoming Vic, someone needs to take these creeps down hard. Crud, Iggy says he has no parents so they plan to off Vic. No answer for Vic on if 'D' uses mutants in his crews. Iggy says 'D' doesn't have any mutants working for him, Vic plus active washing machines= bad times ahead for all these goons.

Tries to strike Vic with a pipe only for water around his hand cushions the force. Ouch, washing machine door to the face with that level of force. Vic now has a giant water tentacle, whee. Another guy down and another washing machine open with more water available for Vic, this just keeps getting better. Darn it, goon catches Vic off-guard with a punch that sends him into a hard spin...only for Vic to use the spin to kick the goon's knees, his martial arts training has come a lot further than Vic realized.

Kicking the goon while on the floor, Vic doesn't let up, Tolman would be proud. Using the water on the floor and making it impossible to walk across, his skills with his power has grown as well. Another water tentacle, helping Iggy stand up, then turning the water tentacle into a giant water hand to slam one of the men by the doors into the machines. All that training, Vic thinks because he has trouble with his fellow students in MA, or doesn't seem to be advancing his skill in his power as fast as others he won't stand out. Yet today that training has proven itself to Vic.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 11:46 am
Whitman, Main hall.

All the girls back at Whitman are awake, the peace and quiet over, but Caro can at least meditate. Most girls thinking they overslept, oh boy, if what Caro did comes out...

Day to be over and no real consequences for Caro, now what would you learn from that, my dear? Dreaming of waking up before, asked about the meeting, too many loose strings left. So the curse has been broken, except for Chris and Tanya who we don't know where she is right now. Owing Leslie a great big favor, why do I have a bad feeling about that?

No one suspects foul play, Mrs. Savage out for the day, and the other housemother not around when it happened either, hm. Grimma is back and curious as to why Caro is so low on magic and energy. Grimma took a whirl upon the winds, she wasn't around for this whole mess and just shows up now, why do I suspect she knows more than she is letting on?

“Did you know this would happen?” Caro didn’t even try to ease into the subject within her thoughts.

Grimma’s shadowy self appeared taken back before placing the back of her hand on her forehead and posing piteously. “O! woe is me, for my own apprentice hath lost all confidence in her mistress.”

Oh, she knew alright with that ham acting to deflect.

“The spell was well formulated and, if thou hadst wanted it so, would it have acted as thou desired."

“Are you saying that I did this?” Caro gasped. “That I caused this? That can’t be! But the wording of the spell… and the thoughts in my head when I wrote it down...”

Grimma smiled -- devilishly, Caro imagined. “Remember that which I have told thee? My power alloweth thee to tap into multiple aspects of magic, from the natural to the ethereal and even unto the dark arts, reining them in under the laws of contractual magic. Yet they can be thrown into chaos with but one emotional outburst.”

“What?” Caro blurted out.

“Thou hadst one thought when writing down and infusing the magic to the words… but at such time as thou madest the magic a reality, thine intent upon that moment didst seep through, tearing down the limits of thy fabrication.”

So, the curse would have worked as intended if Caro hadn't cast it in a fit of emotional turmoil. All that mess in her past, all those recent sources of stress, drama seems drawn to Caro.

“Friendships denied, achievements failed, insistent friends -- but hardest of all are the friendships that had been turned against you, made your life harder. Even if they compare nothing to the pains and anguishes of yore, they feel true to you.”

All that happening, it's no wonder she finally snapped and did something.

Shisa requests, to get her a human form again, from the sounds of it Caro has been working hard to the point of burnout almost for the ritual and conditions to make the spell that will allow this to happen work. Caro, frustration, even anger with friends over them asking too much of you is okay, it is how you respond to it that matters.

A lack of sleep, fatigue, stress, not to mention the poor timing and thine lack of the ritualistic practice carried thee to this point.

Magic can be scary, this form of magic is downright terrifying in how all that can twist a spell.

“Admire thy handiwork and claim victory where thou can. Let it be a lesson on the power of emotion and the special aether which maketh thy spirit. Wonderful things can happen were thou to embrace it, but at the same time can they be also terrible. Wish that for the next time thou dost reach, thou shall not drawn overly much.”

Yeah, Grimma is sounding more and more like something related to faerie to me, if not faerie herself. Making stories of legend repeated in this age, um, that can be both good and bad.

Knocks over a lamp back in reality, guess not all movement in her real body was blocked. Catches the lamp and now wide awake, rats. *blinks* Caro wants to chat with Shisa, only for Shisa to leave suddenly, she is more cat-like than she wishes to admit. Ah, Sofia showing up, that will do it. Having to lie about the spell as to why she wasn't on the trip with Chris and Gwen, and Sofia remembers much of what happened, enough she doesn't think the "dream" was a dream.

Sofia is thinking, uh oh. Trying to press Caro for answers about the "dream", seems to drop it after another excuse, even apologizes for all the trouble she caused. Hhm, Sofia not going to Crossby's until the whole mattress situation is fixed, happy to see her taking responsibility.

“Besides,” Sofia continued. “Giselle dropped by last night to tell me that Crossby began his whole lockdown protocol. I have to stay clean for a good couple of days.”

“Giselle was in our room?” Caro gasped.

And now Caro knows who to blame for ruining her glamour spell, oh boy. Baby steps are at least a start, I hope they can keep improving things between them.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 12:20 am
Berlin’s 103 Mall, Crepe shop by intersection

am, shouldn't that be pm? At least we know where Tanya is now, little crepe shop, and afraid to tap the touchscreen to check for messages on the phone. Worried about Vic, if he has left any message or called, and Tanya forgot her charger for her phone. Erica teasing Tanya about Vic, there's a change.

“I know,” Erica chuckled. “It’s just that my cousin is usually the one doing the teasing. I wanted to try to see what it was like, for once. Quite fun.”

Nooo! We've lost another one to the teasing side.

Beautiful for Tanya to be so interested in Vic, and yes Vic likes you, one of you needs to get over your shyness and ask the other out.

Erica let the doubt hang on her face. “I just think you’re focusing too much on where he came from. I haven’t known you for long but I know you’re the virtuous kind. That you would be more than happy to help any person in trouble and I feel like that’s how you see Vic.”

Darn it! Now you put that thought into her head, she will angst if she is really interested in him or not.

He had that earnest personality combined with a geeky attention to detail that made her want to know more about him.

“Do you hang out with him that often? You’ve known him for what? A couple of weeks?” Erica asked cautiously.

“I know… but I want to know more about him. Isn’t that what getting into a relationship means? Just get close enough to learn more of the person?”

“You make it sound like wetwork,” Erica said with a small smile. “You’re not wrong, though.”

Comparing getting into a relationship with wetwork, Erica is very scary sometimes. Darn, is this around the time Erica decided to just stay friends with Donut? Erica got a call from Vic, finding out he is in trouble, and they have to go meet him in the mall's inner parking lot, third basement level, don't tell me the whole gang came after them.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 12:25 pm
Berlin’s 103 Mall, Parking lot, second basement access

Vic knocked down two of the goons an ambush, after today Vic can't say the martial arts training isn't working. Outnumbered and outgunned, having to use surprise attacks and shake-off obstacles, started with 15 pursuing them, down to 7, dang.

Many of them seemed to have caught the hint and were either successfully shaken off or had decided it just wasn’t worth the trouble.

'D' won't be happy with the latter type of goons.

*eyes bug out* One of the 2 men is already up, grabs for Vic's throat only for Vic to block it with his arm, yeowch! Darn it, keeping Vic in place for the other 5 goons to catch up, how to escape? Another goon awake, Vic forces his grappler to sit up and take the kick to the head intended for Vic, way to use them against each other. Endurance marathon to hold out until Erica and Tanya could get there, brutal.

Okay, very good reasons for Vic not to have brought the water from the laundromat with him. Iggy is in rough shape, especially after tripping down those last few steps. Threatening to cut off Vic's legs after the boss is done with him, these goons need to be taken down permanently.

He needed to be in a more stable place, physically and mentally. That was one of the lessons from Sensei Tolman’s class he’d bothered to practice outside of class, and it certainly felt like it was paying off.

Breath control and meditation techniques, so important in martial arts, glad Vic has taken to practicing this outside of class.

The old "you embarrassed us, so we have to make an example out of you" bs. Daring him to use his powers and one of the thugs flashes Vic his gun, cowards, the lot of them. Vic showing off his skills, so the goons decide to off him, but it is a distraction so his opponent catches him off-guard. Nice kip-up off the guy's chest by Vic. And the cowards at the edge of the "ring" hit Vic while he is dizzy, thugs is right, calling them goons at this point is an insult to Mafia goons.

Want to call the M.C.O on Vic, but the leader of the group says the boss wouldn't like them calling heat down in this part of town. Vic in bad shape, about to get attacked while on the ground, only for Erica and Tanya to show up and disable two of the thugs. Vic got into this from helping an old friend out, by doing the right thing over and over again despite it not being easy.

Thug gets up and tries to punch Tanya hitting her in the check only for her PK field to block it and become visible in the dark lighting of the parking lot. Tanya doesn't think they are allowed to fight, when it is life or death you have the right to fight to defend yourself and others.

“Oh yes I would, muties. No way two little girls can take out the guys in D’s gang." It was the same vocally bigoted thug from moments ago, and his answer was to pull the trigger, filling the basement with echoes of gunfire to a backdrop of sadistic laughter.

Well, this guy is stupid. Firing in a small space with mutants who you don't if they are immune to bullets or not. Tanya and Erica both immune to bullets of this degree. And the leader says to take Iggy and Vic hostage, announcing your intentions in front of the heroes is very stupid. Vic defends himself from the leader, taking him down to the floor and punching him, only to get a kick to the chest. He braces himself, but this brings a complication of its own, a small round bell flying out of Vic's pocket and ringing. Darn it! Now they have to protect Tanya as well. Can't wait until next time, this is such a cliffhanger to leave it on.

About an hour before everything went ape-shit for Vic.
Berlin’s 103 Mall, Pet store, Paw Prince,

Aww, having to leave a pet store with all those adorable critters. Communicate with animals telepathically, many kids dream of being able to talk with the animals, I know I did. Practicing developing telepathic abilities on Cookie, Vic might need someone with a bigger attention span. The strange, cat-like creature, you have to wonder how it ended up in the Whateley Academy area.

Ack! So that is how Vic came to have a small brass bell in his pocket. Drawn to the trouble by the sounds of a car horn blaring, now we know why Vic came to that alley when he was inside the mall, pieces falling into place. Recognizing Iggy, Vic couldn't leave a friend to an unknown fate.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 12:36 pm
Berlin’s 103 Mall, Parking lot, third basement access

Back to the bell ringing and Tanya being put to sleep, Caro is going to have a lot to apologize for when they get back to school. Erica calling out for Tanya, Vic yelling for her to get up, but no response, if they only knew.

Dang, the gunman actually got out of Erica's grip, desperation and more than a little luck I bet. Going to take Tanya hostage, heck no! Iggy steps up, grabbing the creep from behind and giving Vic the opening to knock him down. Vic rushes to protect Tanya, the leader annoyed at this and a threat with that knife. And Vic can't even step back now or he might step on Tanya, this fight keeps getting worse the longer it goes on.

Vic saying they don't want a fight, the leader starting to act like this is too much trouble, Iggy revealing he knows the cameras aren't working right now. The leader acting like he is going to leave with the gang, only to turn around and try to slash Vic with the knife and barely miss. Darn it!

"Just leave? Fuck that noise. Getting arrested by the police or mall security would be better than getting beat up by a fat man and a bunch of teens!” He threw swipe after swipe at the boy.

Too much pride, soon to lead to a fall.

Sensei Tolman's lessons once more proving their worth as Vic dodges attack after attack. Cole of the Syndicate must train a lot of their recruits, scary. Vic, you are facing teens with superhuman powers and abilities in BMA, here you are facing a strong, adult baseline, but nothing compared to many of your fellow students in BMA. Doubt will hold you back, don't doubt yourself so much.

Cole's lessons proving themselves as well now, no more knife for the leader, impressive move by Vic. *eyes bug out* Okay, Vic just pulled out some action movie level stuff, or at least stuff you normally only see in action movies. He is a lot more dangerous than he realizes.

So we finally know the leader's name, Bo, thank you, random thug. Erica took the other two down and broke a gun, if this doesn't tell you to cut your losses and run you are foolish. Finally! They listen to Erica and Vic, after the threat of handing them over to the police, and leave. Ouch, the adrenaline seems to have worn off for Vic and he is feeling all that strain and injuries now.

Finding Tanya is asleep and Erica wondering how it happened, that tiny bell seems to have only been heard by Tanya.

"Oh look, is that a super bargain on extra fluffy pancakes? They’re selling them by the dozen!” Erica baited and waited for a couple more beats. Other than a slight snort, there was no clear hint that it worked, and he couldn’t tell if Erica was just making a joke or actually expecting it to do something.

This curse is really potent to keep Erica from waking up upon being told that. The people who run the security room for the mall paid off by D's gang, great. Ignatius, I will keep calling him Iggy. The thug with the gun is H1, big surprise there, heh. Vic picking up that brass bell before they leave, please say the curse on the cottage can't be retriggered.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 12:10 pm
Berlin’s Central Plaza Park

Gwen still having to lug around Chris and not able to tell the others about the curse yet, this whole day started out so well... At least she found a bench to rest on. Call Caro back and reveal Chris is okay, just asleep. Darn, playing the sound over a cell phone when it isn't clear didn't work, there goes a quick fix. No way to get a single violin string easily, a kiss from a boyborn, and it won't end on its own until sunset. At this rate, Gwen is going to have to kiss Chris, eep.

Gwen has a plan to deal with Chris, worried about Tanya, Caro needs to listen to her counselor more and take their advice. Yup, with Gwen thinking that way she believes a kiss from herself will wake Chris, but it reminds her of who she was and not who she wishes to be, painful for any trans individual. Going in for the kiss...

Dreams, how strange, wonderful, frightening, and so much more they can be.

It would’ve been a good dream if the physical activity hadn't warmed her body in an all-too-real manner.

Oh boy, considering this is what she felt before waking up, right as Gwen would be kissing her, this says a lot. I wish Gwen hadn't needed to do this, a reminder of who and what she once was, painful to see her go through this. Learning Caro accidentally cursed her, and the feeling more had happened than giving Gwen the scare of a lifetime, Chris is more insightful than expected.

Will Chris learn what Gwen did to wake her up, the pain she is going through because of it? Can't reach Tanya and don't know Erica or Vic's phone numbers, good grief. Ah, chaperon has their phone numbers, or at least should. Let's hope no more trouble comes calling while this is all sorted out.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 12:37 pm
Berlin’s 103 Mall, Toulouse Arts and Crafts

Jo showing Preston some of what goes into how she first starts working on a piece of art. Dang, better art lessons than I ever got in school. These are some professional-level art lessons, or at least lessons by someone who actually cares about their student learning. Hhm, Preston's daughter is still finding her way, is art really what she wants to do with her life?

Mall security seems to have 5 of the thugs, is that all of them? Wait, one of the thugs recognizes Preston.

And Preston’s face froze. “Bro…You’re the brother, right?”

Calling him to help, wait a minute, Preston is D's brother! This is why his gang gets away with so much, the mayor is the brother of their leader.

"Don’t worry, I’m sure they were just some punks. Pickpockets, most likely. Probably couldn't steal a car even if it were unlocked.” Impromptu comedy was not one of his strong suits, and whether Josephine laughed because of the charm or from the lameness of it was anyone’s guess. Still, Preston saw it as his out.

The fact Preston wants an out lends more to the theory he is D's brother and trying to avoid anyone from looking any closer into what the thug said. Preston Crossby, brother possible name starting with letter D, and a son at Whateley as noted in Part 2. Gwen asking for the other group's phone number and Jo doesn't think anything is wrong, bwahaha.

Preston sneaking through the mall's backstage to the security office to confront the thugs, I knew it!

And the fewer people saw him fully conscious, the better.

Now this is a new twist, why wouldn't he want people to know he is fully conscious?

"And to think I always made an effort to avoid the busy places, and the one time I ignore that rule, I just happen to run into someone who recognizes me…” he grumbled under his breath as he glanced up to check out a camera.

So he doesn't want to be recognized, hhm. A camera scrambler, now I know he is up to no good beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Most of these thugs are idiots, never draw attention to someone like that. This security guard is arrogant and a rookie, you never learn against the bars to taunt those locked up inside. Bo trying to get the guard to let them go only to be insulted again, this isn't going to end well.

"Do you expect me to keep on fighting? What would I get out of it?”

"I'd expect more sauce from you, less simp. Hah! You need to toughen up if you really want to play the crime game.”

"I just happen to know when I’ve been caught. Unlike my friend here, I, at least, know when to quit.”

"As if… An attitude like that would probably get you parole… but certainly not a null sentence. That's if you were white.” A comment like that would usually be something damning or at least the cause of uproar if it were heard by the wrong person. Even some of the other thugs were yelling in outrage. But to Preston was a sign that his trick was working perfectly.

Okay, even I want to see this security guard get his just desserts. The guard acting like he is drunk, wait, is Preston a mutant with telepathic or ESP power and the ability to mentally influence others? That would have him thrown out of office and into a jail cell if it were known.

What had once been a straight and strong man of the mall law was now a rambling madman yelling incoherently at an imaginary enemy, letting himself carried by his momentum and anger. A punch was thrown that sent the guard off balance, turning into a spin that sent him into the wall under his own power. “Wu… Where did all of you come from? Shix… Six, Sheven…” he blurted out as he tried to recover. The fear might have dulled some of the effects, but in the guard's panic, he missed the stranger walking into the office room.

Yup, some sort of strong mental influence on the guard and enough to get Preston attention from the MCO if found out.

Assaulting the guard, talking to him like that when it was his power that made the guard effectively drunk, Preston seemed so nice with Jo I was fooled completely. They were supposed to stay away from the mall for the next few weeks but because they couldn't let Iggy and Vic go broke the order, they are all in serious trouble. The H1 idiot just has to open his mouth, not realizing Preston is a mutant.

"Humanity rules,” the man added with a laugh.

"I hate this game of us and them,” Preston mumbled, with a roll of his eyes as he stepped up to the moron. “Do you understand what that means? Do you understand who you work for?”

"The best criminal.”

"And do you know who I am?” Preston hissed, already feeling the frustration welling up from the man’s doped up expression. He was not inclined to lift a finger to reverse it.

"His big brother. A good man with power.”

"Yeah. A man with power. I have the power to let my little brother run his crew around the city and the neighboring counties, robbing banks, kidnapping people and doing whatever he does with the business. I don’t care, the only thing I ask is that I don’t get involved in his shit.”

Bo interjected, “Sir… it won’t happen again. We never thought of bringing you in.”

"But you did. And the chatterbox over here called to me.” With a quick lunge, Preston smashed the purist up against the bars, making them rattle. The man was hardly feeling any pain, though. Nothing seemed to be registering with him. “I know his kind. Weasels that will latch on the opportunity. I know he would’ve thrown my name under the bus. And there would go my entire life.”

His little brother is D, and he lets him do this shit, Preston is a monster. Hhm, based on the guard and now this idiot it seems Preston has the power to induce a strong drunken state including euphoria, not sure if he can do anything else. Wait, drunken state, that would explain his son selling alcohol at Whateley in secret.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 1:01 pm
Whitman Cottage, Main hall

Caro worrying about Chris and Tanya, the incident covered up or so it seems.

"I feel like such a villain,” Caro thought to herself with a chuckle. It was the only thing she could think of to soothe whatever anxiety came to her.

No, Caro, turn away from that thinking before it is too late. 8 brand-new mattresses, Mrs. Savage came through. All that and Mrs. Savage doesn't suspect a thing, believing what Caro says, there has to be more fallout from this incident.

The only thing that would have completed this would have been to use magic to ceremoniously burn out the spell that had caused all these trouble… But considering how her mana reserves were still drained and her confidence was shaky, she would content herself to wipe the slate clean later.

Does that mean the curse is still active and can be triggered again, such as by Vic's bell? I should have known it wouldn't be this easy to cover it all up.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 1:07 pm
Berlin’s 103 Mall, A small corner around the stairwell between first and second floor

Good spot to rest and hide in the mall, Vic must have practice finding such places. More like an ironman triathlon with all they did today for Iggy and Vic. Hhm, what did the girls buy while separated from Vic before coming to the rescue, I'm curious now.

Erica upset and annoyed finally demands to know how Vic knows Iggy and how Iggy knows so much about the local "mafia". Introductions, explanations, and figuring out what to do with Tanya, this hasn't even been a full day and seemed like longer to them I bet. Credit card kept in his shoe, good idea by Iggy for where is living. Vic thinking of ways to wake up Tanya when Erica gets a phone call, and it is Gwen. Vic, you have to talk to her sometime.

Erica filling them in on the curse and what has befallen Tanya, pulls the way to lift it. Gwen not wanting Caro to get in trouble for an accident, Vic finally knowing the bell he picked up triggered the curse on Tanya and finding out he has to kiss Tanya to wake her up, hehe.

“I know that you’re not a bad person… despite all the things that happened. But you’re probably the best option at hand.”

Well, this is a relief to read Gwen say. Hung up on and now Vic has a decision to make.

But she had to believe Erica’s words that everything that had happened with Tanya had been ‘safe’. She trusted that Caro had the thing at Whitman under control. And that she could rely on Vic. Even if she disliked her step-brother and wanted to keep him as far away from her as possible… she knew he would do the right thing, regardless of how much of a dark shade their previous meeting cast.

Sometimes all you do is trust others and hope for the best. Simple gray hoodie, at least it is something to cover herself up with, Chris is a good friend. Chris wanting to lie to others about how she was woken up, and being so silent like this, things have gotten awkward.

Oh boy, Chris calling out Gwen on where she knows Vic from before. Gwen, don't lie to Chris, she will find out the truth later and be hurt you lied to her.

No conscious thought went into the gesture, but her hand now rested on her left arm. The one that had been broken prior to arrival at Whateley that semester. And Chris noticed that, her eyes widening and jaw opening as if to say something. It only took one look at her friend’s face for her to relent.

"Please, don't ask anything… for now at least,” Gwen begged.

Gwen needs more time to heal, you can't rush this kind of thing.

Vic lying to Erica about a way to lift the curse on Tanya, the scent of coffee, oh brother. The Sleeping Beauty kiss scenario is not romantic imo.

The last thing he wanted was to take advantage of someone like that. And... he liked Tanya. That was the only reason he wasn't refusing to do it outright, as his feelings pulled in one direction while his morals pulled in the other.

Good boy, Vic. He tries to break the spell by kissing her on the hand, but no dice. Worrying about Erica and Chris coming back soon, he is still debating kissing her on the lips, *sigh*.

A mix of dreams and memories, Tanya is going to be confused a bit. Tanya is awake and Vic is relieved, and she doesn't remember the fight, rats. Mentioning a friend of Gwen's accidentally cursed her and Tanya thinks it is one of Caro's little accidents if she only knew. Tanya going to ask how the curse could be broken when they get back, uh oh. Iggy stopped off to get new clothes and he is leaving the block, the smartest idea he has had all day.

Erica got Jo to give them another 30 minutes, nice. Iggy's area of expertise is tablets, this I have to see. Tanya got something for Vic, headphones, a notebook, and a couple of gift cards, those are nice gifts.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 1:52 pm
Berlin’s 103 Mall Parking lot.

Chris, Gwen, and Jo waiting for everyone else to get back, 8 minutes to go.

It had happened before, enough that she could often see it coming despite her efforts. Inevitably she ended up stressed, worried, and then campus security would give her quite an earful for the tardiness of the entire group.

It is a wonder Jo even chaperone's kids off-campus anymore.

Chris said she was pulling tricks without her powers, Jo notes Gwen's new jacket, meep. Nice cover by Chris, she has had practice. They did a lot of shopping in under 30 minutes, the scarf is a good cover-up for his bruise. * facepalm* Tanya and Chris shouldn't have tried to bring it up covertly in front of Jo at all.

No police, no reporters, no explosions, no problem.

A trip of Whateley students without any of those is a quiet trip.

Vic, you may have come out ahead today, but you need to patch things up with Gwen. All those conversations going on, yet Vic is left in silence. Now that is a high-end tablet, Iggy really does know his stuff. Iggy covering the cost as payment for saving his life, don't argue with the man, Vic. Completely wireless and waterproof headphones, whoa.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 6:34 PM
Whitman Cottage, Room 247

Caro's new mattress is all set up and comfy, finally this issue is over. Sofia passing on getting a new mattress, for now, guess she is worried she will just trash it.

The rest of the afternoon was spent catching up with Gwen and Chris. And apologizing. A lot. It had been… a bit of an uncomfortable talk. Apologies had never come easy to her, and she wasn't getting any better at it with experience.

Ouch, powers, like she has, are the kind that could take years or decades to master, if not longer.

Chris has all that planned, nothing keeps her down. Mr. Duchamp the history teacher, class assignment with a theme of 'revolutions', ooo, sounds fun.

Having mediated as a representative RA, she’d handled complaints of girls that sang off key, talked loudly in conversations, played games at full volume, gotten too enthusiastic with boyfriends on the phone, or even performed experiments of an explosive nature in their dorm room.

I didn't know Caro was an RA. Don't do it, Sofia, don't go to Crossby again.

Glad to see this whole ordeal has helped Caro learn to ask and calmly chat first. Sophia is a good girl, she just gives into vices and temptation out of frustration, happy to see Caro opening up to her and helping her out. I hope it is the start of a change for the better for Sofia.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 7:12 pm
Twain room 217

Vic talking to Ronnie and she knows he got a new rig already, technomancer powers in the modern era must be great to have. Ronnie, keeping pictures and articles from Vic's last couple of adventures to pull up when needed, thinking of making a scrapbook, no way with her around he will ever forget any of it.

Retelling the story with omitted bits, and Vic isn't sure if he and Gwen are back on speaking terms. Confusing topic and awkward situation, hhm, almost sounds like you could title a book about Vic's life for the last couple months that. He spent that little for everything, no wonder Vic feels he has to pay the others back.

Erica had confided to him later on that the notebook was the lavender girl's idea and that she was the one who, in Erica's words, ‘struggled adorably’ to come up with a good gift.

I say Cookie drag these two into a small room and block the door until they stop being so shy around each other.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 7:40 pm
Poe Cottage, Room 236

Gwen telling Chris about what happened with Vic, I hope Chris doesn't try to harm Vic for this. *sigh* Gwen, you can't force others to do what they don't wish to do, and you also shouldn't blame yourself for the choice they make.

"But that’s the thing. I don’t want to. I shouldn’t... cannot go out of my way to try and fix it. He made it clear that it’s his matter to deal with. And the things he said back then, they still hurt.” Gwen's mouth clamped shut at that, and took the rest of the sound in the room with it.

I want to know what Vic said to her, pretty please.

Ping just there to leave her bag, going to hang out in the common room, and without her, Caro would have gotten into a lot of trouble, what kind of favor will Caro owe her now? Gwen's boyfriend picking a fight with one of the Ammy's, what does she see in him? Dereck going after Vic for what happened, I have a feeling he might escalate it to the point of getting expelled unless someone intervenes.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 - 11:58 pm
The Village

Mr. Kim has good taste in the artwork decorating his apartment.

<The spell burst out of control and the entire cottage had fallen asleep,> his hands wrote.

Some time passed as he looked down at the book, with curious interest as he waited. His gaze moved over to the books that lined his shelf. Stories were treasures that evoked the forces of creativity unbounded. Worlds of ink, but real nonetheless.

He returned to where he'd left off, gazing down at the pages. Words had continued: <I made sure to check on her. And kept campus security from looking her way.>

There was another pause, this one just as long as the one before as the pen danced in his fingers.

Spin and spin… it continued for a stanza of heartbeats before locking between index and middle.

<I’ll keep an eye on her.>

And the book was closed.

None of this was Caro's fault, she is the victim of book-based magic being used by Mr. Kim. If Mrs. Carson knew he had been doing this for years she would have done something severe to him for messing with her kids. Now how to stop him before it is too late.

A Few Days later - 5:40 pm
Whateley lakeside

Vic back at the clearing in the woods once more, reflecting on things. His studies are helping his grades, he is getting better in BMA even pushing Bacon out of the circle once, even has ideas on what to ask Sensei Tolman that would help him chart his improvement. Curious and eager to join the art club, nice to see him taking an interest outside of regular studies.

How many of the things happened because of the weekend outing... The tablet made homework easier, for sure, and the unwanted encounters with the thugs had showed him that he wasn’t so useless in a fight. But the biggest thing was that he'd had fun with Tanya and Erica, especially the former. Part of him was really hoping that he'd tripped the right flags and started something.

Yay! Ask her out already. Vic left the bell out on a stump in the clearing and the cat-like creature came to bat at it later, I hope Vic can befriend them.

Seeing Vic's growth over this story was great. To go from stressing out, studying to try and be at the top of the school, and worrying his BMA lessons weren't teaching him anything. To find out he needs to learn how to relax and have fun with friends, that his BMA lessons have taught him a lot more than he thought, and hopefully taking more time to relax and have fun instead of studying all the time. Only time will tell with that last one.

The interactions between Vic and Tanya, adorable, awkward, and sometimes funny. I can't wait until one of them gets up the nerve to ask the other out finally.

So many fun things happened, from Tavi and his antics, Chris and her stunts, Ratel joining in the chase for a rubber mousey, too many to list them all out. The building tension of Caro and Sofia, you could just tell it was going to blow up into something out of control, yet no way I would have predicted it going that far. I'm glad they are on the road to repairing their relationship. The final part revealing that detail of Mr. Kim's involvement I definitely didn't expect, who else has he messed with?

The situation with Sisha, Caro wishing to help her out, I hope it all works out in the end and doesn't end in tragedy for either of them. Grimma seems interesting but also like she can be a source of both good and bad influence for Caro, I hope she doesn't lead her astray.

Sofia interacting with Crossby, finding out about Crossby's father Preston and how he is a mutant as well, plus the brother of D, lots of connections you didn't expect from the early parts of the story weaving together perfectly. Wait a minute, his name is Crossby Williams, why is his father's name Preston Crossby? Something isn't adding up here.

Gwen is still haunted by the fight with Vic, the falling out of former best friends, I just hope after all that has happened it is the first steps toward reconciliation.

Vic's practice with his powers by the lake in the forest, what he was able to accomplish, shows he improving a lot more than he thought. And the cat-like creature is another mystery I eagerly await more answers on. Plus Vic' roommate Tobias and his Leannan-Sidhe Tir.

And the whole trip to Berlin, I knew it would be eventful, but not that much. Shopping, then splitting up, Vic finding Iggy in trouble and rescuing him, chasing, fighting, more chasing and hiding, history revealed of each, Erica and Tanya joining the fight only for Tanya to be taken out by a tiny brass bell Vic took from a pet store, Vic's very impressive showing and refusing to use his powers except for at the laundromat. When Bo finally agreed to leave I couldn't believe it, I thought they we'd seen the last of them as they would be locked up. I never expected the twist of Preston, who Jo met at the art store and running for another term as mayor, was D's big brother and a mutant with some telepathic or ESP power to break them out. I have to wonder what further trouble we will see from D and his crew in the future, along with Preston Crossby.

Back at school, it is nice to see Ronnie again chatting with Vic. All these secrets, some coming out, others revealed to the audience, but unknown to the characters. I can't wait for the next story of Vic and everyone else to see what happens next.