Question Scald-Crow 2: Under Pressure!

Interesting song lyrics to start off with, wonder what it entails.

Chapter 1 - Beginning Rotation

Noon, November 10th, 2007 - Miskatonic Valley, NH

Gráinne has to deal with seeing those kinds of shapes and shadows on the train, no break even on the train ride. And the black-haired, hooded girl in the mirrors, I would be jumpy at this point. And of course, a creep just has to grope her butt, what an a**hole. Nice to have Sophia backing her up. Good lord, PTSD due to the assaults, please let her get counseling and soon. Panic attacks that often, please let the school already know and be prepared to help her, one bad staff member or teacher who thinks she just being "dramatic" could do so much harm.

"Old things left to sleep are waking up again. My own slumber sealed them, and now they sense me as we draw closer to the school."

I don't want to imagine what old things at Whateley might wake up when Morgan arrives. Gráinne, at least she is being honest with you instead of always talking in riddles or lying to your face like some ancient beings do, be thankful for that.

Magic class with Grimes, well Sophia has interesting times ahead just for classes alone.

"Welcome to having witch senses, I see things too, but I'm not dramatic about it," she replied coolly.

We can only hope this is the case for Gráinne. Bwahaha, Morgan didn't think the Miskatonic Valley was real, guess she knows of H.P. Lovecraft's works. Fairies watching her, that could get old fast with them disappearing so fast.

Exemplar 4, she is going to hate powers testing at Whateley. Corinne busy with her phone, Sophia with her book, funny how you can be around people and feel so alone at the same time. Figures Sam Everheart is their contact at Whateley and nice details on how and why Gráinne can tell she was in military service. Now, who in the local tribal government could Corinne be in contact with?

"It's here! The heart of the trees is HERE!" Morgan seemed to sing with rapture at sensing something. Her words drew my gaze back to the trees, and all I could do was wonder.

Is Morgan sensing the Grove or the World Tree sapling, I wonder.

Mid-Afternoon, November 10th, 2007 - Admin Offices, Schuster Hall

Whoa, a new detail about the uniforms, tie color connected to which cottage you are in, black for Poe, cool.

dijon yellow and grey striped tie

Ouch, Whitman cottage tie colors, who decided on those. Sam Everheart as a security escort, at least Gráinne doesn't have to worry about bullies with her around. Aww, red flag day, no fun.

Schuster Hall, 1st day and already has to meet Mrs. Carson, hope no one talks about her because of this. Daoine Tír called that by the Gaels, now there is something interesting. Boy, the first time we've got a description of Hartford like that including calling her a knockout, most are too intimidated or annoyed at her to describe her in such detail.

Room 236, hhm.

"You will be rooming with a Sophmore, Alexis Dunn, codenamed Shipwright, she will be able to explain the details of what's expect at Poe cottage."

A codename like Shipwright, possibly a gadgeteer, sounds like an interesting specialization. Huh, first time someone has reacted to Hartford's way to explaining things like that, good insight too. Ouch, Gráinne thinking of herself like that, hurts to see anyone think they don't deserve choice because of some mistakes, no matter how severe the mistakes were.

Ultra Violent red armband, I hope she earns the right not to wear that eventually.

"Miss O'Callaghan, you must wear this at all times when out of your assigned room. As per your triggers, we will be making sure you have access to at least one student volunteer with rape trauma experience in your Cottage," and I let loose a sigh of relief at that. Yeah, it sounds stereotypical, but having one person I can meet and just not having to relive it all to get them to comprehend my emotional pain was - uplifting.

Good, I hope she gets Kayda. On the verge of a full-blown panic attack and just has to see another shadowy figure, seesh. Envy, why are they bringing Envy in?

Mrs. Carson being Envy's mother's nemesis, Parents Day is going to be interesting. Yikes, Envy can see the shadows moving too. Poor Gráinne, already figured out by Envy after she glances at her. Orientation with Envy, Gráinne might need a cold shower by the time they are done. Learning the secret of Poe and Gráinne says she is a lesbian but learns Envy is trans as well.

"It’s relatively rare when it comes to the overall population, but surprisingly common amongst the trans community. It seems that more of us manifest than the average, and when we do manifest we become our true sex. At Poe, you’ll be part of two sisterhoods, the lesbians and the transgirls. We’re your people.”

Just don't let Jade draw you into Wondercute!

“I have to see a therapist,” she said slowly. “I’m exemplar 4, avatar 3 and wizard 1.”

Oh good, wonder who her therapist will be. And so glad Envy is who is giving Gráinne her orientation, mentioning people will still be her friend even with the UV armband is definitely something important to hear. Crystal Hall is great the first place to visit on campus, wish such a place could exist in our reality.

Learning about The Grove and Fey, no need to fear there, Gráinne. If anything Fey will probably help you with your magic class homework if you ask.

After a moment, Gráinne giggled. “Um, she describes Aunghadhail as a pretty unpleasant person.” She smoothed out her skirt as she shivered, fidgeting. “She says to introduce her as Morgan, Raven of the Centre.”

Raven of the Centre! Okay, Morgan is definitely not someone to get on the bad side of. Gráinne revealing all of this to Envy, she is already opening up to others.

The history of Capes and Villains, an interesting insight into how such things developed in the setting's history. Aww, Envy and Gráinne are so cute just chatting, they would make a cute couple. Envy not wishing to be like her mother, I hope circumstances don't push her in that direction.

"We’ll get you some wards; I can help with that under faculty supervision,” Envy offered off-hand. “But I’m used to having to think about everything, to take every possibility into account, to be paranoid. Yeah, I’m in therapy for good reasons.”

Ouch, that would make having a relationship complicated at least. Envy having to explain all that just to be friends because of her mother's reputation, good grief, her mother needs a talking to.

Evening at Whitman Cottage, Sophia in her dorm room and already has some of her art out. 30 minutes nap and gets a dream message with a Raven saying Prepare repeatedly, trippy. And interesting dormmate, Sophia calling her an anime stereotype, hehe.

"Tamahagane, Jeweled Steel in English," the girl replied before snarking, "And if I'm an Anime Stereotype then you're a total Himedere."

And she is Half-Japanese and Half-Korean, huh. Her father is Steel Demon and in the Syndicate, dang. Haruko Fujiwara, her real name is pretty.

A steel manifestor who has steel tattoos, nice power. Manifestor 4, pretty tough material there.

Fucking hell, I'm in a damn CW drama!

More like a mix of that and CW superhero show.

Chapter 2 - Ring, Ring It’s Recess

Early Morning, November 11th, 2007 - Whateley Campus, NH

Why yell at Lexi about the light above her bed? It is part of Lexi's power or did her roommate turn on the light to wake her up? 3 days and still adjusting to a new timezone, can take weeks to adjust. Hehe, having to adjust to girl clothing, she is at the beginner level for changeling still. And Morgan's response, too perfect.

The memory fo the Dullahan attack, yikes, not something for first thing in the morning.

Alexis Marguerite Dunn was a short girl with just enough curves to be cute.

A Gadgeteer and Underdog, now I want to see what she can do even more. Images and feelings of Morgan's dreams and memories, eep. Great, what is Lexi going to tell Gráinne about Envy?

One group of kids including a very loudly dress black teen seemed to just be off in their own world. Among them was a rather impressive naga girl (yes, I find snakes beautiful) who was absolutely gorgeous. A second or two of my little random teen minds before I noticed what appeared to be a large raptor signing at the boy.

The first person to just call Jericho merely very loudly dressed, the fact she didn't notice Razorback for a few seconds because she was admiring Sandra I love.

Having to deal with Alley-Oop's stares, yikes.

"No," Lexi rolled her eyes before snorting, "But, you and a few of the Diedricks kids will get each other. And, I'm not working on a warp drive! I'm developing a system to prevent human flesh from being liquified during high g burns! It's to get us to Mars in less than a year!"

A system like that, why is Lexi at the Underdog table? Gadgeteer 5 and sitting at the Underdog table, the girl must like her friends a lot.

Solid grey tie for Twain, it fits. Crazy redhead of Poe, Gráinne, you have a long way to go before being considered crazy compared to several of those in Poe. Extra powers testing that soon after arriving at Whateley, Gráinne is going to learn to hate it after so many times. So Lexi was trying to warn Gráinne about Envy being the daughter of the Strega, *sigh* Ugh, getting people drunk and tricking them into signing away their land, people like that disgust me.

Aww, Sophia and Gráinne having it rough away from home. This group of girls is going to be trouble in the future, I just know it, make everything personal. And now having to deal with Hartford again, it is something about Gráinne's nature that she draws trouble to herself now?

Sunday:
1400-1500: Therapy with Dr. Otto Octavius Jr., PsyD

Saturday:
0900-1200: Assigned Weekly Tutoring Period

Weekday Schedule:
Optional 1: Orchestra
Breakfast: Free Period
Period 1: BMA
Period 2: English 1
Period 3: World History
Lunch: Free Period
Period 5: Powers Theory
Period 6: Avatar 1
Period 7: Algebra 1
Optional 2: Biology 1
Optional 3: Intro to Magical Arts
Dinner: Free Period

Easy schedule, though you would think therapy would be at least twice a week with the trauma she has experienced.

Breakfast, November 11th, 2007 - Whateley Campus

Fina eating breakfast and distracted, Haruko snapping her out of it, therapy this afternoon. Stheno is friends with Haruko, I wonder how they met. The supervillain who kidnapped Fina did that to her, I'm surprised her mother didn't kill the creep. *facepalms* I can't believe Alley-Oop is stupid enough to try this with Envy, asking her out to movies and trying to act cool. *eyes bug out* Envy gave him an atomic burn.

Why is security being more hostile to the Bad Seeds all of a sudden? At least Fina sees past the BS of the cliques, judge someone as an individual is better. Dr. Otto is good at reading people, the best therapist at Whateley imo.

"I am but I’ve got a lot more life experience than they do. I’m more grown-up, I think. Or more damaged, one of the two. I’ve had to take control of my own fate, I’m alone here, I can’t call on Mom or the faculty or anyone when I’m outside this office. I can only hope that my actions speak louder than gossip.”

Shouldn't have to deal with all this at her age, no one should. Society is a manipulative dance, if only it wasn't, I can dream. Hoping to start over, make friends, only to be isolated again, talk about a formula for depression and resentment.

"Sorry to interrupt what I'm going to assume are some calculations," I said just as I sat up and leaned against my pillows. "I need a clearer low down of what this place is like. Half of the traditional cliques aren't even here. For fuck sakes, I've seen what can only be called the Next Generation of the Justice League!"

Yeah, no, most of the Capes are nothing like the Justice League. Whateley cliques, they need a guidebook for freshmen which is updated each year.

"Yeah, I did always find it weird that Charles had basically a team of Child Soldiers," I remarked as we went into heavy topic territory.

"Gráinne, has anyone told you how dark your mind is?" Lexi replied.

"Wouldn't be the first I heard of it." I replied as I decided to change the subject, "So...why did that Alley-Oop boy keep staring at me with his creepy little friend?"

Eh, not the worst thing Xavier has been accused of.

Alley-Oop's obsession with Exemplar girls is going to get him put in Doyle one of these days. Almost runs into Absinthe, Gráinne needs to have a watch with an alarm and set 5-minute warnings before appointments.

Using an Irish song to help Gráinne focus and ignore her anxieties, great idea, Morgan.

"You are not responsible for their actions, and for what happened to you," he sat there with a laptop in his lap.

"Why do they do it? Why did they attack me?! I didn't do a thing to them!" I shouted.

"Gráinne, I would like you to take a deep breath," he finished writing something on his computer and offered some tea, "Would you like some mint tea to calm yourself?"

This is what I love best about Dr. Otto, he isn't condescending, just straight to the point, and wishes to help her calm down, unlike some counselors I've met who would have called in orderlies to restrain her at the first outburst.

"You are showing the hyper-reaction and awareness often associated with rape survivors," he spoke to me after handing me the cup.

"...They are?" I asked. So I wasn't just going mad out of my gourd?

"Yes," Otto replied, "you're likely suffering from a form of PTSD. The Flashbacks listed in your file indicate a serious trauma."

"But they didn't rape me!" I protested.

"Gráinne, they abused you. Took away your agency and hurt you." His words were kind, and they bit deep into my sulking defenses. He was right, they had hurt me. Sure, the bastards hadn’t sexually penetrated me, but they'd physically assaulted me and talked of raping me.

It hurts to know people go through this, I've seen it myself, you just wish to hug them and say everything will be okay, yet know that might not be what they need or could even set them off.

"There be no comparison of pain and agony lass. The trauma I felt in war is no greater than what you experienced in abuse. You are a good person for accepting that ending the bastard's life wasn't necessary. But it was his fault he showed up and tried to shoot your family with his minions." Morgan's telepathic voice waned between the careful trill of her brough and between like the one I used every day.

If only more people realized it isn't a contest about who is the most traumatized or whose experience means more the world would be a better place.

Chapter 3 - A Day In The Life

Early Morning, November 12th, 2007 - King Auditorium

I know just how Gráinne feels in the morning, you just want to keep laying in bed even if you have to get up. Orchestra and she plays the violin, now that takes skill. Now that is groggy, not noticing Mister King talking to her for that long. King of the Golden Hall from Lord of the Rings on the violin, now I want to hear it! Well, this is one way to meet Sophia's dormmate, as Haruko sing Minnie the Moocher.

Laird Hall and Gráinne having to deal with flashbacks as girls brush past her, she needs to have a friend in this class to help keep her calm. Heh, Gráinne did better in trying to greet Ito the first time than most students, soke is something not many know about outside Japanese culture. Oh, good. At least she is able to explain to Tolman why she should only have female opponents and Tolman understands all too well.

Her first match is against Haruko, oh boy. Kitty, ooo, she is facing off against Kitty Fox currently, nice to see she got to Whateley okay. Iiajutsu, Kitty Fox will be a lot more dangerous with that kind of martial arts training. Ouch, distracted by Envy and punched in the face. And double ouch, no combat training, and a temper, needing a tutor is an understatement. Morgan considers Obi-Wan a wise man, intriguing.

Oh goodie, Mister Jameson tearing apart Gráinne former principal, glad we have Sloan for news from back home. *sigh* Morgan, Fey isn't Aunghadhail, nor is Aunghadhail around anymore. At least she gets meet Chaka and Fey, though poor Fey, having to remember Aunghadhail is gone. Great, because of Morgan I have the feeling Fey is going to want to grill Gráinne more about what she knows later on. *eyes bug out at what Morgan is hinting at* She was there when the Sundering happened, she is right, Gráinne isn't ready for that.

Happy, singing again, and excited from Powers Theory in the 5th period, Gráinne meets Aquerna. Almost given detention for her foul mouth, eep. Heh, she isn't wrong about the Pilgrims though. Morgan knew Wallace, just how many famous people through history has she known? I love Anna, just a friendly, nice girl who will be friends with anyone nice given a chance.

"This girl is almost Draoi like you. She will make a worthy ally."

Comparing Anna to Draoi, now that is high honor coming from Morgan.

Dr. Hewley teaching the class with Laine and Kayda as TAs, nice. And Morgan can sense the spirits connected to each of them, handy ability here at Whateley especially at this time.

"She's a rager? Why are they letting her into our class?"

"I heard she killed a Humanity First bastard back home."

"Is she the second coming of Fey with hair like that?"

The First one is an idiot who doesn't understand how the school works, 2nd needs keeping an eye on, and the third assumes much based on hair alone.

Upperclassmen guest lectures, so that is why Kayda and Laine are there. So nervous doing public speech, guess Laine is there for moral support. Telling about her spirits, both Gráinne and Anna have good questions.

"I'm one of the few noted dual spirited Avatars," she replied with a bit of fire entering her voice, "and but one of my spirits gives me access to the greater teachings of a major Power."

At least Kayda got through the lecture, that one guy needs to learn not to be an ass to someone trying to teach him something.

Kitty introducing herself and explaining that creep has been messing with all the guest lecturers like this, this guy needs a hard lesson in respecting women. Overlord Coffee Caper, heh. Blocking her path as she is obviously trying to leave the classroom just for an obnoxious introduction, this guy deserves whatever happens. Whoever this creep is, I already want to see him sent to Doyle and in a body cast.

Chapter 4 - Nose To The Grindstone

Early Morning, November 14th, 2007 - The Dreamscape

Dreamscape and Gráinne is at Morgan's dolman again, asking if she will be told more about the ancient spirit. Gah! The wound the Dullahan inflicted when it killed Sinead, any lesser being would have perished.

"This isn't in Eire, Gráinne, we are in Tír Eile, the Otherworld." Her words took a few moments to sink in.

Whoa, this is epic. Draoi means druid, forgot that, wonder how many of their bloodlines are left in the world.

"Time broke millions of years ago kid. The high civilizations of then were doing fine in a nice little Empire. Me, I don't remember much, but some terrible idiot decided to do what they do, open up a can of worms not meant for anyone. The literal madness of that little racist fuck Lovecraft unleashed on the world." She took a long draught from her stew and let out a satisfied aw. "So, Aughadhail, an' the other lasses of her ilk burned out- feckin' time."

Lost her sisters to the Sundering and survived through sheer luck, ouch. Created the Otherworld to survive the Sundering and Morgan is a Faerie, last part I kind of figured. She only remembers that about the Sidhe and nothing else, the damage sure messed up her memories.

Ouch, sparring with Haruko again. Work with Haruko and Shipwright on the weekends to help Gráinne improve, oh oh. And now up against Esoteric, wonder how this match will go. Well, with Gráinne holding back this seems an even match, Tolman even coaching Esoteric on her technique. Yeow! Poor Esoteric, needing Chief Jenkins to deal with the injury. Dislocated shoulder and likely fractured clavicle, this is why those with such strength need to learn how to control it. At least it wasn't worse.

Great, can't even relax against a tree chatting with Morgan and the bitch squad shows up again, knew they would be trouble again. Run over her, this girl tried to force her out of the way and ran off when it didn't work. Now she shows up using sonic manipulation powers to attack her which her brunette friend manifest, planning to beat her up and blame it all on her, I hope they get caught and expelled. I hate mean girls! Melville bitches no less, ugh.

Nice that Envy was monitoring Gráinne in case she got in trouble, Wiz 3 and able to open a portal to teleport like that, whoa.

Yellow Queen, Gem, and Taser from the Martial Arts Cheerleaders

Not them! You would have thought with the Don going down they would have gotten a little better, but no. These girls need a lesson in manners and following the rules, especially when it involves ragers.

Yellow Queen temporarily disabled with a palm strike, nice work by Envy. Gem's arm dislocated by Envy, and now Taser down due to horizontal cartwheel leading into a double kick to the face from Envy. Envy has a lot of combat training, talk about skill. Yellow Queen recovers and does a sonic blast, not caring she caught Taser in it. And now a crowd forming with Envy warning she won't hold back now, so of course, the cowards who started it all retreat.

Creep ogling Envy and catcalling her like that, a bunch of cowards who didn't help out someone who was outnumbered and now taunt her. At Doyle and Gráinne is being checked out, while an idiot from Security grilled Envy about intervening, chastising her for doing so when she isn't security auxiliary, oh brother.

Envy gave her a flat look. "Wow, I didn't realize the faculty hired morons. You want kids to die because they bully students with UV bands? Which one of us was the card-carrying villain again? Wait, I think I've got my membership somewhere in this suit..."

"Haha, very funny kid." She said and growled, "Not all of us are syndicate shrews like Trout. I'm just citing policy at you to follow ye-old-ass-covering."

At least Envy will get off light, while Yellow Queen and her crew, I hope they get sewer duty.

North Station, Boston with someone called Maeve, what is Maeve Maguire doing there? Following the magical trail left by Gráinne perhaps, they are going to get stonewalled when they reach Whateley, if not outright hostility from Mrs. Carson if they try to question one of her students without her permission or a witness along. Going with Roberto to Dunwich, yup, on the trail of Gráinne, they better not try any strongarm tactics with her.

Roberto going to get food, Maeve getting a coffee, only to meet up with Average Man, a True Fenian who knows her Irish name and took on the appearance of her sister, now that is just crass. I don't like this Tone, saying she is running out of time. Average Man shapeshifts into a little girl and just walks out, and now Maeve is more determined to meet with Gráinne than ever, of course, she knows about Whateley Academy. I hope this situation doesn't get worse for Gráinne because of Maeve, like leading a certain killer right to her.

Interesting choice of song lyrics to start with, never heard that part of the song before.

Chapter 5 - Rinse Repeat

Morning, November 15th, 2007 - Dunwich

Glass Witch

Maeve trying to scry for her sister and gets nothing, now that is frustrating. Love that her military uniform has kevra incorporated into parts of it. And reliquary gems in the palms of her gloves, now there is a prepared combat mage. Agent Jimenez calling her combat fatigues Mission Impossible garb, not a comparison everyone would like.

Maeve has been had a 'damage insurance' surcharge tacked on by places just because she is a mutant, now that is just beyond rude. Now that book she is reading sounds very interesting if you can understand it. Press the issue on who Morgan is with her new host, I don't think Mrs. Carson will take kindly to her students being badgered. Black Shuck, I hope Maeve was just seeing things.

Mid-Morning, November 15th, 2007 - Doyle Hall

Scald-Crow

Waking up to that image I would be cursing too, yikes. Those bullies did some damage to land her in Doyle with damaged ears too. Saved by Envy, good she remembers that after such a shock. Officer Rathcore, now there is a name I've never heard before.

"Dis one walks the ways of old, my heart, I can feel the blood of Durga in her."

Starting to wonder if Gráinne draws these types of people to her.

"Most Avatars have their tells, yours is your eyes drift off and you bite your lip. It's how I can tell you're concentrating on a telepathic conversation." The woman stalked panther-like toward me and placed a hand on the end of my hospital bed

"Complex thoughts, for one who is just now seeing the board," Morgan commented. "This one is touched like you, but she is honorable. We can trust her."

Wonder what some fo the tells other Avatars we've met have and missed noticing now.

Whateley Martial Arts Cheerleaders, making trouble for good students since the beginning. Sophia demanding to know why Gráinne did it only to find out all she did is bump into someone who ignored her rager tag and still attacked her. Which seems excessive even for the WMAC, they normally go after those they think they can overpower and not those with rager armbands from what I can recall. And ouch, to find out about the combat finals right now.

Lunch Period, November 15th, 2007 - Crystal Hall

Scald-Crow

Not sure I want to know what Morgan said would be in English.

"Something evil is active. I've felt bits and pieces of it fleetingly. But now it's concentrated."

Great, so Maeve might have seen a Black Shuck.

"My Domains are War, Fate, and LIfe. When things that defy what should be walk they stain the metaphysical paths of possibility." She explained, "Like how I told that idiot Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig he would be killed by a drunk Norseman!"

Wait...who?

"The so-called Emperor of Eire, fool tried to unite everyone, but didna have my or the Dagda's blessing. He defied the Stone and so I told him he would die. Was pretty great actually."

That is a lot of responsibility, at least it seems that way to me.

Underdog table and Sophia sit by Shipwright, but what is Sophia's roommate Haruko doing there? Curious. Ack, calling herself Gráinne's sempai and watching over her kohai. Sophia saying Gráinne has a Dandere side, way to embarrass your best friend. And Haruko getting in on teasing her about her crush on Envy, give the girl a break.

Gráinne shouldn't feel self-pity over how she fared in that fight, sonic-based attacks are brutal.

"Well no," Haruko interjected, "my mom works with Seattle's Chapter of the Grand Hall of Sinister Wisdom."

Okay, who is her mom? Someone walking over your grave, oh crude, this is the incident where Oop had Sara augment him to Exemplar 6, this isn't going to end well. Only Morgan and Sophia hold back Gráinne from attacking Oop in a fury due to his daring to talk to Envy. Lexi recognizes the idiot Oop, seeing all this from Gráinne and Morgan's perspectives, Oop's death is so much worse than originally thought. Black Shuck, some things shouldn't be tampered with.

"Beware what you get when you make a deal at the Crossroads." Morgan's murmur made me realize I was sobbing in fright at what I'd just witnessed.

If she knew Sara warned the idiot about what he was asking before being forced to grant it, I wonder what Morgan would think.

Just After Lunch, November 15th, 2007 - Crystal Hall

Dusk-Wing

Sophia seeing the true horror the taint unleashed by all this, she is going to need a lot of counseling.

The veil was torn almost in twain as shadowy forms crawled over it like carrion eaters on a corpse. A writhing mass of energy woven in the form of thick purple vines wound with tooth-shaped briars. The young shaman-in-training attempted to remember whatever it was she was seeing. The mass itself was demonic and yet it wasn't the chill disconnected death of the stars. No, this was something else. It pulsated with life and yet a false life. Much more came off it and reeked of the musk of estrus.

If she knew about Sara she could tell the staff about this. Officer Jaya Rathcore showing up to take statements, at least Sophia has enough presence of mind to give the details of what she witnessed. Alley-Oop forced a bargain for more power than his body could handle.

A good assessment of the cliques at Whateley by Sophia. And Sophia used the sweat lodge and ended up sharing it with Kayda, heh. Gravmax shows just to make an ass of himself once again, this guy's ego could fill up a large stadium at least. Ugh, bashing on Imp, then on Envy for protecting Gráinne from the WMAC and Yellow Queen of course blames Envy for the attack. Bashing on Strega, Envy's mom, now and Envy, Gravmax is asking for an extended visit to Doyle.

Gravmax is arrogant and foolish, ignoring what Gráinne says about Envy, then daring to touch her face without her permission. And Gráinne pulls off the first blow, hard hit to the solar plexus, Gravmax stupidly didn't look for a rager armband, his fault. Gráinne sounds like she is going to kill him, but Gravmax is weighing her down, Gráinne full-on raging, and Gravmax better run if he wants to live. Breaks down crying while Sophia hugs her, such trauma, I hope Gravmax gets in trouble for this.

Chapter 6 - Life's Strange

Mid-Morning, November 16th - Schuster Hall

Scald-Crow

Gráinne wishing to just de-stress from everything that has happened but stuck going to see Mrs. Carson, ouch. Don't tell me Maeve is finally at Whateley and wishes to talk to Gráinne, talk about the worst timing possible. Sophia is friends with Kitty now, she sure knows how to pick interesting friends. Bwahaha, Gráinne reading lesbian porn, priceless she read them instead of doing her homework. And double ouch, no girls who are lesbians in the old stories she liked to read and mostly white characters. Boy, Sophia is far from shy.

Just After Breakfast, November 16th, 2007 - Headmistress' Office

Maeve

Maeve saying she will take a student into custody, I knew Mrs. Carson wouldn't stand for that, way to start off by ticking off one of the most powerful beings on the planet, Maeve. Ugh, blaming Whateley Academy for her sister being dead, that is petty and shortsighted. The banshee would have found her, hero or not. Never seen Mrs. Carson like this before, Maeve needs to chill out and fast.

Having to tell Maeve what has happened at Whateley, how Sara lives there.

"It's the Morrigan, the Sovereign of Hosts, She Who Rages." The Headmistress’s eyes widened only the slightest as the war mage relayed her own hypothesis.

Heh, she may be right, she may be wrong, I can't wait for Morgan to set her straight. Maeve really needs to control her temper and not accuss someone of lying without proof. At least she will play nice with the students...failure to do so with Gráinne will see her visiting Doyle at this rate.

Mid-morning, November 16th, 2007 - Headmistress' Office

Scald-Crow

Aw, thinking because Mrs. Carson is a tall Exemplar Blonde it doesn't bode well for her. Hehe, almost fangirling over Lady Astarte, has comics and Manga including her and Crown Justice, I wonder if Mrs. Carson likes Gráinne because of this or it has no effect on her attitude. Eep, the student files. Hehehe, I love Morgan's response when Gráinne starts to mope over being told all these things.

Anxiety disorder did that to me, placing me in a highly over aware state and making every little twitch worse each time around.

I have it myself and this is so accurate. Oh good, Gravmax has a week's detention helping clean the campus grounds.

"Miss Ni Callaghan, I have assigned an extra hour of therapy and we are seeking a personal tutor to help you with your anger," she told me. Trying my best to not roll my eyes in a proper teenage manner was not easy.

Good, getting help instead of punishment, what I like to see.

And Maeve talking now with Morgan recognizing her as Sinead's little sister. And being told how Song Spirit died, oof. Crap, seeing Morgan's memories of the time of Sinead's death, might want to bump that up 2 extra hours of therapy. Great, because of remembering Sinead's death the Dullahan now knows about Gráinne is intent on finding and killing her. I can honestly say this scene has me more scared than any horror movie, well done. I'm more scared for Gráinne's life now than ever.

Lunch Period, November 16th, 2007 - Crystal Hall

Maeve

Hey, when you are at Whateley you play by Mrs. Carson's rules, or you don't get anywhere. Impatience will only make things worse. Figures Caitlin would recognize someone is Irish Black Ops and respect them. Good thing most students can't see what Maeve can with that Sight of Odin spell. No faerie presence, no foundlings, hhm. Bwahaha, poor adult lesbian being subjected to Exemplar teenage girls like Kitty.

Loving the banter between Maeve and Kitty, too good. Catherine Fox, Maeve recognizes the last name as Lady Briar's. If Maeve knew the truth about Catherine I wonder what they could talk about.

Chapter 7 - Sweat It Out

Early Morning, November 17th, 2007 - Within a Mile of Holbrook Hall

DuskWing

Sophia's mother gave her good advice, going to get a lot colder once winter comes. Ooo, cool reliquaries. Haruko gave Kitty Fox the nickname of Kitsune, *tries to hold in loud laughter* Hhm, who is the girl watching Sophia? Sophia going to the sweat lodge and meeting Kayda. Sicangu Lakota Oyate, and Kayda opening up like this to someone she just met, she sure has changed in the time we first met her.

Tatanka, love seeing him again. Having to tell Kayda what Gráinne went through, painful for both of them. I hope Kayda can help Gráinne, seeing her in such a state is hard on Sophia and the longer it last the more trauma it will inflict. And Kayda has someone new to talk to, yay.

Just After Lunch, November 17th, 2007 - Schuster Hall

Maeve

Hehehe, Catherine is going to have fun teasing Maeve. And Maeve having to dodge Absinthe from the sounds of it. Boy, before her transformation Catherine traveled to some nice places. Maeve looked into Catherine's 'mother' and into the death of her 'father', uh oh. Are you insane, Maeve! Trying to bring out a spirit from someone when you aren't completely sure it is that exact spirit is dangerous at best to the host and spirit.

Not quite trusting Mrs. Carson because of Syndicate connections to the school, good grief. Gráinne telling all that she recalls from what she saw, the woman in the black hoodie, and Maeve thinks she is holding something back and plots to cast her spell. If you harm one of her students you will be lucky to get off Whateley Academy campus grounds alive, Maeve. Bring Morgan to the corporeal realm, Maeve, you are desperate and not thinking clearly.

Huh, the spell worked.

In-person Morgan was seven feet and easily towered over every single person in the room. From her head fell a long blood-red mane of hair carefully plaited to keep it corralled and out of her eyes. The faerie's eyes were perhaps the most vivid green Maeve ever witnessed. Even more, each eye glowed faintly with a silent flicker flame of emerald energy. A long oval faced with high cheekbones watched her as a wry smile fell upon kissable blood-red lips just beneath a hawkish nose. The faerie's body was clothed in a long brigandine coat fitted over padded armor.

Whoa, now there is a woman who if she wasn't obviously Irish someone would call an Amazon.

"Holy shit, MY TALLEST!" Gráinne smiled.

Cute Invader Zim reference.

She bounded with Blackthorn during the 2nd World War and Mrs. Carson knew them. Gráinne is not only faerie blood but from a royal line, dang.

"The power you speak of, are they one of the Nine Sidhe Queens?" Elizabeth asked carefully.

In response, Morgan's eyes burst with emerald flame and her mouth tightened. "Never compare me or any Prince o' Faerie ta dose misbegotten usurpers! Dey wan' our great tree!

Uh oh, hope there won't be any issues between Morgan and Fey.

"Da Dullahan is a woman, Bess Monaghan, a mercenary sorceress fer hire specializin' in hexes,'' Maeve offered and she gave a shake of her head to Morgan. "She's likely werkin' for an extremist Republican cell, da True Fenians if Gráinne remains on campus. I can assist yer magic users in warding mirror's an' surfaces to prevent har fram werkin past yer original defense."

Oh good, Morgan knows who the Dullahan is and who has most likely hired her.

Rats, Gráinne, and Sophia still getting detention.

"Oh, you do?" Carson snarled, "remember this Maeve. Your sister knew what she was getting into when she joined the Fianna. Just as I knew what I got into when I became Headmistress of -this- Academy."

Maeve, you are trending on thin ice with Mrs. Carson, very thin. Still wondering why someone wants Morgan extinguished so badly.

Late Evening, November 19th, 2007 - A Hotel In Boston

Bess

"Dark King, Scion of Dead Stars.

I invoke your word sight!

The bloody light of Aldebaran!

Cut through the Veil of Night!"

*winces and almost jumps back from computer* Okay, Bess is truly an idiot to truck with such powers. Trying to kill Maeve like that was arrogant.

Each and every time she used the spell she was forced to invoke Syndarien's Tithe. A terrible price for all who used the magic of the Dark King would pay the toll.

She knows the price for using such magic yet still does so, suicidal seems more appropriate to describe her.

She used that spell to communicate with Balor, the leader of the Fomori, that is nuts! Though the description beyond the eye, who is this Bess is chatting with? Couldn't be Bres the Beautiful, could it. If so then the plans for Eire are dire. Oh, it's Wolftone, not as bad as I thought. What the what! Nimue is Bess' mistress and wants to end Morgan, didn't see that coming.

Bess has a friend inside Whateley! Please let it not be Officer Jaya Rathcore. And Bess reacting to Wolftone's words like that, heh.

Chapter 8 - Paradigm Shift

After Midnight, November 20th, 2007 - Just Beyond the Hedge

Scald-Crow

The stone ring in her dreamscape once more, nice to hear it is growing stronger, I have a feeling Gráinne is going to keep that strength and soon. *blinks* So Gráinne is from a line descended from Morgan, who the Summer Queen. This is huge!

"I be Eriu nic Ernmas, Daughter o' the Silver Bough, Raven Spear o' Kings" She gave me her epithets in succession.

"Ye are also har, -the-Morrigan." I sipped the last of my bowl and set it aside.

"Aye...da ol' term fer me people would be da Aes Síobhra. Cousin o’ the Aes Sidhe"

*eyes bug out* Holy... Just what is coming that all these ancient powers and beings are coming back. Faeries' names make them who they are, that has to be rough to deal with.

"Nah, bein fae is a type of spirit. We are a division fram what was befar. Me folk...we call ourselves Tuath Dé, Danu's Clan," she answers, "Dere ere alsa da Tŷ Llŷr, the tribe of Llyr an' da Vaettir, da Northern Tribe."

Now that is intriguing.

Who and what stalks their future, I don't think she is talking about just Bess and the True Fenians. The spear Cadabolg, now there is a legendary weapon. Avoiding Sara, I wonder what will happen when they finally meet. Gráinne is ready to face whatever comes with Morgan, I hope she gathers more friends and allies though like Sophia, trying to do something like this on their own isn't wise.

Early Morning, November 20th, 2007 - Faculty Meeting Room

Maeve

Maeve, scrying on the Faculty Meeting Room, Mrs. Carson, and others like this is very unwise. Ms. Hartford. Delarose, Sir Wallace, and two women, hhm. Circe and Earthmother, no way Maeve isn't going to get caught scrying with the likes of them in the room.

"Why is it always the redheads that cause the problems," Mrs. Carson murmured underneath encircled fingers.

Hey! Plenty of non-redheads cause problems too. Dang, Earth Mother is good to sense that about Morgan.

"I believe the Second Lieutenant is about ready to join us," Carson said after turning to face the window the Faerie Witch was scrying from. "You know it's rude to eavesdrop Maeve."

Maeve, you have Lady Astarte, Circe, and Earth Mother all in the same room, you should have expected to be caught easily when scrying. Half blind for the rest of the day using the scrying spell to listen in through the mirror, steep price.

Maeve's eyes widened as she said, "Mythos corrupts whatever it touches. It drive's people mad. Da fae dun do dat, yer pet demoness, Sara absorb's souls ta live? Da fae take yer very self, all of it. Dey take it, and rip it out leavin' a loose husk. An' dat's the light bullocks!"

Sounds like it is more dangerous to deal with the fae than Mythos. Okay, after her next line about the fae Lesser Nobility it is definitely more dangerous to deal with the fae. Hehe, Maeve confused about what they are going to have her do.

Late Morning, November 23rd, 2007 - Doyle Hall

Envy

Whoa, just what kind of mindscape does Envy have? Holy, that is what Envy did to contain Alley-Oop's burnout explosion, how is she still alive? What the hell kind of scene is this, just what is going on here? This, this is how Fino's mother saved his life, how she became Envy, good lord. Just what did Strega really do to save her only child?

Finally, Envy wakes from the nightmare memories, Haruko and Stheno waiting in her hospital room in Doyle. Ouch, Strega forbidden to have contact with Fina, harsh. Doctor Otto pushing because he is concerned for any fallout Fina might experience being closest to Alley-Oop when he had his burnout and the nature of his sudden Exemplar state. No mythos taint, but mutant abilities may have been misdiagnosed, great, more testing. Hhm, could the Black Shuck have helped Fina divert Oop's burnout? I wonder why Haruko doesn't trust Doctor Otto or Mrs. Carson.

Just After Dinner, November 24th, 2007 - Poe Cottage

Scald-Crow

A nice, quiet Thanksgiving, finally, no adventure over vacation. Morgan actually likes Gwen, nice. Ah, the two new training teams, news travels fast around Whateley. Sophia in on the secret of Poe, now did she get Hartford to allow that. Haruko "almost was" in Poe, I can see the clashes which would happen if she was. Sapiosexual, learned something new. Haruko's mom is a Kumiho, awesome.

Hehe, Gráinne, they won't stop teasing you until you ask out Envy already. Sloan, I hope she shows up for Parent's Day, what fun. Haruko arming herself at random, how many people has she freaked out pulling that stunt at this point? Stheno shows up and yup, Kimba is still a source of huge gossip in Poe. Fate's wrapping its talons around Gráinne and Fina sounds right to me.

So cute how Gráinne is chatting with Fina, so nervous yet determined. Those pajamas of Fina, the Cathulu on the shirt, just perfect. Coffee tomorrow around 3, nothing better screw up this cute date or I will end it/them!

Eep, I hope those song lyrics don't mean anything bad for Gráinne.

Chapter 9 - Fates Intertwined

After Breakfast, November 25th, 2007 - Whateley Campus

Scald-Crow

Ah, homework, source of stress for many students, though I am curious why she has trouble with memorization despite being an Exemplar. Having Morgan to help calm her, Gráinne has a great friend with her at all times. Lexi working on an engine, curious what type.

Crud, Sharisha meeting her gaze first at the showers, talk about bad luck. Vox having to keep Sharisha from causing trouble. Nikki first to note Gráinne has gotten pointed ears, the changes become more noticeable.

"So you're a Sidhe?" she asked me curiously.

"SHE DID NOT JUST CALL US ONE OF THOSE FILTHY-"Morgan screamed in my skull and I grabbed my forehead.

Yike, I pity anyone else who mistakenly calls her a Sidhe.

"Morgan says I'm what she call's an Aes Síobhra," I replied carefully.

"A Shreeva?" Nikki said the words aloud.

"Aye, the plural is Aes Síobhraí," I enunciated the word back for her.

Interesting name, how to pronounce it though.

A cute outfit to wear, and just going to a therapy session today, hope fate isn't in a funny mood. Coffee with Envy aka Fina and Gráinne has got it bad, blushing at the thought. Oh no, she almost ran into Reverend Englund.

"Your parents listed you as having an Anglican background and as a rector of my congregation I make a point of knowing new parishioners," he smiled at me.

Her parents have no idea of what they have done.

"Oh?" he took a step closer, as I heard the words. "His hands’ ere stained with blood, an' not fram battle."Morgan's words were slicing hot as they beat back the cold and I could feel her rumbling with rage in my hallow.

Crap, please don't attack a staff member, even if he deserve it. Badmouthing Fina, ugh.

How did he know that? "Dis man dresses hisself in da splendour of Saint Patrick."I heard Morgan's growl in my head. "Even loik dat pompous arse he cloaks his wards in evertin fram piety an' warse!"

Avoid Englund at all costs in the future. Only worried for her soul, the cloak of bigotry in religious belief.

"Ye who use piety an' fait ta rationalize his sins know dis. Even though ye cloak yerself in light o' the Nazarene yer righteousness be profane! By the dawn of New Spring, yer plans shall fall around ye' as ye reap a Kingdom of Ash!"I growled out in a voice not my own. "I swear dis by the Olde Throne an' the Antler Crown!"

"So it is true....you are bound to one of the Fair Folk." The man shook his head as he seemed a little shaken by my words. "Child, my days are already numbered in the Father's eyes. Nothing your demon can say can change that."

"Ye foolish mortal...yer father is a priest o' da fool." These words seem to cause the man to shift as I took the pause to make a retreat. One quick glance at my phone revealed how I was already late for therapy. Reverend Englund just stared at me as I briskly made my getaway. Why was all the damn weird coming out for me? Was I a chaos magnet now?

Calling the Fair Folk demons, clinging to old world beliefs, and seeing anything "not of God" like demons, ticks me off. Morgan's words to Englund sounds like by next spring his plans are done for, plus it seems to hint the being who came to him all those years ago wasn't an agent of the Christian God.

About 2pm, November 25th, 2007 - Dr Otto's Office

Scald-Crow

Just how many filing cabinets does Dr. Otto have in his office? And ADHD, ouch, my brother had that growing up so I know how hard it can be to sit still. Only two cabinets sounded like more. Who in ARC whose filename is Arcadia is that file be about? Nicholas Broussard, Gravmax got what he deserved.

*winces* Gráinne having to go through that trauma again to tell Dr. Otto about it, this is going to be rough. The fact she would rather clean out the tunnels says a lot. Flinch when things are brought near her face because of past incidents, the kids at her old school were creeps. What Finkbonner did triggering a panic attack from recalling it, the staff at the school didn't do their jobs.

"When you are experiencing a traumatic event you are here," he poked the bright red spot, "you are pinned between defense and retreat. When you are triggered you are placed back in this status which applies more stress to your mind and body."

Once again, so glad she has Dr. Otto as her therapist. Gráinne's mother and Morgan are wise, it is okay to cry, boy or girl.

"More than that Gráinne if someone pushes or is pushing you towards your limit you are okay to remove yourself from that situation," he told me and again let the little revelation sink in.

"But I don't want these things to rule my life," I responded.

"Gráinne, before we even discuss what was done to you a month ago, we have to work with the fact that you were the target of a long process of bullying," he stated and looked me in the eye.

The level of bullying Gráinne was subjected to over the years, the fact the school staff did nothing, I can't imagine what she went through or the amount of time it will take her to start to adapt to her changed situation.

Bullied for being a nerd doesn't mean the trauma is less.

"Hardship and trauma are unique to you Gráinne." He offered me a smile as I nodded along to what he was saying. "Some people use their pain to hurt others, that's the behavior you want to avoid. But if you are tired after an hour and I'm tired after four - both of our experiences -are valid-."

Thank you, more people need to realize this and stop treating everything like a competition.

"He's not wrong, lass. Sickness o' da moind be painful for us all. No one parson cannae quantify its damage befar we see da results."

If only everyone in the mental health profession realized this.

"Yes - there isn't a competition for the most abused person Gráinne," he sighed, "one problem we do to ourselves is to compare ourselves to each other. That's impossible as no one person has the same experience -ever-."

"We bicker over who had it worse rather than helping each other," I nodded.

I needed to hear this, thank you. Coffee date with Fina now, how did Dr. Otto find out about that?

Mid-Afternoon, November 25th 2007 - Crystal Hall

Scald-Crow

Sloan's social skills all because of that school and that teacher, "boys will be boys" excuse has been used for far too long to dismiss a lot of crap. There is a look that will stand out even at Whateley. Lexi complimenting her look, and Gráinne is wondering if she can do this. Erin asked out Lexi, a lot of people dating right now.

"Do no' fret me heart, ye be learnin 'ow ta judge yer strengt dun let it hold ye back."Morgan crooned in my mind and settled my worry.

Now I'm curious what kind of training exercises Whateley uses to help those with enhanced or superhuman strength learn how to gauge and control it.

Erin holds no ill-will towards Gráinne, glad to hear that. Rushing to get to her date only to pause upon sensing something, Nikki in Kimba's Corner asking about her special night, Gráinne blushing as she talks about her date with Fina, Lexi, and Erin in the room as well. Erin discusses the BMA incident, how she saw how upset Gráinne was about it afterward, how Lexi talked her down, Lexi and Erin make a cute couple.

Gráinne's anxiety getting her, then Nikki hugs her from behind and calms her, that glamour is more useful than I previously thought.

"Da Áes Sídagi ere powerful mages...especially dose who be of da nobility. One of tese be glamour dat draws oters ta dem."I reflected on this fact from my spirit as I cocked an eyebrow as I kept eye contact with Nikki. The Sophomore seemed to be holding back whatever glamour existed though maybe it just calmed me. "Once ye be come in tune wit yer new fae blood ye will hav sometin similar."

Another student with a glamour at Whateley, the powers testing staff are going to be driven up the walls at this rate. Good to know it only calms Gráinne due to being Síobhra, curious what other benefits it will grant her over time.

Is it wrong I imagined Gráinne running to her date like an anime spinning wheel legs gag? Ears perk up, hehe, so adorable.

"Wait till yer antler's grow in." Morgan chuffed in my mind and I felt my eyes widen.

Antlers, just how many changes is she going to have? Fina sure knows how to make Gráinne confused. The way Gráinne is admiring Fina's legs, the way she describes it, she has fallen so hard for Fina I pity the fool who tries to get between them.

Anxiety over what to talk about, ah, my old nemesis. 20 questions, good icebreaker to keep them chatting.

"Celestina Valocco. And what is your mom's name?" she asked in return.

"Lynn Eklund-O'Callaghan," I smiled, "Mom's Swedish so she hyphenated her name."

Tongue-twister is right, had to sound it out in my head to figure out how you say that last name, and not sure I got it right. *hits head on desk* Making children feel they are as bad as their parents just because their parent or parents are supervillains makes me want to smack someone.

Gráinne's family is fun, I hope both parents and her little sister come to visit for Parent's Day.

"Mom?" she replied with an uneasy chuckle, "Mom is walking chaos and you don't really want to meet her. She shrinks people for fun, and when she's mad there tends to be a lot of destruction in her wake."

And now Strega is a lot scarier to me. *eyes bug out* Fina isn't kidding, that is so many kinds of messed up. Sloane, I pity the boys of Whateley if she manifest and comes there. Fina concerned about not pushing Gráinne. Nothing better happen to break these two up.

Good, Fina asking right away so they can get this awkward situation out of the way early on. It is great how they can speak their minds to each other, Morgan's advice to Gráinne is spot-on. Hehe, Fina insists on planning the next date, these two are just too cute together.

Chapter 10 - Steeplechase

Mid-Morning, November 26th, 2007 - Crystal Hall

DuskWing

Sophia dating Matt Walker and kissing, cute how she teases him about his bolo tie and yet they are still flirting. Fox just has to come along and taunt them. Matt's friend, Errol "Flynn Cameron, rarely see a name like Errol nowadays. Not sitting with Gráinne, ouch. Racist towards Sophia's Native heritage, she refused to join the Nations, people take things too personally. Gravmax, I hope that idiot is being kept busy.

"Gráinne keeps getting into trouble, and I can even see the various cliques lumping us together," she bit her lip to focus herself.

"So?" he asked her that stupid ass grin never leaving his face.

"So...Gráinne's already a target, but even some of the local Native kids are avoiding me," she sighed.

"You did kindly tell them to shove it when you didn't show interest in Pejuta's club," he pointed out.

"I like Kayda, I am not sure at all I want to just get lumped together with all the other tribal students," she canted her head, "I already got plenty of that at home. I'm proud of my nation and every time I get thrown into the 'Native American' category people just plaster over who I am."

I hope this doesn't mean she is going to avoid hanging out with Gráinne. And yeah, people focusing on cultural heritage over an individual's identity ticks me off.

"Can't say I understand you, Sophia," he gave a small nod, "you stand by your friends, that includes the good and the bad."

"Dammit you're right."

Matt is a great guy, can see why Sophia likes him so much.

Haruko needs to learn not to push Kitty too far, when you get Sophia this upset you are pushing it.

"Hey Shampoo - Nabiki, step off already," Sophia continued, "you are both giving me a migraine."

"She started it!" they both said in sync while pointing at each other.

Ranma 1/2 reference, love it. Combat Finals, this year should be interesting.

"Nah, you'll do fine little lady," Matt said, earning him a confused glare.

"Don't push it cowboy. Ye hear?" she growled.

"Loud and clear, miss!" he gulped.

Note: Sophia doesn't like being called little lady.

Her witch-sight snapped into action as she felt a strange aura dancing across the veil. Between the fabric of the mortal coil and the rest of existence stood the divide. Grandpa Gerald called it the "Grey Sea" and her teachers called it the Veil. What was weird was she could sense a few things and then they'd be gone. A few other students in the cafeteria stopped chatting and looked around them. The feeling itself was a small tingling in the back of her neck. If she had a greater connection to the spirits as her Grandfather she'd be able to call on one of them to sniff around and get an idea if it was a threat. At the moment her connection to her people's various spirits and totems was quite 'fundamental' at best. She noticed that Catherine had ceased lazing about and her ears were pricked up on end.

"You okay darling?" Matt asked as she noticed she'd been staring off into space.

"Kinda...I swear I sensed another one of those boggarts who keep chasing Gráinne," she sat down and picked up her cup of coffee to polish it off.

Nice to have new details on the Veil. And boggarts are chasing Gráinne as if she doesn't have enough problems already. Something watching them from across the veil, things have gotten weird since Halloween, Murphy's spirit is still stuck outside her body after almost a month!

"No we just have student murders and whatever Sara Waite is," Sophia sighed, rolling her eyes. "Next thing you'll tell me the Legion of Doom is on the payroll and President Snow from Hunger Games is in Security."

The villains on the payroll are retired, nowhere near as bad as the Legion of Doom. Comparing Gunny Bardue to President Snow from Hunger Games, Matt, you are lucky he didn't hear that. Vamp stole something from Gráinne, oh brother, it is like she wants to get chased just for "fun".

Mid-Morning, November 26th, 2007 - Crystal Hall

Scald-Crow

Selfies from their date, aww. Ears grew more overnight and she can feel the density of her muscles increasing, dang.

Maybe this is why they only "thought" I was an Exemplar 4 back in Washington. Perhaps my body was so alien to some of them I was at a loss at how to describe it.

Hhm, I wonder what the powers testing people think of this. Threw iron filaments at her, that is assault with a deadly weapon! No wonder she is having to eat so much, recovering from injuries like that, glad Fina was that for her.

Vamp being rude, looking at her phone over her shoulder, taunting her about her relationship with Fina, goading her on until Fina says to back off. Then Vamp has to be an ass and steal her phone, taunting her to chase them. Crashing through tables and in a fury, her lunge misses Vamp and Gráinne hits a wall, Vamp is going to be in serious trouble for inciting a UV. Vamp showing pics of Gráinne kissing Fina's cheek to some girls, don't like at least one of these girls calling it gay stuff.

Great, runs into Yellow Queen and this whole mess is made worse by Vamp's taunting. The Martial Cheerleader Squad still a bunch of b**ches, I see.

"She is quite good at chasing after what she wants," Envy flashed a smile before walking toward me where I stood. Both of my eyes were focused directly on Vamp.

Perfect response to that other Bad Seed. Fina doesn't like taunting about her girlfriend, I hope that guy learned his lesson.

"CATCH TAT LIL TWAT AN' I'LL HEX HER ENTIRE BLOODLINE FER SEVEN GENERATIONS!"She roared in my skull.

Vamp has earned the fury of Morgan, the worst idea Vamp has ever had.

"WE HAV BEEN INSULTED! BY THE SPEAR OF SOVEREIGNS I SEEK HAR BLOOD!"My eyes closed as I shook my head once more and I rubbed my head as I felt myself breaking out in a cold sweat.

Crud, this is worse than I thought, Vamp, give back the phone! All that and most of the pictures have Gráinne blocked by Vamp's thumb, now that is priceless.

"A good opponent, she will make good quarry fer da future,"Morgan seemed fixated on my chase.

Vamp should be very, very worried now that she has Morgan's attention. And late for Powers testing, darn it, Vamp!

Mid-Morning, November 26th, 2007 - Whately Campus

Tamahagane

Moonlight Densetsu from Sailor Moon, this girl has good taste. Aurora needs to appreciate classic anime more. Haruko just wants to have fun. Stheno aka Aurora, what kind of powers does she have to use the name of one of the 3 Gorgon sisters as her codename?

"If you haven't noticed already, Aurora, I'm weird - I. Am. A. Weirdooo."

"You fucking goober," Stheno chuckled.

Okay, I like these two. Shining steel tattoos.

But to her father's men and to her cousins she was just flashing a personally earned Irezumi, one that gave her the ability to manifest a variety of steel weapons and objects from her skin. Perhaps if she had been the daughter of anyone but the infamous Steel Devil she would have been less than obvious about her abilities.

No wonder her codename is a type of Japanese steel, clever.

Catherine Fox aka Kitty following Sofia and Haruko is watching Kitty.

"Are you seriously pulling a senpai stalker move?" Aurora asked her.

"Who's the weeb now?" she chuckled with a yawn. The eye itself was feral in nature with a violet sclera and yellow pupil. After a moment she smiled before pulling her eyepatch back over it.

"I'm not the one who intentionally doesn't mention her arcane abilities to others," Aurora stated, "and uses the one skill to track people for shits and giggles."

Clairvoyance due to a magic eye that only works when her eyepatch is over it, when Mrs. Carson finds out she kept this secret Haruko is going to be in trouble.

"It's on my MID that I'm a Wiz 1, not my fault it barely registers since all I have is aural witch sight thanks to mom," she shot back.

Still, using this power to spy on others in secret is a huge no-no.

"Has anyone else figured out your mom is Kumiho yet?" Aurora asked as she watched her friend give a quick stretch, Haruko's arms thrusting out and her back arching.

"Nope, everyone's already on thin ice cuz Oba-san is a fucking Steel Clad Demon," she dismissed.

Good grief, just what kind of strange family history does she have? Giving Sofia a hard time, she knows Scapegrace and Envy, and her mom used to sleep with Strega, whoa.

"I mean, it's not like Envy isn't open about it. Her mom is a bit like mine. They love us, but by grace of all the gods, they are way too fucking much,." The woman darted in the direction of her quarry.

Having parents like that, no wonder Haruko doesn't respect others' privacy.

Mid-Morning, November 26th, 2007 - Whateley Campus

DuskWing

Well, you are a good friend and someone needs to keep an eye on Gráinne. Sophia believes she is starting a similar journey to what her grandfather went on when he and his teammates founded the Whatcom Alliance, with all the stuff happening around Gráinne and Whateley I don't doubt it. With Sophia's history, I can see why she judges people independent of whatever others say about them.

Speak plainly, finally someone with common sense about all this.

"Alright, " she rubbed the back of her neck, "First, one is, look...you seem nice and well I'm inclined to like you with Matt being your boyfriend. Them though." She pointed at the slowly disappearing figures of the raven and red haired girls ahead of them. "There's something...off...with them and I am not entirely sure what it is yet."

"Gráinne and her fucking ginger-pale bullshit," Sophia sighed.

Bad Sophia, bad, no talking about a friend like that.

"Uh - no, but spirits aren't always the most forthcoming. What is it not talking about? I mean, I'm not implying Graine is up to no good, but there are just -too- many questions."

No spirit gives out all the answers immediately, that might break their poor host.

"Gráinne's spirit is pretty damn cryptic. She describes it as playing an Anime RPG game and getting a lore dump every few hours of story time."

"Must be hell trying to go to the bathroom between all the cutscenes..."

Good thing I wasn't drinking anything right now. And Sophia has spotted Haruko and Stheno nearby. Snake-hair, okay, Stheno's codename makes more sense now, must have forgotten that detail if I read it somewhere before. Kitty apparated them to a nearby rooftop, handy for ditching stalkers and other creeps.

Chapter 11- A Bloody Revelation

Late Morning, November 26th, 2007 - The Labs

Tamahagane

Haruko and Aurora down in the tunnels going to a lab under Doyle, hhm.

"Fina said something about a new teacher, and her wanting access to a magical testing location," she explained. Before Vamp had her fun, she was speaking to Envy about her new girlfriend's updated powers testing.

Haruko, stop snooping into other people's business before you stumble upon something you regret.

"Gráinne has zero magical talent," Stheno cocked her head as the two came to rest just in front of the lab. A woman in black military fatigues was standing outside and smoking a cigarette in plain sight.

"Oh tat so?" commented the woman, and another black-haired woman noted Haruko.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows initial powers testing results aren't always reliable, nor that all powers a mutant may exhibit might manifest at the same time.

"Aye," the woman dropped her cigarette and stepped on it, "I'm the new Military and Combat Magic lecturer."

Miss Maguire is going to fit into Whateley just fine.

"Dose be chaos invocations, dey confuse any Fae who might sense Gráinne's resonance," the woman replied.

And already gotten to work, nice. Dr. Otto, Mrs. Carson, several of the scientists from Doyle, Fina, and Gráinne as well, just what is going on here? Yi-Fujiwara, mother hyphenated the name finally.

"Hey, you said his position right! Everyone always messes up and calls him a Godfather," she laughed louder, "you know how hard it is to find a Gaijin who doesn't fetishize or is ignorant as fuck about my family?"

"MISS YI-FUJIWARA, LANGUAGE!" snapped the Headmistress.

Never cuss around Mrs. Carson, she is strict about that and very scary when she wants to be.

Late Morning, November 26th, 2007 - The Labs

DuskWing

Sophia and Kitty trying to figure out where Gráinne and Fina went to. Kitty takes her beer seriously, poor girl, that young and already hooked.

"You know that Haruko sneaks Sake in our room? Her dad sends it to her as some sort of Yakuza ritual thing. Go ask her for booze if you want it so bad," she sighed.

"Rrreaaaly?" she asked with a curious purr, "I have been trying to get Sake for a blessing. Among other things."

"If you want to deal with her serial killer mom you can even date her if you want," Sophia stretched before starting off and heading toward a tunnel entrance.

Her comment left Kitty spluttering and blinking. "Wait.....WHAT?"

Hehe, seems Sophia has got Kitty's tongue here.

"Know that the girl crushing on me has a mass-murdering mother, NO I DID NOT!"

"Calm down freckles," she sighed, "Kumiho is a member of the Grand Hall of Sinister Wisdom in Seattle. She's only killed about forty people, in her documented two hundred years of life." She even added a dismissive wave to the girl as she turned around to continue on to the lab.

Catherine rolled her eyes and grumbled. "Just fucking peachy..."

"Sokay, she has a thing for furries anyway."

"I am not a... ok, guess that applies..." Catherine sighed, shaking her head.

If Kitty actually dates Haruko it will certainly make meeting the parents a very interesting date.

"I am a mistress of the art of escalation," Sophia chided her friend, "you make one joke, I pummel you till you know when NOT to say something."

I pity the jokesters at Whateley who don't learn quickly. Kitty, why would you suggest to Matt that as a gift for Sophia, why?!?

"My mom says you sound like your dad....a lot." She waved her hand nonchalantly as she let the threat settle in.

"Yeah... I've been told I take after him a lot," Catherine sighed.

Wait, Catherine, codename Kitty, is that a stealth reference to Kitty Pryde? Can't believe it took me this long to get that possible reference. Maguire the one to greet them at the door and let them in, sneaking over beside Fina and Haruko. Did they make a private testing room just for Gráinne?

"Be careful you four," Dr. Otto turned to address them all, "Miss Maguire has placed a pretty powerful ward around this room to prevent any supernatural trace leaking out of it.

"Um....why?" Haruko asked carefully.

"Someone is trying to kill Gráinne...more specifically her spirit, Morgan," Mrs. Carson addressed them.

"We didn't have a high rated Faerie Witch on staff before," Mrs. Carson replied.

"Wait what?" she asked and stared at Maeve who was mumbling something under her breath. Sophia attempted to make out the words, but the Irishwoman turned away at the last second seemingly noticing her audience. Dammit. Did the Headmistress just say that nutcase is our new teacher?

All this to protect Gráinne and Morgan, hope it is enough. And Maeve is a high rated Faerie Witch and on staff now, interesting.

Powers testing once again for Gráinne, Sophia wondering if she is next only to be teased by Kitty. Her ears, allergy to iron, and something more, what more has changed about Gráinne's biology?

Noon, November 26th, 2007 - The Labs

Scald-Crow

Also, there was not a word said to me I would be in some strange crazy mad scientist lab that deep underground. The room was maybe twenty or twenty-five foot square. The walls were white as freshly fallen snow, and hummed with energy. I could almost see it as small motes of light swirling in a rough wall just within the confines of the room itself.

This isn't a crazy mad scientist lab, you don't want to see one of those at Whateley. Testing to make sure her Exemplar rating is accurate, wild guess that it is now equal to a 5 if not higher.

47 mph for 10 minutes, whoa. And a steady pace of 24 mph after that for more than a half-hour, most impressive. A cut that deep heals that much in a minute, guessing her regen is higher than a 2.

"Hmmm...your muscles are almost...iron like in their density," Dr. Hewely hummed before he said, "Gráinne, would you be okay if I test a theory?"

"What do you want to do?" I asked as I rubbed my hand with the other.

"You said you're highly allergic to iron, does your spirit have any idea on the purity of it and how it affects your healing?" he inquired.

Morgan let out a low uncertain rumble in the depths of my mind. She shifted in my hollow unsurely before I felt her ready to speak. "Cold Iron from the stars will kill us. Forged from the earth will poison us. Steel will confuse us. And, Iron of the earth burns us."

That is more detail than Sidhe's allergy to iron has given us. So meteoric iron kills, forged earth iron is poison, steel confuses [wonder what she means by confuse us], and raw iron burns.

After she says all that they test a sharpened iron file on Gráinne, which was foolish at best. That severe of an injury and almost emits a full Banshee wail, yikes.

"Gearrfaidh mé amach do chroí!" I screamed in gaelic, "daonnaí amadeach!"

"Ye will do no such ting, fae-child." I felt a bit of folded steel against my neck as fear overcame me. I sighed as I realized miss Maguire had a knife against my neck and was humming something under her breath.

"MISS MAGUIRE REMOVE YOUR WEAPON FROM MY STUDENT!" roared Mrs. Carson over the PA from the observation room.

"Not till this Summer Child, gives me har word she won' kill anyone present," she said, "you will won' ye Lil' Rose?"

That nickname, how the hell did she know my nickname? My eyes flashed as I could feel fear digging into my skin and my body quaked. This mortal was a threat to me, and she had a steel blessed blade near my neck. The thing oozed with protective wards and spellwork, and made my skin crawl.

"MISS Maguire," the Headmistress growled again.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ME FOUL WITCH!" I screamed at her as my rage and something in my brain made me want to reach out for something. But, as the desire to grasp for whatever magic I should have failed, the fear grew worse. How was I this weak? I was a daughter of the silver bough, and my ancestors had slain entire villages of such witches for their insubordination!

"Nah, ye havna lass....coool yerself." Morgan's words drew me back to reality. This time I truly felt the steel metal against my neck and I felt a swirl of vertigo.

"Oh me goddess wha' da hell, jus happened?" I gasped as I closed my eyes last and shut them tighter still to make them stop spinning.

"Ye were disassociating," Maeve let me go and sheathed her knife, "Foundlins ere often plagued by visions o' grandeur an' powar."

Crap, she came this close to killing, believing herself to be one of the Faerie from long ago. Now that is terrifying. Threatening to cut out hearts, her fae side getting stronger so she stops thinking like a human. Okay, this went beyond terrifying to horrific.

They should give her longer after the incident just now before moving onto more tests, especially testing the limits of her strength. Morgan directing her actions for the weight lifting, now this makes me curious how other students who've never had weight training deal with this test. 1k pound squat held for a full minute, just how strong is Gráinne?

A machine to measure the amount of force you put into a punch, always curious if they had such a machine for testing, nice to finally find out. She called upon "that" memory before punching the machine's target, this is going to pretty high. At least she is okay and Fina is there to help her stay calm.

Noon, November 26th, 2007 - The Labs

Envy

Uh oh, whoever tossed those iron filaments at Gráinne now has Fina to deal with. White phosphorus, yikes, she is beyond ticked off.

Distracted, I didn’t realize what was about to happen until the iron file was almost against her wrist. “WHAT! Hewley, have you lost your damn mind! STOP!” I shouted but it was too late.

Hewley, you idiot, for someone so smart sometimes he has less common sense than most of the students.

I felt a tug in my gut as Gráinne’s will reached inside herself for a space so profoundly absent that I felt like I was being pulled into it. It was Gráinne who reached for that power, but it was also not Gráinne. It was an instinct older than her or even Morgan, written into her blood and soul.

Sensing all this about what is going on inside Gráinne, her witch's sight seems a blessing and a curse at this point.

*blushes* Good grief, Fina, restrain yourself.

Turning off the PA, I looked to Carson. “This isn’t testing, it’s torture,” I muttered.

Carson didn’t even blink. “I wish it weren’t necessary.”

If they don't understand her powers, her nature, how can they help her especially when there is a medical emergency. Okay, Fina's epiphany and conclusions because of it are scary to contemplate. She doesn't realize how violent the outside world is towards mutants or hasn't realized Whateley Academy is trying to prepare them for a world that sometimes fears and hates them.

Gráinne was something new, and even Carson needed to know how to kill her or beings like her.

I felt sick but I let the rising cold in my heart take that emotion away from me too. I needed to be calm and in control. For Gráinne.

Geez, what did your mother do to you to see Whateley like this, Fina?

Chapter 12 - So Much Pressure

The Witching Hour, November 27th, 2007 - Beyond The Looking Glass

Envy

Oh crap, is this a memory or memory of a nightmare which Fina had as a child? A monster looking for them as a child, hiding under the bed from it before it burst into their room, I hope this is just a nightmare and not an actual memory, otherwise, her mother has much to answer for.

Yes, this was the dream she always remembered, and one that always brought a sense of unease to her body. It was like her entire frame was wrong, and felt completely ill-fitting over her bones. A sense of horror born of years of self-harm, and confusion about how no matter how hard she tried to put it on her tongue she could never put it to words. Right then as the thing waited, it would thud over to the open door and let out a growl, "I know you’re in here Princess.....we'll find you. Someday."

It was always Princess, never Prince, and this was well before her sudden transition earlier that year. The dream itself was her oldest nightmare, one that seemed part of who she was. A rotting little piece of herself never to be forgotten, ignored, or ever misplaced. The voice was gravely and sounded like rocks grinding together in a mudslide. Or the silent cracking of ice as it's about to give away. The massive feet disappeared and the shadow only lingered in the light of the door for a little while longer. It was this way every single time and it never changed.

Why does all this seem like a nightmare connected to real memory, only some of the details are changed? *eyes bug out* The changes she undergoes in the nightmare, the scene shift, it all seems to point to Deep One or Great Old One connections.

"Queen Of Ice And Black Waters."

This just made the nightmare much more real, sounds like something an Eldritch Horror would use as a title.

So she is in the body of a drowned girl being torn apart by sea creatures, yikes. Good lord! This nightmare is one of the scariest, if not the scariest, things I've ever read or seen. What the *#@! Fina's mother did this to someone or something.

"I WILL NOT BE YOUR PUPPET FOREVER!"

What in the world did Fina's mother do?

"-HWA?! MIN CWĒN!-"
A feminine roar thundered in the background and in her skull. "IC ĒÞIEĒÞIĠE EÞ, MIN MÓDORCILD!"The voice overpowered every thought, instinct, and any ounce of brain power she had. It reached into her soul and yanked hard to hold her attention as something pounded at the mirror and she noticed the corpse-girl was righting herself. Long seaweed encrusted hair finished the Draugen's appearance as she twisted her head around and focused her one good dull eye on Fina.

"She wants you Fina, and SHE WILL HAVE YOU!" screamed the dead voice of the nameless girl. Spittle flew from weeping sores on her lips and the worm reached out and took another bit of greying flesh. Fina attempted to take a step back when she found herself rooted on the spot. It was then as she tried to raise a foot she realized her feet were somehow stuck to the oily residue now flooding her floor.

"You were stolen from her, FINA! You were stolen from them all! Your mother took you away, and now you DARE LOVE THE BLOOD OF HER SON'S KILLERS!" more nonsense from the flesh thing. It was getting closer still. The raven head tried to scream; to wake herself up, and now as she found herself froze on the spot. More and more the air around her grew chill and just as she tried to move, the dead thing reached for her face./quote] Gah, I can't figure out what they are saying completely. The first part is Who? My wife? I think. The last part is my mother's child or something like that, but the first part of that sentence eludes me unless it is a name or something. A mix of Old Norse and Gaelic. I'm curious, do they mean the person who Fina knows as her mother isn't her mother, she stole her from her real mother? Dare love the blood of her son's killers, very confusing, almost sounds like Gráinne, Morgan, or another Fae was involved in the death of someone who might have been her brother.

Just After The Witching Hour, November 27th, 2007 - Beyond The Looking Glass

Scald-Crow

Why is she in a different place than usual in the dream-scape? Hoping she entered on the outskirts of Fina's dream and can go rescue her. Alpine forest, a mountain in the distance, and Gráinne wanting to run home because of how everything is so small in comparison. She can pick all that up, her hearing is superhuman so I guess those ears aren't just for show. Now that is an awesome outfit, great description brought it to life.

Reading game of Thrones I would have screamed, "QUEEN IN THE NORTH" and I actually did under my breath.

Teehee, wonder if she would ever get dressed up for a con.

Whoa, her sense of smell is that sharp, as long as she is alert it would be almost impossible to sneak up on her. Ah, I miss a good run, so much fun. A stone ring with a fire in the center, hhm. A dome of stone like that with no mortar, no that takes true skill. A spear drove deep into the stone, now who could have done that. Stone thrones with armrest, epic.

Okay, who is this woman who looks like she could be Morgan's mother or bigger sister? At least Morgan is there.

"We ere be at the Thrones o' the Nine," she spoke carefully and I saw the other nine seats. All were tall sarsens jutting from the earth like great teeth of a long dead giant. Above each seat on its stone back was a carven rune, a series of lines formulating a complicated glyph. The fire beside the cairn burned bright as I felt a sense of reverence towards the tomb these nine thrones were built around.

So the Sidhe had nine queens, pretty sure Morgan is talking about some other beings though.

"Bite back dat snark o' yers me heart, ye need ta know who seeks to kill us, an' who can support us," she rolled her eyes. The tall redhead was dressed in one of her celtic dresses this time around. A red one with long gold embroidered sleeves depicting running wolves along the edges.

"But, it's soooo fun!" I chirped as the woman at the throne cast a glance at me.

"Ye should listen ta har lil' one," the Princess spoke as Morgan blushed bright red, "Unless ye dun wish ta sit here someday."

Gráinne can't be herself without the snark, it is a part of her! Responding in Celtic, Morgan calls her kin my lady.

"Gráinne, this be my kin, Áine daughter of Boann, she is my step-daughter," she explained. The Fae woman's skin was metallic and sparkled like scales as she offered me a light smile.

Her step-daughter, yet bigger than her, her da must be a giant of sorts. Morgan calling Áine's da an arse sounds like someone to avoid.

Nemain's kin, Nemain to Fodla, as in Fodla daughter of Delbáeth and Ernmas of the Tuatha Dé Danann, whoa, that is some serious royal bloodline alright. The horn, yikes, give a little warning before setting off the call to the Nine. Only 5 of them there, hhm.

"Badru, Duke of the Unending Night, Keeper of the Sealed Gates," the centurion-clad figure announced his titles.

Well, he's intimidating. Princess of the Silver Bough aka Morgan the only other one there, darn, guess we have to wait to meet the others.

"A child of the House of Don here in our midst and one of Nemain's lot by that hair and eyes," he chuckled, a sound that reminded me of a rumbling leopard right before it pounced for the kill.

"She is MINE, son of the Yellow-King," Morgan stated as she stepped out from the shadow of her step-daughter's throne.

Please tell me Morgan doesn't mean Badru is the son of the King in Yellow. Never heard of another Yellow-King before.

"Eriu daughter of Ermas," the man leaned his head into his hand and lounged in his throne, "Not since an age has the Emerald Soul come to Cairn of the Sleeper."

I really don't like him.

"You would best describe me as Sauron little Foundling," he stated and all propriety of mirth left his voice, "I may not rule the Unseleigh. But I am the Lord of the Dusken Ring, and nightmare is my realm."

Crud, now I know why I don't like him.

"Where is Llyr and Lady Penarddun? Where are the King and Queen of Winter?" Morgan barked.

King asleep, the queen rules in his stead, how long has that been going on? Badru has a sister and a niece, a half-breed, wonder who the father is.

I watched the two of them with curiosity mixed with horror. Did that guy get called the son of the Yellow-King, as in .....The KING IN YELLOW? I mean I wasn't at all well versed in anything related to Lovecraft, but I was sure that was - oh never mind. Faerie made no fucking sense.

Yeah, she had the same thoughts I did about Badru, now I have to know if we are right. Moving towards the Great Cairn, Gráinne asking where the Wyching Tree is. On a quest for the twin of the spear in the dome, great, quest like this are never easy.

"A weapon crafted from bloodsteel, an' etched using the acid of a lindwyrm," she smiled, "Twas the handy work o' someone far older dan this cairn."

"Wooo I get it, we're after fucking Excaliber," I rolled my eyes.

"Wrong, we're after Claidheamh Soluis," she snapped, "an' wit it...I'll regain me strengt."

That legendary Irish weapon, a Godkiller weapon, is what they are after. Okay, this quest is much, much harder than I first thought.

Gráinne's trip to Whateley, those shadows and shapes on the train, the hooded girl in the mirror, you just knew it was the start of something huge. PTSD and panic attacks, all the strange coincidences she keeps attracting, and a list of enemies that just keeps growing. Without Morgan, her friends, and Dr. Otto I don't want to think what would happen to Gráinne.

Her list of powers seems to be increasing, from her senses that can see things most others don't, to increasing strength, muscles like steel, and more, has she even seen a fraction of her potential yet? And her changes, from the ears to mention of antlers in the future, just how many more changes are in store for her future? I wish she didn't have to go through such brutal powers testing, especially that part with the iron file, that seemed foolish at best for the power testers to do after what Morgan told them. Morgan's domains being War, Fate, and Life, what do they mean for Gráinne and her powers have me curious to learn.

We got to see the first positive first impression of Ms. Hartford by a student and what an impression it was. So many people met throughout the story, from roommates like Alexis Dunn to more friends like Fina and I hope Kitty is her friend now, to other students like Haruko and Stheno, and Sophia's boyfriend Matt and her new friends, to creeps like Gravmax who needs a harsh lesson. And meeting the Nine in the last part of the story, so epic. Badru, I really want to know if Yellow-King means the King-in-Yellow from Lovecraft. .Plus her impressions of Sara aka Diamondback,

Gráinne's early power ratings, Exemplar 4, Avatar 3, Wizard 1. After her new power testing, I have wonder if those have changed. UV armband makes sense and I loved reading her therapy sessions, some of them even helped me. With Morgan and Dr. Otto's help I hope she can learn to cope with the trauma, she has been through stuff no one should be put through.

Morgan's many titles, Raven of the Center, and many others shows just how long she has existed. Morgan there when the Sundering happened, her issues with Sidhe, and all those secrets we have learned about her and the Faerie, very interesting and well researched too with your own touches. Loved how she said Anna is almost Draoi like Gráinne, not that surprising, plus I loved seeing her again, such a nice girl. I hope we see more of Morgan's memories of the past return over time, especially her time from before the Sundering.

Fina's first encounter with Gráinne, learning more about her and her own traumas due to her mother, and seeing Gráinne ask her out was great. Their date was adorable, plus loved learned about their family, Fina's mother is messed up. Her paranoia due to her upbringing is understandable, Strega needs a long lecture on how to treat her own child. How she is treated due to who her parent is, this makes me angry every time it happens to someone. And her counseling sessions, Dr. Otto is the best addition to Whateley psychiatric staff ever.

The Dullahan, aka Bess Monaghan, the biggest threat to Gráinne and Morgan right now, I hope they will be prepared when the time comes to confront her. Nimue being Bess's mistress and wanting to end Morgan, what is Nimue's motive for this, especially right now? The memory that Gráinne has to live through of Sinead's death, I thought that scene would be the scariest in the story until Fina's nightmare.

Alley-Oop, what happens to him, how did Fina contain the energies released upon his death, and what other fallout might happen in the future for Fina and others who were nearby like Sophia, Gráinne, and numerous others? Seeing Alley-Oop's death from Gráinne and Morgan's perspectives, still shudder thinking about it. And what Sophia saw, you have a way of describing horrific scenery.

Maeve Maguire, came to Whateley determined to get information on Sinead's death and who her killer was, bashed wills with Mrs. Carson, and seem to come to the brink of being the first person who Mrs. Carson would personally throw out of Whateley Academy grounds, only to become an instructor, and help out Gráinne with her powers and protecting herself from the Dullahan. Never saw that last part coming when she first showed up, very nice. Though forcing Morgan to become material was a risky move, she should be glad it worked out so well and didn't hurt Gráinne.

The Black Shuck, what is its purpose for hanging around Whateley, why does it seem to be keeping an eye on Gráinne, what does it have planned?

All the details about the Fae through the story were great, also a bit of nightmare fuel with what they do to people, I thought GOOs were the worst before reading this story.

Some stand-out scenes for me: Kayda's lecture on spirits, love world-building like this.
Maeve's banter with Kitty, including Maeve looking into Kitty's "parents", where will that lead has me curious.
The encounter with Reverend Enlund, Morgan's reactions, and what she said about him. It has me questioning his origin story, was the entity who saved his life an agent of God or something else?
The effect of Nikki's glamour on Gráinne, never expected it to be different from everybody else, interesting.
The date with Fina, just so adorable, both so new to this and getting to know each other and each other's family.
Sophia meeting Kayda and Tatanka in the sweat lodge, nice to see her interact with them even if she didn't join the Nations.
Fina's assessment of Whateley Academy's real purpose, probably paranoid, but might have a grain of truth to it.
The nightmare Fina had, I've seen horror movies that left me less freaked out, which is a compliment to your writing skills.

Now they have a quest for a legendary weapon of Irish myth, you certainly don't give Gráinne an easy task. I loved this story from start to finish, both all the character moments and growth, along with the world-building. I can't to wait read more of Gráinne, Sophia, and everyone else's adventures.