'Neath the Darkening Storm (IC)

[Mordae]

Dark.

Cold.

Sore.

Grassy...

As your eyes open and you become accustomed to your orientation--prone, looking up from a grassy field into the star-speckled black of a night sky, only one thing is certain: these aren't the same stars you saw the previous night, before your little band decided to sneak into wizard Margvan's tower and explore the winding hallways lined with rune-encircled doors. The third door on the left--the bright flash of pulsating blue light--and then dark.

The field is really more of a grassy hill, set in what is apparently a rolling countryside dotted with unfamiliar trees. Somewhere in the distance to the--well, whatever direction that is--there is a great hissing sound, like taking the lid off a kettle on the boil, or a blacksmith quenching a blade in a barrel of icy water.

But this sound goes on for nearly a full minute, gradually diminishing in intensity before fading to inaudibility. Or, rather, any remaining sound is covered by the faint babble of people talking. It's not very loud, but the quality of the noise indicates that there are a great number of speakers.

[druid91]

Griam sat up looking as he always did when woken up, grey and about as corpselike as a living person can seem.

"Where are we? And what's that noise?"

[PersonMan]

Coris stays on the ground, frowning, for a few moments.

"I'm not sure." The boy says, considering all of the places his parents had told him about. Remembering their warnings, he curled one hand into a fist, willing the magical power within him to flare up. After a moment, his hand was engulfed in a purple flame that faded a moment later. "I'm not sure about all of you, but it seems like my magic works, at least." He says, standing and turning to the direction of the noise. "It sounds like people over there-should we go look?" Coris asked, turning to the others.

[druid91]

"Nah, let's just stand here."

Griam grins before continuing.

"Yes, we should. But being ready for trouble can't be a bad idea."

[MistressBaerne]

Saverana Ta'aert

"Indeed it cannot. I have a few simple spells memorized in case of emergency - what about you?"

[M. Mayonnaise]

Christopher is kneeling on the grass, his feet still under him. A sudden feeling of disorientation comes over him - he felt as though he'd only stumbled, but suddenly he found himself in an entirely different locale. Rune-covered walls had become open air, stone floor had become grass, and, judging by the darkness around them, day had become night.

Christopher looks around himself, seeing his friends sprawled out on the grass, eyes shut. A sudden shrill hissing sound off in the distance makes him jump involuntarily, head whipping around to look in the direction of the noise. Only a second later, he hears Griam's voice behind him. Christopher remains silent as the rest of his friends begin waking up, moving to help Saverana, his adopted sister, onto her feet.

After Saverana speaks, Christopher hesitantly asks,

"Do you... you don't think we'll be attacked, do you?"

[bladesmith]

"Guess it never hurts to be careful. Usually."

Alicia's muffled voice rose from where she had landed, face down, and with a giant lump of fur across her back. As she shifted, the furry object rose and solidified into a large wolf, its proud head bowed to check on the muddied figure in the grass. Alicia then levered herself up from the grass, using the ruff of the wolf's neck to pull herself to standing. Leaning on Bob, the girl surveyed the countryside. It was disorienting.

"Does anyone know where we ended up? 'Cause the stars are all wrong. And the trees are weird."

[PersonMan]

Coris looks around again before speaking. "I'd guess that we somehow landed in another plane. We should find some mages and see if they can send us back." He says, looking off towards the direction of the noise. "It sounds like there are people over there-maybe we should check it out?" The boy considers, glancing to the others for confirmation.

[MistressBaerne]

Responding to Christopher, Saverana says "Of course not, silly. Think about it - we haven't got a thing worth stealing, and if anything happened to us, Mother would be very angry. I agree with Coris; let's go talk to the people."

[M. Mayonnaise]

Chris nods, reassured. He shrugs and takes a few steps in the direction of the noise. "Well, let's go then, right?"

[PersonMan]

Right, let's go! Coric says, heading off in the direction of the noise, glancing back at the others to make sure they were going as well. As long as they were in a group and he had his powers, he could at least feel confident in their ability to get by until they could find a friendly mage to get them home.

[druid91]

Griam walks towards the noise along with Coris.

"Wonder where we turned up, too nice to be Baator, and not nice enough to be celestia...

[MistressBaerne]

"Somewhere else on the Prime Material, then?" Saverana's brow furrows in what's meant as a look of concentration and concern but winds up just looking cute.

[Mordae]

The five lost souls gather themselves up and proceed in the direction of the hissing noise. The breeze picks up just a bit, blowing fitfully across the grass and setting it to rustling--noise enough to obscure the general babble of voices. One voice, however, rises above the rest: a clear, crisp, authoritative male speaker with a strange, tall-voweled accent. "You there! First years, look alive and report to the head of the queue at once! We shan't be late on your accounts!"

At the crest of the next hill, the source becomes quite clear, though still quite strange. There is a gigantic, steaming ironworks that stretches for near on a quarter mile to the right; it sits upon twin metal rails that extend to the horizon in both directions. The ironworks appears rather to be a series of windowed boxes, from which there are robed children emerging onto the platform at the far side. A tall, rail-thin gentleman, garbed in a plain black robe, holds a lantern aloft as he beckons urgently. "This way, first years!" he calls again, and the smallest of the children start to gather around him in droves.

Atop the wooded hills behind the platform, etched in stark silhouette against the twilight sky, is an enormous castle. It looks not at all similar to the styles of home, but rather seems as though a number of wizard's towers have been connected by high baileys, low courts, and strange arch-covered bridges that practically seem to float. The starlight reflects, shimmering and hazy, from the surface of a glassy lake that nestles among the hills between the platform and the gates of the castle.

[MistressBaerne]

"Ahhh..." the short elf sighs in relief, visibly relaxing. "That's a wizard's fortress if ever I've seen one, and of such size! There must be plenty of mages there who can help us. It may even be a school, if those children are any indication - all the better."

[PersonMan]

Coric nods, smiling. Even if there aren't many mages who can do that sort of portal-spell, it would probably be the headmaster of this kind of school. Even if he can't, a school means that there's probably enough of a community that they can find someone who can. He says, looking at the odd machine. Well, ah...how will we get over there? The boy wonders after a moment, looking at the massive machine blocking their path.

(If it isn't in the way, just ignore that last part.)

[Mordae]

The group could walk the long way, around the back of the big machine, or cross in front of the steaming engine through the brilliant beam of light it emits...

[MistressBaerne]

"I don't trust that light; lots of spells look like harmless light, but - aren't. We could go under it, but it's awfully big and might not notice us...Let's go around it."

[druid91]

"Why not just go over?"

[PersonMan]

Coric looks at the machine-if it seems like the group could climb over it, he'll mention the path to the others, otherwise he's for going around the back.

[Mordae]

As the group walks a bit closer, Coric determines that the hulking machine is not a monolith, but rather a linked set of windowed metal boxes on wheels. Assuming it does not move, the five could easily pass between two of the boxes by ducking under or climbing over the linkages. Unfortunately, there are no doors visible on this side.

[PersonMan]

Coric points out the space between the boxes to the others. We can go through there. Let's be quick, though, we don't know if this thing is going to start doing something soon... The boy says, nervous about going between two parts of a massive metal machine for any length of time.

[Mordae]

Lacking a better plan, the group follows Coric's lead and goes scrambling between two of the big metal boxes. The platform at the other side is a couple of feet above ground, but it's easy enough to climb up and join the general gaggle of robed children. The youngest don't notice the newcomers, for they are fixed on the male "wizard" who is herding them to one end of the platform; the older ones, for their part, are proceeding along a different path that takes them away from the platform without passing where the five strangers are skulking along.

"Alright, first years, listen up!" says the man as the group moves ponderously past the end of the platform and toward the shore of the lake, "Five to a boat now! Look lively, for if you are late your elders shall be cross on account of the late dinner!"

As he speaks, small spots of flickering light suddenly appear, illuminating the air over a fleet of rowboats beached along the shore. At the fore, the robed children are already starting to sort themselves into the little vessels, and as each fills, it pushes off into the water without any sort of oars or other visible propulsion. The flame-like lights continue to hover over the boats as they move out, giving the impression of so many will-o-wisps on the lake.

[PersonMan]

Coric moves slowly, wary of the lights-his parents had warned him about floating lights that led unwary travelers to their deaths. Then again, maybe they were some sort of guardians?

Turning to the others, the boy glances around once before whispering Alright, what now? Do we just go with them and find someone in the castle, or ask someone now? Coric asks, his voice betraying his insecurity. In a strange place, surrounded by unknown people...It was really getting to him. He needed something normal, something that he knew. The only thing that there was for that, however, were his powers and friends, now...

[druid91]

OOC: sorry. I was waiting for others to make the first move.

Griam brushes some grass off of his grey robe and, a bored expression on his face, he walks straight into the crowd, making his way straight to the adult shouting instructions.

"Sir, My friends and I have managed to become lost, An arcane mishap I believe. So could you perhaps direct us to the nearest mage capable of transporting us back?"

[Mordae]

The middle-aged wizard looks up from where he has been herding a trio of small and rather exuberant boys into a boat. Peering down the length of his thin, bony nose, he holds up his lantern to illuminate the five strange youngsters. "What's this 'magical mishap' nonsense? Balderdash! The only mishap I see is that you five are desperate to earn demerits for your houses afore you've even been sorted. The First Night feast is not some costume ball, children!" With his free hand, the man reaches into the folds of his black robe and produces a short, pointed wand crafted of some springy wood that surmounts a silver filigree handle. He waves it in a figure-eight pattern in the air over the group and intones rather harshly, "Preparo regaliam!"

There is a sudden breeze that sets everyone's clothes to fluttering. As the strange gust passes, the five notice that their garb has been utterly transformed. Christopher, Coric, and Griam find themselves in tight-fitting black trousers and starched-stiff collared shirts of white linen; Saeverna and Alicia, meanwhile, are now wearing black dresses of soft but somewhat scratchy wool. Over each set of clothes is an unadorned black robe identical to those worn by the other children. The remaining possessions brought by each are neatly concealed underneath the flowing overgarment.

The wizard nods in a satisfied manner and points imperiously toward the nearest empty boat with his wand. "Now, children, there shall be no more dilly-dallying! Off you go, into the boat, chop-chop!"

[druid91]

Griam frowns, "Sir, we didn't come on your metal contraption back there with the others, we merely walked over it to get to someone capable of telling us where in the nine hells we are. Besides we aren't here for some feast, we don't even know where here is." It's at this point he engages in an odd habit he picked up from his dad, when stressed both play with tindertwigs, In this case griam simply twiddles it in his fingers unlit.

OOC: I, didn't mean for griam to actually point them out, more he just mentioned that he had friends.

[Mordae]

The man draws himself up and looks as though he is about to deliver a sharp rebuke, but then his eyes narrow and he examines Griam more closely. "You... well, you do not look British, that is for certain. Hmm, I think this will be a matter best suited to the attention of the headmaster. The boats will take you to Hogwart's presently, along with the rest of the students, and after a good meal perhaps this business can be sorted out in short order." He sheathes his wand within the folds of his robe and beckons the five outsiders--indeed, the only others remaining on the sand--into the nearest craft. "Come now, it shan't be long," he adds as he enters the boat hiimself and settles himself near the stern.

[PersonMan]

Coric follows the man, hoping to get this issue resolved as quickly as possible. Although the sudden change of his attire bothers him, he's willing to ignore it for now, not wanting to delay their meeting with the headmaster. After all, it wouldn't be too long before everyone would be worried about the children, and Coric would rather get back before that happened.

[druid91]

Griam smiles and stows the tindertwig away.

"Hmm father did warn me to be careful about trusting strangers... But I suppose they wouldn't have you in the job you have if you were the sort to kidnap anyone."


He walks to the boat.

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny, breaking his silent contemplation of their surroundings, follows Griam, saying, "I haven't been able to find a single floating thought that knows the name of our home. We may be in for a long haul."

[Mordae]

The others take their places, and the boat pushes off the shore, moved by some unseen force. The black-garbed man looks calm and unperturbed, but he occasionally casts a reflective look at the group of youngsters sharing the boat.

Above the lake, the lit windows of the massive castle gleam brightly, and the structure seems all the more wonderful and grandiose as the flotilla of tiny boats skims slowly gracefully toward the destination. It's a beautiful ride, to be sure, but the entire thing seems almost intentionally designed to delay the arrival of the "first-years" to the school. The only exception to the pace is the boat in which the strangers and the wizard travel--its pace is just enough faster that it arrives on shore first.

While the robed man clambers up onto the shore and begins calling out orders to gather up the crowd, the little boats begin washing up onto the shore beneath the castle, and one by one the black-robed children disembark. In the darkness of evening, it looks like a group of so many shadows clustered on the beachhead. A cobblestone path leads up the side of the hill, winding back and forth until it joins the main road that proceeds to the school proper.

"Now, remember, children," the wizard reminds them at the end of his litany. "You'll be called by name, in order of your last names, and when called you shall present yourself at the front of the Hall where the Sorting Hat will be placed upon your head. It shall decide to which of the four Houses you are assigned. Your house is your family while you reside here at Hogwart's--friends, mentors, guardians, and teammates. The year-long competition for the Cup begins tomorrow, and your successes and victories will earn points for your House. Mind you, failures and mistakes will cost your House points, as your elders will no doubt remind you often! Now, to the Hall, quick step!"

The buzz among the children grows as they swarm the path in rapid succession, chatting about whether Hufflepuff is superior to Gryffindor or whether Slytherin will win the Quidditch tournament again this year. It's all quite foreign and difficult to make heads or tails of without any context. Just as the flow of strange and new names is starting to die down, the group finds itself in the entry of the castle, shrouded above by massive stone arches that form a portico before the equally gargantuan oaken doors that lead inside.

The wizard reaches into his robe, withdrawing the little wand he had used earlier, and taps three times on the lion-shaped handle of the right door. To this impulse, both doors swing obediently to reveal the cathedral-like hall beyond. Four long tables, spanning nearly the full length of the chamber, extend from the doors toward a raised area at the far end where a fifth table is oriented cross-ways. Each of the long tables is flanked by wooden benches, filled with dozens of similarly black-robed children; the main difference is that these boys and girls appear older, and their robes are adorned with stoles in different colors: Red and gold, black and green, purple and silver, blue and white, each table has but one color scheme so it is quite clear the colors correspond to the Houses the wizard had mentioned earlier. At the head table, grown-up wizards sit facing the doors.

There had been quite a bit of babble from within the hall as the doors were first opened, but this dies down quickly. The wizard who had escorted the first years raises his voice just a little, and his words echo through the stone vaults and alcoves as he announces, "Headmaster, I have the honor to present the Hogwart's class of nineteen forty-six!" To this, the hall responds with restrained applause, which provides the wizard the opportunity to withdraw a scroll from somewhere in the folds of his robe. Unfurling, he begins to read names.

"Anna Applewhite!" A freckle-faced blonde girl goes traipsing down the central aisle to the front of the hall, where a wooden stool sits right in front of the head table. Hovering over the stool is a battered and beaten looking brown leather hat, pointed like a witch's cap in a fairy tale but now slumped with age. Anna sits down on the stool, and immediately the hat lowers itself onto her head. There is a moment's pause, and it seems all the wizards are holding their breath for the hall becomes nearly silent. Then, the animated garment opens its mouth--such strange magic!--and announces, "Ravenclaw!" The table furthest to the left explodes with clapping and cheers as the little girl hops off the stool, grinning from ear to ear as she joins her new friends.

"Gilbert Bentley!" the wizard calls out, and a brown moptop with a boy underneath charges boldly to the fore.

Given the number of children involved, it's clear the process will take some time. What's not as clear is the fate of those whose names are undoubtedly not on the wizard's list.

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny looks forward confidently, watching the process. His lips barely move as he speaks from the side of his mouth to his companions.

"What's the plan guys? Should I write our names on the list from here, or should we wait it out?"

[druid91]

Griam flashes a rare grin before whispering.

"Do it, I just wanna see the look on his face. Besides it might make them think we want to be involved. Adults like children who want to be involved. "

[PersonMan]

After a moment, Coric nods. I'd certainly want to see you do that. He says, regarding his friend with interest. Even if his attempt failed or was discovered, it would certainly be...interesting, to say the least.

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny nods imperceptibly, and then closes his eyes, concentrating on the idea of the paper in his mind. he pulls out a mental quill, and begins to write.


Manifesting Prestidigitation, then adding Griam Emilian, Coris Hiroi, Alisa Hollis, Ray'ny Kasper, Christopher Nexus, and Saverana Ta'aert to the bottom of the list, or spaced out alphabetically with the other's if that's not too much of an abuse of prestidigitation.

[bladesmith]

"Ray, wait..."

However, Alisa could already tell by the look of concentration on Ray'ny's face that she was too late. Her name was probably already added to the list, and this whole mess would probably last a little longer. Clinging tightly to Bob(who had barely managed to fit in the little boat), she scratched at the itchy new clothes. Normally this would be a fun side trip for her, but things were progressing way to fast for her to try and process what was going on. The others probably hadn't really noticed, but even in their short time outside, Alisa could tell that they were far from home. It seemed like even the grass was growing wrong. And then some guy started casting strange magic using a wand, and... She wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. Still, there was a thought that was growing larger as time passed that was beginning to supersede her fear. The knowledge that this was her first adventure. If this was to be an adventure, then, bits of her mother's words became to rattle around in her brain. Reminders that, if you didn't have the time or patience for caution, then you put your head down and hoped to have enough healing for when the dust settled.

With that thought in mind, she began to stand a little straighter, one hand still entwined in Bob's fur.

"Well, however it works out, this should be interesting."

[Mordae]

The announcing of names goes on for awhile, working through the alphabet until at last "Daphne Whiteshawl" is publicly assigned "Gryffindor!" to the cheers of the red-and-gold bedecked table.

The wizard who had escorted all these students in their little boats now frowns just a bit, noting that he has exactly six "students" left and that there are six names on the list, but all out of order. He looks forward to the headmaster only to receive a withering, "get-on-with-it" look; flushing very slightly, he clears his throat and announces, "Griam Emilian!"

There's a bit of a gasp-groan from the assembled students, who were clearly anticipating the start of the big meal with the end of the name-calling. Several hundred heads turn to stare at the back of the hall, seeking out whoever this strange person is that dares to go out of turn. But the headmaster--is he smiling?

[druid91]

Griam walks forward and grins at the man before walking forward like he'd seen the others do.

He carefully places the hat on his head.

[Mordae]

The cap settles itself down on Griam's head for several moments, a process that seems to take much longer for him than for the other students that preceded.
And then, the cap speaks to him--in his mind! The strange presence seems to seek out the corners of Griam's brain and inventories as it goes. "Loyalty, I see, and a desire to see things set right. And yet, without restraint... and a hunger for knowledge... you will face trials, yes, but you will persevere in...
"...Gryffindor!" the cap announces aloud, and the red-and-gold faction explodes again. Many give the new member curious stares, though; it's clear some realize he looks out of place.

After the hubbub dies again, the wizard in the back clear his throat and calls out, "Coris Hiroi!"

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny nudges Alisha playfully with an elbow.
"Interesting indeed. Let's see what happens to Griam at the table he's going to."
His tone becomes more serious, "Although, I'd worry about the fact that no one else seems to have pets here, and I can't do anything to hide your mutt from everyone's mind. If anyone asks, say Bob's your helper dog, like Old Man Heffer's mastiff."

[druid91]

Griam smiles and waves at the others before walking to the red-gold group.

[PersonMan]

Coris grins at the others, whispering a short Nice. to Ray, obviously impressed. Setting his sights on the chair that so many others had sat on before, Coris moves quickly, eager to find out which of these 'houses' he would be placed in-the green one seemed rather nice, although red-gold had a certain appeal, and Griam had been placed there, too.

Arriving at the chair, Coris repeats what Griam and the other students did before him.

[Mordae]

The hat flutters just a bit as it eases down over Coris's ears and has a long think."Hmm, you are an interesting one. Power, innate, yet... different. Self-reliant, to be sure, but bold and daring. The desire for more could consume you, but I sense a nobler purpose--family, and friends. You will do well in..."...Gryffindor!" The hat announces the choice with no trace of hesitation or uncertainty, and the Gryffindor students again cheer their gain.

"Alisa Hollis!" the wizard calls out over the din, eager to get on with the proceedings. The other houses are starting to look a bit petulant.

[bladesmith]

"I was hoping to pass him off as a familiar or something. Like that grumpy old man, with the blink dog? Whatever his name was..."

As her name was called, Alisa stepped forward, bringing Bob with her and giving a small wave to the others as she got out in front of the tables. Then, for the first time since they climbed into the boat, she let go of her companion's fur to reverently set the tattered hat upon her head.

[Mordae]

The hat settles in for a good spell, appearing perhaps puzzled as it ponders."Freedom, curiosity, yes, all might make for a good Ravenclaw. Yet a good deal of common sense, and in touch with the natural world, so like Hufflepuff. But... ah, yes. Adventure. Friendships. Setting things right. There is only one choice for you, and that is...""... Gryffindor!"

By now, the chagrin is evident on the faces of the students in the other houses. Two Gryffindors in a row might have been a coincidence, but three was a trend disliked in general. The wizard performing the introductions falters a bit, sweat starting to bead on the point of his beak-like nose, but presses on. "R.. uh, Ray'ny Kasper?"

[The Antigamer]

Ray'ny walks up to the hat with a stoic expression, a slight twist of a smile on one side of his face the only thing marring the placidity. He sits down on the stool, and the hat lowers over his head.

[bladesmith]

Alisa gently took the hat off her head and set it back on the chair with a quiet word of thanks. Her mother had explained that one should always be polite to intelligent items, and this one had placed her in the group with Griam and Coris, so it was a nice hat. Turning, she looked down at her robes and saw that they had changed to match the red and gold of the "Griffin door" table, then began to walk over that way, patting her side to bring Bob up next to her. The wolf rushed up beside her, almost knocking her down as she gave an encouraging wave to Ray'ny. Finding a seat with the others, she looked down the surprised looking table of people(all humans? Perhaps it was just the nation that they were in), then back at the others, and finally up at Ray'ny as he puts on the tattered hat. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. Short detour into another world, and then their parents would come pick them up and make everything right. How bad could that be?

[Mordae]

The hat settles down on Ray'ny's head and has a good think."Hmm... quite the thinker, here--you are not so much like the others, and yet quite alike! A passion to learn, to help, knowledge but not for your own sake. You'll do well in..."... Gryffindor!"

This time, the applause is mixed with coughs and guffaws from the other three tables. And it only gets worse as Christopher Nexus and Saverana Ta'aert are added to the red-and-gold ranks. By the time the elf-maid takes off the hat to join her compatriots, there's a riot brewing among the mass of students.

The headmaster observes this all placidly and cuts off the chatter by the simple expedient of standing and raising his hands. Silence slowly pervades the massive hall, and as the last side conversation fades out, the old man begins to speak.

"Welcome, one and all, to another school year here at Hogwart's. I'm certain you are all quite hungry by now, and I shan't keep you waiting lest your ire be directed to me! But there are a few rules that had best be reminded before the festivities commence. Therefore, let me call them to your attention at once:

First, on account of the Muggle unpleasantness going on in the world these days, both the Towers and the Quidditch Grounds are restricted areas. Students are not to enter without a teacher as escort.

Second, there shall be no broomstick flying outside the court, nor above the highest point of the Great Hall.

Third, and most important, Potions will once again be taught by Professor Slughorn, who has recently completed an important, but fortunately temporary, assignment within the Ministry. I am sure you will all welcome him back to the classroom. Professor Dumbledore will, of course, continue to teach Transfiguration.

And now, I think I have kept you from your merriment for far too long. Let the feast begin!"

The headmaster claps his hands twice, and in a twinkling a smorgasbord of familiar and unfamiliar culinary delights appears on each of the four long tables. The students forget their earlier irritation just as quickly, digging in with vigor as they spoon a heaping of this or a helping of that onto their plate and pass the serving dishes down the table.

[druid91]

Griam smiles warmly at the nearest person who he didn't know.

He fails Miserably.

However he doesn't know that so he asks anyway. "So what is all this? This castle, 'muggle unpleasantness', and hogwarts? I'm not from around here so just about anything you could say would be helpful."

[PersonMan]

Coris starts getting himself food, going for the things he recognizes first, and keeps an ear open to listen to the reply, as he's curious about what sort of things are going on in this strange plane.

[bladesmith]

Alisa does a much better job at smiling warmly at the other... Students? Yeah, a school has students. So, she smiles at the others as she unceremoniously rolls up her sleeves, and begins to pick up small portions of everything she doesn't recognize, tasting as she goes. All the while, she listens to the conversations beginning around her and slipping a somewhat balanced diet(by her estimation) under the table for Bob. After all, he hadn't had anything to eat either. But Griam was talking, and she paid most of her attention to that.

"Also, could you tell us where we are? Preferably starting with plane of existence, and working your way from there?" She added to Griam's inquiry as she slipped a large slice of roast beef under the table.

After all, it didn't hurt to ask. They were studying to be mages, so they probably knew a thing or two, and Alisa hated being lost. It happened so little at home that she was feeling a little out of her depth. And even if she couldn't make sense of any answer, then one of the others would.