Zafflebrod's College and Preparatory School for the Magically Inclined

[Slii Arhem]

Welcome!

So hangs the sign above the boldly arched atrium door, spelled out in all of the unseeable colors of the anti-spectrum. Those who pass through these doors have been long reassured by its invisible presence. Its cheerful message deadening their perfectly reasonable animalistic urges to flee and never look back into a repressed shudder and a feeling of forboding.

Yes, it says, welcome to Zafflebrod's Magical College. Though none may ever read it, nor confirm its presence above the door, the thought is truly what counts.

A much more visible sign, constantly updated by faithful divinators, hangs beneath.

Accident Free Until Next: Meatloaf Saturday Full Moon Eclipse Happy Hour Thanksmasnewyearsqwanzakah Morning

History of the School:Some skeptics, chief among whom are a number of traumatized alumni from a particular graduating class that was displaced from time and wound up having to pay many years of overdue student loans all at once, may ask what the purpose of such a place is. What possible reason could Grand Sorcerer Shyaniacaron Alcroft Zafflebrod have had for concentrating such a mass of magical knowledge, flighty staff, unstable experiments and conflicting, immature, magically powerful personalities?

Certainly, if it was to teach these misguided, ill-tempered, mischief-prone youth how to manipulate even more powerful magical forces then questioning his sanity and the school's devotion to his cause would be the only thing a sane, rational mind could do, yes?

But no. Eons or perhaps only months ago, the first head Dean and founder of this place, builder of the three heavily enchanted cornerstones of Fraternity, Peace, and Dramatic Entrances that uphold the college to this very day against disasters both great and small, had a purpose far greater than mere education.

In his heart of hearts, Zafflebrod knew that the most noble cause he could devote his life to was the occupation of the young minds entrusted to him. Few beyond the staff and those alumni lucky enough to be invited to the quarterly social gathering know of the institutions true purpose, which was coined in the immortal words of their great founder.

"Just get all those brats together and keep them busy for a decade or so until they learn for themselves when not to throw freaking fireballs at every problem."

And so for time immemorial, parents have been quietly paying tuition, signing waivers, and sending their undoubtedly gifted, reckless, and dangerous youngsters off to boarding school where they can be the problems of people who are trained to deal with that sort of thing.

It was the brilliance of the school's second head Dean, a man (then woman, wallaby, man, vaporous cloud, pygmy llama, and finally retiree) that truly solidified the school's calling. He instituted a program whereby the most dangerous of young, magically influenced menaces to society could be tapped and squirreled away to be taught ethics, collateral damage avoidance, and all of the other things that their absentee, possibly murdered parents didn't have time to mention to them in their dying pleas for vengeance.

And thus, the Heroism Scholarship Fund was born, as well as several additional classes that became fast favorites among the students such as Dealing With Villains Soon thereafter, several other pertinent scholarships were added, such as the Meddling With Things Sapient Minds Were Not Meant to Comprehend fund, allowing young minds from every dangerous walk of life to be semi-safely sequestered in a school where the threat of death is a temporary inconvenience, and your tuition covers Resurrection costs.

Zaff's college is comprised of three buildings connected by a trio of skyways, as well as a ludicrous amount of extradimensional space bursting at the seams of reality.

The Administrative Building is where new entrants go to register, pay tuition, and buy school supplies from the shops, including the book store for all their necessary texts. It also includes the laboratories for staff experiments and hands on coursework, and the faculty quarters on the uppermost floors. Many times has that particular arrangement of space been brought up by vehement detractors during staff meetings.

The Class Building houses the classrooms, making it one of the most avoided places in the entire facility. It also contains several lecture halls and a full-sized, fully-stocked theater for the drama club and theater classes to us, as well as being commandeered for the occasional school-wide meeting. It also has an indoor parking garage fitted for all manner of vehicular travel.

It is notable for being the only building with lockers lining the halls, and no expense was spared on these. Each locker is enchanted to accept any school-issued key, and open on a magically expanded walk-in closet corresponding to the holder of the key, with an attached ensuite shower. Of course, anything happening in the school that would interfere with portals or pocket dimensions can make using these a dangerous hassle.

The Dormitories are just that, a place for the student body to sleep, relax, and avoid each other's rivalries and prank wars. The cafeteria and gymnasium rest on the bottom floor, with the massive, floor-wide student lounge on the floor above. Nearly all of the rest of the building is filled with student housing and facilities, though there is a door to the attached Library on every floor, taking up the entire west wall of the building.

For some unsettling reason, one of the magical cannons has recently been moved from storage and been set up on the dorm roof. The teachers can't figure out who's responsible for putting it there, but at least they can all agree that it's none of their problem anyway, and why should they have to move it all the way back into the basement?

Defenses: One of the most important aspects of the defenses is the ability to contain threats within the school before they can stumble out into the city of Inside and wreak proper havoc. To that end, a highly efficient and stable quarantine program has been in place since the days of Zaff himself, and will lock down the school both physically and dimensionally until the threat is eliminated. Once it is activated, anything trying to get out will find all exits sealed and the walls nigh impenetrable, to the point where destroying the school itself may not even be enough to leave. No one can (or will) confirm this, but rumor has it that the school is actually transported to a timeless pocket plane while the system is in effect, essentially trapping everyone there in a plane that cannot be escaped from.

((The only proof of such wild speculation is the fact that Zaff's seems to have just appeared one day on an empty lot, and given the nature of the Nexus, that's hardly proof of anything.))

Apart from that, the only notable defense against threats is the average power level and dangerous amounts of zeal and competency from the students and faculty. As the heroism scholarship extends to students who perform admirable acts of defense on school property, up to and including the thwarting of villainous foes, many are eager to get a few free years of schooling out of these distressingly commonplace events.


The college is not meant to be a place of learning, but rather a place for reckless, powerful youngsters to be occupied by social status, getting good marks, and nice, safe subjects that don't involve unlimited-power magics.

That isn't to say you can't play teachers here, just don't expect to play teaching teachers. Field trips, practical demonstrations, and lab work can all be very entertaining to roleplay, especially if something goes horribly wrong to add some spice to the event.

If you are playing teachers, remember that they would be vetted and closely monitored at all times. Laziness is tolerated, wacky accidents are accepted, but any hint of corrupting or taking advantage of young minds is highly likely to be caught and severely punished. Students are much more likely to get away with turning evil and attempting a hostile takeover of the school, largely because most of them are expected to snap at any point.

There are very few limits to what could be conceptually taught at Zaff's, but among the core, necessary courses one must pass in order to receive their diploma, there are but a few. Ethics, Preparedness, Pocketspace Health and Safety Protocols, and Diminishing Damage, a guide to avoiding Collateral are among them. Surprisingly, very few spellcasting classes are required to get your doctorate in Wizardry.

Of what spellcasting instruction is available, most is safe, easy to use, modern magic. The sort of thing that has been well honed and can be used daily to make life easier and more comfortable. For the more ancient tomes straight out of myth and lore, often donated by misguided alumni who find them in tombs, students need look no further than the Library where ancient languages and mysterious powers abound.

Students sign a waiver, as do their next of kin, and faculty are all under binding contract. Lawsuit RP against the school probably will just be handled by referencing this fact, despite how ridiculously unsafe the grounds are.

It might be fairly lengthy, but the History of the School is worth reading to get an idea of what the place is like.

If you want to run a large catastrophe plot, whether it's a student or faculty member going off the deep end into the villainy pool, something summoned and let loose, a spreading curse/disease, or an outside force that wants a big audience or has another goal, I only ask that you work with the other players and try to keep people interested. Anyone within reason can run/manipulate the NPC faculty and students, though destruction of the entire school or the permanent slaying of anyone will almost certainly be vetoed by me. If some particular PC can't be rezzed by their player's choice, then that will be addressed, but assume that any NPCs walking around can treat death as if it were a revolving door should they so choose.

It is thought that the current Dean of the College was transformed into a Goliath beetle by a jilted lover, but in fact she simply went on an unannounced vacation, and the beetle they found in her shower was an escaped test subject who got lost making a rather confused bid for freedom.

The faculty unanimously agree that the Dean's new outlook has raised the efficiency of the meetings and helped with morale quite substantially. She's been voted Staffer of the Moon Phase six times in a row since the incident.

[Deathkeeper]

Class Building, Locker Halls

Isaac sighs, running a hand through his yellow hair. Another screw-up. He'd only taken four courses as a means to keep his first semester here simple, but so much for that going well. You'd think that the bare minimum level courses for Illusion and transmutation wouldn't be so bad. The faculty told him he had some magical talent when they offered him his scholarship. And basic alchemy and an art class weren't anything to worry about, although his late arrival kept him from transferring into Merissa's Dealing With Villains class. But it wasn't the schedule that was the problem.

It's that apparently his font of arcane power was less of a font and more of a natural gas reservoir. One that had an awful tendency to have matches thrown into it.
Illusion usually went fine. Well, his stupid lizard-eyes kept making him mess up the colors because apparently normal people can't identify borange, but that's not really the issue. It's that anything actually having to do with matter tends to...well, blow up.

At the very least this one somehow changed the teacher's clothes too, so she didn't seem too bothered about being a mouse-person for the hour it'd take to untangle his spell from herself. He knows it's going to come back to bite him though. It's only a matter of time before he accidentally turns some popular guy's shirt the wrong color and they put something nasty in his locker. At least, he doesn't think that's happened yet. Some guy tried to punch him once, and even though it still hurt the bruise healing right in front of the guy scared the crap out of him enough for no one else to have tried it. Heh, sucker, he was still a total wimp, he just didn't need the school res as much.
He sighs again and digs through his pockets looking for his locker key....

[Arkhosia]

Class Building

Charlotte, an olive-skinned teenager who looks 1 year too young to be going to college despite bring 3 years instead, walks past Isaac, accidentally possibly kicking his shin.
It's seriously an accident.
The brown-haired and green-eyed girl doesn't bother apologizing, not seeing the point of it. She fiddles nervously with her necklace, the amythest pendant upon it shaped like a crescent. It's her first day, after all.
People may have been warned not to bully Charlotte because of the fact she could end up transforming into a monster thanks to massive depression.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Class Building, Locker Halls]

Nearby, KR is loading up her locker with a frankly unnecessary amount of supplies for the upcoming semester. Or at least, she has an unnecessary amount of supplies with her. The actual 'loading' part has been somewhat distracted by her appreciation of the pocket dimension locker, and she's currently standing half inside it, her stuff sitting right there in the hallway, examining the boundaries of the locker and how it interacts with three-dimensional space.

KR, for the record, is a short, light-skinned young woman with short dark hair, a slight, athletic build and fiercely intelligent brown eyes. She's under a rather unfortunate misapprehension that she might actually learn some magic here. Her own studies in the field are progressing slower than she'd like (for some reason, having a personal library full of an endless sea of magical tomes and little-to-no idea of where to start reading is pretty terrible outside of the several very specific fields she's managed to instruct herself on) so she's hoping a little direction and some formal instruction will give her a more generalized background from which to reframe her continuing studies.

I'm sure she'll be disabused of that notion very shortly, but let's not ruin the surprise immediately, yeah?

Right now she's wearing an outfit that's rather distressing in how ordinary it is. Sneakers, blue jeans, a plain grey t-shirt and open shirt made of red flannel, with sleeves folded up to the elbows. Hardly a distinctive costume worthy of an apocalypse-battling professional-asskicker of legend. The only promising part of her current attire is the rather nerdy set of glasses she's got on, which anybody with the appropriate senses would be able to tell are pretty heavily enchanted with a sequence of true-seeing charms - most likely a tool being used to aid her scrutiny of the locker.

[Hyperbolic sine]

[Class Building, Locker Halls]

On the other side of the hall, Harold is tampering with his own locker. Being quite adept in spatial magic, he is rearranging the pocket dimension to suit his needs...after all, there is no rule that disallows that. Nor one that disallows linking a second, hidden pocket dimension. Probably. Once finished, the last step to completing the customization is attaching some form of illumination: he starts to cast a light spell, and...

"Watch ouuuuuuuuut!"

A searing globe of fire goes crashing on the opposite wall, passing near the trio: not enough to harm them, but enough for them to feel the heat. Harold may be good at spatial magic, but that's it: any other spell he casts tends to get messed up. Really messed up. He slams close the locker and quickly approaches the trio, frantically waving his hands.

"Are you all right?"

http://imageshack.us/a/img850/58/rsdb.png

[Ionbound]

[Class Building, Locker Halls]

The ball of fire careens into a just-opened locker, with a rather shellshocked and singed young girl no older that 14 standing next to it, who shouts in a ridiculously cute, high-pitched voice, "HEY! Why did you do that!?"

[Hyperbolic sine]

[Class Building, Locker Halls]


"HEY! Why did you do that!?"

"I'm utterly sorry! It was supposed to...ehm...to be a light spell..." Harold replies, a little ashamed for messing up even a basic spell like that. "You aren't injured, are you?" he then asks, worried.

[Ionbound]

[Class Building, Locker Halls]

The girl briefly eyes Harold suspiciously, before nodding and saying, "I'm fine. My books, on the other hand..." She gestures to the locker, which is blackened, and several of her books are badly damaged. She then shakes her head and says, "It's fine though." She smiles, gestures a bit, and with a loud pop...Her entire locker vanishes. She then frowns, and mutters, "Oh...Oh dear. That wasn't supposed to happen."

[Hyperbolic sine]

[Class Building, Locker Halls]

Harold relaxes a bit: this time he didn't hurt anyone. "Look, I'm sorry for the books...if there's anyth-"

*POP*

The sudden noise startles the boy, interrupting him mid-sentence. "This...is not good, is it?" He raises an eyebrow, then probes the now empty space with a hand to see whether the locker actually disappeared or has just turned invisibile.

[Ionbound]

[Class Building, Locker Halls]

She shakes her head as Harold's hand moves through empty space and she says, "No...No it isn't. I was trying to make the locker like is was 5 minutes ago...I don't know what happened..." She seems to be about to cry.

[Hyperbolic sine]

[Class Building, Locker Halls]

"Whoho, calm down, calm down." Harold tries to cheer up the girl a bit. "You're lucky, spatial magic is the one thing I'm good at! If it has been teleported somewhere, I'll find it!" His eyes sparkle with happiness, then he concentrates, trying to feel distortions in the space where the locker was: if he's lucky and the locker has been actually teleported, the wormhole caused by the translocation has not completely closed yet, and he can sense where it leads.

[Deathkeeper]

Locker Halls

((Hey guys, if you're going to make a thing involving multiple people would you mind actually waiting for everyone instead of going off with one of them? For all you know Isaac could have snapped and pulled a sword after that fireball whizzed past him or something))
Isaac doesn't bother reacting to Charlotte (for the record, I think you need to rephrase that; I don't know what you mean by 'despite bring 3 years.' Being 3 years too young? This is a high school too). It was clearly an accident, although she probably ran right into him; unless you waddle like a duck it's unlikely your foot can accidentally hit anything you're not in line with.

He just groans as he narrowly avoids needing an extra meal to regenerate second-degree burns, and gets his key out to fetch the stuff he needs for his art class. Bleck, he can't even blame the school. He hated this sort of thing at the old one, and there wasn't even that much less fireballs there.

[Arkhosia]

((I was thinking just College...))
Charlotte quickly moves out of the way of the flying sphere of flame, startled.
After taking a moment, she walks over to the would-be wizard.
Hey, be more Goddamn careful! If you're going to try casting a spell, don't do it in a location with tons of people!

[Shadowcaller]

[School Entrance]

Arik slowly enters the camp grounds, taking a good look around. This looked very promising, like the university back in Hestopia but hopefully with less... shortsightedness. "Here we are, among our own kind Batu." He comments to the hobgoblin by his side. "I think you will like it here."

[Morty]

[School Entrance]

Batu shows no signs of being particularly happy right now. Sure, an actual school of sorcery sounds grand, but living in a building? He's less keen on that.

"I... hope I will, Master," he says. "Hopefully I'll get used to sleeping between walls quickly."

[5a Violista]

[School Foyer!]

Jess, known among all her friends as Red (probably due to the red riding hood she sports), sits in the foyer, humming a tune. As everyone around the school knows, she's been studying here for the past two years.

As for her appearance, she's wearing an offwhite lacy dress which completely clashes with her red riding hood. Her hood conveniently casts shadows across her face that obscure most of it - but her brown hair sticks out anyway.

Besides humming what's she doing? Why, of course she's waiting for one of her class trips to that supposedly-haunted hedge maze in the middle of one of the courtyards behind that one door that nobody really understands anyway, where they'll have to find their way through using only their magic and their wits. Only three people go missing in it per year, and they usually turn up eventually, wandering somewhere between the locker room and the choir room.

Her humming reveals how excited she is.

[Arkhosia]

[School Foyer!]

Jess, known among all her friends as Red (probably due to the red riding hood she sports), sits in the foyer, humming a tune. As everyone around the school knows, she's been studying here for the past two years.

As for her appearance, she's wearing an offwhite lacy dress which completely clashes with her red riding hood. Her hood conveniently casts shadows across her face that obscure most of it - but her brown hair sticks out anyway.

Besides humming what's she doing? Why, of course she's waiting for one of her class trips to that supposedly-haunted hedge maze in the middle of one of the courtyards behind that one door that nobody really understands anyway, where they'll have to find their way through using only their magic and their wits. Only three people go missing in it per year, and they usually turn up eventually, wandering somewhere between the locker room and the choir room.

Her humming reveals how excited she is.

Charlotte walks up to her.
Hey, is this seat taken?
She asks, gesturing to the seat next to Red.

[5a Violista]

[School Foyer]

"Of course it is," replies Red, stopping her humming. It also turns out she was drawing someone. Not anybody in the room, of course; just a random girl. She doesn't stop drawing; in fact, it looks like she's just doing the finishing touches on it.

She continues. "You just took it." After drawing one more line on the scarf in the drawing, she looks up at Charlotte. "Hi," she says, holding out a hand. "I don't know you. I'm Jess, but everyone calls me Red."

[Arkhosia]

[School Foyer]

"Of course it is," replies Red, stopping her humming. It also turns out she was drawing someone. Not anybody in the room, of course; just a random girl. She doesn't stop drawing; in fact, it looks like she's just doing the finishing touches on it.

She continues. "You just took it." After drawing one more line on the scarf in the drawing, she looks up at Charlotte. "Hi," she says, holding out a hand. "I don't know you. I'm Jess, but everyone calls me Red."

Charlotte La'Forette. Glad to meet you Red.
She replies, shaking her hand and then sitting down.
I'm new here. Just started attending, actually.

[Ionbound]

[Locker Halls]

Harold might realize that, instead of being translocated, the locker simply turned into air, as he'll be able to notice some slight magical residue, but otherwise, not trace of the magic that just happened. Meanwhile, the girl sighs and says, "Give me a minute...I'll have someone here who can clean all this up." She closes her eyes, and a shimmering gate opens, though which steps...((LD, if you want to play this girl's go-to summon, here's where you enter.))

[5a Violista]

Foyer

"Oh, cool. That's why I haven't met you yet," says Red. She smiles.

Then, she remembers she wanted to add something else to the drawing. A transparent earring, right there.

After drawing it, she begins speaking again. "So are you in this class, too? We're going on a class trip to the Lost Hedges in, like, seven minutes. It's going to be really fun. Even if you're not in the class, you should still come along. I'm sure nobody would mind."

[Arkhosia]

Foyer

"Oh, cool. That's why I haven't met you yet," says Red. She smiles.

Then, she remembers she wanted to add something else to the drawing. A transparent earring, right there.

After drawing it, she begins speaking again. "So are you in this class, too? We're going on a class trip to the Lost Hedges in, like, seven minutes. It's going to be really fun. Even if you're not in the class, you should still come along. I'm sure nobody would mind."

no, but as you said Red, I'm sure no one will mind! Besides, I'm quite good at thaumaturgy, so if anything happens I should be fine.
Charlotte replies, the olive-skinned girl grinning.

[5a Violista]

[Foyer]

"Thaumaturgy?" Red repeats. "Like...mathematicians? That kind of thaumaturgian? You're a mathematician?" She sets down the drawn-on page so she can puzzle through this mystery. Actually, instead of puzzling through it, her face breaks out in a grin. "That's so cool! I've always heard of those. They're so strong. I heard of all the things they can do. So, is it true? Everything they say about them? I mean, you? Since you're one."

[Arkhosia]

[Foyer]

"Thaumaturgy?" Red repeats. "Like...mathematicians? That kind of thaumaturgian? You're a mathematician?" She sets down the drawn-on page so she can puzzle through this mystery. Actually, instead of puzzling through it, her face breaks out in a grin. "That's so cool! I've always heard of those. They're so strong. I heard of all the things they can do. So, is it true? Everything they say about them? I mean, you? Since you're one."

I dunno, really. Do you mean one of those people who summons stuff? Because that's basically what I do. Oh, check this out!
Charlotte holds the pendant on her necklace, and in a flash her clothing changes to a black skirt that reaches her knees, a red t shirt, and black snow boots with red trim.
Pretty neat huh?

[Slii Arhem]

Schoolwide Alert!


The PA system, a sophisticated and therefore notoriously unreliable melding of science, magic, and luddite rock-bash-stuffedness, blares to life in a hiss of static and a buzz of actual things buzzing.

Some students may be inclined to ignore the swarmlike, ominous hum rumbling through the halls from the many suspended resonant crystals, but they're soon followed and covered up by the frantic swatting and flailing of a teacher attempting to thrash their way through to the microphone. Each of their swings are easily picked up as they plow through a mass of something hard and crunchy in the path of their progress.

*Ksssht* We would like to congratulate Ms. Penelope Zen*ksssshhht* on her project for this year's first term mag*kssht*air. However, we would remind all fair participants that any project, no matter *ksssht*nert it may seem, should be kept secured as best as possible against its unlikely escape.

*Kssssssht* If Ms. Zenkar would please report to the gymnasium to collect her cloth-repurposing hybrid locust-moths, the staff would appreciate all haste. Students may now return to their normal duties. *kssssht*

The buzzing in the PA has been steadily growing louder, drowning out the teacher's attempts to speak over the noise. It isn't until the PA finally kicks out that most people in the halls will realize that it wasn't coming from the PA systems.

And then, in places just above the highest concentrations of students, air duct grates begin to rattle off their mountings as repeated staccato body-slams perpetrated by tiny, armor-plated flying insects jar them loose. Most of the students in the halls and classrooms will only have moments to react before massive bugs with wide, complicated mouths full of sharp, hooked mandibles begin streaming down to assault their clothing.

((While this is a school-wide event to get everyone posting a bit more, those currently in scenes can say that their current scenes are taking place before this happened, or if they want to maintain timeline continuity they can jump into a dimensional locker and avoid the bug swarms altogether.))

[Deathkeeper]

Locker Halls

Isaac sighs at the start of the announcement, and picks up his Emergency Pack, a small one-shoulder backpack made of a durable plastic which he uses whenever he thinks something stupid is about to go down.
And as the announcement continues, he's congratulated by confirmation of such. He slams his locker shut and decides to make a break for it. He could just hide in his locker, but he'll get in trouble if he's late to class.
Which means all he can do is aim a little blast of transmutation at the grate in front of him in an attempt to seal it up (which is likely the only thing it won't possibly do) and sprints for his room, which isn't that far away...

[Shadowcaller]

[School Entrance]

Arik looks up. Enchanted insects, fascinating. "Looks like there are other things you have to get used to." He comments as they can see the swarm of insects being released upon it's students. "Are you capable of dealing with these pests? If you need casting time I will of course keep them away from you." Three water elementals appear near Arik as he surveys the situation. It doesn't look like he's too interested in stopping it right now however, just to keep the insects away from himself and his student.

[OrchestraHc]

[The Class Building -> Gymnasium]

Peter Terwilliger is an odd duck here at Zafflebrod's. Brawny and tan from a life of farmwork, Pete is not the sort to immediately turn to magic to solve his problem. This is likely because his primary claim to magical talent is being able to light the privvy candles by squinting at them. The bugs being significantly faster than candles, he's very quick to dismiss the idea of lighting them on fire.

He also doesn't quite get what repurposing means, but cloth, locust, and moth all ring bells in his somewhat thick head, and he pieces a plan together quickly. If these things are coming from the gym, that means the way to solve the problem is in the gym, and if these things eat clothes...

A farmboy wearing nothing but his boxers, his boots, and a look of determination, is currently making a mad dash for the gymnasium, hoping his synthetic fiber undies will be of no interest to the bugs. No idea what he'll do when he gets there, but he's sure he'll think of something.

He always thinks of something.

[Morty]

[School Entrance]

"GAH!" Batu screams as he backs away instinctively. "I... don't think I have anything that could have an effect on those!"

[Shadowcaller]

[School Entrance]

"Try to focus on what you can do rather than what you cannot. If you can't defeat the enemy outright perhaps you can distract it, make them fall on their feet by pulling the rug under them. Try not to destroy the interior though, you want to make a good first impression." Though considering Arik's first impression of this college the interior might be the least of their concerns. Eldritch might be hard to control but this was nothing short of amateurish. Hopefully it was a rare event.

[Darkcomet]

[Administrative Building]

A swirling green column of light, a bit larger than your standard humanoid, deposits a decidedly odd individual just inside the administrative building. It's very difficult to tell much about said individual, on account of the the oddly sleek, mostly jet-black armor and helmet. The fully-concealing armor is, oddly, rather close-fitting and small, adding very little to the user's apparent size, and has these odd green ports for attachments in various points, notably on the forearms, back, and lower legs.

But most of note, arguably, is the navy-colored stripes now adorning its shoulders.

The black and navy coloration generally means Irregulars, which probably isn't good, especially as that armor is absolutely not Irregular standard, meaning it's someone important. Though the individual appears unarmed, lacking a visible weapon with only a pouch at the side.

"Where do I go if I want to make an artifact research contract? My apologies about the entrance and the armor, I was warned the place could be...hazardous," the intruder announces to the first person seen, in an obviously-female voice, which narrows it down a bit. (It's N'alae, let's not pretend anyone who knows who that is didn't know by now.)

[Morty]

[School Entrance]

"Might as well try..." Batu says, doubtfully. He raises his arms, waves them in a complicated gesture and speaks out some words. His hands glow with blue light, and the trajectory of one of the bugs might be momentarily reversed. However, it'll be very easy for it to power through this effect.

[5a Violista]

[Foyer]

"No, I don't really - " says Red, even as Charlotte continues to speak and show off. Well, shoot. Red's always wanted to meet a mathematician, and Charlotte's not one. Good going, getting her hopes up like that.

Any response she has about the quick clothing change (Charlotte could be a superhero!) is cut off by the intercom. She listens - after all, it could be important. Usually isn't, but the screaming and shrieking by several students here in this public area proves otherwise. Any individual voice is drowned out by the mass of shouting and spell-muttering. Red carefully folds the drawing she had and slips it into a dress pocket. She stands up and tries to grab Charlotte's wrist. "Come on! Didn't you hear? The professor just said to meet at the hedge maze," she shouts, trying to be heard over the yelling and the blasts of fireballs and the buzzing.

Red runs off towards that one doorway that leads to that one mystical room with that one hedge maze. If Charlotte comes along...then she comes along. If not, then she doesn't.

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]

Her very first day at school: how exciting! The young vulpan girl is dragging a cart loaded with boxes and heading to her assigned room, a slip of paper tightly clutched in her hand.

And then there is the announcement

Wait... what? Cloth-repurposing...

And then they come through the air-ducts

Oh no...

[Arkhosia]

[Foyer]

"No, I don't really - " says Red, even as Charlotte continues to speak and show off. Well, shoot. Red's always wanted to meet a mathematician, and Charlotte's not one. Good going, getting her hopes up like that.

Any response she has about the quick clothing change (Charlotte could be a superhero!) is cut off by the intercom. She listens - after all, it could be important. Usually isn't, but the screaming and shrieking by several students here in this public area proves otherwise. Any individual voice is drowned out by the mass of shouting and spell-muttering. Red carefully folds the drawing she had and slips it into a dress pocket. She stands up and tries to grab Charlotte's wrist. "Come on! Didn't you hear? The professor just said to meet at the hedge maze," she shouts, trying to be heard over the yelling and the blasts of fireballs and the buzzing.

Red runs off towards that one doorway that leads to that one mystical room with that one hedge maze. If Charlotte comes along...then she comes along. If not, then she doesn't.
Charlotte is pulled along to the hedge maze!

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

Fortunately, after going through the door and shutting it firmly behind them, they are safe from those insects.

Once inside, Red lets go of Charlotte.

The Hedge Maze, as its name implies, is a maze of hedges. What's not revealed by its name is that it's completely covered by a fog such that you can't see anything farther than six feet in front of you. Two feet away, you can only see silhouettes. Everything seems to have a strange, ethereal quality to it, and it looks like something could jump out of the hedges at any moment.

There are, of course, five or six other students here within view of Charlotte.

"Come on," says Red, breaking away from the others and running into the mist. "You have to find your way to the other side without crying or screaming or giving up. That's the goal," she tells Charlotte.

If she doesn't start running to catch up, Red will be lost in the mists pretty soon.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

Fortunately, after going through the door and shutting it firmly behind them, they are safe from those insects.

Once inside, Red lets go of Charlotte.

The Hedge Maze, as its name implies, is a maze of hedges. What's not revealed by its name is that it's completely covered by a fog such that you can't see anything farther than six feet in front of you. Two feet away, you can only see silhouettes. Everything seems to have a strange, ethereal quality to it, and it looks like something could jump out of the hedges at any moment.

There are, of course, five or six other students here within view of Charlotte.

"Come on," says Red, breaking away from the others and running into the mist. "You have to find your way to the other side without crying or screaming or giving up. That's the goal," she tells Charlotte.

If she doesn't start running to catch up, Red will be lost in the mists pretty soon.

Charlotte darts after Red, quickly catching up.
Got it. Probably best to stick together,right Red? After all, safety in numbers.
Charlotte replies, clothing turning back to her original outfit.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

"Yup," replies Red, taking rights and lefts at top speed through the maze.
Sometimes, there's figures off to the right or to the left, but Red doesn't pay them any mind.

After dozens of seconds, she stops racing and, well, she stops dead-cold. "Okay," she whispers, turning back to Charlotte. "Can you hear that? There's a group of five or six people on the other side of this hedge. Want to see if we can scare them? Strength in numbers, after all." Sure enough, if Charlotte listens, she'll be able to hear a couple of voices, some breathing, and several footsteps. Sounds like they're a little lost and unnerved.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

"Yup," replies Red, taking rights and lefts at top speed through the maze.
Sometimes, there's figures off to the right or to the left, but Red doesn't pay them any mind.

After dozens of seconds, she stops racing and, well, she stops dead-cold. "Okay," she whispers, turning back to Charlotte. "Can you hear that? There's a group of five or six people on the other side of this hedge. Want to see if we can scare them? Strength in numbers, after all." Sure enough, if Charlotte listens, she'll be able to hear a couple of voices, some breathing, and several footsteps. Sounds like they're a little lost and unnerved.

Charlotte thinks for a bit.
Well, what would the benefit for frightening them be for us, exactly?
She whispers inquiringly.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

Hm. That is a good question. It takes Red some time to mull it over. What would be the benefit of doing it? Does there even need to be a benefit?

"Um," she whispers back, "It's fun? Is that a benefit?"

The footsteps are starting to walk away, slightly. It's now or never; no more time for dilly-dallying.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

Hm. That is a good question. It takes Red some time to mull it over. What would be the benefit of doing it? Does there even need to be a benefit?

"Um," she whispers back, "It's fun? Is that a benefit?"

The footsteps are starting to walk away, slightly. It's now or never; no more time for dilly-dallying.

Charlotte shrugs.
Fair enough. That works. Grab through the hedge wall at an unsuspecting member in back and pull him/her through the hedge?
Charlotte suggests in whisper, grinning mischievously.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Class Building]

Kr raises an eyebrow at the announcement. Cloth-repurposing hybrid locust-moths? What kind of insane clown would want to invent- ugh, and of course they happen to be loose and rampaging at this very second. Kr's not really keen on spending her first day at the college stripped naked by insectoid abominations of nature, so as the locusts appear she murmurs a few words, and a small sigil appears above her head, glowing with a soft blue light. See, living above a lake in the middle of the summer, even one high up in the mountains like Lake Selene, tends to be pretty unpleasant in the bitey insect department. So it goes without saying that Kr has this little bug zapper spell memorized. Any bugs coming within a few feet of Kr is liable to get lanced through by a little jolt of electricity emanating from the glowing sigil. Of course, with the air so thick with them, Kr quickly starts to look like she's standing at the center of a tiny thunderstorm.

Kr takes off her glasses, scowling as she finishes stuffing the rest of her stuff into the locker. She'd love to study it more, but for now she probably wants to get out of the hallway, before she gets eaten by an escape leopard-tiger or something. From the side she glances one of Arik's water elementals, recognizing the handiwork instantly from the recent tournament. "Hmm... curious." She muses, wandering in the direction of the three elementals.

[Arkhosia]

BUGS!!!!!!!

Well... ****.
Caelynn sighs. The one day she decides to start learning magic to be a better hero to fight injustice, and something bad happens. And she didn't bring her gauntlets too!

She looks around for potential allies!

[Hyperbolic sine]

[Locker Halls]

Harold might realize that, instead of being translocated, the locker simply turned into air, as he'll be able to notice some slight magical residue, but otherwise, not trace of the magic that just happened. Meanwhile, the girl sighs and says, "Give me a minute...I'll have someone here who can clean all this up." She closes her eyes, and a shimmering gate opens, though which steps...((LD, if you want to play this girl's go-to summon, here's where you enter.))

"Uh...it hasn't been teleported...I'm afraid I can't help." Harold says, shaking his head. Then the annoucement draws his attention from the portal, and he has just about the time to say "Cloth-repurposing locusts? Wha-" before the insects swarm out of the air ducts. He quickly casts a space-bending spell, and the ones the approach him or whoever is near will fly straight into the range of Kr's zapper (and thus will probably be zapped): actually, whoever looks in Harold's direction will see Kr instead, and maybe even themselves.

[Ionbound]

The girl eeps and shouts, "NOOO! I DON'T WANT TO BE NAKED!" as she runs away. Meanwhile, a rather confused hound archon steps through the portal she made, and asks, "Why did you cal-Oh," as he is in the middle of the swarm. The archon briefly swings ineffectually at the swarm, before turning tail and running after the girl.

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]

The girl watches in helpless dismay as the locusts descend on her and her luggage.

Noooooo!

She futilely swats at the ravenous insects

No! Stop that! Go away!

[Slii Arhem]

[Administrative Building]

A swirling green column of light, a bit larger than your standard humanoid, deposits a decidedly odd individual just inside the administrative building. It's very difficult to tell much about said individual, on account of the the oddly sleek, mostly jet-black armor and helmet. The fully-concealing armor is, oddly, rather close-fitting and small, adding very little to the user's apparent size, and has these odd green ports for attachments in various points, notably on the forearms, back, and lower legs.

But most of note, arguably, is the navy-colored stripes now adorning its shoulders.

The black and navy coloration generally means Irregulars, which probably isn't good, especially as that armor is absolutely not Irregular standard, meaning it's someone important. Though the individual appears unarmed, lacking a visible weapon with only a pouch at the side.

"Where do I go if I want to make an artifact research contract? My apologies about the entrance and the armor, I was warned the place could be...hazardous," the intruder announces to the first person seen, in an obviously-female voice, which narrows it down a bit. (It's N'alae, let's not pretend anyone who knows who that is didn't know by now.)


The teachers are all cowering under their desks, many of them in less than an optimum amount of clothing, and clearly not by choice. Nonetheless, one of them speaks up in a calculatedly calm, even tone of voice.

"Ah, well many of our staff are actually dedicated researchers, even if their contracts specify they are instructors. Some of them so rarely teach their classes in person that we've been pushing to institute mandatory teacher attendance checks, as well as ones for students." The rambling professor cuts themself off, pushing their glasses up so they can get a better look at N'alae's armor.

"Anyway, I'm certain that there are many people who would take a grant to research something for you in this very room. Perhaps if you could explain some of the details, we would better know who specializes in that particular field of study."


[School Entrance]

"Might as well try..." Batu says, doubtfully. He raises his arms, waves them in a complicated gesture and speaks out some words. His hands glow with blue light, and the trajectory of one of the bugs might be momentarily reversed. However, it'll be very easy for it to power through this effect.


Oddly enough, the effect works exactly as it should. The bugs are not interested in Arik or the elementals for some reason, possibly because of the same survival instinct that's currently keeping them at a distance from Kr.


Locker Halls

Isaac sighs at the start of the announcement, and picks up his Emergency Pack, a small one-shoulder backpack made of a durable plastic which he uses whenever he thinks something stupid is about to go down.
And as the announcement continues, he's congratulated by confirmation of such. He slams his locker shut and decides to make a break for it. He could just hide in his locker, but he'll get in trouble if he's late to class.
Which means all he can do is aim a little blast of transmutation at the grate in front of him in an attempt to seal it up (which is likely the only thing it won't possibly do) and sprints for his room, which isn't that far away...


[Class Building]

Kr raises an eyebrow at the announcement. Cloth-repurposing hybrid locust-moths? What kind of insane clown would want to invent- ugh, and of course they happen to be loose and rampaging at this very second. Kr's not really keen on spending her first day at the college stripped naked by insectoid abominations of nature, so as the locusts appear she murmurs a few words, and a small sigil appears above her head, glowing with a soft blue light. See, living above a lake in the middle of the summer, even one high up in the mountains like Lake Selene, tends to be pretty unpleasant in the bitey insect department. So it goes without saying that Kr has this little bug zapper spell memorized. Any bugs coming within a few feet of Kr is liable to get lanced through by a little jolt of electricity emanating from the glowing sigil. Of course, with the air so thick with them, Kr quickly starts to look like she's standing at the center of a tiny thunderstorm.

Kr takes off her glasses, scowling as she finishes stuffing the rest of her stuff into the locker. She'd love to study it more, but for now she probably wants to get out of the hallway, before she gets eaten by an escape leopard-tiger or something. From the side she glances one of Arik's water elementals, recognizing the handiwork instantly from the recent tournament. "Hmm... curious." She muses, wandering in the direction of the three elementals.




[Locker Halls]


"Uh...it hasn't been teleported...I'm afraid I can't help." Harold says, shaking his head. Then the annoucement draws his attention from the portal, and he has just about the time to say "Cloth-repurposing locusts? Wha-" before the insects swarm out of the air ducts. He quickly casts a space-bending spell, and the ones the approach him or whoever is near will fly straight into the range of Kr's zapper (and thus will probably be zapped): actually, whoever looks in Harold's direction will see Kr instead, and maybe even themselves.


The girl eeps and shouts, "NOOO! I DON'T WANT TO BE NAKED!" as she runs away. Meanwhile, a rather confused hound archon steps through the portal she made, and asks, "Why did you cal-Oh," as he is in the middle of the swarm. The archon briefly swings ineffectually at the swarm, before turning tail and running after the girl.

((Kris, the Atrium where Arik is standing is in the admin building, so it might be better to amend that Kr goes there before seeing the elementals. It would be a matter of leaving the hall and walking through a handy portal.))

Class Building

All around, cloth is being unthreaded, unwoven, and spooled around the thoraxes of the many fluttering buzz-beasts. Each one can only carry so much fiber before being weighted down, but they are incredibly efficient about their work and more come to replace those that fly off, loaded down and heading back to the gym with their burdens. Their mandibles don't harm flesh, careful to only pry free textiles from anywhere they're present and weave them into fine rolls of fiber.

After over a hundred of their number fall to Kr's zapping rune, the bugs begin to demonstrate their magic-bred intelligence in avoiding her, and Harold since he proves just as deadly. Nothing stops them from rushing after the girl in a massive wave, just as they are after any other source of fabric. Notably, the locker rooms are being flooded by bugs trying to get in at swimwear and gym clothes, and the theater's upholstered seats and costume rooms will never be the same.

The the bugs do catch up with the girl who conjured the hound archon, they'll take several minutes of dedicated work to take apart all of her clothes, but they're very tenacious at it.

Locker Halls -> Dormitories

Meanwhile, Isaac manages to turn the grate into a persian rug! That would be a rather notable accomplishment if A: he'd intended to do it and B: it wasn't immediately swarmed by every bug in a forty foot radius. This manages to give everyone around him a break, and also give them a good idea as many of them try to start converting ceiling tiles and light fixtures into sweaters and mittens to distract the things long enough for them to get away.

When he gets to the dorms, he'll hear an unfortunately familiar shriek. Merissa, one of his first friends at his new college is in trouble! Or else she's been pranked again.



BUGS!!!!!!!

Well... ****.
Caelynn sighs. The one day she decides to start learning magic to be a better hero to fight injustice, and something bad happens. And she didn't bring her gauntlets too!

She looks around for potential allies!


[Dormitories]

Her very first day at school: how exciting! The young vulpan girl is dragging a cart loaded with boxes and heading to her assigned room, a slip of paper tightly clutched in her hand.

And then there is the announcement

Wait... what? Cloth-repurposing...

And then they come through the air-ducts

Oh no...

And then after coming through the air ducts, they descend on Caelynn and the vulpan. Caelynn may have found an ally, or at least someone to save heroically.

Meanwhile, the volleyball team is fleeing through the dorm halls, or perhaps they're running towards something. They cast a gust of wind that might help the two escape temporarily, as it scatters the bugs ahead of it. That's a rather unintended help though, as the team keeps on running forward, not slowing down for anything.


[The Class Building -> Gymnasium]

Peter Terwilliger is an odd duck here at Zafflebrod's. Brawny and tan from a life of farmwork, Pete is not the sort to immediately turn to magic to solve his problem. This is likely because his primary claim to magical talent is being able to light the privvy candles by squinting at them. The bugs being significantly faster than candles, he's very quick to dismiss the idea of lighting them on fire.

He also doesn't quite get what repurposing means, but cloth, locust, and moth all ring bells in his somewhat thick head, and he pieces a plan together quickly. If these things are coming from the gym, that means the way to solve the problem is in the gym, and if these things eat clothes...

A farmboy wearing nothing but his boxers, his boots, and a look of determination, is currently making a mad dash for the gymnasium, hoping his synthetic fiber undies will be of no interest to the bugs. No idea what he'll do when he gets there, but he's sure he'll think of something.

He always thinks of something.

Peter reaches the gymnasium just as another determined group makes it there, despite starting out in an entirely different building. He's treated to the view of a next-to-naked all female volleyball team running through the doors, fueled by unbridled rage. As the doors are flung open, both he and they see just what the moths need all of this fabric for.

To be it simply, they've turned the inside of the gym into a massive, multi-chambered cocoon. From what can be seen, all of the fiber has been respun and woven to the texture of silk, and then strung and weaved from every available protruding surface to make a massive number of chambers to prepare for the communal hatching of their young.

The girl responsible for breeding this monstrosity will eventually admit to adding paper wasps to the result just to see what would happen. The answer is a surprising sense of industrious community.

A foreign-sounding bit of invective is uttered by the head of the volleyball team, "So much for burning them at the source. If anything even sparked in here, the whole building would go up." No one else is offering up any ideas here, the rest of the team is just amazed and baffled. Hopefully Peter might, now that he knows what he's up against.

[Deathkeeper]

Dorms

Holy heck he actually did something useful! Woo! But no time to be proud of the luck, keep running!
Isaac sighs, but he can get a shot at playing hero. Of course, this inevitably won't go well for him.
Isaac runs for the source of the noise, prepared to open doors if he has to! "Merissa? What's wrong?!"

[Darkcomet]

[Teachers' Bunker]

"Well, before I go into that, I should ask. Is anyone here known for having...issues...with keeping secrets? It goes without saying that this is all classified," N'alae says, before pausing and glancing about.

She raises a finger to interrupt anyone trying to answer her. "...What happened in here, and should I take this as a sign I should go somewhere else with this?" The Emissary asks, in a bemused tone.

[Hyperbolic sine]

[Class Building]

Harold takes a quick look around, fully realizing what "cloth repurposing" meant. If only the girl with the archon didn't flee from his "protective bubble"...now she was already swarmed by the insects, and there was nothing he could do for her...well, nothing without risking to hurt her (again, spatial magic is the only one he can cast with proficiency). So, considering that the locusts pose a threat only to people's modesty and not life, he does a quick wormhole jump (anyone else would call it "teleport") to the gymnasium, since it was mentioned on the AP before.

[Gymnasium]

The air seems to warp as Harold appears from nothing, then quickly returns to normal. The first thing he notices is the almost naked volleyball team, then the guy in boxers standing next to them, and then the silk cocoon. He stares at it slack-jawed. "Oh hell. Is that a hive?"

[Morty]

[School Entrance]

"I... think it worked," Batu says. "Not that it made any difference one way or the other."

[Shadowcaller]

[Atrium]

"Even the simplest spell can make the greatest difference if used at the right moment Batu. You could have directed the creature into the wall or into one of the others, or under ideal conditions, off a cliff." Arik comments as he watches the creatures keep their distance. It seemed they had some degree of self preservation after all. "But we should find the teachers, someone must try to keep the order in a school like this." It's then he spots KR and let's the water elementals clear the path towards her. "Excuse me miss, you wouldn't know where we could find the staff, or whoever is in charge for taking care of these kinds of messes?" The elementals will simply attempt to touch any insect that comes near, drenching them in water and then instantly freezing them.

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]

The way briefly cleared by the passage of the volleyball team, the girl yanks fiercely at the handle of her cart and makes a break for her room. Upon opening the door, unfortunately, she is swarmed again by the bugs that had been trapped inside.

I swear you bugs will pay for this. I SWEAR IT!

[Ionbound]

The now nude young woman embarrassedly covers herself with her arms while she sprints back to the girl's dormitory, the hound archon having been dismissed when she realized a warrior of heaven was probably not the most useful being in this situation. She may or may not run directly Vulpan girl, but if she doesn't, and makes it back to her room without incident, she locks herself in and gets dressed again, not leaving unless she needs to.

[Fenric]

[Dormitory]

She's out in the hallway with a cart, so there's a decent chance of quite literally bumping into her. Her formerly cloth-sided luggage is now a sad parody of wire frames, hardware, and leather bits. Her books and supplies are falling out on the floor, and the bugs have pretty well finished cleaning out her clothes. Whatever she was wearing is gone, and her fur is patchy in spots giving her a pretty thorough impression of mange.

And she's sitting on the floor, crying.

[OrchestraHc]

[Gym]

"It's like a hive, but locusts and moths don't do that, I don't think." Pete looks the inside of the gym up and down before closing his eyes and crossing his arms as he thinks. Fire is his one magical thing, and it would be a bad idea to burn the whole building down. "Can't burn'em out. Probably hundreds of eggs so I can't squash'em all. What'd kill'em? Bug zapper, insecticide, cold chill, water," His eyes open. "Bingo! I'm gonna go find a fire alarm, maybe that'll turn the sprinklers on. They won't wanna live in a soggy hive!" It's not much of an idea, but none of his generally are, but at least he isn't just standing around. He's certainly proud of it at least. "Please don't magic it while I'm inside!" he says as to the volleyball team and the teleported newcomer before running into the cocoon.

[Ionbound]

[Dormitory]

She's out in the hallway with a cart, so there's a decent chance of quite literally bumping into her. Her formerly cloth-sided luggage is now a sad parody of wire frames, hardware, and leather bits. Her books and supplies are falling out on the floor, and the bugs have pretty well finished cleaning out her clothes. Whatever she was wearing is gone, and her fur is patchy in spots giving her a pretty thorough impression of mange.

And she's sitting on the floor, crying.

The girl, still covering herself, asks the Vulpan awkwardly, "Um...Do you need any help?"

[Fenric]

[Dormitory]

Melina looks up with a sniffle: about half the ruff on the right side of her face is gone.

They seemed a little confused about the difference between fur and clothing... at least, as long as there were clothes. Ow.

She straightens up and then sardonically holds up a small bit of wire that just poked her

That was one of my nicer bras. I uh...

She looks at the remains of her luggage. Then back at the other girl who doesn't seem any better off.

Then she starts to giggle at the insanity of it all

At least it wasn't my fault this time.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

Red nods. "You do that. I'll distract them and make sure they're all facing the other way," she replies under her breath.

She creeps down the path a little more, just a few feet past where the group is so they'll only see her silhouette. Then, she leaps through the hedge and runs across the path, her riding hood sailing behind her. There's the sound of Freddie the half-orc collapsing, and then of Red jumping back through the hedges on the other side. Then, there's a couple of gasps, a swallowed yelp, and a guy trying calm the others.

As it happens, this guy is the closest to the hedge, separated from the rest of the group because they all huddled together and are staring at the fallen Freddie. His name is Twinkletoes, by the way. I'm sure Charlotte was able to overhear that name as the people gasp and talk to each other.

[Ionbound]

[Dormitory]

Melina looks up with a sniffle: about half the ruff on the right side of her face is gone.

They seemed a little confused about the difference between fur and clothing... at least, as long as there were clothes. Ow.

She straightens up and then sardonically holds up a small bit of wire that just poked her

That was one of my nicer bras. I uh...

She looks at the remains of her luggage. Then back at the other girl who doesn't seem any better off.

Then she starts to giggle at the insanity of it all

At least it wasn't my fault this time.

The girl smiles and laughs as she says, "At least you were wearing one. You have some coverage. Nice to meet you. I'm Adrian," and helps Melina up.

[Fenric]

[Dormitory]

Melina smiles in return

Melina. Nice to meet you, Adrian. Can you help me pick through the stuff here? I have a stone of sending somewhere that I can use to call home.

[Ionbound]

[Dormitory]

Melina smiles in return

Melina. Nice to meet you, Adrian. Can you help me pick through the stuff here? I have a stone of sending somewhere that I can use to call home.

Adrian nods and says, "Of course, Melina. Hmm...Let me try something." With that, she mutters a brief phrase, intended to sort the stuff into piles based on relative density...And will probably end up accidentally sending what's left of Melina's possessions flying everywhere.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

Red nods. "You do that. I'll distract them and make sure they're all facing the other way," she replies under her breath.

She creeps down the path a little more, just a few feet past where the group is so they'll only see her silhouette. Then, she leaps through the hedge and runs across the path, her riding hood sailing behind her. There's the sound of Freddie the half-orc collapsing, and then of Red jumping back through the hedges on the other side. Then, there's a couple of gasps, a swallowed yelp, and a guy trying calm the others.

As it happens, this guy is the closest to the hedge, separated from the rest of the group because they all huddled together and are staring at the fallen Freddie. His name is Twinkletoes, by the way. I'm sure Charlotte was able to overhear that name as the people gasp and talk to each other.

Charlotte, as the group huddles, swiftly grabs one of the members and pulls him/her into the hedge, before summoning a similar red cloak upon her and darting out, making sure to keep her face out of view, and arrive by Red.

- - - Updated - - -

Dorms

((Decided caelynn won't be here, actually)
Isaac may, in his search for Merissa, bump into a pink-haired girl in a pale pink hoodie, black scarf, black skirt, and pink boots, the pale-skinned girl warding off the bugs with a combo of a multicolored umbrella used to provide a different target and some sort of powerful eye beam.
Yo kid, need help finding your friend? Cuz I could aid you!
She offers, shouting so he could hear her even if he doesn't stop running.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

Twinkletoes the Manly Man is pulled into the hedge. He has a surprised yelp, a scream. It's short and he immediately cuts off - but it's too late. Rainbow colors swirl around him as he is forcibly teleported to the finish.

I suppose there's three left standing, who all need names. James, who wants to be a druid. Faith, the easily frightened. Tessa, the girl whose parents pay the school a lot more than normal. Freddie is unconscious (hopefully?), and Twinkletoes has vanished into the hedge.

Hearing the red riding hood whip through the air causes them all to turn just as Twinkletoes vanishes. Frightened whispers. Faith covers her mouth as if she can hold the scream in, but it escapes through her fingers. She, too, vanishes in a rainbow swirl.

Red, in the hedge, takes advantage of the of the frightened sounds and bright lights to whisper again to Charlotte. "Two down."
"Watch this."

She leaps out again, and crouches over the downed Freddie. His face appears to blur (http://youtu.be/G1TEF1-i5iA?t=50s) like they often do in Harry Potter movies when a Dementor is near. Seeing this, James flees back down the misty path they came up.

Then, Red looks up. There's a dark viscous liquid dripping down from her lip, and her eyes glow a faint scarlet. She smiles. It's a strange contrast - the dark riding hood (especially dark in this twilit maze) with the offwhite dress, the dark liquid on the pale face, and the red eyes. "Tessa. Dear Tessa. Did they ever tell you why they call me Red?" she asks, as if it's the most innocent and innocuous question in the world.

She looks frightened. Tessa does, I mean.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

Twinkletoes the Manly Man is pulled into the hedge. He has a surprised yelp, a scream. It's short and he immediately cuts off - but it's too late. Rainbow colors swirl around him as he is forcibly teleported to the finish.

I suppose there's three left standing, who all need names. James, who wants to be a druid. Faith, the easily frightened. Tessa, the girl whose parents pay the school a lot more than normal. Freddie is unconscious (hopefully?), and Twinkletoes has vanished into the hedge.

Hearing the red riding hood whip through the air causes them all to turn just as Twinkletoes vanishes. Frightened whispers. Faith covers her mouth as if she can hold the scream in, but it escapes through her fingers. She, too, vanishes in a rainbow swirl.

Red, in the hedge, takes advantage of the of the frightened sounds and bright lights to whisper again to Charlotte. "Two down."
"Watch this."

She leaps out again, and crouches over the downed Freddie. His face appears to blur (http://youtu.be/G1TEF1-i5iA?t=50s) like they often do in Harry Potter movies when a Dementor is near. Seeing this, James flees back down the misty path they came up.

Then, Red looks up. There's a dark viscous liquid dripping down from her lip, and her eyes glow a faint scarlet. She smiles. It's a strange contrast - the dark riding hood (especially dark in this twilit maze) with the offwhite dress, the dark liquid on the pale face, and the red eyes. "Tessa. Dear Tessa. Did they ever tell you why they call me Red?" she asks, as if it's the most innocent and innocuous question in the world.

She looks frightened. Tessa does, I mean.

Tessa may likely not notice a red ribbon snake behind her and attempt to wrap around her with amazing speed.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

"No," says Tessa, on the verge of tears. "No."

At that unexpected moment, the snake (a garter snake? How can such a small snake wrap around her?) (Or, maybe you meant a ribbon comes along behind her, and not a snake? I'm going to assume that, because a redstripe ribbon snake can't really wrap around people), I mean, the ribbon comes up behind her and wraps her up. "No, let me go, please," she cries.

As her tears hit the ground, they shine in a rainbow light as well and she vanishes like the others.


Red smiles, and gets off the downed half-orc. "Good job," she says, no longer whispering.

She stands up. Oh! Idea! She has an idea. "Hey, I have an idea. Freddie is good at finding exits. Come this way a bit, away from him." Away from Freddie. Red walks several paces away from Freddie and waits.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

"No," says Tessa, on the verge of tears. "No."

At that unexpected moment, the snake (a garter snake? How can such a small snake wrap around her?) (Or, maybe you meant a ribbon comes along behind her, and not a snake? I'm going to assume that, because a redstripe ribbon snake can't really wrap around people), I mean, the ribbon comes up behind her and wraps her up. "No, let me go, please," she cries.

As her tears hit the ground, they shine in a rainbow light as well and she vanishes like the others.


Red smiles, and gets off the downed half-orc. "Good job," she says, no longer whispering.

She stands up. Oh! Idea! She has an idea. "Hey, I have an idea. Freddie is good at finding exits. Come this way a bit, away from him." Away from Freddie. Red walks several paces away from Freddie and waits.

Charlotte, grinning, bows with a flourish. She nods, and, still adorned in a red cloak that obscures the body well as well as identical clothing as Red, follows Red.
Thought the same outfit might cause them to think some sort of duo of spirits or demons or other supernatural beings are terrorizing them. It's fun to screw with people, I must say.
She explains in a low voice.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

"That was a pretty good idea," Red replies.

Suddenly, Freddie stirs. He starts to get up, with a dazed look on his face.

In response, Red calls out and begins to run towards him. "Freddie! Freddie. Are you alright?" she asks, before trapping him in a hug. "We were a little lost, but then we heard some screaming. What happened?"

To which he responds, "I don't know, did you see where everyone went?"

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

"That was a pretty good idea," Red replies.

Suddenly, Freddie stirs. He starts to get up, with a dazed look on his face.

In response, Red calls out and begins to run towards him. "Freddie! Freddie. Are you alright?" she asks, before trapping him in a hug. "We were a little lost, but then we heard some screaming. What happened?"

To which he responds, "I don't know, did you see where everyone went?"

Charlotte now wears the cloak so that it obscures her whole body and face besides her mouth (which is in a slight grin). She shrugs, playing the part of mute ally for now as she watches the two interact.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

"No, everyone is gone," Red responds.

Then, the half-orc says, "Well, we really need to get to the finish." "Oh, right. Sorry."
Red lets him out of the embrace, and they both stand all the way up. "It's this way."

Both Red and Freddie start walking that way, then, in the direction where the exit probably is. Sometimes, one of them whispers to the other (and then, there's the occasional laughter).


((*goes to bed and deadtimes now*))

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

"No, everyone is gone," Red responds.

Then, the half-orc says, "Well, we really need to get to the finish." "Oh, right. Sorry."
Red lets him out of the embrace, and they both stand all the way up. "It's this way."

Both Red and Freddie start walking that way, then, in the direction where the exit probably is. Sometimes, one of them whispers to the other (and then, there's the occasional laughter).


((*goes to bed and deadtimes now*))

Charlotte flanks Freddie.
I'm Charlotte by the way, and I should currently be in...
She takes out a schedule.
Apparently this is in fact my class, but being my first day I didn't realize it was. Things have a way of working out, huh?

[Hyperbolic sine]

[Gym]

"It's like a hive, but locusts and moths don't do that, I don't think." Pete looks the inside of the gym up and down before closing his eyes and crossing his arms as he thinks. Fire is his one magical thing, and it would be a bad idea to burn the whole building down. "Can't burn'em out. Probably hundreds of eggs so I can't squash'em all. What'd kill'em? Bug zapper, insecticide, cold chill, water," His eyes open. "Bingo! I'm gonna go find a fire alarm, maybe that'll turn the sprinklers on. They won't wanna live in a soggy hive!" It's not much of an idea, but none of his generally are, but at least he isn't just standing around. He's certainly proud of it at least. "Please don't magic it while I'm inside!" he says as to the volleyball team and the teleported newcomer before running into the cocoon.

"Wait! Why can't we burn down the whole thing? The building can be repaired...as can a soaked silk hive!" Harold yells. If the boys stops, he will explain that he can dimensionally lock the gym for some seconds once the fire has been started: that will cause the flames to consume all the oxygen inside, possibly suffocating the locusts which are not burned and then extinguishing themselves before the lock expires, while making escape impossibile for the insects. If the boy instead goes on with the sprinklers plan, Harold will prepare to shield himself and the volleyball team - again by deviating approaching locusts (towards something that can kill the insects, if he sees such a thing, or simply past them if not) - from the furious swarm he supposes will burst out of the gym as soon as the sprinklers are activated.

[Fenric]

[Dormitory]


Adrian nods and says, "Of course, Melina. Hmm...Let me try something." With that, she mutters a brief phrase, intended to sort the stuff into piles based on relative density...And will probably end up accidentally sending what's left of Melina's possessions flying everywhere.

Melina watches in dismay as her papers and lighter objects distribute themselves around the hallway

eyaaaaa... but... ah... *sigh*

Fortunately, the sought after magic item is relatively heavy in comparison and ends up just a few feet away. She scurries over to it, wrapping what's left of her tail around herself as she goes.

[Ionbound]

[Dormitory]



Melina watches in dismay as her papers and lighter objects distribute themselves around the hallway

eyaaaaa... but... ah... *sigh*

Fortunately, the sought after magic item is relatively heavy in comparison and ends up just a few feet away. She scurries over to it, wrapping what's left of her tail around herself as she goes.

Adrian blushes full body and says, "Oh...I'm sorry. Sometimes, my magic gets a bit wild. I'm glad you found your stone, though!"

[Fenric]

[Dormitory]

Melina shakes her head

It's ok...

She holds the stone and concentrates, and Adrian gets to hear half of a conversation:

Mom: it's me. There's been an incident at school and all my clothes were eaten.

Yes, I'm serious.

Yes, ALL of my clothes, including what I was wearing.

It's not MY fault, I haven't even moved in yet!

Locusts. Lots of them.

Yes, they ate the luggage too.

Yes, I'm SURE it wasn't me.

I love you, too.

She stands there for a moment looking utterly annoyed before beginning the task of collecting her belongings from around the hall.

[Ionbound]

Adrian slowly and carefully says, "I...Um...I could try to help? It's my fault your stuff is blown everywhere. Maybe I could summon something?"

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]

Melina looks up and blinks, and her ears fold back briefly in embarrassment

Huh? Oh! No, it's my Mom... her first reply was "what did you do?". I'm just really sick of being blamed for every catastrophe that happens, you know? That's why they sent me here.

She is actually making pretty swift progress: there wasn't all that much to be distributed

Besides, this gives me something to keep busy while waiting for them to get something together and arrange an inter-dimensional... teleport...

she trails off at the end due to a glowing, sparkling, deep-green anomaly that appears and deposits a box on the floor beside her. She looks over at the letter on top of the box

Here's your leather dress, and one for your friend. We'll send the rest later.

P.S. Uncle Max says to tell her she's quite pretty

[Slii Arhem]

Dorms

Holy heck he actually did something useful! Woo! But no time to be proud of the luck, keep running!
Isaac sighs, but he can get a shot at playing hero. Of course, this inevitably won't go well for him.
Isaac runs for the source of the noise, prepared to open doors if he has to! "Merissa? What's wrong?!"

Dorms

When he finds Merissa, she's quite predictably nude, and holding on to one final scrap of cloth tightly with two hands while the others frantically swats at a single spool-moth which is darting around her. The others have all left, laden down with what was formerly her clothing, but as the scrap poking out from between her fingers gives a pathetic mewl, Isaac will realize just why she's defending it so vigorously.

Honestly, if everything that happened in this school would just stop threatening that kitten patch she's been treating like it's a familiar, she'd have quite a few fewer problems with stress.


[Teachers' Bunker]

"Well, before I go into that, I should ask. Is anyone here known for having...issues...with keeping secrets? It goes without saying that this is all classified," N'alae says, before pausing and glancing about.

She raises a finger to interrupt anyone trying to answer her. "...What happened in here, and should I take this as a sign I should go somewhere else with this?" The Emissary asks, in a bemused tone.

Teacher's Bunker

"Ah, no, this sort of thing happens all the time. Well, not this specifically, but school-wide events tend to crop up with so much magic and so many personalities in one place. Thankfully for the sake of research, we do have sealed, warded bunker-labs that have been untouched by the havoc since the school's inception. The consulting fee for renting one of those bunkers is a fractional amount more, but it is worth the safety." The educator straightens what remains of their clothing and smooths back their hair, "If you're asking what happened specifically, one of the crossbreeds a student made for the fair got loose and started harvesting fabrics. Standard procedure in this situation is to let the students form up parties and deal with the problem with aid and supervision from afar. It helps teach them self-reliance and problem solving. If this was a real threat to anything but modesty, we would be out there." Most of them, anyway. Some of them are truly cowards.

"Did you have any end result or tests in mind? It doesn't do much good to study an artifact unless you know what you're looking for."



[Class Building]

Harold takes a quick look around, fully realizing what "cloth repurposing" meant. If only the girl with the archon didn't flee from his "protective bubble"...now she was already swarmed by the insects, and there was nothing he could do for her...well, nothing without risking to hurt her (again, spatial magic is the only one he can cast with proficiency). So, considering that the locusts pose a threat only to people's modesty and not life, he does a quick wormhole jump (anyone else would call it "teleport") to the gymnasium, since it was mentioned on the AP before.

[Gymnasium]

The air seems to warp as Harold appears from nothing, then quickly returns to normal. The first thing he notices is the almost naked volleyball team, then the guy in boxers standing next to them, and then the silk cocoon. He stares at it slack-jawed. "Oh hell. Is that a hive?"


[Gym]

"It's like a hive, but locusts and moths don't do that, I don't think." Pete looks the inside of the gym up and down before closing his eyes and crossing his arms as he thinks. Fire is his one magical thing, and it would be a bad idea to burn the whole building down. "Can't burn'em out. Probably hundreds of eggs so I can't squash'em all. What'd kill'em? Bug zapper, insecticide, cold chill, water," His eyes open. "Bingo! I'm gonna go find a fire alarm, maybe that'll turn the sprinklers on. They won't wanna live in a soggy hive!" It's not much of an idea, but none of his generally are, but at least he isn't just standing around. He's certainly proud of it at least. "Please don't magic it while I'm inside!" he says as to the volleyball team and the teleported newcomer before running into the cocoon.


"Wait! Why can't we burn down the whole thing? The building can be repaired...as can a soaked silk hive!" Harold yells. If the boys stops, he will explain that he can dimensionally lock the gym for some seconds once the fire has been started: that will cause the flames to consume all the oxygen inside, possibly suffocating the locusts which are not burned and then extinguishing themselves before the lock expires, while making escape impossibile for the insects. If the boy instead goes on with the sprinklers plan, Harold will prepare to shield himself and the volleyball team - again by deviating approaching locusts (towards something that can kill the insects, if he sees such a thing, or simply past them if not) - from the furious swarm he supposes will burst out of the gym as soon as the sprinklers are activated.

"Because you'll get kicked out faster than a malicious mastermind if you burnt down an entire building, idiot. There are people in this building, hiding in their dorm rooms, they'd all die if they were trapped there by a fire." The volleyball team member reaches out to swat Harold on the head for being an idiot, but the deflecting shield makes her decide it's not worth the effort.

"Just don't do anything dumb. If this is anything about the burrowing mole-pigs, we just have to find the queen and squish her, and the rest will be mop up. We can have someone enchant a few sewing machines to remake everyone's clothes out of this stuff." She picks up her shoulders, stands up straight, and begins marching after Peter determinedly, the rest of them following after her more cautiously.

Meanwhile, within the bowels of the hive, Peter isn't having any luck finding a sprinkler system, and has instead found many wrapped up pouches pulsating in time with the swells and dips of the constant, unending hum the hive is emitting. It seems like every spool-moth in the school is returning to the hive based on the rising volume of the vibrations and extra prevalence of the flying nuisances in the air around him. They don't go after his boxers, instead avoiding him completely.


[School Entrance]

"I... think it worked," Batu says. "Not that it made any difference one way or the other."


[Atrium]

"Even the simplest spell can make the greatest difference if used at the right moment Batu. You could have directed the creature into the wall or into one of the others, or under ideal conditions, off a cliff." Arik comments as he watches the creatures keep their distance. It seemed they had some degree of self preservation after all. "But we should find the teachers, someone must try to keep the order in a school like this." It's then he spots KR and let's the water elementals clear the path towards her. "Excuse me miss, you wouldn't know where we could find the staff, or whoever is in charge for taking care of these kinds of messes?" The elementals will simply attempt to touch any insect that comes near, drenching them in water and then instantly freezing them.

Atrium

Suddenly, the insects surrounding Arik, Batus, and Kr at a distance head away from the atrium, flying back up through the air vents.

Nothing appears to explain this behavior, but perhaps they've all given up on the powerful targets.

ALL AROUND THE SCHOOL

Only a few bugs remain, the rest having gone back towards the gym. Valiant or foolhardy students looking to get their clothing back can head there, but the rest will be otherwise unassaulted for now, except for Merissa, being harassed by that one tenacious bug up in the dorms.

[Darkcomet]

[Teachers' Bunker]

"Very well. The main objective would be trying to discover exactly what it is. What we know is that it's a magical power source of great power, but it is also unstable. Attempts to channel its power for destructive ends frequently result in disaster and unforeseen consequences...and it's potentially linked to a deity from which Commander Vyrn Altaran may or may not be descended from, to hear his theory on the matter. It did seem to react to him once, and what we have managed to glean says it is somehow incomplete," N'alae explains as she retrieves the artifact in question from that pouch at her side.

It's your cliche magic crystal, really, except rough and uncut-looking, none of that brilliant nice-looking gem nonsense, black in coloration. If any of the mages about decide to do some detect magic type thing on it, it does indeed have an immense amount of power within. Meanwhile keen observers may note that that armor doesn't seem to be hampering manual dexterity very much. ...Or at all.

"I suppose you could try to probe for metaphysical connections? A secondary objective would be discovering how to tap into it safely, but discovering its true nature is the priority here."

[Deathkeeper]

Dorms

Isaac sighs and pulls a standard plastic shopping bag out from his emergency stash. He darts forward in an attempt to catch the large beetle inside of it. And then smash it unless Merissa tries to stop him. Smash puny bugs!

[Arkhosia]

Dorms

A 19 year old girl, with violet eyes and her blond hair in a french braid, walks up to Felina and Co.
She is a drow elf, obvious due to her dark grey skin, with a quite attractive form due to her large breasts, wide hips, and lean, slender body, which is obvious due to her state if nudity. A red tattoo of a spiderweb resides on her back dark maroon and stretching to cover her entire back to the waist. She covers her chest with her arms, shivering, though not so embarrassed about her lack of clothing as anyone else is.
Hey, um, do you mind if I join you two here? Y'know, just in case some other magical mishap follows this one?

[OrchestraHc]

snippity


snappity

Gymnasium:

Peter's reason for not stopping is much simpler than the Volleyball captain's. "Can't stop! Already running!" It should also go without saying he's making no promises on that "don't do anything stupid" remark.

He does eventually slow down as he realizes more and more how hard it's going to be to find a fire alarm. Can he even reach the wall through all this silk? Testing it himself he picks a spot of the wall without what is likely huge bulging larval pods about to hatch and and scratches away at the silk to see if he can even peel enough away to reach the wall.

Either way when he finishes, he continues to search through the cocoon at a quick pace. Until he finds something he can actually do, or something else presents itself, it's best to keep moving and look for a new angle than to wait for one come to you.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

"Oh!" says Freddie. They take a left. "You're in Practical Emotional Control, too? Wow, that is a coincidence. Some might even venture to call it magic." He winks, and they take a right, closely followed by a left. Jokingly, he says, "You'd better watch out for Red, though. She's pretty good at it."

They take another left. Red looks as if she's anticipating something really soon. It's almost like this was too easy, right? Even in her head, she's mentally counting down. Ten...nine...eight...

"Oh! Look, the exit is just straight up ahead." The mist clears a little, and it is possible to see the swirling rainbow lights straight ahead. It's just a straight shot - maybe a dozen seconds of sprinting and you'll get there. ...four...three...

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

"Oh!" says Freddie. They take a left. "You're in Practical Emotional Control, too? Wow, that is a coincidence. Some might even venture to call it magic." He winks, and they take a right, closely followed by a left. Jokingly, he says, "You'd better watch out for Red, though. She's pretty good at it."

They take another left. Red looks as if she's anticipating something really soon. It's almost like this was too easy, right? Even in her head, she's mentally counting down. Ten...nine...eight...

"Oh! Look, the exit is just straight up ahead." The mist clears a little, and it is possible to see the swirling rainbow lights straight ahead. It's just a straight shot - maybe a dozen seconds of sprinting and you'll get there. ...four...three...

The red-cloaked newcomer chuckles.
Trust me, it's something that's extremely practical for me. Really? I'm not surprised.
Charlotte inquires as she takes an apple from a hidden location in her cloak, and begins to eat.
This whole time, Charlotte has been keeping tabs on her surroundings. She's guessing the true way the mazes are run is via elimination caused by other students to find the ones most in need of aid or as a test, and even if Red isn't in fact leading them into an ambush, we wouldn't wanna be defeated by this maze now would we?

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

There's a snarling growl coming from the mists behind them, almost as if on cue. "Run! We're almost there," Red shouts. She immediately starts sprinting towards the final goal.

As said before, it's just a straight shot to the swirling lights. Sure, there are other detours and paths you can take between the hedges to the right and to the left, but if the goal is to get to the finish, then there is absolutely no reason to go down those paths.

Freddy looks back briefly enough to see a large, inhuman, foreboding shadow behind them: one with flashing yellow eyes. It sounds like it begins giving chase - but, then again, this lighting makes it very hard to see exactly what's going on. In this case, though, sound is enough: it starts running slow, but quickly accelerates. Freddy begins running, as well. His legs are longer and faster than Red's, though - so, in spite of her head-start, he quickly catches up and passes her.

And Charlotte...will she run, or what?

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

There's a snarling growl coming from the mists behind them, almost as if on cue. "Run! We're almost there," Red shouts. She immediately starts sprinting towards the final goal.

As said before, it's just a straight shot to the swirling lights. Sure, there are other detours and paths you can take between the hedges to the right and to the left, but if the goal is to get to the finish, then there is absolutely no reason to go down those paths.

Freddy looks back briefly enough to see a large, inhuman, foreboding shadow behind them: one with flashing yellow eyes. It sounds like it begins giving chase - but, then again, this lighting makes it very hard to see exactly what's going on. In this case, though, sound is enough: it starts running slow, but quickly accelerates. Freddy begins running, as well. His legs are longer and faster than Red's, though - so, in spite of her head-start, he quickly catches up and passes her.

And Charlotte...will she run, or what?
Charlotte's eyes widen, and she moves to face the shadow, tossing the apple towards it, and casting a simple light spell on it. She then summons a silver, 10 foot spear, sturdy and completely made of metal instead of containing a wood shaft, and embeds it into the earth so that it can charge into the spear before charging into the duo, and bracing herself.
Heh, this is a test isn't it?
She mutters to herself

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

The glowing apple bounces off the large silhouette, and hits the ground. As the creature continues nearer, Charlotte will soon be able to tell that it looks very lupine.

That's only moments before the beast leaps out of the mists, at Charlotte. It looks much larger than one could expect. Much heavier than one would expect. Its skin, much thicker than one can expect. Its eyes, flashing yellow.

Freddie makes it into the swirling lights first. He starts to vanish from view. However, Red stops running to see why Charlotte is so far behind. She didn't even start running! Completely foolish. Somehow, she overheard Charlotte's mutterings. "Of course this is a test!" she yells, even as she starts running back towards Charlotte and the beast. "So start running!"

Charlotte won't have any time to reconsider, though - the beast has leaped at Charlotte, with its claws extended. The spear will stop it just as good as it would against a charging rhino.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

The glowing apple bounces off the large silhouette, and hits the ground. As the creature continues nearer, Charlotte will soon be able to tell that it looks very lupine.

That's only moments before the beast leaps out of the mists, at Charlotte. It looks much larger than one could expect. Much heavier than one would expect. Its skin, much thicker than one can expect. Its eyes, flashing yellow.

Freddie makes it into the swirling lights first. He starts to vanish from view. However, Red stops running to see why Charlotte is so far behind. She didn't even start running! Completely foolish. Somehow, she overheard Charlotte's mutterings. "Of course this is a test!" she yells, even as she starts running back towards Charlotte and the beast. "So start running!"

Charlotte won't have any time to reconsider, though - the beast has leaped at Charlotte, with its claws extended. The spear will stop it just as good as it would against a charging rhino.

What about it being a test of bravery, eh? A test to see if you can resist your fear enough to face the enemy?
Chariotte replies, the last 'art punctuated louder as she thrusts the spear at the beast, darting out of the way and summoning another spear, the first one desummoning after it has finished dealing damage.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

"It's not!" Red replies. She stops running; she doesn't want to get too close to the beast. "That was last week. This week's deception! You can't beat the monster this time," she says.

The first spear got caught in the beast's skin and, while it may have scratched it, no visible blood appears. It retreats back to the mists and circles around. Then, from a different direction, it charges out of the mists. It leaps again, claws extended.
This time, however, it sails right over Charlotte and into the bushes. This way, you can't tell which direction it comes out from.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

"It's not!" Red replies. She stops running; she doesn't want to get too close to the beast. "That was last week. This week's deception! You can't beat the monster this time," she says.

The first spear got caught in the beast's skin and, while it may have scratched it, no visible blood appears. It retreats back to the mists and circles around. Then, from a different direction, it charges out of the mists. It leaps again, claws extended.
This time, however, it sails right over Charlotte and into the bushes. This way, you can't tell which direction it comes out from.

Give me credit, it's my first day and no one told me what's already been taught!
Charlotte replies, darting to the exit.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

"But I did tell you to r- " Red is cut off and falls to the ground.

The beast had leaped out of the hedges and bit down onto her leg. It begins to drag her back to the mists, away from the rainbow portal.

If Charlotte managed to touch the swirling rainbow lights, she is immediately carried off to the waiting room, where she'll see the professor, everyone who finished (just Freddie and two or three other people) and everyone who failed and either cried or screamed.

[Hyperbolic sine]

"Because you'll get kicked out faster than a malicious mastermind if you burnt down an entire building, idiot. There are people in this building, hiding in their dorm rooms, they'd all die if they were trapped there by a fire." The volleyball team member reaches out to swat Harold on the head for being an idiot, but the deflecting shield makes her decide it's not worth the effort.

"Just don't do anything dumb. If this is anything about the burrowing mole-pigs, we just have to find the queen and squish her, and the rest will be mop up. We can have someone enchant a few sewing machines to remake everyone's clothes out of this stuff." She picks up her shoulders, stands up straight, and begins marching after Peter determinedly, the rest of them following after her more cautiously.

Meanwhile, within the bowels of the hive, Peter isn't having any luck finding a sprinkler system, and has instead found many wrapped up pouches pulsating in time with the swells and dips of the constant, unending hum the hive is emitting. It seems like every spool-moth in the school is returning to the hive based on the rising volume of the vibrations and extra prevalence of the flying nuisances in the air around him. They don't go after his boxers, instead avoiding him completely.

"What? There's still someone inside? And I'm the idiot?" Harold facepalms himself. He is still clothed, so going into the bulding probably isn't wise, and he has no intention of undressing...seems like this time he can't do anything but spectate. Wait, maybe there is something he can do...

"Take this with you" he says, pulling out from his pocket what does seems to be a coin, with runes inscribed and weakly pulsing with magic, and throwing it to one of the volleyballers. "When you find someone rub this with your hands, and I'll get them out of there. Just don't lose it.". "Same if you are in dire straits and need a way out" he adds, winking. He then watches the girls vanish into the gym.

The coin is nothing more than a beacon: when rubbed, it emits a sort of magic pulse that reaches Harold, letting him know where to open the portal (providing a way out of the building).

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

"But I did tell you to r- " Red is cut off and falls to the ground.

The beast had leaped out of the hedges and bit down onto her leg. It begins to drag her back to the mists, away from the rainbow portal.

If Charlotte managed to touch the swirling rainbow lights, she is immediately carried off to the waiting room, where she'll see the professor, everyone who finished (just Freddie and two or three other people) and everyone who failed and either cried or screamed.

Charlotte skids to a stop, glaring in anger.
She stands there, concentrating hard, and raising a hand, then swiftly swinging it downward.
4 silver spears materialize and fling themselves at the beast with amazing speed, about 93 mph, as she darts towards the creature with a titanium spear in her hands.

[Ionbound]

[Dormitories]

Melina looks up and blinks, and her ears fold back briefly in embarrassment

Huh? Oh! No, it's my Mom... her first reply was "what did you do?". I'm just really sick of being blamed for every catastrophe that happens, you know? That's why they sent me here.

She is actually making pretty swift progress: there wasn't all that much to be distributed

Besides, this gives me something to keep busy while waiting for them to get something together and arrange an inter-dimensional... teleport...

she trails off at the end due to a glowing, sparkling, deep-green anomaly that appears and deposits a box on the floor beside her. She looks over at the letter on top of the box

Here's your leather dress, and one for your friend. We'll send the rest later.

P.S. Uncle Max says to tell her she's quite pretty

Adrian looks at the anomaly and says, "Heh...Cool. Let me go find something to wear. I'll be right back," as she starts running down the hall towards her room.

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]

Melina holds up the second dress as Adrian runs off

But... eh... whatever.

and she gets dressed in the soft suede dress from the box, frowning as she does.

I really hate the smell of leather.

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

The silver spears hit the beast hard enough to apparently cause it pain. It makes an angry noise and releases its biting grip on Red (who has, as of yet, refused to cry out). As Charlotte approaches it with the titanium spear, it backs off and retreats back into the mists and bushes, where it can't be seen.

Red's leg and dress might be pretty torn up. The lighting here is bad enough to be unable to tell the extent of the injury. However, possibly surprisingly, there's no blood pooling on the ground (or even any blood visible on her leg: just clear saliva). "Okay, good job," she says, pushing herself up on her arms, then trying to force herself standing. "It's gone now; go into the finish."

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

"I appreciate this, Tabby," Jill says. The inside of the school lockers are big enough to fit two people, even if only for an hour or two. Tabitha chose to sit out this particular disaster, and Jill managed to talk her into sharing it since Jill's locker is elsewhere.

Tabitha nods. "Yeah, after the last incident, I'm not in the mood to risk another clothing set. Hopefully those bugs don't get into my dorm..."

"I hear that. You lucked out, though! Wings!"

"This is after the faculty removed the extra eyes, the horns and bony crest, and shrunk me back down to normal size!"

"...At least you didn't need to get new pants, huh?"

[Shadowcaller]

Tabitha's Locker

In a flash of bight light a tiny purple d6 appears on the floor. It looks innocent enough but appears to be carrying a rather complex enchantment, so complex it's impossible to tell what exactly it is.

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

"Uh... is that common?"

"...more so than you would think, but not in my locker."

Jill reaches down and picks up the dice. "Don't you play games that use this kind of thing?"

"You mean ones that use d6es at all, or ones based on d6es, or just dice in general?"

"...the games club really has a lot of variety, huh?" Jill states idly, rolling the dice onto the floor.

43.

"That's a lot of dots... I't probably enchante-AUGH" the dice streaks up Jill's nose, and she tumbles back in surprise and pain.

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

Tab and Jill ended up waiting quite a while after the incident subsided, so there is a plot-clone available for Isaac. A knock knocks at Tabitha's locker door.
"Hey, Tab you in there? Haven't seen you for hours, you okay?"

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

"Are the bugs gone?"

"THIS HURTS!"

"I didn't hear the PA go off."

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

There's a sigh.
"Tabitha, the school didn't actually ever tell anyone about the bugs, and only said anything at all by the time they'd built a nest and gotten into most of the campus. Do you think they'll get to announcing the end of it within three days of it actually happening?"

[Slii Arhem]

[Teachers' Bunker]

"Very well. The main objective would be trying to discover exactly what it is. What we know is that it's a magical power source of great power, but it is also unstable. Attempts to channel its power for destructive ends frequently result in disaster and unforeseen consequences...and it's potentially linked to a deity from which Commander Vyrn Altaran may or may not be descended from, to hear his theory on the matter. It did seem to react to him once, and what we have managed to glean says it is somehow incomplete," N'alae explains as she retrieves the artifact in question from that pouch at her side.

It's your cliche magic crystal, really, except rough and uncut-looking, none of that brilliant nice-looking gem nonsense, black in coloration. If any of the mages about decide to do some detect magic type thing on it, it does indeed have an immense amount of power within. Meanwhile keen observers may note that that armor doesn't seem to be hampering manual dexterity very much. ...Or at all.

"I suppose you could try to probe for metaphysical connections? A secondary objective would be discovering how to tap into it safely, but discovering its true nature is the priority here."

Teacher's Bunker

"We'll have our best pair of resonance experts on it, I'm sure they'll be thrilled to work with something this powerful and dangerous." The teacher coughs into their hand discreetly, "Bit of a death wish on both of them, you know. Not a week goes by where we don't have to hold a funeral for at least one, while the other's always going to claim time to mourn their lost partner. S'lazy is what it is." They shake their head in disapproval.

"Anyway, resonance is a dangerous field, so it only makes sense to attract fellows like that. But they'll have it done no matter how often it kills them." The professor gives a shrug and reaches up for the crystal gently, waiting for N'alae to deposit it in their hand.


Dorms

Isaac sighs and pulls a standard plastic shopping bag out from his emergency stash. He darts forward in an attempt to catch the large beetle inside of it. And then smash it unless Merissa tries to stop him. Smash puny bugs!

Dorms

The bug avoids the bag, but takes the hint to fly off and join the others downstairs in the gym. Annoying things, but they've recently evolved enough of a sense of survival to know when to quit.

Merissa breaks down, quickly collapsing into Isaac and attempting to wrap him up rather thoroughly in her arms, "Oh geeze..." She laughs in hysterical relief, "People are going to talk if you keep having to rescue me like this." The kitten patch will try to do a congratulatory loop around Isaac's clothing, since Merissa has none for it to snuggle into at the moment.


Gymnasium:

Peter's reason for not stopping is much simpler than the Volleyball captain's. "Can't stop! Already running!" It should also go without saying he's making no promises on that "don't do anything stupid" remark.

He does eventually slow down as he realizes more and more how hard it's going to be to find a fire alarm. Can he even reach the wall through all this silk? Testing it himself he picks a spot of the wall without what is likely huge bulging larval pods about to hatch and and scratches away at the silk to see if he can even peel enough away to reach the wall.

Either way when he finishes, he continues to search through the cocoon at a quick pace. Until he finds something he can actually do, or something else presents itself, it's best to keep moving and look for a new angle than to wait for one come to you.

In the Hive

Well, unless Peter is known for being able to punch through well woven silk bedsheets, touching the wall is going to be a problem. The fabric is springy and stretchy, but doesn't come apart under his fingers.

Though, as he's gotten further in, the buzzing has faded away enough to something bearable, and there is a deep, steady thrumb of something larger moving. All of the bugs he can see are scuttling along on the floor and the silk walls they've made instead of flying, all heading towards the same place.


"What? There's still someone inside? And I'm the idiot?" Harold facepalms himself. He is still clothed, so going into the bulding probably isn't wise, and he has no intention of undressing...seems like this time he can't do anything but spectate. Wait, maybe there is something he can do...

"Take this with you" he says, pulling out from his pocket what does seems to be a coin, with runes inscribed and weakly pulsing with magic, and throwing it to one of the volleyballers. "When you find someone rub this with your hands, and I'll get them out of there. Just don't lose it.". "Same if you are in dire straits and need a way out" he adds, winking. He then watches the girls vanish into the gym.

The coin is nothing more than a beacon: when rubbed, it emits a sort of magic pulse that reaches Harold, letting him know where to open the portal (providing a way out of the building).

Gymnasium -Outside Hive

((I should clarify, the rooms are above the gymnasium in the building, on the upper floors. There's likely no one hiding in the gym/hive itself, but fire does tend to travel upwards.))

The girl he gives the coin to throws it back as soon as he winks, covering herself with her hands more thoroughly and looking at him accusingly. It's clear that she thinks he was being perverted with that last gesture.

"Look, you came this far, if you're that scared of losing your clothes even though you've got some kind of protection, then just go on and hide in some other building. It's not so strange for people who don't want to be involved to hide in their rooms you know. Geeze." She stomps off, following the rest of her team.

Tabitha's Locker

Merissa, suspiciously straightening her hair and applying a layer of lipstick as she leaves her own locker (out of habit, she keeps her's close to wherever Isaac and Tabitha are currently using theirs) and looks over at Isaac from down the hall with a knowing look, "Did you find her then?"

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

Tabitha comes out of the locker, followed by Jill. "I've only been here less than a year, give me a break."

Jill, for her part, stumbles out of her locker, takes a deep breath, and ejects the dice out of her nose. It's bleeding, of course, but more importantly, the dice comes up with 34 little dots.

Tabitha's clothes turn to gold.

"Eeevil dice," Jill says, pulling a handkerchief out and stuffing it up her nose. Tabitha is simply shocked.

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

Isaac waves to Merissa as she comes over.
"Yeah, I did and- Poof! What just happened? And what is that?" he says, pointing at the little bloody cube.

Dorms

Isaac is quiet and lets her cry, taking a plastic rain-coat of of his emergency stash and wrapping it around her.
"Well, you know I'll keep doing it, rumors or not. You want to sit tight, or are we taking the fight to them again?"

[Slii Arhem]

Tabitha's Locker

Merissa's eyes go buggy and wide when she sees the effect and the apparent cause, "Oh crap, how did you two manage to stumble across an Artifact while the whole school was in a panic?" Artifacts are covered in most of the beginning courses, and what to do with one if you find it is very clear. Avoid it, handle it carefully if necessary, and give it to a teacher to catalog and possibly destroy.

Naturally, most students ignore these instructions and instead hoard artifacts like they're collectible trading cards (sometimes they are) and pick apart until the faculty inevitably finds them.

"Think we should mess with it? That's a lot of gold Tabby just scored there." Enough to pay for a hundred outfits like the one that just got engoldened.

Dorms

Merissa sniffs, but smiles through it, "No, let someone else handle it this time. This is only embarrassing, not a real threat. I just want to get to my locker and get some new clothes on." She pulls back and accepts the rain coat, donning it for whatever good it'll do to cover her.

"Can you come with me? I'd kind of like the company, and you're pretty handy in a pinch too." She giggles again, her smile letting him know she's not trying to tease.

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker


Tabitha quickly winds up on her hands and knees.

"Yeah, agreed, help me back into the locker, I need new clothes."

Jill looks at Tabitha and blinks. "Is that-that's g- I mean that's interesting." She reaches down and picks up the dice again.

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

Isaac chuckles and helps either Tabitha up or drag her into her locker, depending on is she can move at all.
"If you're nervous Jill we can handle it. My bloody noses don't last as long." he says good-naturedly. After all, it's made gold and all it costed so far was a bloody nose? Seems pretty uneven for the positive so far.

Dorms

Isaac puts an arm over Merissa's shoulder.
"Of course. Let's go, the closest locker is only a few doors down." he says comfortingly.

[Slii Arhem]

Tabitha's Locker

Grinning, Merissa takes the opportunity to showcase both her ridiculous strength and added leverage that her quartet of arms affords her, picking up Tabitha nearly entirely on her own, but still leaving Isaac a bit of room to help her out. Being physically powerful has helped her gain a lot of respect lately, on top of her involvement with the virus mess, and she'll definitely be trying out for volleyball come the fall team rotation.

"Mm, we should probably take turns, and maybe divide up the spoils if that's okay with everyone. Could be some risk to all of us, but if we can figure it out the rewards should be plenty." Plenty more than a bunch of gold thread? Now Merissa's just getting greedy.

Dorms

She stares at him oddly before remembering that he's very new to the school, even though he seems to have adapted so well, "Uh, all the lockers are in the class building, Isaac. But the skyway's on this floor, so I guess you're kind of right." She points down the hall towards the skyway, though it's off around a corner from them.

[Darkcomet]

[Teachers' Bunker]

N'alae tilts her helmeted head to the side as if something seemed confusing to her, but hands over the artifact anyway. "We'll send a check. Any further questions? I should probably take my leave before something else happens in here."

Like if a bunch of students with a weird artifact caused some other random improbable catastrophe.

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

Tabitha is hauled back into the locker. It's fairly standard, if with less clothes than is normal in lockers. Mainly just emergency changes, and gaming books.

Girl likes RPGs.

There's also a minifridge, a smaller locker, a bedroll, and an alarm clock... It's almost like Tabitha could live out of here if she really wanted to.

...You know, last time finals rolled around, no one saw her in the dorms for a while...

Tabitha looks at Merissa. "This is awkard, but... could you help me get these off? They're heavy."

Jill sits down on the floor. "Someone get out a notebook! I'm going to roll it again!"

81. The four present are suddenly stricken with a compulsion to partake in a choreographed dance scene.

...in Tabitha's locker.

[Deathkeeper]

Dorms

Isaac shakes his head. "Close enough. C'mon, let's go." he says, starting to lead her in that direction...

Tabitha's Locker

The Die settles quietly onto the floor. A mighty chord reverberates through the locker!
DUN!
Isaac's head snaps up! Everyone's does! Music, still from nowhere swells! Everyone will, for a mighty, triumphant moment, know the words and moves to the single greatest dance routine in the history of magic-related dance routines!
With fiery passion, they take the first step-
And Isaac trips over the Die, falling flat on his face next to Tabitha, who probably didn't move much if she wasn't out of her heavy clothes by now.
The die lands on a 63, growing a bright yellow sunflower next to it, as if in mockery of the botched dance, which suddenly is gone from the air and their minds...

[Slii Arhem]

Dorms

Merissa and he will make it there, the halls being completely clear of bugs and people now. Everyone is either hiding somewhere, heading to fight the gym-hive for their clothes back, or taking advantage of the mandatory nudity to try to get in some people-watching.

Once they make it to the nearest unoccupied locker, Merissa will look at Isaac calculatingly, as if trying to judge something or get her courage up. Finally, she unlocks the portal to her lockerspace and swings it wide open, stepping back and raising an eyebrow.

"This is probably really blunt and forward of me, but you're pretty attractive, really brave, and a better guy than I ever thought would hang out with me. It feels pretty stupid to be saying this now, but do you want to head inside and maybe make out until all this is over?" Yup, blunt and forward describes that perfectly Merissa. Have fun digging yourself that hole!

Tabitha's Locker

After the aborted dancing is done, Merissa plucks the growing flower from the floor and tosses it aside, "Okay, no one toss this thing until Tabby is in new clothes. In fact." She leans over again and plucks it up, holding it tightly in one hand.

"Isaac, mind going to the washroom real quick? Jill and I can get Tabby undressed, and then we'll start this up again once she's decent." Assuming this is all done, they should be ready to roll again, and it'll be Merissa's turn this time.

She'll roll vaguely in Isaac's direction, since she's eager to keep trying it out and is facing the adjoining bathroom when she rolls.

((Lost, you can roll for her and describe the result in your post, if everything goes as described in my post.))

[Ionbound]

[Dormitories]

Melina holds up the second dress as Adrian runs off

But... eh... whatever.

and she gets dressed in the soft suede dress from the box, frowning as she does.

I really hate the smell of leather.

Adrian stops when she sees Melina hold up the dress, and asks, "Did your family send that for me? Did they...See me? Naked?"

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]

Melina shakes her head

No: just Uncle Max, by the looks of it. And he is...

expletives fail the young girl

He's the sort of uncle people tend to try to avoid admitting being related to. The sort of "That's my crazy Uncle Max" while looking out the window and wishing you could die. Or wishing he would die... or whatever.

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

Assuming that Isaac cooperates...

"Ugh, so embarrassing..."

"Come on, you could look good if you tried! Get some makeup and some clothes that are a bit flattering-"

"Ooor I could spend that on game books."

"It feels good to look good, trust me."

Tabitha is not convinced.

When the group settles down, Merissa rolls the dice, it looks like it's about to roll a 1... and then flops over to 93. The Dice shifts, bubbles, and stands up. A three-inch-tall fairy-like creature, wearing some kind of tabbard and a kilt, with small round insect wings. She looks at the four around her and crosses her arms over her chest.

"An' what are you oafs lookin' at?"

"We're never going to get gold, are we?"

[Deathkeeper]

Dorms

Isaac looks shocked! Completely and utterly shocked! So shocked th-
and now he's moving to kiss Merissa. Whoops. That was fast. Hope she lets that happen.
"That was really forward and blunt of me, but yes. Shall we?" he says after pulling away.

Tabitha's Locker

Isaac sighs at the creature.
"So, you still have artifact powers or do you not know what you were fifteen seconds ago?" he asks the weird fairy thing.

[Slii Arhem]

Not-Dorms-Anymore

And then they'll head into the locker and occupy themselves until one or both of them decides they should probably try to find and help Tabitha a few hours later!

And we'll leave it up to privacy what actually went on back there.

Tabby's Locker

Trying to expand on that a bit more, "We were trying to get a pattern from an artifact with a lot of seemingly random effects, and one of them managed to turn it into you. Since we were all watching the artifact, we're now looking at you." Curious, she looks for any sign of the die on the tabard, where an emblem would usually be placed.

[Lost_Deep]

Tabby's Locker

"Well now, let's check!" The little fairy snaps her fingers, and 47 little dots appear on the tabbard, before the wearer grows out of it. At the same time, Tabitha all but shrinks out of her clothes... while what was a fairy until a second ago turns into Tabitha. "Theory confirmed! You lot are terrible researchers, by the by, no one writing anything down."

A three-inch Tabitha fights her way out of her clothes. "What did you do?"

"Snap."

"...What?"

"Snap, girl. You'll see."

Tabitha snaps. Nothing happens.

"...'at's a fluke."

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

Isaac pales. "Uh, crap. I dunno how much is going on here and whether or not we can fix it. I think you got the die powers now? Uh, maybe you should keep trying until we get something more helpful?" this thing is all over the place!

[Slii Arhem]

Tabby's Locker

"Oooookay, hold on Tabby." Why is it always clothes and nudity? Seriously. She gingerly picks up the two halves of the tabard and casts a mending spell on it, flourishing far more than is called for with the current spell. The repaired garment is offered to the tiny Tabitha, "If you've got the powers now, you'll need this to see what you're doing with them, right? The fairy can probably get a job in the cafeteria here if she wants to stick around places, but I don't know if there's a way to swap you two back." After all usually artifacts are very hard to reverse in general.

"You should try it, though, and see if the dots show up this time." This would make Merissa either the caster or the target.

[OrchestraHc]

In the Hive

Well, unless Peter is known for being able to punch through well woven silk bedsheets, touching the wall is going to be a problem. The fabric is springy and stretchy, but doesn't come apart under his fingers.

Though, as he's gotten further in, the buzzing has faded away enough to something bearable, and there is a deep, steady thrumb of something larger moving. All of the bugs he can see are scuttling along on the floor and the silk walls they've made instead of flying, all heading towards the same place.

In the Hive:

He is not well-known for punching through silk, especially with his bare hands. Honestly how well this is spun is genuinely impressive. It's a tight weave. It also puts a genuine damper on his dampening plan.

At least his near aimless wandering has given him a new direction: Follow the bugs. See what I meant? Staying in motion even without a clear goal is a good plan. Something important or powerful is likely at the end of their path, and Pete intends to... hit it with his shoe? Man, beginner mages are at a real loss for options sometimes. Good thing none of them seem to give a damn about him though. That'd make this awkward.

[Lost_Deep]

Tabby's Locker

As soon as Isaac says, "The," Jill sneezes. This makes the Tabitha-shaped fairy laugh. "That's it!" Jill continues to sneeze every time "The" is said.

With the tabbard on, Tabitha focuses on the thing wearing her body and snaps. 28 dots appear on the tabbard, and the doppleganger is suddenly clothed in a pink poofy princess dress, long white gloves, similar shoes, and a little crown. The doppleganger sticks out her tongue at the display of pink and princess proper.

Tabitha seethes.

[Deathkeeper]

Tabby's Locker

Isaac is starting to panic a little bit.
"Uh, Tab, I think this thing really is all over the place. It hasn't done anything really dangerous but it's getting...weird. I don't know if you should keep going."

[Ionbound]

[Dormitories]

Melina shakes her head

No: just Uncle Max, by the looks of it. And he is...

expletives fail the young girl

He's the sort of uncle people tend to try to avoid admitting being related to. The sort of "That's my crazy Uncle Max" while looking out the window and wishing you could die. Or wishing he would die... or whatever.

Adrian blushes as she gets into the dress and says, "Oh...Great. This is such an awful day...Why is this happening? Thanks for the dress, though. Seriously."

[Slii Arhem]

Tabby's Locker

"Okay, that's enough of you. You're clothed, go out and enjoy the world." Merissa will manhandle the not-a-pixie-faux-princess out of the locker and into the hall, shutting it behind her.

"Second, we should actually see if we can dispel this stuff." She'll try to dispel the sneezing effect on Jill with a mumbled invocation and some waving. Oddly enough, the spell she used works better the more vague and disinterested you act while casting it, and she does an impressive job at making it seem like it's a bunch of rubbish.

"And third, as much as I want to agree with you Isaac, we should probably keep going. We'll never get a chance at this again if the teachers find out and extract the artifact's powers from Tabby. Stuff like this is so rare for students to get to mess with, it's practically tradition to get the most out of it you can. So far, all we got was a lucky amount of gold and a bunch of weirdness, we can do better."

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

The silver spears hit the beast hard enough to apparently cause it pain. It makes an angry noise and releases its biting grip on Red (who has, as of yet, refused to cry out). As Charlotte approaches it with the titanium spear, it backs off and retreats back into the mists and bushes, where it can't be seen.

Red's leg and dress might be pretty torn up. The lighting here is bad enough to be unable to tell the extent of the injury. However, possibly surprisingly, there's no blood pooling on the ground (or even any blood visible on her leg: just clear saliva). "Okay, good job," she says, pushing herself up on her arms, then trying to force herself standing. "It's gone now; go into the finish."

I'm not leaving you, it's the best i can do to make up for my blunder.
charlotte forcefully attempts to grab her and, carrying her over the shoulder, will attempt to run into the portal.
one she gets in she will ehaustedly collapse after setting red down, her clothing returning to her original outfit as she hits the ground.

[Hyperbolic sine]

[Gymnasium -Outside Hive]

((I should clarify, the rooms are above the gymnasium in the building, on the upper floors. There's likely no one hiding in the gym/hive itself, but fire does tend to travel upwards.))

The girl he gives the coin to throws it back as soon as he winks, covering herself with her hands more thoroughly and looking at him accusingly. It's clear that she thinks he was being perverted with that last gesture.

"Look, you came this far, if you're that scared of losing your clothes even though you've got some kind of protection, then just go on and hide in some other building. It's not so strange for people who don't want to be involved to hide in their rooms you know. Geeze." She stomps off, following the rest of her team.

Harold catches the coin, averting his eyes when he relizes his gesture was misunderstood. "I wasn't...oh, nevermind, you wouldn't believe me anyway" he says, but the girl is already walking away. He sighs...she did have a point. Hoping there are no insects in the upper floors, he wormhole jumps into the first room (uppermost floor) he can see. "Operation Gym Rescue, start!"

[5a Violista]

[Hedge Maze]

It took ten or twelve seconds to run to the swirling lights. During that time, Red protested, "But I can take care of myself," she protests.

It seems the beast will have come out again - but, for some reason, Red had a flat black box that she threw into one of the bushes. Who knows what it would've done. They reach the portal before they can find out what it would do, and the beast doesn't get them - it waits for the next to come by here.

The room they go to is pretty well-lit. There's all the people who previously vanished. In this lighting, it's pretty clear that Red's leg is torn up really badly - but, still, there's not even the hint of blood. No matter that, though. After she's set down, Faith and Freddie and some of the others come over and there's a flurry of talking and laughing. Obviously, Freddie found out that he was tricked by Red and Charlotte, but he doesn't seem mad about it. Seems that this sort of thing happens to him most every time.

[Arkhosia]

[Hedge Maze]

It took ten or twelve seconds to run to the swirling lights. During that time, Red protested, "But I can take care of myself," she protests.

It seems the beast will have come out again - but, for some reason, Red had a flat black box that she threw into one of the bushes. Who knows what it would've done. They reach the portal before they can find out what it would do, and the beast doesn't get them - it waits for the next to come by here.

The room they go to is pretty well-lit. There's all the people who previously vanished. In this lighting, it's pretty clear that Red's leg is torn up really badly - but, still, there's not even the hint of blood. No matter that, though. After she's set down, Faith and Freddie and some of the others come over and there's a flurry of talking and laughing. Obviously, Freddie found out that he was tricked by Red and Charlotte, but he doesn't seem mad about it. Seems that this sort of thing happens to him most every time.

Charlotte is still unconscious from exhaustion, so yeah....

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]


Adrian blushes as she gets into the dress and says, "Oh...Great. This is such an awful day...Why is this happening? Thanks for the dress, though. Seriously."

Melina nods

You're welcome. And yeah, this has been a strange day, to be sure... I wonder if eh person who did this is going to get expelled.

[Lost_Deep]

Tabby's Locker

"Okay, that's enough of you. You're clothed, go out and enjoy the world." Merissa will manhandle the not-a-pixie-faux-princess out of the locker and into the hall, shutting it behind her.

"Second, we should actually see if we can dispel this stuff." She'll try to dispel the sneezing effect on Jill with a mumbled invocation and some waving. Oddly enough, the spell she used works better the more vague and disinterested you act while casting it, and she does an impressive job at making it seem like it's a bunch of rubbish.

"And third, as much as I want to agree with you Isaac, we should probably keep going. We'll never get a chance at this again if the teachers find out and extract the artifact's powers from Tabby. Stuff like this is so rare for students to get to mess with, it's practically tradition to get the most out of it you can. So far, all we got was a lucky amount of gold and a bunch of weirdness, we can do better."

"...the?" Sneeze. "Drat! Well, you tried, thank you."

"Merissa! Did you just throw someone who is not me out into the hall in my body!? That's not smart!"

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

Isaac shrugs, and gives a small nod.
"Well, alright then. But yeah, maybe that wasn't such a hot idea. She might get Tab in trouble while we're trying to mess with things. I
If we want this to go unnoticed for as long as possible drawing attention to her might not be the best idea."

[Ionbound]

[Dormitories]

Melina nods

You're welcome. And yeah, this has been a strange day, to be sure... I wonder if eh person who did this is going to get expelled.

[Dormitories]

Adrian smiles grimly as she puts the dress on and says, "I doubt it...This sort of thing is par for the course. We're just lucky nobody died."

[5a Violista]

[Post-Maze Room]

The biggest cure for overexertion is rest. Charlotte gets moved out of the way, but she isn't bothered until she wakes up.

Time passes as the students either wait for the remaining people to show up or go to some other class or important business. During the time that Charlotte is passed out, several things happen. Discussions about the performances today are told. The teacher gives more information about what they're learning this week. People trickle in, in varying states of injury and panic. Introductions happen: Red introduces her friends to the unconscious Charlotte. Red receives a new body based on the drawing she made, which has a yellow scarf and the same red riding hood. More people decide to leave the room, and are caught in the mess with the bugs outside. People sit around, waiting for the bug incident to pass by before leaving. Some of them do schoolwork or practice for the Drama club's next performance. Red, Faith, and James are three of those who are practicing for it, reciting something. People who still want their clothes intact continue waiting around. A daring group of students leave so they can see what's going on out there, and maybe so they can see a few other things. Time passes. Eventually, Charlotte will wake up again.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Atrium]

"Even the simplest spell can make the greatest difference if used at the right moment Batu. You could have directed the creature into the wall or into one of the others, or under ideal conditions, off a cliff." Arik comments as he watches the creatures keep their distance. It seemed they had some degree of self preservation after all. "But we should find the teachers, someone must try to keep the order in a school like this." It's then he spots KR and let's the water elementals clear the path towards her. "Excuse me miss, you wouldn't know where we could find the staff, or whoever is in charge for taking care of these kinds of messes?" The elementals will simply attempt to touch any insect that comes near, drenching them in water and then instantly freezing them.

[Atrium]

Kr looks a little surprised at being addressed as 'miss', but figures it might be because they never really met formally, despite Kr knowing who this person is, and figuring he must have seen her and known who she was at the tournament as well.
"I believe the faculty quarters are on the top floor, but it doesn't look like they're interested in handling. I presume it's the students that are stepping up to solve this." She says, looking in the direction of the students heading towards the gymnasium. After the bugs stop harassing her, she lets her spell dissolve, the sigil snapping apart in a slight burst of magically charged particles.
"I may choose to go investigate, myself. I do have some experience dealing with vast insectoid hordes after all, although they were more interested in eating planets, not clothing." The showoff is real.

"My name is Kr, by the way. We may have met before."

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]

Adrian smiles grimly as she puts the dress on and says, "I doubt it...This sort of thing is par for the course. We're just lucky nobody died."

Melina chuckles, but somewhat nervously

Yes, certainly... always good for no one to die.

To be fair, she had read the part about resurrections in the admission materials... she just hadn't believed it. Her belongings piled back on the cart, she finally pulls it into her assigned room.

How long have you been a student here?

[Ionbound]

Adrian smiles and says, "Only a year...I think there have been a few deaths. Which is why there's the resurrection fee."

((You want them to be roommates, Fen?))

[Arkhosia]

[Post-Maze Room]

The biggest cure for overexertion is rest. Charlotte gets moved out of the way, but she isn't bothered until she wakes up.

Time passes as the students either wait for the remaining people to show up or go to some other class or important business. During the time that Charlotte is passed out, several things happen. Discussions about the performances today are told. The teacher gives more information about what they're learning this week. People trickle in, in varying states of injury and panic. Introductions happen: Red introduces her friends to the unconscious Charlotte. Red receives a new body based on the drawing she made, which has a yellow scarf and the same red riding hood. More people decide to leave the room, and are caught in the mess with the bugs outside. People sit around, waiting for the bug incident to pass by before leaving. Some of them do schoolwork or practice for the Drama club's next performance. Red, Faith, and James are three of those who are practicing for it, reciting something. People who still want their clothes intact continue waiting around. A daring group of students leave so they can see what's going on out there, and maybe so they can see a few other things. Time passes. Eventually, Charlotte will wake up again.

Charlotte wakes up, yawning, and looks around.
Morning guys. Or is it afternoon?
She asks with a chuckle, getting up.

[Fenric]

[Dormitories]


Adrian smiles and says, "Only a year...I think there have been a few deaths. Which is why there's the resurrection fee."

((You want them to be roommates, Fen?))

Melina puffs out her cheeks

Well... I guess as long as it's prepared for...

she shakes her head as she starts unpacking what's left of her stuff onto what's left of the bed.

I've never actually killed anybody, not even on accident. Awwwwww... man!

The expression of dismay comes as she takes out what looks like a stuffed hairless rat and sniffs sadly

Sorry, chompy... Anyway, I was saying... Never killed anybody, but hospitalization has happened a time or two - like with my carnivorous squirrels.

(( Sure, why not? ))

[5a Violista]

[Post-Maze Room]

"You've been asleep for a whole year and Prince Charming here," says Red, gesturing at Twinkletoes, "had to kiss you awake." She says that with a deadpan face, not even looking up from the sheet of paper in her hand.

As I stated before, Red looks like a different person, wearing different clothes - looking exactly like the picture she drew earlier. She still is wearing the red hood, of course, which clashes with the rest of her clothing.

Twinkletoes looks alarmed and holds his palms forward, as if saying "No! I wouldn't kiss you without your permission!"

[Arkhosia]

[Post-Maze Room]

"You've been asleep for a whole year and Prince Charming here," says Red, gesturing at Twinkletoes, "had to kiss you awake." She says that with a deadpan face, not even looking up from the sheet of paper in her hand.

As I stated before, Red looks like a different person, wearing different clothes - looking exactly like the picture she drew earlier. She still is wearing the red hood, of course, which clashes with the rest of her clothing.

Twinkletoes looks alarmed and holds his palms forward, as if saying "No! I wouldn't kiss you without your permission!"

Charlotte chuckles at that.
I'm Charlotte, magical girl:and no I did not name it that.
So, is Red a shapeshifter or something?
She asks, raising an eyebrow at Red2.0

[5a Violista]

[Post-Maze Room]

"Nope," says Red, still not looking up. She's content to leave it at that, because apparently, whatever paper thing she's looking at is very interesting and important. If she had a lollipop, this is the moment where she would put it in her mouth.

Twinkletoes, however, responds since most of the other NPCs are busy talking to each other now that they've learned Charlotte's name and the fact that she's a Magical Girl. "She's much more like a psychic flesh golem," he explains. "Her father builds the bodies for her when they get too damaged."

This causes Red to speak up again. "I was due for a new one, anyway."

[Arkhosia]

[Post-Maze Room]

"Nope," says Red, still not looking up. She's content to leave it at that, because apparently, whatever paper thing she's looking at is very interesting and important. If she had a lollipop, this is the moment where she would put it in her mouth.

Twinkletoes, however, responds since most of the other NPCs are busy talking to each other now that they've learned Charlotte's name and the fact that she's a Magical Girl. "She's much more like a psychic flesh golem," he explains. "Her father builds the bodies for her when they get too damaged."

This causes Red to speak up again. "I was due for a new one, anyway."

Cool! All I have is the ability to summon stuff. Well, also a sort of immortality in a way.
Charlotte replies.

[5a Violista]

Post-Maze Room

"Anyway," says Red, finally looking up from her papers, "we were all thinking of just chilling in here until this cloth-eating bug blows over. I'd rather not have my clothes eaten and I forgot to bring my metallic underwear today." How could you possibly forget that? It's probably one of the most important things for one to wear in a school such as this, where horny magical teenagers run rampant.

"So, that means we won't have much to do other than talk, study, and anything else we can do in here."

[Arkhosia]

Post-Maze Room

"Anyway," says Red, finally looking up from her papers, "we were all thinking of just chilling in here until this cloth-eating bug blows over. I'd rather not have my clothes eaten and I forgot to bring my metallic underwear today." How could you possibly forget that? It's probably one of the most important things for one to wear in a school such as this, where horny magical teenagers run rampant.

"So, that means we won't have much to do other than talk, study, and anything else we can do in here."

****, I'm going to have to take a trip out in the city soon too. Hmm... I might have a couple stories to tell.
Charlotte replies

[Shadowcaller]

[Atrium]

Kr looks a little surprised at being addressed as 'miss', but figures it might be because they never really met formally, despite Kr knowing who this person is, and figuring he must have seen her and known who she was at the tournament as well.
"I believe the faculty quarters are on the top floor, but it doesn't look like they're interested in handling. I presume it's the students that are stepping up to solve this." She says, looking in the direction of the students heading towards the gymnasium. After the bugs stop harassing her, she lets her spell dissolve, the sigil snapping apart in a slight burst of magically charged particles.
"I may choose to go investigate, myself. I do have some experience dealing with vast insectoid hordes after all, although they were more interested in eating planets, not clothing." The showoff is real.

"My name is Kr, by the way. We may have met before."

[Atrium]

"Yes, your from that organization. VIGIL." Arik remarks. "My name is ArIk Mithar, I was there on your tournament on my sisters behalf. Wasn't that your husband that wished to fight against one of my water elementals?" In Hestopia there is really nothing in-between single, engaged and married, at least not as far as the nobles are concerned.

[Morty]

[Atrium]

"And I am Batu, son of Tengal, formerly of the Blind Crow tribe," the hobgoblin introduces himself in his usual way, bowing. He's a skinny hobgoblin with pale, greenish-yellow skin, probably close to Kr in height. He's got unkempt brown hair and what looks like the beginnings of sideburns. His nose is flat and snout-like, and he has a pair of short, blunt tusks. His ears are long and point slightly downwards. He's wearing a long, open coat in a dull orange colour, with a yellow shirt, brown pants and sandals underneath.

[5a Violista]

[Post-Maze Room]

Red chastises Charlotte. "Hey, don't swear. There's ladies and children in this room," she interjects.

Continuing, she says, "So, start with the first story, then."

[Ashen Lilies]

[Atrium]

"We... are not married." Says Kr, slightly surprised that Aric would assume such.
She bows awkwardly in response to Batu.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."

[Shadowcaller]

[Atrium]

"Ah, my apologies, I fear I have not completely adapted to the customs of this world." Arik remarks. "In Hestopia a man and woman would marry as soon as possible once they showed interest in one another to avoid the wrath of their parents." DC would be so mad! "But I suppose you've come here to investigate this house of learning? I myself came in hopes that the teachings of this place would be a bit more in tune with what Batu practices. My own craft have very little to do with his, which is why I can't learn him more."

[Morty]

[Atrium]

"Indeed," Batu says with a nod. "It seems that the sorcery of my home world is rather unusual, and there's only so much I can learn from Master Arik's library. The notes I'd gathered before I was banished from my tribe are of very limited use."

[Ashen Lilies]

[Atrium]

"Yes. The library at the keep is quite large, and the collection of magical texts is rather extensive, but I thought a more guided introduction into the study of magic would be more helpful." Kr takes a look around at the aftermath of the chaos. "From what I've seen so far, it seems like the practical approach to learning is encouraged." She says wryly.

[Shadowcaller]

[Atrium]

"That's one word for it." Arik replies with a glance at what the beetles left behind. "One could desire some better control however, how is anyone going to learn anything in this chaos?" Extremely disruptive.

[Morty]

[Atrium]

"Shamans and teachers always told us sorcery is blasphemous and dangerous," Batu says. "Not that it stopped me, of course. But they never mentioned... swarms of cloth-eating insects."

[Ashen Lilies]

[Atrium]

"Everything is blasphemous to some group or other." Says Kr, rolling her eyes. "That's something I learned rather quickly. Dangerous is accurate, though. Some types of magic more than others. Cloth-eating insects are a new one for me as well, though." Kr puts her hands in her pockets. "And I wouldn't say it's more chaotic than what goes on at VIGIL sometimes."

[Shadowcaller]

[Atrium]

"But this is a school not an military organization devoted to fight apocalypses, how are the students supposed to study and feel safe here with disasters like these happening?" Arik asks. "I won't judge too harshly from a single event but it's not a good first impression."

[Morty]

[Atrium]

"I think someone in my situation needs to take what he can get," Batu observes. "I'll just try to master some sort of bug-zapping spell as soon as I can."

[Arkhosia]

[Post-Maze Room]

Red chastises Charlotte. "Hey, don't swear. There's ladies and children in this room," she interjects.

Continuing, she says, "So, start with the first story, then."

"Alright, so you kids want to hear a story, right? Well, you're in for a short little tale of fighting, cuz I'm not very good at describing stuff."
Charlotte, an olive-skinned adolescent of French descent with long black hair that hangs in a ponytail down her back, tied in a bright red ribbon, grins wildly as she grabs a chair and sits in it backwards, facing those assembled. The 15 year-old, clad in a poofy black skirt bearing red trim that matches her black, red trimmed snowboots, worn despite it being the summer because why not, a black t-shirt, and a brilliant red cloak that she'd taken to wearing only about an hour or two ago, speaks.
"Back home, my job was fighting these monsters called witches, who fed on people's despair while hiding in trippy labyrinths inside pocket dimensions, cuz nothing can even be simple. I didn't fight many, but this one time, there was one labyrinth full of everything dog-related. Bones, leashes, collars, small sweaters, fire hydrants, all kinds of crap like that. After a long time cutting my way through minions shaped like dog biscuits to get my way to the center, I finally found the witch.
She was a hideous fluorescent pink skeleton made of squeaky toys, her lower half a swarm of opalescent emaciated birds. Leashes hung from her arms, her hands bearing long claws and her face adorned with a hat made of a fire hydrant and serpents. I charged her as I summoned a silver glaive in my hands and 5 bladefirst into the grassy ground of the scene of our fight, leaping up at the witch with some boosts from summoned platforms, and as the witch quickly reacted and swatted me to earth, I threw my glaive at her eye and hit my mark.
The witch reeled in pain as I grabbed onto a glaive and stopped my travel sideways, wincing at the impact into the ground that still followed. I quickly stood up and grabbed the polearm, as well as a nearby second one, and darted upwards again towards the witch before suddenly leaping up and landing on top of her hat before leaping off and galling dow, carving a path downwards her skeleton with the blades in hand before swinging between her legs and leaving the polearms behind. Grabbing a nearby one, I rolled out of the way as the witch slammed the ground with her fists, the impact sending my into the ground again. I got up, glaive transforming to a prong anti materiel rifle to my disappointment. Y'see, I don't like having to use ranged weapons.
I opened fire, darting to avoid the witch's swings and gaining scratches and bruises from failed impact. I fire upon her face repeatedly evading, and after a while, I knew she was nearly finished.
So I decided to give him an awesome death. I grinned, and ended the combat by dispelling the glaives and summoning a cloud of them above, then making them fall bladefirst towards the witch, impaling her and finishing the fight.
And that is how I saved a few people andslew a witch!"
Charlotte finishes, grinning.

[Terumitsu]

[Café-teria]

Or really just the same old cafeteria with a new addition to it.

The smell of roasted beans brewing in boiling water to make their pitch-colored elixir was wafting about the room from a surprisingly well kept corner. Behind the counter was an elf wearing a simple apron with the name 'Mocha' on her badge although it was anyone's guess as to if that was her real name or just a description of her skin color. Regardless, she seemed aptly perky for such a name given how she was humming a bouncy tune as she cleaned the counter top.

Apparently she was running this new area although a glance behind her would make it clear she probably wasn't doing this as a solo venture.

In any case, it seemed like she was here to serve that delicious, rich potion of caffeine to the student body and perhaps most of the staff as well given the highly extensive menu. Really, it was a bit excessive when a simple drinks selection required ten whole pages to hold it all...

[5a Violista]

[Post-Maze Room]

"That's neat," says Red. She gripped the edge of her chair, listening to the story the whole time. It was a very great story; Red could imagine it as if she were there.

She then adds, "Did you know that I'm a witch, too? I also lived in a trippy labyrinth. There was lots of neat things throughout it, but I don't think there were any dogs. Just me, my sisters, and a bunch of other things." It's an interesting bit of backstory, but her friends have probably heard all about it several times, because they're not trying to find out more. Red continues, "It was really fun. I used to live in it all the time. Did you know I almost got shot there? It was a pistol."

[Ashen Lilies]

[Atrium]

Kr nods slowly.

[Arkhosia]

[Post-Maze Room]

"That's neat," says Red. She gripped the edge of her chair, listening to the story the whole time. It was a very great story; Red could imagine it as if she were there.

She then adds, "Did you know that I'm a witch, too? I also lived in a trippy labyrinth. There was lots of neat things throughout it, but I don't think there were any dogs. Just me, my sisters, and a bunch of other things." It's an interesting bit of backstory, but her friends have probably heard all about it several times, because they're not trying to find out more. Red continues, "It was really fun. I used to live in it all the time. Did you know I almost got shot there? It was a pistol."

Well, probably not the same witch I fight. After all, I'm pretty sure you don't feed on despair and witches from where I'm from don't talk.
Charlotte replies with humor in her eyes and voice.

[5a Violista]

[Post-Maze Room]

"Well, I can eat whatever I want," says Red defiantly, frowning and folding her arms. "If I want to feed on despair and stuff, you can't stop me."

She pauses just long enough to not seem like she's really angry for Charlotte implying that Red can't feed on despair. "Not that I know why anyone would want to eat it. I'm sure it tastes horrible."

She pauses a little bit longer, as if she were done talking. Then, all of a sudden, she continues as if she couldn't not say anything more. "Besides, they're really missing out. Witches who don't talk are probably bored all the time and have nothing to do, like, ever. You'll never catch me being boring like that."

[Arkhosia]

[Post-Maze Room]

"Well, I can eat whatever I want," says Red defiantly, frowning and folding her arms. "If I want to feed on despair and stuff, you can't stop me."

She pauses just long enough to not seem like she's really angry for Charlotte implying that Red can't feed on despair. "Not that I know why anyone would want to eat it. I'm sure it tastes horrible."

She pauses a little bit longer, as if she were done talking. Then, all of a sudden, she continues as if she couldn't not say anything more. "Besides, they're really missing out. Witches who don't talk are probably bored all the time and have nothing to do, like, ever. You'll never catch me being boring like that."

I dunno. Just a tip if you don't wanna be caught being so boring: don't make a contract with a fluffy white cat thing who talks telepathically. Cuz he's an *******.
Charlotte replies, chuckling at the previous comment.

[5a Violista]

[Post-Maze Room]

"I think cats are cute." It helps that one saved her life, sort-of. Also, caused most the problem, but nobody remembers that.

"So," says Red. "Anything you want to know about me, or do you think we can safely leave this room now?"

[Arkhosia]

[Post-Maze Room]

"I think cats are cute." It helps that one saved her life, sort-of. Also, caused most the problem, but nobody remembers that.

"So," says Red. "Anything you want to know about me, or do you think we can safely leave this room now?"

Anything you're willing to share, yes.
Charlotte replies, fiddling with her soul gem.
((Idea: The two could be roommates))

[5a Violista]

[Post-Maze Room]

"Well, let's see," says Red. "I was born a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, when my father the court magician had an affair with the queen while the king was out doing who knows what. He was exiled, and then stuff happened, and then a curse happened on the kingdom, and I was then living in the ruins of the kingdom with my two half-sisters. It was very fun, you know. There was this baby dragon! You should've seen him. Or her. It was just a skeleton, so I could ask it if it was a boy or a girl dragon. I think he was a boy baby dragon. He was so cute, so I buried his skeleton in a pile of gold. 'Cause dragons like gold, you know."

She continues talking about everything and nothing. "There was also this fairy. She was really mean. She killed me, you know? Actually, no, she didn't, 'cause I'm not dead. But she did like eating people. She was looking for her brother, who also has a dragon skeleton, but his is a lot bigger and more alive. Anyway, my younger sisters, Emma and Safrita, they were really mean, and just between you and me, I think they were a little crazy. It's too bad they died, though. I don't miss them."

"Then this guy who is actually a cat, but is a person, came. He was really nice. Actually, all cats are really nice. I had a pet cat when I was younger. I called him George, after that one famous guy. He was a yellow cat, which is probably why I liked him so much. Everything yellow is pretty awesome. Then, the cat shot my sister in the head while my dad wrestled with the skeleton guy, and then we all lived happily ever after." That's it. Red stands up after that confusing story.

"Well, I think it's time to leave this room. I think the moths aren't bothering anybody anymore."

((Yes.
Also, I think it's about time for them to get out and start interacting with other players, since many of the posts on this page our ours.))

[Arkhosia]

[Post-Maze Room]

"Well, let's see," says Red. "I was born a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, when my father the court magician had an affair with the queen while the king was out doing who knows what. He was exiled, and then stuff happened, and then a curse happened on the kingdom, and I was then living in the ruins of the kingdom with my two half-sisters. It was very fun, you know. There was this baby dragon! You should've seen him. Or her. It was just a skeleton, so I could ask it if it was a boy or a girl dragon. I think he was a boy baby dragon. He was so cute, so I buried his skeleton in a pile of gold. 'Cause dragons like gold, you know."

She continues talking about everything and nothing. "There was also this fairy. She was really mean. She killed me, you know? Actually, no, she didn't, 'cause I'm not dead. But she did like eating people. She was looking for her brother, who also has a dragon skeleton, but his is a lot bigger and more alive. Anyway, my younger sisters, Emma and Safrita, they were really mean, and just between you and me, I think they were a little crazy. It's too bad they died, though. I don't miss them."

"Then this guy who is actually a cat, but is a person, came. He was really nice. Actually, all cats are really nice. I had a pet cat when I was younger. I called him George, after that one famous guy. He was a yellow cat, which is probably why I liked him so much. Everything yellow is pretty awesome. Then, the cat shot my sister in the head while my dad wrestled with the skeleton guy, and then we all lived happily ever after." That's it. Red stands up after that confusing story.

"Well, I think it's time to leave this room. I think the moths aren't bothering anybody anymore."

((Yes.
Also, I think it's about time for them to get out and start interacting with other players, since many of the posts on this page our ours.))

Charlotte is quite confused!
Shock and awe! :smalltongue:
Alright, wouldn't' hurt to do so now, would it?
She replies, shrugging.
((Sure!))

[5a Violista]

[In the school]

Red nods. "Besides, I'm bored," she says, finally leaving the room out to brave the dangers of the hallway.

[Shadowcaller]

[Atrium]

"I think someone in my situation needs to take what he can get," Batu observes. "I'll just try to master some sort of bug-zapping spell as soon as I can."


[Atrium]

Kr nods slowly.

[Atrium]

"In any case, we should probably talk to the ones responsible for this institution and see if they have the place for Batu. Are you by any chance joining to learn as well, or are you perhaps here for teaching?" Arik asks, attempting to discern where the staff might be hiding out.

[Morty]

[Atrium]

Batu peers at Kr, awaiting an answer. He's not sure why, but he feels some trepidation at the prospect of her being a teacher. Despite her unassuming appearance, she has the air of someone you cross at your own peril.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Atrium]

"No, I'm just a student." Says Kr. "I don't think I have the experience for teaching. Or the inclination, really."

[Slii Arhem]

"...the?" Sneeze. "Drat! Well, you tried, thank you."

"Merissa! Did you just throw someone who is not me out into the hall in my body!? That's not smart!"


Tabitha's Locker

Isaac shrugs, and gives a small nod.
"Well, alright then. But yeah, maybe that wasn't such a hot idea. She might get Tab in trouble while we're trying to mess with things. I
If we want this to go unnoticed for as long as possible drawing attention to her might not be the best idea."

Tabitha's Locker

Merissa sighs, immediately opens the locker, and drags the pixie in by the scruff of her neck, "Yeah, fine, okay. Listen, you sit over in the bathroom or corner or something until we can get someone to change your look so that you can go off on your own however you feel like being. Do that, and I won't try to see if I can unmake you just as easily as you were made. Off you go." Merissa's lack of patience for her player's mistake about the look of the pixie aside, the teen sits back down in the locker with an apprehensive look on her face.

"Well, what now? Anyone have a good idea how we should proceed?"

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

Tabitha takes some deep breaths to calm down. "At this rate? I think we had better get help. Call me crazy, but there's no control, lots of possibilities, and it's contagious. As far as we know, there's a dangerous result that we haven't found yet!"

"At least one," The dice says from the bathroom, "And a lot more that will make your life real complicated!"

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

"Well, if we're splitting hairs it's not really contagious since there's still only one of you but yeah. What do you think, Merissa?" he asks her. Then sighs. "If you really want to try to keep going I think you should try to aim it more at someone besides yourself though. Maybe something will happen to revert you back to your old self, but you seem to only hit yourself more than anyone else." he's not being very helpful.

[Slii Arhem]

Tabitha's Locker

Tabitha takes some deep breaths to calm down. "At this rate? I think we had better get help. Call me crazy, but there's no control, lots of possibilities, and it's contagious. As far as we know, there's a dangerous result that we haven't found yet!"

"At least one," The dice says from the bathroom, "And a lot more that will make your life real complicated!"


Tabitha's Locker

"Well, if we're splitting hairs it's not really contagious since there's still only one of you but yeah. What do you think, Merissa?" he asks her. Then sighs. "If you really want to try to keep going I think you should try to aim it more at someone besides yourself though. Maybe something will happen to revert you back to your old self, but you seem to only hit yourself more than anyone else." he's not being very helpful.

Tabitha's Locker

Merissa chews her bottom lip, suddenly worried, "Guys, who are we going to get to help with this now that Tabitha has the power that die had? It's not an artifact situation anymore, what if they can't remove the power from her?" Pixie transformations and word taboos can be reversed, but artifact level powers being acquired are kind of stickier.

"I mean, regardless of whether she uses it more, she may be stuck with it now." A sudden thought occurs to her though, "Hey, Tabilganger, you said there was at least one dangerous one just now, that means you must know at least some of what effects there are. Care to spill now that you're not so attached to the powers anymore?"

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

"Aww, where's the fun in that?"

"Seriously?"

"But I do rather like my powers! The fun is in the looks on you all's faces when the effects pop up!"

"Please stop saying that! I'm afraid I'm going to rip up the-*sneeze*-inside of my nose!"

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

Isaac sighs.
"I guess it's your body and powers in the end, Tab. Do what you think is best. I'll help, even if there's risks." he says, managing to sound somewhat resolute. Somewhat.

[Slii Arhem]

Tabitha's Locker

"Aww, where's the fun in that?"

"Seriously?"

"But I do rather like my powers! The fun is in the looks on you all's faces when the effects pop up!"

"Please stop saying that! I'm afraid I'm going to rip up the-*sneeze*-inside of my nose!"


Tabitha's Locker

Isaac sighs.
"I guess it's your body and powers in the end, Tab. Do what you think is best. I'll help, even if there's risks." he says, managing to sound somewhat resolute. Somewhat.

Tabitha's Locker

"So what are you saying, do you want your powers back? What would you ask for in return for giving us some help with this?" Offer aid before threats, right? Might help the negotiations a little.

[Lost_Deep]

Tabitha's Locker

"No, no, no. You don't get it. I didn't lose anything." She snaps, and a little cupcake should appear in Merissa's hands, that she should feel compelled to eat as fast as possible.

[Deathkeeper]

Tabitha's Locker

"Well, there has to be something we can do." says Isaac flatly, eyeing the cupcake. "There has to be something we or at least you could do to help Tab recover her old self."

[Shadowcaller]

[Atrium]

Batu peers at Kr, awaiting an answer. He's not sure why, but he feels some trepidation at the prospect of her being a teacher. Despite her unassuming appearance, she has the air of someone you cross at your own peril.


[Atrium]

"No, I'm just a student." Says Kr. "I don't think I have the experience for teaching. Or the inclination, really."

[Atrium]

"Then you and Batu will be peers." Arik replies with a smile. "Isn't that exciting?" He asks the hobgoblin. "Makes one wonder what other people that attend this college, perhaps more famous mages that I sadly only heard about."

[Morty]

[Atrium]

"I... imagine it will be," Batu says. "Although I'm a complete novice, rather than an accomplished practitioner trying to broaden his horizons. The school probably attracts both sorts."

[Ashen Lilies]

[Atrium]

"I'm sure that it will be a pleasure." Says Kr, mostly out of politeness. Not knowing Batu, she doesn't really have any sort of opinion, positive or negative, as to whether it will be a pleasure or not.

[OrchestraHc]

Dormitory Roof:

Peter Terwilliger, plot cloned since his encounter with the evil moths-custs, is currently eating his lunch while attempting to do a difficult homework assignment. His basic spells teacher has assigned him the old classic, making a feather and a coin fall at the same speed. His scientific research for this assignment seems to consist of tossing feathers and metal washers (dont ask how he got a bucket of washers and a sack of feathers, it isn't worth it) off the roof and wondering why they dont fall at the same speed.

This unfortunately makes Dormitory lawn look like a mechanical goose crash landed and exploded in front of the dorms.

He's also enjoying a ham sandwich, for what it's worth.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front
((Closed scene))

Tabitha is sitting on a bench in front of the school. She's looking... contemplative. And a little sad.

Oh, if you were wondering, the entire dice thing? Sorted out. Tabby's back to normal size and not full of chaos magic! Mostly. The dice person itself got turned into her own self and got a job as a guidance councilor. That was a while back by now, she's likely thinking about something else.

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac happens to walk by today. He's back from his little trip from Inside. It took him almost the whole trip to notice his reflection in the store windows and realize that his ears changed. Ah, well. If elf ears are what it takes to stop turning his professors into rodents, worth it.
"Hey Tab. Something the matter?" he asks. There's something about the way he's holding himself. Is he more confident? More cheerful? It's hard to narrow it down to something specific, but an observant eye might notice something.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"Not really. Kind of. A little. I'm just... feeling homesick, I guess." Tabitha looks up from her notebook on her lap. "...What happened to your ears?"

[Deathkeeper]

A bench out front

Isaac self-consciously fiddles with the tips of one of his ears.
"Oh, just a little incident in the city. It should actually help me control my unstable magic. Where do you come from, anyway?" he asks her.

[Lost_Deep]

A bench out front

"Riverside. Northside, specifically. My family wants to move out here to inside, but things in Riverside are so unstable right now they're not sure whether to leap like it's a sinking boat or wait until things calm down and then leave." Tabitha seems... less than thrilled about Riverside.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Tabitha asks. She seems... awkward about it. "Something weird."

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac shrugs.
"Can't really offer any advice on politics. That's all over my head. What's the question, though? You and I and Merissa went through enough weird together that I doubt it'll faze me." he says with a smile.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"What are your thoughts on dream walking?" Tabitha asks, "Or, how much do you know about dream walking?"

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac blinks. "Uh, about zilch. It's really not my field. Why do you ask?"
What's so weird about that question. It seemed harmless enough.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"It's... something I'm curious about," Tabitha says noncommittally. "The idea is interesting, you know: Going into other people's dreams. The trick is, it has the potential for severe abuse, and its limits aren't well understood..." She's nervous about this topic.

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac raises an eyebrow at her. Why is she so nervous?
"Well, yeah, I understand that. Are you okay, Tab? You seem a little nervous to just be asking me about concepts of study." he says, trying to sound helpful.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"It's... a little personal for me. You know? Past experience and all." She's really nervous about it. "You know? I've thought about this myself a lot, but... I was hoping to get an outside view on the matter."

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Eyebrows continue to be raised!
"Wait, what? What past experience? Are you okay, Tab? I don't think I've heard of this before." he says. He hope nothing happened to put her on edge like this.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"It's... complicated," Tabitha leans back. "I'm fine. I'm fine. I just..." she sighs. "I was hoping to discuss this with Merissa, actually, but..."

She's really at a conflict whether to talk about this. Like she really should, but really doesn't want to... or like she really wants to but really shouldn't?

[Slii Arhem]

A Bench Out Front

Conveniently, or perhaps not for Tabitha who seems rather reluctant to confront her worries, Merissa is just now heading out to lunch after putting her books in her locker. She doesn't even look back at the bench, but there aren't too many four armed volleyball players around the campus so it has to be her.*

*They actually had to add a rule that Merissa could be the only one on their team, after some of the other school teams started complaining. Now most of the others are investing in multi-armed players to be their blockers, and Merissa's new personal rival is a thri-keen from UnderCommunity College.

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac manages to catch sight of her. "Speak of the devil..." he mutters, and waves to her, offering a friendly whistle if that doesn't get her attention.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

Tabitha takes a deep breath, steeling herself for/resigning herself to what is to come. She straightens up, stands up, and will call out to Merissa if Isaac can't get her attention.

She's trying to look more confident than she feels, and it's really obvious.

[Slii Arhem]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac manages to catch sight of her. "Speak of the devil..." he mutters, and waves to her, offering a friendly whistle if that doesn't get her attention.


A Bench Out Front

Tabitha takes a deep breath, steeling herself for/resigning herself to what is to come. She straightens up, stands up, and will call out to Merissa if Isaac can't get her attention.

She's trying to look more confident than she feels, and it's really obvious.

A Bench Out Front

Merissa turns at the whistle, but then does a double-take when she hears Tabitha calling her, waving one of her upper arms at the two and turning back to greet them. Of course, it doesn't take special glasses to see Tabby's discomfort, and she pulls up about six feet from the bench with a vague look on her face.

"Okay, what's up this time. Is it space invaders or are we having real, not ridiculous problems this time." Merissa has a point. From Isaac's pointed ears and Tabby's nervousness, it wouldn't be at all surprising if this was another event centered around their unofficial trio.

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac shrugs. "I'm fine, but Tab had some studious questions to ask you, I think." he says, giving a friendly gesture to the friend in question. He doesn't know if Merissa will be any more well-versed in this subject than he is. He doesn't think that he's ever seen her do any research on it, at least.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"Yeah... how much do you know about dreamwalking? I have a personal interest in it." Tabitha's nervous, but not letting that stop her. Whatever this is really about, it's really important to her.

[Slii Arhem]

A Bench Outside

"Really? Nothing, but I know where a couple of books are in the library that deal with dream stealing. It's old stuff, needs goat blood and all that." Which is why, despite regularly trawling the archaic sections of the library, Merissa hasn't messed with it. She draws a line at any spell or ritual that requires a trip to an exotic butcher's and a really strange receipt.

"If there's anything old on dream walking, it'd be in the same section, but I've never seen it. Maybe we could start with what's going on before we get to researching though. Why are you starting up with this now?"

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Outside

"It's..." Tabitha casts a quick privacy spell. "It's that, you see, you two are more or less the best friends I've had since elementary school, and I was wondering if... you see... agah." She takes a deep breath. "I can dreamwalk and I'm wondering if the two of you would mind if I... ah..."

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac raises an eyebrow. "You've had a power for a while and you want to know if we trust you enough to let you try it? It sounds fine to me. I mean, you've never run out screaming when I tried doing my Transmutation homework, and that was probably far more dangerous."

[Slii Arhem]

A Bench Outside

"It's..." Tabitha casts a quick privacy spell. "It's that, you see, you two are more or less the best friends I've had since elementary school, and I was wondering if... you see... agah." She takes a deep breath. "I can dreamwalk and I'm wondering if the two of you would mind if I... ah..."


A Bench Out Front

Isaac raises an eyebrow. "You've had a power for a while and you want to know if we trust you enough to let you try it? It sounds fine to me. I mean, you've never run out screaming when I tried doing my Transmutation homework, and that was probably far more dangerous."

A Bench Out Front

"If it's just for helping you practice and get better at it, sure thing. I never remember my dreams, and I'm not sure if I want to, but if you want to tell me what the heck's going on in there, then we can give it a try." Merissa smiles, trying to break some of the reluctance, "But if it's anything too weird, I reserve the right to ask you to stop so you're not subjecting yourself to my crazy fantasies."

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"It's... not just practice, no. It's more like... imagine that you're used to being out and about all day, but then you have to be locked in your house all day because something happened to someone else. It's... kind of like that. I used to hop around a bit, you know? But now I've moved, and I'm about to visit anyone who I don't know... but It's taken me a while to get to know anyone, and I've been feeling really cooped up!" Tabitha explains. "I've done some research on it, and I know that it can be dangerous, especially to the person whose dream is being invaded, but I'm always careful, and I certainly wouldn't do anything on purpose!"

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench out Front

Isaac smiles. A big, warm, genuine smile. "Tab, you're our friend. We know you'd be careful. And like I said, it's no more dangerous than being around me when I try to learn my stuff. You've done plenty for me, if I can't speak for both of us. If it'll help you, I'd be glad to offer what I can do." he says, in a distinctly less paranoid manner than Tabitha might be used to.

[Slii Arhem]

A Bench Out Front

"It's... not just practice, no. It's more like... imagine that you're used to being out and about all day, but then you have to be locked in your house all day because something happened to someone else. It's... kind of like that. I used to hop around a bit, you know? But now I've moved, and I'm about to visit anyone who I don't know... but It's taken me a while to get to know anyone, and I've been feeling really cooped up!" Tabitha explains. "I've done some research on it, and I know that it can be dangerous, especially to the person whose dream is being invaded, but I'm always careful, and I certainly wouldn't do anything on purpose!"


A Bench out Front

Isaac smiles. A big, warm, genuine smile. "Tab, you're our friend. We know you'd be careful. And like I said, it's no more dangerous than being around me when I try to learn my stuff. You've done plenty for me, if I can't speak for both of us. If it'll help you, I'd be glad to offer what I can do." he says, in a distinctly less paranoid manner than Tabitha might be used to.

A Bench Out Front

"Well, before we get into this why don't you tell us what some of the dangers are, and what we could do together to mitigate them before we even start? If you don't know, we can do some research after last class." While Merissa is likewise not being paranoid, she can at least be reasonable about this. Dangers are dangers, intentional or not.

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"I don't know the details. I know that if properly done, someone can change the victim anyway they like. I don't know how that would happen, and I don't want to know. If I were to break something, I'd likely just give people random funky complexes, but I don't know. Some research is probably smart." She nods. "Most of what I know is from some internet searches, and then I thought about it. Often too much."

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

"Well, not every source is going to work for you like it does. And usually really big fundamental changes are tough, so they're probably not doable if you're not very experienced. It's not really my field, but I'll help any way I can." Isaac says, grinning. Is he in a good mood, or just laid-back today?

[Slii Arhem]

A Bench Out Front

"I don't know the details. I know that if properly done, someone can change the victim anyway they like. I don't know how that would happen, and I don't want to know. If I were to break something, I'd likely just give people random funky complexes, but I don't know. Some research is probably smart." She nods. "Most of what I know is from some internet searches, and then I thought about it. Often too much."


A Bench Out Front

"Well, not every source is going to work for you like it does. And usually really big fundamental changes are tough, so they're probably not doable if you're not very experienced. It's not really my field, but I'll help any way I can." Isaac says, grinning. Is he in a good mood, or just laid-back today?

A Bench Out Front

Merissa looks at him sideways with a grin, "Okay mister, you're in way too good a mood today. What's gotten into you, besides the ears? Is it bodysnatchers? Are you a bodysnatcher? Because if you are, you should know that Isaac usually treats me to lunch, so it'll be important for you to do so to keep up your image until we inevitably foil your plot to replace us all with really awful duplicates." She's giggling by the end, clearly not believing her own words.

"And speaking of lunch, we should skip it and get cracking those books if we want to find anything before tonight."

[Lost_Deep]

A Bench Out Front

"Part of me wants to object to that, but I spent the last 30 minutes eating comfort food to psyche myself up for this, so I'm not hungry." That's oddly fortuitous.

[Deathkeeper]

A Bench Out Front

Isaac returns her smirk. "Well, if you're not sure, you could always test it like the movies and see if I kiss the same." What movies are those? "But sure, books sound fine. I ate in the city." he says (truthfully!) with a shrug.

[Morty]

[Lawn]

Batu can be seen sitting on the front lawn, legs crossed, immersed in a badgered, old book. Several other tomes are lying nearby. He doesn't seem to be paying much attention to anything other than the book in front of him. Surely nothing can go wrong with that.

[Slii Arhem]

A Bench Out Front

"Part of me wants to object to that, but I spent the last 30 minutes eating comfort food to psyche myself up for this, so I'm not hungry." That's oddly fortuitous.


A Bench Out Front

Isaac returns her smirk. "Well, if you're not sure, you could always test it like the movies and see if I kiss the same." What movies are those? "But sure, books sound fine. I ate in the city." he says (truthfully!) with a shrug.

A Bench Out Front -> Across the Lawn

"Maybe when we're not trying to help Tabby out, Bizzaro-Isaac. Come on, let's get the boring stuff done with so we can see if there's any risk. Then I really do have to get something to eat before next class. I accidentally vanished breakfast out of my stomach during CPR training this morning." Not even going to elaborate on that one. Magical CPR is a very delicate procedure.

Batu will likely notice the three walking by, if he was inclined to comment on a four-armed girl, a pointed-eared fellow, and their somewhat nervous friend.

[Lost_Deep]

Across the Lawn

Said nervous friend also has a large pair of wings.

"I can run get some granola if you don't want to wait to run and get food..."

[Arkhosia]

Batu and/or the trio may notice a certain olive-skinned woman in a seafoam green hoodie, jeans, and black boots with a crescent moon pendant hanging from her neck with her brown hair in a ponytail. What's she doing? Oh, nothing much. Just walking from a closing opalescent portal as she grins to herself, eating an apple and tossing up and catching a black gem.... which may be missed and end up tolling at the feet of the trio, causing Charlotte to run and dive to catch it and curse under her breath.

[Deathkeeper]

Across the Lawn

Isaac smiles.
"I've got some microwave pizzas in my freezer, as always. We can always hit my stash." he says. It's always smart to have a stash, especially with super giant lockers.

[Slii Arhem]

Across the Lawn

Said nervous friend also has a large pair of wings.

"I can run get some granola if you don't want to wait to run and get food..."


Across the Lawn

Isaac smiles.
"I've got some microwave pizzas in my freezer, as always. We can always hit my stash." he says. It's always smart to have a stash, especially with super giant lockers.

Across the Lawn

"Frozen pizza's fine. We'll just stuff it in my backpack and heat it up in the library." With easy heating spells, the library is practically used as a second eating hall when the cafeteria gets full since all the books have been treated with hydrophobic sprays. Merissa lifts her foot absently to let Charlotte get her gem, "Sorry, excuse me, we're kind of in a hurry." Hopefully she won't mind being brushed off, but they only have until lunch is over to do their research so they're kind of on a schedule.

Merissa will head for the dorm building. First to grab the pizzas, then to head for the books! Timeskip?

[Lost_Deep]

Across the Lawn

Timeskip!

The topic of dreamwalking is poorly documented at best. Tabitha's version doesn't work like the version in that move 'Inception,' so most of what there is is speculation.

What is known:
Dreamwalking is commonly either used as a spell or a supernatural power of a supernatural entity (i.e. certain kinds of succubi/inccubi or nightmare creatures).
Dreamwalking can be hazardous for the target, but is not innately so. How various people react to dreamwalking varies about as much as people's dreams, no way to guess ahead of time how.
Dreamwalkers are also at risk if the target can fight back.
Permantent mental injury from dreamwalking is actually pretty hard: You're in their dreams, not literally in their mind. A 'lethal' wound often just results in the individual waking up, shaken but unharmed. That said, people have been made brain-dead or into compeltely different people by dreamwalking over time. The how is unknown.
Some, but not all, dreamwalkers can take non-dreamwalkers with them into other dreams.

[Deathkeeper]

Library Things

Isaac seems satisfied with the research that they've gathered. There is some level of randomness, but it seems to be no more potentially harmful than any magic school.
"Well Tab, this seems to be potentially more dangerous to you than it would be for me or Merissa. If you still want to do your thing, whatever it is, I'm fine with it.
Do you have any idea what gave you this power, by the way?" says Isaac after a while.

[Slii Arhem]

Across the Lawn

Timeskip!

The topic of dreamwalking is poorly documented at best. Tabitha's version doesn't work like the version in that move 'Inception,' so most of what there is is speculation.

What is known:
Dreamwalking is commonly either used as a spell or a supernatural power of a supernatural entity (i.e. certain kinds of succubi/inccubi or nightmare creatures).
Dreamwalking can be hazardous for the target, but is not innately so. How various people react to dreamwalking varies about as much as people's dreams, no way to guess ahead of time how.
Dreamwalkers are also at risk if the target can fight back.
Permantent mental injury from dreamwalking is actually pretty hard: You're in their dreams, not literally in their mind. A 'lethal' wound often just results in the individual waking up, shaken but unharmed. That said, people have been made brain-dead or into compeltely different people by dreamwalking over time. The how is unknown.
Some, but not all, dreamwalkers can take non-dreamwalkers with them into other dreams.


Library Things

Isaac seems satisfied with the research that they've gathered. There is some level of randomness, but it seems to be no more potentially harmful than any magic school.
"Well Tab, this seems to be potentially more dangerous to you than it would be for me or Merissa. If you still want to do your thing, whatever it is, I'm fine with it.
Do you have any idea what gave you this power, by the way?" says Isaac after a while.

Library Things

"Actually, it sounds dangerous to all of us, if we're doing this often instead of as a single experiment. So I think that's what we should start with, just a night in each of our heads to see how we react. If the worst does happen, the staff's head chirurgeon can fix nearly anything, and we can legitimately say that we were studying into a very under-represented facet of magic if one of us goes temporarily brain dead." Merissa nods, glad that they have a way to talk their way out of trouble if they have to go to the school hospital.

"So, which one of us is first? We should decide either now or at supper, so we have time before we have to sleep. Do you need to be close to whoever you're entering the dream of Tabby?"

[Lost_Deep]

Library Things

"Not too close, our rooms are all close enough. I have a range of about a city block." She shrugs. "Well... Isaac, do you remember your dreams?"

[Deathkeeper]

Library Things

Isaac thinks about this. It might be important, so he focuses back for a few years as well as more recently when his powers became active.
He shakes his head. "No, not usually. Almost all the time they're just a garbled set of lingering images at best, and those rarely stay. I can only remember one or two that really stuck with me." he says after careful consideration.

[Slii Arhem]

Library Things

"Not too close, our rooms are all close enough. I have a range of about a city block." She shrugs. "Well... Isaac, do you remember your dreams?"


Library Things

Isaac thinks about this. It might be important, so he focuses back for a few years as well as more recently when his powers became active.
He shakes his head. "No, not usually. Almost all the time they're just a garbled set of lingering images at best, and those rarely stay. I can only remember one or two that really stuck with me." he says after careful consideration.

Library Things

"Well then, it's up to Tabby which one we do first. Can you do two in one night, or do you want to spend the whole time in one dream just to get your feet wet again?" Merissa is getting excited despite herself now, since they've actually firmly decided to go through with it. She's more cautious than Isaac is being, which is weird itself, but still thrilled to be helping.

[Lost_Deep]

Library Things

"I can do both," Tabitha says, "I think I'll start with you, Merissa, and then Isaac later." She hms. "From the looks of it, this isn't as dangerous as I thought it might be. Hopefully."

[Deathkeeper]

Library things

Isaac nods. He realizes what a huge invasion of privacy this would be if she didn't ask. I mean, what if Merissa or he was dreaming about their kiss? That'd be something terribly embarrassing for Tab to see.
"Well, I guess that's settled. I guess we should synchronize our sleep schedules, and then I'll see you tonight?" he says with a smile, resisting the temptation to wink as well.

[Slii Arhem]

Library Inquisition

Merissa whirls on her boyfriend with an accusing finger outstretched, "Oh no you don't mister, now that we've got her thing set up, we've got just enough time for you to tell us what's gotten into you. It's obviously a change and not just a good mood, or you wouldn't look different as well. So spill the beans mister confident."

[Lost_Deep]

Library Inquisition

"Yeah, really, it's a blatant change," Tabitha says, "Really, really obvious. compare you now to the you taking on that crazy woman... I'd think you two were bothers. Half-brothers. Not the same person."

[Deathkeeper]

Library Inquisition

Isaac blushes a bit, a self-conscious grin surfacing.
"Well, I met a fellow in the city who knew my name and asked if I would help him with a trial of a business he was opening. He'd take something and see if it helped me, and I'd get it back if it didn't. I asked him to take what was making my magic so unstable. I...really don't know what it was. He said my magic had roots in the natural kind, maybe that's why I have elf ears or something? I don't really know. But it worked, my transmutations are almost right now instead of being 180% wrong."
His blush intensifies as he considers his words for a moment or two.
"He, uh, also said he was your dad, Merissa. "
That's probably more of the attitude they were expecting.

[Slii Arhem]

Library Inquisition

Merissa sighs, though not at anything here, "Oh great, daddy's got an idea for another silly startup company? Here I thought he'd give up eventually and find some time to see me. He didn't threaten you, did he? I don't know how he found out you're my boyfriend, Zaff's is practically scry proof and we haven't really been together outside of it." Her head nearly steams as she begins overthinking things, but she shakes it with a violent cascade of red hair to get back on track.

"So he performed some... subtractive magic I guess. I wouldn't know what else to call it, but I don't know what that even means anyway. Maybe he took some of your caution, you've been really bold and that's the first thing I noticed. That combined with whatever making you more fit for natural magic might be it?" She shrugs, less concerned about the change now that she knows who's ear she has to ring to get it fixed if need be. She's always been able to talk her dad around when he's actually in touch.

[Lost_Deep]

Library Inquisition

"Usually the natural is countered with civilization or industry, depending," Tabitha muses. "Well, maybe you should see the school psychologist, see if you can pin down all the changes."

[Deathkeeper]

Library Inquisition

"Well, he was very convincing to get me to try it, but he didn't really force me. And he did say that he'd be awfully um, irritated if I made you cry, but I can't really think of a father who wouldn't say that of his daughter."
If he had a kid, he'd probably say that to any person they ever dated. And it occurs to Isaac that even as he is that would be a rather sizable threat, even if he couldn't have such a simple and effective punishment that Mr. Miles mentioned.
"Really, I don't think I want the psychologist poking around in my head. I feel fine, and if I don't I'll call him back and get restored. Knowing exactly what it is will probably only give me a placebo effect. I will admit I do feel a bit less comfortable inside with all the concrete and stuff, but I think if he's right about the magic it's nothing unexpected. And I don't think it'll be a problem. I've lived in the city too long for something this minor to suddenly make me dislike it."

[Slii Arhem]

Library Inquisition

"Well, it kind of sucks that Tabby can't do a before and after on your dreams to see if they're different, but I'm happy for you. Daddy likes to try to be helpful with his businesses, but he always loses interest in running them and winds up starting something new." Merissa smiles and lightly pecks Isaac on the lips, not wanting to make Tabitha feel like a third wheel here.

"Alright, lunch is nearly over. I guess we'll see you in our dreams tonight Tabby?"

[Lost_Deep]

Library Inquisition

"You should, but I'll be honest, I don't know if you'll remember it. I hope you will, but I can't guarantee." She looks at a clock and then stands up. "But I should be going, my class is on the other side of campus. See you two later." And unless the other two have something more to say, she'll leave.

[Arkhosia]

Dorm Hall

Charlotte can be found here, holding a clear purple gem that is utterly transparent but just gives a purple tinge in her hand upwards, examining it. It's the same gem usually around her neck, and it is certainly different looking than usual due to it's newfound translucency.
Charlotte is currently clad in a seafoam green t shirt and black skirt, a red scarf wrapped around her neck, sitting against a wall and open for interaction.

[Slii Arhem]

A Dream That Night

A door, painted deep green with an unreadable sign hanging on it. It stands ajar only slightly, a hair of light sneaking out razor thin and straight as an arrow to divide the hall diagonally. Beyond, a single nightlight illuminates the room as a man crouches next to Merissa's tiny bed, pulling a small green stool to sit on as he watches over her.

She's young, a frail and slight little girl with all four arms resting over her chest atop the covers. Though it's not obvious at first, from the way her eyelids flutter she's trying unsuccessfully to pretend they're closed, and that she's asleep as her father removes his gloves and reaches out to gently stroke the back of one of her hands.

"Why don't you ever stay?" The murmur is far from sad, but routine and curious. She's just asking for the sake of it and wondering what he'll say this time.

He turns to Tabitha, his face an unrecognizable blur, and she gets the distinct feeling that the answer must come from her.

[Lost_Deep]

A Dream That Night

I chose the exact wrong moment to enter this dream, Tabitha decides. She tried to be nice, used the door, and didn't expect this. In retrospect, she should have, but she didn't.

Tabitha herself looks different than normal: Smaller hips and a slightly more developed chest, with jeans and a T-shirt that hugs her form. It's a bright color, red at the moment, but it changes when no one is looking. Peculiarly, over her clothes is a large zipper down her front, running the length of her torso. Overall, she's a bit of a contrast to the otherwise dark atmosphere.

Okay. First step of meeting a friend in a dream: get them into lucidity. "Because it's only a dream."

[Slii Arhem]

That Night - A Dream

"Nothing's ever only a dream Tabby." Merissa says after she blinks the haze of imagination from her eyes and sits upright, her father disappears into mist.

"Nothing's ever only anything. Everything's always in the middle of all the various onions of history, layers of events piling up and peeling back, extending outwards from a hundred million centers to collide with each other and form each and every thing in every moment that passes, and then those form more. It's a cascading chain of continuity, and I read all that in an extremely dull book one day, but I'd never remember it if I was awake." She says this all cheerfully, tilting her adorable little head to the side with a perfectly manic grin.

"If they had gotten the guy that they pulled that quote from to write the rest of the book, do you suppose it would have been less dull? Maybe more of it would have stuck with me, maybe I would have done better on my report on potentiality, and maybe if I knew more the whole thing would be less interesting to me. It's funny to me that my lack of understanding chaos theory drove me to this point, but if I had better resources then there'd still really be nothing I could do about it. We all just make things happen and have things happen at us, or not." There was a definite downside to entering Merissa's dream so early into her sleep cycle. All the things on her mind that she'll never remember in the morning have transferred into a stream of consciousness that only slows down occasionally, never stopping until she can slip deeper into her slumber.

[Lost_Deep]

That Night - A Dream

"Hey, in my experience if you want to kick someone into lucid dreaming, you have to be straightforward. Plus, when has understanding chaos theory helped anyone? Really, I find a lot of philosophy dull since it doesn't seem terribly applicable to real life. Hey, the philosophy department here has an 'applied philosophy' class, right? Is that actually helpful?" Tabitha decides against trying to ask Merissa to shape up so soon. Tabby has been asleep for a bit now, getting ready to dreamwalk, and really has no way to know how long Merissa's been dreaming, but figures that Merissa will likely sort herself out in time.

[Slii Arhem]

That Night - A Dream

"Sure it does, that's the group that's trying to reverse the philosophical process, so instead of coming up with truths about reality, they come up with just anything they can think of and try to force it to be true for as long as they can. I had to interview one of them for my report, and he told me that one time, they nearly got Up to be Cheese for an entire tenth of a second in the lab." Merissa gets up out of bed, stretching her arms up over her head languidly as she stretches taller and ages before Tabitha's eyes to her normal state.

"You're impatient to get to the good stuff, right? It's all outside, there's nothing in here except me and my thoughts. S'how it always begins, not that I'll ever know that when I'm awake." When she mentions her thoughts, she subtly slides in front of the dresser, putting herself between it and Tabitha. Some invasions of privacy she's willing to actively defend against.

[Lost_Deep]

That Night - A Dream

Tabitha doesn't even try to look into the dresser. "You know, I'm surprised that you look so similar in your dreams to how you do in real life. Everyone I've ever walked to, including myself, hasn't ever looked like what they really look like." Forgot to mention, in addition to the changes mentioned earlier, this Tabitha has neither glasses or wings. "It's a small sample size, true, but still."

[Slii Arhem]

That Night - A Dream

"Maybe you'll find out why! I didn't really think of it, after all, how long do you really look down at yourself in a dream? I've got no other sample size to work with either, unlike you." Merissa, after some psychiotherapy training, got both used to and fond of her four arms and adapted them into her self-image.

"Plus, like I keep mentioning, I never remember these when I wake up. Hard to think about something when it never comes to mind."

[Arkhosia]

Dorm Hall

Charlotte can be found here, holding a clear purple gem that is utterly transparent but just gives a purple tinge in her hand upwards, examining it. It's the same gem usually around her neck, and it is certainly different looking than usual due to it's newfound translucency.
Charlotte is currently clad in a seafoam green t shirt and black skirt, a red scarf wrapped around her neck, sitting against a wall and open for interaction.

Charlotte is currently still here

[Lost_Deep]

That Night - A Dream

Tabitha nods, and then realizes something. "Hey, I have perfect memory, and you seem to have a better memory right now. Or at least you remember different things? If there's anything you want awake-you to remember, or know, you could tell me and I could pass it on?"

[OrchestraHc]

Dorm Hall

Charlotte can be found here, holding a clear purple gem that is utterly transparent but just gives a purple tinge in her hand upwards, examining it. It's the same gem usually around her neck, and it is certainly different looking than usual due to it's newfound translucency.
Charlotte is currently clad in a seafoam green t shirt and black skirt, a red scarf wrapped around her neck, sitting against a wall and open for interaction.

Peter Terwiliger, a brawny, tan, farmboy of a teenager, is currently tromping along through the hall. Most pertinent about him at the moment is that dozens of feathers and metal washers are adhering to his skin. He doesn't seem deterred though. In fact he seems proud of himself. In his hands are a bucket of washers and a sack feathers, so it's not hard to guess where the ones on his face and body came from.

He seems to be adapting to the magic school lifestyle.