"I was? Hmm. Wrong lunchroom..."
"I was? Hmm. Wrong lunchroom..."
Shrugging at Tarka, Tryko'Sam says, "Hey-- just saying, I don't know much, honest. Maybe I was in the wrong place. I was just trying to eat something."
"It looks like someone cast an abjuration spell not too long ago"
she pauses.
"There are two. I was in the wrong one. Thanks madness... Hay, wait... Didn't you tell me the location of the lunchroom?"
she pauses.
"Well? Nothing? This is the first time you've been silent in a while..."
Tarka grasps her head, and then shouts-
"Tarka wandered into that part of the school by accident. She's new. She hasn't learned her way around yet. Also, if you want her to be respectful of you and show courtesy then have the good graces to do the same. She's a sentient being. With feelings. Whose only interactions with other sentient beings not her kind thus far have mostly consisted of them calling her a monster and trying to kill her. Which is an all too common story among my students. Including the human ones. People aren't always understanding of those who are different."
"And you, Tryko'Sam, are displaying the classic signs of a recent head injury, including disorientation, mood swings, memory issues...you didn't say what you thought you did, for example, lack of personal awareness...as far as I can tell the only signs you're not showing are that your pupils are responding normally and you don't appear to have any signs of vertigo. I strongly recommend that you visit the infirmary. If it's not a head injury, these are often the signs of a new power about to manifest and generally speaking you'll end up there anyway."
Then unless stopped he waits for the magic to faid and if it does he pokes the substance
nah not really. just the boys being boys that's all, I offered some music for some dancing and well they all decided to just...awww nevermind. i just though since they were into their whatever, I would try and show you in here.after a moment of her happy facade not quite working.
Ginni, I really like it here, I am just trying to adjust, that's all, I mean outside of this place I was always special, my music really rocked, I was like always the smartest. but here I'm so much more ....average. and to be honest, can your boyfriend ever say anything to me that isn't bragging about his greatness? I mean he probably is better than me at allot of stuff; but that talk isn't helping. I really want to meet the Ace you fell for, not the one I keep seeing.
Mel turns to Roel Roel would please give us some time alone time
After Roel leaves, Ginni sits down. "This place is really great, Mel."
"As far as Ace goes, he's been hunted for most of his life. I know it sounds arrogant to you, but he's just giving himself a pep talk, keeping morale up and all that. He's not used to having anyone around who will tell him anything good. And plenty who will say otherwise. It's...you don't understand. You had Dom. And your parents. You were never really alone. You don't know what it's like to be reviled just for existing, to be utterly completely alone. We all come up with our own ways of coping."
"And I know it's hard when you first get here in some ways...maybe not as much for me. It's harder now with all these stupid rumors. For me this place was the first time I could relax and be accepted instead of having to constantly worry about how long it would be before I ended up getting run out of town. But I've seen enough other people struggle with confidence after suddenly becoming a small fish in a big pond after being used to being a big fish in a small pond before they got here to know that you're far from the first person to feel that way. You are still every bit as talented and smart as you were before. It's just that now you're surrounded by other talented and smart people. And when you leave you'll be even more talented and smart than you were before because you'll have been challenged in ways you never would have been anywhere else. Maybe Ace's habit of talking about how awesome he is is annoying...but maybe you could use a few rounds of reminding yourself how awesome you are too."
"Tarka wandered into that part of the school by accident. She's new. She hasn't learned her way around yet. Also, if you want her to be respectful of you and show courtesy then have the good graces to do the same. She's a sentient being. With feelings. Whose only interactions with other sentient beings not her kind thus far have mostly consisted of them calling her a monster and trying to kill her. Which is an all too common story among my students. Including the human ones. People aren't always understanding of those who are different."
"And you, Tryko'Sam, are displaying the classic signs of a recent head injury, including disorientation, mood swings, memory issues...you didn't say what you thought you did, for example, lack of personal awareness...as far as I can tell the only signs you're not showing are that your pupils are responding normally and you don't appear to have any signs of vertigo. I strongly recommend that you visit the infirmary. If it's not a head injury, these are often the signs of a new power about to manifest and generally speaking you'll end up there anyway."
Crossing his arms on his chest, Tryko'Sam frowns and seems to stand there quietly.
"If you want to waste some ..doctor's time, fine, but.. you try to put me in some kind of containment facility-- this ain't going to end well."
He seems fairly serious about that, not so much out of fear, but, some inner anger.
"Why are you .." He frowns again, while going silent. Then glancing at the others around him, scowling a bit, clearly unable to ask his questions, maybe due to the others around.
tarka relaxes after a moment.
"You ever wonder what having webbed fingers would feel like? I do."
Crossing his arms on his chest, Tryko'Sam frowns and seems to stand there quietly.
"If you want to waste some ..doctor's time, fine, but.. you try to put me in some kind of containment facility-- this ain't going to end well."
He seems fairly serious about that, not so much out of fear, but, some inner anger.
"Why are you .." He frowns again, while going silent. Then glancing at the others around him, scowling a bit, clearly unable to ask his questions, maybe due to the others around.
"It's not a containment facility," she said, sounding faintly exasperated. "Is that what they do on your world? Round up people with powers and contain them? I...vaguely remember running into a world or three like that. Probably not yours...I hope not yours. I didn't used to be playing for the good guys." She shrugged. "Things change."
"If you don't want to waste a doctor's time, waste mine. I'm as qualified to run the equipment as any of them, and a baseline scan is always helpful to add to your medical file for later. You're free to leave at any time. And if you want to know why I'm interfering, it's my job. I'm the Headmistress of the elementary school."
"No one is putting you into containment Tryko'Sam." Vai says gently. "The school is here to help those with developing powers, whatever they may be. Alright? My sister is just protective of her students, that's why she said what she said. "
Vai wonders why he paused, taking a moment to read his expression. She didn't know that much about him.. but he seemed like a pretty proud... like Keme. "Pheebs, I think he's probably learned his lesson. Alright?"
Plus... being lectured by Ephebe in front of a couple people... that is exactly the sort of thing Keme would hate. "Do you want me to come with you to the infirmary for some tests Tryko'Sam? I promise I won't let them lock you up or anything."
tarka's eyes suddnly widen.
"Oh, crap, I forgot jabby! He's probobly upset..."
she pauses.
"Madness doesn't want to talk. He's a little sore. I'll have to find him myself."
she pauses again.
"You are too!"
"It's not a containment facility," she said, sounding faintly exasperated. "Is that what they do on your world? Round up people with powers and contain them? I...vaguely remember running into a world or three like that. Probably not yours...I hope not yours. I didn't used to be playing for the good guys." She shrugged. "Things change."
"If you don't want to waste a doctor's time, waste mine. I'm as qualified to run the equipment as any of them, and a baseline scan is always helpful to add to your medical file for later. You're free to leave at any time. And if you want to know why I'm interfering, it's my job. I'm the Headmistress of the elementary school."
"Yeah .. at one point, there was some .. law, everyone had to come in and get probed or scanned. Didn't go well. People didn't like their freedom curtailed or being lied too about things... I think. It was just ... so far as I can remember, ugly. Then things got worse... much later." He's clearly trying to remember some details, but it's sketchy. A furrow or two more and he let's it go.
Once she mentions who she is, he adds, "I'm pretty sure I'm healthy-- not sure whatever's going on is going to be fixed, if it hasn't already. If you feel up to it, sure. Guess it wouldn't hurt."
Another glance at the others, a nod and bit of a smile at Vai, then back to Ephebe. "Sorry to bother you, uh.. ma'am. I really didn't realize Tarka there was only 3 years old, or a kid. Just working with what I know."
Nodding at Vai, he simply adds, "Sure. I mean, she said it isn't one, you did, I'm good. I was just checking up on you, earlier, guess you're doing okay. I can go now." He looks back to Ephebe when saying that.
Ace places a reassuring hand on Dom's shoulder "Don't worry about your past catching up to you. Its behind you for a reason. Sure, it could find you again, but if you and Tami truly love each other, it won't get in the way."
"I know what it is like to get probed." Vai says darkly. "I /will not/ let you be locked up and tested against your will Tryko'Sam. I've been there before." her words definitely are filled with passion and her tail lashes back and forth.
She quickly reverts to her half-elf form, fully clothed at any point in which her modesty would be threatened. "Alright, let's head to the infirmary."
"I know what it is like to get probed." Vai says darkly. "I /will not/ let you be locked up and tested against your will Tryko'Sam. I've been there before." her words definitely are filled with passion and her tail lashes back and forth.
She quickly reverts to her half-elf form, fully clothed at any point in which her modesty would be threatened. "Alright, let's head to the infirmary."
"Sweet, you can be my wing girl any time, Vai." He's clearly emboldened by her display of passion and resolve, and perhaps, being able to relate to her more than the younger appearing people here-- or the quite nameless fellow who gave him lip about his speech.
Tryko'Sam looks at Ephebe and then to Vai saying, "Guess I'm ready."
Ephebe nodded.
"Tarka, use the wall arrows to find some of your classmates to play with once you've found Jabby. You're less likely to get into trouble if you stay in the elementary wing."
"You can follow me or not. But use the arrows. Even once you're used to the place, the rooms move. It can be extremely confusing trying to navigate the place," she said as she led the way to the infirmary.
"This shouldn't take long, and it's not at all painful. Basically you stand on a platform, the nanites scan your body down to the cellular level, and then the data is sent to the display. From there I can look at it to make sure that everything is normal, or if there is anything wrong we can take measures to heal the problem. If there's nothing wrong, then it just gives us a good baseline to compare to later if you ever are sick or injured or subjected to some hostile magic so that they know how to put the pieces back," she explained as they walked. Given where he came from she thought he might be less likely to object if he knew what to expect.
"Right. I know...it's still hard to allow someone that much access to my mind. No offense meant, Phaeze...I'm just suspicious in general. It's not about you in specific. But I'm...going to trust you. So yes, you have my permission."
With what is meant to be a reassuring smile on his demonic face, Phaezeriel attempts to add Jaiye into the collective. She can feel a sense of nearness with both Phaezeriel and Ehos that she has never felt before. She can sense their minds and knows that she can speak to them with a simple thought. You can also sense that, while Phaezeriel seems to have more that he can do besides simply talking, you can remove yourself from this collective simply by no longer being willing.
::There we are. While this is no different for me for communication, Ehos can now speak to you directly, without the need for the tablet. Can you see what I meant about there being no danger to you?::
"You can follow me or not. But use the arrows. Even once you're used to the place, the rooms move. It can be extremely confusing trying to navigate the place," she said as she led the way to the infirmary.
"This shouldn't take long, and it's not at all painful. Basically you stand on a platform, the nanites scan your body down to the cellular level, and then the data is sent to the display. From there I can look at it to make sure that everything is normal, or if there is anything wrong we can take measures to heal the problem. If there's nothing wrong, then it just gives us a good baseline to compare to later if you ever are sick or injured or subjected to some hostile magic so that they know how to put the pieces back," she explained as they walked. Given where he came from she thought he might be less likely to object if he knew what to expect.
Tryko'Sam'll go along with, apparently not too disturbed, when things are described.
He does at one point ask though, "You guys ever worry about someone getting your data? Could be dangerous. I kinda have a bad feeling about this. Like, revealing myself could be dangerous, or something. Private things... Dunno. It's creepy, making me nervous with out knowing why."
He'll tag along though, just speaking as some odd memories popped up, frowning since he felt like serious de ja vu was going on.
"Sorry to sound so paranoid, not sure where that's coming from, actually. I just have an odd feeling I've gone through this before and the outcome wasn't pretty. I do know I'm healthy. Always healthy. I don't recall ever being sick, actually... Though..."
He falls quiet.
Ace places a reassuring hand on Dom's shoulder "Don't worry about your past catching up to you. Its behind you for a reason. Sure, it could find you again, but if you and Tami truly love each other, it won't get in the way."
"Thanks. I'm sure your right, besides I'm sure she's had ex's too." Dom looked to the recording room door still a bit worried about Mel. "Hope she's not to upset with me for whatever it was."
After a while of watching the magic "huh that's weird it's not fading" "hey tybalt come over here and look at this"
"As far as Ace goes, he's been hunted for most of his life. I know it sounds arrogant to you, but he's just giving himself a pep talk, keeping morale up and all that. He's not used to having anyone around who will tell him anything good. And plenty who will say otherwise. It's...you don't understand. You had Dom. And your parents. You were never really alone. You don't know what it's like to be reviled just for existing, to be utterly completely alone. We all come up with our own ways of coping."
"And I know it's hard when you first get here in some ways...maybe not as much for me. It's harder now with all these stupid rumors. For me this place was the first time I could relax and be accepted instead of having to constantly worry about how long it would be before I ended up getting run out of town. But I've seen enough other people struggle with confidence after suddenly becoming a small fish in a big pond after being used to being a big fish in a small pond before they got here to know that you're far from the first person to feel that way. You are...
Mel sits and listens to Ginni.
You know I never thought of it like that. with all the help you've given to me today, I think you just might be the smart one here. Its great to finally have other girls I can talk to.
Mel looks around the room So you wanna play something? I can go in the sound booth and run the sound system. you would be alone in here and only those in the sound booth can see you. I'll even broadcast you music into the other room if you want.
mel hands Ginni her own guitar. you can use mine if you want
with the way Ginni is with her own guitar Mel has placed allot of trust in Ginni by offering her own guitar.
"Ok. I see less than you do though."
He moves closer.
"Maybe this magic is just bleeding through from the other side of the squishy thing."
He calls down to the people.
"Come on up. Tell me when Jeran is on so I can make sure it holds."
Lang catches up with Midori
I was thinking, If Master Blackscales would allow it I was thinking of bringing everyone to my home in the Sunrise mountains. We use giant owls to get around. but I have to ask the temple elders first, since we are supposed to be a secluded temple.
Sun appears to give a look of "I don't think thats a good idea"
Lang looks to Grim and the others what do you guys think?
"I like owls. Also we need to head back soon. Horsies can only stay for two hours. We're almost out of time."
"I like owls. Also we need to head back soon. Horsies can only stay for two hours. We're almost out of time."
"Giant owls? Cooool"
With what is meant to be a reassuring smile on his demonic face, Phaezeriel attempts to add Jaiye into the collective. She can feel a sense of nearness with both Phaezeriel and Ehos that she has never felt before. She can sense their minds and knows that she can speak to them with a simple thought. You can also sense that, while Phaezeriel seems to have more that he can do besides simply talking, you can remove yourself from this collective simply by no longer being willing.::There we are. While this is no different for me for communication, Ehos can now speak to you directly, without the need for the tablet. Can you see what I meant about there being no danger to you?::
::Well, it's certainly more convenient than having to talk while I'm a hyena...it's hard for him to take a relationship conversation seriously when he's talking to a hyena, no matter how much easier telepathy is,:: she said, not entirely certain about there being no danger, but trying to give this the benefit of the doubt.
Ghalen will head up the ladder, after Tyrrin.
Tryko'Sam'll go along with, apparently not too disturbed, when things are described.He does at one point ask though, "You guys ever worry about someone getting your data? Could be dangerous. I kinda have a bad feeling about this. Like, revealing myself could be dangerous, or something. Private things... Dunno. It's creepy, making me nervous with out knowing why."
He'll tag along though, just speaking as some odd memories popped up, frowning since he felt like serious de ja vu was going on.
"Sorry to sound so paranoid, not sure where that's coming from, actually. I just have an odd feeling I've gone through this before and the outcome wasn't pretty. I do know I'm healthy. Always healthy. I don't recall ever being sick, actually... Though..."
He falls quiet.
"No, it's understandable. Especially if you come from one of those worlds. And you're not being paranoid if they really are out to get you. Mom would agree and she's the one who made the whole security network in the school. Pretty much everything runs on nanites here, and the nanites are programmed to go inert if someone without the security codes tries to access them. Basically they become useless dust. Except that they also self-destruct if someone without the proper authorization tries to analyze them. And there are also planetary wards that prevent anyone from off-world coming here to spy on us. They literally forget everything once they leave and can't send the info off-planet while they're here. So basically, you just have to trust the school staff, that we won't abuse our access to the information since nobody else can get to it. That we know of. If you think of some other way to make it more secure, talk to Professor Aananda Sunwake. She always appreciated suggestions. And you can just about always find her in her lab. Mom is a bit of a workaholic."
Vai was also tagging along with Ephebe and Tryko'Sam, though she has surreptitiously grown back a pair of wings with a poorly-contained smile on her face, enjoying her own personal joke. The wings aren't as huge as her full draconic wings, but scaled for her half-elf form.
Something Tryko'Sam says strikes Vai as a bit weird. "What do you mean by 'always healthy'? I mean... do you have a really strong immune system or something?"
Ghalen will head up the ladder, after Tyrrin.
Tyrrin floats up instead of using the icy ladder, casting Detect Magic as she goes.
::Well, it's certainly more convenient than having to talk while I'm a hyena...it's hard for him to take a relationship conversation seriously when he's talking to a hyena, no matter how much easier telepathy is,:: she said, not entirely certain about there being no danger, but trying to give this the benefit of the doubt.
::Hey! I like your hyena form.. even if the fur is a bit scratchy.:: Ehos briefly muses about how humans can possibly stand to have beards, before shaking his head and returning to the task at hand. His telepathic voice is decidedly grim. ::I don't think I explained things very well Phaeze. Did you find anything else out? Jaiye thinks I might have been drugged.::
Lang catches up with Midori
I was thinking, If Master Blackscales would allow it I was thinking of bringing everyone to my home in the Sunrise mountains. We use giant owls to get around. but I have to ask the temple elders first, since we are supposed to be a secluded temple.
Sun appears to give a look of "I don't think thats a good idea"
Lang looks to Grim and the others what do you guys think?
"I like owls. Also we need to head back soon. Horsies can only stay for two hours. We're almost out of time."
Midori was looking quite tired, as was her horse. This was understandable of course, given her fatigue earlier and then she had been running around. Her thighs and bottom were sore from all the bouncing. She gradually slows down her pace and Lang catches up with her.
"Ano... Lang-kun. Ignace-chan and Zilla-chan and me were all going to have a tea party tomorrow. Or did you mean another time?" Midori says cheerfully, obviously having enjoyed the horse riding greatly.
"Hai, Sara-rin. Thank you again for helping us get horses." Midori says as she tugs the bridle gently to turn the horse back around to begin heading home, going at an easy canter now.
Lang rides back easily happy for the chance to ride. he smiles of gratitude toward Sara.
then looking to the other girls. whenever you guya want is good, I might go home tomorrow to talk to the temple elders to see what they have to say. and to tell them of what I discovered today.
Lang then tries to get Midori and Zilla together and whispers to them hopeing sara does not hear, would there be anyway to invite Sara to the tea party? her grandma just died yesterday, I think it would mean allot to her to be included.
Lang gives the girls a pleading look it used to always work on mom
"Hai, of course we will invite Sara-rin." Midori says back, just as conspiratorially. "Ano... I wonder if Ignace-chan is going to be able to make Sara-rin a yukata in time... maybe I could try." Midori pauses thoughtfully, seeming to come to a decision. "I should at least try. The worst that can happen is that I fail, ne?"
Mel sits and listens to Ginni.
You know I never thought of it like that. with all the help you've given to me today, I think you just might be the smart one here. Its great to finally have other girls I can talk to.
Mel looks around the room So you wanna play something? I can go in the sound booth and run the sound system. you would be alone in here and only those in the sound booth can see you. I'll even broadcast you music into the other room if you want.
mel hands Ginni her own guitar. you can use mine if you want
with the way Ginni is with her own guitar Mel has placed allot of trust in Ginni by offering her own guitar.
"Thank you. That means a lot to me. But I do still have my own with me, so I can just use that. Yours is a much nicer instrument though. I really admire it. I don't think I could ever afford one that nice," she said, without any trace of envy, just appreciation for the better instrument.
"I have a song that Tami wrote the words for...I think it might be great for your band. I can play it for you...but maybe don't put the sound through to the outside room. My singing voice isn't so great. But you could totally make it work."
"Thank you. That means a lot to me. But I do still have my own with me, so I can just use that. Yours is a much nicer instrument though. I really admire it. I don't think I could ever afford one that nice," she said, without any trace of envy, just appreciation for the better instrument.
"I have a song that Tami wrote the words for...I think it might be great for your band. I can play it for you...but maybe don't put the sound through to the outside room. My singing voice isn't so great. But you could totally make it work."
Mel puts her guitar away as a thought crosses her mind but that will have to be something for later. then she looks even more excited to hear the song. considering she was working on a song for Dom and Tami as a present for them.
lets hear it then...Ohh do you want Ace to come in? I can go get him he will be in the sound booth. if not then thats ok too.
"Hai, of course we will invite Sara-rin." Midori says back, just as conspiratorially. "Ano... I wonder if Ignace-chan is going to be able to make Sara-rin a yukata in time... maybe I could try." Midori pauses thoughtfully, seeming to come to a decision. "I should at least try. The worst that can happen is that I fail, ne?"
Lang just smiles his expression is enought to show his appreciation.
whatever you do would be fine. Sara means allot to Sun and Sun means allot to me
Lang smiles Oh, by the way Midori, it doesn't matter if you fail to make the yukky thingy...wait thats not right yuka ta...whatever it is, it will be great because you made it out of friendship
way to go lang ruin a perfectly good compliment with lousy social skill...yukky thingy where did that come from
you would almost thing Lang just face-palmed himself as he finished his blunder.
"No, it's understandable. Especially if you come from one of those worlds. And you're not being paranoid if they really are out to get you. Mom would agree and she's the one who made the whole security network in the school. Pretty much everything runs on nanites here, and the nanites are programmed to go inert if someone without the security codes tries to access them. Basically they become useless dust. Except that they also self-destruct if someone without the proper authorization tries to analyze them. And there are also planetary wards that prevent anyone from off-world coming here to spy on us. They literally forget everything once they leave and can't send the info off-planet while they're here. So basically, you just have to trust the school staff, that we won't abuse our access to the information since nobody else can get to it. That we know of. If you think of some other way to make it more secure, talk to Professor Aananda Sunwake. She always appreciated suggestions. And you can just about always find her in her lab. Mom is a bit of a workaholic."
Tryko'Sam nods after hearing this, adding, "Sounds like a sharp cookie, your mom. Maybe this scan can help."
As to Vai when she asks about his immune system, "I just know - or remember not getting sick. I'm guessing there is something affecting my memory, or has. It's as if, I can only go back so far, or certain things just go blank. Maybe some nasty telepath got to me and messed me up. I don't like telepaths, I think. Literally everything so far makes me uneasy, except swimming in the pool before that... See? Dead end there. Oh well."
He certainly didn't appear nervous, as much as accepting there was an issue.
Mel puts her guitar away as a thought crosses her mind but that will have to be something for later. then she looks even more excited to hear the song. considering she was working on a song for Dom and Tami as a present for them.
lets hear it then...Ohh do you want Ace to come in? I can go get him he will be in the sound booth. if not then thats ok too.
"That would be great. And you should let Dom know that you're not really upset. He was worried about you."
"I'll just be getting warmed up here. Let me know when you're ready."
"Ursula is kinda bossy, but she's always looked out for me, made sure I was okay. She came to Avalon with me last year. She actually used to be best friends with Sadie...but then they had a huge fight because Ursula was all upset that Sadie is only attracted to women and Ursula thought that was unnatural and wrong. Ursula can be pretty judgemental at times. Anyways, it ended up being a big dent in Ursula's reputation and effected her popularity. Since she's always been perfect at everything, she couldn't handle being judged by other people. So this year she decided that she was done with school. She's probably doing very well now. People generally like her."
"Hmmm. I think I would like to meet her if at all possible. I do not know anyone by the name of Sadie, but then I've only been here a few days." He says, and slowly stands from his seated position, brushing off his robes as he does so. "Bradley, you seem very special and unique to me, and I will do everything in my power to make you as comfortable as possible. I have much magic as my disposal, and you only need ask for me to employ it."
"What do you think of Anahita, Bradley? She is something of delightful enigma to me."