"Hey." Sam was the first to greet Jasmine as she entered the apartment, though she didn't bother looking up at the other girl's arrival either. She was sat in the living room, leaned back in one of the arm chairs, quite contently reading a book. It was [i]The Subtle Knife[/i] by Philip Pullman, one of several books she had brought from home when she had moved into Jessica's apartment. "How was your day?" she added absent-mindedly, less because she actually cared about Jasmine's time at school and more because she just wanted to seem polite. 

Sam hadn't been to school for a couple of weeks now. What was the point, really? She had no real friends back in England, nor did she ever feel she'd ever be able to graduate, be able to go to college with decent grades and get a normal job. Or live a normal live, not that she wanted to. What was so great about being normal anyway? She'd been given this power thanks to Annie, and she was determined to make good use of it. 

And, after all, it was Annie who had suggested she come to Rome.

"They've got more magical girls over there," Annie had once told her while the two had been sat at the computer. Annie, or QueenOfWands as she called herself online, had shown Sam the Errornet. It was like a support site for magical girls, teaching them about their powers, how they worked. It was pretty amazing, actually. Sam had gotten herself registered. As Annie had used the name of a Tarot Card for her screen name, Sam had done the same and registered under TarotIX. 

Tarot IX, the ninth card the major Arcana: the Hermit.

"Why the Hermit?" Annie had asked, somewhat surprised. She had been sure Sam would choose something like the Magician, or maybe the Sun or Moon or Star cards.

"Well..." Sam had mumbled in a somewhat embarrassed fashion. "My magical girl form sort of looks like the Hermit, doesn't it?"

But in truth, the reason she had chosen the Hermit had nothing to do with looks.

Now, Sam sighed to herself as she turned the page of her book, pushing away depressing thoughts and hoping to lose herself once again in a world of magic and wonder.