Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimore: Skills: N/A
Professor Marino seemed passionate, intense. In some ways, she reminded Annika of her adoptive father, but no one was quite like Jack. Not even Annika.
Annika shifted her feet, feeling a sudden pain of inadequacy. Thankfully, Marino’s teachings pulled Annika from her darker thoughts. A mystery? Madness? Annika understood those clickbait words. She felt especially connected to them.
She took the piece of paper from Professor Marino and scanned it over quickly while the professor continued to talk.
Jack had made sure that nothing held Annika back, whether it be metaphorical chains or real ones. Annika wasn’t scared of this challenge; in fact, she was invigorated by it. She wanted to go find this lab now, start working to uncover whatever mysterious task was set before them for the term. Her dorm room and the need to unpack, completely forgotten.
This was by far her most favourite birthday yet.
What's on the paper!?! Research skill (+1) if needed to help her understand it
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimore: Skills:
Cal slipped some of the hors d'œuvres on the table before him into his mouth, savouring the unique taste the food at Strange Academy seemed to have. His eyes brightened from Professor Mikkail’s correction, and Cal chuckled.
Callaghan felt Nicky’s presence before hearing his words. Cal shifted his attention back to the room, scanning until he found the familiar form of Nicky’s twin talking to a new student.
”Mmm, I can work with young and dumb,” Cal said, looking back at Nicky. The reassuring touch was welcomed. Nicky was careful with his words, saving conversation for important moments, but he was even more careful when it came to physical contact. Cal appreciated every subtle touch or moment Nicky provided, but Cal had also come to appreciate the uniqueness of Nicky and his twin, Barty. Cal knew if his company wasn’t wanted, the twins wouldn’t even bother. Mikkail’s voice drifted back in, forcing Cal to look away from the way Nicky’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.
New magic? Callaghan leaned in closer to his mentor, absorbing every word with relish. To be a part of Mikkail’s coven, Nicky by his side, and discover something new that they get to record for future generations was the entire reason Cal existed in this moment.
Cal chuckled at his professor’s own excitement. ”I think your sitting room will provide the perfect ambience for starting our journey of mystery, Professor. I’ll bring my mother’s book and we can discuss the writings after.” He took a few more hors d'œuvres and looked at Nicky, smiling at the matching pin.
”Should I call you my sister as Headmistress Harkness suggested?” he teased.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: N/A Skills: N/A
Cassie was thrilled to bits to find someone just as excited for this school year as she was. She tried to tamp down the excitement, especially considering Willow admitted she can see some things, but that it was up to fate. Cassie wanted to ask more, but surely that was rude to discuss someone’s blindness. Or was it rude not to?
Willow had an assortment of questions and Cassie could already feel a sisterly bond with her. And the fact they were in the same Coven was just whipped cream on the delicious milkshake that was this moment. ”Ah yes, I am a first year. It’s interesting because I heard about this school recently and actually ran away from home to attend, but then this mysterious box showed up and I figured it out, though admittedly it took me a few tries, but then I was invited and here I am and it’s so funny because today is my birthday also.” Cassie was rambling. Cassie rambled when she was excited, nervous, scared, happy, sad, angry, and whatever other emotion was cascading through her.
When Luna popped up, Cassie bit down a squeal of delight and fear. Luna was…well Luna was a bug, though not in the traditional sense. If Luna was a familiar, then it wasn’t a true bug, but a magical one. Cassie could get used to that, surely?
”A pleasure to meet you Luna. To answer your other questions our professor looks….well he’s old but he’s also fabulous? Like he looks very kind but also maybe a little bit crazy? Either way, I am sure he has lots to teach us. I am not sure who else is in our Coven. But let’s head over to him and introduce ourselves.”
Cassie would wait to see if Willow needed to be led, but surely if she got here she could take care of herself. On their way, Cassie addressed the last question. The one she didn’t really want to answer. ”Well, I don’t fully know. I wasn’t trained from a young age to wield the magic I have. In fact, I didn’t know I could do anything willingly until later on. My parents sort of held me back a bit, but from what I do know and was told, provided it all wasn’t a lie, I wield Chaos Magic. Unpredictable, destructive, dangerous. So….yeah hopefully I can learn more here.” She left the rest of that sentence alone: “before I end up destroying the world”.
Cassie sidled up to Professor Mikkail as well as the handsome stranger she wanted to get to know better. She blushed slightly before she turned her attention back to the professor. ”Hello again, professor. Seems we are in your Coven. Can I just say the pin is a work of art? Totally cute!”
“And it seems I spoke a tad too soon! Here is our first one, Ms. Cassie Belfontaine. How do you feel about the color purple?” Mikkail asked, watching her intently over the rim of glasses. ”Purple is wonderful! Definitely in my top 10 favorite colors along with pink, indigo, scarlet, yellow, cerulean…and yeah I’ll leave it at that. Why do you ask?”
“Just curious! Our first lesson will be in my sitting room and I’ve recently found myself hoarding the color.” Mikkail winked at Cassie, waiving off his joke. “But that aside, I do look forward to your exploration through your magic. It is a fascinating thing, chaos magic. I picked you personally for this. A glimpse through the past at these grand magics will certainly offer you insight into your own.”’
Cassie looked towards Cal again, willing herself to speak to him, but no surely not. That would be rude to Professor Mikkail! ”That sounds great! And an honor to be chosen. I can’t wait to get started!” She waited for Willow to introduce herself before she asked any more questions. She had a lot and they couldn’t be here all day.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: Skills: N/A
”Oh, yes, we should make something new for Dewdrop. They are so cute when we give them things,” Finley said delightedly. Finley examined the paper that Sariel gave them.
”We are to make things for something we do not know.” Finley tilted their head a little confused.
“Correct! We'll-” Sariel paused and changed her wording. “You'll be delving into madness and beyond so creating your own safety line will be your first challenge! But, we'll go into the technical aspects tomorrow.”
”Ah, madness. This I am familiar with. We shall see you tomorrow then.” Finley then turned to his coven mates. ”Franklin, you have been at this school a long time, much like the young Constance. Do you know its halls as well as she does?”
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: Skills: Magical History +1
Connie crossed her arms as she listened to Professor Croan. She was unsurprised by his comments. It did make biting back what she wanted to say a little easier. At least the professor was consistent. She could manage with that even if he was an ass about it.
She was not ignoring Pancho; she was focused on the professor. Connie’s jaw dropped in horror—door 12. A series of expletives almost spilled from her mouth, but she was not the type to allow that. She was too composed normally. She barely showed emotions, which made her seem cold.
"Forget failing to graduate. Are you trying to kill us?”
“Your life is inconsequential to me, your years a drop in the eternity of my own.” Professor Croan replied. “Calm yourself, child. You embarrass this institution with your theatrics.”
"Spirits preserve me from immortals. It may be inconsequential to you, but it is mine, so I shall keep it.” She ignored the second part of what he said. "Very well. I suppose I shall spend this semester keeping my organs inside.” Then turning to Pancho, "Shifting forms is the freest one can be. To allow yourself to become something else requires knowing yourself.”
Pedro balanced on the heels of his feet as he listenes to the byplay between Professor Croan and Connie, at first he was going to suggest going to look at Door 12 to satify his own curiosity but Connie reaction... Well he was more curious than ever. What was giving her such a reaction? Was it dangerous? He was burning in curiosity with a hint of caution, he knows exactly what his strengths and weaknesses are, and conflict of any kind is one big glaring weakness of his.
Good thing he has sisters now.
He listened as Connie explained her perspective of her magic, it honestly, well it wasn't exactly flying over his head but he acknowledges that it likely meant something different to her than it does to him. And while he WAS interested on hearing more about it...
"So, what is so bad about Door 12 Connie? You sound really upset about it"
The girl was so composed earlier that thus came as a surprise, she looked the like the levelheaded kind so for her to jump to such a reaction was a weird kind of worrying.
Distractedly he wondered which of his companions should he bring? If movility was required then Ventura was a guaranteed need, and his Bocolitos were great for defense, maybe switch one for Cholo if they were dealing with spirits, Elena was not a choice unless they had to transport something and the couple worked best when it was only him so they were unlikely to be the best choice.
He turned his attention towards the male members of his Coven.
"What avout you guys? Know anything about this Door 12?" Oh right! "Oh right! My name is Pedro by the way, call me Pancho or Pedrito if you want, nice to meet you"
Man he was really distracted today, this was the second time he almost forgot to introduce himself.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: Skills: Current Outfit
Rohan had been in a few labs before. He wasn’t a big fan of them. They were sterile, full of chemicals that one errant twitch could set ablaze. At least the woods didn’t have any authority inside a place like that, though. He was the sort of wizard that humans termed an artificer, the ones that made magical artifacts, but he saw it a bit different. It was less making some magical device to him, and more bleeding small dregs of his curse into a piece of wood. It wasn’t a science, and Rohan felt a bit more at home in a workshop full of chisels and saws than a lab with centrifuges and fume hoods.
They had such things here, but being here at this stage meant being out of his comfort zone.
Digging through his assortment of magical gear, Rohan took the page that Marino gave them. He fished an old leather-backed journal out of a bag at his side, and carefully stuck the page under the front cover.
”Is there anything specific we need to bring?” He asked. ”Spellbooks, tools, familiars- I’ll make sure to show up ready.”
"Tools will be provided. Not everyone here is accustomed to the demands of artificery but if you have something more personal you'd prefer to use, I certainly wont discourage you. The form and material will all be decided by the coven as a whole; I've seen everything from rubber to glass to meteorite." Sariel replied.
"Right... Okay." There were two of them here in his new coven he wasn't terribly familiar with. Finley wasn't someone he liked, even if he could easily get along with them as long as he had a sword. They were all pretty much strangers in one way or another, so he'd have to fix that soon. Rohan had hung around the forest, and the inverted things in it that tried to kill him, for long enough he needed to readjust to being around people again. Same as always.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimore: Skills: N/A
A collection of Simpletons and Jesters he says, yet he is the king of them all. Was all Barty could think as Croan decided to open his mouth. Your standards you say? I didn't think the bar was so low to join a Coven. Careful or I may just step right over them without your notice. He was about ready to tune the old man out when he finally said something of import. His eyes snapped over to Connie as she began to (over)react towards the news of their future exploits. Interesting, so the bookworm knew about what lay behind door number 12. He hated to admit it, but he was impressed. ”Then it seems half our Coven already knows what lies beyond the doorway, good. It'll help us in figuring out what's needed to ‘solve’ this Mystery. What's more fresh eyes may help us see things we may overlook.”
Barty's attention now fully locked onto Connie. His eyes expressed boredom, but he was clearly searching her for something. Staring into her own eyes before he finally spoke. ” ‘To allow yourself to become something else requires knowing yourself’. Excellent, you knowing yourself should prove useful in this endeavor then. Help you to stray away from the madness.” He punctuated his statement towards her with a glint of a smirk, as if he was daring her to argue otherwise. But first there was the last of his Coven he needed to meet. One who seemed eager to know of the contents behind the door and looking quite well if he was to judge, which he always did. ”Hm, what if I just called you mine instead? Much shorter than those other names. But I love the eagerness to learn. So I'll give you a snippet of information on it. Behind the door is said to be a cursed object. What exactly it's cursed with I wont say, I want to see what new eyes bring to this experiment.” Really he shouldn't of even mentioned the curse, he would've loved to see if either of them could figure it out before it was too late.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: N/A Skills: N/A
Did he have magic? He must have. Right? Why else would he be here at Strange Academy if he didn't have any magic? Was he supposed to know what kind it was? Connie with the red hair seemed really upset, maybe even scared. Maybe she didn't know what her magic was either. The thought that he wasn't alone in not knowing relaxed him slightly. Maybe that was part of this exercise - this Door 12 or whatever it was. Maybe they were going to figure out what kind of magic they had there? Oh! That must have been the mystery! A grin broke out on Jake's face. He was doing well in school!! This was incredible!!
He cocked his head as Connie went on about how shifting forms was how to be free. For a split second, his body felt clumsy and awkward, its controls something that he could barely understand. But the thought made his head ache, so he let it go, dismissing the uncanny sensation. "Hi, Pedro!!!" Jake practically bounced. Pedro for short, Pedrito for long he noted. "It's so cool that you all have multiple names!! How do you get them? Can I get one? My name's just Jake, I don't think I have any other names - unless you know if I do? Do I?" he then asked, looking at Pedrito with all the trust in the world.
However, at Barty's revelation Jake gasped. "A curse! ... What's a curse? Is it cold?" Cold things were bad. Jake knew to avoid them. Were his eyes fresh? How did he know how old his eyes were? Did everyone else here have ancient eyes? He cocked his head in the other direction. "What magic do you think you're going to get?" he then asked Connie, hoping to be friendly. He was so happy to have sisters!!!
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: N/A Skills: N/A
Willow tilted her head softly as Cassie told her that she had run away from home to attend the academy, and frowned a bit. Willow couldn't have imagined running away from her Tia, ever, as she was her only family, and she loved her more than anything in the world. She did brighten up a bit as Cassie told her that today was her birthday. "Oh! Happy Birthday! ¡Feliz cumpleaños! We should have some quesillo later to celebrate! ...I wonder if someone knows how to make it." She giggled happily at the idea of having quesillo again to celebrate with her new coven sister, alongside cake.
She heard Cassie's squeal as Luna appeared and wasn't sure if that was of delight or horror, but quickly was listening as Cassie told them of their mentor and smiled. "Oh! He sounds like a delight~ Lets head over~"
She opened herself up, and Luna gently helped be her eyes as she wound her way across the room to where their mentor and hopefully the rest of the coven was. As Cassie explained her magic to Willow, she paused for a moment. Chaos magic. She had only heard about it briefly from her Tia, ages ago. Mostly when she had been explaining the types of magic she knew about to Willow, and how they worked to her knowledge. She had explained that chaos magic was rare, and wasn't something that was usually taught. "I use divination magic, and I have since I was very little. It started with visions, but I've managed to hone it, so I can use cards, runes, and tea leaves now. Tea leaves was the hardest... for the obvious reasons." She chuckled softly at that as she leaned over to nuzzle Luna. "Luna's been helping me a lot with that."
She walked up to the growing group and looked around and let Luna get a good look at the group. Their mentor was much as Cassie had described him, which did please Willow, as he reminded her a lot of her Tia. She never let anyone tell her how to live her life, which was why she was out in the Amazonian forest, and turning moths into women.
Her fellow covenmates, both male presenting, were rather handsome, but she didn't know too much about them, but one of them interested her. He didn't quite feel fully human, just like her. Maybe she could talk to him later. There had to be others like her, right? Others that had been changed and their forms become something else.
After Cassie and their mentor spoke, she smiled and spoke up. "¡Hola! I am Willow Ojos! I think I like the color purple, but I have a hard time with colors~ But purple is a beautiful color in nature, and there are so many beautiful purple flowers in nature. This is Luna, she's my eyes for me, so you'll probably see her a lot. I am so excited to be part of this coven~ Thank you for picking me, and I am excited to meet you all~" She just hoped that everyone else in the coven felt the same, otherwise she might really feel like a right goose.
The paper Sariel provided was a convoluted set of instructions on how to reach their meeting place the next day. Wherever it was, this lab was well in the heart of the Academy though it mentioned hallways, doors, and stairs that no one was quite confident they'd ever seen before. She handed the last one to Franklin.
“Yes, you will find out tomorrow.” Sariel answered. “We will review safety procedures, creation specifications, and define the limitations of the mystery before you start off on your independent studies!”
Dysphoria enjoyed this confusion. “Oh, this seems like a fun puzzle Darling! We would very much like to win at this.” Dysphoria grinned at the prospect of the challenge, but their attention drifted to the others in the group. Darling was speaking with the one called Franklin. The woodling Dysphoria was familiar with though they believed the woodling did not care for them, and then there was another that drew Dysphoria's curiosity. “The woodling is always a quiet one, but you are new. Do you not enjoy the presence of other humans?” Dysphoria asked Annika.
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Nicholas chose to keep his words to himself as the dragon eyed up Jake and dismissed him. He'd warn him, Finley, and Dysphoria later once the evening settled down. He pulled out his flask, took another scorching swing, and returned it just as quickly. He itched to light his pipe as well, but he'd wait until they'd settled into their new dorms and he could scurry back to Haven. Too much excitement this evening already; they hadn't even socialized yet.
“The hag is a relic from an age bygone. Her immature proddings should not be the basis of any decision.” Nicholas responded, flat in his irritation. Nicholas held no love for Agatha, but she owed them and that made him smile unkindly. Nicholas barely listened to their Coven Head and instead took in the two new faces this year.
One girl was just that, a girl. Nothing exciting, nothing interesting other than the whisper of power her magic offered, but other witches had claimed horrific powers only to find themselves tied to a pyre and screaming at an apathetic world. She would be dead before Nicholas would even care to remember her name and another witch, bright eyed and drowning in their powers, would take her place on the stage of history.
The other was more interesting, but the brief mention of divination already had the telltale headache treating behind his eyes. He pulled out the sage and eucalyptus bundle he carried around for just these sort of people and brought it to his face, murmuring an incantation and blowing. His spellwork was shaky, the threat of Not Marcus looming above him, and so the edges caught, sputtered, and died. Nicholas scowled at it and tucked it back into his pouch.
Mikkail patted Nicholas on the shoulder reassuringly as he animatedly chatted with the new students. “And we are certainly excited to have you, my dear! Such a tremendous gathering of minds and magic this year. Truely, I do not think I've had the pleasure of teaching such a bright group in my years here and I have been around for quite some time! The things the four of you can do-will do!-shall be a testament of your potential, will, discipline, and talent and will, I have no doubt, serve you as you continue on your journey beyond this place!”
“Well met Willow and an excellent idea! A quick round of introductions since we have two new faces! I am Professor Mikkail Genesis, Professor of Magical History here at the Academy. Although I certainly seem human, I am from a far away planet, resemble the creature you know as a dragon, and have spent millennia documenting various magical practices across the universe! Unfortunately, I do tend to ramble so please let me know when I get off topic. My longest lecture lasted almost a week before someone finally told me I was talking to an empty room in the middle of a winter holiday!” The Professor laughed, wiping a tear away from his eye before clapping Callaghan firmly on the shoulder.
“This is my young protege, Callaghan Silver. A sharp mind and a charming disposition, he's a treasure trove of knowledge and a wonderful resource to lean on but perhaps, don't let him charm you too quickly.” Mikkail sent a knowing look at Cassie and gestured at Nicholas.
“This is Nicholas, he-”
“Does not welcome words on his behalf.” Nicholas interjected. He looked at Cassie and Willow blankly. “Every student in this room will receive an invitation to a gathering later this evening. Do well to read it if you'd like to join.”
“Of course, of course. Mikkail shook his head in amusement. “Still, you need to get along with your coven to overcome the challenge you will face! All of your resources and experience will be critical to grow both your mind and ability. Consider that as you move forward through the year.” Mikkail offered Nicholas, who just raised an eyebrow, and Mikkail raised his hands in surrender. “Very well, I will let the youth of today make their own mistakes.”
“Now Willow and Cassie, before you need to settle in and find your rooms and dorm partners, any questions, thoughts, or concerns you've had I can help ease away?”
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“You know your task. We will begin right before midday tomorrow. Do what you can to prepare and perhaps you'll meet the barest of my expectations, though I shall not anticipate such a feat.” Professor Croan sniffed in distaste. He gave Pedro and Jake long disapproving looks before he vanished, a hazy outline where he once stood slowly fading away.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: N/A Skills: Social Cues + 3 Current Outfit
Cassie was positively brimming with excitement. She was standing amongst many with experience and knowledge. She was most looking forward to what she would learn about herself, but of magic in general. Having been sheltered away she knew precious little about any of it. And given what she was able to do it seemed better to learn here than at home.
Professor Mikkail seemed genuine and pleasant. To hear he was from another planet might not surprise most here, but Cassie had her gasteds flabbered. He was a dragon? Or rather, like a dragon. The only dragons Cassie knew of were in fantasy novels and legends. She was already learning so much and it was the first day!
Then Professor Mikkail introduced the other two in their coven. One, Nicholas, seemed to want to be anywhere else but there. But Cassie couldn't quite get him. Perhaps he was stoic on the outside but a warm, gooey marshmallow on the inside. Yes, that had to be it. Or....gasp, was he in love with her? Cassie had read about this before. A man showing almost no interest who secrelty liked the girl. Cassie felt herself get warm a bit. Ok, Cassie, focus elsewhere. Except...
The other was...gods above...the incredibly handsome man she had been eyeing since she got here. Was someone testing her? As Mikkail spoke Cassie's mind wandered...
It was the start of freshman year as Cassie scrambled with her books and folders and other school-type materials. She was finally free. On her own and doing it for herself sisters! She was looking forward to the school year. Raising her hand in class to answer a question that stumped everyone else, taking part in various clubs and organizations to raise awareness for puppies or the oceans or whatever social cause was trending, and spending nights with her girlfriends having pllow fights in their shared dorm room and talking about what cute boys were around.
Cassie's mind was a-flutter when she knocked into something hard. She fell and landed with a soft thud on the grass of the quad (was it a quad? Why was it a quad? Quaaaaaad). She looked up as the sun was blocked out by the imposing figure before her. She could just make out some features as a hand was offered her. She took it willingly, allowing the touch to send ripples through her nervous system. The figure turned out to be a man as his face came into view. A face blessed by the all-seeing beings who looked over the world on a particular good day. His eyes met hers and she could swear there was a shadow of a smirk on his playful lips.
"I am so sorry miss. I was in the way. Please, allow me."
He, unfortunately, let go of her hand but scooped down to pick up the various paraphenalia she had once held. Cassie couldn't help but admire the view more as he bent down. Yep, the gods certainly blessed this man.
He returned her things. "The name's Cal. I am a student here in literature. I love reading books with strong, powerful female leads and always make sure to let women finish their sentences without interruption and don't explain myself to them like I know better than they do just because of my gender"
Could a man be more perfect. "I'm Cassiopeia, but you can cal me later." She heard that line before.
Before she could take in Cal's reaction another figure came upon them. Cassie looked over as another man came up to her. He was dressed in a leather jacket with a tight, white t-shirt on. He gave off a "idgaf" attitude. He looked her up and down and before Cassie could register if this was charming or not, he spoke. "Sup, name's Nicholas. Why don't you ditch the nerd and we can hop on my bike and later we can talk about how I act like a bad boy but am secrelty warm and care about others, especialy baby animals, and we can go to makeout point or whatever it's called here like that isn't in any shape problematic considering the audience."
Cassie felt a surge of emotion. How could she possible choose? Cal stepped forward and up to Nicholas. "I don't claim ownership of her because she is her own person and I accept all women #MeToo, but I saw her first and she clearly wants me."
Nicholas scoffed. "Please, look at me and then look at you. I can show her everything you can't wihin the confines of boundaries and consent because even though I am a rebel with a heart of gold I sill value consent because consent is hot."
"Consent is hot," Cal admitted. Then the two of them drew closer. And closer. Before...
Cassie snapped out of it. What did that last part mean? Anyway...
Cassie returned focus back to Professor Mikkail. "I wouldn't mind picking your brain later professor about some questions I have about my particular magic, but as of right now I am good! It is so nice to meet you all and I am looking forward to a great school year!" Cassie nestled closer to Willow, hoping she would consider it a friendly gesture. Cassie hoped she made a new friend here. She knows she could use one.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: Skills: Current Outfit
They were actually going to build something, it seemed. Not solving some infernal equation that confounded better alchemists and artificers, not learning the properties of an unknown metal... Actual construction. Okay, that was at least somewhat doable. Maybe it was something outlandish like a magic time machine, or a phylactery, or whatever it was keeping Croan around this long. Rohan was more familiar with natural materials, and Finley couldn't stomach metal for uncontrollable reasons... Maybe they'd end up working with plastic, of all things. Rohan made a mental note to get his shit together tonight and then wake up early to get to the mysterious lab.
"The woodling's got a name, Dysphoria." Rohan took a few steps towards them, Finely and the new girl, and his new coven. "Rohan. I make things from what's natural and alive," He said, rustling the pack over his shoulder holding a staff, a mask hanging by its straps, and a few other bits, bobs and what-nots of his. The only thing not natural or alive being the metallic sword he had sheathed over his left shoulder. "If one of you all need a hand making things, ask. I'm guessing we weren't all picked for what we knew before now."
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimore: Skills: N/A
Annika studied the map more closely, her coven mates voices fading into the background. She combed through the guides and visuals to try and search for a pattern. ”....into madness and beyond…” Sariel’s voice floated into Annika’s head. Mmm, these instructions were sure to bring on madness of their own, she thought to herself. Of course, Annika was well familiar with madness and objects, including rooms and stairs, moving like they had a mind of their own. She would enjoy this challenge before the real one.
Annika looked up, beaming when Dysphoria leaned close to her. Annika jumped and looked at Dysphoria, remembering that she was still sharing a room with her coven mates. Annika’s face flushed.
”Oh, no, I mean, I do I just.. Uh… I’m not that used to be around others, and when I am I tend to be more of an observer than a talker,” she said, smiling apologetically.
Rohan spoke then, and Annika turned her attention to him. So he liked making things, too, and by the sounds of things, they would be making something themselves. ”What is your preferred medium?” Annika asked Rohan. ”I prefer working with metal.”
Is Annika able to figure out a pattern or some way to solve the correct path to reaching the classroom? She would have done some research into the school via Jack before she came, research skill +1 if that helps/or is allowed here
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimore: Skills:
Callaghan chuckled from Nicholas’s response. ”Mmm, alright. I won’t call you sister, unless you ask me nicely,” he teased before turning his attention to the others in the group.
Cal stepped forward, looking to the two new additions to the group. ”You won’t want to miss his gatherings. Trust me, they are legendary, and make for a good ice breaker. Like Professor Mikkail said, I am Callghan, and it’s alright if you are charmed by me. I won’t let anyone else know,” he said with a wink. Cal held his hand out to Cassie to greet her first.
”So, you like the pin. Do you like dragons?” Cal asked, making friendly conversation with their new coven members. He was always friendly, even if he was distrustful.
Cassie’s attention returned to Cal as he came and spoke to her. ”Okay Cassie, don’t freak out. Play it cool. This is someone that’s going to be in your life for a while it seems. He needs to know you can be chill.”
Cassie attempted a ‘cool pose’ but failed. She wanted to run but that was weakness. Watching every romantic comedy and every romance book prepared her for this.
She took his hand and shook, squeezing it harder than she would have liked. Then loosening it to the point where it nearly fell off. ”Callghan, nice to meet you. I’m Cassiopeia or Cassie. Please call me Cassie! I mean, yes, that would be nice. Dragons you said? Dragons are cool. Cool, cool, cool dragons. Didn’t know they were a thing until just now, but I am rolling with it.”
Cal’s smile slowly widened the more Cassiopeia spoke. She seemed rather nervous, but Cal honestly found it endearing. He rested his other hand over Cassie’s when she finished giving him the death grip. ”That’s good. You’ll discover a lot of unknowns here that make rolling with it better. And trust me, dragons are cool,” Cal said with a wink. He released Cassie’s hand and took a step back, looking between Willow and Cassie. ”Can I escort you two to your dorm rooms?” Cal offered, feeling extra friendly.
Cassie’s heart skipped a few beats. He wanted to see where she slept? Golly things were moving fast! ”That would be great.” Cassie looked over to Willow to see if she wanted to be taken there. She didn’t want to assume.
Cassie pulled out her key. ”I believe this tells me where that is?”
Cal glanced at Cassie's key before looking at Willow. ”That is the theory,” Cal said with a cheeky grin. ”Your key will match a lock on one of the dorm room doors. Luckily this year the dorms are all within the same wing. So we won't have to wander far to find each other,” Cal said with a wink.
Cassie blushed a bit. ”Good to know. I wonder who I am rooming with. Hopefully someone kind like you. I only know of how college works from movies and tv shows and I imagine a school like this is vastly different than those.”
Callaghan chuckled, shifting his weight as he took in the school around him. ”In some ways it is quite the same, the major difference would be having a dragon for a professor. But there is an unwritten code about this place. One you'll learn if you come to that party tonight.” Cal looked back at Cassiopeia, his smile softening.
”Oh! I haven't even looked at the key I grabbed earlier,” Cal said. He patted down his pockets, his solo shirt opening slightly from the movement as he searched around for the right pocket. Once he produced the key, he looked at Cassiopeia’s and grinned.
”Well, looks like it's our lucky day. Dorm mates and coven sisters. How poetic.”
Cassie eyed the key and fought an urge to yelp. So that meant she would be sharing a bedroom with Cal. And that meant they would need to change in front of each other. Unless the rooms were cordoned off. ”Oh would you look at that! How fortunate! Wow okay, that’s a thing. Cool, so cool. So…..what are the rooms like? Or is it different this year? Just so I know what to expect maybe, perhaps.”
Cal's grin turned mischievous as he took a step closer to Cassie. ”Definitely not like it is in those college movies you've seen. It's one large room, three beds, no separate doors or walls. However, there are gendered washrooms, so you can feel comfortable changing there before coming to bed at night. Unless you need help changing.”
Okay, her face was definitely red now. ”Oh that’s great. No, that’s totally fine. I can put my own clothes though, thank you.” She stopped herself from progressing down that line further. ”Well, I look forward to learning more from you then Cal. I am sure you have a lot of experience I could benefit from.”
Cal's eyes roamed Cassie's face, noting how red she was getting. His eyes skimmed lower to see just how red she was. ”I look forward to teaching you what I know, Cassie.” Cal met her eyes again before taking a step back. ”Shall I show you the way to our dorm now then?”
Cassie looked back at Willow. She didn’t want to leave her behind. ”So long as we can all go together. If they are as close as you say.” She also didn’t quite trust herself to be alone with Cal. Not at the moment, anyway.
”Of course. That will give us all some time to get to know each other. We are part of a coven after all.”
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: Skills: N/A
”It is a term of endearment dear Rohan. Take no offense and know that Dysphoria and myself appreciate that about you. That you are of the woods and night and cold. You are unlike the fast and blighted world of the other humans. A downright delight to behold.” Unsaid Finley thought, If only you would stop carrying such things as that sword.
”My magic comes from blood,” Finley said with a large, toothy, smile on their lips. Technically their magic also came from flowers but that wasn’t nearly as much fun to say. All illusion magic came from flowers, at least for the fae. Finley had been learning that the humans were different.
They itched and for a moment their form blurred, shifting and becoming the more feminine version of themself. Their hair, longer and less brightly colored, yellow now, was pulled back from their face. Their features while more feminine strangely seemed sharper than their soft masculine face of a moment ago. They looked at the newcomer of their group. Rohan and Franklin knew what she was. Explanations were not needed to them.
”I am of the Sidhe. I am called Finley and this is my constant companion, Dysphoria.” Finley gestured to the brightly colored head sticking out of them, then gently caressed Dysphroia’s cheek. There was a lot more Finley could say about Dysphoria. Such as life with Dysphoria was the only life Finley could ever want or imagine. But that was not the thing one advertised, and Dysphoria already knew that. Saying it out loud would only turn it into a knife that could be used against them.
”When you say you work with metal, is that iron? Or another type?” Finley hoped it was another type. Franklin was more than enough when it came to people who used metal, at least it wasn’t his only medium. Rohan’s only flaw was that sword he carried. He would be a respectable sort otherwise.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: Skills:
”Anyone that I know of who has gone through that door has gone mad. They’ve ripped out their own entrails or something just as equally gruesome. For all I know not a single person who has entered there has survived the semester. So I’ll be overdramatic if it means I at least have put in my complaint.” Connie had lived enough of her life keeping her complaints to herself. She had no desire to be quiet or meek.
”It is, despite current complications, a pleasure to meet you Pancho. I look forward to getting to know you and learning from each other. Provided we all survive the semester I’m sure it will be quite enlightening.” Her tone for him was far more pleasant than it had been when speaking with the professor.
She turned to Barty, ”That is gross and creepy.” She shook her head at his comment about calling Pedro his. ”As for madness,” Connie took a steadying breath. ”Madness and I have already known each other. I do not believe myself so arrogant to believe that just because I am aware of how my mind and my flesh feel that I can keep myself together in the face of something more.” Connie believed it was perfectly possible that one day she would slip into her bird form and forget how to return to being human. It was so easy to be a bird. It would be incredibly easy to forget how to be a human. If she had learned to transform herself well enough as a child to escape her home she would have. She would have let herself go and been the bird she wanted to be. It was a good thing she hadn’t been good enough to change herself fully. Today’s mistake was a reminder that the early failures were not completely gone. She could fail. She imagined a moment of herself laying in the cupboard of her childhood with gills and knew she would have died. She shivered at the image.
As for Jack. Connie tilted her head, a motion that could have been like a confused puppy, but on her looked more avian. She opened her mouth but decided what she was about to say was rude and cruel. Connie sighed and went for the kinder route. ”I am not sure what you mean.” She wasn’t sure he knew what he meant. ”I already have magic. I am a healer and have access to transformation magics.”
”Before we part ways,” this she said to all four as she removed the key to her new room from her pocket, and held it out for them to see. ”Are any of us roommates?” Connie didn’t necessarily want to be roommates with the people she was also in a coven with. It would make taking breaks from them difficult. She also figured she’d end up sleeping in the woods with Rohan if she was roommates with either of the twins. The trees would be more pleasant than whatever those two got up to when people were better off sleeping.
There was something at the back of his mind, a nagging feeling that had grown more and more pronounced every time he heard Professor Croan speak. Thus arousing suspition that he felt validated was the moment the man vanished.
He decided to share it with the group
"Guys, I'm beggining to suspect that Professor Croan doesn't like us"
He was joking of course and made sure his smile reflected that, while he wanted to do the whole clueless act everyone was acting way too serious for that to fly. Speaking of...
He looked towards Jake, he said something really interesting "If you want another name just ask people to call you that" He thought for a moment " Or you could get yourself adopted into a family I suppose"
Wisdom delivered he turned towards the handsome man, and he couldn't help but laugh good naturatedly, he was not sure if the other man was being serious, joking or a mix of the two, he was accustomed to that kind of joke and if he wasn't he would politely decline. Being in a relationship was such a drag.
"A curse? I will be honest, I have never had much direct contact with them before but if it is centered around an object I should be able to check it out at least"
It was giving him ideas, a crow? No, not quite right, was it even avian?... A frog! Of course, with soft textiles for the stomach and a strong structure for the frame, no wings but cat front legs and the tail of a monkey, pelican beak! Yes and... Oh right people were speaking.
Hearing Connie explain what happened to those that crossed the door dimmed his enthusiasm "Madness eh? That sounds nasty it was a weaponized mental illness, frankly it made him queasy to think about, it also gave him an idea "Have people tried to use non-biological familiars or golems?" That may be an avenue of exploration.
Sharing his thoughts he decided to see how his Covenmates(?) interacted. Maybe it was rash but he suspected that Connie and the other man "Should ask for his name at some point... Although it IS funny waiting for someone to say it" He was also surprised! Connie seemed the levelheaded type but it was clear she would start bickering with the handsome man if left alone.
However, that wasn't as important as the moment Connie pulled her key.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimore: Skills: N/A
”Well, now that our dear covenmate has essentially thrown a wrench into my wonderful experiment that could've yielded us invaluable knowledge both into the inner workings of this Mystery as well as give us a baseline for magical prowess that resides within the two of you, I suppose we can move past that. But do know your complaint has been duly noted and logged for future references Connie.” Barty replied dryly as he mock clapped towards her. She did have some wisdom however, not believing herself so grand as to be able to escape the power of a cursed object's madness. Especially one of this caliber. It reminded him of old tales he'd heard back when he was a child, ones that would fit Connie all too well if she decided to stray away from her birds and towards the more feline aspects of transformations. He'd given her a warning once and only once years ago when he'd seen her first transform. “Careful what you shift into or you very well may be stuck like it.” All before leaving a book open to the pages of the creatures origins and lore, whether or not she read it after he'd left the room was beyond him.
Barty had managed to crack a smile as Pedrito mentioned he didn't think Croan liked him. He had a sense of humor, good, he'd need it for the tasks to come. Though their simple minded member with an uncanny resemblance to a man of his past, actually asked a decent question. Basic, but smart enough to show he cared to learn. Good. ”The simplest way to describe a curse is this, A form of magic so potent and focused so as to affect or decay, a person, object, or location. Now how exactly that plays out varies from curse to curse, and how it feels varies in the same way. Some are cold, empty, and biting. Others can burn or fill you with a sensation. This one in particular leads you towards madness, addling the minds of those who work in it. As for if inorganics have been used to aid in this, I've no idea. But what is a curse if not a form of potent enchantment, and I am an excellent enchanter.”
Connie had produced her key, Barty already knew who his roommates were, but seeing two of their covenmates shared a room was interesting enough. He pulled out his own key ”Well I already know my roommates, I was fortunate enough to get my twin and Finley. It'll definitely be a…fun…year. Though if ever we wish to study together I'd suggest the library or another's room as im sure mine wont be welcome to guests. Or…not for those purposes at the very least. With that being said, its time for me to go and have a little bit of fun. Oh, and you'll be receiving an invitation later on today for a little soiree be sure to read the invitation if you wish to join. It'll be a good chance to connect for our little Coven. Tata for now.” Barty said as he began to make his way over towards Callaghan's Coven. Wrapping his arm around Cal's neck before giving it a gentle kiss. ”Finely, Nicky, and I have our own room this year, care to check it out?”
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: N/A Skills: N/A
Willow could feel herself getting a bit overwhelmed by all the information that was coming all her way. Their Mentor wasn't human, but from another planet, and he was really a dragon? Their Coven sibling was his protege? Then Nicholas spoke and she felt herself pause and shuffle for a moment. Read? Hopefully that meant that it would come in a way that she could actually 'read' it rather than just words on a paper. She relied on Luna for sight, that was true, but that didn't mean she was good with words, or paper. She felt Luna nuzzle into her neck and pet her softly, thankful that her familiar was there to ground her and make sure that she was there in the moment.
However, it was obvious to her that her coven sister was dealing being around handsome men for the first time, and it was a little painful for Willow. Mostly because she also didn't know how to act around handsome men, or women, for that matter. For the moment, she decided to watch how everyone was interacting and keep quiet for the moment.
"Hmmm?" She looked up as Callaghan as he spoke and she offered him a small smile. "Oh, I would love an escort, thank you. Luna is a good set of eyes, but I can't really go where I don't know now, can I?" She chuckled softly as she looked at him and then went to follow Callaghan and Cassie to the dorm rooms. She still had her key in her room, and when she heard them talking about their key realized that she was with neither of them. Pity. She still had no idea whom she'd be rooming with. Maybe Nicholas? She was hoping not. He seemed... cold. Maybe he was overwhelmed? Maybe she had done something wrong?
She pushed her thoughts to the side as she followed the other two, and realized they still hadn't moved. It seemed that Cassie was waiting for her. "Oh yes, let's all go together. Please."
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: N/A Skills: N/A
Connie wasn’t sure what he meant? That was okay - Jake wasn’t sure about a lot of things. He could empathize with the feeling. That was so cool, though, that she already knew! He hoped he would find out soon. He liked the idea of being able to do magic. It didn’t occur to him that it was entirely possible he might not have had any magic. It would have been silly. He was at Strange Academy, a school for magic, so he must have magic since he was there. Did he remember how he got there? No. But he knew that he belonged here. ”Oh! I get confused! I totally get confused!” he reassured her. ”I just don’t know what kind of magic I have, so I’m really excited to find out!!”
Roommates? He’d love to be roommates with Connie! It sounded fun! Of course, he wanted to be roommates with his best friend, Finley. But he could be roommates with everyone!! It was the best idea he’d ever had!! Jake was practically bouncing where he stood, filled with energy and a sudden urge to just fucking run. How fast could he run? He didn’t know, but he wanted to know!
He whined a bit in disappointment when he pulled out his key, though, and it didn’t match Connie. Or Pedro. He liked what Pedro had said about picking other names, though. Or having a family. He didn’t think he had a family. He would have known if he did, right? What would he want for another name? Something cool, something fun, something like… Big Dog. Yes. He was going to ask people to call him Big Dog! But as he went to open his mouth to request it, it was like his tongue was strangely uncooperative, almost tied.
His shoulders slumped a bit. Just Jake, then. But that was okay!! His smile immediately returned. He loved being Jake!! Jake, Jake, Jake!!
”Wait… Curses are cold?” Jake’s eyes widened, his train of thought rapidly derailing - or rather, finding an alternate track. ”I don’t think I want to be cursed then.” He shuddered a bit at the thought. Was this what he was supposed to protect them all from? From the curse? It made sense. The curse was cold and Jake knew that the cold was bad - it made his insides feel all funny, and his chest tight. ”Can I protect you all from the curse? Please?”
And then, as Barty gave his farewells, Jake waved at him happily. ”Bye, Barty!!!”
The professors had taken their leave of the students now, some with more grace and poise than others, their patience somehow already tried and tested upon the first meeting. Headmistress Harkness was gone, too, leaving behind not a single instruction in her wake. Their time was theirs to use as they saw fit, now. Instruction would begin the next day - and as much as each student was doubtless filled with anticipation to begin, there was another mystery before them, perhaps one more pressing.
Their living situation.
Those who had attended Strange Academy before would already be accustomed to its housing practices. There were several halls that housed students, divided largely by age and class standing. For students under the age of majority, there were a handful of houses, named for practitioners of the mystic arts and directly overseen by a member of faculty who lived amongst their charges. As for students who had reached the age of majority, their dormitory was a wing of its own at the school, named Laveau Hall in honor of one of New Orleans’ greatest witches.
Despite the size of the school, moving from one end to the other was trivial, easily accomplished in less than a quarter hour. As the students left the Hall of Ancients, its heavy doors rang with finality as they swung close, not to open again until the next year - until the next batch of wide eyed and curious magi would come to this hallowed place. The students would pass by a number of classrooms on their route, as well as private sanctums - rooms the students could reserve to practice their craft alone, in a space where no harm could truly be done. On their way, they would pass by the new wing too, its doors locked with neat signs that read MEDEAN HALL - UNDER CONSTRUCTION. The school’s population continued to expand. Medean hall would alleviate some of the strain, providing more rooms where students may reside.
At Laveau Hall, a grand staircase was constructed in a spiralling pattern, with each landing providing access to a single door. These doors varied in appearance and construction - some wooden and ornately carved, others slabs of iron, cruel and menacing, and still some who seemed to change each time your gaze fell upon them.
Once students identified their door, perhaps as brutishly as trying locks until they found a match to their key, they would be admitted into their room. As a default, they were sparsely furnished and decorated - a bed, wardrobe, desk, and chair for each student. With three placed to a room this year, the beds were pushed up against the wall, the desk snug against the head board and the wardrobe near the bed’s foot. The carpets were a soft gray, and the walls a dull off-white. Laundry facilities were located in the basement of the wing, with shared restrooms every few turns of the staircase. For all purposes, the rooms were no different than what would be found on a college campus.
That was, of course, until the students made their requests. By simple dictation, almost every element of the room could be customized - the walls, the floors, the furniture, the decor, the ambiance, the sound. As long as the cost of the magic was not great, the students could do as they pleased.
Location: Hall of Ancients, Strange Academy Grimoire: Skills: Current Outfit
It was easy to forget the value of simple things when you had them on a regular basis. A roof over your head, four walls insulated to keep the cold out, a place that probably didn't have predators watching it every waking moment of the day... Taking such things for granted was practically second nature to people who lived among civilization. Rohan, spending so long away from civilization, was often grateful for the things no ordinary person would flinch at. A warm shower felt like finding Atlantis to him, or seeing an old friend after a long time. Out in the woods, there weren't water heaters. One had to jump in a river and dry off in the sun. When dirt got in Rohan's hair, he used an ungodly mixture of animal fat and the finest ash from a fire, mixed with water to sort that out. Used properly, it could strip paint from metal and take off layers of skin.
It was the first thing Rohan took care of when he found his dorm and made sure no one else had the same idea. He stepped back in without looking like he just crawled out of a hole in the ground. His familiar stood statue-still on the back of a chair, looking up at him. Root had the disposition of an old man, sometimes. He sat down and didn't move, and didn't take kindly to anyone other than Rohan bothering him. He gave Rohan an inscrutable look, and made creaking sound.
"Yeah, I know." He opened up the wardrobe and started setting magic items inside, rather than clothes. He had few of those, enough to fit in one of the packs he brought with him, which he sat on the bottom inside the door.
Location: Hall of Ancients —> Laveau Hall, Strange Academy Grimore: Skills: N/A
Annika watched as students started to file out of the hall, making their way to the dorm rooms. At least they would all be travelling to the same area. For now, Annika returned her focus to her coven. She smiled at Finley, pleased to be asked about one of her hobbies.
”I work with all types of metal. I’ve worked with iron lots, but I do prefer precious metals. It’s more of a stress release for me,” Annika said brightly.
She pulled out her dorm room key, examining the hourglass shape once more. ”Which dorm are you in?” she asked the others who remained. ”Should we all head that way?”
Location: Hall of Ancients —> Laveau Hall, Strange Academy Grimore: Skills:
Callaghan was turning to escort his coven mates out of the hall when he felt the familiar weight of an arm settling on his shoulders and lips on his neck. Cal turned his head slightly to see Barty and smiled lazily.
”Mmm, now that sounds like a perfect set-up. Did you pull some strings to manage that?” Cal joked. He gestured to the two who stood in front of them, his focus shifting back to them. ”Of course, but first I have to help my coven mates to their rooms. Cassiopeia, Willow, Luna… this fine specimen is Barty. Nicholas’s twin, if that wasn’t apparent,” Cal chuckled. ”Now, we should be going. Much to see and all that.” Cal lifted Barty’s hand to his lips, planting a light kiss on the witch’s knuckles before removing their arm from around his neck. ”Won’t you join the little tour?” Cal asked Barty, hoping he would.
Regardless of Barty’s decision, Cal led the group down the hallway towards the dorm rooms. He answered what questions he could or gave little details here and there. You see that classroom? I accidentally set Professor Mikkail’s robes on fire…. Oh, that staircase there? It likes to change on you. Keep an eye on it…. Oh, haha, that scorch mark is from where I accidentally on purpose threw a fireball at Cohen….
Cal enjoyed conversing with new people and getting to know them. It seemed like a small amount of energy to give, and gave the added benefit of seeming friendly when really he was just trying to get information out of them.
”And here we are. Laveau Hall. Everyone’s dorms are here, with one dorm on each floor. Willow, do you want to show me your key, then we can find your door. Or would Luna like to take over now?” Cal asked, smiling at the familiar before he looked at Cassie. ”We’ll help Willow before we discover our own dorm, hmm?” he said with a wink.
1x Laugh
