[hr][hr] [center] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d2/d7/48/d2d74825c78544b0a527cacae3ff76d9.jpg[/img] [hr] [color=#663399]Location:[/color] Haven, Strange Academy [color=#663399]Grimore:[/color] [color=#663399]Skills:[/color] N/A [color=#663399][url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0a/0c/f4/0a0cf43ab7128a8f489fe45d26509701.jpg]Fit Check for my Napalm Era[/url][/color] [/center] [hr][hr] Annika took a step forward when she saw Willow had taken a tumble into the suit of armour. She was ready to help the girl, but a few people had already stepped in to ensure that she was okay. Annika turned her attention to the portrait. She could check on Willow once they all made it through. The concept of sharing her magic with a strange thing she didn’t understand had her hesitating to walk through the portrait first. Annika watched the twins and others go through the door before she shook her hands out and stepped forward. She examined the portrait closely, seeing all the intricate details before she placed a finger against the boy in the painting. Shadows danced down Annika’s arm and entered the painting before she felt the beating and was sucked inside. Annika gasped, her eyes widening as the pleasant feeling of something new sparked across her body. Annika stumbled into Haven, but rather than take in the room before her, she turned to look back at the wall she had just walked through. A grin was planted on her face, her eyes shining. Oh, she was definitely going to have to try an unlock those secrets. The idea that there was another world, or something that could be like her Everdark, was fascinating to her. Jack had never mentioned the Neverish before, but she supposed there were things in this world that even the great Wizard, Jack Hawthorne, didn’t know. Or he felt his daughter didn’t need to know such things. Leaving that thought behind, Annika turned to walk further into the room. She took in the moody tones and various seating arrangements before she found herself standing along the bar. It seemed the natural starting point of the evening. [color=#663399]”Excuse me, do you have anything non-alcoholic? A mocktail or a birthday special?”[/color] Annika had had alcohol before. She rebelled like most teenagers, but she also had a father who wasn’t like most. However, she never cared for the taste, and when she met her biological family and learned of their struggles with alcohol, Annika had completely sworn off the stuff. Besides, there were other mind-altering substances that could be far more entertaining. Annika still had dreams about the first time she had dream-walked with her ancestors. While she waited for a drink, Annika looked around the room once more. She stood near Barty and Rohan. One was a coven mate, and the other was one of the strange, standoffish twins of this establishment. Annika didn’t know much about either of them, but there was [i]something[/i] about both of them that she seemed drawn to. Annika’s eyes roamed over Barty, trying to get a sense of his aura. She had never been good at figuring out people this way. She supposed she was too impatient for it, but her people always pushed her to practice. She tried with Rohan next and noticed the wooden creature nuzzled into his neck. Annika stepped forward, entering the personal space of Barty and Rohan. [color=#663399]”Oh, they are quite precious. Hello, [i]shonkwahsótha ko'khó:wa,[/i]”[/color] Annika greeted traditionally. She bowed her head and smiled at the creature before looking at Rohan with more interest and respect. [color=#663399]”And what feats have you accomplished to have the wisdom-keeper of the forests as your guide?”[/color] [hider=Translations]ko'khó:wa : Pronunciation guide (Owl) https://www.firstvoices.com/kanienkeha-mohawk-en/words/5dbb71ec-59c6-4330-8f1c-26550dfe7fc2 Shonkwahsótha : our grandfather[/hider] [hr][hr] [center] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fc/11/07/fc11077e2eca5e348901828f23d3e755.jpg[/img] [hr] [color=#B22222]Location:[/color] Haven, Strange Academy [color=#B22222]Grimore:[/color] [color=#B22222]Skills:[/color] [color=#B22222][url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/34/4f/62/344f626fb5c0f90e040cd4ad6432ef59.jpg]Fit[/url][/color] [/center] [hr][hr] Callaghan didn’t hesitate to walk over and offer his assistance to Willow after she stumbled into the suit of armour. He wasn’t exactly needed, but Callaghan wasn’t one to sit behind when someone might be hurt or in trouble. He gave Finley a flirtatious smile and a nod before they entered the portrait. Cal looked back at Willow and Cassie. [color=#B22222]”Are you sure you are okay, little one? Make absolutely certain before you cross over,”[/color] Cal warned. He stepped back and watched Cassiopeia walk up to the painting like she owned it. He smirked, admiring the girl’s strength and confidence before she walked through. Callaghan remained behind, making sure the others had an easy time getting across, until he was the only soul standing in the room with the painting. His eyes roamed over the art piece, taking in the delicate work. The colours, the foreground and background, how the invisible lines drew your eye to look here and there. Cal loved art. He loved the stories art told, the hidden meanings each piece seemed to contain. Each one was unique, full of knowledge waiting to be unlocked. Cal fought the urge to sit on the ground and stare at the painting until he uncovered more secret words. Every time he came to Haven, he felt compelled to do this. The first time he was at the school, he didn’t even cross over. He remained in this room, seeing and writing until the students started to walk back through at the end of the night. The young dragon’s face fell, the mask he wore slipping as he took a moment of reprieve. Callaghan sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. A lot was riding on him this year. The connections he was making here weren’t yielding any results for his family, even with Mikkail’s help. If he couldn’t make anything stick this year, he wouldn’t be returning the year after. The dragon shifted restlessly under Cal’s skin. The thought of failing didn’t sit well. All the knowledge in this school, left undiscovered. All the friendships he had made, left to disintegrate. Then there was the obligation to Mikkail. The partnership and friendship that had developed. Cal sighed once more and shook off the feeling of failure. [color=#B22222]”It is only the first day. You have time.”[/color] Once he was feeling composed, Callaghan plastered the easygoing smile back on his face and strode through the painting. A warm sensation caressed his skin, like a lover’s embrace, but just as quickly as it touched him, it left, and Callghan stood in Haven. The smile came more easily now that he was surrounded by his companions. At the end of the bar stood an old-fashioned, the smoke still billowing off the top of the glass from a fresh make. Callaghan grinned and walked over to pick up the beverage, then took a sip. The previous worries seemed to melt off his shoulders. Callaghan swallowed, the comforting burn warming him. [color=#B22222]”Perfection as always, Mithza.”[/color] He tipped his glass to her before facing the rest of Haven. The black menu with gold lettering hovered just on the periphery of Callghan’s vision, enticing him to blow off his responsibilities and invite a few people into his favourite room. [i]Later[/i], Cal reminded himself. He took another sip and entered the crowd. “Can we play a game?” Callaghan glanced at Jake and grinned. [color=#B22222]”Oh, we certainly could, child. What do you have in mind?”[/color]