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A genuine smile slipped across Annika’s face. She wouldn’t mind being Rohan’s friend, especially since he had such a strong connection with nature. ”Thanks, Rohan,” she said before she turned and stuck her hand into the candy dish.

”What’s your favourite colour?” she asked Willow.

”Purple,” she responded.

Annika fished out the green and purple circle and handed it to Willow in return. After the conversation with Rohan, Annika wasn’t going to force Willow to take it, but she did hope she wouldn’t be taking a candy alone.

Annika popped the green candy into her mouth, taking a sip of her mocktail to chase it down. Annika waited a few minutes, looking around at the others in the room while she waited for the candy to work its magic. Soon enough, Annika started to feel strangely energetic and more powerful than she had ever felt before. Her body seemed to tingle with all the different possibilities. Annika felt like she could do anything she wanted. Like summon a horde of cute shadow animals. Perhaps it wasn’t the most creative use of her talent, but Annika wasn’t sure how Haven’s magic would react to her creating a portal to the top of Mount Everest.

As she drew on her power, she felt a faint burn envelope her body. It was not something that normally happened when she used her power, but she didn’t care. She was the most powerful being in the room right now.

---

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”Yes, very comfortable,” Callaghan agreed. His fingers and cheeks tingled where Dysphoria made their presence known. He leaned into Finley more, casting a sideways glance at Dys, before looking at Willow, who was preoccupied giving candy to another.

”They can join in later. For now, you’re mine.” Cal said and turned his head back to brush his lips along Finley’s cheek. He made his way to Finley’s neck and kissed her gently before putting a little more bite into his kiss. He hadn’t even noticed the way his teeth had elongated and sharpened, giving a more predatory feel to his bite.

”You taste good, too,” he noted, licking the spot of red that had appeared after puncturing her skin. ”What sort of secrets are you looking for today, Dys?” Cal asked.

He turned his head to focus on Dysphoria. He still cradled Finley close with one arm wrapped around her, but he used a free hand to tickle Dysphoria’s chin. The claws that his hands had turned into gave him pause, but he only moved one to scratch Dys’s chin instead.

The buzz under his skin, coupled with the rising heat he felt, was a distant warning that he was starting to shift and lose control, but the thought of transforming in this small space didn’t faze him. He had shifted into his dragon with Dysphoria before, and they seemed to like the animalistic side in him. And Cal did like to please Finley and Dys.

If Finley were a shapeshifter she would have turned into a pleased cat at that moment. The presence of both Dysphoria and Callaghan almost made them purr with delight. Callaghan’s bites were tantalizing. A reminder of nights before and hopes of nights to come. Their eyes though were not focused on Callaghan or Dys. Instead they focused on something beyond.

Fin wondered if the giant moth girl had somehow become tiny moths. Was she just a giant collection of moths? Was that normal? The moths seemed to be making a pattern. One Finley was uncertain they could decipher. Especially with the distraction that was Callaghan. There was some yelling but they paid little attention. Instead, focusing what part of their mind they could to the moths, the rest devoted to the feelings from Callaghan’s touches.

He was warm and that radiated through all their contact points. They lost track of what other things were happening.

”We like to share.” Finley said, ”We also enjoy more exclusive time.” Finley would be happy either way this evening could go.

---

Connie’s lips tightened as she covered a frown. People were starting to have negative reactions. The girl in pink was screaming about dead people. She stood up and went to her side, next to Jake.

”I can’t say for certain, but I believe you are hallucinating. I don’t see these dead people either. Hallucinations usually can’t hurt you. Take a deep breath, if it helps close your eyes and don’t look at them.” She shot a glare over to Barty and Nicholas. She hadn’t missed the surprise on Nicholas’ face. That implied far enough for Connie. Now she was going to be on damn babysitting duty until they started coming down off of whatever weird ass high this was.

”My name is Connie.” She introduced herself. Hoping that maybe she could distract the young woman from whatever horrors she was seeing.

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Willow could tell she might have intruded upon something, but was glad that the other woman, Annika, (she wasn't sure where the name came from, but maybe a glimpse? She wouldn't mind if that was true,) offered her a candy in turn. Willow offered up her favorite color and they exchanged the candies. She gently took the purple and green orb into her hands and turned it over.

It was too tempting to peer and see what effects the candy might have on her person. She could already see around the room that they were having effects on the others that had taken them of varying effects. However, she didn't want to see tonight. Tonight was about having fun and connecting with her covenmates and fellow students. She held up the candy and then put it between her teeth. She crunched down on the orb and then took a swig of her sangria to follow it all down.

She could feel what could only be described as an electrical sensation run up and down her spine, causing all the little hairs to stand on end and the hair on the back of her neck to do so as well. Not even the time she had indulged in ayahuasca with her Tia did she feel so alive and stimulated.

Suddenly, she wanted to be high. Physically. She wanted to spread her wings and just be up in the rafters of the building. When had she last spread her wings and just... flew? She really wanted to be high and comfy, and being up high meant she would be close to the lights. It was getting awfullytempting.

Jake felt someone else’s gaze upon him, and he turned, spotting one of the pretty boys from before. His name wasn’t Barty. But for the life of him, he couldn’t remember what the boy’s name was! Heat rushed to his face, and for a moment, he felt like his flesh was about to swell and burst. Was that part of the candy? He didn’t like that part - not nearly as much as he liked the bubbles. If he spent the rest of his life with bubbles, he would be very happy. The other boy didn’t seem happy. Maybe he needed some bubbles! Jake saw that Cassie had moved on to look at the wall, so she wouldn’t be upset if he went to the other boy, he decided.

He reached into the candy bowl, picking up one at random - a green disc with a bit of a swirl to it - and he offered it out to the boy. He opened his mouth, attempting to offer it to the boy, but instead a swirl of bubbles came out, popping to play a symphony of just one part of his sentence? ”Do?” ”Do?” ”Do?” ”Do?” ”Do?”

Nicholas watched with poorly veiled suspicion as the bubbling stranger made its way across their bar and plucked out a piece of candy, though Nicholas couldn't stop himself stepping back defensively as It offered the piece. He started at the popping bubbles, a bit of mischief neither he nor his brother created, and the sound that echoed out of it. He was hesitant to take it - to be under the influence while someone dangerous was in their midst; warning bells were ringing in his head and his fingers twitched with his magic half formed to whisk himself out of sight, but he hesitated. The usual caution, usually dropped as a heavy shawl around his mind, seemed loose and hazy the longer he stared at the face of the only mortal he'd ever bothered caring about.

The pause was longer than comfortable, but Nicholas eventually snatched the piece of out Jake's hand and took another step away, bumping into the bar as he stared at the piece of candy for anything that may be wrong with it.

Jake tilted his head, confused by the other boy’s reaction. Did he know him? Could he tell him who he was? It didn’t bother him that he couldn’t remember anything, it was all he’d ever known, not knowing. But if he knew this boy, that would have been nice. He was so pretty - and clumsy too, apparently! As he bumped into the bar, fixating on the piece of candy he’d offered, Jake reached out to steady him - to make sure that he didn’t fall. An enormous swell of protectiveness hit him as he came into contact with him. He wanted to reassure him that it was only candy, that it was meant to be eaten, but only one word was carried out by the bubbles: “It,” “It,” “It,” “It.”

What the hells do you think you're doing? Keep your hands off me.” Nicholas hissed, smacking away It's hand. Despite the layers between them, two hundred years melted away and it felt just yesterday a handsome, war torn man stumbled into his school house and needed a steadying touch. It'd been humid and hot and the starch in Nicholas's collar had kept the material stiff even as it stuck to his skin. He hooked his finger under his collar now, pulling it away in the same gesture, unconscious and unnoticed, as his mind struggled to handle the conflicting emotions dredged up from the depths of a blackened, shriveled heart.

Nicholas slammed back the candy, dry swallowing, and could only hope it took quickly.

For a moment, Jake stared at his hand. It had a faint tingling sensation to it. He didn’t like it. His eyebrows furrowed, but as quickly as the feeling had come, it drifted away. The other boy was clearly upset with him. He’d just wanted to help. Was it bad, helping others? It didn’t feel bad. It felt good to reach out, to touch him. It had come as naturally to him as breathing. He found his body inclined forward, wanting to do it again. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t? He wasn’t sure what was stopping him - if it was himself or something else.

”Sorry,” ”Sorry,” ”Sorry,” ”Sorry,” his words echoed. ”I,” ”I,” ”I,” ”I.”

Nicholas relaxed as the drugs hit him. His fear, paranoia, and, if he's being honest, anger, bled away as a heady, comforting warmth washed through him. Nicholas blinked once, twice, rubbing at his eyes as a faint candlelight surrounded everyone like a halo. He smiled, small and reserved, as he realized for once he was surrounded by safe people, in his bar, in his magic, and honestly, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The bubbles caught his attention and he poked once, chuckling as a noise came out when it popped.

“So sill…” Nicholas trailed off as he followed the trail of bubbles, popping them as he did, until they stopped on a pair of lips. He stared at someone beautiful, a memory tickling in the back of his head, but this safe, warm feeling felt better than whatever that was. “Halò an sin, aingeal. Tha thu fìor bhòidheach. Carson a tha thu cho fada air falbh?”

So strange! The other boy was speaking nonsense. Maybe that was what this candy did. Jake couldn’t remember what the one he had taken looked like, but it made sense to him that one thing could do nonsense and bubbles. And he was smiling now, too! A smile did better suit his face. He almost looked heroic in this light. He tried to apologize, explain that he didn’t understand him, but the bubbles were unhelpful, only the second word of his sentence making it through: ”don’t,” ”don’t,” ”don’t.”

Jake frowned. Maybe the bubbles weren’t fun after all.

“Cha robh sin ann an gin de na drogaichean againn. Ciamar a rinn thu sin? Tha mi airson faicinn dè an blas a th’ orra.” Nicholas traces his finger down Jake's jaw and behind his ear, working his way down his neck and pulling Jake gently towards him. He let his mouth linger over Jake's, staring in his eyes, before he whispered. “Seinn dhomhsa, m’ aingeal.”

He shuddered, shifting his weight so he could press up ever so slightly more against the boy’s finger. He hadn’t known his body could react like this, something in his chest beating incredibly fast. There was a gentleness to it, too. Was this part of the game? He liked it, if it was. This was his favorite game. And as the boy pulled him forward, Jake was only too happy to oblige - was it normal, this urge to press up against him, until his skin melted away and there was nothing left to separate them?

Jake’s eyes drifted down towards the boy’s mouth. It was so close. He opened his lips, hesitating briefly, before a rush of bubbles came out instead of words, flowing into the boy’s mouth, and popping with a small chorus of ”pretty,” ”pretty,” ”pretty.”

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”I've never stated otherwise. Why do something myself when someone else is perfectly capable of doing it for me?” Barty replied to Alfonse as he took another sip of his Scotch. Moving in closer to Rohan as one of the new students was trying to get the square to actually take something. ”See? Under an hour. Now if only they'd drink more of my stock. You know, we traveled all the way to Japan and brought back some amazing alcohol from there and these people are already feeling the effects after a single use? A waste really.” Barty smirked before pulling out a small wrapped candy from his coat. ”Here, it's not enhanced or laced or anything. Straight from China, just a guava candy. I found them quite enjoyable in my time there.”

Barty placed one of the guava candies next to Rohan's cup, taking another and popping it in his mouth. If no one else was going to feed him some drugs, he may as well enjoy the show. He watched as someone's trip was taking a turn for the worse. Hallucination of a mass of corpses? Interesting. Another was spewing Bubbles…odd. He hadn't made any like that. Where did he? The thought was cut short as the bubble boy began to bother his beloved brother. Nicky of course reacted harshly as he always does, and yet in the end he consumed the candy given to him. For a brief moment, Barty's teeth clenched against the hard candy within his mouth as his grip around his Scotch tightened. He thought he'd have to intervene between the pair but…oh my goodness Nicholas what were you saying. Glad he was no one could speak their tongue here.

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The shadows rolled and roiled beneath the power of Annika's magic. The bar seemed unmoved and then two creatures pulled themselves out of Annika's shadow: a terrier and a bunny. The edges of them blurred and shifted and before they even had a moment, they duplicated and now two terriers and two bunnies sniffed the air. The edges of all four still quivered.

Dysphoria's eyes hooded as the spot of red appeared on Finley's neck and the gentle caress turned to something far more dangerous, the sharpness beneath their chin sending thrilling chills through them. The warmth of Cal's touches on Finley's skin made a sensual contrast and Dysphoria leaned into the tantalizing promise. “All of them, sweet dragon. I want to drink you dry of them, lay you bare and open and feast. See how pretty you are wrapped up in my Darling. A tendril dipped beneath Finley's outfit, stroking possessively along the crease of their thigh, and another curled up their neck to chase the bright sting of Cal's bite.

For Willow, the Haven shattered. A window impacted, a bottle smashed, a jewel crushed - for better or for worse, Willow is at the mercy of her magic. In the broken pieces other places play, music weaves through the darkness both morose and joyous, and glimmering pieces of lives surround her in piles. The one that catches her attention is a woman burning at the stake, a devil rearing out of the flames and spitting gouts of flame on soldiers and citizens alike. The smell of burned flesh permeates the air and in Willow's bones, she knows her world has ended.

For Cassie, the bodies were never out of sight; horrible, mutilated, and drained of blood, they crawled their way towards her from the other side of the wall. They creaked, squelched, and screamed as they shoved themselves into holes between the threads but they settled there and the wall became whole once more. However, a nuisance of a tingle formed in her throat and she could still hear someone, something whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

For Cal, the urge to shift was overwhelming. The dragon pushed and pushed. It would be so easy to change, to horde these creatures he loves, to keep them to himself forever.

For Finley, the moths danced away and left nothing behind. Being caught between two safe people lowered their guard, Cal and Dys whispering and playing around them, but the touches felt distant and beneath the warmth, a chilling fear spread: Your Lady was coming.

For Jake, the bubbles subsided and his voice returned, but a mounting pressure grew behind his face. It started as a minor bother but threatened to become far more painful if he didn't sneeze.

Alfonse just laughed at Barty's predictable answer and then picked up the tray Milthza set with glasses of water. “Everyone take a glass. People who enjoyed the game please take two.”

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Dysphoria’s tendrils reached out and caressed Fin and Callaghan in a way that had him shuddering and leaning closer to the symbiont. ”Yes,” he moaned. ”Whatever you desire.” There was nothing he would not do for Finley and her Dys. Nothing he wouldn’t share. But it would be so much easier to share if he were in his other form. It would be so much easier to keep them safe, and he wanted to feel what it would be like to have Dysphoria run themselves over him in his dragonic form.

Cal shuddered again, but for a completely different reason. If anyone was watching, they would start to see his skin changing colours. The dim lighting reflected along his brown skin as it shifted to gold. Scales began to grow and multiple, his clothes dissolving into nothing. Cal scooped Finley into his bare arms and carted them away from the bar. His bloody lips found hers after he had bitten down on them, and he kissed her passionately as he set her down in a chair. Memories would flood into Finley and Dysphoria as he shared the island of his people. Visions of dragons of every shape and colour flew above a canopy of green and vivid azure blue. The sound of laughter and singing would fill their minds, accompanied by the stronger scent of sea and sunshine, before dissolving into a sea of stars.

The cool feeling of wind coming off the ocean flooded their joint minds, raising goosebumps on Cal’s skin. It was one of Cal’s more recent memories. It was a quiet night after this year's egg hatching ceremony had occurred. The first dragons born in a hundred years had been claimed. Already, they were learning the ways of being a dragon on Earth. Already, they were fighting for their life. For Cal’s breed was a dying breed unless they found viable mates for this world. Before humans, it was easy to thrive, but as the world’s population grew, so did the risk of survival for Cal’s people.

Cal had been tasked with watching the hatchlings for the night, and although he was in his human form, his ability to shift into a dragon would be quick should there be a need for him. Soft cittering and snores filled him with an overwhelming sense of peace. He loved this place. He loved his people. And he would do everything in his power to save them.

Cal shared these secrets openly with Finley and Dys, even though he swore to protect his family’s home island. More memories would flood into Finley’s mind. More images of his island, the way his people lived. The ancient language no one else could speak but his people, Finley would understand. He had been waiting to share their secrets until he found the right people. But Cal loved Finley, and they were perfect. And Dysphoria wanted secrets. Cal pulled away from Finley, feeling breathless. Once he pulled away, his face started to shift, his nose elongating into a snout, along with longer teeth, pointed ears, and hardened scales.

The golden scales cascaded down his neck, rippling over his growing arms and legs until they covered his entire body. The shift came faster now, and Cal turned away from Finley, keeping her and Dysphoria protected from the others. He stumbled back, his tail flicking out to knock over tables and something that felt softer. Cal would have to apologize to whoever he knocked down later.

Once he was fully transformed, Cal’s shoulders reached the rafters, but there was enough space that he wouldn’t cause damage unless he reared up onto his hind legs. He took over one entire side of the dining room, which was fine by him. It meant he could safely keep Finley away from the others and observe their behaviours, should someone unwelcome try to approach or take what was his away from him.

Cal wrapped his tail around Finley, holding her securely and huffed a breath of air through his nostrils, a warning to stay away from them.

Now that he was fully shifted, the drugs evaporated from Cal’s system. He blinked and looked at the room with new awareness. Cal had never lost control so rapidly before. He felt shame creep over him. And betrayal. Cal turned his attention to Barty and Nicky. A low rumble crept up his stomach and into his throat, reverberating around the room before he settled his head onto his front legs and watched.

A small shadowed dragon bounded over to Callaghan and Finley. He watched the unique creature with intrigue, finding the magic common yet unique in the way it was formed. The creature tapped Cal’s nose with his own, and what passed as a dragonic chuckle sounded from him. He pulled Finley closer with his tail, so she could get a closer look.

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After a moment, four cute looking creatures appeared around Annika, scenting the air and walking around tentatively. They weren’t solid shadow. Annika could still pick out the errors in her formation and were they lacked depth or detail, but they were freaking adorable.

Annika cooed over her furry creatures, naming all of them instantly. The rabbits were Terry and Charlie, and the terriers were Elisabeth and Lunchbox Jr. Every one of them got belly rubs and scritches. Annika turned to look at Rohan, presenting her creation proudly. She looked to Willow next, but the giant lady seemed a little preoccupied. Honestly, everyone but the sober people was more preoccupied with their own journey. And there was a rumble and the ground shook. Annika turned, and her eyes widened in alarm before she got knocked off her feet.

A freaking dragon stood in the middle of Haven. Annika sat on her butt, staring up at the golden creature in awe. She only knew it was a dragon thanks to popular media. Her family didn’t have a word for this, and Jack had mentioned such creatures before, but Annika had never come across one herself. At least, not to her recent knowledge.

Annika quickly summoned a series of shadows. They undulated and pulsed around her, shifting and morphing into the perfect likeness of Callaghan’s dragon. Only miniature and black. Annika grinned. Perfect. Now she could recreate the dragon as a shadow at any time. Which was good since no one back home was going to believe her.

Annika leaned back on her hands, completely unconcerned about Cal taking up half of Haven. She watched her dragon waddle over to Cal and boop his nose. Annika tilted her head back, searching for an upside-down Rohan. She grinned at him.

”Magic stick time?”

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Cassie felt her heart inside her chest, which would be a good thing because yay her heart was still working, but it was clear this was some panic response to the candy and to the mound of writhing body parts. The sounds it made played through her mind in reverb and she felt herself grow more and more panicked as it inched closer.

Soon, the moving parts coalesced into the crevices and knotches of the wall and was gone. Cassie felt itchy and cold, like the thing was still there. Despite the silence, she could hear, ever so slightly, in the distance a voice. A soothing, calm voice. She didn't quite catch the words, but she could feel some semblance of peace from their whispers.

Cassie heard another voice and panicked that she was now hearing multiple voices in her head when she caught someone near her. Cassie looked to see a new face and this one was attached to a body and not writhing around on the ground. "It was so real. The wall...the wall had secrets but not the good kind. Bad secrets." Cassie looked around as the room came more into focus. She felt calmer now, still a slight giggle infused in her breath. "Connie, thank you. I'm Cassie. Oh wow, how cool, similar names. Well, kind of, since my full name is Cassiopeia but that's like a mouthful right?" She started giggling again.

But at the corner of her eye, in her peripheral, she paid close attention to the wall, lest it decide to spill out more.

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Rohan finished off his coffee, savoring the rich acidic flavor like the coffee snob he was at heart. He contemplated flagging Alfonso down for another round, but the taste was sharp enough he didn’t want to push it. And, more importantly, the drugs were starting to work on everyone. Over across the bar, he noticed Connie was talking someone through the experience they were having. Something about corpses, though he wasn’t paying too much attention from this distance. He sat the mug down on a coaster, and picked up the candy Barty offered. He trusted Barty knew better than to trick him, and give him a reason to stay out of the Haven.

It tasted nice.

Rohan tried not to pay attention to Cal as he got busy with Finley. Though, that was pretty damn difficult when Root bristled on his shoulder, and the man broke out into his dragon form. He drummed his fingers over the haft of his magic staff, Barty was right about them not lasting long. He would’ve assumed Callaghan might’ve held out longer.

”And there it is,” He commented, around a piece of green candy.

Rohan glanced down at the shadowy animals, and one perceptive enough might swear his eyes darkened. If he had a nickel for every otherworldly beast he encountered... No, that was the other half of him talking. They seemed strange, but what at this school wasn't? They appeared to just be snooping around like house animals did.

"Maybe it's stick time," He said to Annika. "He can probably sort that out on his own... Probably. Wouldn't want him to set me on fire"

Finley felt a little sad as the moths left. She hated the feeling that filled her from there. Her Lady was coming. She did not want that. If the Lady called to her, she would follow. Her escape to the human world had been narrow. A loophole. But if the Lady herself showed up and demanded Finley return, she could not say no. It would be like telling the sun to stop lighting the day. Someone may have the power to do that, but Finley did not.

All of that was washed away as Callaghan picked them up and bloody lips met their own. Fear was washed back in the tide that was the memories that came to them. Finley’s experience of the memories was as if she was Callaghan. They became him for a while. Sinking into those memories. It was the warmth of a world so vastly different from their own, and they loved it.

They loved Callaghan for sharing it with them. This was an intimacy that went beyond almost any other Finley had ever experienced; only their permanent connection with Dysphoria went deeper. As Callaghan shifted, becoming their draconic form Finley giggled and sank more into the embrace. They now knew what that shifting felt like to Callaghan.

They caressed Callaghan’s side, following the ripple of his scales. Finley looked at the shadowy dragon creature. ”Is this something you can do?” They asked, very confused. This did not seem to match with anything Finley had ever seen Callaghan do previously. ”Or did your candy spur this? I suppose this is better than moths and the feeling of your Lady coming to collect you.” Finley suddenly got a very serious look on their face. ”Callaghan, if she does come and tells me I must go, know I am only doing it as my duty. I am not leaving you. My oldest oath is to her. It binds me tighter than you could imagine.” A different fear bubbled up behind. Could they keep a secret from their Lady?

---

”My full name is Constance, but only a few people call me that. I generally prefer Connie.” She smiled at Cassie. The girl seemed nervous still, and was definitely shaken by what she had seen.

”I would suggest that when secrets feel so dangerous to ignore them. This place, and the school, are not safe places. Often, secrets will consume you. Literally or figuratively. Hopefully, what you saw was just a hallucination and not an actual Truth.” Connie refrained from saying that sometimes, once a Truth was seen, there was no un-seeing it. Cassie would be lucky if she never saw whatever that had been again.

”How about you come sit back down, though? Or I can escort you back to your room.” Connie suggested. It would be a good excuse to leave before things got worse.

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The world splintered and shattered , and Willow could remember the first time she had tried anything like this before. Her Tia had made a drink, something the people of the forest would drink, and it would enhance their senses. Willow had let the bitter liquid coat her tongue and it had helped her with her sight. It had bothered her so much, keeping her awake day and night, plaguing her with visions. It was the first time it had bothered her so much since it had awakened, and so, her Tia had hoped the brew would help her control it for a bit.

As the cracks formed in her vision, Willow found herself tracing them with her fingers, making patterns in the air in front of her. However, they turned from jewels to admire, music to enjoy, horror snuck in. She could smell the crackling fire, hear the woman's frantic words, and feel the heat from the fire.

She started to scream and ran from her own visions, even as they chased her, and she ran in towards a save haven, any safe haven. The beautiful golden dragon stood out to Luna, a beautiful beacon of hope, especially since it was holding its occupant so preciously, so tenderly.

Wings fluttered out from under her outfit, beautiful enormous wings that were meant to clearly support the tall woman, and in a blink of an eye, she took off, and was soon in the rafters, and looked at the dragon with the expression of fear, terror and begging. "Please... let me be safe with you too."

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He still wasn't quite sure what the other boy wanted with him, but there was something even stranger now that demanded his attention. His face felt funny. It wasn't the sort of funny that he'd experienced before - where things seemed to become incredibly hot for no reason at all. And it wasn't pain, either, not at first. It was like something had crawled underneath his skin and was pushing, attempting to get out. Jake touched his own cheek, mesmerized. And then, he felt it - something moved! He opened up his mouth, ready to grab it and pull out the trapped creature, only to gasp in pain - "ow!" he complained, as he tugged too hard on his own tongue.

"Oh. That's me. Oh! Oh! I can talk! Hi! I don't know your name! Or what you're saying! But you're very pretty!"

The tightness in his face only increased, though. And there was a sudden tingle in his nose, up towards the back - a light tingle, almost cold if he had to characterize it, the sort of cold that made his eyes leak. "Do you know why my-"

BAM.

Something slammed into him.

He'd seen the large shape appear out of the corner of his eye, giving him just enough time to shield the pretty boy with his own body. Jake fell to the ground, knocked mercilessly by a creature unlike anything he'd seen before - not that he had seen much of anything before. He didn't know what a dragon was to know that was what it had been - nor did he know that the dragon had been one of his classmates. And the pressure, it was starting to hurt, he felt like his head was going to explode as he instinctively reached up to grab his face.

He hadn't gotten to grab water from Alfonso yet. He hoped he wouldn't be mad at him.

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Barty was enjoying himself. As much as he loved the attention and being a part of the action, he also had a soft spot for being a fly on the wall. Sitting back, relaxing against a bar with a drink in one hand, a smoke in the other, and – it felt as though there should be more. As if his view should be lower, more rapid, scuttling about people's feet unnoticed and unbothered. Lithe, fast, agile. But as quickly as that feeling had come, it had vanished. Barely a second thought in the mind of a centuries old witch. He realized there should be more, he had his drink but was missing his cigarette. That must've been why he felt so unbalanced.

Barty crunched onto the hard candy, finishing it quickly before he took another swig of Scotch to wash it down. He set the glass back down before pulling out another cigarette, lighting it once more before taking a long heady drag and allowed it to sit, washing away any other feelings he may have had as he closed his eyes. He could hear shuffling, people falling, and as he opened one eye he watched as Callaghan began to grow. Great. He was not going to be happy about this later. But it wasn't something so dire that Barty felt he'd need to enchant the dragon for it. But as a table fell and his twin was otherwise…preoccupied, it fell to him to call it all off.

A long heavy and tired sigh followed by a thick trail of smoke the curled out and around his lips as he began to stand up from his relaxed position. ”No need to worry yourself little Shadow Cat, Rohan need not have use of his ever so wonderful stick. However…” Barty took another long drag of his cigarette before facing Rohan. The next words laced with smoke as he spoke in his direction. ”If you wish to help you can use that staff to escort these lovely patrons out like an adorable shepherd. I believe the party is over as my table has just been damaged.” He looked towards Alfonse and Milthza, gesturing for them to aid in the removal of these drugged individuals.

Barty clapped his hands loud enough for everyone to hear. ”Alrighty folks, it is that time of the night where you all must leave my wonderful presence and domicile and head quite literally anywhere else. I do not care. There will be water upon your exit please stay hydrated, if you refuse that service it's on you and your horrible hangover you'll have the next day! If you do not recall your way back to your dorm simply fuck off to another part of the school. As always have a pleasant night and we do hope you enjoyed your time here in The Haven. Please don't hesitate to visit again and partake in the myriad of beverages and treats that we offer.”

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For Willow, the flames and screaming faded away and instead a paralyzing darkness took its place. There was no safety in this – a prison and a punishment for the sordid crime of life that Willow felt deep, deep in her bones. Movement was painful and there was no solace in this world – something evil, something warped, paced just outside her sight.

For Cassie, the slight cough cleared up as twelve butterflies crawled out of her mouth and fluttered about. Intricate runes burned along their wings and they left a trail of magic, her magic, behind them, before settling like jewels all over her. One that settled on her ear asked a soft question in a strange, broken voice: Who’s next?

For Finley, the fear faded away as their head cleared a little and they remembered where, and when, they were. Cal was a solid figure against them and they felt Dysphoria’s constant affection deeply – the world’s colors still shimmered and shifted but Finley was on the way to shrugging off the drugs.

For Jake, the pressure became unbearable. The pressure grew and he could feel the edges of his skull begin to split skin. But as quickly as it began, the pressure vanished and instead Jake was left with a sinking sensation in his stomach. Something had changed in the distance, a hole he didn’t know where, and something sleeping stirred for just a moment.

For Annika, her power surged again. Intense and overwhelming, it touched each of her creatures and they hissed and spat and shadows came off of them like embers. Without warning, they all split twice more and the room quickly filled with bunnies, terriers, and dragons.

Dysphoria felt a flash of possessiveness as Finley explained to Cal what would happen if her Lady appeared. Finley may be bound by such rules, but their Darling was theirs and they would happily tear Finley’s Lady limb from limb. Fey did taste yummy after all and it had been so long since Dysphoria had enjoyed a full meal of one. Still, such talk would only upset Finley so Dysphoria settled for tightening their hold on the fey, more tendrils scattering across them. “I will keep you safe, my Darling. No matter where you go, they won't harm a single hair on your head.” Dysphoria spoke softly, just for Finley, and kissed beneath their ear.

The big bug fluttered to them, panic and distress in every line of their body, and Dysphoria extended a tendril to it. “Do not worry, little bug. Come to me and I will keep you safe from the spooky things. I like eating spooky things the most.” Dysphoria cooed softly, their grin revealing row after row of large, razor sharp teeth and biting playfully.

Nicholas swallowed down the bubbles, the sweetness making him wrinkle his nose just a bit, but before he could complain, he stumbled back as he was shoved out of the way of Cal’s transformation. He went wide eyed, watching the attractive man elongate and flee to the other side of the room. A small flare of jealousy ran through him as Finley was snatched away with him. Cuddling with the dragon looked comfy and Nicholas lost all interest in the bubbly boy, stepping on him without a care as he stumbled forward. Alfonse lifted the tray of water as Nicholas nearly ran into it, gave Barty a look, and continued towards the exit. He held the tray out, plastic cups of water ready for people to leave.

“I’d recommend everyone take two. It will help get it out of your system.” Alfonse.

Nicholas stumbled over the dogs and rabbits, managing to catch himself on a chair, but he saw one at the feet of the dragon: a little shadow copy of it and he snatched it up without a second thought. “Dràgon beag cho grinn. Ag iarraidh fear.” He muttered, the drugs making him louder than normal, but he brought it up and kissed the snout and held it despite it trying to wiggle free. His head snapped up at his brother’s declaration and he smiled slyly, leaning against Cal with an ease and a look he usually reserved for behind closed doors. “Chan e sibhse triùir, ge-tà. Tha planaichean agam. Bidh e spòrsail.”

“Rohan, Connie, you need a hand with them or you got it?” Milthza asked, coming around the bar to kneel.down and help Jake up. “As for you, you really shouldn't put those two before yourself. They'll hang you out to dry if it'll help them.”

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Cassie felt a slight scratch in her throat before she coughed a bit, dislodging whatever it was. She tried to speak, but no words were uttered. Instead, she felt movement. As she opened her mouth to speak to Connie, a few butterflies flew out. Cassie watched in mild horror mixed with sheer delight as they flew around her. On their wings were symbols Cassie could not quite understand. There was also a trail of magic behind them that she recognized as her own. The butterflies flittered about before landing on her. And as she watched she felt a voice echo in her ear.

Who’s next?

”Who’s next? I don’t know what you mean magical, beautiful butterfly.”

For a moment Connie thought that Cassie was talking to her, or Willow, but it was clear that Cassie was talking to something else, something on her from what Connie could tell. She didn’t understand what Cassie meant, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t try to help her.

”Thank you, Milthza. I’ve got Cassie here. After I get her back to her room I can swing by and see if there are any stragglers.” Connie figured that there would be at least a few of Nick and Barty’s favorites staying so she wouldn’t have to worry about them. Those were also the ones who were more experienced at this sort of ...experience. The ones who needed help were the newbie students. She grabbed water for Cassie offering her the drink.

”Have some water Cassie. Then I’ll get you back to your room.” Connie wasn’t sure that the water was 100% mundane, but it was okay if it wasn’t. If it wasn’t she figured it probably had some herbal remedies in it to help bring people down in a controlled way.

The butterflies turned to stare at Cassie, pausing in their dance for just a moment. Next, next, next. Who is next? Whose bell rings and flowers wilt and next, next, next?

Cassie’s eyes glazed over as the butterfly spoke to her, mixed in accordance with another tone. She looked to see Connie staring at her, a mixture of concern and wonder. A cup in front of her that Cassie stared in, her reflection highlighting itself. Cassie took the cup and giggled, letting it move and dance. ”Is this magic water? This school is magic everywhere so it has to be, right? Is this going to make my skin change color? Or make it so I can fly? Oh, like the butterfly! Connie do you see the butterflies? They are asking who’s next and I don’t know quite how to tell them I don’t know. Maybe Jake will be next? Or Barty or Nick? Or Willow? Or Cal….ohmygod maybe Cal! He’s so cute! But I don’t have a chance with him if he’s already kissing the boys as well as the girls…” she trailed off as she managed to sip some of the water in the cup, tasting it ever so. ”Oh it’s regular water. Still beautiful though…”

”I don’t see any butterflies.” Connie told Cassie, at least it was butterflies now and not corpses. This was a better hallucination. ”Come on, walk with me.” She offered her arm and started to lead Cassie toward the dorms.

”As for Cal, you probably have as good a chance with him as almost any one else. Several of your new peers are very sexually liberated and would be interested in at least one evening with you. They are also very good at taking no for an answer, which is very nice of them.” Connie had never had to be overt about her dislike of sex, it had been generally obvious enough. Any sort of approach had been rebuffed and left alone. She did appreciate that of the twins and the others. Just like they never pressured her to drink alcohol or consume drugs.

Connie was trying to steer the conversation into the more ‘real’ and avoided talking about the butterflies. It helped that Cassie had an interest in more than just whatever that was about. She was nervous about what Cassie had seen with the corpses and now the butterflies talking to her. Sometimes magic hallucination gave true visions.

Little dragon, scared and sad, will he see the sun again?

The butterfly spoke in riddle, which was just dandy. But it was Connie’s words that took most of her attention. Despite the bubbly, giggly nature she felt in her gut, Cassie blushed when the topic of sex came up. If everyone here was sexually experienced, then what was she? An outlier. A freak. ”Connie, psst Connie, I have a secret to share with you,” she whisper-yelled as she walked along. ”I never had sex. Ever. I was homeschooled by my parents ever since I was a child. Never spoke to another kid unless it was some weird inbred rando who came with their parents when mine threw a party. I never even kissed anyone!”

Cassie’s mind spun. She was looking forward to this school year, to learn magic and how to manage her own abilities, but if she was going to have to navigate the social spheres of young adults in college too she was going to be chewed up and spit out. ”Everyone here seems so cool and so sure of themselves and insanely attractive and I am the weird girl who never kissed a boy who blew a hole in her own bedroom to escape her parents. Oh right, I blew a hole in the wall to leave bee-tee-dubbs. That’s how I got here. Connie, I am doing all of the talking and I am so sorry and you are so nice and pretty, I bet you get all the boys. Or girls. Or the other ones….whichever you want, I am an ally!”

Connie smiled, she couldn’t help it not that she would have wanted to anyway. Cassie was being sweet. ”I have never kissed anyone either. That is very much so by choice. I am not interested in kissing, or anything else. So you are definitely not a freak for that. As for escaping your parents,” Connie paused. ”Sometimes drastic measures are required. You did good to get yourself out. I am proud of you.”

Connie spoke softly but with conviction. There was an echo there of her own past. She had failed at freeing herself, but she had been rescued. She filed away that Cassie probably had a lot of trauma to work through and to make sure she spent some time with her while she was sober. She didn’t like talking about her past, but if it helped Cassie to open up and work through her own stuff Connie was willing to, at least a little bit. Tonight, was not the time to start doing that though.

They came to Cassie’s room as she felt her eyelids get heavier. She still heard what Connie was saying. And perhaps she would fully process it in the morning, but until then Cassie’s mind was foggy. She had a small vision of a time in her past, on the beach, with her parents, and then it was dark. Red. Viscous. She couldn’t remember much past that.

As she opened her door (or rather, tried to by butting her head against it until she remembered doors had handles) she looked around, remembering. ”Oh, I share a room with Cal. And what’s his face. Roomy? Rogaine? I don’t know, he seemed nice though. So far some of the people seem nice. You are nice Connie.” She attempted to pat Connie’s arm but managed to swipe at her shirt instead.

Her bed, with its fluffy pink nature, was inviting. ”That was fun and scary and fun though, could have done without the body parts, but the butterflies were cool. Goodnight butterflies, perhaps you’ll share your secrets with me another day.”

The butterflies fluttered off of Connie and onto Cassie as she bid them goodnight. They began to smoke and sizzle and shimmer away, seeping back underneath her skin, bring her dreams of dragons and stars and long strands of magic woven into something safe and sound.

”Thank you. Rest well and goodnight.” Connie told Cassie. She got a glass of water and set it next to Cassie’s bed. ”If you wake up and feel unwell, drink some water. That means, any sort of headache or dry mouth.” She should have realized that Rohan roomed with Cassie. This would have been easier for him, she supposed. All well. She would have to tell Rohan what Cassie had called him. That was objectively funny.

Once Cassie was settled into bed and falling asleep Connie left the room and considered if she should go back and check on the others or just head to her own room. She decided on going to her room. Haven was likely closed by now or would be soon.

Cassie drifted sweetly to sleep, dreams of butterflies floating in her mind. A moment of peace despite the chaos looming.

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Callaghan snuggled close with Finley, ruffling her hair with a snort when she questioned if the miniature dragon was his. No, he seemed to say before he turned his head to look at Annika. Where it seemed the little witch produced several more mini Cal’s, bunnies, and terriers, all in shadow form. Cal grinned, his sharpened teeth glowing under the lights of Haven.

A soft voice called down to Callaghan from above, and he looked up to find the little one from earlier requesting safe haven. Ironic given the name of the place they were in.

---

Callaghan extended a wing to Willow at the same time Dys extended their smoke-like tendrils. It helped Cal feel more connected to Dysphoria, offering an extension like this while they were doing the same. Cal rumbled softly, hoping Willow would understand that he would provide her security and comfort in her time of need. He didn’t know what she was going through while high, but he suddenly felt very responsible for the safety of his little one. The twins obviously weren’t facilitating that.

Willow was still trying to sort through visions and time lines, but she could see the golden wing and the smoke-like tendril being extended to her. She could hear the rumbling and somehow knew it meant ‘safe.’ She moved in close and snuggled into the wing and let out a clicking sound as she settled in softly. Luna seemed to approve of this, and nuzzled in as well, looking between the two, three (?) there.

Once Willow was settled, Cal pulled his wing back, tucking Willow into his side. He watched her closely, making sure she was okay.

Annika dashed over, skirting around a mountain of Terriers, rabbits, and shadow dragons. ”Willow! Is everything okay?” she eyed the dragon suspiciously. He seemed to be collecting people.

Willow let out a soft sound and nuzzled in close to the large dragon and let out a soft sigh. He was so warm, he reminded her of curling up with capybaras. She looked down as she heard a voice, Annika’s, and took a moment to process what she said. ”Things are better for the now. For the later, no.” She curled up more into the wing as she curled up with the dragon more.

Annika frowned. What the hell did that mean? She looked at Cal. ”You seem to be collecting bodies, Dragon man. Don't be deceived by Lunchbox Jr. and the other cute animals I've conjured here. I can take you,” Annika declared. A few shadow dragons flew up to land on Cal, running along his folded wings and back.

Callaghan gave Annika an incredulous look. Maybe she was right but the look she portrayed at the moment led him to his doubts. Besides, Cal would never harm that which was his. He held Willow and Finley closer in defiance of Annika's statement.

Willow could hear the intent in Annika’s voice and paused. ”Annika, I asked him for help. Also, he’s my coven mate. Thank you for your concern but I’m safe. I promise.” She ran her hand along Cal’s side and nuzzled in closer to him as he held her closer. She hoped that would help placate Annika.

Annika grabbed one of the shadow dragons off Cal and tickled under their chin. ”Fine. But you tell me if that changes,” she said. She gave Cal a stern look before walking away with her shadow friends.

Cal snorted, entertained by Annika and her need to look out for Willow. It was something he could relate to. Callaghan had taken a liking to Willow almost immediately. There was a kinship there. He focused on her now, brushing his nose along her hair and ruffled it up a bit.

”You’ll know, I promise.” Willow chuckled softly and then nuzzled in closer and giggled as he ruffled her hair up a bit at that point. ”Thank you Cal.” She ran her hand along his muzzle and let out another content sigh. Sure, everything was still blurring together but for the moment, she still felt safe.

A soft rumble reverberated through Cal and he shut his eyes, leaning into Willow's touch. He was simply glad his little one felt safe. He had done his job well.

---

Shortly after that, Cal felt the pressure of another human curling into his side, speaking in another language. Cal shifted his head and flicked his reptilian eyes to look down at the mortal who decided to seek safety from a dragon.

Nicky.

The elder witch cradled a shadow dragon in his arms, speaking with an all too familiar look on his face. Right. Cal had been looking forward to catching up with Nicky, Barty, Finley, and Dys. But now he could do without the twins. He was still frustrated with them, but that look on Nick’s face was quickly softening Cal’s resolve. A low rumble vibrated through his body, and he tucked his head down to rest between Finley and Nick.

Cal kept his tail wrapped around Finley, pressing her to him, while one wing remained tucked around Willow to shelter her from whatever was disturbing her.

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Power surged through Annika, unexpected and unchecked, and the room quickly filled with more cute puppies, bunnies, and dragons. The sight was adorable and made moving around a little difficult, but Annika still managed to make her way across the floor and back to the bar.

She deposited the shadow dragon she had been carrying onto the bar top before accepting the water. Annika finished the glass quickly, grateful for the hydration. The last time Annika had used a lot of power, she had been knocked out for 24 hours. She wasn’t sure if she would end up having the same type of power hangover since it was under the influence of drugs. And she didn’t particularly care at this point.

It was then that Barty was kicking them out of Haven. Fine by Annika. She wanted a bigger space to see what kind of tricks she could create.

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”Y’know what, I think they’ve got it, actually,” He told Mithza. Connie seemed to be handling one of them at the very least. Somehow, it appeared Cal got himself under control pretty quickly while surrounded by a bunch of damn shadow dragons, and moving through the Neverish with three or four plastered wizards that didn’t know their ass from a phylactery was going to be a hassle. Then again… ”Hmm… If the brothers want them out that bad, they know how to get favors.” Rohan could crack jokes, too. He sat the now-empty mug off to the side on a coaster, and tapped his staff against the floor.

”If anybody thinks they’re too intoxicated to get back out on their own, now’s the time to let me know,” He announced. ”I’m heading out, so come if you’re coming.” He wasn’t about to just use the staff’s power on them, then turn around and let them get drunk again. It was getting late, and he wasn’t about to fall asleep for a few more months, but they were getting kicked out.

”Best not to keep the old man waiting.” He felt sassy today.

Annika reached for another glass of water when Rohan made his pronouncements. She looked him up and down.

”You're not old,” she declared.

”I meant that old man,” He explained, pointing his stick in Barty’s direction. Root ruffled his wooden feathers on his shoulders. ”He’s immortal.”

Annika followed the pointy stick to look at Barty. She cocked her head and drank her water, nearly spitting it out when Rohan said he was immortal. ”Really?” She moved closer to Rohan to whisper, but in her inebriated state, it was more like she was talking at a normal volume. ”Why is he in school then? He definitely doesn't need it.”

”Ask him yourself. But between you and me, I’m pretty sure it’s just fun for him. All the time in the world, you get bored sooner or later. You coming?”

Annika nodded eagerly. ”Yes, please! Come along Charlie and Lunchbox Jr. We're going on an adventure,” she said, hopping towards the picture frame. She continued to cradle one of the dragons in her arms.

Rohan spun around on his heel and saw himself out, slow enough for Annika and her creatures to follow. He opened the door and headed down the long and winding tunnel that led back out into the school itself.

It was not until they were out and able to speak easily that he struck up a conversation.

”So… What’s with the dragons?” He asked. ”You summon things?”

Thankfully, the three creatures Annika called to had made it through the otherwise of the portrait. The Shadow Terrier, Lunchbox Jr., and Barker bounded down the hallway, whereas the rabbit, Charlie, hopped around their collective feet and sniffed corners.

Annika rubbed the shadow dragon's chin, her power tingling just underneath the surface still. ”Oh, yes. This is one of the little tricks I have. Once I see an animal or creature, I can recreate it completely from shadow. I've used them to help me fight or just keep me company. My family told me our ancestors used to be able to transform into animals. I developed this ability shortly after that. A sort of homage to the family I didn't grow up with,” Annika explained, feeling talkative thanks to the drug.

That was interesting. Could she recreate monsters, or demons, or other things that weren’t inherently natural to Earth? Rohan would have to remember not to let Annika follow him into the woods.

”You didn’t grow up with them? Looks like they taught you a lot.”

Annika shook her head, smiling fondly. ”No, I was adopted. But my dad never stopped helping me try to find my family.” She scratched her dragon friend once more before setting him down to chase after the Terrier.

”What about you?” Annika looked over, wondering if Rohan’s familiar would accept scratches.

”I learned my stuff myself. Started back when I took a long walk, realized I’d gotten across an ocean in just a couple of days. I think I figured it out okay.”

His owl croaked.

Annika squinted her eyes at Rohan. ”You walked across the ocean? What are you, Jesus?” Annika asked and laughed until the owl croaked.

”Hello again, shonkwahsótha.” She held her hand out to the great, wooden owl, hoping to make a new friend.

Root craned his head forward, like a cat. He blinked slowly, also like a cat.

”No, that’d be weird. I cut a raft out of a tree, first. Then I crossed an ocean. Turned out to be magic, since it was so fast.”

”Ah, that makes more sense,” Annika agreed. She turned her hand over and curled a finger and rubbed it gently against the owl's wooden nose and headed like she would have with any other bird or owl.

”So is your magic tied to nature, or more specifically trees,” she asked her coven mate curiously.

”Both, kind of. It’s complicated… I could take moss and make something that heals wounds, or sap from a tree to make what’s basically Greek Fire.” He didn’t have any at the moment, but there was always a use for it. ”A tree just happens to have a lot of uses for magic.”

Annika smilgrinned and bounced a little as she walked. ”Both. That makes sense. Trees hold so much spiritual and ancestral energy. And wood acts as a conduit. Scientifically speaking,” Annika said.

”Yeah, something like that. And there’s… A few thousand species of them, I can pull off different things depending on the one I use. I’ve got a mask made of bog wood that lets you see things normal eyes can’t. A magic ring made of Yew, which is usually planted in churches, and a few other things.”

Root’s head twitched around Annika’s fingers, it seemed like he was… Purring? Like a cat.

Annika’s eyes sparkled and she sighed wistfully. She pet the owl for a moment longer before she pulled her fingers back. [color=#66339]”That would be nice. To be connected to nature like that..”[/color] She fiddled with the shirt tied around her waist.

When Annika was first introduced to her family, she had worried her magic was a bastardaztion of what nature truly was. It was a complicated feeling, since she loved the Everdark and the knowledge it shared with her. She knew how special that place was and how much it meant that it had accepted her. But some days she still felt like something was missing.

”There’s a whole planet we’re standing on, you know. Just take a walk, get away from the screens and the cars, it’s not so difficult.” Just don’t bring me along, he elected not to add on.

”It’s easy to get disconnected in places like this, but it’s easy to find it again.”

Annika glanced at Rohan, she smiled a little but shook her head. That wasn’t entirely what she was getting at. [color=#66339]”Is there anything else we can do after classes other than go to Haven? I feel like I wouldn’t be able to sleep even if I tried.”[/color] Annika was still vibrating with energy.

”Depends. There’s a library that people can spend time in, so long as they don’t wreck the place. There’s a few workshops some of us use to constructive magic like mine…”

Root jumped from Rohan’s shoulder to Annika’s.

”...You could always go for a walk. It’s a big school, I’m sure someone’s got something planned.”

The mention of workshops had Annika bouncing on the balls of her feet with a little more interest. She could do whatever she wanted if she had a workshop. Or if Rohan let her borrow his. The shadows in the hallway seemed to turn with interest in Annika’s direction, drawn to her sudden excitement.

When Root moved to Annika’s shoulder, the girl’s eyes widened before she giggled and offered the sweet owl more pets. It was easier to run her fingers along his wooden wings and head this way.

[color=#66339]”Do you think I could borrow your workshop? Does it have a window?”[/color] If there was a sliver of moonlight showing, Annika could work with the light. She was still honing her skill with Mother Moon.

”Technically, it’s not mine,” He grinned, watching those two enjoy each other. ”Belongs to the school, but if you’re careful about bumping into things and not setting of any spells? Sure, go right ahead. Windows are locked, though. I’ve got a spare key somewhere… We’re gonna be using one a lot, I think, when Marino gets her hands on us.”

Annika continued to pet Root while they walked, it simply being a task that faded into the background. [color=#66339]”You could just let me in yourself. I don’t know where I’m going,”[/color] she reminded him. She was disappointed to hear the windows were locked, but maybe she could figure out a way to open them anyway. At the mention of their professor and mentor’s name, Annika concentrated on Root a little more.

[color=#66339]”Any words of advice when it comes to her?”[/color]
The owl croaked again. Clearly, he had a way with words.

”Never met her, no clue.” Rohan twirled his staff around until it rested in the crook of his arm. ”Seemed awfully eager to meet me and get to work, though. So maybe don’t let her catch you standing around doing nothing.”

They turned a corner, and Rohan fished around in his pockets. ”Speaking of work, maybe I will let you in. Might as well, I won’t be sleeping much anyway.”

[color=#66339]”Oh, is she new?”[/color] Annika asked, while smiling at Root. Once they reached Rohan’s workshop, the shadows seemed to relax and settle back into their natural formation. They were obviously happy with the decision to visit the workshop.

Annika was never one to stand around and do nothing. Her father always made sure she was learning, and her family used silences as moments of teaching as well.

[color=#66339]”Are you a light sleeper?”[/color] Annika asked, standing outside Rohan’s workshop with her three shadowy companions and Root on her shoulder. She looked like the rejected version of a Disney Princess, standing in her grudge clothes, with an assortment of magical animals.

”Not exactly.” When they pulled up to the door, he finally produced a simple iron key that they gave out to anyone that needed a space like this. The door had his name written on it, and it opened without a sound.

The inside was cold, and pitch black until he stepped in. Lanterns lit up along the walls, and a practical-looking chandelier that looked more like a hanging furnace lit up overhead to fill the room with light. It was pretty simple and straightforward in there. Long tables with papers and other things stacked away, hammers and chisels, the usual things.

”I just don’t sleep unless it’s winter, magic thing.”

Annika waited to step inside until Rohan did. The room lit up, and she did a small turn, her hand brushing along Rohan’s name on the door. She nodded her head appreciatively. Simple yet perfect. Her shadowed animals bounded in, examining everything that they could at eye level. The dragon seemed to find a spot on top of the chandelier and curled up. They looked very content.

Annika walked over to one of the tables and peered down at the papers. She smiled at Rohan’s statement. [color=#66339]”Magic thing. Sounds more like a bear thing,”[/color] she teased.

”You could say that, yeah. Basically impossible to fall asleep unless it gets cold enough, and then it’s hard to stay awake.” He sat the key down on one of the tables, cherry wood that was nearly black with age. He sat the Mountain Scepter down beside it. ”If you’re unlocking the windows, make sure they’re locked when you’re done. Don’t want anything sneaking in.”

He walked over to a smaller table, which contained several cubes of wood carved with monstrous faces. It had drawers underneath it, which he pulled a few tools out from.

Annika turned around and leaned against one of the tables, watching Rohan. [color=#66339]”What would sneak in?”[/color]

”Ghosts, ghouls, goblins, demons, the wrong kind of dragons…” Or the Wrong Things. ”You never know, when you’re in a place like this. That key goes to the windows, have at it. You have any artifice experience, or did you get picked at random? I’m rounding up some tools for tomorrow while we’re here.”

Annika grinned and grabbed the key. [color=#66339]”Mmm, so the usual then? As long as there are no Green-Eyed ones here, I think we can manage a few rogue demons. And I can create dragons now.”[/color] Annika took the key and reached up to unlock the window. She inhaled the fresh air, feeling infinitely more clear-headed. What she wouldn’t give to just run around outside and find a lake to jump into. Annika turned and set the key on a table.

[color=#66339]”Metal working. Although, I suppose I need to stay away from metals Finley doesn’t like.”[/color] They seemed particularly concerned with Annika’s metal work.

”Yeah, they’re fae.” He picked out a chisel and a wood mallet, then went over to another table to grab two sharpening stones. ”Iron is bad, so is silver, copper, pretty much anything like it if you want to play it safe. It’s like poison for Finley’s people.” Which was, coincidentally, why Rohan made sure to take good care of the steel sword Connie had gifted him once. Just in case not lying wasn’t actually a problem.

”I don’t have a lot for metal, but I do have stuff to keep an edge sharp.” He sat the stuff on the table, looking it over. ”Root, go grab the knife set.”

The owl chirped and fluttered into the air.

Annika wandered over to Rohan’s side after Root flew off. She peered down at his work. [color=#66339]”What are you working on?”[/color] she asked, her previous notions of playing with the moonlight gone.

”Thinking about what Marino’s gonna have us do. The whole coven’s meeting to discuss the Mystery, and that means we ought to be prepared to waste zero time. Gonna throw some of the good tools I have together, with a few to spare just in case.”

Root swooped down to a rack and clamped his wooden claws on a leather, rectangular thing. He brought it over, and Rohan caught it mid-air. He opened it and pulled out a knife that resembled a cleaver.

”I do have a few other things I want to work on, though. I’m short on arrows, those will be easy to make. And I ran out of Flamepitch before I came back… Hm. Root, the sandalwood.”

Root flew off again.

The coven’s mystery, the assignment for the year. Annika took a step back, looking around Rohan’s room once more. She gravitated back towards the window, staring up at the sky. She thought back to Sariel’s words earlier. They would meet in a lab tomorrow to start working on how to discover this mystery. How does one find a mystery? If the mystery of her life was any indication, it was done through a lot of research and experimentation, but at least then Annika knew the mystery was herself. This mystery was just that. A mystery.

Annika pushed away from the window and wandered back to Rohan. [color=#66339]”Have you solved many mysteries?”[/color] she asked, picking up one of the blades he had.

”Hm, not really.” He was already trying to solve the problem of losing his humanity. Another mystery on top of that was… A challenging prospect. ”There’s all kinds of things people don’t know. It’s only impossible until it’s done. You?”

[color=#66339]”Aside from the mystery about me? A few…but my father was always there. He told me we solved one a long time ago, but I have no recollection of it,”[/color] Annika said, darting around that topic of conversation. [color=#66339]”Hopefully we will have more of a direction tomorrow. At least a starting point,”[/color] Annika said. She stuck the point of the knife on her finger and twirled it.

”That’ll help, yeah. Careful with that, it’s sharp.” Root dropped a long length of wood down onto the table, then swooped around over to Annika again.

”He seems to like you.”

Annika smilked. [color=#66339]”Sharp things never bothered me,”[/color] she said, but set the knife down to make Rohan happy. She turned to Root and offered a finger for him to nibble on. [color=#66339]”And I like him. As I got older, my father would leave more often for various things. When I was lonely, I’d talk to my familiar or find other creatures to talk with. They’re just easier to get along with. They like you or they don’t. There isn’t any of that pretending to like you just to save face.”[/color]

Root just tilted his head at her.

”He doesn’t talk much, but he’s always decent to be around. He’s a good scout when I’m in the woods. It’s hard getting lost, or caught off guard by anything thanks to him. Who’s yours?” He asked, grabbing a knife, ruler and pencil from around the shop.

[color=#66339]”He certainly wouldn’t do that if he didn’t like you,”[/color] Annika agreed. [color=#66339]”Nochella. They pop in and out as they want, unless I really need them. She sort of, formed one day and never left.”[/color]

Rohan took to drawing out straight lines on the wood block he had, then using the knife to split it into smaller pieces. ”Just out of nowhere? She’s magic too, not just some ordinary animal like some familiars, huh?”

Annika smiled and nodded. [color=#66339]”She is. She moves between home and here through portals and shadows. A bit of complicated magic,”[/color] Annika said, picking up one of the smaller blocks. After she examined it, she offered it to Root.

Root stuck his beak around it, and just held.

”That sounds pretty useful, actually. Root flies and he’s hard to spot in the air. Something that can slip through portals, I can see that being hard to find too. I guess you get around easy, yeah?”

He was whittling the pieces of wood into straight shafts, which he’d turn into arrows eventually.

[color=#66339]”Even faster than building a magical raft to get across the ocean,”[/color] she grinned.

”I bet.” He grinned, gliding a draw knife over an arrow shaft. ”Do you do any archery? I’ve got a magic bow stored away in my dorm. Thinking about making some magical arrows, too.”

Despite being a magical craftsman, there didn’t actually appear to be any cool relics or supernatural whatnots in this workshop. Rohan made a point to keep those with him when he left for the woods.

Annika shook her head, finding the way Rohan worked soothing. [color=#66339]”No… I created one from shadows once, but I gravitated towards a blade,”[/color] she informed Rohan before yawning.

”I’ve got one of those too. A sword, but it’s metal and not wood. I should look into making a wooden blade sharp and hard as steel, though. I have a piece of ironwood in here somewhere, it’d be perfect.”

He cut some notches into the arrow shafts. ”Nothing’s keeping you here, by the way. I know some people here still actually sleep.”

”A wooden blade would be interesting. I'm sure you could trial and error it until it's refined enough to work better than even steel or shadow,” Annika commented. She pulled over a blank piece of paper and found a writing tool before she started doodling on the page.

”I'm okay… Besides, I think it might be quieter here than in my dorm. I share with Jake and Frankie,” she told Rohan. And Jake had been spitting bubbles earlier and all over one of the twins. She didn't know how Frankie had fared, but Rohan's workshop seemed like a safer bet.

”Probably not nearly as comfortable. But it’s fine if you want to stay a while, that Jake guy did seem like a lot.” All it really meant was that Rohan wasn’t going to try restocking on Flamepitch tonight. Not while someone else was in here. He didn’t want anyone seeing that.

Annika smiled and nodded, continuing to doodle a wooden sword while falling into a comfortable silence with Rohan.

Root trotted over and plopped down beside Annika, then shut his eyes. Meanwhile, Rohan kept up his work, and in a strangely short amount of time, he had a decent pile of them. Twenty in all. He gathered them up and tied some twine around them for later, and then double checked the edges on all the knives and chisels. The windows were locked, double and triple checked, and stared through before he was sure everything was in order.

Next, he secured an old wooden toolbox, and started laying some tools for tomorrow inside. It was near midnight when everything was set for tomorrow.

”Planning on staying up much later?” He asked Annika.

Annika had slowly drifted. She started with resting her head against Root. He made a good companion and place to roost. The sound of Rohan's voice had her jumping and dropping the pencil in her hand. She flushed with embarrassment.

”Um… no. I should go to bed.” She stood and stretched, yawning wide enough for her jaw to crack. She looked down at the doodle of the wooden sword. It looked simple and straightforward enough, but she tried to embellish it. Adding a small Root at the top of the blade.

”Don’t let me keep you. I’ll probably still be in here by the time you’re awake, if you come looking for me. If I’m not in here, I’ll be on my way to meet everyone.”

Annika smiled and nodded. She left the paper on the table and rubbed her thumb along Root’s head.

”Good night then.”

---

---

Finley felt much better. The tendrils of Dysphoria greatly helped. Between Dysphoria and Callaghan they felt safe and secure. The fear of their Lady coming dissipated and suddenly water seemed like a good idea.

”I know, and love you so much for that.” Fin told Dysphoria.

”Oh, water for me too please.” Fin raised their hand from their cozy spot. They did not particularly want to get up and move to get the water. There was a solid chance that neither Milthza or Alfonse would actually bring them water, but they could hope.

Fin looked up at Nicholas, they did not understand the words that were said, but his body spoke for him. Finley smiled brightly, mischief written in their features with their excitement.

”Do we have a room reserved?” It would be one of the bigger rooms if they all would be going. Finley was quite excited at the prospect.

“Iad uile dha-rìribh. Chùm mi a h-uile duine a-mach air ur son uile. Bha mi cho airson suathadh.” Nicholas offered sweet words with little care for how future Nicholas would feel about them. The mischief in Finley's eyes made his own brighten and he pushed himself upright once more, stumbling a bit as he made his way over for the keys behind the bar and muttering “A bheil sinn ag iarraidh stuth no àite? Ach, tha Cal mòr agus mar sin feumaidh àite a bhith againn ach feumaidh sinn stuth.” They would have to use the playroom - not necessarily as comfy, but it would have the space for the dragon.

Barty snagged four whiskey glasses from behind the bar, pouring ice cold water out of a pitcher and into each one before he palmed two in each hand. He held his cigarette gingerly between his lips as he lazily made his way towards the individuals he knew more fondly. ”What my dear brother here is trying to say, is that you three are to remain here. You need not clear out and…well I think we can accommodate for both size and pleasure. We'd just need to move a few toys around.” Barty handed a glass to Nicky, Finley, Dysphoria, and Callaghan. Though as he went to hand it to Cal he noticed two things. The moth still lingering abouts and the fact that this was way too little water for a dragon of his size. But he couldn't very well go fetch a pool now could he? ”Drink.” He said in equal parts concern and demand. ”bhiodh e na chuideachadh mura biodh ar cànan dùthchasach agad”

Callaghan watched the crowd disperse, ignoring Nicky while he mumbled in his native tongue and stumbled across to the bar. He only lifted his head when Barty approached with glasses, offering water to all and looked at Willow. Cal growled a warning. She wasn't leaving. Not until she was ready.

Willow reached out for the water when it was thrust at her, and then heard the growl. She reached up and ran her free hand along Cal’s muzzle again, and then looked at the person that had handed her the drink. Was that her other covenmate, or his twin? She honestly didn’t know at the moment, but it seemed he wanted her to go. She made a face and curled up more in Cal’s wing as she sipped her water. She wasn’t ready to go yet. She was safe and warm, and two of the others there had offered her safety. Besides, she was still sorting through the past, present and future. Who knew if she could find her way to her room.

Fin had no idea what Nicholas was saying. It was beautiful to listen to. They longed to understand and was thankful when Barty explained. They took their water and drank it deep and quick. ”Refreshing. Ohh toys.” At Callaghan’s rumbles they leaned back into his body, letting the rumbles stimulate them.

Dysphoria basked in Finley's feelings and reached out to run a tendril along Willow's wings. “The little bug will accompany us, but I do not think partake. The bug seems quite distressed and our fun would not bring it relief, we think.” Dysphoria said to Barty. “But we would welcome the bug if the bug wished. More fun!” Dysphoria's tongue flickered out as they tasted the air.

Nicholas paused as his brother shoved water in his hand and brought attention to his speech. Nicholas touched his fingers to his lips. He hadn't realized that he'd been speaking Gaelic, but that explained why the words felt much easier on the tongue. English was such a cold language, though it had been a long time since Nicholas had been a warm person. He drank his water, trying to clear his head, but the world was still bright and light and colorful and it almost hurt his eyes. Or maybe that was the dehydration catching up with him. Nicholas giggled and he snatched the playroom keys off their hook and made his way back over, keys hooked onto his belt after a few moments.

“Gods, it's been some time since I indulged.” Nicholas propped an elbow on his brother's shoulder. “But first, is everyone willing to join us tonight? I had planned we have our wicked ways with Callaghan, leave pretty little marks for the plaything that has her eyes set on him and wrap him up all pretty, but we need to know our limits.” Nicholas's gaze drifted up to Willow and blinked, having just realized she was there.

”Calm yourself Cal.” Barty said with an eased tone. Taking a long drag of his cigarette before blowing it to the side. He held the butt of it between his fingers as his hand fell towards his side. ”I only had enough hands to carry four of them. The…” His sentence died there as he took in Willow's form. He'd expected them to be fae, yet her aura was anything but. Peculiar. ”Creature? Is more than welcome to stay if she wishes to participate. And yes, Voyeurism counts as an act of participation.”

Callaghan ceased his rumblings as soon as Willow stroked his muzzle. He nuzzled her hair once more, pleased the little one was safe, and the others now knew her place among them. Dysphoria seemed particularly taken with Willow, for which Cal was glad.

His focus returned to the twins with interest. Nick wanted to play? And who was he to be wrapped for…Cassie. Of course. Callaghan had been so caught up with Finley earlier that he had forgotten to check in with how Cassie was handling the twins' idea of fun. He'd have to check in tomorrow, since he would most likely not be returning to his dorm until very late. Or very early depending on how one looked at it.

Callaghan unfurled his wing from around Willow and nudged them before he nodded to his back, offering her a place to retreat should she not want to walk to their new destination. He then extended the offer to Finley and Dys.

Willow finished her water, letting the cool water settle in her mouth for a moment before taking the last swallow. It helped calm her mind, and her second sight seemed to finally be coming back under her own reins. Present was becoming the only time she was settling into, and she was realizing that people there were addressing her. She took in their words and it took a moment for her to realize what the meanings were.

”I will stay, and watch. I am not disinterested in participating in the future, just after being in… several times tonight I need to reorient myself. Thank you.” Willow gently nuzzled Cal as he nudged her, and she gently moved onto his back and snuggled in close and wrapped her arms around him gently. She didn’t trust her legs just yet, so was ever so thankful that he was offering to give her a ride.

”Watch or join. You are welcome.” Fin did not care either way. The giant moth lady was interesting and getting a taste of her would be nice. ”Just know I like to bite.” Finley grinned, showing their teeth, sharper than a human's.

Finely unfolded themselves from Cal’s embrace, standing, stretching, now ready to proceed to the playroom. One of their hands mindlessly caressed a tendril from Dysphoria.

Dysphoria preened under Finley’s caress and pressed more firmly against their hand. “You’ll have fun, little bug. Nicky bleeds so pretty, Barty is mean in all the right ways, our dragon makes a gorgeous picture when he’s pleasured, and my Darling is a perfect jewel in the middle of it all.” Dysphoria promised and drew their tendril away from Willow as Finley stood, instead working a mark into their Darling’s neck with sharp teeth and a gentle tongue as excitement thrummed in their veins.

Nicholas took the opportunity he was presented – as Finley slid out of the dragon’s grasp and stretched, Nicholas wrapped his arm around their waist and pressed a kiss to the side of Dysphoria’s mouth where they worked against the skin. He could feel the same bubbling warmth in the pit of his stomach as when they first found the Fey and symbiote and he couldn’t help but grind against their thigh, reaching around and caressing Cal’s scales with his fingertips. “But those teeth hurt wonderfully. Can’t wait to feel them again.” Nicholas sighed, leaning as Dysphoria brought a tendril up against his neck and squeezed once – a promise for later. The warmth in his stomach grew and he let out a soft gasp as the sensation.

“No getting distracted, Nicky. We can’t hurt you out here.” Dysphoria reminded him and he blinked, distracted by the sensations and the colors on Finley’s dress. His other hand dipped beneath Finley’s clothes, caressing skin and tracing affection patterns in their hip.

“I like this outfit. Wear it the next time I win.” Nicholas murmured in Finley’s ear, gazing up and down Cal’s dragon form with hooded eyes before stumbling towards the door nearby.

Callaghan waited for Willow to settle before he stood. Now that he wasn't under the influence of drugs, he could control his movement more and watch out for others. Nick's attention on Cal didn't help the resolve he wanted to maintain. He seemed to shiver from the man's touch, and from the way his eyes roamed over Cal. Curse this man.

His claws tapped along the floor as he made his way through the main portion of Haven and into the playroom. He crouched down to pass through the doorway to make sure he didn't knock Willow off his back.

Willow was intrigued by the way they spoke of how they took pleasure. She had some of the basics of some things in mind, but biting, bleeding and being mean? Well now she had to watch. She cuddled in closer to Cal as he carried her into the playroom, small shivers of anticipation running up her spine. She didn’t need her second sight to know she would learn many things that night.

Finley followed along a bounce in her step. They’d have to remember this outfit for the future if Nicholas liked it that much. The dress was made of leaves, sticks and spiderweb. It was more illusion than anything, but was technically real enough for the rules. It didn’t require concentration to maintain it, but it wouldn’t last the night.

As the playroom door shut behind them and only one stranger remained, Alfonse sprinted behind the bar and into the back of the house. Milthza yanked Jake out of the way just in time to avoid being trampled again. “Oye, we still have a customer. Can't drop the nice guy act yet.”

“Shut the fuck up, hag. Did you see what just walked into the playroom? I have to tell whoever's opening tomorrow, they're going to die.” Alfonse laughed unkindly. “And clearly Mr. Macleod doesn't care about that one - he literally used him as a door mat. “

“You normally open on the weekends, Alfonse.” Milthza reminded him, rolling her eyes at the familiar insult. “I don't think they cared enough to change the schedule just because you picked up an extra shift.”

“I have my regular tomorrow so I'm not in ‘til seven!” Alfonse sang and then got real quiet. “Oooooooh no. Beatrix is on dungeon duty tomorrow.”

“I’m calling out.”

Alfonse stuck his head out, eyes wide and panicked. “You will absolutely not leave me alone with that harpy or I will smother you with a pillow.” Alfonse hissed. Milthza had a far away look in her eyes before sighing.

“If only.”

---

---

---

---

The pain in his head was so bad. Jake didn't know to be ashamed, or to conceal things, so as the pressure escalated he did not stifle his scream. He did not hide the tears that fell from his eyes, as he wished so desperately for it to stop. He didn't like candy. Not anymore. It hurt so much. It hurt so much that he would have done anything to make it stop, including die. And as he held his head, shrieking in pain, the pretty boy stepped on him. Had he forgotten he was there? But no, it hurt too much for Jake to think - too much for what the boy had done to really register.

And then suddenly, it stopped - warm vibrations spreading throughout his skull, as a horrible pit opened up in his stomach. He was on the ground, cradling his head, and he felt like he was drowning. Something terrible had happened. But what? All of the voices around him felt like tiny blades, pricking his skin. He just wanted everyone to stop - for everyone to go to sleep. Then he could figure out what had happened - then he could fix things.

He sniffled slightly, as someone came to help him. It wasn't one of his friends. That realization made the bad feeling even worse. His heart was beating faster in his chest, and he found himself wishing he could be anywhere else. He didn't know what this feeling was, but he didn't like it. He didn't like things that hurt. "But I'm... I'm supposed to protect people, I think," he mumbled. "And I'm not wet - so why would I be put out to dry?" he asked, accepting the help as he got back to his feet.

He didn't remember the way back to his dorm. But Barty had said if they didn't remember, they should go somewhere else in the school. And as Jake looked around the Haven, he saw everyone else seemed to be with someone. Cassie and Annika both were heading out with other people. And he wasn't part of the group that was supposed to stay behind. He blinked slightly, his throat feeling almost swollen. He didn't understand what was happening. But he could follow directions. "Thank you, for helping me," he said, a smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes, before Jake left the Haven.

And rather than return to his dorm, he set off in no particular direction, his mind preoccupied with one question:

Why do I hurt?

He'd never felt alone before. He didn't know the word.

---

---

---

A new day dawned on Strange Academy. The Academy gong ushered in the break of dawn, its magic traveling through the halls and deep into the bones of its students. Nightmares and dreams both shattered beneath the weight of its enchantment and students were dragged to the waking world once more.

While the rest of the students grumbled in their beds and woke to morning meditation or physical training classes, those who contemplated the Mysteries were permitted more freedom. The early morning was theirs, before the dining hall opened for morning meals and the students were expected at their Mysteries. Some may find sleep again, others wander the grounds, and some who'd been here for some years, may seek the comfort of familiar locales.

Connie, Barty, Jake

The Archive boasted a number of ancient, powerful, and cursed artifacts from across the universe, carefully contained and countered in every way manageable. Long, chained lights dangled from its vaulted ceilings and creaked as the tiniest vibration caused them to sway. The walls were dominated by tiny, tiny filing cabinets, the font of each written in a strange script that most would need a magnifying glass to even attempt to decipher. On a perch above it all, The Archivist watched unblinkingly. The Owlfolk sorcerer was as old and dusty as their note cards, their robes long faded and the color of their feathers long stolen by time. Still, they watched and hardly breathed as students came to peruse their Mysteries or the artifacts on display.

Four glass cases dominated the area, warded and locked, displaying the Wand of Watoomb, The Eye of Uatu, The Ka Stone, and Dragonfang.

Door number 12 was beyond that, in a narrow crowded hallway designed to dissuade wanderers from traveling. Black wrought iron numbers hung on the doors, guiding the coven members down, and although resistant, would reluctantly permit the Coven to pass.

Inside was a simple room. Bland white walls were covered with thin black veils, six floor length candelabras each boasting 7 candles that lit as the door opened. Incense on the single table caught flame and soon rosemary, basil, and thyme filled the room and four pairs of white gloves, each sized appropriately, sat neatly stacked next to the incense holder. A series of circles, lines, and symbols carved into the floor surrounded the center piece:

The Statue of Adrolyn.

Depicting a man curled around a cubic object, The Statue of Adrolyn perfectly captured the distress of its subject. Each wrinkle in the skin, the look of horror and resignation, a hand held up to deflect or to beg, and clothing disheveled and torn at pointing to struggle. Lines and glyphs, different that those in the floor, were also carved into the statue and they pulsed with a faint red glow.

Professor Croan stood across the room from the incense, contemplating the statue. Without offering a greeting, Croan spoke. “Don your gloves and examine the statue. Any means is acceptable; it is indestructible.”

Willow, Nicky, Callaghan, Cassiopeia

Professor Mikkail's sitting room was as flamboyant as one could expect. Large windows along the wall let the morning sun filter in, intricate designs along the heavy purple and gold curtains tied neatly aside. A light purple velvet sofa sat beneath an oil painting of a long, lithe silver dragon wrapped around a metallic ship in the center of an amethyst lake. Two armchairs matching the sofa flanked it, a coffee table with a pink and green table runner running down it and a matching china tea set laid out with cakes and sandwiches. Delicate looking vases hosted large blooming harcross flowers around the room and vines with large leaves trailed down from the ceiling.

At the far end of the room, a small solarium sat with its glass doors shut and locked. Inside, a variety of glowing flora soaked up the sun and a rocking chair held a heavy quilt, a well loved paper back neatly settled on top.

A gramophone played in the corner, where several bookshelves with small silver dragons inlaid into the shelves hosted a measly portion of Mikkail's writing and scrolls. Several writing instruments and kits were packed away on an intricate writing desk, a small music box the only dusty thing in the room.

On the coffee table, the Coven would find handcrafted leather note books. Each one had their name embossed in fine gold with the pin symbol beneath it.

Rohan, Finley/Dysphoria, Frankie, Annika

The journey to the heart of the Academy was as challenging as any task they'd been set so far: deadends, blind turns, ans vanishing staircases some of the more mundane obstacles put in their path. Still the directions proved mostly true and admist a hallway where no sound carried, a reinforced steel door with runes visibly crackling with eldritch power sat nestled between six massive suits of plate mail and oddly enchanting landscapes of a mountain and a frozen tundra where multicolored lights drifted across the canvas. Periodically, something moved in the distance of the paintings but it was too difficult to see properly.

The crackling energy stilled, one rune at a time, and blinding light spilled out of the doors. Sariel, wearing knee high boots, an unbuttoned lab coat over her clothes, and goggles dangling around her neck, stepped out and beamed. “Good morning, Coven! We have plenty to do so we'll jump right in. Take one of the lab coats here and a pair of safety goggles; you won't know what you'll be working with until you see it so better to be over prepared. Gloves will be available once we're fully inside.” Sariel gestured to a coat rack where a variety of sized coats and goggles were available. The space was in fact a circular hallway that enveloped a main chamber inside. A door, locked tight, could offer quick access but Sariel was already moving away from it as the doors shut behind the Coven.

“This is the primary artificer laboratory. It requires special permissions as the work done here is dangerous to more than just the body. If something goes wrong, it can affect the mind and even the soul. Do not attempt accessing this space recklessly.” Sariel warned. Inside tubing and wires covered the ceiling, pulses of the same eldritch energy skittering across the web like spiders. Equipment of all shapes and size hummed, hissed, and screeched but the most everyone catching were three large hour glasses suspended in the center above three flasks sitting on agitation tables that swirled impossibly slowly. Still, Sariel wasn't stopping.

“Due to the secure nature of this facility, and for your own safety, you will only have access to the primary material for one hour three times a week. Over exposure to the material can, and has, caused significant damage to individual's magic. Sometimes their health but that is usually repairable. You will, in lieu of unrestricted access, will have access to a section of the Library you typically would not. We'll go over that more once you understand the nature of your role.” Sariel stopped at the opposite side of the circle, where a plain wooden door was set into a blackened stone wall, and opened the door.

The room inside was twice the size of he previous one and the feeling of magic was nearly overwhelming. An archway stood in the center, ancient stone overgrown with strange, ethereal tendrils set into a floor of marble pavers that were only broken by a ring of brown-reddish brick with runes carved into them. Similar wires and tubing covered the vaulted ceilings and hummed with eldritch power that scattered into the next room. A workbench ran the length of the room and above it a variety of strange artifacts of all materials were carefully arraigned in specific patterns that, to an unobservant eye, seemed pointless.

“Welcome to the heart of the Academy - The first gate to the Neverish. And in this mystery you'll be diving into its very depths!”