KazAlkemi

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Primary Artificer Laboratory, Strange Academy
Grimore: Summon Animals
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Annika watched her professor’s movements, hanging off the woman’s every word. All of this was fascinating to her. Annika thought about the professor’s question and listened to Rohan’s answer as they all entered the next room.

Annika gravitated towards the furnace and anvil. She knew these instruments intimately and set her bag on the table nearby. She had a feeling she would be stationed here. Maybe with the jewellery as well. Especially if she had to stay away from iron for Finley’s sake. She would have to create a comprehensive list of metals that were acceptable to work with while she was in this coven.

Annika caressed the anvil like it were a lover. ”Infusing magic into an object could be good if you need to pull on the magic of that place, as well. In a way, that can provide a bridge or a connection. As for crafting something... I could infuse silver or gold. Both are powerful, precious metals that can enhance magic, as well. Unless you would advise, I didn’t,” Annika said, turning to look at Finley fully. She didn’t want to make enemies here.

It was the first time Annika had worked with others aside from her dad or Uncle Max. She wanted to do both of them proud, but she also wanted to make her own connections. Her own mark.

”Also, I can make portals if we need them,” Annika added as an aside.

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Location: Mikkail’s Sitting Room, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills:
Fit

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Nicky’s subtle reaction to Cal’s words was pleasant, even if it was lacking. Cal knew Nick always made up for his indifference behind closed doors. Besides, the indifference was sort of a turn on for him. At least from Nicky.

Cal flipped through a few pages of the book until he realized it was a notebook meant to contain his findings for this year’s task. Ah, a shame. The knowledge would have to come later. Cal tucked the book into his seat’s cushion, resting an arm on the back of the couch. He crossed his left leg over his right and tapped his foot along to an invisible beat until Mikkail walked in with a flourish. Cal grinned. He had a thing for the theatrics. Honestly, Cal had a thing for everything.

Malleus Maleficarum. Cal ran the Latin word around in his head before he spoke it out loud, trying it out for size. Cal knew the translation of the word; he also knew it carried a dark past and was not, at all, a good thing. And that was all he knew. He turned his head, listening to Cassie speak out about the book. He smiled, leaning slightly forward as she divulged more of her knowledge.

While she explained, Cassie poured him a cup of tea before doing the same. The gesture was unnecessary but kind all the same, and Cal found Cassie adorable for it. His eyes drifted from the girl to glance at Willow and Nick to see what they thought. Cal always hoped to tease a little. It always made the release later on better. Then Cal felt a slight burning followed by vigorous patting. Cal looked down, quickly learning Cassie had spilt tea onto his lap and was trying in vain to clean it up. At least he was wearing black pants.

He started to laugh when she realized what she was doing. ”It is quite alright, Cassie.” He picked up the towel and patted the spot once more before he tossed it away. She quickly divulged more information, trying to recover the moment Cal imagined. Once Cassi sat back down, apologizing once more, Cal patted her knee.

”It’ll dry. I run warm,” he said with a wink at her before he picked up his cup of tea. He added a lump of sugar and stirred it briefly before taking a sip. His lips froze on the rim of the teacup when Nick started to talk. His tone was decidedly not okay with the task Mikkail presented to the group.

Cal shifted in his seat, uncomfortable, uncrossing and crossing his legs before he just left both feet firmly planted on the ground. Nick, Barty, and Cal had talked briefly about how times had changed. He had some of that knowledge, but he didn’t have the twins history. However, he had a collective shared history that reminded him of why some things remained buried, but also, the knowledge Cal craved had him desiring to push back. He wanted that information. Needed it. It was why he existed.

Cal decided to remain silent, even though he wished to speak in defence of his mentor. However, Nicky was a friend. And Cal had enough sense not to speak against Nick. At least not in public.

Camp Lava Lake

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Ezekiel Kel

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Location: Hiking
Skills:

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Zeke elbowed Demi, frowning and shaking his head at being referred to as an arcade game. Way to cheapen whatever was going on between the two of them. Things really weren’t starting off well. And now, Dodds was saying the whole ghost story was probably fake. However, it was already imprinted into Zeke’s mind.

Demi offered Zeke his chocolate bar, temporarily distracting Zeke. He smiled and took a bite of the Wunderbar. At least they wouldn’t have to worry about food. The sleeping situation might be a different issue. Zeke didn’t mind sharing a cabin with his sister. They were close already, and sharing a room was nothing new. But there was this development with Demetri. And they weren’t supposed to be outside after dark. Even if the ghost story was fake, Zeke really didn’t want to risk it.

Aster seemed concerned about his sleep cycle as well, glancing at the obvious couples in the group. ”Well, I guess the priority is trying to set up another cabin or two for sleeping arrangements. Then we can worry about slave labour tomorrow.”

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Graveyard
Skills: N/A
Fit

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The voices of the others faded into the background as Rhiannon dug a hole in the ground. The whole thing was surreal. Rhi came to this island for some grand reward. To prove to themselves and to others that they deserved it. That they were good enough, too. But it was looking more and more like no one would be winning that reward.

Old Rhi would have given up, ran away and joined their crew, but this Rhi felt determined. If only to find answers for Renee and her family.

Thud.

That was a different sound. Rhiannon gently brushed some dirt aside with their shovel, but it was Ralph who revealed an arm, and Sam who revealed the brown, bearded face of Miguel.

”Oh my god….oh my god oh my god oh my god.” Rhiannon dropped the shovel and stumbled back away from the grave. This was insane and way too real.

”What the hell is going on here!?” Rhiannon desperately wanted to smoke, something, anything.

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Wandering —> Primary Artificer Laboratory, Strange Academy
Grimore: Summon Animals
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Annika was no stranger to changing hallways, randomly appearing rooms, or dead ends…but this was a little excessive. On the seventh dead end Annika encountered, she squealed in frustration.

”Honestly Nochella, how do people get anything done in this place!?” The cat had appeared briefly, apparently entertained by Annika’s frustrations, before she licked her paw, meowed, and disappeared again. Blasted animal.

Annika continued to move through hallways, drifting from location to location until she finally found her hidden room.

”Ahha!” She burst through the door and instantly felt flushed. People were here. She fiddled with her braided space buns before she quickly slid into place next to her doormmate. She smiled briefly at Rohan before concentrating on Professor Sariel’s words.

Annika ensured she wore long pants and closed-toed shoes. She had pinned her hair up into twin, braided space buns to keep her hair from falling and getting caught in something. She had no idea what they would be facing today, but if it had anything to do with forge fire, Annika wanted to remain covered and safe. For now, she wore a baggy jean jacket with a black t-shirt underneath.

Sariel’s words intrigued Annika and helped her to feel excited about starting. She had brought some of her metalworking tools, as well as a notebook and writing implements. She had a feeling today would be heavily research-based, then she could get to work figuring out if something needed to be made. Or created. When Sariel stopped talking, Annika took a moment to acquire a lab coat and goggles. She was examining the different sizes when Sariel opened the door.

The first gate. ”Incredible,” Annika breathed. She mechanically grabbed a lab coat and a pair of goggles before she entered the next room. The door was gorgeous and seemed to pulse, drawing Annika nearer. Of course, the danger aspect was also appealing.

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Location: Haven —> Mikkail’s Sitting Room, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills:
Fit

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Callaghan never returned to his room that night. Instead, he chose to shower on the twins' floor, borrowing a pair of suspenders and pairing them with a simple pair of black slacks from the night before, his shoes, and a white button-up. It was simple, but Cal still cut a striking figure if he did say so himself. And he did, even with some of the markings from the night before still upon his skin. He was instructed to leave them for a certain bubbly someone to see, and Cal wasn’t about to disappoint his companions from the night before.

After that, he slipped quickly into the bathroom on his floor to use his personal hair care and skin care products before he strode through the halls of Strange Academy well before anyone else was awake.

He took the familiar path up to the rooftop and stepped into the fresh dew-filled morning air. Callaghan sighed deeply, wishing he could take flight and stretch his wings for real. The night had been fun. He had worked out some resentment and repressed feelings, but now he had another primal urge begging to be released. Cal rested his hands along the metal rails. The cold that seeped into his body helped to ground him. He remained on the roof, watching the sun rise and listened to the first bells. He still had time before he needed to be in Mikkail’s office, but Cal was always punctual.

A short while later, Cal found himself the last to arrive in his mentor’s office. Cal paused, taking in the other three members of his coven before a wry smirk lifted his lips. ”And here I thought I was going to be the punctual one. I see I will have to try harder next time.”

He drifted into the room, drawn to the shelf of books Mikkail had on rotation. His fingers tingled and twitched, the need to touch and examine each one overwhelmingly strong. As he walked to the bookshelf, his eyes slid to Nicky’s form. His smile turned secretive as his eyes dropped to the witch’s hips, knowing his claiming mark still rested there.

”Nicholas, sleep well?” he teased before shifting his gaze to Willow.

”Good morning, little one,” he said, his voice taking on a more tender tone. The protective urge he had felt over Willow the night before had faded after the late-night activities, but there was still a kinship Cal felt towards the creature that was more animal than human. The image of Willow watching last night filled his mind before he focused on Cassie and grinned.

”Cassiopeia! What do you have there?” He instantly noticed the tome she held close to her chest, his eyes looking for weaknesses so that he could pry the book from her hands and read the contents. He approached Cassie, eager to try his hand when he noticed the lonely book on the table with his name on it. ”Ah, I see.” Cal snatched the book up and took the seat next to Cassiopeia. He flipped the book open eagerly, uncaring if he was supposed to wait or not.

Camp Lava Lake

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Ezekiel Kel

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Location: Hiking
Skills:

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Blood, cleaning, stabbing, vanished, blunt force trauma….buried together. Zeke was getting more and more anxious and more and more nauseated the longer they talked about the campsite and what happened there. He stared at his sister, half tempted to elbow her to shut-up. Honestly, her fascination with wanting to know how everyone died was not helping.

Zeke slowed a fraction in his walking. If he just ran back, drove off and came back to pick up Nancy in a week, would he get off with a different type of community service? Zeke fell into a debate with himself over the idea when he heard Aster’s voice sound a little more clear and a little more pointed.

Zeke looked over, seeing Aster looking at the shared bandanas with Demetri before he looked at Zeke pointedly. Zeke flushed with embarrassment, rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand. He glanced at Demi, who was fixated on cleaning. Zeke didn’t picture Demi as the clean freak.

Then, food was mentioned. Despite the nausea, Zeke’s stomach rumbled. Ah food. Zeke assumed food would be provided. He didn’t think they were being sent up to set up the entire campsite. What if they were supposed to bring their own food? Dammit!

✨ Under Black Stars ✨

Annika’s fingers slid across the metal on the hatch. It was warm to the touch, as if the sun had been shining directly on it. She gripped and pulled, trying to find a hold in order to open the hatch. As soon as it gave a little, the hatch sprang open. Annika leaned back quickly to avoid being hit. Bright light streamed out, causing Annika to shield her face until her eyes adjusted. She blinked rapidly, squinting and peering into the hatch until a floating book revealed itself to her.

”Hmm. Not ominous at all,” she murmured to herself. Still, Annika wasn’t one to ignore an opportunity to learn something new. Besides, she was in her own home. How dangerous could it be? Even if Nochella seemed apprehensive of the book.

The unique symbol wasn’t so unique to Annika. She had seen the wreath, sword combo on several of her father’s books before, all of them with strange behaviour. However, there wasn’t a lot of what the average person would call “normal” in the Everdark.

”Well hello, friend. What would you like to share with me?” Annika asked the book. She held her hands out to it, eager to hold it and discover what stories it held.

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Graveyard
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon stared at the grave, thinking the same thing that Sam was before he voiced it out loud. What if that was Miguel’s body in there? If he had been missing all morning, it could be because he was either the killer and hiding, or he was dead and in that grave.

Rhiannon glanced around and spotted shovels. ”Only one way to find out. Unless you want to do some sort of seance,” they said, looking at Sam before passing him to grab a shovel.

They stuck the shovel into the mudded ground and paused a moment. What if there was a dead body under here? Was there any way they could find the killer? And what if there wasn’t a dead body?

Rhiannon glanced at the group of strangers before stealing their resolve and started digging.

Strange Academy: Journey into Mystery

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Location: Haven, Strange Academy
Grimore: Dragonic Morphing ;
Skills:
Fit

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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.

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Callaghan, Willow & Annika

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.

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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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Location: Haven, Strange Academy
Grimore: Summon Animals
Skills: N/A
Fit Check for my Napalm Era

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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.

Camp Lava Lake

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Ezekiel Kel

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Location: Camp Lava Lake Trail Head —> Hiking
Skills:

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Ezekiel tensed when another vehicle showed up, close to crashing into the Jeep. Zeke would have been charged with assult if his only mode of transportation had been hit. The kid who got out of the vehicle even looked self-entitled, but Zeke couldn’t deny there was something…appealing about the swagger. Wait. What?

Ezekiel felt flushed and turned back around, seeing Dobbs making his way onto the trail. He put the guitar on his back and grabbed his and his sister’s bags before following along. Until they stopped to tell ghost stories.

Zeke swallowed, shifting uncomfortably. Okay, that was a little more intense than just wild animals in the woods. Nancy subjected Zeke to all sorts of scary movies. And he hated them all. The idea that there was some legend of a crazy dude in the woods, going berserk about people being on his land, did not make Zeke eager to complete his community service.

”If people keep dying…maybe stop trying to revamp it? I mean. There are hundreds of summer camps. It is BC after all,” Zeke stated.

Château de La Lune

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Rihannon Linx

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Location: Foyer —> Graveyard
Skills: N/A
Fit

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Rhiannon paused when everyone walked into a graveyard. Morbid and yet oddly fitting. Rhiannon rubbed their arms, staving off the cold. They looked around at the different graves while Ralph spoke. Off to the corner, a little out of the way from where everyone was standing, Rhiannon noticed a grave that looked a little too fresh. There were muddy tracks around the site, fresh dirt packed, and the obvious look that someone had tried not to make it obvious.

When Sam spoke up, Rhiannon shifted their focus to them and the guy they were questioning. And then Milicent said something that had Rhiannon doubling over with laughter. Maybe it was the fact that everyone was standing in a graveyard, after someone had been killed, discussing blackmail, or just the sheer tension of everything, but Rhiannon could hold back their laughter.

”Oh, that was great. Thank you,” Rhi said, wiping imaginary tears from their eyes. They crossed their arms, a faint smile on their face, while they listened to Constance.

”Do you think she was getting close? And the blackmailer, what, pushed her down the stairs? Or maybe she confronted them?” Rhiannon didn’t agree they were being blackmailed. It was pretty obvious that that was what they were all here for.

”Also, that doesn’t look sus at all,” Rhiannon said, pointing out the freshly dug grave they had noticed earlier.