sukikyoufu
Achronum
xVampire3go
Scrawl Banditta
Not a Sayan
Morose
teenangstlife
Location: Primary Artificer Laboratory ---> Professor Varn Croan’s Office, Strange Academy
Grimore:
Skills: N/A
Fit
Annika eyed her professor while Rohan cut into her. Consider anything as a resource? Well, that sounded a little ominous. Her father always pushed her to do things outside her boundaries and comfort zones, but there were also lines he never wanted her to cross. Annika didn’t think Sariel had the same thought process.
Annika smiled appreciatively at Rohan after he made the cut and handed the glass container to Finley. However, Rohan was already back at work. Right, off with her too then. After wrapping her arm, Annika set to work with a spool of silver. She channelled her power into it, with some help from Nochella, before adding it to the heart. As the construction started to pulse like a real heart, Annika watched her silver wink in and out of the flesh, almost as if her work were the veins of their little coven project.
Then the room shifted, and Nochella hissed before disappearing. The world screamed as if it were being ripped apart. Annika felt a wetness on her cheeks, and when she pulled her fingers back, they were covered in blood. She swallowed, but wasn’t given much time to absorb it, as whatever was happening continued to progress.
Annika scanned the room as each member was connected to their object and Sariel. Annika shivered, her hair standing on end until the connection was complete. Sariel’s attitude was jarring in its pleasant dismissal. Annika blinked a couple of times before looking at Rohan.
She frowned and caught the cloth Franklin tossed. “Says the guy with a hole in his chest.” She dabbed at the wetness by her ears before gathering her things and leaving. What a strange first day.
Annika whipped her head to look at Finley. They said they wouldn’t bite without permission. Calm yourself, girl. Still, Annika smiled awkwardly at Finley before laughing, painfully so.
They reached Croan’s office quickly, and Annika found a seat. She smiled at the professor and nodded to his assessment. Shadow magic. She had only ever had one teacher. Annika wondered how Croan would measure up.
”It was interesting, to say the least. It sounded like the world was screaming, and I had an adverse reaction,” Annika noted, gesturing at her ears. She had cleaned them as best she could, but Annika was sure she had missed some blood that had no doubt dried now. Not to mention the unhealed cut on her arm.
”When we have questions, how would you like us to schedule appointments with you?” Annika asked curiously; she was new to the school after all.
Cal frowned at Nick and shook his head. No. There was something more going on with Mikkail. Sure, there were knee-jerk reactions, but that wasn’t usually Mikkail’s MO. Not to mention that man was always the calm one in a situation. Excitable, sure, but stressed? Never. That alone was a red flag. Why didn’t Nicky get that?
Cassiopeia came over then, interrupting the couple's conversation and anything else that could have happened between the bookstacks. Cal was mildly annoyed, but smiled cheerfully nonetheless, appraising Cassi’s book haul.
”Incredible! Let’s head—” Cal’s words cut off as a scream echoed through the library. The sound of fluttering met Cal’s ears next, and Luna came flying frantically around a bookshelf.
Willow.
Callaghan ran after Cassie. If anything happened to Willow…. Cal felt tension roll through his neck at the idea of someone under his care, in his coven, getting hurt.
Cassi was the first to Willow’s side. After assessing Willow, Cal quickly took in their surroundings. He saw a worn book, open and a little way away from the two women. Cal walked over and attempted to collect the book. After, he returned to Willow and Cassie.
”Are you okay?”
”I don’t know if I’m okay…?” That made sense. Cal had no idea what had happened, but Willow looked rather shaken.
”Alright, well, I think we should go see Professor Zephyrine. She’s our healer,” Cal said, quickly looking at Cassie as he explained before looking back at Willow.
”Uh, okay.”
Cal smiled gently, even though Willow couldn’t see. ”Can you walk?” he asked.
”Nope. Not without Luna, and I don't know where she is."
Cal nodded. ”Okay. I’m going to carry you then,” he said, and carefully scooped Willow into his arms after shoving the book he had grabbed and the weird book Willow had dropped into a bag and slung it over his shoulders.
”If you want Cass, you could check those books out or just leave them, and I’ll let the librarian know I’ll be back for them. We can resume our study session later,” he said and left with Willow without another word. Hopefully, Luna would find their way and follow.
Callaghan paced in Professor Zephyrine’s hut while they examined Willow. Willow explained her symptoms and what had happened in the library, which left Cal with far more questions than answers. Just what the hell was in that book, and what the hell was Mikkail making them all go after? If Willow was permanently scarred over this…
Zephyrine worked hard to cleanse Willow. Despite how tense Cal was feeling, the sound of tinkling bells relaxed his shoulder muscles to a point where he could finally sit down. He listened intently while the professor handed Willow a tincture, instructing her to rub it into her wrists to soothe and calm her mind, and gave her some protective charms to ward off negative energy.
The idea of protective charms wasn’t unusual to Callaghan. Growing up where he did, the humans had a strong culture with witch doctoring and talismans. There were even a few his people had adopted over the years. The next bit threw Cal for a loop. Willow was instructed to crack an egg each morning and have someone examine it. If the egg looked weird in any shape or form, she needed to bathe in water exposed to the full moon's light. Not eclipse water. Zephyrine seemed very keen on that distinction.
”Does she have to bathe alone?’ Cal blurted before common sense caught up. Thankfully, Zephyrine didn’t bat an eye. In fact, she seemed happy with the idea, going as far as to recommend bathing together. Cal glanced at Willow. If only she could see him right now.
”Well, only if the lady consents,” he said with a wide grin. ”Thank you for your time, Professor Ravoux,” Cal said, his tone shifting to try to compliment the French of her name. ”We should be going, Willow. I think I heard the gong for our next class. We’re meeting with our advisors, which means you are stuck with me for a little while longer.”
He walked over to Willow and nudged her with his elbow, offering his arm to help her walk. He would carry her, but he figured it would take a little more time with students milling in the hallway.
Cal expertly led Willow through the school to the Observatory Tower. He took one look at the stairs, then at Willow, before he made the decision to carry her, this time on his back. It was far safer, Cal determined. Even if Luna assisted, one misstep could spell a nasty drop and another visit to Professor Ravoux.
Once they reached the top, Cal set Willow back down. He looked around, smiling to himself. ”You must ask Luna to show you the view. You’ll love it,” Cal assured her.
Callaghan looked at his professor in a new light. Something was going on with him. This mystery the coven was tasked with was no simple feat. Whatever it was, Cal wondered just how deep this personal connection he had went. However, Cal still looked up to this man and couldn’t help but grin and laugh when Mikkail offered to introduce himself a second time.
”I mean, I never tire of your introductions, but we should let Willow lead the conversation. Then, after, perhaps there will be room to ask about our coven’s mystery?” Cal set his pack down and opened up his bag to grab his notebook and take notes for Willow, should it be required.
