The Half-Blood Academy IC (Redo)

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Merlin

Merlin nodded, "Your voice then.... rather sharp..." Merlin paused, "Now, why is that? If you don't mind sharing... though if don't wish to share, I will not force you to."

[Charlia]

Merlin

Merlin nodded, "Your voice then.... rather sharp..." Merlin paused, "Now, why is that? If you don't mind sharing... though if don't wish to share, I will not force you to."

'Now, why is that?'

With relief, she spilled her story, hoping desperately--but then something happened she did not expect.

'Who are you calling...'

One name.

Absolute terror.

As soon as he finished speaking, the memories flashed through her mind, and she spoke, terrified, a single word... or she would have spoken, had her voice been working.


'No...'

[Nuridia]

Elizabeth's eyes welled with tears as she looked up to the man before her, last she had seen that face his mane of hair glistened like golden flames as his eyes shone like the sun itself. She clutched James' side most similar to a child as she pulled his arm around her, "Yes, I am a mother." James knelt down beside her and began to whisper, she turned her head away from him each time in an effort of trying not to hear him. He put his index finger to her chin and stared right into her eyes, his words too quiet for anyone else to be heard, but looking closely could reveal what his lips said as he wiped tears from her eyes with his left hand and brushed her curly red locks from her face.

"He is your father, the past is all just that. Please, at the least go hug him? This whole thing was a lot like Issac and Abraham, he just did exactly what God asked; if you'd never been banished then we would not have met. I need my guardian angel after all." His eyes shimmered with sparks of light as Elizabeth finally nodded her head in agreement.

She stepped over to Michael and extended her arms, "I do not blame neither you nor the Lord, I understand that God works in mysterious ways." She breathed and smiled, "Now you are going to have to lean down a little so I can hug you, I am only four feet tall after all." James stood awkwardly at a distance, he was glad Elizabeth met her family, though he was not sure how he felt about all of it himself; she had to stumble through the world all on her own, but in the end he smiled as tears rolled down his own cheeks, he was glad Elizabeth finally had a family. "He gets emotional," Elizabeth smiled at James, "ten bucks says he is gonna walk up and ask you to bless our marriage. You know, two hundred, almost three, years and that still bugs him? Might have got me the gavel, but he was the right choice, father."

Michael hugged his long lost daughter tightly, slightly surprised at how tiny she remained. Raphael slowly walked up and smiled, keeping a respectable distance.
"Hey Lizzy. You probably don't remember us but we're your uncles, I'm your uncle Raph." he said, running a hand through his black hair while Marie put a hand on her husband's shoulder.
Michael smiled a bit at the mention of James. "Well, two hundred years is a long time to be with someone, I believe he's the one. Especially since you had kids with him. Thank you, I don't deserve your forgiveness." he said.

"Hiiii!" Seraphina flew up and hugged Elizabeth from behind, the young angel's enthusiasm catching. The short pink tunic she wore under her breastplate fluttered as she hugged the redhead.
"I'm Seraphina, I always wanted a sister! We have sooooo much to catch up on!" she chatted excitedly.

[Holy Empire of Avalon]

Elizabeth's eyes welled with tears as she looked up to the man before her, last she had seen that face his mane of hair glistened like golden flames as his eyes shone like the sun itself. She clutched James' side most similar to a child as she pulled his arm around her, "Yes, I am a mother." James knelt down beside her and began to whisper, she turned her head away from him each time in an effort of trying not to hear him. He put his index finger to her chin and stared right into her eyes, his words too quiet for anyone else to be heard, but looking closely could reveal what his lips said as he wiped tears from her eyes with his left hand and brushed her curly red locks from her face.

"He is your father, the past is all just that. Please, at the least go hug him? This whole thing was a lot like Issac and Abraham, he just did exactly what God asked; if you'd never been banished then we would not have met. I need my guardian angel after all." His eyes shimmered with sparks of light as Elizabeth finally nodded her head in agreement.

She stepped over to Michael and extended her arms, "I do not blame neither you nor the Lord, I understand that God works in mysterious ways." She breathed and smiled, "Now you are going to have to lean down a little so I can hug you, I am only four feet tall after all." James stood awkwardly at a distance, he was glad Elizabeth met her family, though he was not sure how he felt about all of it himself; she had to stumble through the world all on her own, but in the end he smiled as tears rolled down his own cheeks, he was glad Elizabeth finally had a family. "He gets emotional," Elizabeth smiled at James, "ten bucks says he is gonna walk up and ask you to bless our marriage. You know, two hundred, almost three, years and that still bugs him? Might have got me the gavel, but he was the right choice, father."

Michael hugged his long lost daughter tightly, slightly surprised at how tiny she remained. Raphael slowly walked up and smiled, keeping a respectable distance.
"Hey Lizzy. You probably don't remember us but we're your uncles, I'm your uncle Raph." he said, running a hand through his black hair while Marie put a hand on her husband's shoulder.
Michael smiled a bit at the mention of James. "Well, two hundred years is a long time to be with someone, I believe he's the one. Especially since you had kids with him. Thank you, I don't deserve your forgiveness." he said.

"Hiiii!" Seraphina flew up and hugged Elizabeth from behind, the young angel's enthusiasm catching. The short pink tunic she wore under her breastplate fluttered as she hugged the redhead.
"I'm Seraphina, I always wanted a sister! We have sooooo much to catch up on!" she chatted excitedly.

James approached without a sound, his name to the Cherokee and even now in legend had been Ghostfoot for his silent footfalls. He crouched low and looked at Elizabeth, she looked at him pleading for help silently with her eyes. "Now you know how I feel when you force me to see my family." He walked over to Michael and extended the archangel his hand, "It's funny, been with her for many a season now and we have always been a mix of Protestant and Catholic, but even with everything I have done in my life I never thought I would actually see you." James put out his hand, "Your daughter is a wonderful woman and you should be proud of her." He smiled cheerfully, it was nice meeting his father in law, humorously enough if one looked to his silver locket they would see an amulet of metal beside it, the picture there carved was an angel with raised sword, the back inscribed with SAINT MICHAEL PROTECT US.

"I don't know if we can be sisters, you seem a bit young to be an aunt." She grinned charismatically at the girl hugging her, "So, your name is Seraphina, seraphs are the messengers of God, so I take it you probably run pretty fast, huh? Name like that should mean you can smoke any track and field team out there." She was not used to having a sister, but was happily accepting the warm hug.

[Nuridia]

"My cousins Ann and Liz became aunts when they were a year and a half old, so I'm plenty old enough. I fly pretty fast, enough to smoke old Sephy anyway. He always grumbles about how I should be slower because I'm a girl, it's mad funny." Seraphina smiled when Elizabeth hugged her back. Sephiroth was a young angel , the son of the angelic mystic Arafel and Sera's rival/secret crush.

Michael was talking with James, a little shocked at the way he was so silent when walking. "I know, she is. I see that you've also been taking very good care of one another, it's clear the love you two feel for each other." He saw the locket James wore and couldn't help but smile.

Meanwhile, Luciana saw a flash of silver standing next to Asteria, a boy strapped across her back as she greeted the rather large family.
"Aunt Diana, is that you? You're here, is Father here as well?" the blonde asked as she approached the moon goddess.

[Tomia]

Meanwhile, Luciana saw a flash of silver standing next to Asteria, a boy strapped across her back as she greeted the rather large family.
"Aunt Diana, is that you? You're here, is Father here as well?" the blonde asked as she approached the moon goddess.

Diana turned when she heard Luciana speak to here. "Hello dear child, it is good to see my niece again." She told her, "I do not know where your father is, though knowing him he will show up randomly no doubt. He's always loved an entrance." She said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "So, have you reconsidered my offer to join my hunters? I would be honored to have you among my disciples."

[Holy Empire of Avalon]

"My cousins Ann and Liz became aunts when they were a year and a half old, so I'm plenty old enough. I fly pretty fast, enough to smoke old Sephy anyway. He always grumbles about how I should be slower because I'm a girl, it's mad funny." Seraphina smiled when Elizabeth hugged her back. Sephiroth was a young angel , the son of the angelic mystic Arafel and Sera's rival/secret crush.

Michael was talking with James, a little shocked at the way he was so silent when walking. "I know, she is. I see that you've also been taking very good care of one another, it's clear the love you two feel for each other." He saw the locket James wore and couldn't help but smile.

Meanwhile, Luciana saw a flash of silver standing next to Asteria, a boy strapped across her back as she greeted the rather large family.
"Aunt Diana, is that you? You're here, is Father here as well?" the blonde asked as she approached the moon goddess.

"She keeps me in line." He grinned at Elizabeth as she spoke to her sister, "Yeah, God bless her heart though, there was actually a time I was depressed cause I was worried I wasn't enough for her," he looked back to Michael, it was funny how friendly he was actually being for once, he was not known for talking a lot, "so... Stupid question, but when we pray with the saints... Like, do you all actually hear it?" He glanced back at Elizabeth, "Cause that is how they found me after I was captured, a real guardian angel." James smacked a hand to his head, "Did I introduce myself? James Patton," he looked around quickly, "occupation currently debatable, I do work in an office though, so does she." He stabbed a thumb towards Elizabeth, "Same complex technically, just hers is more technical while I am more hands on. I work with," he hesitated but a second before speaking, "foreign relations, she is global research, statistics and such." He grinned, it was not a lie, but if Michael really did hear his prayers then he knew the nature of his job anyway.

"I'd challenge you to race, but..." She glanced at everyone around, "I fear taking true form would harm everyone around. I am not as pretty anyway, instead of cute curved dove wings I have wings more similar to an eagle's. I will race you on foot though." She chided and smiled, Elizabeth was having fun for once, usually it was hard to relate to anyone other than he which held her heart, though her father and husband were getting along well it irritated her - all this time she never knew her father and yet here he was getting along with her husband like the two were old friends, it might have been God's plan but she did not understand it at all, she then remembered what James had said many times "God works in mysterious ways." Sadly everything seemed like a mysterious these days.

[Nuridia]

"Why? I mean I'm in true form and nobody died yet. We can always take it outside, they have an awesome flying track that goes on for miles, huge forest grove, it's just so awesome." Sera grinned. Michael noticed Elizabeth looked slightly irritated and turned to James. "It was nice meeting you Mr. Patton, but I'd like to catch up with my daughter. It's been over two hundred years after all." Michael said, turning to Elizabeth.

Luciana turned to Diana and chuckled a little bit, rambling a little in Italian before switching back to English.
"That does sound like Father, he may come in a flash of light. Even might bring the flying Maserati, we don't know. I thought about it Zia(Aunt), it sounds cool but part of me wants kids one day, I don't know." she said.

[Holy Empire of Avalon]

"Why? I mean I'm in true form and nobody died yet. We can always take it outside, they have an awesome flying track that goes on for miles, huge forest grove, it's just so awesome." Sera grinned. Michael noticed Elizabeth looked slightly irritated and turned to James. "It was nice meeting you Mr. Patton, but I'd like to catch up with my daughter. It's been over two hundred years after all." Michael said, turning to Elizabeth.

Luciana turned to Diana and chuckled a little bit, rambling a little in Italian before switching back to English.
"That does sound like Father, he may come in a flash of light. Even might bring the flying Maserati, we don't know. I thought about it Zia(Aunt), it sounds cool but part of me wants kids one day, I don't know." she said.

"Yeah, can't blame you." James put a hand to his earlobe and pulled at it as if searching, Elizabeth noticed this action.
"Might not, hopefully it wouldn't, be right back, sis." Elizabeth walked over to James who leaned down and whispered to her, "Sweety, I know you might be angry, I can tell it in your eyes, but please try to understand his position?" She glared at James and waved him off as he silently stepped off with his tongue stuck out at her. "So... Father, nice weather we have been having?" She wanted to look to James for an idea of small talk, but he had left her. "I was asked to be civil, so I will, but I still have to ask; why did you never look for me? Granted I did have to do a lot of growing up and became strong, but that does not mean I did not want to see my father at any point in that journey. I never got to be a daughter, I was always a lover, a wife, and a mother - so I will spare you my wrath, that however does not mean I can suddenly fill a role I never had..."

[Barapam]

Julia's phone plinged, a new message from James. She read it, pondered for a moment, and sighed. She didn't want to answer. Not right now. She could of course write to him that no, she wasn't in the cafeteria, but that was a lie, and she didn't want to lie, not even to him. Instead she quickly finished her meal and quietely left the dining room. Now what would she do until the next class started? Julia didn't have much imagination at the moment, so she ended up sitting in the hallway playing Candy Crush. On the flipside, it gave her time to think. Now that James had explaind himself and even apologized, she understood why he had done it and could forgive him. He had only done it out of kindness, and to be completely honest, she would probably have allowed him to carry her like that if he had just asked her. That was the main thing avout it that bothered her, that he had taken such liberties without discussing it with her before. Still, it had been a kind gesture, almost romantic even, in its own way that he had done for her sake. Staring into the game of colourful pieces on her cell phone, she slowly saw the whole thing in a new light. Perhaps she should talk to him.

She looked up from where she was sitting, and discovered that James was walking further down the corridor, along with that girl, Elizabeth. What was their relationship alike, really? James had spoken about her both as a girlfriend and a family member, so what was she? She couldn't be both. Stepsibligs, unrelated by blood, who had fallen for each other? Or was she his "sister" simply in the sense of also being an angelic being? And if they were a couple, then what did that mean for her and James and their relationship? If they even had a relationship? So many questions, and Julia wanted answers for all. She would have to ask them, or James at least. So she stood up and followed them. Eventually she would get near them enough to speak with them, as if it was just out of coincidence they met. A part of her needed to know, but another part was afraid of talking to them, or to Elizabeth at least. Why she didn't know. Just that that was how she felt. So she didn't call out after them.

They kept on going, and Julia followed. Eventually they stopped, and Julia saw her chance, but then she heard them talk to someone else. Julia hid behind the corner and listened. Again, she didn't know why, it just sort of happeed. And the longer she stayed, the more stupid it would look to appear in front of them. Though the longer she waited, the more she found out. It was a satisfaction to know, even if it was very surprising news. It took all of her willpower to stay still and silent, so she wouldn't be noticed. Okay, so not even James had known. That's why he had been so bad at explaining.

But while it turned out to have a positive outcome to spy like she did, it also had a negative one. Julia was ashamed of it, but she couldn't help but feeling jealous at Elizabeth. And she once again got angry at James. Here she stood, and he was declaring his love for his wife, his wife! He had practically been flirting with her earlier, and now this. What kind of a sick game was this? Once more, she had to constrain herself.

As the conversation went on, the subject changed to more universal things. This was the time, she couldn't wait any longer. She took a deep breath, put on a mask of happiness, and rounded the corner.

"James! There you are!" She said happily. "I've been looking everywhere for you! Can we talk?" She pointed with her thumb at the corridor and looked at all the other angels around. "You don't mind if I borrow him for a little while I hope?"

[Nuridia]

"Why? I mean I'm in true form and nobody died yet. We can always take it outside, they have an awesome flying track that goes on for miles, huge forest grove, it's just so awesome." Sera grinned. Michael noticed Elizabeth looked slightly irritated and turned to James. "It was nice meeting you Mr. Patton, but I'd like to catch up with my daughter. It's been over two hundred years after all." Michael said, turning to Elizabeth.

Luciana turned to Diana and chuckled a little bit, rambling a little in Italian before switching back to English.
"That does sound like Father, he may come in a flash of light. Even might bring the flying Maserati, we don't know. I thought about it Zia(Aunt), it sounds cool but part of me wants kids one day, I don't know." she said.

"Yeah, can't blame you." James put a hand to his earlobe and pulled at it as if searching, Elizabeth noticed this action.
"Might not, hopefully it wouldn't, be right back, sis." Elizabeth walked over to James who leaned down and whispered to her, "Sweety, I know you might be angry, I can tell it in your eyes, but please try to understand his position?" She glared at James and waved him off as he silently stepped off with his tongue stuck out at her. "So... Father, nice weather we have been having?" She wanted to look to James for an idea of small talk, but he had left her. "I was asked to be civil, so I will, but I still have to ask; why did you never look for me? Granted I did have to do a lot of growing up and became strong, but that does not mean I did not want to see my father at any point in that journey. I never got to be a daughter, I was always a lover, a wife, and a mother - so I will spare you my wrath, that however does not mean I can suddenly fill a role I never had..."

"I do understand Elizabeth, I have no sufficient explanation and if you never want to see me again I understand, it's far too late now but I'm going to do something I should've done long ago, fight for you. You know the penalty for angels being with humans, I couldn't...I did it because I loved you, it makes no sense but it's true. The penalty is death, I had to cast you from Heaven or you'd face the executioner's sword, they'd kill you like they killed Raph, they brought him back for his service but you had no such protection.

Icouldn't watch you die. It was leave you or kill you, I should've stayed but I couldn't. I'm the general of Heaven's army, my movements are all tracked by the Irin, the angelic court. If I knew where you were, they would have too and the Hunters would've been on you like white on rice. I panicked...I had to watch the grief and the illness take your mother, I lost my brother, I couldn't lose you too. I could sense your aura though so I knew you were alive. I...I should've been more like Raph, I was a coward, I should've followed your uncle's example. Raph stayed with his wife and kids, they went on the run but they were together, he died rather than left them, he fought for them and I should've done the same. All I can tell you is that I'm sorry, you have every right to be angry but I will fight for you like I should've done all those centuries ago, even though it's too late, even though I'll lose, I won't let you go again without a fight." By the time Michael was done, there were tears in his eyes and his brothers were gathered around trying to comfort him.

[Holy Empire of Avalon]

Elizabeth looked from Julia and James to her father, Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at James, this facial expression was read perfectly by him. He wiggled his eyebrows and scratched his nose, a sign that he would be alright, the two had seen Julia hiding and decided against revealing that fact.

"Sure, sure, he's just my stupid brother after all." She put a finger to her lips in her family's direction as James walked off with Julia. "Okay, I can explain that. It is part of the witness protection program. We have to go by fake identities." She had prayed that would satisfy their questions should they ask.

James walked off with Julia, "Sorry, my sister can be a pain in the ass. Turns out we are related to one of the teachers, crazy am I right?" He grinned and spun foolishly as he grabbed hold of a pillar and spun around it, if one had never known him on his worst days this would seem as genuine as pure joy.

[Platypus Reborn]

After a minute of walking down the quiet halls in awkward silence, they arrived at the Cafeteria.

"Where do you want to sit?" he asks Ely.

She answered by pulling out a chair for him and sitting down herself.

Merlin

"Depends. How far back are you willing to go?" Merlin said, "I don't want to force you to tell me all about your past... But I trust that you'll tell me all I need to help you."

She leaned back and laughed, once again more bitter than happy.

"Help me? That's actually rather amusing. You can't help me, Merlin. No one can."

He thanked Ely and sat down. He looked around the large cafeteria, which seated hundreds of different beings ranging from Demigods to Fairies. He glanced at Ely when he thought she wasn't looking. He truly felt sorry for her, the more he reflected on her story the more pity he felt for her.

He was about to ask her for some money, when he quickly jerked his head, so that he was staring at nearby table.

[Barapam]

Elizabeth looked from Julia and James to her father, Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at James, this facial expression was read perfectly by him. He wiggled his eyebrows and scratched his nose, a sign that he would be alright, the two had seen Julia hiding and decided against revealing that fact.

"Sure, sure, he's just my stupid brother after all." She put a finger to her lips in her family's direction as James walked off with Julia. "Okay, I can explain that. It is part of the witness protection program. We have to go by fake identities." She had prayed that would satisfy their questions should they ask.

James walked off with Julia, "Sorry, my sister can be a pain in the ass. Turns out we are related to one of the teachers, crazy am I right?" He grinned and spun foolishly as he grabbed hold of a pillar and spun around it, if one had never known him on his worst days this would seem as genuine as pure joy.

The joy she had displayed just seconds ago was gone. Her facial expression stood in stark contrast to James', even if he too, like her, faked his display of emotions. "Sister, yeah right..." she muttered. "Why didn't you tell me... that you're married?" She looked at him and stepped closer, just centimetres from his face. The Julia in front of him was no longer a sweet girl, but a stern young woman.

"Stop spinning around that pole and make up your mind for God's sake!" she whispered. "Mr Family man... You, me, Elizabeth... what's it gonna be? And be honest. Because right now you're not being fair to either of us!" She stopped and just stared into his eyes, with a look that didn't ask for, but demanded an answer.

[Holy Empire of Avalon]

Elizabeth looked from Julia and James to her father, Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at James, this facial expression was read perfectly by him. He wiggled his eyebrows and scratched his nose, a sign that he would be alright, the two had seen Julia hiding and decided against revealing that fact.

"Sure, sure, he's just my stupid brother after all." She put a finger to her lips in her family's direction as James walked off with Julia. "Okay, I can explain that. It is part of the witness protection program. We have to go by fake identities." She had prayed that would satisfy their questions should they ask.

James walked off with Julia, "Sorry, my sister can be a pain in the ass. Turns out we are related to one of the teachers, crazy am I right?" He grinned and spun foolishly as he grabbed hold of a pillar and spun around it, if one had never known him on his worst days this would seem as genuine as pure joy.

The joy she had displayed just seconds ago was gone. Her facial expression stood in stark contrast to James', even if he too, like her, faked his display of emotions. "Sister, yeah right..." she muttered. "Why didn't you tell me... that you're married?" She looked at him and stepped closer, just centimetres from his face. The Julia in front of him was no longer a sweet girl, but a stern young woman.

"Stop spinning around that pole and make up your mind for God's sake!" she whispered. "Mr Family man... You, me, Elizabeth... what's it gonna be? And be honest. Because right now you're not being fair to either of us!" She stopped and just stared into his eyes, with a look that didn't ask for, but demanded an answer.

James lost his boyish looks like a curtain falling, that curtain being the difference between Heaven's gates and Hell's inferno as his face bore a dark grimace of its former self. "Julia," his voice was now nothing but a deep hum of an empty husk, its former joy filled predecessor of bright emotions gone, "don't take His name in vain." Clearing his throat with a kurt huff he now spoke with that deep wicked tone only now his face was not twisted into an evil scowl and snarl, but was just monotone and emotionless. "Because I was ordered by the director to act, and I am bloody awful at it." He began to walk off but turned back to Julia, "Sorry, Elsa, I reached for the sun; but these wings have melted upon me. Best you forget this all, I'll make sure you get a new partner tomorrow." James was going to pat her shoulder but decided against it, he'd already done enough.

Leaving her with the thud of his boots and a simple shrug he walked back to Elizabeth, the two spoke in hushed tones, and she looked at him with an indifferent look and mouthed something.

"Could have at least taken her out to dinner, I know you are no James Bond, ha I made a funny, but that was just cold." Elizabeth spoke to him as he was leaning down to her. "It is the mission, it is not like I could actually have feelings for her passed the feelings I have everyone else." The short redhead shrugged her shoulders, "Fine, fine, but you are horrible at all this. I assure you I have never had to flirt with anyone to get the mission done, course usually a forty five to the forehead and a thumbdrive get my job done pretty well." Elizabeth's toothy grin was adorable to some, but James knew that right then it was a grin of violence.
"It was my fault, be angry at me. This should all be resolved by tomorrow though, I will figure a way out - one that doesn't involve deaths." He began tapping the top of her head with his index finger's knuckle. "Earth to Elizabeth, you in there?" She puffed up her cheeks and jumped trying to grab his arm, "You a-hole!" She shook her head and crossed her arms, "See, you thought I was joking, he has the asshole genes." She pointed at him while talking to her father. Remembering something Elizabeth handed James his car keys, "Hey, my sweet baboo, I forgot my purse in the car, will you go get it?" His eyes widened as she asked, "Your purse? They'll bust the windows to get in for that!" He sprinted off without a second word as Elizabeth sighed, "The car is made of heavily bullet resistant material, how would they break it?" Shaking her head she turned back to her father, "So, the circumstances that made us hide at this school made James have to act really nice to a girl to obtain an out, and it would appear she has developed feelings for him." Elizabeth shrugged, her flaming locks bounced as she did. "So with this guise destroyed we probably are just going to call schooling off, it was actually supposed to help his PTSD, getting a normal high school life and all, but so far I think these few hours have mad it worse. He keeps reaching for his thigh and his shoulder when irritated," Elizabeth swallowed, she was getting really thirsty and had water in her purse, "which of course is where his guns would be otherwise. Strange, the subtle things you notice about someone once you've loved 'em for over two hundred years." She sighed passionately, this seemed to not rock her at all, any other girl would be furious, but somehow it seemed as if she had been on the same wavelength with him mentally through it all.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Merlin

Merlin nodded, "Your voice then.... rather sharp..." Merlin paused, "Now, why is that? If you don't mind sharing... though if don't wish to share, I will not force you to."

'Now, why is that?'

With relief, she spilled her story, hoping desperately--but then something happened she did not expect.

'Who are you calling...'

One name.

Absolute terror.

As soon as he finished speaking, the memories flashed through her mind, and she spoke, terrified, a single word... or she would have spoken, had her voice been working.


'No...'

Merlin

"Very well." Merlin said, "You know what, I can see distrust in your eye. Don't think me as a psychiatrist or anything like that.... You can trust me."

[Charlia]

'Now, why is that?'

With relief, she spilled her story, hoping desperately--but then something happened she did not expect.

'Who are you calling...'

One name.

Absolute terror.

As soon as he finished speaking, the memories flashed through her mind, and she spoke, terrified, a single word... or she would have spoken, had her voice been working.


'No...'

Merlin

"Very well." Merlin said, "You know what, I can see distrust in your eye. Don't think me as a psychiatrist or anything like that.... You can trust me."

Hah! What a joke. You can't trust anyone. You know that.

...I don't have to listen to you...

"All right. All right." She sighed, rubbing her forehead as if trying to relieve a headache, but really tracing a long, faded scar. Then she told him the truth.

[Nuridia]

"It's my fault, if only I had found some way to keep you in heaven then you wouldn't have had to go through all that." Michael told his daughter, ruffling his hair. Sera tucked her wings in and skewered some random fruit with her stiletto dagger, popping the strawberry into her mouth boredly.
Meanwhile Luciana just stared straight ahead from where her aunt was out of the window, humming randomly before pulling out her notebook and writing in Italian. She had apparently found inspiration for a new song.

[Holy Empire of Avalon]

"It's my fault, if only I had found some way to keep you in heaven then you wouldn't have had to go through all that." Michael told his daughter, ruffling his hair. Sera tucked her wings in and skewered some random fruit with her stiletto dagger, popping the strawberry into her mouth boredly.
Meanwhile Luciana just stared straight ahead from where her aunt was out of the window, humming randomly before pulling out her notebook and writing in Italian. She had apparently found inspiration for a new song.

"No, dad, I think it is just time we get back to work." Elizabeth hugged Michael, "Sorry, dad." Elizabeth took her father's hand and put it to her cheek, the warmth of it was something she had wished for centuries now. Letting go of it she subtly pressed a note into his hand on a small length of paper. Seeing James returning with her purse she shouted his name and ran after him, within the blink of an eye she was only several feet away from him, though she missed the fact that there was a puddle and slipped on it. Leaning forward he caught her in his arms. From the courtyard one could not make out what they said, but it seemed to be,

"What would you do without me, Angel?" Elizabeth looked around, "Fall on my ass a lot?" Yanking Jame's hat off she put it on her head with a big smile, "So what do you say we skip school and go get a burger? I have a feeling we will be having company tonight." James cocked his head to the side, "Alright... what do you want me to cook? Wait, skipping school?!" Elizabeth nodded her head and grabbed him by the jacket collar, "And as payback for today I'll make sure you don't walk for a week!" It was quite a funny sight to see Elizabeth actually dragging James along the sidewalk towards their car, really put into perspective how tough the young lady was. "Oh, but stop by the store first, you know those things we keep on the nightstand? Last week the kids thought they were balloons... so yeah we need a new box." James busted out laughing as he opened the car door for Elizabeth, vaulting himself over the hood of the car he slid across it and pried open the driver's side door. Climbing in and buckling into his five point harness he ignited the engine and gave the gas one good floor stomp before pulling his gloves on. "Dragon to control, we are clear for take off." He looked over to Elizabeth who was fiddling with the radio, "Control, my REO is screwing with my radio frequency." Elizabeth looked over at him and put the radio back on station 94.1. He smiled and held her hand before kissing it, the put the car into reverse and left the parking lot.

The note Elizabeth had left was a nicely written address to a home in Albany, New York.

[Platypus Reborn]

"It's my fault, if only I had found some way to keep you in heaven then you wouldn't have had to go through all that." Michael told his daughter, ruffling his hair. Sera tucked her wings in and skewered some random fruit with her stiletto dagger, popping the strawberry into her mouth boredly.
Meanwhile Luciana just stared straight ahead from where her aunt was out of the window, humming randomly before pulling out her notebook and writing in Italian. She had apparently found inspiration for a new song.

Nico watched from behind the girl as she pulled out a notebook and began writing. Although Nico was dyslexic like all demigods, he was still able to comprehend that she was writing in Italian.

'Why is she writing in Italian? Is she Italian or something?'

[Barapam]

So that was that. Julia didn't know what to feel. Just... emptiness. She had asked for answers, and she had recieved them, but they hadn't satisfied her. Well, what else had she expected? It would have been naive and stupid to believe that James just would have thrown himself into her arms and left Elizabeth right there, but for a moment she had almost hoped... but it was a fool's hope. She sighed, shrugged, and slowly started to walk away with a gloomy face, her eyes looking down at the ground. She needed to think, and went outside to be alone and get some fresh air.

There was a big and old oak not too far from the schoolyard, and Julia set her course towards it. Staring off into the distance, she pondered about everything and nothing. The day had started so good, but then it had all gone downhill. Why did things had to be so confusing and hard? There was no good answer to that question.

[Barapam]

Among all the half-human teens out on the schoolyard, there was one creature who stood out. A tall and attractive woman with goat horns on her head. She kept track on them all, and many students liked her, but even more feared her, and they all respected her. Valentina Zimmer, the Krampus lunch lady. She walked around and watched. Things looked good. No fights, no crying. But who was sitting all alone by the old oak? Val decided it was best to see if everything was all right.

Julia looked up as she saw a demonic shadow approach. Her tension eased when she understood that it was just Vala. She smiled faintly, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hello!"

"Hi Julie!" said the Krampus and smiled back at her. "Is everything okay with you?"

Julia sighed. "Yes. I mean... yes. Kinda. Almost. ... it's a bit complicated..."

Valentina sat down on the ground next to Julia. "Tell me", she said. And Julia did. Vala listened, and wished she could help her more. But how?

[Nuridia]

"It's my fault, if only I had found some way to keep you in heaven then you wouldn't have had to go through all that." Michael told his daughter, ruffling his hair. Sera tucked her wings in and skewered some random fruit with her stiletto dagger, popping the strawberry into her mouth boredly.
Meanwhile Luciana just stared straight ahead from where her aunt was out of the window, humming randomly before pulling out her notebook and writing in Italian. She had apparently found inspiration for a new song.

Nico watched from behind the girl as she pulled out a notebook and began writing. Although Nico was dyslexic like all demigods, he was still able to comprehend that she was writing in Italian.

'Why is she writing in Italian? Is she Italian or something?'

"We'll come when school lets out." Aurelia told Elizabeth.

Luciana then turned to a girl who had sat down at the table with her. "So where are you from again, you have an accent?" she asked. Luciana clipped her hair back and continued writing.
"I'm from Milan." she answered simply but then felt a pair of eyes on her in the back, turning she saw Nico looking at her.
"Is there something I can help you with, signore?" she demanded.

[Platypus Reborn]

Nico watched from behind the girl as she pulled out a notebook and began writing. Although Nico was dyslexic like all demigods, he was still able to comprehend that she was writing in Italian.

'Why is she writing in Italian? Is she Italian or something?'

"We'll come when school lets out." Aurelia told Elizabeth.

Luciana then turned to a girl who had sat down at the table with her. "So where are you from again, you have an accent?" she asked. Luciana clipped her hair back and continued writing.
"I'm from Milan." she answered simply but then felt a pair of eyes on her in the back, turning she saw Nico looking at her.
"Is there something I can help you with, signore?" she demanded.

Nico hadn't expected the girl to notice his staring and was caught off guard. His pale cheeks tinted red from embarrassment, "O-oh no, I, uh-nothing!" He stammered out and quickly turned away.

[Nuridia]

Dominique had wrapped up.her lunch early and snuck off to the ballet studio to practice some more. Ariana watched her friend go and nudged her brother's side. "Hey Mike, we're putting on Don Quixote in a month. It's a totally big deal, Dom and I already have our parts but our partners haven't been chosen yet. Pray I don't get butter toes Bill, he can't dance for nothing. I don't know who Dom's gonna get." she said. Suddenly a ring ripped through the hall, announcing the end of lunch.