05 - Wicked Is Her Smile

<< Strong is her Hope

The School Of Necessary Magic

Strange Is Her Life >>

Alison, the Drow princess can’t even make it back to the School of Necessary Magic for her junior year without tripping across trouble hunting for her. Underground bullet trains, battles with dark magic, growing dragons, Louper tournaments, school dances and job fairs. Growing up a magical can be tough on a social life. Thank goodness she’s got her friends beside her.

IN DENVER

Chapter 01

Alison, on her way back to school, anticipates the arrival of her new glasses around Christmas time. Sight for the Drow! Shay had contacted the gnome to order them, had told Alison that they were coming. They might be slightly blurry, depending on how she reacted to them – but soon – As she “people watched” the station in Denver, she sensed a large contingent of Dark magic souls there. And something just wasn’t right, so she got off the train, as she couldn’t “just let it pass.” She followed them, seeing that their magic was evil and murderous, with cowardice to it, She put on her special bracelet Shay had given her – a bracelet made especially for a Drow. She followed them as they entered a building, met with some thugs, and reviewed the plans for a shifter poisoning at a concert, causing the shifters to attack the attendees, tearing tout their throats. Alison couldn’t let that happen, so she went inside, and confronted them, causing the thugs to be unconscious in a corner, and confronting the witches. She disabled them, branded them, told them to leave the shifters alone, or else, and went back to the station, to continue on her way back to school.

THEIR NEW QUARTERS

Chapter 02

As she arrived, she saw the gates open and protected by wizards, the first time that had happened. Alison spoke with Mrs. Beasley, the bus driver (and biggest gossip in Albermarle county), and confirmed that the School had hired security on its premises. (Two kilomeas, disguised.) After some of the dark magic incidents, it was suggested that the school should be closed, so traps had been laid on the grounds, and security hired. All would be well. Students were arriving- by portal, bus, and parents, and were greeting and mixing. It was Alison’s Junior year. Izzie ran to her with a hug, as did her other roommates, who complimented her on her brighter silver hair. The boys (Luke, Ethan and Peter) greeted the group, and they all listened to a group of parents pass, talking about how the school had allowed itself to be polluted and downgraded. (Allowing shifters in). The whole point of this was that they were trying to find common ground between all magical beings so they could move forward into the future without situations like what had happened the year before. The girls went to see their new room, as upperclassmen got bigger suites (pictures on wall magically changed). There were six beds in the room for their group of five. Who was being added? Scarlett and other seniors were next door. Scarlett comes in and tells them the “house rules” re Senior privileges and Junior requirements, re showers and Common Room usage.

WELCOME BACK

Chapter 03

After settling in, Izzie and Alison go to visit Dorvu, and saw him practicing flying as they approached the forest. Izzie thought the Oriceran creatures were beautiful and amazing. They detoured to the barn, to see Horace (not there), so went on into the forest to meet with Dorvu, who blasted them with his wintry breath. Horace was in the woods, and came to them, with his dog. Horace told them that his niece, Jennifer was to be their new roommate that year. They met her in the barn , and took her to see the rest of the grounds, meeting the boys along the way, Ethan attaching himself to Jennifer. . They met with some of the teachers in4 the cafeteria, who welcomed Luke back as a Louper. Berens came in with the Welcome speech, talking about last year’s happenings. Scarlett, Student Body President, also welcomed everyone. The Loupers had a new coat of arms, as the Cardinals, and the science nerds had puffs of smoke.

THE MIXER

Chapter 04

A semi-formal affair. Cafeteria decorated, Ethan trying to impress Jennifer with images created in the palm of his hand. Izzie tells Alison that she had been exploring the school’s grounds all summer, and had found a lot of pre-magic school stuff. Tanner came in, and Alison went to him. He was late, and explained why, ending with the information that Berens had portalled him back to school.

Chapter 05

The school’s musical for the year will be “Beauty and the Beast”. Izzie will try out, and they anticipate that it will have multiple showings and be a huge success. Aya tells Jennifer that Ethan would be a good friend to have. Izzie and Alison go for one of their night walks, Izzie showing Alison the old building for the stable boy, the old servants’ quarters (30 servants). Izzie talks about her memories – more of them, still mysterious. “I’m convinced that something is just not right with my memory. For whatever reason, the things I’m supposed to know are real don’t seem real at all. And the things that seem like dreams feel like real memories to me. I don’t understand it.” Maybe a good sleep would help.

FIRST DAY

Chapter 06

Connor, Dorm Proctor, heard water gushing as he approached the Freshman level. Pranks already? Not a good start! He walked slowly into the bathroom and peered at the mess, realizing that someone had jammed a frozen Boston cream pie in the toilet before flushing it. “Seriously? An entire Boston cream pie? Where the hell did they even get it?” He cleared the toilet, and found the freshmen at breakfast. They all acknowledged that they were responsible, so they all got to clean it up, BEFORE they ate!.

First class of first day was Dark Magic 3.0, with Xander Powell. With all of what had been going on last year, they were apprehensive about this class. Alison saw darkness before anyone else. It made Izzie kind of nervous that Alison was seeing so much of I recently. Something had awakened it now, though; something that was making everyone nervous. Powell’s first example for the day - “Half-measures will get you maimed, or worse, killed. You must commit to a spell!”

THE PRACTICAL CLASS

Chapter 07

Second class of the day was Multi-dimensionals, focusing on real-world situations, with Rupert Wilson. Everyone was looking forward to the practical application portion this year. These would be real-world scenarios, things that could actually happen to them once they graduated and started their lives. They weren’t necessarily simple things like not being able to open a jar, but were emergency situations in which magic was necessary despite non-magicals being present. After listening to their reactions to real world historical situations and how they might change them, he was very interested to find out how they would respond when they were put into various circumstances in which magic was needed. It would also allow the students to understand their proficiency at magic and where they needed improvement. Today is going to be a fun day. Each set of glasses(lenses), once activated, will give you a real-world scenario that you may be faced with at some point. Your job is to get yourself out of that situation using magic, and you can replay the situation multiple times. . There are no right or wrong answers at this point. This is simply an exercise to allow you to understand what you need to work on, and where to go from here.” Careening down a mountain with no brakes, landing a plane with no speed controls, being chased by a dragon, Alison in a building Being dissolved in an earthquake, with people to rescue. Izzie couldn’t control her magic, and wondered about that.

DRIVING CLASS

Chapter 08

Professor Powell was blessed with teaching the REAL driving class (favor called in by Berens), and Warned them that even though they had passed the written exam, they wouldn’t be able to drive unless he signed off on the practical part. Two to a car, he would have remote control, if needed. And it was the human test, no magic to help them. . If you are found using magic during your test, not only will you fail and have to retake it, but when you do finally pass it, they will mark your license with an M in a circle to signify that you are a magical being.” Some did well, others needed a lot more work!

FIRST LOUPER GAME

Chapter 09

Henry, Wyatt and Luke approach the first Louper practice of the semester, Henry and Wyatt ready to haze the freshmen, Luke wanting to help them. Coach Regency was going to make them the BEST team this year, so no “test run”. The normal game scenario, complete with all dangers. Wyatt’s team got to the trophy first, even though Wyatt was the only one left. Henry and Luke’s team had more team members left, but didn’t make it to the trophy treasure. The freshmen were completely destroyed.

THE NEW SBP

Chapter 10

Scarlett was exercising her new role as Student Body President, but she seemed to think there wasn’t anything more to it than bossing people around and nosing into other people’s business. She will be advocating newer snack machines, no secrets from her, shorter classes, and more passes to the kemana, which was REAL life. Berens listened, then called her into her office, and lectured her on the responsibilities of her office. Scarlett knew what she said was true, and agreed. Entrepreneur’s club project – putting on make-up efficiently. Grace built a 3-D printer that would build a house. (Three-foot doll-house, for presentations). Goal is to win the National Scholastic Contest. Group agrees. Her project adopted.

DRIVING CLASS ANTICS

Chapter 11

Steal one of the school cars, to practice driving. A group of the boys had devised this plan. All the boys took turns. Some played around and almost caused them to get caught, while others carefully maneuvered in and out of the cones. Either way, it was most likely only a matter of time. The question was, would they fess up to being the ones who stole the car, or would they allow the entire class to pay the price? Peter, reporter on the school’s newspaper, was assigned the job of telling the school about the new lines on the parking lot area. As he approaches the area, he hears three voices talking about getting into the school. Wizards, dark and powerful, plotting. Have friends on the inside, so will know if they’ve been discovered. Doesn’t know how to start investigating them, but knows he must. Writes notes for his parking lot article, as well. Peter goes out that night, along the fence line, trying to see if the three would be back, but met no one but Izzie and Alison. Told them of his knowledge, and they decided, all three, to investigate further before they told anyone.

TANNER AND ALISON’S DATE

Chapter 12

At an exclusive restaurant in town, because didn’t want to be interrupted. Tanner told of his young life, and Alison surprised, but wasn’t going to give him back. As the two walk around Charleston, talking, they meet Jason and some of his friends exiting a lo She had read everything in the Library, cal restaurant. They make fun of Alison and Tanner, so Alison tosses him, magically, and he apologizes. Tanner and Alison decide to go down to the kemana for the rest of the evening, and go to a shop, hot chocolate, and “people-watching”. Tanner more comfortable around “magicals”. A good evening, and a good first kiss at the end of it.

THE IN-BETWEEN

Chapter 13

Alison wants to investigate the World in Between, which held souls or people who either accidentally fell through a rift in a portal or had unfinished business. Her Mother was dead, and might be there, and had found a book that introduced her to spells that might allow her to contact someone in the World in Between. She was in the Library, and wanted to try one. Alison whispered the spell, “Those who have passed the wavering line, sinking deep between the vine. An endless wake and thoughtless stumble leave those in between tired and bumbled. Through this spell, I call to thee, my loved ones close, show yourselves to me.” A rent in the dimensional barriers was opened, and spirits suddenly came streaming out, escaping as fast as they could. Alison went to her friends for help, and they all came, found the returning spell in the book, and decided to help her get them all back. They did, and in the process, met a girl named Misty Albertson, whose aunt was OK, was in-between. And who said to tell Misty that “the strength of the butterfly was still within her.” Misty was a wood elf, who could remain almost invisible, so Peter asked her to help him with his reporting. Peter had found that the dark wizards were trying to find a girl at their school, they never said her name, but that whomever controlled her would control magic itself. They wanted to find her and warn her, as well.

THE BRACELET

Chapter 14

The group enlist Dorvu’s help in keeping watch with them for the intruders. While helping, and with the presence of a Drow Princess and a Jasper Elf, Dorvu began to grow into adulthood. The freshman boys had learned about “face-offs”. According to Connor, this was going to get messy. Dorvu had begun his adult growth overnight when Alison and Izzie had slept against him, and Izzie’s memories were becoming more real. Berens went to the library to investigate, and found that Jasper energy was set free by silver dragons. It was a rare occurrence, but it could happen, and apparently, that was exactly what was happening to Izzie. That energy was zapping around her, not only wreaking havoc on her ability to control her magic but causing the memory spell to break down. Berens goes to Hudson to explore possibilities. Hudson has an ornate silver bracelet, old, Oriceran energy, green stone, that will protect Izzie for now. Berens gives it to Izzie, and makes her promise to NEVER take it off! Will help her control her powers and her energy, and protect her. She promises.

THE PLAY

Chapter 15

Fowler again directing, calling try-out auditions to the stage. LOTS more than last time! Scarlett GOOD this year! Will be a very good play this year.

FIRST LOUPER GAME OF SEASON

Chapter 16

Playing New Orleans Crawfish. Henry and Luke’s team fight off spindles (10 legged, poisonous). Wyatt got the treasure’s hint, but was stabbed in the process, so was out of the game. By changing to a real werewolf, and defeating the virtual wolf of the other team, Luke won the trophy for the Cardinals, another step to being accepted.

THE AUTO CLASS

Chapter 17

Professor Ira Heineken, mechanics and magic class. They’d learn to handle all of their auto problems magically, even the girls. He had a 1976 Chevette hatchback! And it looks like it was a pale metallic blue, which is pretty awesome because that only came from the factory. Not everything in life can be fixed with magic, so I’m going to show you how to fix these things manually, then tell you what spells you can use to enhance as you go along.” We can take any part, use some magic, and custom-fit it to this car to make it work. You might not be able to explain it very well to the humans, but at least we won’t be changing the functionality of the car. Very good, Peter. Anyone else?” All the guys were ecstatic, and even some of the girls, like Aya, but it was definitely a class Kathleen wasn’t going to enjoy.

THE HISTORY CLASS

Chapter 18

Eleanor Hudson, Junior year History Class. A class exercise. They would all be magically transformed into a name in history, dressed in that age’s clothing, etc.. Alison and Izzie discovered that they were prophets, Izzie under guard, Alison in the midst of giving a prophecy. Each student had learned lessons about history they would not have known before.

Chapter 19

Izzie and Peter go into the Library’s Restricted are, to try to find a spell against Dark wizards, while Emma and Kathleen distract Gnome Decker, the librarian. But Decker isn’t fooled, He requested help, as too many students made it impossible for him to keep watch, and he felt that something was going on. He just didn’t know what. He kids, in Driving class. Izzie and Kathleen drive well, the others need a lot of practice.

IZZIE’S WARNING

Chapter 20

Max Regency, inter-dimensional, explores the In-between world. Very little communication between living and the dead, as veil is thick, impenetrable, except on Halloween, when those with least of magic can communicate. One place in room where veil is thin, and he showed them, and a woman was there, who pointed at Izzie, and he was about to say something to her when the veil closed. Regency notifies Berens of the incident. Berens goes the the Librarian, Decker, and asks for his help in investigating how to make the school safer, if needed. He promised his help. Particularly weak area was that of the woods. No fence – just dense foliage, etc.

Chapter 21

Kathleen, Peter, Emma, Izzie, Ethan and Luke decide to “borrow” the driving class car, and go into town. The brakes go out on the way in, and they decide it was a bad idea, and that they will push the car back to its garage. They call on the faeries to help push, which they do, and they get the car beck, seemingly not having gotten caught.

ALUMNI DAY/LOUPER GAME

Chapter 22

Alumni Day, when all alumni who can come back to talk to the current students about what they had done after graduation, , to their former professors, and to remember their jokes and antics they had played while they were there. There was an Alumni vs. Student Louper game, and Berens changed the rules. It will be on the school grounds (familiar to both teams), and they will be able to see each other, play practical jokes, and kid and have fun. The game started with the student team standing in the foyer of the mansion, the other team nowhere in sight. The alumni won, and the students promised themselves that it would be different next year.

JOB FAIR DAY

Chapter 23

It was one of the most exciting days on campus for the juniors and seniors, as they got to really see what was out there in the world, and what kind of magical positions they could take on so they wouldn’t have to work strictly with humans. It was purposely held on the same weekend when the alumni were on the campus. After all, these weren’t ordinary students going out into the marketplace. These were magicals who were facing a future where magic would always play a part in a world that wasn’t always sure what to do with them. The school’s alumni had mostly done well for themselves and were the best source for where to pursue their dreams. Berens had also invited the Oriceran consulate to give a presentation, with people from Oriceran there. If the two worlds would be mingling, they should know how to take care of each other, as well as themselves.

ALUMNI EVENING

Chapter 24

Dinner was white marble floors, china, white table clothes, and all decorated by Professor Powell, and alumnus. Peter thinks he’ll write a story, featuring Powell as an alumnus. Decker was the Librarian and detention master when they were in school here, too. They showed the boys some tricks that got them dates a lot of the time, ho to tidy up the room in three minutes, and Connors, the Dorm proctor walked through. They were all “asleep.” When Connors was gone, they resumed their trick-showing. One of the students showed him how to do a small escape portal, (taught to him by his Dad, who was a Silver Griffin, “just in case”. Another trick was to create a distraction, a squirrel, to be able to get away from a proctor.

THE RUN

Chapter 25

Luke sneaked out that night for the first night run of the winter, with Professor Hodges and Henry, both shifters. It would be a night out for the shifters, and hopefully, nothing but fun. They just wanted to run with their pack and enjoy the few positive things about being a shifter. Izzie slips outside, wanting to see more of what Luke did as a shifter. She wanted to know what they did, and where they went when they were out as their wolves. Humans couldn’t keep up with wolves, so she did the next best thing, followed their magical trail. The trail took her off of the school grounds, and she found herself close to a tent, a camp, in which three dark wizards were speaking of “catching the girl.” They heard her, and chased after her. She noted that they were faster, and that she would have to fight them, by herself. She wasn’t confident that she could, but she could certainly know they had been in a fight! Alison, in her meditations, had seen that Izzie was in trouble, and went out to help her. As Alison found her, and grabbed her, they ran. At that point, all Izzie was worried about was making sure that her friend didn’t die with her.

THE FIGHT

Chapter 26

Dorvu sensed their distress, and came to help. With him there also, they did stand a chance of succeeding, but, the wizards were very talented and very strong. One of them knocked Dorvu back into the woods. Alison got angry, thinking , “You do not hurt one of our own!” Suddenly Horace’s dog came running, leapt at a wizard and took him down. Horace and Berens came rushing in, fighting. Alison and Izzie thought they should back her up, but Dorvu had it under control, as he grabbed two wizards by their shoulders, flew off a ways, and dropped them out of the sky. Berens was angry, and asked them what had happened. Alison told her they had been out walking, had come across the wizards, and...

THE MEETING

Berens called an immediate, late-night meeting. Hudson, Regency, Fowler, Horace, Berens, and the teachers all were at the meeting. Berens said, “The problem is insidious. The dark wizards and witches have stepped up their game of trying to take down the school. It is essential that we provide the best protection to the school and the students, so we are going to implement night patrols immediately. Also, Leo Decker is looking into better wards for us. It’s obvious that the ones we have aren’t helping very much.”

THE REGIONAL LOUPER GAME

Chapter 27

Five straight wins had given them confidence. And they were playing the Coyotes, the team which had beaten them last year. The venue will be a forest on Oriceran, Luke, Henry and Wyatt heading up their three sub-teams. Early in the game, Henry and Wyatt were taken out by magical arrows, and Luke was the only leader left, with his magical sword as his only weapon. Except that he was a shifter. As his team kept the dragons and the Coyotes at bay, he shifted, ran and jumped to the cliff on which the treasure sat, grasping it, and carrying it on his shoulder. The game ended – the Cardinals were the winners, and the Stadium broke into winning celebrations.

JASON

Chapter 28

Peter has ferreted out most of what had happened at the fight in the woods, and was searching for confirmation. No one would talk to him about it. He was talking with Izzie and Alison, when Jason showed up. They all went their separate ways. Berens was worried, that Izzie was starting to remember, that Alison would be playing a role of which she was not aware, and that, perhaps, even Izzie’s parents were starting to remember, too! Jason meets with some Dark wizards in a bar in the kemana, showing them a picture he had taken of Alison and Izzie, together. The wizards identified one of the girls as the one they needed, and they all left.

CHRISTMAS BREAK

Chapter 29

Izzie is going with Alison to LA, to celebrate as a family. Berens had OKed it. As they talked, another memory surfaced for Izzie, of her mother reminding her that she knew how to use her spells. Both girls agreed that this was going to be their best Christmas, ever!