[Episode 4] The Worth of a Soul

[Gwathdraug]

Riley just stuck her tongue out at Emilia as the other girl admonished her for her behavior. As Mrs. Caxton spell enchained and whisked the stage magician up into the air Riley managed to quickly tousle the other girl's hair with her right foot as she gave death's daughter one last impish smile.

“Yah need to lighten it up a little! I'm sure you'd be a lot of fun if you'd figure that one out.” The floating girl softly told Emilia before getting back to the task at hand.

Having been held up quite frequently by this spell on a number of occasions Riley knew that any significant movement of major limbs would be prohibited and cause the spell to constrict itself even tighter about the target, but with a bit of thought and some effort this certainly didn't serve to completely limit the possible theatrics to go along with any sudden case of unexpected capture.

The young stage magician twitched and twirled in the air – and silently cursed of traitors as her cloak faded from existence and abandoned her – the spirit chains added their own skills to her performance as they rattled with her movements. Riley briefly considered crying out in pain or gibbering a bit, but decided that all actions thus far had already begun to stretch the acceptable boundaries. Instead the girl just shrugged and spun lazily in the air again – giving Coco the rarely seen double-thumbs-up-with-manacles maneuver as she passed the other girl with a grin.

Landing in Elizabeth's grasp Riley looked up at the seemingly infernal light in the Caxton matriarch's eyes and sighed a sigh filled to the brim with oncoming misery. As Riley's clothes were ushered into certainly no place less horrid than one the sixteen voids of doom and then replaced with their terrifying doppelgangers the stage magician punctuated Mrs. Caxton's speech to the group with a few dispirited finger gestures – this was obviously a lesson the young girl had already been student to before.

After being forced to sit back in her proper spot the girl slumped her head against the desktop, wincing slightly as her chin collided with the surface a bit too roughly. Sighing again the girl illusioned up a pair of Napoleonic Ships-of-the-Line and watched the two ghostly combatants go at it. As quiet little canons began to boom forth with clouds of transparent smoke Riley wondered if watching the losers of the fight receive no mercy and be devoured by the denizens of the sea – sharks, definitely sharks – would make her feel any better about the current situation.

[Mr. Blackbird Lore]

Lighten up!? how was Emilia supposed to lighten up!? She didn't even know the rules yet, let alone all the unwritten idiosyncrasies of being a student! Death's daughter huffed as the magician girl went flying by.

Her malcontent was short-lived, quickly pushed from her brain by the awe inspiring power of Mrs. Caxton- Caxton!? If this were only half the power of Percival's pedigree, it was no wonder he was a Font! Such magic! And Emilia could not have imagined a better method of example than disciplining Riley; the girl was being exceptionally rowdy and Venezia felt much more comfortable with the stage performer subdued. And the delinquents out the window! Elizabeth was sharp- and, if Emilia's hypothesis was right, she was wise: Mrs. Caxton, of all people present, should know the Policies. Her flagrant display imparted to young Emilia that, assuming her hypothesis to be accurate, all present were magically inclined individuals.

Her gaze fell on all the occupants of the room, her hazel eyes looking deeper than the mere flesh- Soulgazing. Indeed, every single one bore magic in their soul in one form or another- except Raiko. Mr. Miller was an odd case. He was similar... There was a tug, or a beacon of sorts that indicated an innate involvement with something spiritual. Something... Divine? Emilia had yet to fully master reading souls. It was a written language unlike any other, and to explain it to one without the ability to Soulgaze would be like explaining color to the blind- squared. There were hues and ripples and auras and textures and movements and... well, it's all very intricate.

When Mrs. Caxton pressed for questions, Emilia's hand shot up. "Are you Percival Caxton's mother?" her voice held an excited curiosity.

[CadetNewb]

'What is it with her facination with butts? Doesn't seem right at all..' Coco thought to herself in regards to the other girl.

Sakura was an odd one. Here she was, in a school with kids (somewhat) her age, and she wasn't even enrolled? It was insanity! "You're weird, hanging out here even though you're not a student and all," the little girl spoke up in wonder. As she hopped to yet another branch, she continued to look down at the other girl from her higher vantage - a lightbulb went off. "Hey, don't you want to enroll and do stuffs with everybody? They're a little older than you are by a few years mostly, but it's still better than sitting out here just watching like a Creeper right?" she offered. "I'm sure I can try doing something to get you in - I mean, you live around here, so it'll be even easier for me to get you in!" Coco explained. "What'dya say huh? I enroll you so you can have happy funtimes with everyone in there, and in exchange, you stop shooting people in the - "

Coco's offer to the other girl was suddenly cut short as the tree sprang to life. "We've been had! Abandon ship!" she cried out, briefly fighting to leap away to safety - it was futile however, as the woman apparently in control of the graspy pinchies had the element of surprise. As soon as Coco knew she couldn't escape however, she relaxed and watched, observing as many details as possible. It was true that she didn't know who that lady was, the evidence being that if she did, her face would have been glowing red at the thought of that woman's son, Percy! This stranger-danger alarm going off inside her head, coupled with the shock and awe strategy, would have terrified most children her 'age' but, not so much for Coco.

Sometimes, it was comforting to know she couldn't really 'die' anymore. So she simply simply grumbled under her breath as she made her way to her seat. "And I wanted to jump through the window too..."

Now, when that new girl, Emilia asked that question however...Coco's bored eyes shot right open, staring right at the woman and searched her face for any resemblance between her and her Percival! Her hands clenched the desk with inhuman strength, the material of her seat faintly groaning under her grip.

In fear.

[Kai]

A little bit of color drained out of Miyuki's face as she watched Mrs. Caxton do her work on bot the delinquents outside and the one inside, Showing that she was, in fact, in complete control of those in the class, herself obviously included. Miyuki thought she could feel her eyes sink back into their sockets a little and her cheeks become hollow for a moment at the display, but, she steeled herself, regaining her composure after a moment and hoping that she didn't look like a weak easy target, or like someone who was trying to be cocky and confident, either. Miyuki's best defense, it seemed, was to feign mediocrity.

*****************************

Raiko seemed to be somewhat amused by the bit of ruckus going on, watching idly, as if she were a simple observer. Her behavior was that of a model student, making one wonder how exactly she might have gotten detention, or if, indeed, she had actually been called to detention, but instead had simply shown up to partake in some new form of entertainment. Whatever the reasons were, Raiko did not seem keen to ask any questions, seeming to be satisfied with the current pecking order that had been established, which included Riley being at the very, very bottom of it.

[Straken]

Today could indeed be considered a good day by Ruarc, all things considered; hell, even Laoise seemed to have found something to occupy herself with. So when Mrs. Caxton arrived he did not really react seeing as he had only met her less than a handful of times, and the only real interesting part was that she was Percy’s mother. While a few others either panicked in Riley’s case, or making familiar or pleasant remarks as done by Miyuki and Raiko. The young druid sat contentedly in his seat while observing the amusing pace set by his friends that he had grown used to.

When Mrs. Caxton began to cast her magic, Ruarc looked with a definite curiosity; the kind of curiosity shown to a novel concept, but beyond that Spirit magic did not really interest him. Druids were always more apt for manipulation of nature and it elements as opposed to disturbing the spirits. From off to the side, Laoise glided back over and landed on his shoulder as she too watched in curiosity.

”Get tired of your game?” Ruarc asked.
”No, but my opponent is a little…indisposed. I shall have to challenge her some other time in order to claim her food,” Laoise replied in her typical hoity-toity demeanor.
”Just make sure you don’t accidentally lose my jerky.”
”What, do you think I can’t beat a twelve year old in cards?”
”You are only two years old.”
”Almost three! Our birthday is at the end of the month, remember. Anyway, that is beside the point.”

With a slight smile due to Laoise getting over her little fit, Ruarc returned to the matter at hand.
“Ah suppose Ah have a question,” Ruarc said as he spoke up. “Why come to detention to show us Spirit magic?”

[Luca]

"Aha, yes." Mr. Miller was having some trouble keeping pleasant conversation. The door closing by itself? Well, a wizard did it so Mr. Miller was able to sweep any sort of irrational fears under the rug about that, but he did have another question when the Caxton matriarch shone her credentials. "Wait a sec, we don't have a thauma-AH!" He took a few steps back as he saw chains erupt from the ground to ensnare the others.

Mr. Miller was pushed over. The sudden and sheer presence of Mrs. Caxton's displays of Spirit Magic made him fall to the floor as his mind raced. Compared to the other kids, he was the closest person there to a mundane, non-magic using person. His 'magic', if it could be called that was on loan anyway. Even with the broadest stroke, he couldn't even be called a magician. Part of him wanted to dive out the closest window and run away, never looking back as Mrs. Caxton's foreboding curse rippled through the room.

But. Something made him grab his desk and stand up. He took a heavy breath and dusted himself off, and stared into her as if to challenge. Mr. Miller's body language seemed to be itching for a fight, but his facial expressions were still in shock and horror for what was unfolding before him, "Well, I am thankful that you've gotten my class under control, but-" He stammered as he watched his right hand look for something. Anything. A ghostly appropriation of a gauntlet wearing hand could be seen for a brief moment as it grabbed the kendo sword resting by his desk. The teacher's face froze as he realised what was going on.

His left arm made a grab for it to try and keep it down, as if he was fighting against an overwhelming urge. "Something that disagrees with you is disagreeing with me - sincere a-apologies!" He wrestled it from his own grip and threw it back at the wall to fall against the chains with a clatter, but Mr. Miller's right hand balled into a fist and smashed a hole in the desk. Again, the etheric gauntlet shone over his right hand, and a flickering breastplate could be seen manifesting for a brief second.

"And he disagrees with my desk too, at current moment." The teacher himself was a pleasant person until provoked, but it seemed as though this fragment of Michael the Archangel was not. "I-I'm going to take a lucky guess and say Percy explained - but I do have a question." He looked at the students in the class, trying to take his mind off of things and to pacify Michael. "Why are we all here, us mages if I could be called one myself? Am I to guess Ms. Venezia a mage too?"

He then groaned as he kept his right hand pinned to the desk with his left hand and his head, "Next thing you know the Chinese teacher is a dragon or something..."

[Kalshion]

"My father would never allow it. And besides, even if he would, I do have a job and thus don't really have time for school..." remarked Sakura with a depressed sigh; she was about to get up and stretch her arms when she felt herself become ensnared in the branches. She struggled violently for a few moments, trying to free herself from what she perceived as an attack from those who had taken her sister away from her - but when she realized that she was actually headed into the classroom she relaxed a bit and grumbled with frustration.

When she landed on the ground she laid there for a moment, and shook her head, looking up at the other kids and the teacher. Ughs.. another adult who likes to abuse their position.. she grumbled to herself; if she wasn't in a weakened state in terms of magic right now, she'd have made an attempt to flee so instead she sighed and took a seat in a desk, a desk that was bigger than she was....

[Kokuten]

"All excellent questions!" announced Elizabeth, holding a singular hand in the air with a certain electric excitement. The buzz of magic of room seemed to be getting to her, as if only urging her on further in her hilacious acts. She simply waved off the other children at the moment as the Caxton woman gestured her fingers towards Emilia, who had so politely raised her hand. "I do believe this question will be the best to answer first, as it truly ties forth into all of the questions at hand."

Elizabeth pressed her hands together as if to begin a prayer, but did no such thing, instead she simply spoke in that cinnamon tone, "Yes, I am Percival Caxton's mother, and was also his teacher for a few years in his previous schools. I'm sure you all know Percival, ohwhatamIsaying, of course you all know Percival, you are all his friends! As such, this is why you were all given detention by ensorcelled teachers hopped up on mystic rage. This is also why I've placed chains on the walls, so that we may have this discussion about my boy in private, as it is truly sensitive."

The woman turned to Miller for a moment, mildly noting his trouble containing his other self. "As for your question, Mister Miller. No, Emilia is not a mage, but it is not my place to announce just who Miss Venezia is. It is rude to poke in a mage's secrets, and also extremely dangerous." There was a certain, flare in the woman's eyes, the same Percy got when he was scolding someone. In fact, everyone recognized that face, as Percy had either scolded or scolded in front of everyone in the room. The young Caxton was apparently a chip off the old authoritarian block. She turned to the others though, her gaze steeling among them, her brow straightening over those verdant eyes.

Clap.

"To answer your wonderings, children, you all have been brought here because you all mean something to my boy in one way or another, and I hope that you all will share that opinion. As of recent I have found myself in a predicament to where I cannot make an effect. It is a certainly a unique case, as I cannot simply call upon my usual contacts. So, I have gathered unofficial channels, for an unofficial matter, that is handled by part and part, to a personal basis." explained Elizabeth, who sa-shayed herself around Miller's desk, before sitting on it comfortably, crossing her legs. "My son, your brother, Riley, is in trouble, and only you children have been asked for, and hopefully, when you see this situation, you might understand where I cannot." Her gaze became icy hot, embers glowing under dried magma, "So now that you know the truth, I will say one more thing. Those that wish to help my son, may stay seated, and those who believe that this is not worth their time may leave. I will apologize ahead of time if this is wasting the times of those who do not find it important, but this is a sudden matter requiring sudden action."

[Mr. Blackbird Lore]

Well! That was... unexpected. Emilia couldn't possibly imagine what Percival had requested her for. They'd only met twice, and the first time was her novice attempt to reap a soul, the second a mere chance encounter. He had promised to to 'hang out,' but obviously something had gotten the better of him- Emilia had not heard a word since. She had, in fact, begun to forget it entirely, chalking it up to one of those empty promises mortals make more frequently than they'd like to admit.

Despite their unusual encounters, Venezia wanted to help and moreso was curious about his condition. She already knew a reaping was out of the question, but if he was dying- a perfectly good reason to summon all of one's friends- then perhaps there would be time to make his stories the very first chapter of her compendium.

Emilia could only hope it was as simple as that.

[Luca]

"Ahaaa-Apologies!" It was clear that Mr. Miller's nice side was overweaning to compensate for Michael's outbursting behaviour towards Spirit Magicians. Mr. Miller was able to connect the dots as to his spirit's misbehaviour. What he wasn't able to figure out was what Ms. Venezia had to do with it. Oh well, life being the way it is now, I guess I'll find out soon. He thought while trying to fight off a headache induced by the angry Spirit.

"My son...is in trouble."

Mr. Miller paused for a moment and his mind drew a temporary blank with this new fact. The manifestations of Michael went still and faded as the duo mulled the elder mage's proposition over. On the one hand, the young Percival Caxton was able to give Mr. Miller an idea of what he was dealing with, and a means of communicating with Michael, the spirit that'd latched onto him. Percival had also conscripted Aurus' help in training the teacher to become a fine warrior, even winning the God's respect for his spirit, and his Spirit's respect for devotion and tenacity. On the surface, Mr. Miller seemed to be contemplating, tapping his right index finger against the desk as he and his spirit weighed the options. If Mrs. Caxton, an obviously powerful mage, was conscripting help, it must've been a serious issue - in spite of what her past might've been.

A conclusion was reached. Mr. Miller then looked up at Elizabeth Caxton, able to stare into her eyes without a flicker of doubt and they stated: "We're listening." A more even manifestation of Michael's armour flickered into view, overlapping itself with Mr. Miller's body for a moment. For what Mr. Caxton did for Mr. Miller's spiritual development, he had to reciprocate - it was the Just thing to do. Michael and Miller were in unity on this agreement.