A/N So yeah more disclaimers. Really I'm just trying to cover my bases. I don't own either story!

Scatty was beginning to understand why her two newest friends hated Nancy Bobofit.

In the course of two class periods she had stolen three pencils, five erasers, and for some stupid reason, a crumpled up piece of paper. A bit of a kleptomaniac didn't cover this girl. At least she didn't go for phones or stuff like that…

Scatty held in her growl as she swatted the other red head's hand away from her pockets. It was really getting irritating but she wasn't the Shadow for nothing. This Bobofit girl was in no way sneaky to her. A baby could probably detect her. The others were just that oblivious, wrapped in their world of texting.

This time a growl did slip out. The teacher looked up but otherwise said nothing. It wasn't like he could do anything without evidence. And since Scatty had yet to let anything of hers be stolen there was no evidence. Just an irritated red head girl who could do some serious damage if pushed too much.

So when she made to stealthily strike Bobofit Scatty was surprised by the fact her hand was being restrained. Gaping silently she looked down at her hand, taking in the distinct scent of vanilla as she noticed the silver chain wrapped around her wrist. From where she sat Sophie shook her head. Scatty frowned but let her fingers uncurl. This just had to be the one class she had and Zoe didn't.

It was slightly disturbing the calming effect the blackette had on her. Never once could she remember a single person's mere presence in the room would cause her to actually use her mouth to dissolve a problem as opposed to her fists. Scatty was never one for political debate. If you wanted something out of your way it just made life a hell of lot easier to chop it out of the way. Until, you know angry people tried getting revenge, tried being the key word.

Finally the class ended. Scatty all but bolted out of the room, desperate to get away from Nancy Bobofit. She wasn't looking to get in trouble. Getting in trouble could possible get her kicked out and she would be damned if that happened before she got information about Coatlicue. Unfortunately the other red head was having none of that.

"Why do you keep smacking my hand away?" she hissed, tagging at Scatty's heels. Sophie tensed from the other side of the room and picked up her pace of putting things away. "I give back what I take!"

"Everyone says you're a thief," Scatty growled in a low tone, trying to run while making it look like not running. "And thieves steal. Stealing implies you don't give things back." Nancy made a pissed off face and swung at the Shadow.

Scatty ducked the punch easily and was about to retaliate when she heard the sound of flesh hitting flesh. That stopped her. Who had been hit by Nancy?

Zosime slowly raised a hand to her nose and held it under her nostrils. Glaring at the kleptomaniac she pulled her hand away just as slowly and stared at the blood that had pooled there. Around them the whole crowd had stopped breathing. Still keeping with the slow motions and glare the brunette let her hand fall, curling it into a fist.

"I've had enough of your crap," she said in a low voice. Scatty blinked as suddenly Zosime was in front of Nancy and driving her fist into the other red head's gut. There wasn't much power behind it; just enough to make the girl loose her breath and Scatty grimaced slightly. She had to remember that she couldn't kill anyone here. A punch from her would have caused some serious internal damage. "And just a note. Leave Serena alone. You'll get your ass handed to you." Turning on her heel the brunette walked off, presumably to the infirmary. The crowd let out a collective breath as Scatty tore after her friend.

"Thanks," she gasped, making it look like she was exhausted. Zosime shot her a glare.

"Can the act Scathach and tell me why you're here." The red head stumbled in shock as the brunette spoke in flawless Gaelic. Zosime raised a hand to her nose again, this time a dark red light seeping from her fingertips. The smell of pipe tobacco filled the air as Scatty heard the distinct clink of bone sliding back into place and the blood streaming from her nose stopped.

"You know who I am?"

"Wasn't fooled the moment we met on the train. There are very few Awakened red heads out there and even less who can sit so still as you. Sophie is Awakened too."

"How do you know that?"

"My master taught me things," Zosime answered with a shrug. Scatty waited for more information but after a silence remembered something Zoe had said before about the brunette. Vague but blunt answers. No more information would be forth coming.

"Yes she is. We're here because of the rumors of Coatlicue's prison being opened here the most." Zosime frowned and ran the name over her tongue. She hadn't heard that one before. Sophie came into view, looking irritated.

"Why did you punch Nancy?!" she hissed, sending a stern glare toward the red head. Scatty shook her head and pointed to the brunette. Sophie raised an eyebrow, silently stating she did not believe this for a second.

"Nancy punched me first," Zosime yawned. "That's not a name I've heard before."

"Who Awakened you then?" There were very few…beings that could Awaken a mortal and probably all of them knew of the Archon.

"I would not know. My master had blindfolded me."

"Wait you're Awakened?" Sophie interjected, pointing at the brunette. Rolling her milky white eyes Zosime allowed her aura to form a figure on the ground and start dancing around. "And you know who she is then?" The blonde's finger shot to Scatty and the Sarcron girl nodded again. "Does Zoe know about the magical world?"

"Yes." The answer was blunt and to the point. "She is not Awakened though. I would suggest telling her your true identity sooner rather than later Scathach. For the longest time she did not know she was adopted. When she found the secret out Zoe was rather shaken and to this day does not like secrets." Scatty bite her lip and narrowed her eyes. On one hand not telling her who she was would protect the girl. On the other hand telling the blackette her real name would mean she could make a true friend in her.

"I'll keep it in mind," she finally answered. Zosime nodded and turned to leave. "Zoe tells me you know martial arts. I'm inclined to believe her." Slowly the brunette turned back around. "But my question is how good are you."

"Depends on who you talk to." The girl turned to walk away again.

"I'm asking you." Zosime let out a sigh of irritation. Scatty was smirking slightly. She could tell the brunette didn't want to fight her and she was positive it was because she was essentially the creator of all martial arts.

"According to me I'm mediocre to proficient. According to others I'm a blasted master."

"Why do you say that?"

"Only the creator of something is ever the true master of it." Zosime walked away before either girl would respond. Scatty let out an irritated growl. She was curious to know just how good the Awakened brunette was.

"Do you think she's immortal?" Sophie asked as the two girls turned around and started heading for the dining hall. The red head frowned and thought about the blood scent that followed Zosime. Her wound wasn't fresh anymore so there was no longer an excuse.

"I don't know. Have you noticed the smell of blood around her?" The blonde nodded, a grim expression on her face. Scatty's voice dropped to a low whisper. "I've only ever smelled that when there were blood drinking vampires in the area." Sophie gasped sharply.

"Do you think…"

"That's just it. Every one of my…cousins I've come across as been driven by a primal instinct for drinking." The crowd had suddenly sprung up around them. "They're pretty much animals. Zosime is not." For a long while the two friends were silent.

"So the question comes down to this," the blonde finally mused just before the two parted ways. "Just what and who is Zosime?"