Hey, it's my tenth chapter! Do I get an anniversary present? I suppose not, what with my lateness and all. I'll give a gift instead. If you are the first to review, I will review a story of your choice and write a haiku about it. Fair? I dunno. Read and review please!

-I am a line break, begin the story-

I rise multiple times in the night, sleeping in this unfamiliar, constricting bed. Eventually I simply drag myself out of bed and enter the kitchen. Quiet, save for the low hum of the refrigerator and Mount Justice's occasional creak. I snag a few oranges, apparently the fruits that produce the similarly named juice, and go to the beach.

This early, Happy Harbor, as I believe this town is named, looks less than joyful. Its forbidding beauty is displayed well. Fading stars of a chill blue shade glimmer in the dark, but slowly paling sky. The cold sand looks nearly grey as its grains rub against my feet, and the ocean is nigh-black. The town's more brightly colored, artificial constructs are dim in the distance.

I sit cross-legged upon a rock washed periodically by the crashing sea. I have brought along my water-bearers, and I lay them in front of me on the rock. Sea foam, spat out by the waves, hisses by my toes. I place my hands lightly upon the instruments, and begin to chant softly and swiftly. It is an incantation I have been working on for quite a time. I have already drawn on this idea for a modified binding spell, but I can feel that with a bit more practice, my elemental magic can work.

I close my eyes.

"I invoke the power, the cold of the great northern ice-walls. Draw upon the Arctic winds and spread their frozen touch as I will. From the heavens, I call upon Khione's diamonds. Freeze, shatter, fly!"

I focus my mind upon the water spiking into the air when it strikes the stone. Parts of it begin to freeze, until the water is something like slush. Knowing that this is not what I intended, I follow through anyway. One of the tenets of sorcery is to have utter faith in your decisions. Many beings who may as well have magic in their veins admire courage and confidence, making it an important part of setting up a contract with, or banishing, them. Following through even with a failed spell increases your knowledge of the casting's flaws. So I throw out my arm towards the empty ocean, fingers stiff. The slush, and few ice shards inside, leap towards the water, rejoining their warmer origins swiftly. I begin again.

It takes many tries, and the consumption of many oranges as fuel for my energy reserves, to make progress on it. I try picturing the water actually freezing, and subsequently breaking apart into jagged pieces, which helps some. When dawn breaks across the horizon, I leave my training area and shower. I give Beast Boy a smiling greeting as we cross paths, and one to Miss Martian and La'gann, her constant companion, and likely her courtship partner, by extension. I eat a better breakfast than oranges when I try some rings made of ground wheat and honey in a bowl of milk. Beast Boy insists that I have some, and I end up liking them when I try a handful to be polite. I am forced to consume some dark meat, made from cow-creatures. These beasts evidently provide a type of clothing material, drink, manual labor, and food, and have no relation to sea cows. How versatile their uses are!

A revolting liquid, called a protein shake, is forced down my throat. I am told that it is necessary to provide muscle for missions. I choke it down and go looking for the exercise area. I find weights, which I have to adjust. Only after I have practiced lifting them do I spot a notice that reminds users to stretch before exercise. I grimace and comply with warm-up drills from my Atlantean military days.

I shower again after completing my time, apparently mandatory, in that room. For much of the rest of the day, I practice my usage of the water-bearers, mainly weapon techniques, and several other spells. We have equally mandatory combat training when the Team members who were in school, including me, return. Dueling with punches and blocks, kicks and jumps, and even grappling, I am sore and happen to hold the record for least matches won: none.

Barbaric surface-worlders, with their ignorance of the arcane arts and repressive schools, if one can call them that. I am to be attending Grace Connard Carver High School as Morgan, a bastardized version of my name, Greenwood. I am supposed to be the daughter of an American businessman living in Greece, who sent me to school in these states. It will explain my light accent, and is backed up by my moderate grasp of Modern and Ancient Greek. My glamour charm gives me a surface-worlder appearance, and I pretend to be severely hydrophobic-ha! a hydrophobic Atlantean-to avoid water. My water-bearers are sealed into an umbrella for when it rains. My clothes are loose to aid in removal when I must wear only the uniform underneath. I have to wear terrible, restrictive shoes as well. As soon as I have reached Mount Justice each day, I plan to remove those shoes for some freedom.

My homework is simple. I have been placed in remedial classes to catch up on the curriculum. This also makes the English easier to read, alleviating any difficulties I might have with this infernal language. I complete and check over it.

I shower again. I could participate in less of the cleansing sessions, but the water is very pleasurable and my hygiene is important.

The Alpha and Beta Squads go on minor missions. I am pleased to note that the remaining people include La'gann, unworthy of a mission, and the ever-friendly Blue Beetle and Impulse. I am less pleased that I am among these others.

I eat a blessedly fish-containing dinner with them and do the dishes again. Following that, I sleep in the pool of my room, forgoing the bed for now. In time, I will acclimate.

All things in time...

-I am a line break, ending the story-

I officially apologize for my lateness. I have stayed up into the wee hours of the morning for this, so you had best be pleased with my handiwork. Good night/morning/afternoon/evening to you my friends!