Trials
Chapter Two
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Spooksville, though I do own Risa, and I'm not making any money from this fic
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risa and Nightshade walked from the house to the school Risa was due to start at.
Having a wizard as a mentor does have advantages, Risa thought. Nightshade had managed to persuade the school to accept Risa straight away, even over the phone.
Because Risa didn't want her sister to realise that she was around, at least not yet, Risa had kept her first name, but had taken Nightshade's name as her surname – she was now Risa Nightshade as opposed to Risa Makey. Cindy wouldn't recognise her by her looks alone. At least, Risa hoped she wouldn't.
Nightshade stopped outside the school gates, and turned to Risa. "Are you sure about this?" he asked her. "You don't have to go if you don't want to."
"No, I do want to go," Risa replied. "I guess I feel like I have to. You're right, Nightshade. I really should be in school. Besides, I would like to mix with others my age."
"All right," Nightshade said. "Now listen, Risa. Who you tell or don't tell about your particular... talents is up to you. I just ask that you be careful about who you tell. If you trust the wrong person, you will likely not be able to complete your trials."
"I don't plan on telling anyone about my powers, Nightshade," Risa replied. "So don't worry. Anyway, I'm sure I can find the office, Nightshade. I'll go in on my own. I think that you'll draw too much attention."
"And you don't want to look like you have to rely on me," Nightshade murmured.
Risa merely blinked. She had forgotten to shield her mind again, after all. She really did need to remember that. One would think that she would have learned by now. "Yes, there is that," she agreed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Risa made her way slowly to the head teacher's office, using a small part of her power to gently probe the way while more of her power went to keeping a tight shield around her mind. Chances were, there would be other people with magical powers in the school. Risa would have to start being more careful.
After a few moments, Risa found the head teacher's office. She knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," a male voice called.
Risa pushed open the door, and stepped into the room.
There was a man with dark hair streaked with grey sitting at the desk in the room. He looked up as Risa entered.
"Hello, my name's Risa M... Nightshade," Risa said. Oh, great, she thought to herself. I almost slipped up. I'm going to have to start watching what I say.
"Oh, yes," the man replied. "I'm the headmaster here – Mr. Kiva. I have your timetable and a plan of the school for you here somewhere. You'll be in registration now." He started rifling through the papers on his desk, finally finding a couple of sheets of paper, which he handed to Risa. "Your registration class won't be too hard to find," he told her. "It's just up the hall a little way. If you need anything else, just come back here."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There were a lot of people going into the classroom, so Risa was able to slip into the room largely unnoticed. She took a seat near the back, and scanned the room with her eyes and her mind.
There was a rather mixed group of children in Risa's registration. There were a few with magical talent, but not any that were really strong. And none of them had had any training.
And then she walked into the classroom.
Her looks were quite ordinary. She had waist-length white-blonde hair pulled into a ponytail and dark blue eyes.
But Risa wasn't interested in the girl's looks. Her eyes narrowed, then widened.
She has power! Risa thought, shocked. A lot of it. It's different to mine, though... And it's largely untrained. I'll have to tell Nightshade about this. Her power could be just as dangerous as mine would have been untrained.
Before she really thought about it, Risa caught the girl's eye and waved her over.
The girl hesitated, and then slowly made her way over to Risa. "Hello," she said. "You're new, aren't you?"
"I am," Risa replied. "My name's Risa... Nightshade." I really have to get used to being Risa Nightshade, she added silently.
"My name's Rachel Thompson," the other girl said. "Hey... If you want someone to show you round the school, I'd be happy to."
"Thank you," Risa smiled. "I'll take you up on your offer." And it'll also give me a chance to keep an eye on Rachel and her power, she thought to herself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read and review, please!