Disclaimer: No characters or places mentioned in the DL books belong to me. Not even a certain, very hot, Elvish mage belongs to me, unfortunately.
A/N: Before anything else, I must apologize in advance: in this chapter, I detailed the 'caste system' I've observed in my school. This is just my perspective, and was not written to offend anyone. If someone feels as if by my explanation, I misplaced them, I'm sorry. Now, to the rest of the note: Sorry for the delay, peeps. First, I became disgusted with myself for writing such a Sue, then I got a bit of inspiration, then Fie got mad because he'd wanted more reviews on Shades of Grey. Unfortunately, Black Mages can be even more temperamental and bitchy than teenage girls. That could be one reason we work so well together. Anyway, without further ado, my story.
Monday, Monday
The day dawned bright and warm on Monday, and Maeg walked sleepily out of her house to hear the birds singing. Unfortunately, it was Monday, so the beauty of the day was lost to her. Equally unfortunate, she was also a bit sore from the aerobics of the day previous. She grunted in greeting to Jess, who, by arrangement, was the one driving that day. Upon getting to school and meeting up with the mages, she was still in a weary stupor. It was only through the greatest effort that she managed not to hit Dalamar, who, though not really a morning person, did need less sleep than the humans, and therefore was quite cheery.
"So, did you get a good night's rest? Lovely day out, isn't it? I really like this place – trees and buildings all together! Isn't it nice?" For once, Maeg and Raistlin were truly united in the idea that Dalamar sounded like an inebriated kender, and shouldn't be doing that at this hour. Jess on the other hand, was about to reply, when the other two cut her off. "Shut up, Dalamar! How could I be having a good day? It's Monday for God's sake!"
Maeg and Raistlin both broke off their tirade, amazed that they'd had exactly the same feelings, save for Maeg's rant referring to one god, and Raistlin's being plural. Dalamar gulped back a laugh at the looks on the two humans faces. It seemed to make it even funnier that Maeg's glare was situated a good head lower than Raistlin's.
After glaring at each other for a moment, they both fixed their death stares on the offending elf. He gulped, and tried not to remember the fact that when his Shalafi looked at him like that, it was usually a prerequisite to pain.
Luckily, Jess was there to break the silence. "Guys, lighten up! Monday-itis is perfectly fine, but remember whose class we're heading to now! She'd likely give any of us detention or worse at the drop of a hat, much less a glare."
That statement was enough to drive all traces of amusement from the dark elf's face, as well as to help dispel the annoyance on Maeg and Raistlin's. Raistlin sighed. "You're quite astute for someone from this planet." Though obviously meant as praise, Raistlin was as cynical as ever. "You are quite right; we should be concentrating on fighting Her Dark Majesty, not each other."
The bell rang, telling the students it was time to go inside, and the four got caught up in the crush of students. When they got to their hall, the crowd had thinned a bit, and they were able to talk once more. Between the time it took to get to the hall, and the fight to get there, Maeg was looking considerably more awake. They each stopped at their lockers to get the morning's books. After a minute, Dalamar waved them over to his locker, and motioned for them to be quiet.
He pointed at Takhisis' room, which was apparently empty, save for the Goddess herself, doing paperwork at her desk. Maeg raised an eyebrow in silent query. "It's just an illusion, like the one that she'd created while talking to Catalina." Dalamar answered, speaking in a low tone. "I believe that boy who was bothering you the other day, what was his name? Arthur? No, Arnold. Yes, Arnold was called in. When the room changed after he entered, I decided that whatever was said in there was likely to be pertinent."
The group huddled around Dalamar, who started to relay the conversation. Raistlin also cast an illusion, so that it would appear that they were chatting innocently and getting books out of the locker.
"Arnold. So glad you were able to come." The goddess' voice was at its most sultry and tempting. "I have a proposition for you."
"Yes?" Arnold sounded interested, as well as in awe of Takhisis' beauty.
"What are your feelings on Miss Maegith Newkirk? Not very charitable, I expect." The Dark Queen's voice was soothing, compelling the boy to tell all.
"Maeg? What does she have to do with anything?"
Remarkably, the goddess was able to keep her temper. "Everything, my dear boy, but yet nothing. Everything and nothing. All will be explained in due time. Now, tell me. Every detail." Her voice held that soothing tone that indicated the use of a mind control spell. Now that the group had experience in that, they would have been able to detect that themselves if they'd risked getting Takhisis' attention with a bit of magic.
Unable to resist the mind control, Arnold's answer was completely truthful, at least from his point of view. "Well, I've liked her since we were little, and she's never liked me. Guess she thinks she's too good for me, or something."
"I wonder why." Takhisis' voice was slightly sarcastic, but not so much that the rather dull Arnold would pick up on, especially when under one of Takhisis' spells.
"Glad I'm appreciated by someone. Anyway, the other day, I asked her very nicely if she'd go out with me, and she flaunts in my face the fact that she'd immediately ensnared that new kid Daniel. The whore."
"And yet you still desire her? The minds of mortals continue to amaze me. But that's beside the point. What would you say if I offered you power beyond your wildest dreams, and a future containing her and any other mortal you desire? Would you like that, dear?" Her tone was one used on little children when bribing them with toys.
"Of course I'd like that, who wouldn't? But what's the catch?" His tone was suspicious.
"That you learn to use your power and use it against the Dark Elf and the mage." At what must have been a look of total astonishment and disbelief from the human, the goddess embellished. "Daniel and Raistlin. And taking that other girl Jess out of the way wouldn't hurt either. This is all I ask, and for that, the power of the world can be yours."
There was a moment of silence, in which Arnold must have been simply staring, astonished. "How?" He finally managed to stutter.
"I am a goddess of immense power from another world, and they are trying to prevent me from getting back. I need your help." She was pouring on the charm, knowing exactly what to say to get the desired results.
"Well, the ones standing in your way must be dumb not to want you in their world. Of course I'll help. I'm dedicated to you, My Lady. I pledge my life."
"Curses." Dalamar swore as he repeated the last sentence said before the room went back to normal.
"What's wrong?" Maeg was confused. "He doesn't have very many friends, so alone, he can't be nearly as dangerous as the 'cool girls' group!"
"The problem," Raistlin continued, "is that as a man of little intellect, he will have less trouble grasping that magic, in theory, is impossible in this world, and therefore can't exist. Because he will not disbelieve it, magic will come to him more easily, making him a much more dangerous foe. He also is likely awash in righteous anger that someone is preventing a 'Lady' from returning home."
Reluctantly, the group had to go into class and sit in their appointed seats, because none wanted detention with Takhisis for being late to class. Unfortunately, they forgot to factor in that she was a goddess. As each of them was about halfway to their seats, the bell rang, three minutes early.
Takhisis grinned ferally at them, ignoring the confused stares of the other students who were not yet seated. "Being late to class is inexcusable, children. Raistlin, Daniel, Maeg, and Jess, I want a ten-page paper on why this is so by tomorrow morning. Size twelve font, single-spaced, normal margins, no excuses. Oh, and no relating it to anything outside of school, or it's an automatic failure." She smiled sweetly. "Now, let us get started."
Everyone was too astonished at the fact that Maegith Newkirk, official goody-two-shoes and teachers' pet had just gotten into trouble to notice that morning announcements never came on.
Dalamar, Raistlin, Maeg, and Jess sat quickly, not daring to say anything in protest lest it bring more work down on the rest of the group. Maeg looked shell shocked at the fact that she'd just gotten the equivalent of a detention. The girl she sat down next to, Taylor, smirked. "Not so smart now, are you?"
Maeg stared at the girl, who was easily the dumbest in Catalina's clique. "Having to write a paper for being late to a class that started early doesn't diminish brain power, at least not the last time I checked." She rolled her eyes as the other girl paused, taking in what she said. Taylor rolled her eyes and tossed her hair; her old standby of an answer for things she didn't understand.
Takhisis looked up. "Miss Newkirk? Did you want to make that twenty pages?" She smiled sweetly.
Maeg looked up at her briefly, not even daring to glare. "No, ma'am. Not one more word from me."
The rest of the class was hell for the quartet of mages, and Takhisis assigned a mountain of homework on top of their ten pages. When she had her back turned, Maeg glared at the goddess, a look of pure hatred. She'd finish both homework and paper if it took her until 3 AM to do it.
Maeg looked at the clock from her place next to Taylor. No wonder the period seemed to be taking forever – Takhisis was holding the bells again. Finally, however, it was over. As she walked to the door, all of the girls of Catalina's clique smirked at her. When she got out of the class, both Dalamar and Raistlin were looking quizzically at her.
"Why do they hate you so much?" It was Dalamar who finally asked. "I mean, apart from childhood disagreements. They all look at you as if they're elves and you're an ogre."
Maeg and Jess looked at each other. It was finally time for the caste explanation. "Well," Jess began. "To understand the cliques, you have to understand high school society. Or at least the female portion of that- we're still trying to figure out the male caste system. So, there are three major groups. The Untouchables, the Middle Class, and Human Dirt."
"Each group," Maeg continued, "has many sub-groups. Starting at the top – Catalina's clique: in the Untouchables. They are the upper class white girls who manage to be in honors classes, but not at the very top of them. They're passably good at everything they do, but excel at nothing save popularity, fashion, and guys. There is also a group in the Untouchables for every other race. The main rules of the Untouchables – stay popular at any cost, and speak to no one below the Middle Class. Usually, each of the sub-groups has a leader, and the others are disposable friends of the leader. Those friends might be shoved into Middle Class or even become Dirt the minute they cross the leader."
"Next is the Middle Class." Jess took up the narrative. "These people can socialize with people from any other class without losing face. They're usually fairly good at everything they try, but don't particularly stand out. If they do, its usually sports, though there are a couple in academics. They don't, however, do things such as read, write, or do homework outside what they have to while in public. They're usually pretty nice people, and will be good friends."
"Finally, there is Human Dirt." Maeg was finishing off the explanation. "That would include the people who excel academically and in band. A person in this group is not afraid to look like a geek, because they've already been branded as such. Usually, they have their own sense of style for clothing, which has nothing to do with what is 'cool'. Unless they find someone with very similar interests, they are likely to have no love lives. They aren't allowed to speak to the Untouchables, unless it's to give them an answer. This would be the group that Jess and myself fall into, mostly due to our love of fantasy books, and our good grades. All of the girls in our army belong to this group."
"Ah." Dalamar sounded surprised that there was an answer so clear cut and readily available. Once more, he was reminded of the intricacies of Elvish politics.
The rest of the day went by rather quickly, which may have been partly due to the fact that they were practically on a two-hour delay schedule due to Takhisis' trick of holding the bells. Surprisingly, even gym passed without incident. Raistlin had discovered a potion that when rubbed into the body would dispel the anti-magic effects of the chlorine. The Earthlings and Dalamar were surprised to see that Raistlin was a capable, even a good, swimmer. On further contemplation however, they realized that he must be, having grown up around Caramon and Crystalmere Lake.
A/N: Well, hope y'all enjoyed. I apologize for the spelling of the Lake mentioned in the last paragraph – I can't spell for beans, and I'm too lazy to look minor details like that up. So, no spelling based flames, please! Next chapter – a lot of time passes, and the true Sue-ness begins. Finally, the middle of the story draws near! Now, to my faithful reviewers: Well, okay, not quite yet. I just noticed several names on my favorites list that I don't remember seeing on reviews. If you like my stories, tell me for crying out loud! Now, review, or I'll sic Fie on you. Now, to my loyal reviewers (take 2):
Ahn-Li Steffraini: My goodness, I think I've finally learned how to spell your name! Well, thanks for the great review for the last chapter. I agree, the mental picture of Dal dancing around was quite amusing, and I have a feeling that you may be right, and Dalamar will get some sort of revenge before this story is over. Thank you very much for the website. I hadn't known about it previously, and will be sure to check it out. By the way, I apologize in advance for the Sue-ness of the next chapter. I have this feeling I should start running now so I'll have a head start on the PPC!
ChildlikeEmpress: Glad you enjoyed the last chapter. I too was quite amused.
Guan: Your welcome for my correcting myself, and no, it didn't come out wrong – I'd been an ass. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter more than the last, and I promise, this is the last completely uninspired one of the lot, at least for a while.
Alien21XX: Thanks again for your honesty: reviews like yours really help me with my writing. I agree about Dally's dancing, but as I'd taken biology with the two biggest class clowns in my school, I count myself (for the most part) above much mental scarring! Glad you appreciated the way I detailed the spell, though I do agree – it did get rather dry at times. No worries – the next chapter is QUITE emotion packed… And yes, there should be a good deal of reference to chapters 11 and 12 in the coming battles. Sorry for taking so long!
Lazy.kender19: Sorry for the wait! Glad you liked the chapter, and sorry for the wait! But something involving Freddie and a certain self-help group had to come first!
Jade Limill: No problem for not reviewing the last chapter, it happens to everyone. Glad you liked both. Wow, you're the second or third person who complained about mental scarring from Dally's dance – I should make an announcement before I do things like that, I guess.
Pet: Yep, either Geordi or Spock. Grimace Now that that's over with, though, I can refer back to it anytime without long, drawn out explanations. Sorry, don't know Vampire the Masquerade. Who knows, maybe he is related! Don't worry, not too much more Dalamar abuse. He knows I love him. Though he could be driven to the group for that too…
Elven-Girl 10: Sorry again for not seeing the review. That's what comes of too little sleep. Oh, I'm glad someone actually noticed my teeny anachronism. I did know that that was out of time, I just had to manipulate the order of things to get everyone to the point where I needed them. Sorry that it bothered you, and thanks for telling me, though I did know. Hope you enjoyed this chapter too.
A. N. Winterz: Glad you liked it. Hope this too was satisfactory.
Kenderling: Yeah, I rather do enjoy writing Maeg's little rants. I think some more people will be vocalizing similar thoughts in the next chapter or two. Glad you did enjoy the mind control stunts. I too am quite ready to be over and done with this 'introduction to magic' bit.