Disclaimer: I do not own the Avalon Web of Magic/Quest for Magic series or the song I'm So Sick, they belong to Rachel Roberts and Flyleaf respectively.

You can find this song on YouTube by just searching for "Flyleaf I'm So Sick"

I will break into your thoughts

With what's written on my heart

I will break, break

I'm so sick

Infected with where I live

Let me live without this empty bliss, selfishness

I'm so sick

I'm so sick

"Hey Marlin," Emily said to the screen-portal the dragonflies were weaving. The pale blue face of the Aquatanian Prince looked back at her and smiled.

"Hi Emily. Is there a reason for this unexpected--but welcome--visit?"

"Not really," The healer replied. "I just wanted to say hi, and I was wondering if you wanted me to check up on Niva this weekend. You know, to see if she's doing alright."

Marlin's blue-green eyes seemed to smile. "That'd be great. I think she's doing okay, and she says she's fine, but we could always use a third opinion." The screen blinked as Fiona stopped spinning and spat red sparkles at Fred. "What's going on?" Marlin asked.

"The dragonflies are fighting." Emily answered, then said to the dragonflies, "Guys, could you please stop, just for a few more minutes?"

Barney and Goldie, who were faltering in their weaving because of their quarreling friends, squawked in agreement. Fred and Fiona's jeweled eyes quickly widened and they began to weave again.

"Ugh, Marlin, I think I'm going to have to let these guys go now. I'll talk to you on Friday. That's in two days, 'kay?"

Marlin laughed. "Alright. See you then."

"Bye." Emily turned to the dragonflies once again. "You guys can stop now. Thank you. Do you want a treat?"

The dragonflies abruptly stopped their spinning and happily squeaked. Emily giggled and walked toward the manor, the tiny dragons spinning and flipping joyfully in the air, colorful sparkles trailing behind them.

If you want more of this

We can push out, sell out, die out

So you'll shut up

And stay sleeping

With my screaming in your itching ears

Adriane was working on the computer in the library while Emily was in the forest talking to Marlin. Kara sat on the sofa, copying answers from a textbook onto a sheet of paper. Lyra slept at her feet, and Dreamer was chewing on a rawhide in the middle of the carpet.

"Whatcha doin'?" Ozzie jumped onto the desk and peered at the computer screen.

"Work," Adriane said without so much as a glance his way, her fingers never faltering on the keyboard. "Go away."

Kara snorted. "That was nice."

"Don't care."

Ozzie leaped off the desk and scrambled across the floor to Dreamer. The mistwolf stared at the ferret with liquid green eyes, and protectively placed his huge paws over the rawhide. His tail thumped on the ground, daring the ferret to come closer. Ozzie reached a paw out and touched the rawhide, and Dreamer playfully jumped up, growling. The rawhide hung from his mouth. Ozzie grinned.

The noise of the two animals playing was begininng to irritate Adriane. Without thinking, her hand scratched her wrist. She wasn't aware of it until her sharp nails caught a thin layer of skin. She peeked under her sleeve, where a crescent shape had formed.

At tht moment, Emily and the dragonflies came in, the latter happily chewing on pieces of cookie. Goldie zipped toward Kara, lifting a piece of her blonde hair. The blazing star scratched her head, and Goldie cooed.

Adriane saved the updates to the Ravenswood Website and closed the browser. She swiveled in the chair to face her friends. A car horn honked outside, and Emily rushed to the window to see who it was. A forest green Explorer waited in the driveway.

"It's my mom," She announced. "Kara, do you need a ride home?"

"Yeah, my mom won't be home till seven. See you tomorrow, Adriane."

"Bye."

The two other mages grabbed their bookbags and rushed out of the library. She heard them clamber down the stair and a few seconds later, the heavy wooden front door slammed shut. Lyra yawned and stretched. She had been woken up while Ozzie and Dreamer were playing, but hadn't bothered to get up.

The phone next to the computer rang. Adriane picked up the phone after it's second ring, to check the caller ID. It was her mother.

"Hello?"

"Adriane, hi." Willow sounded rushed and stressed. "Dad just gave me your message. Gran's sick again?"

"Yeah."

"Are you staying with anyone?"

"No."

"Oh. We have to get something set up. You can't live on your own."

Adriane rolled her eyes. Does she ever get tired of this speech? She thought to herself.

"I'm going to call Uncle Pierre."

Oh, no. "The one from France? Dad's brother?"

"Of course. What other Uncle Pierres do you have?"

"But... He's in France..."

Willow sighed. "He and Aunt Lily are moving here, because Pierre was promoted. They're going to stay at the cottage with you while we get this thing with you and Janelle sorted out."

"...Janelle?"

"Oh, Honey, I'm sorry. I have to go. Bye, love you!" Adriane heard the phone click and the dial tone sound. The warrior did not like Pierre and Lily. At all. Pierre was loud and drank a lot, and Lily was an appearance-obsessed skeleton. And who was Janelle, anyway?

I'm so sick

Infected with where I live

Let me live without this empty bliss, selfishness

I'm so sick

I'm so sick

Hear it

I'm screaming it

You're heeding to it now

Hear it

I'm screaming it

You tremble at the sound

Adriane thought about the last time she had visited with Pierre and Lily. She had only been ten, so it had been four years since she had seen them. Maybe they've changed, she thought optimistically. Then the memory of the visit came crashing down on her, and she felt sick. Luc and Willow had gone out to dinner in Paris and left her in Pierre and Lily's "care". Pierre had had too much to drink that night, as he did many nights, and had stumbled into Adriane who was carrying a glass of water to the sink. The glass had crashed to the floor and water spilled everywhere. Pierre's face turned beet red and he bellowed at her to clean it up. As she picked up the broken shards of glass, Pierre had grabbed her arm harshly and slapped her face. "Quicker next time!" He yelled.

Shit.

You sink into my clothes

This invasion makes me feel worthless, hopeless, sick

I'm so sick

Infected with where I live

Let me live without this empty bliss, selfishness

I'm so

I'm so sick

I'm so sick

Infected with where I live

Let me live without this empty bliss, selfishness

I'm so

I'm so sick

I'm so

I'm so sick.