[15th April 2011]

[Saint Columba's College, Ballyvourey, County Cork Republic of Ireland, Earth-16]

The place was...odd Dean found, all old fashioned looking, with what were, essentially, Wards out of their costume running about. Yet there was tinker-tech sensors and cameras all over the place along with soldiers concealed in places over the yards on the way in according to Armsmaster. Oh, and the Teleportation across the Atlantic Ocean apparently, though technically that could be all faked...albeit unlikely of course. But, then again, Piggot tended to be...herself really, so best to voice that in the report just in case Gallant figured; things were already bad enough without upsetting that particular applecart.

Things such as having Vicky's sister and mother here, which was a terrible idea in his opinion, but allowed them be 'open' with this new earth without risking the identities of too many capes. Capes such as himself...but that was an acceptable risk to someone apparently; especially with his abilities and Panacea's being so 'useful' for seeking out information on their temporary 'hosts'. Well, Tattletale's as she was the 'Cleric' according to her anyway, even if Dean wasn't sure she'd just deluded herself in wanting to feel important through some Neo-Pagan thing. After all, if Magic was real he was pretty sure God, the proper one, would speak to his flock first and foremost rather than...whatever sort of energy being this 'Shrouded Lord' was.

'Getting less certain of that aren't we though Dean?' he thought himself before pushing it down. The world was bad enough without adding too it, and Amy was...a glance showed the swirl of emotions that were fully hidden behind a polite smile and nervous glances. Panacea was curious, wanted to ask questions...but damn if Vicky's family were an emotional disaster zone waiting to explode after spending several hours with her Mother in 'Quarantine' on both sides of 'Magic Gateway Getaway' as Clock called it. Sadly there wasn't much he could do, especially right now, as they sat in a very nice bar that was pretending to be school cafeteria with constant curious looks coming their way...

'Of course being dressed in full costume does draw attention; even if it's clear of those here don't know who we really are'

They weren't the only ones in costume of course, but it felt like a really nerve-racking publicity tour where no-one knew who they were, while being hosted by Accord...and just waiting for the villain to snap. Save they were being treated really well, the emotions of their 'hosts' tense and suspicious maybe, but overall friendly considering the similarity between PRT and this SHIELD's staff paranoia. Alexandria was a little...odd...in her emotions, whatever was being said at the booth across the way, but Tattletale [they badly needed to rebrand her!] was a bonfire of eager excitement and happiness. Dean was a little impressed with her poker face as he looked away...

"Come on, stop staring at everything and eat..." Vicky 'announced' to him but an energetic shove as she chewed on a sandwich held in her other hand "...this is sooooo much better than being stuck in M/S and CDC whatever protocols! We have to look around, and do stuff...like learn magic and seeing Ames get all slack-jawed at weird things"

"Vicky!" her sister hissed back in a low grumble as Dean gave a snort of amusement, adjusting his helmet again to allow himself to eat while the two sisters bickered softly amongst themselves till Brandish stepped in by snapping a whispered reprimand. It was gathering attention he saw, watching as a few clusters of 'students' drifted in, one dressed like something out of an ABB recruit poster [if they had ones] and sword at her belt being amongst those without costumes. How would Arcadia work like this he wondered idly...he just think beyond the danger to his family and those of the others when it came to it.

"I do believe some fresh air would do us some good in clearing heads" Brandish announced, politely, after a glance from Armsmaster once they had all managed to end their hunger at least. The goal there was to 'explore' this place as much as possible while Tattletale and Alexandria were being briefed by this...Wards age priest and killer. That'd been a bit of shock...and best not told to Missy without some preparation as she'd probably see it as an inspiration for being Vista, and things were dangerous enough around the Bay, with mass media attention, without throwing in that idea.

Splitting up their group was rarely idea, but orders were orders, and Gallant followed them even if Panacea and Glory Girl weren't entirely briefed on the nature of the 'nosing around' as he thought of it. They needed to know as much as they could about this Earth Gimel, especially if they could create and train powers as Tattletale was claiming they could. Or being 'blessed by her God' as she called it, but, then again, it was probably better the smug know-it-all that was their newest villain-turned-hero member rather than say...Sophia. Dean resisted the urge to shudder at that thought, especially from what he'd heard had happened over the Weaver Incident and Shadow Stalker's suspension and move elsewhere.

Their guides made no significant effort to prevent them 'touring' the school, with most classes out for the day, though rooms were still in use it seemed for impromptu lessons and training. It was funny really, in its way, as the classrooms were...sort of old fashioned, but much nicer than even Arcadia. Certainly better than he'd heard of other places in Brockton Bay like Winslow from Shadow Stalker and Weaver, but just having a less...modern?...look to them. Somehow he'd expected more Tinker-tech or 'Magic' items rather than rather mundane looking computers and such.

'You'd think so-called magicians would be more...I dunno, more skulls and weird rituals everywhere?' he thought to himself staying quiet as they followed a cluster of younger children out the doors towards something outside. Their 'escorts' weren't overly happy with it, which was why Armsmaster apparently wanted to 'explore' in that general direction; because if eager 'students' want to go that way, and their minders didn't', then...

'Bad ideas' he silently grumbled as they emerged out into the dull cloud illuminated gloom of a large open expanse, football fields, basketball courts, and gardens was what it looked like. Of course the well-concealed guards on the roof of the school hid the total illusion of normalcy that the place momentarily provided as he watched students playing soccer or something while others sat on a hillock watching...a garden? It wasn't easy to tell, but Vicky and Armsmaster, for very different reason, brought them over in that direction as a flustered 'tour guide' encouraged them to go elsewhere...

...

...oh, that's why...

"Is...is that...garden...alive?" he managed to find words for the others as a cluster of people watched a very much, unnaturally, alive garden and...

"That...is that...a Disney song?"

Because, really, there was a singing white-haired girl and birds and little forest animals running about as...Oh God, the trees were alive, and she was a bio-tinker...

...and Piggot was going to have a heart attack when she saw this. And Christ, she was controlling the birds as well, and they were doing a dance routine...

"Fuck, it is a Disney song" came a grumbling voice from behind them as Gallant blinked and noted the horrified swirl of emotions from Brandish, confusion from the others, and a dangerous swirl around Amy Dallon, as it seemed Enchanter had followed them with Alexandria and Tattletale in tow "Jinx, I thought you were in charge of Tefe?"

"Screw you John!" an almost faintly grey-skinned girl with pink dyed hair in a dress sitting nearby on the grass shouted back "It's Saturday, and we had a Disney marathon on the tv last night"

"Heavens dammit it is Doom Fortress Saturday..." the more normal-looking boy his age, not dressed like a skull masked villain, rubbed at his face "...but Disney, really?"

"Little girls and princesses John, she lived in a damned swamp!"

'Enchanter' gesticulated in irritation as Tattletale...actually chuckled despite the horrifying show of white-haired child version of Nilbog dancing about badly on giant trees "Heavens and Hells you...is that KF wrapped up in vines Jinx?"

'Jinx' made a sniffing sound "He failed to say they were pretty"

"That, or you?"

"Both!" the girl huffed back to 'Enchanter' as the boy made almost familiar grumbling noises to Gallant when dealing with Clock as he strode forward to the writhing mass of plant life. The girl...girls actually...in the trees barely acknowledged him, though Gallant did notice a yellow coloured figure amongst the mass of vines and flowers...

"Oi! Tefe! Could you release Kid Flash please!"

"I AM SWAMP PRINCESS! THE FOREST QUEEN!" was shouted back from a white-haired little girl standing in a white dress and barefoot as another girl, maybe nine or ten, hovered in the air nearby waving at 'John' who stood with hands on hips glaring "AND HIS PUNYISH FWOR HIS EBIL DOING!"

"EVIL DOING!" the hovering girl repeated, hands going up in the air "JUSTICE!"

Gallant watched John Fortune groan as children nearby snickered "Kid Flash, apologise to Tefe and Cassie and tell them they are the prettiest little girls..."

"SWAMP PRINCESS!" came back from one while the hovering one waved arms wildly "WONDER GIRL! I'M WONDER GIRL!"

"Oh, for...KF's sorry girls, now you can you release him from your vines...Swamp Princess? He's just an idiot! He's sorry an' stuff"

"Hey, you can't call my boyfriend that!" pinkette complained with a huff, standing up "Only I'm allowed do that mister!"

"I'm team leader, and now help me convince them get..."

'Yeah, this a highschool with capes' Gallant though idly as 'Enchanter' bickered with the girl and Brandish stood as a swirling mass of horror, fear, and rage beside Amy...who wasn't too bad, considering. Vicky merely seemed amused, waving and shouting encouragement to the little girls in the tress...

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