After some obligatory stretching and conditioning - Wednesday was disheartened at half the class already out of breath - Coach Vlad's voice boomed through the studio.
"Alright guys, so we're gonna do this Round Robin style to shake off the rust. I want you to use the Sabre discipline we focused on last term. This way I'll be able to know who practiced during the extended break and who sat around."
Disgruntled murmurs erupted around the class.
"After we'll have- hey! Everyone please focus up!" Coach Vlad snapped exasperatedly. "Shhhh!... After...we'll have a 15-minute break. Then I'll introduce you to Epee which is more defensive, so it'll take some getting used to."
Wednesday couldn't help but let out a disgruntled huff. She was hoping they'd continue Sabre, her preferred style. No matter, at least it wasn't foil.
"Then…" Coach Vlad sighed at his impossible-to-win-over class. "I'll let you guys have some free time with whatever's left. How about that?"
Coach Vlad didn't wait for a response, heading to the center of the room.
"OK everyone, pair up! This is gonna be pretty casual so save the battle to the deaths for later." He shot Wednesday and Bianca a look. "The person with the most touches in 2 minutes wins. Whoever has the most wins by the end, wins the day."
"Whadda we win!" A student in the back shouted, followed by some eager whispers. The suggestions ranged from new shoes to an exemption from midterms.
"My undying admiration for the rest of class how about that?" Coach Vlad waved. "We'll have a short breather in the middle. We're working on the honor system guys, so James…I'm looking at you buddy."
As Coach Vlad went around organizing groups, Wednesday watched Caspian and Bianca chatting from across the room. Caspian glanced her way 7 times in 5 minutes.
Yes, she was keeping count.
Her eyes never left him the second he entered with Enid, whom she'll undoubtedly interrogate later. She recalled with an amused brow how Caspian kept eyeing Ajax's hand on Enid's shoulder.
Amusingly pathetic, but expected of a teenage boy.
But what wasn't expected, was Enid's stiffness during the whole interaction. How does that bode well for a couple apparently 'going strong'? Perhaps she should prepare her nail gun. There may be an unfortunate chance for poor Caspian after all.
If he so dares.
Or maybe, Wednesday was just seeing things as Enid would surely say. After all, what does she know about adolescent romance?
Xavier appeared beside her, joining in her open peering. "I see you're looking forward to your rematch with Bianca."
Wednesday snorted dryly. "It won't be much of a match. I've been training with my father, a world-renowned swordsman. My victory is all but secured."
"So you've been practicing?"
"Of course, that's what one does when they fail to get the job done the first time." She shot him a side-eye. "But don't tell Bianca that."
"I won't," Xavier winked cheekily. "but from what I heard, Bianca's also been practicing. Don't tell her I told you that either."
Wednesday's eyes followed as Caspian and Bianca moved to their chosen piste. "No matter, this is all just a precursor for the fencing title. I intend to pull Ophelia Hall from its 20-year slump."
"Look at you getting into the school spirit."
"If I don't try my best, I'll never hear the end of Enid's incessant wailing," Wednesday said, deathly serious.
Xavier dropped his head suddenly, facing her. "Hey...are you busy Saturday night?"
Wednesday narrowed her eyes. This was not out of the ordinary for Xavier. Asking her to accompany him.
She puckered her lips, continuing to stare forward. "Depends."
"On what?"
"On the next words that come out of your mouth."
Xavier hesitated. "So there's this party Sunday-"
"The Bash." Wednesday's eyes fluttered, annoyed. "I've heard of it."
Enid wouldn't shut up about it. Even if she did plan on attending, she'd forfeit in defiance to all the yapping she's been subjected too.
Wednesday caught Xavier subtly rolling on the balls of his feet. She noted a while ago that he does this when he's either nervous or uncomfortable. Two traits she rarely associated with the tortured artist.
Xavier observed her carefully. "Yes, and I was wondering if you wanted to go… y'know…" his voice was taught with nerves. "with me?"
Wednesday turned sharply to face him. "An undisclosed late-night beach party with inebriated unhygienic lust-driven minors? Perhaps if it were the opening to a slasher flick I'd consider going, just to witness the bloodshed."
Xavier bit his lip, "Busy then?"
"Very." She replied morbidly, turning back.
If she were any less controlled she'd be offended Xavier thought her so low as to attend such an event. Insinuating she had nothing better to do than purposely intoxicate herself. Not to mention it would be a prime time for the stalker to get some incriminating photos of her in a defenseless state.
"What about a study session? In the nightshade club? It'll be empty, tons of privacy…" Xavier smiled hopefully. "Still busy?"
"Didn't we already allocate weekly study periods with Enid and Eugene?" She responded easily. "Besides, it's the first week, what is there to study?"
"Fine Wednesday…" Xavier sighed, his nervousness giving way to exasperation. "How about dinner and a movie?"
Her eyes fluttered to the last time she went on a movie date. It was with Tyler. Nothing else needs to be said.
"It's already been done," Wednesday clipped. "Lost its luster."
"Ok then... how about a picnic at the Lupen cages?"
"Won't be as fun without the werewolves."
"Hiking through the woods?"
"Compelling, but with no imminent danger I don't see the novelty."
"Board game night?"
She shot him a scathing glare. "If it's anything less than a serial killer's torture board, I'm insulted you even asked."
"Cooking?"
"I have my own recipes."
"Late-night taxidermy?"
"Sounds intriguing, but I doubt you'd enjoy it."
"But you'd show up?"
At her continued silence he sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "You really don't make this easy."
"If it were easy everyone would do it."
"Ok," He bit his lip, looking around as if the perfect nighttime activity was just milling about. "I'll…I'll teach you how to paint! You guys weren't the only ones practicing over the break. I can make my drawings come alive. Like, really alive. Solid to the touch kinda alive. It'd make more sense if you see it in person."
Wednesday gave him a once over, considering his offer. "Perhaps."
"Really?" His olive eyes lit up.
"I don't see why not. I need to improve my criminal sketching. And your evolved abilities sound interesting enough. But Xavier, you just reminded me that I do have plans Sunday night. Perhaps some other time."
"Alright, everyone! Get in positions…" Coach Vlad yelled through cupped hands.
Wednesday didn't wait to see his reaction, slotting her black helmet on her head as she made her way to her end of the piste. She waited opposite to Xavier, in a perfect sabre en garde.
"Switch partners when you hear the whistle….Timer…Starts, Now!"
She lunged forward, catching Xavier completely off guard.
First touch goes to her. Back to the start.
En Garde.
She lunged but this time Xavier was ready, knocking her sabre before parrying with a swing to her head which she acrobatically dodged. They disengaged, beating sabers for a couple seconds before she advanced swiftly, cutting down on his blade. Before he could react, she slashed him right across the arm.
Another touch for her.
"You weren't kidding with the practicing, didn't know you could get any more aggressive." His grin practically oozed from his voice.
"Then you truly don't know me."
"Wait that's not what I me-"
She thrust forward, forcing Xavier to pass back. She continued applying relentless pressure. She forced him off the matte with ease before delivering a swipe to his shins.
They reset. Xavier straightened his posture, his shoulder rising dramatically as if psyching himself up.
She thrust forward, he parried and countered causing Wednesday to pass back on her foot. They beat sabers for a good while, trying to gain an advantage on the other by either creating an opening or luring the other into an impulsive attack.
Wednesday made the first move, quickly advancing to close distance. Yet, Xavier expected her aggressive assault and implored a quick lunge to her side, causing her to twist violently just to avoid it.
Usually, the proper move would be to break off and reassess. But her eccentric father has been teaching her that when you and your opponent are in equally vulnerable positions, the worst thing you can do is give them time to recover.
She slid under his lunge, her saber following as it grazed the back of his calf. Mere milliseconds before she felt his saber come down on her head.
Another touch for Wednesday.
The whistle blew, the clattering of metal coming to a stop.
"That was pretty risky," Xavier let out in a slight pant. "Going under my blade like that."
"It was a well-calculated risk I assure you," Wednesday said flatly, going to switch partners.
The rest of her classmates were canon fodder compared to Xavier. Wednesday was never touched once. Half had the audacity to try and keep up with her, and the other half barely gave an effort. Either out of the knowledge that she was simply better, or they simply didn't care.
It just so happened that she was dueling a classmate with audacity when she heard Ajax's distinct voice.
"Wait, so if you like an elf or something, why don't you have those fancy ears?"
"Omg, Ajax you can't just ask that!" Enid shrieked from a row over. She suddenly yelped like a wounded dog. Her whiny voice came shortly after, scolding whoever jabbed her for trying too hard for a 'casual sparring sesh'.
Caspian's wavering voice came after a while. "A birth defect."
"Oh, my bad dude…"
Wednesday blinked. Caspian was an elf? That was a surprise to her. She's never given much thought as to what type of creature he might be, but elf was definitely an odd fit.
Her eyes abruptly drew up in surprise, suddenly feeling a dull poking sensation on her arm.
"Oh my god…Oh my god!" The girl she was duelling dropped her saber in shock. "I just got a touch on Wednesday Addams!"
Astonished praises and even some claps echoed around them.
Wednesday slowly straightened her stance, hoping her stare would wilt whatever misconstrued confidence she had gained from her slight waver in concentration. "And it'll be your last."
Wednesday safely won that duel 15-1 touches.
By this point, her muscles were tight and sweat started to form on her brows. Her father stressed the importance of physical and mental stamina. If your mind was weak, it would be to a detriment to your body. But if your body was weak, it couldn't keep up with your mind. She still had a lot to improve but she was leagues ahead of her floundering classmates. Their sabres already sluggishly cutting through the air, their arms making large ineffective strokes.
The whistle sounded. Wednesday approached her new partner carefully.
But of course, there was only one other person in the room who was still sparring with purpose.
"Bianca."
"Wednesday." Bianca acknowledged from behind her mask, her voice slightly breathy. "I've been looking forward to this."
"Funny," Wednesday paused, hiding a crooked smirk ." I never thought of you."
Wednesday never took her eyes off the girl as they stalked to their side of the piste. She noticed the clattering of sabers and shuffling of feet slowly die out.
It would seem they have garnered an audience.
Wednesday brought her saber to the front garde position, imagining her blade splicing Bianca in half before swishing it to the side, crouching in En Gard.
There was a silence. So quiet she swore she heard Enid's distinct simper as she made the first move.
Wednesday dove aggressively, barraging Bianca with a flourish of swipes and jabs before retreating.
She gritted her teeth, her defense was as irritatingly effective as before.
Wednesday calmly backpedaled, carefully parrying and blocking Bianca's onslaught of combinations before the siren eventually disengaged.
Whistles of amazement reverberated through the room.
They were like two starving lionesses circling a kill. They would test out the other; a swipe there, a false charge here, just to see how they would react.
Bianca came at her again, going for a short but powerful cut to her saber, followed by a sweep to her shins. Wednesday jumped to avoid the sweep. She intended to use the momentum to push off the floor to deliver a strong counter thrust, only to feel a sharp clipping at her kneecaps.
The room froze. Wednesday blinked. She could almost make out Bianca's silvery blue eyes behind the mask, staring at her smugly.
Bianca won first touch.
Wednesday planted her feet firmly on the ground, the room erupting in whispers before a voice - no doubt belonging to Xaviers - hushed them all.
Wednesday took a breath, before assuming her stance. Bianca Barclay had some bite after all.
Wednesday played much more conservative now, causing Bianca's confidence to overtake and infect the air around them.
Passback after passback, Wednesday was losing valuable real estate to work with. Bianca stabbed forward, a high percentage move given the situation.
A move Wednesday counted on her using.
Wednesday jabbed at her side, Bianca reeling violently out of the way.
She had a knack for finding even the slightest of fallacies in the flawless. In fact, she enjoyed it.
Wednesday was ruthless with her slashes, advancing forward as if Bianca simply wasn't there. She could've easily ended the engagement with a well-placed jab, but where would be the fun in that? She forced Bianca to the end of the Piste, before finally striking her right across the face.
She could definitely see her blue eyes now, her pupils flaring considerably.
Without a second thought, Bianca began right up, sending wave after wave of combos which Wednesday promptly returned with equal veracity.
They went back and forth for what felt like hours. At some point, their sabers didn't clash for a solid 10 seconds as they simply danced around. Wednesday's mind was working over time, the adrenaline fuelling her fast twitch muscles as she jerked her hand.
It would seem Bianca Barclay was still a worthy opponent.
An unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
It was unclear who was who in this situation, but Wednesday knows all it takes is one mistake, one stray twitch of the saber or misplaced foot to turn the tides.
Bianca obviously had access to professional training over the break. She was clinically accurate and precise with her movements, using the most optimal countermeasure at the most appropriate times. It was almost like Wednesday was in a rhythmic dance with her, rehearsing steps with a master who had rehearsed them thousands of times over.
Wednesday recalled what her father said about professionally taught lionesses. The best way to survive them is to lull them to sleep with a dance.
Wednesday parried another one of Bianca's precise jabs. As Wednesday predicted, Bianca went for a shoulder thrust, but Wednesday suddenly crossed their sabers. She started closing the distance between them, the friction of the metal creating a smooth hissing sound as she dragged it down to the hilt. The girl took a reflexive step back at the unorthodox move.
Wednesday's eyes lit up.
There.
Using the awkward angle, she twisted they're sabers as if attempting to disarm her, before swiftly spinning around - ducking to avoid Bianca's jab - and delivering a sweeping strike to her midsection.
Wednesday panted, staring wide-eyed at Bianca's feet, half expecting to see her insides spill out.
Sadly, no sounds of guts hitting the floor ever came, only Coach Vlad's whistle.
Wednesday got the last touch. She won the game.
There were some claps, but there was even more shuffling as people collapsed onto the floor in exhaustion.
"Alright guys take 10!...Excellent work you two." Coach Vlad said impressed. "This year's fencing title would be one for the history books."
Wednesday stood up straight, removing her mask. She felt her hair sticking to her forehead, cheeks slightly warm. Bianca wasn't too far off, drenched in sweat and breathing a little harder than before.
"I see you've improved. A bit over the top if you ask me." Bianca remarked miffed, refusing to wipe the bead of sweat trickling down her face. "But don't tell me you emptied out your bag of tricks already?"
Wednesday shot her iciest glare. "I assure you, Bianca, you've only scratched the surface of what I'm capable of."
"I believe I already have, scratched the surface haven't I?" Bianca smirked, glancing at the spot where she grazed her last term. They narrowed their eyes at each other before stalking off in opposite directions.
Wednesday found an empty corner, carefully sinking to the floor. She leaned against the billowing curtains with her black metal bottle resting in her lap.
That was exhilarating and frustrating in all the right spots. Wednesday can say she was glad Bianca kept up during the break. A victory with no tribulation wasn't a victory she wanted.
"The matchup was all it was cracked up to be." Wednesday took a small sip, pivoting her head slightly at the approaching Xavier. "Seems like you guys set the tone for the fencing title. Yoko can't half-ass it this year."
"I am unable to put anything less than my 100% into a given task. Otherwise, it's simply not worth my time."
"I see…" Xavier sounded like he wanted to say more, but settled for silently sitting next to her.
After the break, they continued. Albeit a bit more sloppy and less enthusiastic than before. Even Wednesday was getting less creative as time went on. Of course, she still got the job done as effectively as possible, but she couldn't ignore her body's annoyingly natural limitations.
"Oh wow I wonder who I'm versing now, you can never tell with these masks."
Wednesday raised a brow from underneath her mask. Her mind suddenly teeming with creative ways to dominate Caspian Lee.
They assumed their position, she lunged and…
Made instant contact.
Wednesday frowned.
They assumed positions again. She jabbed once, then twice, then…
Made instant contact.
With each touch she earned, it was becoming increasingly obvious that Caspian was a terrible fencer.
She threw him a lazy slash, which somehow had him cross-footed as he staggered away, attempting to regain balance.
"This is laughable." Wednesday scoffed. "It's like you've never held a sword before."
"Oh…you ever thought maybe, it's because I haven't! I've been getting my ass handed to me this whole bloody class." Caspian hissed through gritted teeth. He ambled back to his end carefully.
His ego was apparently not the only thing bruised as he was slowly rubbing his torso every other second.
"You're lack of experience shouldn't be an excuse." Wednesdays bit coldly, assuming position.
Caspian snorted incredulously, breaking his stance to throw his arms in upheaval. "In what world is that not a good enough excuse?"
Her eye twitched.
She lunged aggressively forward as if he just cursed her family name. Swing after swing, she slashed across his poor defenses with abandon.
"Elves are inhumanly agile," She sent a cold strike to his arm. "swiftly light-footed." A powerful jab to his peck. "And deftly dexterous." Slash to his grip hand.
His saber clattered to the ground as he fell to the floor.
She stood over him stiffly.
"You, are evidently neither."
The final whistle blew.
She took her headpiece off, eyeing his frozen form. She couldn't read him with his mask on but she'd seen his body posture before in the vermin she used to catch when she was a child.
A deer caught in headlights.
Or more aptly, a lier caught red-handed. But now the question was, why lie?
He eventually got up, snatching up his saber before walking away without a snarky remark she'd come to associate him with.
"Alright good. As I expected some of you excelled, and some of you didn't. Everyone take 15. We'll reconvene after the break. Caspian, a word?" Coach Vlad took Caspian aside, undoubtedly questioning how he ended up in his class.
"Geez Wenya, you couldn't have gone easy on him?" She heard Enid murmur from behind.
Wednesday crossed her arms. "Why would I lessen my abilities to make the less talented feel better? Perhaps you should impose those values sometime."
"Hey what's that suppose to mean?"
"Hey-hey Enid check this out!" Ajax called out in front of them, balancing his saber on his nose before it unsurprisingly clattered onto a group of angry students.
Enid gave out a small chuckle, wincing at Ajax's clumsy attempts to save the sabre which resulted in the toppling over of a water bottle.
Wednesday shot her a narrowed look. "Precisely that."
They didn't end up having free time. They spent a majority of the class reviewing last term much to Coach Vlad's chagrin. They headed out of the studio, Xavier, Ajax, and Enid in the middle and Wednesday and Caspian on opposite ends.
"So you guys have any plans after? Me, Ajax, and Yoko are heading to the quad for snacks. Wanna tag along?" Enid asked hopefully, eyes scanning everyone.
Wednesday noted how she skimmed over Caspian.
Xavier shook his head. "I need to speak with Fitts about my archery club. I need a minimum of 5 signatures, can I count on you guys?"
"One step ahead of you!" Enid cheered. "My Bow and Quiver by Fenty is being shipped as we speak! I'll ask Bianca's group…Caspian wanna meet Yoko and Divina?" She politely asked him.
Wednesday was pretty sure Enid was praying he would say no for reasons she can only speculate on.
"I think I should probably lie down." Caspian grimaced, rubbing his chest. "For your archery club Xavier, I might be even worse at it than fencing."
"Archery's a walk in the park. It's not like we'll be doing it all the time. It's just a chance to chill and get easy club hours in."
"Wednesday!" Enid practically begged, hands folded and eyes pleading. "You. Me. Quad. 5?"
"I have a Thing to attend to. I'll be down for dinner."
Enid's eyes lit up in realization. "Oh yeah of course the Thing… Be sure to fill me in later kay?"
Wednesday glared at her for a good moment before staring forward. She and Enid need to have a serious discussion about the ancient art of subtly.
Wednesday broke off from the group to head back to her dorm where Thing was lounging with finger separators on. She waited patiently for his designated 'self-care' time to finish before getting down to business.
"Any news on Tyler?"
Thing tapped on the desk pointedly.
"Tyler was last seen heading upstate?" Wednesday settled in her chair. "Do we have an idea where?"
More taps.
"Great," She couldn't help but sigh impatiently. "So he's either heading to the next town over or Montreal. What's Sherriff Galpin up to?
Thing tapped for a while.
"Asking questions I see. Only natural I suppose...he's trying to hunt him down himself…" Wednesday mentally shelved the idea. "Have you gotten Thornhill and the Gates files?"
Thing produced a beige folder and slid it over to her. Inside contained a compilation of all the records the town had on Thornhill and the Gates's history. Excluding police reports that is. She'll need to find a way around that security for future reconnaissance missions.
"I'll look at this later. If that's everything you've gathered I'll leave you to-"
Thing rapped on the table, causing Wednesday to sit back down. He withdrew one more picture from her desk, tossing it to her.
Wednesday stared at it before gazing up at the hand in confusion."Where did you get this?"
It was a picture of a newborn Tyler being held by his mother in a hospital bed. A younger, livelier, Sheriff Galpin leaned over them with a thin smile.
Thing tapped assuredly.
"Sheriff Galpin's stash?… Tyler said they had no photos of his mom…What else is he hiding?" She mused, chewing on the inside of her cheek.
She studied the picture closely. Tyler was a mushy newborn, and couldn't be more than a week old. His mom looked eerily similar to him, except for her brown wispy hair and bulging bug eyes. They even shared the same crooked smile.
Thing rapped again.
"I'm currently working on it." Her jaw slackened ever so slightly. "They sent a new picture today."
She showed him the picture of her and Caspian as well as her after Latin. Thing turned a knowing knuckle up.
"They're growing very brash. And brashness breeds error. We must keep your involvement hidden to maintain the upper hand."
Thing cocked a finger at her unintended pun which Wednesday only rolled her eyes at.
"This stalker has an unnatural ability to remain hidden in the most public of places. Perhaps we're looking at a shifter..."
She briefly considered Weems but discarded the notion. If Weems wanted her traced, she'd simply employ someone else rather than do it herself. However, Wednesday doubts the shifter community in Vermont was very diverse. It wouldn't be so far-fetched to hire another shifter to keep tabs on her. But why reveal themselves then? Unless… they were trying to distract her this term. Keep her occupied from something bigger going on behind the scenes. Could it be Caspian? No, it couldn't. Caspian came into existence mere days ago. The stalking started at the end of last term.
Wednesday sighed, seemingly having gone in one big mental circle. The fact of the matter was, the stalker, will slip up. And when they do, she'd be ready.
Thing tapped teasingly.
Wednesday narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes, I have in fact gathered more information on Caspian Lee. I'm confident in my profile of him. But I don't feel so inclined to share at the moment."
Thing rapped his apologies, though she would think if a disembodied hand could have a face, he'd be smirking right about now.
Wednesday rolled her eyes as she prepped her typewriter for the next chapter in Viper Delmurte's life.
"Caspian Lee is a walking contradiction. He has an unshakable attitude at times but looks completely hopeless at others. He's quick-witted and well-spoken but flounders in class. Taking excessive notes like he's never seen an Australian Vine Winder. For someone who exudes natural charisma, he dedicates an extreme amount of energy to keeping up appearances. He's a cunning liar, but he slips far too regularly to be called deceptive. Whatever he's harboring, its clawing to get out. There's a frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. At what, or who I do not know yet. Caspian Lee is an anomaly. But I can say for certain,"
Wednesday glanced at Thing filing his nails."He is unquestionably hiding something about his presence here. Keeping that secret is worth the tampering of school records, breaking enrollment protocol, and increased security around any files correlated to the town incident. The extent everyone involved went to cover his tracks rules out an innocent conclusion such as a mere change in schools."
Wednesday slid the cartridge on her typewriter, cracking her knuckles. "The secret he's hiding, it's bigger than I initially thought."