Power Glove™

A young woman sits sleepily in a carriage, of a modified train. Her body attempts to rest as the locomotive’s whistle jolts her more awake. 

“Ugh...” She groans, blinking her vision clearer as she tries to focus on staying awake for the moment. The two people sat across from her are talking amongst themselves, not that she could focus on their chat enough to understand what they’re saying. Though she can lip read well enough to know they’re not saying anything bad about herself at least. She put a hand on the table in between the two.

The woman tries leaning more on the table, folding her arms and resting her chin on her forearms as her eyes wander to the window she’s next to, as she knocks her hip against her bag. (Tch one of the few things I was allowed to grab for being hoisted out of the house, stupid fuckin suits-) memories of the morning stir, as the carriage rocks, causing her to bump against the window pane. She winces, face tense as she lets out a small, ordinarily unnoticed, snarl.

But with everything this day, nothing’s gone to plane, normal rhythms or any way in her favour; Her fellow passengers hear her little outburst, stopping their conversation to look at her nervously, with eyes of knowing. “What?” She tiredly demands.

“You’refullyhuman, right?” The lady of the two asks, a tone of respect yet apprehension apparent as her eyes bounce between the gentlemen beside her and the very sleepy woman. “That’s unfortunately what it screams on the shitty ID thing those fuckers in suits slapped into my hands.” Some tension alleviates in the air, but a new different one replaces it as the duo know who the woman is referring to and are equally as scared of the potential reasons for ‘the suits’ appearing before someone. “So, you’re human but the suits ‘slapped’ you with an ID, did they give you a reason or...?” “Hmph. Nice, I could hear the quotation marks around slapped, but the bruises on my arms from them dragging me outta bed will differ. Tch, some shit about my spark’s untapped potential being dangerous. [Yawn] I literally coulda just come here on my own, without the manhandling.” The tired woman eyes up her fellow passengers.

The lady and gentlemen look paler at hearing all of that, but nobody in this cabin gets to probe further as a younger man’s voice can be heard yelling incoherently, alongside the pattering of small feet.

“COME BACK HERE! I’LL BEAT YOU MYSELF, THIEF!” Their voice bellows as a small-medium sized blur of a dog darts down the aisle with sparks of electricity making all the doors open when they sprint past, a hoard of salami slices in their mouth visible as they go. But then, as they reach a certain distance they turn back running into the cabin with the sleepy woman and her shocked neighbours. Though the real surprises are yet to be revealed, as the thunder puppy pounces on the seat next to the tired woman, discharging even more electrical sparks as their shape changes drastically. Little electrical jolts travelling through the seat fabric, zapping the tired woman into being more awake.

Before her very eyes, the cute pupper takes humanoid form in a quick shine of light that travels for several carts, acting as a flashbang for everyone. Well, almost everyone. The flashbanging pup, now a humanoid lass, darts over to her new seat buddy

“No time to explain, lemme sit on you” With the woman not able to get out so much as a “Fucking wha-?” Before the electric enigma takes the spot like it was promised to her. A few figures come barrelling up the aisle now, looking for this person, one of them looking quite distinctly in the tired woman’s direction, before becoming terse and speed walking over.

“Oh for fuck’s sake what do you- Wait is thatflower...?” Is all the tired lass can say aloud as the agitated looking person makes her presence known by slamming their hand into the open door as she steps into the cabin with heavy boots and heavier footing.

“YOU!” They yell at the now tired-but-alert woman, who’s awkwardly sat with another person sat in their lap like its the most casual thing in the world, whilst they rub their eyes, wriggling their body a bit. “You are the person my systems keeps getting fried on when it detect you, WHAT’S YOUR DEAL?! What kind of anti-tracking crap have you got to brick my WHOLE ship?!” The heavy-stepped person accuses, with contempt ensnaring their voice. “Is that you, Moon?” Is all the tired woman responds with. The person, just a second ago seeming as furious as can be, can ceased now looking more afraid and tense than anything. “How the FUCK do you know that name?! Answer me. Who ARE you?!” They yell out of fear, as some other figures appear behind her, looking portly, out of breath but most of all agitated.

“Did you find that fucking mutt yet? That thieving little cu-” “What? No, look, give me a few seconds.” “I DON’T CARE IF YOU MET YOUR FUCKING PATRON, CIVIL’ GIRL! GET THAT DOG SO I CAN THROW IT OUT THE FUCKING WINDOW!” The ‘man’ erupts in rage, a tiny amount of spit dripping on his bottom lip after he’s screamed this order. (I am not your bloody servant.) Thinks ‘moon’ as she motions back to the tired woman, “Again, how do you know me as Moon?” They ask as they put a hand on a kind of baton. “Isn’t it fucking obvious, Emily?? It’s me, ol’ dalek chicken under the garden table- ah, right, you’d know me asAlex. I go by Jean now.” Emily’s muscle freeze on the spot (Oh my fricking god my ship was right all along?? Which mean-! No wonder it was getting turned into a brick! My search is over! I can talk to my friend again I can...) Her face relents a little bit.

Emily motions to reach a hand forward, before the person who was shouting before storms up to her, grabbing her by the shoulder and spinning her around with as munch force as he could, causing her to slam into the doorway of the cabin. The noise of which is enough for a few people to bolt out of their cabins, poking their heads out to seek the source, though all purse their lips together seeingwhocaused it. Frightening much more calmly he speaks “I am Paul Spadelocke. I will make your life a living hell if you don’t do as I fucking say. Go get that thieving mutt, now girl and just maybe I won’t punish you.” He snarls, his hand still pressed on her shoulder, but it moves slightly towards her neck. Emily winces away, though that somehow irritates the disgusting man even more. “You fucking dare move away from my hand? I couldhaveyou here and now and not one person here could stop-”

SLAM goes Jean’s palm, covering the man’s mouth and most of both sides of his face as she continues walking forward. “Hi there dickhead, you’re not gonna be doing any of that. Like at all. Because-”

“Who the fuck to YOU think you are to grab the young lord?!” Yells the other young man with Paul. He tries grabbing Jean’s arm away only to find himself sliding when trying to use friction to make her move. She looks at him silently, then uses Paul’s head/head/shoulders to slap away this distraction. He’s squirming, wriggling, trying to get out of Jean’s death grip as he clutches the back of his head. “Alex- Jean, it’s ok you don’t have to do this.” Emily says in a hushed, softening tone, as Jean’s eye darts to their familiar face. “Girl he just threated rape you in front of a train and about how nobody here could stop him.” “He threatens anyone and everyone all the time- It’s not like-” “I also saw how his hand went from your shoulder, toward your neck, where you winced away which is when he threatened grape. He’s lucky I haven’t killed him twice over.” Jean states with flat malice. “Listen up butterboy: Do not threaten or act upon threats to rape people for crying out loud and by all means DO NOT harass my associate here. Now I’m going to unhand you and if you doing anything stupid like yell, I’ll kill you, ok?” Paul mumbles an ‘mhm.’ And so Jean follows through with unhanding him, he takes the moment to breath.

“KILL?!” A voice shouts from down the aisle coming in from a different carriage. They’re wearing some sort of armour, along with having a weapon on their hip much like Emily does. Spadelocke begins flailing his arms with renewed vigour at the sight of this man, though not yelling yet who starts to run towards Jean who throws Spadelocke at them, knocking them down and winding them both. “Hello there, concerned other party. Do the smart thing: leave physically and psychologically unharmed.” “You can’t be that tough, you’re just throwing the lord about like a rag doll. I can’t POSSIBLY HAVE that go unpunished!” “Tell ya what, you check my danger rating with whatever means you wantand I’ll let you take the first swing," By this point everyone’s poked their head out to watch what happens.

“Oh well if I can- I...” The man looks to his hand, a transparent window appearing on the back of his open hand, facing Jean. “Why-?How? Wait you ARE human right?” “Says so right here on this ID” Jean brings out a pale turquoise coloured rectangle. It says various information pieces of standard varieties, but when it comes to the section about Spark and Framework, this person who was itching to swing at her, looks like they’ve seen a ghost. “Her spark does WHAT?! Oh HELL no!” “Joseph? What the fuck are you doing? We need to-” “Young Lord I’ll explain to you when we are safe, but right now we are not safe and we need to leave!” Jean observes for a second.

“Not so fast, staff.” She speaks sternly, the man that can be assumed to be anything from caretaker to nanny or bodyguard, stiffens upright “What is it, what do you want? Anything.” “I have 3 rules the ‘young lord’ must follow and well, I don’t trust he will, but it seems you have the better sensibilities.” “Name them, consider it done, a small price.” “He can’t go around raping people or threatening to rape them either. The 3rd being no harassing of my associate here.” The staff under Paul’s power bites his lip, muttering “fuck” under his breath. “Is that going to be a problem there sir?” Jean prods with a muted curiosity. “I mean you’re really twisting my arm here, uh, just the not threatening and also leaving the young miss alone?” “Ooh, a tough deal, how ’bout limiting the threats to something heinous for a normal person of 2 per day?” The man resumes his plans of picking up Paul, “Fine. Fuck, we’ll be leaving you alone now Miss please don’t end us.” Jean waves at him, he speed walks back to the 1st class carriage.

Its now that Jean turns around with “[Sigh], would’ve been less hassle to just kill-” When she sees everyone staring at her in disbelief, shock, awe and a touch of fear creeping up on their faces. “Uhh. Ay, I’m on parole, I won’t kill or eat anyone who’s a student. ’Cept that d-bag or his friends if they do something stupid.” Jean speaks just as casually as that dog girl was sat in her lap. This does a bit to relieve the people staring, watching on in mild horror. Some whisper among themselves, others just back into their cabins looking shaken, knowing what will come. Though, in truth, Jean herself knows of the potential conflict to come, mulling over that fact (Tch if the man-child is that bad, he got it from somewhere. Meaning his parents are gonna most likely be utter shitlords, ugh well all those vampires owe me a favour so worst comes to it I could fund a court case. Eh if that doesn’t work out I can just go around knocking heads and not dying until whoever it is sees sense.)

But something odd happens when she’s thought this. Her vision is altered before looking like its splitting into pieces.

Suddenly, Jean is back in the spot she was when she’d just laid eyes on Emily. “Wha...?” Is all she can say to herself clutching at her eyes, she looks at her hand but no blood. “An illusion/genjutsu...?” Is all she can ask out loud enough to be heard, as she’s now stumbling to stand upright for Emily to visibly react to this, looking suddenly very nervous. She even clutches at the top of her collar of her shirt, buttoning it up a bit more. Everyone else is confused, alarmed at that last motion on her part, but then Emily motions to reach a hand forward. A familiar voice shouting.

But before that can connect, the person who was shouting before storms up to her, grabbing her by the shoulder and spinning her around with as munch force as he could, causing her to slam into the doorway of the cabin. “I am Paul Spadelocke. I will make your life a living hell if you don’t do as I say. Go get that thieving mutt, now girl and just maybe I won’t punish you.” He hisses with hatred, his hand still pressed on her shoulder, but it moves lower much quicker, almost directly on Emily’s chest. Emily winces away, though that somehow irritates the disgusting man even more. “You fucking dare move away from my hand? Come here you fucking bitch!” Spadelock then rips at Emily’s collar yanking her shirt open, Emily closes her eyes trying to cover herself, bracing for whatever comes next. Then nothing.

She opens her eyes, there’s Jean with a hand firmly around Spadelocke’s neck suspending him all of a centimetre off of the carpet. Emily slumps to the ground. He tries thrashing, slapping uselessly yelling “Fucking unhand me you bitch! I’ll sue you into the fucking grave you RUBE!” at this he then kicks Jean directly in the breast. Her lips part as her pointed teeth show as she snarls at this, Emily seeing that Jean’s hand coming from their sleeve is much moredifferent. Then to everyone’s horror Jean quickly punches Paul in the stomach twice, some of the people watching from their cabins faint at this. Paul goes limp, a bit of blood coming out of his mouth which is when Joseph turns the corner. Jean doesn’t even look pleased for herself.

He flies into an immediate rage, throwing himself at Jean who just puts her size 14 shoe directly in his face, stunning him enough to stumble back. At which point she tosses Spadelocke into the guy’s direction like a wet rag. “YOU-!” Before he could react, Jean is already in front of him, hand gripping his mouth shut, in a low angry tone she speaks “I don’t care what he is or how rich he is to ‘sue me into the grave.’ Get him away from me and my associate here and MAYBE I won’t kill him on-sight. Wink if I’m clear.” Joseph blinks instead. Jean grip on his face tightens. “I don’t think you get it or the amount yer paid for this meatbag’s protection is so much you can’t help but be loyal. Either way: You must have at least a few vampires bankrolling you- I can tell that much. The thing is, so am I.” The bodyguard winces. “Theeere we go~” Jean gleefully grins at seeing this. “Now you’re getting the wider picture old boy! Do the smart thing: run away, tell this brat not to piss me off by trying sexually assault people when he wakes up. He’ll live if he is able torefrain from being a piece of shit.” Jean lightly tosses Joseph & Spadelocke away, showing off her raw might to lift 2 grown men and throw them with such ease. And with a malicious expression, one that Joseph recognises, Jean reinforces, hissing with malice “Now run along, you less-than-food son of a bitch,” With a clenched fist as a dark ode from her fills the air.

Joseph meekly says “Very well...” before slowly and carefully walking back into the 1st class section. Jean keeps watching the area intently as she sees movement, flailed arms, pointing to their general area before the friend of Spadelocke fromt the illusion or precognition enters the section, sees Jean, then second-guesses anything he was about to do and retreats.

Jean let’s out an audible breath, relaxing before loudly saying “Shows over folks, you can go back to your own things.” It’s now that Jean’s expression softens greatly before turning back to Emily, who looks frightened out of her mind. “W-What are you?” She hastily questions, almost demanding as Jean puts her hand out. Emily is hurriedly trying to button her shirt back up, eyes looking anywhere but Jean’s face. Though seeing as she was just assailed and humiliated in front of the entire train car as well as her friend from childhood, being erratic is more than understandable. Once she’s done buttoning her shirt back up, she doesn’t look at Jean’s face still, just glances before looking away, looking fearful as the two adults are near each other, Jean stood and Emily sat on the ground against the door.

Jean being simply stood away from Emily, drops lower to one knee level with Emily’s eye, holding her hand out further. “I just become a vampire when I use vampire powers. Despite everything, I’m still human like right now. Are you hurt? Are you ok?” Emily reaches for Jean’s hand after looking at it for a second, it’s back to how it was before the encounter with Paul. But she recoils. “Fair ’nough, I waas just pretty violent even if to defend you and revealed my financial backing. Though that was a half truth- Just someone who donated a lot to me. Look, do you want any help at all right now Emily? Maybe something comforting like food?” Jean quietly says, still a soft expression. She waits there for Emily reaction or response. “What kind of food?” “Well, last night after some rough times, I got some of that one brand that’s like Lindor from back then,” “I’d like that.” Jean pulls out a bar from her hooded varsity jacket, still cool to the touch, golden foil wrap with a wine red sleeve on it.

Emily takes this bar and says “Thank you,” Quietly as she does look at Jean’s eyes again, feeling relieved when she sees they’re ‘normal.’ Combined with the other behaviour and this look that she knows, Jean puts the clues together and has a very clear idea of what might’ve happened to Emily, to be so afraid of a vampire, Paul and how she’s shut down right now. Jean motions her hand away, but is pleasantly surprised when Emily grabs it, putting weight on it which is responded to with her being given support to stand. Quietly Jean moves back into her cabin, with Emily following her to surprised expression of everyone inside including Jean herself with gasps.

“I think I’d like to sit with you for the rest of the train journey,Jean?” Emily asks with this tiny voice that tugs at Jean’s long dead heart. “Oh but of course, old friend. Pick any seat on here, I’ll sit wherever else is left.” At hearing that, Emily’s composure falters for a second and has to take a few seconds to breathe and wipe away some tears. “He’ll be back on my case soon, I just know it.” She says between wiping, the lady and gent who were sat opposite from Jean originally looked away knowing the validity of what Emily says. Everyone does, even the lady who stole food in the shape of a dog. She moves aside to the seat at the edge of the cushioned bench, against the wall that’s closest to the door. “You needn’t worry about that lesser fiend right now, he’s nothing but an angry tadpole in a very large lake. Nor do you need to worry about his ‘froggy’ parents.” “But, their money and influence...?” Emily tries prodding, while sitting in the window seat.

As she’s seated, Jean takes the middle of the cushioned bench of sorts facing toward Emily, saying quietly “Well, I have the benefit of having my own connections, so a conflict with the Spadelocke family in a courtroom is unlikely.” Emily begins to breathe heavier. “I’m not worried as much about the legal ramifications, those rotten lot never care about the law...” Said with this sad, pained tone that agitates something in Jean. She narrows her eyes, focusing her ears realising it’s more than likely that Spadelocke has assaulted her and further before. She thinks on this for a moment, then notices people’s lack of shock horror. “Well if we go with the comparison of tadpoles and frogs, as much as I do like those” Jean begins, maintaining her composure as best she can, “there’s a number of solutions from ‘newts’ to ‘snakes’ as well as ‘owls’ to be asked of, employed or used should that family prove a preference for moving through the criminal underworld.” “You... How?” “A few vampires owe me a favour. Which is, well, related to-” Jean’s arm transforms again “to this,” then just as quickly reverts it. Emily becomes more unnerved once again, along with everyone else.

Jean notices this but no longer cares, slumping backward into the seat letting out a big “[Siigh] why did those guys in suits have to drag me outta bed so early in the morning for this?” That one question directed at no one, made everyone present or able to hear it more alarmed. The electric pup is the one to actually ask about this more “Uhm when you say ‘suits’ do you mean dark coloured suits/pants with white shirts and black tie?” “Yes, that’s exactly it whyy? They well-known?” “They’re infamous. They only detain or get involved when someone’s a true danger. What to, nobody can usually tell,” She explains. “Well [yawn] thank ye miss pupperoni.” “Pupperoni? And a ‘miss’ at that?” She immediately responds, barely charging the air electrically. “Oh, yeah, since you were the one who...” And Jean trails off as she feels Emily move, “It wasyou?” She snarls in a low menacing tone, her eyes laser focused, moving physically closer to the wee lass.

Jean raises a hand “It is not her fault for your abuse; That lesser fiend would’ve found any excuse to do anything he wants to you, or no excuse at all. Besides, wee thunderpup here stole at most 5 store size salami slices.That justifies nothing.” Jean informs Emily, tone flat trying to neutralize hostility “My name is Hazel.” “Ah, Hazel then.” (Hm like witch hazel since everyone here is magical, yeees, I rather like that. Hm their head looks pattable, I’ll ask later.)

“You thinking about patting me, lady?” Hazel frankly asks. “Uh yes, how did you-?” “Well you looked at my face, then above it, then back at my face and not at my chest so I gotta assume something better,” “I’m sorry, the fact I didn’t ogle your chest is such a difference, that you were able to discern I want to give you headpats?” “More or less.” Jean takes a moment of pause.

Quietly she says “Bruh. What the fuck is going with this train, possibly also wherever we’re going, where our tits ’be ogled at and sexual harassment and assault is so common?” Shifting to sit have her legs more to toward Hazel, though when Jean also leans toward her she feels a tug on her sleeve coming from her left. It’s Emily which Jean sees when she looks back. “I’d like one more of the chocolate- If you have another to spare since they’re so expensive.” And Jean just pulls out 2 more from the inside of her jacket’s inside pocket. Hazel can’t see where it came from, neither can the 2 other passengers, what’s more is they’re not even warm to Emily’s touch.

“How are you doing that?” Emily questions in this tiny little voice, that sounds as if it had to push against silence. Jean leans in real close, whispers behind a hand over her mouth “Pocket dimension and transmutation.” Quiet enough that she’s sure nobody else can hear. To Emily’s general amazement, but upon detecting something subtle Jean’s eyes dart over to the table. The other passengers shift in their seats, glancing at the chocolate bars, as their eyes widen more recognising the branding. “But the expense...” The gentlemen mutters to themselves. “That brand. Wait, if you were called Alex... Would you now beJean Occul?” The lady asks. To Jean’s shock, then narrowed eyes then leaning to look at the lady more closely, her gaze studying her face. Her facial structure. Recognising them with “Oh my gods, Genevieve hello girlypop.” Her tone playful almost flirty, punctuated with a little smile through all the fatigue.

Emily sees this, feels left out even skipped over, tugs at Jean’s sleeve once more now with a more tense look on her face. This catches Jean’s attention though. Where her hands were previously in her pockets, while she tried resting as best she could, Jean moves her left hand to her side palm facing upward, her face motioning to Emily for something. She places her hand slowly on Jean’s palm who carefully joins their hands. Jean’s head tilts slightly, Emily recalls many times before when this would be done to comfort her, long years ago. Tears well up in her eyes after everything, now this, she moves forwards, forehead/face against Jean’s arm.

In response, Jean manoeuvres their joined hands so that she can put her arm around Emily, leaning in “It’s ok, I got you right now, Moonflower” said in this gentle tone. Emily relents, practically melting, into crying into Jean’s shoulder. (I’m glad she still feels ok to cry on my shoulder.) Jean thinks, as she pulls out a phone accessing and immediately going to a messaging app.

A single message to a contact called ‘Ruby Pixie’ reading ‘I want a contact with the vampire lord bankrolling the Spadelocke family. Their offspring is clearly running around without protocol and their parents are bankrolling clean-ups. I’m trying to do things this way, before jumping to my usual methods of removing bad elements.’ Sent. Seen. A message sent back, but Jean then feels Hazel nudge her as well trying to look at what’s going on. “Ooh, who’s-?” She says before being shushed, by Jean’s index finger on her lips. Hazels pulls away, “What was that?” “A secret, it’s insurance.” “Yeah but what does ‘usual methods for removing bad elements’ especially mean?” Emily, previously sobbing gets up from this tears still streaming as she questions that “What’re you plotting? You can’t do anythin rashh I’ll geh in BIG trouble!” “Murder isn’t the first port of call if that’s what you’re worried about hon- Look I’m setting up a meeting between my finance guys and their finance guy. That idiot’s parents will most likely listen to the money, ok?”

(Though overwhelming force is tempting to use this very attosecond, I’ve already usurped that Vampire Lord yesterday. Fuckin’ beating them then eating them. Taking the guy’s financial backers was more of a happy little accident though, cursed or ‘compelled’ them all to stay an’ act against their will. God they were so glad to help me in return. Ugh all this responsibilityyy. Guy was just the source of my problems since I awakened this magic and magitech shit, always sending someone on my ass.) In the 2 seconds it took to recall this, Emily has stopped sobbing but is still practically glued to Jean’s side, plus Hazel has inched closer again.

“What do you want? Can I bribe you to keep the rest of the message secret?” Jean bluntly asks. “Hmmm I don’t know~” “I can give you food, clothes? You won’t have to steal food, unless you do for the love of the game, I don’t judge” “Hmmm, tempting offerss~” Hazel pretends to scratch her non-existent beard. “OK, I’ll give you on-demand headpats and food for a week?” “DONE~!” Hazel gleefully yelps. Jean raises an eyebrow, “I mean ‘done’now hand over the fuckin’ headpats.”

Jean has a smirk, before quickly obliging her terms. Immediately, Hazel lets out a noise that’s a mix between a yap, a bark and squeak as Jean’s hand runs across her head back and forth slowly. Hazel’s top ears change to that of cats as she begins to purr and make noises like “Mrrp!” If jean focuses her pats to be in one spot. Then, as Jean speeds up her rhythm stroking from ear to ear, Hazel’s ears move to be 90° resembling that of wings on an aircraft. Upon this switch Hazel goes from making cute noises here and there, to sounding like a chainsaw idling albeit quieter as her eyes cross, with a bead of drool beginning to form on her lips. Jean pulls her hand away, (Wow. Wonder how long it’ll take her to recover from that?) is thought as she sees Hazel blinking slowly, one eye just behind the other and spaced out. “Damn.” Genevieve comments. Emily is moved forward, it’s apparent she watched the entire thing. The looks away when Jean makes eye contact with her.

(Damn me when?) Emily thinks to herself as she so keenly looks to the more hilly scenery outside. Hazel regains some composure mutters “Hngh, very good, you got pets?” “No, but all my friend’s pets love me.” “Hehehehe I bet,” before moving to laying up against Jean’s right-hand side, shutting her eyes and purring. “Huh. Glad I didn’t give you head scritches.” Hazel jolts to sitting upright “SCRITCHES?!” “No. No scritches.” “Aww shit... Hmph,” She slumps back to laying against Jean. Disappointed but still mildly happy. Then “What about the food part?” Is questioned by Emily. “Ah, yes, Hazel-” “Salami! I want a whole salami please!” “Ok.” “HEHEHE!”

Hazel gleefully presses her splayed fingertips together, when Jean reaches into her jacket pocket once more to pull out what was requested again, this time cooled, Hazel gives it little thought before being overcome with her hunger seeing that this is also pre-sliced. She digs in without restraint, joyously expressing “YEsh!” Before also being given a few cold cans of Pepsi. She stops. “My favourite, les GOOOO!” “I know.” “How-?” Jean pulls out a flag, pink, blue and white, from her magical pocket “Because we’re on the same general team. Enjoy,” Is all she needs to say before Hazel gets right back to chowing through the salami, guzzling through the soft drink and generally seeming quite pleased with herself, eating for a good 25 minutes. Protein, Fat, Salt, Sugar, Caffeine, plenty of little burps for the remaining 20 minutes of the 90 minute journey, to the Magical Research Institute.

But before the train ride can end peacefully, as the train comes to a stop, steam roaring out as it does, someone familiar comes waddling over to the aisle as Jean steps into it with someone new, wearing a suit. It’s Paul.

“Hello there I work with security. Mr. Spadelocke tells me you assaulted him?” They question, already looking nervous. “Self-defence” Jean shoots back. The security tries to ask “How did-?” But is overshadowed by Paul’s bodyguard, as Paul himself roars “THIS CUNT HIT ME, SPAT ON ME ALL BEFORE THROWING ME ACROOS THE PLACE! I WANT IT FUCKING ARRESTED!” Paul grabs the security’s arm. The security person physically recoils at this. Jean remains looking cool as a cucumber at this display, looking down at Paul. “AND WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE LOOKING DOWN ON ME?! JOE SMACK THIS BITCH,NOW!” Joseph instantly obliges in trying to strike Jean with as much force, velocity and weight as his body can. Jean merely makes a jab, more like a backhand, at his forearm. It clowns his attempt at a haymaker. He looks genuinely shocked, even freezes up for a moment. “No, stop thi-” The security tries to intervene.

Joseph immediately elbows the security personnel in the upper torso when they try putting their hands between the two. Jean is unharmed, remains cool and “I don’t register either of you as a threat. Not even food. Just leave intact.” Flings from her vocal chords, to everyone’s mild shock to outrage on Paul’s part. The security personnel gets a gut feeling and steps off to the side, Joseph gets a bad gut feeling as well before getting a phone call. An odd ringtone to that as well, which he steps into a nearby cabin to take.

“It’s the boss...?” He immediately takes the call, going a few shades paler as the conversation goes on. Jean glances through the windows, people are already out onto the platform. (Dozens upon dozens of them.) Jean thinks as she steps to the side to speak with the security person.

“So you’re probably not paid enough to care about this” “No, I’m not,” “Want £200 to leave us be?” “You’re paying me off??” “More or less, yes. The alternative is dealing with a man-child and his attack dog that have almost no legal consequences to their actions. You’re safer away from them, especially given that bastards more handsy approach with ladies.” That last comment catches the personnel’s attention. Jean produces the £200 and hands it over. Security quickly shoots away, to Paul yelling “GET BACK HERE YOU USELESS FUCKING PLASTIC PISSANT!”

One thing else however, is the people in Jean’s cabin coming out into the aisle to the increased and multiplied cortisol of Paul Spadelocke. “YOU! FUCKING YOU!” He screams so hard his voice breaks, all directed at Emily. Paul takes a single step closer, as people are carefully walking around his flailing arms trying to avoid any of his tantrum’s wrath, as spit flies everywhere, screeching,

“I SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT I WANT AND USE HOWEVER I FUCKING WANT!” Some physically duck and bob or weave when his arms fling back, others do the same while clutching their arms to instinctively toward their chest as well. Emily clutches as her neck, a faint purple glowing outline can be seen by Jean as her eyes widen what Paul might be alluding to, the outline be followable to Paul’s palm however flailing. An inhuman rage begins to burn from within Jean, as her right arm tenses while she’s stood sideways.

Paul makes several mistakes at once, charging blindly towards Emily screaming “YOU’LL BE FUCKING ME AND MINE YOU STUPIDWHORE! " But as for running as hard as he can towards Emily in a blind fury, Jean simply raises her left arm while stand to face Paul and this is enough for her to catch Paul by the face. Hard. He doesn’t stop though he’s trying to dig his heels in to try and run past Jean, who with a flick of her wrist makes him move away by several metres.

Jean notices the faint outline of purple thread has disconnected, before seeing the same colour in opaque form into a flaming clawed hand and launched toward where Emily is. Then tension in Jean’s right arm, explodes outwards into a shape resembling something of a dragon as she steps in front of the blast. Paul looks on with utter satisfaction and oozing arrogance as he prematurely yells “YES! THAT’S IT! If I can’t control her again I’ll have YOU to take all my anger out on tonight!” He doesn’t even seem to register Jean’s change. Not even her darkened sclera.

Though he has to notice, when he hears an audible CRUNCH as the draconic neck and head where Jean’s arm used to be, bites through whatever Paul flung with intent toward Emily. He has to stand in horror and watch as the hand-like spell,or more likely curse, crumples like it was made of wet sand. Consumed by the draconic form, its eyes briefly pulsing with a glow as the slung magic’s traces are gone. “Wh-no what did you DO?!” Paul was quiet for all 5 seconds before yelling in now blind fear at the end.

Joseph comes back from his phone call, looking like he was aged at least a few months. “Young Lord we have to leave now.” “What? But I’m NOT done with this cunt.” “YOUNG LORD! This is an order from Lord Rivas: ’Get the young lord out of there, before thatusurperkills him like she slaughtered Lord Salton last night!′ followed by detailing whythis, is such a danger- Oh no...” Joseph on the spot, how badly this can go. “WE’RE SO SORRY PLEASE EXCUSE AND FORGIVE US MA’AM!” Joseph screams, already on his hands and knees bowing down. Jean’s gaze falls to the begging bodyguard. “I did try telling your boy, to leave intact. Now he will not leave intact.” Joseph tries getting up “Do not bother,” she snarls as she casually walks over to an angry, confused but afraid Paul. (Him looking fearful suits him after his oozing arrogance.)

“Wha-t are you going to do to him?” Joseph asks, tempted to start biting nails, as Jean answers “Would you prefer him to lose a finger or a tooth?” “You c-can’t-” “CAN’T I?! This opulent lesser man, has been nothing but arrogant to me, my friend and people of my newest acquaintance. I can and will take insurance and punishment.” “PLEASE!” Joseph begs further. “No.” Jean lurches forward, ripping out one of Paul Spadelocke’s canine teeth, of his lower jaw. Paul yelps out in pain, clutching his face as his gum gushes blood, to Jean’s watching. She comments “This is my asshole tax for you. Now leave, stay away or regardless of my communications with your Lord Rivas, I will collect this tax again withcompoundinginterest. Since you don’t understand boundaries, or words, nor diplomacy, even law, I’ll use violence, power, money and status. Do I make myself clearnow?” Jean practically spits, as she stands back, bloodied tooth in a normal hand with no draconic one in sight.

A small orb of light forms around it like a glass bubble, enclosing the tooth before disappearing into her jacket once more. “Now LEAVE!” She roars with fury with Joseph pulling a rag or something to put on Paul’s bleeding gum, before picking him up and running back into the first class cart. While Jean can’t see him, he is heard clamouring for “One of the medical aid kits! The young Lord is bleeding!”

Jean lets out a sigh, her posture becoming much more hunched over as she goes “[Sigh] Glad I didn’t fly myself over now, if it means that asshole’s stopped.” Before looking back at her stunned, horrified or downright terrified cabin mates, while Genevieve looks like a goldfish out of water before sputtering “How the fuck did you do that? How can you make that rich asshole leave??” “Well, there’s Paul, that bodyguard meatbag, Paul’s parents, then the vampire that backs the family money. I have favours to cash in with people in the same general status as the vampire, that backs that little shit’s family.” Everyone else looks like they just got a weight put on them.

Hazel wriggles out of the cabin, looking curiously at Jean, weaving between the people to get to her. “Hmm...” She says out loud, looking at Jean from different angels, at different closeness ranges, in a phrase assessing her. By all accounts checking hersafeness. “Mhm, yep!” Is all Hazel says before demanding “Now pat me, Jean~” gleefully to which Jean obliges causing Hazel another 3 minutes in heaven. Nothing is said, but everyone almost in unison relents a mental sigh of relief. “Jean...” Emily starts, nervous “Yes?” She responds softly.

“You’vechanged... Who are you now? What, at are you now?” Emily nervously asks practically shaking. “You needn’t worry Moonflower, I’m still the same person just with new tools to get around in this hellish world.” Jean answers with genuine warmth and softness to her tone, that rattles Emily more than the actions prior. “Despite what you just did, you feel.. almost softer than before?” “Switchin’ teams and discoverin’ myself does tend to do that I hear,” Jean shoots back, to Emily’s expression going from tense to relieved. Jean chuckles

“Hahehe, now you relent when I talked like that huh? Welp, as for all this, I was just meeting sexual violence with brutality n’ ultra violence. [Sigh] I need more sleep... Imma study that curse Paul tried slinging in the background, make a countermeasure (and cursebreaker for it since it looks like the Vampire Coercion Curse.) What now though?” A tingle of shock runs through everyone, Emily comes back to her senses. “Right! Since it’s the 1st day for a few students, it’d be initiation before you’re shown to your dorm.” A couple of seconds go by, Emily’s eyes are drawn to the crowd of students.

“OH FUCK I’m on duty to assist newbies!” Emily yelps in horror, Jean steps in and grabs Emily’s hand “It’s ok, if you get anxious you can just breathe easier knowing ’Spadelocke or his ‘guard’ won’t be there.” This comment alone by Jean, seems to alleviate something in Emily before she breathes audibly, calming herself. “I’m gonna ask if you can be in my dorm- We have like 2 spare rooms and everything! Haha..” “Girl we’ve literally had sleepovers when I was still a guy, even if a preteen.” “DAMN!” Hazel reacts. “Wait can I room with Jean too?” Hazel adds, looking curious. “I mean I don’t know, the limit is 2 persons per ’bed, so maybe?” “Per bed though? They had to make a rule for it meaning... Ooh myy. Should we go now?” Jean casually says, to Emily’s quick and tense “I beg your pardon?” “The initiation?” “Yeah, let’s uh, Genevieve I guess I’ll see you later in ’Field Herb?” Genevieve smiles wryly already at the door out. “Heh, yeah you will.”

And so everyone goes their own ways for the moment. Genevieve and their guy, go to their dorm as they chose afternoon classes. Though if they don’t have a strong enough drink inside, they could always go to a pub or bar. As for Emily she shakily announces her presence to the teacher currently doing this first day tour, Mr. Lung, who cheerfully waves her over.

“All right students! Let’s give a hearty round of applause for our Miss Emily! She’s the enforcement officer for any disciplinary actions through, so best enjoy all your youth with good behaviour fahaha!” Said with a loud, enthusiastic, energetic tone and gives Emily a quick singular pat on her back. Quietly he leans in says to her “You good? You look frazzled?” She quickly responds “I’m okay, just had an incident.” “Is it that turdhead Paul again? I swear I-” “Nono someone already took care of him- I mean- THE incident!” “Damn, introduce me to whoever gets Paul to be quiet.” “They’re in the crowd at the back, with the black varsity hoodie with white details? They walked with me off the train.”

Mr. Lung spots Jean in the crowd and waves at her, then point at her “HELLO YOUTHFUL PERSON! THANK YOU for assisting Miss Emily this evening!” Jean squints and says under her breath “Damn I am too tired for this.” “FAIR ENOUGH! WAHAHA! Lets us ALL press on!” Hazel stands close by to Jean. Mr. Lung turns and walks through the large crimson wooden doors braced with shiny gilded metal, into thefauxcastle behind him. Jean pats Hazel’s head gently as the two walk at the back of the dozen or so ‘newbies’ as Emily called them, Hazel now purring with delight as the two walk about, tired, Hazel from being well fed for the moment and Jean from being dragged out of bed at ~4:30am.

The tour goes off without much of a hitch, the ground floor’s area is covered, the elevators are given info on which level of the building is for. It’s a small thing, but when questions are bought and everyone’s asked their normal ones Jean perks up with “Do we decide for ourselves where we dorm at? Or can I just pull up to a friend’s and see if they’ll have me?” With this tired, almost vacant stare. “WAHAHA! Well asked! I’m sure if you ask nicely and are accepted, then inform staff tomorrow on your official paperwork, you’ll be fine! Any plans in particular might I ask?” “Yeah, dorming with a dear old friend sounds good.” “Hey I’m not old!” Emily replies without thinking. Tired in her own right.

“WAHAHA! So the two of you are friends huh? GLAD to hear it!” Mr. Lung responds, genuinely pleased at this news. Even thinking to himself (Maybe now that turd burglar Spadelocke will stop harassing young Emily!) Before continuing onward to the central hub area, that’s connected to the reception via hallway, but also the library 1st Year Library. It’s marked as such with an overhead plaque. All matching the interior they’d seen so far: dark wooden floor panelling, though occasionally off-white stone tile floors for things like the reception or central hub area, but all with light orange coloured walls. Then at the drop of a hat, a new lady appears in front of the group at the central hub.

“Ah dear Miss Stardust, are you ready?” “Let’s get this over with. All of you who are women, step to be stood closer to me. There, no, too close, back away a few paces.” This woman, wears a sword on her hip while standing a tad short than almost all the women present. “You’re all taller than me and I resent that. Especially you, in the back!” She says pointing at Jean. Exhausted she just gives a thumbs up. “Tch, whatever. Anyone who’s a guy stand with Mr. Lung, enbies and non-conforming wait here, someone called Miss Long will be here shortly she’s wrapping up her mission.” All explained in this deadpan expression of voice that could possibly rival Raven. This aside, Ms. Stardust walks in a certain direction and says “Women with me!” As she walks to the girl’s third of the living arrangements, Emily walking now alongside Jean and Hazel.

“I’m gonna really collapse when we get to your dorm, Em’” “Honestly after this morning I might do the fucking same.” Jean side-eyes her childhood friend “I see you got over your limitations about swearing, huh sailor?” “Oh bug off, ” “Alright, might wake up hungry as shit though.” “Meh, we’re/I am cooking spaghetti bolognaise using minced beef today.” “Ooh? A treat? What’s the celebration?” “Well it was just going to be because there’s newbies arriving, but now might have it to celebrate you arriving here.” “Aww well aren’t you a sweetheart,” Jean shoots off the hip, to Emily’s shock. “Oop sorry there di-” “NO no it’s ok, heh. Just wasn’t expecting that sort of response.” The trio continue walking, Emily eventually leading the way once they’re near her door, her excitement still showing through her tired exterior.

“We’re heeere~” Emily says out loud to a half-asleep Jean and curious, somewhat aloof Hazel. “Where’s the bedroom already?” Jean quietly demands, Emily says “Well there’s that room there which has a double-size bed that-” “Bet. See you later,” Jean sleepily, sluggishly says before patting Hazel once more then giving a hug to Emily before immediately running for said bedroom, getting in the unoccupied room and having to prevent herself from diving onto the bed but immediately slumps onto her side, shoes are nearly thrown off, jacket hung on the bedpost.

It takes all of 45 seconds at most, for Jean to be asleep when Emily gets there to finish her sentence. “It has a double-sized bed that’s mine. Ugh.” Hazel, feeling the specific tensions says “Why not sleep in the bed anyway? You both have slept in the same room before anyway, right?” then happily walks into the room and in a flash, transforms into a puppy-sized dog and curls up by Jean’s legs.