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St. Helena Academy Outcasts (Sorrow's Solace and J)

Yawning slightly, she stretched briefly as she stood and nodded at him "Sure, thanks. I won't be long." she replied, as she walked back towards her room to gather her things.
 
Erik went to get his things from his room. Then, he came back to sit and wait for Mena to be done with the bathroom. He tried to not think about how beautiful she was, especially when see stretched.

To distract himself and pass the time, Erik selected a chemistry reference from one of the bookshelves to read while he waited.
 
About a half hour passed, as rain began to lash the windows and thunder rolled. Mena emerged from the bathroom, wearing a tshirt and comfortable pajama pants, her hair faintly damp. She looked pale and uneasy a moment as the storm began to grow, heading to her room with a brief, wan smile to Erik.
 
Erik waited until Mena was done. He wished her a good night as she went to her room, though it was clear she was feeling terrible. Then, Erik went to have his shower.

Erik took his customary quick and efficient shower, getting clean, but wasting no water. He dried off, and then he began to gather his belongings. That's when Erik noticed his watch was missing. He looked in the floor, but it didn't seem to be there. Then, the teen began to search the bathroom, wondering where it could have gone.
 
She gave a small wave and a nod in response, before heading inside. About to get ready for bed, she frowned, feeling a bare spot at her neck. She had forgotten her necklace, a pendant she had worn for years and sighed, walking back towards the bathroom to get it. Years of living with family and that sense of comfortable living space was what made her half open the door. She blinked, spotting Erik, stark naked and looking about and turned her head to the side, shutting her eyes "Damn it! Sorry!" she exclaimed quickly and shut the door, walking away swiftly.

Well, that had been embarrassing.
 
Erik scrambled to grab a towel and cover himself. Mena had already turned and left by the time he got it wrapped around his waist. It took a moment for Erik to recover from the surprise. Then, he hurried to get dressed.

Once he was fully dressed, Erik went back to searching for his watch. Before he found it, Erik found a pendant that had to be Mena's. After he finally found his watch, Erik went to Mena's door.

The teen knocked nervously at his friend's door, blushing a little.

"Hello?" Erik said quietly. "I found a necklace in the bathroom. I'm pretty sure it's yours."
 
Mena sighed and shook her head, rubbing her temples slowly as she leaned on her door. The embarrassment of walking on on Erik slowly faded, replaced by faint amusement. He was good looking after all, and she did hope that he wouldn't be awkward around her. Hearing the knock, she turned and opened the door, giving a small smile "Thanks, that's what I was coming in for. Sorry about that." she apologized again, seeing the blush on his face.
 
"It is not a problem," Erik said, though he felt more than a little foolish. "I should have dressed before I started looking for my watch. I was careless. I am very certain that I will remember to be more careful in future." He handed the necklace to his friend. Mena was as beautiful as she was kind, and Erik briefly wondered how she might look nude, but he forced such improper thoughts from his mind. That was probably the very last idle thought he needed some passing fae to overhear. "I am sorry if my nakedness offended you."
 
"Ye were in the bathroom and alone, habits die hard. Don' worry about it" she replied, shaking her head. That was a mistake and she winced, vision blurring a moment as pain lanced her temples. When he spoke again she managed a short laugh "I swear that I'm going to have te teach ye to loosen up, ye didnae offend me in the least." she assured him.
 
Erik saw Mena wince and remembered her headache.

"May I help you to your bed?" he asked with nothing be an innocent desire to help his friend. "Then you can rest and perhaps the pain will be less intense?" Erik thought to use his healing talent, but he had only ever used it on animals and plants. Also, if the headache was linked to Mena's magic, it might not be affected. "Do you think my healing magic might help?" he asked.
 
She blinked and quirked a brow, knowinghe meant nothing by the statement and shook her head "It's fine, I just need to sleep, I've got pills te take as well." she replied, not really mentioning that they worked erratically. "I wouldnae try it, the headaches, I'm not sure if it's just the magic, or something else. I'll be fine, go and get some sleep, alright?" she asked, a bit of an insistent tone to her voice.
 
Erik nodded. He was still concerned, but he trusted Mena to know what was best for her.

"Goodnight," Erik said simply. Then he left. Erik went into his room He left his door unlocked in case Mena needed help in the middle of the night. He was sure she would go to Tristan if she needed help, but the youth reasoned that if she did come to him for help, he wanted to be ready.

Erik didn't close the bed curtains. It wasn't cold enough to bother with them, and he wasn't used to being so closed in in bed. He put his day's clothes aside for laundry or dry cleaning. Then, Erik removed his dressing robe and got into bed in just a pair of sleeping pants.

It took Erik a while to get to sleep. It had been an exciting day of making friends and enemies and being thrust into unfamiliar surroundings. His last thoughts before finally dozing off were of Mena and Tristan.
 
She relaxed as he left, simply closing the door and leaning on it a moment. The pain that had started as a mild headache was working it's way up to a full-fledged migraine and she felt a small coil of nausea build itself in her belly. Going to lie down after taking one of the prescribed pills, she began the breathing exercises that the school representative had taught her and Tristan, feeling her heart rate relax and her muscles loosen lightly. The migraine dulled slightly and she fell into a light sleep, one that deepened in the next twenty minutes. She dreamed of flying amidst a raging storm and instead of feeling terror, she only felt exhilaration and wonder as lightning flashed around her and thunder rolled continuously. Outside, as if in response, or in accordance to her dreams, lightning played amongst dark clouds and it rained heavily, enough to keep a few students up while the young woman slept like a child.

Tristan had tossed and turned uneasily awhile at night, dreaming of boiling heat and ash, soon the raging inferno that had affected quite a few nightmares eased into a banked and quiet fire, sending warm light and shadows playing on the walls of his mind, making his sleep turn restful and easy. In the morning he awoke, vaguely puzzled but relieved that there was no scorch marks on the walls and that his room remained at a normal temperature. Today was the last free day the students had, to unpack, to explore the ground and speak to teachers. It was also the day that Mena, Tristan and Erik would be able to talk to the person that had brought them to the school, the Headmaster himself.
 
Erik was up early the next morning. He hadn't slept well, but there was much he wanted to get done. He finished unpacking his things first. Then, he went to the bathroom to take care of his morning hygiene needs. Erik was careful to make certain Mena wasn't in the bathroom before going in. He wasn't as worried about running into Tristan or Preston there. They were guys, after all, and there were two shower heads and a tub/jacuzzi and two sinks. There would be no need to crowd each other.

Erik wanted to discuss the possibility of a bathroom schedule so that Mena could be assured periods of private use of the bathroom, as well as a signal of some sort to let each other know when the bathroom was occupied for non-scheduled times.

Erik hoped to have a chance to see his teachers and a means to purchase supplies for the small kitchenette in their suite. He wanted to be as prepared as possible for his classes on the first day. The teen also wanted to provide his friends and himself an alternative to going to the dining hall on days when they wouldn't care to be around Preston and his friends.

The youth stopped at the dining hall for a bigger than usual breakfast, as he was very hungry. He asked the staff for some peanuts before he left. These he took to the garden where he and Mena had seen the chipmunk. Erik wanted to do a small kindness for the little creature to help him prepare for the coming winter.

Erik was shocked when he arrived at the garden, however. All of the roses from the previous evening were stricken with frost. He frowned with a mix of sadness and confusion. There hadn't been any sign of a heavy frost elsewhere. Only in that one garden. It was a puzzle that smelled of magic to the young man.
 
Mena had already been in the washroom awhile before Erik and had taken the time to unpack, setting a variety of art supplies, books, clothes and other sundries away. One of the last things she unpacked was a battered violin case, which was placed carefully in the oak chest at the foot of the bed with a fond smile. That done, she brushed her hair and set out into the main area, nodding at Tristan who was looking out the window. "Morning." she commented and he gave a brief smile knowing that his sister wasn't exactly a morning person. He had his own plans after all, to explore the school and the grounds and to watch and listen for anyone that would somewhat support him, his sister and their new friend.

As for Mena, she would explore as well and try to find out whom among the teachers would lend support, she would also think of ways that they could defend themselves from any nasty trick that others could pull. She was partially eager and nervous to meet the Headmaster and was still waiting to hear from the Dead of Studies as well unsure if the man had received the letter that the two new friends had written, or if he had paid it any regard. Waving to her twin she headed out into the halls, strolling along and deep in though, trying to stave off that uneasy sense of worry and nervousness that had grown since she arrived at St. Helena's. Tristan left a few moments later as well, grey eyes clouded faintly, too preoccupied with thoughts of meeting the Headmaster, of his studies and his magic to pay attention to the girls as he usually did.
 
Erik was just returning to the room to see if his friends wanted to get some lunch when the phone rang. He was closest, so Erik answered it.

It was a call from Dean Haskins. He wanted to see Mena and Tristan in his office. Erik suspected his reason was related to the ugly lies Preston's flunky had been spreading. Erik sat the phone down and looked around for the twins.
 
It was a few moments before the door opened and Tristan returned, his face still preoccupied. He blinked as he spotted Erik and smiled a bit "Hullo there, what's up?" he asked, walking over to him.
 
"Hello, Tristan," Erik said with a nod. "Dean Haskins has called. He wants to see you and Mena in his office. Do you know where Mena is?" Erik had another question to ask. "May I come with you? I was there when the filthy lie was spoken, so I am a witness." Erik wanted to be of help to his friends.
 
Tristan nodded and paused a moment "She's in the halls nearby." he stated, with total certainty, heading for the door. His face tightened and his eyes flashed "Good idea, let's go." he added. He headed out into the halls, and spotted Mena ahead, jogging over to her "What's up?" she asked, seeing the look on his face. "The Dean called, wants to talk te us." he stated. The girl nodded slowly biting her lip "Alright, Erik, ye're coming with us?" she asked, turning to him.
 
"Yes," Erik said with an utterly certain nod. "I am with you, no matter what may come." Erik followed his friends to the administration building. The office of the Dean of Students had a large anteroom with a secretary and couches for those who were waiting to see him. The couches were empty that day, and the secretary allowed the trio to go right in after calling Dean Haskins on the intercom.

Theo and Julie were already in the office, facing a thin man with a nearly bald head and gold rimmed glasses.

"Ah, hello," Dean Haskins said to the newcomers. "Please sit down." He looked at the other two students. "You two may go." They stood, smiling with support to Mena and Tristan. "You would be Mena Firestone?" Dean Haskins asked Mena. He looked at the two young men with her for a moment before he correctly identified Tristan. "And you would be her brother?" He looked back to Erik. "And who might you be?"

"I am Erik Grunwald," Erik said. "I was present with the slander was made."

"I see," Dean Haskins said. "Well, it seems very clear that a very ugly lie was told, and the two of you are the victims of it. I will be speaking with Mr. Thatcher shortly. I'll find out to whom he spread this absurd lie, and have him recant. Then, I will place him on disciplinary duty for the next two weeks." Erik frowned.

"Sir, what he did was against the school honor code," Erik said, remembering the student handbook he had read. "It is an offense that can expelled make him... that can get him expelled." Dean Haskins sighed unhappily.

"If I could have my way, I would expel him, but that wouldn't do any good. I don't have final say on expulsions and Mr. Thatcher's parents are alumni. They are very supportive of the school, and have a lot of influence. They would get the expulsion overturned." Dean Haskins looked honestly frustrated. "It may be more than I can do to assure you he will receive the punishment I intend to give him."
 
Mena gave a grateful smile and nodded "Thanks Erik, that means alot." she replied and Tristan eased a bit as they walked into the waiting area. Both twins looked about before being called in and Mena gave a small wave and smile to Theo and Julie, silently grateful for their support. Tristan watched them go, glad that someone else other then Erik was on their side. "Aye that's right." both answered at the same time, an identical scowl appearing on their faces. They fell silent to let Erik and the Dean speak, a mix of knowing and satisfactions on Mena's face and a kindling of anger in her brother's eyes.

"Ye can't do anything te make him leave us alone. Once this died down he'll bother us again, or be more subtle." he stated flatly. Mena nodded slowly, arms folded "Aye, with his parents having the money they do and being alumni he'll be able te weasel his way out av any further trouble. I mean him apologizing and taking back what was said is great, if it can be done.." she murmured, her eyes clouding slightly with frustration as well.
 
"Oh, he'll recant," Dean Haskins said with grim certainty. "I can at least insure that. It's the rest that's iffy." He frowned with a mix of sympathy and frustration. "You're right. If he decides to pursue this campaign against you, there's very little I can do. His parents have a lot of clout here. I wish there was more I could promise you, but at least if he's caught in something like this again, I can make him recant again."

Erik was used to injustice. His siblings were always favored above him, so no matter what happened, Erik was the one who was in the wrong. He had entertained a hope that it might be different at St. Helena, but the youth now saw how foolish his hope had been.
 
"Depends on how many will believe him if he does." Tristan murmured, looking downhearted as the Dean spoke. Mena looked a bit tired and faintly angry, both siblings feeling slightly let down by someone that was supposed to be an authority. Usually this didn't happen, if something went wrong most would own up to it, if not they would be punished and not try that again. Even if that didn't happen the siblings usually held enough cards to be able to fight back. Now they had nothing and it was rather disheartening.
 
Dean Haskins was deeply saddened by the fact that the three students before him had to suffer due to his own failing and lack of power.

"What little I can do, I will do," he promised. "If he could be caught breaking the law, that might be another story. I could suspend him pending the results of a trial. Those can take a while, and even if his lawyers got him out of it, that would be at least a year he wouldn't be here."
 
"But that's not likely te happen, as unreasonable as he may seem he doesnae strike me as a stupid person." Mena commented, still quiet. Tristan nodded slowly, mind sifting through different thoughts before casting them aside and shrugged "We talked te him, he seemed startled, but it's hard te say if that'll make a change. If ye talk to him, maybe his recanting will do something." he mused.
 
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