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

"At the least, if will expose him as the liar he is in front of the students," Erik said. "If he is made to recant publicly."

"Yes, he'll have to recant in the dining hall tonight before everyone present," Dean Haskins said. "If he refuses, then I can move to have him expelled. It might not work, but at least he would be suspended until the issue was decided."

"Thank you," Erik said. He felt disappointed, but he was sure the dean would do all he could. It wasn't really his fault that he had so little real power.

"I wish I could do more," Dean Haskins said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to call Mr. Thatcher in and have a talk with him."
 
"That will help, so will the support av Theo and Julie." Tristan commented, and shrugged "It's better then nothing at least, thanks sir." he commented lightly enough, though there was a brooding light to his eyes. Giving a nod, he turned and left, Mena following a moment later with her own quiet thanks, both twins seeming slightly downcast as they returned to the hall.
 
Erik saw that his friends were unhappy. He couldn't blame them for feeling that way, but Erik couldn't think of a way to change things. Instead, maybe a change of subject would at least help take their mind off of things they couldn't change. Yet, Erik thought.

"I wonder what will happen when we meet the headmaster tonight?" Erik asked. "I think he is supposed to show us what sort of magic we have." I know I look forward to learning how to better control my magic."
 
Mena roused slightly and shrugged "Aye, I heard that in orientation, we were pulled aside earlier. It'll...be a piece av mind to know what's going on." she murmured. Tristan smiled, mood buoying up slightly, he seemed to have an easier time in being optimistic, Mena however looked vaguely worried.
 
Erik was glad to see Tristan cheer up a bit, but seeing that Mena still looked worried troubled him. He wondered what was bothering his beautiful friend. Erik had a moment of indecision. He thought he should ask Mena was was wrong, but he also worried it might be a private matter. He didn't want to risk embarrassing Mena. But Erik decided that he needed to ask. I hope she will understand and not be embarrassed, he thought.

"Is something wrong, Mena?" he asked softly.
 
Mena blinked, the cloudiness leaving her eyes a moment as she looked at him him, puzzled. Catching his worry and Tristan's as well she shrugged "I'm..ah, scared. About seeing what my magic is." she stated, looking away a moment, unsure of how much to say, if anything at all. "The storms right?" Tristan asked, hazarding a guess and she sighed, half glad and half irritated that she had a twin that knew her so well. "Partially. I get bad migraines when it storms and feel as if somethin' deep inside wants te escape." she replied, embarrassment, fear and worry crossing her face as she felt an urge to burst into explaination, eyes prickling with a need to cry. Swallowing she bit her lip catching her brother's alarm "I...think I may be going mad." she blurted, voice rushed, accent thick enough to be nearly indecipherable. She fell silent then, looking out a nearby window, not wanting to look at them, Tristan looked both confused and uneasy, this was the first he had heard that.
 
The thought of anything happening to Mena horrified Erik to the very core of his being. He was staggered by the thought that her magic might drive her insane. He knew only too well how callous and unfair life could be. It seemed hatefully possible that such a thing could happen.

But as much as it tore at Erik's heart to imagine such a thing, Erik knew that Mena didn't need him going to pieces. She needed the support of those who cared about her. The teen hid his fear deep inside. Then, he mustered all the hope he could and stepped forward. He almost sat his hand on Mena's shoulder, but stopped. He would wait and see if it seemed wise to touch Mena after he had spoken.

"I think that you are very sane," Erik said. "You are saner than me, I am sure. Also, we are in the best possible place now. They must know about magic here if they teach such as us to control our gifts. They will understand how the magic works and how to keep it controlled and safe. Do not lose hope."
 
Tristan started forwards, uncertainty crossing his face as his sister turned away. This was the first he had heard of possible insanity and it terrified him, for Mena's safety and for what could happen. He frowned and was about to speak when Mena shivered and ducked her head "I keep hearing voices, from all over, quiet and speaking of normal things, but no one else takes notice." she stated, voice hushed and she hugged her arms close to her body. Her brother was paler then normal, eyes wide with worry "Voices?" he asked, mind racing with how that could be taken, imagining her babbling and rocking in a white room his heart clenching. He swallowed, pushing that aside "If anything the Headmaster will be able te see what can be done. Ye've never seemed too crazy to me, not in the scary way." he added, forcing a joking tone to his voice rewarded by a tiny smile from Mena, who eased a bit.
 
"I do not think you are insane," Erik said with certainty. The idea of Mena or Tristan being insane in a world where his family were the sane ones was impossible for the teen to fathom. Erik vocalized his chain of thought. "You feel a connection to storms. Wind is a part of storms. There is a story, yes? A magus or hero from the British Isles? The wind carried words to him from far away?" Erik regretted that his memory was incomplete. It had been six years since he had read that story and the details were lost in a sea of old legends and faery tales.
 
"Insanity can come in so many harmless forms." Mena replied, voice soft as she suppressed a shiver, her imagination had been running for far too long, making the young woman unable to see logically. "I loved storms, all my life, until no...they make me feel trapped." she added, listening to Erik as Tristan placed a supportive hand on her shoulder which she patted lightly attempting a smile "I remember that story, it was always a favourite." she added, looking thoughtful now "But...it was only a story." she added "And we have magic which should only be a fairy tale." Tristan replied, making his sister frown "True." she agreed, rubbing the back of her neck "I guess we'll have to speak to the Headmaster." she stated, turning to the window again feeling a bit of relief to see that the sky was clear.
 
Erik looked at his watch. It was hours yet until their scheduled meeting with the headmaster, but the youth thought this might qualify as an emergency.

"We can go see the headmaster now," Erik suggested. He hoped the mysterious administrator would be able to put Mena's mind at ease, or at least know how to help her. "This seems to be important enough for us to see him early."
 
Tristan nodded "Even if we talk to him a few moments, he may be able te tell us something." he commented. Mena gave a small nod "Sounds good." she murmured, getting out a small map of the school "He's in the right wing, highest floor." she commented, ready to head there if the two others were.
 
Erik started off at once. He followed Mena's directions to the right wing and up the four flights of stairs to the top floor. The Headmaster's office had a door with a window of frosted glass, just like the other offices, but when Erik opened the door, he was surprised by what he found.

The carpet was dark green and looked almost like moss. The walls were a pattern of wooden columns that gave the illusion of trees. The vaulted ceiling was made of glass, allowing natural light to fill the room. There was an ornamental fountain and pool in one corner of the room, the sound of flowing water filled the room. The furniture was made of sturdy wood and had a rustic look. A door opened in the far wall, seemingly of it's own accord.

"Hello, Miss Firestone, Mr. Firestone and Mr. Grunwald," a calm voice called from the far room. Please come in."
 
Mena and Tristan stopped in the center of the room, taking a good long look around. The calmness of the room and the sound of running water eased the girl's tension and she jolted a bit at the man's calm voice. Exchanging a look with her brother, both of them walked in and a man that was in his early seventies smiled at them. He had dark silver hair and vlue eyes that still held a glitter of youth. He was dressed comfortably in dark pants and a loose grey top, quite casual in comparison to the suited teachers. There was also a calmness, a serenity to his being as if he had found out a secret about the world and knew a joke that no one else could see. Tristan relaxed at seeing him, having the feeling that this man was going to be helpful and Mena liked him on sight. He nodded at them all, gesturing for them to sit in three very comfortable looking armchairs all in a soft green colour. "Sit, all of you. I'm Headmaster Callaghan, and you are Tristan, Erik and Mena, yes?" he asked, his voice soft and welcoming, nodding at the teens in turn.
 
Erik looked dubiously at his watch. He wanted to be sure it was still running. Headmaster Callaghan smiled serenely at the uptight teen.

"Your watch isn't broken, Erik," he said. "You are very early, but I sensed the three of you coming. Please sit." Where the pleasant surroundings had failed, the headmaster's calm voice had succeeded in soothing Erik. He took a seat next to his friends. Headmaster Callaghan turned his friendly attention to Mena now. "Something troubles you, Mena. That is why you three are here. Please, tell what what's the matter, and I will see if I can help you."
 
"We're all troubled, well nervous really." Mena replied, attempting to evade her own troubles for a few moments. Tristan gave her a side long glance but shrugged "Nothing more then the opinions av a few idiots." he commented with a shrug. Mena nodded "That may be an ongoing issue, but ye know what we're really here, our magic..." she stated and trailed off, not knowing where to start with her own worries and fears, knowing that Tristan had as much to worry about, and Erik seemed to fear his power as much as she and her brother did.
 
"It is true that magic can be dangerous, just like any other natural force," the headmaster said calmly. "But it needs to be directed to dangerous ends. So far, your gifts have been directed mainly by your unconscious minds. As you come to understand them, you will gain more conscious control." Headmaster Callaghan stood. "The more you understand, the less frightened you will be." A door hidden in the bookshelves opened, revealing a spiral staircase going down. "I think now is a good time for you three to look into the mirror."
 
Tristan and Mena listened closely, both nodding slightly at his words. It was like the school rep said, any kind of power held responsibility. "Dangerous ends?" she asked, a bit of worry to her voice. Tristan raised a brow at his words "Mirror? What will that do?" he asked, as he stood, Mena following suit.
 
"Our gifts are only dangerous when you guide them to be dangerous," the headmaster explained as he led the way down the stairs. "Spells and rituals guide magical energy, yes, but the intent of the gifted is still more important. For example, if one uses a ritual to call rain. Knowing the ritual and performing it perfectly won't matter if the one doing so doesn't want rain." He smiled kindly at the three. "There has to be a will to guide the power. Even if you subconsciously want to cause harm, your gifts won't cause that harm unless it's what you truly want." he assured the three teens. "It's mostly accidents you need to be concerned about." Headmaster Callaghan gave Tristan and Erik a sympathetic look. "You weren't trying to do harm when you were burned," he said to the Scottish youth. "And you didn't mean for your brother to be injured, but remember, it wasn't the tiny bit of energy you directed at him, but his own little bomb that truly injured him."

Erik's eyes went wide with surprise for a moment before he managed to blank his expression. He didn't think his mother would admit even to the headmaster about how much of a freak her bastard son was.

"But once you know your gift, it will be easier to control. Then, when you learn the meditation and other mental techniques we'll teach you over this first year, it will become even easier until it's second nature."

"The mirror is a tool to help you see and understand your gift," Callaghan explained. "Only the one looking into the mirror will be shown, and it's a unique experience for each who looks." The headmaster's gaze grew distant with memory. "I remember the day I looked. I'm sure it's one thing I'll never forget as long as I live. In a way, it was like I awoke that day. Once you see your gifts, it will relieve at least a little of your anxiety."
 
Both of them listened, taking a mix of comfort and confusion from those words. It was all very well to hear that magic could be controlled of course, but neither would believe it until they were able to do so themselves. Tristan flinched a bit at the mention of his hands, flexing them slightly in reflex, as Mena touched his arm lightly. It made sense that he knew, he was to oversee their lessons and speak with their mentors. Mena looked at the headmaster, images in her own mind of her magic driving her mad, or something in the mirror making her lose her sense of self made her stammer "S-so it will help, te see what we can do?" she asked.
 
"Yes," the headmaster assured Mena kindly. "It will show you the nature of your gifts."

Erik could see his friends' uneasiness. He felt uneasy as well. Erik knew his father hadn't been human. He feared that he would learn that he wasn't human either. He was scared that he would find he was some sort of unseelie abomination... a monster that deserved to be hated.

The chamber the stairs led to felt cool and had no windows, making Erik think it was probably a basement of some sort. crystals mounted on the walls and ceiling generated a clear, pure light that banished the gloom as well as a sunny day. There was a rectangular object covered by a large sheet sitting against the wall opposite the stairs. It looked as if it was close to two meters tall by more than one meter wide.

Headmaster Callaghan removed the sheet to reveal a silver mirror with an ornate frame carved in geometric shapes.

"If you are ready, who would like to be first?" the headmaster asked.
 
Mena and Tristan followed the headmaster, keeping near Erik for moral support. The lights from the crystal were steady and bright, showing that the twins were pale and tense, both looking over at the long, oval mirror. When the headmaster asked his soft question Mena jerked, flushing now and Tristan stepped forwards "I will." he stated, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible. With a faint breath he stepped in front of the mirror and his grey eyes widened. Inside the glass the boy saw roaring flames, the flared out into slight ribbons and coiled around his hands, feeling pleasantly warm when they should have roasted his skin. The images flickered and wavered as if in a heatwave and Tristan felt no fear, or pain as he had before when the fire burned his hands, he felt calm and controlled, in the presence of an old friend. That image faded and he was standing in a large forge, heating gold and hearing it sing in his mind, in a pure voice, the act of smithing and forging looked second nature and he was grinning despite the sweat and soot streaking his clothes. He blinked, the melding of images of metal and flames and stone blurring in his eyes as he looked away, eyes vibrant and alive. "That...was amazing...it all made sense, for that one moment." he commented, turning to the others, wanting another look.
 
Erik watched Tristan's reaction. He was relieved to see that the other teen was happy with what he had seen. He looked to Mena and saw that she still looked unready to face the mirror. He hesitantly placed a supportive hand on her shoulder and gave her a small smile.

"Do you understand your power a little better now, Tristan?" the headmaster asked. "Has the mirror relieved some of your anxiety?"

Erik wasn't anxious to look into the mirror. He had been sure that his friend would receive good news from the magical looking glass, but Eric still feared what it would show him. He doubted his humanity and feared to see how much like his ruthless, unknown father he was.

"Do you want me to go next?" Erik asked. As much as he feared what he would learn, if it would make Mena feel better about the mirror, Erik would go before her.
 
Tristan's ease faded slightly, replaced by confusion as he nodded "Maybe, everything felt right when I looked intae the mirror, the power, and the fire, it all made sense. But I'm not sure if I'll be able to make sense av it on my own." he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. Mena who had relaxed a bit at Erik's touch, and her twin's words nodded slowly "Aye, I don't mind waiting." she replied, the near flippant tone attempting to cover a stronger fear.
 
"Oh, you won't be on your own, Tristan," Headmaster Callaghan assured the youth. "You'll have mentors to help you along the way. But when you looked in the mirror, you got a new understanding of your gift. That's an important step, but it is just one step. We're here to help you with the rest."

Erik nodded and tried to walk confidently to the mirror. He wanted to ease Mena's fear as much as he could. His own fear seemed immune to his efforts. Finally, Erik stood before the mirror and peered at the reflection there.

Erik gasped when he saw himself dressed in jeans, hiking boots and a simple cotton shirt. He was standing in a forest clearing, there were animals around him, and he was able to communicate with them on a basic level. Some of the animals were ill or injured, and Erik tended to them, giving tiny fragments of his life to heal them. The great, ancient trees around him offered some of their mighty lifeforce to the teen to replace what he had lost.

Then, Erik was standing in a garden. Faerie beings were around him, but he seemed to be the only one who could see them. They obeyed his unspoken instructions to tend to the plants. Erik could feel the flow of glamour around him, and he could shape it to make illusions and even making tiny changes to reality. Then, a shadow fell over the garden. Erik turned to find a tall figure standing in the shadows. It was shaped like a man, but it had a pair of impressive antlers growing from its forehead and its features were lost in the darkness.

Erik stepped back, and suddenly he was back in the mirror chamber. He turned away from the mirror, not sure he wanted to see anymore. Was that my father? he wondered. Does this mean I will meet him in the future? Erik didn't think he wanted to meet him.

He looked at Mena, and managed a friendly smile.

"It was beautiful... but I'm not sure I understood it all." he said. Erik didn't mention his worry about the mysterious figure. He hoped Mena's experience would be much more pleasant than his own. Still, the gift the mirror had revealed seemed benign and useful.
 
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