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

The Headmaster nodded slowly "You say many mysteries, all may be revealed in time, but it looked as if what you saw eased you somewhat." he commented, turning to Mena who was fidgeting uneasily "Ms Firestone?" he asked, voice kind, but it still made her jump slightly. The girl, recovering from her flinch nodded, stepping up to the mirror without a small amount of trepidation and stood in front of it's clear surface.

Fog billowed inside the glass and she blinked, seeing herself standing in robes the colour of ice, with storm grey embroidery, a lashing storm roaring about her, the gushing waves of the sea at her back. Instead of terror, Mena felt only exultion and joy, the writhing feeling that rose instead of her at each storm had been loosed. It did not give way to migraines or fear, and she only felt a wild joy, the figure in the mirror had her head tossed back, hair and skin soaked by the rain, amazement and peace on her face. The feeling got on, and Mena's face eased a joyous laugh coming from her throat as the image dissolved.

The mirror blurred until it showed Mena in a field, battle grey storm cloud above her, lightning dancing across the sky. Around the girl itself eddies of wind flickered, and lightning crawled around her arms and waist. Her eyes were closed and they opened, the blue green irisies had tiny lightning bolts, dancing in her eyes.

The image snapped to darkness and Mena stumbled back, shock on her face and she turned to the others, confusion, ease and fear in her eyes "It...I saw, I canae even explain it." she murmured, voice soft.
 
When Erik saw Mena stumble, he hurried forward in case she needed help. A mixture of emotions were visible in her expression.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Hopefully, seeing into the mirror has helped you understand your gifts enough to ease your anxiety," the headmaster said. "Tonight, you will each get to meet your mentors who will help you develop and control them."
 
Tristan was a step ahead, resting both a supportive and protective hand on her shoulder, worry on his own face. Mena swallowed and nodded, smiling at them both, albeit shakily "I'm fine...it was just alot te take in." she stated and looked at the Headmaster "We canae meet them now? After seeing this I've a good amount av questions." she remarked.
 
"If you wish, Ms. Firestone," the headmaster said. "I can arrange for you and your brother to meet your mentors." He looked at Erik then. "Yours won't be available until tonight, Mr. Grunwald. I'm afraid he can't arrive any sooner." Headmaster Callaghan gestured to the stairs. "If you'd like to come back to my office with me, you can wait in the outer room while I make the necessary calls."

Erik was disappointed that he wouldn't be able to meet his mentor yet. But he was hopeful that they could answer some of Mena's and Tristan's questions and put his friends at ease.

"What should I do, sir?" Erik asked.

"You had plans for today, didn't you?" the headmaster asked kindly. "You may go and see to them. Be patient, Erik. You don't have too much longer to wait." Erik gave the headmaster a nod that was almost a slight bow. Then he looked at his friends, his eyes lingering more on Mena's face than Tristan's.

"Good luck," he said. "Please let me know how it goes." Then, he turned and left. the headmaster shook his head slightly. Then, he went to make the calls.
 
Mena nodded slowly, looking thoughtful now "I'd like that, it may help to sort a lot av things out." she admitted and Tristan spoke up "Aye, I want to see what else there is te know." he agreed, taking his hand from his sister's shoulder. Both of them began to follow the Headmaster, each turning to look back at Erik, Mena smiling faintly "Av course, see ye later." she commented, as she and Tristan walked into the office, the door closing behind them.
 
Erik left the headmaster's office and went to see his teachers. Most had offices in the administration building, but his English teacher's office was in the library basement. Once he was finished with the others, he headed over to the library.

The library was an impressive old building like most of the school's structures. Unlike most, however, the stone library had gargoyles perched at under the corners of the roof. Erik was looking at the monstrous, stone sentinels when his foot slipped on a patch of frost. His legs flew out from under him, and Erik fell hard, striking the back of his head on the sidewalk.

Unsympathetic eyes watched the teen's fall. Erik heard musical, child-like laughter as he passed out.
 
Both Mena and Tristan were waiting still as the Headmaster made his calls. Soon enough the door open and two people entered. One was a tall man, completely bald with tattoos traced in his scalp, face calm. He was dressed in black jeans and a shirt that was the colour of shifting flame. The other was a slighter man, eyes bright and energetic dressed in ratty jeans and a oversized sweatshirt, he had hair and it was the colour of sand. "These will be your mentors, they will both teach you at times, and will also instruct you separately. Muritala-" he indicated the bald man "Will teach you Mena and will also help Tristan with his gift of fire." the man smiled faintly at them both, and Mena felt herself ease, an odd trust of the man growing already. "And this is Callum, he specializes in weather, nature, as well as metals and forge techniques. He will help you both in the channeling of your powers." he explained at Callum gave an enthusiastic grin and wave, Tristan echoing the gesture, liking the man on sight.

The Headmaster smiled, it seemed to be a good match so far "Now, rooms have been set aside for your studies, your mentors know where they are. Study hard, and good luck." he stated, going into an opposite room. The twins stood, and their mentors regarded them for a moment "You heard the man, come on kid, let me show you the forge." Callum stated, leading Tristan out. Mena regarded Muritala shyly and he nodded at her "You looked in the mirror then? Follow me, we can talk about that to start." he stated, tone quiet, but kind, and Mena followed him as well.
 
Erik smelled snow. He shivered when he realized how cold he was. Erik opened his eyes and sat up. His head hurt and he felt a little dizzy. Erik closed his eyes for a moment to see if that would help.

When his head seemed to stop spinning, Erik opened his eyes again and saw that people were starting to notice him and crowd around. I must not have been unconscious very long, Erik thought. Then, he remembered the patch of ice, the fall and the laughter. A faerie, he thought. From the winter court. He got up quickly, bringing on another wave of dizziness.

"Are you alright?" somebody asked.

"Yes, I'm fine," Erik said. "Excuse me." Erik hurried away from the other students. He was pretty sure that the faerie wasn't done with his or her mischief, and Erik didn't want to risk some of it hitting those around him. Erik hurried back to the dorm. He planned to confront the faerie, but he wanted to be prepared first.
 
The twins were lead to a wide classroom, the floors and walls built from wide-cut stone. A long set of tables held bowls, crystals, some science equipment and high piles of books. "This is the classroom that we'll be teaching you two and Erik in, it holds all the basic magical equipment you'll need, in time we'll teach you to create your own mage-kit, which you'll need as you master your skill." Callum stated, smiling at the two. He patted Tristan's shoulder "Now young man, the forge. Once I show yo the tools and the basics, you can actually try and make things in it." he stated, voice dying away as he led the young man away.

Mena watched him go and looked up at Muritala, her whole face a question. He blinked and looked at her a moment "What did you seen in the mirror?" he asked "If I know what you saw I can help answer a lot of your questions." he added. Mena sighed and quietly began to speak about the storm she saw and the lightning and wind that had whipped around her, not to mention the bolts of lightning that had danced in her eyes. Muritala listened and the girl spoke on, of the headaches and the nausea that came with stormy weather and she paused before quietly talking about the voices she heard, distress on her face.

"Ah, well that makes alot of sense then. Good we have a place to start." Muritala replied, raising an invisible brow at the stunned look on the girl's face.

"But...the voices...ye don't think I'm-"

"Mad? No, it's a part of your magic, and is normal, with some lessons you'll be able to control what you hear and when you hear it." he stated.

Mena still looked unconvinced and he sighed "Come on outside, I'll show you." he offered leading the girl away.
 
Erik went into his room and took the iron rod he kept by his bed. He was careful to hold it by the wrapped end and put it quickly in his coat pocket. Though Erik wasn't truly one of the fae, his father had been, and iron was unpleasant to touch and hold. Even having it in his coat pocket gave the youth a metallic chill. He also grabbed a packet of seeds.

Erik used his knife to slice his palm. He poured the seeds into that hand and let the blood cover them. The teen left the dorm and started walking across campus. He kept an eye out for any more mysterious patches of ice and began to drop a seed at a time, using his magic and his blood to cause them to grow rapidly and spring up as a path of flowering plants.

Erik had guessed that the roses he had made bloom had offended the winter fae. Offended faeries, especially those of the winter court, could be cruel and vindictive. Erik didn't intend to wait around and see how it might try to harm him or his new friends. He meant to make it leave them alone.
 
A few moments later, Muritala and Mena stood on the lower roof of the school, the girl looking about with faint confusion. "Heights don't bother you?" the man asked and she shook her head "No, they never really have." she murmured and he nodded, watching the skies. "You were talking about hearing voices, usually outside, right?" he asked and she frowned. He watched her simply before she nodded. "Alright, I'm going to explain this to you before you lose more sleep over this. You're magic has to do with is what is making you hear those voices. What your hearing is normal conversation, carried by the winds themselves. Because your element is air you have a higher sense to what the wind can tell us. You're not insane, or hallucinating, it's your magic working." he stated, speaking firmly, his tone however was calming. Mena was not really convinced and it showed on her face as she spoke "What if it's not? I mean I hear random voices out av thin air, that no one else hears, and I usually can't see who's speaking. It's hard to suddenly say "Oh it's magic" and take it from there." she stated, voice tart, her fear making her almost angry at his calm.

"I'm not expecting you to, but want I do want is for you to understand that I know what I'm talking about. The Headmaster wouldn't have brought me in if I didn't. I can help you with this, but you need to learn why your magic works the way it does. One of the steps for that is being calm enough to listen to your own magic and its sources." he commented and walked in a tight circle around them both, sprinkling ashes as he did so and snapping his fingers before sitting down, gesturing her to follow. She slowly did and watched him as he crossed his legs. "Meditation is something you've heard of I take it?" he asked as she nodded "Good. It's one of the mage's most used exercises, it helps us to organize our minds and to gain control over our power. Right now yours leaks out of you, like water from a bag and that can cause accidents." he stated, and Mena bit her lip, thinking of Tristan. "When you meditate, you're bringing that magic back into yourself and with my help you can organize and gain control over it- as well as control when you hear voices." he stated and Mena blinked "Really?" she asked, voice hesitant and he nodded

"Yes. Now, I want you to pick something small, a stone, a knot of wood, and focus on putting all of your thought and will into that space." he stated. Mena thought a long while and with a puff of wind she caught the scent of water on the air, settling on a drop of rain. She blinked "Alright." she replied dubiously and he nodded "Hold that in your mind and breathe slowly, in and out, follow my count and focus on that item." he stated and began to count slowly, to seven. Mena breathed along with the count, trying to imagine becoming a drop of rain, struggling with blanking her mind of all thought until Muritala called a halt "Alright, that's good for now, your getting the breathing right and that's good. It'll take time." he stated, standing and scuffing out the ashes "What was that for?" the girl asked and stood a bit stiffly. "I raised a protection circle, when young mages meditate their power leaks even more and I didn't want any hail crashing down here." he stated, heading to the stairs. Mena paused and followed him "Could I really do that?" she asked, as they went inside.
 
Erik sensed the path of plants begin to frost and die. He was still well ahead of the faerie, so the teen doubled back and hid behind a large tree. Erik laid his bloody palm on the tree and willed it to hide him from his enemy. He watched as the faerie passed. He was about a foot tall, with pale blue skin and wings that shined like ice in the sun. The frost pixie was an attractive being, like an athletic youth, but with an angry frown and cold rage glowing in his eyes. Erik let the malevolent being pass and he began to sneak up on his foe.

The fae killed the last plant. Then, it landed and appeared to be examining the ground for footprints. Erik took the moment to strike, drawing the iron from his pocket and dropping it on the pixie's shadow. The faerie looked over his shoulder at Erik. He tried to move, to fly, to run, or just to turn, but he was bound to the spot by the iron across his shadow.

"Son of a mortal whore!" the little creature cursed vilely. "I'll freeze your heart and watch you die! I'll blight this whole school with my wrath! Let me go! Let me go, you filthy halfblood!"

"You won't do any of that," Erik said grimly. "I have caught you fairly. Now, you will do what I say."

"Let me go, or I'll curse your mortal family! I'll kill every friend and lover you ever have!"

"You have no power while the iron binds you, pixie," Erik said with what he hoped was a threatening voice. "You can do as I say, or I can leave you hear. I think I saw a cat yesterday..." The pixie looked around with fear in his eyes before he was able to get himself back under control.

"I won't be your slave," the fae said angrily in his high voice. "Three tasks you can command of me if you set me free."

"Go from here. Never return. Never do harm to me or to anyone I know. Swear it."

"I so swear," the pixie snarled angrily. Erik nodded and picked the bar up. The pixie vanished without another word.
 
It was a couple of more hours before the twins regrouped in the halls, both of them bright-eyed with eagerness and all of the information they had learned. "He said I could make it hail, or rain, and I'm not crazy!" Mena exclaimed and Tristan grinned "I saw the forges! Mena they're amazing! And there's so much metal, did ye know that I can tell what metal's are around, without looking at them?! It's like...I can feel it calling me." he murmured, awe crossing his face. They walked in silence a few moments and headed outside "We should talk te Erik, see how things are going." Mena commented. Her brother nodded as they approached the gardens "What do ye think av him?" he asked suddenly and she blinked, before shrugging.

"He's sweet, and seems te have lived a closed life." she commented and he was quiet a moment "Me too, which is why I'm glad te be his friend." he stated, looking thoughtful. Mena looked at him and gave an exasperated sigh "Don't start with that Trist, every time that I meet a new guy ye try and scare them. At any harsh word Erik probably wouldnae want te talk to me! Lay off!" she snapped and he looked mulish. "Fine, but any of those rich jerks that cause a problem.." he muttered and she nodded "We'll both take care av them." she commented and spotted Erik ahead and frowned, seeing the dead plants. "Erik! We've been looking for ye!" Tristan exclaimed, approaching him as Mena looked curiously over the plants.
 
Erik was startled to hear Tristan call out. He turned to find his friends approaching, and Erik realized that using his magic is such a public place might not have been such a good idea. I'm lucky that it's Mena and Tristan who found me, he thought.

Normally, Erik would try to hide the cut on his hand while he tried to bandage it. He wouldn't want to have to lie to explain it away. However, the twins knew of his magic and how it worked. This was fortunate, since the youth didn't want to ever tell them anything but the truth.

Mena, Tristan, hello," Erik said with a smile as he used a handkerchief to bandage his hand. "How are you?" He saw how happy Mena looked and it warmed Erik's heart. "How was your first meeting with your teachers?"
 
Tristan grinned as Erik turned around and Mena blinked, seeing him wrap his hand, concern flickering over her eyes. Tristan was looking over the frost and noticed the cut a bit later frowning "Ye alright?" he asked, waving a hand at the cut. "I'm good, got to see and learn so much about my magic, and in time I'll be able to forge my own crafts, though I get to start with nails." he commented. Mena chuckled "I learned to meditate and I'll be learning to control my ability to hear voices on the wind and a bunch av other things." she added, looking more relaxed then she had in the morning "Are ye excited to meet ye're mentor soon?" she asked.
 
"I'm alright," Erik assured his friends. "I just needed some blood to grow these flowers." Erik gestured at the frost blighted trail of plants. "There was a frost pixie who I upset that I had to deal with. He... may not be troubling me or y- um, the school any longer." Erik didn't want to have to tell Mena and Tristan that the pixie had threatened those he cared about.

Erik listened to his friends' good news, his smile growing and his eyes sparkling happily. He impulsively took Mena's shoulders in a gentle grip, barely stopping himself from hugging her.

"You see?" Erik said happily. "I knew the voices were from your gift! You're much to sane to be crazy." A look of worry came over Erik's face at Mena's question. "Yes... I look forward to meeting my mentor, but I am still a little nervous." He smiled for his friends, but it was weaker than the earlier smile. "I hope I will have good news for you both when I am done."
 
Both twins raised a brow, similar looks of confusion and curiosity on their faces at the mention of the pixie. "Good to hear, now the flowers won't be touched by unnatural frost." Mena commented, glad that he had averted the problem without much harm it seemed. Looking up at him, Mena smiled and patted his hand "I'm glad ye think so." she replied and Tristan grinned "Just wait till ye get to know her." he quipped and shrugged "No blame there, I hope ye have good news too." he added, Mena echoing the statement with a nod.
 
Eric was uncomfortable thinking about meeting his mentor. In a way he felt more like he was waiting for his execution than for an appointment with a teacher. But the blond youth didn't want to think about that. Right now, he was with his dear friends, and Eric thought they deserved better than for him to mope the rest of the day.

"There is a building on the other side of the garden with the faun fountain," Eric said with a curious twinkle in his eyes. "Beyond the stand of Roman pines. I found it today when I made a wrong turn looking for one of my teachers. It does not seem to be an office building or a class building."

Eric remembered the stone building. It had stained glass windows, decorated with fabulous creatures and geometric patterns. The impression was that the ground floor had a very high ceiling and the upper floor was of more modest proportions.

"I think it may be a library, but I'm not sure. Do you think it would be interesting to go have a look?"
 
Mena frowned, seeing a bit of Erik's discomfort and raised a brow wondering what was bothering him. She listened avidly as he described the building and interest filled her face while Tristan looked mildly intrigued. "I'd love te it'll give us something to do before we have te get to sleep." she commented, not mentioning her desire to not run into any of the other students that always seemed to judge them. Tristan shrugged "Aye, let's go." he commented.
 
Eric led the twins across the campus to the partially concealed building. The prospect of discovery helped banish his feelings of anxiety and dread, but not nearly as much having his friends along with him. Especially Mena...

When they rounded the stand of trees, Eric smiled to Mena and gestured at the lonely seeming building.

"There it is," he said. There were dim lights on inside, making the stain glass windows glow. The ground floor was octagonal and the smaller upper floor was circular. The smaller windows of the upper floor were dark. A disused path led to a set of double doors in what Eric guessed was the front of the building. The doors were made of heavy wood, bound in dull, green bronze that had not been polished in a long time.
 
Mena and Tristan followed, both seeming to ease as they walked along the grounds, glad to be with their friend and away from the school. The excitement of the day with meeting their mentors and the curiosity of the building made Mena smile and Tristan's face lit up as well as they approached the doors. The young man blinked and frowned "Not polished, it's all tarnished." he murmured, almost sounding saddened.
 
"Maybe this door isn't used very often?" Eric wondered. He checked the door ring and found that it turned slowly. There was a creaking click, and the door swung open on stiff hinges.

The ground floor was a single, huge room. There were shelves of books, boxes and assorted dust covered objects. Larger items covered in dusty sheets crowded the floor. A spiral staircase in the middle of the room rose up to the upper floor.

"It looks like... a storehouse," Eric said softly. He smiled at Mena. "I wonder what sort of things are stored here."
 
Tristan shook his head, running a hand over the bronze "The metal's lonely." he stated, feeling that that was a very foolish thing to say, but it still felt right. He moved aside to let Erik opened the door and Mena stepped in after her twin. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity and Tristan was already walking around "Aye, looks like it, I say we take a look around." he stated.
 
Erik listened to what Tristan said. It might have sounded unusual to the blond youth before, but now he knew a little about his friend. Erik trusted that Tristan was right about the metal being lonely. He put a supporting hand on Tristan's shoulder.

"Perhaps while we are hear, we can find a way to make it feel less lonely?" Erik suggested. He saw how Mena seemed pleased, and that caused Erik to smile with joy. It gave the teen a warm and wonderful feeling inside to see Mena smile.

Erik lifted one of the coverings. Underneath, he found an unusual anvil and hammer. Both were covered in markings that Erik thought might be runes. There were tongs and other tools as well.

"What beautiful work," Erik said. "I haven't seen many forges, but I don't think they are usually so decorated."
 
Tristan half smiled, feeling foolish and grateful that Erik took him seriously, not many people outside of his family did that. He nodded slowly "Polishing would help, I think I could come back and do that." he stated feeling better as he took his hand from the door entering the storehouse and looking around with interest. His brow rose as he saw the anvil and he made a beeline for it "Neither do I, but this one is and for a reason. I wonder why." he murmured, eyes alive with curiosity.
 
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