Magical Teacher Professor Landry! - Episode 5: Amid the Ghost Blossoms

[Rhiya Ravenwing]

"I have been looking for you all night."

Emme's chopsticks paused delicately in the air, in the process of delivering bite-sized chow mein to the correct orifice for simultaneous sustenance necessities and enjoyment purposes. Her clear green eyes were focused politely on her roommate, who had decided now was the perfect time to... 'confront' the maid.

"You've been using this boy," she added, throwing the full weight of her glare back on the darkly garbed maid, "as an excuse to avoid me!"

Seeing no reason as to why her mouthful should not complete its journey, Emme took a small bite and almost imperceptibly began chewing. Left hand picking up a napkin, she began to wipe the single-use chopsticks clean of any remaining foodstuffs.

"Well there's no where for you to run now, Emme Horton!" She snapped a hand to one of her sleeves, drawing it back in a smooth gesture to reveal her yellow tournament bangle.

Emme tilted her head, eyeing the bangle calmly. Her left hand reached up as she did so, ponytailing her long brown hair in a fist, twisting it slightly.

"We are going to duel."

With a deft, wrapping twist, her two chopsticks held the ponytail/bun into place. Emme's near-permanent smile reappeared after she politely swallowed her mouthful of meal.

"Unless little miss perfect is afraid to get her pretty clothes singed, that is." Verna giggled softly.

The smile on Emme's face... widened marginally, green eyes still peering rather happily at Verna. She broke her eye contact a single time, turning towards Nasir.

"Sorry, Nasir. If you don't mind...? I will be with you shortly and we can complete a tour of the carnival."

Emme stood up carefully, right hand smoothing her dress before grabbing the broom by her side. Her left hand brought up her chinese food box, still opened. She made eye contact with the pyrokinetic again.

"Verna Lehy," Emme announced quietly but clearly as she took a step back so that she wasn't talking nose to nose with the angry redhead, "I accept your challenge."

As their transition into the ghostly-CGI space occured, Emme threw the box of chinese food at Verna's face and charged, broomstick raised to strike.

[Arhra]

"...Welcome, students of Professor Landry. I have been expecting you." The fortune teller said, as Jo and Jack stood side by side just inside the gazebo. The seated figure was a mystery, a mass of dark shapes: red, blue and purple. It sets its teacup down on the table and moves a hand over the tarot deck next to it.

"Have you a question for the deck?"

Jo brushed past her boyfriend in a rustle of soft fabric. In the eerie light of the tent's paper lanterns her skin, hair and kimono were stained blue. The scarlet accents of her costume were darkened to the colour of dried blood. There was a mischevious smile on her face. Perhaps Jack should be worried.

Jo neatly folded herself into the chair. "I do." she replied to the fortune teller, voice hushed by the atmosphere of the place.

"I'm currently in a relationship with a boy at this school." she said. "Will it work out?"

* * *

"Not gonna lie, you scared the shit outta me for a moment there." Shin said to Jo, reaching for one of the chicken skewers. She waved it at the dog ears poking through Jo's white hair. "What are ya dressed up as? Some sorta spirit?"

A thought occured to the jotun and she instantly acted upon it.

"..." Jo blinked solemnly. "This is my true form." she said, pressing down the laughter that threatened to break through her emotionless facade.

The oni stopped eating for a moment and blinked, trying to process the information. But it was Halloween! Shin's mind raced, maybe Jo wasn't a yuki-onna, maybe she was an inugami or something. Maybe Halloween simply meant she could relax in her true form. That meant-

Shin swallowed her fear a bit and smirked. If Jo was a Yuki-onna, she was in the safe zone. With a bit of confidence the oni took another bite and offered.

Well, the tone was friendly.

Jo looked blank for a moment and then burst out laughing. "Alright, alright." she says, stifling it for a moment. "You caught me. What was that about Jack?"

Shin paused again and swallowed the chicken in her mouth. "Uh, I asked how much time Jack has left." Mild confusion was on her face. "Ya know, before you kill him or whatever you snow-ghosts do to guys."

"I'm a snow giant." Jo corrected her.

* * *

Back at the festival proper, bottles were no match for a costumed frost giant with a baseball. Claire's shout of triumph was interrupted by an unfortunate accident. Vigourous arm motions and ice cream cones did not go together well. Behind the pair, Nikola giggled as Jo coolly indicated her choice of prize to the stall attendant.

Jo turned, the bag of candy corn that was her prize clutched possum-like to her chest with both hands, and assessed the scene of the accident. "Did you really have to drop my ice cream?" she sighed.

"Wha - what!? Of course I didn't!" Claire stammered, "This guy, uh, kicked me! That's right. Kicked it right out of my hand!" The dark haired girl let out a loud, and obviously forced, laugh. "You should'a seen that kick! It was the best!"

Feeling an emotion that could be characterised as fond exasperation, Jo raised an eyebrow but refrained from pressing the point. Instead she ripped open the oversized bag of candy corn and offered some to Claire.

Claire waved her off, before crossing her arms and turning away in a huff.

"It's a lot to get through by myself." Jo wheedled, still holding the bag out. She waggled it suggestively.

Claire's next look toward Jo could be characterized as 'torn.'

"Hm? Ah... uhm, Jo?" Nikola said.

Jo turned at the querelous entreaty. Nikola had been cornered by a mysterious figure. There was no way for her to escape without accepting the politely offered letter. It was addressed to Jo.

"Huh?" Jo said. "I don't sure what this is about." She turned to the figure. "I'm Jo Imirsdotter. You have a letter for me?"

Jo tucked her bag of candy corn under one arm and accepted the note from the cloth wrapped automaton, slipped a finger under the edge of the envelope's flap and broke the seal. Shaking out the neatly folded note, Jo's pale eyebrows steadily rose as she read it, turning away slightly from Claire as her friend tried to peek over her shoulder.

Johanna Imirsdotter,

You are cordially invited to attend a tea party this evening, to discuss the ultimate fate of one Ashley Terata. If you desire, you are welcome to bring your friends as well. Enclosed is a map of the Festival, with the location of the gathering indicated. Arrive within an hour of receiving this message. If you do not, it will be assumed that you have no interest in attending. In which case, Ashley will forget she met you.

- T

Jo felt like she'd been punched. What was this? Why here? Why now? This was supposed to be a nice festival night with her friends. She focused intently on the letter, trying to keep her expression neutral as she kicked her brain in gear.

First. Manage the current situation.

"It must be some sort of special event." Jo said with a theatrical shrug. Letting the slip of paper fold up, she held it between two fingers and half turned to hand it to Claire. The dark haired girl waved her off, seemingly disinterested in the prospect of reading something she was allowed to see. Retrieving the candy corn form where she'd stowed it, Jo stood positioned equidistant from her two friends. She held out the letter to Nikola while offering Claire the candy corn with her other hand.

[Steel Shadow]

"Huh?" Diana glanced back at Sao's call, pulling the hood of her Red Ridinghood costume back a little so she could see the girl. For a moment she had the oddest feeling - Something about the nickname Sao had used - But it was gone before she could work out what it was. Instead she absently began picking through her cameras while she listened to the costumed 'Priestess' explain about her preperations.

"Oh. Really? You didn't mention-" Diana began, then stopped with a wince. Sao had mentioned something about special effects. She'd meant to ask for more details on the way over, but the... Awkwardness had distracted her. Damnit, she'd screwed up. That had been happening more and more lately - What the heck was wrong with her?

"Ah, r-right. Sorry, I'll just... On the Island? You think so? Ok, lemme just..." Confidence shaken, the Director accepted Sao's instructions without complaint, quickly rooting through her bag for one of her heavy-duty cameras. She might not be able to see much from over here, but it wouldn't hurt to have a camera or two on the outside for just in case. Besides, if the special effects were that impressive, maybe...

... Huh?

A familiar feeling washed over her. There was something... Someone interesting nearby. Whatever rust her skills had accrued over the past few months, she could still sense that much, still taste the tang in the air that meant she should get her camera ready. Almost without consious thought, her eyes rose up, looking towards the island in the middle of the lake... And the Cloaked Figure stood upon it.

"Um... Sao? Who's that?"

[Girasol of Chaos]

A slight cough-more startled than choking- came from the ogress. "Oh, great, you guys are giants too. Thanks for the warning, I guess." Shin regarded her classmate for a moment and then gave a shrug. The last 24 hours was full of surprises, this was the one of the least unpleasant ones.

"So why didn't you kick my ass at the pool, then?"

"I melted so I could come to the school." Jo said with a shrug, starting to get a hold of her laughter. "It's not easily reversed."

"Wh, hold on a sec. That's not what I heard from the stories. You're a snow giant, not a ghost, right?" Shin was now gesturing with a naked kabob stick.

"Rime giant actually." Jo said. "Hrimthurs. Not a ghost."

A relieved grin spread across the oni's face. "I have no idea what the hell you just said, but it's the best news I've had all damn day." Taking another skewer she took a chomp out of it, appetite regained.

"Cuz for a while there, I thought you were a sort of ghost that freezes dudes to death. Giants are cool in my book."

Jo cast her eyes upward looking thoughtful. "Jack seemed a bit worried about that too." she said.

Shin laughed lightly, "Since when the hell did Jack start looking up types of yokai? That's pretty weird for him to know." Taking another bite she continued, "He didn't seem to like the library either."

Jo coloured, looking down and to the side. "I'm... colder than a human."

The ogre raised an eyebrow, and had Jo been paying attention, she would have practically seen the gears click in place in the brute's head. Blushing a bit herself, she shook her head. "Crap, sorry." The pause was uncomfortable enough that she jumped into action.

Returning her attention to dinner, Shin finished the skewer and mentally prepared for the curry. "Okay, so Home ec is cookin and sewing and crap, right? So you can make clothes?"

Jo met Shin's gaze away, a hint of colour still in her cheeks. "That's right." she says. "Although there's more actual clothing design in Fashion Club, which I am also doing. Are you looking to have something made?"

"Er, kinda. Kit was making me a costume for today but..." Looking down she sighed, "I kinda ruined it. Then shit happened and-" She cut herself off, not ready to recall certain events. "Anyway, I don't have anythin for Halloween, and I'm pretty sure my clothes from last night are shot. At least, the nurse won't let me have em back. What would it cost for you to make somethin so I can get out of bed?"

"As in right now?" Jo asks. "They should bring some of your clothes to you once you've been properly settled in."

Shin regarded her classmate, then the food in front of her and nodded. "Alright." Defeated, but still thankful, she fumbled with the spoon for a moment and began to eat again.

[Dracorion]

"...Welcome, students of Professor Landry. I have been expecting you." Jack wasn't too surprised the fortuneteller knew that. Whoever it was had to build up the mystique. Though now he was curious as to who was under the hood. Maybe this was the Grim Reaper's Halloween costume? No one would see it coming.

"Have you a question for the deck?"

He ignored the irritating sounds of Gaga that played in the gazebo and thought about it. He considered briefly asking if his relationship with Jo would work out, but he dismissed that idea on the basis that he shouldn't ask that when Jo was right next to him. He did think of another thing, but he turned to his girlfriend first to see if she wanted to ask anything.

But Jo had already stepped forward with a mischievous smile, and Jack wondered how screwed he was.

"I do. I'm currently in a relationship with a boy at this school. Will it work out?"

... Jack drew a sharp intake of breath and shifted his stance awkwardly, his cheeks flushed and his eyes moved around the gazebo, anywhere but Jo and the fortuneteller. He finally crossed his arms as his eyes finally settled on the floor, his cheeks quite red by now.

[Zoological Uncertainty]

Cassie sighed exasperatedly as Penny left. Really, that girl... As bad as it was that she couldn't spend the night with her boyfriend, she could at least try not to be miserable.

"…so, do you still wanna go shoot some bottles?" Nate asked awkwardly after a moment.

The blind girl turned to the side where Nate should be a smiled kindly. "Of course!" She replied happily, standing up with her cane in hand. She extended her other hand in the boy's direction. "Will you take me Nate?"

* * *

"Aheheheheh..." The girl chuckled awkwardly as she lowered the toy rifle. It seemed she had not only missed every bottle, but also almost blinded the attendant. "Sorry." She mumbled embarassedly, then turned to her friend and apologized to him too. "Sorry for dragging you here Nate. I just always wanted to play this game. I wanted to win at least once, you know?" She explained wistfully.

Regardless, she put on a kind smile again. "Oh well. Do you want to try now?"

[Bard The 5th LW]

*BANG*

Sean's hopes went up when the figure seemed to stop-

but then anxiety returned as it quickly began to move once more.

"It's still moving. Are you sure you know how to use that?"

Sean scowled. "Not the time Dal!" he replied through gritted teeth, annoyance obvious in his tone. He turned his head back to the fae and the Shaman. "Koh, what was it? Did it say or do anything?"

While waiting for a response, Sean turned his attention back to the looming glow of the spirit. He steadied himself in preparation of another shot, hoping he could maybe land a decent shot before it reached the group.

[SinrXIII]

Shrugging, Kohana's tail hung limp behind him; fatigue was making it less responsive.

"Didn't say nothin' t'my knowledge. Ignored me and kept movin'. Apparently, it's got somethin' important to do."

He moved away from Dal and Sean, closing some of the distance between them and Sao. Settling on the ground, he closed his eyes and took a breath.

"Just... gimmie a second. Fightin' all day and dealin' with spirits is startin' to wear on me."

[Riin Whitewind]

Diana still hadn’t moved, and Sao’s internal clock to midnight was ticking down alarmingly fast. It appeared she wouldn’t have time for any barriers before the ritual. With a calmness she didn’t feel, Sao gently placed the woven net back onto the sand. Straightening, she put a hand on each of the animals – her left hand on Hermes’ collar, her right resting on the back of Puppy’s neck – visibly to restrain them, but she needed the comfort, herself.

Behind her, Sao could hear Diana – Curse her inability to follow directions! – curious and unsure, but not afraid. Sao envied her that. Bile had risen in her throat at the sight of that white-cloaked figure, loathing and fear warring in her heart for supremacy. She suddenly felt very alone, and very exposed, standing by herself on the cool, sandy beach.

“That is an uninvited guest.” Her voice was clear. Nervous, she started to raise her hand to touch the fresh, face-marring scars she had taken on their last encounter, but quickly controlled herself. Even from here Sao had no doubt the spectre could feel her fear, but damned if she was going to give it the satisfaction of seeing her afraid.

“Shall we go ask them what they want?” Sao smiled, half-turning back toward Diana, releasing Hermes to hold out her empty hand toward the red-clad girl. She nervously kept a close eye on the glowing figure in the center of the lake, for all the good it would do if they suddenly turned hostile.

[Red Mage Black]

Nasir watched the exchange between the two girls, oblivious to their relationship, only mildly interested at the mention of himself. He was about to place another snack in his mouth until the 'witch' looked at him.

The smile on Emme's face... widened marginally, green eyes still peering rather happily at Verna. She broke her eye contact a single time, turning towards Nasir.

"Sorry, Nasir. If you don't mind...? I will be with you shortly and we can complete a tour of the carnival."

His silvery-eyed glare was caught between the soon to be combatants. He vacated the seat and took his staff with him. This would have been interesting if not for...

As their transition into the ghostly-CGI space occured, Emme threw the box of chinese food at Verna's face and charged, broomstick raised to strike.

As soon as the food was spilled, he suddenly lost interest. Who would waste food so haphazardly? The act didn't register as a valid tactic in his mind. As for his next move, he would need to investigate the half-djinni girl later, but he decided to postpone the tour just as well. Now, where was that fountain again? It was a wonder to him. Using the staff, he pushed the mask back on to his face and decided to wander off. Possibly to find that 'water fountain' again.