Emmanuel College is to the North of Parker's Piece, between the bus station and the North End of Regent's Street.  It has traditionally been an all male college, but things are beginning to change and this year not only is the first intake of female students present, but so is the first female lecturer.

That's the official story anyway but do you really think all witches went to Newnham up to now?  Or New College?

The sounds of life returning to the halls of the college would stir up memories both fresh and painful.  The Awe and joy of his first year, the sense of history found in the stones of these old buildings.  Research and finding a calling so early on in his scholasitc career that lead him into a calling he had never even heard of before to dream about.  Elation and fear mixed to overwhelm the youthful man and start him on a new path.  Honing body and mind, even finding some success with the former over the latter to acheive friendships he hoped would last beyond his time here.  And then a last memory that was of pain and blood and spite.  None of those memories were all that interesting to him now.

The over seven foot tall statue slowly moved as if sighing, a left over gesture that made little sound with his all rock form.  The vaguely humanoid shape of his face pivoted, though the lack of eye movement was a bit distressing if one looked at him, a valley most uncanny in actions compaired to form.  With no one around the statue started to walk about the library, staying to the back sections where not many would go without making noise through the doors to alert him of their entrance.

"Students are returning, there goes my freedom.  I wonder how long til I find myself stuck pretending to be just a statue until they leave and I can sneak away.  Or deal with some punk defacing me for some cheap destructive thrill to escape the mundane life they can't accept and be greatful for."  He again gave the motion as if to sigh.  "Maybe I should find a graveyard to hide in.  Watch for vampires and others, and make their stays short."  He considered as his right hand moved up to grasp the chin portion of his features.  The hand only holding three digits and a thumb, the architects of the form recreating something else when they made it.  His head shook as he dismissed the thought.  "Nah.  If I did that the fae might have an easier chance at me.  And where would I get a Telie to to watch World of Sports?  Not worth it."  He said to himself.

The isolation was getting to him, and talking to himself, a risky habit to create, the only way he had to keep some humanity to him.  Not like the few watchers he dealt with cared to say more to him than just where to go, what to do, or ask him to spend a few days translating an old book for them.  But that was a small task, and so he knelt down again at the table, a pen pulled as he started to scratch out a translation one more, though the man had far from been clear, and he found no reason to comply properly so he went back to translating the text into Hebrew over English.  Yes, he would have to do it again, but he had the time.  Besides, he only heard rumors that their might be a slayer again, and even then, they were focused on teaching the slayer to fight.  Not like they would ask him after his failure to go out and watch over the slayer when they found her, they have real living human watchers for that.

CRACK

Again he made the sighing action as the pen he was holding broke in his grip and he set it into the rubish with the other pens he broke, pulling out a new one to go back to translating the text once more.

There were upsides to being a junior lecturer.  A less rigorous schedule, access to teaching resources, student files, and other things.  As such, Alice was in the library too... technically on a break, but in reality she was still working.  Watcher work didn't just do itself.  Alice was constantly looking for ways to educate and engage with her young Slayer charge.  She'd been building Ann up but also holding her back from danger... until Alice thought Ann was in the best mental space.  That time was fast approaching.  Pausing in her note taking, Alice cocked her ear towards other parts of the library... from which a voice carried.

"Hello... is someone there?"

Packing up and concealing her work, Alice went off to find this other person.  It could be Sir John or perhaps one of the other library regulars.  It took her a while to locate Goffery, partly due to rebounding sounds and the fact that she'd only known this library for a handful of weeks.

Upon arrival at Emmanuel, Renee Stewart has a reserved but genuine smile on her face. She had heard tales of the school from her father, grandfather, and numerous uncles who had all attended this campus. Thinking that the school was not a possibility because of the admittance policies as well as her unique issues, it came as both a surprise and joy when she was able to enroll as one of the first female students at the College.

Today, she is wearing her ankle length wool skirt and matching vest. Her sleeves are long and with crossed arms, she is avoiding the possibility of inadvertent contact with anything or anyone. With such a new place, she is exploring and trying to see all of the historical places on campus. Her travels are taking her to walk the aisles of the library to get a feeling for how the place is organized and the decor.

Goffery knelt at the table, the pen scrawling along the paper as he translated the document, speaking out some of the words, finding it almost distractingly interesting how he was able to still pronounce words without a throat, tongue, or pallet to use to change the sounds.  The slow oration of Hebrew reverberating off the walls, until Goffery finally heard the softer tone of Alice as she called out.

A few unbecoming words became in his head as he glanced about dropping the pen and stepping back, taking a spot against a wall and draping a part of a tapestry over his shoulder and chest as he stood perfectly still, his features locked in place as the stone seemed to become as inanimate as one would normally expect of stone.

Watching unmoving as the woman walked into the back area of the library, she looked familiar, something that passed in his memories of not too long ago.  Back when he was human, but he didn't quite know her name.  And then he noticed he left the documents on the table, well few would pay attention to something in Hebrew, and even less would look at the Sumerian source document with anything beyond confusion. Though perhaps a few names might stand out to someone with enough Occult knowledge.

This would bother Goffery for a few days, he knew he saw this woman before, but could not place it, didn't help that most humans look nothing like they used to for him.  Though for now, all he need to is be a statue until she leaves and he can go back to work.

Sir John walked the halls of Emma, watching for anything unexpected, not only the Golem, of which he was aware, although he was unaware of its possession of a soul, particularly the soul of his old colleague, Goffery.  Nor only that and his apprentice, Alice a lovely Irish girl who would make a fine watcher as long as he could guide the current slayer as competently as he expected.

But those things were routine, as routine as his duty to check the checkpoint and to resow the iron filings at the edges of the University bubble.  Once that was done, it would mean one less supernatural threat to the University.

Before that though, what about the new students, who showed potential for the true college, the Hidden College within Emma.  Obviously there was the Scottish student, the Stewart Scion.  He'd noticed her noticing him at the interview but she'd said nothing, which was a good time, was there anyone else in Emma, he wondered.  There was something about young Tranh junior of course and there was Monaghan of course, who Sir John would do his best to poach off of Downing if only he could find someone to take his place in Downing's own secret places.

When Alice reached the section where the noises had come from, all she found was bookshelves, a covered statue, and some fresh writings.  Picking up the papers, she couldn't read what they said... but carried them over to Sir John's desk and put them in his in-tray (or equivalent pile).  He'd know what to do with them.

If things weren't so secret, a library monitor would be really useful... she mused.

The sound of someone else in the library prompted Alice to step out locate the new arrival.  Just a student, by the looks of it.  Alice put on a friendly smile and went to greet the young woman.  She herself was dressed in a formal jacket and skirt of light grey hues.  Alice also had a name badge that listed her as a lecturer.

"Welcome to the library, Miss.  Did you need assistance with anything?"

Watching the woman look at the writing then pick it up and put it into one of the desk's inbox.  No respect for someone else's work was the only things that went through his head.

He waited for her to leave, which thankfully didn't take to long and then moved the tapestry again and stepped over to the desk, "Oh, who was that." He said to no one, not learning to keep quiet because he still valued his own slipping sanity over safety.

When he reached the desk of Sir John and picked up the papers to get back to work, he looked over the desk before turning and then he froze when he saw who's desk this was.  Memories flooded as he placed where he saw that woman before.

A meeting, watchers, new people, colleagues passing information about expectations, a blur in his mind, the hand holding the papers holding his head, and then his other hand slammed on the desk.  The thud loud enough to wake his mind from that spiral, the twist of shoulders and upper torso of the the golem lacking the eye and head movement to fully match the human action, and then the shoulders pulled back and slumped forward in that sighing motion again.

Stepping away from the desk, he moved back to the wall and pulled the tapestry over himself again, giving it some time in case that thud drew attention again, papers hiding under the tapestry in his hand this time so he didn't have to start over.

"That this tricks a watcher says something too poor on training." He said before playing statue.

When the question is posed, Renee is leaning over examining the spine of an old book. Unlike many who reads spines by running their fingers across them, her hands remain wrapped around her waist. She gets no closer than six inches to anything in her space. The initial question causes her to jump, her arms unfurling into a more natural pose, but she quickly wraps them up quickly. "Oh yes." She exclaims in a light Scottish accent before immediately reversing herself,  "I mean no. I am merely exploring the library, searching to see what treasures are hidden within. Thank you for the welcome."

It is one o'Clock in the morning and one by one the stars go out, soon enough the streetlights follow as fog arises from the ground and thickens around you.  Those who are awake feel a sudden cold, not a September cold but a December cold.  For those who remember, it's a December 1963 cold, an 1816 cold, a cold that sinks down through the bones and kisses the marrow.

Those who are sleeping dream, touched by malicious spirits, they find themselves struggling against a bitter wind that sings knives of a cold not seen before.  Behind them they hear the howling of wolves, ahead the raucous calls of hunters.  Neither seems a safe bet.

By the time the library had closed for the night Goffery had finished his translations, not because he wanted to, but because he was torn with nervous thoughts and putting his bod to work was the best he had to deal with it.  as it became later he had even begun talking to himself out loud more obviously as he was pacing around the library and then moving items and organizing any spot he found himself in.

"It's not my duty any more to do anything like that.  Sure she may be a watcher, didn't notice a golem hiding against a wall, doesn't mean she is in any danger.  Well They are all in danger.  Line of work and all."  He would mutter, stuck in a loop of conflicting thoughts.  "Maybe I should go out, take a constitutional.  Tell the watchers that if my body doesn't move often it will lock up.  They don't know any better right.  Maybe follow the lines, keep an eye out for something wrong, maybe I find myself near near a cemetery. I could be of use."  He between rearranging a few of the heavier collections with supernatural ease.

"I was told to guard and stay out of sight.  No one set parameters, I could use that as a way to get around..."  He came to a stop as a  bell tolled one and he could sense cold coming in and see some thing was not right.  Leaving things as they were he made his way through the library towards the doors that would lead to the middle of the campus.  His hands moving to open them but his paranoia stopping him and taking the time first to look for a window to look outside with first.  The vaguely featured stone face leaned to the window to look out over grounds, his vision enhanced by his nature and he looked for dangers.

OOC: Goffery Lemnin rolled 16 using 1d10+7.  Notice roll. 4 levels of Success.

Looking over the grounds of Emmanuel college, the fog is already beginning to thin and the cold seems to be dissipating, but there is another window, the one that looks out over Parker's Piece.

Looking around the grounds, nothing, "I wish I had bones still to feel the danger in them."  He said quite dryly as he turned from the window, a moment of looking around and he recalled the other window. a sharp scraping as stone pivoted on the ground, kicking off in a run as he makes his way to look out over Parker's Piece, the stone thudding on the ground as he moved with speed, not with care.

Bounding strides slowing as he comes closer to the window, moving with care again as he reached the other window his large stone fists almost slamming against the wall on either side of the window to bring himself to a stop.  He looked southward out over the green, his sense of anxiety honed by the looming dread and bringing him to focus against the danger as all fears die inside him as purpose grew.

On Parker's Piece an army is arrayed, each warrior more beautiful than the last, all with skin like snow and hair like silver spun into silk by spiders.  They seem to be on parade more than anything else, and they are held back behind a wall that seems to be a lattice of iron dividing Parker's Piece into two.  It should not be there and neither should the army.

The golem was silent for several seconds as it took in the sight, the magic within his form responding to that without, and the army drew his attention, then the iron wall.  His first thought was to find an iron fire poker, or some sort of iron for a weapon, but the wall was there and he did not need to come out brandish weapons yet.

The slow steps towards the door first, unlocking though he did stop and look for some iron he could lay across the entrance, it may not stop him, but should it, he would have claims to leaving a guard on the spot.  Then his stone form left the Library and made his way to the Parker's Piece.

An owl lands on Goffery's shoulder and calls out "T'wit t'woo, who are you, who are you?  They are not for you, not for you? Who are you? What are you?"

Leading Percival back into the Library, walking over the iron he laid across the doorway, picking it up as he place it back in its spot and lead the way deeper into the library into a back area, filling a kettle with water and putting it on to heat, he scrounged around, something odd to see with the bulky stone form digging through cabinets until it pulled out an old half used container of instant coffee mix.  the freshness was long past its prime, but it was something other than tea.

Gesturing to a chair in the back area, he took to a knee and seemed to be resting now as he looked at Percival, no real expression on his face as he waited, the sound of the kettle heating and all the other sounds of the library after hours filled the air around them.  "So, you seem to have a few secrets as well Cival.  Meeting with Duchess at the Reality Checkpoint.  Not something any senior student would be able to do."  He asked watching the man in his outlandish leather duster.

Despite the grimness of the comment, Percival couln't help but crack a smile. Understating dire consequences was a time-honored English form of humor, and this particular one was delivered by a stone giant. Good stuff.

"Well then, I would not recommend trying to transfer your soul back then. At least to spare your reclaimed olfactory system. Transfiguration to a human body when it isn't a reversion is a bit more tricky from what I understand. But there are a large number of individuals and organizations that should be able to perform such a task, even before we go looking for Powers From Beyond. One of the good things about associating with me, is that I have a lot of resources to throw around to get things accomplished. And you would be surprised at how many doors having wealth will open, even in the magical community," Percival said with a casual shrug.



"I see. Forgive my presumption. I do not know your circumstances. I would hate to disrupt the order of your life needlessly," he said with a small bow.



"As you consider, know that there would be no debt between us. I would release you from any obligation. I am sworn to a code of behavior. 'Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone,' and 'Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil,' are but two of the more well known portions of it. The library seems a lovely place, but my estate is quite large, and has more amenities that I think you would enjoy. I have lovely gardens, a large library, and my own theater, if you enjoy films. Food for thought, Mr. Lem..." the young man said, not bragging in the slightest, but bearing a very serious expression.



"Perhaps not any Third Year. But I have always been one to engage in numerous extracurricular activities," he replied with a small smile.

"How did you know I do not care for tea? I suspect that you no longer need to eat or drink, so I doubt it is for your benefit that you have instant coffee," the lanky man asked, removing his large duster now that they were indoors, revealing that he was wearing a full chain shirt beneath, sitting atop crimson gambeson.

There was that focus on magic and its casual usage, something that was not too calming for his watcher trained mind.  The focus on making him human, useful, but felt very watcher focus of late, and that was making a part of his mind twitch with anger. "Turning me human.  A strong focus, that makes me concerned.  Who I was is quite publicly dead, so were I to be granted my human form again, there would be more troubles to deal with.  I am not in any hurry to return.  I had my life, I lived and gave it for the good of others.  Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori."  He said with an edge of anger in his voice that he hadn't expected to be there.

There was a bit of a pause again, and then his tone was lighter.  "I just happened to have a second chance after the first.  And if God and Queen have not claimed me yet, I aim to use this second chance to live up to the first's sacrifice."  He said, having given up on becoming human if form again.  To protect others, this form was quite good, and that was his strongest concern for now.

Seeing that Percival wasn't as self absorbed as he figured, noticing the detail about the coffee and not actually offering tea, he was actually a little surprised.  But he was not inclined to just admit who he had been.  The silence was thought this time, a moment where the golem was silent stretched as he knelt there.  The stone creature was hard to read any life from when it didn't move or speak.  Almost unnerving how it could just stop being alive at any moment.

"You are Sir Percival Galois, Patron of the Cambridge Fencing Club.  The first year who took a good month trying to find a Competitive left handed Italian grip Epee before realizing he was being hazed.  The second year who became the Knight of the Tea when he was forced to stand with his foot against a cup of tea he would have to drink if he stepped away or gave up three points when he tried to graciously refuse tea with the Vice-Chancellor, and upset the heads of the club."  He said, then pointed to wall behind the chair that Percival was sitting in, and on it was a number of clippings from local papers, a few of them were of the events he just mentioned.

"I have time to read and research.  And a lack of needing to sleep means that everything gets read."  he said simply, as if playing off his knowledge as second hand only.  "Also there was a somewhat cute Lecturer who had talked about you when she returned from what I'm guessing was your recruiting drive for fencing club.  She talks a bit when she thinks she is alone."  He said, trying to play off knowledge, plus if she was the watcher he thought she might be, giving Percival more of a reason to contact Alice.


OOC:  If need to, I will spend a Dramatic Point for those articles to be there.

Upon hearing the anger in the Golem's voice, Percival held up his hands in a sign of surrender. He truly did not mean to presume, he was simply offering aid where he could, and he had simply assumed that a man turned to stone would want to turn back. He knew he would. But to each their own.

"It is your life Mr. Lem, you are in control of it. If you wish to remain in your current state, you are more than welcome too. I apologize for my presumption that you would be eager to seek out magical aid to regain human form. Your obligations and desires are your own. If you change your mind in the future, just know that the offer is always there," Percival said apologetically, the picture of a rebuked man.

As the stone giant went on to describe what he knew of Percival, his face became very pensive. His eyes seemed to be boring into the stone, as if trying to see past the unliving matter to the face that wasn't there. His brows knit as the words and deeds went on. Some of these things were not in public record. Gossip then. But these events were from before this transformation took place. And he claimed that his normal identity was presumed dead. And the name "Go Lem" appeared to be a jest of some sort.

So many little pieces...

..and then they clicked.

"Good Lord...Goffery? Goffery Lemnin is that you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

OOC Mechanics
Spend Drama Point.

There was a long pause, no motion, no sweating, no signs of life or anything at all to give way to what could be thought by the statue before Percival.  In Goffery's mind his thoughts were moving fast, thinking about how to react, to confirm or deny.  Does he take a chance and flee from his situation, to take refuge in the estate offered by the rich student?  No, that was not his style, he was still too stubborn, even as stone, it might have softened him by some people's regard.

He was actually surprised that Percival remembered him, he never really stood out in fencing, always tended to block with his mask as some would say.  Too aggressive, was another rebuke against his style.  He was much more a wrestler, called a brawler playing at gentleman by a few of the more senior club members.  More than once admonished for backhanding a side of a blade when it was lunged at him  But apparently the Third year remembered, and he had to take response to him having a good enough memory.  And keep him from getting into a fight with the watchers that frequent this part of the library.

A hand raised up under the golem's chin area holding its face in thought.  The digit closes to the index on its hand taping the chin.  "Goffery Lemnin.  That is the name of a dead man.  Someone who has parents that have had to bury a son.  Siblings that sleep what they think to be safely in their beds.  Someone mourned by a few, and honored by even few for what he did with his life.  Why drag that name up?" He asked his voice very neutral as  that finger went from tapping the cheek to tapping the protrusion on its face that resembled a nose.  Taking a moment to cast his perception around without turning his form, searching in case there might be something else here than just the two of them.

Percival waited for Goffery to complete his inspection of their surroundings before he went on with the conversation. He had many questions, but they could wait if there were prying ears in the area. Nodding that he understood the motion the Golem had made, he too utilized his senses to sweep the area.

OOC Mechanics
16:47, Today: Percival Galois rolled 9 using 1d10+7.  Notice.

Currently there is nobody else apart from Goffery and Percival.

There is a pause as the Golem only gives some glances about at what is happening, noticing something stirring not near to them and he stands from the kneeling position and looks to Percival.  "It seems that there might be a guest here soon.  You may be able to talk your way from here, though I don't quite know if you want to explain yourself.  Or if you wish to take your leave and get some sleep.  You have a mission to stave off an apocalypse.  Something far more important than what did or didn't happen to anyone you might have known."  He said as he turned his head towards the lift then back at Percival.

"I'll still be here when the sun rises and sets once more.  We can save the world and then talk about trivial things once that is done."  He said as he turned and walked towards the lift, leaving the way out of the library open so that Percival had a good route out and to avoid getting found if he chose to take it.

Sir John comes down in the lift and, as the doors open, says, "Is that you Goffery?  I hope so, I may need your help."

Sir John is wearing a tweed suit and a bowler hat and is carrying a brown leather bag.  There is an old-fashioned duelling pistol his waistband and a freshly polished iron chain around his neck. He sets down the bog and takes a small bottle of ointment from his pocket.  "This is an ointment of colloidal particles of iron and silver in goose fat.  You may wish to rub it on you or would it be better if I did it for you.  It will protect to some degree against the Fae."

"My good man, it's just an apocalypse. It's not the end of the world. I can certainly multitask different events of importance..." Percival chuckled.

"I certainly don't consider who you are to be a trivial matter. Identity is the most fundamental portion of the human psyche and soul, and it is always a good idea to take care of that, no matter the form the body takes. That reminds me, at some point in the future you should prompt me to tell you the story of the summer I spent as a duck...Morgan Le Fey can be very petty," he continued, shrugging into his duster and hiding the chainmail beneath.

"But I know a dismissal when I hear one. And I can see you do not wish to have this conversation yet, Mr. Lemnin. I will respect your wishes, and I will keep your secret. I will leave you my card which has my address and home phone number if you change your mind or need to get in contact with me for some other reason. Would it be too much of an imposition for you to keep an ear out for any strange rumors or activity that might lead me to this Changeling? I would be most grateful," the young man asked, sliding his card with his personal information across the table and taking up his cane.

He would have left on Goffery's say-so, but suddenly the lift came down and an usual man came down speaking openly of the secret of so recently Percival had sworn to keep, AND speaking of the Fae openly.

"Well...good morning sir," the aspiring doctor said, leaning casually on his cane and giving an affable smile.

"I don't think I know you, Sir", says Sir John, "It's just one Apocalypse. Are you planning to assist?"

"And I don't think I know you either good sir. But let us rectify this sad state of affairs. My name is Percival Galois, and it is my good fortune to make your acquaintance," Percival said with a wide grin and a polite bow.

"That depends my good man. Which apocalypse are you referring too? At the moment I am running point on a bit of bother at the behest of the Fey nobility, but I suppose if there is another going on at the moment I would be more than happy to provide assistance," the young man shrugged, as if they were discussing sharing and umbrella during rainy weather.

"I am Sir John Gates Hobbs Junior, Master of Emmanuel College, and it is my duty to walk a 'circular' route around Cambridge from the Reality Point and let iron filings fall to the ground as I do so." he said, "And it would be wise for you to get some of this ointment on as well.  It's only a little apocalypse but it could mean the end of Cambridge as a University Town.  If I don't complete the route in the next three hours, It's the end not only of Emmanuel, but all of the colleges except New College and CCAT, which are not protected anyway.  Cambridge the City would find herself relegated to the level of Peterborough or even Huntingdon. Perhaps Ely would become the County Town.

He stood there watching the lift, letting Percival have a chance to make an exit and keep himself secret from the watchers as he didn't know how they would deal with another with such ties to the Fae.  And Percival kept talking, and talking about how he could leave, and doesn't.  A duck?  That seems a waste of a chance to change him into a peacock, Morgan La Fey must have had a bad reason to make that change.  And then the lift opened and Sir Hobbs entered and the two met.  So much for keeping the groups separate. Well, if the watchers felt him a threat he would only feel a little bad about having to kill Percival if that was ordered of him.

As the two introduced themselves, the golem's shoulders lift then lower as he mimicked the physical aspect of a sigh despite not being able to make the sound of it.  As Sir Hobbs gave his speech of duty, he could not help but wonder on the wisdom of waiting three hours before doom to take care of those rounds, but now the fae guard's comments made sense and all felt wrong and right with the universe.

"Sir John Gates Hobbs Junior, Master of Emmanuel College.  We should not wait to complete your duty. I shall fetch my polishing towel to apply the ointment and we may be on our way." He said with a monotone voice, showing none of the emotions he had in his conversation with Percival.  Taking the ointment from Sir Hobbs and moving to fetch a towel used to apply a simple polish on him to keep the rock from being too abrasive to those around him.  Far too many had injured themselves just touching him when he first was amongst the watchers. and a few books had damage until he started to add the polish to coat the jagged edges of his form.  So as the two Gentlemen talked, he prepared himself for a likely to be dangerous continuation of an evening.

"Let me know when you're ready gentlemen," says Sir John, "And we can begin."

OOC to Maintenance of the Iron Wall.

>> Proceeding from Madingley thread

Alice had come in to continue her Botany lectures.  Already she'd been teaching for about five weeks at Emmanuel College and while interest was low to begin with, she had noticed a few more students attending.  Perhaps it was interest in the subject, maybe the students liked the idea of a teacher who didn't have grey hair, or the attendance boost might have been a easier way to gain learning credits.  Whatever it was, Alice chose to take it as a good sign.

Today's lesson was in preparation for a test paper, but she hoped the session would be entertaining nonetheless.  Alice had also brought in some slides and charts... visual aids to break up all the speaking.  Dressed in a light pink suit jacket and skirt, the young Irish woman took attendance... and then recorded the names of any walk-in students.  As with all of her lectures, Alice gave the students five minutes of 'catch up time' with each other before she called the room to order.  It was better than having them distracted.

"Good morning, students.  Today's lecture is for the upcoming test paper due next week.  Most of the basic information is in the textbooks, if you want a basic grade.  For those wishing higher honors, you've come to the right place.  Plants are known to grow in all sorts of places, but the flowering varieties are a little more picky.  Who among the class can name a flower that grows in cave systems?

Alice picked up some chalk and wrote down the suggestions that were called out.  As the suggestions ran out, she crossed lines through each of the suggestions.  It had been a trick question, mostly.

Ann made her way through the corridors of the college, feeling out of place wearing her school uniform in a university. But she had a free period right before lunch, and she wanted to speak to Miss Casey about Inoue, the new girl at school who was more than she seemed.

After a couple of false starts, she finally entered the right lecture theatre, seeing Miss Casey at the front lecturing on - what? - biology by the look of it. Ann slipped into one of the seats at the back as quietly as she could and hoped the lecture was near its end. Sitting through a university-level lecture during a free period seemed particularly cruel.

Most of the students were writing down everything Alice said because, well she was the one likely to be setting the exams, but one hand shot up. "Will there be hand outs please, Dr Casey?" she asked.

"Hand outs are for lazy minds."

However upon spying Ann in the lecture hall, Alice decided to relent... in the interest of hurrying things along.  She scribbled a note and passed it to the questioning student.  It was nothing but a set of specific page numbers.  For the rest of the session, Alice fielded questions and covered the rest of her planned section.  But she finished up early and dismissed the class... then it was just Ann and herself.  Alice closed and locked the door.

"This is the last place I'd expect so see you, Ann.  But I do wish to impart an interest in botany, sometime later.  Now, what brings you to see me?  Take your time... I'll write you a late note."

Alice began jotting down a note that Ann could give to her teacher, explaining how Ann was helping out in the University and 'should' be forgiven her lateness.

"I should be OK. I have a free period, then lunch. So as long as it doesn't take too long, which I hope it won't, I should be back in time."

She bent to look at a plant on the table, then stood up wrinkling her nose.

"Ugh. I don't know how you can stand working with smelly plants like that. Anyway, I wanted to see you because I met a new girl at school. And she's different. From Japan, though that's not what I mean by different. She's from some sort of a nunnery or something. And she had a dream about me."

Her face turned red.

"Not that sort of dream. She hasn't dreamt about me in that way. Although she didn't tell me she hasn't, so maybe she has. What I mean is, she dreamt about me before she knew me. She made a sketch of me, then travelled to Cambridge and joined my school. She read my fortune and said I was cosmically important. She knew about Slayers and Watchers. So do you or your books know about the Dee-me-mate Sisters, or something like that? Is she the sort of person I should be trusting, or is she here to hurt me?"

When Ann called her plant smelly, a look briefly crossed Alice's face.  It was the same look that someone might have when you trashed their taste in music.  But Alice quickly let it slide... in favor of a more thoughtful demeanor.  Ann's embarrassment over some misspoken words and meanings were also noted but not examined further.

"I'm glad you came to me with this.  As to these Dee-me-mate Sisters, I'd have to look up the name to know more.  Technically you are 'cosmically important', but before I believe in her divination... was the picture accurate enough that it could only be you?  Despite our secretive ways, the Watchers and Slayers do attract notice (and some degree of infamy) from those involved with the occult... and the monstrous denizens you fight.  Did this student want something from you in particular?"

Alice gathered up papers as she talked, moving around the lecture hall to see if there were lost items or trash to be taken care of.

"It certainly wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on her, just don't go anywhere private or take her hunting, yet.  Be nice however.  If she is a potential ally and has access to 'abilities', we would do well to fold her into the group... assuming you are comfortable with her presence.  Don't be afraid to set boundaries or expectations."

"The picture was accurate. It was me. Though the hair was a bit off." She ran her fingers through her hair. Fortunately, my real hair isn't matted like that."

"Inoue - that's her name - she said that she was here to help me. To protect me or save me or something. Even she wasn't sure what. But her secret order sent her to me because of her dream. She had never seen me, but she dreamt of me. That must mean something. But I don't know what."

She bit her lip.

"Do you know anything that could help figure out her role? Or whether I can trust her? If not, I don't know what to do. She's in all my classes. If she were a vampire, I'd stake her in the heart. But the school is really strict about that sort of thing. If they caught me doing it, I'd get detention for sure."

Alice chuckled lightly.

“Not everything has to be solved with stakes.   All I’m saying is to exercise caution and evaluate the girl.  See what else she is capable of, get a sense of her outlook, see what she knows about vampires.  Maybe you can get Elissa’s opinion too.”

Then the penny dropped.

“Inoue… I think I saw an Asian girl earlier.  It could have been her.  Did she seem very strange and excitable?”

If the giggling, tea Bearing girl from the fencing club was her… then fitting Inoue in could be challenging.  But it would be Ann’s call.

"Yes, that sounds like her. Excitable and very strange. How did you see her? Elissa had met her too. I wonder if she'd been meeting everyone I know."

She checked her watch.

"Half-past. I should really be heading back to school."

"Well, it was nice to see you Ann... at your own initiative too.  Enjoy the rest of your lunch and we'll talk more.  If you're free after school, maybe we can do some training... unless you have plans."

Alice unlocked the door and showed Ann out, before heading off to the library.  If sir John was around, the two of them could catch up on current events.