The first day in a new school year is always hectic and chaotic. And that's without dealing with the inherent craziness of being new to the Phoenix Academy, the foremost prestigious school for young Masks to develop not only to become better heroes, but also become better individuals when they don their other personas, or retire. Although conceptualized by Atlas, one of the strongest Masks ever known, the facility is headed and administered by Boombox. Also known as Jack Jorash, lead guitarist for the band Head Hunters. Days of heroing and fame are both behind him, he tries to use his natural confidence to build connections with both the students and the teachers, to varyind degrees of success. He's seen in blue jeans and a t-shirt far more often than he's ever observed in a suit and tie.

This year is already suiting up to be a banner year for the school. There's a lot of greetings among the students excited to meet other masks they've only heard of until now. There's alot of competition and ego-checking as they try to establish the pecking order.

Probably nothing is more disruptive to that than one of the newest and most surprising students to arrive: Diana Duchess. Her father, King Krav, is the most persistently troublesome villains on earth, as well as ruler of the authoritarian state of Zhuldova. She is strolling the halls most confidently, despite no shortage of scowling and whispered discussions.

On the other hand extreme, there appears to be a kid who doesn't seem to fit here at all. Her appearance is animalistic, with catlike ears and eyes. Her thin hoody and jeans are rough, tattered, and dirty, and more than a little odd for August weather. Her demeanor is also meek and shy, certainly not the type one would expect to stand up to the likes of the Atom Smasher when it doesn't seem like she's able to stand up for herself when accosted by other students.

And than, there's a curiosity of two young individuals who may not even be students. Somewhere roaming the halls is an android: A girl robot. Not one of those creepy things created by the Industrialist, and not some cheesy uncanney valley created by the tech-bros in California, but an actual seemingly sentient machine, parading around as if she's a high school Junior.

Nearby is someone who actually could be a high school student, but seems more out of place than the cat-girl. She's outfitted like an AEGIS agent. If she is, that means she could be spying on the students or the staff, which is why so many are keeping away form her. If she's not, than there's some explaining to do, that will no doubt come in good time.

OOC: I just now realize that all of the NPC student's I've created so far were girls. That was not on purpose, and I'll work on that soon.

Traveler was to meet with Agent Kapinski of AEGIS. That kept popping up on his holographic display that was only seen by him due to the Nezion nanotech swimming through what could be called 'blood'. Expect it was not blood, and it effected every part of him.

He hovered along the hallways, using the TK field to make sure he was not touching the floor that he was sure was swimming with biological containments. Granted the Nanotech should be able to handle such things, but like most Nezions he did not trust such random acts of nature. Despite being told the school had a up to date cleaning system and was regularly checked.

Traveler knocked on Kapinski's door...way too fast and too often. "Just come in!" She yelled, and he did so. He knew the basics of social interaction here, but quickly was told he often did them very, very wrong. Mostly because when he arrived, he attempted to 'learn' such social rules in precisely the wrong way. He could almost 'hear' Kapinski's thoughts as he hovered in front of her desk. Almost...because he was told he was not supposed to do that.

"So...I see from this report you already screwed up the rules." She said, sighing and adjusting her glasses. The middle aged woman seemed tired, and she got more exhausted as Traveler floated in.

"Incorrect." He said in a formal, almost British sounding accent. Of course it was not, but his scans had revealed that Victorian England was very close to Nezion culture, and his internal computer suggested that as a way to pattern his speech.

"So...you did not read the girl's mind and told her she was pregnant?"

"I was trying to assist her, as she was very loud, and was so worried I thought to put her mind at ease. Is that not what I am supposed to do?"

"Not if you are reading her mind without her consent."

"She was broadcasting her thoughts. If someone screamed at you their concerns, I am sure you would say something comforting."

"She did not scream it, she thought it."

"Tomato, Banana."

Kapiniski stared at him blankly. "Do...do you mean Tomato, Tamato?"

"Yes, thank you! That's it. It makes much more sense that way. I suspected I was not getting it right, but I am not allowed to read thoughts expect in an emergency so..."

Kapinski held the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. She had other 'problematic' Masks to deal with this year, and as the AEGIS rep she had more or less gotten this crapshow assignment against her will. There was no AEGIS agent who wanted this job, as none of them where high school guidance teachers. She suspected agents got this mess duty due to budget shortfalls in the agency. Worse, like most AGEIS agents she was single and never wanted kids, a prereq-as the job was very dangerous. This assignment was only dangerous to your mental health...sometimes. Still, she did not know how to deal with teenagers. Especially ones from another dimension whose people where among greatest threats to the known multiverse.

"If its not a danger to anyone, you ignore the thought transmissions, ok? Its...rude." Trying to figure out how to explain why someone from a fully telepathic society should not use his primary means of communication. He had understood the concept of rudness.

Traveler sighed, seemingly not paying attention as his other scans where detecting changes in his environment. "Hmm? Oh, oh yes. We should not be rude. Its getting very difficult to tell what is and is not rude in this place..."

"Get to class and get the hell outta my face!" She growled, already annoyed with him.

"Ah! There you go! A very clear example of rudeness! Thank you, Agent Karpinski!" He said, smiling with utterly no trace of sarcasm what so ever. With that he tipped his top hat and floated out of the office.

She restrained herself from throwing something at him as he left.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Tue 21 Feb 2023.

Lorelai lingered on the outskirts of the assemblage of students, her eyes flitting over the milling faces as the nails of her hand, each covered in chipped and flaking polish, dug into her other arm. Her teeth worked over her bottom lip as she caught sight of a few of Astral's friends, a wave of fresh tension rolling over as she did. As one of them noticed her, a bit of faint, black shadow-smoke wafted off her exposed skin. She didn't belong here. There was a bit of chatter from their group that only seemed to grow as more noticed her, the teen misfit with dangerous powers she couldn't control. The Monsignor had insisted she get of her room more, that she wasn't "grounded". After the incident, there had been a formal inquiry, but nobody had decided she was at fault . . . yet.

In this moment, though, Lorelai was regretting being convinced. Just as she turned to leave, though, her nervous eyes hit on Arlandria, and despite her better judgment, Lorelai veered towards the other girl. "H-hey," she said, offering an awkward smile, "fancy seeing you here . . . was I alone in hoping super-school wasn't going to start with a boring assembly?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:09, Tue 14 Feb 2023.

"You remembered to check your calibration settings, right?  They were all green when I ran them, but you made sure yourself?"

"Yes, papi."

"And your daily system update?  Psionic shielding, x-ray blockers, dampening fields all on the newest version?"

"Yes, papi..."

"Good, good.  Oh, and we just finished compiling a full roster on every individual on the campus on the Astro Server, so your visor will--"

"¡Papi!" Isabella couldn't hold it in anymore as she cut off her all-too-enthusiastic father.  The masked marvel - Professor Astro himself - startled for a moment before he gave a sheepish grin.  Thankfully both fretting over his daughter and getting distracted all the same didn't impair his ability to pilot the Astro Wing just then; even if they had, the auto-pilot could more than handle the difference.  A bleeding-edge, anti-grav hyper-jet was far from the usual method one might expect to arrive to school in but, as the case was, little about the Astro Team family followed the norms.

"Sorry, sorry.  I'm just so excited!  It's your big day!  One of several to come, at least." he gushed as he set the jet into hover mode.  They were sat a good twenty-thousand feet above the city and outside of any civilian flight paths, so it wasn't as if there was any real issue with taking a stop.  Professor Astro beamed as he reached over to clasp his daughter about the shoulders and pull her up from the slouch she'd slumped into in the co-pilot's seat, quick to bring them both to their feet.  "Your first day at Phoenix Academy!  In a way, I'm envious of you.  When I was your age we didn't have anything like this to help young heroes.  Your Abuelo - rest his soul - taught me--"

"I know, please, I know.  You've told me a billion times." Isabella hastily cut him off again before he could go into yet another of his lengthy lectures.  "Do I really have to do this?  They're not gonna teach me anything Astro Team can't or hasn't already.  I've already done missions with the team.  The public already knows I'm a hero... hell, I've got a fanbase on social media!"

"Several.  I had the unsavory ones scrubbed as well.  But that's not the point." her father took a knee so that he could speak up to her with an affectionate squeeze about her shoulders.  "This is about more than just you.  It's about the good your presence will do for your fellow students and for Phoenix Academy as a whole.  To say nothing of those young friends of yours who need your guidance."

"They're not my friends.  We fought off one inter-dimensional alien invasion together.  We hardly even know each other beyond that." she rolled her eyes and head alike.  Professor Astro just sighed wistfully and took her by the cheek to bring her focus back to him.

"All the more reason for you to be here.  Be it Phoenix Academy or Halcyon City itself, there's people who need your help.  Our help.  This is just one step, but it's an important one.  One you have to take for everyone who's going to count on you in the future.  Do you understand, Isa?"

A long, deep sigh was all the reply he got at first.  But, in due time, Isabella nodded softly.  "Yes, papi."

"That's my girl.  Come on then.  Suit up; you don't want to be late on your first day." Professor Astro raised to press a kiss to his daughter's brow before he let her step aside on her own.  Though she smiled from the fond gesture and took a moment of her own to share a hug, she couldn't help but feel unhappy on the whole affair.  Even as she took a familiar stance - feet planted, fists to her hips, and one arm arched across in a thrust across her belt.  The flat panel of her buckle flared with a shimmering wave of energy that manifested as spreading octagons across her body, like ripples on a pond.  As they passed across her form and linked together around the back, those hollow energy segments coalesced into solid matter in the blink of an eye.  Sleek, aerodynamic armor and the comet-like fins of her stylized helmet enveloped Isabella's form from head to toe - seamless, precise, and iconic by design.

"You're going to be amazing.  I know you will.  Horizon." Professor Astro's tone couldn't have been more confident as he drummed his fingers across a control panel, which resulted in a side door on the jet sliding open to reveal a bright, morning sky dotted with clouds and the glistening expanse of Halcyon City far, far below.  "And remember: keep an eye out for that Diana Duchess girl.  People are going to cause her problems for sure, and that's probably exactly what her father is hoping for.  Think of it as a long-term scouting mission for the rest of the year."

"...see you later, I guess." 'Horizon' muttered back, albeit through the heavy alteration fo her helmet's voice modulation.  The faintly glowing shine of her eyes cast one last look at her father before, without any fear, she stepped out into nothingness and felt the familiar pull of gravity take her.

It was only a matter of minutes later that a fair bit of hubub went on at the campus courtyard of Phoenix Academy as, with eyes and pointed fingers and smartphones alike raised to the sky, many of the student body caught the recognizable sight of Horizon's energy contrail flickering through the air.  A shining ripple, like some kind of visible echo of her shape that trailed close behind her, as she swooped to an easy landing and hit the ground into a stroll up the school's main entrance steps as new classmates made way for her.  Horizon was frankly used to the stares and the digital click of camera apps all around her, but she could only hope they got over the novelty of seeing her soon... it was going to be a long semester otherwise.

Hell, it was going to be a long semester regardless.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Wed 22 Feb 2023.

Arlandria was having, to put it mildly, a very strange year. Well, more accurately, she was having a relatively normal year by any reasonable standard. But for her, normal was strange.

Arlandria Roivas, up until now, had been home-schooled. But for her, 'home' meant one of a half-dozen vast, gated, palatial estates owned by her family and 'schooled' meant an endless succession of tutors and experts in everything from social psychology to particle physics. Up until now, her only friends had been servants, employees, or the occasional obsequious cousin. Up until now, the only contact she had with 'the real world' was the most current novel or film she could convince her tutors was Great enough to count as enriching.

Add to that the fact that Arlandria had a once-in-a-generation mind. And also that she had spent her entire strange childhood being ignored by her father. And also that, just this year, the full weight of her father's regard, expectation and judgement had fallen on her the exact same time her older brother cut off contact with the family (and, once-in-a-generation genius she was, she surmised these two events were somehow related).

Oh! And also her entire family had been practicing the Dark Arts since they snuck their way over on the Mayflower.

All in all, it was a big adjustment. And mostly Arlandria was handling it the way she handled most things: adopt the coldest, most imperious face she could manage, stand with perfect posture, look down on anything and everything, and sneer. Just a little. Just enough to let everyone know that you were better than them. And you knew it, and they knew it, so let's all just drop the charade and move on, shall we?

So when Lorelei called out to her on the way to assembly, she found herself with the most annoying blush touching the porcelain perfection of her perfect patrician skin.

But she stopped walking. Waiting for Lorelei to catch up. Recovered her composure. Managed a friendly-but-not-too-familiar smile.

"Lorelei," she said, as though maybe meeting an acquaintance in the antique store, "How lovely to see you." The casual insouciance of this comment was slightly belied by the way Arlandria's locked on Lorelei and the slight (but not invisible) way she bit her lip as she did so.

"You say boring assembly as though there were any other sort. But it is precisely the sort of banality I would expect of this school, which on first blush is far from super."

A pause.

"Shall we walk together? Have you had the chance to practice any of the... techniques.... we discussed last week?"

Lorelai walked beside Arlandria, shoulders slightly hunched and hands thrust deep into her pockets. Her eyes flit back and forth to the other girl, occasionally scanning her up and down trying to get a read on the situation. She wasn't sure if Arlandria was still upset about the way she'd acted last time . . . or even if she just wasn't like the rest of the students and faculty who thought she was a walking blight on the campus. "No . . ." she said, her voice a bit of a rasp, eyes looking anywhere else as the memory of the failed practice session and her own mortification washed freshly over her. "I . . . tried. Y'know, lit the candles, put on some goth trance music . . ." Her voice trailed off, one hand's nails digging into the other arm through the loose flannel she wore over her halter top. She was quiet for a moment as her steps faltered, but then she smiled, looking past Arlandria again as she quipped, "I guess the demons and ghosts and frumpkins are as mad at me as everyone else around here!"

Byron sat on the living room floor at home, fiddling with the television and his computer. His dad wanted the golf channel, but it was on a higher tier that they didn't have. Well, in a few minutes, they would.

His brother Cam was sat nearby watching him, gushing about the latest Pokémon game. Byron listened and nodded along... There. The golf channel should be on now. He stood, putting the television back on the mantle, turned it on to be sure, and success!

His dad walked into the kitchen, which was across from the living room. "Okay, kids, get ready for action and adventure, it's almost time to rock. Cam, did you pack your--"

"Yes, I got my textbooks!"

"Alright, alright. Hey, Byron, you got my golf going! Let's hope we don't get busted."

"Oh, man! No way. It's undetectable."

"Good, good. Okay. You got everything?"

"Should have, I got my stuff together yesterday and it's by the door." He turned to his brother. "Speaking of, you should go get your bag, dude."

His dad nodded and went to go stand by the door. Cam scrambled to get his backpack. A minute later he returned with his bag and made for the door, Byron following.

"Okay. Let's skedaddle. You may as well hop in the car, I'm taking Cam to school, and I'm pretty sure yours isn't that far away. Riiight?"

"Sure, yeah. Thanks."

A little while later...

His dad waved out the window. "Bye, have a good day!"

"Okay dad, just go already!"

Turning to Byron, feigning tears, "They grow up so fast..."

"Yeah, yeah. He'll miss you later. Thanks for the ride." He got out of the car.

"See ya." The car slowly went down the street as there were quite a few others dropping their kids off.

Byron pulled out Maps on his phone. His dad happened to be correct, Phoenix wasn't actually too far away. He started the walk there, trying to decide if he should suit up or not. He figured it'd be better to stay in his clothes as he would draw way less attention to himself like that.

Maybe a thirty minute walk later, Byron arrived at the Academy. It was very easy to see the giant spectacle at the entrance from a distance- The famous Horizon going inside. He remembered interacting with her for maybe ten minutes during their team's one mission. She definitely wasn't what everyone seemed to think, at least in his opinion, she was a fairly normal person. He wished people would just let people be people, if that made any sense.

He walked, unnoticed, past the people still in the courtyard chattering about the hero, and went indoors.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:20, Mon 27 Mar 2023.

In reply to Horizon (msg # 4):

Your father could not have been more accurate, in one sense. As you pass through a hallway, it quickly erupts in chaos and shouting. Turning to see the cause, you see that Diana Duchess is in a fight with another student. Although the boy she's fighting with is larger, she is more than holding her own.

You don't know who caused it or why. Nobody has reached in to try and stop it.

What do you do?

In reply to Lorelei (msg # 6):

Arlandria saw the way Lorelei's eyes kept flitting to her as they fell into step together, but gave no sign. The last thing she wanted was to show how confused (and impressed) she was by Lorelei and her magical aptitude. She was supposed to be the teacher here. The mentor. That meant she needed to be distant, cold, in control.

"Hmmm," she said in response to Lorelei's quip, "I can't say I approve of... goth trance music? ... is that one kind of music or two? ... as a magical focus, but one must do as one must. It is perhaps for the best anyway, considering."

A pause.

"As for the other, the best way to overcome the contumely of the ignorant is excellence. Would you wish to... meet again? After last period? Today?"

She tried her best to make those last questions into imperious summons, not plaintive requests. With somewhat tepid results.

Another pause.

"Also, if anyone... messes? With you, you need only tell me and I shall remedy it. We Mistresses of the Dark must stick together, after all."

The corner of her mouth twitched up in a slight smile. The tiniest blush crept up over her collar.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:25, Wed 22 Feb 2023.

What do you do?

It wasn't the first time Horizon was grateful that her shielded visor obscured nearly all visible expression of her features.  Otherwise people would've seen the look of outright frustration that danced across her face as the very first thing she saw upon opening the doors to her new school was a problem that she was obligated to handle.  That nobody else had tried to step in bothered her; were they just watching the spectacle, afraid to get involved, or waiting for a teacher to arrive and put a stop to it?  She couldn't blame anyone for hesitating, really, but that wasn't a luxury her position afforded her.

All it took was a few rapid flicks of her glance within her helmet to activate her suit's recording function, immediately putting to digital storage everything she was to see and hear.  She wanted evidence for whatever was about to go down beyond schoolyard hearsay.  With that, Horizon leaped to action - literally - as a deft bound vaulted her over the heads of the crowd and directly into the brawl to interpose herself between the two combatants.

"Alright you two, knock it off!  Are you looking to get yourselves expelled before orientation even starts?" the armored heroine commanded with hands outstretched to keep the two at arm's length from each other.  "Stand down!  Now!"

---

I'm not sure how this counts exactly, so I'll leave it up to our Narrator to decide.  I'd like to use my "Symbol of Authority" Legacy Move, but there's technically two targets here.  Do I roll once against the situation itself as a whole?  Or twice to give each combatant their own result?

Symbol of Authority
When you give an NPC an order based on authority they recognize, roll + Savior.  On a hit, they choose one.
  - Do what you say.
  - Get out of your way.
  - Attack you at Disadvantage.
  - Freeze.

On a 10+, you also take +1 forward against them.  On a miss, they do as they please and you take -1 forward against them.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:27, Wed 22 Feb 2023.

Lorelai stumbled over her words, lips quirking up at the side as her brow furrowed. She tilted her head as she said, "What? No, it was a . . . y'know, nevermind." The idea of meeting again sent a shiver down the nape of her neck, more shadow-smoke curling off the back of her hand. She shutter stepped, catching up to Arlandria with an awkward, uneven gate. Lorelai quickly shoved her arm behind herself, "Uhh, yeah, maybe . . . I'll let you know." The other night's outburst was still fresh in her head, and as the smoke coiled up her arm, she could feel something inside gnawing away, looking for another way out . . .

Not again not again not again not again not again . . .

Lorelai's mantra was interrupted by the fight building down the hall, fists flying between the larger boy and . Her dark hair fell over one eye, the iris burning gold as the black of her pupil leaked out to fill the rest. Lorelai's shadowed hand shot out reflexively in front of Arlandria, stopping dead in her tracks as Horizon's command boomed out . . .

In reply to Horizon (msg # 10):

Traveller had been floating his way from Agent Karpinski's office when he heard Horizon's loud authoritative voice ring out. Rather than mind scan the area...which had been told was rude, he headed in that direction.

Upon seeing the combat, he almost felt relieved. NOW he was allowed to use his abilites! Even Agent Karpinski would not deny that,  given the situation. He did a quick mind reading of both combatants...

Ooc-13:55, Today: Traveler rolled 11 using 2d6+3 ((4,4)).

Asses the situation.

-who is the biggest threat?
-how to end it quickly?

When Lorelei's hand shot out to stop her, Arlandria did feel some butterfly-laden flutterings, but she was still enough of a Roivas to mislike having anyone (even her) stop or waylay or interfere with her (or touch her, really, in a way she hadn't invited first).

Her lips tightened and some frustration wrinkled her forehead.

She opened her mouth to say something, but then saw what Lorelei had stopped her for. And then she saw the shadows creeping along Lorelei's arm.

She looked back and forth.

"Are you okay? Ought we to do anything?"

It wasn't clear if she was speaking about the shadow-smoke or the fight.

In reply to Horizon (msg # 10):

The attacker, known as Anubis hesitated, turning to look at you and your clear voice over the crowd that had gathered. Diana Ducchess had held a fighting stance but didn't move to capitalize on the distraction.

The pause was enough for a real authority voice to come through "Everyone, break it up, now!" It was Mister Rogers, the PE teacher and one of the most venerable heroes in the world. His eyes darted over the two fighters as students cleared his way.

"I should have known someone would attack the Duchess today." His eyes squint for a moment "You're Eclipses protoge, aren't you?"

The young lad simply nodded. Most of the crowd had dispersed by now.

"I've worked with him before, did you know that? After school, you and I are going to have a call with him, so you can explain why you thought it was a good idea to attack the daughter of his enemy."

The prescribed punishment seemed to affect him more than any amount of detention could have.

"Now, get to orientation. I hope to see you in the front row." The lad scurried off, he turned his attention to Diana.

"I wish I could say that was the end of this, but your father's got a long rap sheet. Keep your eyes open and wits sharp, and don't be afraid to make them regret it."

"That won't change anything, Sir."

"It's your call. Just take it easy for a while, and let us know if it doesn't let up, okay?"

Rogers having departed, it was now just you and Diana in this hallway. She visibly looked you up and down, assessing the situation. "Are you next in line?"

The arrival of faculty had Horizon stand down as well from her defensive stance, quick to step aside and let Mister Rogers handle things without interference.  All the while her systems continued to record the goings-on; she knew her father would want an update on such events as well, so it was best to keep a monitor set.

She was a bit surprised - but frankly relieved - that Mister Rogers chose to ignore her in the moment when it came to addressing those involved.  As Diana spoke up once everyone had dispersed, Horizon regarded her with a quiet gaze.  From Diana's point of view, she'd see more of her own reflection in Horizon's visor rather than the girl's own expression within.  Better for it, Horizon inwardly mulled, given how conflicted she felt in the moment.  She knew she should keep things at arm's length.  Do the hero thing: save the day, give a pithy one-liner, and fly away to the next disaster.

And yet...

"I'm next in line for a lot of things, but giving you a hard time isn't one of them." she sighed with a shake of her helmeted head.  A hand was raised in turn - not a fist to strike at Diana, but rather an offered handshake in greeting.  "I'm Horizon.  Sorry you had to go through that on your first day here.  Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, and I know who you are. Dad told me about your family." she replied without even looking at you. She made a flourish of removing a book from a locker and closing it, seemingly in one motion, before finally looking at you and returning the handkshake.

"Look, I don't want to seem ungrateful for what you did, but I can handle things, and I'm not here for friends. I'm here to learn, and to escape."

OOC: Someone in your family has gone toe to toe with her father, the lord of the tiny east european nation of Moldova; Baron Von Badlivost. More Commonly known as the Ballistic Baron, or Baron Von Badass.

In reply to Byron (msg # 7):

You hear a friendly, but unknown voice behind you.

"Hey, are you alright?"

Turning around, you see a smiling young lad in his uniform, "you look lost, more than most other kids here on their first day."

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/d0/2...6e0e255c7c94432f.jpg" data-lightbox="images-msg-17">https://i.pinimg.com/564x/d0/2...6e0e255c7c94432f.jpg" alt=''>

In reply to Student (msg # 17):

Byron, having been watching the scene of the fight get broken up, was just out of curiosity running numbers in his head about Horizon's voice modulator. He turned, slightly startled out of his thoughts.

"Oh- Hey," He says, rubbing his arm. "Yeah, I'm good, thanks. Just getting my bearings. Only been here once before, for orientation, you know..."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Byron." He takes out his phone, finding his schedule. "My first class is physics.. What's yours?"

Seeing how things had clamed down, Traveler nodded and started to float to his next class. Once he got to his class, he set up various holographic notes, recording devices, and screens all around his seat. They more or less floated about him, and the rest of the early comers to class seem to give him a wide berth. He did not need telepathy to know the reputation of his people where well known here. Not to mention being the herald of warning of a Nezion invasion had done him no favors. People always seem to 'blame the messenger.'