Love Poison No Cure Needed

Future Planning 2.25

The clean up took longer than the actual fight. Unfortunately none of the teachers had the means on hand to kill or even capture the vine and it retreated into the depths of the garden. Sorrel determined that even with the aid of whoever had been feeding it there at least would be several weeks before it was capable of making another attack.

Sorrel and Kayad were asked to take the rest of the week off with his notes while he recovered his mana to be at full strength for their exams. Victoria had already declined time off from school when Ella’s friends were being sent for treatment for the inhalment of a ‘mild hallucinogen’ in a chemistry accident. At least the hallucinogen would be true in their blood work as that was one aspect of the Brimstone vine’s pollen.

Interestingly when the principle sought to remove the trauma of the incident from the minds of Ella and her friends it was discovered that Ella was part of a minute portion of the population that was immune to mental manipulation magic. Ella was offered a week of recovery time in a Realmskin Hospital but declined saying she would rather attend school.

While the teachers struggled with a solution until Ella came up with an answer herself. She offered, “I’ll just join Sorrel’s club the way things stand. I assume that the BIRD is the paranormal youth playground and so I can be well monitored there. After it is normally live in the clubhouses is it not?”

Dr Lester nodded absently before he shook his head. The sight of the mutated Brimstone vine puzzled him and he had already agreed before he realized with a faintly apologetic look he turned to Sorrel.

“Sure, welcome to Bloodied Petals. Probably be easiest if Victoria acts as your mentor, guide and guardian. If you're comfortable with that,” Sorrel responded while he waved at Victoria who stood by the door looking vaguely disheartened. Ella turned to look at the handsome girl and then nodded her head and winked at Sorrel, “Sure, I think I feel the safest with her.”

Victoria looked up when Ella walked over to stand in front of her. “Thanks for saving my friends. I look forward to our time together.” Ella held out her hand as she spoke.

Victoria paused for a moment before gently talking Ella’s proffered hand and leaning over to kiss the back of it. “The honour is mine. I will keep you safe,” Victoria replied as she straightened a determined gleam entering her eyes.

As the group left the principal's office Kayad and Sorrel were waylaid by Dr Alfair.

“That was an impressive performance you just gave. I expect you to do well in the exam. Though I have just received some new information the competition has been shifted to be between first and second term.” Dr Alfair led them into the staff room and seated them at the chairs opposite his desk.

“The official reason is to avoid distractions from the school work. However, my research suggests that it is because the specialised schools intend to take the mid terms as the basis and so long as the students they have settled on participating score more than 70% they want to use the remainder of the term for concentrated training.” Dr Alfair tapped his hand on the desk at the end of his sentence.

“Since you brought it up do we assume you want to take the same approach?” Kayad replied. He showed unusual focus as he asked his question.

“Yes, I have talked it over with the principal. Apart from your human classes the remainder of your term will be dedicated to the stealth competition if you agree to participate.” Dr Alfair added the last be with a pointed look at Kayad.

“I’ll join it seems interesting.” Sorrel responded he had decided early on to try out as many things as he could when he entered human society and he wasn’t about to back out now.

“Sure, why not, I don’t have anything else to do.” Kayad added after Sorrel as he looked gently at Sorrel’s excited side profile. Dr Alfair relaxed slightly at the twos agreement before he waved them off.

“Go home then. I will see you next week for your exam.” Dr Alfair shooed them from the room and the pair departed.

Out in the hall they found Dimitri, William, Jasper and Daylen gathered. Jasper immediately approached the pair as they walked down the hall.

“Are you alright, or rather I can see that you're fine but seriously if you guys are going to get into that sort of trouble when you wander off then I think we should assign a roster for monitoring you two.” Jasper looked them both over as he spoke until Daylen reached out and patted his shoulder.

It was a little strange to see the comfort going the opposite direction at this point but Sorrel just shrugged feeling happy that their pair seemed to have sorted out the issues with their friendship so quickly.

“One time doesn’t make a habit though?” William said as he approached from the other side while Dimitri trailed behind him.

“Wolf when they first met. Attack by another club the first day, bike accident and the rogue familiar after their dinner last week…” Daylen counted on his fingers until William coughed and nodded his head.

“Right good point.” William winced slightly as he turned worried eyes to Sorrel.

“It's fine, where off this week and need to focus on exam revision so –” Sorrel trailed off.

“We’ll be at Shattered Senses, if an incident gets past the willow tree it wouldn’t matter if you were there or not.” Kayad finished with a nod and then accepted the bags that William and Dimitri held out.

“I got Simon to open the shield when Victoria came to say you where going home early.” William explained.

“Thanks.” Sorrel smiled lightly as they reached the T-junction of the corridor the group of four headed left to re-join their classes while Kayad and Sorrel headed right to the school gate.

“Going to see your Grandpa Oak?” Kayad asked knowingly as they stowed their bags in their saddlebags. Sorrel looked up from the message he was sending his uncle and nodded.

“Gotta get started on the actual solution to that vine. It will take a few weeks to brew and will need to be administered quickly. Too much more time and the vine will really lose its mind.” Sorrel explained.

“After you then.” Kayad waved a hand as they flipped the visors down on their helmets and started their bikes.