WHEN: 23 AUG 2024
WHERE: Khymeia Academy orangery
WHO: Willow Lockewood, Lex Dashrix, and Naoki Sato
--
[20:02] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) had sent polite letter to Lex directly, requesting his presence alongside his 'staff'. Willow was well aware of the state of the technomancy department, including the prolonged 'sabbatical' of a certain 'Dr. Mann', which meant the letter would be read, as she intended, for Lex and his erstwhile protege. Willow stood in the center of the small gazebo, coolly eyeing the ballerina statue that took up the central point of the building. Nearby was a tea service with a single steaming cup of tea already poured alongside a teapot and two more unused cups, plus the various proper addins for an English tea; honey, cream, lemon, and that sort of variety. Her familiar was nowhere in sight but the leathery creature was very likely lurking in the greenery not very far. The scent of flowers was almost cloying in the air with all manners of wildflowers blooming out of season in the grasses.
[20:12] Lex Dashrix: A silvery slit of astral light appeared just off the path appearing to rotate open as it expanded slicing stray stalks of grass in half as it did so. Lex stepped out of the Hermetic portal onto the path, his magics unlike most teleportations not blocked by the wards on the university. He stood aside awaiting his protege and dismissed the portal with a waive once the Jinkininki had emerged. Entering the surprisingly public venue for a meeting he nodded polite greeting to Willow, "Headmistress Lockewood." he greeted formally given the locale and manner of invitation, "I see the grounds remain confused as to the seasons." he noted not calling out her magics directly but ensuring she knew he knew.
[20:20] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): Naoki cared little for titles when he knew where he stood. 'Staff' and 'protege' and 'apprentice' all landed the same way when they came from someone the yokai didn't view as influential in his relationship with a certain two. It wasn't the wording of the letter that had him on edge but the request for his presence at all. Naoki was aware that his Professor met semi-regularly with the Khymeia headmistress and business or not, his presence was typically a matter of coincidence or convenience.
Following after Lex as he exited the portal the yokai stood a pace behind and off to his right side. A little look around allowed Naoki to take in any noticeable changes to the grounds since his last visit before the stare landed on the Headmistress. Since Lex addressed her already he saw no need, simply dipping his head in a shallow nod. His stare went up and down in a clinical perusal before skimming off to the rest of the greenhouse. Plants, fountain, floor tiles- there was little of interest except the teapot and tray though for the time being those too were dismissed to listen to whatever the Headmistress would bring to their attention.
[20:38] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) pivoted to face Lex and Naoki on one elegant heel, her lips curving in a smile that somehow remained cool and aloof. She inclined her head politely to the two of them as acknowledgment that was not remotely deferential. "Alexander," she said and then with a nod, "Sato, please, do join me." A flick of her fingers sent the tea cup drifting through the air to Naoki, "Do be careful. It's rather hot," she said, in manner not unlike the one Thirteen used when she had been teaching their son to eat at the dining table. Another flick of her fingers sent the tea pot to pour a cup for Lex next as she finally acknowledged his commentary. "Yes, I am afraid that *someone*s dabbling in forbidden chronomancy has rather discombobulated the ecology in addition to leaving the students in stasis. That should be resolving though for the upcoming year which is what I wanted to discuss." The tea was a very floral scent, mingling with the ambient wildflowers.
[21:00] Lex Dashrix: Lex watched impassively as the cup floated past to Naoki and without pause plucked his own cup from the surface with a small shake of his head at the witches theatrics though offered no warning letting her have her games. "Forbidden magics you say, sounds terribly dangerous." he replied dryly and wafted the tea with slight twinge of distaste at the cloying floral scent. He held the cup as their tradition dictated awaiting her drinking before sipping his own. "Dare I hope we're finally doing away with sorcery through aggressive bottoming?"
[21:08] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): Alexander. The yokai's lips pressed into a thin line at the use of Lex's full name, one that twitched a little at Willow's telekinetic movement of the cup and turned into a frown outright at the mention of chronomancy. Naoki refrained from taking the cup altogether until Willow warned him of the heat. Callous at best and petulant at worst the yokai wrapped a hand fully around the cup itself and sucked it down with the intention of swallowing it in one go.
It wasn't that the heat bothered or damaged him, that was clear enough from the lack of redness on the skin of his hand and face and the fact that he kept most of the liquid in his mouth. Cheeks puffed and jaw moving, he seemed to be trying to place the flavor. Once Lex moved to take his own sip Naoki's mouthful went down in one big gulp and a flash of blood shot sideways from the yokai's wrist at the same time, aimed to encase the Professor's cup and its contents entirely to prevent contact with the liquid.
[21:15] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp): A slow, sharp edged smile curved Willow's lips at Naoki's lightening fast reactions to protect Lex. "If Alexander couldn't handle a little digitalis, he'd never have made it out of the nursery," Willow said, the words dry and she didn't hesitate to take a sip of her own tea. Though, for all of her words, it was not the same as Naoki's blend, in part, because Willow didn't care for the particular floral flavors needed to complement the foxglove. Taking a sip of the blend that featured magnolias and citrus with a hint of jasmine that would likely wrinkle Lex's nose if he ever retrieved the cup from the protective bubble it was encased in. "Sadly, we retain all seven schools, though I will admit we have whittled down the tenured fossils from Faith. I can only take so many Catholics in a single room."
[21:22] Lex Dashrix: Looking down at his suddenly encased cup then to Naoki he let out a small sigh, "Digitalis?" He confirmed with Willow and shook his head, "Really Willow?" he found the entire exchange tiring but was happy enough to surrender his cup to the yokais protective grasp despite the lack of danger beyond tea that tasted like a high end hookers bathwater. He smirked at her explanation of the pruned school of Faith and shrugged, "And that is why you were never going to be grandmothers favorite."
[21:27] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): Naoki's neutral expression went unchanged even in the face of what he'd imbibed. Rather than admit any ignorance of what plant or substance it could have been he simply pulled the cup to himself to take it in his free hand. "It was rude," he remarked before drinking Lex's cup himself and moving to set both empties down on the nearest available surface. He licked his lips and crossed his arms, clearly mulling over the taste and whatever effects he felt in his mouth to commit them and the name to memory. "I could have better tea brought here," Naoki offered once he'd done so and they'd finished poking at each other. His eyes remained trained on Willow throughout, watchful and sharp.
[21:34] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) gave Naoki a bemused smile, "I'll have you know, time was when that tea was a well established remedy for bouts of dropsy. Perhaps, I simply thought you looked a little peaked." The tea Lex had matched Willow's for its mix of magnalia citrus and jasmine while Naoki's tea had a definitely stronger taste, one of which was that subtle bitter foxglove note. She gave a little wave of her hand, "You're a carrion eater, at least by half. I can't imagine it will do you any harm. Do let me know if you notice any heart palpations." Willow continued to take a sip of her tea and arched her brows at Lex, "Speaking of grandmother, did you see her memorial statue, perchance?" She tipped her head towards the dorms and the relatively new statue standing on the path towards it. "It's been vomited on twice by freshmen. Delightful."
[21:43] Lex Dashrix offered a small nod of agreement to Naoki, "By Lockewood tradition you could and ought refuse a drink offered in such circumstance." he explained briefly, "Not that they would think you worth targeting." he ignored the offer for better tea as the tea was but pretense. His cousin either wanted something or more likely was ensuring he'd not interfere with her plans for the academy. Looking back over his shoulder at the memorial in question he nodded with faint amusement, "They made her taller." he returned his focus to willow once more tilting his head curiously as he examined her body language, perhaps this entire affair was to see how they reacted to the gentle attempted poisoning. Straightening he clasped his hand before him, "I know you didn't call me down merely for amateur toxicology hour." he waited expectantly for what pretense or perhaps true intentions she held.
[21:55] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): "I'm half dead," Naoki said flatly when Willow mentioned he may have looked 'peaked' though it certainly was no reference to effects of the tea. Lightly poisoned or not, the corpse eater's iron constitution ensured the tea went down like tepid water. As if in mockery of its ineffectiveness the yokai dropped the glamour from his face, exposing his sharp teeth and ghastly-wide grin beneath the still, dead eyes. "I can regulate heartrate." Peaked indeed.
As conversation turned toward the Lockewood deceased Naoki simply stood back and listened, not bothering to return his face to a more human appearance. He didn't seem to care if any students meandered by and took no effort to hide his face from them; in fact he almost seemed amused if any of them turned and scampered away at the sight.
[22:02] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) arched a brow, her expression impassive at his ghoulish appearance. "You seem very confident in that. There's a reason that Alexander referred to it as 'amateur toxicology', would you prefer to see the advanced course?" She challenged before taking another slow sip of her tea. With it half gone, Willow covered the top of her teacup with the hand not holding the cup. For a moment, it looked like she was holding moonlight in the cup and her eyes picked up the eerie glow. Removing her hand, she held out a now full cup of fresh tea that had alluring, spicy scent. She lifted it up slightly, clearly offering for Naoki to come take it from her. "Eager to earn best boy, are you?" Without taking her eyes off of Lex's dangerous pet, she inclined her head to Lex but didn't answer his question while the stand off with Naoki existed. "If you're going to play house, you should teach them the dangers of your mother's family, Alexander."
[22:13] Lex Dashrix: "He is quite sturdy." Lex agreed with his protoge before swinging his weighty gaze to Willow once more as she cast her spell. His fingers twitched in a warding gesture at the intense glow of moonlight but relaxed when it focused solely on the cup. He eyed the witch warily, "They are fully aware of my lineages; mother's side is the less trustworthy." he replied flatly and looked to Naoki curious to see how he might react to the obvious threat presented. "Exploiting men's hubris is grandmother's first lesson." he warned but did not further impede Naoki from making his own choice as to how to proceed.
[22:19] Soc Dice HUD: Willow Hollysharp rolled a 7 at a plus 3.
[22:24] Soc Dice HUD: helio5igma Resident rolled a 11 at a plus 3.
[22:26] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): The slightest noise of amusement left Naoki in a breath after the little show with the teacup. He did look to Lex for his response and seeing no direct rejection of the idea he stepped forward and placed his hand over the cup, just as Willow had done. Pressing his palm downward his skin made a seal with the rim, letting moisture from the liquid settle against the surface of his palm. He stood there motionless and silent but the rippling and subtle bulge of vessels beneath his skin was visible.
When Naoki removed his hand the cup was empty and the Jikininki seemed unaffected as before aside from some redness in the skin of his palm and swelling in his hand and wrist. He continued to stand in front of the Headmistress rather than back away, eyes staring and maw agape. The air around them though grew denser and wetter as the seconds wore on.
[22:27] Soc Dice HUD: Willow Hollysharp rolled a 10 at a plus 3.
[22:32] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) tipped her head to the side, the gem at her throat flaring with that same silver moonlight magic color when the air around them hit enough density for the toxin to trigger her own defenses. "Do you have a plan for the neurotoxin that you've aerosolized?" Willow asked with what sounded like genuine curiosity. "I assume that you've warded yourself against clostridium botulinum, Alexander, or would you rather see how long you can hold your breath for? I do remember you were quite the swimmer at one point in our youth." Willow didn't seem overly concerned about the cloud of miasma and even when she talked to Lex, she kept her gaze on Naoki, assessing.
[22:40] Soc Dice HUD: Lex Dashrix rolled a 8 at a plus 4.
[22:45] Lex Dashrix: "Did I forget to mention he likes to play chicken with that viper totem the Windgraces keep as a pet?" Lex revealed though he watched carefully for a delayed effect from the toxin uncertain what sort of ensorceled biohazard had been unleashed and curious at the less impulsive than expected course his protoge had chosen. He stared for a long moment at the two of them and frowned, "Enough." he intoned firmly, "This is not the venue." he crouched laying his palm flat on the floor of the converted orangery sending a pulse of Aether through the floors and walls the hasty ward invisible outside of Aetheric sight destroying all toxins within its confines. "He is sufficiently prepared I would say." Lex stated as he rose and stepped between them, "And she's a bitch not a threat." he pointed out to Naoki before the overprotective streak got out of hand. [17:50] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): "I know where it all is," Naoki answered though there was little else to add when Lex purged the toxins in the air with his own magic. Lifting his hand, the yokai curled his fingers and the minute droplets of his blood condensed into a red ribbon swirling about their heads. The mobile liquid didn't touch Willow but it did pass close to her face as it zipped back over to coil around the yokai and eventually form crimson butterflies on his head and shoulders. It was only then that he stepped back and moved his focus from Willow to Lex as the latter imposed himself between the two. "...viper?" he asked as the blood slowly reabsorbed into his body.
[18:05] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp): When Lex stepped in to loom over Willow, her eyes flashed with warning as she had to tip her head up to switch her gaze from Naoki to the larger threat. "Not a threat *by choice*," Willow pointed out, the words sharp. She reached out, intending to circle her fingers around his large wrist if Lex didn't pull away before she touched him. "//Þu nimst þæt forðryne þæs ældre cwenes to lytel, Alasdair.//" The Saxony slid off her tongue, sharp and warning. "//Gif þu lufast hi, þu wilt hi tæcan.//" Her lips curved downward and she finally went to step back on her heel and break from the two men, releasing Lex's wrist in the process if she'd managed to lay a hand on him.
[18:22] Lex Dashrix: With a tired sigh at the dramatics from both sides Lex did not pull back from her grip on his wrist merely glancing down at where her delicate fingers nearly encircled it. "Gif þæt is þin wilnað, þu scealt næs onbyrgan mine deor Wenllian." The old tongue was thick with disuse, a truer form than spoke among the coven in secret today. "Ic stille ne lufie to fordon mine þing." The reply may have been taunting but yet made clear his stance, the duo in question were his, both to have and protect. As Willow slid away he turned to Naoki, "You think I didn't track your dalliances and extracurriculars? " he scoffed and shook his head, "The valet at the windgrace estate with the snake?" The hundred years since lance went into hibernation was not long enough by Lexs reckoning to discount the games played with his protege as history.
[18:32] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): Naoki sidestepped so he could better see Willow from behind Lex once he heard her speaking in a tongue he didn't understand. Eyes narrowed, he observed her closely for other signs that might indicate she was trying to cast a spell - until she reached for Lex's wrist directly. Any tension that had left the yokai returned in full and blood burst from beneath his shirt to arc up and over Lex in preparation for attack or defensive maneuver. It was only at Lex's own reply in that same tongue that the liquid returned to its master, finally soaking back into his body when Lex spoke to him directly.
"It was an experiment," Naoki replied with a blink and a note of surprise. Dalliance clearly meant other things in the yokai's mind. "There was no play or dalliance in the exchange." When he had gotten over the reminder of how closely Lex paid attention to his various extracurriculars Naoki huffed and looked away to stare at the forgotten pot and cups. "The result of that experiment might go well with the Headmistress' tea."
[18:40] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) dropped Lex's wrist and gave both men the full view of her slender back but the scoff she made at Lex's final salvo in Saxony was audible if not visible. She strode over to a small briefcase and pulled a stack of vellum and a folder. "Believe me, Alexander, I am well aware I do not rate high enough in your estimation to play with your precious pets." She thrust the vellum towards him, the chill returned to her features alongside that cool disinterest as if she'd never shown any cracks in that facade. "The classes your department is responsible for. Unless you manage to get Dr. Mann to return from his century long sabbatical. I think you'll find you'll be very busy indeed. Aside from the usual growth anticipated, Technomancy will also be expected to field a number of general courses to get the chronomancy locked students up to speed on a century of changes in a single semester. Hence the invitation including your staff. Unless you intend to personally teach every student in the university how to use an aetherphone." She dropped the sheaf of a much heavier course load into his hand, still holding the folder. "I imagine the Faith students will be a special sort of delight for you."
[18:56] Lex Dashrix: "Yes experiment fine, even the headmistress has been known to run the occasional highly controlled experiment." Lex replied with a shrug not particularly caring exactly how Naoki categorized his time with the serpentine servant, in no small part due ot seeing little difference in scientific collaboration and sex. Both were enjoyable with a skilled partner and Lex would be on top regardless. The Professor looked at the sheaf of pages with obvious distaste. "I'll review my file on least favored graduate students directly." He replied simply as he took the papers frowning at the heft. "I will note that I've reduced the average migraine duration to the scale of weeks on the directed knowledge transference device." He shrugged, "If the Faithful need additional aid."
[19:03] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): Lex's remark about Willow's experimental habits went admittedly over his head. Naoki's focus was on the hear and how, his jaw tensed at every movement the Headmistress made in Lex's direction. Even dull as he was at recognizing emotional nuance Naoki could feel the tension as heavy in the air as his blood had been moments before. His jaw went to work as chronomancy came up again, teeth chewing at the inside of his cheek until Lex took the sheaf and spoke on staffing the least enjoyable classes of the coming year. "...I can bring him back," he offered after a moment of thought. The hesitation there and the quiet that followed betrayed a dozen other thoughts that the Jikininki chose to share.
[19:10] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) snorted, one brow arching, "I would not categorize our occasional Beltane antics as 'controlled', but I suppose it has been a very long time and perhaps your memory is softening at the edges," Willow shot back. Her gaze turned towards Naoki, one brow arching with interest at his comment and the hesitation that followed. "Well, as always, I leave the particulars of the technomancy department to its head and founder. Professor Mann has been on a sabbatical and his credentials should still apply. Even without all the additional... nonsense of the last century. It's not unheard of for a mage to wander off for several decades. If I recall correctly, Alexander took at least a couple of decades to go be some sort of terrifying giant in Kyoto when the Renaissance got to be too much for his sensibilities."
[19:17] Lex Dashrix: Lex let a hint of a smile trace his lips at the antics mentioned, "Those were an Experience not an Experiment." he corrected her almost playfully. "Is Mr. Mann up on the current era after his, meditations?" he inquired of the yokai drumming his fingers thoughtfully on the stack of papers, "If he is available his knowledge could be put to use." he finally acknowledged, "I can see to reinforcing the wards on the lecture hall and his office." Lex turned to Willow to add with a raised brow, "It was the smell really. Unbearable"
[19:28] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): Willow's gaze met with an unblinking stare. Naoki offered her no further information about the wayward 100-level professor nor did he seem very affected by mention of Willow's own more physical repartes with Lex. He listened instead, taking in what bits of new information he could glean from the banter about bits of Lex's life he hadn't heard much of. The huff that left his nose was one of amusement when the thought of the tower of a man moving around Kyoto came to mind but he knew better than to comment on that aloud.
"He'll... probably need a little time," he answered honestly when Lex asked his question. The promise of stronger warding put a tilt to the yokai's head and he seemed to think over the possibilities before nodding. "I'll see what I can do."
[19:40] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) tipped her head towards Naoki and inclined it, "I'll see that your given permissions to serve in the department as an assistant for Professor Mann as well then. Do try to keep the explosions to a minimum, if you could." She told the jininkini before her gaze slipped back to Lex. At the slight smile, Willow huffed out the softest breath that could have been a sigh. After a second of hesitation, she dropped the other folder on top of the stack of papers that Lex was holding. With her hands now free, she folded her arms up under her breasts, giving a short, sharp nod. When Lex opened the folio, there were images; photos or perhaps very lifelike drawings of a handful of young, beautiful blondes. On the back of each, was writing in Willow's own very neat cursive, familiar enough to Lex that it was clear these were hand written, not dictated. "One of my nieces will likely become the matriarch of the coven. I've narrowed the candidates down but any further information I get will likely be manipulated in some way. This is the last summary of personal details that I can be entirely certain of. Power bases are being consolidated and I can no longer be certain of my spies. I will be genuinely shocked if there's not at least one attempt on my life before Yule," her tone was dry, unconcerned, but utterly genuine in the truth of the threat. "I can only assume that the smart ones will decide that our proximity means that an alliance is not of the bounds of possibility so you really ought to be prepared." She looked at the pair of them expectantly, one brow arching up as she directed the next question to both men. "You have a son, don't you?"
[19:51] Lex Dashrix: "He does." Lex acknowledged absently as he perused the information presented. None of the names were familiar he'd left the coven before any had been born. "Ichi is a bright boy he'll not be taken in by some random pretty blonde with witchy tendencies." he added still distracted by his study of the covens rising stars. "I may be able to find out more." he murmured as he closed the folio with a sigh, "I'd think they'd be begging your support or blessing." he noted as he returned his gaze to Willow once more. "Perhaps proximity to an outcast has soiled your pristine image." he let out a heavy sigh and shook his head at the revelations. "I don't suppose a letter detailing the precise reasons I could not care less about the coven, it's leadership, or dealings whether alphabetical or categorical would prove convincing?"
[20:02] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): If it weren't for the tone of the conversation Naoki might have gone back on the defensive when Willow mentioned Ichi. As it was his focus was on taking in the information presented and his eyes skipped from Willow to Lex and back as they discussed the coven and the potential dangers. Once it was clear there was a potential mutual threat the yokai stepped back and cupped his hands together for blood to seep from the pores of his skin and collect in his palms. It formed itself into a small bird, the homunculus taking shape and solid mass as well as some silent instruction from its maker as Naoki walked it to the orangery door and sent it flying. "Can I have a sample of blood?" he asked, clearly directing the question at the Headmistress when he stepped back over to the pair.
[20:13] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) arched one imperious brow. "You wish me to trust you with my blood?" Willow sounded like she didn't know if she was amused or outraged at the audacity. "Do you really think that Alexander would willingly give me a vial of yours? I can assure you, he would not." After a moment where it seemed like she might refuse, Willow simply turned her palm up, drawing one razor sharp nail across the palm, leaving the blood to well up as she continued to speak to Lex. "You're too dismissive, Alexander. Those 'children' have been dangerous witches for centuries now. What causes me the *most* concern is that you keep such loose tabs on the rest of the Lockwoods that you are hundreds of years out of date. I haven't been the darling of the coven since you eloped with Harper. Could I take over the coven? Certainly, if I was willing to rule it as Grandmother once did; iron handed and killing or cannibalizing offspring that I deemed too powerful to let live. Are you truly certain that your son knows enough, if approached by a young woman near his age who claimed that she, like his beloved 'Abba', was an outcast and had no where else to go, that he'd see her as a threat? That he'd know not to take a cup of tea from her hand? That he'd be aware of the signs of a hex or a curse?" Impatience made her tone sharp and Willow seemed content to let the blood pool on her palm for Naoki to take. "Think, for a moment, Alexander. If you were the man you were a thousand years ago and still desperate to claim your birthright, how would you approach taking over the coven. How would I?"
[20:31] Lex Dashrix: Naokis request earned him a raised brow, Willows eventual acquiescence to it registered a blink of genuine shock. "hmmm" he mused quietly the intonation a dull rumble in his broad chest. "Perhaps." he nodded slowly finally, "Perhaps there is something to your concerns." he paused thoughtfully and looked down at Willow as he pondered her question. "The man I was a thousand years ago had no use for such subterfuges." he pointed out, "You however..." he let out a slow sigh. "I can task security drones to watch the docks." he acknowledged grimly, "But they'll likely utilize portal magics in the deepwood." he glanced to Naoki and raised a brow, "The, court," he gestured quotation marks around the term, "it has been quiet of late. Did they withdraw?"
[20:42] 彩人脩生 (helio5igma): Naoki stepped forward to put his hand over the blood Willow offered. "It's not for you," he told her. Despite the deadpan it was likely meant to be at least a little reassuring. "I want to make a talisman for Ichi. Something that will resonate when others of a shared bloodline are nearby." Crystallizing the offered blood into a gem-shaped droplet, Naoki kept it grasped in his palm as he stepped back and out of the personal sphere of both Lex and the Headmistress. The questions of what Lex had or had not taught the younger Sato went unanswered at least by the yokai but he did say, "He can defend himself well if he knows what to look for," with confidence.
Once Lex inquired after the Fae, Naoki hummed in thought. "I don't track them closely but I haven't seen their King near the city or Seiiki in a long time. They probably have. There are others that still live out there but I don't know them. They keep to themselves."
[20:50] Willow Lockewood (willow.hollysharp) glanced down at her bleeding hand and with her good hand, pressed her thumb over the wound. A flash of that moonlit light again and the flesh sealed itself up. Willow brushed her hands together absently, as if shaking off the wound. "The fae will come and go as the seasons do but there is still some power in the deep wilds. Enough of a force that I do not always know if the plants will bend to my will or another's." Willow said simply. She tipped in her chin in acknowledgement that her warning had been heeded. "Do as you will, Alexander. They may continue their infighting or they may be a problem for one or both of us. You, however, have opened yourself up enough to have collected an..." She clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth, searching for the word. " // cynecynn // " she finally landed on. "I cannot imagine you've actually opened up about your past. I feel that's a mistake but it is your mistake to make." She lifted one hand nodding clearly to the door in dismissal. "I do appreciate your time. Let me know if you need any class times adjusted, of course."
[21:00] Lex Dashrix: "Hmmm." Lex rumbled his reply to the news of the uncertain powers at play in the most likely vector of attack. "I loathe the Fae." chaotic forces of bloated power and mercurial mood was the staid sorcerers antithesis. "If they come they will have a reminder of why their betters knew not to." he stated with flat finality. Though the clench of his jaw suggested he was considering, strongly, a backslide to the man he had been before he had so mastered restraint. "Of course Headmistress, I shall not require accommodations, I take care of my responsibilities."
Having said his piece Lex turned and ushered his companion out onto the grass once more to reopen the portal back to the castle and complete the other necessary preparations if the Lockewood clan had found its balls once more.