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[ The Bad Kids have school again.

Excluding those not present, and also a certain individual who is building a plethora of new complaints against their overlords. It's likely pitying that he's been put in the position he has (even if the rest of them have been designated parents) instead of being here.

But it's lunchtime, and Gorgug's glad, because it means he can meet up with faces he knows--like Adaine. And he's certainly going to be spotting her in the cafeteria, a lunch packed so he doesn't have to wait in line for whatever's at the counter. Who cares. He has an oracle to approach, to take a seat with!!

With a face that might rival what Fabian's has been as of late. ]

Hey. [ At least he can manage that, but, in mimicking Fabian, sulkily announcing (if with less volume): ] This sucks.

[ Adaine. :( He's Cranky. ]

[ Aelwyn is supposedly working as a chef, while here in Moorecroft, but it's clear that between her, Adaine, Mal, and Kyra, no one in their household has any experience in actually making or packing school lunches. And so, Adaine is sitting at her lunch table with her tray of school-purchased food, marveling over a square slice of something she assumes is supposed to be pizza, and carrots that have been boiled so long they're more liquid than solid at this point.

She greets Gorgug with a sad smile and a nod, and confides in him in a voice that's just as quiet. ]

If I have to listen to one more teacher tell me not to use magic in the hallways I am going to burn this place to the ground.

[ Damn.......that food looks worse than Gorgug feels, and that's saying a lot.

But so does Adaine, and he feels sympathetic for what he sees. Should he offer to burn the school down with her? ...he'll keep the option in the back. ]

There's nothing wrong with magic, [ he offers instead. ] Unlike this school--it's not even a real school.

[ A pause, and-- ] They won't even let you have Boggy out?

[ She shakes her head, glumly. In her snidest, most nasally voice, she echoes back what her teacher had told her. ]

"Magic constructs belongs in magic class. The only frogs I want to see in biology are the ones we're dissecting."

[ In her own voice, she complains. ] It's complete and utter bullshit.

[ Adaine is truly living a hell right now. Gorgug's expression is sympathetic. ]

I know a counsellor. You think they can write you a note that says you need him out for your anxiety?

[ You can just get a note and people have to listen to the note, right?? ]

A counselor? Are they, you know— [ Adaine looks around to make sure they're not being listened to. ] —one of us?

[ She could trust an Etrayan posing as a counselor. Maybe not an actual Moorecroftian counselor. ]

Edited (hit submit too soon) 2024-08-10 12:59 (UTC)

[ Are they from Spyre? --oh, wait, no, she can't mean that.

Nodding after that pause!! ] --Yeah, and she's, like, nice. She talked to me in person after I said I didn't think the person in charge would take me seriously. Eos.

[ Or Aurora, but h-he's got points in intelligence now!! He knows how to fib!! ]

We talked and she gave me some good advice. About getting to know the people around us.

[ Hm. It's worth a shot. Adaine knows she certainly would be able to deal with the emotional stress of going through this infuriating charade if she were able to have Boggy with her during the day. And after everything Jawbone has done for her, she's inclined to trust the wisdom of counselors. ]

What's her name?

Padme. [ But! He's putting aside his lunch right now, reaching into his bag while- ] I'll give you her username.

[ And he pulls out a scrap of paper, writes down with a pen amidala, passing it over to Adaine. ]

She worked in government where she's from, something like that? But she sounds okay. She hasn't said anything that's weird.

[ You know, because people can be weird and that's cause of concern. But Gorgug isn't exactly the Bad Kid who grills or interrogates people closely either... ]

[ Adaine accepts the slip of paper, and a smile instantly comes to her face. ]

Oh, I know her! She came to my and Fabian's birthday party.

[ Fabian must have met her first, given that 95% of the people who attended the party were invited by him, but Padme had been kind enough to arrive with presents both for Fabian, who she knew, and for Adaine, who she had never met before. It was enough for the woman to make a good impression on Adaine already. ]

I will try to reach out to her. Thanks.

[ Oh, Adaine's party... Gorgug suddenly remembers now how that came up, and also how he had apparently missed his friends' birthdays, and how he was totally trying to make up for that. But he ducks his head at the realisation. ]

Um, I'm sorry I missed your birthday. I was making something-- I heard about it from her, and I, it's taking some time, and I wanted to make it a surprise. But I promise I have something for you.

[ A part of Gorgug knows that Adaine probably doesn't care about him explaining himself, but he can't stop himself once he starts and he feels bad, okay!! ]

[ As Gorgug starts talking— and just can't seem to stop talking— Adaine's face melts into one of sincere gratitude and appreciation. ]

Gorgug, you don't have to make me anything! Birthdays aren't... [ She doesn't know how to bring up the fact that she never received a birthday present that actually meant anything to her until she was sixteen and got sixteen of them in one go from Jawbone, without making the conversation more sad than it needs to be. ]

What's important is that we're together. I don't need anything more than that.

[ He kinda wishes they weren't sitting on opposite sides of the table right now; or that it wouldn't be too weird to reach over and hold her hand, but he thinks that might be weird, so. He'll need to wait, until they get up. And until then, for now, he smiles at her. ]

Well, we can be together whatever you want. And since we're here and there's a lot more stuff than-- other places, [ oops, nearly mentioned Etraya, ] we could, you know-- we should have a fun day. Just us or all of us.

[ Because why would they leave out the other Bad Kids. ]

But I still want to give you something. [ And his smile grows wider. ] Because I really appreciate you, Adaine.

Hello,

I have a survey I would like you to fill out as it pertains to the next mission. Please note that your honesty is necessary for the mission to go as smoothly as possible.

Thank you for your assistance,
Aurora.

What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
Are there any other skills or talents you are particularly proud of?
What do you think is your biggest weakness?
Are there any steps you are currently taking to improve or manage this weakness?
What is a fear you have that may surprise others?
Have you taken steps to confront or overcome this fear? If so, how?
What motivates you to improve or grow in areas of weakness?
Can you name a time when you successfully overcame a fear or challenge? What did you learn from the experience?
Is there anything else you would like to share regarding your strengths, weaknesses, and fears?

Alright, Aurora. I'll do my best...

My greatest strength is my magic. I'm the most powerful oracle of my generation.
I don't really have any other particular skills or talents. I'm fairly good at riding a scooter, I guess?
My biggest weakness is my anxiety. It's not as bad as it used to be, but it can still hold me back. These days, my anxiety manifests as anger just as often as it manifests as panic.
I'm medicated now, which has been a big help. I also have Boggy, my emotional support familiar. Jawbone has taught me breathing exercises, to help me come down from a panic attack. Besides that, I have my friends to keep me centered.
I've confronted most of my fears already. I'm not afraid of much of anything, anymore. I suppose if I had to pick one... I'm afraid that the reason my parents didn't love me, is because there is something in me, something about me, that makes me impossible to love.
I've confronted this fear, yes. Well... Sort of. The only way for me to get through the Nightmare King's Forest last spring was for me to abandon the hope that I might be capable of being loved. It worked, in the moment, and I've *mostly* been able to accept love from other people since then... my friends, my adoptive father... But I think there's still a part of me that remembers talking to the older version of myself, who was alone after everyone she had ever known and cared about had died. So... there's more work to be done to really be able to overcome that fear. I'm not sure if I ever truly will be able to.
Usually what motivates me to improve or grow is being face to face with a great danger, and having my weakness thrown at me as an obstacle in my path. I overcome it because I have no other choice.
In freshman year, my friends and I were fighting to stop our vice principal from taking over the world during prom. (It's a long story.) Basically, it was the six of us and a few allies, up against an ancient red dragon. At one point in the fight, I became terrified, and I started having a panic attack. So, I ran. I ran right out of the gym, leaving my friends behind.

When I got outside, my guidance counselor, Jawbone, found me. He's the first person who told me that my panic and my anxiety weren't personal failings of mine. In that moment, he made me understand that my anxiety is a mental illness, and that it's not my fault. He helped me get over my fear and make it back inside, and then he helped us kill Kalvaxus as well.
I'm not sure what my strengths, weaknesses, and fears will have to do with determining the outcome of a future mission. But I suppose if I have anything else to share, it is that my friends and I can and will overcome anything you or Echo throw at us, no matter how specifically tailored or targeted it is to hit us all where it hurts us most. We will never give up, and we will never forfeit, so long as the safety of our world and everyone we love is at risk.

I hope that helps.
Thank you.

You are very brave, Adaine Abernant.

I appreciate the courage you and your friends have displayed, and I look forward to seeing you succeed in future missions.

Thank you for your time.

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