#baronyofthesilverwolf

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School can be a drag, but for the juniors class of CCHS, or Carthage Central High School, there is a bubbly energy just from being able to actually get together in person.

Sure, there are some changes such as desks being spaced out further, and wearing masks... but that mostly seems to mean that notes are passed by being tossed rather than handed, and masks have become a new fashion accessory amongst some of the trendier students.

Mrs. McAllister, guidance counselor, chatters to Gwen as she gives her a tour of the school grounds.

"Well, Miss Locklear... Your schedule will have the basic classes you can expect - Chemistry, English Lit, Pre-Calculus and you can choose between statistics or AP history. You can choose two electives - there's art and music and theatre, Spanish or French, PE... last semester there was computer repair and intro to culinary, but that's moved on to intro to programming and nutrition this semester, respectively. There's a first aid course as well, and... well... what are YOU interested in? That should be the first step."

"Oh" She says, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the choices, "Well, uhm.. I like history more than statistics, I know that" She's been to school before but it was always her mom who made the selections when she still went. With mom dead well, "I guess music could be nice? See I like dogs a lot, and work with other animals, but unless you have a biology course I don't know if that helps. " Gwen wonders suddenly what the heck her mortal life will be like. That's another reason to be here. She's been warned about the Bedlam. Still, she doesn't quite see herself as a cop or security guard like the thanes. But who will she be? And the answer is, she has no idea. the mortal world hasn't been nice to her, and she's not sure where she'd fit in. Well, Chuck and his mom are nice. And this lady seems okay. But a vision? No clue. but she's got to say something "I'm interested in Native American studies, because I am one, but that's a bit specific and not fair to the school. " She remembers how sometimes there seems a need for musicians for events at the fae , and while Juluis lost a lot of trust with her, she supposes they could use a back up "Is music instrumenntal or singing ? I .. I might like to learn how to play an instrument"

"We do have biology that you could take if that fits you better than Chemistry, both will go towards your needed science credits. With technological advances, you don't even need to dissect a frog any more, it can all be done virtually." The counselor smiles sympathetically seeing Gwen struggling a bit.

"I won't badger you on career paths, you've got a year at least before we'll start wanting you to think about college choices, but... it doesn't hurt to start to think about who you might want to be someday. That's what we're here to help you find your way to."

"I'm afraid we don't have any Native American studies here - which is a shame, but I chalk that up a bit to small-town-itis, which we have treatments for, but not yet a cure. Generally we reserve the IP - that's independent program study courses - classes to Seniors, but if you were really interested, we could look at that next semester, if your grades in the required courses are steady. We can give you course credit for the research as well as potentially outlining a syllabus that could be used to create a real course in it for future students."

"Wow, uhm.. Biology instead of Chemistry" She brightens. She's helped hunt, she's not squeemish about death "I can handle frogs. And regular Americann or World history is fine. So .. the music class? Is that more instrumental or..." she isn't sure how to say 'or will I be expected to dance and put a hole in the floor?'

"Well, there's choir, orchestra and marching band, music theory and world music. Some of the classes are combined but split out for extra practice. Do you play any instrument now, or is there one you'd like to learn? I can introduce you to the music department chair if you'd like to bounce some ideas. Though if you're interested in sports, you may be asked to pick one or the other, as you can't very well be in marching band at the same time as a game."

"Oh" She says "I do like sports" Suddenly a conundrum "I don't want to be in a bannd. I just thought it might be nice to learn to play something .. uhm.."

So many choices ,Gwen, often a girl of moral certitude suddenly finds herself not sure which choice to make

"In that case, there should be no conflict. It's mainly cheerleading, marching band, and home games that cause the overlap." A smile. "Why don't we put you down for General Music? That class will touch on beginning music theory, introduction to instrument groups and give you a chance to try a few things out. A lot of kids consider it a freebie course, but that's not to say you can't take away a lot if you're willing to try."

"Keep in mind that there are some clubs and student organizations as well, if you'd like to check out something without dedicating an entire semester. Not to make your choices harder!"

A look of relief does cross her features, "Thank you, Mrs McAllister"

"Oh, is there a list of those clubs and organizations? I don't know how much spare time I will have because I'll have homework and chores, but it'd be nice to take a list home if I do have a bit more time?"

"Of course. We'll not rush you - today is more to introduce you to the school. We should get you on the schedule to start up classes by next week though, or else you'll start to fall behind." Pamphlets are provided, and she's also shown to a large bulletin board where posters are tacked in a haphazard manner.

She sees handmade signs for the Popcorn Club, which watches movies in study hall. Carthage Cometeers, seems to be astrology - or is it astronomy? CFC is Comets for Christ - Student Fellowship before school... there also seems to be a reading group, some sort of math league, French Club... minecraft, and archery? It runs the gamut.

Mrs. McAllister lets her gawk at the board for a bit before pointing out the athletic schedule. Spring sports are girl's lacrosse, track, and softball. Currently baseball and tennis seem to only be offered to boys, and trap shooting seems to be co-ed.

"Lacrosse?" Her eyes light up

The school mascot seems to be a comet, which explains the recurring theme.

"Oh, yes. We've had several famous professional Lacrosse players in our alumni. Interested? You're in luck... signups are normally in March, but things have been delayed this year, so if you can get the waivers in by the 30th, you're not too late to join. Of course, academics before athletics is generally the goal, but there have been scholarships awarded as well."

"Oh yes, I'll have to keep my grades up. Yes, I'm very interested" She admits

The counselor beams. "Sounds like you'll fit in nicely!" Loading her down with signup forms and paperwork, and a list of school supplies she should come with.

"Have your parent or guardian fill these out, and you can start next week. I'll ask another student who shares your homeroom to show you to class the first day."

"Thank you again" She says gathering up her paperwork and forms and lists without complaint. She's actually kind of excited.

A bell rings, and teens stream out of classes and start to flood the hallway, moving around the counseler and Gwen like a river flows around a stone. "Looks like it's lunchtime. You can bring your own in the future, but hot lunch is included for everyone as well. You're free to head home now if you're all set, but you an also stick around for lunch if you'd like and wander the grounds a bit, as long as you don't interrupt any classes." She scribbles out a hall pass to give Gwen the rights to roam.

"I think today is chicken tenders with mac and cheese."

"I think I will wander " She wants to make sure she doesn't end up with an obvious Autumn person among the teachers

"Have fun!" Mrs. McAllister waves, and Gwen is on her own.

At first glance the flow of students seems random and chaotic, but after watching for a moment, it takes on familiar patterns. Most of the traffic is heading down one hallway - the map in the student handbook Gwen now holds shows that to be the way to the lunchroom.

On one corner, a gathering of kids with dark hoodies and streaks of bright colored hair are grouped, backs turned against the flow of the mainstream. One of them has a large instrument case that threatens to trip traffic, but she doesn't move to pull it out of the way.

A clatter to one side is a smaller boy, a freshman perhaps, who was shouldered into a locker by a taller girl, who now smirks as she watches him pick up his papers.

The ladies restroom door opens, and a trio of girls with similarly stylish haircuts and bags flock together, and seem to be observing a few boys in letter jackets, one slender, the other tall and blond - is that Chuck?

She eyes the taller girl with displeasure , then she sees Chuck and she's torn. No, she can see chuck inn a second, niceness now. Marigold must have rubbed off. She bends down "Hey, mind me helping?" And unless he objects, helps the boy with the papers

A designer shoe is placed squarely on a notebook that Gwen reaches for. The girl looks down her nose at Gwen with displeasure. "EX-cuse me?"

"I wasn't talking to you" Gwen says

"It's okay." The boy says, his freckled cheeks reddening.

He shoves papers into his bag, and says in a rushed, hushed tone, "Please-miss-Kristen-goddess-of-carthage-may-I-have -my-book-back."

"Oh, I hardly felt like you MEANT that. If you wanted it back that badly, then where are those notes you were supposed to take for me?" Ignoring Gwen now.

"Careful, you'll trip" and Gwen YANKS the notebook from under the girl's foot after giving that two second warning. Troll strength has it's advantages

Assuming its of material not likely to rip

The notebook slips out without tearing, luckily! Though it's a bit rumpled, and Kristen stumbles back, knocking into the lockers herself. "Who do you think you are?" She snaps, angrily.

The boy shoves a last paper into his bag and - makes a dash for it.

"You get back here!" Kristen snaps as he disappears into the crowd, then turns her glare on Gwen. "Who asked you to stick your nose in?"

Gwen turns , notebook passed off, then says "Golly, ,you tripped. If only you hadn't stayed on such an unsteady surface. " Kristen is tall, but Gwen is as tall or taller. She is not naive, and not going to admit to any physical action AGAINST someone, "Stick my nose in? All I did was help pick something up. Then you tried to up the difficulty level . Which turned out not to be that difficult anyway. "A glance over the girl "We're done here." And she goes, not quite turning her back but going

Oops... the boy is gone, he split with speed that a satyr might admire - either that, or just skilled in ducking and weaving through the crowd. The notebook remains in Gwen's hand, but Kristen doesn't seem interested in it any more, just sizing Gwen up.

"Oh, forget you." A scoff and mutter as she chooses her battle... to be elsewhere, and the girl flips her hair, turning to leave in a huff.

The notebook , well, that's a problem . She doesn't even know who this belongs too. She sighs and looks one more time for him. If she doesn' see him, she seeks out where she thought she saw Chuck

The short kid is long gone, though the notebook may hold some clues -

"Gwen?" A surprised voice, as she looks up from the first page which is covered with doodles of lines and dots... And there is Chuck! "I thought I heard your voice, but then wondered if I was hallucinating from hunger. Either way, are you a mirage?"

"Ha. Sorry, nothing so exotic. Just me," A smile, her world lights up a little "Yeah, I'm going to school here. "

He grins, his face lighting up. "For real? Nice!! Did you start already? Here, it's lunch time - unless you already ate?"

"Starting next week and no.. hey Chuck, weird question, do you know who this boy I saw is? A freshman. " She describes him "Freckles, short.." And then adds "Bullied by an evil amazon?"

"That could be Far-" He cuts off, looking embarrassed, and corrects, "Artie. He runs the star gazing club....I think he's the only member, actually."

She gives him a look but it sounds like he made a safe "Great. " She says "Maybe we'll see him in the cafeteria? "

"Yeah, maybe." Chuck hesitates, and...

...takes Gwen's arm, if she doesn't pull away!

And.. she doesn't.

Grinning like a dang fool, he heads to the cafeteria, with a GIRL on his arm!

She blushes almost coyishly goes along. She does look around for Artie but wonnders if he's still in hiding

She doesn't spot him, but it IS crowded. "Can I buy you lunch?" Chuck asks with a grin. "I'll treat you to the finest nuggs and tots this restaurant has to offer."

"Sure" She laughs "Where should I sit?"

He pauses to point out the different cliques. "Me and my buddies generally sit over there, closest to the line. That way towards the end of lunch when they have extras, we can nab the leftovers." Pointing to a mixed group of boys and girls, mostly with letter jackets slung on the back of their chairs.

"Over there are some of the brains - they sit further back so they can study at lunch." Another table of quieter folk, with books set out next to their trays. "I'd avoid that table - they think that they are hot shit and get their lunch catered in. They used to not allow that, but they claim that they need to because of COVID, and the school wasn't going to fight it ." Are those girls seriously setting up a tablecloth and laying out sushi? Looks like it. Or rather, a few are sitting back while one is setting up the food.

"The band kids are mostly in 2nd lunch, and everyone else is just... wherever?" He finishes.

"CHUCK! I thought you were gonna miss lunch. And you NEVER miss lunch - hey, who's this?" A tanned teen in a matching letter jacket to Chuck's comes over and looks Gwen over, curiously, then his eyes widen a bit and he yells back over to the others, "Guys, you won't believe this! She exists!"

Good natured laughter erupts from the table as Chuck, turning a bit red, walks that way with Gwen. "Uh, ignore them..."

She smiles and pats Chuck's hand "I'll try to. Yes, I'm gwen. I'm really real. And I hope he's said nice things."

And she walks with Chuck

One of the boys gives Chuck a playful sock in the arm, and a girl laughs as the first guy slaps a $5 bill on the table to slide over to her. "Shouldn't have made the bet. I knew better, Chuck wouldn't make up a girl friend. Why would he need to? Now stop gawking and let her sit down." She pushes a few bags aside and makes a spot on the bench. "Gwen? I'm Pam, and this is..." She rattles off names of the others at the table, who are returning to their own lunches.

"Hi Pam," And she makes other introductions "So glad some of the folks at this school seem nice."