The Perk, Monday Morning

[trigons_child]

Raven had returned to the dorms to find the awful uniform waiting for her, but considering Jono had to leave Fandom because of this infuriating visit, plaid was the least of her concerns. So she sighed and put it on, though she felt quite uncomfortable and disliked the length of the skirt. At least putting her cloak on over it made her look almost normal.

Until she went to the Perk for some tea, at least. She'd picked a caffeinated blend and after her first sip felt a strange sensation in her back. Alarmed, she'd pulled off her cloak and looked over her shoulder to find...black feathery wings?

Please excuse Raven while she panicked, first because of how and then because of oh-Azar-Karla-and-Warren-can-never-see-these.

[Open, because screw the flowers today.]

Comments

[glacial_queen]

"I just told Warren to meet us here," Karla said, vanishing her phone again. "He's going to bring me a shirt. One with holes. Besides, I'm fine like this."

You know, wrapped in wings and a cloak and all.

"And we might as well finish our drinks. What with already having wings."

[trigons_child]

"They are very lovely wings at least," Raven said, trying to find some sort of bright side. Small as it was.

She settled back in her seat, her expression turning glum again. "I do not like this," she said. "The uniforms are uncomfortable and unpleasant, but that is a minor thing compared to forcing people to not be themselves. They made Jono leave Fandom, Karla."

Well, they hadn't exactly forced him to go, but given the options....

[glacial_queen]

"I know," Karla said softly. "I was at the meeting; he and I were among the only few to speak up. Elphaba left the island, too. I hate this." She scowled. "And I hate them. But Lady Ghanima made me promise to, well, behave. And I don't want to jeopardize Fandom."

[trigons_child]

"I think I am almost glad I had to be at the library and could not be at this meeting," Raven said crossly. "I would have become angry. This is our home! It has always been a safe haven for people to be themselves and not have to hide who they are. I do not wish to jeopardize it, either, but people like Jono and Elphaba should not be made to feel as if they have to leave. If it is money that is a problem, can not the school find different sponsors?"

[glacial_queen]

"You mean like any rich student ever?" Karla snorted. "Lady Ghanima and Leto? Hell's fire, I'm pretty sure that after fifty thousand years of investing, Uncle Saetan would be willing to chip in a few goldmarks to keep Fandom going."

Few goldmarks. Few hundred thousand goldmarks. Same diff.

[trigons_child]

There were wealthy students and teachers at the school. How much could it cost to keep the island going? And repairing after each invasion? And...probably a lot of things beyond the reach of a bake sale.

"If these sponsors are going to make these visits a regular thing, then we must find some sort of alternative source of funding," Raven said firmly. "I will not allow our friends to be treated this way."

[glacial_queen]

Though a Fandom High fundraiser would be an amazing thing. Admit it.

"They'd better not be a regular thing," Karla mumbled. "Fandom won't be Fandom if it is. If we have to hide."

[trigons_child]

Raven chewed on her lower lip. She'd wanted to ask Karla about sight shields to disguise something, but given recent events, she wasn't so sure.

"I had wanted to ask you about making one of your sight shields for Jono so I could take him from the island to a surprise," she said, squirming a little as she tired to get comfortable sitting with the wings. "So no one would stare or bother him. But I do not want him to think I am ashamed of how he looks."

[glacial_queen]

"Oooh," Karla said, wincing. "What with the timing, that could--yeah. What kind of surprise were you thinking of?"

[trigons_child]

"We had talked in the past of going to see the music festival called Woodstock," Raven explained. "It was billed as three days of peace and music, and is considered a very pivotal moment in the history of music on Earth. I know it is something he would very much like to experience. I can arrange for a portal to a dimension that is largely friendly to meta-humans, and as I understand it the people who attended this festival embraced diversity, so his appearance should not cause any danger or fear. But I cannot guarantee people will not stare, and I do not wish him to feel self-conscious. I only want him to enjoy himself and have a wonderful time. He deserves it."

[glacial_queen]

"You can always suggest the option of a web to him," Karla offered. "Let him decide. You don't have to tell him where you're going, but just let him know that there will be people around. This way, he doesn't feel like he has to accept the mask. His choice, not yours."

[trigons_child]

"That makes sense," Raven said, nodding. "I will offer him the choice. Does that mean this is something you would be able and willing to do?"

[glacial_queen]

Karla's mouth kicked up a bit. "It won't be anywhere near as good as something Jaenelle could make," she warned. "But it'll hold up against casual inspections and the like. Is that okay?"

[trigons_child]

"Thank you," Raven said happily, almost forgetting about the wings on her back now. "I appreciate it so much. You must tell me how I can repay you for it."

[glacial_queen]

Karla was just going raise an eyebrow at Raven. And then drink her Monster and pretend she hadn't heard the last sentence.

[trigons_child]

"Karla, are you sure it is wise to drink more of that?" Raven said worriedly.

The eyebrow didn't surprise her, but she had to ask. That was how Ravens rolled.

[glacial_queen]

"Are you kidding?" Karla asked with a laugh. "As soon as we're done chatting, I'm going to flutter my way up to Warren's room and tap on his window. I'll use a sight-shield if I run into any of the board members."

[trigons_child]

"And I can teleport back to my room at least," Raven said, glancing over her shoulder at her own wings.

"Though...it might be fun to see if they actually work first."

[glacial_queen]

"C'moooon," Karla wheedled. "You're always flying around as your Soul-Self. Wouldn't it be fun to fly around for real? Have the sun on your face, the wind in your hair...Doesn't that sound amazing?"

[trigons_child]

"It does," Raven said, glancing out the window of the Perk to the skies above, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Perhaps over the Preserve -- these visitors should not see us there, should they?"

[glacial_queen]

"They're probably going to be busy poking their noses at stores in town that don't want them," Karla assured her. "So if a few students just happened to sneak off to the Preserve and practice flying, no one would be the wiser!"

[trigons_child]

"I think that very well may have to happen then," Raven said. "There is no sense in being gifted with these" -- she stretched out her wings a little more -- "and not using them."