Griffalo

Mercury had been asleep when the text from Arcturus had come through - he'd taken to napping in his room every chance he got, which usually meant between classes. Learning at this pace, the strain of moving halfway across the country... it was wearing for him. Like a groundhog, he poked his head from out of his duvet cave. Five minutes? Didn't give him much time. Fortunately as a teenager, he was a master of going from lazing in bed to dressed in no time at all. His tunic and cloak were already close to hand. On they went, belt, keys, talaria. He was ready to go. He ran down the stairs, secretly hoping he was cutting an impressive figure with his cloak trailing behind him. Maybe even a few hot girls saw him. He reached the car just before they were about to depart. He gave Arcturus a smile as he neared. The guy had seemed pretty cool when they'd met in Lantern Hill. Not, in Mercury's mind, strictly a practicioner of the Art, but he was sort of a friend. Wouldn't hold that against the man. "Hey, sorry if I'm late. What's up?" He listened along to the (presumed) repeated explanation before nodding. "I think I've heard one or two people mention her. What can I do to help?"

Was about to request Translations, so thank you Quinn. As a note, Mercury can Comprehend all languages, so if you post in a non-English language I'd be grateful if you could translate for me - in a PM is fine, if you'd like to keep it private.

He looked at the both of them with a smile. That was a much better reaction than the one he'd antiticpated, at least. "I dunno... being a super-hero does seem pretty cool. Plus I think my parents would be really proud of me if I did something like that - help your fellow man and all that. Maybe in a few years I'll feel different, or I'll feel the same." He shrugged. He seemed to be loosening up now, more relaxed. Something a little closer to his usual self, perhaps. "I guess you've got to have a good reason to do it though, right? Something to keep you going other than it seems like a cool idea. Some kind of cause to fight for?" "What about you guys? Is being heroes something you want to do?"

I almost peed myself in excitment when I saw the First Class trailer.

"You know... weirdness. Like things moving by themselves, spontaneous fires. Stuff like that must have happened when your powers appeared, right?" He sighed. "Well, people are going to find out sooner or later... my dad is Hermes. Like, the Greek God." He looked around at their reaction before continuing. "So... a couple of weeks ago I thought I'd try to really impress him... show him what I'd learned?" Another pause, making sure he hadn't lost them. "So, I find this Ritual of Summoning in an old spellbook. I figure, what could be better than repeating one of Dad's Greatest Hits? So... I summon up Argus, the Hundred-Eyed Giant." A bitter smirk. "Suffice to say our battle wasn't exactly epic. Dad had to step in and solve the whole thing before people got hurt." He put his hands in his pockets, sheepish. "So... Dad's sent me here until I learn not to be such a screwup."

Mercury had become progressively more anxious as Nick had progressed his ritual - first a faint echo of concern across his brow, which had turned into a frown of consternation as the faint breeze caught at the edges of his tunic and cloak. "Um, maybe this isn't..." He whirled around as the ghostly figures emerged. His hands were raised like a tiger waiting to strike with its claws, a spell about to form on his lips. He relaxed his stance, seeing that for now, the ghosts meant no harm. In fact, he apparently felt a little foolish judging from his rolled shoulders and fidgeting hands. He gave the ghosts a smile by way of apology.

Mercury tentatively nodded in agreement. "They certainly haven't done us any harm while we've been here. Plus if we treat them kindly there'll always be someone here to watch over the place." "Anyone got any idea how we contact them? I had one, but I don't know if it'd work..." He scuffed his foot. No magus liked admitting anything other than complete mastery. "Don't really know that much about ghosts." He looked around the room. "But I can get us into Tartarus. Not sure if ghosts even live in the same place as damned souls, though."

He nods. "Well, like I said, I'm working on my control while I'm here. One day I'll be able to do much more material and for longer." He looked over at Rift, leaning against the doorframe. "Well, weird things had been happening round about my twelfth birthday. Couldn't define it, just... weirdness." He paused, making sure the two of them were following. "Well, not long after my dad shows up. Says I'm capable of magic and starts teaching me a few things." Another pause where he avoided looking at either of them before speaking. "And now here I am."

"Yeah... don't think I'm really that comfortable with summoning anything that's even in the same book as 'dark stuff' right now." Mercury looked among the others, smiling to himself. He definitely felt very comfortable here. "That shop sounds pretty awesome, but... yeah. Wouldn't want to be in it when it goes out of range of home. For me, that's about five miles." He stood up, looking around the hotel. "Seriously, what's wrong with this place again? It's got a reputation that keeps people away, it's plenty big enough and I bet it wouldn't cost a lot to buy... you know, when compared with other huge mansions. Plus did I mention it's a mansion?" He smiles at the others, evidently wondering why they hadn't already moved in.

His teeth were gritted right up until Erin put the alarm clock down. He then let out a great sigh, like he'd been holding his breath the entire time. "It's not my best spell, but it's usually the one that's most impressive." He shrugs. "I have to really concentrate for the quintessential energy to hold the new structure of the item." He seemed like he was doing a good job to hide his disappointment, at least. He'd expected the two of them to be more impressed, but he guessed people who'd been here a while had seen a fair few things a lot more impressive than someone turning an alarm clock gold. "So... yeah. That's what I can do. I'm basically here to learn more control and finesse. Then... well, I don't know what happens when I've learned that." He looked over at Rift. "I can turn any one material into any one other material. It's child's play really, compared to true transfiguration. Turning owls into wine goblets, pumpkins into stagecoaches, that kind of thing." He couldn't resist a smile.

Evander stood tall. At least this was a chance to exercise his powers. He stretched out his hands like a Roman orator, in the direction of the alarm clock that sat on Erin's desk. A few passes with his hands, and he spoke the word "Transmuto." With a sharp crack and the faint smell of ozone in the room, the dark plastic casing of the alarm clock had been transformed to solid gold. He kept his hands outstretched, as if he was holding the transformation in place. "Reach out and touch it," he said, his eyes not once leaving the clock. "It's not an illusion."

He nods cheerfully. "That's right, yeah. Boy's floor... obviously." Real smooth. "I think I have a roommate, but I can't tell what he's like from his stuff. But most of the people here seem really friendly." He couldn't help noticing her arms, the sinewy grace of her body as she stretched. Watch your step with this one, Evander. One false move and you could be wearing yourself as a hat. He steps aside to reveal Rift. "Oh, yeah. Kinda. I met this guy in the hall."

"Uh..." He was momentarily lost for words. Okay, cute girl in front of you. Take your foot out of your mouth, genius. "My name's Evander, but people call me Mercury. I'm kind of new here. It's my first day here, in fact." He tried a smile, then gestured at Oliver. "I think maybe your cat wanted me to find you." A nervous scratch at the back of his head. "Does he do that a lot?" He had to take his eyes off the girl so he could compose himself. He moved so she could see Rift. "Anyway, I just wanted to say hello. I can go, if you're busy..." He pointed down the corridor, a questioning look on his face.

Mercury stood over the map. He might have been a kid up until now, but at least in this he was as capable as the rest of them. "I can't read these glyphs, but..." His hands skimmed just over the map, here and there before landing on certain ones. "I take it this one means 'haunted' or 'ghosts'..." He'd touched one over Lantern Hill, then another over a graveyard in the city and at Claremont. He swept his hand in a line, mentally connecting the dots between a series of glyphs. "These must be ley line convergences here." He placed his hands on his hips, frowning at the map. "There's a few of these that seem like they'd be okay, but I don't really know the city. I could be looking at places that are right in the middle of really crappy neighbourhoods, f'rinstance."

Evander reached the door indicated by Oliver, and set about examining the whiteboard. His fingers reached out to brush the surface, as if he might see past messages there. Who knew, perhaps he could. He muttered, either to them both or neither of them. "So this is what you wanted me to see?" He then looked over at Rift. "Guess there's only one thing left to do." And with his eyes still on the other boy, he knocked several times against the door.

Knowledge (Arcane Lore) (1d20+7=20) for Mercury trying to learn things regarding Rene.

Evander nodded sheepisly at Crow. He certainly didn't need the ride, but this would be a prime opportunity to get to know some more students. "Sure, I'd really appreciate that." He warmly shook Rene's hand, smiling. He'd been brought up to respect his elders, even if sometimes they didn't have much interesting to say. "My name's Evander, but people call me Mercury." He nods. "I guess, yeah. I usually prefer the term magus, but I suppose 'sorcerer' works too." After a moment's pause, he smiled. "Wait, you're Rene DeSaens? I heard about you, you're the artist, right?" He smiles. "That's pretty awesome." He looks around the room. "I guess that must be true of all of us, one way or another." After they'd dropped their handshake, he raised a questioning eyebrow. "Why are we here, anyhow? Just like a general meet and greet, or is there some sort of agenda?"

He shakes his head. "No, I... I haven't been in Freedom that long. Since the weekend, really." He dusted crumbs from his hands. "I'm a new student at Claremont. I got the invitation, thought it sounded interesting, so... here I am!" He smiled, looking around at all their faces. His then fell. "Wow, I totally didn't think that through, did I? You guys could be anyone."

Evander looked impressed. "You mean you guys regularly go out fighting bad guys and the like? You're actually allowed to do that?" He smiled. "Best keep on my best behaviour when I'm around her, I suppose." He smiled, playing along with the joke. He then frowned slightly. "Do I... know you from somewhere? You seem really familiar." He shrugged. "Don't want to offend you or anything... you're kind of the first person I've talked to here, besides Mister Summers." He walked with him, following Oliver. "I dunno, maybe we'll have a class together or something. I haven't checked my schedule yet."

"Erin? That's the girl that owns him?" He continues following the cat, not waiting to see if Rift was following. He too had seemed to accept without question that Oliver was a sentient and intelligent being with a purpose, rather than an animal on the hunt, wandering aimlessly. He seemed much calmer now that he knew he wasn't breaking the rules. He walked confidently, his voice still quiet, though no longer whispering. "Do you think she'll mind if we go visit her?" He looked back at Rift. "Oh, I'm Evander by the way. But people call me Mercury."

Evander waved at the cat. Despite it's haughty attitude, at least Oliver was kind of backing him up now. "See? I think this guy wants me to follow him. Want to come with, see what he wants?" He looked up and down the corridor again. "At least let's get out of here before we get caught."

Evander instinctively threw himself to the ground as Rift appeared. "S%$t!" He looked up and down the hallway, scared that someone might have heard that, Oliver momentarily forgotten. "Dude, you scared me! I'm not up to anything," He said defensively. He looked in the direction that the cat had disappeared. "There was this cat and... I... followed it." He finished lamely, realising what he was saying sounded just what a perv looking to spy on girls would say when he was caught. "Anyway..." He stood up, whispering. "Yeah, I'm new. First day, and about to get kicked out for being a Peeping Tom."

It definitely kicks my laptop all around the room, if that's what you mean.

Mercury gave him a short wave, an expression of friendliness yet vague discomfort on his face. "Hi there. I'm Evander Levinson. People generally call me Mercury, though." He cast a sidelong glance at the old man as he turned back to the others. What's the point of being able to use magic if you're not going to use it? I'll be damned if I'm gonna walk everywhere, especially when I'm that guy's age. He took a good look around at the others. Somewhere in the back of his mind, his senses were screaming that magic permeated this room - no big surprise really. The Nick guy seemed pretty cool, and thus made Evander feel a little out of place. He's probably in a band or something and gets to make out with chicks all the time, he thought. He instantly regretted wearing his costume, he probably looked like a dork next to him. The guy that had called himself Arcturus made him a little more comfortable. The guy did seem pretty bearlike, so he was probably a guy with some smarts rather than some clown who'd just picked the word because it sounded cool. To him, he gave a friendly smile. The guys more his age were dressed like some Matrix - Constantine - Brandon Lee in the Crow crossover. Kind of average, just like him. Their style seemed so different, though, he wondered if they'd have any common ground at all. Even their magical workings were probably going to be at odds. Then his eyes landed on Etain. Wow. She was easily the most beautiful creature Evander had ever seen. He wondered if perhaps she'd had a God for a parent too. He was very conscious that his hair was probably a mess, he hadn't shaved today, his bare legs were probably looking really pale and he had breadcrumbs down his tunic. His voice quavered slightly as he spoke. "Hello."

Evander shrugged. He'd little else better to do other than unpacking, and that could be saved for another day. Gamely, he followed Oliver through the hallways. He gave shy smiles to those few students he passed, feeling very much like he was the unfamiliar human guest of this experienced orange feline. "Hey. Hello. Hi." Short waves of greeting as he walked. The other students seemed friendly enough, returning those smiles and waves. Okay, so it wasn't going to be like his high school comedy fears. No hulking bullies stuffing him into lockers or down toilets... yet. He paused with fear just outside the stairwell, frozen like a rabbit in the headlights as Oliver sauntered down the hall. "Hey... wait! You..." He hissed urgently at the animal. "I'm not allowed down there!" Naturally, Oliver paid no mind. Evander sighed heavily. "Oooh... I'm gonna get expelled on my first night..." And a moment later, he's crouching down in what he thought looked like a good approximation of a stealthy run, following his tour guide.