Wednesday, 10:35 AM
Vice Principal Office
Emily Crawford was working on a few paper-works, this time using her Shadow Veil technique. While she was still feeling a bit depressed, she was in better spirit than yesterday. She let out a weak laugh as memories came back of yesterday. Boy, did Mayan ever chew her out, though not in any negative manner, almost just like how Sarah did (except of course with less venom and more concern). Even Kenya was verbally concern, trying her best to cheer her mother up, and it did seems to work for the most part.
Still, Emily could easily see that she was in a lose-lose situation, wondering what she could have done differently. But, nothing she could think of would solve her problems, especially with Sarah. It just seems the Iridescent Sun was just putting up obstacles and traps for her, and Mrs. Crawford knew that she wasn't the only one who might be having this trouble. She often wondered the many questions they would be asking themselves, in order to search for a reasonable solution, only to tripped over one road bump after another.
She knew that Sarah have a valid concern, and she did consider her handicap when she was working out her idea (and any improvement on it as well), but it seems that Sarah's counter argument that she made yesterday was made more out of a hurt pride and inner pain than anything else (not that it wasn't a bad point nonetheless). Emily wanted so much to hug her and tell her it would be all right, but she knew that it would just ended up upsetting her even more. Sarah was always been so prideful and full of spirit, so it is difficult to get close to her and comforted her without hurting her pride any further.
Emily laughed at herself for using the word 'pride', considering how prideful she had been during her own teenager years have been, to the point that she even had a little nickname given to her by her peers. Probably why she can related with her a little better than most of the students, she had been there somewhat herself (well, excluding the whole sun deal, but that goes without saying). There were subtle and not-so-subtle differences, of course, but for the most part, that remained the case.
Nevertheless, it just feel like Sarah was actually trying to intentionally hide behind the fact that she wasn't human anymore, trying to eased or perhaps even ignored her broken spirit. The outburst that she had before they reach her class had cleared that much for her. It was more than simply accepting her new form or giving up, she was still hurting more than she letting on. Many of the students were in similar state, but most of them weren't hiding it as deep as Sarah has been.
Sighing, she stopped writing to lean back on her chair. She knew that Sarah was absolutely right on one point, something that really doesn't need to be debated: that she really needed to stand up against these mischievous acts. But, she was just so unsure about doing so, since she figured that she did deserve it. But, she was the Vice Principal now and it won't do her any good if they continuing onward. Maybe there could be a way to stand up for herself without causing the culprit(s) any trouble or irritation.
She got up and walked out of her office and the first office, figuring that she need to clear her head (at least from those subjects for a little bit), making sure to smile at Mayan and informed her that she was going to check up on a few things. She paused to notice that someone was inside the counselor room with the gorgon counselor, Ms. Heloise Ganell Adamant, but she didn't want to bother them, and kept her shadow sight from peeking inside, since the whole meeting was meant to be private. Still, it almost sound like Tiffany was inside, and that was annoying her curiosity, but she just brushed it off, wanting to respect their privacy.
Beside, she wanted to see how the classes are going along and searched around the school to see if any improvements might be needed. She paused in thought as the 'Enemy' came to mind, before wondering if she should find someone to created a shield to keep them off the school-ground. But, the trouble with that would be to actually find someone that could create such a device to do that.
About an hour or so had passed by as Emily wondered from one room to another, making sure to politely knock on the door and gave a light explanation for her visits. She used this time to let the students get used to her Shadoe Fae's form as well, and let them experienced what it was like to be in her shadow veil. The teachers, among with their students, was feeling a bit intimidated about the whole process at first, but they quickly became used to it and actually found the whole process entertaining (and even reducing stress a bit by giving them more time). And, while she was there, she asked the teacher about any issues with the room or the class.
She got done with the seventh classroom before she was about to head toward Ms. Summers's classroom. So far during her short journey, she did found a few issues, though nothing really big. Ms. Darter was doing fine for the most part with her abilities and vast amount of energy (which she was actually doing better at keeping control of), but dealing with the workload was still a bit difficult for the small fairy, and keeping the most troublesome student was another bother, even though she was well liked among them.
There was also an issue with a few classroom, one example belonging to a handsome anthropomorphic lion Mr. Hancock, which seems to be falling apart due to a combination of old age and a white lab mouse that was lost for some time (strangely finding a way to survive by herself). Other issues from a few other classes was lack of books or trouble with opening the door (complaint mainly was from handicap students like Sarah was). She sighed, wondering why the school hasn't done anything yet about it, but considering the chaos that the sun brought, money are probably a little tight, even with government and other kinds of help. Perhaps she need to address some kind of fundraising to help with those issues further, and it would be something fun to do with the willing students, as well as her daughter during the night shift.
Finally reaching the door, Mrs. Crawford politely knocked on the door and waited like she did beforehand. She put her hands behind her back and smiled as she waited, but no one seems to answer. Figuring that no one must have heard it, so she knocked again, although a little harder. This time, someone came to the door and finally opened it. She realized that it was Ms. Summers, standing there with a calm smile. "Hello, Mrs. Crawford, what can I do for you?"
Mrs. Crawford paused for a moment when Mary said that, getting an odd vibe from the teacher's tone. She wanted to dismiss it as her imagination, since it seems just normal, but if she didn't know better, it was almost as if there was a hidden irritation to it. "I-I'm sorry about the intrusion," Mrs. Crawford apologized, thinking maybe she might have just popped up at the wrong time, or maybe her Shadoe Fae's form was touching a nerve in the teacher, "I was ahead of schedule and wanted to check around the classes to see if everything is fine, or if anything need fixing. I...umm...well, I was also hoping to let everyone get used to my transformed state while I was at it, so it won't bother anyone if they see me like that."
"Ah, I see. Very well, then; I would be delighted to welcome you inward," Ms. Summers said, letting Mrs. Crawford in and walked back to her desk. The class was deep in their class assignment, so they didn't notice her at first, but sound of footsteps brought their attention. Most of them were a bit anxious at what they found, though a few had seen this figure walking down the hallway before and wasn't really that bother by her new appearance. Yet, with one gentle glance from Ms. Summers, everyone quickly went back to work in a slight panic.
Emily was taken back by this, surprised at what just happened before her. She had seen an effect similar to this with some very strict and tough teachers, but she never seen this level of control. It almost seems like she was...but, that couldn't be right. Emily didn't know the woman all that too well, but from what she did knew, Mary wasn't that kind of person to actually do that to their students. But, that was before the sun, before there was this strange air of dominance around her now, which was giving Emily some bad vibes.
"Thank, Ms. Summers," Mrs. Crawford said; trying to pushing back her earlier thought and feeling, "So, I was wondering if you or your students are having any trouble?"
"Hmmm," Ms. Summers pondering, looking around the room, "The only issue I can think of, at least for right now, is that we need a new chalkboard. This one is too old to handle the pressures of the students' new changes. Ask any students after class if they having some troubles with the room or their capabilities, but I am afraid that our school budget can afford too much, so they are going to have to bare with it as best as they can."
"As for my own personal troubles, I am currently doing fine and have no complaint. If there anything else I can help, I would be happy to talk with you in my office during my office hours. Now, if you forgive me, I am in class and would rather prefer not being interrupted."
"Oh...sure," Mrs. Crawford barely managed to get out, stunned at the swift conversation, feeling like she was being sweep outside the room like some dust. "Thank for allowing me to check around, have a good day." She was set to leave, but a hand from a student was lifted. It was a sixteen year old boy, somehow made from dirt, stones, crystal, and gems. "Mrs. Crawford, I have a question before you go: if you are bother by students not wearing clothes, then why aren't you wearing anything yourself?"
"Actually, I am wearing clothes right now, it is just a part of my body when I am in this form. If I put on a jacket right now, for example, it will temporary merge with my body, until I remove it in my human form." She stopped and sighed before continuing, "And...I'm not really bothered by students being cloth-less, per se; there is rather a deeper reason to the situation than worrying about simple nudity, and I am sorry for any misunderstanding that I have caused."
The student seems satisfy with the answer and went back to work, the other students followed soon afterward. Mrs. Crawford was happy to end the question with better result, but there was something bothering her still. "Ms. Summers, before I leave, can I ask one more question?"
"Sure," Mary simply answered with a smile.
"I have heard some rumors of some uneasy involvements between you and Tiffany, and I'm wondering if everything is all right with you two?"
"You don't have to worry, the situation with Tiffany is being smooth over right now, and eventually will passed away without any further problems."
"O-okay...I am grad to hear that, thank you," Mrs. Crawford exclaimed before finally leaving the room, walked toward the bathroom, and paused outside the doorway, just beside the water fountain. Something wasn't right about this whole situation, and she got the feeling there was more to it than Mary letting on. Mary herself was giving her the creep; something that Emily would never felt around her before the Iridescent Sun.
She groaned and rubbed her temple with her left thumb and the two first fingers. Things were getting out of hands and it seems to be getting worse.
The dark energy that had appeared recently didn't escaped Mrs. Crawford's awareness, but what can she do about it? Neither she nor Becca can go off during school hours, and even if she did explained to Principal Erin for permission, the energy signature is far enough to make the journey rather fruitless. Perhaps she could ask her cousin for help, since she may have connection to her boss, Toby Cooper, who might have a magical girl. She sighed at this, knowing that it might be too late to act to be any help, but nonetheless, she do need to contact this person eventually.
Speaking of which, even if they do find the other magical girls, what then? They have their own life to worry about and they probably lived in different location, so it would be hard to get together to meet, train, and help the world. She wondered if Trident had ever considered that, or any other guardians for that matter. They need to create a plan, and furthermore, they may need outside help to organized everything, so that they can fight against her former allies without much delay. She also wanted to plan several precautions to protect the girls, as well anyone else around them, just in case something goes south.
Looking for Trident's love ones was still a pain in the neck as well, but at least the long list of people they started with had been drastically reduced. Unfortunately, without Trident's original memories, the goal of finding them would still be highly difficult to accomplished, and there would still be the chance that they might have overlooked something. Was it possible to even find them with so little information that they have?
And, then there is Tiffany. She had worried about her when Tiffany was under her first transformation, and wanted to help her by purified the negative energy within her (largely with Becca's assist), but was never able to acted due to her own personal problems. Then came Tiffany's second transformation, which was very odd in itself, considering that no one else had ever undergone a second transformation before.
If she was right about Tiffany's first form to be almost similar to her own, created by a seed of negative energy, maybe something must have happened to that seed, something very forceful. However, getting rid of the seed in that manner, opposed to the purification that Becca did for her, would have possibly killed the teenager in the process. Was that the reason why Tiffany felt at odd with her teacher?
She shivered at the thought, unable to believe that Mary would actually risk another student's life like that. Mary probably was just trying to help her, though, so she should give her the benefit of doubt. Mrs. Crawford sighed and walked onward toward of office, deciding that this was more important than checking up on the classes. In order to solve this mystery, she needs to get the full story, and the only way to do so would be to ask Tiffany and her father.
Asking Tiffany right now would not be a good idea, considering the possibly fragile state she might be in, so perhaps her father could shed some light about this whole situation. Maybe he can explain his side and help her piece together what was going on, and when Tiffany in a better mood, Emily was going to get her side of the story.
'Just what is going on with Mary,' she thought gloomily as she saw the front office's door coming into view from around the corner, 'Why all the secrecies? It was clear to me that she was hiding her true form, considering the light energy her human form was giving off, but why? She doesn't seems depress or nervous, something I had to deal with, but rather the opposite. So, why was she hiding her changed form if she was not ashamed of it? It might be the same reason why she kept quiet about the depth of Tiffany's situation.'
She finally reached the door and opened it, entering the fairly large room that contains smaller and personal offices, looking like she had a lot on her mind still. "Hey, Emily," Mayan said, curious to what was troubling her friend, "Why the space-out gaze? If it is those kids again, relax about it. They will understand that you mean well."
Emily stared into Mayan's eyes with a firm expression, which mentally shocked the anthro Shisa Dog, and relied with a same firmness as her expression, "Mayan, can you get me the phone number for the Saunders's resident. Then, come in my office afterward...I am going to need your help to something...!"
"Ummm...sure, but what wrong?! Please tell me it doesn't involve those creeps!"
"Well, I have been sensing an unusually dark activity from one of them," Mrs. Crawford noted, "But, I'm afraid that problem is too far away to do anything, and unfortunately there is a more pressing matter to deal with, one far too close to our door than I would like it to be. I'll explain further, but for now, please find me that phone number."
Mayan just stared in confusion, but before she could say anything, Mrs. Crawford entered her office. Whatever was bothering Mrs. Crawford this badly must be huge, so Mayan did as she was instructed, and pulled up the needed data. She wrote it down on a piece of paper, full of proud using her thick fingers with little to no loss in poise, and headed into Mrs. Crawford's office.
When Mayan went inside the room, she saw Emily Crawford set behind her desk and ready with the office phone in hand. She never saw this serious side from her friend before, not like this, and her inquisitiveness was really threatening to bursts out from her. She put the paper down on the desk and sat down, waiting for that explanation that Emily owed.
"Thank you, Mayan," Mrs. Crawford said, smiling in appreciation before going back to her serious expression, "You probably saw Tiffany coming in the Counselor office, right?"
"Y-yeah, I did."
"I think something happened between her and Mary, possibly something rather unsettling and should have been discussed beforehand, so I am going to be a bit busy investigating it. However, I need you to talk to my cousin from the news and see if she can get her boss, Toby, to meet me and 'Number Three' this weekend as soon as possible to discuss a few things." She took the piece of paper, wrote a number down on the bottom, and ripped it from the other part of the paper. "Tell her that it is very important that we talk, and make sure that she knows it is the highest regard that she delivers this message immediately. Also, I need you to inform Ms. Adamant that I need to join her next session with Tiffany tomorrow morning."
"Okay, will do," Mayan said with a smile, feeling a bit prideful and giggly as if she was a spy and had been handed an important mission. But, before she even got the chance to leave the room to begin her tasks, someone let out a yell about something was happening outside, causing the two to see what the commotion was. However, it didn't take them long to see what was the deal was. It was a solar eclipse, an unscheduled one at that.
"...Whoa " was the only thing that was said from the two women.
