The House of Night

Xirena had walked Zoey to Nyx's temple. Coming to the doors she paused as a teacher smiled and drew a pentagram on her forehead. "Merry Meet, Zoey Redbird." Zoey responded with the proper words and entered the Temple. Stevie Rae had saved her a spot and was waving her over. When Neferet entered the room she twirled around the circle and began the ritual. She started with wind and than went counter clock wise around to fire, water, earth, and finished with Spirit. When she called each element to the circle Zoey felt them all as if she were standing in a field with the wind blowing, sitting by a huge roaring camp fire, waves lapping at her feet, the smell of hay and birds chirping, and when spirit was called to the circle her spirit literally soared and gave a leap.

Once the ritual was over, Zoey and Stevie Rae met outside. "Oh my god, that was amazing. I mean did you feel that!?!?!" Stevie Rae looked at Zoey as if she were crazy. "Feel what Zoey?" Zoey stopped walking and stared at Stevie Rae. "The wind, fire, water, earth, and spirit. I felt them..." Stevie Rae squealed in delight. "ZOEY! Do you know what this means?!?!?!" Zoey snorted and shook her head. "Uh, no not exactly." Stevie Rae did a little dance and giggled. "I bet you have an affinity, for all FIVE of the elements!!!" Zoey gasped and stared at Stevie Rae. "No way..."

Magi came walking over to Zoey and Stevie Rae. "Merry meet, ladies..." he greeted with his musical voice.

Jack walked out of the temple, a black folder under his arm as he walked up, "So, how was your first ritual, Zoey?"

Before Zoey could open her mouth Stevie Rae blurted out. "We think Zoey has an affinity for the 5 elements!" She didn't say it loud just in a rush and enthusiastically. Zoey groaned and looked up at Jack and Nick. "You guys can't tell anyone. Because if its not true I'll feel stupid for feeling, well, what I felt." Her eyes were pleading with her friends. They had been so nice to her so far, hopefully that wouldn't change.

Magi smiled gently at Zoey. "Zoey...I'll keep this secret...no worries from here..."

Xirena appeared as if from no where. "That is a rare gift," she said with a smile at Zoey. "But no fear, I will not tell a soul. It is yours to share or not." Xirena glanced at Magi for a moment. He was older, after all. "Is it possible?" Her voice had taken on an airy quality after the ritual, quite and barely heard.

Jack had taken up rifling through the papers in his folder, he spoke without looking up, disregarding exactly who Xirena was asking, "Sure is possible, I'd imagine. I mean, all of us here have some sort of affinity, so, I suppose, why wouldn't it be possible for someone to just...pick up an affinity for all five of the elements?" He looked up with a dumb grin on his face, looking first to Zoey, then to Xirena, then back to Zoey, "Oh, and by the way, no need to worry here. Usually, the only people I talk to after school hours seem to be the dead."

"What wording for you to use, Jack..." said Magi looking over at him. Looking back at Zoey, Stevie Rae, and Xirena. "He is correct, though...it is indeed possible to gain an affinity to all five of the elements....just as it is possible for the gifts which Jack and I have an affinity to...."(Yours and jacks affinity's are not odd...an affinity for all 5 elements IS very rare and has never happened before.) ((Okay Aina...))

Zoey sighed and looked up at Jack. "Can we go?" She said loud enough for only him to hear. Stevie Rae leaned closer and whispered into Zoey's ear. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for her to hear that. She can be rude like that, popping in when we're talking about something private." Zoey glanced over her shoulder at Stevie Rae and nodded. "I know, it's not your fault." Looking back up at Jack, Zoey's eyes softened slightly. "Please?" It really made her mad that Xirena had just popped up in a private conversation. The girl came off as slightly rude, but Zoey would hide her frustration and anger until her and Stevie Rae were alone in there room later tonight.

Magi looked between Jack and Zoey, noticing how Zoey's eyes softened. "As I said before...all will be kept locked in secret..."

Jack nodded to Zoey, "Sure, we can head out," he said as he tucked some papers back into his folder and put it back under his arm, "Let's go."

Zoey linked her arm through Jack's as the walked towards the Gym. The Rec Room was attached to it. Sighing she rolled her shoulders slightly and groaned. "I feel...open. Like an open book. I didn't want Xirena knowing. I don't know her well. I talked to her, once. And then she took me to the ritual. But that was it. I'm not comfortable with her knowing." Running a hand through her hair long thick hair she sighed gently. "Like I said, I don't want to be wrong about this and everyone find out and think I'm just out for attention or something."

Jack looked to the stars again and gave a light sigh, "Such a beautiful night. You know, Zoey, there's nothing to worry about here. We're all marked; We're all different. You do have to remember, you've been here all of what? Two days? Stevie Rae, Magi and myself already know, so why do you worry so much?" He still had his eyes trained on the sky as he walked in stride with Zoey.

"I had it rough when I was human. I was the worst child possible to my mom and step dad. At least in there eyes. I could never do anything right because I wasn't one of his little, drones. After my mother married him everything change. The only people who I ever really talked to were my grandmother, my best friend, Sarah, and my ex, Thomas." Zoey's hand tightened on Jacks arm. "I haven't thought about them since I got here, is that normal?"

A slight chuckle came from Jack as he listened to Zoey, "Yes, Zoey. That does become normal around here. You don't worry about your past, your life as a human, here. Everything here tends to become...more than your old life? Not that everything from your life as just a human goes away completely, but you learn a new respect for everything that goes on around here. You really start to see things differently." He smiled, looking down at Zoey now, sensing the insecurity in her grasp, he slowed his pace to a stop, where he grabbed the folder from under his arm and tossed it on the ground before wrapping his free arm around her, trying to comfort her.

Zoey gasped slightly but laid her head on Jack's chest and closed her eyes. "Your a really nice guy. Thank you, for everything." Inhaling deeply her body slowly began to relax. Jack could easily become someone Zoey found herself close to. He was already able to comfort her and a great listener. The kid definitely had points towards him.

"Heh, you really seemed like you could use it. You've been tense all day, and it's just been getting worse. I know it's a big change, but you'll get used to it here. You just need to have your friends. It looks like you and Stevie Rae are getting that way. You'll be fine in no time," Jack said as he slowly let go, taking up the position he previously had and stooping down to grab his folder, "And...you're welcome...for everything."

Smiling softly, Zoey continued to walk by his side. They came to the entrance to the Rec Room, and there was a Fledgling at the entrance that Zoey had never seen before. "Merry Meet." He said and drew the pentagram on her forehead. She waited for him to do the same thing to Jack and they walked inside together. "So, since your going to be reciting the poetry, I'm on my own. Aren't I?" Zoey glanced around and frowned. Where is Magi?


Jack smiled and nodded, "Yeah, looks like you're on your own, kid." He said as he flipped his folder back out and cracked it open, "But I'll definatly catch up with you afterwards, unless you had other plans..."

---

Naylinn walked out of the area where the ritual had taken place. She looked over seeing the group that was talking, knowing that they were most likely in a private conversation. She hadn't really found a group of friends like they seemed to be, having already draw the newest girl, Zoey, into their group. She walked a ways away, pulling out her sketch book, sketching the one thing she dreamed of having...friends.

Stevie Rae excused herself from the group and bounced over to Naylinn. "Hey, your in my sketching class right?" Stevie Rae's tone was soft yet friendly. She noticed that Naylinn was always secluded from everyone else, maybe she could weasel her into joining their crazy group of friend.

Naylinn looked up from her journal and her sketch, surprised that anyone had said anything really to her. Stevie Rae was able to see the start of a sketch of Zoey and Stevie Rae talking and smiling with the others around them. "Hi..." she said softly. "Yes.....I am...."

"I was wondering if you could help me with our assignment. I think mine's missing a little...something." Sadly, the assignment had been interactions, whether it be between people, cats, a tree and a bush, whatever. She had chosen people as well, but it was of Zoey and Jack, and then another of Zoey and Magi. Stevie Rae had hopes for Zoey and one of those two boys. She smiled softly and sat down beside the girl. "By the way, I'm Stevie Rae." Pointing to the sketch the girl was doing she grinned. "And that is Zoey Redbird. I think you two would get a long great."

"I'm Naylinn..." Naylinn started softly. "Naylinn Pyre...I..I would be glad to help you out....I've been working on a few sketches for the assignment...." She showed Stevie Rae the sketch she had been working on of the whole group with the concentration on Stevie Rae and Zoey. Then she showed one of Xander and Pol in the dining hall, and then all sorts of other groupings from the dining hall.

Nodding her head, Stevie Rae pulled out her sketch pad and flipped to the starting of her pictures. "There's 3 or 4 of both, different angles, expressions. But I don't feel as if any of them are popping with anything. I mean it could be because there not close enough friends yet and Im not getting a, I'm by your side, or anything. I dunno, I just cannot figure it out."

"That would...be a thought...I dont' know that Xander and Pol just met because I was there....but they had a common goal of working on some homework...and your group...I know that Zoey is new...but your group is already so close in appearance that... it just works out.... with your sketches you need to just sit back and relax, and observe...like....like I do...I'm liking these two of Zoey with the two different guys...are these their expressions at the time those moments happened? I find that the magic in the sketch is in the timing...like a camera, freezing a moment in time...." Naylinn said softly, looking over Stevie Rae's sketches.

Polgara stood off to the side, her brown hair falling into her eyes. She still wasn't sure how she felt about these rituals, having grown up a Christian and believing in God and all. But she had to admit, there was some sort of power in them, she just wondered--and sometimes worried---what exactly that power was.

Stevie Rae nodded her head. "I drew this one when Zoey and Jack first met. Zoey doesn't know that I did it so don't tell her. But I mean, she's a bit shy and timid in it yet still willing to reach out and make a friend." Stevie Rae sighed gently and shook her head. "They would make such a cute couple."

Naylinn nodded. "They do...as does she with him..." she said softly pointing at the one with Magi.

Icene walked away from where the ritual had taken place strange such traditions are he thought to himself. It had always left a bad taste in his mouth, though he figured with time this would pass. He saw Naylinn and Stevie Rae, contemplating wether or not to walk up and talk to them.

---

"And we meet again" Xander suddenly showed up next to Polgara. "Are you stalking me or something?" he asked with a playful smile. "Are you ok? You look a bit... not so ok" he watched her.

Polgara looked up, pulling herself out of her thoughts, "Yeah, I'm alright, just thinking." She looked at Xander for a few moments then seemed to make up her mind about something, "Xander, what do you think of all this?" she waved vaguely at the surrounding area, "Did you ever think before you came here about gods and faith?"

"Hmm" Xander glanced around, looking thoughtful. "My family is kinda Christian, but I've never really been religious. I'm still not. Even though compared to going to church every sunday, those rituals are a lot more fun. Though, I might just be very easy to impress" he smiled. "Is that what you were thinking about right now? Gods and faith?"

Pol nodded, "I've been Christian all my life," she said, "Most everything I encounter here challenges my faith. But you know what?" she looked back at him, "My faith is stronger than ever."

"That's pretty impressive then" Xander kept smiling. "I can totally see how it must be weird for you to be here. You must be a strong person. I'd probably be freaking out... well, I did freak out" he chuckeled low.

Pol gave him what might almost have been a smile, "The only thing I have to wonder about, is does this have any affect on Salvation?" she said, touching her fingers to her Mark. She shook her head, "Anyways, where are you off to next?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Don't think so hard about it. The Bible probably says we should go to hell, no offense, but the Bible was written by people, and it is not people who should tell you what to do. You do what you think is right, and if God has a problem with it, he'll tell you" Xander shrugged lightly and grinned. "You see why I got kicked out of sunday school now?" he started walking slowly. "I hadn't really made any plans. Wanna hang out?"

"Umm, sure." Pol stopped herself from continuing with the conversation, she loved to discuss things like philosophy and theology, but she realized that Xander may not necessarily, "I do have some homework to get done, but I have time."

---

Xirena fell back as Zoey and Stevie Rae pulled ahead. Of course, both girls seemed to shoot her looks that she could read easily despite them not doing it conciously. She frowned and let her hair fall into her face as she turned away from the rest. It was obvious when she was unwanted. And it was usually other females who made that clear.

"Xirena..." came Magi's voice. "Where are you going?" His musical voice soothing.

Xirena paused and looked back at Magi. "I am...not sure as of yet." She glanced towards where everyone else was disappearing and stood her ground, waiting for Magi. "Very few people seem to care for my continued presence."

Magi placed a hand on her shoulder. "Relax... all will be fine... now why don't you join me for a bit.... I must prepare my instruments and music...if you would like to listen..."

"I would love to," Xirena said with little hesitation. Music was something she loved as much as the winds. She spared him a smile, albeit a small, shy one.

Magi smiled charmingly. "This way, Xirena...I find that music can be healing in a way..."

Xirena walked with him, a smile on her face. "Music is soothing." She looked over at him. "You are lucky, to have such a wonderful gift." Xirena looked about the area and grinned that she was lucky enough to get to walk with Magi, the one person who could understand her love for music.

Magi brought out a guitar, and began to play a soft tone. Magi let the music wash over him, the notes flowing from the tips of his fingers.

Xirena closed her eyes and smiled, the music mellowing her greatly. She had a gift, yes, but it was nothing like what Magi could do. She suddenly just wanted to dance to it, listening to his soft tune.

The music stopped, slowly. Magi looked at her. "I see that you have enjoyed my music..."

"Immensely," Xirena said, opening her eyes again. "That was amazing." She looked up at Magi, reluctant to say anything about him leaving, even though she knew he would.

"I have some business that I need to take care up," Magi said softly, strapping his guitar to his back. "If you would like to meet up again, I will play for you some more..."

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