Inaba 3: Rose has a thing for rhyming with the story number.

October 1st, 2007
St. Luke’s Hospital
Duluth, MN

After how the last story ended I'm glad Rose is awake, please let her get some proper therapy to deal with what happened. Lia and Carrie are there for her. Aww, having to peel her attention from Lia to listen to the doctor. Rose going into panic mode again, at least this time she has friends by her side to stop her from hurting herself.

"Don’t worry Rose, you are safe. That man can’t harm you. He came to town and tried to see you, but we wouldn’t let him. There is an order out that prohibits him from setting foot within 100 yards of you. Additionally, we threatened a lawsuit over his carelessness in naming you like that on TV. He settled, rather than going to court. Fifty million dollars has been set aside for you, in an account that I am designated conservator over.” Carrie stated, as she held the quivering girl. She honestly loved this little one, and it heart to see her in such pain.

At least Steven's idiot father was made to pay for that stunt, naming a victim like that on live television, I would have had him arrested for endangering a minor. Diedrick's episode can cause that!?! And yes, mental health specialists, the sooner the better.

Poor Lia, going through a change like that, having her own grandmother have her Uncle Ricardo killed for being gay and a mutant, I can see why Lia ran away. That is a lot to deal with. Visiting hours are over, noooo! They are so cute together, don't separate them now when Rose needs Lia. Lia stuck by Rose's side the whole time, now that is commitment. A foot massage from Lia, nice.

“I’ve been struggling with something for a while, and I don’t know how to bring it up, so I’ll just say it. I love you. There I said it. I know I said I was confused the other day, but I’ve been thinking about it. I know that you said that you didn’t know if you were supposed to be a lesbian, or if you became bisexual because of your spirit. But I don’t care. I love you, and I hope that you love me. Please, will you be my girlfriend?”

Rose frowned slightly. “Oh Sweetie, I do love you. I love you very much. You are my first ever true friend. Well, not counting a certain spirit that is snoring in my head. But you have to know that I would be a HORRIBLE girlfriend. Between my Diedrick’s and her … influence, I’m not sure… no, I know I couldn’t be faithful. I’d have a panic attack, or I’d see a hot guy or girl, and I’d have a moment of weakness. And I’d cheat. I would break your heart, and my own. Because I know that I couldn’t stop myself.”

Gently, Rose sat upright and hugged Lia, wiping away a tear. “Sweetie, you are a wonderful girl, and you deserve so much better than me. I know that it’s scary and confusing for you, being attracted to a girl after being heterosexual before. But I’m too high maintenance, you need a nice uncomplicated girl that can love you, and be only with you.”

"In other words, a training girlfriend? Does she come with little wheels for when I learn to ride her?”

Oh shoot, I was hoping they could make it work. That last line by Lia though is priceless if a little bit full of innuendo.

“Listen, I don’t care. I know you. I know you struggle. I want to be by your side. I’m not going to demand what you can’t give. I know that you probably won’t be monogamous. I can deal with that. I just want to be the one that’s special to you. The one that you love.”

With a nod, Rose silently thought about it. “I suppose I can agree to that. You are special to me, and I will try to not break our hearts.”

"Does that mean…?”

"Yes. Liabella Navarro, I will be your girlfriend.” Rose hastily replied. “Besides, I’m used to cold things, so I don’t mind holding your hand.”

Horray, I was hoping they could work it out, they are too adorable together.

Lia kissed the top of Rose’s head and replied. “Well, I had my MID testing. With the magic bands Caribou gave me, I could finally keep from chewing on the equipment. It seems I’m an exemplar 2, and a manifestor and shifter 1, because of the stretchy nature of my extra tongues. They also did a test on my saliva. It’s a mild sedative if it gets into the blood stream.”

Interesting powers, her saliva could help a lot in deescalating fights that have gone too far. Acid vomit that can eat a hole through a floor, eep.

Now, where is Rose going for a run for today? Doing that to a church, guessing this has to do with a priest seeing some mutant woman with animal-based GSD/BIT. Father Theodore Andersen, and Caribou knows the group who did this, The Good Shepards, ugh, the name makes her dislike them even more.

Carrie having to deal with this, a bunch of bigots using the Bible to excuse their hatred.

“The Shepherds are at it again, apparently. They targeted the diocese because they have allowed several mutants with notable animal-like GSD to attend services and take communion. There was a threat phoned in to several local churches of various denominations about letting those like you or I attend services.”

Okay, these creeps should be arrested already. Hehe, Inaba's response to being called a minor deity. Uh oh, why did Carrie's mom call so much, what kind of emergency could it be, please not a family member dying.

A delivery for Rose, Chinese takeout, all paid up, Carrie ordered before she left, Exemplar hearing must be nice for picking up even whispers.

Having enjoyed her dinner, Rose cracked open her cookie and read the fortune. “The green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm. -Confuscious”

"I knew him, rather nice guy. A bit of a conversation hog though.” Inaba chimed in.

Just how many famous people has Inaba known throughout her existence? Ah, so this is around the time Tigakilik was on his way up towards Whateley Academy, glad Carrie can be there for her Grandma and Mom. Good, knowing your limits is an important part of dealing with trauma, glad Rose knows hers right now.

Going for a job and ending up at the Navarro's house before she even realizes it.

Lia’s mother laughed and waved her over. “Come on in, little one. Lia will be happy to see you, and you would be happy to see her, I imagine.”

I think Lia's mom already knows more about her daughter's relationship than she is letting on. Ah, Lia told her parents about Rose, yay.

"Lia told me that she asked you to be her girlfriend, and that you accepted. I am of mixed feelings about this, Conejita. On the one hand, It is good to see her smiling and happy again. But I worry about her. I know about your- what is it again?- Diedrick’s. I don’t want to see her hurt.”

Rose shrunk back, if she could have hidden in the couch cushions, she likely would have. “Trust me, I don’t want to hurt her either. When she asked me, I was happy… But, I told her I’d be a terrible girlfriend. She understood. And I will do everything to keep from making her sad. I know she acts tough, but she’s fragile right now.”

Isobel kissed the girl on the forehead and smiled. “I trust you. You are a good girl at heart.”

Standing up, Isobel called out to her daughter. “Lia, your girlfriend needs some cuddles. Get in here!”

Bwahaha, the perfect mix of concerned mother and embarrassing mother. Being feed grapefruit by Lia, adorableness overload nearing. I think I got the implied message of what Mrs. Navarro said to Lisa, no wonder she blushed so hard.

Aww, wanting their first time together to be done right. Triple raspberry, never thought I'd read that in a sentence. Lia is going to be drawing attention in that outfit. The difference between an Exemplar 3 and 2, even taking it easy on her Lia is in that shape after a run. Licking to wake up Rose, silly Lia.

"Did you know that when you relax, you twitch your nose like a bunny?”

"I do no… wait. Damn it, Inaba!” Feeling self-conscious, rose covered her face with her hands.”

Aww, but it is adorable and your girlfriend likes it. A church dance on a Saturday, please don't let one of the people there be with The Good Shepards. Making dresses for their date, Rose sure has talent to do that in such a short amount of time. And news of the blizzard that Tigakilik caused reported on, hope Rose still goes to Whateley.

Meanwhile…
Whateley Academy
Crystal Hall
October 9th.

Ashleigh Amanda Hedgeworth, mention of hold-outs including sewing needles, pocket knife, thumbtack, this is the psycho girl from the last story and it sounds like she is a living voodoo doll with regeneration, able to inflict injuries on others that she does to herself. Mrs. Carson should keep a very close eye on someone with power like that. And she torments the Richmond twins, Tori and Ashley, whom she knew before they manifested. Ashleigh is more messed up than I thought, wanting her own brother to look at her like that, she is in desperate need of counseling.

Pin Cushion, appropriate codename. Messing with Downtrodden like this, she needs to be locked up. He hits her with a wave of exhaustion but she fights it off, Regen 5 and other powers like PC, a sadist who should have her powers blocked until she learns some empathy for her fellow humans. Tori and James know it is Ashleigh behind the attack, thinking her father sent her after them because he couldn't steal a company from them, now that is petty.

This time the one to smirk was Tori, as she responded to Pin Cushion. “Oh, I see. Your Daddy couldn’t buy out Richmond Industries out from under my family, and we are supposed to believe he had nothing to do with the car accident that killed our parents… and nearly killed us?”

Starting to see where Ashleigh gets it from, her father is a monster. Tiffany Cobb, planning to make her a minion, Ashleigh, you might just regret this.

October 13th, 2007
Glensheen Manor
Duluth, MN

Oh good, Charlie Lodgeman contacted Carrie about Tigakilik having been dealt with and is home. Rose is going to have Lia dazzled with how she is made up. *jaw drops* She made that dress for herself and one for Lia in less than a week, dang. And a goth version of the outfit for Lia, whoa. Those bracelets Lia got from her Uncle Ricardo, they are enchanted, aren't they. Mithril, no wonder Rose was staring, hard for most with magical power not to.

With a laugh, Carrie nodded. “Yes, exactly like in Lord of the Rings. It was often speculated that Tolkein ‘borrowed’ some of the stories and legends of the sidhe courts and the battles they fought in ancient times. Furthermore some scholars point at the inclusion of Beorn and his people to the court physician of the Daughter of the Burning Oak as the source of the information. At least that’s what my mentor, Charles Lodgeman, assumed.”

So in the Whateley Universe, the Lord of the Rings has some pieces of tales of the past in it, interesting.

“Well, I haven’t priced any recently, but I would speculate that one of those bracelets could sell for at least one hundred, maybe one hundred fifty thousand dollars.” Noticing the nervous look on the girl’s face, smiled. “Of course, I know how much those mean to you, and that you would never sell them. Take them with you when you go to Whateley. There should be someone in the Mystic Arts department that can permanently bind a sleeping spell into them, so that you can permanently solve your hungry hand issue.”

A solution to her hungry hand issue, hooray. Oh good, as long as the Good Shepards don't ruin this dance everything should be okay.

Fun in the sun dance, hehehe. Rose is uncomfortable with all the attention, Lia knows just the right thing to say. I can understand all the other rules, but no kissing with a bunch of teens involved, now that is too strict imo. I wonder how many other obvious GSD mutants live in the area.

Lia emitted a squeal and pressed closer to Rose. “I love this song!” she exclaimed excitedly, as My heart will go on started to play. Leaning against her girlfriend, Rose quietly laughed. “If word of that gets out, your reputations as an edgy, dark goth or as a tough kick-ass girl will surely take fatal hits.”

Lia growled cutely “Shut up.”

Everyone has things they like that don't fit the "image" they present.

The Good Shepards attacked the church during a dance for teens, and wear black hooded robes, bunch of cowards needs a harsh lesson. Going to help who they can and pull people to safety, I hope no one is dead already.

A shout carried over the confusion and noise. “We were informed that the inhuman scum had violated this sanctuary of God, desecrating it and rendering it impure! You lowly beasts shall die, for the bible says that you are amoral sinners, and any human that engages with you must also be put to death!”

Hiding behind the Bible to try and excuse your murderous hatred, this group should all be locked up as domestic terrorists.

They ticked off the wrong girl, Lia is giving them a beating they won't forget soon. Crud, the structural beams took that bad a hit, the whole church is going to have to be rebuilt, not to mention any lives lost to these bigots.

Father Andersen looked up at the girl whose fancy dress was ripped and covered in plaster dust. “Nonsense, my child. Nothing here is your fault. God loves all his children, and if these hate-mongers use his words and attack his house, the fault lies solely on them” he responded kindly.

He is the kind of Christian we need more of in the world.

Lia is surrounded and a girl who is going to bleed out if she doesn't get a tourniquet and soon. A girl whose only GSD gives her wool-like hair and floppy ears, so glad Lia's tongues can stretch like that and are strong enough to pull the girl to the nuns. After what these attackers did and intend to do I have no pity for them losing eyes, fingers, or noses to Lia. Time to get the heck out of the collapsing building! Caribou and Transistor there and helping out, Caribou facing down the bigots while Rose and Lia continue to work on evac.

First Responders help Transistor to put out the fire, but the building won't last much longer. Caribou dragging the cultists out, Lia helping Father Andersen and the nuns. Oh thank you, no fatalities even though people have to go to the hospital, this could have been a lot worse. Everyone out safely before the church finally collapses, the Good Shepards have a lot to answer for.

However, when they entered the mansion Carrie looked at Rose and frowned. "You're stronger and more agile than Lia; you could have fought the intruders and left it to Lia and the chaperones to get everyone out! Tell me, what were you thinking?"

Lia shook her head and interrupted. "With all due respect, yes, she is stronger and faster than I am, Which is why she did the right thing. She can carry more people at once, and do it faster than I can. Additionally, while you may have given her some training in how to defend herself, I've had much more training on the streets... and I'm nastier, to boot!" With that Lia held up her hands, her palms red with blood, and her left hand still chewing something.

Caribou sighed, and then laughed. "Sensei Ito is going to love you."

You got that right, in a life and death fight you don't play nice, you use every trick in the book, fight dirty and vicious to get yourself and others out alive.

Carrie taking Rose and Lia's statements, good not to have to deal with the police directly right now after such an incident. Lia comforting Rose, having to get her out of her ruined dress [it was so pretty!] and into the shower, Lia has an incredible amount of restraint to shower Rose and hold herself back. Just laying on the bed and holding each other, they need this right now.

October 14th, 2007
Glensheen Manor
Duluth, MN

Hehehe, Rose using her tail and whiskers to tickle Lia like that. Ooo, it sounds like Lia was naughty with her tongues, these girls are going to overstimulate themselves at this rate.

The same time
St. Luke’s Hospital
Duluth, MN

Caribou at the hospital, several people from the church in critical condition, including the cute lamb girl Lia helped to save, she had been those creeps main target.

Shaking her head, Caribou sighed. “Sadly no, they were out of the country on a sort of second honeymoon, and have not been reachable. I tracked down an uncle, who will be flying up from Rochester, but that will be a few hours.” With a sigh, she hung her head. “Honestly Paul, I just don’t know. These Shepherds are dangerous, but trying to track them is the proverbial needle in the haystack.”

I hope they find the Shepherds' main HQ and take them down before they end up killing a lot of people. And concern for Rose, so that is why Carrie is giving her space and time with Lia right now.

Back at Glensheen Manor

Inaba pulling Rose into her Dreamscape for a chat.

“I am sorry to drag you here. You are suffering, and it’s not your fault. These people are evil. Don’t let them get to you. You are a gentle, kind soul that has a lot to give. Don’t let them tear you down because you don’t fit their narrow, bigoted ideal of ‘perfection’, you are beautiful inside and out, and don’t let anyone say otherwise.”

More people need to hear this message, Rose right now especially. Meek, like a flight response, due to Inaba's influence, aww. Both girls are in outfits that make the other blush, yet having a sparring match. An hour and a half sparing match and showering together, and talk of getting over her hesitance to fight, she will need it when they get to Whateley.

A game of hide and seek on the grounds, a fun way to train. And a fundraiser for the church, please have the heroes nearby in case of another attack, I wouldn't put it past the Good Shepherds to attack again.

October 26th, 2007
Site of the former Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral
Duluth, MN

Isobel walking around the event, Rose and Lia had put together the charity event and it looks like a success.

People and businesses from all over the city had donated money, time, effort, and services. The Coast Guard had brought some of their helicopters down for people to look at, and they offered rides for donations. Off-duty police officers were providing security, free of charge.[/quoe] Glad to see the community pull together against bigotry. Carrie is there and she shed her antlers yesterday, growing back that quickly I wonder if she has ever donated any of her shed antlers to a museum or scientific organization to study.

Aww, one of the downsides of high regen, no wearing earrings. An event happened without the bigots attacking, glad they stayed away thanks to the Coast Guard and security. Rose and Lia's speech on the history of bigotry really hits home. Whooo, go Lia! Cat Stevens Peace Train, epic. Followed by Rose singing Imagine by John Lennon, then Rose and Lia singing Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, so many great songs. And that last speech by Lia, just perfect.

"Thank you Mami, Rose and I talked about it, and there was no reason to hide who and what we are. I’m still struggling a little. The change in my sexual orientation scares me still on occasion… but if I had stayed straight, I would have still probably been out there slutting around.” As she finished speaking, Lia cast her gaze towards the ground. Her mother hugged her again, and rubbed her back gently.

Learn from your past, but don't let it hold you back, embrace change and live for the present to see the future.

Carrie had to pick up Rose to take her partway to the SUV, all this simulation gave her more energy than a dozen cups of coffee it seems. Rose that wired and going out onto the edge of the property to moon bath laying on a blanket, this fundraiser sure has her spirits high.

She fell asleep outside and comes in to Carrie asking her questions, oh boy.

“Last night Inaba wanted to moonbathe, and It was so quiet and peaceful, I guess I fell asleep out there.”

Carrie nodded in understanding. Rose’s spirit had a connection to the Moon, and last night it was at its fullest. So that made sense.

She is a rabbit of the moon, hehe. Uh oh, no one better call her Usagi at Whateley. Their mansion has some strange rumors around it. Pretending she didn't hear Lia coming from far away, silly bunny. Only able to see brown and beige on the trees, ouch, forgot about her partially color blindness.

Frowning, Lia rubbed her girlfriend’s back softly. Rose’s ears perked up, and she smiled. “Of course, since I see blues more vividly, the color of your eyes is radiant.”

She turned and kissed Lia’s cheek softly. “I suppose we should start training.” Lia stated, trying to stop her blushing.

Adorableness overload reached, temporary shutdown.

Sparing turning into kissing, hope they don't get paired up in Sensei Ito's class. Halloween costumes, now these should be good. Anime bunny girl outfit like that, Rose, are you trying to make your girlfriend not want to wait any longer?

"You know, if Carrie weren’t downstairs, I would take you right here and now. You are such a sexy playboy bunny” Lia exclaimed in a husky voice.

Rose laughed before calling out in a loud voice. “Carrie! Lia wants to pounce me and steal my virtue!”

From downstairs the pair heard a loud laugh, followed by the reply. “What virtue? Lia’s mom and I aren’t stupid, you know…”

Both girls blushed and gulped uneasily, both fighting the temptation of the implied permission of Carrie's statement. Rose quickly scampered back into the bathroom to change back into her prior outfit.

Bwahaha, I should have known they hadn't been waiting for any longer after sleeping by each other the night the attack happened and what was implied.

Later that day, At Whateley Academy

Pin Cushion almost had Tiffany Cobbs as a minion, before she picked on the wrong people and Raptor intervened. D'oh! Planning on forming her own team to deal with her enemies, is bad. I need to pay better attention to last names, Steven is her brother, I'm going to be sick. And getting some of the nastier students to help her, is going to end badly.

October 31st, 2007
Glensheen Manor.
Duluth, MN

And Lia's costume is amazing as well, Rose should go into costuming class at Whateley and train to be a professional clothing designer. The mansion decked out for a charity haunted house event, have people monitor each room or something might get stolen or broken. Carried dressed like Rudolph, those poor young men who see her tonight. Darn it! I knew some emergency would break out and the girls would be stuck watching the guests at the mansion. Huh, that was easy, got them to leave in an orderly manner in 10 minutes, was sure there would be a bit more trouble.

“… to you live from Bayfront Park, As you can see behind me, the rescue attempts continue at the site of the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. Approximately an hour ago, a series of explosions rocked the structure. The resulting instability caused the lift bridge section to collapse, taking an as yet unknown number of vehicles with it down into the harbor. The Duluth Superiors and rapid responders from the Duluth Fire, Medical and Police departments are on scene. I’m told that the governor has authorized the National Guard to deploy, and that the Thunder Bay Voyageurs are flying down to provide assistance.

Who would do such a thing, to endanger or cost the lives of innocent bystanders like that is sickening. The bridge falling into the bay, Rose worried for Carrie and Miguel, and now a tremor at the house.

Steven! Don't tell he caused the bridge incident just to get Carrie away so he could attack Rose, if so he deserves the death penalty at this point imo. And trying to be menacing, this creep needs a harsh lesson past tense.

Floating there, he looked at the girls. “So the bitch has a friend. You destroyed my life! You did this to me. You caused me to be disowned by my family. I lost it all! My money, my future, all of it!” he snarled, his voice sounding maniacally angry and unhinged.

Clenching her fists tight enough that her nails drew blood, Rose screamed back at him. “You used telepathy to trick me into sleeping with you!”

Steven glared. “I thought you were an adult, you little whore! Pretending to be a grown-up.”

Lia stepped in front of Rose, her arm holding her lover back. “Even if she had been an adult, mental coercion is still rape! You puta madre!”

He is mentally unhinged, thinking that just because he thought she was an adult mental coercion is okay, he needs to be stripped of his powers somehow.

Crud, Steven grabs Lia by the neck, a kick to the jaw from Rose does little, they need help and fast. Eww, having to bite off a piece of his arm and Steven is already starting to heal. Dang, all those awesome martial arts by Rose and Steven just gets up from a dent in the cement left when he was thrown into it. I knew it! He caused the damage at the bridge just to get Caribou away, a completely amoral nutcase. At least the girls ran while they could, thinking he can find them no matter what, Steven, I hope you get taught a harsh lesson today.

The words his father had often repeated to him now came to mind. "Never reveal everything you have, always keep assets hidden to surprise your opponent” Now his father had been talking about business, but he had always kept that saying in mind. All his time at that damned school, he bided his time. He could have easily been the strongest person on campus, but it had been more prudent to underplay the scope of his powers.

One bet Mrs. Carson knew he was doing this and had plans to force him into revealing the true extent of his powers.

I hope the denser, wood area gives them enough cover to hold out against Steven. He wrecked a bridge to attack them, sending Rose into a creek, and Lia dangling by one of her tongues from bridge debris.

Not too far away, minutes later…

Rose in bad shape, bleeding, broken glasses, dislocated right arm. After limping off to recover and regretting leaving Lia behind, Steven better not harm or kill Lia, or his fate is sealed.

Lia thinks Rose is going for help, but what can the police do to Steven and the bridge disaster has all the heroes busy. Faking being unconscious to lure in Steven, she ambushes him, attacks and tears up his face, but is slammed into the bridge support columns, goes unconscious, and falls into the small creek, this is extremely bad.

Heading towards the elementary school, Rose hopes to set off an alarm to get any police not at the bridge to come. Oh cr*p, Rose goes unconscious and wakes up to a man standing over her and Steven holding Lia's unconscious form by one arm. Who is this man who has come to their aid? At least Rose caught Lia.

He had on a flannel shirt, and with the black bushy beard and eyebrows, he looked every bit a burly lumberjack.

"Mister, be careful. He’s a high powered exemplar and has psychic powers.” Rose called out.

The burly man laughed. “I’ve taken on strong people all my life, I’m used to young upstarts that think they are God’s gift.”

This guy seems very familiar. A warper who can grow to fifty feet tall, whoa.

Rose peered from behind her giant protector. “I may be a slut, but you used your telepathy to push me into having sex with you. That makes you a rapist.”

The tall man glared and licked his lips. "Boy, you just lost the right to have me go easy on you!"

I'm liking this guy more and more.

Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, didn't see that coming. The big guy is curb-stomping Steven and gives him a chance to surrender, only for Steven to break free and attack the Big guy. Steven just keeps digging himself in deeper and deeper.

“At last, I get to take care of you. Once and for all. All that you put me through, my future wasted. Father will never give me the company I deserve. Nobody will respect me ever again. And it’s all your fault!” he screamed, his tone and words making it clear that whatever tenuous grasp he'd had on reality had come undone.

Rose looked up at the boy who violated and saw how things were. She smirked at him and laughed. “That’s a lot of bull!”

"You dare? You dare deny the truth?” The mad man screamed.

"No, I meant that’s a lot of bull behind you.” Rose snickered.

Steven was too far gone with no grip on reality, being tore in half by a giant blue ox is a fitting end to him.

Waking up in pain once more with Carrie, Miguel, and others around her, Rose is told Lia is going to be okay. 26 people died just as a diversion so he could attack them, he deserved death.

“You have nothing to feel sorry for. That asshole was a rapist and a murderer, and fate seems to have chosen karmic justice for him.”

Got that right, if Babe hadn't done the job Steven would have been given the death penalty. Rose describing who rescued them.

Silently, Carrie glanced over at Miguel and mouthed “it can’t be him.”

Don't tell me, it is a former teammate of theirs who disappeared a while ago.

November 1st, 2007
Hedgeworth Manor
Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Steven Hedgeworth Senior married an Exemplar, figures. Whoa, what is with her left eye?

"He was a rather big disappointment. I had planned on him being my successor after I retired. Ashleigh is too… unstable, we will have to groom one of the twins to take on the responsibility.”

"What about the girl? The one that caused Steven to… stray from the path?” Mrs. Hedgeworth asked, purring in her husband’s ear.

"Oh, don’t worry Genevieve. A little bird told me that her guardian has enrolled her at Whateley, to begin the new year. If our daughter learns of this, I highly doubt she’ll escape the school unscathed.”

The whole family is messed up.

That same day,
Whateley Academy
Mellville Cottage

Ashleigh reacting like that to Steven's death, at this rate she is going to need to be locked up in the ARC facility or someplace where her powers can be suppressed.

I'm so happy Rose is starting to heal, even just a little, with the help of Carrie, Lia, and every one good in her life. Seeing her in such pain after what Steven did, I really wanted him gone. The fact he would kill so many and endanger others just so he could attack Rose nearly made me vomit. As Carrie said, Steven met a karmic end.

I am happy for the times Rose and Lia got to spend together, the good people they got to meet including Father Andersen, them officially dating and Lia coming out, that took a lot of courage. I can't wait to see more of Rose and Lia together.

The Good Shepherds, I will never understand the twisted logic people have to take a line in the Bible and stretch as far as possible and then some to try and excuse their bigotry and hatred. I hope in future stories they are rooted out. The attack on the church, I had to take a break for a few minutes to mentally deal with it after the scene, meaning it was well written and shows the scary and truly ugly side of bigotry.

Steven, after seeing his sister Ashleigh and how his father and mother interact when not in public, I see how he could become so unhinged, believing he has the right to do whatever he wants with his "gifts". That left eye of his mother, I hope it doesn't point to some deal with dark forces.

And was that Paul Bunyan and Babe, will we see more of them in the future?

This was a great story from start to finish and I can't wait for the next entry.