Session 1: The Beginning

A tall blonde boy scratches his already ruffled hair, looking around the apartment. He immediately rushes for the room closest to the kitchen. "Dibs!"

With his bag slung carelessly on the bed to mark his "territory", he returns to the common room.

"So you think we're really un-monitored?" he asks. "Or is it just a big test to see if they can trust us?"

Liberty City. Of course, she'd heard of it, her old man had gone to college here after all. Still, Alice wasn't really ready for the dreary New England fog, or the historical buildings that seemed to characterize the downtown area. This was a place that was proud of their contributions to the country's history, sure ... but to Alice's way of thinking it felt crystallized, stuck in place. She gave her father a look, but if he was aware of her misgivings, beyond the haze of nostalgia he was enjoying, she couldn't pick up on it from the outside of his head. Alice stuffed her hands in her pockets.

Remember, this is an opportunity, don't dismiss it because you don't agree with the aesthetic... she thought, standing straight and listening to Mr. Harris's introductions. She smiled brightly, made eye contact, and shook hands where she could, making particular note of the ones who could pick the routine out as a practiced and rehearsed ritual. Her eye lingered on Rene Sims in particular, noting the comms manager as the person most likely to know anything.

At the uniform, however, Alice lit up with some genuine excitement. She pulled and stretched the material as she pulled it out of the bag. She pulled it on and considered herself in the mirror, bending and turning and looking at the way the material didn't bunch or distort the pattern. The first thing she did was toss off the big gloves and sit on a bench, pulling out a notebook and beginning to make notes. She didn't touch the colors, wanting to keep the uniform's ability to harmonize with the rest of the team. She leaned into the gray more for the main suit, instead using accessories to break up the black lines. Thigh-high boots with flat soles, the sketch including a little design regarding the back of the knee so that she would be able to move the way she wanted to. A belt, just loose enough to sit at a jaunty angle along her hip, rather than holding anything up. An open bolero (not a cropped jacket, she would insist -- she didn't want to break up her body line that much) with long sleeves and short wrist-length gloves. The high gray collar needed a little something, she thought, so she added a choker to the top with a clasp that looked like a heart with a lightning bolt shaped fracture down the center. She made some notes, one to repeat the broken heart on the back of the jacket, or an alternative with a school patch on one sleeve and the broken heart on the other sleeve. At the end, she pulled three pages of rapid-fire sketches out of her book and folded them once before turning them in for consideration by the staff.

---

"Ha! There's no way we're unmonitored." Alice said with genuine mirth, "A bunch of empowered teens set loose on an unsuspecting city? Unless they had a precognitive who could rubber stamp the whole affair, they'd have to be crazy to take on the liability." she answered Ronan's question candidly, pulling a folding utility cart behind her and balancing a duffle bag over one shoulder.

"The important thing is that they want us to act naturally so they can gauge how we are 'in the wild'. As long as we don't kill each other or blow something up big enough to require intervention, any surveillance is likely to go uncommented on ... to us, anyway." she clarified with a shrug, picking a room as close to one of the exterior walls as she could manage and tossing her stuff inside to be unpacked when the sun went down. Dusting her hands off a bit, she added. "If you like, I can give the place a once over, see if I can find any conventional bugs ... but Ms. Hayakawa's presence suggests they can tap alumni for this kind of thing."

"So...they're letting us furnish the place. How do you guys feel about bean bag chairs? Super comfy and unconventional, or butt-swallowing death traps marketed as furniture?"

(edit: Accidentally pivoted from third person to first partway through)

Harper found herself well outside her comfort zone. The towering buildings, constant traffic, and endless crowds of the city couldn't have been more different from the quiet little Midwestern town she'd always called home. Back there, everyone knew everyone else. Here, she felt like just another face in an ocean of strangers. She stayed mostly quiet, taking everything in with wide, curious eyes as she tried to process the overwhelming sights and sounds.

That reserved demeanor, however, didn't last forever.

Once introductions began and people started talking to her, Harper's natural personality quickly bubbled to the surface. She greeted everyone with a bright smile, eagerly shaking hands and, whenever it felt appropriate, offering warm hugs without a second thought. Her excitement was genuine and infectious, making it obvious she wanted to make friends despite how intimidating her new surroundings were.

When she was handed the school's super suit, curiosity immediately got the better of her. She excused herself for only a moment before returning dressed in the unfamiliar uniform.

"...Wow."

She stretched her arms overhead, twisted at the waist, crouched, and even bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, testing the material. To her surprise, it fit perfectly. The fabric was incredibly comfortable—more like athletic wear than armor—and somehow complemented her usual style better than she'd expected.

"I could get used to this," she admitted with a grin.

The shopping trip reflected Harper's practical upbringing. While others might have been tempted by flashy electronics or expensive decorations, she focused almost entirely on necessities.

She picked up a modest collection of everyday clothes, enough to get by without overfilling her closet. For her room, she chose a simple futon, comfortable bedding, a couple of blankets, soft pillows, a beanbag chair, and a handful of inexpensive hanging lights to make the space feel a little warmer and more inviting.

Her grocery cart was equally practical. She stocked up on supplies for inexpensive meals she knew how to cook: bread, lunch meat, cheese, and peanut butter for sandwiches; several bulk boxes of macaroni and cheese; instant ramen; pasta, ground beef, tomato sauce, and a few spices to make one of her family's favorite comfort meals—goulash. She grabbed a few fruits and vegetables as well, wanting at least some fresh food mixed into her diet.

The only place Harper abandoned her frugal mindset was the bookstore.

She wandered through the shelves with visible excitement, eventually emerging with a sizeable stack of novels tucked under one arm. Epic fantasy, science fiction adventures, mystery novels—if it promised an interesting world to escape into, it found its way into her basket.

Once back at the apartment, Harper quietly began unpacking.

Away from curious eyes, she lifted a hand, and with barely a whisper, a small, fluffy white cloud appeared beside her.

The little cloud bobbed happily through the apartment, carrying grocery bags, floating stacks of books onto shelves, gently setting pillows on the futon, and transporting supplies wherever Harper silently pointed. Every so often it gave a tiny contented rumble as it drifted from room to room, almost proud to be helping.

Harper worked alongside her unusual companion in comfortable silence, content to let the others carry on their conversations while she kept herself busy. Every now and then she smiled at Nimbus as it floated past with another armful of belongings, the pair moving with an easy, practiced rhythm that suggested they'd already become inseparable.

The bus hissed to a stop outside Central Station, its doors folding open with a tired wheeze. A handful of passengers stepped off before a broad-shouldered teenager slung a well-worn duffel bag over one shoulder and climbed down onto the footpath.

Ethan Cross took a slow look around Liberty City, as he made his way to James Madison Academy.

The towering Art Deco buildings disappeared into the lingering fog, their polished stone and brass trim a world away from home. He adjusted the strap of his duffel without complaint. Flying had never really been an option, and asking his parents to drive halfway across the country would have meant money they simply didn’t have. A bus ticket had done the job just fine.

Dressed simply in athletic shorts, a faded charcoal T-shirt beneath an unzipped grey hoodie, and well-used trainers, Ethan looked more like a rugby player arriving for an away game than someone invited to a secret academy for super-powered teenagers.

He wasn’t late.

Just… last.

After a brief greeting from Mr. Harris and a quick introduction to the others, Ethan offered each of his new teammates a firm handshake and an easy smile. He wasn’t loud or particularly outgoing, but there was a quiet confidence about him that suggested he was comfortable in his own skin. Years of team sports had taught him how to read people before speaking, and for the first few minutes he simply listened, watching the group settle into its natural rhythm.

When the uniforms were handed out, Ethan’s attention sharpened.

He ran the unusual fabric between his fingers, stretching it experimentally before changing into it. The material moved like compression gear, light and flexible despite everything Mr. Harris had described.

"That’s… actually incredible,"he admitted, rolling one shoulder before giving the fabric a few experimental tugs.

Unlike some of the others, Ethan’s requested alterations were minimal.

"If changes are possible…" he said, looking over the design, "…I’d prefer short sleeves and three-quarter length shorts. Easier to move in."

Nothing flashy. Nothing designed to stand out. Just practical.

By the time the group reached the downtown apartment, Ethan let Ronan claim his room without argument, simply choosing whichever bedroom remained. He dropped his duffel beside the wall, took a quick look around the empty space, and nodded to himself.

"It’ll do."

Returning to the lounge room after neatly unpacking bags, Ethan took stock of the kitchen, quietly taking note of where everyone naturally gravitated.

A team, he thought, wasn’t built during training.

It started in moments like this.

"As Alice said, I’d be surprised if we were not being watched." His eyes scanning the room, "I am not fussed about furniture to much, as long as there is somewhere practical to sit. Lots of bookshelves and a well stocked kitchen, I like to cook."

As talk turned to shopping, Ethan already had a mental checklist forming.

His money would go toward things built to last rather than look impressive: a large, solid bed with a quality mattress, a sturdy desk, practical shelving, a comfortable chair for studying, and durable storage rather than decorations. If there was any personality to his room, it would come from what sat on the shelves rather than what hung on the walls.

The bookstore would likely consume more of his budget than anywhere else. Physics, biomechanics, engineering, anatomy, materials science—anything that might help him better understand the strange forces behind his own abilities found its way into his growing pile. Tucked in among the textbooks would be a surprisingly well-thumbed cookbook dedicated to refined cooking techniques. Not recipes full of shortcuts, but books explaining why food worked.

The grocery store followed the same philosophy.

Fresh vegetables. Chicken breasts. Lean beef. Fish. Eggs. Rice. Oats. Potatoes. Greek yogurt. Herbs and spices. Olive oil. Everything needed to prepare nutritious meals from scratch.

Though he would paused in front of the instant noodles for half a second before moving on with a faint grin.

"If I’m cooking for myself," he muttered, "I might as well do it properly."

Pushing his luck Ethan looked to improve his Laptop, grabbing a system well capable of handling the scientific work as well as specs worth of some gaming.

Ronan tags along to the grocery store just to have something to do. He stifles a yawn as he looks through whatever snacks he can. That's the biggest advantage of superpowers he muses, before he had to keep a very strict dietary regime to keep in shape, but now he can afford himself the occasional snack.

His curiosity is peaked though as he overhears the conversation with the cashier. Confidently he strides over to the two of them.

"Sorry. Couldn't help but overhear," he asks the cashier. "Just moved in here today. Something I need to be made aware of?"

Ethan steps forward, "You say some form of demon? Is there any local legends or folk stories relating to such things?" He asked of the group, turning his head to his companions he adds, "I noticed the section relating to religions, mythology, and occult had been emptied at the book store Harper and I visited. I thought it interesting, could be related."

After hearing the commotion about a possible demon, Harper's curiosity immediately gets the better of her. She listens intently, trying to piece together exactly what everyone is talking about before pulling out her phone.

She quickly searches the local news, social media, and other websites, looking for any reports of strange sightings, supernatural incidents, or anything mentioning a demon. If something unusual really happened, she figures someone nearby must have posted about it.

While searching, she also pulls up a map and looks for St. Mike's Church, checking its exact location and how far away it is from them.

Harper keeps scrolling through the results, her expression becoming increasingly focused as she tries to separate rumors and internet nonsense from anything that might actually be worth investigating.

"If we get close enough, I may be able to sense it," Ronan confides in his companions. "Never tried at long range. Usually I've had to be real close. But guess it would work if it is posing as human."

Ethan raises an eyebrow as he turns to Ronan, "Sense them? Your powers let you sense them, wow that is pretty cool. How would that work, do we just walk around the general area? Or find a high spot for greater coverage?" He asks with genuine curiosity. His eyes also dart to Harper, "Maybe so research on the sight spots may show a pattern, which could help us predict the next appearance, what do you think?"

It had been a long flight from his home country in south America to here, and Deone's head was spinning faster than it usually does, but to make matters worse, he had to introduce himself.

He doesn't do well with introducing himself.

When the old man greets him, and he sees the other kids he gulps audibly and says

" H-Hi, ya'll im Deone. Yeah."

Oh god he looked like an idiot, and to add insult to injury he had to sit there a couple minutes extra to wait on the last guy.

When Ethan Cross walks over and offers to shake his hand , Deone ackwardly refuses, hoping not to offend the very large guy he offers him a thumbs up instead.

After the campus tour, when presented with the uniform, he holds it up and gives it a lookover. He likes the way it cover him completely but doesn't really understand the "non neutonium" or whatever the old man was talking about, what he really likes, is the big gloves, these look like they would help him avoid any accidental draining.

During the shopping trip, he picks up a large pack of double a batteries, but doesn't bother buying anything else, he's too overwhelmed to think about furniture or groceries like the others.

Completely drained from the day, enter the insanely massive building with the others taking the room that no one else did he lazily puts his belongings inside, takes out a double A and a faint blu light shines from his hand and eyes as he drains it.

At Alice's suggestion he replies "Yeah i'm cool with beanbag chairs. I l-like how they engulf you." "And yeah, there are bugs in here, i can feel them, but we probably shouldn't trouble them.

Ronan shrugs. "It's all mystical mumbo jumbo. Don't know if anyone really understands how it really works."

He givbes Ethan's words a little thought. "Yeah, walking around aimlessly would be rather dumb. We have a few places with confirmed sightings. We could start there. Unless we should just inform the teachers. Maybe its a test, they either placed us here to see if we're responsible enough to call it in, or to see if we can deal with it ourselves."

Overhearing the the others's conversation, and remembering the salt everywhere on the neighbors house, Deone aproaches Ronan from behind and timidly asks As if it wasn't already crazy enough he was being enrolled in a super hero academy, and flown out miles away from home, now there are demons running around right where he's supposed to live? this day couldn't get crazier.

Ethan considered Roman’s point, maybe this was a test there was a correlation here. "That’s not a bad point, Ronan. We have a few hours of light left so shall we do some research, investigating and when we have something solid to report we do that."

Turning his eyes to Deone he smiles confidently, "I am sure there is a logical and scientific explanation to these occurrences, it maybe people over exaggerating or tricks with lights."

"Scientific explanation!?" Deone thought to himself, Ethan's words did NOT ease his worries, they were both standing next to a boy who claimed he could sense ghosts while both also possesing Superpowers themselves, if anything, science should be the last thing they should be thinking about

"We could always head to St. Mike's church. It is only a few blocks away. Talk to the priest there and see what they know." Harper suggest as she throws a few boxes of Kraft Mac and cheese in her cart.

Italic spoken text is usually muttering

Yiva had a long trip flying south to Liberty City, the grandeose nature of the city and the academy, with the History of heroes who had walked these halls before her, she seemed calm and refined throughout the tour, though she did obviously have in a set of conduction headphones.

She did seem to perk up when they were shown their training halls, those close to her would hear her muttering It has been a while since I could practice...I wonder if it can take ... probably they've built this place for more than a small blizzard

When presented with the uniform, she spoke with a thin Norwegian accent and said Oh I don't need any alterations. If its as comfortable and absorbs shock as well as as you say it does I can just replace my gambeson with this... though that would mean..and the gambeson would need to be torn out of the matrix...yeah I don't think I brought eno...oh and the runes need to be revised since it isn't plant based. Do you happen to know where I can buy some woad and wormwood?

When the tour finally ended, she introduced herself to the rest of the time. Just saying her name, and being pleasant with anyone that did try to talk with her. Eventually, she sat down on a bench close by and cracked open a notebook. Anyone who looks at what she is doing will see her drawing some kind of rune, before crossing it out and working on a similar looking rune.

---

She left for shopping earlier than everyone else, as she needed to stop by a specialty store to pick up chalk, wormwood, woad, and a couple other various herbs. During the shopping trip, she bought a sound system, a desk, a chair, a bed set, and (as Alice suggested), a nice bean bag. All the furniture she bought was very simple, but also very expensive (as she bought high quality goods). For food she bought some lamb (making sure to include the bones), carrots, some lentils and oats, as well as carrots, potatoes, and peppers.

As she is looking through some posters If it is mystical in origin I may be able to identify the creature and perhaps even the spell its trying to cast if it is magic, though there are several different kinds of rune mag... Oh what do you know Dropkick Murphys And she puts a poster into her cart.

Deone timidly interjects to Harper And Yiva's seeming disregard for their wellbeing

Sensimg that Yiva may be trying to ease his concerns using her expertise, Deone let's out a quiet sigh of relief and tries to change the subject to something less terriffying than playing Bleach side characters Deone comments at the cart

At Yiva mentioning her knowledge Ethan turns his eyes from Deone to her. "Though I have been wrong before. giving his full attention to her as she speaks her mind of the Police’s abilities to cope with such a threat. "I think none of our local community services will be equipped to handle such a thing if it true, and any science based thinking is going to be tested. Well should we split up and attempt to get some solid evidence of this creature, or do we stay together for now?"

Italic spoken text is mumbling

Technically I don't have any providence provided powers. But I do have a lot of knowledge and hard gained affinity for magiks and magical thinking. Which I assure you exsist She says as she looks pointedly at Ethan My specialty is old Nordic and Slavic magiks, like rune magik. May need sheep's blood ... or animal sacrifice now that I think about it. Sorry, lost in thought. But that specialty is just because of how I learned magik and that I have a high affinity for it as a result. I know my way around, or at least of, most normal magiks.

He turns to Ethan
He says while raising his hand

At Yiva’s look Ethan puts his hands up in surrender, "No offence meant, Yiva, just you meet a lot of people that make claims you know. I will keep an open mind and always happy to learn something new. Growing up in the country I have seen an animal carcass or two, so hopefully I don’t freak out too much." He says with a nervous smile.

Her pointed glare turns into a soft smile. Thats understandable, many people claim they can do magic without knowing a lick about magicks. Magicks have become so habitual to me I've forgotten that most people haven't experienced such hard proof. And don't worry most rites and runes can be ... convinced to not need a blood sacrifice and can take a substitute. Though some are rather obstinate. Though if I ever need help in that regard I'll keep you in mind
Giving a friendly wink to Ethan and turning back to Deone Yeah I'm a viking. I'm Norwegian, shocked you could place the accent. And as for staying together or splitting up...we could cover more ground if we split up, and not let this be an all night affair. I already have runes to remove, renew, and 'rite in order to incorporate the Academy's jumpsuit. If we do split up, I'd like to take the church, as any info we get from Strobe or the Police is likely to be recorded and we can get copies. I can provide any mystical opinions you need later on them

Motioning to the rest of the group

Going through the self-checkout, Harper carefully scans her handful of groceries before gathering up the bags.

"Let's unload our stuff at the flat before heading out," she says. "I plan on walking to the church afterward."

She tries her best to sound casual, but there's an unmistakable excitement behind her words.

A possible demon.
Actual powers.
Other people who might have abilities like hers.

Harper is practically bursting with questions. She wants to talk to everyone, tell them about Taranis, explain Nimbus, and—if they have powers of their own—see what they can do. Part of her desperately wants to summon Nimbus right here and show everyone.

But she knows better.

A shopping center probably isn't the best place to start demonstrating supernatural abilities.

So instead, she gathers up the groceries and follows the others, doing her best to contain her enthusiasm until they're somewhere more appropriate.

Deone, realizing that none of his new classmates are agreeing with his suggestion of sticking together resigns himself to the groups decision with a quiet 'uuuuooogh' sound

She follows behind Harper, going to the self checkout

Well you can come with me and ... Harper? She looks questioningly at Harper Or you can stick with wherever Ethan or someone else wants to go. Either is fine with me.

As she calmly and methodically scans and bags her goods, she hums a song; one that sounds wistful and ancient. And as she finishes, and starts looking in her messenger bag for her means of payment, she looks at Harper, whose excitement about...well everything, seems to permeate the air around her. You ok?

Harper nods with a bright, almost giddy smile.
"Yes. I am fine. Better than fine, really." She pauses, glancing around at the towering buildings and bustling streets before looking back at them. "It's just... a lot."

She shifts the few grocery bags in her hands while she waits for the others, practically bouncing on her heels.

"The city. Demons. All of us living together in one flat..." She lets out a small laugh, shaking her head. "There's just so much energy around. You... you know what I mean?"

Harper looks around again, her eyes wandering over the unfamiliar surroundings.
"I've never really been to a city this big before. It's completely different from what I'm used to." She smiles sheepishly. "It's exciting. Just... a lot to take in all at once."

Deone looks over at yiva, mouth agape at the possibility of having his soul eatin "o-o-oka-kay and gulps audibly
say, demons have e-energy right?

There's a sharp click of heels on the tiles of the grocery store. It seems like Alice dressed up a bit to explore the local city, with layered shirts, a riveted belt, a plaid skirt in the school's battleship gray and black colors, and leggings leading down into heeled ankle boots with a folded top. There's a pendant that hangs down over her chest with an icon of a white eagle spreading its wings over a blue diamond with three stars etched along the bottom three corners of the diamond.

"I'm all for anything proactive on this front." she said, looking a little uncomfortable, "If the church can put us in contact with someone who's actually seen this thing, that seems like a good place to start." she said, hooking her thumbs on her belt and nodding towards Harper.

"...I'm not sure if a google search is going to find us a store for the kinda stuff Yiva and Ronan are going to need, but it sounds better than me going around trying to find scared people." she glanced out at the street, "The whole neighborhood is painted in hues of fear."

Harper, still dressed in her normal clothes, approaches the nun with a calm, respectful demeanor.
Growing up in the Midwest and being required to attend church every Sunday until only a few weeks ago, Harper knows the proper etiquette. If anyone should start the conversation, she figures it should probably be her.
She faces the altar and genuflects, making a quick Sign of the Cross before straightening and approaching the nun.
"Good evening, Sister."
She takes a small breath, gathering her thoughts before continuing.
"My friends and I just moved into town. We have a place not too far from here." She pauses briefly. "At the store, we heard people talking about some kind of demon. One of the clerks actually told us to come here."
Her expression remains polite and composed, though there is a hint of concern beneath it.
"We just want to know what's going on. Should we be worried? Is there anything we should be doing to protect ourselves?"
Her tone remains cool and respectful as she waits patiently for the nun's response.

Thinking it best to stay together Ethan consumes a couple of protein bars on the way back to the apartment, offering to help carry anyone’s bags. He’ll consume enough food for a small army, offering anyone a share of the food prepared as he really doesn’t like eating alone.

As it is getting cooler and heading later into the afternoon, he puts a beanie on though still dresses in shorts as they depart for the church. He stays very quiet as they walk enjoying the large city and the buzz that it contains, like Harper he grew up in a much smaller and simpler place. He in fact only really visited cities on school excursions or when invited to universities to attend special lectures on engineering and physics, or recently interviews for scholarships. Before the accident that is.

So walking the streets was very much a thrill, and Harper’s enthusiasm was infectious. Though he did notice the attention his size drew from other people making him a little bit self conscious.

Upon arrival at Liberty City's Cathedral: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael the Defender, he finds himself totally distracted by the architecture and is more than happy to let Harper lead the conversation.

Yova tilts her head and stays quiet for a second. Then she says Do you know of any defining features or other powers the creature has. And is their any way you could get me a map of their known path, perhaps they are drawing a massive magic circle or rune. Also I'm new to the area, do you know the stores to get supplies for...real practitioners of the mystic ways

Thank you. Yiva snaps a couple of pictures of the map. Any of the rest of you have any questions?

"uhhhhh, Yeah, what is this place w-why is there a Barracks in a church? i thought help from the curch meant telling us what they saw and... i-i don't know, them saying a verse or two while rubbing oil on our heads, where did all the world war two scenery come from?" Deone asks confusedly, the almost militiristic effeciency really caught him by suprise 'what is this, the Soul Society?' he jokingly thinks to himself

" oh, a-a-alright, cool, gues there are warrior nuns in America" he says, resigned to the fact that absurd things like this are no going to be commonplace in his life.

Is this not common in America? The movies make it seem so As she pulls out a small notebook, and copies down the creature's locations to see if she can form them into some rune, symbol, or circle she knows, while she waits to see if anyone else has any questions

"W-why are you asking me? I'm not from here, and TV was never really something i c-c-could watch he says that last part with a hint of regret

Alice pats Deone on the shoulder with a broad smile, "You're in a rarified circle now, fella. You're going to be exposed to all manner of surprises, but you've got friends to keep you steady until you find your footing." If anything, Alice seemed comforted by the sight of this war room and training ground, having been casually examining the arsenal on display while others took the lead.

"...I don't suppose you could put me in contact with any of the people who provided a verified sighting? It's the next best thing to a first-hand experience." Alice inquired, her gaze shifting to the map and stroking her chin, unable to pull anything meaningful from the pattern in front of her, "We have some trained mystics who might notice something of consequence that an untrained bystander might dismiss or simply be too distracted by their encounter with this hollow-eyed cryptid to notice."

"Assuming they consent to a little targeted mind reading with some tag-alongs, of course." she clarified.

"The hard way it is, then. Thank you, Sister." Alice says, adopting a small gesture of respect that she'd picked up from watching Harper earlier.

Ethan a little overwhelmed with the whole situation took a little time to pull himself together then turning towards Sister Bernadette he simple says, "Why are you investigating it? And what is your theory on what we are dealing with? You are certainly not your everyday group of card carrying Nuns."

Ethan looked from Sister Bernadette to the others, his expression tightening.

"Can I ask something?"

He waited until he had their attention.

"What happens if the thing we’re hunting isn’t the monster? We’ve been told of sightings. Attacks without harm. Everyone keeps calling it a creature, a demon" He paused. "But what if that’s just what someone wants us to think?"

His eyes returned to the Sister.

"What if the thing they’re seeing isn’t the one causing this?"

Ethan just nods his head at Sister Bernadette’s answer and simply says, "Cool." as he slides his hands back into his pockets, "Let’s seek out some witnesses then, thou Sister do we know if this apparition left footprints, blood, scorch marks—anything physical?"

Harper takes in everything around her, almost forgetting to breathe.

The sheer splendor of the old church is enough to leave her awestruck, but seeing actual warrior nuns—members of the Order of the Cruciform Sword—standing before her is almost too much to process. She stares for several long moments, completely dumbfounded, before finally finding her voice.
"Wait..."
Harper glances between the nuns and the others in her group, still trying to make sense of everything she's seeing.

After a moment, she speaks carefully, trying to convince the nun that they aren't the people she seems to think they are.
"Shouldn't the Order of the Cruciform Sword be more secretive?" she asks, genuine confusion in her voice. "Why are you telling us all of this?"

She gestures toward herself and the others.
"We're just a bunch of newcomers who happen to go to the high school nearby." She gives a small, uncertain laugh. "This is... great and all, but we're really not equipped to deal with something like a demon."

Harper looks back at the nuns, her expression becoming more earnest.
"We're not heroes. We're not trained for this. We can't exactly walk in here and start fighting demons."
She pauses, glancing at the others again.

"Uhhhhhhh...... Harper? I think you're telling the wrong person that..." he says, pointing at Ronan and Ethan, who began the whole 'Demon search' in the first place

Harper lets out a quiet sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing.
"Thank gods..." she murmurs, a broad smile spreading across her face. "So you sort of know who—or what—we are."

She glances between the nuns, visibly relieved.
"I was worried we'd get in trouble. We were told not to tell anyone who we are."

Harper looks toward the others in the group, then back to the nuns.
"You won't tell anyone about us, right?"