[And you're headed to Lion house, led by Rica.]
* Ben follows Rica, lagging behind a step to walk beside Katherine.
* Rica leads you along.  "There's still an hour left or so before the students- 
well, the older ones at least- have to be in bed.  But at this point, everyone's 
in their house unless they have good reason or are accompanied by a teacher."
* Katherine follows next to Ben, looking around and holding the plush 
hummingbird carefully. She nods.
[The hummingbird keeps sleeping.]
<Ben> 'Do they actually have to be *in bed*, or just in their houses or rooms?'
<Rica> Houses for about an hour.  Rooms and sleep after that.
[You get back to the central stair area after passing the dragon pictures and 
the like.]
* Katherine eyes the pictures.
<Ben> (Are the halls empty now?)
<Grysar> (Yeah)
<Ben> 'So, your home House.  Any pitch to give us, Rica?'
* Rica gives a fairly haughty grin.  "The students speak for the house.  If they 
don't sell it, nothing I do will."
[And you're headed down the hallway towards Lion house; pictures of conquering 
heroes adorn the walls.]
<Ben> (Generic or recognizable?)
<Grysar> (Half and half)
[By and large heroes associated with the United Kingdom.]
[But some others, former British colonies are better represented than the rest 
of the world.]
* Ben clears his throat, in which cough is buried nigh-incomprehensibly the word 
Hurst.  If you had super-hearing, you might catch it, but otherwise, not likely.
* Rica keeps walking.
* Ben also keeps walking.
[The hallway splits in two.  Rica seems inclined to turn left towards the 
footsteps.]
* Ben hangs back at the split.
* Ben turns to face Katherine, standing right in front of her.
* Katherine stops, blinking at him. She looks past Ben with a frown.
* Rica takes a few steps down the left side before glancing back.  The hallway 
goes another few meters before turning again.  The sound of steps is coming from 
beyond the corner.  To the right, there's more paintings and another turn a bit 
down the hall.]
<Rica> Something wrong?
<Ben> 'I think we're fine.  I thought Kitty looked faint, but I think it's just 
the paintings frightening her...'
* Rica nods and manages to barely disguise a slight amount of contempt at that.
[And the steps are about to come around the corner...]
* Ben whispers very very quietly, practically unvoiced, 'Lean against a wall for 
support, facing it.'
* Katherine nods and actually does look rather pale. She stumbles over to an 
unpictured section and practically falls in (can you fall into a wall?), placing 
her forehead against it.
* Ben shoots Rica a quick glance of apology, then goes and stands beside her, 
putting an arm around her shoulder.
* Hurst walks around.  He keeps a steady but fairly quiet pace.  He gives your 
guide an appraising look.  "Rica."
<Ben> 'It's okay, dear,' Ben says, from where he is blocking a side view of 
Katherine.
* Rica nods back.  "Luther."
<Hurst> Who are your guests?
* Ben cranes his neck to look at this 'Luther', nods, then looks back to 
Katherine.
<Rica> Visiting parents.  The pictures can be a bit off putting.
<Luther> Lion house and its paraphernalia nauseating?  Perish the thought.
* Rica eyes Luther at that, but he's already walking off.
* Katherine takes short breaths. Relax, Kitty.
<Ben> (On the plus side, this freak out at the pictures has been set up for 
three sessions, so Rica shouldn't be suspicious.)
<Grysar> ( Nope, she's just contemptuous.)
<Ben> (That's okay.  Later, Katherine will kill Rica.)
<Katherine> (Damn straight I will.)
<Ben> 'You okay, sweetie?' Ben says as Luther gets out of earshot.
<Katherine> Yeah.  Yeah, I'll be okay.
<Ben> 'Rica, when we get to Lion, would you mind if I got a glass of water from 
somewhere for her?'
<Ben> 'These pictures are obviously... a bit much for Kitty.'
* Rica gives you a bit of time to get yourselves together and then proceeds down 
to the actual house.  "Certainly.  I'll get you a mug.  The bathroom is where 
you'd expect."
<Ben> 'On Tony's tour itinerary.'
* Katherine laughs a little at that. She takes a breath, then heads after with 
Ben offering support.
[As you get to the actual house, the lion tapestry gives a subdued roar in 
greeting and the door opens without Rica saying a word.  She leads you in.]
* Ben's still got an arm around Katherine.
* Ben looks to Katherine as soon as the Lion roars.
* Katherine yelps a little at that.
* Ben makes his arm around Katherine a bit of a hug at her yelp.
<Ben> 'Just like television,' he whispers.
* Katherine nods a couple of times. She peeks into the lion common room.
[The Lion House is fairly messy.  There are a good number of students around, 
playing cards, socializing, and one table has a variety of students, wands out, 
sending illusions across the table to fight one another.]
 [Jessica is with the group sending illusions.  She's got a dead one in front of 
her but is watching the proceedings with interest.  Jarrett is with the card 
playing group, as is Mallory.  Neither seem to be doing too well, though Mallory 
seems mostly to be a case of inattention.]
[Jarret's seemingly more interested in socializing than the game.]
<Ben> (Gah!  Jessica!)
<Katherine> (RUN AWAY!)
<Ben> 'It's more raucous than the others,' Ben observes to Rica.
<Rica> That they are.
<Katherine> That doesn't look like a good study environment.
* Rica shrugs.  "They can study in their rooms if they wish."
* Ben ducks as what appears to be a magically propelled paper airplane sails 
over him.
<Ben> 'Rica, about that water...?'
* Rica quickly gets through a few greetings and goes to a cabinet.  She returns 
with a mug for Ben.
* Ben heads off with it for the restroom, assuming the layout parallels the ones 
in the other Houses.
 [The layouts are the same, although bit smaller and more rugged looking.]
* Katherine stays behind and just sorta looks around, totally at a loss.
<Ben> (<Katherine's actual thoughts>  So many targets.)
<Katherine> (You know it. Brats.)
[Everyone seems far too involved to really care about the adults.  Mallory gives 
you a look, but then returns to his game.]
[Jessica's monster respawns.]
* Ben gets the water and returns.  He let it run for a few seconds to get cold.
<Ben> 'Here you go, dear.'  Ben hands the water to Katherine.
[The table with the active magic has discussion entirely oriented on the game.  
The chatters are debating the relative threat from extra-planars, the undead, 
and native earth monsters.]
[The card game discussion is pretty laid back:]
<Random Lion>  Lost again, Corwin.  What's with you tonight?
<Corwin> Lot to think about.
<Jarret> Careful, Cor.  Too much of that will break your head.
<Ben> ('Artoo, I suggest a new strategy.  Let the ungodly powerful mageling 
win.')
* Katherine takes it with a grateful smile. "Thanks," she says, before having a 
sip.
<Ben> 'I'm sorry I didn't realize how much the pictures were upsetting you,' Ben 
says quietly, but just normal quietly, so Rica can overhear.
<Katherine> It was- not... quite like the television.  You can change the 
channel on a television.
<Ben> 'I know.  You okay now?'
* Katherine nods and takes a deep breath. "I'm okay."
* Rica goes to watch the fights.
* Katherine blinks as Rica leaves them. "Um."
<Ben> 'I guess we're finding our own tour guide.'
* Ben addresses the nearest child to them who doesn't look actively busy with a 
group activity.  'Hi.'
* Kid, a blond fourteen year old, glances up at Ben.  "Yes?"
[He's in robes, was sitting by the card game, and has a book out in front of him 
on potions.]
[Bit of a mop top.]
[Doesn't seem to mind the interruption.  He's slightly curious but not 
incredibly excited or anything.]
<Ben> 'My name's Benji, and this is my wife Kitty.  We're considering sending 
our daughter here, and we need someone to show us around for a few minutes, if 
they're not busy.'
<Robin> ( Get Corwin to do it. He'll love playing tour guide. )
* Student closes the book.  "I don't mind.  Name's Albert."  He stands up.
<Ben> 'Pleased to meet you.'  Ben offers a hand to shake.
* Albert shakes his hand.  "So what are you looking to see?"
* Katherine smiles at the kid. "Thanks for doing this for us. Ah, just around. 
Maybe a room or two." She looks to Ben.
<Ben> 'And any other facilities of note,' Ben adds.  'Also, if you wouldn't mind 
telling us a bit about Lion House and the people here, we'd really appreciate 
it.'
* Katherine nods. "Yes. We're trying to get a feel for the houses here."
<Albert> Nothing too special here in terms of other facilities.  As for the 
house...
* Albert leads you up to the guys' dorm while calling out "Female on the floor."  
There's a quick eep as someone dives into their room.
* Ben follows.
* Katherine follows, too, rubbing at the back of her head. "More like their 
mother's on the floor, really."
<Ben> 'Older sister.'  Ben grins at her.
<Albert> Well, we're a good house for physical activity, fraternity, liberty, 
and hmm, ::He snaps his fingers.:: equality.  With none of the unpleasant 
guillotining.
* Katherine giggles a little. "All right, older sister." She blinks. 
"Guillotine?"
<Ben> 'It's a reference to the American Revolution,' Ben says erroneously.
<Ben> (It's the French, of course.)
<Ben> (Liberte, egalite, fraternite.)
<Albert> French actually, but same era.  ::He knocks on a door to the right.:: 
Good time to give a tour?
<Katherine> So, what's this about guillotining then?
<Albert> History joke.  And I never explain jokes, no point.
<Voice from behind the door> Uh, studying.
[Voice is completely unfamiliar but sounds like he's lying.]
* Albert snickers.  "Right... hmm, different room."
<Ben> (Right.  Katherine, count the heart beat and breathing rates coming from 
that room, would you?)
<Katherine> (Sure thing!  Actually, I don't really care that much.)
<Ben> (Well, then I want to know if you can identify a female party in there, 
because that implies the security can be breached.)
<Ben> (No female students should be allowed in this area.  So, if the guy's got 
a girl there, as opposed to another guy or a magazine, then that's information.)
[Katherine hears that the boy is alone in the room.]
* Albert keeps walking and finds a different room.  He knocks at the door.
* Katherine blinks at Albert. "Okay, then."
<Voice from inside> You get tired of losing already, Jarrett?
<Albert> Naw, it's Albert.  Got parents looking for a tour.  Roomie's busy.  
Mind if I show this room?
<Voice from inside>  Sure.
[And the door opens.]
* Ben looks inside.
* Katherine peeks in.
* Guy who looks fifteen or so opens the door.  He's got long fairly nice black 
hair.  "Welcome to the humble abode of Roger ::He gestures to himself.:: Corwin, 
Jarrett, and Phil."
<Ben> 'Benji Ward.'  Ben sticks out his hand to shake.
* Katherine waves. "Kitty Ward." Smile.
* Ben enters and is unafraid.
[The room is reasonably messy: shoes on the floor, robes spread around.  One of 
the chests has picture of a man and woman, apparently married.  There is a 
directory of known supernatural menaces, a book entitled Counter-Mysticism In 
Theory And Practice, and another book open to a chapter entitled "Fatally 
Flawed: the U.S.'s use of Hydrokinetics in the Taiwan Straights Crisis of 
2016."]
<Ben> (Is 'apparently married' a euphemism?)
<Grysar> (No)
[The encyclopedic book is rather recent, sort of a monsters manual for the 
actual world, though not quite as detailed.  It also has dossiers on well known 
villains on a national scale.]
<Katherine> (It's a DnD monster manual.  It has the challenge rating for SAB 
agents in it.)
[The Counter Mysticism theory book is one of the few books describing the 
agencies of various nations.  There are others, but they don't tend to be as 
good.]
[The other book is case studies of the use of mystical agents in major world 
events, largely concentrating on failures.]
<Ben> (Was one of the hydrokinetics who screwed up in Taiwan a Japanese 
greasemonkey? :P)
<Grysar> (Ben doesn't know.)
<Ben> (He read the book.)
<Grysar> (It doesn't name names. )
<Ben> (Kyon wrote it.)
[The next chest has a large blue felt pillow sitting by it, a picture of Corwin 
Mallory, Jarret, and Maris, and books on summoning and supporting magic.  They 
seem elementary texts.]
[The third chest has a tome on potions and one on abjurations.  Also a small 
cauldron.  The last has a range of fiction and non-fiction books not all that 
specific to magic.  All fairly complicated.]
<Robin> (*Katherine and Ben open the chests and rummage through them. "Don't 
mind us.")
* Roger steps back and sits by the fourth chest.
* Roger looks to Albert.  "How's the feather fall potion coming?  It's kicking 
Phil's butt."
<Albert> Think I've almost got it.  And slow fall potion.
<Roger> Just don't write it on the bottle and they aren't going to sue you for 
calling it feather fall.
<Ben> 'You do a lot of falling?'
* Katherine blinks. "Is that like the flying the other boys were working on?"
<Albert> No, but handy thing to have.  It lets you fall safely from any 
distance.  If you don't have a broom handy or something.
<Ben> 'Would people who can't use magic be able to use it?  It sounds handy.'
* Albert grimaces.
<Roger> Don't mind him.  It's possible, but about ten times as hard to brew if 
they aren't casters.
* Ben nods.
<Katherine> Why is it any different?
<Albert> The simple version uses the ability of whoever drinks it.  It just 
makes it really simple and non-draining to cast.  For the other version, all the 
work needs to be done up front.
* Katherine blinks again. "Oh." She clearly doesn't get it. "So, if normal 
people can't use it... I guess that'd be why you can't buy them at the drugstore 
or something."
* Roger nods.  "Oh, Albert.  You ever finish that book Jarrett lent you?"  
Albert nods and searches his pockets for a moment.
<Ben> 'So, just making it for fun?'
* Albert snickers.  "Much the opposite: homework."
* Katherine nods and asks, curiously, "What's your favorite class?"
* Albert then gets out a smaller book from one of his pockets, entitled "Inner 
Peace as a Source of Outer Power."  He pauses for a moment to answer the 
questions.
<Albert> Oh, suppose any Rica teaches, not too much homework, lots of practical 
stories and training.  Ethelbert stops by to talk fairly often.
<Ben> 'Who's Ethelbert?'
<Roger> The head of the school.  Has a big white beard.  Gives inconclusive 
mysterious answers to even straightforward questions.  Can't miss him.
<Ben> 'Oh.  Alvar.'
* Katherine ohs. "So you like him being there?"
<Roger> He's got style.
<Albert> Seems like a great mentor, fun to be around.
* Roger thinks and glances over to the first chest.  "Guess that's true."
* Ben follows Roger's glance and walks over to the chest.
<Ben> 'Whose is this?'
<Roger> Corwin's.
<Ben> 'Corwin?'
<Roger> Corwin Mallory.  You should have seen him in the main room.  Big guy, 
Red hair, broody.
<Ben> 'Oh, yes.  I think a few kids have mentioned him.  He's your roommate?'
<Roger> That he is.  Fairly good one too.  Not so messy as to get in the way, 
not so clean as to make me look bad.
* Katherine laughs. "People look in your rooms much?"
* Roger shakes his head  "Do have friends over, though, and some of it is just 
internal.
<Ben> 'If the most you can say about him is that he's not messy, I have to say 
that you don't exactly sound like friends.'
* Roger shrugs.  "He's a good guy.  Just annoying to have some people try to 
trade rooms with me.  He mostly spends time with Jarrett and Maris.  And some 
with Alvar.  But he's a good guy all told."
* Albert chuckles at that.
* Ben looks like he's missing something.  'Change rooms?'
<Albert> Corwin's popular.  Roger's envied for that.
<Ben> 'You're not?'
<Roger> I'm not what?
<Ben> 'Envied?'
<Ben> 'I mean, Albert, aren't you envied too?'
<Albert> This isn't my room.
<Albert> I'm back there.  ::He gestures to the first room he knocked at.::
<Ben> 'Oh.'  Ben pauses for a second.  'Right, the other room, with the... busy 
boy.'
* Albert and Roger snicker.
* Katherine blinks a few times. "Ah... is spending time with the headmaster 
considered normal around here?"
<Ben> (Kitty wants to change the subject ASAP.)
<Katherine> (She sure does.)
<Albert> He does act like the counselor for the school.
<Roger> Corwin a bit more than normal.  He's found them rather helpful, I think.  
Normally seems more relaxed about the future.  He does a better job of keeping 
him relaxed than even his friends do.
* Ben picks up the Monster Manual book and flips through it.
* Katherine looks over to Ben.
* Ben is apparently not paying attention to his lovely wife as he flips.
<Katherine> So, you don't have a counseling center here?
<Albert> Well, I think they bring someone in for serious problems.
<Katherine> Oh.
[Ben finds Emma Yates's entry is bookmarked.]
* Ben reads it.
* Katherine coughs. "So, what are the kids like here?" she asks.
<Roger> This Lion House or in general?
<Katherine> Both.  But mostly in this house.
<Roger> Whole mix, except with powers.  Almost all enjoy them, although not 
everyone is willing to put in the work taken to really learn.  Even drilling 
with magic can get boring if you work at it long enough.
<Roger> Lions tend to be pretty friendly and out for a fun time, even if it 
means pushing themselves.
* Katherine blinks. "Okay, but... that's not really- pushing yourselves?"
<Roger> Staying up later, using more force of will in casting spells, going just 
a bit farther past exhaustion.  We don't all do it, but some of us are willing.
* Albert nods.  "And sometimes just get seriously caffeinated to get work done 
in time."
* Albert then takes the book in his hand and passes it to Roger.  "Before I 
forget.  Quite enjoyable, but don't think I'll actually be able to try the 
meditating thing until after finals.  No peace for the tested."
* Roger laughs and takes it before putting it over on the second chest.  "Can't 
see either of them trying it even after finals."
* Albert nods.  "Figures Maris would give a book.  Think she'd give a book 
they'd read, though."
<Ben> 'Hey, Rica has an entry in here as a Monster Hunter,' Ben says, after he 
goes back to flipping.
<Katherine> Oh, really?
* Ben nods, and reads it.
<Ben> 'Rica Oackley is a monster hunter of some renown, working mostly in the 
British Isles.  She possesses moderate levels of magical power but a high level 
of skill in its use.  She entered semi-retirement after being accused of hate 
crimes against Abnormally Large Humanoids and now teaches at the Preparatory 
School of Magic.'
* Albert and Roger both seem a little surprised about that mention of 
accusations.
<Ben> 'Ms. Oackley has done a large number of successful monster hunting 
operations.  She normally operated on a for hire basis, rather than pursuing her 
own personal agenda.'
<Ben> 'Ms. Oakley has demonstrated courage and competence throughout her career, 
and is considered by most as a highly desirable operative.'
* Roger and Albert seem slightly comforted by that.
<Roger> Hmm, may look up that case sometime.  Should be interesting.
<Ben> 'That's all it says.'
* Katherine blinks. "Wow, that sounds exciting."
<Ben> 'It does.  Hey, listen to this one on the previous page...'
<Ben> 'Ms. McLochlane is considered a highly effective operative, but due to the 
extremely high level of collateral damage she causes, it is recommended that one 
be cautious of being in her vicinity.'  Ben snickers.  'Not someone I'd want to 
meet.'
<Katherine> Well... if she comes by, maybe we can catch the next flight out.
<Ben> (And for the record, Greg confirmed Maggie would be in the book.)
<Robin> ( Maggie's in there? Rawk. XD )
<Ben> (Greg says she and Arktos are the only two.)
<Grysar> (Maggie because she was officially with the EU for a while.)
<Grysar> (And Miles, but not present incarnation.)
<Ben> (Yvonne's in there, too, actually.  The entire entry reads, 'For a good 
time, call (555) 555-4SEX.')
* Ben sets the book back down.
<Ben> 'So, what've you been chatting about over here?'
<Roger> The book on meditation?
* Ben looks to Katherine to see what she says to bring him up to speed on the 
conversation he hasn't been devoting any attention whatsoever to, honest.
* Katherine smiles. "They were talking about meditation. I asked about the house 
here; it sounds like the kids are looking to have a good time, really."
<Katherine> And there's no counseling center.
<Ben> 'Hm.  Well, Penny's not in need of counseling, but that seems foolish.  I 
mean, all the power you kids have, you need to make sure someone's keeping track 
of who's not balanced.'
<Albert> Eh, we're not so bad.
* Katherine nods. "It sounds like the headmaster steps in when he has to, 
but..."
<Ben> 'But he can't be everywhere.  Can he?'  Ben looks to the kids.  'How often 
does Alvar come around to see how you're doing?'
<Roger> No, but he does visit fairly often.  He talks to all the students at 
least once per quarter.  Sometimes in groups.
<Albert> He does visit fairly often, probably because we're the most fun.  ::He 
grins.::
<Ben> 'How so?'  Ben grins back.
<Albert> You saw our common room.  You see the ones for any of the other houses?
<Katherine> They were pretty orderly.
* Katherine doesn't seem to understand why this is a bad thing.
<Albert> Orderly doesn't mean fun.
* Katherine looks doubtful. "So, Alvar's interested in paper airplanes?"
<Roger> Yeah, and he probably wants to look after Corwin.
<Ben> 'He and Corwin are close?'
* Roger chuckles and then nods.  "Yeah, they are.  Good thing I suppose.  Corwin 
could probably use gentle direction."
<Ben> 'Corwin's got problems?'
<Ben> (Has anyone else noticed they refer to Corwin by his last name?)
<Katherine> (*raises hand*)
<Roger> He can be angry at times.  Given what happened to his parents, I can see 
why.  But he's probably powerful enough he'd set out and try to change things on 
his own, and screw it up.  I know I would.  Ethelbert keeps him thinking about 
the long term.
<Albert>  Yeah, from that book, I'm betting Maris tries to do the same thing 
Ethelbert does.
<Roger> Yeah, but she's not subtle.  Anyways, he sneaks out every now and then, 
and every dang time Luther brings him back.
* Albert shudders.
<Katherine> Why would he sneak out?
<Roger> Not sure.  Isn't just to meet up with people.  Maris told him off last 
time he did it.
<Albert> That must have been a sight.
* Katherine blinks. "Told off a teacher?"
<Roger> No, told off Corwin, and it was.
<Katherine> Why'd she do that?
<Albert> Probably just looking to get some facts straight, figure out who did in 
his parents.
<Roger> He seems to have some idea on that.  Anyways, she said it was bloody 
stupid, that there wasn't much he could do out there.  That he wasn't in any 
immediate danger, and for anything he had to face in the future, he should trust 
his friends to look after him.
<Katherine> Well, he shouldn't be.  The school's safe, right?
* Both students nod.  They seem to definitely believe it.
<Albert> Anything else you want to know?
* Katherine bites her lip, then asks, "Is there anything else you think we 
should know? Advice for someone just coming in, maybe?"
<Roger> Well, you talked about counseling before.  I do recommend Ethelbert 
because he hasn't just helped Corwin.  I've seen Maris go talk to him and get 
cheered up.  She sometimes gets bummed when Corwin's ranting or right after 
visiting town.
<Albert> Why would going off campus bug her?
<Roger> Don't know.  Maybe she wants more art house movies than we can get in 
town.
<Albert> And don't tick of Luther.  He won't even let you spend more than a few 
minutes alone in the woods.
* Roger chuckles.  "I figured that out long before most of you guys."
<Albert> Well he's annoying!  It's worth pissing him off.
<Roger> One big downside for being a Lion.  Easier if you're a Unicorn and he'll 
never pester a Drake.
<Katherine> Why would someone be upset about going into town?
<Roger> Don't know.  Maybe she misses something about campus.
<Katherine> But then why wouldn't she just stay here?
<Albert> Well, there's a lot you can't get on campus.
<Roger> I mean, magic's fun, but nice to catch a movie or get some fast food, 
even if you can't cast spells while you do it.
* Katherine nods. "Okay." She looks to Ben, then smiles at Albert 'n' Roger. 
"Thank you."
* They nod and reply. "Welcome."
* Ben nods.  'Thank you for your time.'
<Roger> Not a problem.
* Albert heads back to his room which now has the door half open.
* Katherine backs out and waits for Ben.
* Ben follows.
* Katherine gets out of there! Boys have cooties!
[There're a few kids in the hall.  They mostly seem headed to bed or are hanging 
in doorways talking.]
[There're relatively few students left in the common room.  Jarrett and Mallory 
are still hanging at the poker table chatting quietly as most students are 
getting their stuff together or heading back to their rooms.]
[Rica's chatting with an older female Lion.  However, when she notices Ben and 
Katherine, she gives her a pat on the back.  The student takes the cue and heads 
down to her room.]
<Rica> Ready to go?
* Katherine nods. "I think so, thank you."
[Overheard:]
<Corwin> She believed it.  Maybe SAB isn't quite as foolish and dangerous in 
ally choices as I thought.
<Jarret> Well, I'd be hard for them to be as bad as you thought.
<Mallory> Yeah, but there was data... But maybe I'm ready as is.
<Jarret> I know I've always said that.
<Mallory> Maris hasn't...
<Jarret> There's a difference between being afraid you'll get angry and do 
something with your power you shouldn't and thinking you'll get your butt kicked 
in a fight.  Stupid anger can help in a fight if you use it right.
* Mallory grins slightly. "Thanks, I think."
[They get headed off to their rooms.]
* Rica starts leading you out.  "So, students are all in bed.  You'd wanted to 
take a walk, right?"
<Ben> 'Yes.  In the woods.  You don't have to accompany us, though.'
<Ben> 'Just point us in the right direction.
* Rica smiles.  "Good.  Well, they're on three sides.  Can't miss them.  I'll 
have Dennis bring the animals in for the night."
<Ben> 'Are you going to be okay in the hallways, honey?'
* Katherine nods. "I think so."
<Ben> 'So, Rica, if you'll show us to the front door, we'll be on our way.'
* Rica does that.
[Rica, Ben, and Katherine arrive back at the front door.]
<Ben> 'Thank you for all your help, Rica.  I think we'll be sending Penny here 
after all.  Don't you agree dear?'
<Katherine> I think so.  It'd be good for her.
<Ben> 'Learning magic would be good for anyone.'  Ben grins.  'Now we just have 
to talk with her about selecting a house and then start on all that paperwork to 
enroll her.'
<Ben> 'Thanks again, Rica.'
<Rica> Glad to hear it.  And you're welcome.
* Katherine smiles. "You've been a wonderful guide." Maybe she didn't notice 
Rica's looks when she was going to faint.
* Ben exits through the front door of the Preparatory School of Magic, turning 
to wave to Rica once as he heads down the front steps.
* Rica waves and then heads off.
* Katherine leaves with Ben. She waves back a little, then lets out a sigh.
* Ben, as soon as the front door is closed, takes out a cigarette, lighting it 
with a match.
<Ben> 'Good riddance, Benji Ward,' he mutters.
* Katherine can't help but snicker, just a little. "But I liked him," she says 
quietly. "Come on, Benji." Katherine takes him by the arm and starts walking 
with him towards the woods.
[Break!]