"What's with you and my chair?" QJ leaned on the desk, trying to keep a straight face.

"Gotta chat with my girl ya know?" Breeze winked at Lotte who was smiling widely.

"Least we got some leveling in, was kinda nice watching the progress bar steadily move up." QJ opened his desk and took out the box he had received earlier.

"Woah... chocolates?" Lotte stared at the box, it was wrapped neatly and still carried the slight scent of perfume.

QJ nodded, "Maya got them for me. I guess it's a thank you for helping her out."

Breeze glanced at Lotte, "what's she thinking by moving in on our QJ? There are plenty of boys in the third year cla.s.s."

Lotte nodded in agreement.

"Huh? That's crazy, she was just saying thanks." QJ offered them both a sample, neither one could resist.

"Dang. Those are really good." Breeze helped herself to another as she chewed slowly.

Lotta had her eyes closed and was savoring the taste. "Did she leave a note?"

QJ nodded, "oh I forgot to read it." He took out the neatly folded letter and started to read.

QJ,

Thanks for the 12 bell advice. Star Crossed day starts after lunch, best be ready.

Maya.

QJ scratched his head and looked up at his cla.s.smates. "What is Star Crossed day?"

"It's a Ball held annually here in GnG." Ringo's voice answered from behind him, she moved silently and stood next to the group.

Breeze smiled at QJ and vacated his seat. "Us girls get to ask the boys to a ball If no one asks you, then you can't go."

QJ frowned, "awesome, dancing isn't my thing."

Ringo shook her head, "I'm afraid that attendance is mandatory if someone asks you, saying no isn't an option."

"What? That's crazy!" QJ folded the note and put it back in his pocket.

"There is a defense, however, if you are carrying a musical instrument in your hand. The girls can't ask you." Ringo glanced at her student, "however, those who aren't partic.i.p.ating will be tasked as servers for the evening."

"So either attend as a date or be a waiter for the evening." QJ frowned at his teacher, "veto!"

Over the next few minutes the entire cla.s.s filtered in, Ringo was leaning against her desk waiting. "Take your seats everyone, great job leveling up this morning. We are really climbing quickly. We'll be taking on the 3rd years of Iron Mount in Captured after lunch. Also, the shooters in our cla.s.s will have to visit the range today to post a qualifying score. Questions?"

A hand in the back of the room was raised. Malox, one of the cla.s.s Range Riders had his hand raised. "What sort of score will qualify? And how many make the cut?"

Ringo smiled at her student. Malox was a tall, lanky kid with curly black hair and a thick Latino accent. "Four make the team to compete in the Good Will Games range compet.i.tion, I expect those four will all come from this cla.s.s."

"How many chances do we get?" One of the other riders, a smiling Asian kid named Junzo asked the question.

Ringo opened up her hud and transferred the content to the main board. "Look for yourselves. You can post up to three rounds. The highest score out of those three will be your mark."

Breeze was raising her hand, a smile on her pretty face as she waved it in the air. "You should brief the boys on Star Crossed also!"

"Right... Listen closely boys, the Star Crossed Ball is an annual event that actually takes place in Maelstrom, the capital city of Berg. This is attended by NPCs from all over GnG, it's an opportunity for you to make an impression that can lead to some very lucrative missions." Ringo could see the boys looked somewhat doubtful. "NPCs give key missions and open up the path toward t.i.tles and land owners.h.i.+p. Do your best to make some contacts."

QJ was frowning at his teacher, he had been forced to learn how to dance by the Silverleaf company when he was thirteen. It was one of the reasons he avoided their Ravenwood compound at all costs. "Why are we only hearing about this now? I don't remember reading about this in the freshmen activity brochure."

Ringo walked over to QJs desk, her blue eyes smiling at his discomfort. "Normally only third years attend, however since this cla.s.s is playing GnG, you will also be expected to attend." She swiped her hud and put the Star Crossed details on the board.

Star Crossed Annual Ball

1. If you are asked to attend, you must say yes. Once asked you must display the Star Crossed pin.

2. If you are carrying a safety device, you are temporarily exempt from being asked.

3. If you don't partic.i.p.ate, you will be tasked as help for the Ball.

4. This years safety device is any musical instrument. This must be visible on your person.

QJ snuck a peek over at Lotte, "want to head over to the Songbird during lunch?"

Lotte shook her head, "I do physical therapy during lunch."

"Extra Duties after lunch, then meet back the Captured Arena. QJ, I'd like to talk to you after cla.s.s. Everyone else may go." Ringo dismissed her students and waited patiently as they left.

QJ stood up and walked towards her, when he did both of his protectors pranced into the cla.s.sroom. He put a hand on each of their heads, "want to grab lunch at the Songbird?"

Ringo thought about it for a moment, "sure, let's get Dessi and head over there."

"Did you tell her about the curse?" QJ wasn't sure if it was a secret or not.

Ringo nodded, "yes. I don't want it getting around, but I did let Dessi know."

They stopped by the third year cla.s.sroom to pick up Dessi, a few minutes later they were walking towards the Songbird, the two Panthers trailing behind them.

Dessi glanced over her shoulder, "I want one of those!"

"Yep, that's what everyone says. Even my mom wants one." QJ spotted Robin sitting in front of the entrance to the Songbird, she smiled when she recognized him.

"QJ!" She hugged him quickly and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

QJ couldn't help but stare at the Songbird, she was wearing her fighting gear today. There must be something going on. "Any word on Lark yet?"

Robin glanced at the two teachers, "can't really say QJ."

QJ nodded, "right. Sorry I didn't mean to ask like that." He knew his dad wouldn't drag his feet in finding the missing songbird, Q had a special relations.h.i.+p with his Shadow Operatives and wouldn't tolerate anyone trying to harm them.

"It's fine hun, go on in." Robin smiled at him when she opened the door.

The Songbird was dimly lit, for once no one was on stage performing. QJ led them to the bar and moved behind it when they sat down.

"You serving us today QJ?" Dessi noticed the group of TAP heroes huddled around the table in back, she knew without asking that QJ would have sat there had he been by himself.

QJ nodded and poured three beers from the tap. "I can only make burgers, so that's your choice."

He disappeared into the back room, leaving the two teachers alone.

"Did he freak out when you bit him?" Dessi had been surprised to learn of her friend's curse, even more so when she found out that Ringo had bit QJ.

Ringo shook her head. "He's remarkably composed, I've never seen anyone who adjusted to his surrounding so quickly."

"The curse must have come with physical benefits, did you try out your speed?" Dessi sipped her beer and spun her chair around to get a better look at the TAP players. She could see Remmy, Mojo, Quinn, Tal, and Nightingale. There were a few others that she couldn't name off the top of her head.

"Yes, I'm at .15 now. My best before this was .20." Ringo couldn't keep the smile off of her face, the difference in speed was astounding. If she went down to Bizarro she could run up quite a bit of credits, provided none of the top rankers showed up.

"Holy s.h.i.+t Chi.. sorry I mean Ringo." Dessi smoothed back her pale blond hair, "what if you kept the curse? Is there any problem outside of the thirst?"

Ringo shrugged, "QJ asked one of his sources to look into it."

Dessi frowned, "how the h.e.l.l do you luck out with an Ace like that." She didn't even try to hide her jealousy.

Ringo patted her friend's shoulder in sympathy. "Shush," she noticed QJ come back with three plates.

"Sorry for the wait." QJ took a seat behind the bar and opened up his hud. A moment later Anna's smiling face looked back at him. "Hiya Nan."

"Hey QJ, eating at the Songbird?" Anna was waiting for Quinn and Tal to come back, Quinn would always stop what he was doing to eat lunch together.

"Yep, these two ladies are Ringo and Dessi." QJ took a drink of his beer and smiled. "Find out anything regarding Vampirism and GnG?"

Anna waved to the two women. She had been briefed about the peculiar people who played GnG. Once they started a character, they always wanted to be referred to by that name. "Nice to see you again. Okay, Vampirism in GnG. There's only one place to get infected before level thirty and that's the Crypt of Despair. I a.s.sume you were hunting there?"

QJ nodded, "yep."

"The infected must feed once a day after that, or else they will suffer from certain side effects. The two biggest are, only being able to play during night-time hours and the second is being 'kill-on-sight' in every town in GnG."

"s.h.i.+t..." Ringo cursed her rotten luck, "is there a cure?"

Anna nodded, "there is a cure. However, it is located in an instance and the level requirement is 30."

QJ glanced at his teacher, "that isn't too bad. We can deal with the effects for a while. You are already nearly half-way there."

"I'll send you a map and a detailed walkthrough of the instance QJ." Anna gave Ringo a sympathetic smile, "hang in there hun."

Ringo nodded, "thank you for your help."

QJ waved to Anna, "thanks Nan, I'll treat you to something nice."

Anna smiled, "sounds good. Cya later QJ." She gave him a quick wave and cut comm.

Dessi took a bite of her cheeseburger, the reality was that virtual food almost always tastes better than the real thing. She was a vegetarian irl, but in the virtual world, she loved to eat meat. "You prepared for the after-lunch festivities?"

"You mean Captured?" QJ had every confidence that they could beat the third years from Iron Mount.

The pale blond shook her head, "I mean Star Crossed."

QJ laughed, "I don't think it will be too bad." He smiled slightly when Robin unstealthed right next to him, causing both women to jump.

Robin threw an arm around his shoulders. "What gave me away?"

"You smell nice, like daffodyls I think." He looked up at his two companions who were watching the interaction with interest. "Be careful Robs, whatever you guys have planned, make sure to come back safe."

Robin's pretty face blushed slightly, usually, QJ wouldn't show her too much attention in front of others. "Going to come rescue me if something goes wrong?" A wisp of her light orange hair worked its way loose when she leaned forward slightly.

QJ nodded, "yep."

Robin stealthed and disappeared, her pleasant laughter and voice trailing away. "My hero."

Ringo couldn't keep the smile off her face, "that Songbird seems to like you a bit."

QJ nodded, "we've been good friends for several years."

**********

QJ separated from the two teachers at the front gate. He headed toward the stables with the two Shadow Fiends in tow. He had an old mandolin strapped across his back for insurance.

As they approached the stable, Jali sent him an image of Breeze hiding behind some hay bales next to Scorches stall. QJ laughed when he approached the stall.

Breeze jumped out, her eyes smiling. "QJ!"

QJ turned slightly as he opened the gate, just enough so she could see the mandolin on his back. "Yes?"

"Dratz..." She gave him a sour look and then stomped off toward her own horse.

QJ was breaking apart a bale when he heard footsteps running, an out of breath Nina was smiling at him. "Found you, hey QJ do y..." She trailed off when she spotted the instrument.

"Can I help you, Nina?" QJ was surprised that the purple-haired third year would even think to ask him.

"Sure, would you set that instrument down for a moment?" Nina pursed her lips as if considering her next move.

"Denied." QJ grinned at her and filled Scorches bin up with hay. "That's two," he muttered as she walked away.

He grabbed a handful of hay and started rubbing down Scorch.

"Hey QJ, if you don't go with someone you'll have to serve drinks or food." Lotte peeked over the stall, only the top of her head visible.

"I'll consider putting it down if you decide to ask me." QJ grinned when her face turned red and quickly disappeared from view. "Where did you go?"

"Shut up dummy." Lotte's voice carried through the stall, but she stayed out of sight.

By the time he finished the afternoon ch.o.r.es, Lotte had disappeared. QJ headed toward the Captured Arena, both Panthers following closely.

"Hey QJ!" Fora from the 3rd year Iron Mount cla.s.s fell in step with him.

"Oh hey Fora, good luck today." QJ had only met her one time, but she had seemed very nice.

"Going to take it easy on us today during Captured?" Fora wore her blond hair in the same twin pigtails she had worn last time.

"Um... no." QJ decided he liked the pigtails, even though it made her look very young.

"Bleh.." Fora stuck her tongue out. "Fine, can I hold that mandolin for a moment? I'm actually a really good musician."

"Denied." QJ stared at her, trying to figure if she was being serious.

**********

The freshmen from GnG easily outpointed the 3rd years from Iron Mount. Ringo was going over different strategies with QJ when her hud buzzed at her. A moment later a loud klaxon sounded off in the Academy.

Ringo brought up her hud to see a panicked looking Dessi. "What's going on Dessi?"

"Is QJ with you?" Dessi's voice was hoa.r.s.e as if she had been shouting.

"Yes of course." Ringo noticed that the Shadowfiends had suddenly closed in around QJ.

"Bring him to the Entrance immediately." Dessi started shouting at someone just before she closed comm.

"Everyone stay here, QJ come with me." Ringo summoned her horse and glanced at QJ as he jumped up on one of the Panthers.

The black cats easily kept pace with Ringo as she galloped toward the entrance. A few minutes later they entered the courtyard. Ringo pulled back on the reins, her eyes wide in shock. "Holy s.h.i.+t."

"d.a.m.n..." QJ took a quick look around the courtyard. "It's Dagger and Silverleaf Company, armed to the teeth."

They both dismounted, QJ noticed Leah and Mojo waiting patiently while looking up at the second-floor window. A moment later the window exploded outward and a person was tossed out to bounce on the courtyard below. A tall dark-haired man with twin guns stood on the broken window pane before hopping down. He glanced at Leah. "Play it."

Leah nodded and then expanded her hud and played a recording. A white-haired woman was standing in the Dean's office. It was the woman who had attacked Lark in the caves.

"I'm going to need you to make sure QJ gets into GnG. Is that clear Dean Tomas?" The woman's hand caressed the hilt of her sword as she spoke.

Dean Tomas nodded, "and my debt gets erased?"

"Yes, that's our deal." The slender woman smiled suddenly, it was a nasty smile full of hatred.

"Agreed, I don't want to know anything else."

The recording was interrupted when Mojo leaped at the man who was lying face down on the gra.s.s. The dark elf grabbed him by the throat and shook him like a ragdoll. "You dare? You dare try to harm him?"

"That's enough daughter." A pretty woman with short silver hair stepped forward, the fury in Mojo's eyes still remained but she tossed the man back on the ground and took a step back.

Quinn stared at the Dean for a moment and then turned back toward Leah. "You know what to do."

Leah nodded as Captain Vess and Captain Yaya stepped forward. The pretty redhead's green eyes held none of their usual warmth. "Evacuate the students, the faculty and the animals. Then burn this place to the ground."