Final Meeting of the Day

John walked through the door to his home and called out a greeting to his mother. There was no answer, but John knew she was home as he spied her purse sitting on the counter. Remembering that he had taken ten dollars the day before, he quickly checked his stealth indicator, and when he saw that it was at zero, he took the time to put the ten dollars back into her purse.

He honestly felt bad that he had forgotten to do that yesterday, but at least he had corrected the mistake now. With a clean conscience he walked up stairs and saw his mother’s door ajar again. A small shiver ran down his spine as he remembered what he saw when he looked in there yesterday, and decided that it was in his best interest if he didn’t look in on her.

He entered his room quietly, not paying attention to his surroundings and flopped on his bed. He stared up at the ceiling and enjoyed the peaceful feeling of having nothing to do at the moment. That is until someone cleared their throat.

John bolted upright at the noise, looking around wildly to see who it was. His eyes settled on the quiet form of Rowena as she sat at his computer desk. “I hope you don’t mind, but your mom let me,” she said quietly, “I told her I was a new student and that you had agreed to catch me up on what I had missed so far.”

John rubbed his face as he remembered that he had agreed to meet with Rowena earlier. “I’m sorry, I have just had a lot on my mind today. I sort of forgot about our meeting,” John apologizes to the woman in front of him.

“I understand,” she replied softly, “From what I understand, The Goddess only just gave you your powers, and to be thrown into the deep end, so to say, would be a lot for anyone.” She stands and moves over to sit on the edge of the bed. “Do you have somewhere to talk privately?” she asked John.

“Not really, but I can try making a barrier where we can be alone?” John offered, to which Rowena nodded and motioned for John to proceed. John raised his hand and used his new skill that Moira taught him.

The area surrounding the two of them changed drastically. One moment the were both sitting on his bed in his room, the next they were standing on the top of a hill covered in green grass surrounded by other rolling hills as far as the eye could see. The sky was a darker shade of blue than normal but there was a sun in the sky.

“Nice place to have a meeting,” Rowena said simply before she flashed darkly, the armor he had seen in his dream appearing on her body. “Much better,” she said brightly as she set her helmet down by her feet, then she turned to face John. “Before I begin answering your questions, I will answer then one that you had earlier. My full name is Rowena Regina, The Queen of Crows, and the youngest member of the Voices of the Goddess.” She smiles and bows at the waist before John.

John stares blankly for a minute as he tries to process the information that had just been given to him. Then he replies, “I am John Newman, The Gamer…. Uh I don’t really have anything else to add to that.” John scratches the back of his head, not sure what to do next.

Rowena stands, the smile still on her face. “Now, let’s get down to business, I have a lot to teach you,” she said, but unlike when the others who were trying to get him to join their factions, her tone set John at ease.

Hours passed as she patiently, and sometimes playfully answered his questions about what she knew in the Abyss. By the time the two of them, John realized just how far down the rabbit hole he had fallen, but he had hope, and enough knowledge now to make some better informed decisions on what to do with his future.

“I have to meet with Mrs. Wentworth tomorrow, as well as turn in my answer to the Brightons and the Golden Rose,” John said and watched as Rowena’s face blanched slightly, “What’s wrong?”

“The Scarlet Witch is a wild card, and more often than not she has only her own interests at heart. The other Voices talk about how she has betrayed the various causes she was a part of just because she didn’t like how something went,” she explained, “It would be best if you didn’t associate with her too much.”

“Okay then,” John replied hesitantly. He was quiet for time before he looked at her. “Who do you think I should join?” he asked.

Rowena blinked, shocked that he would ask her. “Well… uh… that is… I don’t think I am qualified to answer that for you. But…” she trailed off and looked away, “If you wanted to you could always ask my mentor about joining the Voices.”

“I think that I will consider it,” John replied tactfully before he looked down at his watch. It was almost time for him to get ready for school. “Oh man, how are we going to explain that you stayed the night to my mom?” John asked as he stood suddenly.

“You mean you didn’t add a time dilation to your barrier?” Rowena asked as she looked at her wrist to see that he didn’t. “Well that is going to make school tomorrow a little harder,” she chuckled, “But don’t worry about your mom.”