A co-instructor in dueling, Emily Leopard (Hanger-On)

As things develop, you and Golondrina find yourselves overmatched by the demands of the Leontes first-years and their remedial skills. They're trying, it's not goodwill that's a problem, but there are enough of them that it's been a challenge to keep their attention for long enough to get through a successful exercise.

When the Tutor checks in, he nods thoughtfully. "There's another talented young witch in need of a systematic approach to pedagogy. After all, if Miss Leopard follows her ambitions, she'll be not merely a duellist, but an instructor. I'll ask the Warden to spare her."

With Golondrina herding the remedial class, and with you and Emily Leopard working actively on the exercises, the younger scholars' progress accelerates. Emily's flashy dueling outfit, cut to flatter her figure like the Warden's outfit, helps hold the scholars' attention, you'd allow. And Emily likes the attention. But you're the one who sets the teaching sequence, organizes and tidies. Emily Leopard, to you, is already a celebrity in her own mind, and skimps on the inglorious parts. But the dunces are now herded, due to Golondrina, and instructed, with yourself and Emily sufficient to the task, and things go smoothly day to day.

In a few weeks, Preston Sharper brings you both into his office, and alongside the Warden, Barbara Torch, the Tutor discharges you from remedial instructor work, with thanks and appreciation for your success.

"They have control, now, and control is what they need. Well done, Miss Woodbine, Miss Leopard ."

Emily Leopard beams a smile at Mr. Sharper, but her eyes are on Barbara Torch. Emily has been even more a pet and a plaything of the Warden, modeling her look and her personality on the volatile House Leontes officer, and sharing Barbara Torch's bed, often with blood heightened after their regular sparring practice for duel moves.

"I bet you're grateful I showed up," Miss Leopard says. "It took Warden's pull to get you in, and Warden told me I was to pull your chestnuts out, Morgan."

You frown and bite back the words you were going to snap at Emily.

Emily pouts and raises her finely drawn brows, the light from a window highlighting them against her dark, smooth forehead. Much like Barbara Torch's look, except that you've never seen the Warden pout.

"Aren't we all here to make each other better witches, bolder and braver?" you say.

Emily snorts. "I suppose there's a reason that everyone is here." She cocks her head to one side, then raises it again and shakes it. "Sharper wants me to be your dueling instructress. The very thought. But I'll be watching you, Woodbine. You may think you've charmed Warden, or have something over on her. But it's really the other way around. You should be more grateful to your betters."

You don't hear the words from her lips, but you imagine all too well. You should be more grateful to your betters, hedge witch.

You head toward the common room for a meal, but Emily follows, nagging and complaining. You're not even sure what she wants. Mostly you want to make sure that Golondrina knows how much her help mattered for you, and shrug off Leopard if you can, as long as she's in a mood. Whatever mood it is that makes her play the jealous, self-glorifying ass at you.

On a 7-9, when you ACHIEVE A GOAL, succeed (+1 XP), and gain a HANGER-ON who thinks they're entitled to the credit and the glory: the Warden's pet and protégée, Emily Leopard.

• Appease Her: go along and do some duel practice, or whatever it is she's on about.
• Put Her Off: "Not NOW, Emily, PLEASE."
• Discourage: "I don't know what you think you're doing, but I agree, I don't think you should be my dueling partner."

Choose APPEASE, PUT OFF, or DISCOURAGE. Roll +AMBITION, at a -1 penalty (HANGER-ON), to DEAL WITH YOUR HANGER-ON.

Gain +1 XP for succeeding at a DILIGENCE task to drill the first-years. You have 3 XP.
You have +2 Ambition, +1 Bravery, +2 Cunning, +0 Diligence.
You know the Forbidden Spell TRANSFORM and the spell MORPHO PHALLUS.
Your FRIENDs are Golondrina, Fay and Barbara Torch, the Warden of House Leontes.

Your agenda as a new member of House Leontes: Placate the Warden, be useful to the Tutor, practice magical duelling (though you hate it), and don't lose Fay, the brilliant and moody witch who hates how much she loves you, or Golondrina, your secret dragonfolk princess, especially now that she's complimented your strength and confidence.