Welcome to the Institute

She closed her eyes and thought hard before pulling out a spray can of extra strength pepper spray

Mr. Lewis smiled proudly with a quick glance before returning his gaze to the bats overhead.  Some of them were beginning to make diving charges at their heads, and they had grown into a swarm, the rustling of their wings loud overhead.  He ducked and rolled behind a dumpster.  “Take cover!  Less directions of attack; easier to defend!”

She ducked, diving to the side and spraying bats getting near her

The attacks came faster and faster, the airborne creatures bouncing off their cover with loud thwacks, and down the street, many of the bats began to come together in a formation like a hurricane of wings that gradually began to assume a humanoid shape.  The bat-swarm moved forward slowly, approaching Persephone and Mr. Lewis along the ground in a motion approximating walking, a few inches above the ground.

Persephone gasped, moving and pressing against the wall. “What is that?”

“It feels like Mysticism and Blood Magic…. As if someone has split their spirit up to control all these bats…” he breathed heavily as the humanoid swarm of bats approached, a thousand wings humming against each other softly, rising and falling softly, almost like laughter.

“I’m scared!” she hissed. Her can disintegrated into dust after she said the words. She wanted to run and hide under the covers of her bed back home

As if sensing her fear, the swarm-thing advanced more quickly, extending one fluttering arm, sending a rushing deluge of bats towards them.  Mr. Lewis grabbed the lid of a trash can as an impromptu shield, and from behind it, Persephone could see the rush of bats denting the metal in their furious onslaught.  In moments, the swarm would reach them, and now they were pinned down.

She screamed. “What happens if it touches us?! ”

With a frown, he turned back to her, displaying a look that clearly stated he had no idea and was not in a hurry to find out.  Looking around frantically, he sucked in a deep breath and fixed Persephone with determined eyes.  “We have to rush through it…. There’s no other way.”

She whined a bit but nodded. She got ready to run

“Stay close behind me, right on my heels…” He said grimly, before turning to face the menacing bat-storm clattering against his makeshift shield.  At a crouch, ducking behind the shield, he began to charge the creature, and angry bats whizzed past within inches on either side of him.  His charge cut a narrow tunnel that quickly began to close behind him.

She ran with him feeling something smack against her as they got in

The sharp bite of fangs against her flesh burned like fire, and it was a flame that began to spread throughout her body.  In seconds, they had pushed through the bats and the swarm began to dissipate as the park grew nearer.  With searing pain, Persephone could feel her muscles stiffening as they became slower to respond to her commands.

She panted and whimpered stopping and falling. Ice formed around her as she tried to sooth the burning pain

As the burning sensation reached her head, a fever overtook her, and the shadows of the night lengthened and blurred.  As if from under the sea, Mr. Lewis’s voice reached her.  “Are you alright?” the distant voice echoed at the fringes of her awareness. Before her eyes, the image of his face twisted, from a look of intense concern into a monstrous visage of sadistic glee, and it was as if a thick black syrup oozed from inside her mind and throughout her body, tainting her perception and thickening her motions.

She closed her eyes and thought hard before pulling out a spray can of extra strength pepper spray

Mr. Lewis smiled proudly with a quick glance before returning his gaze to the bats overhead.  Some of them were beginning to make diving charges at their heads, and they had grown into a swarm, the rustling of their wings loud overhead.  He ducked and rolled behind a dumpster.  “Take cover!  Less directions of attack; easier to defend!”

She ducked, diving to the side and spraying bats getting near her

The attacks came faster and faster, the airborne creatures bouncing off their cover with loud thwacks, and down the street, many of the bats began to come together in a formation like a hurricane of wings that gradually began to assume a humanoid shape.  The bat-swarm moved forward slowly, approaching Persephone and Mr. Lewis along the ground in a motion approximating walking, a few inches above the ground.

Persephone gasped, moving and pressing against the wall. “What is that?”

“It feels like Mysticism and Blood Magic…. As if someone has split their spirit up to control all these bats…” he breathed heavily as the humanoid swarm of bats approached, a thousand wings humming against each other softly, rising and falling softly, almost like laughter.

“I’m scared!” she hissed. Her can disintegrated into dust after she said the words. She wanted to run and hide under the covers of her bed back home

As if sensing her fear, the swarm-thing advanced more quickly, extending one fluttering arm, sending a rushing deluge of bats towards them.  Mr. Lewis grabbed the lid of a trash can as an impromptu shield, and from behind it, Persephone could see the rush of bats denting the metal in their furious onslaught.  In moments, the swarm would reach them, and now they were pinned down.

She screamed. “What happens if it touches us?! ”

With a frown, he turned back to her, displaying a look that clearly stated he had no idea and was not in a hurry to find out.  Looking around frantically, he sucked in a deep breath and fixed Persephone with determined eyes.  “We have to rush through it…. There’s no other way.”

She whined a bit but nodded. She got ready to run

“Stay close behind me, right on my heels…” He said grimly, before turning to face the menacing bat-storm clattering against his makeshift shield.  At a crouch, ducking behind the shield, he began to charge the creature, and angry bats whizzed past within inches on either side of him.  His charge cut a narrow tunnel that quickly began to close behind him.

She ran with him feeling something smack against her as they got in

The sharp bite of fangs against her flesh burned like fire, and it was a flame that began to spread throughout her body.  In seconds, they had pushed through the bats and the swarm began to dissipate as the park grew nearer.  With searing pain, Persephone could feel her muscles stiffening as they became slower to respond to her commands.

She closed her eyes and thought hard before pulling out a spray can of extra strength pepper spray

Mr. Lewis smiled proudly with a quick glance before returning his gaze to the bats overhead.  Some of them were beginning to make diving charges at their heads, and they had grown into a swarm, the rustling of their wings loud overhead.  He ducked and rolled behind a dumpster.  “Take cover!  Less directions of attack; easier to defend!”

She ducked, diving to the side and spraying bats getting near her

The attacks came faster and faster, the airborne creatures bouncing off their cover with loud thwacks, and down the street, many of the bats began to come together in a formation like a hurricane of wings that gradually began to assume a humanoid shape.  The bat-swarm moved forward slowly, approaching Persephone and Mr. Lewis along the ground in a motion approximating walking, a few inches above the ground.

Persephone gasped, moving and pressing against the wall. “What is that?”

“It feels like Mysticism and Blood Magic…. As if someone has split their spirit up to control all these bats…” he breathed heavily as the humanoid swarm of bats approached, a thousand wings humming against each other softly, rising and falling softly, almost like laughter.

“I’m scared!” she hissed. Her can disintegrated into dust after she said the words. She wanted to run and hide under the covers of her bed back home

As if sensing her fear, the swarm-thing advanced more quickly, extending one fluttering arm, sending a rushing deluge of bats towards them.  Mr. Lewis grabbed the lid of a trash can as an impromptu shield, and from behind it, Persephone could see the rush of bats denting the metal in their furious onslaught.  In moments, the swarm would reach them, and now they were pinned down.

She screamed. “What happens if it touches us?! ”

With a frown, he turned back to her, displaying a look that clearly stated he had no idea and was not in a hurry to find out.  Looking around frantically, he sucked in a deep breath and fixed Persephone with determined eyes.  “We have to rush through it…. There’s no other way.”

She whined a bit but nodded. She got ready to run

“Stay close behind me, right on my heels...” He said grimly, before turning to face the menacing bat-storm clattering against his makeshift shield.  At a crouch, ducking behind the shield, he began to charge the creature, and angry bats whizzed past within inches on either side of him.  His charge cut a narrow tunnel that quickly began to close behind him.

She closed her eyes and thought hard before pulling out a spray can of extra strength pepper spray

Mr. Lewis smiled proudly with a quick glance before returning his gaze to the bats overhead.  Some of them were beginning to make diving charges at their heads, and they had grown into a swarm, the rustling of their wings loud overhead.  He ducked and rolled behind a dumpster.  “Take cover!  Less directions of attack; easier to defend!”

She ducked, diving to the side and spraying bats getting near her

The attacks came faster and faster, the airborne creatures bouncing off their cover with loud thwacks, and down the street, many of the bats began to come together in a formation like a hurricane of wings that gradually began to assume a humanoid shape.  The bat-swarm moved forward slowly, approaching Persephone and Mr. Lewis along the ground in a motion approximating walking, a few inches above the ground.

Persephone gasped, moving and pressing against the wall. “What is that?”

“It feels like Mysticism and Blood Magic…. As if someone has split their spirit up to control all these bats…” he breathed heavily as the humanoid swarm of bats approached, a thousand wings humming against each other softly, rising and falling softly, almost like laughter.

“I’m scared!” she hissed. Her can disintegrated into dust after she said the words. She wanted to run and hide under the covers of her bed back home

As if sensing her fear, the swarm-thing advanced more quickly, extending one fluttering arm, sending a rushing deluge of bats towards them.  Mr. Lewis grabbed the lid of a trash can as an impromptu shield, and from behind it, Persephone could see the rush of bats denting the metal in their furious onslaught.  In moments, the swarm would reach them, and now they were pinned down.

She screamed. “What happens if it touches us?! ”

With a frown, he turned back to her, displaying a look that clearly stated he had no idea and was not in a hurry to find out.  Looking around frantically, he sucked in a deep breath and fixed Persephone with determined eyes.  “We have to rush through it.... There’s no other way.”

She closed her eyes and thought hard before pulling out a spray can of extra strength pepper spray

Mr. Lewis smiled proudly with a quick glance before returning his gaze to the bats overhead.  Some of them were beginning to make diving charges at their heads, and they had grown into a swarm, the rustling of their wings loud overhead.  He ducked and rolled behind a dumpster.  “Take cover!  Less directions of attack; easier to defend!”

She ducked, diving to the side and spraying bats getting near her

The attacks came faster and faster, the airborne creatures bouncing off their cover with loud thwacks, and down the street, many of the bats began to come together in a formation like a hurricane of wings that gradually began to assume a humanoid shape.  The bat-swarm moved forward slowly, approaching Persephone and Mr. Lewis along the ground in a motion approximating walking, a few inches above the ground.

Persephone gasped, moving and pressing against the wall. “What is that?”

“It feels like Mysticism and Blood Magic…. As if someone has split their spirit up to control all these bats…” he breathed heavily as the humanoid swarm of bats approached, a thousand wings humming against each other softly, rising and falling softly, almost like laughter.

“I’m scared!” she hissed. Her can disintegrated into dust after she said the words. She wanted to run and hide under the covers of her bed back home

As if sensing her fear, the swarm-thing advanced more quickly, extending one fluttering arm, sending a rushing deluge of bats towards them.  Mr. Lewis grabbed the lid of a trash can as an impromptu shield, and from behind it, Persephone could see the rush of bats denting the metal in their furious onslaught.  In moments, the swarm would reach them, and now they were pinned down.

She closed her eyes and thought hard before pulling out a spray can of extra strength pepper spray

Mr. Lewis smiled proudly with a quick glance before returning his gaze to the bats overhead.  Some of them were beginning to make diving charges at their heads, and they had grown into a swarm, the rustling of their wings loud overhead.  He ducked and rolled behind a dumpster.  “Take cover!  Less directions of attack; easier to defend!”

She ducked, diving to the side and spraying bats getting near her

The attacks came faster and faster, the airborne creatures bouncing off their cover with loud thwacks, and down the street, many of the bats began to come together in a formation like a hurricane of wings that gradually began to assume a humanoid shape.  The bat-swarm moved forward slowly, approaching Persephone and Mr. Lewis along the ground in a motion approximating walking, a few inches above the ground.

Persephone gasped, moving and pressing against the wall. “What is that?”

“It feels like Mysticism and Blood Magic.... As if someone has split their spirit up to control all these bats...” he breathed heavily as the humanoid swarm of bats approached, a thousand wings humming against each other softly, rising and falling softly, almost like laughter.

She closed her eyes and thought hard before pulling out a spray can of extra strength pepper spray

Mr. Lewis smiled proudly with a quick glance before returning his gaze to the bats overhead.  Some of them were beginning to make diving charges at their heads, and they had grown into a swarm, the rustling of their wings loud overhead.  He ducked and rolled behind a dumpster.  “Take cover!  Less directions of attack; easier to defend!”

She ducked, diving to the side and spraying bats getting near her

The attacks came faster and faster, the airborne creatures bouncing off their cover with loud thwacks, and down the street, many of the bats began to come together in a formation like a hurricane of wings that gradually began to assume a humanoid shape.  The bat-swarm moved forward slowly, approaching Persephone and Mr. Lewis along the ground in a motion approximating walking, a few inches above the ground.

She closed her eyes and thought hard before pulling out a spray can of extra strength pepper spray

Mr. Lewis smiled proudly with a quick glance before returning his gaze to the bats overhead.  Some of them were beginning to make diving charges at their heads, and they had grown into a swarm, the rustling of their wings loud overhead.  He ducked and rolled behind a dumpster.  “Take cover!  Less directions of attack; easier to defend!”

“Shh, shh shh…” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know…”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I… We have magick inside us…  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park…  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place…”

“bakemono? Magic? ” she sat up. “what are you?”

Mr. Lewis picked up one of his duplicate drinks and took a long, deep draught.  “Collectively, we call ourselves Outsiders…  There are parts of us that are foreign to the human realm.  For you and me, that means at least part of our soul incarnated here from somewhere else.  That’s why we can do things that other people can’t, like Magick… The way you enchanted your shoes to escape, for example… Bakemono is what we call Outsiders that literally EAT other Outsiders to get stronger…  The rest of us consider that bad manners,” he smiled.

She quirked an eyebrow. “so… Why were you stalking me?”

“Chronomancy is one of my talents,” he smiled pleasantly.  “With it, I can see things that haven’t happened yet.  I knew that you would be Awakening today, and I wanted to get to you before the bakemono cut your introduction to our world short.”

“Well… Actually I don’t think this is the first time I’ve done something like this…when I was little I used to float when skipped in my room.”

“Naturally,” Mr. Lewis cordially replied before draining his glass and setting it on the table with a quiet clink.  “Together with what you did today, this tells me that you have strong aptitudes with Alchemy and Spacing, at least.  Right now, you’re a Wild Talent, and your abilities will mostly manifest without your control under extreme emotion.  I’d like to help you learn to control them, expand them, and protect yourself from bakemono…”

“Um, what do I need to do exactly? Because I have a deadline for my photography job.”

“Simply come and visit me when you have the time, or if you are attacked and can escape long enough to find your way here…”  He drained the other glass and released a sigh of satisfaction, before pulling something from the inner breast pocket of his jacket, and placing it in Persephone’s hand.  “This amulet will help to conceal your aura from the Bakemono, but it won’t be 100%.  Hiding things works better underground, which is why I’ve made my home in the basement level of my gallery.  As long as you don’t stay in one place for too long, it should suffice.”  The amulet was a gold disc that sparkled in the light, inset with angular carvings, and on a gold chain.

She put it in her pocket. “Um… Could you walk me home.” she asked

“Of course,” he grinned cordially, standing and offering her his hand.

She took it quietly. She stood up

He led her by the hand back up the stairs and through the front door of the gallery onto the street, cautiously looking both ways before stepping through the door.  “I hope you sleep well, tonight,” he said.  “It’s been a very trying day.  Try to work through this a little at a time…”  He glanced up and down the street again.  “You’ll have to lead, I’m afraid… I don’t know where you live.” He smiled apologetically.

She nodded and pointed out a tall building near the park. “I live in that hotel, top floor. My roommates are away in Paris so I’m currently alone. ” she told him. (any scary?)

He nodded solemnly, and continued to look around on the alert as they walked towards the hotel.  A small bat flew over the street above their heads, and Mr. Lewis startled, raising his arm in defensive posture with a subtle growl before continuing.  “Something isn’t right,” he whispered, leaning closer to her ear.  “Get ready…”

“How?! I don’t know how to use my magic!” she hissed

Another bat flew overhead, and another, weaving back and forth over the rooftops on either side of the street, the flapping of their wings growing louder as their numbers grew.  “Don’t let them touch you...” He advised, watching.  “Imagine you’ve got something useful to defend yourself in your pocket... BELIEVE it wholeheartedly.... And try to pull it out... Something simple...”

“Shh, shh shh…” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know…”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I… We have magick inside us…  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park…  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place…”

“bakemono? Magic? ” she sat up. “what are you?”

Mr. Lewis picked up one of his duplicate drinks and took a long, deep draught.  “Collectively, we call ourselves Outsiders…  There are parts of us that are foreign to the human realm.  For you and me, that means at least part of our soul incarnated here from somewhere else.  That’s why we can do things that other people can’t, like Magick… The way you enchanted your shoes to escape, for example… Bakemono is what we call Outsiders that literally EAT other Outsiders to get stronger…  The rest of us consider that bad manners,” he smiled.

She quirked an eyebrow. “so… Why were you stalking me?”

“Chronomancy is one of my talents,” he smiled pleasantly.  “With it, I can see things that haven’t happened yet.  I knew that you would be Awakening today, and I wanted to get to you before the bakemono cut your introduction to our world short.”

“Well… Actually I don’t think this is the first time I’ve done something like this…when I was little I used to float when skipped in my room.”

“Naturally,” Mr. Lewis cordially replied before draining his glass and setting it on the table with a quiet clink.  “Together with what you did today, this tells me that you have strong aptitudes with Alchemy and Spacing, at least.  Right now, you’re a Wild Talent, and your abilities will mostly manifest without your control under extreme emotion.  I’d like to help you learn to control them, expand them, and protect yourself from bakemono…”

“Um, what do I need to do exactly? Because I have a deadline for my photography job.”

“Simply come and visit me when you have the time, or if you are attacked and can escape long enough to find your way here…”  He drained the other glass and released a sigh of satisfaction, before pulling something from the inner breast pocket of his jacket, and placing it in Persephone’s hand.  “This amulet will help to conceal your aura from the Bakemono, but it won’t be 100%.  Hiding things works better underground, which is why I’ve made my home in the basement level of my gallery.  As long as you don’t stay in one place for too long, it should suffice.”  The amulet was a gold disc that sparkled in the light, inset with angular carvings, and on a gold chain.

She put it in her pocket. “Um… Could you walk me home.” she asked

“Of course,” he grinned cordially, standing and offering her his hand.

She took it quietly. She stood up

He led her by the hand back up the stairs and through the front door of the gallery onto the street, cautiously looking both ways before stepping through the door.  “I hope you sleep well, tonight,” he said.  “It’s been a very trying day.  Try to work through this a little at a time…”  He glanced up and down the street again.  “You’ll have to lead, I’m afraid… I don’t know where you live.” He smiled apologetically.

She nodded and pointed out a tall building near the park. “I live in that hotel, top floor. My roommates are away in Paris so I’m currently alone. ” she told him. (any scary?)

He nodded solemnly, and continued to look around on the alert as they walked towards the hotel.  A small bat flew over the street above their heads, and Mr. Lewis startled, raising his arm in defensive posture with a subtle growl before continuing.  “Something isn’t right,” he whispered, leaning closer to her ear.  “Get ready...”

“Shh, shh shh…” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know…”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I… We have magick inside us…  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park…  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place…”

“bakemono? Magic? ” she sat up. “what are you?”

Mr. Lewis picked up one of his duplicate drinks and took a long, deep draught.  “Collectively, we call ourselves Outsiders…  There are parts of us that are foreign to the human realm.  For you and me, that means at least part of our soul incarnated here from somewhere else.  That’s why we can do things that other people can’t, like Magick… The way you enchanted your shoes to escape, for example… Bakemono is what we call Outsiders that literally EAT other Outsiders to get stronger…  The rest of us consider that bad manners,” he smiled.

She quirked an eyebrow. “so… Why were you stalking me?”

“Chronomancy is one of my talents,” he smiled pleasantly.  “With it, I can see things that haven’t happened yet.  I knew that you would be Awakening today, and I wanted to get to you before the bakemono cut your introduction to our world short.”

“Well… Actually I don’t think this is the first time I’ve done something like this…when I was little I used to float when skipped in my room.”

“Naturally,” Mr. Lewis cordially replied before draining his glass and setting it on the table with a quiet clink.  “Together with what you did today, this tells me that you have strong aptitudes with Alchemy and Spacing, at least.  Right now, you’re a Wild Talent, and your abilities will mostly manifest without your control under extreme emotion.  I’d like to help you learn to control them, expand them, and protect yourself from bakemono…”

“Um, what do I need to do exactly? Because I have a deadline for my photography job.”

“Simply come and visit me when you have the time, or if you are attacked and can escape long enough to find your way here…”  He drained the other glass and released a sigh of satisfaction, before pulling something from the inner breast pocket of his jacket, and placing it in Persephone’s hand.  “This amulet will help to conceal your aura from the Bakemono, but it won’t be 100%.  Hiding things works better underground, which is why I’ve made my home in the basement level of my gallery.  As long as you don’t stay in one place for too long, it should suffice.”  The amulet was a gold disc that sparkled in the light, inset with angular carvings, and on a gold chain.

She put it in her pocket. “Um… Could you walk me home.” she asked

“Of course,” he grinned cordially, standing and offering her his hand.

She took it quietly. She stood up

He led her by the hand back up the stairs and through the front door of the gallery onto the street, cautiously looking both ways before stepping through the door.  “I hope you sleep well, tonight,” he said.  “It’s been a very trying day.  Try to work through this a little at a time...”  He glanced up and down the street again.  “You’ll have to lead, I’m afraid... I don’t know where you live.” He smiled apologetically.

“Shh, shh shh…” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know…”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I… We have magick inside us…  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park…  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place…”

“bakemono? Magic? ” she sat up. “what are you?”

Mr. Lewis picked up one of his duplicate drinks and took a long, deep draught.  “Collectively, we call ourselves Outsiders…  There are parts of us that are foreign to the human realm.  For you and me, that means at least part of our soul incarnated here from somewhere else.  That’s why we can do things that other people can’t, like Magick… The way you enchanted your shoes to escape, for example… Bakemono is what we call Outsiders that literally EAT other Outsiders to get stronger…  The rest of us consider that bad manners,” he smiled.

She quirked an eyebrow. “so… Why were you stalking me?”

“Chronomancy is one of my talents,” he smiled pleasantly.  “With it, I can see things that haven’t happened yet.  I knew that you would be Awakening today, and I wanted to get to you before the bakemono cut your introduction to our world short.”

“Well… Actually I don’t think this is the first time I’ve done something like this…when I was little I used to float when skipped in my room.”

“Naturally,” Mr. Lewis cordially replied before draining his glass and setting it on the table with a quiet clink.  “Together with what you did today, this tells me that you have strong aptitudes with Alchemy and Spacing, at least.  Right now, you’re a Wild Talent, and your abilities will mostly manifest without your control under extreme emotion.  I’d like to help you learn to control them, expand them, and protect yourself from bakemono…”

“Um, what do I need to do exactly? Because I have a deadline for my photography job.”

“Simply come and visit me when you have the time, or if you are attacked and can escape long enough to find your way here…”  He drained the other glass and released a sigh of satisfaction, before pulling something from the inner breast pocket of his jacket, and placing it in Persephone’s hand.  “This amulet will help to conceal your aura from the Bakemono, but it won’t be 100%.  Hiding things works better underground, which is why I’ve made my home in the basement level of my gallery.  As long as you don’t stay in one place for too long, it should suffice.”  The amulet was a gold disc that sparkled in the light, inset with angular carvings, and on a gold chain.

She put it in her pocket. “Um… Could you walk me home.” she asked

“Of course,” he grinned cordially, standing and offering her his hand.

“Shh, shh shh…” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know…”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I… We have magick inside us…  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park…  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place…”

“bakemono? Magic? ” she sat up. “what are you?”

Mr. Lewis picked up one of his duplicate drinks and took a long, deep draught.  “Collectively, we call ourselves Outsiders…  There are parts of us that are foreign to the human realm.  For you and me, that means at least part of our soul incarnated here from somewhere else.  That’s why we can do things that other people can’t, like Magick… The way you enchanted your shoes to escape, for example… Bakemono is what we call Outsiders that literally EAT other Outsiders to get stronger…  The rest of us consider that bad manners,” he smiled.

She quirked an eyebrow. “so… Why were you stalking me?”

“Chronomancy is one of my talents,” he smiled pleasantly.  “With it, I can see things that haven’t happened yet.  I knew that you would be Awakening today, and I wanted to get to you before the bakemono cut your introduction to our world short.”

“Well… Actually I don’t think this is the first time I’ve done something like this…when I was little I used to float when skipped in my room.”

“Naturally,” Mr. Lewis cordially replied before draining his glass and setting it on the table with a quiet clink.  “Together with what you did today, this tells me that you have strong aptitudes with Alchemy and Spacing, at least.  Right now, you’re a Wild Talent, and your abilities will mostly manifest without your control under extreme emotion.  I’d like to help you learn to control them, expand them, and protect yourself from bakemono…”

“Um, what do I need to do exactly? Because I have a deadline for my photography job.”

“Simply come and visit me when you have the time, or if you are attacked and can escape long enough to find your way here...”  He drained the other glass and released a sigh of satisfaction, before pulling something from the inner breast pocket of his jacket, and placing it in Persephone’s hand.  “This amulet will help to conceal your aura from the Bakemono, but it won’t be 100%.  Hiding things works better underground, which is why I’ve made my home in the basement level of my gallery.  As long as you don’t stay in one place for too long, it should suffice.”  The amulet was a gold disc that sparkled in the light, inset with angular carvings, and on a gold chain.

“Shh, shh shh…” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know…”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I… We have magick inside us…  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park…  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place…”

“bakemono? Magic? ” she sat up. “what are you?”

Mr. Lewis picked up one of his duplicate drinks and took a long, deep draught.  “Collectively, we call ourselves Outsiders…  There are parts of us that are foreign to the human realm.  For you and me, that means at least part of our soul incarnated here from somewhere else.  That’s why we can do things that other people can’t, like Magick… The way you enchanted your shoes to escape, for example… Bakemono is what we call Outsiders that literally EAT other Outsiders to get stronger…  The rest of us consider that bad manners,” he smiled.

She quirked an eyebrow. “so… Why were you stalking me?”

“Chronomancy is one of my talents,” he smiled pleasantly.  “With it, I can see things that haven’t happened yet.  I knew that you would be Awakening today, and I wanted to get to you before the bakemono cut your introduction to our world short.”

“Well… Actually I don’t think this is the first time I’ve done something like this…when I was little I used to float when skipped in my room.”

“Naturally,” Mr. Lewis cordially replied before draining his glass and setting it on the table with a quiet clink.  “Together with what you did today, this tells me that you have strong aptitudes with Alchemy and Spacing, at least.  Right now, you’re a Wild Talent, and your abilities will mostly manifest without your control under extreme emotion.  I’d like to help you learn to control them, expand them, and protect yourself from bakemono...”

“Shh, shh shh…” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know…”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I… We have magick inside us…  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park…  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place…”

“bakemono? Magic? ” she sat up. “what are you?”

Mr. Lewis picked up one of his duplicate drinks and took a long, deep draught.  “Collectively, we call ourselves Outsiders…  There are parts of us that are foreign to the human realm.  For you and me, that means at least part of our soul incarnated here from somewhere else.  That’s why we can do things that other people can’t, like Magick… The way you enchanted your shoes to escape, for example… Bakemono is what we call Outsiders that literally EAT other Outsiders to get stronger…  The rest of us consider that bad manners,” he smiled.

She quirked an eyebrow. “so… Why were you stalking me?”

“Chronomancy is one of my talents,” he smiled pleasantly.  “With it, I can see things that haven’t happened yet.  I knew that you would be Awakening today, and I wanted to get to you before the bakemono cut your introduction to our world short.”

“Shh, shh shh…” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know…”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I… We have magick inside us…  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park…  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place…”

“bakemono? Magic? ” she sat up. “what are you?”

Mr. Lewis picked up one of his duplicate drinks and took a long, deep draught.  “Collectively, we call ourselves Outsiders...  There are parts of us that are foreign to the human realm.  For you and me, that means at least part of our soul incarnated here from somewhere else.  That’s why we can do things that other people can’t, like Magick... The way you enchanted your shoes to escape, for example... Bakemono is what we call Outsiders that literally EAT other Outsiders to get stronger...  The rest of us consider that bad manners,” he smiled.

“Shh, shh shh...” He murmured, standing and walking to her side, setting both of his glasses down on the table.  “It’s a lot to take in, I know...”  He sat beside her and she could feel a warmth and energy emanating from him, bringing with it a feeling of confidence and security.  “You and I... We have magick inside us...  That’s how you escaped those bakemono at the park...  And it’s why they could sense you in the first place...”