fandomhighdorms | Outside the Dorms, Wednesday Afternoon

Merlin hadn't arrived yet, but it was time to get started. Karla, being properly female again, greeted the Reserves with a bright and cheerful smile today as they assembled in front of the dorms. "We're glad you all got our ~~handwavey~~ message about a change in location," she said. "We have a special activity in mind for everyone today." Her smile got a little broader. "It's high time the Reserves got to fend off an invasion, don't you think?"

Tony grinned, too. “So here it is – word comes in that we’re being invaded by trolls or zombies or giant insect gummy candies come to life. The fighter folks are on the other side of the island dealing with a clump of enemies there. We’ve got to defend the dorms. What do you do?”

Yum. Giant insect gummy candies. Karla knew how to deal with that threat.

"So, yeah, it's up to you guys to decide who does what, where, when and how," she continued. "The Support Reserves have turned the dorms into an infirmary, a child care station, and are researching the best way to defeat these things, so it's imperative none of the enemies get inside. Once you're done, Tony, Merlin--" if he showed up, and after seeing Francine in class today, Karla was starting to worry "--and I will test your defenses and see what happens. Do you save the dorms and be heroes? Or are we going to break in and devour the helpless in our giant gummy mandibles?"

[Co-written with

wantstodirect ~~You know the drill with the~~ OCD is up!]

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"Please, allow me to heal you," Raven said. "There could be damage beneath your skin that you are unaware of."

"Damage beneath my--?" Look, he learned his healing from someone in the Dark Ages. He was lucky to know to wash his hands before touching bleeding things. "If you're alright with it."

"Of course," Raven said. As she had with Francine, she touched her hand to Merlin's neck, reaching out to his injuries and pulling them into herself. As the ring of purple bruises vanished from his throat, it reappeared around Raven's own neck, then quickly faded and disappeared. Her expression did not betray any pain she felt herself, but she did take a quick intake of breath when the bruises became momentarily hers.

Touching his throat again, Merlin was rather pleasantly surprised to find it as good as new. "Thank you!"

"You are welcome," Raven said, smiling. "It is a healer's greatest joy to be able to help someone like this."

"I'll have to work harder at being able to do it as well." And speaking of which! "Are you able to just... check on people's healing?"

"I did not know you could heal as well," Raven said. "And yes, I should be able to see if someone is properly healed."

"I have the spells, it's just a matter of--" He made a face. "--actually managing it."

"My abilities are part of what I am," Raven said. "I do not know if I could help you learn to master your spells, but I am willing to try."

"Actually, I was hoping you could check on Katchoo for me."

"I am willing to do so," Raven said. "But Katchoo does not like me very much." Or, well, at all.

But Merlin was Merlin and... "Katchoo can be a bit gruff, but she's nicer than people think."

Raven would believe that when she saw it.

"I will certainly check on her," Raven said. "Was she injured when you and Francine were hurt?"

"She was--er--shot."

"Who would do such a thing?" Raven said, horrified.

"They weren't very good people," Merlin replied seriously. Because he was a fan of understatement.

"Was it someone on the island?" Raven asked. "Has the matter been...resolved?"

"It was elsewhere and they're all gone now." Merlin knew little about the modern legal system.

Raven didn't press for details.

"I will definitely check to see that she is healing well," she said. "And I am glad that those who did this did not cause her or you or Francine more harm."

Merlin's face went dark and serious. "I wouldn't let anyone hurt Francine like that again."

"I know," Raven said. She could feel the passion behind his words. "She is lucky to have you to protect her."

"She's my--" No, friend wasn't a good word to use, Merlin. "--she's important to me."

"I can feel it," Raven said with a small smile. And she was quite envious of Francine at that moment.

Merlin smiled back at that. "I think that's all a part of friendships."

Outside the Dorms, Wednesday Afternoon

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