Crystaviel's Room at the Arms, Sunday Afternoon

The mocking had started soon after Leda had returned to school, after getting out of the hospital. She was the new girl, shorter than the average Elf, and had lived on the streets with halfies and humans. The clique in charge at Emma Shetterly High were all Dragon's Tooth Elves. Rich, snobby, and arrogant.

Leda had been a tempting target. She was still fragile after the failure of the Strange Pupae. They called her halfie, and mongrel. And that was when they were being nice.

All that changed one day after gym class when Crystaviel, the leader of the clique came to her rescue.

"Enough! Look at her ears. She's as pure as the rest of us. Leave her alone." She had given Leda a gentle smile. "What's your name shorty?" The kindness in her tone helped win Leda over.

Crystaviel had seen something in the showers. Something that had shocked her to her very core. Something she still could not quite believe. A triangle pattern of birth marks on Leda's left shoulder.

( In which Leda does not so much fall, as she is thrown off the wagon. )

[Establishy only. Not for broadcast please.]