Tagging Caladium

The members of Foxglove regrouped, a new camp away from the obvious signs of struggle was found.

"All those heavily injured go to Violet. Ted, Tom, keep watch over Violet in case there are any lingering rats. All those who captured a member of Henbane, bring them over..." Violet interrupted Kieren suddenly, "I'm aware you're not a fan of interruptions, so I'll cut to the chase, we've been tagged." Uneasy silence followed Violet's declaration. "Who?" James asked, the question was repeated by Zen. Violet jerked her thumb behind her, "Mera, the initial explosion was aimed directly for their outcrop, those that followed were distractions. A group of three, Shou included, snuck in with the dust, their objective was to tag Mera, and kill her.

"Why? Why try to kill her?" Katie, a praying friend of Mera's cried out in frustration.

"Dead team members can't pass on the transponder." A wail met Violet's explanation. Violet pointed out the two Henbane members she had dropped, "I took care of those two, Shou was smarter, and once he realized you were fighting, Kieren, he ordered for retreat. Mera isn't dead, which technically means we still have a chance, I just haven't fully healed her because she's an idiot."

All eyes turned to Kieren, who folded his arms over his chest, and looked toward Violet eyes unseeing.

It was a few very tense minutes before he finally replied. "I need time to think...for now Alice, Alex, Bret, Jeck, and Sam, you five will be in charge of all captives, take them out into the flats below. Break either five fingers or five toes and set them loose, Alex you're in charge. Ted, Tom, your objective remains the same, you find any member of Henbane kill them. Zen and James, you come with me. Everyone else clean up this mess, we reconvine in two hours."

Several members with varying injuries approached Violet, after arranging them in a circle Violet closed her eyes, held up her hands, and healed them under a small shimmering gleam of light.

Once healed Violet sent them back to join clean up duty. She remained seated rather tired from the days adventures with Ted and Tom at her sides. Ted seemed to find this the perfect opportunity to catch up with Violet, "So how are you faring so far? It's an interesting school right?" Violet smiled easily, "It's not bad, speaking frankly, while many of the students have promising abilities they are not suited for combat. You five and a few others are obvious exceptions." Tom nodded, "Not many make it past the year, I believe last year was the smallest class in sixty-three years, only twenty-two passed." The three continued their conversation with Ted leaning closer to Violet all while become more animated.

Kieren sleeping on Violet's leg flashed across Tom's mind and a slight feeling of trepidation overtook him, he shook the feeling away. Their conversation charged off topic and before long Ted was attempting to convince Violet that the Loch-Ness monster really did exist, that it lived in the Red Sea, and that somebody he would take her to watch it. With sudden inspiration Ted grabbed a hold of both her shoulders eyes shinning, "Did you know even though the first encounter with Nessie happened in the 1870's it wasn't publicized until 1934.? She's been spotted for ages, super magical!" Violet laughed, eyes shimmering with amusement. She allowed herself to be rattled by Ted's continued conspiracies until Kieren returned. Tom did not miss the flash of rage that consumed Kieren's eyes momentarily as his gaze landed on Violet's shoulders.

"The only good news from today is that it has stopped raining. On that note, we've found Caladium's hiding spot, we tag their leader tomorrow." The rules were set and everyone released. Mera, her position quite bleak sat quietly, eyes and posture broken. Violet was willing to bet money she would quit.

Kieren called his personal group over and as Tom walked over the unbidden question pressed his mind, did he really have something to talk about? Or was he pulling Ted away from Violet? Annoyance gripped Tom, that was not a possibility, Kieren never went for girls that way, he had always used them, upfront about his intentions, but uncaring, he never kept them close. He stole one last glance towards Violet's direction and was surprised to see her wandering away from their camps position and into the darkness.

A sense of relief overcame Tom when Kieren's meeting discussed withheld details and further instructions, after a brief twenty-five minutes they too were released. It was Alex who asked for Violet first, drawing the rest of their attentions toward her empty spot. They found her nestled in a tree not twenty-feet from camp. Perplexed Alex asked what she was doing only to be told, "I need a break from the world, I'll sleep here tonight." They let her be.

Foxglove attacked Caladium with enough force to blow them completely off the mountain, and it was in no way their fault. As much as some might try to pretend otherwise, the members of Foxglove were still so peeved at their inability to retaliate against Henbane that they charged in full force. The initial attack however, was just as Henbane's attack, a ploy.

The acting leader of Caladium, Rachel Smith, was in no way a leader, she was powerful yes, but in no way a great leader. She preferred to sit back, rule with fear, and force others to do her work. It was under said assumptions that a small group of Foxglove proceeded underneath their camp to attack Rachel directly. Ted, Tom, and Alice were earth wielders, they created a large tunnel with ease using the ruckus above as cover. It was Zen pushing Mera through it all that took the title of hero in their excursion.

He singlehandedly took out both of Rachel's guards and tied Rachel to a tree leaving Mera to pass the transponder along.

Violet stood atop a tree, watching the mission play out from afar, they had decided to leave Violet on lookout just in case Nightshade decided to join the the party. It was false pretenses, Kieren seemed to understand that Violet's social battery was running low, and although she would never admit it, she was grateful. She and Kieren had devised a plan for communication, but as the event played out Violet felt that for once things would run smoothly.

Ted launched a small barrage of rocks into the air, the signal for 'all clear'. Violet watched as everyone in Foxglove melted back into the trees headed back to camp. Grey eyes locked onto broad shoulders strutting arrogantly through Caladium's camp, no matter where he went he was unmistakable. While everyone had retreated quickly, he walked with ease passing Caladium members who moved quickly out of his way.

Several girls began flirting with him, their motions giving intentions away even from sixty feet up. Kieren stopped to chat, actions smooth but lifeless and then suddenly as if feeling Violet's gaze he looked up. Blue locked onto grey, a small smile formed on his lips, inexplicably he seemed to come alive, the girls around him blushed at the unexpected emotion behind his eyes. Never removing his eyes from Violet's he excused himself and walked away.