Spider Quinn 22 Attractions of Lawndale - Part 3

 

Anna thought about it. “Maybe you could do something similar to Ben. Like remembering all the moons of Saturn or something.”

 

“Saturn does have the most moons,” Gerald considered.

 

“So, is that it?” Quinn asked.

 

“Or I can add Jupiter too,” Gerald said. “Yes.”

 

 

At the same time, Daria was talking to Brittany.

 

“A marmoset?” Daria asked, rhetorically after Brittany had answered her about the fad. “I suppose they are cute, in a way.”

 

“That is one reason,” Brittany responded as she opened her Math textbook.

 

“But what are you considering regarding O’Neill’s assignment?”

 

“As I said, the science thing.”

 

“Sure,” Daria said. “But in what branch of science?”

 

“Botany, maybe? Try to tell the difference between different kinds of plants.”

 

“That would be a good start.”

 

 

The Enigma paused her patrol on the roof of the Historia half an hour after school had let out. Lawndale was quiet, but she knew that the tensions were still beneath the service, and she had prevented a mugging on Dega Street.

 

‘The muggers still think they wont get caught,’ she thought as she looked at that street. But she knew that she and the other heroes were making a difference. She turned and looked at Oscorp tower, which loomed ominously to the southeast. ‘Osborn may know who I am, but he hasn’t really done anything with that.’

 

Then there was the fact that she hadn’t really confronted SpiderGirl yet. ‘It will happen soon, I’m sure of it,’ she thought. She then changed to the ordinary Sandi and headed down to the café.

 

 

Stacy Rowe was having a normal afternoon working at the Historia. It was relaxing compared to the school day. The animal fad had her slightly more anxious than usual. She shook her head as she saw Sandi come up to the counter. “Your usual, Sandi?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“It will be ready shortly,” Stacy said before pausing. She then added. “Thanks.”

 

“Thanks for what?” Sandi asked in surprise.

 

“For not asking the question nearly everyone else has been asking.”

 

“I’m tired of it too.”

 

 

Sandi sat next to a window and looked out across the street at Zammit’s Boutique. ‘How long is it since I have been there?’ she wondered. She saw that they still didn’t have the SpiderGirl knockoff clothes that had arrived the previous week. ‘I don’t think they have been selling.’

 

 

Stacy soon brought out Sandi’s latte. “Here you go,” she said before retreating back to the counter.

 

“Thanks,” Sandi said.

 

“Now I know something is up,” Stacy said.

 

“I’m thinking about things.”

 

“That’s obvious.”

 

“You know, you’re getting more confident,” Sandi said in an appreciative tone.

 

“I don’t feel like it most of the time. But that’s what happens when one is working in a café,” Stacy responded before heading back to the counter.

 

‘Of course,’ Sandi thought. ‘She’s turning out to be a great barista.’

 

 

After their mentoring sessions had ended, SpiderGirl, Ninja Talon and Dafoanairi left the high school in different directions. SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon were patrolling in different areas before heading to their spot below the Jefferson Bridge.

 

 

Dafoanairi headed towards the Giant Strawberry. As she approached, she reflected once more upon the events since Groundhog Day. It seemed that events in Lawndale were still getting worse. ‘There are still Oscorp agents chasing us, albeit not this afternoon,’ she thought as she crossed the parking lot and looked up at the observation platform at the top of the structure.

 

 

As she looked over the town through the telescopes, she thought about the animal fad and O’Neill’s assignment. ‘It’s definitely a coincidence, that they’re occurring at the same time, but it’s adding to the chaos in this town.’

 

 

She paused a she made a note in her notebook. ‘No agents visible. They could have been instructed to hide from the Strawberry.’ She pondered that. ‘But who knows about this? The Enigma and I. Possibly SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon. Osborn hasn’t been reported having been seen here. But he could have learned about it anyway.’ She shook her head. It was unlikely that the agents would have been instructed that way. ‘But who to talk to about it. The Enigma is on her own patrol and I don’t know where Jane is.’

Although if Jane was sketching from rooftops, she might have been visible. Dafoanairi shook her head. She wasn’t going to spot Jane that way. ‘Maybe Sam Griffin, given that he knows our secrets,’ she thought as she looked in the direction of the Griffin residence, despite it being out of sight behind a ridge line. ‘I’ll do that.’

 

 

Sam Griffin was bored. His younger brother, Chris wasn’t home yet, and he didn’t want to do his homework. He was about to start to do it anyway when he heard a knock on the sliding door.

 

“Daria?” he asked as he let her in.

 

“I wanted to talk to someone, and Sandi is on her own patrol,” Daria said as she sat on one of the couches.

 

“Oh. About what?”

 

“I’m sure the students in the middle school are also asking each other about their favorite animal?”

 

“Oh, that,” Sam said. “It’s just a fad, isn’t it, even if both schools are doing it.”

 

“I doubt it’s just Lawndale High and Glenfield Middle School, but every school in Lawndale, including Fielding.”

 

“There is more isn’t there?”

 

“That one of the teachers has assigned a crazy project,” Daria said.

 

“Isn’t that normal?”

 

“Not this project. I’m sure Sandi has told you something about Mr. O’Neill.”

 

“Not so much, but I have heard her complain to mother about him many times,” Sam responded. “Go on.”

 

 

“He wants us to learn by choosing something to fail at, on purpose and then explaining how that has taught us something about ourselves,” Daria answered.

 

“That sounds like what Sandi was describing.”

 

Daria sighed.

 

“I don’t know what else to say, but what are you getting at?”

 

“That the combination of that with the animal fad is making Lawndale even more chaotic.”

 

“Maybe. But that’s not something superheroes can do anything about,” Sam pointed out.

 

“Of that I’m aware.”

 

 

Shortly afterwards, Quinn hadn’t been waiting at their spot below the Jefferson Bridge long when Ninja Talon arrived and unmasked as Brittany. She could see that her friend was a little concerned. She was concerned herself. They were quiet for a few minutes as they looked at the Creek and what could be seen of the town’s buildings. ‘Not many of those belong to Oscorp I wouldn’t think, and Osborn won’t think to look for us here.’

 

“What are we going to do about O’Neill?” Brittany asked, as she twirled some loose hairs.

 

“No idea. The assignment is something we can’t do anything about.”

 

“What about through the Lowdown?”

 

“That is something I hadn’t thought about yet,” Quinn answered. “The day has been busy.”

 

“It has been. There’s something else. Something Jodie said this morning.”

 

“What was that?”

 

“That Oscorp is trying to take over her father’s company,” Brittany answered quietly.

 

“That…” Quinn began as she thought about the implications of what Brittany had just said. “Landon Engineering is quite large. They’re a significant employer in the County!”

 

“You had looked into it?” Brittany asked.

 

“Yes. We have been looking for alternative sponsors for the Historia since Osborn got hospitalized. Guess we may have to cross Landon Engineering off the list.”

 

“But what about Mr. Landon?”

 

“There’s not much we can do to help him, and I can’t exactly talk to Mom about it without revealing too much,” Quinn answered, with a slight tear in her eye.

 

“That’s true. But what about the firm as a sponsor?”

 

“Daria and I had thought about it, but neither of us trust the Senior Partner.”

 

“I had heard about him too,” Brittany said.

 

“But back to what’s going on. The fad was still going on at the end of the day. Gerald was late to the library because of it.”

 

“He was?”

 

“Yes, and Anna and Ben were annoyed by it too,” Quinn answered.

 

“Daria and I only talked about it briefly.”

 

“But what are we going to do about it?”

 

“Just keep an eye on it?” Brittany asked as she twirled the loose hairs again.

 

Quinn nodded and they then sat there for a while, relaxing and listening to the town from there.

 

 

SpiderGirl arrived home shortly after sunset, entering via the backyard hatch. She and Ninja Talon had remained at the Bridge for about twenty minutes, mostly enjoying each other’s company as the close friends they were. ‘It will take time to come up with something to deal with the fad,’ she thought as she slid open the hidden area in the basement where she kept most of her gear.

 

In there, she unmasked and wrote in her journal about the school day.

 

 

Helen Morgendorffer arrived home to find Daria and Quinn talking in the kitchen.

 

“…So, you agree that it is a distraction?” Quinn asked.

 

“Yes. They could be thinking about that, or ignoring something important in favor of it,” Daria answered.

 

“Evening, girls,” Helen said as she entered the kitchen. “What is that distraction?”

 

“A fad,” Daria answered.

 

“Everyone asking everyone else what their favorite animals are,” Quinn added.

 

“That’s unusual,” Helen commented.

 

“But that’s not all,” Daria said. “Mr. O’Neill has given an assignment about failure.”

 

“That doesn’t bad,” Helen said.

 

“With a practical application,” Quinn added.

 

“Go on,” Helen prompted.

 

“He wants us to ‘succeed at failing’,” Daria said before tilting her head a little and shrugging. “You know, his usual babble; which isn’t good at the best of times.”

 

“And you think that now isn’t the best time,” Helen asked rhetorically.

 

Both Daria and Quinn nodded.

 

 

At the same time, Kevin arrived at the Historia after having slipped out of the house before his mother started dinner. “Now, SpiderGirl is often on the roof, but where’s the way to the roof.” He went into the café.

Spider Quinn 22 Attractions of Lawndale - Part 2

 

Daria considered Harry’s remark. ‘Not that harmless,’ she considered. She could see how some of her peers might have favorites that would cause them to be teased about it. “It’s at best, a distraction,” she said.

 

“A distraction from what has been going on since Groundhog Day?” Jane asked.

 

“Yes,” Daria responded. “A very Lawndale thing to do. Something earth shattering happens. They try to get on as if nothing happened.”

 

“Not everyone is like you, Daria,” Sandi said.

 

“That’s certainly true. But the town’s changed, and most of the students are trying to ignore it,” Daria said.

 

“Not entirely true,” Jane said. “Remember what happened after the fake interview?”

 

Daria recalled that nearly all of the students had called around when the fake interview had aired, and they had managed get a copy of the interview within a few hours. “Good point.”

 

“And then there’s Mr. O’Neill’s latest brainstorm,” Jane added.

 

“Ugh!” Sandi said. “He’s foisted it on the junior class too. I have no idea what to succeed or fail at.”

 

“We could talk about that later,” Daria said.

 

“Sure,” Sandi said.

 

 

‘Is Daria just trying to make sure we’re focused?’ Harry wondered. He thought about what had happened since he had arrived in Lawndale.

 

 

Daria saw Tori exit the server area. ‘I should ask her about it now.’ She got up.

 

“Daria?” Jane asked.

 

“Tori’s here.”

 

 

Tori Jericho saw Daria Morgendorffer wave her over.  She looked around and saw that Quinn wasn’t there yet, so she went over and sat next to her and across from Harry. “I suppose you’ve been talking about the latest craze?” she asked.

 

“Yes,” Daria answered. “It’s spread through the school like wildfire.”

 

“Tell me about it. It’s exhausting giving the same answer over and over,” Tori responded.

 

“And that is?” Jane asked mischievously.

 

“A Meercat,” Tori answered as she took a bite. “They observe their environment.”

 

“You liked Timon when you saw The Lion King, didn’t you?” Jane asked.

 

Tori felt a flush of embarrassment. “That might have something to do with it,” she admitted.

 

“But how did this fad start?” Daria asked.

 

“How does anything start?” Tori asked. “I have no idea at that the moment. I just find it annoying.”

 

“It’s more of a distraction than anything,” Daria said. “But a distraction nonetheless.”

 

“Not everyone is interested in what’s causing Lawndale to go out of control,” Tori said. “But I have been keeping my ear on the ground, as it were.”

 

“And you haven’t heard anything?” Daria concluded.

 

“It might have come from Middlebury,” Tori answered after some thought. “My cousin there said something about it a week ago. But it might also have come from the Internet.”

 

“So, a meme, or more like one of those chain emails,” Daria considered as if she wasn’t sure what to make of that.

 

 

Quinn saw Tori sitting with Daria and Sandi. “I’ll talk to her later,” she murmured. She then noticed Anna Coultard and Ben Harrod, two of her fellow students she was mentoring.

 

 

Anna turned to Quinn as she sat. “Hi, Quinn.”

 

“I see you’re not asking what everyone else is,” Quinn said.

 

“I got tired of answering after the first half dozen times,” Anna responded.

 

“I’m tired of it too,” Ben added. “A few even joked about the time I got bit by that Copperhead!”

 

That almost startled Quinn. “Really?”

 

“Yes,” Ben answered with annoyance.

 

“That’s not right,” Quinn said.

 

“I told them that,” Anna interjected as she took Ben’s in hers.

 

Quinn changed the topic. “How do you feel about Mr. O’Neil’s assignment?”

 

“Like, why set us up for failure?” Anna asked. “Either way we fail something, or fail the assignment.”

 

“That’s a good point,” Quinn responded. “Do you think I should bring that up with Ms. Li?”

 

“It may be a good idea,” Ben answered as he paused in his careful eating.

 

 

Meanwhile, Brittany had joined her friends and fellow cheerleaders Angie Zammit and Donna Bolton.

 

“So, Brit, tired of this fad yet?” Donna asked. “I’m sure I have given more than five answers.”

 

“A little,” Brittany answered. “But I am a little curious.”

 

“Really, Brit?” Angie asked in annoyance. “Besides, my favorite is a spider.”

 

“You mean, SpiderGirl,” Brittany said in a slight ribbing tone.

 

Angie shrugged. “Well, her powers had to come from somewhere.”

 

“But what answer have you been giving, Brit?” Donna asked.

 

“Like a marmoset,” Brittany answered while twirling a pigtail.

 

“Good choice,” Angie said.

 

“It has been cat, mouse, dog and giraffe most often,” Donna added.

 

“That makes sense,” Brittany said.

 

 

At the Oscorp tower, Osborn’s assistant Fields was having a usual day, trying to organize Oscorp’s operations in Lawndale in a way that Osborn would find appropriate. She didn’t jump when Osborn entered the office in a storm.

 

“Find out more on Angier Sloane that is not publicly known,” he directed.

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“And look into the ownership structure of Winged Tree Country Club.”

 

Fields nodded, although she was sure that the members were the owners.

 

 

Osborn entered his office, and looked out over Lawndale towards where the Country Club lay to the southeast. ‘But maybe an Oscorp buyout would be too obvious.’ He opened a file on his computer that he had read earlier that morning.

 

 

Oscorp Industries Glider Prototype Mark II

Construction complete.

Entering testing phase.

 

‘Maybe I can use it to destroy that building. But what about the vigilantes?’ He knew that the agents hadn’t really stopped them in their tracks. ‘But there are many ways they can be distracted.’ He looked at a map of Lawndale on one of the walls. ‘Five or six places…’

 

 

Daria and Sandi met on the roof as school let out. “Brittany is waiting in the Library,” Daria said, as she tutored Brittany in various subjects twice a week.

 

“She can wait,” Sandi said as she looked out over the town.

 

“She’ll ask why I’m late, but alright.”

 

“You said we could, like, talk about Mr. O’Neill’s assignment later.”

 

“I was going to suggest choosing an activity from the list of extracurricular activities,” Daria said.

 

“I’ll have another look.”

 

“And that way, even if you don’t like it, Mr. O’Neill will be satisfied, in a way.”

 

“I guess so,” Sandi said, as she tied her hair back, ready to be the Enigma for the afternoon.

 

“But otherwise, no pressure.”

 

“There’s still, like, some pressure from O’Neill, but it could still be worse.”

 

“Let’s not tempt fate,” Daria responded.

 

 

In the Library, Quinn saw Anna and Ben arrive. “Have you seen Gerald?” she asked, referring to the third of the students she was mentoring alongside the couple.

 

“I saw him between fifth and sixth period,” Ben said. “Arguing that he doesn’t need to pick a favorite animal.”

 

“Good for him,” Quinn commented, “but where is he? Is he concerned that I’d be asking? Or that you two would be?”

 

“I wouldn’t,” Ben said.

 

“Let’s start anyway,” Quinn said with a sigh. “But we’ll wait about five minutes.”

 

 

Gerald Brown arrived in a huff in slightly less of that time. “A very annoying day!” he grumbled.

 

“Don’t worry, I’m not asking you the question,” Quinn said.

 

Gerald breathed a sigh of relief as he sat down.

 

“I may not be asking about that fad….” Quinn began.

 

“But about O’Neill’s crazy assignment,” Gerald interrupted.

 

“Yes,” Quinn said. “What are you doing about it?”

 

“I was wondering what you are going to say about it,” Gerald responded.

 

“What Mr. O’Neill probably intends. For us to use it as a learning opportunity,” Quinn answered. “It’s like what my mom sometimes says. That you’ll never know what we can handle until we try.”

 

“That’s a good point,” Ben said. “Looking back. The past couple of months, since this started have been good for us, despite what else may be happening in town.”

 

“That’s obvious. I have been keeping track,” Quinn said. “But I’m not having Mr. O’Neill inadvertently sabotage this.”

 

“He won’t and he hasn’t,” Anna said.

 

“A good attitude,” Quinn said.

 

“But what are you getting at?” Ben asked. “Something like O’Neill’s challenge. Pick something we’ll know we’ll fail at and learn from that?”

 

“Something like it,” Quinn said with slight annoyance. “More like, going out of your comfort zone. I’ll be doing that myself. Reading at least one book Daria will recommend.”

 

“Given how Tempest is layered with meaning, that book could be anything that’s a classic,” Anna said.

 

“But whether I’ll like it would be another thing,” Quinn said. “But at least I’ll know my tastes for literature better.”

 

“Maybe I’ll do something similar,” Anna said. “Branch out to Greek mythology and try to read The Odyssey.”

 

“That’s a good choice,” Quinn said.

 

 

Ben thought about what Quinn had said, and what Anna had chosen. He too could branch out. “Something related.”

 

“It doesn’t have to be,” Quinn said.

 

He looked to Anna, and her expression backed up what Quinn just said.

 

“I guess it could be trying to memorize the names of all the insect orders,” he said.

 

“That sounds achievable,” Quinn said.

 

“But it’s tricky. The naming convention seems consistent, but it isn’t that straightforward, and there are so many,” Ben said.

 

“But it is the challenge. The balance between what O’Neill tried to set out and being defiant against it,” Anna contributed.

 

“Absolutely,” Ben said. “We’ll see how it goes.”

 

 

“And you, Gerald?” Quinn asked.

 

Gerald sighed. Quinn was her usual enthusiastic self. ‘The favorite animal thing hasn’t really affected her,’ he thought. But it had affected him, so he hadn’t really given O’Neill’s brainwave of an assignment challenge much thought. He said so.

 

“Something to do with Astronomy, right?” Quinn asked. “Trying to view something in the sky despite the streetlights?”

 

Gerald shook his head. “That would just cause eye strain. That’s not worth it over this.”

 

“That’s a good point. I’ve seen Daria struggle at the times she needed new glasses,” Quinn said. “It obviously not pleasant for her. But what else could there be.”

 

“And I still haven’t got far with the elocutionist. So, no dramatic reading yet,” Gerald added.

Convergence on Lawndale - Part 16

 

Peter considered webslinging back to Glen Oaks Lane, but decided against it. Spider-Man appearing in Lawndale would draw too much attention. ‘But I can still get there quickly. Maybe Claire is still here.’

 

 

Claire was surprised when Peter came up to her. “Peter?”

 

“I need a lift,” he said.

 

“Why? Lawndale has a good bus service.”

 

“I need to get to Glen Oaks Lane quickly.”

 

“Is that where you’re staying?” Claire asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’ll take you.”

 

 

Brittany pulled up into the Morgendorffers’ driveway. “See, five minutes. I guess they’re out the back,” she said as she turned off the engine, while also twirling a pigtail.

 

“Yes,” Quinn answered.

 

“In the yard?” Stacy asked.

 

“Yes, we don’t need to go through the house,” Daria said a she got out.

 

 

Kaelyn emerged from the TARDIS as Quinn lead the group around the side of the house past the kitchen door. “Kim and Ron have gone home overnight,” she said.

 

“But has the Doctor found more?” Daria asked.

 

“Yes, but it’s best that he explains it.”

 

“We still need to wait for Peter,” Quinn said.

 

 

“The Morgendorffers,” Claire said as she pulled up. “That’s where you’re staying?”

 

“For now,” Peter answered.

 

“Or something’s going on,” Claire said.

 

“No comment,” Peter said as he got out of the car.

 

 

The Doctor saw Quinn lead the other girls into the TARDIS.

 

“It’s bigger on the inside!” Stacy commented in a slight panic.

 

That was new. No one had been in a panic before as they said that.

 

“Dimensionally transcendental, according to the Doctor,” Quinn said. “And it’s perfectly safe, Stacy. It’s where the Doctor would take it that would be dangerous.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“But she’s stuck in Lawndale for the time being,” the Doctor added.

 

“What happened?” Brittany asked.

 

“She picked up the portal machine before Quinn and I activated it,” the Doctor answered.

 

“But what have you found?” Quinn asked as she and Stacy came up to the console.

 

“Energy readings, scattered around Lawndale,” the Doctor answered.

 

“Not scattered,” Stacy murmured.

 

“There’s a pattern you recognise?” the Doctor asked.

 

“A little,” Stacy answered. She pointed to one of them, in the middle of the extensive suburbia to the west of the downtown area and southeast of the Morgendorffers. “This is the Coulthard’s, my next-door neighbors.”

 

“Anna is in our grade,” Quinn added.

 

“What about the others?” Kaelyn asked.

 

“One is the Giant Strawberry,” Stacy added.

 

“I see that,” Daria commented.

 

“Wait!” Jane said as she came up to scanner screen.

 

“You see something?” the Doctor asked.

 

“Yes. It’s like a flower blooming across Lawndale. The Strawberry is at the end of one petal,” Jane explained.

 

“I don’t see any flower,” the Doctor objected.

 

“It’s not just the flower,” Jane said. “But the floral part is the most obvious to my mind.”

 

“Right, but what does this mean?” Brittany asked. “What are the energy readings?”

 

“They’re similar to the portal,” the Doctor answered. “Meaning that they may be similar tech.”

 

“And would there be similar readings in Middleton?” Kaelyn asked.

 

“I guess I’ll have to go and check,” the Doctor answered. “Kim and Ron won’t be back for a while.”

 

 

Jane took out a sketchpad and started copying the flower pattern. “All of Lawndale,” she commented.

 

“I said that, didn’t I?” the Doctor asked.

 

“No, you said ‘across Lawndale’, not ‘across all of Lawndale,’” Kaelyn responded.

 

“Semantics,” the Doctor said as he watched Jane continue to sketch.

 

“Can you broaden the range?” Jane asked.

 

“Certainly,” the Doctor responded. “How far?”

 

“Oakwood for a start,” Jane answered.

 

“Sure,” the Doctor responded. He input a few commands, and the screen zoomed out to show Oakwood, not far to the west of Lawndale. “There are only two readings in Oakwood.’”

 

“And in the eastern subdivisions,” Daria commented.

 

“Maybe it is just Lawndale,” Jane considered, “But zoom out to the entire county to be sure.”

 

The Doctor zoomed the screen out.

 

Carter Lawndale County

Energy reading concentration, Lawndale

“Nowhere near Middlebury or Cumberland,” the Doctor said.

 

“So, practically just Lawndale,” Kaelyn considered.

 

“The furthest is on the other side of the lake,” the Doctor confirmed.

 

 

Quinn thought about the situation. “But did they appear before, or after we activated the portal?” she asked the Doctor.

 

“Checking that now,” the Doctor said. He scanned back to the morning again, and they saw that the energy readings slowly appeared after the portal was activated.

 

“Would that mean they would be in Middleton too?” Brittany asked.

 

“Quite likely, but the TARDIS can’t scan through the portal, and I’m not sure she would travel there.”

 

“You can try,” Daria said after crossing her arms.

 

“Right,” the Doctor said. He input the coordinates in Middleton, and set the TARDIS in motion.

Church notes in 2026 so far

 January '26: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/341353.html

February '26: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/343620.html

March '26: https://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/812404985781420032/church-notes-march-2026

April '26: https://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/814937268519354368/church-notes-april-2026

May '26: https://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/818114249509470208/church-notes-may-2026

Church notes - May 2026

 On LiveJournal: https://fardell24.livejournal.com/657297.html

On Dreamwidth: https://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/999841.html

Church notes - 31st May 2026

 31st

Hebrews 12:1 - 3

Christian Growth is not optional

Everything in our world takes time.

Salvation is just the start.

Justification takes an instant - because of what Jesus has already done.

Sanctification takes a lifetime.

Christian growth

Spiritual maturity

Spiritual growth

Spiritual formation

Becoming more Christ-like

Growing in Faith

What it is is more important than what it is called

Christian growth is the process of becoming more like Christ, deepening in faith, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, God's word, prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:29

2 Peter 3:8

Ephesians 4:22 - 24

Colossians 1:9, 10

Great Cloud of Witnesses

The cloud is associated with God's presence

E.g. God guiding the Israelites through the wilderness after the Exodus.

Run with perseverence the race that is worked out for us.

Make Jesus Christ your model.

Spider Quinn 22 Attractions of Lawndale - Part 1

 22 Attractions of Lawndale - Part 1

It was still in the early hours when SpiderGirl responded to alarms at the facility on Lawndale’s northern edge, not far from the Interstate.

 

She saw that a window had been smashed. “Subtle, aren’t they?” she quipped as she swung onto the roof, where she found an open vent and crawled inside.

 

On the ground floor, she found a mess. “You must be new. There usually isn’t much of a mess,” she quipped as she crawled on the ceiling.

 

 

She soon found the thief and was surprised. “Sam Elders?” she asked.

 

The would-be thief turned from where he was upending some materials. “SpiderGirl?” he asked in surprise. “I thought it would be one of the others.”

 

“You knew you would get caught by one of Lawndale’s heroes, and yet you’re here.”

 

“It was worth the risk,” Sam responded.

 

SpiderGirl swung down. “It totally wasn’t,” she said as she tried to web him up.

 

 

He avoided the webs by ducking behind equipment.

 

“Uh!” SpideGirl said. “You know that will just make me make more of a mess, right?”

 

“And get arrested by Officer Peterson again?” No thanks.”

 

“Well, duh! How did you get out anyway?”

 

“How else? Bail!” Sam answered as he was cornered and got caught by a web. “Crap.”

 

“Of course,” SpiderGirl groused as she webbed Sam up securely.

 

 

Half an hour later, as the Sun rose, Officer Xanthe Peterson found Sam webbed up in the facility foyer. She sighed. “Yes, SpiderGirl called it in,” she said as she took out her cuffs. “Sam Elders, you’re under arrest for breaking and entering.”

 

“What about SpiderGirl?”

 

“It’s the same as at the Solarium,” Peterson answered.

 

Sam was silent as she led him away. Of course it was.

 

 

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Tuesday, March 13, 2001

Oscorp Interference with Mound Site Unconfirmed

Melinda Parris

 

 

SpiderGirl arrived on the school roof a half hour before homeroom. She then changed to her usual persona of Quinn Morgendorffer, slowly improving, involved, sophomore student. ‘Brit should be here shortly,’ she thought.

 

 

Indeed, it was only a few minutes before another vigilante hero arrived on the rooftop and changed to her student persona; Ninja Talon, or rather, Brittany Taylor. “You said something happened in that message,” she said.

 

“Yes,” Quinn answered and explained about finding Sam in that facility.

 

“You think he’ll get out again?” Brittany asked.

 

“Most likely,” Quinn said as she opened the door to the stairs down. “But the next question would be, who?”

 

Brittany twirled a pigtail. “No real idea, other than maybe Osborn.”

 

“That’s only one possibility,” Quinn said as she opened the door.

 

 

On the ground floor after she and Brittany had gone in different directions, Quinn ran into Jamie White.

 

“Morning, Quinn.”

 

“Morning, Jamie. Something up?”

 

“It’s that most people are talking about their favorite animals,” Jamie answered.

 

“It’s probably just a fad,” Quinn responded. “As a way to distract from what’s going on.”

 

“I guess so. But some advice? You're about to embark on a journey that will change your life. What snacks would you bring along?”

 

“My life has already been changed, but my snack preferences haven’t.”

 

“So, carrot sticks?” Jamie asked as they walked along.

 

“But what does that tell you about my favorite animal?”

 

“A rabbit?”

 

“Not really,” Quinn responded. Her actual favorite animal was a small mammal, but Rabbits and Hares weren’t it.

 

 

The junior grade had Language Arts first period. Brittany wondered what Mr. O’Neill would be talking about as she entered the classroom. She was sure to arrive early, to make sure that she and her ex-boyfriend, Kevin Thompson, wouldn’t be sitting near each other. As she entered the classroom, she saw that Jodie Landon was already there. “Good Morning, Jodie.”

 

“Morning, Brittany,” Jodie said, with an undertone of sadness.

 

“Is something up?”

 

“Oh, it’s just that Oscorp is trying to make moves on my father’s company. But you didn’t hear that from me.”

 

“I won’t spread it,” Brittany responded. ‘I’d tell at least Quinn, maybe Daria.’

 

“Thanks, Brittany.”

 

 

Then Mr. O’Neill arrived. “Oh! Only you two,” he said.

 

“Yes, Mr. O’Neill,” Brittany said.

 

“I don’t understand why the homerooms are scattered about the school,” O’Neill murmured.

 

“Probably the best that Ms. Li could do,” Jodie murmured, before more students entered the classroom.

 

 

“So class, your assignment is to pick something you know you'll fail at. To prove that failing isn't the end of the world,” O’Neill said to the class.

 

“There goes my motivation,” Quinn’s older sister, Daria, commented.

 

“Relax,” Jane Lane said. “At least he’s not making us guess people’s identities by feeling their hands.”

 

“Again?” Daria asked rhetorically.

 

“Brittany, what is something you’re sure you’d fail at?” O’Neill asked.

 

Brittany twirled a pigtail. “I suppose, learning something really complicated.”

 

“Excellent! Although it depends on what that is.”

 

“Some science thing.”

 

‘That will have to do, although Janet won’t be pleased, ’O’Neill thought, thinking of the Science teacher he was involved with despite the principal’s anti fraternization policy. “Brittany! You’ll fail at the science thing.”

 

 

‘I hope not, because I’m sure she’ll bring it up at the next tutoring session,’ Daria thought.

 

“Who else wants to pick what they are going to fail at? Kevin, what about you?”

 

“Me?” Kevin asked. “I’m the QB. But I’m going to ask SpiderGirl out.”

 

 

Brittany heard Kevin. ‘Quinn told me about that. That he got a crush on her as Spidey after she rescued him.’

 

“So, you’re going to fail at trying to get a date with Lawndale’s first superhero? Isn’t that a bit much?” O’Neill asked.

 

“No!” Kevin said. “I’ll find her.”

 

“She may say no,” O’Neill said.

 

“Probably. But I’ll ask again.”

 

‘I’ll have to tell Quinn later,’ Brittany thought.

 

 

O’Neill turned to Jodie. “My parents make me spend my entire summer doing volunteer work that'll look good on my college application. I'd never be able to get the summer off.”

 

“Perfect. Mack?” O’Neill responded.

 

 

After the class, Jane Lane and Daria talked about it as they headed to their next class. “This is the most stupid idea he’s had,” Daria said. “If not for everything else happening in Lawndale these days, it would have been one of the strangest.”

 

“Especially with there being two superheroes with strange powers.”

 

“Especially that. Speaking of, what do you think of Kevin’s quest?”

 

“He’s wasting his time,” Jane said. “SpiderGirl appears where she wants to.”

 

“Then there is the fact that people are asking each other about their favorite animal.”

 

“I don’t know how that started.”

 

“I guess I could ask Tori,” Daria responding, referring to one of Quinn’s friends.

 

“But that probably won’t be until lunch,” Jane responded.

 

“I know, but we can ask others if we run into them.”

 

 

Elsewhere in Lawndale, Norman Osborn entered the Main Office of Grace, Sloane and Page, a so called ‘class firm’. He went up to the reception desk.

 

“How may I help you?” the impeccably put together receptionist asked.

 

He handed over a business card. “Osborn to see Sloane at 10:00.”

 

“Mr. Sloane is ready now, sir.”

 

 

Angier Sloane didn’t really want to meet Norman Osborn. But circumstances had brought the meeting about, and he couldn’t put it off any longer. He saw Osborn enter. “Welcome to Grace, Sloane and Page, Mr. Osborn.”

 

“Lets get to the point shall we,” Osborn said.

 

“Of course,” Angier said as he grabbed a printout. “Your request to join Winged Tree Country Club is denied.”

 

“I knew that,” Osborn said with annoyance.

 

“I was getting to the reason. That recent news regarding Oscorp has brought up concerns about your influence on Lawndale.”

 

“But that’s hearsay!”

 

“Nonetheless, that is the truth,” Angier responded.

 

“That isn’t all is it?”

 

“I am aware of your manipulations of the City Council, and of what really happened to Lynn Anders.”

 

“All just malicious rumors,” Norman said.

 

“I know there’s no real proof, but whatever you’re going to say is not going to change my mind.”

 

“You’re going to regret this.”

 

“And that’s another reason,” Angier added.

 

 

The refusal stung. ‘Just because the Sloanes retained their wealth, and Angier went to Bromwell!’ Norman groused as he stepped out of Grace, Sloane and Page a few minutes later. He had to work to get himself through Empire State, work to establish and grow Oscorp. He turned and looked at the old-style building. He had done his research, and knew that the Sloanes had been in Lawndale since it’s founding. ‘I will bring you down, Angier!’ But that was a long-term project.

 

But he had another idea.

 

 

Shorty after the beginning of lunch, Daria entered the cafeteria and heard the students already in there discussing the ‘favorite animals’ fad, as well as participating in it. ‘But is Tori here?’ she wondered as she looked around. She found that Tori Jericho wasn’t there yet, but she saw Jane sitting across from Sandi Griffin, with the two glaring at each other the way they usually did, as well as Harry Osborn.

 

 

“Daria!” Jane called when Daria arrived with her meal. “Harry has heard something.”

 

“What is that?” Daria asked. “Is it something to do with this fad? Or is it something else?”

 

“Something else,” Harry answered.

 

“He’s been talking about the vigilantes again,” Sandi guessed.

 

“Not this time,” Harry said. “He was saying something about the Country Club refusing him.”

 

“They probably resent that he is trying to take over Lawndale,” Sandi suggested.

 

“I can see how they would think that,” Harry said in a thoughtful tone.

 

‘Thing is, Harry, your father is trying to take over Lawndale,’ Jane thought. She kept that to herself, as she was sure that no one at school still knew that she was the Shadow, the third of Lawndale’s hero vigilantes to appear, after SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon.

 

“Still, it’s probably a good thing that they refused him,” Daria said.

 

“But he’s going to be complaining about it,” Harry said.

 

“And probably plotting,” Sandi added.

 

“Of course,” Daria said. “But we can probably do more about the favorite animal thing.”

 

“It’s harmless, isn’t it?” Harry asked.