Mysteries of Aurora - AD 445

 Aurora at the end of the Roman Era.

Monday Writings - 10th February 2025

 

10^th February

Excerpt from: Mirror Mirror – Jade Survives

Jade Coigley returned to the room that would in her time be Jo Tiegan’s room. ‘Or it will no longer be,’ she thought as she came up to the Mirror. She hesitated, despite the old man saying that she had to come back straight away. ‘I could look around and then go back.’

 

 

Excerpt from: The Engineer and the Time Lady

“Not much there,” she murmured. She wandered over to the Engineering station. She checked the status of the ship. ‘Everything’s in order.’ She went back to the command chair and restarted her Klingon opera playlist.

 

“Klingon opera again?” the Pilot asked.

 

“It’s grown on me.”

 

 

The turbolift opened on Deck 3, where Aialah’s quarters were. ‘And Nina’s quarters are on a different deck!’ she thought again. She shook her head. That wasn’t what she wanted to think about. ‘I miss home, although it was dangerous to stay.’ She was thankful that Nina had brought her to the Baffin, really. As she walked to her quarters, she realised that she was quite tired. ‘Alpha had a point!’

The door opened and she went in and grabbed a PADD on the table. “Computer, access Alae-Lakria database, load a random short story about superheroes that was published within the last 20 years.”

 

“Affirmative.”

 

The story loaded and Aialah began reading it.

 

 

Back on the Bridge, Alpha went to one of the science stations.

 

“Something?” Eta asked.

 

“There are still a lot of questions about this Earth.”

 

“And some of the other Earths the Baffin’s been to?”

 

“Yes,” Alpha said as she brought up the data from Arendelle again. ‘I know there isn’t a match with this Earth.’ She then called up the information on the Alae-Lakria of Alaiah’s time.

 

 

Excerpt from: Mysteries of Aurora

“It’s a big part of what I’m interested in, but not everything,” Freya said. “For instance…” she then told them about the mystery of the missing Renaissance artworks.

 

“That’s still about art,” Anise said.

 

“I guess so,” Freya responded with a giggle.

 

“It’s a bit strange,” Leia considered.

 

“That is one reason why I’m going to investigate,” Freya said.

 

 

Olivia stretched and looked at the time.

 

 

Excerpt from: Spider Quinn

“I agree there, and I think Anders is getting in over her head.”

 

“Most likely, and as far as her motivation goes, she wants to use her powers for good, to help people. Isn’t that enough?”

 

“I agree,” Quinn said.

 

“I’ll talk to Jamie about that, as well as the article,” Ted said.

 

“Thanks, Ted. I’ll go to Ms. Li now.”

 

 

Quinn entered the office to find the principal busy with paperwork.

 

“Ms. Morgendorffer?” she asked.

 

Quinn placed a copy of the Lowdown on her desk. “I’m sure you’re aware of the article quoting me saying something about Kevin Thompson.”

 

“I knew you would come here today, once I read the Lowdown.”

 

“I’d like you to allow Ted to print a retraction.”

 

“That is a massive step, Ms. Morgendorffer. Are you sure?” Li asked.

 

“Of course I’m sure.”

 

“Give me a reason why?”

 

“Because there are likely false rumors spreading and Daria and I might tell my mother that you’re allowing libelous articles to be published.”

 

The Principal looked annoyed. “Fine! I will allow Mr. Dewit-Clinton to print a retraction. As far as I know, the Lowdown has never printed a retraction before!”

 

“There’s a first time for everything,” Quinn said as she turned to leave.

 

 

Angela thought after Quinn left, and grabbed the Lowdown. She re-read the article. ‘I can see how that can be misinterpreted,’ she thought and switched on the PA system. “Ted Dewit-Clinton, please report to the Principal’s office.”

 

 

Daria heard the principal call Ted to her office as she got her food. ‘I guess Quinn managed to get her to print a retraction,’ she thought.

 

She approached the usual table to find Jane Lane and Sandi starring daggers at each other. ‘But what else is new,’ she thought. Harry wasn’t there yet and she saw that Tania Ashworth was sitting with her usual friends on the other side of the cafeteria.

Church notes - February 2022

 6th February 2022: https://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/675412308978270208/church-notes-6-february-2022

13th February 2022: https://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/676047590299762688/church-notes-13th-february-2022

20th February 2022: https://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/697713.html

27th February 2022: https://www.deviantart.com/brenorenz/journal/Church-notes-27th-February-2022-908285556

Church notes - 9th February 2025

 9th

Matthew 6:9 - 13

Mark 6:30 - 44

It is a small world

God wants us to be joyful.

Be faith filled and see opportunities to share

John 1:16 - 18

Gr. Splagchnizomai

Not quite onomatopoeia

Compassion - hence - to feel deep emotion

A deeply felt response to the suffering of others.

Five miracles came from Jesus feeling this emotion.

It is OK to rest.

Pharisees called the people 'People of the dirt'

Jesus saw them as sheep without a shepherd.

What we need most - to sit under the teaching of Jesus

2 Timothy 3:16, 17

vs 35

The disciples were focused on what they didn't have.

vs 37 - 40

The people sitting in groups on green grass.

Like green pastures

Psalm 23

vs 41 - 44

Spider Quinn 14 Battle and Consequence - Part 3

 

They came to a corner office, after evading another of those robot arms. “She’s in there,” the Enigma said.

 

“The door could be trapped,” Daria pointed out.

 

The heard the ding of the elevator somewhere behind them.

 

“Uh oh!” Daria said. She turned around and put her staff in a ready position “Whatever you’re going to do…”

 

“Got it,” the Enigma said.

 

 

The Enigma telekinetically pushed the door open and smoke came from the lock mechanism.

 

“Now, Daria,” Peterson said.

 

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Daria said.

 

 

They entered the room and found Verity tied beneath a desk. Peterson took out a pocket knife and cut her ties.

 

“Thanks,” Beresfield said. “I didn’t see who it was, but I suspect it was Osborn.”

 

“We have to get out of here first,” the Enigma said.

 

“And I can see them coming,” Daria said from the door.

 

“The ventilation system,” the Enigma said as she pulled a vent off.

 

“Better than the window,” Daria quipped. “Get her up first.”

 

“Sure,” Peterson said. “But I don’t want to have to come back for you.”

 

“You won’t need to,” Daria said.

 

 

Verity climbed up the rope into the ventilation shaft, followed by Peterson.

 

 

Daria saw one of the guards coming and used her staff to trip him and then knocked back his partner before the Enigma grabbed her hand and pulled her to the rope.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

 

“That was close,” Daria said.

 

“Do you know the way out?” Verity asked.

 

“We’ll find the way,” the Enigma said.

 

“And you are?” Verity asked. “I heard about the new heroes in Lawndale.”

 

“The Enigma. I’m the newest one. Or maybe Daria is.”

 

“Maybe,” Daria allowed.

 

“The Enigma. I’ll just say that I was rescued.”

 

“That would be best,” Peterson said.

 

 

Less than ten minutes later they emerged onto the roof. “We have to get you somewhere safe. But the station is on the other side of town,” Peterson said.

 

“I always thought it was a strange location for it,” Daria said. “But there is somewhere.”

 

“Where?” Peterson asked.

 

“There!” Daria said pointing.

 

“The Historia? How is it safe?” Peterson said.

 

“It’s that new café bookshop, right?” Verity asked.

 

“Yes,” the Enigma said.

 

“There are apartments at the rear that were used by the actors in the old days,” Daria explained. “I can put Verity up in one of them for tonight.”

 

“Could you explain that?” Peterson asked.

 

“When we get there,” Daria said.

 

 

Meanwhile, Tania (and SpiderGirl) had arrived at the Griffins.

 

Linda had come to the door. “Sandi has gone out,” she said to Tania.

 

“Oh,” Tania said. “Is that the truth.”

 

“If Sandi was here, she would be at the door right now,” Linda said. “Why are you here.”

 

“Like, I was checking something and you might have confirmed it,” Tania said.

 

“And what might that be?” Linda asked warily.

 

“That Sandi might be the Shadow.”

 

Linda sighed. ‘No Tania,’ she thought. ‘Sandi is the fourth vigilante.’ She didn’t say that of course. “I would know if Sandi was the Shadow. The same if she were Ninja Talon. She’s gone out after our tense dinner at the Osborns earlier tonight.”

 

“Sandi did say something about that at school,” Tania responded. “But I see that you believe that Sandi isn’t the Shadow. It’s like the Morgendorffer sisters aren’t the fourth vigilante.”

 

‘She thought Daria or Quinn was the fourth vigilante?’ Linda thought. ‘I doubt either of them are the Shadow, Ninja Talon or SpiderGirl.’ The latter of whom she had sensed sitting on the top of the roof. “You’re not going to get any more answers by going around accusing people, Ms. Ashworth! I suggest you go home.”

 

“Sandi was last on the list, Mrs. Griffin. I may as well go home. It’s still too early to go to the Park,” Tania said. She then turned around and left.

 

“What is Lawndale coming to?” Linda asked herself, once again. “What do you think of this, SpiderGirl? I know you’re there.”

 

SpiderGirl swung down. “How did you know I was there?”

 

“I just knew,” Linda answered carefully. She didn’t know who SpiderGirl was, and thus didn’t want to give anything away.

 

“Right,” SpiderGirl said. “She was at the Morgendorffers and the Lanes earlier…” she began and explained what happened, starting by repeating what she had said to Jane.

 

 

“I see,” Mrs. Griffin said when she had finished.

 

“Anyway, I’ll be off, I’ll see if Tania actually goes home.”

 

 

SpiderGirl followed Tania down the street and saw her go into her house. She swung onto the Ashworth’s roof and breathed a sigh of relief. She decided to wait there awhile and observe Lawndale from that position.

 

 

Five minutes later, she saw the glider in the distance to the southwest. “Uh oh!” she said. ‘Uh oh! Time for our plan, but where is Talon?’

 

 

Ashley-Amber Taylor answered the phone. “Hello?” she asked.

 

“It’s Quinn, is Brittany there?”

 

“I’m sorry,” Ashley-Amber said. “Brittany has gone out. Can I take a message?”

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll see her another time.”

 

 

Daria, the Enigma, Beresfield and Peterson arrived on the Historia’s roof. “So, we’re going to go down to the café and talk to Mrs. Rowe first. She’ll be finishing up for the day,” Daria said.

 

“OK,” Peterson said. “Is that Elisabeth Rowe?”

 

“Yes,” Daria answered. “Is that a problem?”

 

“None at all,” Peterson said.

 

 

Elisabeth had finished closing the café when Daria appeared. “Daria? Why are you here?”

 

Daria then explained.

 

“You know the way then,” she said. “But the fourth vigilante? Wasn’t that what you were worried about on Saturday?”

 

“I was, but it was the attack that had me spooked more than I thought,” Daria explained.

 

“Stacy told me that you’re investigating everything now.”

 

“Yes, and that’s part of it.”

 

“OK,” Elisabeth said.

 

 

Daria lead them through the theatre to the backstage area. “As you can see it was a theatre, before it became a cinema later in the century.”

 

“Interesting,” Verity said. “But where?”

 

Daria lead them to a door, which she unlocked. “This is one of the apartments. The one assigned to Quinn and I, as you can see our name emblazoned on it.”

 

“Morgendorffer,” Verity read. “What a name.”

 

“Of German origin,” Daria said.

 

 

Daria unlocked one of the rooms. “That’s mine, although I don’t know what I’m using it for. I suspect, Quinn, Joey and Robert aren’t using theirs either. You can use it for tonight.”

 

“Thanks, Daria,” Verity said as Daria went to the kitchenette.

 

“There is coffee, long-life milk and canned food here, and a microwave.”

 

“But first…” The Enigma said.

 

“What can you tell us?” Peterson asked.

 

“There isn’t much I can say without violating Doctor-Patient Confidentiality,” Verity said. “But I believe Norman Osborn is very dangerous. But I can say that he is responsible for the event that occurred a week ago,” she dropped her voice. “And that it was the result of a mental break.”

 

 

‘That explains Harry’s concerns,’ the Enigma thought.

 

“How many people know, is hard to say. I couldn’t say anything to his son. Now he has to take on the responsibility, as he is his heir,” Verity said. “But others within Oscorp are certainly involved.”

 

“I will stay here,” Peterson said.

 

Daria nodded. “That’s fine. There is an additional sleeping pad in the closet. But I will be going home and will be back in the morning.”

 

“You have done enough,” Peterson said. “But we will have to talk about what you are doing tomorrow.”

 

Daria nodded.

 

 

The Enigma and Daria exited the Historia. “Heading home?” the Enigma asked.

 

“It’s been a long week,” Daria explained.

 

“It been a long year.”

 

 

Ninja Talon and SpiderGirl met on a rooftop near the Jefferson Bridge. “…I agree Tania could be an issue,” the former said after SpiderGirl had explained what happened. “But the glider…”

 

SpiderGirl looked at where the glider was. “It is close to that area of town. It won’t take much to lead it there, even though it’s risky.”

 

“Right.”

 

The Spider Talon team then headed northwest.

 

 

The Enigma also saw the glider as she and Daria headed back to the Morgendorffers. “Uh oh!” she said.

 

“I’ll get home myself,” Daria said.

 

“Are you sure?” the Enigma asked.

 

“Yes. An inexperienced teen with a staff may be effective against Oscorp goons, but they would be definitely be a liability against that,” Daria said.

 

“Good point. See you later.”

 

 

SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon stopped on a rooftop of an abandoned building that had been purchased by Oscorp. “If this building is damaged, or falls down, the damage should be minimal,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“Then we call the Fire Department quickly,” Ninja Talon added.

 

“Yes,” SpiderGirl said with a nod as she saw the glider approach. She knew it was a tall order.

 

 

The Enigma approached the area. ‘It could be it has been modified,’ she thought. ‘And I need to bring it down without killing the pilot. I don’t want Harry to lose his father, even if he’s quite dangerous.’

 

 

SpiderGirl started webbing up the street as Ninja Talon ran in the shadows along the buildings.

 

 

Ninja Talon ran behind the glider. She then started climbing up one of the buildings.

 

 

The Enigma came to the area and saw SpiderGirl close by. ‘The glider first, then SpiderGirl.’

 

 

“SpiderGirl!” the pilot called out. “I know you and your ninja friend have a plan.”

 

“But you don’t know what it is,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“That’s true, but I have a plan of my own.”

 

“Of course you do. But we’re a team, you’re just one person.”

 

“You don’t know who you’re dealing with,” the pilot said.

 

“A crazed Norman Osborn?”

 

“Osborn, yes. But not crazed. Reborn, as the Green Goblin!”

 

“Green Goblin, sounds terrible,” SpiderGirl quipped as she then swung over the glider.

 

“Take that, SpiderGirl!” the Green Goblin responded.

 

 

SpiderGirl avoided the bomb that was thrown, as the Spider Sense blared. She webbed some of his remaining bombs and threw them into the air, where most of them detonated, although some of them exploded on the street below. ‘Oops.’

 

“You can’t win that way, SpiderGirl!” the Goblin taunted.

 

 

Ninja Talon had climbed up nearby. She then fired a zipline onto the side of the glider, where there was an alerion. She pulled.

 

The Goblin reacted and paused the glider in mid air.

 

‘Uh oh!’ Ninja Talon thought.

 

“Itsy Bitsy Spider! Along came the Goblin to take the Spider and her ally out!”

 

Ninja Talon glared and extended a set of her talons, and unsheathed her katana. She then leapt.

 

 

‘That’s audacious,’ the Enigma thought as she approached the area. She raised a forcefield and telekinetically lifted some nearby debris…

 

 

Ninja Talon racked the glider’s bodywork with her talons and hacked at one of the stabilisers with her katana. She then was webbed out of range of the Goblin’s punch by SpiderGirl.

 

“That was close,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“Yes!” Ninja Talon said as she threw a shuriken towards the Goblin.

 

 

The shuriken missed, but it hit the instrument panel, causing sparks.

 

“You think a little damage is going to stop me?” the Goblin asked.

 

“Probably not,” SpiderGirl responded. “But a lot more will.” She swung below the glider and Ninja Talon racked the underside with her katana.

 

The Goblin accelerated.

 

“It’s been reinforced,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“We can still damage it,” SpiderGirl said as they swung to a rooftop.

 

 

The Enigma then telekinetically flung the debris at the glider at high speed.

 

The Goblin almost fell out. “That telekinetic metahuman again. The fourth vigilante!”

 

“I am the Enigma! I will do whatever it takes to protect Lawndale! Even make a lonely teenager an orphan, but I don’t want to do that. And telekinesis isn’t my only power.” Several projections then it the glider, exacerbating the damage SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon had made earlier.

 

 

“You won’t kill me, Enigma. Your compassion is your weakness,” the Goblin said as he stabilised the glider. “Bye Bye Enigma!” Another missile was fired, but the glider was pulled aside.

 

SpiderGirl had webbed it again and pulled down hard from ground level. The missile passed the Enigma and exploded on a nearby rooftop, causing damage.

 

“We have to work together,” SpiderGirl said to the Enigma.

 

“Of course. And with other villains too. But confrontation and rivalry will still happen,” the Enigma said.

 

“And we’re going to have a conversation after that confrontation,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“We’re still in a battle here,” Ninja Talon said.

“True,” SpiderGirl said. She then grabbed Talon and swung to a rooftop.

 

“I don’t think she wants to talk to you,” Talon said.

 

“I know,” SpiderGirl admitted. “But I just gave her something to think about.”

 

 

The Enigma focused on the glider again. The Goblin was trying to gain altitude but the damage was making that difficult. ‘Let’s make that more difficult,’ she thought. She fired more projections.

 

 

“Where is it going to fall?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“Just onto the street,” SpiderGirl answered. “But how long can she keep it up?”

 

“Probably not long.”

 

 

Indeed, the Enigma was tiring. It had been a long day at school, and the tense dinner didn’t help either. The search for Beresfield and the rescue mission had also taken something out of her. ‘But I need to do this,’ she thought.

Mysteries of Aurora - Saturday September 7, Morning

 

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Freya sketched the view from the balcony near her room shortly after breakfast. “What secrets are hiding?” she asked herself. “Somehow, I know I’m going to be involved in some things.”

 

“Talking to yourself, Freya?” Dana asked as she came up to her from the building.

 

“Oh, trying to make sense of some things.”

 

“What are those, the missing artworks?”

 

“Yes, but not that just. That they haven’t been found, like in private collections, or having been smuggled out of Aurora…” Freya answered.

 

“Have any been found?”

 

“Not as far as I know, but I could look it up,” Freya responded before taking out her tablet.

 

“You don’t have to right now.”

 

“I guess not.”

 

“But what else are you doing today?” Dana asked.

 

“Staying here in the Hall. I’ll be spending time with others here, especially other freshmen, later, so I’ll get to know them better and vice-versa. I have been mostly hanging out with you.”

 

“That’s a good idea. I know there will be a movie night in the Main Common Room tonight.”

 

“What sort of movie?” Freya asked.

 

“I think they were talking about a romance set in the South in the late 17^th Century.”

 

“I’ll think about it,” Freya considered with a smile.

 

 

At the same time, Olivia returned from breakfast to find Olivia playing one of her games. “Which game is that?” she asked.

 

“Imperial Ages, it’s real time strategy. I was inspired by what you have been talking about to play this particular campaign.”

 

“How so?”

 

“Aurora is one of the playable civilisations and this is set during the Nordic Era,” Janara said

 

“That’s interesting.”

 

“There are many other campaigns, mostly in the Roman Era.”

 

“I suppose I could look into it, at some point,” Olivia said.

 

“Or you could watch let’s plays on VideoSpace.”

 

“Would there be any in Auroran?”

 

“Of course. Aurora’s gaming community is quite large for its population,” Janara answered.

 

“Got it. I’m heading to the Library again.”

 

“Already?”

 

“It may be early, but there is a lot to find,” Olivia said.

 

Janara turned to her. “Just don’t wear yourself out, OK?”

 

“I will take breaks,” Olivia said in a reassuring tone. “And I will be at the pool again later.”

 

“That’s good. I’ll see you at dinner then?”

 

“Yes.”

 

 

Freya entered a common room shortly before Eleven. She saw that there were other first year students there, chatting away.

 

“Freya!”

 

“Daniela!”

 

“How did the first lectures go?” Daniela asked.

 

“Quite well. The lecturer’s are quite supportive…” Freya began.

 

“That’s very good.”

 

“And they have experience with neurodivergent students,” Freya said with excitement, bouncing up and down.

 

 

Daniela could tell that Freya was exited to tell her that. “I guess so. I looked into it after the treasure hunt.”

 

“Yes, the University’s web pages are very informative, although I had only skimmed them.”

 

“Very boring?”

 

“Yes, they couldn’t hold my attention. Maybe that’s something I could bring up,” Freya said in a thoughtful tone.

 

“It’s probably a good idea.”

 

 

‘Sometime on Monday,’ Freya thought. “I will do it.”

 

“What else is new?”

 

“I signed up for athletics and football.”

 

“Somehow, after Wednesday, I knew that you would be into sports,” Daniela commented.

 

“I guess I give off that energy.”

 

“What else did you do?”

 

“And I also looked at the art gallery with one of my classmates,” Freya answered. “But only a small portion of it as it became overwhelming.”

 

Daniela nodded.

 

“And I did more sketching.”

 

“You do that a lot?”

 

“It helps me focus and also calms me when I’m particularly energetic,” Freya answered.

 

“It’s good that you found something that helps you.”

 

 

It was a quiet day in the Library. Olivia had been researching slowly as usual. ‘Maybe I need to look further afield. Urbs Aeterna is important, but every part of Aurora has it’s own stories.’ She shook her head. ‘Not yet. Urbs Aeterna first, although it was one of the last major cities to fall to the Vikings.’ She stood up and looked around that floor of the Nordic Section. There were hardly any other students there. ‘Maybe that pink girl?’ she wondered. ‘But it’s not likely she would be here today either. But I’ll keep an eye out for her next week.’

She turned back to her notes.

 

Urbs Aeterna fell in 943, well over a century after the Viking conquests began.

 

‘Well, it had already fallen to the Romans. I’m certain that lessons were learned from the beginning and end of the Roman period.’

 

Note: Check records from AD 96 and 436.

 

‘Not too much at once,’ she thought. ‘But I will have a look at a book that covers the entire Roman Era at some point today.’

A Night at Kristen's

 A Night at Kristen's

At a sleepover, Stacy gets to know her new friends better.

fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6963544/13/Quinn-s-Code

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/62775034