"I do want to be more. Do more. It's just - lots of people, I think, want to do more, and then don't, I'm not like - Buzz Aldrin or someone- And the idea of magic, something more to the world, is so amazing and there's so much to explore there, cool things that we haven't looked at, that could change the world if not for the masquerade- Wouldn't anyone react like that? ...Is what I would have said before thinking about it. My manager would probably just want to be rich and lazy. For example."

Her tail is lashing behind her.

"Exactly." Her tails are lashing as well. "Most people give up, and even when the world doesn't grind them down and make them give up, they want a simple way to contribute. They want to participate, not fight to explore and fix everything."

Their tails are wagging, she wants to be eating popcorn.

"And who wouldn't? There are too many injustices in the world to just stand and do nothing, even if it's the safe choice. Even if it's the expected thing, and you're a weirdo for protesting or volunteering! I don't want to be an average person when instead I can be nice. That's the one thing I could actually be proud of, thinking of myself as a good person - and not just thinking it but actually trying. Though, it's really hard."

She grins, fire and determination and delight all at once. "Well, I, for one, would be honored to go to war against everything stupid in the world at your side. They'll underestimate us 'cause we're adorable, and then we'll kick their asses for enforcing all the fuckitude."

"I'm NOT cute! But other than that, sounds great. Starting at Arcadia, because I don't think I'd do well with Hawthorn's - Thorns."

"Yeah, same. The pressured environment just sounds unpleasant."

She smirks, then, simultaneously teasing and deadly serious. "And you're right, you're not cute. You're gorgeous."

"Don't just say that! I know you're trying to cheer me up, but that's embarrassing... I was a little pretty before and it wasn't... I mean... I dunno."

"I meant what I said, and I suspect 'a little pretty' is probably an understatement. But we have packing to do."

And with that they're through the portal, packing things away, through another portal, more packing, and then they're waving goodbye to the cop, having just walked through the portal to Arcadia.

"Thanks for all your help, officer."

She hands over two business cards that say "J. Justice, ORC Serious Threat Response, personal_jjustice@orc.hex". As well as two small clinking pouches.

"Givin' you what I can get away with, it's not really that much to me but I can't go giving cash to every witch who ends up in a bad spot, ya know. So feel lucky. And remember the ORC if you meet something that wants to break reality, we are here to keep the world turning."

"Thank you. And will do... Have a nice day. That's the entrance to the College at Arcadia right there, correct?" J. nods, then waves as she turns away.

Lenora mostly sounds tired, and she's holding one end of her broomstick where one large bag and a backpack are draped on it. She brought some of her clothes - they can be resized, apparently, but it might be better just to get new ones.

Then she turns to Sable and - holds her hand, and takes a deep breath and steps through the portal.

This entrance to the College at Arcadia lets out into a wide brick-paved square with a large fountain in the middle. There's the distant sound of chatter and the rustle of wind in the trees lining the square. A few people are walking across the square, but not very many at the moment. The light is red and the sun low, and it's cool with a pleasant breeze. Immediately ahead of them is a tall, square metal construction. A sign says 'Ask where you need to go! A free project of Alt Divination Arcadia'. A bit behind it is a bulletin board with all sorts of ads and notices posted on it - the most noticeable of which appears to be a large graphic of a witch wearing nothing but her greatly oversized pointy hat, which is strategically covering up her middle areas.

She waves gratefully at J, takes Lenora's hand with a grin and a blush, and steps through.

They've reached Arcadia! Yay!

Oh. Um. That ad is rather more than she was expecting. Um.

Then she grins. "That was a surprise. But I think I'm going to like it here, once I get adjusted."

"What was a surprise, the- Oh. It says... Mothergift alterations? Huh."

"...I think you're right, though! Let's ask this thing. Where do we need to go?"

The arcing metal bars and wires twist and shift in near silence, clicking into place. Over about ten seconds, a rough map in wrought iron appears. With bright copper wire tracing out a path and the label 'Student Housing Board'.

"Oh that's so cool!" She bounces and wags, memorizing the route quickly.

She tilts her head in the appropriate direction. "Shall we?"

She seems to have forgotten to let go of Lenora's hand.

"It is! We shall!"