Placeholder: Rain, Rain, run away...

[tyler_marlocke]

April 14th
Excelsior Public School, Kansas
10:35 amAs soon as the rain had stopped it was time to hang the flag back up again, and repeat the entire process

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[npc238]

"At least it gets me out of that mind-numbing Social Studies class. I don't see how you can be failing that, norm-rod."

[npc238]

Ambriel adjusted the closed umbrella she carried over her shoulder like a rifle, and looked back at the school.

"Hey, it's that guy. And aren't those the Rainmaker kids?"

[npc238]

It was, indeed, that guy, exiting the building. He no longer carried his bag; instead, his left hand held what looked like the more obscure and alarming kind of kitchen appliance, although if you looked at it right it had a sort of face. His right had was supporting a boy slung over his shoulder, fast asleep.

Most of the rest of the Rainmaker class trooped out with him, looking confused and resigned.

[tyler_marlocke]

"...Vera?" Tyler turned to the side to look at the scene, a sneaking pit forming in his stomach.

"Why are you leaving school?"

[npc238]

"Beats me," said Vera with a shrug. Her expression was that of one who had given up trying to understand. "We're being kidnapped, I guess."

[npc238]

"What?" cried Ambriel, dropping her umbrella.

She darted in behind Steve as he passed, blocking the bearded man's path. "Hold it! I don't know what you're doing, but you'll have to get through me to do it!"

[tyler_marlocke]

...there were no words Tyler could think of to describe the feelings he had right now.

He didn't want to be seen and he wasn't noticed, and he was scared for Ambriel, because... ..this was the Original Rainmaker.

He needed a plan, and there was no time for one, just enough to hide in the space between the van the kids were getting into and the car parked just next to it to watch with The Way of the Spark going through his head.

[npc238]

The man looked a little nervous, but mostly exasperated. "Little missy, I don't have time to-"

[npc238]

"I'm called Guardian Angel," she snapped, spreading her arms. The air around her began to shine like crystal. "You can't touch me, you can't hurt me, and the more you try the worse it's gonna be for you."

[npc238]

The man looked at her levelly. Shifting the... metal thing into the crook of his elbow, he cupped his hand in her direction. There was a faint hum, and a burst of light... but also of darkness...

...and he moved the metal thing back to his hand, and nudged Guardian Angel gently aside as he passed.

"You'll be your old self in a little while. Goodbye."

[npc238]

It wasn't a heavy blow, it wasn't a blow at all, just a slight motion of the man's leg against her, but it sent Ambriel reeling with shock. It was, after all, a completely new sensation.

[npc238]

The last few kids looked apologetically at Ambriel as they passed. "Lyle says everything will be okay," Vern told her. "And... he's usually right."

[npc238]

Zodon, observing all this, cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Mister Transient? Just a moment."

[npc238]

The Rainmaker sighed. "Look, kid, if you're trying to hold me up-"

[npc238]

"No, no. Am I to understand you just walked into PS238, somehow overcame the security system, kept the staff and students at bay, and convinced all of these kids to come with you as hostages?"

[npc238]

The man looked nonplussed for the first time. "Uh, well..."

The device in his hand spoke up. Suddenly, it looked a lot more head-like. = Yes, we did. What of it, my dwarfish lad? =