Adrian sat cross-legged on the cool grass of the training grounds, idly twirling his pencil between his fingers while listening to Mr. Alderidge's lecture on the intricacies of monster behavior. The early morning sun cast short shadows across the field, and a light breeze carried the scent of dew and fresh earth. Around him, his classmates were scattered in various states of attention, some eagerly absorbing every word, while others whispered among themselves or stared off into the distance.
He was trying to focus, truly, but his mind kept wandering back to the book he'd been reading the night before. Adrian was one of the smarter children in the class, but not exactly the most popular. Still, he enjoyed learning, and Mr. Alderidge's lessons were usually interesting. All his daydreaming problems had started about a month ago. It was an ancient, leather-bound tome on rare alchemical ingredients, something he'd discovered in a dusty corner of the local library.
The book had captured his imagination with its intricate illustrations and detailed descriptions of ingredients he'd only heard of in passing. There were sections on Moonshadow petals, which were said to enhance night vision, and Phoenix Ash, a potent catalyst rumored to rejuvenate any potion it was added to. Adrian had spent hours poring over the pages, and while there were many things he already knew or suspected, the book's theories on Voidberry Essence were inspired. So he had checked it out.
His excitement had only grown as he read about a concoction called "Elderglow Elixir," a potion that promised to boost one's magical abilities temporarily. The recipe was complex, involving rare ingredients like the scales of a Star Serpent and the sap of an Everspring Tree. Adrian had attempted to make it twice already, but both attempts had ended in failure. The first time, the potion had exploded in a shower of green sparks, leaving him covered in a sticky residue that took hours to clean off. The second time, it had simply fizzled out, turning a dull, murky brown instead of the vibrant gold described in the book.
Despite these setbacks, Adrian felt he was close to a breakthrough. He'd spent the entire previous evening making meticulous notes, tweaking the ratios and adjusting the order in which the ingredients were added. He was convinced that with a few more adjustments, he'd finally get it right. He knew it came down to how he was infusing his mana into the potion, as that was the real challenge for all potions. But for that moment when the last attempt had turned gold? It had been pure bliss.
Another potion that had captured his interest was the "Frostfire Draught," a concoction that could supposedly grant the drinker the ability to withstand extreme temperatures. The thought of being able to walk through fire or survive in sub-zero conditions fascinated him. However, his initial attempts had been less than successful. The potion had frozen solid the first time, and the second attempt had produced a liquid so hot it had melted the glass vial it was in.
Adrian's family hadn't been exactly happy with him that time, but considering his entire family consisted of alchemists of the highest order, they understood the process. His father had even said, "Well, at least you didn't set the house on fire this time," with a wry smile.
As Mr. Alderidge droned on about the feeding habits of swamp trolls, Adrian's mind drifted back to his experiments. He thought to himself, "Maybe if I adjust the ratio of Frostbloom petals to Embercap mushrooms, I could stabilize the temperature fluctuations. And for the Elderglow Elixir, what if I tried infusing my mana in pulses instead of a steady stream?"
These thoughts swirled in his mind, competing with Mr. Alderidge's lecture for attention. Adrian knew he should be focusing on his studies, but the allure of alchemy was too strong. He made a mental note to visit the library again after class, hoping to find more resources to aid in his experiments. Little did he know that his persistence and curiosity would soon lead him down a path of discovery that would change not only his life but the entire field of alchemy.
Adrian was determined, though. He knew that with persistence and a bit more experimentation, he could perfect these potions. The idea of creating something so powerful and useful was thrilling. He could imagine the look on Mr. Alderidge's face if he managed to bring a working Elderglow Elixir or Frostfire Draught to class.
As he sat there, half-listening to the lecture, his mind buzzed with thoughts of his alchemical experiments. He couldn't wait to return to his makeshift lab and try again. Today's class would be interesting, but the allure of unlocking the secrets of those ancient recipes was a constant pull at the back of his mind.
Adrian's fingers twitched, itching to mix ingredients and measure out precise quantities. He imagined the soft clink of glass vials, the bubbling of liquids, and the subtle shimmer of magic infusing his creations. In his mind's eye, he saw himself carefully adding a pinch of powdered Starlight Moss to the Elderglow Elixir, watching as the potion swirled and changed color, hopefully achieving that elusive golden hue.
He wondered if perhaps he should try a different approach with the Frostfire Draught. Maybe alternating layers of hot and cold ingredients, separated by a neutralizing agent, could create the stable temperature-resistant effect he was after. The possibilities seemed endless, and each new idea sent a thrill of excitement through him.
Adrian was so lost in his alchemical reverie that he almost missed Mr. Alderidge's transition to a new topic. The teacher's voice cut through his musings, bringing him back to the present moment. "Now, class, let's discuss the defensive mechanisms of cave-dwelling creatures..."
Blinking, Adrian forced himself to focus on the lesson. He knew the importance of a well-rounded education, even if his heart was set on alchemy. After all, who knew when knowledge of monster behavior might come in handy during a potion-gathering expedition?
And that's when she walked over. Adrian's train of thought came to an abrupt halt as he noticed a figure approaching from the corner of his eye. His heart rate quickened, curiosity piqued by this unexpected development in the middle of class.
The first thing Adrian noticed was her skin—a striking shade of blue that caught the morning light in an almost ethereal way. Her long, curly white hair was tied back neatly, cascading down her back in a manner that contrasted beautifully with her cerulean skin. She wore a practical yet stylish blouse and skirt. The blouse was a soft, creamy white, with intricate embroidery along the sleeves and neckline, while the skirt was a deep, rich blue that complemented her skin tone perfectly. They both looked almost brand new.
But what really drew Adrian's attention were her horns and tail. Her horns were elegant, curving gracefully upward and away from her face, their dark, polished surface gleaming subtly in the sunlight. They gave her an air of regal authority. Her tail, long and slender, swayed slightly as she walked, its movement almost hypnotic. The end of the tail had a small spade on the end. For a moment, his mind wandered to a scene with him and this pretty blue girl standing under the stars holding hands as her tail formed various shapes like hearts or wrapped around him holding him close. He was snapped back to attention as he heard a low whistle of approval behind him.
Elena's blue eyes, striking and intense, almost glowed as she scanned the crowd and sought a place to sit, and for a brief moment, they met Adrian's. He quickly looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed at being caught staring. There was something about the way she carried herself—a quiet strength and determination that made her stand out even more. Despite the whispers and stares from the other students, she seemed focused and composed, a stark contrast to the typical reactions of newcomers. Adrian couldn't help but be curious about her story and what had brought her to their class so late into training.
"Who's that?" someone whispered behind him.
"That's Elena," another voice answered. "She's new. A half demon. I heard she was recently tamed."
A third voice spoke behind him. "Naw, didn't you hear? She's the one that killed that Golthorr!"
A fourth voice piped up. "No way. Is she an initiate? I heard it was an Adept that blew it apart. My dad said he saw the area and whatever it was threw the lizard around and decapitated it."
The fifth voice of the group behind him also gave his tally. "Look at her, dude. There's no way she's not an initiate. And I bet she's not tamed. Although I bet it'd be a crazy ride." A few of the guys behind him clapped hands as they obviously agreed with him.
But Adrian knew she had to be an initiate. She looked like every other initiate out there. Not like every initiate, but she had the features. Guys who got to be that tier were always chiseled and had sharp manly features. Their jaws were just right, their hair perfectly made, their look was leaning towards perfection. And girls? Their skin was always softer. Their curves more accentuated. Guys and girls that got to be higher tiers just had a look. And she had the look. Maybe not as beautiful as an Adept, but definitely an initiate. If not, she was the prettiest Novice that ever existed.
She seemed to laugh at his joke as she scanned the room. Maybe the two of them were linked in mana in some way? Adrian hoped that was the case as he wouldn't mind getting to know her better. His heart raced at the thought, a mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through him. He found himself wondering about her background, her abilities, and what it might be like to work alongside someone so intriguing.
As Elena made her way across the field, Adrian saw Veronica and her clique eyeing her with a mixture of annoyance and disdain. Veronica, with her flawless blonde hair and perfectly polished nails, leaned over to one of her friends, her expression twisted into a scowl. He couldn't hear what she said, but he knew it wasn't complimentary.
"She's pretty hot though," a guy a few feet away from Adrian muttered to his friend, who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, but a demon? That's gonna stir up some drama."
Mr. Alderidge paused in his lecture, his gaze shifting to the new arrival. "Elena, glad you could join us. Take a seat somewhere and we'll get started with the practical exercises shortly."
Elena nodded, her expression a mix of determination and nerves, and found a spot not far from where Adrian sat. As she settled in, he could hear more whispers circulating through the group.
"Did you hear she single-handedly took down a monster that was terrorizing the market district?" a girl with auburn hair whispered to her friend, her eyes wide with admiration.
"No way, she's just a novice," her friend replied skeptically. "I heard she's actually royalty from a distant land, sent here to train in secret."
Another student, a lanky boy with glasses, leaned in conspiratorially. "I heard she was banished from her homeland because she accidentally turned an entire village into stone. She's here to learn how to control her powers."
Another student chimed in. "I heard she's got this crazy power where she can see things from two viewpoints at once, almost like she's in two places at the same time."
Adrian rolled his eyes at that one, but couldn't help feeling intrigued. Some of the rumors were getting out of hand.
A couple of students nearby were discussing in hushed tones. "She's supposed to be some kind of prodigy, you know. Can use advanced spells that even some of the seniors struggle with," one of them said, trying to sound knowledgeable.
As the whispers and rumors swirled around him, Adrian found his curiosity growing. He couldn't help but wonder which, if any, of these stories held a grain of truth. The idea of a half-demon prodigy joining their class was certainly exciting, but he knew better than to believe everything he heard.
He thought to himself, "She's not just beautiful, she's... mesmerizing. Those eyes, that hair, the way she carries herself... I've never seen anyone like her before."
Adrian felt a warmth spreading across his cheeks and realized he was blushing. He quickly looked down at his notes, trying to compose himself. "Get it together, Adrian," he chided himself internally. "She's just another student. A stunningly gorgeous, possibly magical, half-demon student... but still just a student."
He risked another glance in her direction, admiring the way the sunlight played off her blue skin and white hair. "I wonder what her story really is," he mused. "All these rumors... but what's the truth? And why do I feel so drawn to her?"
Adrian's gaze kept drifting back to Elena, studying her subtle reactions to the not-so-subtle gossip. She seemed to be doing her best to ignore the chatter, her posture straight and her eyes focused on Mr. Alderidge. She made sure she wasn’t going to wade through the comments, and Adrian had to admit, that made her even more hot.
Adrian's mind began to wander, his thoughts drifting away from Mr. Alderidge's lesson and towards the intriguing new student.
"I wonder what her story really is," he mused silently. "Maybe she knows about rare alchemical ingredients I've never even heard of. Demon blood is supposed to be incredibly potent in certain potions... not that I'd ask her for that!" He felt his cheeks flush at the thought.
His imagination raced ahead, conjuring scenarios where he'd finally work up the courage to talk to her. "What if Mr. Alderidge pairs us up for the next project? I could show her my notes on the Elderglow Elixir. Or maybe I could offer to give her a tour of the campus... I bet she hasn't seen the secret garden behind the alchemy building yet."
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A small smile played on Adrian's lips as he pictured Elena leaning over a bubbling cauldron in his makeshift lab, her blue skin glowing in the soft light of alchemical flames. "She might have some amazing insights into potion-making. I wonder if demon magic works differently from human magic when it comes to infusing ingredients..."
He glanced at her again, admiring the way she seemed so focused despite the whispers around her. "I've got to find a way to talk to her," he thought determinedly. "Even if it's just to welcome her to the class. Who knows? Maybe we could become friends... or even..."
Adrian quickly shook his head, trying to dispel that train of thought. "Focus, Adrian," he scolded himself internally. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Just try saying hello first."
Adrian tried to block out the gossip and focus on what Mr. Alderidge was saying, but his curiosity kept pulling his attention back to Elena. She seemed so different from anyone else here, and not just because of her appearance. There was something about the way she held herself, a kind of quiet strength that made him wonder what her story was. Her tail kept swishing back and forth. At one point it smacked against a student's arm as he tried to reach for her.
Adrian tried to block out the gossip and focus on what Mr. Alderidge was saying, but his curiosity kept pulling his attention back to Elena. She seemed so different from anyone else there, and not just because of her appearance. There was something about the way she held herself, a kind of quiet strength that made him wonder what her story truly was. Her tail kept swishing back and forth. At one point it smacked against a student's arm as he tried to reach for her.
Veronica, meanwhile, was still glaring daggers at Elena, clearly not pleased with the new addition to their class. It wasn't hard to guess why—Veronica loved being the center of attention, and Elena's entrance had stolen her thunder. ‘Man, this new girl is already starting to piss off the popular kids’ Adrian thought to himself. ‘I’m liking her more and more already!’
Adrian saw one of the guys in the class about to grab her shoulder and probably direct her towards an open spot next to himself and Adrian really hoped that she’d sit near him. But just as he was about to touch her, the girl…no the woman’s tail smacked his hand out of the way. ‘She’s got an initiate’s speed!’ he thought to himself excitedly!
The woman started to say something to Taryn but he just pulled back from her and rubbed his arm.
Mr. Alderidge resumed his lecture, but Adrian could see him glancing at Elena occasionally, as if assessing her potential. "Today we'll be focusing on harnessing your powers and understanding their limits. We'll also cover some basics of monster hunting. Everyone, find a partner and get ready for the exercises."
As everyone began to pair up, Adrian found himself standing awkwardly, unsure of whom to team up with. To his surprise, Elena walked over to him, offering a tentative smile. “Uh...hi,” Uh....Mind if I partner with you?" she asked.
Adrian's heart skipped a beat. He nodded, trying to play it cool despite the sudden rush of excitement. "Sure, that'd be great," he managed to say, his voice steadier than he felt. "I'm Adrian, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Adrian," she said, her voice calm and steady despite the whispers and stares still following her every move.
Adrian's mind raced as he looked into Elena's striking blue eyes. ‘She chose me as her partner,’ he thought, a mix of elation and nervousness washing over him. ‘This is my chance to get to know her, to see beyond the rumors. I hope I don't mess this up.’
He found himself captivated by her presence, noticing small details he hadn't seen from afar - the subtle shimmer of her skin, the graceful curve of her horns, the intelligence in her gaze. Adrian realized he was staring and quickly averted his eyes, feeling a blush creep up his neck.
He stood there for a brief moment as his mind played a vision for him of this blue hued beauty sitting next to him, her fingers reaching for his as she looked in awe at his prowess with mixing chemicals.
“So…I’m kind of new here, what are we supposed to be doing?” she asked him questioningly as her giant blue eyes sucked him in. Her words snapped him out of his daydream.
"So, um, have you done exercises like this before?" he asked, trying to start a conversation while they waited for further instructions from Mr. Alderidge.
“You mean monster hunting?” she asked inquisitively.
He nodded. Visions of Elena begging for help came to mind, and Adrian acting all big and mighty protecting her.
"Not exactly," she finally said, "but I've had some... interesting experiences." She looked at him, brushed some hair past her ear and smiled at him. "How about you?” she asked him hopefully.
Elena hurried down the pathway, her heart pounding in her chest. She was late, and she hated being late. As she neared the training grounds, she could see the other students already gathered; Mr. Alderidge was in the middle of a lecture. Elena took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. This was it, her first "class”. She had a sneaking suspicion that her day was going to be a doozy.
The morning sun cast short shadows across the field, and a light breeze carried the scent of dew and fresh earth. It forced memories of her old life, of mornings spent rushing to work or school. But now, everything was different. She was different.
She stopped just outside the gate, taking a moment to mentally prepare herself. Elena closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and let the breath out slowly. Her tail twitched nervously behind her, a reflection of the anxiety swirling in her stomach. It was still strange, having a tail. Sometimes she forgot it was there, and other times it seemed to have a mind of its own, betraying her emotions when she least wanted it to.
With a final steadying breath, she stepped through the gate. All conversation seemed to stop as the students turned to look at her. Elena's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she tried to walk with as much confidence as she could muster. She felt every eye on her, and her tail swayed nervously behind her. The weight of their stares made her acutely aware of her blue skin, her horns, and her tail – features that still felt foreign to her.
'God, I feel like a freak show,' she thought to herself as she looked around. 'Do they have to stare so much? I wonder if I'll ever get used to looking like this, or if I'll always feel like I'm guy wearing a cosplay.'
Her long, white hair was tied back neatly, and she was grateful for the enchanted blouse and skirt she wore. If she had been in normal clothes, she was sure her armpits would have been a solid stain by now. The magic in the fabric kept her cool and dry, which was a small comfort in this uncomfortable situation.
As Elena scanned the group, she couldn't help but feel like she was under a microscope. Every little detail about her was being dissected by curious and sometimes hostile eyes. She focused on breathing deeply, trying to calm her racing heart.
Looking around, Elena spotted a boy sitting cross-legged on the grass, seemingly lost in thought. He appeared to be daydreaming, completely oblivious to the commotion she had caused by arriving late. The rest of the class, however, was openly talking about her. She could hear snippets of their conversations as she walked by.
"Did you hear she single-handedly took down a monster that was terrorizing the market district?" "Yeah I did," Elena muttered to herself.
"No way, she's just a novice. I heard she's actually royalty from a distant land, sent here to train in secret." "God that would be awesome," Elena heard herself say. She should really find out what happened to her brain-mouth filter.
Elena's ears burned as she overheard the whispered conversations and wild rumors swirling around her. 'Who the hell is spreading these rumors anyway?' she wondered, trying to maintain her composure.
As her eyes swept across the gathered students, Elena's gaze landed on a blonde girl who must be Veronica, surrounded by her clique. She glared at Elena with open disdain, her perfectly manicured nails tapping impatiently against her arm. Elena quickly looked away, not wanting to engage with her obvious hostility.
Her attention was drawn back to the boy sitting cross-legged on the grass, still lost in thought. There was something endearing about his distracted state, and Elena found herself wondering what could be occupying the boy's thoughts so completely.
As she continued to make her way across the field, Elena could hear more snippets of conversations. The rumors about her ranged from the somewhat true to the utterly ridiculous.
"Who's that?" someone whispered behind her.
"That's Elena," another voice answered. "She's new. A half demon. I heard she was recently tamed."
Elena had to stifle a laugh at that. 'Tamed, huh? Yeah, because waking up as a half-demon woman is totally something you can prepare for. I had plans for winning the lottery, and the best plan on how to survive the zombie apocalypse. Womanhood wasn't even on the list.'
As Elena walked past a group of male students, she overheard one of them whistle lowly and say to his friends, "Damn, She's hotter than dragon fire. Just feeling that hot breath on me…I wouldn't mind getting to know her better, if you know what I mean."
His friend chuckled and replied, "Yeah, but a demon? C'mon, you can do better."
Discomfort and irritation fought for Elena's attention as she heard their comments. She thought to herself, "Is this what women have to put up with all the time? No wonder they get so annoyed. I feel like I need a shower just hearing that."
She chuckled to herself as a thought came to mind. 'God, If only they knew the truth. But I swear to god, if one of them tried to tame me in a bedroom I'll kick their ass.'
A third voice chimed in, "Naw, didn't you hear? She's the one that killed that Golthorr!"
As Elena continued to walk, the mix of rumors and comments swirled around her. The truth about the Golthorr encounter brought a complex blend of pride and unease. It had been a terrifying yet exhilarating experience, revealing the extent of her capabilities in this new form.
"No way. Is she an initiate? I heard it was an Adept that blew it apart. My dad said he saw the area and whatever it was threw the lizard around and decapitated it."
Elena couldn't help but smirk at this embellishment. She hadn't exactly 'blown it apart,' but she had to admit, the reality had been pretty impressive in its own right.
"Look at her, dude. There's no way she's not an initiate. And I bet she's not tamed. Although I bet it'd be a crazy ride."
Elena felt a mixture of amusement and annoyance at this comment. On one hand, it was flattering to be considered attractive. On the other hand, being objectified like this made her uncomfortable. She couldn't help but think back to her life before, when she remembered talking with friends about women. The irony of being the one talked about wasn't lost on her.
'Man, is this what women deal with? Damn, I hope I had been more subtle about it,' she internally cringed.
As she passed by a group of girls, she overheard more fantastical rumors.
"Did you hear she single-handedly took down a monster that was terrorizing the market district?" a girl with auburn hair whispered to her friend, her eyes wide with admiration.
"No way, she's just a novice," her friend replied skeptically. "I heard she's actually royalty from a distant land, sent here to train in secret."
Elena had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing out loud. 'Royalty? Shit, that's a new one.' She imagined herself in a tiara and royal robes, waving regally to her subjects. The mental image was so absurd that she almost snorted.
Another student, a lanky boy with glasses, leaned in conspiratorially to his friends. "I heard she was banished from her homeland because she accidentally turned an entire village into stone. She's here to learn how to control her powers."
This rumor was so outlandish that Elena couldn't even be annoyed by it. She wondered idly who was coming up with these stories. Did they have nothing better to do than spin wild tales about the new student?
As the whispers and stares continued, Elena found herself growing increasingly irritated. It was like being under a microscope, with everyone dissecting every little detail about her. She focused on breathing deeply, trying to calm her racing heart.
Suddenly, she felt a strange sensation wash over her. It was as if she could sense the energy of those around her. Some of the students felt... weaker than she had expected. In fact, many of them didn't seem much more powerful than she was. A few even felt noticeably weaker.
This realization gave Elena a boost of confidence. She straightened her posture and lifted her chin slightly. Maybe she wasn't as out of place here as she had initially thought. ‘You can do this. Just a dude walking to a seat. Just find some kid that looks friendly, sit next to them, shake their hand and make friends.’
As she walked, she noticed something peculiar. Some of the students had a certain look about them. It was hard to describe, but they seemed more... refined? Their features were sharper, more defined. It was almost as if she could see how some people weren’t quite up to par, but some people looked downright dangerous.
Her musings were interrupted when she felt a hand about to touch her shoulder. Reacting on instinct, she smacked it away, turning to see a startled boy who had been reaching out to her. It was one of the boys from the group that had been discussing how 'hot' she was earlier.
The boy's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly pulled his hand back, rubbing his arm where a bruise was already starting to form. Elena felt a mix of frustration and regret. She hadn't meant to hit the boy that hard.
"It's okay," Elena said softly, trying to offer a reassuring smile. "I just... don't like being touched without warning."
The boy didn't say anything, just continued rubbing his arm and staring at Elena with a mix of anger and awe. Elena sighed internally. ‘Way to go. Someone just wants to say hi and you give him a bruise.’ This wasn't exactly the first impression she had hoped to make.
Mr. Alderidge's voice broke through the chatter, drawing everyone's attention. "Today we'll be focusing on harnessing your powers and understanding their limits. We'll also cover some basics of monster hunting. Everyone, find a partner and get ready for the exercises."
As the students began to pair up, Elena stood there, feeling awkward and unsure of who to team up with. She noticed the daydreaming boy from earlier looking around, seeming equally lost. On an impulse, Elena decided to approach him.
"Uh...hi," Elena said, trying to sound friendly. The boy just looked at her, seeming a bit stunned. Elena pressed on, "Uh....Mind if I partner with you?"
The boy nodded, but Elena could see sweat forming on his brow. He was clearly trying to play it cool, but his nervousness was evident. "Sure, that'd be great," the boy managed to say, his voice steadier than Elena had expected. "I'm Adrian, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Adrian," Elena replied, keeping her voice calm and steady despite the whispers and stares still following her every move. The boy looked at her a bit dumbfounded for an uncomfortable few seconds that stretched on to nearly half a minute. Elena looked at him expectantly, but he seemed content to just stare off into the distance. As his eyes started to glaze over, thoughts of her failing the class and being kicked out started to get her worried. “So…I’m kind of new here, what are we supposed to be doing?”
Adrian shook his head forcing himself to come back to his senses and picked up as if he hadn’t just been off in lala land for the better part of a minute.
"So, um, have you done exercises like this before?" Adrian asked, clearly trying to start a conversation.
Not knowing where his head was, she clarified. “You mean monster hunting?”
Adrian nodded
Elena considered her answer carefully. She didn't want to lie, but she didn’t want to add to the rumor mill. She thought for a moment and chose her next words carefully. "Not exactly," she said finally, "but I've had some... interesting experiences." She thought back to her encounter with the Golthorr, a slight smile playing on her lips. "How about you?”
As Adrian began to respond, Elena found herself relaxing a bit. Despite his obvious nervousness, there was something genuine about Adrian that she appreciated. Maybe, just maybe, she had found someone she could actually talk to in this strange new world she found herself in.