Issue 1 Downtime

John breathed out, adjusted his maroon sweater, and knocked on the door to Rowena's dorm.

"Just a minute." Suddenly her head appeared in the middle of the door as she stuck her head through the door. "Oh, hello!"

John didn't startle easily, but his nerves were on edge enough that he jumped a little.

"We haven't met yet, but we need to talk."

"Okay..." She said, pulling her head back through the door and opening it. "Come in," she said, gesturing to the main room couch.

"Thanks. I'm John, by the way," he said as he moved to the couch, but he didn't take a seat just yet.

She pushed the door nearly closed, not moving towards the couch herself. "I'm Rowena, but given that you're actually looking for me, I'm guessing you already know that."

"Sorry to sound all cloak and dagger, but are either of your dorm-mates here?"

"Not at the moment, no. They're in class."

He sat down.

"Good. Sorry, I'm really not a stalker or anything... it's just a sensitive subject I'm here for. An X-Men thing."

"Well, as long as Will filed the paperwork, I'm a reservist, so I'm cleared for that sort of thing."

"I'm putting together a team for a mission to Japan, and Will tells me you have experience dealing with X-Corp Japan."

"I helped with some of the ongoing post-tsunami cleanup, so I have some experience."

"Having you along would be helpful with talking to them, and powers like yours always have their uses. However as this could prove to be as dangerous as any other mission, I'll of course fill you in on the details before you decide."

"Well, have a seat and start talking. You don't agree to be a reservist if you don't expect to be called up sometimes." Just didn't think it would be this soon.

"It's a weird one so I'll start with a question. Have you ever encountered anything supernatural?"

She looked as if she was considering how to answer, "I once worked with someone from X-Corp who claimed to use magic, but we all thought it was just a ritual mental block for her powers."

"I don't know if I believe magic is a real thing or just a way to frame what most of us can't understand, but I've seen enough to know there are very real forces at play. Some of them are even in evidence at this school."

"I'd heard rumors..."

"Most of the rumors probably aren't true, but there are at least three practitioners of 'magic' here. They aren't why I'm here or being paranoid though. And this... is probably going to sound insane... hell, I thought it was a cruel and elaborate hoax at first despite the supernatural messenger... but..."

"I recently discovered that a cult worshiping a Japanese spider demon has a vendetta against my family, because my samurai ancestor defeated them drove the emerging creature back into the netherworld."

"Just a minute." She turned and walked back through the nearly closed door. After a moment, there was a soft thumping sound as though someone was gently banging their head on the wall in the hallway. After a moment, she walked back through the door. "Okay. Continue."

"I know. It just had to involve spiders, right?" he attempted to joke, sighing afterwards, "Luckily we won't encounter them during this mission unless things go seriously pear-shaped. The objective is to retrieve the supposedly enchanted weapon my ancestor used that we can use if they show themselves. It's apparently effective against Japanese 'demons'."

"You do realize you just jinxed the whole mission, right?"

"It seems I'm developing a habit of that."

"Well, if the world's at stake and you need me, I can help out. I'm not due to start classes until the next semester anyhow."

"I'm glad you're willing," he smiled.

"My ancestor certainly seemed to think our family returning to being in danger was the least of the threat these people pose when they become active again. The warning came from him via this 'ghost'... thing... if you're curious. You might even meet it if my expert on Japanese magic brings it along. I guess you could say he's my family's Watcher."

"Your what?"

"Never seen Buffy the Vampire Slayer?"

"No. Should I have?"

"Should you..." he started, nerd-hackles rising.

No. Calm down. Niiice and caaalm.

"It's a good supernatural show, with comedic dialogue, about this girl that learns she's destined to hunt vampires. She's watched over and trained by this British guy who knows magic. Her Watcher." All and all he didn't geek out too much.

"I'll put it on the list then," she said. "Been kind of busy lately."

"Yeah... not much time for fun lately. Especially with this looming over me."

"Well, once you have your plan more together, let me know what exactly you need from me."

"The guy who knows where we're going is coming in tomorrow, so I'll know soon."