During the next class, Lydia gets the chance to ask Rebekah as subtle as she can,- "Hey, did you know any of the other new people before you came here?"
"No, why do you ask?" Rebekah replies playing the fool.
"Um, no reason, just so many new people at the same time, wondering if any of you knew each other beforehand is all," says Lydia before turning back to her work.
Rebekah couldn't help but grin, aware she must have been the one to catch them in the act.
"So I'm new to town and I don't really know where everything is, would you happen to be free later to hang out, go shopping?" Asks Rebekah interested in playing more with her.
Lydia had to think about it for a minute, still feeling a bit awkward, but ultimately she couldn't really fault her, she might have done the same thing given the chance. Still, it was a bit strange that two new people who supposedly didn't know each other, a teacher and a student, got together on their very first meeting on the very first day in school.
Giving her the benefit of the doubt, though she still had to figure out what was up with her and the new teacher, Lydia says,- "Sure, you, me, and Allison can get better acquainted with one another, I love your outfit by the way."
"Thanks, I appreciate it, your outfit is also nice, I think we'll become good friends," said Rebekah.
___________________________________________________
After being informed via text of what Rebekah was up to after school, Nevan begins a more thorough investigation of the town.
Ending up in front of the animal clinic, he strolls in, the hanging doorbell ringing.
"Be right there, give me one second," comes a voice from the back.
"Alright and there we are," He says walking into view,- "I'm Dr. Deaton and how can I help you today?" asked a tall, lean man with dark brunette, brown eyes, and a shaved head. Wearing a white lab coat on top of business clothes, such as a white and white dress with buttons on neutral fabrics and leather loafers. In his spare time, he is seen in casual clothes such as jeans, boots, and a black leather jacket. He typically wears his facial hair in a well-trimmed goatee or beard, which has started to grow gray hairs as he ages.
"This town is becoming more and more interesting, I can't believe I've come across a druid here of all places, I must have missed the tree you all worship the last time I was here," Nevan said recognizing all the hidden druidic rune signs.
"And to whom am I speaking with?" Asked Deaton quite pointedly, foregoing all relaxed mannerisms.
Ignoring him, Nevan continues,- "You know, you don't feel very powerful, did something happen to your tree? It would explain why I missed it last time I was here."
Deaton's brow furrowed,- "You know who I am, perhaps you can enlighten me on who you are?" He asks again growing unnerved.
"I'll take that as yes, but it must still be around since you're here, how about you tell me where it is."
Having enough, Deaton says,- "I think you should go, you're no longer welcomed here."
Nevan smirks,- "Tell me where the tree is and I'll be on my way, you wouldn't want me to go tearing everything up just for one tree, would you?"
"The Nemeton has long been cut down, so there's nothing to find, please leave," Deaton says worrying Scott may show up any minute against an unknown foe.
"Cut down? hmm, you'll have to try harder than that, you still have some power, after all, not to mention the gathering of supernaturals, tell me its location, now!" Nevan demands losing patience.
"Look I don't know what is your hoping to gain, but I haven't lied, the Nemeton was cut down years ago, it's just a dead stump now, I'd appreciate it if you leave."
Nevan tired of this started making his way forward,- "You think your safe behind your mountain ash and druidic runes?" He asks, tearing the small flap door right out, breaking right through the wards, his eyes flashing orange.
Deaton recoiled back in shock.
"Stump or not, I don't care, I'll give you one more chance to tell me or the next thing I break will be you... Oh, what's that I hear? Someone heading this way, tick-tock doc, tell me what I need or others besides you might pay the price."
Deaton having no more options gave him what he needed.
He couldn't help but ask once again,- "Who or what are you?"
"Where I walk the world turns, where I walk the world trembles, where I walk... what's another good T word, ah, how about, where I walk transcendence awaits, eh, how'd that sound? Although why am I even bothering, you won't remember this anyway," Nevan said flashing in front of him before he can react, eye to eye, compelling him,- "You will forget everything that happened here and go on about your day surprised to find your little flap door and wards broke but otherwise unconcerned about how or why it happened."
He didn't wish to lose his new teaching gig yet.
Zooming away right as Scott came into view of the clinic.
Following the special compass, ignoring all signs making him think he was walking in a circle. The Nemeton was aware of him and actively trying to steer him wrong, shifting trees and earth formations, but the compass stayed true.
And then he saw it right as night fell, the great big stump.
"I must say, I am surprised that you've actually been cut down to a stump, and still alive somehow, desperately clinging on to life. You must have been very impressive during your heyday," Nevan says walking closer, angry clouds forming overhead.
"Feeling threatened, are we? Now, why would that be? I don't believe we've met before, and you are far too weak to perceive my true strength," he says while circling the thing.
"I've always had a bit of a dislike towards your kind, malevolent things pretending to be something holy."
"You draw in the supernaturals from the surrounding area, attracting them to you, getting them to fight and die so you can feed and grow stronger."
"You give power to druids to preach on your behalf and hide your malevolent deeds."
"But someone finally saw through you and cut you down, now who could do that I wonder, that's no simple feat."
"Talia!" Nevan exclaims slamming his hand down on the stump, shaking it to its very core as lightning crackled overhead.
"It's all starting to make sense now, how could Talia a member of my pack die to a simple fire, but it was anything but."
"She saw right through you, but after cutting you down, she failed to notice you were still alive, struggling to continue your existence."
"You did what your kind does best and patiently waited for enough deaths to stabilize and then you sent your guardian after her when she was at her most vulnerable and got your revenge."
A lightning bolt came right at him and he swatted it away like it was nothing.
Nevan chuckled,- "Woah, Feeling scared are we? Don't worry, I"m not going to hurt you, revenge is the least of my priorities at the moment, no, I think I'll use you like you use others, I'll let you keep drawing them in but I'll be taking most of the spoils."
"Having said that though, I"m going to need you to tell me where your guardian is or I'll rip you in half right now," he said deadly serious.
An arrow instantly appeared in the dirt. The Nemeton could feel its impending doom if it failed to obey in the slightest.
Nevan patted the stump,- "Good choice, stick around little buddy, we're going to have lots of fun together."
The Nemeton remained behind, not that it had much of a choice, doing what it's always done best, wait, and hope that it could still whether this newest calamity until it passes or for the newest gathering of prey to provide enough substance to finally do something about it if it wasn't all taken away first that is.