Tumblr Academy reimagined

I stepped forward a bit reluctantly. I wasn't afraid of Jack or what was happening, it was just that it felt weird to be a part of the things in the other worlds. I could fight with my weapons, but when it came to magic or powers it freaked me out a little to be an actual part of it.

Jack reached out and gently touched Nic's temple, and again, their eyes again glowing orange. He seemed to be looking around, at something we couldn't see. Behind Nic, at the foot of the observatory, a crack in reality opened. I quickly grabbed my bag as Jack slowly removed his hand. "Thanks a lot!" I gave the note to Jack. "Give this to Sam and Dean, okay? I still have some work to do with these guys. I'll be home before you know it." He took the note and smiled sadly. I hugged him for a quick second before pulling away. "Okay, Nic. It's your world. You go first."

"I wouldn't have had it any other way," I replied. I grinned at my friends and walked through the crack into my world.

Aiden: I waved at Jack. "Thanks!" I called before rushing in after Nic, followed by Kira, Alistair, Olivia, and Artemis.

I glanced around the forest where we ended up. For a split second I couldn't quite place where we had entered my world at, but them the familiarity hit me. This was the forest by the side of the clearing. I couldn't even bring myself to speak to my friends, instead I just took off into a sprint, headed straight for the cabin, ducking past and overhanging branches. Moments later I felt the sun on my face as I entered into the clearing. Bronze as Ezra glanced up, immediately neighing in excitement when they saw me. I rushed forward, throwing my arms around Bronze's neck, tangling my fingers in his mane. His head rested across my back in an embrace.
"Where have you been?" his eyes and ears asked as I pulled away from the hug. He nudged my chest gently.
I laughed, rubbing his cheek fondly. "I'll tell you later," I whispered.
A creak from the direction of the cabin drew my attention. "Nic?" a familiar voice asked.
"Caldwell!" I cried, sprinting forward and embracing my mentor tightly. He stood frozen in shock for a moment before hugging me tightly. "Where have you been?" he asked. "What happened to you?"
I laughed awkwardly. "It's a long story," I told him. I became aware of my friends having caught up behind me. "Guys, meet Caldwell, my mentor."

I took a deep breath, my hands on my knees. "Ugh, you run fast when you're excited," I groaned before straightening up. I held out my hand. "Nice to meet you, sir, I'm Aiden Stark."

I smiled sheepishly at my friends. "Sorry," I murmured. I saw Caldwell take in their clothing and appearances. He shook Aiden's hand then looked at the others.
"Who are they?" he asked uncertainly.
"That's Olivia, Alistair, and Artemis," I told him, gesturing to each of them so he could put names to faces already.
He paused for another moment before opening the door. "I think you and your new friends should come in and fill me in over a cup of coffee." He headed inside and I held the door open for my companions.

I smiled a bit and walked in, looking around. I was dressed so weirdly for this realm, and Nic was still wearing my vibranium suit. I'll take it back soon.

I glanced at Aiden nervously. "What am I supposed to tell him?" I whispered. I'd been so excited to be home I'd forgotten about finding a good excuse for Caldwell that he would not only believe but not call me out for lying.

"We're from another country?" I whispered back, shrugging slightly.

I sighed. That still didn't explain so much. How would I explain how I disappeared in the mission of a mission? How could I explain meeting them in the first place. There was so much that I didn't know what to tell Caldwell.
Caldwell came back from the kitchen with a pot of coffee and several cups for us. I gratefully took a cup and poured coffee into it, drinking some and trying to avoid Caldwell's studying.
"So?" he asked eventually. "Are you going to explain what happened and where you've been for so long?"
I took a deep breath. I told him the truth. Most of it, anyway. I left out the things about magic and traveling between universes and me dying, knowing that he wouldn't accept any of that as the truth. He watched me carefully as I recalled the story, staying quiet for a moment afterwards. For a moment I was terrified that he would call me a liar or get mad at me, but he just hung his head.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you," he whispered. He looked upset for a moment before shaking it away. "You should take your friends into the market to get them clothes to fit in with the area."

"I actually have a change of clothes, already, but thank you," Alistair spoke up. He was more comfortable here, smiling softly. I wondered how much this was like his first home. I sipped my coffee. It was so much fresher than any I've had before and it was nice.

Liv: I looked around the cabin and noticed how small it was, “We can’t all stay here, can we?”

I frowned a little. "No, not all of us could fit. We have enough tents if you guys wanted to camp, but I can pay for an inn if you would prefer." I turned to Alistair. "I'll show you my room so you can change there, then we'll want to get the others clothes."

Alistair: I nodded. "Thank you very much for your hospitality."

“I’m ok with camping.” Artemis looked like he had just been shot though.

I nodded. I was willing to camp and let someone stay in my room instead if they didn't want to camp. I wasn't sure what Artemis would think about camping though, so I decided to give him and the others time to think through their options. I showed Alistair to my room before returning to the others. Caldwell tossed me more than enough royals to buy them new clothes. I thanked him and noted how distant he seemed. I would have to get a moment alone to talk to him. It can't have been easy on him thinking I was dead, and I still had questions to ask him, like if they still accomplished the mission without me.

Artemis: “None of those options sound good.”

I glanced at him. "The local inn as actually very nice," I replied quickly. "The woman who runs it has always..." I trailed off, shaking my head a little. "But if the others want to camp you can take my room instead."

I got changed. It was weird, being back into these clothes again, of a man who was just barely out of being an illiterate farmer and into an army for Snow White. Of course, without the armor.
Aiden: I gently pressed my hand against his shoulder. It was... the most different from my world we could have gotten. "Camping sounds like an awesome idea." I shot a look to Artemis that said if he didn't shut up, I was going to stick him in the ground.

“Can I see the inn before I decide?”

"Of course," I replied. I couldn't expect Artemis to agree to anything without knowing about it firsthand.

Alistair: I walked back down to where the others were at, my modern clothes in my bag. I was adjusting a bit, still. "Is this attire appropriate for this land?" I asked.

I looked him over. It looked familiar but a little foreign, but that would be overlooked when anyone heard him talk. The same with the rest of them, their accents were not the same for the area so they would be easily labeled as foreigners. "It'll do," I replied, heading for the door. "Now we just have to get the others clothes and see the inn."

Aiden: I quickly followed him. "Wait, you're still wearing the vibranium," I reminded him, holding out my hand to him. "I don't think you want to go around your homeland with it on."