When Asuna opened the door she saw a familiar face exiting an old fashioned station wagon with fake wood paneling on the sides. “Spaulding!” Asuna shouted and ran to hug him.

“Oof!” he said. “Watch the ribs please but I’m happy to see you too.” He grinned, “You seem to be settling in.” He lowered his voice, “If I didn’t know better I’d say you were born this way.”

Asuna smiled then sighed, “Yeah, we’ve all noticed how fast I’m picking this up. Linda’s sister living with us has helped but I have a theory that the change came complete with a mental package as well to make it easier on me.” She shrugged and frowned, “Linda does not agree. She says it doesn’t work like that.”

Spaulding decided Asuna needed to believe in an outside agency, “Well you can tell her that nobody can be certain what a Body Image Template can do so your idea is as valid as hers.”

Asuna smiled again and hugged him more gently this time, “Thanks! It’s great to have to you around.” She threw an arm around his shoulders and lead him towards the house, “Come on! Kim is still packing so we’ll have time to catch up over some coffee. Linda keeps Kona in the house. I’ve discovered I love that Hawaiian coffee.”

Agent Robert Spaulding was glad she was dealing so well with life’s little curve ball and was willing enough to chat but he’d hoped to do it on the road. “We are on a schedule but I did allow for some time slippage,” he said. “So we have time for one cup but most of our chatting will need to be on the way, sorry.”

Asuna sighed a bit, “I understand. I know you are a very busy man. I was just so happy to see you and wanted to tell everything that’s been happening.”

“I want to hear it all but the train won’t wait for us and you have a connection to make,” he opened the door for her and saw her grin and enter in ladylike fashion.

Then once inside she shouted in a surprisingly loud voice, “Kim! Move your shagging ass! The agent is here to pick us up and he’s wondering why the speedster is the one holding up his schedule! If you aren’t ready by the time we leave I’m going to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out of the house whether you are ready or not!” She winked at Spaulding and giggled quietly then shouted, “So make sure you are at least dressed by then or the whole neighborhood will see your bare ass as I throw it in the backseat!” She looked like she’d wanted to continue but she was laughing too hard.

Spaulding shook his head and grinned as a blur raced down the stairs and slugged Asuna's shoulder then raced back upstairs. A single word floated behind the blur, “Meanie!”

“That should get her down in time if anything will,” Asuna said. “And I owe her a little embarrassment still.” Still chuckling she led the way into the kitchen where she poured two mugs of Kona and started adding real cream and cocoa powder and topping it with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

“I’m surprised you can still taste the coffee,” Spaulding said. He was drinking his black.

She grinned, “I’ve been corrupted by the decadent ways of the Carter family. I used to not care but now I’m a coffee gourmet in training and a chocolate aficionado.” She sighed theatrically, “I’m even starting to enjoy shopping.”

“That’s good,” Spaulding said. “I’m also glad that you managed to keep your head down and not make the news again. You’re taking the train as that is the most common and least conspicuous way and you both, along with others like you, will be met at the Dunwich train station by the Dean of Students, Mrs. Shugendo.”

Asuna looked at him, “When you say ‘others like you’ do you mean mutants?”

He shook his head, “Standard Freshman intake is Monday but there is always a group that get brought in on Sunday. Those whose applications indicate they are what Iris calls ‘members of the rainbow brigade’, that includes both of you if I was informed properly.”

Asuna giggled, “I’m sure you were. How is Iris doing these days? I called her a few times this summer along with mom but I haven’t seen her since I left her house with you.”

Spaulding nodded, “She’s fine. Still running the best diner in the state and we’re dating when I can get a few days off in a row.”

“That’s great,” Asuna said. “You two make a cute couple and I think everyone should find love.”

“Yeah, speaking of that,” Spaulding paused to sip his coffee, “I hope you are being careful?”

Asuna giggled, “Going to give me a box of condoms?” She sobered a little then nodded, “We aren’t being demonstrative in public and we are be careful who we tell.” She giggled again, “Actually I think we were the last ones to figure things out but nobody other than Linda and Kim’s closest friends know we are girlfriends and even her friends don’t know I used to be a boy.”

He nodded, “Good, but go slow and be careful. No matter how tough you are physically emotional pain still hurts the same.”

Asuna nodded and the conversation turned to lighter things, she told him about how sparring practices went and demonstrated a few new counters she had learned. He asked how it had gone with the mage and she described that afternoon.

“Being even partially resistant to magic can be a big asset,” he said. “It’ll work best if you don’t mention it though. It won’t stay totally secret but no reason to advertise to the enemy right?”

She nodded and was considering another mug of coffee when Kim zipped into the kitchen. Once she’d got the hang of moving at high speed she rarely moved at any other inside the house. Outside she moved normally almost always but inside never, she said she was trying to improve her stamina but Asuna figured she was just too impatient to move at normal speed when she didn’t have to do so.

“I’m all packed!” she said and stuck her tongue out at Asuna. “Disappointed you won’t get the chance to flash my ass to the neighbors?”

Asuna grinned, “Yes, I wanted to show them what they’ll be missing.”

Kim slugged her arm again and pouted, “Man I wish I was stronger.”

“If you were you wouldn’t hit me quite so often so I wish you were too,” Asuna said. “Anyway, if you’re finally ready let’s get the stuff in the car.”

It turned out Kim had six suitcases and a backpack in contrast to Asuna’s duffel bag and backpack. “Wow, I didn’t know you even had this many clothes,” Asuna said. “You do realize how cold it’ll be up there right? I mean by the time it’s warm up there we’ll be headed back here.”

Kim nodded vigorously, “I know! This is just my fall and winter stuff.”

Asuna goggled at that but Linda nodded so she just shrugged and grabbed a few suitcases and started ferrying stuff to the car. It went quickly with everyone carrying something and the station wagon had ample room for it all. Soon the four of them were at the train station.

“Did you bring the phone we issued you?” Spaulding asked before they got out of the car.

“Yeah, I’ve got the special phone,” Asuna replied. It was a gadget that looked like a normal smartphone but it worked even if there was no cell service and included subspace encryption as a hidden option. “Your number is programmed in as speed dial #1 with the encryption enabled for all calls to that number. Mom is #2 and Linda is speed dial #3. I’ll keep in touch and let you know if I see anything funny.”

Linda nodded, “Good, also keep an eye out for Kim. She’s not as tough or as strong and superpowers do not bring out the best in everybody.”

“Of course I’ll protect her!” Asuna said. “I’m sure Whateley has the same sorts of creeps as any high school. We’ll be careful I promise.”

Linda added, “Also remember to get off at Berlin station and switch to the Miskatonic shuttle to Dunwich. Once you’re at Dunwich wait at the station until Mrs. Shugendo comes to collect you.”

“We’ve both got it Linda,” Kim said. “We’re not little kids or anything you know.”

“I know,” Linda said. “I just worry,” she said and then got out.

They both got out and hugged her; then they all unloaded baggage. Walking through the station Kim was amused and Asuna annoyed at the boys who offered to help them carry things. Neither of them had been on a train before and were surprised that they had a small room to themselves.

“It’s called a sleeping compartment but you don’t have to use it for that,” Spaulding said. “I just figured it would be more comfortable than sitting in a seat the whole way there.”

Asuna thanked him and that started a round of hugs and cheek kissing then Spaulding and Linda left and Asuna dropped down on a bed, “Wow, we’re really on our way.”