((I'm gonna jump my new girly into the fight zone if not immediately into the battle. Hope that's alright. If not, let me know and I'll edit.))
Vanorah had finished checking in sometime ago and, not wanting to be alone in strange buildings had decided to explore the local town. She was especially looking for the nearest body of water that wasn't a pool.
Strolling down one street after another, totally at random she thought back to what had lead up to her being here.
***Flashback***
That day had started out well enough, just the usual mean spirited teasing anyone who was pretty, smart, and shy could expect to receive. She could deal with that easily enough, and if that was all that came her way Vanorah considered that a good day. However, this day was not fated to be one of those.
The trouble started when she arrived for P.E. Everyone else was carrying some kind of bag. This confused her for a few minutes until their instructor arrived saying, "Ok class, today we're going to be in the pool. So gather your things and we'll head on over there."
Vanorah froze, terror stricken. Not the pool, anything but that!! Panicked she looked around for a way out. Maybe she could just slip away, make the teacher think she'd played hooky. She'd gladly take the detention time for that if it meant she didn't have to swim in front of everyone.
Unfortunately, that was not to be. The instructor spotted her backing towards the door. Loudly so everyone could hear, "Miss Lexington, not feeling like joining us today?"
Having been caught trying to escape she once again froze as all eyes turned towards her. Panicked, not sure what would be worse, she swallowed quickly and meekly followed the rest of the class, trying desperately to think of some excuse the teacher would accept that would keep her from having to swim.
Arriving at the pool everyone headed into the locker rooms to get changed. That's it! Raising her gloved hand and getting her teachers attention, "Uhm, ma'am I forgot to bring my suit. Can I sit this out? Or do something else maybe?"
Frowning, "I announced that we'd be in the pool last week Miss Lexington."
Trying not to show how nervous she was, "I know, but I...I really forgot ma'am. I'll do anything else, please." That was true enough. If she'd remembered they were supposed to swim today she'd have made certain not to be there.
Sternly, shaking her head, "Today was scheduled for swimming, not 'anything else'." Pointing to a closet on the far wall, "There're extra suits in there. Find one to fit you and go get changed. Quickly now, we haven't got all day."
Defeated she slunk over to the closet, trembling inside. Opening it she rummaged through it until she found a suit her size. Moving as slowly as she could get away with she entered the locker room and, finding a secluded corner, stripped, got into the suit, and stuffed her clothing into a nearby locker.
Returning to the pool and walking over to where everyone was gathered by the deep end, she once again tried in vain to hide in the background. But now the teacher seemed determined to single her out. "Miss Lexington, since you seem so reluctant to join in today, you can go first. Into the deep end with you and swim over to me."
Shoulders hunched, her whole body wire taut with fright she inched her way forward, dreading having to swim in the presence of strangers. Reaching the edge she hesitated. "Today, Miss Lexington." And before she could make another move, a hand shot out from behind her and shoved her in.
Startled she gasped as she hit the water, drawing in a big lungful of water in the process. Vanorah floundered briefly as she adjusted to the suddenness of her immersion. But quickly instinct took over and opening her hands, which until then had been clenched to hide the webbing, she quickly propelled herself to the other side of the pool while remaining completely submerged.
Surfacing, she practically launched herself out of the water and dashed for the locker room. Snatching her clothes from the locker she bolted outside, still in the swimsuit, leaving chaos behind her.
***later***
She'd managed to avoid those who'd been in gym class for the rest of the day. Until, that is, the lunch bell sounded. She'd ended up cornered, with no instructors nearby and bullied. And this time it was more than just the usual verbal taunts. Those responsible had been put on suspension, but the damage had been done. Covered in bruises, and bleeding from split lips and eyebrows she'd been sent to the nurses office. Under questioning she'd merely told them what they already knew, that she'd been cornered and beaten up. She refused however to tell them why, stating that bullies seldom needed a reason.
Now, safely hidden in her special spot she tried to shake off the feeling of despair that she'd never fit in anywhere, that there was no place she belonged. Crying softly she curled up into a tight little ball. There was no way she could return home all bloody and bruised, she didn't want to give her father anything more to worry about. He worried enough about her as it is. So she stayed there, waiting for the water to sooth her bruises and wash away the blood.
***Present***
That incident had caused her father to begin looking around for someplace safe for her. Someplace she'd be comfortable, and possibly find a career out of. Somehow or other the offer from the FBI had come to his attention and, after talking it over with Vanorah, had agreed to send her to this new Academy for training.
Vanorah had agreed mostly out of an intense need to find and be with others like her. She wasn't too happy about being in the FBI as she knew that eventually she'd be called on to fight. But she figured that was a long time in the future yet and maybe by then she'd be able to do so.
So, now here she was walking down unfamiliar streets looking for anything resembling a descent sized pond or stream. Unfortunately for her, that wasn't what she found. Rounding a corner she screamed and stopped dead in her tracks as she stared at what was clearly some kind of major fight. She didn't want to move lest it draw attention to her but she also didn't want to remain where she was. Indecision and fear effectively immobilized her and she stayed frozen where she was.